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Coronavirus live news: full lockdown recommended for Madrid; new record cases in Netherlands Coronavirus live news: two million could die before vaccine ready, warns WHO; cases surge in Europe
(32 minutes later)
Spanish government calls for Madrid lockdown; Netherlands records worst day for new cases; cases in Reykjavík linked to two French visitors WHO warns death toll could be higher than 2m without concerted action; Madrid braced for lockdown as Spain reaches 716,481 total infections; surge in cases Athens
The global death toll could double to 2 million people before a successful vaccine is widely used – and could be even higher without concerted action to curb the pandemic, an official at the World Health Organization has warned. Dr Mike Ryan, the head of the body’s emergencies programme, said:
His assessment came as the total number of deaths nine months since the virus was discovered in China neared the grim milestone of 1 million.
Canada has signed a deal with the Cambridge-based AstraZeneca to buy up to 20m doses of its vaccine candidate, the country’s prime minister Justin Trudeau has said. The medication is among the leading candidates in the global race for a vaccine, now in late-stage trials in Britain, South Africa and elsewhere.
Some Greek shops must close earlier from Saturday until 4 October, local authorities have said, further tightening restrictions amid a surge in cases in the greater Athens area and other parts of the country.
In a state address on Thursday, the prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cautioned Greeks to stick to mask-wearing and social distancing to help avert a second lockdown which would have a “dramatic impact” on the economy.
On Friday, the deputy civil protection minister Nikos Hardalias said kiosks, mini markets and wine shops will close from midnight until 5am local time in Athens and other areas with high caseloads; including the islands of Lesbos and Mykonos. Pharmacies and fuel stations will be exempt from the measure.
Greece imposed an upper limit of nine people in all public gatherings outdoors and suspended indoor and outdoor concerts in Athens last week.
Health authorities reported 286 cases on Friday; more than half of them in the Athens metropolitan area, Attica, where about one third of the country’s population lives. The new infections brought the total number of cases to 16,913 since late February. There were three new fatalities, with total deaths reaching 369.
Spain’s cumulative tally of confirmed coronavirus infections have risen by 12,272 on Friday from the previous day to 716,481, health ministry data shows. That includes 4,122 diagnosed in the last 24 hours, but these daily figures tend to end up much higher after retroactive updates of the infection tally, having exceeded 10,000 cases a day for most of last week.Spain’s cumulative tally of confirmed coronavirus infections have risen by 12,272 on Friday from the previous day to 716,481, health ministry data shows. That includes 4,122 diagnosed in the last 24 hours, but these daily figures tend to end up much higher after retroactive updates of the infection tally, having exceeded 10,000 cases a day for most of last week.
The total number of Covid-19 fatalities reached 31,232 from the 31,118 reported on Thursday. The daily number of deaths is now around their highest levels since early May, but is still well below the nearly 900 seen in late March.The total number of Covid-19 fatalities reached 31,232 from the 31,118 reported on Thursday. The daily number of deaths is now around their highest levels since early May, but is still well below the nearly 900 seen in late March.
It is the question scientists around the world are trying to answer: How long can the coronavirus survive in the tiny aerosol particles we exhale? In a high-security lab near Bristol, entered through a series of airlock doors, scientists may be weeks from finding out.It is the question scientists around the world are trying to answer: How long can the coronavirus survive in the tiny aerosol particles we exhale? In a high-security lab near Bristol, entered through a series of airlock doors, scientists may be weeks from finding out.
On Monday, they will start launching tiny droplets of live Sars-CoV-2 and levitating them between two electric rings to test how long the airborne virus remains infectious under different environmental conditions. Prof Denis Doorly, an expert in fluid mechanics at Imperial College London, who is not involved in the research, said:On Monday, they will start launching tiny droplets of live Sars-CoV-2 and levitating them between two electric rings to test how long the airborne virus remains infectious under different environmental conditions. Prof Denis Doorly, an expert in fluid mechanics at Imperial College London, who is not involved in the research, said:
When it opened in Brussels 31 years ago, many said a tourist attraction about European integration would never work. Now Mini-Europe – a collection of miniature landmarks and probably the only theme park in the world dedicated to the European Union – is closing its doors.When it opened in Brussels 31 years ago, many said a tourist attraction about European integration would never work. Now Mini-Europe – a collection of miniature landmarks and probably the only theme park in the world dedicated to the European Union – is closing its doors.
Earlier this month, owner and director, Thierry Meeùs, announced he had failed to reach agreement with landlords Brussels Expo, despite promising “major investment”. In a statement released last week, he said the Covid-19 crisis had “spared no one”, leaving him no other choice but to close on 31 December 2020.Earlier this month, owner and director, Thierry Meeùs, announced he had failed to reach agreement with landlords Brussels Expo, despite promising “major investment”. In a statement released last week, he said the Covid-19 crisis had “spared no one”, leaving him no other choice but to close on 31 December 2020.
Belgian media have since reported that the park, which includes the Eiffel Tower, Mount Vesuvius and the Acropolis modelled in exacting detail, could move outside Brussels. The nearby towns of Louvain-La-Neuve and Waterloo have been touted as possibilities.Belgian media have since reported that the park, which includes the Eiffel Tower, Mount Vesuvius and the Acropolis modelled in exacting detail, could move outside Brussels. The nearby towns of Louvain-La-Neuve and Waterloo have been touted as possibilities.
Cases are surging in the UK, new figures suggest, with 1 in 300 people in Wales, and 1 in 500 people in England, thought to have had Covid between 13 to 19 September.Cases are surging in the UK, new figures suggest, with 1 in 300 people in Wales, and 1 in 500 people in England, thought to have had Covid between 13 to 19 September.
Meanwhile, one in 300 people are thought to have had Covid in Northern Ireland between 6 to 19 September.Meanwhile, one in 300 people are thought to have had Covid in Northern Ireland between 6 to 19 September.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics, which surveys infections in the community, come as the latest R figure from the government is revealed to be between 1.2 and 1.5 for both England and the UK, with the number of new infections growing by between 4% and 8% every day.The figures from the Office for National Statistics, which surveys infections in the community, come as the latest R figure from the government is revealed to be between 1.2 and 1.5 for both England and the UK, with the number of new infections growing by between 4% and 8% every day.
But the scientists behind the R value warn the number does not reflect today’s situation, noting the value is based on data collected over the previous three weeks or so – meaning the current situation could be even more concerning that the figures suggest.But the scientists behind the R value warn the number does not reflect today’s situation, noting the value is based on data collected over the previous three weeks or so – meaning the current situation could be even more concerning that the figures suggest.
Data from the Covid Symptom Study app, a project led by researchers at King’s College London, has also shown an surge in infections:Data from the Covid Symptom Study app, a project led by researchers at King’s College London, has also shown an surge in infections:
Tim Spector, professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, said cases were rising at an alarming rate:Tim Spector, professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, said cases were rising at an alarming rate:
Moscow hospitals have been instructed to free up hundreds of beds for Covid-19 patients in response to a sharp acceleration in case numbers, Reuters reports citing four medical sources.Moscow hospitals have been instructed to free up hundreds of beds for Covid-19 patients in response to a sharp acceleration in case numbers, Reuters reports citing four medical sources.
Dozens of hospitals in the Russian capital were designated as special coronavirus centres when the pandemic struck in March but returned to treating other patients as it ebbed over the summer. Now some are reverting to Covid-only mode or partially reopening for Covid, the sources said.Dozens of hospitals in the Russian capital were designated as special coronavirus centres when the pandemic struck in March but returned to treating other patients as it ebbed over the summer. Now some are reverting to Covid-only mode or partially reopening for Covid, the sources said.
“This is a really big second wave,” a medic at the Kommunarka hospital, one of Moscow’s main coronavirus centres, told Reuters.“This is a really big second wave,” a medic at the Kommunarka hospital, one of Moscow’s main coronavirus centres, told Reuters.
After the highest number of patients since the start of the outbreak were admitted to the hospital on Thursday, it was working at 120% of normal capacity, the source said.After the highest number of patients since the start of the outbreak were admitted to the hospital on Thursday, it was working at 120% of normal capacity, the source said.
Household visits must soon be banned for London’s 9 million residents, Sadiq Khan has urged the prime minister, warning that a 43% fall in testing in the capital risks masking the severity of the virus’s spread.Household visits must soon be banned for London’s 9 million residents, Sadiq Khan has urged the prime minister, warning that a 43% fall in testing in the capital risks masking the severity of the virus’s spread.
The mayor of London spoke to the Guardian as the government announced the city had been placed on the “watchlist” of areas at risk from tougher restrictions. “It’s obviously bad news that London is an area of concern. But the good news is that finally the government will pull their finger out and give us additional support,” Khan said.The mayor of London spoke to the Guardian as the government announced the city had been placed on the “watchlist” of areas at risk from tougher restrictions. “It’s obviously bad news that London is an area of concern. But the good news is that finally the government will pull their finger out and give us additional support,” Khan said.
He said the number of Covid tests carried out each week in London had fallen 43% between mid-August and mid-September as other areas were prioritised, despite the period coinciding with schools, universities and offices starting to reopen.He said the number of Covid tests carried out each week in London had fallen 43% between mid-August and mid-September as other areas were prioritised, despite the period coinciding with schools, universities and offices starting to reopen.
Mexico has signed a commitment agreement to buy potential Covid-19 vaccines through the World Health Organisation’s global Covax plan, the country’s foreign minister has said.Mexico has signed a commitment agreement to buy potential Covid-19 vaccines through the World Health Organisation’s global Covax plan, the country’s foreign minister has said.
The plan aims to deliver at least 2bn doses of vaccines by the end of next year. Reuters quotes the government minister, Marcelo Ebrard, as saying:The plan aims to deliver at least 2bn doses of vaccines by the end of next year. Reuters quotes the government minister, Marcelo Ebrard, as saying:
The Czech Republic will tighten restrictions on public activities and gatherings next week as the country struggles with a surge in infections, the country’s health minister Roman Prymula has said.The Czech Republic will tighten restrictions on public activities and gatherings next week as the country struggles with a surge in infections, the country’s health minister Roman Prymula has said.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the nation has reported 243.8 cases per 100,000 people in the past 14 days; the fastest pace in Europe except for in Spain.According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the nation has reported 243.8 cases per 100,000 people in the past 14 days; the fastest pace in Europe except for in Spain.
The “R” number showing how many people are likely to get infected by one person with the virus has dipped to roughly 1.4 from around 1.6 last week but still indicates exponential growth, Prymula said. He told a televised press conference:The “R” number showing how many people are likely to get infected by one person with the virus has dipped to roughly 1.4 from around 1.6 last week but still indicates exponential growth, Prymula said. He told a televised press conference:
A second wave of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands is “very worrying” and will require new restrictive measures, then Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has said. Reuters quotes him as saying:A second wave of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands is “very worrying” and will require new restrictive measures, then Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has said. Reuters quotes him as saying:
Johnson & Johnson has signed a manufacturing deal for its coronavirus vaccine candidate with Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing Inc, the company has said.Johnson & Johnson has signed a manufacturing deal for its coronavirus vaccine candidate with Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing Inc, the company has said.
Michigan-based GRAM will manufacture the healthcare conglomerate’s SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate, which is being developed with part funding from the US government, and provide finished vials, Reuters reports.Michigan-based GRAM will manufacture the healthcare conglomerate’s SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate, which is being developed with part funding from the US government, and provide finished vials, Reuters reports.
J&J launched a late-stage trial of its experimental single-shot Covid-19 vaccine earlier this week and said its expects results of the trial by year end or early next year.J&J launched a late-stage trial of its experimental single-shot Covid-19 vaccine earlier this week and said its expects results of the trial by year end or early next year.
Hi, I’m Aamna and I’ll be taking over the liveblog while Kevin has a break. If you want to get in contact, you can email me on aamna.mohdin@theguardian.comHi, I’m Aamna and I’ll be taking over the liveblog while Kevin has a break. If you want to get in contact, you can email me on aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com