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Coronavirus live news: China says it has been vaccinating key workers as Trump approves plasma treatment Coronavirus live news: China says it has been vaccinating key workers as Trump approves plasma treatment
(32 minutes later)
Trump authorises plasma treatment for coronavirus amid attacks on FDA; send children to school, UK PM urges; France sees highest cases since May. Follow the latest updatesTrump authorises plasma treatment for coronavirus amid attacks on FDA; send children to school, UK PM urges; France sees highest cases since May. Follow the latest updates
Japan is running out of credit card numbers amid a surge in online shopping during the coronavirus pandemic.
The country’s credit card companies are struggling to come up with original 16-digit numbers as consumers eschew regular shop visits and opt for plastic over hard cash, the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported.
While credit card usage in Japan rises by about 2% a year, it received a further boost in the first half of this year after people were encouraged to stay at home in an attempt to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.
Credit card use is expected to continue rising as Japan attempts to end its addiction to cash, with many consumers, especially older people, happy to carry around large quantities of notes:
Here are the key developments from the last few hours:
Blood plasma treatment given green light in the US. The US Food & Drug Administration said it has authorised the use of blood plasma from patients who have recovered from Covid-19 as a treatment for the disease, a day after President Donald Trump blamed the agency for impeding the rollout of coronavirus vaccines for political reasons.
Boris Johnson has issued a plea to parents to send their children back to the classroom when schools reopen in September. The UK prime minister said the risk of contracting coronavirus in schools is “very small”, and that pupils face greater harm by continuing to stay away from the classroom.
The Chinese government has been administering a vaccine candidate to selected groups of key workers since July, a senior health official told state media yesterday. Zheng Zhongei, head of the national health commission’s science and technology centre, told CCTV the government had authorised “emergency use” and it was in line with the law, the South China Morning Post has reported.
China sees no locally transmitted cases for eighth day in a row. China reported 16 new Covid-19 cases in the mainland for 23 August, all of which were imported infections involving travellers from overseas, the country’s health authority said on Monday. This compared with 12 new Covid-19 cases reported a day earlier, all imported too, and marked the eighth consecutive day of no locally transmitted cases.
South Korea counted its 11th straight day of triple-digit daily jumps in coronavirus cases as officials tighten social distancing restrictions nationwide to combat what they describe as the biggest crisis since the emergence of Covid-19.
Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, visited a Tokyo hospital on Monday for a second time within days, stoking concern about his ability to stay on as leader due to health issues and fatigue from tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Australian state of Victoria sees lowest one-day case rise in seven weeks. The Australian state of Victoria reported its lowest daily rise in new coronavirus infections in seven weeks on Monday, fuelling optimism that a deadly second wave there is subsiding. Victoria on Monday reported 116 cases and 15 deaths from the virus in the past 24 hours, down from a peak of more than 700 cases early this month.
New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, will continue with its Level 3 restrictions for an additional four days. Auckland was set to lift the restrictions - requiring residents to ‘stay at home and stay local’ - on Wednesday, but those have now been extended to 11:59pm on Sunday. The Auckland cluster is now 101 confirmed cases, the largest in the country.
France reported almost 4,900 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, its highest figure since May. French regional health authorities also said there had been a very worrying outbreak of coronavirus at a naturist holiday resort on the Mediterranean coast, with more than 100 holidaymakers so far testing positive.
The number of daily coronavirus cases recorded in Italy has nearly doubled in the past five days, rising to more than 1,200 on Sunday. Italy recorded 1,210 cases in the past 24 hours, compared with 642 on Wednesday, latest official figures showed.
The UK recorded 1,041 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, down from 1,288 on Saturday, government figures showed. It is the fourth day in a row that new infections have been more than 1,000 in 24 hours.
Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko has tested positive for Covid-19 and is in a serious condition with a fever, Reuters reports. Tymoshenko, who twice served as leader before her defeat in the 2010 presidential election, became the first high-profile Ukrainian politician known to have contracted Covid-19.
The Greek island of Lesbos was added to a list of areas under heightened Covid-19 vigilance, officials said. The move came as health authorities announced a new daily infection high of 284 cases nationwide in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus cases are approaching 25m, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, with 23,358,598 infections currently confirmed.Coronavirus cases are approaching 25m, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, with 23,358,598 infections currently confirmed.
The global death toll is nearing 810,000. Currently it stands at 807,830.The global death toll is nearing 810,000. Currently it stands at 807,830.
Here are the ten worst-affected countries in terms of number of cases:Here are the ten worst-affected countries in terms of number of cases:
Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, visited a Tokyo hospital on Monday for a second time within days, stoking concern about his ability to stay on as leader due to health issues and fatigue from tackling the coronavirus pandemic.Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, visited a Tokyo hospital on Monday for a second time within days, stoking concern about his ability to stay on as leader due to health issues and fatigue from tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Abe was at the hospital for the follow-up of a medical check a week ago when his examination lasted 7-1/2 hours, fuelling worries about his health.But major broadcaster Nippon TV said Abe was being treated for a chronic illness rather than a check-up, citing multiple unidentified government and ruling party sources. It added that Abe was scheduled to go to his office in the afternoon.“I was informed that he’s getting an additional exam after last week’s exam,” Suga, who is also the chief cabinet secretary and is seen as one of the main contenders for Abe’s job, told a regular news conference.“The premier himself said the other day that he wanted to return to work.”Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Abe was at the hospital for the follow-up of a medical check a week ago when his examination lasted 7-1/2 hours, fuelling worries about his health.But major broadcaster Nippon TV said Abe was being treated for a chronic illness rather than a check-up, citing multiple unidentified government and ruling party sources. It added that Abe was scheduled to go to his office in the afternoon.“I was informed that he’s getting an additional exam after last week’s exam,” Suga, who is also the chief cabinet secretary and is seen as one of the main contenders for Abe’s job, told a regular news conference.“The premier himself said the other day that he wanted to return to work.”
A return to the old ways...A return to the old ways...
In Papua New Guinea, the Covid-19 lockdowns have led to a shortage of food in stores, and a lack of cash. In response, many of the archipelago nation’s old ways are returning. In East New Britain, people are going back to trading in shell money, to bartering, home gardens, and fishing.In Papua New Guinea, the Covid-19 lockdowns have led to a shortage of food in stores, and a lack of cash. In response, many of the archipelago nation’s old ways are returning. In East New Britain, people are going back to trading in shell money, to bartering, home gardens, and fishing.
From Kalolaine Fainu in The Observer:From Kalolaine Fainu in The Observer:
Germany has announced 711 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the country’s total to 233,575, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.Germany’s death toll rose by three to 9,272, the tally showed.Germany has announced 711 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the country’s total to 233,575, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.Germany’s death toll rose by three to 9,272, the tally showed.
New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, will continue with its Level 3 restrictions for an additional four days, the prime minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, will continue with its Level 3 restrictions for an additional four days, the prime minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.
Auckland was set to lift the restrictions - requiring residents to ‘stay at home and stay local’ - on Wednesday, but those have now been extended to 11:59pm on Sunday. The Auckland cluster is now 101 confirmed cases, the largest in the country.Auckland was set to lift the restrictions - requiring residents to ‘stay at home and stay local’ - on Wednesday, but those have now been extended to 11:59pm on Sunday. The Auckland cluster is now 101 confirmed cases, the largest in the country.
“These extra 4 days are believed necessary to allow us to move down a level in Auckland, and stay down. We want both confidence, and certainty for everyone,” Ardern said.“These extra 4 days are believed necessary to allow us to move down a level in Auckland, and stay down. We want both confidence, and certainty for everyone,” Ardern said.
Ardern spoke frankly with New Zealanders, urging them to stay strong amidst the pandemic: “2020 has frankly been terrible” she said.Ardern spoke frankly with New Zealanders, urging them to stay strong amidst the pandemic: “2020 has frankly been terrible” she said.
Ardern warned the recent outbreak of infections had “shown us how tricky this virus is”.Ardern warned the recent outbreak of infections had “shown us how tricky this virus is”.
The prime minister also announced that mask-wearing on public transport would be mandatory nationwide from Monday. The use of masks has already been strongly encouraged, but now the government is drafting orders to make it compulsory within 4 days. Some people would be exempt from the order, such as those with significant breathing difficulties.The prime minister also announced that mask-wearing on public transport would be mandatory nationwide from Monday. The use of masks has already been strongly encouraged, but now the government is drafting orders to make it compulsory within 4 days. Some people would be exempt from the order, such as those with significant breathing difficulties.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 711 to 233,575, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Monday.The reported death toll rose by three to 9,272, the tally showed.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 711 to 233,575, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Monday.The reported death toll rose by three to 9,272, the tally showed.
In Australia, the Victorian state government wants to extend the state’s state of emergency by another 12 months to combat the ongoing coronavirus crisis.In Australia, the Victorian state government wants to extend the state’s state of emergency by another 12 months to combat the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
But parliament must approve the change, AAP reports, because under current legislation the state of emergency cannot extend beyond six months.But parliament must approve the change, AAP reports, because under current legislation the state of emergency cannot extend beyond six months.
The original state of emergency was declared in March as Victoria’s first outbreak struck and has been extended six times. It is due to end on 13 September.The original state of emergency was declared in March as Victoria’s first outbreak struck and has been extended six times. It is due to end on 13 September.
Victoria had mixed news about the ongoing second outbreak on Monday, with 15 deaths but a sharp drop in new cases.Victoria had mixed news about the ongoing second outbreak on Monday, with 15 deaths but a sharp drop in new cases.
They plummeted to 116 from Sunday’s figure of 208 - the lowest number for Victorian daily cases since July 5. The July 5 figure of 74 was also the last time it was below 100. The state death toll is now 430 and the national figure is up to 517.They plummeted to 116 from Sunday’s figure of 208 - the lowest number for Victorian daily cases since July 5. The July 5 figure of 74 was also the last time it was below 100. The state death toll is now 430 and the national figure is up to 517.
Melbourne is scheduled to come out of its stage-four lockdown on September 13, while the stage-three provisions for regional Victoria are also due to end on that date.Melbourne is scheduled to come out of its stage-four lockdown on September 13, while the stage-three provisions for regional Victoria are also due to end on that date.
Premier Daniel Andrews is hopeful the change to legislation will pass through parliament.Premier Daniel Andrews is hopeful the change to legislation will pass through parliament.
“It’s very logical. It makes sense,” he said.“It’s very logical. It makes sense,” he said.
He says the state of emergency will remain necessary until a vaccine is available. The state of emergency means Victoria Police can enforce measures such as people who test positive having to isolate.He says the state of emergency will remain necessary until a vaccine is available. The state of emergency means Victoria Police can enforce measures such as people who test positive having to isolate.
It is separate to the state of disaster, which was declared on 2 August when Melbourne went into its stage-four lockdown and means police can enforce the city’s 8pm-5am curfew.It is separate to the state of disaster, which was declared on 2 August when Melbourne went into its stage-four lockdown and means police can enforce the city’s 8pm-5am curfew.
Australian theatres are reopening – nervously and with mandatory masks and temperature checks – Elissa Blake reports for the Guardian.Australian theatres are reopening – nervously and with mandatory masks and temperature checks – Elissa Blake reports for the Guardian.
Sydney Theatre Company has announced it is ready to open the doors of the Roslyn Packer theatre and present its first show since March.Sydney Theatre Company has announced it is ready to open the doors of the Roslyn Packer theatre and present its first show since March.
Wonnangatta, a new drama written by the award-winning Melbourne playwright Angus Cerini and featuring the actors Hugo Weaving and Wayne Blair, will play from 21 September to 31 October in a socially distanced production for audiences numbering no more than 147 (the Roslyn Packer can usually seat 880 patrons).Wonnangatta, a new drama written by the award-winning Melbourne playwright Angus Cerini and featuring the actors Hugo Weaving and Wayne Blair, will play from 21 September to 31 October in a socially distanced production for audiences numbering no more than 147 (the Roslyn Packer can usually seat 880 patrons).
Patrons will have to pass temperature checks before they can take their seats, and masks will be mandatory:Patrons will have to pass temperature checks before they can take their seats, and masks will be mandatory:
The Chinese government has been administering a vaccine candidate to selected groups of key workers since July, a senior health official told state media yesterday.The Chinese government has been administering a vaccine candidate to selected groups of key workers since July, a senior health official told state media yesterday.
Zheng Zhongei, head of the national health commission’s science and technology centre, told CCTV the government had authorised “emergency use” and it was in line with the law, the South China Morning Post has reported.Zheng Zhongei, head of the national health commission’s science and technology centre, told CCTV the government had authorised “emergency use” and it was in line with the law, the South China Morning Post has reported.
There were no details on which particular vaccine candidate was used or how many people received it, but Zheng said it had been administered to workers including health workers and border officials, who are considered high risk as China’s cases are predominantly imported now. The country has gone seven days without reporting a locally transmitted case.There were no details on which particular vaccine candidate was used or how many people received it, but Zheng said it had been administered to workers including health workers and border officials, who are considered high risk as China’s cases are predominantly imported now. The country has gone seven days without reporting a locally transmitted case.
China is producing several of the vaccine candidates currently in phase three testing around the world. Chinese developers are conducting or approved to conduct tests in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Peru, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia and Russia, with tens of thousands of people involved, according to one of the companies.China is producing several of the vaccine candidates currently in phase three testing around the world. Chinese developers are conducting or approved to conduct tests in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Peru, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia and Russia, with tens of thousands of people involved, according to one of the companies.
The Chinese government has previously called for employees of state-owned companies who travel frequently to volunteer for vaccine testing.The Chinese government has previously called for employees of state-owned companies who travel frequently to volunteer for vaccine testing.
Last week a plane load of Chinese mine workers were refused entry to Papua New Guinea, over government concerns of an apparent vaccination trial.Last week a plane load of Chinese mine workers were refused entry to Papua New Guinea, over government concerns of an apparent vaccination trial.
The mine owner, Ramu NiCo, run by Chinese state owned Matallurgical Corporation of China, had reportedly issued an official statement to PNG stating that 48 of its staff had been given a Sars-Cov-2 vaccine in early August.The mine owner, Ramu NiCo, run by Chinese state owned Matallurgical Corporation of China, had reportedly issued an official statement to PNG stating that 48 of its staff had been given a Sars-Cov-2 vaccine in early August.
However they were refused entry to the country over a “lack of information of what these trials are and what possible risks of threats” they may pose to the people of PNG, the PNG pandemic controller, David Manning said.However they were refused entry to the country over a “lack of information of what these trials are and what possible risks of threats” they may pose to the people of PNG, the PNG pandemic controller, David Manning said.
South Korea South Korea counted its 11th straight day of triple-digit daily jumps in coronavirus cases as officials tighten social distancing restrictions nationwide to combat what they describe as the biggest crisis since the emergence of Covid-19, AP reports. The 266 cases reported by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Monday came after three consecutive days of over-300 increases, although infection numbers tend to be lower at the start of the week due to the lesser number of tests in weekends.South Korea South Korea counted its 11th straight day of triple-digit daily jumps in coronavirus cases as officials tighten social distancing restrictions nationwide to combat what they describe as the biggest crisis since the emergence of Covid-19, AP reports. The 266 cases reported by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Monday came after three consecutive days of over-300 increases, although infection numbers tend to be lower at the start of the week due to the lesser number of tests in weekends.
The KCDC said 202 of the new cases came from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, home to half of the country’s 51 million population, where health workers have struggled to track transmissions linked to various sources, including churches, restaurants, schools and workers.Infections were also reported in major cities throughout the country, including Busan, Daejeon and Sejong.KCDC director Jeong Eun-kyeong said it’s likely the country will continue to report huge infection numbers in coming days as health workers scramble to trace and test contacts of virus carriers.The country since Sunday has banned larger gatherings, shut down nightspots and churches and removed fans from professional sports nationwide.The KCDC said 202 of the new cases came from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, home to half of the country’s 51 million population, where health workers have struggled to track transmissions linked to various sources, including churches, restaurants, schools and workers.Infections were also reported in major cities throughout the country, including Busan, Daejeon and Sejong.KCDC director Jeong Eun-kyeong said it’s likely the country will continue to report huge infection numbers in coming days as health workers scramble to trace and test contacts of virus carriers.The country since Sunday has banned larger gatherings, shut down nightspots and churches and removed fans from professional sports nationwide.
India’s coronavirus caseload topped 3 million on Sunday, with the country leading the world in new infections as the disease marched through impoverished rural areas in the north and the wealthier but older populations of the south, AP reports. Health authorities reported 69,239 new cases and 912 deaths, bringing the total to 3,044,940.India’s coronavirus caseload topped 3 million on Sunday, with the country leading the world in new infections as the disease marched through impoverished rural areas in the north and the wealthier but older populations of the south, AP reports. Health authorities reported 69,239 new cases and 912 deaths, bringing the total to 3,044,940.
Cases have levelled off in India’s two largest cities, with serological surveys showing widespread prevalence among the residents of the capital, New Delhi, and financial centre Mumbai.New hot spots continue to feed surges in cases in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states in India’s north, and in the southern states of Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.India has the third-highest caseload after the United States and Brazil, and its 56,706 fatalities are the fourth-highest in the world.Cases have levelled off in India’s two largest cities, with serological surveys showing widespread prevalence among the residents of the capital, New Delhi, and financial centre Mumbai.New hot spots continue to feed surges in cases in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states in India’s north, and in the southern states of Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.India has the third-highest caseload after the United States and Brazil, and its 56,706 fatalities are the fourth-highest in the world.
Mexico’s health ministry on Sunday reported 3,948 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 226 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 560,164 cases and 60,480 deaths.The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.Mexico’s health ministry on Sunday reported 3,948 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 226 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 560,164 cases and 60,480 deaths.The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
China reported 16 new Covid-19 cases in the mainland for 23 August, all of which were imported infections involving travellers from overseas, the country’s health authority said on Monday, Reuters reports. This compared with 12 new Covid-19 cases reported a day earlier, all imported too, and marked the eighth consecutive day of no locally transmitted cases.China reported 16 new Covid-19 cases in the mainland for 23 August, all of which were imported infections involving travellers from overseas, the country’s health authority said on Monday, Reuters reports. This compared with 12 new Covid-19 cases reported a day earlier, all imported too, and marked the eighth consecutive day of no locally transmitted cases.
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 84,967, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,634.The National Health Commission said in a statement that 27 new asymptomatic Covid-19 cases - patients who are infected with the coronavirus but not exhibiting any symptoms - compared with 15 such cases reported a day earlier.The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 84,967, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,634.The National Health Commission said in a statement that 27 new asymptomatic Covid-19 cases - patients who are infected with the coronavirus but not exhibiting any symptoms - compared with 15 such cases reported a day earlier.