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Coronavirus live news: Germany records second highest daily cases since April; New Zealand sees record drop in GDP Coronavirus live news: Germany records second highest daily cases since April; New Zealand sees record drop in GDP
(32 minutes later)
Third-highest daily cases in France; new restrictions in north-east England; hospitalisations of 15 to 49-year-olds rising, says WHO. Follow the latest updatesThird-highest daily cases in France; new restrictions in north-east England; hospitalisations of 15 to 49-year-olds rising, says WHO. Follow the latest updates
Paul Karp and Daniel Hurst report:
Australia’s employment rebounded with 111,000 more jobs in August compared with July, but more Victorians are out of work due to the state’s second wave of Covid-19 and Melbourne’s stage-four lockdown.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data, released on Thursday, confirms Australia’s two-speed economy, with unemployment falling overall by 0.7% to 6.8% but rising in Victoria to 7.1% after the loss of 42,400 jobs.
The treasurer Josh Frydenberg told reporters in Canberra that although the figures show Australia’s economy is “remarkably resilient” and “fighting back”, the road to recovery will still be “long, hard and bumpy”.
The effective unemployment rate – including those who had left the labour market or worked zero hours – fell from 9.8% to 9.3% but “still remains high”, he said:
Covid-19 ethics: should we deliberately infect volunteers in the name of science? Podcast Part 2Covid-19 ethics: should we deliberately infect volunteers in the name of science? Podcast Part 2
Teams around the world are hard at work developing Covid-19 vaccines. While any potential candidate will need to be tested on thousands of volunteers to prove its safety and efficacy, some scientists have argued that the race to the finish line could be sped up by human challenge trials — where participants are infected with a special strain of the virus.Teams around the world are hard at work developing Covid-19 vaccines. While any potential candidate will need to be tested on thousands of volunteers to prove its safety and efficacy, some scientists have argued that the race to the finish line could be sped up by human challenge trials — where participants are infected with a special strain of the virus.
Ian Sample delves into some of the misconceptions and hurdles inherent in this kind of research. In the second of two episodes, Ian explores the importance of rescue treatments, what happens if something goes wrong, and whether it would ever be morally permissible to deliberately infect those most at risk of Covid-19, like volunteer octogenarians:Ian Sample delves into some of the misconceptions and hurdles inherent in this kind of research. In the second of two episodes, Ian explores the importance of rescue treatments, what happens if something goes wrong, and whether it would ever be morally permissible to deliberately infect those most at risk of Covid-19, like volunteer octogenarians:
Health systems across the southern hemisphere were bracing a few months ago for their annual surge in influenza cases, which alongside Covid-19 could have overwhelmed hospitals. They never came.Health systems across the southern hemisphere were bracing a few months ago for their annual surge in influenza cases, which alongside Covid-19 could have overwhelmed hospitals. They never came.
Many countries in the southern half of the globe have instead experienced either record low levels of flu or none at all, public health specialists in Australia, New Zealand and South America have said, sparing potentially tens of thousands of lives and offering a glimmer of hope as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere.Many countries in the southern half of the globe have instead experienced either record low levels of flu or none at all, public health specialists in Australia, New Zealand and South America have said, sparing potentially tens of thousands of lives and offering a glimmer of hope as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere.
General practitioners in New Zealand have not detected a single influenza case since they started screening patients in June, health data shows; last year about 57% of the samples they collected were positive:General practitioners in New Zealand have not detected a single influenza case since they started screening patients in June, health data shows; last year about 57% of the samples they collected were positive:
In Ireland, daily infection rates, which dwindled to a handful in June and July have since August climbed back up to several hundred. There have been 2,077 outbreaks in private houses, an increase of 61 in a week, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said on Wednesday. Since the pandemic began Ireland has recorded 31,799 infections and 1,788 deaths:In Ireland, daily infection rates, which dwindled to a handful in June and July have since August climbed back up to several hundred. There have been 2,077 outbreaks in private houses, an increase of 61 in a week, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said on Wednesday. Since the pandemic began Ireland has recorded 31,799 infections and 1,788 deaths:
Germany’s cases today are the second highest since mid-April according to Our World in Data.Germany’s cases today are the second highest since mid-April according to Our World in Data.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 2,194 to 265,857 on Thursday. The last time daily cases were over 2,000 was 21 August, and before that, the last time cases were higher than 2,194 was on 24 April.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 2,194 to 265,857 on Thursday. The last time daily cases were over 2,000 was 21 August, and before that, the last time cases were higher than 2,194 was on 24 April.
South Africa will reopen its borders to most countries next month, the president said Wednesday, part of a wider easing of anti-coronavirus measures announced as figures continue to improve, AFP reports.South Africa will reopen its borders to most countries next month, the president said Wednesday, part of a wider easing of anti-coronavirus measures announced as figures continue to improve, AFP reports.
The continent’s most industrialised economy shuttered its borders at the start of a strict nationwide lockdown on March 27 to limit the spread of the virus.The continent’s most industrialised economy shuttered its borders at the start of a strict nationwide lockdown on March 27 to limit the spread of the virus.
Restrictions on movement and business have been gradually eased since June, but borders stayed sealed to avoid importing the virus from abroad.Restrictions on movement and business have been gradually eased since June, but borders stayed sealed to avoid importing the virus from abroad.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday said most remaining rules will be rolled back from September 20, and that international travel would “gradually and cautiously” resume on October 1st.President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday said most remaining rules will be rolled back from September 20, and that international travel would “gradually and cautiously” resume on October 1st.
“We have withstood the coronavirus storm,” Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation.“We have withstood the coronavirus storm,” Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation.
“It is time to move to what will become our new normal for as long as the coronavirus is with us.”“It is time to move to what will become our new normal for as long as the coronavirus is with us.”
Under the new measures, most gatherings will be permitted at 50 percent of a venue’s capacity, with a cap of 250 people for indoor events.Under the new measures, most gatherings will be permitted at 50 percent of a venue’s capacity, with a cap of 250 people for indoor events.
A 10:00 pm curfew will be scaled back to midnight and a 50-person limit at recreational facilities will be lifted.A 10:00 pm curfew will be scaled back to midnight and a 50-person limit at recreational facilities will be lifted.
Restrictions on sporting events remain in place, however, and face-masks will still be required in public.Restrictions on sporting events remain in place, however, and face-masks will still be required in public.
Travel may also be restricted to and from countries with “high infection rates”, Ramaphosa added, explaining that a list would be determined based on “latest scientific data... from those countries”.Travel may also be restricted to and from countries with “high infection rates”, Ramaphosa added, explaining that a list would be determined based on “latest scientific data... from those countries”.
The premier of the Australian state of Victoria has issued a stern warning to Melburnians not to travel to regional Victoria, saying the “odds are very poor” for city dwellers thinking of escaping the city’s “ring of steel” .The premier of the Australian state of Victoria has issued a stern warning to Melburnians not to travel to regional Victoria, saying the “odds are very poor” for city dwellers thinking of escaping the city’s “ring of steel” .
The state will be effectively divided from Thursday, as regional Victoria gradually reopens from Covid-19 restrictions, while Melbourne remains in a tight lockdown.The state will be effectively divided from Thursday, as regional Victoria gradually reopens from Covid-19 restrictions, while Melbourne remains in a tight lockdown.
“Anyone who thinks they might take a punt on heading to regional Victoria and not get caught, I think your odds are very poor,” the premier said.“Anyone who thinks they might take a punt on heading to regional Victoria and not get caught, I think your odds are very poor,” the premier said.
The warning comes as Victoria recorded 28 new Covid-19 cases overnight, along with eight deaths, six of those linked to aged care. The last time new case numbers were in the 20s was on 24 June.The warning comes as Victoria recorded 28 new Covid-19 cases overnight, along with eight deaths, six of those linked to aged care. The last time new case numbers were in the 20s was on 24 June.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 2,194 to 265,857, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Thursday.The reported death toll rose by three to 9,371, the tally showed.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 2,194 to 265,857, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Thursday.The reported death toll rose by three to 9,371, the tally showed.
The full story on New York City mayor Bill de Blasio furloughing everyone in his office – including himself:The full story on New York City mayor Bill de Blasio furloughing everyone in his office – including himself:
Podcast: Brexit, Covid and u-turns – why Tory backbenchers are getting restlessPodcast: Brexit, Covid and u-turns – why Tory backbenchers are getting restless
The PM has been attempting to quell disquiet on several fronts, says the Guardian’s Jessica Elgot, with backbench Conservative MPs rebelling over the government’s latest Brexit plans, Covid-19 restrictions and a series of damaging U-turns:The PM has been attempting to quell disquiet on several fronts, says the Guardian’s Jessica Elgot, with backbench Conservative MPs rebelling over the government’s latest Brexit plans, Covid-19 restrictions and a series of damaging U-turns:
An official said Wednesday that Mexico City suffered 20,535 excess deaths attributable to Covid-19 between April and August, almost double the number reported in the official death toll of 11,318, AP reports. The head of the city’s Digital Innovation Agency, David Merino, said there were 30,462 excess deaths in the city between 1 April and the end of August, about two-thirds of which were determined to be due to coronavirus. Excess deaths are computed by comparing the number of deaths in previous years and comparing them to 2020.An official said Wednesday that Mexico City suffered 20,535 excess deaths attributable to Covid-19 between April and August, almost double the number reported in the official death toll of 11,318, AP reports. The head of the city’s Digital Innovation Agency, David Merino, said there were 30,462 excess deaths in the city between 1 April and the end of August, about two-thirds of which were determined to be due to coronavirus. Excess deaths are computed by comparing the number of deaths in previous years and comparing them to 2020.
Merino wrote in his Twitter account that 92% of those deaths were in hospitals and 7% at private residences. The city of almost 9 million inhabitants, like the rest of Mexico, has had an extremely low testing rate and officials have acknowledged that the numbers of test-confirmed cases and deaths probably underestimate the real figures.These are figures that describe a tragedy, Merino wrote.Merino did specify how the city had assigned that number of excess deaths to Covid-19, but city officials have been leading an effort to review death certificates to determine how many untested people had probably died of coronavirus.It was also unclear whether test-confirmed cases were included in the excess-death figures.Merino wrote in his Twitter account that 92% of those deaths were in hospitals and 7% at private residences. The city of almost 9 million inhabitants, like the rest of Mexico, has had an extremely low testing rate and officials have acknowledged that the numbers of test-confirmed cases and deaths probably underestimate the real figures.These are figures that describe a tragedy, Merino wrote.Merino did specify how the city had assigned that number of excess deaths to Covid-19, but city officials have been leading an effort to review death certificates to determine how many untested people had probably died of coronavirus.It was also unclear whether test-confirmed cases were included in the excess-death figures.
Here is the full story on New Zealand:Here is the full story on New Zealand:
New Zealand has entered a recession with the economy contracting 12.2% in the June quarter – the largest drop since such records began in 1987.New Zealand has entered a recession with the economy contracting 12.2% in the June quarter – the largest drop since such records began in 1987.
Paul Pascoe at Stats NZ said the GDP fall was “by far the largest on record in New Zealand” and reflected months spent in lockdown.Paul Pascoe at Stats NZ said the GDP fall was “by far the largest on record in New Zealand” and reflected months spent in lockdown.
Industries such as retail, accommodation, restaurants and transport saw significant declines; as did construction and manufacturing at 25.8% and 13% respectively.Industries such as retail, accommodation, restaurants and transport saw significant declines; as did construction and manufacturing at 25.8% and 13% respectively.
Household domestic spending dropped by 12%.Household domestic spending dropped by 12%.
Annually, GDP fell by 2% – the first annual decline since the March 2010 quarter.Annually, GDP fell by 2% – the first annual decline since the March 2010 quarter.
New Zealand’s economic retraction is higher than Australia’s 7% and Canada at 11.5%, but much less than in India, Singapore and the UK:New Zealand’s economic retraction is higher than Australia’s 7% and Canada at 11.5%, but much less than in India, Singapore and the UK: