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Coronavirus live news: Gaza in lockdown following first local cases; Hong Kong man re-infected Coronavirus live news: Gaza in lockdown following first local cases; Hong Kong man re-infected
(32 minutes later)
Four cases detected in Gaza outside of quarantine facilities; First known case of re-infection prompts immunity concerns; Usain bolt awaiting Covid-19 test results. Follow the latest updatesFour cases detected in Gaza outside of quarantine facilities; First known case of re-infection prompts immunity concerns; Usain bolt awaiting Covid-19 test results. Follow the latest updates
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 1,278 to 234,853, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday.The reported death toll rose by five to 9,277, the tally showed.
Here is the full story on Usain Bolt testing positive for coronavirus:Here is the full story on Usain Bolt testing positive for coronavirus:
The world’s fastest man is in quarantine after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19 just days after a party for his 34th birthday, which was attended by England footballer Raheem Sterling and several other sports stars.The world’s fastest man is in quarantine after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19 just days after a party for his 34th birthday, which was attended by England footballer Raheem Sterling and several other sports stars.
Jamaica’s health ministry said late on Monday that Bolt, the world 100m and 200m record holder, had tested positive for the virus. He had earlier posted a video on social media saying he was waiting to hear back on his results – before urging anyone who had come into contact with him recently to enter quarantine.Jamaica’s health ministry said late on Monday that Bolt, the world 100m and 200m record holder, had tested positive for the virus. He had earlier posted a video on social media saying he was waiting to hear back on his results – before urging anyone who had come into contact with him recently to enter quarantine.
Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton reportedly confirmed Bolt had been notified of the positive test and contact tracing was underway:Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton reportedly confirmed Bolt had been notified of the positive test and contact tracing was underway:
South Korea on Tuesday ordered most schools in Seoul and surrounding areas to close and move classes back online, the latest in a series of precautionary measures aimed at heading off a resurgence in coronavirus cases, Reuters reports. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 280 new coronavirus cases as of midnight Monday, bringing the country’s total to 17,945 with 310 deaths.That represents a drop in daily new infections from 397 reported as of midnight Saturday, the highest daily tally since early March.South Korea on Tuesday ordered most schools in Seoul and surrounding areas to close and move classes back online, the latest in a series of precautionary measures aimed at heading off a resurgence in coronavirus cases, Reuters reports. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 280 new coronavirus cases as of midnight Monday, bringing the country’s total to 17,945 with 310 deaths.That represents a drop in daily new infections from 397 reported as of midnight Saturday, the highest daily tally since early March.
With most of the new cases centred in the densely populated capital area, however, health authorities say the country is on the brink of a nation-wide outbreak and have called on people to stay home and limit travel.All students, except for high school seniors, in the cities of Seoul and Incheon and the province of Geonggi will take classes online until 11 September, the Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.The beginning of the spring semester had been postponed several times since March, but as daily coronavirus cases dropped sharply since a February peak, most of South Korea’s schools reopened in stages between 20 May and 1 June.Over the past two weeks, at least 150 students and 43 school staff have tested positive in the greater Seoul area, Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae told a briefing.With most of the new cases centred in the densely populated capital area, however, health authorities say the country is on the brink of a nation-wide outbreak and have called on people to stay home and limit travel.All students, except for high school seniors, in the cities of Seoul and Incheon and the province of Geonggi will take classes online until 11 September, the Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.The beginning of the spring semester had been postponed several times since March, but as daily coronavirus cases dropped sharply since a February peak, most of South Korea’s schools reopened in stages between 20 May and 1 June.Over the past two weeks, at least 150 students and 43 school staff have tested positive in the greater Seoul area, Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae told a briefing.
The Sydney Opera House at rest: eerie, gorgeous photographs capture the ‘strangeness of it all’The Sydney Opera House at rest: eerie, gorgeous photographs capture the ‘strangeness of it all’
The world-famous Australian building is enjoying a brief moment of rest amid the coronavirus crisis. Photographer Daniel Boud captured the space – and some of its performers – in a rarely-seen state of quiet:The world-famous Australian building is enjoying a brief moment of rest amid the coronavirus crisis. Photographer Daniel Boud captured the space – and some of its performers – in a rarely-seen state of quiet:
Four times as many adolescents are physically abused compared with younger children in England, analysis of police-recorded offences shows, with incidents against 11- to 18-year-olds soaring during the coronavirus lockdown.Four times as many adolescents are physically abused compared with younger children in England, analysis of police-recorded offences shows, with incidents against 11- to 18-year-olds soaring during the coronavirus lockdown.
The numbers and rates of recorded physical abuse offences against older children in England and Wales have increased since 2014-15, the NSPCC said in a report.The numbers and rates of recorded physical abuse offences against older children in England and Wales have increased since 2014-15, the NSPCC said in a report.
There were 99,139 recorded physical abuse offences against adolescents in England in 2018-19.There were 99,139 recorded physical abuse offences against adolescents in England in 2018-19.
This is a recorded rate of 197.4 physical abuse offences per 10,000 adolescents, four times the rate of 48.7 per 10,000 children aged under 11. In Wales, there were 240.1 physical abuse offences recorded per 10,000 11- to 18-year-olds, compared with 70.5 per 10,000 aged under 11.This is a recorded rate of 197.4 physical abuse offences per 10,000 adolescents, four times the rate of 48.7 per 10,000 children aged under 11. In Wales, there were 240.1 physical abuse offences recorded per 10,000 11- to 18-year-olds, compared with 70.5 per 10,000 aged under 11.
During the coronavirus lockdown, reports of physical abuse to the NSPCC rose by 53%:During the coronavirus lockdown, reports of physical abuse to the NSPCC rose by 53%:
World-record sprinter and eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating at his home in Jamaica after last week celebrating his 34th birthday with a big bash mask-free, Reuters reports. Jamaica’s health ministry confirmed late on Monday that Bolt, who holds world records in the 100m and 200m distance, had tested positive after he posted a video on social media around midday saying he was waiting to hear back on his results.“Just to be safe I quarantined myself and just taking it easy,” Bolt said in the message that he appeared to have taped himself while lying in bed. It was posted with the caption “Stay safe my ppl”.World-record sprinter and eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating at his home in Jamaica after last week celebrating his 34th birthday with a big bash mask-free, Reuters reports. Jamaica’s health ministry confirmed late on Monday that Bolt, who holds world records in the 100m and 200m distance, had tested positive after he posted a video on social media around midday saying he was waiting to hear back on his results.“Just to be safe I quarantined myself and just taking it easy,” Bolt said in the message that he appeared to have taped himself while lying in bed. It was posted with the caption “Stay safe my ppl”.
The only sprinter to win the 100m and 200m golds at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016) said he did not have any symptoms of Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.Bolt said he took the test on Saturday, the day after he celebrated his birthday at a bash where partygoers danced to the hit “Lockdown” by Jamaican reggae singer Koffee.Daily confirmed cases in Jamaica have surged to more than 60 per day over the past four days from less than 10 just a few weeks ago. Jamaica now has 1,612 confirmed cases, with 622 active cases and 16 deaths from coronavirus.The only sprinter to win the 100m and 200m golds at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016) said he did not have any symptoms of Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.Bolt said he took the test on Saturday, the day after he celebrated his birthday at a bash where partygoers danced to the hit “Lockdown” by Jamaican reggae singer Koffee.Daily confirmed cases in Jamaica have surged to more than 60 per day over the past four days from less than 10 just a few weeks ago. Jamaica now has 1,612 confirmed cases, with 622 active cases and 16 deaths from coronavirus.
Victoria, Australia’s second most populous state, announced on Tuesday that eight people died from the new coronavirus in the last 24 hours and reported 148 new cases.Victoria, Australia’s second most populous state, announced on Tuesday that eight people died from the new coronavirus in the last 24 hours and reported 148 new cases.
The state a day earlier reported 15 deaths from the virus and 116 cases, its lowest daily rise in new infections in seven weeks, Reuters reports. A flare up in infections in Victoria forced authorities in to tighten restrictions on people’s movements and order large parts of the state’s economy to close but the southeast state has seen a slowdown in new cases in recent days.The state a day earlier reported 15 deaths from the virus and 116 cases, its lowest daily rise in new infections in seven weeks, Reuters reports. A flare up in infections in Victoria forced authorities in to tighten restrictions on people’s movements and order large parts of the state’s economy to close but the southeast state has seen a slowdown in new cases in recent days.
Moving away from the US now:Moving away from the US now:
Mexican authorities said Monday they have started price-gouging investigations to sanction 420 businesses, including stores and funeral homes, for unfairly raising prices during the coronavirus pandemic, AP reports. The consumer protection office said hundreds of grocery stores and retailers allegedly failed to respect posted prices or changed them, or charged too much for items including basic food stuffs as well as goods that are in high demand because of the pandemic, including rubbing alcohol, hand sanitiser and face masks.Mexican authorities said Monday they have started price-gouging investigations to sanction 420 businesses, including stores and funeral homes, for unfairly raising prices during the coronavirus pandemic, AP reports. The consumer protection office said hundreds of grocery stores and retailers allegedly failed to respect posted prices or changed them, or charged too much for items including basic food stuffs as well as goods that are in high demand because of the pandemic, including rubbing alcohol, hand sanitiser and face masks.
Punishments for unjustified price increases can include fines and other administrative measures. Those to be sanctioned also include 63 funeral homes, many of which apparently did not respect prior contracts.But authorities excused one of the most flagrant examples of price hikes, saying that a two- or three-fold increase in prices for bottled oxygen was largely the fault of consumers who bought supplies of the gas they didnt need, just to have it on hand in case someone fell sick.Mexico has seen over 560,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 60,500 Covid-19 deaths, the third-highest total in the world.Punishments for unjustified price increases can include fines and other administrative measures. Those to be sanctioned also include 63 funeral homes, many of which apparently did not respect prior contracts.But authorities excused one of the most flagrant examples of price hikes, saying that a two- or three-fold increase in prices for bottled oxygen was largely the fault of consumers who bought supplies of the gas they didnt need, just to have it on hand in case someone fell sick.Mexico has seen over 560,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 60,500 Covid-19 deaths, the third-highest total in the world.
More from Reuters on Biden and coronavirus testing:More from Reuters on Biden and coronavirus testing:
Reporters have frequently asked Biden whether he has been tested for Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and he has always answered no.He has criticised President Donald Trump’s handling of the virus, which has killed more than 176,000 Americans, as disastrous.During campaign appearances, many broadcast online, Biden consistently wears masks and maintains distance to show his adherence to public health guidelines.By contrast, Trump, 74, who will face Biden in the 3 November election, downplayed the virus in its early stages, once referred to mask-wearing as politically correct and has been reluctant to wear a face covering himself.Trump in July wore a mask in public for the first time during the pandemic, a shift in his tone to encourage Americans to wear them as the country began to see a resurgence of cases.Reporters have frequently asked Biden whether he has been tested for Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and he has always answered no.He has criticised President Donald Trump’s handling of the virus, which has killed more than 176,000 Americans, as disastrous.During campaign appearances, many broadcast online, Biden consistently wears masks and maintains distance to show his adherence to public health guidelines.By contrast, Trump, 74, who will face Biden in the 3 November election, downplayed the virus in its early stages, once referred to mask-wearing as politically correct and has been reluctant to wear a face covering himself.Trump in July wore a mask in public for the first time during the pandemic, a shift in his tone to encourage Americans to wear them as the country began to see a resurgence of cases.
Meanwhile, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, will be tested regularly for Covid-19, an aide said on Monday, as the campaign prepares for the possibility of more public events in the run-up to November’s election, Reuters reports. Since the coronavirus began spreading widely in the United States in March, Biden has done few public events, most of them close to his Delaware home.Meanwhile, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, will be tested regularly for Covid-19, an aide said on Monday, as the campaign prepares for the possibility of more public events in the run-up to November’s election, Reuters reports. Since the coronavirus began spreading widely in the United States in March, Biden has done few public events, most of them close to his Delaware home.
But following his formal nomination at last week’s Democratic National Convention, the campaign is expanding its health protocols in a new phase of the race that could see the former vice president in closer proximity to the public.“Consistent with the transparency Vice President Biden has demonstrated, we will make public if either the Vice President or Senator Harris ever has a confirmed, positive case of Covid-19,” a campaign aide told Reuters.The aide said Biden, 77, Harris, 55, and key staff who interact with them would be tested “on a regular basis,” in line with the advice of medical advisers.But following his formal nomination at last week’s Democratic National Convention, the campaign is expanding its health protocols in a new phase of the race that could see the former vice president in closer proximity to the public.“Consistent with the transparency Vice President Biden has demonstrated, we will make public if either the Vice President or Senator Harris ever has a confirmed, positive case of Covid-19,” a campaign aide told Reuters.The aide said Biden, 77, Harris, 55, and key staff who interact with them would be tested “on a regular basis,” in line with the advice of medical advisers.
The Republican National Convention has kicked off – you can follow it live here with my colleague Joan E Greve:
More on Trump from AP:
President Donald Trump has been renominated as the GOP’s presidential candidate.Republicans made it official during a scaled-back roll call vote on Monday at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina, AP reports. Trump faces a difficult fight for reelection as he continues to deal with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed about 177,000 people in the United States, ravaged the economy and upended nearly all aspects of life. The presidents bid for a second term also continues to be shadowed by protests throughout the nation over police brutality and racial injustice.
Now that delegates have completed the task of formally renominating Trump, much of the remaining convention business will shift to the Washington, DC area. Trump is scheduled to deliver his acceptance speech from the White House South Lawn on Thursday evening.Democrats nominated former Vice President Joe Biden as their presidential candidate at their all-virtual convention last week.
In more airlines news: Delta is set to furlough 1,941 pilots in October, the carrier said in a memo seen by Reuters on Monday that noted the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and plunging air travel demand, Reuters reports. U.S. airlines have warned they will need to furlough tens of thousands of workers once $25 billion in U.S. government stimulus funds run out in September. The aid, which covered employees’ pay, was meant to help them weather the pandemic and preserve jobs until a recovery, but travel remains depressed.“We are simply overstaffed, and we are faced with an incredibly difficult decision,” Delta’s head of flight operations John Laughter said in a memo to employees.“We are six months into this pandemic and only 25% of our revenues have been recovered. Unfortunately, we see few catalysts over the next six months to meaningful change this trajectory.”
Virgin Atlantic’s creditors will vote on a £1.2bn (US$1.6bn) rescue plan on Tuesday in a crucial test of the airline’s ability to survive in an industry devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Reuters reports.
Virgin Atlantic agreed the deal with shareholders and creditors in July to secure its future beyond the coronavirus crisis.The airline, which is 51% owned by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and 49% by US airline Delta, said it remains confident in the restructuring plan and is on track to finalise its solvent recapitalisation in the first week of September.
Tuesday’s vote of affected trade creditors includes nearly 200 suppliers that the airline owes more than 50,000 pounds to. It needs 75% support of the overall outstanding value of money owed at a hearing at London’s High Court.If successful, another UK court hearing will be held on 2 Sept to approve the plan, and a procedural hearing is scheduled for Sept 3 in the United States.Should the creditors fail to support the plan, the judge can still rule that it is in their interests for it to go ahead.Virgin Atlantic has had to close its base at London’s Gatwick Airport and cut more than 3,500 jobs to contend with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, which has grounded planes and hammered demand for air travel.Global airline body IATA has said that the industry will not return to pre-crisis levels until 2024.
In the UK, stress and exhaustion from the Covid-19 crisis threaten to intensify burnout among women working in the NHS just as it prepares to resume most services, according to a survey that has prompted calls for greater support for female staff.
The pandemic had amplified alleged bullying, sexism and racism on the part of managers, , some workers also warned, while 26% of women said they did not feel safe sharing personal concerns with their boss.
This was especially true for staff from a minority ethnic background, who also reported feeling traumatised by the disproportionate impact of the virus, said the Health and Care Women Leaders Network of the NHS Confederation, which carried out the survey:
Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious diseases expert, is warning that distributing a Covid-19 vaccine under special emergency use guidelines before it has been proved safe and effective in large trials is a bad idea that could have a chilling effect on the testing of other vaccines, Reuters reports. Scientists and health experts have expressed concern that President Donald Trump will apply pressure on the US Food and Drug Administration to deliver a vaccine before November to boost his chances of re-election.Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, declined to comment on the president, but said there are risks in rushing out a vaccine despite the urgent need.“The one thing that you would not want to see with a vaccine is getting an EUA (emergency use authorisation) before you have a signal of efficacy,” Fauci told Reuters in a phone interview.“One of the potential dangers if you prematurely let a vaccine out is that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the other vaccines to enroll people in their trial,” Fauci said.
In the UK, some families have abandoned balanced meals for lack of money during the coronavirus crisis, while many have faced physical and mental problems, according to a report.
Researchers from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and the Church of England (C of E) spoke to parents who said they had been forced to sell possessions to protect their children’s quality of life, and found that 80% of poorer families surveyed felt they had become worse off financially since the lockdown began.
The findings underline the disproportionate strain being placed on the poorest households as the UK struggles to deal with the pandemic. In June the Resolution Foundation said that while many low-income families were turning to credit cards to get by under lockdown, many higher-income households were able to save more money as their costs fell:
In case you missed this in the earlier blog:
Donald Trump on Sunday announced the emergency authorisation of convalescent plasma, a method involving taking plasma from people who have recovered from Covid-19, for coronavirus patients.Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at the WHO, stressed that it was still unproven and that there was “very low evidence” it was safe and effective.
“There are a number of clinical trials going on around the world looking at convalescent plasma … but only a few of them have reported on results. The results are not conclusive. The trials have been relatively small and the results in some cases point to some benefit but have not been conclusive. We have been tracking this and do ongoing … reviews to see where the evidence is shifting or pointing at and the moment it is still very low evidence,” she said.
Dr Bruce Aylward, senior adviser to the director general of the WHO, warned that the side-effects of convalescent plasma ranged from mild chills and fevers to more severe lung problems and circulatory overload.”
Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Sullivan.
I’ll be bringing you the latest news from around the world. Get in touch:
Twitter: @helenrsullivanEmail: helen.sullivan@theguardian.comThe first cases of coronavirus have been detected outside of quarantine facilities within the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have announced, a potentially disastrous development given the enclave’s fragile health system.
Four people from the same family have so far tested positive for coronavirus, Gaza’s interior ministry said, as authorities imposed a 48-hour lockdown.
The immediate shutdown includes the closure of workplaces, schools and mosques.
Gaza has been under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007 and access to the enclave was further restricted following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Those granted permission to enter the strip have been held in special quarantine centres for three weeks.
Here are the key developments from the last few hours:
Gaza reported its first Covid-19 cases outside quarantine areas and declared lockdown. The first cases of coronavirus have been detected outside of quarantine facilities within the Gaza Strip, a potentially disastrous development given the enclave’s fragile health system.
A Hong Kong man has been re-infected with Covid-19 after four-and-a-half months, leading to immunity concerns. A Hong Kong man who recovered from Covid-19 was infected again four-and-a-half months later in the first documented instance of human re-infection, researchers at the University of Hong Kong said on Monday.
Sweden is not expecting big second wave: chief epidemiologist. Sweden is likely to see local outbreaks but no big second wave of Covid-19 cases in the autumn, such as inundated hospitals a few months ago, Sweden’s top epidemiologist and architect of its unorthodox pandemic strategy said.
Usain Bolt is in quarantine after taking Covid-19 test following birthday party. The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt is in quarantine after taking a Covid-19 test just days after a party for his 34th birthday, which was attended by England footballer Raheem Sterling and several other sports stars.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro said journalist “wimps” are more likely to die of Covid-19. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro continued his attack on journalists during a public event on Monday, describing reporters as “wimps” and saying they have a heightened chance of dying of Covid-19 because they are not athletic.
KFC dropped its Finger Lickin’ Good slogan as it “doesn’t quite fit” in age of Covid-19. KFC has admitted its famous Finger Lickin’ Good slogan is not quite right for the era of face masks and official hand-washing advice, as it launches a new advertising campaign with a change of focus.
Zoom apologised after a partial global outage. Zoom, the video-conferencing app that has proved popular with people working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, suffered a partial failure that left thousands of people in the US, UK and across the world unable to connect to work meetings or classes.