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Coronavirus live news: Brussels closes cafes and bars for a month; clashes over restrictions in Israel Coronavirus live news: Brussels closes cafes and bars for a month; clashes over restrictions in Israel
(32 minutes later)
One in seven people tested in Belgian capital is positive; Facebook and Twitter act against Trump for suggesting Covid just like fluOne in seven people tested in Belgian capital is positive; Facebook and Twitter act against Trump for suggesting Covid just like flu
The European Commission has agreed with US company Gilead to buy additional doses of its Covid-19 drug Remdesivir to treat about 3,400 patients, amid shortages of the medication in Europe.
A spokesman for the EU executive said Brussels agreed with Gilead last Friday to supply nearly 20,300 additional doses “which help almost 3,400 patients” at a cost of €7m ($8.24m). That is in addition to 30,000 courses of treatment it bought at the end of July.
“These additional doses are being currently delivered,” the spokesman told a news conference, adding the EU was giving priority to countries which needed it the most.
Remdesivir and steroid dexamethasone are to date the only authorised drugs to treat Covid-19 in Europe.
The EU and Britain, with a combined population of 500 million, are negotiating a contract with Gilead for the supply of new doses of the antiviral medicine, the EU spokesman said.
The first batches of the additional supply were being sent to the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Greece, Austria, Denmark and Slovenia, he added.
Several European countries have said they were experiencing shortages of the drug, whose global stock has been secured almost entirely by the US.
For White House staff and senior visiting officials and journalists, the coronavirus outbreak in Donald Trump’s inner circle has become like a whodunnit amid a shortage of information and mounting anxiety.For White House staff and senior visiting officials and journalists, the coronavirus outbreak in Donald Trump’s inner circle has become like a whodunnit amid a shortage of information and mounting anxiety.
As cleaners in hazmat suits have been pictured disinfecting areas – including briefing rooms and the White House press and communications “shop” where three staff have been infected – the questions now being asked are: who caught Covid from whom and when and where? And who might be next?As cleaners in hazmat suits have been pictured disinfecting areas – including briefing rooms and the White House press and communications “shop” where three staff have been infected – the questions now being asked are: who caught Covid from whom and when and where? And who might be next?
British prime minister Boris Johnson has said Covid-19 infections are rising in London and elsewhere, but his government’s approach to controlling the spread of the virus is still the right one.British prime minister Boris Johnson has said Covid-19 infections are rising in London and elsewhere, but his government’s approach to controlling the spread of the virus is still the right one.
“The local and regional approach combined with the national measures remains correct,” Johnson told parliament, when asked why infections continued to rise in areas where local lockdown measures have been put in place.“The local and regional approach combined with the national measures remains correct,” Johnson told parliament, when asked why infections continued to rise in areas where local lockdown measures have been put in place.
Analysis presented in parliament by the opposition Labour party showed that infection rates had risen in 19 out of 20 areas in England that are subject to additional lockdown measures.Analysis presented in parliament by the opposition Labour party showed that infection rates had risen in 19 out of 20 areas in England that are subject to additional lockdown measures.
Johnson’s strategy over the summer, when new nationwide infections were in the low hundreds per day, was to try to shut down localised outbreaks while reopening the wider economy. On Tuesday, Britain reported more than 15,000 new infections.Johnson’s strategy over the summer, when new nationwide infections were in the low hundreds per day, was to try to shut down localised outbreaks while reopening the wider economy. On Tuesday, Britain reported more than 15,000 new infections.
The analysis showed that in Wigan, northwest England, the infection rate, measured as the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population, had risen by 3,653% since a local lockdown was first imposed on 30 July, increasing to 225 from 6.The analysis showed that in Wigan, northwest England, the infection rate, measured as the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population, had risen by 3,653% since a local lockdown was first imposed on 30 July, increasing to 225 from 6.
Increases in the other areas were between 13% and 2,241%, Labour’s data showed.Increases in the other areas were between 13% and 2,241%, Labour’s data showed.
Iran has registered a record high 239 new coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 27,658.Iran has registered a record high 239 new coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 27,658.
Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that there were 4,019 new cases, with the total of identified cases in the worst-hit country in the Middle East rising to 483,844.Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that there were 4,019 new cases, with the total of identified cases in the worst-hit country in the Middle East rising to 483,844.
Japan will scale back a requirement of two weeks’ quarantine for some business travellers as it moves to revitalise an economy hit hard by travel curbs over the coronavirus pandemic, financial newspaper the Nikkei reports.Japan will scale back a requirement of two weeks’ quarantine for some business travellers as it moves to revitalise an economy hit hard by travel curbs over the coronavirus pandemic, financial newspaper the Nikkei reports.
The new rules apply to returning Japanese citizens and holders of long-term visas, some of whom will be exempted from quarantine requirements, depending on airport testing capacity, it added.The new rules apply to returning Japanese citizens and holders of long-term visas, some of whom will be exempted from quarantine requirements, depending on airport testing capacity, it added.
There will be a cap on the number of such exemptions, but no figure has been specified.There will be a cap on the number of such exemptions, but no figure has been specified.
Such arrivals must submit an itinerary and a negative PCR test result on arrival, and will not be allowed to use public transport upon their return, it said.Such arrivals must submit an itinerary and a negative PCR test result on arrival, and will not be allowed to use public transport upon their return, it said.
Japan has already eased two-way travel curbs with nations such as South Korea and Vietnam, while allowing entry from October for long-term residents from any country.Japan has already eased two-way travel curbs with nations such as South Korea and Vietnam, while allowing entry from October for long-term residents from any country.
All bars, cafes and event halls in Brussels have been told they must shut down for at least a month as of 7am (CET) on Thursday as the Belgian capital went beyond recently tightened national restrictions in Belgium.All bars, cafes and event halls in Brussels have been told they must shut down for at least a month as of 7am (CET) on Thursday as the Belgian capital went beyond recently tightened national restrictions in Belgium.
The minister-president of the Brussels-Capital region, Rudi Vervoort, said drinking alcohol in a public place would also be banned, sports clubs would have to close their canteens and food consumption in markets was prohibited amid a spiralling infection rate.The minister-president of the Brussels-Capital region, Rudi Vervoort, said drinking alcohol in a public place would also be banned, sports clubs would have to close their canteens and food consumption in markets was prohibited amid a spiralling infection rate.
Restaurants will remain open for now in an attempt to keep the hospitality industry alive.Restaurants will remain open for now in an attempt to keep the hospitality industry alive.
Vervoort said: “One in seven people tested in Brussels returns a positive result, the virus is everywhere in the region. There is not a single municipality in Brussels which is below the national average.”Vervoort said: “One in seven people tested in Brussels returns a positive result, the virus is everywhere in the region. There is not a single municipality in Brussels which is below the national average.”
Dr Yves Van Laethem, a spokesman for the Covid-19 crisis centre, said at a press conference where the new measures were announced that Brussels was second only to Paris in terms of the rate of infection.Dr Yves Van Laethem, a spokesman for the Covid-19 crisis centre, said at a press conference where the new measures were announced that Brussels was second only to Paris in terms of the rate of infection.
The average number of new coronavirus infections was 2,466 per day between 27 September and 3 October, an increase of 57% from the previous seven-day period. He said:The average number of new coronavirus infections was 2,466 per day between 27 September and 3 October, an increase of 57% from the previous seven-day period. He said:
On Wednesday, Belgium’s new prime minister, Alexander De Croo, announced that Belgians would be limited to having three close contacts outside their own household.On Wednesday, Belgium’s new prime minister, Alexander De Croo, announced that Belgians would be limited to having three close contacts outside their own household.
The number of new coronavirus infections in Switzerland rose by 1,077 in a day, data from the public health agency showed, the first daily increase of more than 1,000 since early April.The number of new coronavirus infections in Switzerland rose by 1,077 in a day, data from the public health agency showed, the first daily increase of more than 1,000 since early April.
The agency reported a total of 57,709 confirmed cases, while the death toll rose by two to 1,789.The agency reported a total of 57,709 confirmed cases, while the death toll rose by two to 1,789.
New daily cases peaked at 1,456 on 23 March and had dwindled to as few as three on 1 June.New daily cases peaked at 1,456 on 23 March and had dwindled to as few as three on 1 June.
Malaysia has reported 489 new coronavirus cases, a slight dip in new daily cases as the south-east Asian country grapples with a fresh surge in infections.Malaysia has reported 489 new coronavirus cases, a slight dip in new daily cases as the south-east Asian country grapples with a fresh surge in infections.
The new cases raises the cumulative tally to 13,993, according to Malaysia’s health ministry. No new deaths were reported, keeping the toll at 141.The new cases raises the cumulative tally to 13,993, according to Malaysia’s health ministry. No new deaths were reported, keeping the toll at 141.
Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has recovered from Covid-19, Reuters has reported.Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has recovered from Covid-19, Reuters has reported.
The media tycoon, who spent the first half of September in a Milan hospital before being sent home under quarantine, has tested negative for the virus and is waiting for the result of a second swab for final confirmation, a source said.The media tycoon, who spent the first half of September in a Milan hospital before being sent home under quarantine, has tested negative for the virus and is waiting for the result of a second swab for final confirmation, a source said.
Berlusconi, 84, developed double pneumonia and was in Milan’s San Raffaele hospital for more than 10 days.Berlusconi, 84, developed double pneumonia and was in Milan’s San Raffaele hospital for more than 10 days.
He will not attend to the wedding on Wednesday of his youngest son Luigi, who also had the virus last month, but he is considering taking part in a family dinner organised for the evening, the source said.He will not attend to the wedding on Wednesday of his youngest son Luigi, who also had the virus last month, but he is considering taking part in a family dinner organised for the evening, the source said.
Berlusconi is believed to have caught the coronavirus while on holiday on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, which had a surge in infections during the summer.Berlusconi is believed to have caught the coronavirus while on holiday on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, which had a surge in infections during the summer.
Hi everyone, this is Jessica Murray taking over the blog for the next few hours.Hi everyone, this is Jessica Murray taking over the blog for the next few hours.
As always, feel free to get in touch with any story ideas or personal experiences you would like to share.As always, feel free to get in touch with any story ideas or personal experiences you would like to share.
Email: jessica.murray@theguardian.comTwitter: @journojess_Email: jessica.murray@theguardian.comTwitter: @journojess_
Hi, That’s all from me, Caroline Davies. As ever, thank you for your time. Handing over now to my colleague Jessica Murray.
India reported 72,049 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, dropping from the daily highs of last month in a sign infections were peaking for now, officials and experts said, Reuters reports.
India leads the world in the average number of new infections and is expected to overtake the US over the next few weeks as the country with the world’s largest number of cases.
But since it hit a single-day high of 97,894 new cases on 17 September, the country has reported a downward trend with 75,909 daily cases on an average, according to a Reuters tally.
“There is a continuous drop in our daily new cases, which is an encouraging sign,” said the health secretary, Rajesh Bhushan. The overall tally reached 6.76m infections on Wednesday while the death toll rose by 986 to 104,555.
Faced with a collapsing economy, the federal government has been pushing states to fully reopen after enforcing one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in March.
Experts said the opening up led to a spike in cases in August and September, which now may have started to stabilise in the big cities.
“The virus is slowing down in the big metros because there are a lot of people already infected,” said Bhramar Mukherjee, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of Michigan.
A serological survey released by the government late last month showed the prevalence of Sars-CoV-2 antibodies increased to 7.1% between 17 August and 22 September compared with 0.73% in a previous survey between 11 May and 4 June.
Mukherjee said the survey suggested that about 130m people out of a population of 1.3 billion may have been infected by now.
The government has asked authorities to be vigilant during the upcoming festival period including the Hindu festival of Diwali in November.
The UN refugee chief said today he had tested positive for Covid-19, after leading the first two days of the agency’s main annual meeting in person.
Filippo Grandi, who kicked off UNHCR’s week-long executive committee meeting in Geneva on Monday, told participants via video-link that he would need to continue following the event from home, AFP reports.
“I am engaging with UNHCR’s executive committee from home as I have to isolate after testing positive to Covid-19,” he said in a tweet.
“I only have mild symptoms and hope to recover soon,” he added.
Grandi had for the past two days addressed delegates from the podium in the UN assembly hall in Geneva. UNHCR’s executive committee is for the first time being held as a hybrid event this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Only limited numbers of delegates are allowed to attend physically, and distancing restrictions and mask requirements are in place.
The focus on Donald Trump as a coronavirus patient may have taken some attention away from the bigger picture in the US. Yesterday there were 43,562 new coronavirus cases, and a further 705 Covid deaths recorded.
ABC News have just published an analysis of Covid trends across all 50 states, and it makes for bleak reading. They found that there were “increases in newly confirmed cases over the past two weeks in 32 states plus in Puerto Rico”.
The total number of cases recorded in the US, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracking project, has hit 7,501,817.
You can follow further developments in the US specifically with our US live blog.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife may have violated the country’s coronavirus lockdown by inviting a hairdresser into the official residence last week to prepare her for a public service video advocating the wearing of masks, AP reports.
The Yediot Ahronot newspaper reported that Sara Netanyahu had a hairdresser visit on the eve of the festive Sukkot holiday. Hair salons and barber shops are closed as part of a nationwide lockdown imposed last month, and people have been ordered to remain within 1,000 metres of home except for essential activities.
The newspaper said that while the prime minister is entitled to such services as a public servant, his wife is not
An official statement released in response to the news report said Sara was strictly abiding by all the coronavirus regulations, including sheltering at home and enforcing the wearing of masks at the official residence.
As a public figure making an informational video, she believed she was entitled to employ the services of the hairstylist, the statement said. It added that they both wore masks and gloves during the appointment and that she asked the stylist to refrain from making conversation.
The Philippines’ health ministry on Wednesday recorded 2,825 new coronavirus infections and 60 additional deaths.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases in the Philippines had risen to 329,637, the highest number in south-east Asia, while deaths had increased to 5,925. In Manila, the city government is providing free swab tests to tricycle and passenger Jeepney drivers in the area in hopes of curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
See the latest data on our Covid vaccine tracker here:
Indonesia reported 4,538 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing its infections total to 315,714, data from the country’s health ministry showed.
There were also 98 new deaths in Indonesia, taking the total number to 11,472, the highest coronavirus death toll in south-east Asia.
Israeli police clashed with hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews overnight as they sought to enforce restrictions on public gatherings during a nationwide coronavirus lockdown, the police said on Wednesday.
AP reports that footage released by police showed huge crowds of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem chanting and hurling stones and metal bars at police officers. The police said 17 people were arrested.
Clashes also erupted in Modiin Ilit, an ultra-Orthodox settlement in the West Bank. Police said they ordered people to leave a synagogue before being attacked with stones and fireworks. Four police officers were wounded and seven people were arrested, police said.
Israel went into a second nationwide lockdown last month after developing one of the worst outbreaks in the world on a per capita basis. The country has about 60,000 active cases, including 855 people hospitalised in serious condition.
The Czech Republic reported a record 4,457 new coronavirus cases in a single day, health ministry data showed on Wednesday, with infections over the past month rising at Europe’s fastest pace.
The daily rise in new Covid-19 cases, recorded on Tuesday, surpassed a previous record of 3,794 to bring the total number of cases recorded since March to 90,022 – a fourfold increase since 25 August, Reuters reports.
Hospitalisations have soared tenfold in that period to add strain on the healthcare system.
Over the past two weeks, the Czech Republic has reported 326.8 cases per 100,000, surpassing for the first time. Spain, which has had 302.4 cases per 100,000, according to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) data collected by 6 October.
The Czech government, like others in Europe, is struggling to contain a rise in infections that is stronger than in March and April.
But the country is looking to avoid the same strict lockdowns that shut shops, restaurants and schools and prompted many factories to go idle, hammering the economy in the second quarter.
The state has introduced stricter face mask rules and limited bar opening hours and the number of people to a table in restaurants. It has also banned musical performances since Monday for two weeks.
The health minister has said tighter curbs would come. The number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 has climbed to 1,387, of which 326 are in intensive care – more than three times the peak seen when the outbreak first hit.