This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/12/coronavirus-live-news-lebanon-sees-record-cases-after-blast-as-new-zealands-biggest-city-heads-into-lockdown

The article has changed 43 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 34 Version 35
Coronavirus live news: Russia says first batch of vaccine ready in two weeks; Spain cases jump by nearly 1,700 Coronavirus live news: Russia says first batch of vaccine ready in two weeks; Spain cases jump by nearly 1,700
(32 minutes later)
Country struggling with surge in infections; Moscow rejects concerns over safety; Germans told to keep guard up against virusCountry struggling with surge in infections; Moscow rejects concerns over safety; Germans told to keep guard up against virus
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 5,119,711 cases of coronavirus. That is an increase of 55,540 cases from its previous count. The CDC said the number of deaths in the United States had risen by 1,244 to 163,651.
The CDC reported its tally of Covid-19 as of 4pm ET on 11 August versus its previous report a day earlier.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.
Turkish schools will start to reopen on 21 September in a gradual transition to in-person education, the country’s education minister Ziya Selcuk said on Wednesday, delaying the reopening after a rise in coronavirus cases.
In a news conference after a meeting of Turkey’s science board to discuss measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, Selcuk said that distance learning will begin on 31 August, when schools had previously been set to open.
The science board recommended that education in schools should not begin for at least one more month, health minister Fahrettin Koca said.
In a written statement following the meeting, Koca said that face-to-face education will begin gradually and that online education will be conducted if necessary.
Ankara announced the initial closure of schools in mid-March after the emergence of the first coronavirus cases in the country.
Chile will lift one of the world’s longest lockdowns on Monday, moving the capital Santiago’s central business district and adjoining Central Station to a “transitional” stage under a “Step by Step” reopening.
“This is a very important announcement for us and one that gives us great satisfaction,” the health minister Enrique Paris told a press conference in Santiago on Wednesday.
Chile has faced one of Latin America’s fiercest coronavirus outbreaks, at one stage ranking only behind Qatar globally for cases per head of the population, but case and fatality rates have declined steadily over the last two months.
Santiago mayor, Felipe Alessandri, said the reopening did not give a “carte blanche” to citizens, who should remain indoors whenever possible, wear masks in public and wash their hands.
People may leave their homes on weekdays without the previously required police permissions, and meet in small groups, while businesses can gradually reopen.
The centre of Santiago has been under strict lockdown for 143 days since 26 March, shortly after the country’s first coronavirus case was confirmed. Central Station followed a month later.
The government started to reopen the capital city two weeks ago by lifting the lockdown in suburbs to the east and south.
It has been more cautious about reopening Santiago’s densely populated center, particularly the Alameda central thoroughfare and Plaza Italia, where massive and often violent social protests started in October over inequality.
Smaller, scattered protests over deepening poverty and inequality have sprung up despite the lockdown.
Here’s a quick look back at the latest coronavirus-related stories from the past few hours:Here’s a quick look back at the latest coronavirus-related stories from the past few hours:
Coronavirus pushing much of the world into record financial slumps. The pandemic has pushed most of the world’s major economies into unprecedented contractions in the second quarter, except for China which escaped a recession.Coronavirus pushing much of the world into record financial slumps. The pandemic has pushed most of the world’s major economies into unprecedented contractions in the second quarter, except for China which escaped a recession.
WHO concerned about coronavirus in Lebanon as it seeks $76m aid after Beirut blast. The World Health Organization has appealed for $76m in aid for Lebanon after last week’s massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals, clinics and medical supplies.WHO concerned about coronavirus in Lebanon as it seeks $76m aid after Beirut blast. The World Health Organization has appealed for $76m in aid for Lebanon after last week’s massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals, clinics and medical supplies.
Russia says first batch of Sputnik V vaccine ready in two weeks. Russia said on Wednesday the first batch of its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine would be ready within two weeks and rejected safety concerns over its rapid approval as ‘groundless’.Russia says first batch of Sputnik V vaccine ready in two weeks. Russia said on Wednesday the first batch of its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine would be ready within two weeks and rejected safety concerns over its rapid approval as ‘groundless’.
UK’s Covid-19 official death toll lowered by over 5,000 after methodology change. Britain’s official death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic has been lowered by to 41,329 as the government adopted a new way of counting fatalities, after concerns were raised that the old method overstated them.UK’s Covid-19 official death toll lowered by over 5,000 after methodology change. Britain’s official death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic has been lowered by to 41,329 as the government adopted a new way of counting fatalities, after concerns were raised that the old method overstated them.
Greece posts its highest daily number of virus cases. Greece has registered 262 new Covid-19 infections, the highest figure since the pandemic began and part of a steadily rising trend this month.Greece posts its highest daily number of virus cases. Greece has registered 262 new Covid-19 infections, the highest figure since the pandemic began and part of a steadily rising trend this month.
Germany: government says people must keep guard up as new infections hit three-month high. Germany’s government has urged citizens to keep their guard up and stick to public health guidelines, as new Covid-19 infections hit a three-month high and schools reopened in the country’s most populous state.Germany: government says people must keep guard up as new infections hit three-month high. Germany’s government has urged citizens to keep their guard up and stick to public health guidelines, as new Covid-19 infections hit a three-month high and schools reopened in the country’s most populous state.
‘Archbishop’ of Florida church selling bleach ‘miracle cure’ arrested with son. The self-styled “archbishop” of a purported church in Florida that sells industrial bleach as a “miracle cure” for Covid-19 has been arrested with his son in Colombia and faces extradition to the US.‘Archbishop’ of Florida church selling bleach ‘miracle cure’ arrested with son. The self-styled “archbishop” of a purported church in Florida that sells industrial bleach as a “miracle cure” for Covid-19 has been arrested with his son in Colombia and faces extradition to the US.
That’s all from me for today, I’ll be handing over to my colleague Lucy Campbell for the next few hours.That’s all from me for today, I’ll be handing over to my colleague Lucy Campbell for the next few hours.
Coronavirus cases in Spain jumped by nearly 1,700 on Wednesday, part of a surge that has prompted the construction of a military field hospital in the hard-hit Aragon region and led authorities in Galicia to practically ban smoking in public places.Coronavirus cases in Spain jumped by nearly 1,700 on Wednesday, part of a surge that has prompted the construction of a military field hospital in the hard-hit Aragon region and led authorities in Galicia to practically ban smoking in public places.
Health ministry data showed 1,690 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed in the 24 hours to Wednesday, up from the 1,418 reported on Tuesday and bringing the cumulative total to 329,784.Health ministry data showed 1,690 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed in the 24 hours to Wednesday, up from the 1,418 reported on Tuesday and bringing the cumulative total to 329,784.
The new daily number excluded Madrid, which did not provide fresh data due to technical difficulties.The new daily number excluded Madrid, which did not provide fresh data due to technical difficulties.
Since lifting its strict lockdown around six weeks ago Spain has struggled to keep a lid on new infections, with average daily cases rising from less than 150 in June to more than 1,500 in the first 12 days of August.Since lifting its strict lockdown around six weeks ago Spain has struggled to keep a lid on new infections, with average daily cases rising from less than 150 in June to more than 1,500 in the first 12 days of August.
In scenes reminiscent of the epidemic’s March-April peak, TV footage showed air force personnel setting up dark green tents to serve as a field hospital in Zaragoza, Aragon’s regional capital in northeastern Spain.In scenes reminiscent of the epidemic’s March-April peak, TV footage showed air force personnel setting up dark green tents to serve as a field hospital in Zaragoza, Aragon’s regional capital in northeastern Spain.
Set to open on Friday, the facility attached to Zaragoza’s University Clinic hospital will be used as a triage centre and temporary ward, the air force said in a statement.Set to open on Friday, the facility attached to Zaragoza’s University Clinic hospital will be used as a triage centre and temporary ward, the air force said in a statement.
With 571 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, Aragon has the highest prevalence of the virus in Spain.With 571 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, Aragon has the highest prevalence of the virus in Spain.
Navarre, with the second-highest rate, has just 159 cases per 100,000 people.Navarre, with the second-highest rate, has just 159 cases per 100,000 people.
Despite having some of the lowest levels of the virus, northwestern Galicia issued a blanket ban on smoking on the street and on restaurant terraces when social-distancing cannot be guaranteed.Despite having some of the lowest levels of the virus, northwestern Galicia issued a blanket ban on smoking on the street and on restaurant terraces when social-distancing cannot be guaranteed.
Under Spain’s decentralised government, each region is largely in charge of its own response to the virus, leading to a patchwork of different restrictions and preventative measures.Under Spain’s decentralised government, each region is largely in charge of its own response to the virus, leading to a patchwork of different restrictions and preventative measures.
Wealthy northeastern Catalonia is set to expand a mass-testing program in the coming days to include several neighbourhoods of its capital, Barcelona.Wealthy northeastern Catalonia is set to expand a mass-testing program in the coming days to include several neighbourhoods of its capital, Barcelona.
The self-styled “archbishop” of a purported church in Florida that sells industrial bleach as a “miracle cure” for Covid-19 has been arrested with his son in Colombia and faces extradition to the US.The self-styled “archbishop” of a purported church in Florida that sells industrial bleach as a “miracle cure” for Covid-19 has been arrested with his son in Colombia and faces extradition to the US.
Video footage posted to the Twitter feed of Colombia’s top prosecutor showed Mark Grenon and his son Joseph Grenon, dressed in blue jump suits and masks, being led away by armed police.Video footage posted to the Twitter feed of Colombia’s top prosecutor showed Mark Grenon and his son Joseph Grenon, dressed in blue jump suits and masks, being led away by armed police.
The prosecutor’s office said the pair had been taken into custody on suspicion of selling a “miracle solution” that had caused the deaths of seven American citizens.The prosecutor’s office said the pair had been taken into custody on suspicion of selling a “miracle solution” that had caused the deaths of seven American citizens.
The Grenons’ apprehension comes a month after the “archbishop” of the Genesis II “church”, as well as three of his sons, were charged by federal authorities in Florida with dealing in a substance that has not been approved for medical use and could be life-threatening.The Grenons’ apprehension comes a month after the “archbishop” of the Genesis II “church”, as well as three of his sons, were charged by federal authorities in Florida with dealing in a substance that has not been approved for medical use and could be life-threatening.
The substance, chlorine dioxide, is a powerful bleach used in textile manufacturing.The substance, chlorine dioxide, is a powerful bleach used in textile manufacturing.
The Grenons market it as “miracle mineral solution” or MMS which they say when drunk as a dilution can cure almost all illnesses including Covid, cancer, HIV/Aids as well as the condition autism.The Grenons market it as “miracle mineral solution” or MMS which they say when drunk as a dilution can cure almost all illnesses including Covid, cancer, HIV/Aids as well as the condition autism.
Greece has registered 262 new Covid-19 infections, the highest figure since the pandemic began and part of a steadily rising trend this month.Greece has registered 262 new Covid-19 infections, the highest figure since the pandemic began and part of a steadily rising trend this month.
The public health organisation also said two more people had died, bringing the total virus death toll to 216.The public health organisation also said two more people had died, bringing the total virus death toll to 216.
The number of patients under intensive care has nearly doubled, with 24 reported on Wednesday up from 13 last week.The number of patients under intensive care has nearly doubled, with 24 reported on Wednesday up from 13 last week.
Authorities have blamed the spike in infections on the flouting of social distancing rules in restaurants, bars and public gatherings.Authorities have blamed the spike in infections on the flouting of social distancing rules in restaurants, bars and public gatherings.
Health minister Vassilis Kikilias said earlier the average age of those infected in August had dropped to 36 years old.Health minister Vassilis Kikilias said earlier the average age of those infected in August had dropped to 36 years old.
“It can happen even if you’re young and think you’re invulnerable,” Kikilias tweeted.“It can happen even if you’re young and think you’re invulnerable,” Kikilias tweeted.
The Greek government on Monday announced a night curfew for restaurants and bars in some of its top tourist destinations.The Greek government on Monday announced a night curfew for restaurants and bars in some of its top tourist destinations.
Eateries and bars are closed from midnight to 7am in a dozen parts of the country, including the popular islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes and Crete.Eateries and bars are closed from midnight to 7am in a dozen parts of the country, including the popular islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes and Crete.
The cities of Thessaloniki, Larissa, Volos and Katerini are also affected, as is the Halkidiki peninsula which is popular with Balkan visitors.The cities of Thessaloniki, Larissa, Volos and Katerini are also affected, as is the Halkidiki peninsula which is popular with Balkan visitors.
In addition, all passengers on flights from Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden arriving from 17 August must provide a negative Covid-19 result obtained up to 72 hours before entry, as must all land border arrivals.In addition, all passengers on flights from Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden arriving from 17 August must provide a negative Covid-19 result obtained up to 72 hours before entry, as must all land border arrivals.
The civil protection agency last week made masks compulsory in all indoor public areas.The civil protection agency last week made masks compulsory in all indoor public areas.
The government has ruled out a general lockdown after gradually reopening the economy in May and starting to accept foreign arrivals in June to salvage part of the tourism season which is vital to the economy.The government has ruled out a general lockdown after gradually reopening the economy in May and starting to accept foreign arrivals in June to salvage part of the tourism season which is vital to the economy.
Only 10% of cases in Greece can be traced to foreign arrivals.Only 10% of cases in Greece can be traced to foreign arrivals.
Venezuelan oil minister Tareck El Aissami said he has recovered from Covid-19, a month after he tested positive for the virus.Venezuelan oil minister Tareck El Aissami said he has recovered from Covid-19, a month after he tested positive for the virus.
El Aissami, who is also the OPEC nation’s economic vice president, said on Twitter he had received a negative result on a rapid test for the virus.El Aissami, who is also the OPEC nation’s economic vice president, said on Twitter he had received a negative result on a rapid test for the virus.
“Thanks to President Nicolas Maduro and [first lady] Cilia Flores for all their support and strong prayers,” El Aissami wrote. “We have overcome.”“Thanks to President Nicolas Maduro and [first lady] Cilia Flores for all their support and strong prayers,” El Aissami wrote. “We have overcome.”
Venezuela, whose oil industry and economy have unraveled during Maduro’s six-year tenure, has reported 27,938 cases of the coronavirus and 238 deaths.Venezuela, whose oil industry and economy have unraveled during Maduro’s six-year tenure, has reported 27,938 cases of the coronavirus and 238 deaths.
Besides El Aissami, the most prominent member of the ruling socialist party who has tested positive is Diosdado Cabello, who presides over the government-friendly National Constituent Assembly and is widely recognised as Maduro’s second-in-command.Besides El Aissami, the most prominent member of the ruling socialist party who has tested positive is Diosdado Cabello, who presides over the government-friendly National Constituent Assembly and is widely recognised as Maduro’s second-in-command.
Cabello has rarely been seen in public since testing positive in early July, though last week state-funded media outlets published images of him standing and waving outside a health clinic.Cabello has rarely been seen in public since testing positive in early July, though last week state-funded media outlets published images of him standing and waving outside a health clinic.
Britain’s official death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic has been lowered by over 5,000 as the government adopted a new way of counting fatalities, after concerns were raised that the old method overstated them.Britain’s official death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic has been lowered by over 5,000 as the government adopted a new way of counting fatalities, after concerns were raised that the old method overstated them.
The UK government and the devolved regional administrations agreed to publish the number of deaths that occurred within 28 days of a positive, lab-confirmed Covid-19 test result on a daily basis, the Department of Health said.The UK government and the devolved regional administrations agreed to publish the number of deaths that occurred within 28 days of a positive, lab-confirmed Covid-19 test result on a daily basis, the Department of Health said.
Previously, there was no cut-off time for deaths after a positive test.Previously, there was no cut-off time for deaths after a positive test.
Under the new method, Britain has an official Covid-19 death toll of 41,329 rather than the 46,706 recorded under the old methodology.Under the new method, Britain has an official Covid-19 death toll of 41,329 rather than the 46,706 recorded under the old methodology.
South Korea has opened a high-tech new front in the battle against coronavirus, fortifying bus shelters with temperature-checking doors and ultraviolet disinfection lamps.South Korea has opened a high-tech new front in the battle against coronavirus, fortifying bus shelters with temperature-checking doors and ultraviolet disinfection lamps.
Ten advanced facilities have been installed in a northeastern district of Seoul, offering protection from monsoon rains, summer heat, and Covid-19.Ten advanced facilities have been installed in a northeastern district of Seoul, offering protection from monsoon rains, summer heat, and Covid-19.
To enter, passengers must stand in front of an automated thermal-imaging camera, and the door will only slide open if their temperature is below 37.5 degrees.To enter, passengers must stand in front of an automated thermal-imaging camera, and the door will only slide open if their temperature is below 37.5 degrees.
A separate camera is installed lower down to test children.A separate camera is installed lower down to test children.
Inside the glass-walled booths - which cost about 100m won ($84,000) each - the air-conditioning systems have ultraviolet lamps installed to kill viruses at the same time as cooling the air.Inside the glass-walled booths - which cost about 100m won ($84,000) each - the air-conditioning systems have ultraviolet lamps installed to kill viruses at the same time as cooling the air.
A dispenser provides hand sanitiser, and users are advised to wear face masks at all times, while keeping at least one metre apart from others.A dispenser provides hand sanitiser, and users are advised to wear face masks at all times, while keeping at least one metre apart from others.
“We have installed all the available anti-coronavirus measures we can think of into this booth,” Kim Hwang-yun, a district official in charge of the Smart Shelter project, told AFP.“We have installed all the available anti-coronavirus measures we can think of into this booth,” Kim Hwang-yun, a district official in charge of the Smart Shelter project, told AFP.
Since they were installed last week each booth has been used by about 300 to 400 people a day, Kim said.Since they were installed last week each booth has been used by about 300 to 400 people a day, Kim said.
South Korea endured one of the worst early coronavirus outbreaks outside China but brought it broadly under control with an extensive “trace, test and treat” programme while never imposing a compulsory lockdown.South Korea endured one of the worst early coronavirus outbreaks outside China but brought it broadly under control with an extensive “trace, test and treat” programme while never imposing a compulsory lockdown.
English authorities have reassured school pupils they would be graded fairly for exams missed because of the coronavirus, after the Scottish government was forced into a major U-turn on the issue.English authorities have reassured school pupils they would be graded fairly for exams missed because of the coronavirus, after the Scottish government was forced into a major U-turn on the issue.
As in many countries, British pupils were unable to sit exams as planned in April, May and June due to the Covid-19 lockdown, and instead will receive a moderated grade based on an assessment by their school or teacher.As in many countries, British pupils were unable to sit exams as planned in April, May and June due to the Covid-19 lockdown, and instead will receive a moderated grade based on an assessment by their school or teacher.
But the publication of key results in Scotland last week caused uproar and demands for its education minister John Swinney to resign, amid complaints that the moderation process had caused the downgrading of grades for the poorest pupils.But the publication of key results in Scotland last week caused uproar and demands for its education minister John Swinney to resign, amid complaints that the moderation process had caused the downgrading of grades for the poorest pupils.
Swinney on Tuesday bowed to pressure and announced that more than 70,000 Scottish pupils would have their results restored to their teachers’ original assessments.Swinney on Tuesday bowed to pressure and announced that more than 70,000 Scottish pupils would have their results restored to their teachers’ original assessments.
In a bid to head off a similar row in England, which has a different school system, education minister Gavin Williamson announced a new policy.In a bid to head off a similar row in England, which has a different school system, education minister Gavin Williamson announced a new policy.
Pupils aged 18 receiving A-Level results on Thursday will be able to accept their result, challenge it based on the preparatory mock exam results or sit new tests in the autumn.Pupils aged 18 receiving A-Level results on Thursday will be able to accept their result, challenge it based on the preparatory mock exam results or sit new tests in the autumn.
“This triple lock system will help provide reassurance to students and ensure they are able to progress with the next stage of their lives,” he said.“This triple lock system will help provide reassurance to students and ensure they are able to progress with the next stage of their lives,” he said.
Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer called the idea “deeply flawed”. He said:Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer called the idea “deeply flawed”. He said:
Students in Scotland had complained that the moderation process gave unfair weighting to the historical performance of the school and local area, disproportionately affecting poor students.Students in Scotland had complained that the moderation process gave unfair weighting to the historical performance of the school and local area, disproportionately affecting poor students.
Pass rates for pupils in the most deprived areas were reduced by 15.2%, compared with 6.9% in more affluent areas.Pass rates for pupils in the most deprived areas were reduced by 15.2%, compared with 6.9% in more affluent areas.
The row rocked the devolved government of Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has otherwise been riding high in the polls, including over her handling of coronavirus.The row rocked the devolved government of Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has otherwise been riding high in the polls, including over her handling of coronavirus.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will self-isolate until he tests negative for Covid-19 after breaching a bio-security protocol by posing for a photograph with a member of the public in England.
The photo, posted on Twitter by the 39-year-old all-rounder, was taken on a golf course next to the hotel where Pakistan are staying, which is part of a bio-secure bubble.
Hafeez is not part of Pakistan’s 20-man test squad playing in England but is on the tour for the three-match Twenty20 international series starting 28 August.
“As it was evident from the photograph that Hafeez had breached the two-metre social distancing protocol...the team management has decided to isolate him until he returns a negative Covid-19 test,” PCB said in a statement.
The PCB said Hafeez was tested for the virus on Wednesday afternoon with the results expected on Thursday.
Earlier in June, Hafeez was among the 10 Pakistan players who tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of their England tour but he returned a negative result a day later following a subsequent examination at a private laboratory in Lahore.
The coronavirus pandemic has pushed most of the world’s major economies into unprecedented contractions in the second quarter, except for China which escaped a recession.
Here are the second quarter changes in gross domestic product (GDP) compared to the previous quarter for the world’s top economies, as reported by AFP.
Unless stated otherwise, the figures are from the national statistics institutes.
Germany
Europe’s top economy was hit less hard by the coronavirus than its neighbours, but still saw its GDP fall by 10.1% in the second quarter.
As GDP had already declined by 2% in the first quarter, Germany’s economy met the definition of a recession: two consecutive quarters of contracting GDP.
Germany’s previous record for a quarterly GDP drop: 4.7% in the first quarter of 2009.
France
The eurozone’s number two economy was in a longer and stricter lockdown than its eastern neighbour, and second quarter GDP fell more steeply, by 13.8%, after a drop of 5.9% in the previous three months.
Previously the worst quarterly GDP growth in France happened in 1968 because of a general strike in May of that year.
Italy
Italy’s growth was impacted very early on by the coronavirus which hit its richest region, Lombardy, particularly hard.
Italian GDP fell by 5.4% in the first quarter and then by 12.4% in the second, pushing the country into recession.
Spain
After a 5.2% drop in the first quarter, Spain’s economy contracted a further 18.5% in the second, notably because of a 60% drop in tourism income and a fall by one third in exports.
Eurozone
The eurozone’s overall GDP plunged 12.1% in the three months to June, after 3.6% in the first quarter, making the second quarter downturn “by far” the worst since statistics agency Eurostat started compiling growth data for the area in 1995.
United Kingdom
The UK suffered the worst recession in Europe in the first two quarters of the year, also recording the highest number of coronavirus deaths in Europe.
GDP fell 20.4% in the second quarter after a 2.2% drop in the first.
United States
The United States, the world’s top economy, suffered a 9.5% slump in the second quarter following a 1.3% drop in the first, according to figures published by the OECD.
The US government publishes annualised figures (-32.9% in the second quarter), a method that is not comparable with most other countries.
China
China, the world’s second-largest economy, may have been where Covid-19 originated, but thanks to strict lockdown measures it was able to largely halt the spread of the virus and reopen factories, thus avoiding a recession.
In the second quarter its economy rebounded by 11.5%, having fallen by 10% in the first quarter. Still, growth for this year will be much below what China has become accustomed to for decades.
Japan
Japan announced in mid-May it was already in recession when first quarter GDP slid by 0.6% after a 1.9% drop in the final quarter of 2019. The world’s number three economy has yet to publish second quarter GDP figures.
A federal judge in Missouri said a group of hair salons and restaurants can sue their insurance carrier for business interruption losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which they say caused a “direct physical loss” to their premises.
The decision against Cincinnati Insurance by US District Judge Stephen Bough in Kansas City appears to be the first victory for policyholders suing insurers for improperly denying claims related to shutdowns caused by Covid-19.
Insurers had won similar earlier cases in a Michigan state court and a Washington DC, court, successfully arguing that coverage was not warranted because the virus travels through the air and does not cause physical damage.
While not ruling on the merits, Bough rejected Cincinnati Insurance’s bid to dismiss the Missouri case.
He said the presence of Covid-19 was not a “benign condition,” and the plaintiffs plausibly alleged that particles were a “physical substance” that attached to and damaged their property, rendering them unsafe and unusable.Business owners have filed hundreds of lawsuits claiming that their business interruption insurance, which typically offers coverage for losses from calamities such as fires or floods, should also cover a pandemic.
Insurers have countered that applying such coverage to Covid-19 losses would result in crippling payouts and deplete their capital.
Analysts have said the industry’s coronavirus-related losses have so far been modest.
Russia said on Wednesday the first batch of its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine would be ready within two weeks and rejected safety concerns over its rapid approval as ‘groundless’.
The health minister, Mikhail Murashko, said the vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Institute, would be administered on a voluntary basis.
The vaccine has not yet completed its final trials.
Only about 10% of clinical trials are successful and some scientists fear Moscow may be putting national prestige before safety.
“It seems our foreign colleagues are sensing the specific competitive advantages of the Russian drug and are trying to express opinions that in our opinion are completely groundless,” Murashko said, the day after president Vladimir Putin announced it had won regulatory approval.
Scientists from Germany, the United States and Britain have queried the wisdom of approving the vaccine before testing is complete.
US house speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Democrats and the Trump administration remain far apart regarding any agreement over further economic aid amid the coronavirus pandemic, adding that Republicans also seemed divided amongst themselves over relief efforts.
“We’re miles apart,” the US House of Representatives’ top Democrat told MSNBC, citing education funding in particular, among other needs.
“It’s a chasm ... but as a practical matter, they’re going to have to come to the table.”
A total of 1,009 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the United Kingdom, taking the country’s total to 313,798, government data showed.
The daily figure was down from 1,148 on Tuesday.
It was the third time the daily number of cases has surpassed 1,000 this month. Previously, it had last topped 1,000 in June.
Switzerland is extending its ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 by one month until 1 October, with Covid-19 cases back on the rise.
The Swiss government “intends to ensure that the epidemiological situation in Switzerland does not deteriorate”, it said in a statement.
“This careful reopening step takes into account the needs of society and the economic interests of sports clubs and cultural venues.”
Unlike some of its European neighbours, Switzerland stopped short of imposing strict confinement when it introduced measures in mid-March aimed at stopping the spread of the new coronavirus.
It began gradually easing its restrictions in stages, from 27 April.
The ban on events for more than 1,000 people was due to expire on 31 August but has been extended for another month, with the government spelling out the conditions in which they could return - measures which will have implications for the country’s ice hockey and football championships.
“Strict protective measures will apply and the events will have to be authorised by the cantons, taking into account the local epidemiological situation and their contact tracing capacity.
“These should apply across the board, such as for sporting, cultural and religious events.”
Some 37,079 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Switzerland, a country of 8.5 million people, while 1,713 have lost their lives.
Daily infection rates spiked at over 1,000 in March but plunged to a few dozen between mid-May and mid-June.
They have since risen, with 273 new cases announced on Wednesday - a level not seen since mid-April.
While face masks have been mandatory on trains, trams and buses since 6 July, the government decided they must be worn on all flights from Saturday.
“The measure concerns all scheduled and charter flights taking off from or landing in Switzerland, regardless of airline,” the government said.
Announcing the new changes at a press conference in the capital Bern, president Simonetta Sommaruga said: “We must face this situation together. The virus is still here.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) said has appealed for $76m in aid for Lebanon after last week’s massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals, clinics and medical supplies.
Lebanon was already struggling with a financial crisis and a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases before the 4 August explosion in the capital’s port area that left at least 171 dead and injured some 6,000.
The blast put three hospitals out of operation and has left three others working at partial capacity, reducing the number of beds in public and private hospitals by 500-600, WHO officials said.
Rana Hajjeh, WHO’s regional programme director, said:
The loss of hospital beds had “clear implications for the management of Covid as well as other medical conditions”, said Richard Brennan, WHO’s regional emergency director.
Initial results from an assessment of 55 primary healthcare clinics and centres across Beirut showed just over half are not functioning, with the remainder functioning at varying levels, Brennan said.
The WHO has so far brought in 25 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE), distributed trauma and surgical supplies to 2,000 patients at 10 hospitals, and is working with at least 11 emergency medical teams that have arrived from overseas, officials said.
Three of 10 Americans who lost work during the coronavirus pandemic said they may have trouble paying for food or housing after a $600-per-week enhanced unemployment payment expired last month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The poll found that Americans divide blame for its expiration - and the weeks-long standoff in Congress over how to replace it - pretty evenly between Democrats and Republicans.
The $600 weekly payments, approved as part of a $3tn package that Congress approved early in the crisis, became a lifeline for the tens of millions of Americans thrown out of work in a pandemic that has prompted widespread business closures.
It expired on 31 July, and weeks of talks between top congressional Democrats and the White House failed to produce agreement on a new round of funding.
Republican president Donald Trump on Saturday signed a memorandum aimed at restoring half that federal payment, though economists warned that even if the maneuver overcomes possible legal challenges, it will likely have little impact.
Three out of 10 people surveyed by Reuters/Ipsos reported that they will have “a very difficult time meeting basic needs,” which includes paying for rent or buying groceries.
Half said they are under some stress “but we will be able to meet our basic needs.”
Twenty-eight percent of American adults said congressional Democrats should receive most of the blame, while 15% said they blame congressional Republicans and another 14% said Trump was most at fault.
Thirty-two percent said all share the blame equally.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses from 1,215 US adults, including 139 who said they had received the weekly coronavirus unemployment benefit.
The poll has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 3 percentage points.