Summary for Sunday, 14th June
f you’re joining us in the UK, Africa and Europe - good morning, and good afternoon if you’re in Asia or Australia. Welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are some of the latest headlines from around the world:
India's home minister, Amit Shah, and Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, are holding an emergency meeting in the capital to address the continuing rise in coronavirus cases there.
It's their second meeting in less than a week, and comes amid concerns about the city's ability to manage the crisis.
For weeks, the number of new daily cases in Delhi has been steadily rising - and anecdotal evidence suggests the healthcare system is overwhelmed.
Now the chief minister has confirmed plans to requisition nursing homes for coronavirus use. That will make about 5,000 more beds available.
In the future, hotel rooms and banquet halls may be converted too.
On Sunday, the daily total across India rose again with nearly 12 thousand new cases. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi are some of the worst affected states.
The study by Harvard University, which gained significant publicity when it was released earlier this month , has been dismissed by China and had its methodology challenged by independent scientists .
Researchers say there was a noticeable rise in vehicles parking outside six hospitals in the city from late August to 1 December 2019. This coincided with an increase in searches for possible coronavirus symptoms such as "cough" and "diarrhoea".
But an analysis by the BBC has found serious flaws in their conclusions.
Read more here
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has commissioned a review into the rule , following warnings that unless it is scrapped the hospitality industry will not be financially viable.
Labour’s Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday that the public health position and the health of the economy “go together” and should not be seen as “in conflict”.
If the UK does reduce the distance required without this being supported by the scientific advice, this could risk a second peak, doing even more damage to the economy, he added.
He said the government should be “vigilant and cautious” and publish the scientific evidence behind its decisions to restore public confidence.
This includes retailers offering clothes, toys, books and electronics - as well as record shops, tailors, auction houses, photography studios and indoor markets.
A number of major retailers - including John Lewis, Debenhams and Primark - have announced plans to open a limited number of outlets from Monday.
Under government rules, newly reopened stores must meet Covid-19 guidelines to show shoppers and workers can be kept safe.
Read more here
As the UK government’s scientific advisers are keen to point out, what’s called the 2m "rule" is not actually a rule – instead it’s guidance for politicians to make decisions on.
And it’s not only about distance.
They say that shops, workplaces and other locations need to do individual risk assessments based on several key factors.
The first is the time that people might spend close together.
Spending six seconds at one metre carries the same risk at 60 seconds at two metres, they reckon.
Then there’s ventilation. A stuffy confined location will make infections more likely. A good supply of fresh air will make a big difference.
Whether people are face-to-face – which carries the greatest risk – or sitting back-to-back is vital.
And noise level is a factor too: if people have to force their voices – such as in choirs - that increases the chances of them releasing the virus into the air.
Finally, barriers to infection such as face coverings or screens can play a part, if keeping apart isn’t possible.
The Covid-19 epidemic and the risk of infection have led to new rules in many countries about how we treat the dead. In France, like anywhere else, the restrictions make the process of bereavement even more difficult to bear.
In Béthune, in the northern part of the country, the Charitable Brothers of Saint-Eloi were founded in the 12th Century to help families bury their loved ones.
More than 800 years on, the Brotherhood is not just about folklore; it's part of the city's daily life and death. And its work is more relevant than ever.
Watch our video of their work above...
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak was also asked about criticisms from the aviation industry of the quarantine rule in place for travellers arriving to the UK.
He said compliance with the measures had been "very good", but said the government had always said it was keeping the measures under review.
The transport secretary was looking at ways for travel to reopen, including so-called travel corridors with other countries, Sunak added.
"This is not something that we want to have," Sunak says.
"We all, over time, would like to get our lives back to normal, travel included. And that's why the transport secretary is actively looking at options. As we continue to make progress against the virus, we might able to more here as well."
The National Health Commission said 38 were locally transmitted, with 36 of them in Beijing.
Since yesterday, lockdown measures have been re-introduced in some localities of the capital after dozens of new infections were discovered. Many have been linked to a local market, which has been closed. Eleven residential compounds nearby have also been sealed off, with resident only allowed to leave for essential shopping.
More than 84,000 cases have been reported in China, according to Johns Hopkins University, along with 4,638 deaths.
The country has relaxed many of its containment measures after the ruling Communist Party declared victory over coronavirus in March. But a recent rise in cases has sparked fears of a second wave of infections.
Due to recent rises in confirmed cases, many health authorities say the continent is now the epicentre of the global pandemic. With several governments lacking adequate testing resources, it's feared that the true number of infections is higher than what's being reported.
In some of the biggest developments:
- India records 11,929 coronavirus cases in 24 hours – its highest single-day figure to date
- Chile, Argentina, Peru and Colombia all report a record number of Covid-19 infections, amid mounting concerns about its spread in Latin America
- In the UK, leading psychologists have called the delay in getting children back to school a “national disaster” that endangers their mental health
- UK PM Boris Johnson has launched a review of the 2m distancing rule, after warnings it could cripple the hospitality industry
- The Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria plan to ease restrictions at libraries, community centres and nightclubs despite increases in new infections
- There have now been more than 7.7 million cases worldwide and more than 430,000 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University
f you’re joining us in the UK, Africa and Europe - good morning, and good afternoon if you’re in Asia or Australia. Welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are some of the latest headlines from around the world:
- Over 7.7 million cases have been reported worldwide, along with 430,000 deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University
- India has reported its highest ever daily jump in cases, confirming 11,929 on Sunday. It's currently the fourth-worst hit country in the world
- Meanwhile China has reported 57 new cases, its highest daily jump since mid-April. Authorities said 36 were reported in Beijing, where lockdown measures have been re-imposed in some localities after a cluster of cases linked to a local market
- France’s highest administrative court has ruled that coronavirus concerns no longer justify a ban on public protests. On Saturday night, the Council of State said demonstrations can resume so long as they follow public health protections, are declared in advance, and are not deemed a risk to public order. The ruling came while unauthorised protests were held in Paris against police violence and racial injustice
Latest from the UK
With more lockdown easing set to kick in on Monday, here are some developments from the UK:- Prime Minister Boris Johnson has commissioned a review into the 2m (6ft) social distancing rule , following calls to scrap it
- The delay in getting children and adolescents back to schools is a "national disaster" that is putting their mental health at risk, leading psychologists have said
- Non-essential shops in England are preparing to reopen from Monday, after being forced to close for months during the lockdown
Emergency meetings in India as healthcare system struggles
Jill McGivering - South Asia editorIndia's home minister, Amit Shah, and Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, are holding an emergency meeting in the capital to address the continuing rise in coronavirus cases there.
It's their second meeting in less than a week, and comes amid concerns about the city's ability to manage the crisis.
For weeks, the number of new daily cases in Delhi has been steadily rising - and anecdotal evidence suggests the healthcare system is overwhelmed.
Now the chief minister has confirmed plans to requisition nursing homes for coronavirus use. That will make about 5,000 more beds available.
In the future, hotel rooms and banquet halls may be converted too.
On Sunday, the daily total across India rose again with nearly 12 thousand new cases. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi are some of the worst affected states.
Fact-checking claims the virus might have started in August 2019
There's been criticism of a study from the US suggesting that the coronavirus could have been present in the Chinese city of Wuhan as early as August last year.The study by Harvard University, which gained significant publicity when it was released earlier this month , has been dismissed by China and had its methodology challenged by independent scientists .
Researchers say there was a noticeable rise in vehicles parking outside six hospitals in the city from late August to 1 December 2019. This coincided with an increase in searches for possible coronavirus symptoms such as "cough" and "diarrhoea".
But an analysis by the BBC has found serious flaws in their conclusions.
Read more here
Two-metre rule should only be reduced if supported by the science - Labour
The UK's 2m (6ft) social distancing rule should only be reduced if the scientific evidence supports this, the shadow home secretary has said.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has commissioned a review into the rule , following warnings that unless it is scrapped the hospitality industry will not be financially viable.
Labour’s Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday that the public health position and the health of the economy “go together” and should not be seen as “in conflict”.
If the UK does reduce the distance required without this being supported by the scientific advice, this could risk a second peak, doing even more damage to the economy, he added.
He said the government should be “vigilant and cautious” and publish the scientific evidence behind its decisions to restore public confidence.
Which shops can open in England from tomorrow?
From Monday, all shops in England selling "non-essential" goods will be able to open, as the government eases lockdown restrictions.This includes retailers offering clothes, toys, books and electronics - as well as record shops, tailors, auction houses, photography studios and indoor markets.
A number of major retailers - including John Lewis, Debenhams and Primark - have announced plans to open a limited number of outlets from Monday.
Under government rules, newly reopened stores must meet Covid-19 guidelines to show shoppers and workers can be kept safe.
Read more here
Infection risk is about more than 2m distance
David Shukman - Science editor, BBC NewsAs the UK government’s scientific advisers are keen to point out, what’s called the 2m "rule" is not actually a rule – instead it’s guidance for politicians to make decisions on.
And it’s not only about distance.
They say that shops, workplaces and other locations need to do individual risk assessments based on several key factors.
The first is the time that people might spend close together.
Spending six seconds at one metre carries the same risk at 60 seconds at two metres, they reckon.
Then there’s ventilation. A stuffy confined location will make infections more likely. A good supply of fresh air will make a big difference.
Whether people are face-to-face – which carries the greatest risk – or sitting back-to-back is vital.
And noise level is a factor too: if people have to force their voices – such as in choirs - that increases the chances of them releasing the virus into the air.
Finally, barriers to infection such as face coverings or screens can play a part, if keeping apart isn’t possible.
France's ancient burial brotherhood work the Covid-19 crisis
The Covid-19 epidemic and the risk of infection have led to new rules in many countries about how we treat the dead. In France, like anywhere else, the restrictions make the process of bereavement even more difficult to bear.
In Béthune, in the northern part of the country, the Charitable Brothers of Saint-Eloi were founded in the 12th Century to help families bury their loved ones.
More than 800 years on, the Brotherhood is not just about folklore; it's part of the city's daily life and death. And its work is more relevant than ever.
Watch our video of their work above...
Travel quarantine 'not something we want to have'
The Andrew Marr ShowUK Chancellor Rishi Sunak was also asked about criticisms from the aviation industry of the quarantine rule in place for travellers arriving to the UK.
He said compliance with the measures had been "very good", but said the government had always said it was keeping the measures under review.
The transport secretary was looking at ways for travel to reopen, including so-called travel corridors with other countries, Sunak added.
"This is not something that we want to have," Sunak says.
"We all, over time, would like to get our lives back to normal, travel included. And that's why the transport secretary is actively looking at options. As we continue to make progress against the virus, we might able to more here as well."
China sees biggest daily rise in infections since April
Authorities in China have reported 57 new cases, the country's highest daily jump since mid-April.The National Health Commission said 38 were locally transmitted, with 36 of them in Beijing.
Since yesterday, lockdown measures have been re-introduced in some localities of the capital after dozens of new infections were discovered. Many have been linked to a local market, which has been closed. Eleven residential compounds nearby have also been sealed off, with resident only allowed to leave for essential shopping.
More than 84,000 cases have been reported in China, according to Johns Hopkins University, along with 4,638 deaths.
The country has relaxed many of its containment measures after the ruling Communist Party declared victory over coronavirus in March. But a recent rise in cases has sparked fears of a second wave of infections.
Infection spikes reported across Latin America
Chile, Argentina, Peru and Colombia have reported a record number of Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours, increasing concerns about the spread of the disease in Latin America.Due to recent rises in confirmed cases, many health authorities say the continent is now the epicentre of the global pandemic. With several governments lacking adequate testing resources, it's feared that the true number of infections is higher than what's being reported.
In some of the biggest developments:
- Brazil reported 20,894 new infections on Saturday, the highest on the continent. It currently has the second-biggest toll of deaths and cases in the world, after the US
- Chile's President Sebastián Piñera has replaced Health Minister Jaime Mañalich amid controversy over the reporting of the country's death toll
- In Mexico, the number of cases has also increased sharply in the past three days; it has the fourth highest number of registered cases in Latin America
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