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Coronavirus live news: New UK lockdown rules needed sooner rather than later, says former adviser; more protests in Melbourne Coronavirus live news: new UK lockdown rules needed sooner rather than later, says former adviser; more protests in Melbourne
(32 minutes later)
Number of cases worldwide passes 30 million; Victoria announces 21 new Covid-19 cases and seven more deaths; UK faces possible second national lockdown. Follow all the developmentsNumber of cases worldwide passes 30 million; Victoria announces 21 new Covid-19 cases and seven more deaths; UK faces possible second national lockdown. Follow all the developments
Police officers have prevented a wedding party going ahead as forces urge people to comply with coronavirus restrictions over the warm, sunny weekend.
Greater Manchester police said officers stopped restrictions being breached after responding to reports of a wedding party at a house in Wythenshawe on Friday evening.
“Police attended and found that a gazebo had been erected in the garden of a property,” the force tweeted. “Officers prevented the illegal gathering before restrictions were breached.”
The Met Office has forecast a weekend of “largely dry, bright and fine” weather, with temperatures reaching up to 24C.
A holidaymaker who did not self-isolate after returning to Bolton was partly responsible for the area’s “extreme spike” in coronavirus cases, the council leader has said, PA reports.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Bolton Council leader David Greenhalgh said:
Here’s an interesting Twitter thread by Christina Pagel, director of the clinical operational research unit at UCL and a member of the independent Sage group, that states the UK is at a knife edge, but the country could put the brakes on the current trend of cases doubling every eight days. They key? Improving test and trace in the next two weeks to flatten the curve.
Angela Rayner has urged Boris Johnson to convene a Cobra meeting to ensure the right measures are in place after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.Angela Rayner has urged Boris Johnson to convene a Cobra meeting to ensure the right measures are in place after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.
The Labour deputy leader said:The Labour deputy leader said:
Britain will likely need to reintroduce some coronavirus lockdown measures sooner rather than later, a former senior government health advisor said today.Britain will likely need to reintroduce some coronavirus lockdown measures sooner rather than later, a former senior government health advisor said today.
“I think some additional measures are likely to be needed sooner rather than later,” Neil Ferguson, a professor of epidemiology at London’s Imperial College told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.“I think some additional measures are likely to be needed sooner rather than later,” Neil Ferguson, a professor of epidemiology at London’s Imperial College told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
He said the country was facing a “perfect storm” after the easing of controls over the summer.He said the country was facing a “perfect storm” after the easing of controls over the summer.
Ferguson said:Ferguson said:
Ferguson is the epidemiologist whose modelling helped shape Britain’s coronavirus lockdown strategy. He quit as a government adviser after flouting the rules by receiving visits from his lover at his home.Ferguson is the epidemiologist whose modelling helped shape Britain’s coronavirus lockdown strategy. He quit as a government adviser after flouting the rules by receiving visits from his lover at his home.
Morning, I’m Aamna in London and I will be taking over the blog for the rest of day.Morning, I’m Aamna in London and I will be taking over the blog for the rest of day.
The Czech Republic has reported 2,111 new cases of Covid-19 for Friday, a slow down after four days of growth, Reuters reports.The Czech Republic has reported 2,111 new cases of Covid-19 for Friday, a slow down after four days of growth, Reuters reports.
The overall number of confirmed cases reached 46,262 in the country of 10.7 million, the ministry said on Saturday.The overall number of confirmed cases reached 46,262 in the country of 10.7 million, the ministry said on Saturday.
The Czechs have seen the illness spreading at a record pace. Adjusted for population, only Spain and France within the European Union have seen a bigger jump in the last two weeks, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.The Czechs have seen the illness spreading at a record pace. Adjusted for population, only Spain and France within the European Union have seen a bigger jump in the last two weeks, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Victoria police has confirmed 16 people were arrested and 21 people were fined at the protest in Elsternwick in Melbourne’s south on Saturday.Victoria police has confirmed 16 people were arrested and 21 people were fined at the protest in Elsternwick in Melbourne’s south on Saturday.
The majority of the 16 arrested were not providing their name and address to police.The majority of the 16 arrested were not providing their name and address to police.
“We are frustrated that these people continue to put the lives of Victorians at risk,” a Victoria police spokeswoman said.“We are frustrated that these people continue to put the lives of Victorians at risk,” a Victoria police spokeswoman said.
“While we know the majority of the community are doing the right thing, the behaviour of these selfish few who choose to blatantly ignore the directions will not be tolerated.”“While we know the majority of the community are doing the right thing, the behaviour of these selfish few who choose to blatantly ignore the directions will not be tolerated.”
Just a bit more on India, via Reuters.Just a bit more on India, via Reuters.
India’s parliament session that began this week is likely to be cut short after 30 lawmakers were found infected with the coronavirus, two senior parliament officials said.India’s parliament session that began this week is likely to be cut short after 30 lawmakers were found infected with the coronavirus, two senior parliament officials said.
The Indian parliament met for the first time in six months on 14 September and was to function until 1 October, but the two officials said its duration could be reduced by a week.The Indian parliament met for the first time in six months on 14 September and was to function until 1 October, but the two officials said its duration could be reduced by a week.
“Since the commencement of the session the number of positive cases have gone up so the government is thinking of cutting short the session,” said one of the two officials, who are involved in the functioning of parliament proceedings.“Since the commencement of the session the number of positive cases have gone up so the government is thinking of cutting short the session,” said one of the two officials, who are involved in the functioning of parliament proceedings.
The government has also mandated daily tests for journalist entering parliament to cover the session from Saturday.The government has also mandated daily tests for journalist entering parliament to cover the session from Saturday.
The lower and upper house secretariats did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The lower and upper house secretariats did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lawmakers who have been infected include Nitin Gadkari, highways and small enterprises minister in Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s cabinet.The lawmakers who have been infected include Nitin Gadkari, highways and small enterprises minister in Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s cabinet.
Here’s a short summary of what we have learned today so far:Here’s a short summary of what we have learned today so far:
The number of coronavirus cases worldwide passed 30 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. The global death toll stands at 947,919 people and is expected to pass 1 million by 1 October. The US accounts for than 22% of global cases, at 6.69m, and nearly 200,000 fatalities.The number of coronavirus cases worldwide passed 30 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. The global death toll stands at 947,919 people and is expected to pass 1 million by 1 October. The US accounts for than 22% of global cases, at 6.69m, and nearly 200,000 fatalities.
US president Donald Trump said he expects to have available enough doses of a coronavirus vaccine for every American by April.US president Donald Trump said he expects to have available enough doses of a coronavirus vaccine for every American by April.
Victoria reported 21 new cases of Covid-19 and seven deaths, while New South Wales recorded three new cases, with just one under investigationVictoria reported 21 new cases of Covid-19 and seven deaths, while New South Wales recorded three new cases, with just one under investigation
The Victorian chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton has apologised for comments he made around the outbreak of cases in the Melbourne suburb of Casey for linking it to the Afghan community.The Victorian chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton has apologised for comments he made around the outbreak of cases in the Melbourne suburb of Casey for linking it to the Afghan community.
Mexico reported 4,841 new cases of Covid-19, and 624 deathsMexico reported 4,841 new cases of Covid-19, and 624 deaths
India reported 93,337 new cases of Covid-19, and 1,247 more deathsIndia reported 93,337 new cases of Covid-19, and 1,247 more deaths
No new cases for South Australia.No new cases for South Australia.
AAP has more from the press conference of the Australian social services minister, Anne Ruston.
AAP reports any extension of supplements for jobseeker will need to wait until after the October budget, once the government can see what the impacts of the reduction in payments has after next week.
“We will not be making announcements in budget,” she told reporters. “We don’t know what Australia is going to look like on the other side of this pandemic. We don’t know when it’s going to end.
“So we will remain agile and we will continue to provide the support that is needed for Australia and Australians.”
About 1.6 million Australians receive unemployment payments, which were boosted in April by $550 a fortnight. From next week, the supplement will be cut to $250 each fortnight.
That reduction alone will plunge many families into hardship, Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) chief executive, Dr Cassandra Goldie, said.
Add in the uncertainty about the boosted payments continuing into 2021 and Dr Goldie says people will have to start skipping meals and forgoing fresh fruit and vegetables to scrounge Christmas gifts for their children.
“While it might suit some within government to not make decisions yet ... 1.6 million people are worrying today about how they are going to get through Christmas,” she said.
Acoss is calling on the Morrison government to legislate a permanent increase to jobseeker or at least guarantee a level of increased payments beyond this year.
India has reported 93,337 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, and 1,247 more deaths.
It takes the country’s total case numbers to 5.3 million, and deaths to 85,619.
India has been reporting highest single-day rise in cases every day for the past five weeks, and is expected to become the worst-hit country in the world within weeks, surpassing the US, AP reports.
Fewer Australian babies will be born over the next two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, AAP reports.
The federal government’s Centre for Population has released a report saying couples are going to delay the expansion of their family because of the economic climate, resulting in fewer babies born in 2021 and 2022.
The fertility rate is forecasted to drop to 1.59 babies per woman in 2021 compared with 1.7 in 2018.
By 2030, the long-term average is expected to settle at 1.62.
Graphs tracking the national fertility rate show it has been falling gradually since 2011 anyway but there’s a sharper dip in 2021.
The minister for population, cities and urban infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said while a lack of migration would be the main contributor to Australia’s declining population growth, fertility rates tended to slow in times of economic uncertainty.
“Our population growth will be the lowest since World War I as a result of Covid,” he said.
Some more photos from the anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne’s south, and the very large police presence the small protest.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has put out some more information on the latest case numbers today.
The 21 cases is the lowest number of new cases since 24 June.
Of the seven who died, one is a man in his 60s, three are men their 80s, one is a man in his 90s and two are women in their 90s. Two of the deaths occurred before yesterday.
Six of today’s seven deaths are linked to known outbreaks in aged care facilities.
To date, 757 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.
800 are in metropolitan Melbourne under the First Step of our roadmap
28 are in regional local government areas under the Third Step of our roadmap
5 are either unknown or subject to further investigation
1 is an interstate resident
Colac Otway has 12 active cases, Greater Geelong has three active cases, Greater Bendigo has one active case and Ballarat has no active cases.
There are two active cases among staff in residential disability accommodation.
On the outbreaks:
26 active cases are currently linked to the Casey community outbreak (total cases: 34)
13 active cases are currently linked to Footscray hospital (total cases: 15)
7 active cases are currently linked to Vawdrey Australia truck manufacturer (total cases: 64)
6 active cases are currently linked to Dandenong police station (total cases: 17)
6 active cases are currently linked to the Alfred hospital (total cases: 7)
The department is investigating a case linked to BlueCross Riverlea aged care facility in Avondale Heights.
The Australian minister for social services, Anne Ruston, just held a press conference, and was asked about the return of mutual obligations for jobseekers from the end of this month.
As part of those obligations, you can face penalties on your welfare payment if you refuse to take a job without a valid reason. Ruston said if people aren’t suitable for a job then they wouldn’t be expected to take it, but if you’re capable to do the job then that is “the sensible thing to do”.
Of course the anti-lockdown protesters are livestreaming themselves protesting because 2020.
AAP has described the Elsternwick Park anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne’s south as being chaotic when broken up by police:
Western Australia has recorded no new cases of Covid-19 overnight.
The state’s total remains at 661. Health authorities said three active cases were being monitored.
To date, 649 confirmed cases have recovered from the virus in WA.
A total of 782 people presented to WA Covid-19 clinics on Friday, 766 were assessed and 763 swabbed.