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Coronavirus live news: Italy considers mandatory outdoor masks; Chinese vaccines to be assessed Coronavirus live news: Italy considers mandatory outdoor masks; Chinese vaccines to be assessed
(32 minutes later)
WHO to look at China’s vaccines; Japan and South Korea to resume business travelWHO to look at China’s vaccines; Japan and South Korea to resume business travel
The growing coronavirus cluster linked to Donald Trump is sending ripples of intense anxiety among staff, journalists and officials who spend much of their time in the White House and into the wider city of Washington DC itself.
The West Wing has reportedly turned into a “ghost town” amid complaints that the White House has failed to trace potential contacts of Trump and his infected aides, with many now working from home even as the president exhorted Americans “not to be afraid of Covid”.
That has left behind a skeleton staff of about 100 of butlers, ushers, cleaners, custodians and maintenance workers, who are often older and drawn from groups at higher risk of developing severe symptoms of the virus, including a butler’s corp that has historically almost exclusively been black.
Members of the Secret Service, who protect the president, have also been thrown into the spotlight with some present and former members complaining anonymously they felt Trump had put service members at risk when they accompanied him on a controversial “drive-by” stunt outside the Walter Reed hospital.
A still contagious Trump returned to the White House on Monday and defiantly took off his mask on entering the building as complaints grew inside over the lack of precautions taken by the president and his entourage.
So far, only two dozen or so reinfections have been confirmed worldwide in a pandemic that has infected more than 30 million people. For now at least, reinfection seems uncommon. But scientists point out that confirming reinfection is no easy task and many cases are missed.
To confirm a reinfection, scientists must examine the genetic code of the virus from each round of illness and prove they are distinct. That means having access to both sets of swabs and the wherewithal to do whole genome sequencing. Even in hospitals where the capacity exists, such tests are rarely done. Reinfected patients simply go unnoticed or unreported.
“There is probably a lot more than we are seeing,” said Akiko Iwasaki, a professor of immunobiology at Yale University who has been following cases of reinfection closely.
But a flurry of reinfections around the world have raised fresh concerns.
Italy is considering making the use of masks outdoors mandatory nationwide to fight the coronavirus, health minister Roberto Speranza has said.Italy is considering making the use of masks outdoors mandatory nationwide to fight the coronavirus, health minister Roberto Speranza has said.
Infections in Italy have risen steadily over the past two months and two regions, Lazio around Rome and Campania around Naples, have already made mask wearing mandatory outside.Infections in Italy have risen steadily over the past two months and two regions, Lazio around Rome and Campania around Naples, have already made mask wearing mandatory outside.
“We are working on a proposal to make the use of masks compulsory,” Speranza told the Chamber of Deputies.“We are working on a proposal to make the use of masks compulsory,” Speranza told the Chamber of Deputies.
On Saturday, Italy saw 2,844 new cases, its highest daily count since April, but still far below the numbers being recorded in France, Spain and Britain. On Saturday, Italy reported 2,844 new cases, its highest daily count since April, but still far below the numbers being recorded in France, Spain and Britain.
The daily death toll is normally below 30, a far cry from the tallies of close to 1,000 it suffered at the peak of its epidemic in late March, but prime minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday there was no room for complacency.The daily death toll is normally below 30, a far cry from the tallies of close to 1,000 it suffered at the peak of its epidemic in late March, but prime minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday there was no room for complacency.
“The battle is not won, and we will need to remain on maximum alert during the weeks and months to come,” he said at a conference in Rome.“The battle is not won, and we will need to remain on maximum alert during the weeks and months to come,” he said at a conference in Rome.
Italy has seen some 36,000 deaths, the second highest official toll in Europe after Britain. Italy has had 36,000 deaths, the second highest official toll in Europe after Britain.
Conte said last week he would ask parliament to extend the country’s Covid-19 state of emergency to the end of January and the cabinet is due to meet late on Tuesday to formalise the decision.Conte said last week he would ask parliament to extend the country’s Covid-19 state of emergency to the end of January and the cabinet is due to meet late on Tuesday to formalise the decision.
The state of emergency, due to expire in mid-October, gives greater powers to central government, making it easier for officials to bypass the bureaucracy that smothers much decision-making in Italy.The state of emergency, due to expire in mid-October, gives greater powers to central government, making it easier for officials to bypass the bureaucracy that smothers much decision-making in Italy.
The United Arab Emirates, with a population of around 9.9 million people, surpassed 100,000 recorded cases of Covid-19 infection on Tuesday.The United Arab Emirates, with a population of around 9.9 million people, surpassed 100,000 recorded cases of Covid-19 infection on Tuesday.
The UAE, whose tally stands at 100,794 infections and 421 deaths, has seen the number of daily new cases surge over the past two months from 164 on 3 August to a new high of 1,231 cases on Saturday.The UAE, whose tally stands at 100,794 infections and 421 deaths, has seen the number of daily new cases surge over the past two months from 164 on 3 August to a new high of 1,231 cases on Saturday.
Authorities have blamed people’s poor adherence to social distancing for the rise. The government does not disclose where in the seven emirates that make up the UAE the cases occur.Authorities have blamed people’s poor adherence to social distancing for the rise. The government does not disclose where in the seven emirates that make up the UAE the cases occur.
On Tuesday it recorded 1,061 new infections and 6 deaths.On Tuesday it recorded 1,061 new infections and 6 deaths.
The UAE has a high per capita rate of Covid-19 tests. The country has carried out more than 10 million tests so far, the government statistics authority says.The UAE has a high per capita rate of Covid-19 tests. The country has carried out more than 10 million tests so far, the government statistics authority says.
The six states that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members have between them recorded 847,608 cases of infection with 7,419 deaths, a Reuters tally shows.The six states that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members have between them recorded 847,608 cases of infection with 7,419 deaths, a Reuters tally shows.
Finland has reported its highest daily number of Covid-19 infections since the start of the pandemic and they now exceed the rate that Helsinki sets for other countries before their citizens are allowed to visit without being quarantined.Finland has reported its highest daily number of Covid-19 infections since the start of the pandemic and they now exceed the rate that Helsinki sets for other countries before their citizens are allowed to visit without being quarantined.
The health authority data recorded 227 new cases, above a previous daily peak of 211 infections in April during the first Covid-19 wave.The health authority data recorded 227 new cases, above a previous daily peak of 211 infections in April during the first Covid-19 wave.
However, far fewer people were being tested then, suggesting a significant number of cases may have gone undetected in the early months.However, far fewer people were being tested then, suggesting a significant number of cases may have gone undetected in the early months.
“The coronavirus situation is getting worse in Finland too,” prime minister Sanna Marin tweeted, adding the government would consider possible new measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, possibly next week.“The coronavirus situation is getting worse in Finland too,” prime minister Sanna Marin tweeted, adding the government would consider possible new measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, possibly next week.
The new data means that Finland’s 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants has more than doubled to 30.6 from 14.2 in the past two weeks.The new data means that Finland’s 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants has more than doubled to 30.6 from 14.2 in the past two weeks.
Finland earlier set 25 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over two weeks as a limit for countries it considers safe and free of travel restrictions - one of the strictest such limits in Europe.Finland earlier set 25 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over two weeks as a limit for countries it considers safe and free of travel restrictions - one of the strictest such limits in Europe.
Incidence rates have been on the rise across Europe in recent weeks and Finland’s new rate remains among the lowest, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control data showed.Incidence rates have been on the rise across Europe in recent weeks and Finland’s new rate remains among the lowest, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control data showed.
Since the pandemic began, Finland, a country of around 5.5 million, has recorded 10,929 Covid-19 cases and 346 deaths.Since the pandemic began, Finland, a country of around 5.5 million, has recorded 10,929 Covid-19 cases and 346 deaths.
The World Health Organization has said European countries will need to “move beyond biomedical science” to overcome Covid-19 as “pandemic fatigue” and new infections rapidly rise across the continent.The World Health Organization has said European countries will need to “move beyond biomedical science” to overcome Covid-19 as “pandemic fatigue” and new infections rapidly rise across the continent.
Hans Kluge, the WHO’s Europe director, said that while fatigue from months of uncertainty and disruption was measured differently in different countries, aggregated survey data from across the region suggested that in some cases it it had reached levels of over 60%.Hans Kluge, the WHO’s Europe director, said that while fatigue from months of uncertainty and disruption was measured differently in different countries, aggregated survey data from across the region suggested that in some cases it it had reached levels of over 60%.
Medical science alone would not be enough to get through the crisis, he warned, with authorities needing the “courage and empathy” to listen properly to the public and develop policies based on a better understanding of people’s needs and behaviours.Medical science alone would not be enough to get through the crisis, he warned, with authorities needing the “courage and empathy” to listen properly to the public and develop policies based on a better understanding of people’s needs and behaviours.
“Covid-19 is urging us to move beyond biomedical science in our response,” Kluge said. “We have an opportunity to maximise our community insights into behaviour, to integrate real community participation into public health policy.”“Covid-19 is urging us to move beyond biomedical science in our response,” Kluge said. “We have an opportunity to maximise our community insights into behaviour, to integrate real community participation into public health policy.”
Poland said it would enforce restrictions more strictly as it reported a daily record of 58 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, as well as sharp increases in the number of ventilators and hospital beds being used by Covid-19 patients.Poland said it would enforce restrictions more strictly as it reported a daily record of 58 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, as well as sharp increases in the number of ventilators and hospital beds being used by Covid-19 patients.
The country reported 2,236 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, close to Saturday’s record of 2,367. Poland, which has a population of 38 million, has reported 104,316 cases overall and 2,717 deaths, much lower than many other European countries.The country reported 2,236 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, close to Saturday’s record of 2,367. Poland, which has a population of 38 million, has reported 104,316 cases overall and 2,717 deaths, much lower than many other European countries.
“Only those with a medical certificate from a doctor can choose not to wear a mask where it is mandatory ... any person who doesn’t wear a mask (and doesn’t have a certificate) will face the harshest of punishments,” health minister Adam Niedzielski said.“Only those with a medical certificate from a doctor can choose not to wear a mask where it is mandatory ... any person who doesn’t wear a mask (and doesn’t have a certificate) will face the harshest of punishments,” health minister Adam Niedzielski said.
He said there would be a ban on using some venues for dancing and new distancing rules to prevent mass gatherings.He said there would be a ban on using some venues for dancing and new distancing rules to prevent mass gatherings.
The ministry said that as of Tuesday there were 263 ventilators and 3,719 hospital beds devoted to Covid-19 patients, compared with 141 and 2,399 respectively a week ago.The ministry said that as of Tuesday there were 263 ventilators and 3,719 hospital beds devoted to Covid-19 patients, compared with 141 and 2,399 respectively a week ago.
“This is very disturbing,” deputy heath minister Waldemar Kraska told private television broadcaster Polsat News.“This is very disturbing,” deputy heath minister Waldemar Kraska told private television broadcaster Polsat News.
Commenting on reports that Poland is running out of remdesivir, Kraska said some hospitals did not have the Covid-19 drug.Commenting on reports that Poland is running out of remdesivir, Kraska said some hospitals did not have the Covid-19 drug.
The health ministry plans to increase the number of hospital beds for Covid patients and wants to open more hospitals to treat only Covid-19.The health ministry plans to increase the number of hospital beds for Covid patients and wants to open more hospitals to treat only Covid-19.
Poland introduced strict lockdown measures quickly during the early stages of the pandemic, but the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party wants to avoid another economically damaging lockdown and has introduced targeted measures in the worst affected places.Poland introduced strict lockdown measures quickly during the early stages of the pandemic, but the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party wants to avoid another economically damaging lockdown and has introduced targeted measures in the worst affected places.
The biggest rise in new cases on Tuesday was reported in central Poland, increasing the risk that Warsaw will face tighter restrictions.The biggest rise in new cases on Tuesday was reported in central Poland, increasing the risk that Warsaw will face tighter restrictions.
Iran has registered a record 4,151 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, with the total number of identified cases in the worst-hit country in the Middle East rising to 479,825, the health ministry reported on Tuesday.Iran has registered a record 4,151 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, with the total number of identified cases in the worst-hit country in the Middle East rising to 479,825, the health ministry reported on Tuesday.
Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state television that 227 patients had died in the past 24 hours, bringing the total of fatalities to 27,419.Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state television that 227 patients had died in the past 24 hours, bringing the total of fatalities to 27,419.
Russia’s daily tally of new coronavirus cases rose to its highest since 11 May on Tuesday, prompting Moscow to take measures to keep students and the elderly off the city’s sprawling public transport network.Russia’s daily tally of new coronavirus cases rose to its highest since 11 May on Tuesday, prompting Moscow to take measures to keep students and the elderly off the city’s sprawling public transport network.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the measures were needed to keep students and the elderly at home as the capital recorded 4,082 new infections on Tuesday.Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the measures were needed to keep students and the elderly at home as the capital recorded 4,082 new infections on Tuesday.
“Every day the situation with the coronavirus is becoming more difficult and dramatic,” Sobyanin said, adding that more than 1,000 people had been hospitalised with coronavirus in the city on Tuesday.“Every day the situation with the coronavirus is becoming more difficult and dramatic,” Sobyanin said, adding that more than 1,000 people had been hospitalised with coronavirus in the city on Tuesday.
Sobyanin said students’ cards allowing them to travel on public transport in Moscow at a discount would be temporarily cancelled on Friday until the end of a two-week school holiday.Sobyanin said students’ cards allowing them to travel on public transport in Moscow at a discount would be temporarily cancelled on Friday until the end of a two-week school holiday.
Muscovites over the age of 65 and those with chronic illnesses will be stripped of passes that allow them to travel across the city for free from 9-28 October, Sobyanin added.Muscovites over the age of 65 and those with chronic illnesses will be stripped of passes that allow them to travel across the city for free from 9-28 October, Sobyanin added.
Sobyanin said the move was meant to protect Moscow’s senior population, which he said accounted for more than a quarter of the new coronavirus infections.Sobyanin said the move was meant to protect Moscow’s senior population, which he said accounted for more than a quarter of the new coronavirus infections.
The city of nearly 13 million has already opened two temporary hospitals to tackle the rise in cases and ordered businesses to have at least 30% of their staff working remotely.The city of nearly 13 million has already opened two temporary hospitals to tackle the rise in cases and ordered businesses to have at least 30% of their staff working remotely.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday he was unaware of plans to impose a strict lockdown despite the rapidly growing number of cases.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday he was unaware of plans to impose a strict lockdown despite the rapidly growing number of cases.
Russia’s official coronavirus task force reported 11,615 new infections nationwide on Tuesday and said 188 people had died overnight, pushing the official death toll to 21,663.Russia’s official coronavirus task force reported 11,615 new infections nationwide on Tuesday and said 188 people had died overnight, pushing the official death toll to 21,663.
With 1,237,504 infections since the start of the pandemic, Russia has the world’s fourth highest number of cases.With 1,237,504 infections since the start of the pandemic, Russia has the world’s fourth highest number of cases.
Prime minister Boris Johnson has promised to reshape Britain from the difficulties of the coronavirus crisis, saying he will build more new homes, improve education, fight crime and boost the green economy.
In a speech aimed a rallying his Conservative party, which has become increasingly critical of its leader, Johnson laid out his vision for Britain, where deep-rooted inequality has been laid bare by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said:
Private contractors hired by Moderna to recruit volunteers for its coronavirus vaccine trial failed to enrol enough Black, Latino and Native American participants to determine how well the vaccine works in these populations, company executives and vaccine researchers told Reuters.
To make up for the shortfall, Moderna slowed enrolment of its late-stage trial and instructed research centres to focus on increasing participation among minority volunteers, the company said.
The effort is being bolstered by academic researchers who have longstanding relationships with organisations in Black and other minority communities.
Covid-19 infects Black people in the US at nearly three times the rate of white Americans, and they are twice as likely to die from the virus, according to a report by the National Urban League and other studies.
And communities of colour count prominently among healthcare workers and populations at high risk of Covid-19 complications, making them among the first likely to be eligible for a new vaccine, experts said.
Dr Paul Evans, chief executive of Velocity Clinical Research in Durham, North Carolina, whose company was hired to test the Moderna vaccine at five sites, said efforts to enrol volunteers from diverse backgrounds to provide proper population balance is “notoriously difficult” in any clinical trial.
“If there’s a problem with recruiting minorities, and there is, you can’t fix that overnight,” he said.
Black Americans made up only about 7% of the trial as of 17 September. That should be closer to 13% to reflect the actual US population.
During the last two weeks of September, Moderna said it increased the proportion of Black enrolment, but declined to provide details.
Increased trial participation could help address distrust between communities of colour and the medical industry after years of underrepresentation in pharmaceutical research, historical horror stories of medical experimentation without consent, and socioeconomic and health access inequities, vaccine experts and public health officials say.
Moderna is one of the furthest along in the US race for a vaccine and has received more than $1bn in government funding to develop and produce its candidate, and another $1.5bn to supply it to the American public.
British prime minister Boris Johnson said he was too fat when he became gravely ill with Covid-19 and that he has since lost 26lbs (11.79kg).
In an online speech to his party conference, Johnson said:
Malaysia’s prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin said targeted lockdowns will be imposed in areas with high rates of coronavirus infections, as the country grapples with a sharp rise in cases over the past two weeks.
Malaysia’s health ministry reported 691 new Covid-19 cases and four deaths on Tuesday, setting another new daily record in the aftermath of an election in the state of Sabah last month.
“For now we are not thinking of imposing a total lockdown nationwide. If we do that again, it could bring down the country’s economic and social systems,” Muhyiddin said in a national address.
The European health regulator is reviewing a Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech in real time, days after launching a similar assessment process for AstraZeneca’s vaccine.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Tuesday its human medicines committee was evaluating the first batch of data on the vaccine, and would continue to do so until enough data is available for a final decision.
The EMA is using “rolling reviews” to speed up evaluations of vaccines during the pandemic by studying data as it is submitted, rather than waiting for all data to be made available along with a formal application.
Last week, it began reviewing AstraZeneca and Oxford University’s vaccine, increasing chances of the British vaccine becoming the first to be approved in the region for Covid-19.
Pfizer’s vaccine is currently being evaluated in late-stage studies in the US, Brazil, South Africa and Argentina.
Hi everyone, this is Jessica Murray taking over from Kevin for the next few hours.
As always, please get in touch with any story tips or personal experiences you would like to share.
Email: jessica.murray@theguardian.comTwitter: @journojess_
I’m handing over to my colleague Jessica Murray now. Here’s a summary of some of the key developments in the last few hours:
Poland reported its worst daily death toll, as the country’s health ministry said 58 people had died. The official data showed sharp increases in the number of ventilators and hospital beds devoted to Covid-19 patients.
China is in talks to have its locally produced vaccines assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO), an official from the body said. It marks a step towards making the vaccines available for international use.
Malaysia has reported 691 new cases; its biggest daily jump since the start of the pandemic. There were also four more deaths confirmed, taking total fatalities to 141, the health ministry said.
Donald Trump left Walter Reed hospital after three nights and returned to the White House. He wore a mask as he left but removed it to pose for photographs on the balcony of the White House.
Trump tweeted a video in which he said he felt well and told Americans: “Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it.” Coronavirus has already killed 210,117 Americans – or one in every 1,560 people in the country.
Trump’s personal physician said the president was “not entirely be out of the woods yet” although he met the discharge requirements. The president still has the virus and is still contagious. Dr Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious diseases expert, said Trump could have a “reversal” in his condition.
Mexico has record increase in deaths and daily cases on Monday jumping by 2,789 and 28,115 respectively. But the deputy health minister dismissed it as a one-off event caused by a new method of classifying infections.
Japan and South Korea plan to open business travel between the two countries this week. Papua New Guinea is opening its borders to people from four countries including Japan and Singapore.
MPs in Britain are expected to rebel this week during votes on controversial pandemic curbs such as the rule limiting gatherings to six people and the 10pm pub curfew. The votes come amid anger at a data blunder that has left officials scrambling to trace 50,000 Covid contacts.
Stock markets in Asia have recovered some lost ground after Trump’s positive comments about his health. The FTSE100 in London is expected to open up about 0.2%.
Malaysia has reported 691 new cases; its biggest daily jump since the start of the pandemic. There were four additional deaths confirmed, taking total fatalities to 141, the health ministry said. Total infections in the country stood at 13,504.
A broad political and social consensus is needed to cope with the economic fallout, the Bank of Spain governor has said, amid a growing political spat over how to tackle the crisis in the nation.
Pablo Hernández de Cos told the Spanish parliament:
Over the past days, the national and regional governments have traded barbs over what to do and who was to blame for an increase in cases in Madrid and its periphery, taking the political polarisation that has characterised much of the response to the pandemic over the past months to new heights.
Spain, one of the nations worst affected, with more than 32,000 deaths and more than 800,000 cases, is heading for its worst economic performance on record in 2020. A contraction of between 10.5% and 12.6% is expected, according to the Bank of Spain.
Since Donald Trump tweeted on Friday that he had tested positive for Covid-19, his physician Dr Sean Conley has given a series of puzzling medical briefings – one of which was contradicted in an off-the-record briefing by a senior White House official – and the president himself has made bullish comments about his health.
There are still a great deal of unanswered questions about Trump’s illness. Here’s a rundown of what we know – and what we don’t: