This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/sep/19/coronavirus-live-news-trump-pledges-vaccine-for-all-by-april-as-melbourne-faces-more-protests

The article has changed 44 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Coronavirus live news: Trump pledges vaccine for all by April as Melbourne faces more protests Coronavirus live news: Trump pledges vaccine for all by April as Melbourne faces more protests
(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
Some data from the Australian Senate Covid-19 committee:
The ATO has told the committee that between 3 and 17 August, so just after stage 4 lockdown commenced in Melbourne, 11,000 more employers and businesses applied for Jobkeeper with a Victorian ABN.
Andrews indicates it could be until next weekend before we know how the restrictions will ease in Melbourne on 28 September.Andrews indicates it could be until next weekend before we know how the restrictions will ease in Melbourne on 28 September.
Andrews is again asked why the Casey and Dandenong families who broke the rules and got Covid-19 didn’t get fined. Andrews said while it might make others feel better, it wouldn’t be useful for contact tracing.Andrews is again asked why the Casey and Dandenong families who broke the rules and got Covid-19 didn’t get fined. Andrews said while it might make others feel better, it wouldn’t be useful for contact tracing.
Andrews is asked about whether there is a plan to recruit retired police to act as authorised officers. He says the state needs more authorised officers to go check workplaces to ensure they are Covid-compliant.Andrews is asked about whether there is a plan to recruit retired police to act as authorised officers. He says the state needs more authorised officers to go check workplaces to ensure they are Covid-compliant.
But the powers are broader than that, including the ability to detain people, which, given they are not police, has alarmed some people.But the powers are broader than that, including the ability to detain people, which, given they are not police, has alarmed some people.
Andrews said the powers are needed right now when the Victorian community wants to get the Covid-19 case numbers down and keep them down, but the powers won’t be around forever.Andrews said the powers are needed right now when the Victorian community wants to get the Covid-19 case numbers down and keep them down, but the powers won’t be around forever.
“There will be a time when they are no longer appropriate and many of them Sunset next year,” he said.“There will be a time when they are no longer appropriate and many of them Sunset next year,” he said.
Andrews said anyone thinking of protesting today should go home.Andrews said anyone thinking of protesting today should go home.
“Go home. Go home and follow the rules. That is a very simple message. Go home and follow the rules.”“Go home. Go home and follow the rules. That is a very simple message. Go home and follow the rules.”
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says although the test numbers are good today (around 12,000) he suspect people might not be getting tested in order to keep the numbers down.Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says although the test numbers are good today (around 12,000) he suspect people might not be getting tested in order to keep the numbers down.
He rules out removing the Mornington Peninsula from metro Melbourne in terms of the restrictions in place.He rules out removing the Mornington Peninsula from metro Melbourne in terms of the restrictions in place.
Sutton says in the home is the biggest concern for virus transmission as restrictions ease.Sutton says in the home is the biggest concern for virus transmission as restrictions ease.
“It really is. It is a combination of indoors which is 20 times more dangerous than outdoor and the length of time you spend.“It really is. It is a combination of indoors which is 20 times more dangerous than outdoor and the length of time you spend.
“There are brief encounters indoors, as you get your takeaway coffee, it is much less of a risk. But if you are indoors for a protracted period of time that is exactly when transmission occurs. People need to be aware of that.”“There are brief encounters indoors, as you get your takeaway coffee, it is much less of a risk. But if you are indoors for a protracted period of time that is exactly when transmission occurs. People need to be aware of that.”
When asked whether restrictions easing could be brought forward, Sutton said everything was more or less tracking as the modelling planned, and the next few weeks.When asked whether restrictions easing could be brought forward, Sutton said everything was more or less tracking as the modelling planned, and the next few weeks.
“That is not to say we shouldn’t take the opportunity of these next couple of weeks to say this is literally the last gasp of this virus, if we wanted to be, and to do everything we can to knuckle down with the things that we know have worked all through.”“That is not to say we shouldn’t take the opportunity of these next couple of weeks to say this is literally the last gasp of this virus, if we wanted to be, and to do everything we can to knuckle down with the things that we know have worked all through.”
Sutton says there are many misconceptions out there about Covid-19, including testing, and it’s not limited to migrant communities.Sutton says there are many misconceptions out there about Covid-19, including testing, and it’s not limited to migrant communities.
“But there are some very persistent misconceptions and there are some people who are really trying to promulgate misinformation, disinformation, having false information out there for whatever reason, so we need to tackle that head-on as well.”“But there are some very persistent misconceptions and there are some people who are really trying to promulgate misinformation, disinformation, having false information out there for whatever reason, so we need to tackle that head-on as well.”
He says the most frustrating misconception is that Covid-19 doesn’t exist and doesn’t kill people.He says the most frustrating misconception is that Covid-19 doesn’t exist and doesn’t kill people.
“The idea that this illness that we know kills one in three people over the age of 80, you know, to say that it is mild or just the flu or doesn’t exist at all is really offensive to everyone who has lost a loved one.”“The idea that this illness that we know kills one in three people over the age of 80, you know, to say that it is mild or just the flu or doesn’t exist at all is really offensive to everyone who has lost a loved one.”
The Victorian chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton has apologised for comments he made about the Afghan migrant community.The Victorian chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton has apologised for comments he made about the Afghan migrant community.
Sutton on Monday said he was attempting to engage with the Afghani migrant community in Casey as a priority, amid an outbreak in Casey, and the Herald Sun reported today that the community had felt scapegoated by his comments. Sutton on Monday said he was attempting to engage with the Afghan migrant community in Casey as a priority, amid an outbreak in Casey, and the Herald Sun reported today that the community had felt scapegoated by his comments.
Sutton apologised for those comments, saying it was wrong to single out the Afghan community.Sutton apologised for those comments, saying it was wrong to single out the Afghan community.
Yesterday the Victorian government revealed a cluster of 34 cases in Dandenong and Casey among five households that had breached the rules on travelling more than 5km from home and visiting each other.Yesterday the Victorian government revealed a cluster of 34 cases in Dandenong and Casey among five households that had breached the rules on travelling more than 5km from home and visiting each other.
As reported earlier, the rolling average for metro Melbourne is 39.3. So Melbourne is well with the 30-50 average cases range for the easing of restrictions on 28 September.As reported earlier, the rolling average for metro Melbourne is 39.3. So Melbourne is well with the 30-50 average cases range for the easing of restrictions on 28 September.
Andrews:Andrews:
There are 433 active cases in aged care, so now aged care accounts for over half of all active cases.There are 433 active cases in aged care, so now aged care accounts for over half of all active cases.
There are 834 active cases in Victoria, so we are now below 900.There are 834 active cases in Victoria, so we are now below 900.
There are 28 active cases in regional Victoria, so 806 in metro Melbourne.There are 28 active cases in regional Victoria, so 806 in metro Melbourne.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says of the 21 new cases announced today, 13 of those cases are linked to known outbreaks and complex cases. Eight are under investigation by a public health team.Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says of the 21 new cases announced today, 13 of those cases are linked to known outbreaks and complex cases. Eight are under investigation by a public health team.
He says close to 12,000 tests were conducted yesterday.He says close to 12,000 tests were conducted yesterday.
The Australian state of New South Wales has recorded three new cases of Covid-19 to 8pm yesterday.The Australian state of New South Wales has recorded three new cases of Covid-19 to 8pm yesterday.
Two of those cases are returned travellers in hotel quarantine, and one was locally acquired and is under investigation.Two of those cases are returned travellers in hotel quarantine, and one was locally acquired and is under investigation.
NSW Health has said the latter worked at Concord hospital treating patients while potentially infectious and contact tracing is underway.NSW Health has said the latter worked at Concord hospital treating patients while potentially infectious and contact tracing is underway.
Over 15,000 tests were conducted in the past day.Over 15,000 tests were conducted in the past day.
We are expecting the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, to start his press conference any minute now.We are expecting the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, to start his press conference any minute now.
Mexico has reported 4,841 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Friday, and 624 deaths.Mexico has reported 4,841 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Friday, and 624 deaths.
The total confirmed cases are 688,954, and 72,803, although officials have said the real number of cases is likely significantly higher.The total confirmed cases are 688,954, and 72,803, although officials have said the real number of cases is likely significantly higher.
Via AAPVia AAP
Today’s press conference with the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, will be at 11 am. We will bring you that as it happens.Today’s press conference with the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, will be at 11 am. We will bring you that as it happens.
Here is a little more on today’s Victorian numbers from AAP:Here is a little more on today’s Victorian numbers from AAP:
Good morning everyone. Here’s a rundown of events internationally and in Australia over the past 24 hours.Good morning everyone. Here’s a rundown of events internationally and in Australia over the past 24 hours.
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.
Three people who tested positive for Covid-19 in a cluster in Melbourne have been hospitalised. There are 34 cases in the cluster in the suburb of Casey, with authorities saying the households breached Melbourne’s lockdown restrictions.Three people who tested positive for Covid-19 in a cluster in Melbourne have been hospitalised. There are 34 cases in the cluster in the suburb of Casey, with authorities saying the households breached Melbourne’s lockdown restrictions.
Victoria has announced 21 new cases of coronavirus and seven more deaths. The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has urged anti-lockdown protesters not to gather following reports of more planned protests in Melbourne on Saturday. Public health authorities are racing to stop infections growing in the Casey and Dandenong council areas on the Melbourne’s south-east rim, which now has 90 active cases.Victoria has announced 21 new cases of coronavirus and seven more deaths. The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has urged anti-lockdown protesters not to gather following reports of more planned protests in Melbourne on Saturday. Public health authorities are racing to stop infections growing in the Casey and Dandenong council areas on the Melbourne’s south-east rim, which now has 90 active cases.
The UK government has hinted at second national lockdown amid reports of a plan to “circuit break” the virus. The UK’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, told Sky News: “The number of people in hospital is doubling every eight days or so ... we will do what it takes to keep people safe.”The UK government has hinted at second national lockdown amid reports of a plan to “circuit break” the virus. The UK’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, told Sky News: “The number of people in hospital is doubling every eight days or so ... we will do what it takes to keep people safe.”
Greek authorities have also been tightened restrictions in Athens and in Spain the regional government of Madrid has announced a partial lockdown of some districts.Greek authorities have also been tightened restrictions in Athens and in Spain the regional government of Madrid has announced a partial lockdown of some districts.
France reported an unprecedented 13,215 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours. The health ministry also said that the total number of deaths from Covid-19 increased by 154 to 31,249, the highest daily toll in three months.France reported an unprecedented 13,215 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours. The health ministry also said that the total number of deaths from Covid-19 increased by 154 to 31,249, the highest daily toll in three months.
The European Union has agreed to buy 300m doses of an as yet unapproved coronavirus vaccine being developed by Sanofi and GSK.The European Union has agreed to buy 300m doses of an as yet unapproved coronavirus vaccine being developed by Sanofi and GSK.
Australia’s national cabinet agreed on Friday to begin easing travel caps on international arrivals. NSW, Queensland and WA have agreed to allow more people into hotel quarantine, which will lift the number of returned travellers from 4,000 to 6,000 per week. Labor has said the plan does not go far enough to assist the tens of thousands of Australians stranded overseas.Australia’s national cabinet agreed on Friday to begin easing travel caps on international arrivals. NSW, Queensland and WA have agreed to allow more people into hotel quarantine, which will lift the number of returned travellers from 4,000 to 6,000 per week. Labor has said the plan does not go far enough to assist the tens of thousands of Australians stranded overseas.
Prime minister Scott Morrison said Australia was looking again at a trans-Tasman travel bubble, where New Zealanders could come into Australia without quarantine.Prime minister Scott Morrison said Australia was looking again at a trans-Tasman travel bubble, where New Zealanders could come into Australia without quarantine.