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Coronavirus live news: Keir Starmer suggests he would back tougher measures; Japan's Covid second wave linked to rise in suicides Coronavirus live news: UK records 1,295 more deaths and a further 41,346 cases; Japan's Covid second wave linked to rise in suicides
(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
Italy reported 475 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, against 477 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 16,310 from 16,146.
Italy has registered 81,800 Covid-19 deaths since the virus was first detected in the country last February, making it the second-highest toll in Europe and the sixth-highest in the world.
The country has also reported 2.369 million cases to date, the health ministry said.
Italy is suspending flights from Brazil, health minister Roberto Speranza said on Saturday, in response to a new coronavirus strain.
Anyone who has transited Brazil in the last 14 days is also prohibited from entering Italy, he said on Facebook, while people arriving in Italy from Brazil will be required to take a test for the virus, Reuters reports.
“It is critical for our scientists to study the new strain. In the meantime, we are taking a very cautious approach”, he said.
The government of Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte is in trouble after former premier Matteo Renzi took his party out of the ruling coalition on Wednesday.
Renzi had previously threatened to quit the coalition, had criticised Conte’s plans for spending €200bn (£177bn) in EU coronavirus aid, and was reprotedly not a fan of Conte’s frequent use of decrees instead of turning to parliament since the pandemic started.
The UK government said a further 1,295 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Saturday, bringing the official UK total to 88,590.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 104,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK, the PA reports.
The government also said that, as of 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 41,346 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 3,357,361.
As of Saturday, 5.3% of the UK population have been vaccinated with a first of two required doses.
Hello, I’m taking over from my colleague Damien Gayle. As always, feel free to get in touch if you have relevant updates or tips to flag, you can reach me on Twitter @JedySays and via email.
Here are the most-important coronavirus-related developments from around the world from our coverage so far today:
India has begun one of the world’s biggest Covid-19 vaccination programmes, the first major developing country to rollout the vaccine and marking the beginning of an effort to immunise more than 1.3 billion people. The first dose was administered to a health worker at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the capital, New Delhi.
Suicides rose in Japan in the second wave of the country’s Covid pandemic, particularly among women and children, despite having fallen in the first wave, a survey has found. The July to October suicide rate was up 16% on the same period a year earlier, according to a study by researchers at Hong Kong University and Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.
Keir Starmer has suggested he would back further Covid curbs, saying “the tougher the restrictions now the quicker we get the virus back under control”. Answering questions following a speech to the Fabian Society, the Labour leader said he was “still worried” by the number of infections despite signs they are falling.
Another coronavirus variant is likely to be in the UK already despite the imposition of a travel ban from affected countries. Prof John Edmunds, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said he would find it unusual if the second of two new variants from Brazil was not already present, although it has not yet been detected.
Nearly three-quarters of black people in the UK have said they are unlikely to consent to Covid-19 vaccination, a survey has found. Women, younger people and those with lower levels of education were less willing, but hesitancy was particularly high among people from black groups, where 72% said they were unlikely or very unlikely to be vaccinated.
Adverse reactions to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine may have contributed to the deaths of some frail and elderly patients in Norway, the country’s medicines agency has said. In a statement published on Friday, the Norwegian medicines agency said it had recorded 23 deaths “associated with Covid-19 vaccination.”
From today people in mainland Scotland may not leave or remain outside their homes for any other than essential purposes, as toughened lockdown restrictions come into force. Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed that police can challenge people for doing something considered not to be essential after they have left the house.
Twenty four tennis players arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open will be forced to isolate for 14 days from their arrival, after two Covid-19 cases that were discovered on a charter flight carrying tennis players and staff. The first day of the open is 8 February, 23 days away. Neither of two people who tested positive are players.
China has pledged to donate half a million Covid-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines, according to officials in Manila.China has pledged to donate half a million Covid-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines, according to officials in Manila.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration is scrambling to lock in supplies of Covid-19 vaccines for the country’s 110 million people, after being criticised for being too slow off the mark in the global race to procure the drugs, according to the French state-backed news agency AFP.President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration is scrambling to lock in supplies of Covid-19 vaccines for the country’s 110 million people, after being criticised for being too slow off the mark in the global race to procure the drugs, according to the French state-backed news agency AFP.
Among other deals, the Philippines has already agreed to buy 25 million doses of Chinese company Sinovac’s Coronavac, despite the jab not having been approved by regulators in China.Among other deals, the Philippines has already agreed to buy 25 million doses of Chinese company Sinovac’s Coronavac, despite the jab not having been approved by regulators in China.
It is not clear which vaccine China will donate, and whether the donation is part of that earlier deal; the Chinese embassy in Manila did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.It is not clear which vaccine China will donate, and whether the donation is part of that earlier deal; the Chinese embassy in Manila did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.
China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, told his counterpart of the intended donation when he was in Manila on Saturday, the Philippines foreign ministry said.China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, told his counterpart of the intended donation when he was in Manila on Saturday, the Philippines foreign ministry said.
As many as 5,000 health and social care staff were expected to take part in a mass coronavirus vaccination exercise today in Glasgow, Scotland.As many as 5,000 health and social care staff were expected to take part in a mass coronavirus vaccination exercise today in Glasgow, Scotland.
The vaccination rollout for frontline healthcare workers was being carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) building, that was converted for use as the emergency Louisa Jordan hospital during the pandemic.The vaccination rollout for frontline healthcare workers was being carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) building, that was converted for use as the emergency Louisa Jordan hospital during the pandemic.
Up to 500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were due to be administered each hour from 8.45am to 7.30pm, according to PA Media.Up to 500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were due to be administered each hour from 8.45am to 7.30pm, according to PA Media.
It comes as Scotland recorded 1,753 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 78 deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 28 days. The number of new infections is 407 below the 2,160 announced on Friday but the number of people who have died is 17 higher.It comes as Scotland recorded 1,753 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 78 deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 28 days. The number of new infections is 407 below the 2,160 announced on Friday but the number of people who have died is 17 higher.
As of Friday evening, 1,863 people were in hospital across the country with recently confirmed Covid-19, up by three. There were also 145 patients in intensive care, an increase of four.As of Friday evening, 1,863 people were in hospital across the country with recently confirmed Covid-19, up by three. There were also 145 patients in intensive care, an increase of four.
Commenting on the vaccine rollout in Glasgow, the health secretary, Jeane Freeman, said:Commenting on the vaccine rollout in Glasgow, the health secretary, Jeane Freeman, said:
Another coronavirus variant is likely to be in the UK already despite the imposition of a travel ban from affected countries, a leading epidemiologist has said.Another coronavirus variant is likely to be in the UK already despite the imposition of a travel ban from affected countries, a leading epidemiologist has said.
Prof John Edmunds, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said he would find it unusual if the second of two new variants from Brazil was not already present, although it has not yet been detected.Prof John Edmunds, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said he would find it unusual if the second of two new variants from Brazil was not already present, although it has not yet been detected.
The first variant has a small number of mutations, and eight cases have been confirmed in the UK, but this is not the “variant of concern”, leading virologist Prof Wendy Barclay said on Friday.The first variant has a small number of mutations, and eight cases have been confirmed in the UK, but this is not the “variant of concern”, leading virologist Prof Wendy Barclay said on Friday.
The second, which has been detected in Manaus and in travellers arriving in Japan, and is thought to be more infectious, has not been detected in the UK so far.The second, which has been detected in Manaus and in travellers arriving in Japan, and is thought to be more infectious, has not been detected in the UK so far.
The children’s television favourite Dr Ranj has joined a chorus of voices urging people in the UK to stay at home this weekend as the country’s coronavirus transmission rate remain high.The children’s television favourite Dr Ranj has joined a chorus of voices urging people in the UK to stay at home this weekend as the country’s coronavirus transmission rate remain high.
In a short infographic produced with data from the government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), the doctor - full name Dr Ranj Singh - appeals to viewers not to risk contracting or passing on the virus.In a short infographic produced with data from the government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), the doctor - full name Dr Ranj Singh - appeals to viewers not to risk contracting or passing on the virus.
In a statement sent to the Guardian, he said:In a statement sent to the Guardian, he said:
The health system in Portugal is close to being overwhelmed, data from intensive care units show, as the country reported its biggest rise in coronavirus infections and deaths since the start of the pandemic on Saturday.The health system in Portugal is close to being overwhelmed, data from intensive care units show, as the country reported its biggest rise in coronavirus infections and deaths since the start of the pandemic on Saturday.
Portugal’s hospitals, whichhad the lowest number of critical care beds per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe before the pandemic, can accommodate a maximum of 672 Covid-19 patients in ICUs, according to health ministry data.Portugal’s hospitals, whichhad the lowest number of critical care beds per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe before the pandemic, can accommodate a maximum of 672 Covid-19 patients in ICUs, according to health ministry data.
There are currently 638 people in ICUs and the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators said the number of coronavirus patients needing hospitalisation was likely to increase dramatically over the next week.There are currently 638 people in ICUs and the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators said the number of coronavirus patients needing hospitalisation was likely to increase dramatically over the next week.
On Saturday, a day after Portugal entered a new national lockdown, 10,947 new cases and 166 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of cases in a country of just over 10 million people to 539,416. The death toll stands at 8,709.On Saturday, a day after Portugal entered a new national lockdown, 10,947 new cases and 166 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of cases in a country of just over 10 million people to 539,416. The death toll stands at 8,709.
The Guardian’s wealth correspondent, Rupert Neate, has written on the problem which is exercising the minds of the obscenely rich. How does one keep one’s superyacht Covid-free?The Guardian’s wealth correspondent, Rupert Neate, has written on the problem which is exercising the minds of the obscenely rich. How does one keep one’s superyacht Covid-free?
Forthcoming mass rallies planned by Bolivia’s Movement Towards Socialism (Mas) have been suspended to avoid the spread of Covid-19.Forthcoming mass rallies planned by Bolivia’s Movement Towards Socialism (Mas) have been suspended to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
Denmark has registered 256 cases of infections with the new and more contagious coronavirus variant known as B117, health authorities said on Saturday, according to Reuters.Denmark has registered 256 cases of infections with the new and more contagious coronavirus variant known as B117, health authorities said on Saturday, according to Reuters.
Between mid-November and 10 January, 256 Danes have been infected with the new variant, first seen in the UK, corresponding to 1.3% of all positive tests genetically analysed in that period, the State Serum Institute said in a report published on Saturday.Between mid-November and 10 January, 256 Danes have been infected with the new variant, first seen in the UK, corresponding to 1.3% of all positive tests genetically analysed in that period, the State Serum Institute said in a report published on Saturday.
Air travel between Moscow and the capitals of Finland, Vietnam, India and Qatar, suspended since the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, will resume from 27 January, Russian authorities have said.Air travel between Moscow and the capitals of Finland, Vietnam, India and Qatar, suspended since the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, will resume from 27 January, Russian authorities have said.
A statement shared after a meeting of the government’s coronavirus HQ said that the four countries were seeing fewer than 40 new cases per fortnight per 100,000 people, according to Reuters.A statement shared after a meeting of the government’s coronavirus HQ said that the four countries were seeing fewer than 40 new cases per fortnight per 100,000 people, according to Reuters.
Suicides rose in Japan in the second wave of the country’s Covid pandemic, particularly among women and children, despite having fallen in the first wave, a survey has found.Suicides rose in Japan in the second wave of the country’s Covid pandemic, particularly among women and children, despite having fallen in the first wave, a survey has found.
According to a Reuters wire report, the July to October suicide rate was up 16% on the same period a year earlier, according to a study by researchers at Hong Kong University and Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.According to a Reuters wire report, the July to October suicide rate was up 16% on the same period a year earlier, according to a study by researchers at Hong Kong University and Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.
It was a stark reversal on a 14% drop in Japan’s suicide rate in the February to June period. The decline was linked to government subsidies, reduced working hours and school closures, the study found.It was a stark reversal on a 14% drop in Japan’s suicide rate in the February to June period. The decline was linked to government subsidies, reduced working hours and school closures, the study found.
But the prolonged pandemic has since badly affected industries where women predominate, increasing the burden on working mothers, while domestic violence increased, the report said.But the prolonged pandemic has since badly affected industries where women predominate, increasing the burden on working mothers, while domestic violence increased, the report said.
The suicide rate for women rose 37%, about five times the increase among men, while the child suicide rate spiked 49% in the second wave, corresponding to the period after a nationwide school closure.The suicide rate for women rose 37%, about five times the increase among men, while the child suicide rate spiked 49% in the second wave, corresponding to the period after a nationwide school closure.
“Unlike normal economic circumstances, this pandemic disproportionately affects the psychological health of children, adolescents and females (especially housewives),” the authors wrote in the study published on Friday in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.“Unlike normal economic circumstances, this pandemic disproportionately affects the psychological health of children, adolescents and females (especially housewives),” the authors wrote in the study published on Friday in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.
Taro Kono, administrative and regulatory reform minister, told Reuters on Thursday that while the government would consider extending the state of emergency, it “cannot kill the economy.”Taro Kono, administrative and regulatory reform minister, told Reuters on Thursday that while the government would consider extending the state of emergency, it “cannot kill the economy.”
Emergency legislation is needed to protect doctors and nurses from “inappropriate” legal action over Covid treatment decisions made amid the pressures of the pandemic, health organisations have argued.Emergency legislation is needed to protect doctors and nurses from “inappropriate” legal action over Covid treatment decisions made amid the pressures of the pandemic, health organisations have argued.
A coalition of health bodies has written to the government urging it to update the law to ensure medical workers do not feel “vulnerable to the risk of prosecution for unlawful killing” when treating coronavirus patients “in circumstances beyond their control”.A coalition of health bodies has written to the government urging it to update the law to ensure medical workers do not feel “vulnerable to the risk of prosecution for unlawful killing” when treating coronavirus patients “in circumstances beyond their control”.
Health groups argued that there is no legal protection for Covid-related issues such as when there are “surges in demand for resources that temporarily exceed supply”, PA reports.Health groups argued that there is no legal protection for Covid-related issues such as when there are “surges in demand for resources that temporarily exceed supply”, PA reports.
The letter, addressed to health secretary Matt Hancock, was co-ordinated by the Medical Protection Society, with the British Medical Association and the Doctors’ Association UK among the signatories.The letter, addressed to health secretary Matt Hancock, was co-ordinated by the Medical Protection Society, with the British Medical Association and the Doctors’ Association UK among the signatories.