This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/16/coronavirus-live-news-global-death-toll-passes-milestone-as-emirates-cancels-australian-flights-live

The article has changed 51 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
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
In a twist that, well, most people could see coming the Australian Open is now facing massive complications after two people on the charter flight QR7493 from LAX 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 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 number one 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 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 department of health. 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.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.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.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.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.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.“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.”“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.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.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.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.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 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.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.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.“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.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.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.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.“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.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 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.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.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.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”.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:The five Brisbane local government areas which will switch from a red to orange zone at 6pm tonight are:
BrisbaneBrisbane
Moreton BayMoreton Bay
LoganLogan
IpswichIpswich
RedlandsRedlands