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Coronavirus live news: UK facing perfect storm, scientist warns; Indonesia reports biggest rise in cases Coronavirus live news: anti-lockdown protesters gather in London; Iran death toll exceeds 24,000
(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
Here are a few more images from the protest in Trafalgar Square:
Scuffles have broken out between demonstrators and police at the rally in Trafalgar Square organised by opponents of coronavirus lockdown measures, PA Media reports.Scuffles have broken out between demonstrators and police at the rally in Trafalgar Square organised by opponents of coronavirus lockdown measures, PA Media reports.
Metropolitan police officers moved in on the protesters as they congregated near Nelson’s Column on Saturday.Metropolitan police officers moved in on the protesters as they congregated near Nelson’s Column on Saturday.
The protesters formed human blockades opposite the officers to stop them from making arrests.The protesters formed human blockades opposite the officers to stop them from making arrests.
Scuffles broke out between the two sides next to the National Gallery, before officers were pushed back by the loud crowd, who began cheering and chanting.Scuffles broke out between the two sides next to the National Gallery, before officers were pushed back by the loud crowd, who began cheering and chanting.
The “Resist and Act for Freedom” rally saw scores of people gather, holding banners and chanting “freedom”.The “Resist and Act for Freedom” rally saw scores of people gather, holding banners and chanting “freedom”.
Organisers sold T-shirts bearing 5G conspiracy theories and advocating the legalisation of cannabis as a range of speeches were made to the crowd. Among the attendees were people selling T-shirts bearing 5G conspiracy theories and advocating the legalisation of cannabis, as a range of speeches were made to the crowd.
My colleague Damien Gayle is in Trafalgar Square, central London, where more than a thousand people are estimated to have gathered to demonstrate against lockdown restrictions, masks and social distancing.My colleague Damien Gayle is in Trafalgar Square, central London, where more than a thousand people are estimated to have gathered to demonstrate against lockdown restrictions, masks and social distancing.
Hello, this is Aaron Walawalkar in London here, taking over the blog briefly while my colleague Aamna Mohdin has a break. Please feel free to share any tips or suggestions for coverage with me by DM on Twitter @AaronWala.Hello, this is Aaron Walawalkar in London here, taking over the blog briefly while my colleague Aamna Mohdin has a break. Please feel free to share any tips or suggestions for coverage with me by DM on Twitter @AaronWala.
NHS hospitals in England face paying for Covid-19 tests for patients and staff out of their own budgets after a cap was placed on the amount of money available for tests in the health service, according to information sent to trusts.NHS hospitals in England face paying for Covid-19 tests for patients and staff out of their own budgets after a cap was placed on the amount of money available for tests in the health service, according to information sent to trusts.
PA Media reports:PA Media reports:
Here’s an interesting interview with Pret a Manger’s CEO. The sandwich chain has become a symbol of the way we used to live, pre-pandemic. Can its boss, Pano Christou, turn things around?Here’s an interesting interview with Pret a Manger’s CEO. The sandwich chain has become a symbol of the way we used to live, pre-pandemic. Can its boss, Pano Christou, turn things around?
Are UK coronavirus cases rising in your local area and nationally? Check the latest update on our week-on-week changes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Are UK coronavirus cases rising in your local area and nationally? Check the latest update on our week-on-week changes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
And here’s the global map.And here’s the global map.
Nicola Sturgeon has joined forces with the first ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland to demand “urgent intervention” from the the UK government to help the struggling aerospace sector, PA Media reports.Nicola Sturgeon has joined forces with the first ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland to demand “urgent intervention” from the the UK government to help the struggling aerospace sector, PA Media reports.
The Scottish first minister, her Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford and both Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill, the first minister and deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, have written to Boris Johnson.The Scottish first minister, her Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford and both Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill, the first minister and deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, have written to Boris Johnson.
The letter urges him to set up a specialist taskforce to help the industry, which has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with job losses at companies such as Rolls-Royce.The letter urges him to set up a specialist taskforce to help the industry, which has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with job losses at companies such as Rolls-Royce.
The leaders of the Unite trade union say tens of thousands of jobs in the sector and associated industries are on the “brink of being lost for ever”.The leaders of the Unite trade union say tens of thousands of jobs in the sector and associated industries are on the “brink of being lost for ever”.
The four leaders told Johnson the creation of an aerospace taskforce “would be a positive signal to the sector”.The four leaders told Johnson the creation of an aerospace taskforce “would be a positive signal to the sector”.
France’s public health authority has admitted making an error with its daily Covid-19 figures, after reporting that deaths had risen by an additional 123 in 24 hours and hospital admissions had jumped by 850.France’s public health authority has admitted making an error with its daily Covid-19 figures, after reporting that deaths had risen by an additional 123 in 24 hours and hospital admissions had jumped by 850.
Santé Publique France’s website admitted “almost 240” cases concerned patients who were hospitalised since July and not in the previous 24 hours as stated. Although the authority’s website did not mention the large increase in the number of deaths, Le Figaro said 76 of these were historic, making the real number of deaths in hospital from Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours 47 and not 123, and the number of new hospital admissions 613 not 850, an increase of 14 patients.Santé Publique France’s website admitted “almost 240” cases concerned patients who were hospitalised since July and not in the previous 24 hours as stated. Although the authority’s website did not mention the large increase in the number of deaths, Le Figaro said 76 of these were historic, making the real number of deaths in hospital from Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours 47 and not 123, and the number of new hospital admissions 613 not 850, an increase of 14 patients.
The total number of deaths in French hospitals attributed to Covid-19 is 31,249.The total number of deaths in French hospitals attributed to Covid-19 is 31,249.
People in the queue to be tested for Covid-19 at the Buenos Aires health centre in south Madrid on Friday morning were met with a bleak but polite homemade sign.People in the queue to be tested for Covid-19 at the Buenos Aires health centre in south Madrid on Friday morning were met with a bleak but polite homemade sign.
It still bore the previous day’s information, spelled out in marker pen: consultations – by phone and in person – 483; Covid consultations, 19; PCR tests, 78; and number of staff absent, 13.It still bore the previous day’s information, spelled out in marker pen: consultations – by phone and in person – 483; Covid consultations, 19; PCR tests, 78; and number of staff absent, 13.
Clipped beneath was another note: “We’re doing all we can to look after you. Sorry for the disruption.”Clipped beneath was another note: “We’re doing all we can to look after you. Sorry for the disruption.”
The board’s plaintive message is echoing across many of the poorest parts of the Madrid region as the second wave of coronavirus batters Spain and once again threatens to overwhelm the health system in and around the capital.The board’s plaintive message is echoing across many of the poorest parts of the Madrid region as the second wave of coronavirus batters Spain and once again threatens to overwhelm the health system in and around the capital.
During the past two weeks, Spain has reported more than 122,000 new Covid-19 cases, more than a third of them in the Madrid region. The number of cases per 100,000 people stands at 259.76 across Spain as a whole. In Madrid, the figure rises to 659.41, and in Puente de Vallecas, the district served by the Buenos Aires medical centre, it is 1,241.During the past two weeks, Spain has reported more than 122,000 new Covid-19 cases, more than a third of them in the Madrid region. The number of cases per 100,000 people stands at 259.76 across Spain as a whole. In Madrid, the figure rises to 659.41, and in Puente de Vallecas, the district served by the Buenos Aires medical centre, it is 1,241.
Latin America has had some of the longest lockdowns in the world but experts are urging countries not to reopen too soonLatin America has had some of the longest lockdowns in the world but experts are urging countries not to reopen too soon
Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogotá, Dom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro and David Agren in Matamoros report:Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogotá, Dom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro and David Agren in Matamoros report:
The scene in Rio de Janeiro was as though much of 2020 had never happened.The scene in Rio de Janeiro was as though much of 2020 had never happened.
The beaches at Ipanema and Copacabana heaved with visitors, the white sand obscured by bronzed bodies, sun loungers and parasols, as locals enjoyed the blistering 38C heat.The beaches at Ipanema and Copacabana heaved with visitors, the white sand obscured by bronzed bodies, sun loungers and parasols, as locals enjoyed the blistering 38C heat.
Even though Brazil has experienced the third largest Covid-19 outbreak in the world, behind the US and India, the vast majority of bathers ignored social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines altogether.Even though Brazil has experienced the third largest Covid-19 outbreak in the world, behind the US and India, the vast majority of bathers ignored social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines altogether.
“Things have to go back to normal,” said Raniel Braga, who said that – after a desperately slow first half of the year – business at his paddle board rental on Copacabana beach was picking up again. “Like it or not, we’re going to have to live with this virus for a while.“Things have to go back to normal,” said Raniel Braga, who said that – after a desperately slow first half of the year – business at his paddle board rental on Copacabana beach was picking up again. “Like it or not, we’re going to have to live with this virus for a while.
“People who go to the beach are those who feel safe,” he said, as unmasked police officers surveyed the crowds. “People who are scared don’t go to the beach.”“People who go to the beach are those who feel safe,” he said, as unmasked police officers surveyed the crowds. “People who are scared don’t go to the beach.”
But while Braga is delighted that Rio’s beaches are packed once again, international health officials are worried. This week, the World Health Organization said countries across Latin America were rushing back to normality prematurely – a mistake that could prove catastrophic in a region that already accounts for a third of global pandemic deaths.But while Braga is delighted that Rio’s beaches are packed once again, international health officials are worried. This week, the World Health Organization said countries across Latin America were rushing back to normality prematurely – a mistake that could prove catastrophic in a region that already accounts for a third of global pandemic deaths.
Iran’s coronavirus death toll has risen by 166 to 24,118, a health ministry spokeswoman told state TV on Saturday, according to Reuters.Iran’s coronavirus death toll has risen by 166 to 24,118, a health ministry spokeswoman told state TV on Saturday, according to Reuters.
The total number of identified cases rose by 2,845 in the last 24 hours to 419,043 in Iran, one of the Middle East’s worst-hit countries, spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari was quoted as saying.The total number of identified cases rose by 2,845 in the last 24 hours to 419,043 in Iran, one of the Middle East’s worst-hit countries, spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari was quoted as saying.
The epidemiologist whose modelling helped shape Britain’s coronavirus lockdown strategy has said that new coronavirus restrictions will be needed in England “sooner rather than later” if the government is to prevent the disease surging again.The epidemiologist whose modelling helped shape Britain’s coronavirus lockdown strategy has said that new coronavirus restrictions will be needed in England “sooner rather than later” if the government is to prevent the disease surging again.
Prof Neil Ferguson, who resigned from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the country was facing a “perfect storm” after the easing of controls over the summer.Prof Neil Ferguson, who resigned from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the country was facing a “perfect storm” after the easing of controls over the summer.
On Friday, Boris Johnson admitted in a speech that Britain was entering a second wave of coronavirus. It is understood that he is preparing to impose sweeping nationwide measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.On Friday, Boris Johnson admitted in a speech that Britain was entering a second wave of coronavirus. It is understood that he is preparing to impose sweeping nationwide measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Johnson will spend the weekend in talks with officials in Downing Street, the Telegraph reports.Johnson will spend the weekend in talks with officials in Downing Street, the Telegraph reports.
It is increasingly likely that lockdown restrictions will soon be needed to slow the spread of coronavirus in London, the capital’s mayor has said.It is increasingly likely that lockdown restrictions will soon be needed to slow the spread of coronavirus in London, the capital’s mayor has said.
Sadiq Khan said action should be taken before the virus spirals out of control, and leaders were considering measures already imposed in other parts of the UK. He said the government should ensure there was a fully functioning testing system in place.Sadiq Khan said action should be taken before the virus spirals out of control, and leaders were considering measures already imposed in other parts of the UK. He said the government should ensure there was a fully functioning testing system in place.
In a statement, he said he had held an emergency meeting with London council leaders, the government and Public Heath England to discuss the next steps.In a statement, he said he had held an emergency meeting with London council leaders, the government and Public Heath England to discuss the next steps.
Khan said:Khan said:
Poland reported 1,002 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, according to the health ministry’s Twitter account, the highest daily increase since the pandemic began, Reuters reports.Poland reported 1,002 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, according to the health ministry’s Twitter account, the highest daily increase since the pandemic began, Reuters reports.
The new record comes days after the authorities tightened conditions under which doctors are obliged to send patients for testing. Critics say the new rules may limit the number of people going for tests.The new record comes days after the authorities tightened conditions under which doctors are obliged to send patients for testing. Critics say the new rules may limit the number of people going for tests.
Meanwhile, Indonesia reported its biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections, with 4,168 new cases on Saturday, taking the total to 240,687, data from the country’s health ministry showed.Meanwhile, Indonesia reported its biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections, with 4,168 new cases on Saturday, taking the total to 240,687, data from the country’s health ministry showed.
The data added 112 new deaths, taking the total to 9,448, the biggest death toll in south-east Asia.The data added 112 new deaths, taking the total to 9,448, the biggest death toll in south-east Asia.
In the Philippines, the health ministry reported 3,962 new coronavirus infections and 100 additional deaths, with both numbers the highest in five days. In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases have risen to 283,460, the highest in south-east Asia, while deaths have reached 4,930In the Philippines, the health ministry reported 3,962 new coronavirus infections and 100 additional deaths, with both numbers the highest in five days. In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases have risen to 283,460, the highest in south-east Asia, while deaths have reached 4,930
Mainland China reported 14 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, down from 32 cases reported a day earlier, Reuters said, citing the Chinese national health authority.Mainland China reported 14 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, down from 32 cases reported a day earlier, Reuters said, citing the Chinese national health authority.
The national health commission said in a statement that all new cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas. It also reported 24 new asymptomatic cases, up from 20 a day earlier, though China does not classify these patients without symptoms as confirmed Covid-19 cases.The national health commission said in a statement that all new cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas. It also reported 24 new asymptomatic cases, up from 20 a day earlier, though China does not classify these patients without symptoms as confirmed Covid-19 cases.
The total number of Covid-19 cases for mainland China stands at 85,269, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,634.The total number of Covid-19 cases for mainland China stands at 85,269, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,634.
Police officers have prevented a wedding party going ahead as forces urge people to comply with coronavirus restrictions over the warm, sunny weekend.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.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.”“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 (75.2F).The Met Office has forecast a weekend of largely dry, bright and fine weather, with temperatures reaching up to 24C (75.2F).