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Coronavirus live news: WHO says UK variant detected in 60 countries as Beijing steps up Covid measures Coronavirus live news: WHO says UK variant detected in 60 countries as Beijing steps up Covid measures
(32 minutes later)
North Korean defector numbers plunge amid pandemic; UK coronavirus strain detected in at least 60 countries: WHO; Beijing introduces new Covid measuresNorth Korean defector numbers plunge amid pandemic; UK coronavirus strain detected in at least 60 countries: WHO; Beijing introduces new Covid measures
The spread of the coronavirus in France could sharply accelerate in the coming months due to the emergence of a more contagious variant, two Paris hospital executives said on Wednesday, raising fears of a third lockdown in the country.
Karine Lacombe, head of infectious diseases at Paris’ Saint Antoine hospital, and Martin Hirsch, director general of the Paris hospitals system, both warned of the extra strain this could put on healthcare infrastructure.
The two previous lockdowns enforced by the government last year were aimed at preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients with Covid-19.
“We know this variant spreads much more quickly and, above all, it is more infectious. So, yes, we think that it will change the dynamic of the pandemic in the weeks to come,” Lacombe told BFM TV.
The spread of this variant, first detected in England, has prompted the UK, Germany and Ireland to re-impose strict lockdowns. France has stopped short such a measure for now - opting instead for a national 6pm curfew - but members of the government have warned it is not off the table.
“All the models reckon that some time between mid-February, early February, so in about 15 days or three weeks time and by mid-March, we will have an increase that could risk, if we cannot do otherwise, resembling what the English, the Irish and the Germans have been witnessing recently,” Hirsh said on France Info radio.
Tuesday’s figures show the seven-day moving average of new infections, which averages out daily data reporting irregularities, increased to 18,820, the highest since 23 November. The number of patients in intensive care units for the disease has now gone up for 10 consecutive days, to 2,839, a sequence unseen since early November, when France had just entered its second lockdown.
“We fear it will be extremely tough, especially in March. On a local level ... when the number of admissions in ICU units will ramp up, we probably will need more restrictive measures than the curfew,” Lacombe said. “We must remain alert and act as soon as we spot a deterioration of the indicators.”
Zimbabwe’s foreign minister, Sibusiso Moyo, has died after contracting Covid-19, presidential spokesman George Charamba said on Wednesday.Zimbabwe’s foreign minister, Sibusiso Moyo, has died after contracting Covid-19, presidential spokesman George Charamba said on Wednesday.
Moyo, a former army general who rose to national fame when he announced the military coup that led to the removal of the late long-serving leader Robert Mugabe in November 2017, died at a local hospital early on Wednesday, Charamba said.Moyo, a former army general who rose to national fame when he announced the military coup that led to the removal of the late long-serving leader Robert Mugabe in November 2017, died at a local hospital early on Wednesday, Charamba said.
“The nation will be kept apprised of further developments regarding this untimely demise of the late minister, himself a decorated soldier and freedom fighter,” Charamba said.“The nation will be kept apprised of further developments regarding this untimely demise of the late minister, himself a decorated soldier and freedom fighter,” Charamba said.
Moyo was one of several generals who, after helping plot the coup, were rewarded with senior positions in the president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet and the ruling ZANU-PF party. Moyo was one of several generals who, after helping plot the coup, were rewarded with senior positions in the president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet and the ruling Zanu-PF party.
Another cabinet minister, retired general and agriculture minister Perrance Shiri, died of the virus last July. Another cabinet minister, the retired general and agriculture minister Perrance Shiri, died of the virus last July.
Zimbabwe has suffered a surge in Covid-19 infections, with more than half of the 28,675 total cases and 825 deaths being recorded since New Year’s Day.Zimbabwe has suffered a surge in Covid-19 infections, with more than half of the 28,675 total cases and 825 deaths being recorded since New Year’s Day.
Speaking to a friend when infected with the coronavirus could be as dangerous as coughing near them thanks to lingering particles, research has suggested.Speaking to a friend when infected with the coronavirus could be as dangerous as coughing near them thanks to lingering particles, research has suggested.
Coronavirus can be spread through a number of routes, including virus-containing droplets emitted when an infected person breaths, speaks or coughs – a factor experts said could help to explain why it seems to spread more easily in indoor settings.Coronavirus can be spread through a number of routes, including virus-containing droplets emitted when an infected person breaths, speaks or coughs – a factor experts said could help to explain why it seems to spread more easily in indoor settings.
While large droplets fall to the ground over short distances, tiny droplets known as aerosols can carry the virus over distances greater than two metres, and linger.While large droplets fall to the ground over short distances, tiny droplets known as aerosols can carry the virus over distances greater than two metres, and linger.
Now experts have developed models to explore the risk posed by large droplets and aerosols, and explore ways to mitigate it. Their results suggest it takes just a couple of seconds for expelled particles to travel beyond two metres. Now experts have developed models to explore the risk posed by large droplets and aerosols, and explore ways to mitigate it. Their results suggest it takes just a couple of seconds for expelled particles to travel beyond 2 metres.
Russia on Wednesday reported 21,152 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, including 2,452 in Moscow, pushing the national tally to 3,633,952. Authorities said a further 597 people had died overnight, taking the official death toll to 67,220.Russia on Wednesday reported 21,152 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, including 2,452 in Moscow, pushing the national tally to 3,633,952. Authorities said a further 597 people had died overnight, taking the official death toll to 67,220.
Taiwan’s emerging Covid-19 outbreak has grown to a cluster of 10 people, after a new case was confirmed on Wednesday.Taiwan’s emerging Covid-19 outbreak has grown to a cluster of 10 people, after a new case was confirmed on Wednesday.
The cases are linked to a hospital in Taoyuan, where a doctor and nurse were first infected while treating a patient with Covid-19 who had flown in from the US. According to local media, the cases now include two doctors, four nurses, a caregiver, and the husband and daughter of one of the nurses.The cases are linked to a hospital in Taoyuan, where a doctor and nurse were first infected while treating a patient with Covid-19 who had flown in from the US. According to local media, the cases now include two doctors, four nurses, a caregiver, and the husband and daughter of one of the nurses.
Taiwan has recorded just 11 locally transmitted cases since April 2020 – the 10 linked to the hospital, and one woman in the capital, Taipei, who caught the virus from her friend, a pilot, in December, after he flew between the US and Taiwan while infectious and failed to disclose his symptoms or movements to authorities.Taiwan has recorded just 11 locally transmitted cases since April 2020 – the 10 linked to the hospital, and one woman in the capital, Taipei, who caught the virus from her friend, a pilot, in December, after he flew between the US and Taiwan while infectious and failed to disclose his symptoms or movements to authorities.
The new outbreak has emerged just weeks before the beginning of the lunar new year holiday, which typically sees widespread travel across the region as people visit friends and family. Numerous local governments in Taiwan have already cancelled lantern festivals as a result of the outbreak. Taipei has postponed its lantern festival and cancelled its lunar new year market.The new outbreak has emerged just weeks before the beginning of the lunar new year holiday, which typically sees widespread travel across the region as people visit friends and family. Numerous local governments in Taiwan have already cancelled lantern festivals as a result of the outbreak. Taipei has postponed its lantern festival and cancelled its lunar new year market.
The Covid-19 death toll and the level of hospital admissions in the UK means it is far too early to speculate about when the lockdown may be lifted or eased, the home secretary, Priti Patel, said on Wednesday.The Covid-19 death toll and the level of hospital admissions in the UK means it is far too early to speculate about when the lockdown may be lifted or eased, the home secretary, Priti Patel, said on Wednesday.
She told Sky:She told Sky:
The number of foreign visitors to Japan plunged 87% in 2020 to a 22-year low as the country mostly closed its borders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Japan National Tourism Organization data showed on Wednesday.The number of foreign visitors to Japan plunged 87% in 2020 to a 22-year low as the country mostly closed its borders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Japan National Tourism Organization data showed on Wednesday.
The number of foreign arrivals, which include tourism and business arrivals, fell to about 4.1 million last year from 31.9 million in 2019. It was the lowest annual figure since 1998.The number of foreign arrivals, which include tourism and business arrivals, fell to about 4.1 million last year from 31.9 million in 2019. It was the lowest annual figure since 1998.
With the pandemic disrupting our learning, jobs, money and health, it’s no surprise many of us are feeling blue this January, Ruth Bushi reports.With the pandemic disrupting our learning, jobs, money and health, it’s no surprise many of us are feeling blue this January, Ruth Bushi reports.
Even without a pandemic, “this time of year is usually challenging for students anyway,” says Gareth Hughes, clinical lead of the advice site Student Space. The following tips won’t make you immune to financial hardship or job worries, but there are ways to ease the pressure:Even without a pandemic, “this time of year is usually challenging for students anyway,” says Gareth Hughes, clinical lead of the advice site Student Space. The following tips won’t make you immune to financial hardship or job worries, but there are ways to ease the pressure:
Good morning from London. I’m Lucy Campbell, I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next few hours.Good morning from London. I’m Lucy Campbell, I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next few hours.
Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_
Two more Australian Open players have tested positive for Covid-19, government officials said, as authorities were at cross-purposes over who would pay for the tournament’s quarantine bill. A total of 10 people associated with the Grand Slam, including four players, have now tested positive for the virus, Reuters reports. More than 70 players and members of their entourages are confined to their hotel rooms for 14 days and unable to train for the 8-21 February Australian Open after passengers on three charter flights returned positive tests.A number of players have complained about the conditions, drawing a backlash from Australians, who have criticised the players for being “entitled” even as thousands of the nation’s citizens remain stranded overseas:Two more Australian Open players have tested positive for Covid-19, government officials said, as authorities were at cross-purposes over who would pay for the tournament’s quarantine bill. A total of 10 people associated with the Grand Slam, including four players, have now tested positive for the virus, Reuters reports. More than 70 players and members of their entourages are confined to their hotel rooms for 14 days and unable to train for the 8-21 February Australian Open after passengers on three charter flights returned positive tests.A number of players have complained about the conditions, drawing a backlash from Australians, who have criticised the players for being “entitled” even as thousands of the nation’s citizens remain stranded overseas:
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. If you’d like a break from the news why not read about these large, hummingbird-like, tear-drinking moths:That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. If you’d like a break from the news why not read about these large, hummingbird-like, tear-drinking moths: