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/aug/21/coronavirus-live-anti-lockdown-protesters-clash-with-police-in-australia
The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus live: UK death toll rises by 104; fears of ‘super-spreader’ Trump rally | Coronavirus live: UK death toll rises by 104; fears of ‘super-spreader’ Trump rally |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Latest updates: panic-buying in Vietnam amid record Covid infections; riot police use pepper spray to break up crowds in Melbourne | Latest updates: panic-buying in Vietnam amid record Covid infections; riot police use pepper spray to break up crowds in Melbourne |
| The Covid Delta variant has swept across south-east Asia over recent months, prompting lockdowns and overwhelming hospitals – from Malaysia to Thailand and Indonesia. Now the impact is being felt in the Philippines, just as the country’s chronic lack of health workers reaches a crisis point. | |
| “The disease has become very aggressive,” said Michael Bilan, who works on a Covid ward in Manila. This time, patients tend to require a higher amount of oxygen, for longer, he said. The number of Covid patients is also at a record high: last week, 277 were receiving treatment. New wards have been opened to meet demand. | |
| The Philippines is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of nurses, with 17,000 leaving to work overseas, including in the UK and the US, in 2019. But it is increasingly struggling to staff its own wards, where pay is low and conditions poor. | |
| Last week, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines estimated 40% of private hospital nurses quit last year, and more have left followingafter new waves of infections this year. | |
| France has reported a further 68 deaths from coronavirus. | France has reported a further 68 deaths from coronavirus. |
| In total the country has had over 113,000 fatalities. France has 2,106 people in intensive care units with Covid-19, an increase of seven on yesterday, Reuters reports. | In total the country has had over 113,000 fatalities. France has 2,106 people in intensive care units with Covid-19, an increase of seven on yesterday, Reuters reports. |
| Thousands of people demonstrated in the streets of France again against the government’s Covid-19 vaccination policies, AFP reports. Saturday’s protests were called for the sixth weekend in a row to denounce a new “health pass” system announced by President Emmanuel Macron that they see as unfairly restricting the rights of the unvaccinated. Under the system, introduced progressively since mid-July, anyone wishing to enter a restaurant, theatre, cinema, long-distance train, or large shopping centre must show proof of vaccination or a negative test. Around 200,000 people have marched in previous weekends, according to interior ministry figures, while organisers claim the real number is nearly double that. The government insists the pass is necessary to encourage vaccination uptake and avoid a fourth national lockdown, with the unjabbed making up eight or nine out of every 10 Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital. | Thousands of people demonstrated in the streets of France again against the government’s Covid-19 vaccination policies, AFP reports. Saturday’s protests were called for the sixth weekend in a row to denounce a new “health pass” system announced by President Emmanuel Macron that they see as unfairly restricting the rights of the unvaccinated. Under the system, introduced progressively since mid-July, anyone wishing to enter a restaurant, theatre, cinema, long-distance train, or large shopping centre must show proof of vaccination or a negative test. Around 200,000 people have marched in previous weekends, according to interior ministry figures, while organisers claim the real number is nearly double that. The government insists the pass is necessary to encourage vaccination uptake and avoid a fourth national lockdown, with the unjabbed making up eight or nine out of every 10 Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital. |
| As coronavirus cases continued to rise across the US, thousands were expected nonetheless to attend a concert in Central Park on Saturday night, staged to celebrate New York City’s recovery amid the pandemic. | As coronavirus cases continued to rise across the US, thousands were expected nonetheless to attend a concert in Central Park on Saturday night, staged to celebrate New York City’s recovery amid the pandemic. |
| Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson, Carlos Santana, LL Cool J and Andrea Bocelli were included in the lineup for We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert. Most tickets distributed by the city were free, with attendees required to show proof of vaccination | Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson, Carlos Santana, LL Cool J and Andrea Bocelli were included in the lineup for We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert. Most tickets distributed by the city were free, with attendees required to show proof of vaccination |
| Authorities in New York have been keen to push the idea of a comeback, with a focus on promoting civic engagement and tourism. Earlier this week, the city released a commercial featuring celebrities singing Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind at famous locations throughout the five boroughs. | Authorities in New York have been keen to push the idea of a comeback, with a focus on promoting civic engagement and tourism. Earlier this week, the city released a commercial featuring celebrities singing Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind at famous locations throughout the five boroughs. |
| More data from Italy. Patients in hospital with Covid-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 3,733 Saturday up from 3,692 a day earlier. | More data from Italy. Patients in hospital with Covid-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 3,733 Saturday up from 3,692 a day earlier. |
| There were 40 new admissions to intensive care units, up from 26 on Friday. The total number of intensive care patients increased to 466 from a previous 455. | There were 40 new admissions to intensive care units, up from 26 on Friday. The total number of intensive care patients increased to 466 from a previous 455. |
| Some 255,218 tests for Covid-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 220,656, the health ministry said, Reuters reports. | Some 255,218 tests for Covid-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 220,656, the health ministry said, Reuters reports. |
| The UK has recorded 32,058 coronavirus cases a further 104 deaths in the latest 24-hour period, government figures show. | The UK has recorded 32,058 coronavirus cases a further 104 deaths in the latest 24-hour period, government figures show. |
| Italy reported 45 deaths, taking the total to 128,728, and 7,470 new cases on Saturday. | Italy reported 45 deaths, taking the total to 128,728, and 7,470 new cases on Saturday. |
| Yesterday it recorded 49 deaths and 7,224 cases. | Yesterday it recorded 49 deaths and 7,224 cases. |
| Hi all, I’m handing over to my colleague Nadeem Badshah so here’s a round-up of today’s developments | Hi all, I’m handing over to my colleague Nadeem Badshah so here’s a round-up of today’s developments |
| Vietnam reported record infections for the second day running, with 11,321 Covid-19 infections on Saturday, an increase of almost 700. Vietnam has now had 336,700 cases and at least 7,540 deaths. | Vietnam reported record infections for the second day running, with 11,321 Covid-19 infections on Saturday, an increase of almost 700. Vietnam has now had 336,700 cases and at least 7,540 deaths. |
| Residents of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City have been panic buying, emptying shelves of food and supplies after the city’s authorities announced a lockdown from Monday. It has been the epicentre of the surge in cases Vietnam has suffered after having escaped serious outbreaks earlier in the pandemic. | Residents of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City have been panic buying, emptying shelves of food and supplies after the city’s authorities announced a lockdown from Monday. It has been the epicentre of the surge in cases Vietnam has suffered after having escaped serious outbreaks earlier in the pandemic. |
| British virologist Dr Chris Smith told BBC Breakfast that the UK government should deploy booster vaccines “strategically”. He said the pandemic needed to be ended all over the world but also the UK could not allow the effectiveness of vaccines to wane. | British virologist Dr Chris Smith told BBC Breakfast that the UK government should deploy booster vaccines “strategically”. He said the pandemic needed to be ended all over the world but also the UK could not allow the effectiveness of vaccines to wane. |
| Russia recorded 797 deaths and 21,000 new cases over the past 24 hours, with Moscow and Saint Petersburg having the most cases. | Russia recorded 797 deaths and 21,000 new cases over the past 24 hours, with Moscow and Saint Petersburg having the most cases. |
| Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters clashed with riot police in Australia. Police in Melbourne used pepper spray as large crowds surged, while in Sydney they were are able to prevent protesters from forming a mass demonstration. | Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters clashed with riot police in Australia. Police in Melbourne used pepper spray as large crowds surged, while in Sydney they were are able to prevent protesters from forming a mass demonstration. |
| Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said tackling Covid-19 infections was the main priority for the new cabinet he presented to parliament, calling his new health minister “a figure who can rally forces in the fight against coronavirus”. | Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said tackling Covid-19 infections was the main priority for the new cabinet he presented to parliament, calling his new health minister “a figure who can rally forces in the fight against coronavirus”. |
| Donald Trump was due to stage a rally in Alabama on Saturday night, in a city that has declared a Covid emergency and in support of a congressman who both backed Trump’s attempt to overturn the election and this week sympathised with a man who threatened to blow up the US Capitol. | Donald Trump was due to stage a rally in Alabama on Saturday night, in a city that has declared a Covid emergency and in support of a congressman who both backed Trump’s attempt to overturn the election and this week sympathised with a man who threatened to blow up the US Capitol. |
| The former president will speak in Cullman, Alabama, in support of Mo Brooks’ bid for a US Senate seat. | The former president will speak in Cullman, Alabama, in support of Mo Brooks’ bid for a US Senate seat. |
| Like other southern, Republican-run states, Alabama is struggling with a surge in cases of Covid-19 fueled by the contagious Delta variant. On Thursday, the city of Cullman declared a state of emergency. | Like other southern, Republican-run states, Alabama is struggling with a surge in cases of Covid-19 fueled by the contagious Delta variant. On Thursday, the city of Cullman declared a state of emergency. |
| “We want to prevent as many non-Covid related things as possible, so our hospital can use its resources to focus on the pandemic and its variants,” said Luke Satterfield, an attorney for the city, according to AL.com. “We don’t want to put any extra strain on them.” | “We want to prevent as many non-Covid related things as possible, so our hospital can use its resources to focus on the pandemic and its variants,” said Luke Satterfield, an attorney for the city, according to AL.com. “We don’t want to put any extra strain on them.” |
| Trump’s rally was set to take the stage at York Farms at 7pm local time. Local media reported that organisers expected about 40,000 to attend. | Trump’s rally was set to take the stage at York Farms at 7pm local time. Local media reported that organisers expected about 40,000 to attend. |
| Dr William Smith, chief medical officer for Cullman Regional, told CBS42: “We view this as a potential ‘super-spreader’ event, just like last week’s Rock the South that was [at the same location]. We’ve seen an increase in patients since that event last weekend and we’re concerned we could see the same impact.” | Dr William Smith, chief medical officer for Cullman Regional, told CBS42: “We view this as a potential ‘super-spreader’ event, just like last week’s Rock the South that was [at the same location]. We’ve seen an increase in patients since that event last weekend and we’re concerned we could see the same impact.” |
| US president Joe Biden’s popularity is taking a hit over the “summer surge” in cases facing the US, according to a new poll. | US president Joe Biden’s popularity is taking a hit over the “summer surge” in cases facing the US, according to a new poll. |
| Two-thirds of Americans approved of his handling of the pandemic last month but that has dropped to 54% now, according to the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. | Two-thirds of Americans approved of his handling of the pandemic last month but that has dropped to 54% now, according to the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. |
| His overall job approval has also dropped from 59% to 54%. | His overall job approval has also dropped from 59% to 54%. |
| Dan Patrick, the Republican lieutenant governor of Texas, has refused to apologise for blaming rising Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths on unvaccinated African Americans, comments one Black Houston official called “racist and flat out wrong”. | Dan Patrick, the Republican lieutenant governor of Texas, has refused to apologise for blaming rising Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths on unvaccinated African Americans, comments one Black Houston official called “racist and flat out wrong”. |
| Doubling down on his remarks to Fox News, Patrick blamed “Democrat social media trolls” and said “Democrats continue to play politics with people’s lives”. | Doubling down on his remarks to Fox News, Patrick blamed “Democrat social media trolls” and said “Democrats continue to play politics with people’s lives”. |
| Sylvester Turner, the Democratic mayor of Houston, who is African American, said Patrick’s comments were “offensive and should not be ignored”. | Sylvester Turner, the Democratic mayor of Houston, who is African American, said Patrick’s comments were “offensive and should not be ignored”. |
| Amid widespread concern over the spread of the Delta variant, Texas is experiencing its highest hospitalisation rates since January. It emerged this week that the state had asked federal authorities for more mortuary trucks. | Amid widespread concern over the spread of the Delta variant, Texas is experiencing its highest hospitalisation rates since January. It emerged this week that the state had asked federal authorities for more mortuary trucks. |
| The overwhelming majority of Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths in the US are among those who have not received a vaccine. | The overwhelming majority of Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths in the US are among those who have not received a vaccine. |
| Speaking to Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Thursday night, Patrick said: “The biggest group in most states are African Americans who have not been vaccinated. | Speaking to Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Thursday night, Patrick said: “The biggest group in most states are African Americans who have not been vaccinated. |
| “The last time I checked over 90% of them vote for Democrats in their major cities and major counties, so it’s up to the Democrats – just as it’s up to the Republicans – to try to get as many people vaccinated.” | “The last time I checked over 90% of them vote for Democrats in their major cities and major counties, so it’s up to the Democrats – just as it’s up to the Republicans – to try to get as many people vaccinated.” |
| In his statement on Friday, Patrick said federal and state data “clearly indicate that Black vaccination rates are significantly lower than White or Hispanic rates”. But statistics from the Texas health department did not back him up. | In his statement on Friday, Patrick said federal and state data “clearly indicate that Black vaccination rates are significantly lower than White or Hispanic rates”. But statistics from the Texas health department did not back him up. |
| These are the images from inside Ho Chi Minh City’s supermarkets, where shoppers have rushed to grab food and supplies before a lockdown is enforced on Monday. | These are the images from inside Ho Chi Minh City’s supermarkets, where shoppers have rushed to grab food and supplies before a lockdown is enforced on Monday. |
| Panic set in despite the government saying it will deliver food to people, calling on the army to help with the lockdown procedures. | Panic set in despite the government saying it will deliver food to people, calling on the army to help with the lockdown procedures. |
| During a pre-match press conference, the Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, revealed his approach to encouraging players to get vaccinated. | During a pre-match press conference, the Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, revealed his approach to encouraging players to get vaccinated. |
| “If all the scientists, the doctors ... say the only solution to eradicate or help to move forward from this pandemic...is to be vaccinated, I think they should consider it.” | “If all the scientists, the doctors ... say the only solution to eradicate or help to move forward from this pandemic...is to be vaccinated, I think they should consider it.” |
| The streets of Colombo have been deserted during the first full day of Sri Lanka’s 10-day lockdown. | The streets of Colombo have been deserted during the first full day of Sri Lanka’s 10-day lockdown. |
| Active since late last night, the lockdown was announced by the health minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, on Friday because of surging infections that doubled to a daily average of 3,897, according to the Reuters Global Covid tracker. | Active since late last night, the lockdown was announced by the health minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, on Friday because of surging infections that doubled to a daily average of 3,897, according to the Reuters Global Covid tracker. |
| Businesses have closed and soldiers have been deployed to man checkpoints. A nightly curfew will become active from Monday. | Businesses have closed and soldiers have been deployed to man checkpoints. A nightly curfew will become active from Monday. |