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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
(30 minutes later)
Washington releases open letter asking White House staff and guests at super-spreader event to take a Covid tests; Nearly 340,000 new cases confirmed in 24 hours. Follow the latest updatesWashington releases open letter asking White House staff and guests at super-spreader event to take a Covid tests; Nearly 340,000 new cases confirmed in 24 hours. Follow the latest updates
US Vice President Mike Pence’s debate with Democrat Kamala Harris attracted 57.9 million TV viewers, Reuters reports, the second-highest audience ever for a matchup between vice presidential candidates, according to Nielsen data released on Thursday.The viewership figure for the Wednesday evening faceoff in Salt Lake City included people watching across 18 networks. The tally came in 56% higher than four years ago, when 37 million people tuned in to see Pence debate Democrat Tim Kaine.During the policy-heavy 90-minute event, Pence and Harris clashed over the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.Vice presidential debates typically draw smaller audiences than presidential clashes. President Donald Trump’s Sept. 29 debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden pulled in 73 million viewers, making it the second-biggest event on U.S. television this year, after the Super Bowl.The TV viewing record for a vice presidential debate was set in 2008, when Biden debated Republican Sarah Palin. That telecast drew 69.9 million viewers.For the Pence-Harris matchup, Fox News Channel led all networks, with 11.9 million viewers.The Nielsen numbers included people watching at home and at such venues as bars and restaurants. It also included some digital viewership through televisions connected to the internet.The figures do not capture the full extent of online viewing, which has grown in popularity as traditional TV audiences decline, however. The debate was streamed live on Twitter, YouTube, network websites and other digital platforms.
In Cuba meanwhile:In Cuba meanwhile:
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.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.
From Reuters: The country, which closed its borders six months ago in a bid to contain the spread of the virus, has been gradually opening up to tourism ahead of the November-March high season, first in the northern keys and then its Varadero beach resort.From Reuters: The country, which closed its borders six months ago in a bid to contain the spread of the virus, has been gradually opening up to tourism ahead of the November-March high season, first in the northern keys and then its Varadero beach resort.
Thirteen of Cuba’s sixteen provinces will now be open to tourism, Marrero told a roundtable discussion broadcast to the nation, albeit not yet the capital, Havana which only just appears to have curbed a second wave of infections with strict measures, including a curfew.International tourism is one of Cuba’s top hard currency earners, so its suspension this year has dealt a blow to the cash-strapped economy, even as the United States has continued to harden its decades-old trade embargo.“We will open the possibility of international flights for all the provinces that are in this third phase,” Marrero said, noting that all arrivals would be tested.Thirteen of Cuba’s sixteen provinces will now be open to tourism, Marrero told a roundtable discussion broadcast to the nation, albeit not yet the capital, Havana which only just appears to have curbed a second wave of infections with strict measures, including a curfew.International tourism is one of Cuba’s top hard currency earners, so its suspension this year has dealt a blow to the cash-strapped economy, even as the United States has continued to harden its decades-old trade embargo.“We will open the possibility of international flights for all the provinces that are in this third phase,” Marrero said, noting that all arrivals would be tested.
Cuba’s universal, community-based healthcare system has contained its outbreak and reduced mortality by hospitalising all confirmed cases, tracing and isolating their contacts and applying a raft of therapeutic treatments.Cuba has reported just 11 deaths from Covid-19 per million inhabitants, compared with 203 for the Dominican Republic and 647 for the United States, statistics from Johns Hopkins University show.Cuba’s universal, community-based healthcare system has contained its outbreak and reduced mortality by hospitalising all confirmed cases, tracing and isolating their contacts and applying a raft of therapeutic treatments.Cuba has reported just 11 deaths from Covid-19 per million inhabitants, compared with 203 for the Dominican Republic and 647 for the United States, statistics from Johns Hopkins University show.
On the debate, from the Washington Post:On the debate, from the Washington Post:
The United States has passed another pandemic milestone, with more than 7.6m cases now registered on the Johns Hopkins University tracker.The United States has passed another pandemic milestone, with more than 7.6m cases now registered on the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
The US will likely have more than 10m cases by Thursday next week, when Biden hosts a Town Hall in place of the virtual debate Trump refused to agree to. 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 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.The US death toll, at more than 212,000, accounts for over one in five deaths worldwide, too.
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 earlier today.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 earlier today.
The wedding, the Times reports:The wedding, the Times reports:
The squeeze on Britain’s beleaguered retail sector from tighter coronavirus restrictions reducing numbers of shoppers on the high street clung on into September, data showed Friday, AFP reports.The squeeze on Britain’s beleaguered retail sector from tighter coronavirus restrictions reducing numbers of shoppers on the high street clung on into September, data showed Friday, AFP reports.
Latest figures from industry body the British Retail Consortium and analytics company ShopperTrack showed that UK retail footfall was down by 30.1% in September compared with a year earlier.Latest figures from industry body the British Retail Consortium and analytics company ShopperTrack showed that UK retail footfall was down by 30.1% in September compared with a year earlier.
The data did show a slight month-on-month improvement in September from August - although local lockdown restrictions weighed on sentiment.The data did show a slight month-on-month improvement in September from August - although local lockdown restrictions weighed on sentiment.
Britain began emerging in June from a nationwide lockdown that lasted almost three months.Britain began emerging in June from a nationwide lockdown that lasted almost three months.
The lockdown sparked a surge in online shopping as people shunned high streets and switched to computer screens and smartphones.The lockdown sparked a surge in online shopping as people shunned high streets and switched to computer screens and smartphones.
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey meanwhile warned Thursday that recession-mired Britain faced the prospect of an “uneven” recovery, as the government battles a second wave of rising infections with tighter restrictions and localised lockdowns.Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey meanwhile warned Thursday that recession-mired Britain faced the prospect of an “uneven” recovery, as the government battles a second wave of rising infections with tighter restrictions and localised lockdowns.
“When you look at areas of activity in the economy that require more close social interaction, it’s no surprise that they have been the weakest to recover,” he said at an online conference.“When you look at areas of activity in the economy that require more close social interaction, it’s no surprise that they have been the weakest to recover,” he said at an online conference.
Mexico’s health ministry on Thursday reported 5,300 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 370 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 804,488 infections and 83,096 deaths.The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.Mexico’s health ministry on Thursday reported 5,300 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 370 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 804,488 infections and 83,096 deaths.The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
The US state of Wisconsin has opened a field hospital to meet an alarming rising demand for care as coronavirus cases surge and overwhelm hospitals, CNN reports.The US state of Wisconsin has opened a field hospital to meet an alarming rising demand for care as coronavirus cases surge and overwhelm hospitals, CNN reports.
Governor Tony Evers said in a news conference earlier, “We obviously hoped this day wouldn’t come, but unfortunately, Wisconsin is in a much different and more dire place today, and our health care systems are being overwhelmed.”Governor Tony Evers said in a news conference earlier, “We obviously hoped this day wouldn’t come, but unfortunately, Wisconsin is in a much different and more dire place today, and our health care systems are being overwhelmed.”
Evers said in a statement that the state “is in crisis right now”:Evers said in a statement that the state “is in crisis right now”:
From CNN:From CNN:
Only two US states report a decline of new cases and nationwide hospitalizations are increasing. The field hospital is a stark illustration of the extensive outbreak across Wisconsin, which has pushed hospitals to the brink, led to renewed limits on public gatherings, infected US Sen. Ron Johnson and forced the NFL’s Green Bay Packers to put an “indefinite hold” on having fans at historic Lambeau Field this season.Only two US states report a decline of new cases and nationwide hospitalizations are increasing. The field hospital is a stark illustration of the extensive outbreak across Wisconsin, which has pushed hospitals to the brink, led to renewed limits on public gatherings, infected US Sen. Ron Johnson and forced the NFL’s Green Bay Packers to put an “indefinite hold” on having fans at historic Lambeau Field this season.
To combat the outbreak, Gov. Evers issued an emergency order limiting public gatherings to no more than 25% of a room or building’s capacity. The state had previously allowed bars and restaurants to operate at 50% capacity.To combat the outbreak, Gov. Evers issued an emergency order limiting public gatherings to no more than 25% of a room or building’s capacity. The state had previously allowed bars and restaurants to operate at 50% capacity.
“We’re in a crisis right now and need to immediately change our behaviour to save lives,” Evers said in a statement. “We are continuing to experience a surge in cases and many of our hospitals are overwhelmed, and I believe limiting indoor public gatherings will help slow the spread of this virus.”The order, which went into effect Thursday morning, applies to any gatherings at locations open to the public, including stores, restaurants and other businesses with public entry, according to the release.“We’re in a crisis right now and need to immediately change our behaviour to save lives,” Evers said in a statement. “We are continuing to experience a surge in cases and many of our hospitals are overwhelmed, and I believe limiting indoor public gatherings will help slow the spread of this virus.”The order, which went into effect Thursday morning, applies to any gatherings at locations open to the public, including stores, restaurants and other businesses with public entry, according to the release.
Trump has told Hannity that “the vaccines are going to be coming really soon.”Trump has told Hannity that “the vaccines are going to be coming really soon.”
He again repeats that the experimental treatment he received is a “cure”. There is no known cure for coronavirus.He again repeats that the experimental treatment he received is a “cure”. There is no known cure for coronavirus.
Trump claims that “we’re going to get it to everybody free of charge. It’s going to hospitals it’s starting very soon. The military is going to be delivering it.”Trump claims that “we’re going to get it to everybody free of charge. It’s going to hospitals it’s starting very soon. The military is going to be delivering it.”
A reminder that several high-level military officers are currently quarantining and at least two have tested positive for coronavirus.A reminder that several high-level military officers are currently quarantining and at least two have tested positive for coronavirus.
And that Trump does not have the power to make the treatment free without new legislation.And that Trump does not have the power to make the treatment free without new legislation.
And that he has ties to Leonard Schleifer, the CEO of Regeneron, which produces the experimental treatment Trump credits with “curing” him.And that he has ties to Leonard Schleifer, the CEO of Regeneron, which produces the experimental treatment Trump credits with “curing” him.
Trump’s relationship Schleifer, whom he reportedly calls “Lenny”, adds to growing questions over the president’s almost exclusive access to experimental treatments unavailable to most other Americans, even as he has continued to downplay the threat of coronavirus based on his own experience.Trump’s relationship Schleifer, whom he reportedly calls “Lenny”, adds to growing questions over the president’s almost exclusive access to experimental treatments unavailable to most other Americans, even as he has continued to downplay the threat of coronavirus based on his own experience.
More from AP:More from AP:
The chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates says it is not reconsidering shifting the second debate from virtual back to in-person, despite a request from President Donald Trump’s team.The chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates says it is not reconsidering shifting the second debate from virtual back to in-person, despite a request from President Donald Trump’s team.
Frank Fahrenkopf told The Associated Press late Thursday that the nonpartisan group’s decision was not going to be reversed. That means the second debate is probably not going to happen at all.Frank Fahrenkopf told The Associated Press late Thursday that the nonpartisan group’s decision was not going to be reversed. That means the second debate is probably not going to happen at all.
The commission decided to make the Oct. 15 debate virtual after Trump tested positive for the coronavirus. Fahrenkopf says that the group wanted to “protect the health and safety of all involved” and that the decision was guided by the advice of the Cleveland Clinic, its heath partner for the 2020 debates.The commission decided to make the Oct. 15 debate virtual after Trump tested positive for the coronavirus. Fahrenkopf says that the group wanted to “protect the health and safety of all involved” and that the decision was guided by the advice of the Cleveland Clinic, its heath partner for the 2020 debates.
Trump’s doctor, Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, said in a letter Thursday evening that Trump would be cleared to resume public activities Saturday, 10 days after his diagnosis.Trump’s doctor, Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, said in a letter Thursday evening that Trump would be cleared to resume public activities Saturday, 10 days after his diagnosis.
Earlier Thursday, Trump balked at the virtual event and said he wouldn’t participate. Biden’s campaign then said Biden would participate in a town hall hosted by ABC News on 15 October instead.Earlier Thursday, Trump balked at the virtual event and said he wouldn’t participate. Biden’s campaign then said Biden would participate in a town hall hosted by ABC News on 15 October instead.
The chair of the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates has told The Associated Press that the final debate, scheduled for 22 October, is still slated to go on with both candidates present as planned.The chair of the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates has told The Associated Press that the final debate, scheduled for 22 October, is still slated to go on with both candidates present as planned.
But next Thursday’s debate seemed to be gone, after the Trump team objected to the commission’s format change.But next Thursday’s debate seemed to be gone, after the Trump team objected to the commission’s format change.
Trump had to stop speaking for a moment because he was hoarse:Trump had to stop speaking for a moment because he was hoarse:
Trump has so far repeatedly avoided the question of whether he had been tested since he tested positive.Trump has so far repeatedly avoided the question of whether he had been tested since he tested positive.
Hannity: Have you been tested recently?Hannity: Have you been tested recently?
Trump: Yeah I just saw the doctors today they think I’m in great shapeTrump: Yeah I just saw the doctors today they think I’m in great shape
Hannity: Did you test negative?Hannity: Did you test negative?
Trump: And I’ll tell you I took this Regeneron and it’s phenomenal.Trump: And I’ll tell you I took this Regeneron and it’s phenomenal.
Here is the audio of Trump on Hannity.Here is the audio of Trump on Hannity.
“I think I’m going to try doing a rally on Saturday night, if we have enough time to put it together,” he says.“I think I’m going to try doing a rally on Saturday night, if we have enough time to put it together,” he says.
Asked whether he’s had a test since testing positive last week, Trump said, “Well what we’re doing is probably the test will be tomorrow. The actual test, because there’s no reason to test all the time.”Asked whether he’s had a test since testing positive last week, Trump said, “Well what we’re doing is probably the test will be tomorrow. The actual test, because there’s no reason to test all the time.”
So, if Trump is telling the truth (and this is a big if) it sounds like nobody is able to confirm whether Trump has tested negative for coronavirus because he has not been tested – rather than that he has tested positive, which would be bizarre.So, if Trump is telling the truth (and this is a big if) it sounds like nobody is able to confirm whether Trump has tested negative for coronavirus because he has not been tested – rather than that he has tested positive, which would be bizarre.
Trump has told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he wants to hold a rally on Florida or Pennsylvania on Saturday and has “conceded”, CNN reports, that he has not been tested again for coronavirus.Trump has told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he wants to hold a rally on Florida or Pennsylvania on Saturday and has “conceded”, CNN reports, that he has not been tested again for coronavirus.
Democrats in the US Congress have announced a plan to create a commission to review whether Donald Trump is capable of carrying out his presidential duties or should face removal from office.Democrats in the US Congress have announced a plan to create a commission to review whether Donald Trump is capable of carrying out his presidential duties or should face removal from office.
The office of the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, announced a Friday press conference about the bill after she expressed concern that Trump, who is under treatment for coronavirus at the White House, is suffering a “disassociation from reality”.The office of the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, announced a Friday press conference about the bill after she expressed concern that Trump, who is under treatment for coronavirus at the White House, is suffering a “disassociation from reality”.
The president has unleashed a barrage of erratic and self-contradictory tweets and declarations in recent days that have left staff scrambling and raised concerns over his stability.The president has unleashed a barrage of erratic and self-contradictory tweets and declarations in recent days that have left staff scrambling and raised concerns over his stability.
Pelosi, who is negotiating a Covid-19 economic stimulus plan, responded at her weekly press conference: “The plan isn’t for the president to say that he’s a perfect physical specimen. Specimen, maybe I can agree with that ... And young, he said he was young.”Pelosi, who is negotiating a Covid-19 economic stimulus plan, responded at her weekly press conference: “The plan isn’t for the president to say that he’s a perfect physical specimen. Specimen, maybe I can agree with that ... And young, he said he was young.”
Trump “is, shall we say, in an altered state right now” and “the disassociation from reality would be funny if it weren’t so deadly,” the 80-year-old speaker added while wearing a mask.Trump “is, shall we say, in an altered state right now” and “the disassociation from reality would be funny if it weren’t so deadly,” the 80-year-old speaker added while wearing a mask.
Trump reacted angrily to Pelosi’s manoeuvre, tweeting: “Crazy Nancy is the one who should be under observation. They don’t call her Crazy for nothing!”Trump reacted angrily to Pelosi’s manoeuvre, tweeting: “Crazy Nancy is the one who should be under observation. They don’t call her Crazy for nothing!”