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Coronavirus live news: Lebanon sees record cases after blast; New Zealand's biggest city heads into lockdown Coronavirus live news: Lebanon sees record cases after blast; New Zealand's biggest city heads into lockdown
(32 minutes later)
WHO warns displacement of people in Beirut risks accelerating Covid-19 spread; four new cases in Auckland, New Zealand; Australia suffers deadliest day. Follow the latest updatesWHO warns displacement of people in Beirut risks accelerating Covid-19 spread; four new cases in Auckland, New Zealand; Australia suffers deadliest day. Follow the latest updates
More on New Zealand’s outbreak, which has sent the largest city in the country back into lockdown. Reuters is reporting:
New Zealand officials are investigating the possibility that its first COVID-19 cases in more than three months were imported by freight, as the country plunged back into lockdown on Wednesday.
The discovery of four infected family members in Auckland led prime minister Jacinda Ardern to swiftly reimpose tight restrictions on movement in New Zealand’s biggest city and travel limitations across the entire country.
The source of the outbreak has baffled health officials, who said they were confident there were was no local transmission of the virus in New Zealand for 102 days and that the family had not travelled overseas.
“We are working hard to put together pieces of the puzzle on how this family got infected,” said director general of health Ashley Bloomfield.
Investigations were zeroing in on the potential the virus was imported by freight. Bloomfield said surface testing was underway in an Auckland cool store where a man from the infected family worked.
“We are very confident we didn’t have any community transmission for a very long period,” Bloomfield said during a televised media conference. “We know the virus can survive within refrigerated environments for quite some time.”
China has reported instances of the coronavirus being detected on the packaging of imported frozen seafood.
The United States has entered an agreement with drugmaker Moderna to acquire 100 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine for around $1.5 billion, the company and White House said on Tuesday.
The United States in recent weeks has made deals to acquire hundreds of millions of doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines from several companies as part of its Operation Warp Speed program, which aims to deliver a vaccine in the country by the end of the year.
Moderna’s price per dose comes to around $30.50 per person for a two dose regimen.
With the exception of its deal with AstraZeneca, which offered a lower price per drug in exchange for upfront research and development costs, all the deals price Covid-19 vaccines between $20 to $42 for a two dose course of treatment.
Moderna’s vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273, is one of the few that have already advanced to the final stage of testing and is on track to be completed in September, the company said this month.
US secretary of health, Alex Azar, expressed confidence in the Moderna trial.
“We believe that it is highly credible we will have in the high tens of millions of doses… by the end of this year, and many hundreds of millions of doses as we go into the beginning of next year.”
Other countries, including Japan, the UK, and Canada, have forged similar deals with drugmakers.
The Dead Sea Scrolls have been pulled out of a heavily fortified vault and put back on display at the Israel Museum ahead of its reopening to the public this week following a five-month Covid-19 shutdown.
The museum, Israel’s largest cultural institution, closed down in March as the country entered lockdown. But budgetary problems left the Jerusalem museum shuttered after Israel began easing restrictions on public spaces in May.
Most of the museum’s 500 employees have returned from months of furlough ahead of Thursday’s reopening, which will also see the return of other treasured artworks and artefacts.
Throughout the empty galleries, curators and cleaners dusted off works, removed protective coverings and returned masterpieces from storage.
The Dead Sea Scrolls fragile, two millennia-old parchments that include the oldest existing copies of Biblical texts came out of deep sleep in the museum’s climate-controlled vaults to return to display, Shrine of the Book curator Hagit Maoz said.
“The delicate scrolls require low light and humidity for their long-term preservation. Each scroll sits in the showcase only for three months, then we rotate the parts,” said Maoz.
“Because we didn’t know how long we won’t be here ... to be on the safe side we decided to take everything down.”
In the museum’s modern art wing, senior curator Adina Kamien oversaw the re-installation of several statues by celebrated French sculptor Auguste Rodin, including the iconic The Kiss.
Israel has recorded more than 86,000 cases and 622 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Mexico’s health ministry on Tuesday reported 6,686 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 926 additional fatalities, bringing the totals in the country to 492,522 infections and 53,929 deaths.The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.Mexico’s health ministry on Tuesday reported 6,686 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 926 additional fatalities, bringing the totals in the country to 492,522 infections and 53,929 deaths.The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
Argentina’s death toll from the coronavirus has topped 5,000, the government said on Tuesday, as cases have skyrocketed in recent weeks, pushing the South American nation up in the global charts despite months of lockdown and a promising start, Reuters reports. Argentina has been under quarantine since March 20, although officials previously relaxed restrictions in many parts of the nation, a move blamed for the recent spike in cases.Argentina’s death toll from the coronavirus has topped 5,000, the government said on Tuesday, as cases have skyrocketed in recent weeks, pushing the South American nation up in the global charts despite months of lockdown and a promising start, Reuters reports. Argentina has been under quarantine since March 20, although officials previously relaxed restrictions in many parts of the nation, a move blamed for the recent spike in cases.
The country recorded 7,043 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, pushing the total confirmed infections to 260,911, surpassing the total caseload in Italy. The latest government data shows 5,004 people have died from the disease.The capital Buenos Aires and the surrounding province have been bound by the strictest quarantine measures but have nonetheless emerged as the focal point of the country´s outbreak.The World Health Organization earlier on Tuesday expressed special concern for the spike in cases in Argentina after months in which the country appeared to have the outbreak under control. More than 100,000 cases of C0VID-19 are being reported daily in the Americas, the global health organization said.The country recorded 7,043 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, pushing the total confirmed infections to 260,911, surpassing the total caseload in Italy. The latest government data shows 5,004 people have died from the disease.The capital Buenos Aires and the surrounding province have been bound by the strictest quarantine measures but have nonetheless emerged as the focal point of the country´s outbreak.The World Health Organization earlier on Tuesday expressed special concern for the spike in cases in Argentina after months in which the country appeared to have the outbreak under control. More than 100,000 cases of C0VID-19 are being reported daily in the Americas, the global health organization said.
Cases of Lyme disease, a potentially debilitating condition primarily transmitted by black-legged ticks, have doubled over the past two decades to about 30,000 cases a year in the US. These ticks have spread into the upper reaches of New England and the midwest, while other tick species normally found in warmer southern states, such as the longhorned tick and lone star tick, are now popping up in New York and New Jersey.Cases of Lyme disease, a potentially debilitating condition primarily transmitted by black-legged ticks, have doubled over the past two decades to about 30,000 cases a year in the US. These ticks have spread into the upper reaches of New England and the midwest, while other tick species normally found in warmer southern states, such as the longhorned tick and lone star tick, are now popping up in New York and New Jersey.
Infections may now spread further, ironically, due to restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19. National parks and hiking groups have reported huge booms in the number of people seeking to break the monotony of lockdown by heading to walking trails, risking contact with ticks that latch on to people as they brush through vegetation:Infections may now spread further, ironically, due to restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19. National parks and hiking groups have reported huge booms in the number of people seeking to break the monotony of lockdown by heading to walking trails, risking contact with ticks that latch on to people as they brush through vegetation:
In Australia, an aged care expert has told the royal commission examining the sector that Covid-19 is “the worst disaster that is still unfolding before my eyes”, and warned that hundreds of residents will die prematurely because of a failure of authorities to act.In Australia, an aged care expert has told the royal commission examining the sector that Covid-19 is “the worst disaster that is still unfolding before my eyes”, and warned that hundreds of residents will die prematurely because of a failure of authorities to act.
Professor Joseph Ibrahim, the head of health law and ageing research unit, at Monash University’s Department of Forensic Medicine, told the aged care royal commission on Wednesday morning that the approach to keep residents in aged care facilities during outbreaks is “wrong and inappropriate”.Professor Joseph Ibrahim, the head of health law and ageing research unit, at Monash University’s Department of Forensic Medicine, told the aged care royal commission on Wednesday morning that the approach to keep residents in aged care facilities during outbreaks is “wrong and inappropriate”.
Ibrahim previously gave evidence to the royal commission before this week’s Covid-19 specific hearings, and said “I didn’t think we would sink any lower following the royal commission findings from last year and yet we have”.Ibrahim previously gave evidence to the royal commission before this week’s Covid-19 specific hearings, and said “I didn’t think we would sink any lower following the royal commission findings from last year and yet we have”.
Department of Health secretary Brendan Murphy and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson are set to give evidence to the royal commission later on Wednesday.Department of Health secretary Brendan Murphy and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson are set to give evidence to the royal commission later on Wednesday.
In other vaccine news, Mexico aims to conduct late-stage clinical trials for Covid-19 vaccines in development by US and Chinese companies, two of which might base some of their vaccine production in the country, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.In other vaccine news, Mexico aims to conduct late-stage clinical trials for Covid-19 vaccines in development by US and Chinese companies, two of which might base some of their vaccine production in the country, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
Reuters reports that Mexico has signed memorandums of understanding with Johnson & Johnson, along with Chinese companies CanSino Biologics Inc and Walvax Biotechnology Co Ltd, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said at a news conference.Ebrard said the trials would start between September and January, depending on approval from Mexico’s food and drug agency.He said the goal to secure access to the drugs for Mexico, highlighting growing anxiety and “vaccine diplomacy” around the world as developing countries jostle to get timely access to treatments and vaccines.The foreign ministry said CanSino and Walvax were interested in producing an eventual vaccine in Mexico for delivery to the Latin American market.More than 150 vaccines are being developed and tested around the world to stop the Covid-19 pandemic, with 25 in human clinical trials, according to the World Health Organization.Reuters reports that Mexico has signed memorandums of understanding with Johnson & Johnson, along with Chinese companies CanSino Biologics Inc and Walvax Biotechnology Co Ltd, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said at a news conference.Ebrard said the trials would start between September and January, depending on approval from Mexico’s food and drug agency.He said the goal to secure access to the drugs for Mexico, highlighting growing anxiety and “vaccine diplomacy” around the world as developing countries jostle to get timely access to treatments and vaccines.The foreign ministry said CanSino and Walvax were interested in producing an eventual vaccine in Mexico for delivery to the Latin American market.More than 150 vaccines are being developed and tested around the world to stop the Covid-19 pandemic, with 25 in human clinical trials, according to the World Health Organization.
Russia’s vaccine is administered in two doses and consists of two serotypes of a human adenovirus, each carrying an S-antigen of the new coronavirus, which enter human cells and produce an immune response, Reuters reports. The platform used for the vaccine was developed by Russian scientists over two decades and had formed the basis for several vaccines in the past, including those against Ebola.Authorities hope it will allow the Russian economy, which has been battered by fallout from the virus, to return to full capacity.Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, said Russia had already received foreign requests for 1bn doses. He said the vaccine was also expected to be produced in Brazil.Dmitriev said clinical trials were expected to start soon in the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he is willing to participate personally.Russia’s vaccine is administered in two doses and consists of two serotypes of a human adenovirus, each carrying an S-antigen of the new coronavirus, which enter human cells and produce an immune response, Reuters reports. The platform used for the vaccine was developed by Russian scientists over two decades and had formed the basis for several vaccines in the past, including those against Ebola.Authorities hope it will allow the Russian economy, which has been battered by fallout from the virus, to return to full capacity.Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, said Russia had already received foreign requests for 1bn doses. He said the vaccine was also expected to be produced in Brazil.Dmitriev said clinical trials were expected to start soon in the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he is willing to participate personally.
In case you missed it – here is the latest on President Vladimir Putin saying on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country to grant regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing, a move Moscow likened to its success in the Cold War-era space race, Reuters reports. The vaccine, which will be called “Sputnik V” in homage to the world’s first satellite launched by the Soviet Union, has however not yet completed its final trials.In case you missed it – here is the latest on President Vladimir Putin saying on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country to grant regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing, a move Moscow likened to its success in the Cold War-era space race, Reuters reports. The vaccine, which will be called “Sputnik V” in homage to the world’s first satellite launched by the Soviet Union, has however not yet completed its final trials.
The WHO said it had not received enough information to evaluate the Russian vaccine. The Pan American Health Organization said the vaccine should not be introduced in Brazil, as has been reportedly planned, until phase 2 and 3 trials are completed.The WHO said it had not received enough information to evaluate the Russian vaccine. The Pan American Health Organization said the vaccine should not be introduced in Brazil, as has been reportedly planned, until phase 2 and 3 trials are completed.
Moscow’s decision to grant approval before then has raised concerns among some experts. Only about 10% of clinical trials are successful and some scientists fear Moscow may be putting national prestige before safety.Moscow’s decision to grant approval before then has raised concerns among some experts. Only about 10% of clinical trials are successful and some scientists fear Moscow may be putting national prestige before safety.
Putin and other officials have said it is completely safe. The president said one of his daughters had taken it as a volunteer and felt good afterwards.“I know that it works quite effectively, forms strong immunity, and I repeat, it has passed all the necessary checks,” Putin told a government meeting.The Russian business conglomerate Sistema has said it expects to put the vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, into mass production by the end of the year.Putin and other officials have said it is completely safe. The president said one of his daughters had taken it as a volunteer and felt good afterwards.“I know that it works quite effectively, forms strong immunity, and I repeat, it has passed all the necessary checks,” Putin told a government meeting.The Russian business conglomerate Sistema has said it expects to put the vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, into mass production by the end of the year.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, says it’s too early to say whether the country’s 19 September election date will need to be postponed. Ardern deferred the dissolution of Parliament, due to happen on Wednesday NZT, to Monday instead, due to a fresh outbreak of Covid-19 cases in the country. Dissolving Parliament means Cabinet can still make decisions but the full Parliament cannot be convened. Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city is in a strict lockdown for three days in an attempt to trace the source of the latest outbreak, at which point Ardern’s government will make its decision about whether the dissolution of Parliament should be deferred further. But she won’t be drawn on any delay to the election. Ardern said Parliament had some flexibility to hold a vote as late as 21 November. An election delayed beyond that would be more complicated.Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, says it’s too early to say whether the country’s 19 September election date will need to be postponed. Ardern deferred the dissolution of Parliament, due to happen on Wednesday NZT, to Monday instead, due to a fresh outbreak of Covid-19 cases in the country. Dissolving Parliament means Cabinet can still make decisions but the full Parliament cannot be convened. Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city is in a strict lockdown for three days in an attempt to trace the source of the latest outbreak, at which point Ardern’s government will make its decision about whether the dissolution of Parliament should be deferred further. But she won’t be drawn on any delay to the election. Ardern said Parliament had some flexibility to hold a vote as late as 21 November. An election delayed beyond that would be more complicated.
Lebanon on Tuesday announced a record daily number of over 300 Covid-19 infections and seven deaths from the virus as the country grapples with the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion that rocked the capital and overwhelmed hospitals, Reuters reports.Lebanon on Tuesday announced a record daily number of over 300 Covid-19 infections and seven deaths from the virus as the country grapples with the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion that rocked the capital and overwhelmed hospitals, Reuters reports.
The country’s tally now stands at 7,121 Covid-19 cases and 87 deaths since February, according to health ministry data. Even before the blast there had been a recent surge in infections.The country’s tally now stands at 7,121 Covid-19 cases and 87 deaths since February, according to health ministry data. Even before the blast there had been a recent surge in infections.
The 4 August explosion killed at least 171 people, injured some 6,000 and damaged swathes of the capital, leaving some 300,000 without habitable housing. Hospitals, many of which were damaged and their staff injured, were flooded with wounded.The 4 August explosion killed at least 171 people, injured some 6,000 and damaged swathes of the capital, leaving some 300,000 without habitable housing. Hospitals, many of which were damaged and their staff injured, were flooded with wounded.
World Health Organization spokesman Tarik Jarasevic told a United Nations briefing in Geneva on Tuesday that the displacement of so many people risks accelerating the spread of COVID-19.World Health Organization spokesman Tarik Jarasevic told a United Nations briefing in Geneva on Tuesday that the displacement of so many people risks accelerating the spread of COVID-19.
The WHO on 7 August issued an appeal for $15 million to cover emergency health needs in Lebanon, where the healthcare sector had already been strained by shortages of medical supplies and medicine due to a deep financial crisis.The WHO on 7 August issued an appeal for $15 million to cover emergency health needs in Lebanon, where the healthcare sector had already been strained by shortages of medical supplies and medicine due to a deep financial crisis.
“The emergency in Beirut has caused many Covid-19 precautionary measures to be relaxed, raising the prospects of even higher transmission rates and a large caseload in coming weeks,” the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an 10 August report.“The emergency in Beirut has caused many Covid-19 precautionary measures to be relaxed, raising the prospects of even higher transmission rates and a large caseload in coming weeks,” the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an 10 August report.
It said at least 15 medical facilities, including three major hospitals, sustained partial or heavy structural damage from the blast. An assessment of 55 primary healthcare centres in Beirut showed only 47% could still provide full routine services.It said at least 15 medical facilities, including three major hospitals, sustained partial or heavy structural damage from the blast. An assessment of 55 primary healthcare centres in Beirut showed only 47% could still provide full routine services.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, has deferred the dissolution of the country’s Parliament until Monday due to the Covid-19 outbreak, with a reassessment due then. Parliament was due to dissolve today at 11am ahead of an election scheduled for 19 September.When Parliament is dissolved, Cabinet retains a mandate to make decisions, but it means the full Parliament cannot be convened. Officials are hoping a strict lockdown of the largest city, Auckland, for the next three days will isolate the source of the new outbreak.Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, has deferred the dissolution of the country’s Parliament until Monday due to the Covid-19 outbreak, with a reassessment due then. Parliament was due to dissolve today at 11am ahead of an election scheduled for 19 September.When Parliament is dissolved, Cabinet retains a mandate to make decisions, but it means the full Parliament cannot be convened. Officials are hoping a strict lockdown of the largest city, Auckland, for the next three days will isolate the source of the new outbreak.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, has urged New Zealanders who are asked to take a Covid-19 swab to “please get tested”. Ardern is giving a news conference following the news last night that New Zealand has recorded its first cases of Covid-19 within the community in more than 100 days. She announced testing stations for the virus established around Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, where the four new cases were uncovered. Officials were “prepared to test tens of thousands of people in the coming days” the country’s top health official, Ashley Bloomfield said. It is not known where the cases originated from, so officials are relying on increased testing to trace the source. The news has prompted a strict lockdown of Auckland, and lighter restrictions imposed on the rest of the country.Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, has urged New Zealanders who are asked to take a Covid-19 swab to “please get tested”. Ardern is giving a news conference following the news last night that New Zealand has recorded its first cases of Covid-19 within the community in more than 100 days. She announced testing stations for the virus established around Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, where the four new cases were uncovered. Officials were “prepared to test tens of thousands of people in the coming days” the country’s top health official, Ashley Bloomfield said. It is not known where the cases originated from, so officials are relying on increased testing to trace the source. The news has prompted a strict lockdown of Auckland, and lighter restrictions imposed on the rest of the country.
Health officials in New Zealand say one of the country’s new cases of Covid-19 – the first diagnosed in the community in 102 days – was diagnosed in a woman who had traveled to another New Zealand city while she had symptoms. The woman, who lives in Auckland – New Zealand’s largest city – traveled to Rotorua, 228km away, at the weekend, said Ashley Bloomfield, the country’s top health official. The four new cases have prompted a strict lockdown of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. They are all among the same household. The family is still in isolation at home, and officials are deciding whether they will be transferred to a managed isolation facility in Auckland. The cases are a mystery because there had been no known community transmission in New Zealand, and they did not have apparent connections to the country’s border facilities, where travelers returning to New Zealand are in quarantine.Health officials in New Zealand say one of the country’s new cases of Covid-19 – the first diagnosed in the community in 102 days – was diagnosed in a woman who had traveled to another New Zealand city while she had symptoms. The woman, who lives in Auckland – New Zealand’s largest city – traveled to Rotorua, 228km away, at the weekend, said Ashley Bloomfield, the country’s top health official. The four new cases have prompted a strict lockdown of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. They are all among the same household. The family is still in isolation at home, and officials are deciding whether they will be transferred to a managed isolation facility in Auckland. The cases are a mystery because there had been no known community transmission in New Zealand, and they did not have apparent connections to the country’s border facilities, where travelers returning to New Zealand are in quarantine.
The Australian state of Victoria has recorded 410 new coronavirus cases and a record (for the state and the country as a whole) 21 deaths in the last 24 hours.The Australian state of Victoria has recorded 410 new coronavirus cases and a record (for the state and the country as a whole) 21 deaths in the last 24 hours.
The previous highest death toll was yesterday, with 19 deaths confirmed.The previous highest death toll was yesterday, with 19 deaths confirmed.
One of New Zealand’s largest supermarket chains has urged calm after shoppers in Auckland flocked to stores on Monday night ahead of an impending lockdown of the country’s largest city. Images and videos on social media showed huge queues outside stores and shoppers – many not wearing masks, as is now advised, and not physically distanced from each other – jostling to enter.One of New Zealand’s largest supermarket chains has urged calm after shoppers in Auckland flocked to stores on Monday night ahead of an impending lockdown of the country’s largest city. Images and videos on social media showed huge queues outside stores and shoppers – many not wearing masks, as is now advised, and not physically distanced from each other – jostling to enter.
The chain Countdown said in a statement that it would impose item limits for shoppers, physical distancing measures, and extra cleaning. “We’d echo the Prime Minister’s comments that there is no need at all for anyone to stock up - we have plenty of food and supplies for everyone and we want everyone to shop as they usually would and consider others,” said Kiri Hannafin, a spokesperson.The chain Countdown said in a statement that it would impose item limits for shoppers, physical distancing measures, and extra cleaning. “We’d echo the Prime Minister’s comments that there is no need at all for anyone to stock up - we have plenty of food and supplies for everyone and we want everyone to shop as they usually would and consider others,” said Kiri Hannafin, a spokesperson.
Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
My name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be bringing you the latest from around the world for the next few hours.My name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be bringing you the latest from around the world for the next few hours.
You can get in touch with suggestions, questions, tips and news from your part of the world on Twitter @helenrsullivan and via email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.You can get in touch with suggestions, questions, tips and news from your part of the world on Twitter @helenrsullivan and via email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.
A week after a massive explosion in Beirut left more than 200 people dead and 300,000 unable to return to their homes, Lebanon has recorded its highest daily coronavirus case rise, at more than 300.A week after a massive explosion in Beirut left more than 200 people dead and 300,000 unable to return to their homes, Lebanon has recorded its highest daily coronavirus case rise, at more than 300.
Meanwhile in New Zealand, which had celebrated more than 100 days without community transmission, four new cases have been discovered among a family in Auckland, the country’s largest city.Meanwhile in New Zealand, which had celebrated more than 100 days without community transmission, four new cases have been discovered among a family in Auckland, the country’s largest city.
New Zealand’s government has responded by introducing Alert level 3 restrictions – people are encouraged to work from home and bars and restaurants are closed except for takeaways – in Auckland and Alert level 2 in the rest of the country, where people can go to work and school, but gatherings may not exceed 100 people.New Zealand’s government has responded by introducing Alert level 3 restrictions – people are encouraged to work from home and bars and restaurants are closed except for takeaways – in Auckland and Alert level 2 in the rest of the country, where people can go to work and school, but gatherings may not exceed 100 people.
Here are the key developments from the last few hours:Here are the key developments from the last few hours:
Lebanon registered a record daily number of coronavirus cases. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion that has rocked the political sphere and overwhelmed hospitals, Lebanon’s totals now stand at 7,121 cases and 87 deaths since February, according to health ministry data. Even before the blast there had been a recent surge in infections.Lebanon registered a record daily number of coronavirus cases. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion that has rocked the political sphere and overwhelmed hospitals, Lebanon’s totals now stand at 7,121 cases and 87 deaths since February, according to health ministry data. Even before the blast there had been a recent surge in infections.
New Zealand’s largest city is to go into lockdown. Restrictions were announced for Auckland after the first community transmission in more than 100 days was detected. All restrictions on daily life had eased in early June when the last remaining Covid-19 case recorded in the community recovered. Auckland residents were told that from midday Wednesday they were not to gather in large numbers and to work from home if possible. The rest of New Zealand will have measures imposed too.New Zealand’s largest city is to go into lockdown. Restrictions were announced for Auckland after the first community transmission in more than 100 days was detected. All restrictions on daily life had eased in early June when the last remaining Covid-19 case recorded in the community recovered. Auckland residents were told that from midday Wednesday they were not to gather in large numbers and to work from home if possible. The rest of New Zealand will have measures imposed too.
The Netherlands plans to introduce mandatory home quarantine for people identified by local authorities as having been in close contact with somebody infected with coronavirus, and for travellers returning from high-risk countries. The Dutch health minister Hugo de Jonge said in a letter to lawmakers that mandatory quarantine could be imposed if people refuse to isolate voluntarily. It comes amid rising infection rates in the Netherlands and an unwillingness among some people to adhere to social distancing measures and cooperate with contact tracing.The Netherlands plans to introduce mandatory home quarantine for people identified by local authorities as having been in close contact with somebody infected with coronavirus, and for travellers returning from high-risk countries. The Dutch health minister Hugo de Jonge said in a letter to lawmakers that mandatory quarantine could be imposed if people refuse to isolate voluntarily. It comes amid rising infection rates in the Netherlands and an unwillingness among some people to adhere to social distancing measures and cooperate with contact tracing.
Germany has extended a partial travel warning for Spain to the capital of Madrid and the Basque region amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The foreign ministry said it was warning against any unnecessary tourist trips to both regions because of a rising number of new infections and local restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the virus.Germany has extended a partial travel warning for Spain to the capital of Madrid and the Basque region amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The foreign ministry said it was warning against any unnecessary tourist trips to both regions because of a rising number of new infections and local restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the virus.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said his country has granted the first regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine. The announcement came after less than two months of human testing. The country’s sovereign wealth fund said the vaccine would be named Sputnik V, in a reference to the cold war space race. The news from Moscow was greeted with some scepticism. Experts highlighted the lack of proper phase-3 testing, with one warning that “collateral damage from release of any vaccine that was less than safe and effective would exacerbate our current problems insurmountably”.The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said his country has granted the first regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine. The announcement came after less than two months of human testing. The country’s sovereign wealth fund said the vaccine would be named Sputnik V, in a reference to the cold war space race. The news from Moscow was greeted with some scepticism. Experts highlighted the lack of proper phase-3 testing, with one warning that “collateral damage from release of any vaccine that was less than safe and effective would exacerbate our current problems insurmountably”.
The WHO said it had not received enough information to evaluate the Russian vaccine. The Pan American Health Organization said the vaccine should not be introduced in Brazil, as has been reportedly planned, until phase 2 and 3 trials are completed.The WHO said it had not received enough information to evaluate the Russian vaccine. The Pan American Health Organization said the vaccine should not be introduced in Brazil, as has been reportedly planned, until phase 2 and 3 trials are completed.