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Coronavirus live news: 2 million could die before vaccine ready, warns WHO; cases surge in Europe Coronavirus live news: 2 million could die before vaccine ready, warns WHO; cases surge in Europe
(32 minutes later)
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 AthensWHO 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
Officials have stopped a Covid-19 testing study in the US after multiple reports that state and federal public health workers were threatened and face racial slurs.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pulled federal surveyors out of Minnesota this week after they experienced verbal abuse and intimidation. In Eitzen, along the Iowa border, one survey team was boxed in by two cars and threatened by three men, including one with a gun.
The team felt the intent was clearly to intimidate and scare them, said Stephanie Yendell, who supervised Minnesota’s role in the survey.
Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist, said frustration with the state’s response to the pandemic is understandable, but there is “no justification for this, the enemy is the virus and not the public health workers who are trying to help.”
The survey teams were going to 180 neighborhoods this month to offer free testing for Covid-19 and for antibodies, and to try to understand how the virus was spreading, particularly among people with no known symptoms.
Anti-lockdown activists are aiming to stage their biggest protest yet in central London tomorrow, as the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, warned it had reached “a worrying tipping point” with Covid-19 hospital admissions increasing.
Facebook groups and other social media channels being used to organise the event indicate that large numbers are planning to travel into the city from other parts of the country, using public transport and other means.The rally in Trafalgar Square comes six months on since the Coronavirus Act 2020 came into force and week on from protests against lockdown and mass vaccinations, when police made dozens of arrests in London.Speakers tomorrow will include the conspiracy theorist David Icke, who was joined on stage by Jeremy Corbyn’s brother Piers and others at a previous rally, which drew thousands of participants.The same coalition of groups, who draw support from 5G conspiracy theorists, coronavirus sceptics and “anti-vaxxers”, are involved in this weekend’s demonstration. Another event, billed as a People’s network and family picnic, is being organised by the same activists for Sunday in Hyde Park.An activist from one of the groups involved, Save our Rights UK, said that the idea of submitting a risk assessment to authorities so that the event could gain some official approval was being explored and there had been some correspondence about how it could proceed in a “Covid-secure way”.“Whether we can or not is in question. We are not sure if we are going to get that [approval]. On the day we will be doing what we can,” she told viewers of a video broadcast on its Facebook account.
Organisers were eager to work with the police as much as possible and were working hard to ensure it would be a peaceful event.“A lot of the police probably are on our side but they are stuck and torn and we have to recognise they are following orders,”The Metropolitan police had yet to respond to queries about whether the protest was illegal and what action the force planned to take.
Two former heads of a veterans home in the US have been indicted on criminal neglect charges for their roles in handling a Covid-19 outbreak that killed 76 people.
Massachusetts attorney Maura Healey said the criminal case against the former officials at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was believed to be the first yet linked to an outbreak at a US nursing facility during the pandemic.
The case against former superintendent Bennett Walsh and former medical director David Clinton stemmed from a March decision to consolidate two dementia units, putting Covid-19 positive residents within feet of ones without symptoms, Healey said.
In a tribute to the victims, Healey said: “They risked their lives from the beaches of Normandy to some, the jungles of Vietnam ... And to know that they died under the most horrific of circumstances is truly shocking.”
Authorities began investigating the Soldiers’ Home, a 247-bed, state-run facility in Holyoke that provides healthcare, hospice care, nursing and other services to veterans, after learning of “serious issues” with infection control procedures.
The US justice department has also launched a related investigation into conditions at the facility.
The indictment in Hampden county superior court charges Walsh and Clinton with five counts of “wantonly or recklessly” committing or permitting bodily injury, and five counts for abuse, neglect or mistreatment of an elderly or disabled person.
Walsh plans to plead not guilty, his lawyer, Tracy Miner, said.
“It is unfortunate that the attorney general is blaming the effects of a deadly virus that our state and federal governments have not been able to stop on Bennett Walsh,” she said.
A surge in coronavirus cases has prompted Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, to resume his public briefings and tighten provincial restrictions as the country races to avert a damaging second wave of infections.
On Friday, officials in Ontario announced plans to shut down strip clubs province-wide and limit the hours of bars and restaurants, after two consecutive days with more than 400 new cases.
The move to shut adult entertainment venues comes after two documented infections at strip clubs in Toronto. Contact tracers found that many of the patrons had left incomplete or falsified contact information.
The province says it will reduce operating hours for bars and nightclubs and prohibit the sale of on-sales of alcohol from midnight to 9am.
Public health officials have expressed growing concern over a sustained increase in cases in recent weeks, many of which are tied to social gatherings, bars and restaurants.
In neighbouring Quebec, the province officially exceeded 70,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus with 637 new infections recorded on Friday. Earlier in the week, provincial health minister Christian Dubé urged people to cancel their upcoming Thanksgiving holiday plans – celebrated on 12 October in Canada – in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.
Appearing alongside public health officials at a daily briefing, Trudeau announced plans to secure an additional 20 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from AstraZeneca. In his public remarks, Trudeau reiterated the importance of procuring a vaccine and also in ensuring a vaccine remained accessible.
“This pandemic can’t be solved by any one country alone because to eliminate the virus anywhere, we need to eliminate it everywhere,” he said.
The federal government already has reached vaccine agreements with GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer and Sanofi for an estimated 282 million doses.
Earlier in the week, modelling from the country’s public health agency showed cases in Canada could increases by more than 5,000 a day by October – far worse than the spring – if greater action isn’t taken.
France has reported 15,797 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total past 500,000.France has reported 15,797 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total past 500,000.
The death toll has reached a total of 31,661, compared to 31,511 yesterday. The death toll has reached a total of 31,661, compared with 31,511 yesterday.
Here are the key developments from the last few hours:Here are the key developments from the last few hours:
The global death toll could double to 2 million people before a successful vaccine is widely used, the World Health Organization warned. Dr Mike Ryan, the head of the body’s emergencies programme, said it could be even higher without concerted action to curb the pandemic.The global death toll could double to 2 million people before a successful vaccine is widely used, the World Health Organization warned. Dr Mike Ryan, the head of the body’s emergencies programme, said it could be even higher without concerted action to curb the pandemic.
The body’s technical lead on Covid-19 Dr Maria Van Kerkhove said numbers in Europe are going in the wrong direction. She indicated that the upcoming start of the flu season could exacerbate the problem.The body’s technical lead on Covid-19 Dr Maria Van Kerkhove said numbers in Europe are going in the wrong direction. She indicated that the upcoming start of the flu season could exacerbate the problem.
Lockdown conditions were recommended for the whole of Madrid. The Spanish government said the whole of the capital should be covered by restrictions. But the regional government refused, saying only selected districts should be locked down.Lockdown conditions were recommended for the whole of Madrid. The Spanish government said the whole of the capital should be covered by restrictions. But the regional government refused, saying only selected districts should be locked down.
South Korea said it would impose tighter restrictions during the Chuseok autumn holiday weeks. People traditionally reunite with families during the period, flagging the risks of new clusters of infections.South Korea said it would impose tighter restrictions during the Chuseok autumn holiday weeks. People traditionally reunite with families during the period, flagging the risks of new clusters of infections.
The UK borrowed £35.9bn in August in an effort to tackle the economic fallout, official figures showed. It means the national debt hit a record £2.024tn at the end of that month – £249.5bn more than the same time last year – according to the Office for National Statistics.The UK borrowed £35.9bn in August in an effort to tackle the economic fallout, official figures showed. It means the national debt hit a record £2.024tn at the end of that month – £249.5bn more than the same time last year – according to the Office for National Statistics.
A cluster of about 100 cases in Iceland were traced back to two French tourists who refused to isolate. The country’s chief epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason said the pair arrived in mid-August and were instructed to remain in isolation after testing positive.A cluster of about 100 cases in Iceland were traced back to two French tourists who refused to isolate. The country’s chief epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason said the pair arrived in mid-August and were instructed to remain in isolation after testing positive.
The global death toll passed 980,000 on Friday, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. With the number of deaths confirmed daily averaging more than 5,000, it looks likely the toll will pass 1 million within days. There are 32m cases worldwide.The global death toll passed 980,000 on Friday, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. With the number of deaths confirmed daily averaging more than 5,000, it looks likely the toll will pass 1 million within days. There are 32m cases worldwide.
The virus is continuing to mutate throughout the course of the pandemic, according to new research, with experts believing it is probably becoming more contagious. The study did not find that mutations of the virus had made it more lethal or changed its effects.The virus is continuing to mutate throughout the course of the pandemic, according to new research, with experts believing it is probably becoming more contagious. The study did not find that mutations of the virus had made it more lethal or changed its effects.
India’s coronavirus case tally surged to 5.82 million after it recorded 86,052 new infections in the last 24 hours, data from the health ministry showed on Friday. India has regularly been confirming daily case numbers above 80,000 since late August, according to Johns Hopkins University. A total of 1,141 people died of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the ministry said, taking mortalities to 92,290, which is a relatively low 1.6% of all cases.India’s coronavirus case tally surged to 5.82 million after it recorded 86,052 new infections in the last 24 hours, data from the health ministry showed on Friday. India has regularly been confirming daily case numbers above 80,000 since late August, according to Johns Hopkins University. A total of 1,141 people died of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the ministry said, taking mortalities to 92,290, which is a relatively low 1.6% of all cases.
Brazil cancelled its carnival parade, which usually takes place in February, for the first time in 100 years. Rio’s League of Samba Schools, LIESA, announced that the spread of the coronavirus had made it impossible to safely hold the traditional event.Rio’s authorities are yet to announce a decision about the carnival street parties that also take place across the city. But its tourism promotion agency said in a statement to the Associated Press on 17 September that without a coronavirus vaccine, it was uncertain when large public events could resume.Brazil cancelled its carnival parade, which usually takes place in February, for the first time in 100 years. Rio’s League of Samba Schools, LIESA, announced that the spread of the coronavirus had made it impossible to safely hold the traditional event.Rio’s authorities are yet to announce a decision about the carnival street parties that also take place across the city. But its tourism promotion agency said in a statement to the Associated Press on 17 September that without a coronavirus vaccine, it was uncertain when large public events could resume.
In Europe, the pandemic is worse now than at the March peak in several member countries, the European Union warned, as governments reimpose drastic measures. New infections are soaring once again, prompting the bloc’s disease control agency to flag seven countries of “high concern”. The EU’s health commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, said in “some member states, the situation is now even worse than during the peak in March”.In Europe, the pandemic is worse now than at the March peak in several member countries, the European Union warned, as governments reimpose drastic measures. New infections are soaring once again, prompting the bloc’s disease control agency to flag seven countries of “high concern”. The EU’s health commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, said in “some member states, the situation is now even worse than during the peak in March”.
Rates of Covid-19 infections and hospital bed occupancy are rising in Europe, where authorities need to work to halt the spread ahead of the influenza season, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Friday. Dr Mike Ryan said:Rates of Covid-19 infections and hospital bed occupancy are rising in Europe, where authorities need to work to halt the spread ahead of the influenza season, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Friday. Dr Mike Ryan said:
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19, said:Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19, said:
Earlier admissions to hospital and the use of the steroid dexamethasone were saving lives, she said, adding:Earlier admissions to hospital and the use of the steroid dexamethasone were saving lives, she said, adding:
The US has recorded 42,340 new cases and 918 more deaths, Washington’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has said. That takes the respective cumulative figures to 6,958,632 and 202,329.The US has recorded 42,340 new cases and 918 more deaths, Washington’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has said. That takes the respective cumulative figures to 6,958,632 and 202,329.
The number of deaths about nine months since the virus was discovered in China is nearing 1 million.The number of deaths about nine months since the virus was discovered in China is nearing 1 million.
Ryan said young people should not be blamed for a recent increase in infections despite growing concerns that youths are driving its spread after restrictions and lockdowns were eased around the world.Ryan said young people should not be blamed for a recent increase in infections despite growing concerns that youths are driving its spread after restrictions and lockdowns were eased around the world.
The WHO is continuing talks with China about its possible involvement in the Covax financing scheme designed to guarantee fast and equitable access globally to a vaccine; a week after the deadline for committing passed.The WHO is continuing talks with China about its possible involvement in the Covax financing scheme designed to guarantee fast and equitable access globally to a vaccine; a week after the deadline for committing passed.
“We’re in discussions with China about the role they may play as we go forward,” said Bruce Aylward, WHO senior adviser and head of the ACT-Accelerator programme to back vaccines, treatments and diagnostics against Covid-19.“We’re in discussions with China about the role they may play as we go forward,” said Bruce Aylward, WHO senior adviser and head of the ACT-Accelerator programme to back vaccines, treatments and diagnostics against Covid-19.
Talks with China also include discussion of the world’s second-largest economy potentially supplying vaccines to the scheme, he said.Talks with China also include discussion of the world’s second-largest economy potentially supplying vaccines to the scheme, he said.
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: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.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 potential Covid-19 vaccine, 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.Canada has signed a deal with the Cambridge-based AstraZeneca to buy up to 20m doses of its potential Covid-19 vaccine, 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.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.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 would 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.On Friday, the deputy civil protection minister, Nikos Hardalias, said kiosks, mini-markets and wine shops would 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.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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.com