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Coronavirus live news: record daily toll takes Indonesia past 2m cases; France to open nightclubs from 9 July Coronavirus live news: record daily toll takes Indonesia past 2m cases; France to open nightclubs from 9 July
(32 minutes later)
Indonesia reports 14,536 new cases, its highest daily toll ; nightclub industry to open in France for first time since March 2020Indonesia reports 14,536 new cases, its highest daily toll ; nightclub industry to open in France for first time since March 2020
The Portuguese Society for Health Management (SPGS) has urged authorities to extend measures around Lisbon’s metropolitan area after a weekend travel plan was put in place around last week, stopping people from leaving or entering the region.
The SPGS said more measures were urgently needed. “The control of Lisbon’s metropolitan area must be more restricted and prolonged to try to avoid the spread of the virus as much as possible,” it said.
Portuguese authorities are working to bring a spike in cases under control and are to accelerate vaccinations – with just over 25% of the population fully vaccinated – and increase testing.
Lisbon’s mayor’s office said that all people, residents and non-residents, could from now get unlimited coronavirus tests for free at the city’s pharmacies and mobile sites.
The manufacturing hub of Dongguan in China’s most populous province Guangdong has today launched mass coronavirus testing and cordoned off communities, after the city detected its first infections of a flare-up in the province.
Reuters has the story:
GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology have said final results from a late-stage study of their monoclonal antibody confirmed it significantly reduced hospitalisation and death among high-risk Covid-19 patients when given early in the disease.GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology have said final results from a late-stage study of their monoclonal antibody confirmed it significantly reduced hospitalisation and death among high-risk Covid-19 patients when given early in the disease.
The treatment, sotrovimab, received an emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration in May, while the EU’s drug regulator has also backed it.The treatment, sotrovimab, received an emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration in May, while the EU’s drug regulator has also backed it.
Reuters reports that the drugmakers also said today the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recommended sotrovimab to treat high-risk, non-hospitalised patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19.Reuters reports that the drugmakers also said today the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recommended sotrovimab to treat high-risk, non-hospitalised patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19.
The treatment appeared to “retain activity” against current variants of concern and interest, the agency said in its updated guidelines. In a study of 1,057 patients, sotrovimab resulted in a 79% reduction in risk of hospitalization for more than 24 hours or death due to any cause, the companies said.The treatment appeared to “retain activity” against current variants of concern and interest, the agency said in its updated guidelines. In a study of 1,057 patients, sotrovimab resulted in a 79% reduction in risk of hospitalization for more than 24 hours or death due to any cause, the companies said.
Here’s a short bit on Moderna adding two new production lines at its Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing plant in Massachusetts, US, in a bid to prepare for making more booster shots, the Wall Street Journal reports. The additions will help Moderna increase overall production capacity by 50% at the plant, the report said citing company officials.Here’s a short bit on Moderna adding two new production lines at its Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing plant in Massachusetts, US, in a bid to prepare for making more booster shots, the Wall Street Journal reports. The additions will help Moderna increase overall production capacity by 50% at the plant, the report said citing company officials.
Scotland’s plans for their crucial Group D European Championship football game against Croatia at Hampden Park tomorrow have been seriously disrupted after Billy Gilmour, who played a starring role in Friday’s draw at Wembley, tested positive for Covid-19. Gilmour will now complete 10 days of isolation.Scotland’s plans for their crucial Group D European Championship football game against Croatia at Hampden Park tomorrow have been seriously disrupted after Billy Gilmour, who played a starring role in Friday’s draw at Wembley, tested positive for Covid-19. Gilmour will now complete 10 days of isolation.
As India opened up free vaccinations to all adults today, as prime minister Narendra Modi kicked off a muted International Yoga Day hailing the practice’s “protective” properties against the virus.As India opened up free vaccinations to all adults today, as prime minister Narendra Modi kicked off a muted International Yoga Day hailing the practice’s “protective” properties against the virus.
In an early-morning address to the nation, Modi said that the practice had again proved itself to be a source of “inner strength”.In an early-morning address to the nation, Modi said that the practice had again proved itself to be a source of “inner strength”.
“When I speak to frontline warriors, they tell me that they have adopted yoga as a protective shield in their fight against coronavirus. Doctors have strengthened themselves with yoga and also used yoga to treat their patients,” he said.“When I speak to frontline warriors, they tell me that they have adopted yoga as a protective shield in their fight against coronavirus. Doctors have strengthened themselves with yoga and also used yoga to treat their patients,” he said.
Public parks were re-opened in Delhi today, but the number of events for Yoga Day was cut back around the country for the second year running because of the pandemic.Public parks were re-opened in Delhi today, but the number of events for Yoga Day was cut back around the country for the second year running because of the pandemic.
Yoga Day – proposed by Modi and adopted by the United Nations in 2014 – is observed mostly in India, but also worldwide on the Northern Hemisphere’s longest day.Yoga Day – proposed by Modi and adopted by the United Nations in 2014 – is observed mostly in India, but also worldwide on the Northern Hemisphere’s longest day.
AFP reports that throughout the pandemic, India’s government has touted yoga and herbal medicines - sales of which have boomed - to protect and give relief to people infected with the virus, despite scant high-quality evidence.AFP reports that throughout the pandemic, India’s government has touted yoga and herbal medicines - sales of which have boomed - to protect and give relief to people infected with the virus, despite scant high-quality evidence.
A fresh electronic lottery is to decide the fate of prospective attendees of Tokyo 2020 as organisers must refund some 910,000 tickets due to new caps, of up to 50% of a venue’s capacity or a maximum of 10,000 residents of Japan, announced today.A fresh electronic lottery is to decide the fate of prospective attendees of Tokyo 2020 as organisers must refund some 910,000 tickets due to new caps, of up to 50% of a venue’s capacity or a maximum of 10,000 residents of Japan, announced today.
The number of spectators, all of whom must be resident of Japan, is to be capped at 2.72 million, according to Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto, meaning some 910,000 ticket holders will lose their chance to see the Games.The number of spectators, all of whom must be resident of Japan, is to be capped at 2.72 million, according to Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto, meaning some 910,000 ticket holders will lose their chance to see the Games.
Organisers said today that 840,000 tickets had been refunded so far, on request of their owners after the one-year postponement, out of a total of 4.48 million sold through the initial lottery. Muto said the lottery would be conducted through an electronic system without human involvement to ensure fairness, Reuters reports.Organisers said today that 840,000 tickets had been refunded so far, on request of their owners after the one-year postponement, out of a total of 4.48 million sold through the initial lottery. Muto said the lottery would be conducted through an electronic system without human involvement to ensure fairness, Reuters reports.
Muto said the revenue from ticket sales would amount to less than half of the projected $817 million (90 billion yen). The organisers will discuss with the national and Tokyo governments on how to make up for the shortfall.However, the government will review the current coronavirus “quasi-emergency” state in Tokyo on 11 July. Government experts have said that the 10,000 cap on sporting events would only apply to regions where the “quasi-emergency” has been lifted.Muto said the revenue from ticket sales would amount to less than half of the projected $817 million (90 billion yen). The organisers will discuss with the national and Tokyo governments on how to make up for the shortfall.However, the government will review the current coronavirus “quasi-emergency” state in Tokyo on 11 July. Government experts have said that the 10,000 cap on sporting events would only apply to regions where the “quasi-emergency” has been lifted.
A Thai temple building a 69-metre-tall Buddha statue that will be visible across Bangkok has said construction is nearly complete but the opening may be pushed back to 2022 due to delays caused by the pandemic.A Thai temple building a 69-metre-tall Buddha statue that will be visible across Bangkok has said construction is nearly complete but the opening may be pushed back to 2022 due to delays caused by the pandemic.
The Royal Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple on the outskirts of Bangkok dates back to 1610 and is located on a island created by canals flowing from the Chao Phraya river. Work on the statue, which is as tall as a 20-storey building, started in 2017 and should be completed this year, but due to the pandemic the official opening may be pushed back to 2022, said temple spokesman Pisan Sangkapinij.The Royal Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple on the outskirts of Bangkok dates back to 1610 and is located on a island created by canals flowing from the Chao Phraya river. Work on the statue, which is as tall as a 20-storey building, started in 2017 and should be completed this year, but due to the pandemic the official opening may be pushed back to 2022, said temple spokesman Pisan Sangkapinij.
The Phra Buddha Dhammakya Thepmongkhon statue, made of copper and painted gold, sits in a seated lotus posture. Parts were produced in China before being shipped to Thailand to be assembled. It should be visible from all parts of the raised train line that spans the capital Bangkok, said Pisan.The Phra Buddha Dhammakya Thepmongkhon statue, made of copper and painted gold, sits in a seated lotus posture. Parts were produced in China before being shipped to Thailand to be assembled. It should be visible from all parts of the raised train line that spans the capital Bangkok, said Pisan.
Reuters reports that using $16 million worth of donations, the temple decided to build the statue to honour Buddhism and also as a tribute to former abbot Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro who helped develop the temple as a renowned centre for meditation, he said.Reuters reports that using $16 million worth of donations, the temple decided to build the statue to honour Buddhism and also as a tribute to former abbot Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro who helped develop the temple as a renowned centre for meditation, he said.
Taiwan needs a thorough review of how it handled the pandemic once it is over, president Tsai Ing-wen has said as case numbers dropped below 100 for the first time in more than a month.Taiwan needs a thorough review of how it handled the pandemic once it is over, president Tsai Ing-wen has said as case numbers dropped below 100 for the first time in more than a month.
Reuters reports that since last month, Taiwan has tightened curbs on private gatherings and closed entertainment venues as it battled a rise in domestic cases, a shock to an island that had previously largely kept infections well under control.Reuters reports that since last month, Taiwan has tightened curbs on private gatherings and closed entertainment venues as it battled a rise in domestic cases, a shock to an island that had previously largely kept infections well under control.
Speaking to local television, Tsai said the authorities had handled the first wave of the pandemic well. “The second wave was even more ferocious,” she said. “At the start we were somewhat caught off guard.”Speaking to local television, Tsai said the authorities had handled the first wave of the pandemic well. “The second wave was even more ferocious,” she said. “At the start we were somewhat caught off guard.”
Tsai’s government was heavily criticised by the opposition for a lack of preparedness, including limited testing facilities, when cases suddenly surged last month, though authorities moved fast to address those issues. “Once the epidemic is over, we must have a thorough review” to improve the epidemic prevention system, she said.Tsai’s government was heavily criticised by the opposition for a lack of preparedness, including limited testing facilities, when cases suddenly surged last month, though authorities moved fast to address those issues. “Once the epidemic is over, we must have a thorough review” to improve the epidemic prevention system, she said.
Taiwan is showing encouraging signs that the current wave is nearing its end. Speaking earlier today, health minister Chen Shih-chung announced just 75 new domestic infections.Taiwan is showing encouraging signs that the current wave is nearing its end. Speaking earlier today, health minister Chen Shih-chung announced just 75 new domestic infections.
It was the first time the daily figure had dipped below 100 since May 15, when Taiwan raised the alert level for its capital, Taipei, and the neighbouring city, after a sudden spike of 180 domestic cases. Taiwan’s tally of infections in the pandemic stands at 14,080, including 569 deaths.It was the first time the daily figure had dipped below 100 since May 15, when Taiwan raised the alert level for its capital, Taipei, and the neighbouring city, after a sudden spike of 180 domestic cases. Taiwan’s tally of infections in the pandemic stands at 14,080, including 569 deaths.
French president Emmanuel Macron has invited music fans to a socially distanced techno party at the presidential palace tonight, resuming a tradition to mark the country’s annual street music festival.French president Emmanuel Macron has invited music fans to a socially distanced techno party at the presidential palace tonight, resuming a tradition to mark the country’s annual street music festival.
AFP reports that France celebrates music in all its forms annually with a giant street party on 21 June, the longest day of the year. In 2018, Macron began throwing open the cobbled courtyard of the Élysée Palace to dance fans for the occasion, with a gig featuring stars from France’s electro scene.AFP reports that France celebrates music in all its forms annually with a giant street party on 21 June, the longest day of the year. In 2018, Macron began throwing open the cobbled courtyard of the Élysée Palace to dance fans for the occasion, with a gig featuring stars from France’s electro scene.
This year’s Fete de la Musique comes a day after the government scrapped an 11pm curfew, one of the last steps in a phased lifting of Covid restrictions.This year’s Fete de la Musique comes a day after the government scrapped an 11pm curfew, one of the last steps in a phased lifting of Covid restrictions.
Last year’s festival was called off because of the coronavirus pandemic but with the number of infections at their lowest level in nearly a year the country is in party mode once more.Last year’s festival was called off because of the coronavirus pandemic but with the number of infections at their lowest level in nearly a year the country is in party mode once more.
French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre and 1970s disco king Cerrone will headline the concert in the palace courtyard, where Macron normally greets visiting heads of state.French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre and 1970s disco king Cerrone will headline the concert in the palace courtyard, where Macron normally greets visiting heads of state.
In contrast to previous editions, where Macron and his wife Brigitte have gamely joined in the dancing, this year’s event looks set to be a more staid affair. Attendees will be asked to remain seated and social distancing will be observed.In contrast to previous editions, where Macron and his wife Brigitte have gamely joined in the dancing, this year’s event looks set to be a more staid affair. Attendees will be asked to remain seated and social distancing will be observed.
Socializing, parties and late-night trips are all coming back as the coronavirus pandemic recedes in the US and along with them has come a surge in the price of calling a cab. It’s good news for Uber and Lyft, but for the rideshare drivers who were hit so hard by the pandemic? Not so much.Socializing, parties and late-night trips are all coming back as the coronavirus pandemic recedes in the US and along with them has come a surge in the price of calling a cab. It’s good news for Uber and Lyft, but for the rideshare drivers who were hit so hard by the pandemic? Not so much.
Flu could be a bigger problem than Covid-19 in the UK this winter, a senior government vaccine adviser has said, with low prevalence over the past months possibly leading to a drop in immunity among the population.Flu could be a bigger problem than Covid-19 in the UK this winter, a senior government vaccine adviser has said, with low prevalence over the past months possibly leading to a drop in immunity among the population.
Prof Anthony Harnden, the deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said research was being carried out on whether flu vaccines could be given alongside coronavirus vaccines this autumn.Prof Anthony Harnden, the deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said research was being carried out on whether flu vaccines could be given alongside coronavirus vaccines this autumn.
South Africa had many advantages over other African countries before the Covid crisis: a greater ability to borrow money, a more extensive public health system reinforced by a large private sector, world-class scientists and long experience of dealing with pandemics. Yet after a much-lauded early response, the authorities have struggled.South Africa had many advantages over other African countries before the Covid crisis: a greater ability to borrow money, a more extensive public health system reinforced by a large private sector, world-class scientists and long experience of dealing with pandemics. Yet after a much-lauded early response, the authorities have struggled.
The pandemic delivered an unusual mixture of pain from economic loss and relief to residents of places that have gotten used to crowds of tourists. In Hawaii, locals hiked popular trails and visited beaches that are usually clogged by tourists. Traffic was noticeably lighter, and things in the islands were generally calmer.The pandemic delivered an unusual mixture of pain from economic loss and relief to residents of places that have gotten used to crowds of tourists. In Hawaii, locals hiked popular trails and visited beaches that are usually clogged by tourists. Traffic was noticeably lighter, and things in the islands were generally calmer.
Things are already looking much different in 2021. Around 30,000 travelers are now flying into Hawaii each day, over 80% of the number of travelers that were flying in during the same time in 2019. Around the islands, it seems that tourism as it was before the pandemic is coming back.Things are already looking much different in 2021. Around 30,000 travelers are now flying into Hawaii each day, over 80% of the number of travelers that were flying in during the same time in 2019. Around the islands, it seems that tourism as it was before the pandemic is coming back.