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Coronavirus live news: Trump aide Stephen Miller tests positive as White House outbreak spreads Coronavirus live news: Trump aide Stephen Miller tests positive as White House outbreak spreads
(32 minutes later)
Biden says debate shouldn’t go ahead if Trump still positive; Facebook and Twitter take action against Trump for suggesting Covid-19 just like fluBiden says debate shouldn’t go ahead if Trump still positive; Facebook and Twitter take action against Trump for suggesting Covid-19 just like flu
Russia has reported 11,115 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, pushing its nationwide tally to 1,248,619.Russia’s coronavirus crisis centre said 202 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 21,865.
Here is a more detailed look at the Tesco sales surge in the UK.
Coronavirus restrictions in place across England were “right” but the government would keep them under review as case numbers rise, international trade secretary Liz Truss has told BBC Breakfast.
In China surge in demand for flu shots in cities has caused shortages, long lines and triple markups on vaccines by scalpers selling them online.
Residents, afraid of the possibility of catching both the flu and Covid-19 – what some have called a “twindemic”, have rushed to clinics since China began its flu vaccine campaign in September.
Chinese health authorities in September advised residents to get shots for the flu, whose symptoms are similar to early stage Covid-19 and could complicate efforts to contain the virus this winter. Officials have also said that Covid-19 combined with the flu could raise mortality rates.
Read the full report here:
Britain’s biggest retailer, supermarket giant Tesco has announced a 42% jump in net profit in its first half on soaring online demand for food during the coronavirus outbreak.
Profit after tax jumped to £460m ($585m, €497m) in the six months to the end of August, compared with £324m a year earlier, Tesco said in a statement.
In the UK, concerns have been raised over the supply of vital testing materials for a range of conditions, including Covid-19, following a supply chain problem with the pharmaceutical company Roche.In the UK, concerns have been raised over the supply of vital testing materials for a range of conditions, including Covid-19, following a supply chain problem with the pharmaceutical company Roche.
Roche said it had experienced a “very significant drop” in its processing capacity due to a problem with its Sussex distribution centre, the only one in the UK.Roche said it had experienced a “very significant drop” in its processing capacity due to a problem with its Sussex distribution centre, the only one in the UK.
It has been reported that the shortage includes vital reagents, screening kits and swabs.It has been reported that the shortage includes vital reagents, screening kits and swabs.
Despite the problem, people who need coronavirus tests should continue to go through the testing process, the UK’s international trade secretary told Sky News. Despite the problem, people who need coronavirus tests should continue to go through the testing process, Liz Truss, the UK’s international trade secretary, told Sky News.
She said:She said:
You can read PA Media’s full report on Roche’s drop in processing capacity here:You can read PA Media’s full report on Roche’s drop in processing capacity here:
The risk of coronavirus spreading on public transport has remained substantially low through the pandemic, according to several international studies.The risk of coronavirus spreading on public transport has remained substantially low through the pandemic, according to several international studies.
Safety measures imposed on public transport around the world since COVID-19 hit have made them “the safest places on earth”, Dr Julian Tang, a professor of respiratory sciences at Leicester University, told Sky News. Safety measures imposed on public transport around the world since Covid-19 hit have made them “the safest places on earth”, Dr Julian Tang, a professor of respiratory sciences at Leicester University, told Sky News.
He said if people took the same precautions in other high-risk areas such as crowded streets and pubs, the number of cases would reduce there.He said if people took the same precautions in other high-risk areas such as crowded streets and pubs, the number of cases would reduce there.
With working from home seen as a lasting legacy of Covid-19, questions have been raised over who should pay for, among other things, the tea and the toilet paper?With working from home seen as a lasting legacy of Covid-19, questions have been raised over who should pay for, among other things, the tea and the toilet paper?
According to the Dutch, the answer is your bosses.According to the Dutch, the answer is your bosses.
Reuters reports that the daily amount has been calculated at about two euros ($2.40) per working day, on average. Reuters reports that the daily amount has been calculated at about €2 ($2.40) per working day, on average.
That’s meant to cover not only coffee, tea and toilet paper used in work hours, but also the extra gas, electricity and water, plus the depreciation costs of a desk and a chair - all essentials that you’d never dream of paying for in the office. That’s meant to cover not only coffee, tea and toilet paper used in work hours, but also the extra gas, electricity and water, plus the depreciation costs of a desk and a chair – all essentials that you’d never dream of paying for in the office.
“We have literally calculated down to how many teaspoons there are in an average household, so from there it’s not that difficult to establish the costs,” said Gabrielle Bettonville of the Dutch family finances institution NIBUD, which is mainly funded by the government and researched the extra costs of remote working. “We have literally calculated down to how many teaspoons there are in an average household, so from there it’s not that difficult to establish the costs,” said Gabrielle Bettonville of the Dutch family finances institution NIBUD, which is funded mainly by the government and researched the extra costs of remote working.
Dutch authorities have already started applying NIBUD’s research, citing it to offer bureaucrats working from home a 363 euro COVID-19 “bonus” this year, starting in March when the country went into lockdown. Dutch authorities have already started applying NIBUD’s research, citing it to offer bureaucrats working from home a €363 Covid-19 “bonus” this year, starting in March when the country went into lockdown.
Spain has obliged employers to pay for home office maintenance and equipment; Germany is debating a bill enshrining remote workers’ rights; France has passed a law shielding them from after-hours email.Spain has obliged employers to pay for home office maintenance and equipment; Germany is debating a bill enshrining remote workers’ rights; France has passed a law shielding them from after-hours email.
Bulgaria registered a record high 436 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, data from the national information platform on the disease showed on Wednesday. Bulgaria registered a record high 436 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, data from the national information platform on the disease showed on Wednesday.
A total of 22,306 COVID-19 cases have been registered in the Balkan country of 7 million people, including 862 deaths. Eight people have died in the past 24 hours, Reuters reports. A total of 22,306 Covid-19 cases have been registered in the Balkan country of 7 million people, including 862 deaths. Eight people have died in the past 24 hours, Reuters reports.
Daily coronavirus infections started to increase in late September.Daily coronavirus infections started to increase in late September.
Bulgarians have to wear protective face masks in closed public spaces and keep social distance and the government has said it does not plan to introduce any new restrictive measures for the time beingBulgarians have to wear protective face masks in closed public spaces and keep social distance and the government has said it does not plan to introduce any new restrictive measures for the time being
The special treatment Donald Trump received to access an experimental COVID-19 drug raises fairness issues that start with the flawed health care system many Americans endure and end with the public’s right to know more about his condition, ethics and medical experts say. The special treatment Donald Trump received to access an experimental Covid-19 drug raises fairness issues that start with the flawed health care system many Americans endure and end with the public’s right to know more about his condition, ethics and medical experts say.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. has revealed how rare it was for anyone to get the drug it gave Trump outside of studies testing its safety and effectiveness, AP reports. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc has revealed how rare it was for anyone to get the drug it gave Trump outside of studies testing its safety and effectiveness, AP reports.
The drug, which supplies antibodies to help the immune system clear the coronavirus, is widely viewed as very promising.The drug, which supplies antibodies to help the immune system clear the coronavirus, is widely viewed as very promising.
Trump also received the antiviral remdesivir and the steroid dexamethasone, and it’s impossible to know whether any of these drugs did him any good.Trump also received the antiviral remdesivir and the steroid dexamethasone, and it’s impossible to know whether any of these drugs did him any good.
He deserves special treatment by virtue of his office, said George Annas, who heads Boston University’s centre for law and health ethics. The question is whether it’s good treatment.He deserves special treatment by virtue of his office, said George Annas, who heads Boston University’s centre for law and health ethics. The question is whether it’s good treatment.
These drugs are unproven for mild illness and have not been tested in combination. The steroid seems at odds with medical guidelines based on what doctors have said about the severity of his illness.These drugs are unproven for mild illness and have not been tested in combination. The steroid seems at odds with medical guidelines based on what doctors have said about the severity of his illness.
The public is getting mixed messages about his condition and thats a problem, Annas said, adding that theres a right to know anything that could affect Trump’s ability to do his job.The public is getting mixed messages about his condition and thats a problem, Annas said, adding that theres a right to know anything that could affect Trump’s ability to do his job.
Trump’s doctors asked for the Regeneron drug under compassionate use rules, which allow a patient with a life-threatening disease to get an experimental medicine if they can’t enrol in a study testing it and theres no good alternative.Trump’s doctors asked for the Regeneron drug under compassionate use rules, which allow a patient with a life-threatening disease to get an experimental medicine if they can’t enrol in a study testing it and theres no good alternative.
Compassionate use requests are decided on a case-by-case basis, and both the drug company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must agree. An FDA spokeswoman refused comment on the FDAs decision or to say how many others have asked for the drug.Compassionate use requests are decided on a case-by-case basis, and both the drug company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must agree. An FDA spokeswoman refused comment on the FDAs decision or to say how many others have asked for the drug.
Fewer than 10 of these requests have been granted, said Regeneron spokeswoman Alexandra Bowie.Fewer than 10 of these requests have been granted, said Regeneron spokeswoman Alexandra Bowie.
The drug is in limited supply, the priority is using it for the ongoing studies, and emergency access is granted only in rare and exceptional circumstances, she wrote in an email.The drug is in limited supply, the priority is using it for the ongoing studies, and emergency access is granted only in rare and exceptional circumstances, she wrote in an email.
Regeneron also contacted Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign to make them aware of the compassionate use mechanism, should they need to apply if Biden becomes infected, Bowie said.Regeneron also contacted Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign to make them aware of the compassionate use mechanism, should they need to apply if Biden becomes infected, Bowie said.
Back to the US vice-presidential debate which takes place tonight. Vice-president Pence is set to defend the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Tom McCarthy reports that as head of the White House’s pandemic task force, Pence appeared to have his work cut out for him, with polls indicating that a majority of Americans have lost faith in Donald Trump’s ability to confront and control the virus, and blame the US government for mishandling it.
To counter that view, Pence will have to explain how the virus was allowed to tear through the White House, Congress and Republican donor circles last week, hospitalizing the president and exposing a mounting number of staff, Secret Service and military personnel to Covid-19.
Ukraine registered a record 4,753 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the national security council said on Wednesday, up from a previous record of 4,661 new cases reported on 3 October.
The council said a total of 239,337 cases had been registered in Ukraine as of 7 October, with 4,597 deaths, including 77 in the past 24 hours.
The daily tally of infections spiked in late September and early October above 4,000, prompting the government to extend lockdown measures until the end of October.
Here’s a round-up of everything you need to know about the first and only US vice-presidential debate as Mike Pence and Kamala Harris prepare to face each other in Utah. The coronavirus crisis is expected to dominate the proceedings.
Sri Lanka has widened a curfew and warned of legal action against those evading treatment for COVID-19 after reporting an escalating cluster centered around a garment factory in the capital’s suburbs.The number of confirmed cases has risen to 830 while more than 1,500 people have been asked to quarantine at their homes, health authorities said.
The Indian Ocean island nation had just reported its first community infection in two months on Sunday. The majority of the infected people are co-workers of the first patient, who was diagnosed at a hospital at the weekend and is from the densely populated Western province that includes the capital, Colombo.
Hi. Caroline Davies here. I am taking over the blog now for the next few hours. You can get in touch on caroline.davies@theguardian.com
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. I’m going to go and unfurl myself from this position:
My colleague Caroline Davies will be picking up the blog in London shortly.
In the meantime, here is a summary of developments in the White House coronavirus outbreak:
And in other non-Trump news, I interviewed Nomcebo Zikode, who sings on Jerusalema, the South African song that recently became the most shazamed song in history. South African president Cyril Ramaphosa recently challenged people to dance along to the track to celebrate the country’s progress against coronavirus.
Nomcebo, the voice behind Jerusalema, South Africa’s global hit
It started in December in South Africa, with a few lines of gospel sung in the deep, raspy voice of Nomcebo Zikode and a music video made by fans in Angola – dancers eating their lunch as they moved to South African DJ Master KG’s disco-house beat.
Jerusalema, produced late one night at Master KG’s studio near Johannesburg, has since become the world’s most Shazammed song and a bonafide viral hit – beloved by Christiano Ronaldo, Janet Jackson and a lot of nuns.
Zikode spoke to the Guardian a month after the release of her solo album, Xola Moya Wam, on which the title track has gone platinum in South Africa. She says that last year, when Master KG called late one evening to ask her to come to his studio in Midrand immediately to listen to beats he had just written, she was close to giving up on her dreams of becoming a solo artist.
“I was like, ‘now?’” she says. But he was insistent. After listening to the beats she asked if she could take them home to work on lyrics. When Master KG refused, she chased him out of the studio so she could think alone.
Suga’s administrative reform minister, Taro Kono, had already launched a personal crusade against hanko and fax machines, whose widespread use surprises those who were under the mistaken impression that Japan was a leading force in the digital revolution.Kono said the use of hanko, which are used to sign contracts, enrol in the national pension scheme and myriad other procedures, was burying national and local government bureaucrats in mountains of paper.“To be honest, I don’t think there are many administrative procedures that actually need printing out paper and faxing,” the Japan Times quoted Kono as saying last month.“Why do we need to print out paper? In many cases, that’s simply because the hanko stamp is required. So if we can put a stop to that culture, it will naturally obviate the need for printouts and faxing.”Government ministries are reportedly considering ending hanko requirements for 785 types of procedure, or 96% of the total, with year-end tax adjustments and tax returns rumoured to be the first to go digital during the coming fiscal year.But the private sector is skeptical about Japan’s belated embrace of paperless bureaucracy. While almost 75% of executives at small and medium-sized businesses told a survey in May they were in favour of abolishing hanko stamps, just over half conceded it would be difficult to end the practice.And this week, local politicians in Yamanashi, a prefecture known for its hand-carved hanko industry, demanded that the seals continue to be used in official documents, describing them as a “symbol of Japan”.
Months after the coronavirus pandemic exposed the drawbacks of Japanese bureaucracy’s reliance on hankoseals, the country’s new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, today told officials to plan for a future without them.Suga, who has promised to improve efficiency by embracing digitalisation, has made little secret of his disdain for hanko, intricately carved personal seals that have long been used to sign off on official documents.
Momentum to do away with hanko has increased during the coronavirus outbreak, with reports of employees who were supposed to be working from home in an attempt to contain the virus having to travel to work simply to apply their seal to a document.In addition, health experts said the analogue nature of applying hanko to documents that go through multiple pairs of hands was hampering efforts to maintain social distancing at the workplace.“I want all ministries to compile a comprehensive review of their administrative procedures in the near future,” Suga told an advisory panel of private sector representatives and academics on Wednesday, the Kyodo news agency said.
Vice President Mike Pence and his Democratic challenger, California Sen. Kamala Harris, are poised to meet for a debate that will offer starkly different visions for a country confronting escalating crises.
From AP: Pence and Harris will appear on stage exactly 12.25 feet (3.7 meters) apart separated by plexiglass barriers. Anyone in the small audience who refuses to wear a mask will be asked to leave.Pence, who was with Trump and others last week who have since tested positive, has faced questions about whether he should be at the debate at all. The vice president has repeatedly tested negative for the virus, and his staff and doctors insist he does not need to quarantine under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.The CDC defines risky close contact as being within 6 feet (1.8 meters) of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before the onset of symptoms or a positive test.Pence’s team objected to Harris request for plexiglass barriers, arguing it was medically unnecessary. But the Commission on Presidential Debates had already agreed to the barriers, and Pences aides said their presence wouldn’t dissuade him from attending the event.Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, said there is zero risk of the vice president pulling out of the debate over the plexiglass spat. He said Pence will be there because its too important for the American people.“The hesitancy seems to be on other side,” he added.Sabrina Singh, a spokesperson for Harris, said the senator “will be at the debate, respecting the protections that the Cleveland Clinic has put in place to promote safety for all concerned. The Cleveland Clinic serves as a health adviser to the Commission on Presidential Debates.