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Coronavirus live news: global death toll passes milestone as Emirates cancels Australian flights Coronavirus live news: global death toll passes milestone as Emirates cancels Australian flights
(32 minutes later)
Death toll reaches 2 million people; UK shuts travel corridors and requires negative tests to enter; German vaccine officials forced to guess who is eligible from namesDeath toll reaches 2 million people; UK shuts travel corridors and requires negative tests to enter; German vaccine officials forced to guess who is eligible from names
That’s all from me today. I leave you in the very capable hands of Matilda Boseley.
The 14 travellers who have been in quarantine in Tasmania after having been at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Brisbane will be released today, the government has announced.
Tasmania’s deputy state controller Scott Tilyard said on Saturday the decision was made after Queensland Health authorities declared the cluster over with no further cases of Covid-19 found after testing of all close contacts.
However, Tilyard said the greater Brisbane area remained “a high risk area”. People from those areas currently in quarantine would need to remain in quarantine.
Mexican tennis player Santiago González, one of the players on board the Australian Open charter flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne that has had two passengers test positive for Covid-19, has posted his own negative result on social media. Via my colleague Matilda Boseley:Mexican tennis player Santiago González, one of the players on board the Australian Open charter flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne that has had two passengers test positive for Covid-19, has posted his own negative result on social media. Via my colleague Matilda Boseley:
Western Australia has recorded two new cases of Covid-19, but both are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.Western Australia has recorded two new cases of Covid-19, but both are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.
The two cases – both men in their 40s – bring the state’s total number of cases to 886.The two cases – both men in their 40s – bring the state’s total number of cases to 886.
WA Health says there are 15 active cases of the virus in the state.WA Health says there are 15 active cases of the virus in the state.
Australia’s acting foreign minister, Simon Birmingham, has announced the federal government will schedule another 20 repatriation flights to bring stranded Australians home.Australia’s acting foreign minister, Simon Birmingham, has announced the federal government will schedule another 20 repatriation flights to bring stranded Australians home.
It follows the national cabinet’s decision to reduce the cap on international arrivals via commercial flights by about 50% until mid-February, and an announcement from Emirates overnight that all flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane would be suspended until further notice.It follows the national cabinet’s decision to reduce the cap on international arrivals via commercial flights by about 50% until mid-February, and an announcement from Emirates overnight that all flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane would be suspended until further notice.
At a press conference Birmingham said flights from “priority areas” around the world would be organised by the commonwealth “over and above” the existing cap on arrivals.At a press conference Birmingham said flights from “priority areas” around the world would be organised by the commonwealth “over and above” the existing cap on arrivals.
Travellers will be required to quarantine at the Howard Springs facility in the Northern Territory, as well as in Canberra and Tasmania.Travellers will be required to quarantine at the Howard Springs facility in the Northern Territory, as well as in Canberra and Tasmania.
“These flights will fly from priority areas from around the world, making sure that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade off of their intelligence and knowledge of where Australians most need assistance, target those flights,” he said.“These flights will fly from priority areas from around the world, making sure that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade off of their intelligence and knowledge of where Australians most need assistance, target those flights,” he said.
Birmingham also said the absence of Emirates would not hinder the availability of flights and the newly arranged flights would be on top of the current traveller caps.Birmingham also said the absence of Emirates would not hinder the availability of flights and the newly arranged flights would be on top of the current traveller caps.
“The capacity that Emirates was able to use within the cap will be allocated to other airlines ensuring that there are still as many tickets into Australia after Emirates’ decision as there would have been beforehand,” he said.“The capacity that Emirates was able to use within the cap will be allocated to other airlines ensuring that there are still as many tickets into Australia after Emirates’ decision as there would have been beforehand,” he said.
“There are other carriers here or elsewhere who will be able to bring Australians home using the seats that Emirates would have been able to fill previously.”“There are other carriers here or elsewhere who will be able to bring Australians home using the seats that Emirates would have been able to fill previously.”
The Victorian government has confirmed two people tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Melbourne on an Australian Open charter flight from Los Angeles on Friday morning.The Victorian government has confirmed two people tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Melbourne on an Australian Open charter flight from Los Angeles on Friday morning.
In a statement, a spokesman for Covid-19 Quarantine Victoria said a member of the flight crew and a non-playing Open participant had both returned positive tests. The passenger had returned a negative test before departing from the US.In a statement, a spokesman for Covid-19 Quarantine Victoria said a member of the flight crew and a non-playing Open participant had both returned positive tests. The passenger had returned a negative test before departing from the US.
The spokesman said all remaining 66 passengers on the flight have been classed as close contacts and will not be able to leave quarantine to attend training. They said that there were currently “no other known positive tests from this flight, but routine testing will continue for passengers”.The spokesman said all remaining 66 passengers on the flight have been classed as close contacts and will not be able to leave quarantine to attend training. They said that there were currently “no other known positive tests from this flight, but routine testing will continue for passengers”.
The Queensland chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, has confirmed that some of those people linked to the Hotel Grand Chancellor cluster that emerged in Brisbane a fortnight ago will have to remain in quarantine.The Queensland chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, has confirmed that some of those people linked to the Hotel Grand Chancellor cluster that emerged in Brisbane a fortnight ago will have to remain in quarantine.
While a number of guests and staff will be released from quarantine at 6pm this evening, Young said only those “who I believe are no longer an infection risk to the community” would be allowed to re-enter the community.While a number of guests and staff will be released from quarantine at 6pm this evening, Young said only those “who I believe are no longer an infection risk to the community” would be allowed to re-enter the community.
Queensland Health said in a statement that the following groups would be released from hotel or home quarantine at 6pm today:Queensland Health said in a statement that the following groups would be released from hotel or home quarantine at 6pm today:
All staff engaged at Hotel Grand Chancellor since 30 December 2020, including hotel workers, Queensland police officers, Australian Defence Force officers, Queensland Health staff, pathology staff and other workers.All staff engaged at Hotel Grand Chancellor since 30 December 2020, including hotel workers, Queensland police officers, Australian Defence Force officers, Queensland Health staff, pathology staff and other workers.
Quarantined guests released from the Hotel Grand Chancellor since 30 December 2020 after completing 14 days of mandatory quarantine.Quarantined guests released from the Hotel Grand Chancellor since 30 December 2020 after completing 14 days of mandatory quarantine.
Quarantined guests transferred from the Hotel Grand Chancellor and remain at The Westin, where they have completed their 14 days of mandatory quarantine.Quarantined guests transferred from the Hotel Grand Chancellor and remain at The Westin, where they have completed their 14 days of mandatory quarantine.
The guests and staff are required to meet a set of conditions before they are released, including completing their individual quarantine requirements, evidence of negative Covid-19 tests, being free of Covid-19 symptoms, and providing up-to-date contact details.The guests and staff are required to meet a set of conditions before they are released, including completing their individual quarantine requirements, evidence of negative Covid-19 tests, being free of Covid-19 symptoms, and providing up-to-date contact details.
Iceland has genetically sequenced all its positive Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, an increasingly vital practice as worrying new strains emerge from Britain and South Africa, AFP reports.Iceland has genetically sequenced all its positive Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, an increasingly vital practice as worrying new strains emerge from Britain and South Africa, AFP reports.
The World Health Organization on Friday urged all countries to ramp up genome sequencing to help combat the emerging variants.The World Health Organization on Friday urged all countries to ramp up genome sequencing to help combat the emerging variants.
Scientists at the Icelandic biopharma group deCODE Genetics’ laboratory in Reykjavik have worked relentlessly for the past 10 months, analysing each positive coronavirus test in Iceland at the request of the country’s health authorities.Scientists at the Icelandic biopharma group deCODE Genetics’ laboratory in Reykjavik have worked relentlessly for the past 10 months, analysing each positive coronavirus test in Iceland at the request of the country’s health authorities.
The aim is to trace every case in order to prevent problematic ones from slipping through the net.The aim is to trace every case in order to prevent problematic ones from slipping through the net.
“It takes us relatively short time to do the actual sequencing,” explains the head of the lab, Olafur Thor Magnusson, adding that “about three hours” is all that is needed to determine the virus strain.“It takes us relatively short time to do the actual sequencing,” explains the head of the lab, Olafur Thor Magnusson, adding that “about three hours” is all that is needed to determine the virus strain.
The entire process, from isolating the DNA to sequencing it, can take up to a day and a half, and has enabled Iceland to identify 463 separate variants – which scientists call haplotypes.The entire process, from isolating the DNA to sequencing it, can take up to a day and a half, and has enabled Iceland to identify 463 separate variants – which scientists call haplotypes.
Prior to sequencing, the DNA of each sample is first isolated, then purified using magnetic beads.Prior to sequencing, the DNA of each sample is first isolated, then purified using magnetic beads.
The samples are then taken to a massive, bright room full of equipment, where a deafening sound emanates from small machines resembling scanners.The samples are then taken to a massive, bright room full of equipment, where a deafening sound emanates from small machines resembling scanners.
The machines are gene sequencers, which map the novel coronavirus genome.The machines are gene sequencers, which map the novel coronavirus genome.
In a twist that, well, many people could see coming, the Australian Open is now facing massive complications after two people on the charter flight QR7493 from Los Angeles tested positive to Covid-19 on arrival in Melbourne.In a twist that, well, many people could see coming, the Australian Open is now facing massive complications after two people on the charter flight QR7493 from Los Angeles tested positive to Covid-19 on arrival in Melbourne.
In an email posted on social media by Mexican world number 155 Santiago González, which appears to be sent by Tennis Australia, the players on the flight are instructed that they must isolate in their rooms for two weeks with no ability to train in the vital days leading up to the competition.In an email posted on social media by Mexican world number 155 Santiago González, which appears to be sent by Tennis Australia, the players on the flight are instructed that they must isolate in their rooms for two weeks with no ability to train in the vital days leading up to the competition.
Former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, as well as American Sloane Stephens and Japanese player Kei Nishikori were reportedly also on board this flight.Former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, as well as American Sloane Stephens and Japanese player Kei Nishikori were reportedly also on board this flight.
The flight with the two positive cases was the same one that US player Tennys Sandgren tweeted he had been allowed to board despite returning a positive test.The flight with the two positive cases was the same one that US player Tennys Sandgren tweeted he had been allowed to board despite returning a positive test.
It was later clarified Sandgren had contracted the virus in November, and was not considered to be a risk of transmitting the virus. At the time a spokesman for the Victorian quarantine program said it was common among people who had tested positive and then recovered to “shed viral fragments for some time”, which could “trigger another positive result”.It was later clarified Sandgren had contracted the virus in November, and was not considered to be a risk of transmitting the virus. At the time a spokesman for the Victorian quarantine program said it was common among people who had tested positive and then recovered to “shed viral fragments for some time”, which could “trigger another positive result”.
There is no suggestion Sandgren is one of the positive cases on board, though Guardian Australia is seeking additional information from the Victorian health department.There is no suggestion Sandgren is one of the positive cases on board, though Guardian Australia is seeking additional information from the Victorian health department.
Australia’s shadow foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has accused the federal government of abandoning the roughly 40,000 Australians still stranded overseas after airline Emirates announced late on Friday it was cancelling flights to cities on the east coast.Australia’s shadow foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has accused the federal government of abandoning the roughly 40,000 Australians still stranded overseas after airline Emirates announced late on Friday it was cancelling flights to cities on the east coast.
Labor has been critical of the government’s decision to leave hotel quarantine up to the states, and on Saturday Wong said the prime minister, Scott Morrison, had “refused to take responsibility”.Labor has been critical of the government’s decision to leave hotel quarantine up to the states, and on Saturday Wong said the prime minister, Scott Morrison, had “refused to take responsibility”.
“It is his responsibility, but he has refused to take responsibility. He has left it to the states and now we have 40,000 Australians stranded overseas,” she said.“It is his responsibility, but he has refused to take responsibility. He has left it to the states and now we have 40,000 Australians stranded overseas,” she said.
“A safe national quarantine system would protect Australians here in Australia and would enable Australians who are stranded to come home. None of this is good enough. None of this is good enough because we have a prime minister who has walked away from his responsibility.”“A safe national quarantine system would protect Australians here in Australia and would enable Australians who are stranded to come home. None of this is good enough. None of this is good enough because we have a prime minister who has walked away from his responsibility.”
Mexican world number 155 Santiago González has revealed he was one of the tennis players on board a charter plane from Los Angeles that has since had two people return positive Covid-19 tests. The flight landed in Melbourne on Friday morning.Mexican world number 155 Santiago González has revealed he was one of the tennis players on board a charter plane from Los Angeles that has since had two people return positive Covid-19 tests. The flight landed in Melbourne on Friday morning.
It means González – and any other player who was on board – will be confined to their rooms and unable to train for the two-week quarantine.It means González – and any other player who was on board – will be confined to their rooms and unable to train for the two-week quarantine.
My colleague Matilda Boseley has contacted Tennis Australia for comment.My colleague Matilda Boseley has contacted Tennis Australia for comment.
Mexico reported 21,366 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 1,106 more fatalities on Friday, according to the health ministry, bringing its total to 1,609,735 infections and 139,022 deaths.
Reuters reports the real number of infected people and deaths is likely significantly higher than the official count, the ministry has said, because of a lack of widespread testing.
The New York Times sports reporter Karen Crouse has tweeted that two people who arrived from the US for the Australian Open have tested positive for Covid-19 while in mandatory quarantine.
I’ll try to get some more details.
Here’s our story on a grim landmark. The world has now passed 2m deaths from Covid-19.
“Our world has reached a heart-wrenching milestone,” United Nations chief António Guterres announced on Friday.
“Behind this staggering number are names and faces: the smile now only a memory, the seat forever empty at the dinner table, the room that echoes with the silence of a loved one.”
Guterres used the landmark to push for greater global solidarity to fund vaccination efforts.
New South Wales recorded one new case of coronavirus to 8pm last night, the state’s health department has announced.
The case is a man from western Sydney, and was locally acquired. Investigations into the source of the infection are under way, but health officials believe the case is linked to the Berala BWS cluster.
NSW had recorded two consecutive days with no new cases of community transmission of the virus.
There were also 11 cases recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,868.
There were 14,547 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 16,070.
The World Health Organisation has called for a worldwide acceleration in vaccine rollouts - as well as a ramp-up in efforts to study the sequencing of the virus, in order to tackle troubling new strains emerging around the world.
“I want to see vaccination under way in every country in the next 100 days so that health workers and those at high risk are protected first,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference in Geneva on Friday.
His call came as infections snowballed, with 724,000 new cases recorded on average per day globally over the past week, according to AFP - a record 10 percent increase on a week earlier.
While countries from Spain to Lebanon have announced record caseloads, the surge has been most marked in Latin America and the Caribbean, where confirmed cases leapt 26 percent this week.
US President-elect Joe Biden said Friday he would harness the full strength of the federal government in a vaccine blitz: creating thousands of immunization sites, deploying mobile clinics and expanding the public health workforce.
“You have my word: we will manage the hell out of this operation,” said Biden, five days before he assumes leadership of the world’s hardest-hit country, where the death toll is approaching 400,000.
And that’s it from Victoria.
Andrews defended the decision to push ahead with the Australian Open, despite criticism that the 1,200 players and staff who have been allowed to enter hotel quarantine in the state is occurring while thousands of Australians remain stranded overseas.
Andrews won’t confirm the 15 February date reported by the Age newspaper this morning for the beginning of the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine.
He confirms he will be getting the vaccine.
Victoria’s decision to begin allowing entry to residents stranded in other states will be welcome news for the thousands who have been stuck in NSW and Queensland for more than two weeks.
But Andrews flags that anyone travelling to those states should be aware that “circumstances can change and they can change rapidly”.
The five Brisbane local government areas which will switch from a red to orange zone at 6pm tonight are:
Brisbane
Moreton Bay
Logan
Ipswich
Redlands