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Coronavirus live: global Covid cases reach new record for third day in a row, WHO reports Coronavirus live: global Covid cases reach new record for third day in a row, WHO reports
(32 minutes later)
Spain declares new national state of emergency; Dr Anthony Fauci tempers expectation of vaccine breakthrough in 2020Spain declares new national state of emergency; Dr Anthony Fauci tempers expectation of vaccine breakthrough in 2020
The Czech government will almost certainly have to tighten its anti-coronavirus measures again as current curbs have not halted a surge in infections, prime minister Andrej Babis said on Sunday.
Cases are up across Europe, but the Czech Republic has recorded the sharpest rises in infections on the continent in recent weeks, Reuters reports.
The government on Wednesday ordered most shops and services to close and sought to limit movement to essential trips only.
“The measures which we have taken, aren’t working yet,” Babis said in a video message on his Facebook page.
“The next week will be the key one, and unless a miracle happens, we won’t have any other choice than to tighten our measures further,” he said.
Babis said that he wanted Christmas to be celebrated as normal, but that he could not promise anything for now.
“I don’t know what will happen with the virus. I don’t know,” he said.
The total number of coronavirus-related deaths doubled to more than 2,000 over the last two weeks.
The Philippines’ coronavirus tally surpassed 370,000 on Sunday with 2,223 new confirmed infections, while the death toll edged nearer to the 7,000-mark.
The department of health said confirmed cases now stand at 370,028 in total, of which 35,015 or nine percent are active cases.
Of these currently ill patients, 82 percent experience mild symptoms, 11.3 percent have no symptoms, 2.4 percent are severe cases, while 4.2 percent are in critical condition, the latest report detailed.
The department clarified, however, that 16 laboratories were not able to submit their case reports on time and were not yet included in the latest count.
The Philippines is now joining countries such as the United States, the UK, France, Saudi Arabia and Finland in starting to train specialist sniffer dogs to identify Covid-19 carriers, CNN Philippines reports.
“Based on the study from other countries, the accuracy rate of Covid-19 detection dogs is 95 to 97 percent,” said Ryia Tabares, a representative of Universal K-9 Training and Services Inc, the company working to replicate the same efforts in the country.
His colleage Gerry Tabares said the company is currently training at least 12 dogs to detect the virus by sniffing.
Gerry said while such a task isn’t limited to certain kinds of dogs, their students are of the Belgian Malinois, Labrador, and German Shepherd breeds.
“Those are the current breeds that we are training right now. So far, we are successful,” Gerry said.
“As you can see in the demonstration, they can really detect the face masks of Covid-19 infected patients.”
The UK recorded 19,790 new coronavirus infections and 151 deaths on Sunday, official data showed.The UK recorded 19,790 new coronavirus infections and 151 deaths on Sunday, official data showed.
New cases dipped from Saturday’s 23,012, and the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test was also down slightly from 174 the previous day.New cases dipped from Saturday’s 23,012, and the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test was also down slightly from 174 the previous day.
The Welsh government will review the “understanding, clarity and policy” of a ban on supermarkets selling non-essential items during Wales’ firebreak lockdown. The Welsh government will review the “understanding, clarity and policy” of a ban on supermarkets selling non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown.
Health minister Vaughan Gething told The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that the restriction, which has seen aisles cordoned off and plastic sheeting placed over products, had been applied differently in stores across Wales.Health minister Vaughan Gething told The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that the restriction, which has seen aisles cordoned off and plastic sheeting placed over products, had been applied differently in stores across Wales.
Guidance previously published by the Welsh government said certain sections of supermarkets selling electrical goods, clothes, toys and games, garden products and dedicated sections for homewares, among others products, must be “cordoned off or emptied, and closed to the public” during the lockdown.Guidance previously published by the Welsh government said certain sections of supermarkets selling electrical goods, clothes, toys and games, garden products and dedicated sections for homewares, among others products, must be “cordoned off or emptied, and closed to the public” during the lockdown.
More than 50,000 people have signed a petition submitted to the Welsh Parliament calling for the ban to be immediately reversed. Supermarkets have been told they must only sell essential items to discourage people from spending more time than necessary in shops and be fair to retailers selling non-essential items only who had to shut shop.More than 50,000 people have signed a petition submitted to the Welsh Parliament calling for the ban to be immediately reversed. Supermarkets have been told they must only sell essential items to discourage people from spending more time than necessary in shops and be fair to retailers selling non-essential items only who had to shut shop.
The ban on selling non-essential items was announced in the Senedd on Thursday after Conservative MS Russell George said it was “unfair” to force independent clothing and hardware retailers to shut while similar goods were on sale in major supermarkets.The ban on selling non-essential items was announced in the Senedd on Thursday after Conservative MS Russell George said it was “unfair” to force independent clothing and hardware retailers to shut while similar goods were on sale in major supermarkets.
Gething told the BBC the Welsh government had worked with supermarkets on the ban and discussed which items were affected by it.Gething told the BBC the Welsh government had worked with supermarkets on the ban and discussed which items were affected by it.
“It’s also about reducing the opportunity for contacts. That’s what we’re really trying to do - we’re asking people to stay at home to stay lives, that really is right back where we are,” he said. “It’s also about reducing the opportunity for contacts. That’s what we’re really trying to do – we’re asking people to stay at home to stay lives, that really is right back where we are,” he said.
The Welsh Retail Consortium called for the ban to be “dropped quickly” and warned it could result in the “safe flow of customers” being undermined due to changes in store layouts, the PA reports.The Welsh Retail Consortium called for the ban to be “dropped quickly” and warned it could result in the “safe flow of customers” being undermined due to changes in store layouts, the PA reports.
Italy reported a new daily record of 21,273 coronavirus cases with 128 deaths, health ministry figures showed on Sunday, up from the 19,644 new infections reported on Saturday.Italy reported a new daily record of 21,273 coronavirus cases with 128 deaths, health ministry figures showed on Sunday, up from the 19,644 new infections reported on Saturday.
Earlier, prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced a package of new restrictions to combat the pandemic.Earlier, prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced a package of new restrictions to combat the pandemic.
Hello everyone, I’ll be bringing you the latest key developments in all things Covid-19 for the next few hours. As ever, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have relevant updates or comments to share, either via Twitter @JedySays or via email.Hello everyone, I’ll be bringing you the latest key developments in all things Covid-19 for the next few hours. As ever, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have relevant updates or comments to share, either via Twitter @JedySays or via email.
I won’t always be able to respond, but I read everything.I won’t always be able to respond, but I read everything.
That’s it from me this Sunday - my colleague Jedidajah Otte will take over shortly. Here’s a summary of events so far today:That’s it from me this Sunday - my colleague Jedidajah Otte will take over shortly. Here’s a summary of events so far today:
•The World Health Organization’s coronavirus dashboard showed a third consecutive daily record high in the number of new confirmed cases. Nearly half of Saturday’s new cases were registered in the WHO’s Europe region, which logged a one-day record high of 221,898 cases.•The World Health Organization’s coronavirus dashboard showed a third consecutive daily record high in the number of new confirmed cases. Nearly half of Saturday’s new cases were registered in the WHO’s Europe region, which logged a one-day record high of 221,898 cases.
•An official from China’s Xinjiang health commission said that 137 new asymptomatic cases have been detected in the region. All of the new cases were linked to a garment factory.•An official from China’s Xinjiang health commission said that 137 new asymptomatic cases have been detected in the region. All of the new cases were linked to a garment factory.
•The United States saw 83,718 new cases reported nationally on Saturday, nearly matching the reord 83,757 infections reported on Friday.•The United States saw 83,718 new cases reported nationally on Saturday, nearly matching the reord 83,757 infections reported on Friday.
•The prime minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte announced a raft of new restrictions and warned that the country’s escalating coronavirus infection rate was already having a worrying impact on hospitals.•The prime minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte announced a raft of new restrictions and warned that the country’s escalating coronavirus infection rate was already having a worrying impact on hospitals.
•Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has declared a new nationwide state of emergency in the hope of stemming a resurgence in coronavirus infections. He said: “The reality is that Europe and Spain are immersed in a second wave of the pandemic.”•Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has declared a new nationwide state of emergency in the hope of stemming a resurgence in coronavirus infections. He said: “The reality is that Europe and Spain are immersed in a second wave of the pandemic.”
•The number of new coronavirus cases in the Netherlands has risen by more than 10,000 in 24 hours, according to newly released official data.•The number of new coronavirus cases in the Netherlands has risen by more than 10,000 in 24 hours, according to newly released official data.
•The US’s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci told the BBC that he expected news on whether a vaccine is safe and effective by December, but noted that a wide rollout was unlikely “until the second or third quarter of [next] year”. He also acknowledged that Donald Trump’s public statements on several key issues had not “followed the science”.•The US’s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci told the BBC that he expected news on whether a vaccine is safe and effective by December, but noted that a wide rollout was unlikely “until the second or third quarter of [next] year”. He also acknowledged that Donald Trump’s public statements on several key issues had not “followed the science”.
•In Indonesia, the health ministry reported 3,732 new coronavirus infections, and 94 deaths, bringing the totals to 389,712 cases and 13,299 deaths – the highest totals in south-east Asia.•In Indonesia, the health ministry reported 3,732 new coronavirus infections, and 94 deaths, bringing the totals to 389,712 cases and 13,299 deaths – the highest totals in south-east Asia.
•In Hungary, there were 3,149 new cases of coronavirus reported on Sunday, the highest single-day tally and jumping above 3,000 for the first time.•In Hungary, there were 3,149 new cases of coronavirus reported on Sunday, the highest single-day tally and jumping above 3,000 for the first time.
•The Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas in the United States said it was “extremely disappointed” after the Trump administration pulled out of a deal offering the Christmas legends early access to a Covid-19 vaccine in exchange for promoting it.•The Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas in the United States said it was “extremely disappointed” after the Trump administration pulled out of a deal offering the Christmas legends early access to a Covid-19 vaccine in exchange for promoting it.
Earlier reports from Kashgar in the Chinese province of Xinjiang described flights being cancelled in and out of the region, with 15 new cases across the country and 405 asymptomatic patients under observation.Earlier reports from Kashgar in the Chinese province of Xinjiang described flights being cancelled in and out of the region, with 15 new cases across the country and 405 asymptomatic patients under observation.
Now an official from Xinjiang health commission has said that 137 new asymptomatic cases have been detected in the region.Now an official from Xinjiang health commission has said that 137 new asymptomatic cases have been detected in the region.
All of the new cases were linked to a garment factory. The parents of a 17-year-old girl who was found on Saturday to have the virus but showed no symptoms worked there, an official from Xinjiang health commission told a press briefing.All of the new cases were linked to a garment factory. The parents of a 17-year-old girl who was found on Saturday to have the virus but showed no symptoms worked there, an official from Xinjiang health commission told a press briefing.
Kashgar launched a testing programme on Saturday night covering the region’s 4.75 million people. As of Sunday afternoon, more than 2.84 million people had been tested and the rest would be covered by Tuesday, the city government said in a statement.Kashgar launched a testing programme on Saturday night covering the region’s 4.75 million people. As of Sunday afternoon, more than 2.84 million people had been tested and the rest would be covered by Tuesday, the city government said in a statement.
Four towns in the Kashgar region were identified as “high-risk” areas, according to a statement from Kashgar city authority on Sunday night, and stringent controls such as travel restrictions are expected.Four towns in the Kashgar region were identified as “high-risk” areas, according to a statement from Kashgar city authority on Sunday night, and stringent controls such as travel restrictions are expected.
1,104 new cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 42,681.1,104 new cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 42,681.
Public Health Wales said five further deaths had been reported, with the total rising to 1,777.Public Health Wales said five further deaths had been reported, with the total rising to 1,777.
The Welsh government has imposed a 17-day “firebreak” lockdown which started on Friday in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.The Welsh government has imposed a 17-day “firebreak” lockdown which started on Friday in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.
Bulgaria’s prime minister, Boiko Borisov, has become the latest political figure to test positive for the new coronavirus.Bulgaria’s prime minister, Boiko Borisov, has become the latest political figure to test positive for the new coronavirus.
“After two PCR tests from today I am positive for Covid-19,” he said on his Facebook page, adding that he had mild symptoms and would quarantine at home.“After two PCR tests from today I am positive for Covid-19,” he said on his Facebook page, adding that he had mild symptoms and would quarantine at home.
Borisov, 61, self-isolated on Friday evening when a deputy minister of regional development he had been in contact with five days before tested positive for the virus.Borisov, 61, self-isolated on Friday evening when a deputy minister of regional development he had been in contact with five days before tested positive for the virus.
Bulgaria, a country of under 7 million people, weathered the first wave of the coronavirus relatively well, but the number of cases and hospitalisations surged over the past weeks, reaching a total of over 37,500 cases and 1,084 deaths on Sunday.Bulgaria, a country of under 7 million people, weathered the first wave of the coronavirus relatively well, but the number of cases and hospitalisations surged over the past weeks, reaching a total of over 37,500 cases and 1,084 deaths on Sunday.
On Thursday, the government made masks mandatory in crowded outdoor spaces, in addition to all inside public areas and transport in a bid to curb the number of infections that threaten to break the country’s severely understaffed medical system.On Thursday, the government made masks mandatory in crowded outdoor spaces, in addition to all inside public areas and transport in a bid to curb the number of infections that threaten to break the country’s severely understaffed medical system.
The World Health Organization’s coronavirus dashboard on Sunday showed a third consecutive daily record high in the number of new confirmed cases.
AFP reports that the WHO’s complete figures for Saturday showed that 465,319 cases were confirmed to the UN health agency during the day, topping the 449,720 recorded on Friday and the 437,247 logged on Thursday.
The WHO has warned that some countries are on a “dangerous track”, with too many witnessing an exponential increase in cases.
According to the WHO’s figures, there have been more than 42.3 million confirmed cases of the respiratory disease, while nearly 1.15 million people have lost their lives, including 6,570 on Saturday.
Nearly half of Saturday’s new cases were registered in the WHO’s Europe region, which logged a one-day record high of 221,898 cases.
In total, more than 9m cases have now been registered in the region.
“We are at a critical juncture in this pandemic, particularly in the northern hemisphere,” WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday. “The next few months are going to be very tough and some countries are on a dangerous track.”
Qatar has signed an agreement with drugmaker Moderna Inc to buy its potential Covid-19 vaccine as soon as it is approved and released for global use, state news agency QNA reported on Sunday.
There are no internationally approved vaccines yet, but several are in advanced trials, including from Pfizer Inc , Johnson & Johnson and Moderna.
“Negotiating early and securing a number of agreements enhances our chances of getting sufficient quantities of the vaccine early,” Reuters quoted Abdullatif al-Khal, chair of a national Covid-19 health group, as saying.
He did not say how many doses Doha was requesting. Earlier this month, al-Khal said Qatar signed an agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech to supply Qatar with their vaccines.
Moderna said last month it was on track to produce 20m doses of its vaccine by the end of the year, while maintaining its goal of readying 500 million to 1 billion doses in 2021.
One of the more surprising headlines of the day comes from the Wall Street Journal in the United States: Health Agency Halts Coronavirus Ad Campaign, Leaving Santa Claus in the Cold.
The WSJ reports that the Trump administration offered Santa Claus performers a deal: if they agreed to promote a Covid-19 vaccine, they would get early access to it. The story says that performers playing Mrs Claus or elves would also have been included. But the plan has now been called off.
The article continues:
You can read more of this belter at the Wall Street Journal (although it’s behind a paywall).
Hospitals in the Swiss city of Geneva on Sunday issued a call for medically trained volunteers and recently retired staff to help tackle a record number of Coronavirus patients anticipated in the coming days.
AFP reported that Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) said the number of coronavirus patients was expected to be “far higher” than at the peak of the pandemic’s first wave in March.
According to the latest figures released Friday by the Swiss health ministry, 5,057 new cases of the respiratory disease were registered in Geneva over the previous 14 days - an incidence of 1,012.5 per 100,000 people.
Cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Switzerland have doubled from one week to the next throughout October.
The government is expected to decide Wednesday on new measures to control the spread of the virus.
“It is highly likely that the peak of 550 hospitalised Covid-positive patients that we recorded during the first wave will be greatly exceeded in the coming days,” said HUG director-general Bertrand Levrat.
“We anticipate that the number of beds and professionals needed to treat Covid and non-Covid patients will be far higher than what we experienced this spring.”
•This post was corrected at 3:25pm. A previous version said that Geneva is Switzerland’s capital.
Still in the UK, NHS chiefs have denied claims that thousands of frail, elderly people were denied potentially life-saving care at the peak of the pandemic, Denis Campbell reports:
You can read the story in full here:
In the UK, the Royal Mail has announced that around 33,000 temporary jobs will be available this year over the Christmas period - over 10,000 more than its usual seasonal average.
The postal service typically employs between 15,000 and 23,000 extra staff between October and January to help sort the additional Christmas volumes of parcels, cards and letters.
Royal Mail says that such a high number of workers is needed this year because of elevated parcel volumes due to an increase in online shopping caused by the coronavirus crisis.
The United States came close to setting a single-day record of coronavirus cases in the latest figures, having already done so 24 hours earlier.
Data published by Johns Hopkins University showed that 83,718 new cases were reported nationally on Saturday, nearly matching the 83,757 infections reported on Friday. Before that, the most cases reported in the US on a single day had been 77,362 on 16 July.
Read more on that story here:
In Italy, Conte also said that taking strict measures now would allow for a relaxation before Christmas. “We think that we will suffer a bit this month but by gritting our teeth with these restrictions, we’ll be able to breathe again in December,” he said.
Italy’s prime minister has now given his press conference (see earlier post) announcing new restrictive measures and warning that the country’s escalating coronavirus infection rate was already having a worrying impact on hospitals.
Giuseppe Conte’s government has ordered the closure of gyms and swimming pools, and while bars and restaurants can offer takeaway services they must stop in-house dining from 6pm. Cinemas and theatres will also close but museums will stay open.
There will be no ban on inter-regional travel, although people have been strongly advised not to leave their homes unless for work, health or education purposes. Up to 75% of high school teaching should be done online to limit the number of pupils in schools, according to the new decree.
“The latest epidemiological data cannot leave us indifferent,” Conte said. “The analysis indicates a rapid growth, with the stress on the national health system at worrying levels.”
Italy’s daily infection tally has increased five-fold since 8 October, rising by 19,644 on Saturday. There were 151 more fatalities on Saturday, bringing the total death toll to 37,210, the highest on mainland Europe.
Conte said the new measures were intended to avert the kind of tough lockdown the country experienced in the spring. “We need to do as much as possible to protect health and the economy … we know this is generating anger and inequality,” he said.
Still in Spain, Sánchez said that his government will use the state of emergency to impose an 11pm-6am nationwide curfew, except in the Canary Islands.
The prime minister says that Spain’s 19 regional leaders will have authority to set different hours for the curfew as long as they are stricter, close regional borders to travel and limit gatherings to six people who don’t live together.
“The reality is that Europe and Spain are immersed in a second wave of the pandemic,” Sánchez said after meeting with his Cabinet.
The leader added that he will seek the endorsement of the Parliament this week to extend the state of emergency for six months, until May.