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Coronavirus live news: senior PLO figure hospitalised; Swiss prepare for more restrictions Coronavirus live news: senior PLO figure hospitalised; Swiss prepare for more restrictions
(32 minutes later)
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat in hospital; Switzerland to introduce more measures on Monday; nine French cities face month of restrictions – follow liveChief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat in hospital; Switzerland to introduce more measures on Monday; nine French cities face month of restrictions – follow live
Europe has passed the grim milestone of 250,000 coronavirus deaths, according to an AFP tally based on official sources.
A total of 250,030 deaths have now been recorded out of 7,366,028 registered cases in Europe. The five worst-hit countries make up more than two-thirds of the deaths.
UK: 43,646 deaths
Italy: 36,543 deaths
Spain: 33,775 deaths
France: 33,392 deaths
Russia: 24,187 deaths
It comes as Europe experiences a surge in cases, with a third of all new infections worldwide currently being detected in western European countries. Europe is recording more new cases than India, Brazil and the US combined.
To get to speed with the latest on the global race for a coronavirus vaccine, check out the Guardian’s tracker. There are more than 170 candidates being tracked by the WHO, who have said mass vaccinations are unlikely before mid-2021.
Intranasal Covid-19 vaccine candidates by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech are expected to enter late stage clinical trials in the next few months once they are granted regulatory approval, India’s health minister has said.Intranasal Covid-19 vaccine candidates by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech are expected to enter late stage clinical trials in the next few months once they are granted regulatory approval, India’s health minister has said.
So far, all the vaccines in Phase 3 trials are administered by injection, according to the World Health Organization.So far, all the vaccines in Phase 3 trials are administered by injection, according to the World Health Organization.
Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said the late stage trial generally involves thousands of participants, sometimes 30,000 to 40,000.Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said the late stage trial generally involves thousands of participants, sometimes 30,000 to 40,000.
On Saturday, India’s Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd and the Russian Direct Investment Fund said they have received renewed approval to conduct late-stage clinical trials in India of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine.On Saturday, India’s Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd and the Russian Direct Investment Fund said they have received renewed approval to conduct late-stage clinical trials in India of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine.
India’s coronavirus infections rose by another 61,871 over the past 24 hours, data released on Sunday showed, although the health ministry said it is seeing a trend of steadily declining active cases.India’s coronavirus infections rose by another 61,871 over the past 24 hours, data released on Sunday showed, although the health ministry said it is seeing a trend of steadily declining active cases.
Italy reported 11,705 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, the health ministry has said, up from the previous record of 10,925 posted on Saturday.The ministry said there were also 69 Covid-related deaths, up from 47 the day before – far fewer than at the height of the pandemic in Italy in March and April, when daily fatalities peaked at more than 900.Italy reported 11,705 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, the health ministry has said, up from the previous record of 10,925 posted on Saturday.The ministry said there were also 69 Covid-related deaths, up from 47 the day before – far fewer than at the height of the pandemic in Italy in March and April, when daily fatalities peaked at more than 900.
Hello, Clea Skopeliti taking over the blog now – you can DM me on Twitter @cleaskopeliti with any updates from your part of the world, or drop me an email instead. Thanks in advance.Hello, Clea Skopeliti taking over the blog now – you can DM me on Twitter @cleaskopeliti with any updates from your part of the world, or drop me an email instead. Thanks in advance.
There have been a further 16,982 lab-confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK, according to government data. This compares to 16,171 new cases registered on Saturday.There have been a further 16,982 lab-confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK, according to government data. This compares to 16,171 new cases registered on Saturday.
A total of 722,409 people have tested positive.A total of 722,409 people have tested positive.
A further 67 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported on Sunday, bringing the total to 43,646. There were 150 on Saturday.A further 67 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported on Sunday, bringing the total to 43,646. There were 150 on Saturday.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 58,500 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 58,500 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
It is important to note that Sunday figures are often lower due to delays in reporting over the weekend.It is important to note that Sunday figures are often lower due to delays in reporting over the weekend.
The Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has admitted he made a “wrong assessment” by failing to stop the king going on holiday to Greece during a partial lockdown.The Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has admitted he made a “wrong assessment” by failing to stop the king going on holiday to Greece during a partial lockdown.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima cut short their holiday on Saturday – one day after they flew to Greece – saying they had taken on board the “intense” public reaction. in a letter to parliament on Sunday that followed criticism of his role, Rutte said:King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima cut short their holiday on Saturday – one day after they flew to Greece – saying they had taken on board the “intense” public reaction. in a letter to parliament on Sunday that followed criticism of his role, Rutte said:
Rutte said the king’s private journeys were covered by privacy rules so long as the public interest is taken into account, but admitted it was his responsibility to raise the matter with the monarch.Rutte said the king’s private journeys were covered by privacy rules so long as the public interest is taken into account, but admitted it was his responsibility to raise the matter with the monarch.
The Dutch government ordered the closure of all bars, restaurants and cannabis coffee shops for around four weeks under what Rutte called a “partial lockdown”.The Dutch government ordered the closure of all bars, restaurants and cannabis coffee shops for around four weeks under what Rutte called a “partial lockdown”.
Mezmin Malida’s neighbours have been wondering what she’s up to for a while now. Seven days a week, several times a day, they see her load up every crevice of a BMW with mysterious bin liners and boxes until the pile looks like it might topple into the driver’s seat, and then head off into Leicester and return a few hours later having got rid of the lot. Also, they ask themselves, why do the police keep coming round?Mezmin Malida’s neighbours have been wondering what she’s up to for a while now. Seven days a week, several times a day, they see her load up every crevice of a BMW with mysterious bin liners and boxes until the pile looks like it might topple into the driver’s seat, and then head off into Leicester and return a few hours later having got rid of the lot. Also, they ask themselves, why do the police keep coming round?
There’s nothing for them to worry about. Malida, 39, is a trustee of Rosemina’s Outreach Project, and a one-woman Deliveroo for Leicester’s most vulnerable people as they wait out a crisis that feels like it will never end. (She also does community support work with the police, which explains the visits.)There’s nothing for them to worry about. Malida, 39, is a trustee of Rosemina’s Outreach Project, and a one-woman Deliveroo for Leicester’s most vulnerable people as they wait out a crisis that feels like it will never end. (She also does community support work with the police, which explains the visits.)
When the city became the first in the country to be forced into a second lockdown, she coordinated a network of volunteers ferrying supplies to the shielding and the homeless, often topping up donations by adding £20 or £30 in biscuits or nappies or shower gel to her family shop. Months later, most of her team have gone back to their jobs but Malida is still going, supporting about 120 people a week.When the city became the first in the country to be forced into a second lockdown, she coordinated a network of volunteers ferrying supplies to the shielding and the homeless, often topping up donations by adding £20 or £30 in biscuits or nappies or shower gel to her family shop. Months later, most of her team have gone back to their jobs but Malida is still going, supporting about 120 people a week.
The Czech Republic, which has the highest infection rate in Europe, will wait at least two weeks before deciding whether to order a full lockdown to stem its epidemic, its deputy prime minister Karel Havlíček has said.The Czech Republic, which has the highest infection rate in Europe, will wait at least two weeks before deciding whether to order a full lockdown to stem its epidemic, its deputy prime minister Karel Havlíček has said.
In the past week, bars and restaurants have been ordered to close except for takeaway orders, and schools have been shifted to distance learning. Sport and fitness clubs, theatres and cinemas had already been shut, but shops have remained open.In the past week, bars and restaurants have been ordered to close except for takeaway orders, and schools have been shifted to distance learning. Sport and fitness clubs, theatres and cinemas had already been shut, but shops have remained open.
On Saturday, the Czech Republic reported 8,713 new cases; its largest daily total at a weekend. And the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said it had registered 828 cases per 100,000 population in the last two weeks; more than 10 times the rate in neighbouring Germany. Havlíček said:On Saturday, the Czech Republic reported 8,713 new cases; its largest daily total at a weekend. And the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said it had registered 828 cases per 100,000 population in the last two weeks; more than 10 times the rate in neighbouring Germany. Havlíček said:
Bulgaria will not need to impose a full lockdown to contain the second wave if it follows protective measures, the International Monetary Fund’s managing director Kristalina Georgieva has said.Bulgaria will not need to impose a full lockdown to contain the second wave if it follows protective measures, the International Monetary Fund’s managing director Kristalina Georgieva has said.
A further 61 people who tested positive have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 30,971, NHS England has said.
The patients were aged between 54 and 96 years. All but four patients, aged 56 to 92, had known underlying health conditions. The deaths occurred between 4 and 17 October. Four other deaths were reported with no positive test result.
In Wales, a further 950 cases have been diagnosed, bringing the total to 35,628. Public Health Wales said three further deaths had been reported, with the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic rising to 1,711.
Differences remain with President Donald Trump’s administration on a wide-ranging relief package, including language on testing provisions that affect minority populations, the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said. She told ABC’s This Week:
The mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has written to political leaders in Westminster urging them to help secure a “fair financial framework” for local lockdowns.
He told the UK’s prime minister Boris Johnson, Labour’s Keir Starmer and other party leaders this is “not just a Greater Manchester issue” as he called for a consistent new package for tier 3 restrictions.
Backed by Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram, he called for a “full and fair furlough scheme” covering 80% of wages or at least the national minimum wage, support for the self-employed and improved compensation for businesses.
Erekat has been one of the most high-profile faces of the Palestinian leadership since the early 1990s. He is a senior adviser to the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and also worked for Abbas’ predecessor Yasser Arafat.
When Erekat announced he had contracted Covid-19 more than a week ago, he said he was experiencing “difficult symptoms resulting from my lack of immunity as a result of lung transplantation”. The 65-year-old underwent a lung transplant in the United States in 2017 and has since been in poor health. However, he said at the time that “things are under control, thank God”.
Hanan Ashrawi, another senior PLO figure, announced last week she had also been infected.
Switzerland is stepping up its measures to tackle Covid-19, with new restrictions coming into force tomorrow.
From Monday, gatherings of more than 15 people in public places will be banned while masks must be worn in all indoor public places, including cinemas, shop and churches. Masks will also be mandatory at locations including train stations and airports in addition to being a requirement on public transport. Home working is now recommended, while customers will have to be seated to be served in restaurants and bars.
The restrictions come as the Swiss government takes stock of a rapid rise in cases – current figures reveal that 1,823 people have died in Switzerland so far, while daily reported new infections are up by 150% compared with the past week. On Friday, alone there were 3,105 new infections recorded. The government said:
A senior figure in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has been taken to hospital with coronavirus, it has emerged. According to Reuters, witnesses said the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has been taken to hospital from this home in the occupied West Bank by an Israeli ambulance.
Erekat tested positive on 8 October: his Twitter account has since been full of posts thanking officials for their well wishes. However, it now seems his condition has taken a turn for the worse. The PLO’s Negotiations Affairs Department said:
It seems the pandemic is causing some businesses to come up with inventive new ways to keep going: the Michelin-starred Hungarian restaurant Costes has been selling tickets for dinner on the Budapest Eye ferris wheel.
Apparently, the tickets cost 48,000 forints (almost £120) each for a four-course meal and rapidly sold out.
“Now that there are not many people either on the wheel or in the restaurant because there are no tourists, the opportunity arose that we could do this,” said Costes owner Karoly Gerendai.
Ireland is set to experience new Covid restrictions, although will not face a full lockdown as seen in the spring, it has been confirmed.
The higher education minister Simon Harris, who is the former minister for health, has said the new measures will be unveiled on Monday. He told national broadcaster RTÉ on the Week in Politics:
Hi everyone, Nicola Davis here while Kevin takes a well-deserved break. You can reach me on Twitter where I am NicolaKSDavis.
Here’s a summary of the most recent developments:
Globally, there have been 39.7m confirmed cases of Covid-19, and 1.1m deaths. The US has nearly 8.1m confirmed cases, followed by India 7.4m, and Brazil 5.2m.
England will not go into a two or three-week “circuit-break” lockdown, a senior cabinet minister said. Michael Gove insisted the government was right to ignore its scientific advisers and pursue a plan they have said is insufficient to stop the spread if not enhanced.
It is not too late to introduce an effective national lockdown in England, a senior adviser said. Sir Jeremy Farrar said the worst thing to do would be to wait until November to act.
Europe is the emerging epicentre of the current wave: a third of all new cases worldwide are being detected in western European countries. Europe is recording more new cases than India, Brazil and the US combined.
Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the first time late on Friday, a record one-day increase as much of Europe enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak.
Italy had a record daily rise in cases of 10,925 and is considering toughening nationwide restrictions in response to the increase. The Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Malaysia also recorded their highest daily totals since the pandemic began.
The number of deaths in Iran from Covid-19 now exceeds 30,000, with the country’s health ministry saying the total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic was now 30,123.
A two week “circuit breaker” lockdown is expected to commence in Wales on 23 October that will see all but essential retail outlets close, according to a leaked letter.
Thailand has recorded its first locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 in more than a month.
The foreign ministers of Austria and Belgium have both tested positive for Covid-19.
New Zealand, which has twice eliminated the virus, reported its first local case for 22 days.
The French Collectivity of Wallis and Futuna in the South Pacific recorded its first case for the entire pandemic.
Saudi Arabia allowed its citizens and residents inside the kingdom to perform prayers in one of the most holy religious sites in Islam, Al-Haram mosque in Mecca, for the first time in seven months.