28 July

HERE are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

Nearly 650,000 dead 

The pandemic has killed nearly 650,000 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, with more than 16.29 million people infected, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT on Monday based on official sources. 

The United States has the most deaths with 146,935, followed by Brazil with 87,004, Britain with 45,752, Mexico with 43,680 and Italy with 35,107.

Chinese surge 

China, where the coronavirus first emerged late last year, records its highest daily tally of new virus cases since April 14. 

The 61 new cases are propelled by clusters in three separate regions that have sparked fears of a fresh wave. However, there has been no death from the virus in China since mid-May.

Hong Kong: masks mandatory 

Authorities in Hong Kong unveil the toughest social distancing measures yet to combat a new wave of coronavirus infections, with everybody forced to wear masks in public from this week. 

Measures to deal with what Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung describes as a “remarkably severe” outbreak also include a ban on more than two people gathering in public and restaurants only being allowed to serve takeaway meals.

Record cases in Australia 

Australia posts its highest number of new cases, 549, since the pandemic began, almost entirely driven by an outbreak in the southeastern state of Victoria. 

Authorities admit a second wave of clusters in Australia’s second city Melbourne is taking longer to suppress than hoped.

Gold hits record high 

Gold prices rocket to a record high of more than $1,930.48 per ounce in Asian trade with spooked investors rushed into the safe-haven as the coronavirus spreads across the globe, while the weaker dollar also provides strong support.

Scaled down Hajj to start 

Saudi Arabia begins hosting the annual hajj pilgrimage, dramatically downscaled due to the pandemic. Up to 10,000 people residing in the kingdom will participate in the Muslim ritual, a tiny fraction of the 2.5 million that attended last year.

PNG capital in lockdown 

Papua New Guinea’s prime minister orders a swift lockdown of the capital and warns the number of cases will likely explode in coming days, as the country records its first confirmed COVID-19 death.

Belgium: ‘worrying’ rise 

Belgium is seeing a “worrying” rapid rise in cases, health authorities warn, with almost half of the new infections recorded around the port city of Antwerp.

There have been 1,952 new cases around Belgium over the past week, up more than 70 per cent on the previous week, officials announce, as the country’s national security committee meets to consider tougher measures to slow the spread of the virus. 

Bavaria to step up tests 

Bavaria will set up test sites at its two biggest railway stations as well as key points on motorways, the leader of the southern German state says, as fears grow that summer travel could spark a new wave of infections. 

AFP