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Brazil sees fifth day in a row with over 1,000 deaths while France's toll passes 70,000 | |
(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 names | 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 names |
In Australia, New South Wales has recorded six new cases of community transmission, in the 24 hours until 8pm on Saturday. | |
All six new cases are close contacts of a person from western Sydney who tested positive yesterday. | |
A staff member who worked at Concord Repatriation General Hospital is one of today’s new cases. | |
Hello all, this is Helen Davidson here to take you through the next few hours of updates. You can also find me on twitter @heldavidson. | |
Here the latest key developments at a glance: | |
It took just six weeks for the world to report the most recent 500,000 deaths from Covid-19, after death rates began to rise sharply in November 2020 in both Europe and North America, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. | |
Brazil marked the fifth consecutive day with more than 1,000 fatalities, as it recorded 61,567 new coronavirus cases on Saturday and 1,050 further deaths. | |
The Australian state of Victoria recorded another day of zero cases on Saturday. Victoria has recorded its 11th consecutive day of zero locally acquired cases of Covid-19, out of just over 11,000 tests. | |
The UK government posted the third highest daily death toll from coronavirus on Saturday, but the number of new infections dropped to its lowest level this year. | |
Denmark has registered its first case of infection with a more transmissible coronavirus variant, first found in South Africa, known as B.1.351/501Y. | |
France on Saturday implemented a 6pm curfew intended to help stem the spread of infections, after the country’s death toll rose to over 70,000, the seventh highest death toll in the world. | |
Slovakia is planning another large-scale testing and quarantine push to combat a serious rise in coronavirus infections, health minister Marek Krajci said on Saturday. | |
Italy forecasts its debt to soar to a new post-war record level of 158.5% of gross domestic output (GDP) this year, surpassing the 155.6% goal it set in September. | |
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. | |
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. | |
That’s all from me, I’m now handing over to my colleague Helen Davidson. | |
New public health alerts have been issued for a western Sydney venue and additional public transport routes following confirmed cases of Covid-19. | |
Anyone who attended Centrelink in Auburn on 14 January in the afternoon should get tested immediately and self-isolate until a negative result occurs. | |
Those who travelled on train services between Warwick Farm and Auburn on 14 and 15 January have also been given the same health directions. | |
One local case of Covid-19 infection was reported on Saturday in a western Sydney man believed to be linked to the Berala bottle shop cluster. | |
It comes after days without a locally transmitted infection. | |
All people who were in the dental, physio and imaging waiting room of the Wentworthville Medical and Dental Clinic between 11.30am and 1.15pm on Friday are now considered close contacts. | |
“[They] must immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result,” NSW Health said on Saturday afternoon. | |
“Anyone who was in other areas of the clinic at that time should monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate and get tested if they appear.” | |
Just 14,547 tests in NSW were reported to 8pm on Friday - down on the previous day’s total of 16,070. | |
NSW has flagged the possibility of loosening restrictions on Greater Sydney next week but one of the conditions is high testing rates. | |
The testing rates are “not where we would like them to be”, premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters on Friday. | |
The premier is due to provide the state with an update on Sunday morning. | |
Meanwhile, Victoria is also watching Sydney closely, as it considers moving parts of the city from “red” to “orange” in its traffic-light permit system. | |
Travellers from orange zones still need to self-quarantine for 14 days but don’t need to apply for an exemption to enter Victoria. | |
“There are clearly some local government areas within Greater Sydney that have now gone a number of days of cases without transmission,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said in Melbourne. | |
“I will look very intensively at the epidemiology across Greater Sydney over the next couple of days.” | |
The UK government said on Saturday it would provide financial aid to airports before the end of March, after the industry called for urgent support as tighter Covid-19 rules for international travellers start on Monday. | The UK government said on Saturday it would provide financial aid to airports before the end of March, after the industry called for urgent support as tighter Covid-19 rules for international travellers start on Monday. |
Aviation minister Robert Courts said the government would launch a new support programme this month. | Aviation minister Robert Courts said the government would launch a new support programme this month. |
“The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme will help airports reduce their costs and we will be aiming to provide grants before the end of this financial year,” he announced on social media, adding that more details would follow soon. | “The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme will help airports reduce their costs and we will be aiming to provide grants before the end of this financial year,” he announced on social media, adding that more details would follow soon. |
From 04:00 GMT on Monday, all travellers to Britain must have a recent negative Covid-19 test and be prepared to quarantine at home for 10 days on arrival. | From 04:00 GMT on Monday, all travellers to Britain must have a recent negative Covid-19 test and be prepared to quarantine at home for 10 days on arrival. |
Britain’s current lockdowns ban most international travel, meaning that airline schedules are currently minimal. But the withdrawal of any quarantine-free travel will be a further blow for the industry. | Britain’s current lockdowns ban most international travel, meaning that airline schedules are currently minimal. But the withdrawal of any quarantine-free travel will be a further blow for the industry. |
The latest restrictions were prompted in part by a third wave of the disease that has caused record daily death tolls in Britain, as well as concern about a new coronavirus variant discovered in Brazil. | The latest restrictions were prompted in part by a third wave of the disease that has caused record daily death tolls in Britain, as well as concern about a new coronavirus variant discovered in Brazil. |
Brazil recorded 61,567 new coronavirus cases on Saturday and 1,050 further deaths, marking the fifth consecutive day with more than 1,000 fatalities, the health ministry said on Saturday. | Brazil recorded 61,567 new coronavirus cases on Saturday and 1,050 further deaths, marking the fifth consecutive day with more than 1,000 fatalities, the health ministry said on Saturday. |
The South American country has now registered 8,455,059 cases since the pandemic began, and the official death toll has risen to 209,296, according to ministry data. | The South American country has now registered 8,455,059 cases since the pandemic began, and the official death toll has risen to 209,296, according to ministry data. |
It is the world’s third worst outbreak outside the US and India. | It is the world’s third worst outbreak outside the US and India. |
The Australian state of Victoria recorded another day of zero cases on Saturday. | The Australian state of Victoria recorded another day of zero cases on Saturday. |
Victoria has recorded its 11th consecutive day of zero locally acquired cases of Covid-19, out of just over 11,000 tests. | Victoria has recorded its 11th consecutive day of zero locally acquired cases of Covid-19, out of just over 11,000 tests. |
There were seven cases that were acquired overseas, including some of the players and staff arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open. | There were seven cases that were acquired overseas, including some of the players and staff arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open. |
You can read the latest on the Australian Open cases here. | You can read the latest on the Australian Open cases here. |
Portugal’s finance minister, Joao Leao, has tested positive for Covid-19, his office announced on Saturday. | Portugal’s finance minister, Joao Leao, has tested positive for Covid-19, his office announced on Saturday. |
The day before, he had attended a meeting in Lisbon with high-ranking EU representatives such as commission president Ursula von der Leyen. | The day before, he had attended a meeting in Lisbon with high-ranking EU representatives such as commission president Ursula von der Leyen. |
The 46-year-old minister has not reported symptoms. | The 46-year-old minister has not reported symptoms. |
Leao will continue his work at home in self-isolation. | Leao will continue his work at home in self-isolation. |
Slovakia is planning another large-scale testing and quarantine push to combat a serious rise in coronavirus infections, health minister Marek Krajci said on Saturday. | Slovakia is planning another large-scale testing and quarantine push to combat a serious rise in coronavirus infections, health minister Marek Krajci said on Saturday. |
The central European country with a population of 5.5 million has seen record numbers of new cases and hospitalisations since the turn of the year. | The central European country with a population of 5.5 million has seen record numbers of new cases and hospitalisations since the turn of the year. |
There were 3,055 people in hospital on Saturday despite some slowdown amid a partial national lockdown. | There were 3,055 people in hospital on Saturday despite some slowdown amid a partial national lockdown. |
“We want to do screening testing of our people, isolate those who spread the virus, their contacts and thus cut the number of infections by up to 50%,” Krajci said during a TV press briefing. | “We want to do screening testing of our people, isolate those who spread the virus, their contacts and thus cut the number of infections by up to 50%,” Krajci said during a TV press briefing. |
The government will finalise the details on Sunday. If the testing succeeds, Slovakia could ease some epidemic measures in early February, Krajci said. | The government will finalise the details on Sunday. If the testing succeeds, Slovakia could ease some epidemic measures in early February, Krajci said. |
Its colour-coded, six-level state of emergency is currently at black, the most serious. | Its colour-coded, six-level state of emergency is currently at black, the most serious. |
It took just six weeks for the world to report the most recent 500,000 deaths from Covid-19, after death rates began to rise sharply in November 2020 in both Europe and North America, CNN reports. | It took just six weeks for the world to report the most recent 500,000 deaths from Covid-19, after death rates began to rise sharply in November 2020 in both Europe and North America, CNN reports. |
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, it took the world more than six months to report the first 500,000 Covid-19 deaths. | According to data from Johns Hopkins University, it took the world more than six months to report the first 500,000 Covid-19 deaths. |
As of Saturday morning, the US reported 392,351 Covid-19 deaths in total, the highest toll globally. | As of Saturday morning, the US reported 392,351 Covid-19 deaths in total, the highest toll globally. |
Brazil has reported more than 200,000 deaths from Covid-19 so far, while India and Mexico have both reported more than 100,000 Covid-19 deaths to date. | Brazil has reported more than 200,000 deaths from Covid-19 so far, while India and Mexico have both reported more than 100,000 Covid-19 deaths to date. |
The average number of daily new deaths has remained at a pandemic-era high in both regions for over a month, according to the data. | The average number of daily new deaths has remained at a pandemic-era high in both regions for over a month, according to the data. |
France reported 196 coronavirus deaths on Saturday, taking its cumulative death toll to 70,145, BFM TV reported, citing the public health authority. | France reported 196 coronavirus deaths on Saturday, taking its cumulative death toll to 70,145, BFM TV reported, citing the public health authority. |
Friday’s death toll had been 399. | Friday’s death toll had been 399. |
On Saturday 21,406 new cases were reported, slightly up from the 21,271 new infections that were recorded on Friday. | On Saturday 21,406 new cases were reported, slightly up from the 21,271 new infections that were recorded on Friday. |
Up to a million French children and teachers are to be tested for Covid-19 each month to curb the spread of the UK virus variant, the country’s health minister, Olivier Véran, said on Thursday. | Up to a million French children and teachers are to be tested for Covid-19 each month to curb the spread of the UK virus variant, the country’s health minister, Olivier Véran, said on Thursday. |
Children as young as six are to be tested. | Children as young as six are to be tested. |
The government is closely monitoring the variant, which is believed to be up to 70% more infectious, and decide whether to close schools “if the situation was to change and we had an increase in the share of the variant”, Véran said. | The government is closely monitoring the variant, which is believed to be up to 70% more infectious, and decide whether to close schools “if the situation was to change and we had an increase in the share of the variant”, Véran said. |
The Health Ministry said 413,046 people had been vaccinated, up from 389,000 on Friday. | The Health Ministry said 413,046 people had been vaccinated, up from 389,000 on Friday. |
Easing England’s restrictions before March would be a disaster in the battle against coronavirus and would risk putting the health system under enormous pressure if lifted prematurely, a leading epidemiologist has said. | Easing England’s restrictions before March would be a disaster in the battle against coronavirus and would risk putting the health system under enormous pressure if lifted prematurely, a leading epidemiologist has said. |
Prof John Edmunds, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, said prime minister Boris Johnson would be very unwise to ease lockdown curbs before the majority of the public has received vaccinations. | Prof John Edmunds, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, said prime minister Boris Johnson would be very unwise to ease lockdown curbs before the majority of the public has received vaccinations. |
The latest stay-at-home measures, which came into effect on 5 January in England and include schools being closed to all but vulnerable pupils and children of key workers, are due to be reviewed in the middle of February. | The latest stay-at-home measures, which came into effect on 5 January in England and include schools being closed to all but vulnerable pupils and children of key workers, are due to be reviewed in the middle of February. |
My colleague Yohannes Lowe has more. | My colleague Yohannes Lowe has more. |
Italy forecasts its debt to soar to a new post-war record level of 158.5% of gross domestic output (GDP) this year, surpassing the 155.6% goal it set in September, a government source told Reuters on Saturday. | Italy forecasts its debt to soar to a new post-war record level of 158.5% of gross domestic output (GDP) this year, surpassing the 155.6% goal it set in September, a government source told Reuters on Saturday. |
The new estimate reflects the impact of a stimulus package worth €32bn ($39bn) announced this week, which will drive the 2021 budget deficit to 8.8% of national output, up from a previous target of 7%. | The new estimate reflects the impact of a stimulus package worth €32bn ($39bn) announced this week, which will drive the 2021 budget deficit to 8.8% of national output, up from a previous target of 7%. |
The extra spending will be used to help the hard-pressed national health service, fund grants and furlough schemes to businesses forced to close due to coronavirus lockdowns, and provide cover for a postponement of tax payment deadlines. | The extra spending will be used to help the hard-pressed national health service, fund grants and furlough schemes to businesses forced to close due to coronavirus lockdowns, and provide cover for a postponement of tax payment deadlines. |
The government is due to update its debt and deficit targets in April. | The government is due to update its debt and deficit targets in April. |
Italy’s huge public debt is the second highest in the eurozone after that of Greece. | Italy’s huge public debt is the second highest in the eurozone after that of Greece. |
Despite the higher forecasts for 2021, however, the debt figure for 2020 is expected to come in lower than previously estimated, the source said, asking not to be named. | Despite the higher forecasts for 2021, however, the debt figure for 2020 is expected to come in lower than previously estimated, the source said, asking not to be named. |
Rome is now expecting the 2020 debt-to-GDP ratio to be 156.5%, below the official target set in September of 158%, which previously was the highest level since the second world war. | Rome is now expecting the 2020 debt-to-GDP ratio to be 156.5%, below the official target set in September of 158%, which previously was the highest level since the second world war. |
The 2020 deficit is estimated at between 10.5% and 10.8% of national output. The final deficit and debt figures for last year will be published by national statistics bureau IStat in March. | The 2020 deficit is estimated at between 10.5% and 10.8% of national output. The final deficit and debt figures for last year will be published by national statistics bureau IStat in March. |