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Coronavirus live news: full lockdown recommended for Madrid; Iceland cluster traced to French tourists Coronavirus live news: full lockdown recommended for Madrid; Iceland cluster traced to French tourists
(32 minutes later)
Spanish government calls for Madrid to be locked down again; cases in Reykjavík linked to two French visitorsSpanish government calls for Madrid to be locked down again; cases in Reykjavík linked to two French visitors
In Spain – far and away the worst affected western European country, with a total of more than 700,000 cases – there has been more disunity and contradictory messaging from the central government and the regional government of Madrid.
Despite pledging to work together to improve the dire situation in and around the capital, the national and regional governments are favouring different strategies for tackling the surge in Madrid.
On Friday, the regional government rejected the central government’s calls for a city-wide return to lockdown, instead announcing that another eight areas in the region would be put into the partial lockdown already in force across 37 zones. When the order comes into effect next week, more than a million people in the region will only be allowed to enter and exit their home zones on work, educational, legal or medical grounds.
Public and private gatherings have been limited to six people and parks closed. The restrictions are being applied, among other considerations, to areas where there are more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.
But, in a parallel press conference, Spain’s health minister urged more drastic action, saying that cities with more than 500 cases per 100,000 people should go into lockdown. As of Thursday evening, the Madrid region had recorded 746.15 cases per 100,000 people over the preceding fortnight.
Illa also recommended an end to all unnecessary movement across the city, a ban on people eating and drinking at counters in bars and restaurants, and that the capacity at outside terraces be reduced to 50%.
The Spanish government has recommended locking down all of the city of Madrid again after local authorities imposed restrictions on some areas of the region, the country’s health minister Salvador Illa has said.The Spanish government has recommended locking down all of the city of Madrid again after local authorities imposed restrictions on some areas of the region, the country’s health minister Salvador Illa has said.
New restrictions were expected after Spain’s tally of confirmed infections passed 700,000 and it emerged that the capital accounts for more than a third of the country’s hospital admissions.New restrictions were expected after Spain’s tally of confirmed infections passed 700,000 and it emerged that the capital accounts for more than a third of the country’s hospital admissions.
The number of new Covid-19 cases in France has jumped to a record high as the government faces an ongoing backlash against strict measures to halt the spread of the virus.The number of new Covid-19 cases in France has jumped to a record high as the government faces an ongoing backlash against strict measures to halt the spread of the virus.
Santé Publique France, the French public health authority, recorded 16,096 new infections in the previous 24 hours on Thursday evening.Santé Publique France, the French public health authority, recorded 16,096 new infections in the previous 24 hours on Thursday evening.
The surge is not entirely due to increased testing; while the authorities claim to be carrying out 1m Covid tests a week, the number of positive results has risen to 6.5%. On 14 August it was 2.4%.The surge is not entirely due to increased testing; while the authorities claim to be carrying out 1m Covid tests a week, the number of positive results has risen to 6.5%. On 14 August it was 2.4%.
Another indicator is the increase in hospital and intensive care admissions: the French health authority reported an “exponential” rise in the number of new patients requiring emergency treatment.Another indicator is the increase in hospital and intensive care admissions: the French health authority reported an “exponential” rise in the number of new patients requiring emergency treatment.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
A cluster of around 100 Covid-19 cases in Iceland have been traced back to two French tourists who refused to isolate, a local newspaper reports.A cluster of around 100 Covid-19 cases in Iceland have been traced back to two French tourists who refused to isolate, a local newspaper reports.
The French pair arrived in Iceland in mid August and were instructed to remain in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus, the country’s chief epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason said.The French pair arrived in Iceland in mid August and were instructed to remain in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus, the country’s chief epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason said.
“I have information that it was difficult to get them to follow instructions,” he stated. “I really cannot say more.”“I have information that it was difficult to get them to follow instructions,” he stated. “I really cannot say more.”
The epidemiologist said the pair brought with them a “French strain” of Covid-19 that has been picked up in around 100 new infections traced back to two establishments: the Irishman pub and the Brewdog restaurant, both in Reykjavík.The epidemiologist said the pair brought with them a “French strain” of Covid-19 that has been picked up in around 100 new infections traced back to two establishments: the Irishman pub and the Brewdog restaurant, both in Reykjavík.
The World Health Organisation’s chief for influenza preparedness and response has said some northern hemisphere countries are struggling to source flu vaccines amid increased demand.The World Health Organisation’s chief for influenza preparedness and response has said some northern hemisphere countries are struggling to source flu vaccines amid increased demand.
“Some countries are having trouble sourcing additional vaccine,” Dr Ann Moen told a United Nations briefing in Geneva, adding that health workers and the elderly should be prioritised in the event of shortages.“Some countries are having trouble sourcing additional vaccine,” Dr Ann Moen told a United Nations briefing in Geneva, adding that health workers and the elderly should be prioritised in the event of shortages.
Less flu virus in circulating in the southern hemisphere’s current flu season, including in Australia and South Africa, partly due to social distancing and travel restrictions in place against Covid-19, she said.Less flu virus in circulating in the southern hemisphere’s current flu season, including in Australia and South Africa, partly due to social distancing and travel restrictions in place against Covid-19, she said.
“If this follows suit and influenza also is low circulation in the northern hemisphere, we may see less infections. And we also hope to see less infections due to the very high uptake of influenza vaccine,” she added.“If this follows suit and influenza also is low circulation in the northern hemisphere, we may see less infections. And we also hope to see less infections due to the very high uptake of influenza vaccine,” she added.
The UK’s biggest supermarket, Tesco, is introducing limits to prevent customers stockpiling products such as flour, pasta, toilet roll and anti-bacterial wipes after new restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 were introduced.The UK’s biggest supermarket, Tesco, is introducing limits to prevent customers stockpiling products such as flour, pasta, toilet roll and anti-bacterial wipes after new restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 were introduced.
Back in March, at the start of the national lockdown, supermarket shelves were left bare after customers stockpiled essential goods.Back in March, at the start of the national lockdown, supermarket shelves were left bare after customers stockpiled essential goods.
“We have good availability, with plenty of stock to go round, and we would encourage our customers to shop as normal,” a spokeswoman said.“We have good availability, with plenty of stock to go round, and we would encourage our customers to shop as normal,” a spokeswoman said.
“To ensure that everyone can keep buying what they need, we have introduced bulk-buy limits on a small number of products.”“To ensure that everyone can keep buying what they need, we have introduced bulk-buy limits on a small number of products.”
You can read more on the situation in the UK, where daily infections rose to the highest level since the start of the pandemic yesterday, over on our dedicated blog:You can read more on the situation in the UK, where daily infections rose to the highest level since the start of the pandemic yesterday, over on our dedicated blog:
Moscow’s mayor has urged more people to work form home after Russia’s daily coronavirus caseload hit the highest level since the end of June.Moscow’s mayor has urged more people to work form home after Russia’s daily coronavirus caseload hit the highest level since the end of June.
On Friday, officials reported 7,212 new infections, bringing the total tally of infections to 1,136,048.On Friday, officials reported 7,212 new infections, bringing the total tally of infections to 1,136,048.
In the capital, new cases rose by almost 50% overnight to 1,560 from 1,050 on Thursday.In the capital, new cases rose by almost 50% overnight to 1,560 from 1,050 on Thursday.
Russia lifted most of its lockdown restrictions in June, and shops, businesses and public transport in Moscow are largely operating as normal.Russia lifted most of its lockdown restrictions in June, and shops, businesses and public transport in Moscow are largely operating as normal.
But mayor Sergei Sobyanin recommended that the heads of all companies in the capital switch as many staff as possible to working from home from Monday.But mayor Sergei Sobyanin recommended that the heads of all companies in the capital switch as many staff as possible to working from home from Monday.
Sobyanin also advised anyone with chronic health problems or those over 65 to stay at home except in urgent circumstances.Sobyanin also advised anyone with chronic health problems or those over 65 to stay at home except in urgent circumstances.
Poland and Slovakia have both reported record daily coronavirus caseloads.Poland and Slovakia have both reported record daily coronavirus caseloads.
Slovakian prime minister Igor Matovic said on Friday that 419 new infections had been recorded in the country in the past 24 hours.Slovakian prime minister Igor Matovic said on Friday that 419 new infections had been recorded in the country in the past 24 hours.
It is the third record daily tally in a row for the country which has one of Europe’s lowest Covid-19 death tolls.It is the third record daily tally in a row for the country which has one of Europe’s lowest Covid-19 death tolls.
Meanwhile, Poland’s health ministry reported 1,578 new infections in the past 24 hours, the highest daily count since the beginning of the pandemic.Meanwhile, Poland’s health ministry reported 1,578 new infections in the past 24 hours, the highest daily count since the beginning of the pandemic.
The country of 38 million has reported a total of 84,396 Covid-19 infections and 2,392 deaths.The country of 38 million has reported a total of 84,396 Covid-19 infections and 2,392 deaths.
Russia’s daily coronavirus caseload has hit its highest level since 23 June, as officials reported 7,212 infections on Friday.Russia’s daily coronavirus caseload has hit its highest level since 23 June, as officials reported 7,212 infections on Friday.
The national tally now stands at 1,136,048.The national tally now stands at 1,136,048.
In Moscow, new cases rose by almost 50% overnight to 1,560 from 1,050 the previous day.In Moscow, new cases rose by almost 50% overnight to 1,560 from 1,050 the previous day.
Authorities also said a further 108 people had died after contracting the virus, pushing the country’s official Covid-19 death toll to 20,056.Authorities also said a further 108 people had died after contracting the virus, pushing the country’s official Covid-19 death toll to 20,056.
More from the UK, where the Covid-19 situation is rapidly deteriorating. Britons have been urged to take heed of the “stark warning” of cases rising to their highest level yet as the chancellor set out a multibillion-pound support package in a bid to save jobs.More from the UK, where the Covid-19 situation is rapidly deteriorating. Britons have been urged to take heed of the “stark warning” of cases rising to their highest level yet as the chancellor set out a multibillion-pound support package in a bid to save jobs.
A total of 6,634 new cases were recorded on Thursday – the largest daily count since the beginning of the pandemic.A total of 6,634 new cases were recorded on Thursday – the largest daily count since the beginning of the pandemic.
It came as chancellor Rishi Sunak said the virus’s resurgence poses a threat to the UK’s “fragile” economic recovery.It came as chancellor Rishi Sunak said the virus’s resurgence poses a threat to the UK’s “fragile” economic recovery.
The rise in cases is a “clear” signal, Public Health England’s Professor Yvonne Doyle said, as she insisted people must follow the stricter measures announced this week in order to help control the virus.The rise in cases is a “clear” signal, Public Health England’s Professor Yvonne Doyle said, as she insisted people must follow the stricter measures announced this week in order to help control the virus.
Testing capacity has expanded significantly since the outbreak began meaning more cases will be detected, but Prof Doyle said the latest figure was “a stark warning for us all”.Testing capacity has expanded significantly since the outbreak began meaning more cases will be detected, but Prof Doyle said the latest figure was “a stark warning for us all”.
She added:She added:
The app, which launched in England and Wales on Thursday, had been downloaded more than one million times by Android users by that evening according to the Google Play Store - a figure likely to be higher when iPhone downloads are included.The app, which launched in England and Wales on Thursday, had been downloaded more than one million times by Android users by that evening according to the Google Play Store - a figure likely to be higher when iPhone downloads are included.
North Korea has said it is “sorry” for shooting dead a missing South Korean to prevent the spread of coronavirus, amid growing backlash.North Korea has said it is “sorry” for shooting dead a missing South Korean to prevent the spread of coronavirus, amid growing backlash.
North Korea’s United Front Department, in charge of cross-border ties, sent a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s office a day after Seoul officials said North Korean soldiers killed a South Korean before dousing his body in oil and setting it on fire.North Korea’s United Front Department, in charge of cross-border ties, sent a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s office a day after Seoul officials said North Korean soldiers killed a South Korean before dousing his body in oil and setting it on fire.
The rare message came as Moon faced intense political fallout over the incident, which coincided with a renewed push for policy to engage Pyongyang.The rare message came as Moon faced intense political fallout over the incident, which coincided with a renewed push for policy to engage Pyongyang.
The letter cited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying he was “sorry” that the incident disappointed the South Korean public and should not have happened, Moon’s security adviser Suh Hoon said.The letter cited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying he was “sorry” that the incident disappointed the South Korean public and should not have happened, Moon’s security adviser Suh Hoon said.
The soldiers fired more than 10 shots at the man, a South Korean fisheries official who went missing this week, after he did not reveal his identity and tried to flee, Suh said, citing the letter.The soldiers fired more than 10 shots at the man, a South Korean fisheries official who went missing this week, after he did not reveal his identity and tried to flee, Suh said, citing the letter.
But the letter said they burned a floatation device he was using, according to their anti-virus manuals, and not his body.But the letter said they burned a floatation device he was using, according to their anti-virus manuals, and not his body.
“The troops could not locate the unidentified trespasser during a search after firing the shots, and burned the device under national emergency disease prevention measures,” Suh told a briefing, referring to the letter.“The troops could not locate the unidentified trespasser during a search after firing the shots, and burned the device under national emergency disease prevention measures,” Suh told a briefing, referring to the letter.
The shooting shocked many South Koreans and triggered a fierce backlash from opposition lawmakers, prompting Moon to issue an unusually stringent response calling it “unpardonable.”The shooting shocked many South Koreans and triggered a fierce backlash from opposition lawmakers, prompting Moon to issue an unusually stringent response calling it “unpardonable.”