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Coronavirus live news: doctor clears Trump to return to public events on Saturday; record global case rise Coronavirus live news: doctor clears Trump to return to public events on Saturday; record global case rise
(32 minutes later)
DC health department asks White House staff and guests at super-spreader event to take tests; WHO reports nearly 340,000 new casesDC health department asks White House staff and guests at super-spreader event to take tests; WHO reports nearly 340,000 new cases
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is holding an emergency Cabinet meeting this morning to consider declaring a state of emergency for Madrid and its surrounding region, to impose stronger anti-virus restrictions on the reluctant regional governors.
AP are reporting that the meeting comes a day after a Madrid court struck down a national government order that imposed a partial lockdown in the Spanish capital and its suburbs. The ruling sided with regional officials who had appealed the application of stricter measures against one of Europe’s most worrying virus clusters.
The judges said that travel restrictions in and out of the cities might be necessary to fight the spread of the coronavirus, but that under the current legal framework they were violating residents’ “fundamental rights.”
A state of emergency gives the national government extraordinary powers in time of crises to temporarily limit the constitutional rights of citizens. In this case, it would limit their freedom of movement by restarting perimeter controls on Madrid and some nearby towns also suffering from high contagion rates.
A much stricter nationwide state of emergency that began with home confinements was applied by the government from March until June to successfully rein in Spain’s first wave of the virus that causes Covid-19. Since it ended, the regions have regained control of health policy and their responses to controlling outbreaks has varied. Some have applied perimeter lockdowns around areas or towns with viral clusters.
The Madrid region has a 14-day infection rate of 591 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents, more than twice Spain’s national average of 257 and five times the European average rate of 113 for the week ending September 27.
Australia’s state by state coronavirus lockdown rules and restrictions explainedAustralia’s state by state coronavirus lockdown rules and restrictions explained
What are the restrictions within Victoria and the border closures with NSW and Queensland? How far can I travel, and how many people can I have over at my house? Untangle Australia’s Covid-19 laws and guidelines with our guideWhat are the restrictions within Victoria and the border closures with NSW and Queensland? How far can I travel, and how many people can I have over at my house? Untangle Australia’s Covid-19 laws and guidelines with our guide
Australian stats interactive; NSW cases map; Vic cases mapAustralian stats interactive; NSW cases map; Vic cases map
Vic hotspots list; NSW hotspots list; Qld hotspots listVic hotspots list; NSW hotspots list; Qld hotspots list
Melbourne’s stage 4 restrictions; Vic ‘step 3’ rulesMelbourne’s stage 4 restrictions; Vic ‘step 3’ rules
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus emailSign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
Demand surges for Regeneron drug that Trump claims ‘cures’ Covid-19Demand surges for Regeneron drug that Trump claims ‘cures’ Covid-19
Doctors are reporting a spike in enquiries by patients for an experimental Covid-19 drug cocktail after Donald Trump called the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals drug “a blessing from God” that is a “cure” for the virus.Doctors are reporting a spike in enquiries by patients for an experimental Covid-19 drug cocktail after Donald Trump called the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals drug “a blessing from God” that is a “cure” for the virus.
Two doctors involved in the trial of the drug told Reuters that more patients are asking to participate in the drug’s trials, though medical experts have pointed out the drug, REGN-COV2, is still too early in its trial period to confirm that it can help treat Covid-19.Two doctors involved in the trial of the drug told Reuters that more patients are asking to participate in the drug’s trials, though medical experts have pointed out the drug, REGN-COV2, is still too early in its trial period to confirm that it can help treat Covid-19.
On Wednesday, just hours after Trump praised the drug as the “cure” for the virus, Regeneron announced that it submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) for an emergency use authorization of the drug, which is a cocktail mix of two antibodies meant to aid the immune system in fighting the virus.On Wednesday, just hours after Trump praised the drug as the “cure” for the virus, Regeneron announced that it submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) for an emergency use authorization of the drug, which is a cocktail mix of two antibodies meant to aid the immune system in fighting the virus.
The winner of this year’s Nobel peace prize will be announced on Friday at 11am (0900 GMT) in Oslo, with no shortage of causes or candidates on this year’s list.The winner of this year’s Nobel peace prize will be announced on Friday at 11am (0900 GMT) in Oslo, with no shortage of causes or candidates on this year’s list.
While the Norwegian Nobel committee maintains absolute secrecy about whom it favours for arguably the world’s most prestigious prize, that has never stopped speculation ahead of the announcement.While the Norwegian Nobel committee maintains absolute secrecy about whom it favours for arguably the world’s most prestigious prize, that has never stopped speculation ahead of the announcement.
Guesses – and bets – this year have focused on the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, the Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, recovering from a nerve agent attack he blames on Russian president Vladimir Putin, and the World Health Organization for its role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.Guesses – and bets – this year have focused on the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, the Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, recovering from a nerve agent attack he blames on Russian president Vladimir Putin, and the World Health Organization for its role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus cases in Bulgaria have hit new daily high record, Reuters is reporting.Coronavirus cases in Bulgaria have hit new daily high record, Reuters is reporting.
The country has reported 516 new coronavirus cases of coronavirus – the third day in a row it has beaten its own record since the start of the pandemic in March, official data showed.The country has reported 516 new coronavirus cases of coronavirus – the third day in a row it has beaten its own record since the start of the pandemic in March, official data showed.
The Balkan country has 23,279 Covid-19 cases, including 880 deaths. A total of 1,063 people are hospitalised and 56 are in intensive care, data from the coronavirus information platform showed.The Balkan country has 23,279 Covid-19 cases, including 880 deaths. A total of 1,063 people are hospitalised and 56 are in intensive care, data from the coronavirus information platform showed.
Despite the surge in infections in past days, the health minister said the country was still doing relatively well compared with other European Union countries hit by a second Covid-19 wave and ruled out imposing new restrictions for now.Despite the surge in infections in past days, the health minister said the country was still doing relatively well compared with other European Union countries hit by a second Covid-19 wave and ruled out imposing new restrictions for now.
As we reported earlier: Reuters is confirming that China has joined a global vaccine initiative for distributing 2bn doses of Covid-19 vaccines around the world by the end of next year.As we reported earlier: Reuters is confirming that China has joined a global vaccine initiative for distributing 2bn doses of Covid-19 vaccines around the world by the end of next year.
The Covax vaccine facility supports equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines to rich and poor countries alike. The Gavi vaccine alliance has confirmed that China has become the 170th country to join, becoming the largest economy to join the group.The Covax vaccine facility supports equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines to rich and poor countries alike. The Gavi vaccine alliance has confirmed that China has become the 170th country to join, becoming the largest economy to join the group.
“This is fantastic news, which gives even more momentum to our efforts to ensure global, equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines,” said Seth Berkley, the chief executive of Gavi.“This is fantastic news, which gives even more momentum to our efforts to ensure global, equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines,” said Seth Berkley, the chief executive of Gavi.
The move means China “will be procuring vaccines through the facility for a proportion of their own population, just as with other countries that have joined”, a spokesman said.The move means China “will be procuring vaccines through the facility for a proportion of their own population, just as with other countries that have joined”, a spokesman said.
Earlier, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said: “This is an important step China has taken to uphold the concept of a shared community of health for all and to honour its commitment to turn #Covid19 vaccines into a global public good.”Earlier, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said: “This is an important step China has taken to uphold the concept of a shared community of health for all and to honour its commitment to turn #Covid19 vaccines into a global public good.”
Victoria and Melbourne Covid trend map: where coronavirus cases are rising or fallingVictoria and Melbourne Covid trend map: where coronavirus cases are rising or falling
Guardian Australia analysis and map shows how the pattern of Covid-19 has changed by region and throughout Melbourne. Live data updates will track the numbers as the Vic lockdown continuesGuardian Australia analysis and map shows how the pattern of Covid-19 has changed by region and throughout Melbourne. Live data updates will track the numbers as the Vic lockdown continues
Vic hotspots list; Australian stats interactive; NSW cases trend mapVic hotspots list; Australian stats interactive; NSW cases trend map
Melbourne’s stage 4 restrictions; Victoria’s ‘step 3’ rulesMelbourne’s stage 4 restrictions; Victoria’s ‘step 3’ rules
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus emailSign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
Guardian Australia brings together all the latest on active and daily new Covid-19 cases, as well as maps, stats, live data and state by state graphs from NSW, Victoria, Queensland, SA, WA, Tasmania, ACT and NT to get a broad picture of the Australian outbreak and track the impact of government responseGuardian Australia brings together all the latest on active and daily new Covid-19 cases, as well as maps, stats, live data and state by state graphs from NSW, Victoria, Queensland, SA, WA, Tasmania, ACT and NT to get a broad picture of the Australian outbreak and track the impact of government response
NSW cases map; Vic cases mapNSW cases map; Vic cases map
Vic hotspots list; NSW hotspots list; Qld hotspots listVic hotspots list; NSW hotspots list; Qld hotspots list
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus emailSign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
Good morning from London. It’s a hello from me, Amelia Hill. I’ll be taking over the reins from Helen.Good morning from London. It’s a hello from me, Amelia Hill. I’ll be taking over the reins from Helen.
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, after a wild, wild week.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, after a wild, wild week.
I’ll be back on Sunday AEST when, who knows, Trump may be holding a rally while still positive for coronavirus.I’ll be back on Sunday AEST when, who knows, Trump may be holding a rally while still positive for coronavirus.
A summary of today’s events can be found here.A summary of today’s events can be found here.
Friday briefing: England should pull circuit breaker – experts
Scientists advising the government have warned that further Covid restrictions do not go far enough and “fringe” anti-lockdown epidemiologists are gaining too much attention. The shutdown of pubs and restaurants in the north and Midlands expected next week is unlikely to bring cases down sufficiently, members of the Sage committee have told the Guardian, and the “circuit breaker” imposed in Scotland from today should have been enacted in England two or three weeks ago.
The Guardian understands most of northern England – from Barrow in Cumbria to Merseyside, Greater Manchester, much of Lancashire and Yorkshire and most of the north-east, as well as Nottinghamshire in the Midlands – will be put under a new three-tier alert system. It will be announced on Monday to come into force on Wednesday, a government source has said:
Keir Starmer has called for an end to the government’s “serial incompetence” throughout the pandemic as concerns grow over the possibility of further restrictions being introduced, PA Media reports.
The Labour opposition leader, writing in the Telegraph, decried the leaking of plans for tougher measures and said it had led to confusion about Downing Street’s approach.
He suggested a number of ways the government could “get a grip of this situation urgently before it spirals out of control”.
Local leaders had to be consulted more closely over restrictions, he said, to arrest frustration amid a sense that No 10 was talking down to parts of the country:
Donald Trump, who is still recovering from Covid-19, suggested he might organise a rally in Florida on Saturday, while continuing to ignore questions on whether he has yet tested negative for the disease. On Thursday night, Trump said: “I think I’m going to try doing a rally on Saturday night if we can, if we have enough time to put it together. “But we want to do a rally in Florida, probably in Florida on Saturday night, might come back and do one in Pennsylvania, on the following night.”
The United States passed 7.6m cases. The US will likely have more than 8m cases by Thursday next week, when Biden hosts a Town Hall in place of the virtual debate Trump refused to agree to. The US case total accounts for just over a fifth of the global case total. The US death toll, at more than 212,000, accounts for over one in five deaths worldwide, too.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi, announced on Thursday that Democrats in the US Congress would meet to discuss the 25th amendment to the constitution, which contains a clause that allows a president to be removed from office against his will because of physical or mental incapacity.
Trump’s physician, Dr Sean Conley, said he anticipated Trump would be able to return to public engagements on Saturday, after initially suggesting that the president might not be able to return to public life until Monday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Covid-19 patients can be around others 10 days after their symptoms first appear, provided they have not had a fever in the preceding 24 hours.
It emerged that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows held a 70-person indoor wedding for his daughter in Atlanta in May in defiance of state and municipal guidelines, the New York Times reported.
Wisconsin opened a field hospital amid a surge in cases that has overwhelmed the state’s health care system. Governor Tony Evers said in a statement, “We’re in a crisis right now and need to immediately change our behaviour to save lives.”
In non-US news:
China has officially joined a global vaccine initiative for distributing 2bn doses of Covid-19 vaccines around the world by the end of next year, according to the ministry of foreign affairs. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday that Beijing had joined the initiative known as Covax, making China the largest economy to join to coalition aimed at countering so-called “vaccine nationalism”.
Cuba to open for tourism starting next week. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said late on Thursday that most of the Caribbean island nation would open to international tourism starting next week as it moved towards a “new normality” after containing its coronavirus outbreak.
India nears 7m cases. India’s total coronavirus cases rose by 70,496 in the last 24 hours to 6.91 million on Friday morning, data from the health ministry showed. Deaths from Covid-19 infections rose by 964 to 106,490, the ministry said. India’s death toll from the novel coronavirus rose past 100,000 on Saturday, only the third country in the world to reach that bleak milestone, after the United States and Brazil, and its epidemic shows no sign of abating.
Australia reported its second straight day without any Covid-19 deaths on Friday, the longest stretch without any fatalities from the virus in three months. Australian states and territories reported 16 cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, down from 28 on Thursday, and no deaths for two days, the first time Australia has gone 48 hours without a Covid-19 death since July 11. The results cement optimism that Australia has contained a second wave of Covid-19 infections.
Romania suspends flights to and from high-risk countries to stem a sharp rise in new coronavirus infections. Travellers from 49 high-risk countries will need to self-isolate for 10-14 days upon arrival, except those travelling for less than three days, who must have a negative coronavirus test. On Thursday, the government suspended flights from the countries on the list, except European Union states, the UK, the UAE and Qatar.
Madrid must impose travel restrictions or face state of emergency, Spanish government says. Madrid must enforce travel restrictions ordered by the health ministry to limit coronavirus outbreaks or the national government will impose a state of emergency that would force it to comply, the Spanish government said late on Thursday.
Paris hospitals move into emergency mode amid rise in Covid-19 patients. Hospitals in the Paris region have moved into emergency mode, cancelling staff holidays and postponing non-essential operations, as coronavirus patients made up close to half of all patients in intensive care units (ICUs).
China has officially joined a global vaccine initiative for distributing 2bn doses of Covid-19 vaccines around the world by the end of next year, according to the ministry of foreign affairs.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday that Beijing had joined the initiative known as Covax, making China the largest economy to join to coalition aimed at countering so-called “vaccine nationalism”.
“This is an important step China has taken to uphold the concept of a shared community of health for all and to honour its commitment to turn #Covid19 vaccines into a global public good,” Hua wrote on Twitter.
Beijing had initially missed the deadline for joining the Covax initiative co-led by the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations. The goal of the alliance of 156 countries is to provide Covid-19 vaccines to a targeted 3% of each participating country’s most at-risk population by sharing the costs of research and distribution among both developed and developing countries:
A second CDC epidemiologist has joined the White House’s contact tracting team, the Washington Post reports:
CBS reporter Sara Cook says that the White House claims, however, that enlisting the help of a second epidemiologist has “nothing to do” with what has happened in the last two weeks:
If you need a laugh at the end of an extremely depressing week:
Podcast: Will Trump’s handling of Covid-19 be his undoing? Politics Weekly Extra
After a week in which so much happened in the US, Jonathan Freedland talks to the Guardian US columnist Moira Donegan about why the pandemic might be the one issue Trump can’t talk his way out of, and to Lauren Gambino about what swing states tell us about modern US politics:
Here is our full story on Trump saying he hopes to hold a rally on Saturday:
Donald Trump, who is still recovering from Covid-19, has suggested he might organize a rally in Florida on Saturday, while continuing to ignore questions on whether he has yet tested negative for the disease.
On Thursday night, Trump said: “I think I’m going to try doing a rally on Saturday night if we can, if we have enough time to put it together.
“But we want to do a rally in Florida, probably in Florida on Saturday night, might come back and do one in Pennsylvania, on the following night.”
At least one Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been linked by a local health official to a spike in coronavirus cases. Most supporters at recent Trump events have eschewed masks and social distancing measures to slow the spread of disease.
Asked by Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Thursday night whether he had yet to test negative for coronavirus – or whether he had been tested at all since his positive test last week – the president did not directly respond, instead touting the experimental drugs he had been treated with. He said he would be likely be tested on Friday.
Australia reported its second straight day without any Covid-19 deaths on Friday, the longest stretch without any fatalities from the virus in three months.Australian states and territories reported 16 cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, down from 28 on Thursday, and no deaths for two days, the first time Australia has gone 48 hours without a Covid-19 death since July 11.The results cement optimism that Australia has contained a second wave of Covid-19 infections.
The country’s second most populous state Victoria, the epicentre of Australia’s Covid-19 outbreak, said they now have less than 200 active infections.“These are the results that come from a really determined effort to defeat this second wave,” Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters in Melbourne.Australia has reported more than 27,000 coronavirus infections and about 900 deaths - far fewer than many other developed countries.
India’s total coronavirus cases rose by 70,496 in the last 24 hours to 6.91 million on Friday morning, data from the health ministry showed.Deaths from Covid-19 infections rose by 964 to 106,490, the ministry said.India’s death toll from the novel coronavirus rose past 100,000 on Saturday, only the third country in the world to reach that bleak milestone, after the United States and Brazil, and its epidemic shows no sign of abating.