Covid-19 found in Spanish wastewater samples collected in March 2019, new study shows
Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe
·92 min read
Spanish residents enjoy the warm weather at the beach of Llevant in Barcelona on June 20 2020 - TONI ALBIR/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..
11:26 PM
What happened today
Here are the big developments from today:
Summer holidays to countries including France, Spain and Greece have been given the go-ahead under a Government traffic-light system that will scrap quarantine for dozens of destinations.
Half of Britain’s imported coronavirus cases originate from Pakistan, The Telegraph understands, amid calls for tougher quarantine checks on arrivals from "high risk" countries.
The Government is considering ending drivers’ MOT holiday early amid fears more than a million unsafe cars could be flooding back onto the roads as lockdown eases.
Uzbekistan will pay tourists £2,400 if they catch Covid-19
As Uzbekistan opens its borders to travellers for the first time since March, its government has pledged to compensate tourists who catch Covid-19 while holidaying there.
Those who contract the virus within the Central Asian country could be granted US$3,000 (£2,417) to cover the costs of medical care in an Uzbek hospital.
“We want to reassure tourists they can come to Uzbekistan,” said Sophie Ibbotson, Uzbekistan’s tourism ambassador to the UK.
“The government is so confident that the new safety and hygiene measures being implemented across the tourism sector will protect tourists from Covid-19 that the president is prepared to put money where his mouth is: if you get Covid-19 on holiday in Uzbekistan, we will compensate you.”
However, the offer only applies to visitors who are part of a tour group which is being led by a local guide.
09:46 PM
14 day quarantine scrapped for low risk countries allowing Brits to travel abroad this summer
Summer holidays to countries including France, Spain and Greece have been given the go-ahead under a Government traffic-light system that will scrap quarantine for dozens of destinations.
But British holidaymakers have been warned that a sudden outbreak of coronavirus during their trip will mean the immediate reintroduction of quarantine, forcing them to self-isolate for 14 days on their return.
People sit on Biarritz beach, southwestern France in Mat 2020 - Bob Edme/AP
The Government plans to publish a list of up to 50 countries in the middle of next week where there will be “air bridges” exempting arrivals to the UK from quarantine. The Foreign Office will change its advice to allow travel, with the fly-away date for holidays likely to be Monday, July 6.
In place of quarantine, there will be a traffic-light system with officials placing countries into green, amber and red categories based on the prevalence of Covid-19, whether the disease is rising and the reliability of the country’s data.
Charles Hymas and Gordon Rayner have the latest here.
09:37 PM
Comment: 'America's Covid spike shows how a second wave could bring a second lockdown'
New surges in infections make it clear that avoiding a second lockdown will take more than wishful thinking, writes Juliet Samuel.
The line isn’t doing what it’s meant to do. After several months of mild up and down, the Covid case chart for Texas is surging. Hospitals are filling up. Governor Greg Abbott has called a halt to the state’s reopening and the hunt is on for stadiums and empty halls to house patients.
Texas has already been through a lockdown and come out the other side, but both its hospitalisations and the proportion of positive test results have doubled in the last three weeks – the opposite of what should happen as test capacity expands. In the US overall, after six weeks falling or flat-lining, new cases are now approaching the highs of over 30,000 a day last seen in April.
Despite warning signs, an almost mystical notion has taken hold, suggesting that Covid-19 has entered some sort of “natural decline”. It is in precipitous decline in the UK, after all – so much so that its absence may thwart Oxford’s vaccine trial. Life is slowly edging towards normality and public spaces are filling up, from park loungers to protesters, beachgoers and rioters. Surely the worst is over?
Sadly, the fact that we are bored of this whole virus thing doesn’t actually mean we are safe. There is very little compelling evidence to suggest we are anywhere near immunity.
The US recorded 40,588 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, bringing the country’s total caseload to 2,414,870.
The number of coronavirus fatalities increased by 2,516 to 124,325.
09:11 PM
80 per cent of contacts ‘need to be traced and isolated for tracing strategy to work’
A successful contact tracing strategy would require around 80 per cent of contacts of symptomatic cases to be traced and isolated rapidly, documents presented to the Government suggest.
A paper prepared by the SPI-M, a subcommittee of Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, suggests tracing and isolation of non-household contacts should take place "ideally within two days of symptom onset for the index case".
It also said that around 30 contacts would need to be traced per symptomatic case, adding that benefits "would be marginal" beyond that number.
The paper added: "To rely on extremely high levels of contact tracing and app coverage to suppress the epidemic could require the order of millions of people to be isolated per day."
For example, the document said, if 90 per cent of 100,000 people with Covid-like symptoms report them and all of the identified contacts are tested, then 30 contacts traced per case would see 2,790,000 people remain isolated.
08:57 PM
Covid-19 found in Barcelona wastewater sample from March 2019, however scientists caution against over-interpreting results
Researchers in Barcelona say they have detected the presence of Covid-19 in a waste water sample collected in the Spanish city in March 2019, nine months before the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, was first reported.
If confirmed, the finding raises questions as to the origin of the virus and where it may have been circulating before the health emergency was first declared in China last December.
However, scientists have cautioned against over-interpreting the results, which appeared to be a one-off, and could be linked to contamination between samples.
A medical worker wearing a protective face mask and scrubs tends to a patient diagnosed with Covid-19 on the intensive therapy unit ward at the Sant Pau hospital in Barcelona, Spain - Angel Garcia/Bloomberg
The team also found more consistent results showing that SARS-CoV-2 had showed up in Barcelona's waste water from January 15 this year, six weeks before the first coronavirus case was registered in a Spanish hospital in late February.
To obtain their results, the team analysed frozen samples of waste water from two previous years, providing the shock result of a "low positive" from 12 March 2019.
However, scientists were sceptical about the findings announced by the Barcelona University team.
Dr Jonathan Stoye, head of the Retrovirus-Host Interactions Laboratory at The Francis Crick Institute, told The Telegraph that more analysis was needed before the claim could be confirmed, noting that not all of the testing results had been aligned in the March 2019 sample.
“It may be right, but when you’re making a claim as important as this one, there cannot be any ambiguities or red flags, which is why I am sceptical”
08:48 PM
Evening summary
If you are just joining us, here is a quick summary of the top stories from this evening.
News from around the UK …
Liverpool fans are being encouraged to celebrate the club's Premier League triumph at home as police believe more gatherings are planned after thousands filled the streets outside Anfield yesterday.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that the Government is "losing control of communications" and has failed to convey a clear message to the public, after crowds were seen flocking to beaches during the hot weather.
The Independent SAGE, a group of preeminent experts from the UK and around the world, has estimated that 20,000 more people could die from coronavirus in next 9 months.
More than 50 organisations have urged the Prime Minister to develop a new mental health plan to prevent and respond to damage arising from the coronavirus outbreak.
A "large amount" of the Covid-19 virus is still circulating in Greater Manchester, Major Andy Burnham has said.
News from around the world…
Spanish virologists have found traces of the Covid-19 in a sample of Barcelona wastewater collected in March 2019, the University of Barcelona said on Friday.
Costa Rica will open its international airports on August 1 to tourists from countries that have "controlled transmission" of coronavirus, Health Minister Daniel Salas said on Friday.
France recorded 26 Covid-19 deaths on Friday, bringing the country’s total death toll to 29,778.
Bars in Florida have been ordered to close after state health department reported a record 8,942 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours.
The Greek Tourism Minister has said that the country hopes to set up an ‘air-bridge’ with the UK from mid-July.
Around 90 per cent of the world’s population is still susceptible to the coronavirus, making the search for a vaccine vital, the World Health Organization’s chief scientist has said.
Belgium has created a new system to track mobile phones in order to limit crowding on seaside resorts, Reuters have reported.
08:35 PM
Analysis: Why Brexit and Covid-19 are set to collide
The pandemic is fracturing globalisation, making continents much more prominent again, writes Paul Nuki.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses as he hammers a "Get Brexit Done" sign into the garden of a supporter, in Benfleet, east of London - Ben Stansall/AFP POOL
When up against it, science has a way of bringing things to a head. I’m thinking of junk food, obesity and Covid-19. The twin epidemics of Covid and social inequalities. The tensions between have-it-all boomers and the young.
There is another conflagration coming down the tracks. The pandemic and a thingymajig called “Brexit” may be about to collide. Take a look at the charts below and the data that underpin them. The pandemic is fracturing globalisation, with continents becoming much more prominent again.
Economists would say it was forever thus. Globalisation is a powerful idea but most trade still happens between countries in close geographic proximity.
Nevertheless, Covid-19 may cement that. Perhaps there is an element of cause and effect but whatever the reason, the science is pretty clear: the world is diving up into epidemiologically homogeneous zones bound principally by geography.
Watch: Benidorm v Bournemouth - what Covid-19 measures are in place
08:11 PM
Costa Rica to accept tourists from countries that have 'controlled' their transmission of Covid-19
Costa Rica will open its international airports on August 1 to tourists from countries that have "controlled transmission" of coronavirus, Health Minister Daniel Salas said on Friday.
This weekend, the country will also reopen more public spaces such as shopping centers and beaches.
07:55 PM
American Airlines to book flights to full capacity despite surge in US Covid-19 cases
From next Wednesday, American Airlines will start booking flights to full capacity, the Associated Press have reported.
The airline said that it will notify customers if their flight is likely to be full and will allow them to change their flight with no additional costs.
The announcement follows news that the number of coronavirus infections in the US reached an all time high of 40,000.
07:44 PM
In pictures: What will Covid-friendly restaurants will look like?
Pubs and restaurants are set to reopen on July 4, but they might not resemble the same places we remember from pre-lockdown, writes Katie Russell.
Summer doesn't officially begin until you've had a pint in a beer garden (we don't make the rules). But fear not, because in just over a week, on July 4, restaurants and pubs across the country will be able to open their doors for the first time since the start of lockdown.
Yet even as we welcome their return, these joints will look different to the places we remember. For starters, you will need to register to go out for a meal (so you can be tracked and traced if a fellow diner comes down with Covid). Then there's the 'one metre plus' rule, meaning you'll need to be socially distanced from other punters.
Whether you agree with our columnist Allison Pearson that these restrictions make it not worth going ("you would need to be utterly desperate to go to a pub or a restaurant under the glum circumstances"), or whether you can't wait to get dressed up and out of your house, the new dining world will be a key part of our 'new normal'.
But what will that 'new normal' look like? We have gathered some images of the innovations from pubs and restaurants in the UK, and around the world, to get an idea of what we'll see on an evening out in summer 2020...
Outdoor dining pods which has been designed for social distancing of diners at The Barn restaurant, Terrington St. John, Norfolk. - Ian Burt/Paul Marriott Photography French designer Christophe Gernigon's plexiglass protection design "Plex'Eat" in a cafe in Paris - CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock Mannequins are seen placed at tables to make customers sit according to social distancing rules at Elpaso Bar in Turkey - ADEM ALTAN/AFP
07:32 PM
Exclusive: Government considers ending drivers’ MOT holiday early
The Government is considering ending drivers’ MOT holiday early amid fears more than a million unsafe cars could be flooding back onto the roads.
The AA and RAC have led calls for ministers to axe the six-month extension on safety checks granted in March as part of lockdown restrictions.
At the time, the Department for Transport granted an extension to anyone whose MOT was due from March 30 until the end of September, essentially making their certificate valid for 18 months. Under the current rules, drivers whose MOT runs out in September won’t have to get their vehicles tested until March 2021.
However, driving associations have warned that the easing of lockdown on July 4 could see hundreds of thousands of unsafe cars back on the roads.
Figures obtained by Motorway.co.uk from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) show only 2.1 million MOTs were carried out in April and May, compared to 7.1 million in the same time period in 2019.
Controlling Covid-19 outbreaks would be like a game of whack-a-mole, says former Government advisor
Trying to control any possible Covid-19 outbreaks this autumn and winter could be like playing a game of whack-a-mole, a former Government advisor has warned.
Professor Neil Ferguson told the BBC Radio 4 programme Political Thinking With Nick Robinson that the widespread lifting of lockdown restrictions from July 4 could see "clusters of cases" being reported at venues such as food production plants, or workplaces and schools. He told the programme:
"We will be playing in some senses, and it's not a nice metaphor, a game of whack-a-mole of trying to suppress those outbreaks.
"I think as we go into the autumn and winter, there's a bigger potential risk of more widespread community transmission."
Prof Ferguson's modelling of the infection was instrumental in the lockdown being introduced but he later quit the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies panel advising ministers after the Telegraph revealed that he flouted the restrictions.
On the "error of judgment" that led to his resignation as a Government adviser, he said: "It was the wrong thing to do. I should have followed the rules and I regret that."
France recorded 26 Covid-19 deaths on Friday, bringing the country’s total death toll to 29,778.
The number of people hospitalised for coronavirus fell below 9,000 for the first time in three months. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases now stands at 162,936.
Here's a quick look at the trajectory of the country's outbreak:
06:49 PM
July 4 reopening 'not viable' for some pubs and restaurants
Restaurant and pub owners have poured cold water on the July 4 "Independence Day" reopening by claiming that social distancing guidance is still making them "loss-making ventures".
Venues told the Telegraph that many would not be opening or would remain as takeaway services next weekend because the one-metre plus rule meant their businesses were not viable.
The Prime Minister this week hailed July 4 as the day when the country’s "national hibernation" would end, with lockdown restrictions eased to allow pubs, restaurants and public attractions to reopen - as long as they could run their operation in a Covid-secure way.
However, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned that around a fifth of their members would not be able to open on that date.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “They just physically cannot open and we have to be concerned about those pubs and how we can help support them. Pubs are right at the edge of their survivability.”
Mike Wright and Dominic Penna have the latest here.
06:40 PM
US: Florida closes bars after surge in Covid-19 cases
Bars in Florida have been ordered to close after state health department reported a record 8,942 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours.
Halsey Beshears, the Secretary of Department of Business and Professional Regulation tweeted the announcement earlier this afternoon.
Effective immediately, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is suspending on premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide.
The Telegraph's leading journalists bring you expert analysis on the impact of the outbreak on health, politics, business and travel.
In this episode, as the US confirms a record number of daily cases, The Telegraph’s Washington Editor Nick Allen joins Theodora Louloudis to discuss whether Donald Trump is right to attribute this to increased testing, how reopening splits states along party lines and why the average age of those now infected has dropped by thirty years.
If you have a question you'd like our journalists to answer on the podcast, email coronaviruspodcast@telegraph. co.uk.
06:08 PM
Liverpool fans urged to celebrate at home
Liverpool fans are being encouraged to celebrate the club's Premier League triumph at home as police believe more gatherings are planned after thousands filled the streets outside Anfield yesterday.
Supporters filled the area around the ground after 10pm on Thursday when the club claimed the title as the final whistle blew in the match between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Football fans celebrate at Anfield Stadium as Liverpool FC win the Premier League - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe
Merseyside Police has said it understood some people were "looking to come together" on Friday to mark the team becoming the champions of England for the first time since 1990.
Assistant Chief Constable Jon Roy said: "We understand people want to celebrate Liverpool becoming Premier League champions for the first time in 30 years, and the time will come when fans can celebrate together with the team and applaud their achievement, but now is not that time."
"Please follow the advice of the players, the manager and the club by putting safety first. The club is encouraging fans to share their experiences of watching future games at home with the hashtag LFCAtHome on social media, and we all look forward to sharing your experiences of celebrating safely."
The force has pointed out that Merseyside still has a disproportionately high number of coronavirus cases compared to other parts of the country.
05:49 PM
Coronavirus traces found in Spain in March 2019, new study shows
Spanish virologists have found traces of the Covid-19 in a sample of Barcelona wastewater collected in March 2019, the University of Barcelona said on Friday.
The team, who have been testing wastewater since mid-April 2020, also ran tests on older samples.
They discovered that the virus was present in Barcelona on January 15 2020, 41 days before the first case was officially reported in the city.
The researchers also ran tests on samples taken between January 2018 and December 2019 and found the coronavirus genome in one of the samples, collected on March 12, 2019.
"The levels of SARS-CoV-2 were low but were positive," research leader Albert Bosch said.
The research has been submitted for a peer review.
Dr Joan Ramon Villalbi of the Spanish Society for Public Health and Sanitary Administration told Reuters that the findings were "definitely interesting", but said that it was still too early to draw definitive conclusions.
05:36 PM
Coronavirus positive: Your daily good news roundup
As always, we have your daily compendium of positive coronavirus news stories from around the world, brought to you today by Dominic Penna.
Here are some highlights:
Starbucks is to open its first store in Japan with sign language services for hearing impaired customers. The store, located in Kunitachi, western Tokyo, will count 19 hearing impaired employees among its 25 members of staff, and will act as the firm's fifth 'signing store' globally as the brand takes steps to become more inclusive of those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Netherlands will phase out some disposable plastic products by next July as part of its ongoing efforts to combat pollution and waste. Campaigns will take place highlighting the damage that can be caused by single-use plastics, following on from the end of free plastic bags in 2016, which has led to a considerable reduction in bag waste.
Acrobats who used to perform at a safari park in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi are now working on the roadside whilst the park remains closed for the foreseeable future. Lang'ata road. The acrobats are taking their tricks to the side of busy streets in return for tips from those passing by.
US Vice President Mike Pence: 'Covid-19 cases rising in 16 states'
In the first White House coronavirus task force briefing since April, Vice President Mike Pence said that while 34 states were showing signs of stabilising, 16 states were experiencing a rise in cases.
He said: "We have more than 2.5 million Americans that have contracted the coronavirus and sadly we've lost more than 126,000 of our countrymen".
"We slowed the spread, we flattened the curve, we saved lives," he added.
The Vice President said that within the South, Covid-19 cases were increasing, however he also praised the "extraordinary progress" made by states such as New York and New Jersey.
05:00 PM
Labour: Government "losing control of the communications"
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that the Government is "losing control of communications" and has failed to convey a clear message to the public, after crowds were seen flocking to beaches during the hot weather.
He said: "I'm really worried about the scenes we've seen from some of our beaches with overcrowding".
"This dates back to Dominic Cummings and that affair, where essentially the Government had a message that the public read as one rule for them, another for us."
Sir Keir added: "The Prime Minister has to take responsibility for this. When he was asked about this in Parliament ... the Prime Minister simply said 'show some guts, support your communities'".
04:54 PM
US: New York Governor criticises states experiencing surge in Covid-19 cases
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has criticised states that reopened their economies and lifted lockdown measures early.
Speaking in a press briefing earlier today, Mr Cuomo said that New York adopted a scientific rather than political approach and argued that states which followed guidance from the White House had made a mistake and were now seeing a spike in cases.
“What’s going on in this country is now frightening and revealing at the same time,” Cuomo said. “I say it is time to wake up, America, and look at the undeniable facts.”
Earlier this afternoon, the Governor tweeted that the recent spike in cases wasn’t part of a second wave but was in fact part of the first initial Covid-19 wave which began in January of this year.
Wake up America.
What’s happening across the country isn’t a second wave.
For the first time in hundreds of years, pubs across the UK closed their doors as the nation went into lockdown, forcing many to turn to novel and alternative ways to generate income.
"It was quite a shock to have that tap turned off overnight," says James Grundy, co-founder of Small Beer Brew Co.
Following the government's announcement, pubs can reopen from July 4th, and some are preparing to welcome back their customers.
From table service, to screen dividers and apps to order - this won't be your typical pub experience.
But for those with smaller venues, this isn't necessarily viable.
Watch the video below to find out how pubs plan to adapt to the new reopening guidelines.
04:27 PM
Covid-19 may trigger diabetes, growing body of evidence suggests
Not only may diabetes make a coronavirus infection worse, but Covid-19 may also trigger the onset of the chronic condition in some people, emerging evidence suggests.
It is well known that underlying health issues increase the likelihood of severe illness or death after contracting the coronavirus.
In the first two months of the UK’s outbreak, roughly 25 per cent of people hospitalised with Covid-19 with already had diabetes, suggesting that the risk of severe illness among diabetics was four times higher than for the general population.
But Paul Zimmet, a professor of diabetes at Monash University in Melbourne, told Nature that “two pandemics could be clashing”, with Covid-19 also damaging the cells responsible for producing the hormone insulin.
He said that dozens of patients suffering from severe Covid-19 have arrived at hospital with very high blood sugar levels – a sign that the body is not producing enough of the hormone.
Our Global Health Security reporter, Sarah Newey has the latest here.
04:14 PM
At least 20,000 more people could die from Covid-19 in the next 9 months, says Independent SAGE group
The Independent SAGE, a group of preeminent experts from the UK and around the world, has estimated that 20,000 more people could die from coronavirus in next 9 months.
The Independent SAGE is chaired by former HM Government Chief Scientific Advisor Sir David King and its members include Sir David Anthony King and Prof Gabriel Scally.
The group was created with the intention of providing independent advice to the Government with the purpose of helping the UK navigate the pandemic.
Independent SAGE is extremely concerned by latest data which shows cases have stopped falling. At current rates, at least 20,000 more people will die in next 9 months. Even before pubs & restaurants re-open on July 4 pic.twitter.com/NUuyiLKpXH
Mental health must be at the heart of the UK’s Covid-19 recovery, leading charities have said
More than 50 organisations have urged the Prime Minister to develop a new mental health plan to prevent and respond to damage arising from the coronavirus outbreak.
Leading charities, including the Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness and Mind, have warned Boris Johnson that the current system will not be able to cope with an expected surge in demand as the nation starts to rebuild after Covid-19.
Almost half of the UK population have experienced high levels of anxiety during the pandemic, while 80 per cent of people living with mental illness say it has deteriorated, the charities say.
The coalition of voluntary and social sector organisations has called on the Government to work alongside them to develop a mental health renewal plan.
Their letter to Mr Johnson reads:
"We know, as you do, that no one organisation, agency or Government department can provide the solutions to the enormous challenge facing us.
"But as Prime Minister, you have the authority to convene all the right people to make this happen.
"Together we can lead the world in delivering a Covid-19 recovery that puts the nation's mental health at its heart."
03:36 PM
Nine out of 10 people are still vulnerable to coronavirus, WHO warns
Around 90 per cent of the world’s population is still susceptible to the coronavirus, making the search for a vaccine vital, the World Health Organization’s chief scientist has said.
Dr Soumya Swaminathan said that recent studies of people’s seroprevalence – that is, whether they had antibodies against the virus – had shown that the majority of the world is still vulnerable to the disease.
A Lancet study earlier this month of a cross-section of the population in Geneva showed that at most only 10 per cent of people had antibodies that would be likely to confer some immunity to the disease.
“It appears that a large proportion of the world’s population – at least 90 per cent – continues to be susceptible. And therefore this virus could go on and on,” said Dr Swaminathan.
She added: “I think the best bet to bring an end to this pandemic, particularly in the acute phase, is to have a vaccine as soon as possible.”
03:30 PM
Analysis: 'Will America's new spike of virus infections be as deadly as the first?'
The US has hit record totals of positive cases two months after the virus was thought to have peaked, reports Nick Allen.
Adriana Cardenas, a medical technologist processes test samples for the coronavirus at the AdventHealth Tampa labs - Octavio Jones/Getty Images North America
America's curve is going the wrong way. Other parts of the world, including Europe and the UK, have seen a long decline in their daily number of confirmed coronavirus cases.
The EU and UK have fallen to below 20 cases per million population each day, and are moving seemingly inexorably toward zero.
However, the US is going in completely the opposite direction.
Daily cases peaked in April, then fell, stabilising at a daily total of around 60 cases per million people. Then, in mid-June, they began rapidly surging.
The US has now passed 100 cases per million. That is more than five times the rate in the UK and EU.
On Wednesday, the US reported 36,880 new cases, a new daily record for the entire pandemic, surpassing the previous peak two months earlier.
So what went wrong? Click here to read Nick Allen's full analysis on America's handing of the pandemic.
03:17 PM
Belgium introduces mobile tracking to monitor crowds on beaches
Belgium has created a new system to track mobile phones in order to limit crowding on seaside resorts, Reuters have reported.
With the summer season formally opening on Saturday, the technology will be deployed across 10 districts along the coast.
The new system will detect mobile phones on beaches, nearby dikes and seafronts and will display the live information on a website, using codes to inform the public when beach areas are densely populated.
03:08 PM
‘There is still a significant amount of Covid-19 circulating within Greater Manchester’, warns Andy Burnham
A "large amount" of the Covid-19 virus is still circulating in Greater Manchester, Major Andy Burnham has said.
Speaking at his weekly coronavirus press conference, he asked residents to remain cautious after the region received pillar 2 test results - swabs of the wider population - for the first time across its 10 boroughs.
Previously the authorities in Greater Manchester had only been able to release pillar 1 test data in which swabs are taken at Public Health England labs and NHS hospitals for those with a clinical need, and health and care workers.
However this week, Mr Burnham said the number of positive pillar 1 positive cases was 78 - a continued decrease - but leapt to 465 when combined with the pillar 2 data.
He said: "Finally we have been able to put pillar 1 and pillar 2 together and get much more of a truer picture in terms of what's going on with the spread, the circulation of Covid-19 in Greater Manchester."
"It represents a significant number of new cases and while the overall numbers are coming down and transmission is reducing, nevertheless there is still a significant amount of Covid-19 circulating within Greater Manchester. For the first time we are seeing the true picture."
02:56 PM
Latest research news
Thousands of scientists across the world are working to better understand the virus, Sars-Cov-2, that triggers Covid-19. Here are three research developments from this week that you should know about:
Children with Covid-19 generally experience only a mild disease and deaths are very rare, according to the first Europe-wide study of children and adolescents with the virus.
Two new studies show that patients who have recovered from coronavirus rapidly lose antibodies, raising questions over how long immunity to the disease lasts and how reliable antibody testing is.
One in three patients who recover from coronavirus could be harmed for life, with long-term damage to their lungs, as well as chronic fatigue and psychological disturbances, research suggests.
02:47 PM
Texas: Governor orders bars to close as cases surge
In the US there are growing concerns about a resurgence of cases after numerous States across the country eased lockdown restrictions in an attempt to get the economy moving - including Texas.
But the Governor there, Greg Abbott, has been forced to reintroduce a series of coronavirus restrictions today to stem the spread of Covid-19. Bars will be required to close, but may be able to continue to provide delivery and take-out service.
Restaurants can remain open but with only 50 percent indoor capacity, while outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people need the approval of local governments.
"As I said from the start, if the positivity rate rose above 10 percent, the State of Texas would take further action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," Abbott said. "At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars."
Texas was among the most aggressive states in reopening in early June after months of lockdown.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported a new record of 5,596 new coronavirus cases Thursday, a major jump from just 10 days ago, when the state had only 1,254 new cases in a day.
Abbott is an ally of Donald Trump, but his latest announcement is in stark contrast to the president, who has tried to signal that the virus crisis is largely over.
UK: 186 additional deaths reported, taking total toll to 43,414
The UK's death toll has risen by 186 in the last 24 hours, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced.
This rise takes the total number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for Covid-19 to 43,414.
As of 9am today, there have been more than 8.9 million tests conducted - including 165,665 yesterday. But the daily figures still don't include the number of individual people tested.
Overall 309,360 people have tested positive, a rise of 1,006 in the last 24 hours.
As of 9am 26 June, there have been 8,911,226 tests, with 165,665 tests on 25 June.
309,360 people have tested positive.
As of 5pm on 25 June, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 43,414 have sadly died.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) June 26, 2020
02:34 PM
South America braces for flu season amid Covid-19 pandemic
While the UK bathes in a summer heat wave, it's easy to forget that other parts of the world are facing winter.
But in South America - the current epicentre of the global pandemic - health officials and doctors are beefing up inoculation programs to head off a potential spike in seasonal flu, that could overwhelm hospitals already straining under the coronavirus pandemic.
Coupled with regional lockdowns, the inoculation drive has so far helped keep rates of seasonal respiratory disease low, even as cases of Covid-19 rise, according to doctors and recent government data.
Health workers and officials in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, said efforts to curb seasonal flu were key to supporting regional hospitals, with Latin America now on the front lines of the global battle against Covid-19.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), highlighting the importance of the issue, has said a surge in seasonal flu cases threatens to make a bad situation worse for overstretched healthcare systems.
"We know that in many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the epidemiological curve is still rising sharply," the PAHO said in written comments to Reuters. "This means that more people will be sick tomorrow than yesterday."
02:22 PM
PM: 'People are taking too many liberties'
Excitement is brewing around the lifting of lockdown rules next weekend, but there are widespread concerns that people are already flouting guidelines.
This afternoon Boris Johnson has urged caution during a visit to a restaurant in east London. The Prime Minister said there was a risk of a "serious spike" in coronavirus infections if people take "liberties" with social-distancing rules.
"If you look at what's happening elsewhere in the world where people have been coming out of lockdown, I'm afraid what you're also seeing is people taking too many liberties with the guidance, mingling too much, not observing social-distancing.
"So in some parts of the world - I won't name them - you have got spikes, really serious spikes, in the instance of the disease so it is crucial that people understand that on July 4 we get this right, we do this in a balanced way."
02:12 PM
Deaths jump by two in Wales and one in Northern Ireland
Public Health Wales has announced that two more people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of deaths to 1,497. The total number of cases increased by 65 to 15,531.
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, there's been one additional death. It takes total fatalities in the region to 548, amid 1,538 cases.
You can track the coronavirus pandemic in the UK and across the globe here:
02:04 PM
Vaccine race: Astrazeneca and Moderna most advanced, says WHO
Here's the latest snippet of vaccine news from today: Astrazeneca's Covid-19 vaccine candidate is probably the world's leading candidate and most advanced in terms of development, the World Health Organization's chief scientist said during the Act Accelerator event today (see 14:01).
Soumya Swaminathan said that Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine candidate was also "not far behind" Astrazeneca's. There are more than 200 candidates currently in development, 15 of which have entered clinical trials.
Tui cancels all UK holidays to Florida until December
In travel news, Europe's biggest travel and tourism company, TUI, is cancelling all holidays to Florida from the UK until December.
The decision follows the introduction of new hygiene rules at Walt Disney World Resort, including the mandatory use of face coverings. The firm said the new regulations would "significantly impact the holiday experience" for its customers.
Walt Disney World Resort, which includes four theme parks, will require visitors aged two and above to wear face coverings except when eating or swimming when it reopens in mid-July. Temperature screenings may be required for entry to some locations, and the number of entry tickets will be limited.
TUI said it "commits to only operating holidays where it's able to guarantee an enjoyable, relaxing and safe holiday without significant changes at their destination."
Customers are being offered alternatives, including delaying their trip until next year or changing their destination. TUI is also offering a full refund.
Guests required to wear masks because of the coronavirus pandemic stroll through the Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment complex - AP Photo/John Raoux
England: Death rate in hospitals falling, research finds
Some really interesting data here from the University of Oxford's Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, suggesting that the proportion of Covid-19 patients in hospital who are dying is falling.
Researchers studied deaths in hospital in England and found that the number of people in hospital with coronavirus is reducing by 2.4 per cent every day, while he number of deaths is falling by 4.3 per cent per day.
On April 2, at the height of the pandemic, there were 644 deaths in 10,737 people in hospital with Covid - giving a six per cent death rate. But by June 15, there were 50 deaths and 3,270 people in hospital, a death rate of 1.5 per cent.
The authors suggested several reasons for the "steep and continual decline in the death rate in hospital".
One could be that patients with Covid-19 in late March and early April included a significant proportion of patients who caught the infection in hospital.
"These patients, because they were in hospital, were more likely to be sicker and more vulnerable than patients who acquired infection in the community and so more likely to die from Covid-19," researchers said. But as patients with community-acquired infections became a greater proportion of patients in hospital, the death rate could fall, they added.
Other reasons may be that: medics have become more skilled at treating patients with Covid-19; patients over time have become younger with fewer underlying health conditions; or people are now suffering less severe disease.
01:30 PM
Sweden accuses WHO of misinterpreting data
Sweden is not happy. The country's top epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell, has accused the World Health Organization of a "total misinterpretation" of its data, after the UN body listed it among 11 countries facing a resurgence of coronavirus cases.
The WHO had made a "total mistake", said Dr Tegnell said, the architect of the country's coronavirus strategy. Sweden has made headlines across the world for its high death toll after it opted not to introduce strict lockdowns.
"We have an increase in cases because we have begun testing much more in Sweden the past week," he said, adding that "all the other parameters" showed the number of serious cases was falling.
The WHO's European branch yesterday said that Sweden was among 11 countries seeing an "accelerated transmission" that "if left unchecked will push health systems to the brink once again".
The other 10 countries on the list are mostly poorer nations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which is included in the WHO's European region.
Here's a look at the trajectory of Sweden's outbreak - the country has the world's fifth-highest death rate - many times higher than its Nordic neighbours, which all imposed much stricter measures to combat the pandemic.
01:22 PM
'Covid is largely an occupational disease'
Earlier today we reported on new figures from the ONS, which found that those working in social care, the NHS and in occupations such as cleaning, construction work and security, are more likely to die with Covid-19 than other working age people in Britain (see 11:50am).
Prof Neil Pearce, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said the report "strengthens the evidence that, for working age people, Covid-19 is largely an occupational disease".
"The occupations which are at increased risk are those which involve regular contact with patients or the public. These include security guards, taxi drivers, bus drivers, chefs, and sales and retail workers.
"All of these occupations should be supplied with appropriate PPE and required to use it - this is a workplace health and safety issue. It is not just health and social care workers who need PPE - it is anyone working with the public.”
01:09 PM
'Breakdown in public behaviour' responsible for Bournemouth beach incident
An unprecedented "breakdown in public behaviour" led to a major incident being called on Bournemouth beach, according to the leader of the local council.
Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said that many of the hundreds of thousands of people who descended on the Dorset beaches had caused multiple incidents of anti-social behaviour, were abusive and left large amounts of litter.
"We had so many people here and the behaviour was so bad, the road blockages were such a problem that had someone been seriously ill there is a very good chance emergency vehicles wouldn't have been able to get to them properly."
Ms Slade said that the beaches had previously seen such high numbers, which were in the hundreds of thousands, but the problem stemmed from the lack of infrastructure which would normally be available.
"On bank holidays the pubs are open, the cafes are open, the hotels are open, people aren't just congregating here, they are not bringing vast quantities of alcohol.
"The behaviour of people, fly-parking on the middle of roundabouts and pavements - unprecedented - people defecating in a cardboard box on the beach and leaving it for our staff to deal with, refuse collectors being abused for doing their job, that is what made it unprecedented and that is why we had to take action.
"The people who behaved badly, and there were lots of them, ruined it for everybody else, are trashing our environment, and our local residents are fed up with it."
Ms Slade added that the main threat of a Covid-19 spike would be people taking it back to their own communities.
WHO-led anti-pandemic coalition says it needs $31.3bn over next 12 months
The World Health Organization-led coalition fighting the coronavirus needs $31.3 billion over the next 12 months to develop and roll out tests, treatments and vaccines.
The WHO initiative aims to scale up delivery of 500 million tests and 245 million courses of treatments to low- and middle-income countries by mid-2021, it said in a statement.
It also aims to scale up delivery of 2 billion vaccine doses, including 1 billion to be bought by low- and middle-income countries, by the end of 2021.
Speaking at the Act Accelerator press conference today (see 1:29pm), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO, said that equal access, as well as accelerating development of medical tools, is required to beat Covid-19.
"And it’s clear that because all people are at risk of #COVID19, all people should have access to all the tools to prevent, detect and treat it – not only those who can afford to pay for them"-@DrTedros
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 26, 2020
Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome and a member of the UK Scientific Advisory Committee for Emergencies (Sage), reiterated Dr Tedros' comments.
“Tests, treatments and vaccines remain our only true exit strategy from this pandemic. Any promising advances that emerge from the global research effort must be made available to everyone, everywhere.
“Treatments could play a crucial role in ending this pandemic, from preventing infections to speeding patient recovery, working in tandem with a potential vaccine rollout. The Therapeutics Partnership as part of the ACT-Accelerator aims to find, manufacture and deliver 245 million treatments courses by the middle of next year.
“But to reach our goal, we must invest in scientific research at large scale. The money required seems immense, but the total cost is just a fraction of what the world’s economy is losing each day to this devastating pandemic.”
12:53 PM
Analysis: Nearly 1.4m people unable to access government help
Nearly 1.4 million people in the UK cannot access public funds during the coronavirus pandemic because of their immigration status, new analysis has revealed.
Some 1,376,158 people have no recourse to public funds (NRPF) because their immigration status is not finalised, according to research by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford.
This means they cannot access most benefits, such as Universal Credit, child benefit, housing benefit, and a range of allowances and tax credits.
Citizens Advice, which shared the research, said the number of people seeking help about this and non-EU migrants' access to benefits during the pandemic has more than doubled compared with last year.
Since March 11, it has been supporting someone regarding these concerns every 20 minutes on average.
People of colour are disproportionately affected by NRPF, with 82 per cent of those helped by the charity in the last year being from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
The charity says the rules mean families are risking their health to work and some may be split up in future. Some have faced the "impossible choice" between returning to work while ill or shielding so they can continue to earn, and staying at home, as per public health guidance, but losing their income.
12:45 PM
The view from Argentina: Doctors eye tough weeks ahead
Argentine doctors and health officials are predicting that coronavirus cases will peak in coming weeks as the southern hemisphere winter sets in, straining hospital intensive care units after confirmed cases accelerated past 50,000.
The South American nation, which outperformed many of its neighbors early on controlling the virus with a tough lockdown, has seen cases rise fivefold since mid-May with over 2,600 new cases on Thursday alone. The death toll stands at around 1,150.
The government has eased some restrictions, but maintained a lockdown in Buenos Aires city and province. A new phase of the quarantine is expected to be announced on Friday, with authorities looking to tighten controls on movement.
"We estimate that the number of infected people will keep rising for the next 20 days or so," said Juan Ciruzzi, executive director at the Eurnekian hospital in Buenos Aires, adding that this was in part due to loosened quarantine rules. "People are moving about more and we do not have the tools to fight it."
Infections have risen particularly in poorer neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and on the fringes of the capital, sparking a response from authorities to ramp up testing to help stem the spread.
Dr. Carlos Fuentes removes one of his protective gear before leaving an Intensive Care Unit t the Dr. Alberto Antranik Eurnekian hospital - REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
12:29 PM
Watch live: WHO discuss treatments, vaccines and diagnostics
The World Health Organization is currently hosting a press conference to discuss the progress made by the ‘Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator’ to date.
The initiative, known as Act Accelerator for short, was set up to accelerate the development, production and distribution of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. The concept of equitable access - where medical supplies are available based on need and lower income countries are not priced out - is at the centee of the initative.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 26, 2020
12:26 PM
Ivanisevic becomes the tennis star tests positive after controversial tournament
In sports news - former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has become the latest to announce he has tested positive for Covid-19 following the ill-fated Adria Tour, organised by Novak Djokovic.
Ivanisevic, who is part of Djokovic's coaching set-up, said on Instagram that after two negative tests he had now tested positive.
A post shared by Goran Ivanisevic (@goranivanisevicofficial) on Jun 26, 2020 at 3:43am PDT
"I feel good and don't have any symptoms," Croatian Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon as a wildcard in 2001 when he beat Pat Rafter, said.
"I would like to inform everyone who has been in contact with me that I tested positive and ask them to take extra good care of themselves and their loved ones.
World number one Djokovic has been criticised after he, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, Croatia's Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki of Serbia tested positive after playing in the exhibition tournament in the Balkan region.
Lobby latest: Boris Johnson urges people not to ‘undo the hard work’ of fighting the virus
Another quick UK update before we return to global news - this one via my colleagues on the politics desk, who have been listening into the daily lobby meeting.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman has said that everyone should be able to “enjoy the sunshine” but stressed it is “important we don’t undo the hard work of the British public” in fighting coronavirus.
His comments follow scenes of Britons flooded to beaches during this week's heatwave (as you can see in the striking image at the top of this blog).
The spokesman said that local lockdowns could be implemented if “cases in these areas increase”, but added that it would be a “matter for local authorities” to close beaches if they are concerned about numbers.
"We want people to be able to enjoy outside spaces but also to follow social distancing guidelines," the spokesman said.
After Liverpool’s Premier League victory, the Prime Minister’s spokesman also added: “It was obviously a fantastic achievement for Jurgen Klopp and the team. We understand fans want to celebrate but it's important for people to follow the social distancing guidelines.”
12:09 PM
Hunt: PM yet to answer critical questions about test and trace system
Jeremy Hunt has urged Boris Johnson to respond to outstanding questions about the UK's test and trace targets today.
The former health secretary and current chair of the health and social care committee said he first asked the Prime Minister to provide more detail about how many Covid-19 test results are returned within 24 hours more than three weeks ago, on June 1. He's yet to receive a response.
"Test and Trace needs rapid turnaround of test results to be effective so I am concerned that I have still not had a reply to my earlier letter to the Prime Minister asking for data on 24 hour test turnaround," Mr Hunt said.
"Today I have written again asking him to confirm that we are on track to meet his 24 hour turnaround target by the end of June. I am also asking for a commitment from the Government to publish a daily breakdown of the number of results returned within 24 hours to increase public confidence in the system."
12:00 PM
Global update
Here's a roundup of the key coronavirus news from across the globe so far today:
Several countries have reported a surge in cases after lifting coronavirus restrictions - including Japan, Ukraine and Montenegro. States in the US are also seeing a dramatic surge in cases.
Ireland said that it plans to lift from July 9 a 14-day quarantine for people arriving from countries that have also suppressed the coronavirus.
Colombia's first suspected death from Covid-19 occurred in February, almost a month before the country originally reported its first case of the coronavirus, the government's statistics agency said.
More than 20 million Americans could have contracted the coronavirus, 10 times more than official counts, senior government administration officials said.
Mexico's President has provoked considerable controversy after suggesting the tradition of women staying at home to take care of older family members was key to battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Australia will stick with plans to further ease coronavirus restrictions, despite a spike in infections in Victoria state. The Prime Minister also called renewed stockpiling of toilet roll "ridiculous".
Nigeria's outbreak may push 5 million people into poverty as it triggers the worst recession in the African powerhouse since the 1980s, the World Bank said.
The number of malnourished children in Yemen could reach 2.4m by the end of the year amid the pandemic, a 20 per cent increase on the current figure, Unicef warned.
A German meat company says it plans to perform daily coronavirus tests on all 5,000 workers involved in the production process, amid concerns about a series of outbreaks at slaughterhouses in the country.
Scroll down for all the latest news. And if you're after a UK summary, head to the post at 11:30am.
11:51 AM
Data: Scotland reports no new fatalities
There have been no new deaths among patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland in the last 24 hours, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
Speaking at the Scottish Government's virtual coronavirus briefing, she said although this has happened around the weekend when registration figures tend to be artificially low, this is the first time it has happened on a weekday since before lockdown.
It means the death toll in Scotland under this measure remains at 2,482.
The First Minister added that 18,213 people have tested positive for the virus, up by 17 from 18,196 the previous day.
There are 823 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, a drop of three in 24 hours. Of these patients, 17 are in intensive care - a fall of one.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, wearing a Tartan face mask during a visit to New Look at Ford Kinaird Retail Park in Edinburgh today - eff J Mitchell /PA Wire
11:43 AM
Step up: Young adults fall behind on activity rates in the US
Perhaps unsurprising, but activity tracker maker Fitbit has said today that young adults in the United States are lagging behind older age groups in returning to the same number of steps as before the coronavirus outbreak.
Women and men under 29 years old took fewer steps in June than the same period a year ago, according to data aggregated from Fitbit users, as the coronavirus prompted people to stay at home. People over 30 years old were closer to last year's levels, and women ages 50 years old to 64 years old even took more steps in mid-June than a year ago.
Officials in some states have expressed concern this week that the re-opening of restaurants, bars and other businesses could draw young adults, in particular, from their homes and lead to infections among a group so far less affected by the virus. Many infected young people do not exhibit symptoms but may be transmitters.
Hulya Emir-Farinas, Fitbit’s director of data science, told Reuters that it was difficult to pinpoint why young adults are further from pre-outbreak steps than other age cohorts.
"Perhaps this group is home from university or still working from home so not walking to class or commuting to work, or it could be that they are showing more caution," Emir-Farinas said, adding that younger people also have "more ground to make up" because they are typically more active than others.
11:24 AM
Montenegro reimposes coronavirus restrictions as cases surge in the Balkans
A month after it declared itself coronavirus-free, Montenegro reintroduced restrictions late last night, including a ban on sports events and outdoor political rallies, to try to contain an increase in new cases.
A tiny Adriatic nation of just 620,000 people and heavily reliant on tourism, Montenegro had declared itself coronavirus-free, but has reported about 100 new cases in the past 10 days, bringing the total to 424, with nine deaths.
Its national body tasked with combating Covid-19 said it had banned religious gatherings outside places of worship, though indoor church services are still allowed. Funerals will be performed exclusively within family circles.
Authorities have also imposed a night-time curfew from 6 pm to 5 am in two municipalities in northern Montenegro hardest hit by Covid-19.
Meanwhile neighbouring Serbia said on today it would again dedicate some general hospitals to treating only Covid-19 patients following a spike in infections there in recent days.
The moves follow Croatia's announcement on Wednesday that it would reintroduce a 14-day quarantine for visitors from four other Balkan countries including Serbia due to the regional resurgence in Covid-19 cases.
11:18 AM
Today in photos
Here's a look at life around the world today.
UK:
Rubbish litters the beach in Bournemouth after thousands flocked to the coast yesterday - prompting warnings from Ministers that restrictions could be reintroduced 'if necessary' - Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
Italy:
talian police officers stand guard below buildings inside the red zone where new 49 cases of coronavirus infections were confirmed, triggering protests of residents in Mondragone, Southern Italy - STRINGER/ANSA/AFP A resident living in a building inside the red zone in Mondragonethrowing a chair during a protest - TRINGER/ANSA/AFP
India:
A nurse rests in a makeshift ward at an emergency Covid-19 care center set up in the Shehnai Banquet Hall at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital Annexe in New Delhi - T. Narayan/Bloomberg
Mexico:
Workers of the San Miguel Xico cementery carry a coffin of a presumed Covid-19 victim - Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images
11:06 AM
Covid-19 infections surge in Japan
Local media has reported a surge in cases in Japan today. According to Kyodo News, the country has recorded more than 100 new coronavirus infections for the first time since May 9, hitting its highest daily total since it eased a lockdown that had closed bars, cinemas and other public venues.
Japan last week ended a curb on domestic travel, the last of a series of major restrictions imposed during a state of emergency declared in April. There were 54 new infections in Tokyo on Friday, according to public broadcaster NHK.
10:59 AM
High immunity found in 'super-spreader' Austrian ski resort
This is an interesting story you might have missed yesterday from Justin Huggler:
Almost half the people living in an Austrian ski resort that was a major centre of the European coronavirus outbreak now have immunity, according to a new study released on Thursday.
Scientists from Innsbruck Medical University found antibodies to the virus in 42.4 per cent of people in Ischgl.
It is one of the highest coronavirus infection rates yet discovered anywhere in the world. A similar study in Geneva found antibodies in just 10 per cent of the population, while in the Italian ski resort of Val Gardena, it was 27 per cent.
In detail: Social carers' at higher risk of dying after a Covid-19 infection
New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that people working in social care, the NHS and in occupations such as cleaning, construction work and security, are more likely to die with coronavirus.
Some 4,761 deaths involving Covid-19 were registered among people of working age (20 to 64) in England and Wales between March 9 and May 25, the ONS said, with nearly two-thirds of these deaths men.
Here are the key points from the study:
Men and women working in social care both had "significantly raised rates of death", with rates of 50.1 deaths per 100,000 men and 19.1 deaths per 100,000 women.
Those figures compare with 19.1 deaths involving coronavirus per 100,000 men in the general population, and 9.7 deaths per 100,000 women.
Men working in elementary occupations (such as construction workers, security guards and cleaners) had some of the highest rates of death involving Covid-19, with 39.7 deaths per 100,000 men - security guards alone had the highest rate, with 74 deaths per 100,000.
Among health workers, only men had higher rates of death involving Covid-19 (30.4 deaths per 100,000 men) when compared with the general population.
But nurses of both sexes appeared to have an increased risk (50.4 deaths per 100,000 male nurses and 15.3 deaths per 100,000 female nurses).
Among women, those at higher risk of death included sales and retail assistants (15.7 deaths per 100,000 women), national government administrators, and process, plant and machine operatives.
Of the 17 occupations found to have higher rates of death involving Covid-19, 11 had higher proportions of workers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Commenting on the figures Ben Humberstone, head of health analysis and life events for the ONS, said:
"There are lots of complex things playing out during the pandemic and the risk of death involving Covid-19 is influenced by a range of factors including the job someone does, but also age, ethnicity and underlying health conditions.
"Today's analysis shows that jobs involving close proximity with others, and those where there is regular exposure to disease, have some of the highest rates of death from Covid-19. However, our findings do not prove conclusively that the observed rates of death involving Covid-19 are necessarily caused by differences in occupational exposure."
10:42 AM
Treatment news: South Korea urges caution when using dexamethasone
South Korea has added the anti-viral drug remdesivir to its coronavirus treatment guidelines, in its first revision of recommendations since the outbreak began.
But the guidelines urged caution in the use of the steroid therapy, dexamethasone - suggesting it should only be used under close medical observation for critically ill patients.
Korean health authorities also advised the dropping of hydroxychloroquine after a study found the decades-old malaria drug, which US President Donald Trump touted a possible treatment, did not provide any benefit.
Just joining us? Here's a quick summary of this morning's top stories from the UK:
Men working in social care have more than double the risk of death from Covid-19 as those in the general population, ONS figures have shown (we'll bring you more on this within the next hour).
Trafford Centre owner Intu is on the brink of collapsing into administration, after failing to secure its future during crunch talks with lenders.
Tesco sales have surged over the past three months, after rapidly expanding its online business amid increased demand for grocery deliveries in the face of coronavirus.
Some Britons show a "real reluctance" to co-operate with the UK Government's contact tracers, the World Health Organisation has warned.
At least 2,500 volunteers are being recruited to test the reliability of Covid-19 home-based antibody testing kits, the Government has announced.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has promised to shut down illegal parties after officers came under attack for a second night in London as they tried to break up crowds.
Public transport services will be ramped up in England in early July, the Department for Transport has revealed.
And finally, George Eustice has warned that the Government has the power to go back to a "partial lockdown" if necessary, despite being 'reluctant' to do so. The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, made similar comments after people flocked to beaches yesterday.
10:22 AM
'We have entered a serious wave': Record rise in cases reported in Ukraine
Bad news from Ukraine, where authorities have reported a record daily increase in coronavirus cases and warned that lockdowns may have to be re-imposed if people continue to flout restrictions.
Health authorities recorded 1,109 new Covid-19 infections in the previous 24 hours, bringing Ukraine's total to more than 41,000.
"People have ceased to comply with restrictions," Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said late last night. "If we want to preserve the economy and not quarantine the country, the only way is to adhere to restrictions together."
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly complained that people are ignoring social distancing and other safety rules after anti-virus restrictions were eased last month.
"We have entered a serious wave," Mr Shmygal said, adding that the number of coronavirus patients who needed to be hospitalised was also rising.
The situation in Ukraine is yet another demonstration of the challenges involved in easing restrictions.
Yesterday the head of the WHO in Europe warned that an increase in the number of weekly cases of the coronavirus for the first time in months last week, with the easing of lockdown restrictions fuelling the rise - Anne Gulland has more on this story here.
10:14 AM
ONS: Four in 10 adults feel life has improved since Covid-19 hit
In slightly more positive news, ONS figures released this morning have revealed that four in 10 adults in Britain feel some parts of their lives have changed for the better since the coronavirus outbreak hit the UK.
Of the 43 per cent who reported positive lifestyle changes, more than half said they were able to spend more quality time with loved ones they live with. Around 50 per cent said they were enjoying a slower pace of life and were spending less time travelling.
The outbreak has also prompted 28 per cent of adults to plan "big changes" in their lives once the nation has fully recovered.
The ONS analysed responses from 1,920 adults questioned between June 18 and 21 as part of its Opinions and Lifestyle Survey on the impact of Covid-19.
10:03 AM
Yemen: Millions of children may starve amid pandemic
Unicef have released a stark warning about Yemen today: millions of children could be pushed to the brink of starvation as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across war-torn country amid a "huge" drop in humanitarian aid funding.
After five years of war between a Saudi-led military coalition and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the country is home to the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The situation in Yemen is only expected to get worse as donor countries recently cut back on aid. Yemen has officially recorded more than 1,000 cases of Covid-19, including 275 deaths. This is probably an underestimate, as testing capabilities are severely limited - there are concerns the shattered health system is unprepared to tackle the pandemic.
A new report from Unicef today says:
The number of malnourished Yemeni children could reach 2.4m by the end of the year, a 20 per cent increase on the current figure.
Unless $54.5m is spent on health and nutrition aid by the end of August, more than 23,000 children will be at increased risk of dying because of acute malnutrition - and 5m others under the age of five will not have access to vaccines.
Half of Yemen's health facilities are dysfunctional and 18 per cent of the country's 333 districts have no doctors.
Around 9.6m children do not have sufficient access to safe water, sanitation, or hygiene. Two-thirds of the country's roughly 30m people rely on food assistance.
09:51 AM
Shapps: Bus and train services to be boosted in early July
To coincide with the easing of lockdown restrictions, public transport services in England will be ramped up in early July, the Department for Transport has announced.
Bus and train timetables will be at about 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels from July 4 and July 6 respectively. But people will still to be urged to avoid public transport where possible.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
"As more businesses across the country prepare to reopen, we are increasing rail and bus services to boost capacity and meet additional demand for travel, helping people to travel safely.
"Our guidance remains that people should avoid public transport if possible and to walk or cycle instead."
Large parts of England's hospitality industry will reopen on July 4, including pubs, restaurants, hotels and visitor attractions. Indoor gatherings involving two separate households will be permitted from the same date.
09:45 AM
Mexican President rebuked for comments on women staying home
Mexico's President has provoked considerable controversy after suggesting the tradition of women staying at home to take care of older family members was key to battling the coronavirus pandemic.
"People want to change women's role and that is one of the just causes of feminism, but the tradition in Mexico is that daughters are the ones who care the most for parents. We men are more detached," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said late yesterday.
Whereas seniors in nursing homes in Europe had suffered with the pandemic, Mexico's elders were helped by the custom of being cared for at home, he said, adding that the "Mexican family is the most important social security institution" in the country.
The comments have provoked widespread anger, with the hashtag AmloMachista, or sexist AMLO in reference to the president's initials, trending on Twitter.
Martha Tagle, a lawmaker with the Citizen's Movement party, wrote:
"Translating the president's nineteenth century thinking when he says: men are more detached, he means irresponsible; daughters take care of their parents, he's referring to unpaid work; tradition refers to machismo; feminism wants to change roles, true transformation,"
It is not the first time the 66 year old has been accused of tone-deaf, sexist comments - MEXICO'S PRESIDENCY/REUTERS
09:30 AM
More than 500 prisoners currently infected with Covid-19
The weekly figures on coronavirus infections in English and Welsh prisons are out. They reveal that, as of June 19, there were 510 people with Covid-19 symptoms who had tested positive for the virus.
Of those, 500 were in adult prisons and 10 in youth jails.
The latest available data, published in a weekly report for the first time, also showed 23 prisoners and 21 offenders being supervised by probation had died during the pandemic with Covid-19 being the suspected cause.
So far, 175 inmates have been freed early as part of efforts to protect those most vulnerable to catching the virus.
09:21 AM
EU emergency stimulus a 'massive priority' for Germany
In financial news: Finalising the European Union's package of measures to help the economy recover from the Covid-19 pandemic is a "massive priority" for Germany's presidency of the EU, German Deputy Finance Minister Joerg Kukies said today.
EU leaders agreed in April to build a trillion-euro emergency fund to help the 27-nation bloc rebound from the pandemic, but the final details have yet to be agreed.
"We really need to act quickly now if we want the funds to be available on January 1, 2021," Mr Kukies told an online event. He said that it is not possible to "sugar-coat" the severity of the economic crisis being faced by Europe, and things could get worse before they get better.
But there are signs that the crisis is "bottoming out" with strong credit expansion in Germany, the EU's largest economy, during the height of the crisis, Mr Kukies added.
Germany will drive the bloc's agenda over the next six months and Mr Kukies said that in financial services there was a need for a harmonised approach to anti-money laundering moves.
09:10 AM
Australia: Return of the loo roll rush?
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic anxiety lead thousands of people across the globe to stockpile. One of the most popular items? Loo roll.
Since then matters have calmed down considerably - but now Australia is witnessing a re-run and supermarkets have today reimposed purchase limits on toilet paper.
It follows panic buying by people rattled over a surge in coronavirus cases in the country's second-biggest city, Melbourne, where officials reported 30 new coronavirus infections overnight.
It's the 10th straight day of double-digit rises in new cases in the city and surrounding Victoria state, while most other Australian regions have seen no or low single-digit new infections for weeks.
The number of new cases is relatively low compared to soaring tallies elsewhere in the world, but the Melbourne outbreak has sparked fears of a resurgence of the epidemic as most parts of the country push ahead with relaxing restrictions.
Woolworths and Coles, Australia's two biggest supermarket chains, both said today that they were reimposing nationwide quotas on purchases of toilet paper and paper towels to counter a surge in panic buying.
"Stop it, it's ridiculous," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said after the rush on stores, insisting the Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne did not threaten the country's so far successful containment of the epidemic.
Here's a look at the trajectory of Australia's outbreak to date:
09:01 AM
Less than half of travel firms will allow self-isolating holidaymakers to rebook
Hoping for a summer getaway? Make sure you've checked the smallprint first - as Marianna Hunt explains here:
Holidaymakers unable to travel because they have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service may find themselves out of pocket, as less than half of firms would provide a refund in this case.
Coby Benson of Bott and Co, a law firm, said: “Passengers are at risk of losing their money, since there is no law which requires the airline to provide a refund if the flight goes ahead but the passenger was unable to travel.”
Only a handful of travel firms have made special arrangements for this scenario. Out of 23 major travel operators and airlines, just 10 said they would allow customers who were told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace to rebook free of charge, research by consumer website Which? found.
These included package holiday firm Tui and airlines British Airways, Emirates and Ryanair. Explore, an adventure travel provider, said it would offer at least a partial refund depending on circumstances.
The view from Italy: Authorities monitor new clusters of cases
Italy has returned to near normality, with hospitalisations and deaths continuing to drop - just 34 fatalities have been reported in the last 24 hours.
But Italian health officials have warned that the virus is still circulating and say they are closely monitoring a number of new cluster outbreaks from north to south.
Andrea Vogt has these updates:
The governor of Campania sent in army units to help enforce a quarantine of several tower blocks in the town of Mondragone, south of Naples, after 49 migrant workers tested positive for the virus.
A new red zone has also been declared in three quarters of the city of Palmi, in Reggio Calabria.
Officials are watching a cluster outbreak that infected 123 in the Instituto San Raffaele Pisana rehab medical center in Rome, as well as 17 others in an illegally occupied building in the Garbatella quarter.
In Sicily, 28 recently rescued migrants tested positive for the virus and are being kept in quarantine in sealed off areas of a ferry anchored off shore, where recently rescued migrants are being held for testing and health checks.
In Bologna several hundred people are sheltering at home after 47 workers in a logistics warehouse for the Bartolini courier tested positive, along with another 17 family and friends with whom they were in contact.
A residential complex where 49 people tested positive for Covid-19 is cordoned off after it was placed under quarantine in the village of Mondragone, on Friday - REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
08:43 AM
Vaccine news: Daiichi Sankyo in talks with AstraZeneca to supply Japan
The vaccine candidate under development by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca is gaining global recognition, with trials set to begin in Brazil and South Africa and countries including the US (and of course the UK) agreeing deals to secure supplies.
Now that reach looks likely to spread to Japan. The company Daiichi Sankyo is in discussions to secure supplies of the experimental vaccine, known as AZD1222.
Daiichi Sankyo said in a statement on Friday that one of its subsidiaries would receive undiluted solution of the vaccine and then carry out formulation procedures, packaging, and storage in Japan. AstraZeneca said separately that it is in talks with the Japanese government on supplies of the potential vaccine.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said earlier on Friday that the government is supporting domestic vaccine development but is also in negotiations with other parties.
"In any event, the government will work hard to ensure that Japan has the vaccines it needs," Suga said.
Vietnam: PM warns of economic calamity due to coronavirus
Vietnam has been widely praised for it's swift and effective response to Covid-19. But the Prime Minister has warned that the country has not escaped unscathed - the pandemic has swept away years of economic gains in his nation and across Southeast Asia.
Today leaders from the region met for an online summit, where the crippling cost of the coronavirus on the tourism and export-reliant countries in the region was discussed.
"It has swept away the successes of recent years... threatening the lives of millions of people," Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in a sobering opening address.
He emphasised the "serious consequences" of the pandemic for economic development among the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.
Thailand is bracing for particularly rough news - its central bank now forecasts its economy to shrink by an unprecedented 8.1 percent. Vietnam is set to see at least two percent chipped off its GDP in 2020.
Discussions were also dominated by increasing angst that the fallout from the virus has provided cover for new Chinese plays in the South China Sea, the resource-rich waterway Beijing claims most of but is also contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan.
08:25 AM
People earning over £30k were more likely to enjoy lockdown
At the start of the pandemic, the virus was widely described as the "great leveler". More and more evidence has emerged demonstrating this is not the case - Jessica Carpani reports on the latest:
People earning over £30k were more likely to enjoy lockdown, a University College London study has found.
A third of people in the UK have enjoyed their time spent under the coronavirus lockdown, new research suggests.
Adults aged 30-59, those with higher incomes and those living with others have enjoyed the period the most, according to the University College London (UCL) Covid-19 social study.
The study showed that 15 per cent of those who earn over £30k have not enjoyed lockdown at all but that this increased to 20 per cent for those earning less than £30k.
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to axe Obamacare
Coronavirus infections are rising in the US (as Nick Allen explains here), but a new battle has erupted over access to healthcare.
Late last night President Donald Trump's administration has asked the US Supreme Court to invalidate the Obamacare law. Introduced by his predecessor, the legislation added millions to the healthcare safety net and prohibited health insurers from denying coverage those with pre-existing health conditions.
Government advocate Noel Francisco argued in a filing late on Thursday that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became invalid after the previous, Republican-led Congress axed parts of it.
The legal push is sure to be an important political battleground in November's presidential election and the Democrats have already reacted with outrage.
Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said:
"President Trump and the Republicans’ campaign to rip away the protections and benefits of the Affordable Care Act in the middle of the coronavirus crisis is an act of unfathomable cruelty.
"If President Trump gets his way, 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions will lose the ACA’s lifesaving protections and 23 million Americans will lose their health coverage entirely. There is no legal justification and no moral excuse for the Trump Administration’s disastrous efforts to take away Americans’ health care."
"It's cruel, it's heartless, it's callous," Joe Biden added in a campaign speech on Thursday.
08:06 AM
Russia: Lowest daily rise in cases since late April
Russia on Friday reported 6,800 new coronavirus cases, the first daily rise below 7,000 since late April, taking its nationwide tally to 620,794.
The country's coronavirus response centre said 176 people had died of the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 8,781.
Here's a quick look at the trajectory of the country's outbreak:
07:58 AM
Government recruits 2,500 volunteers to test antibody kits
We've heard a lot about the necessity of antibody tests in order to understand how many people have been infected with Covid-19.
But to date, there have been widespread concerns that these tests - which are meant shine a light on whether you've had an infection previously, not currently - are not reliable.
In an attempt answer the accuracy question, the Government has said it will recruit at least 2,500 volunteers to test the reliability of Covid-19 home-based antibody testing kits.
The Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England (PHE) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are recruiting people from the NHS and other key workers to test a finger-prick blood test.
Volunteers will be recruited who have tested positive for the virus previously, alongside those who have tested negative.
The Government said it was "essential that we understand exactly how effective these home kits are when used by the public, and how easy they are to use".
07:47 AM
Data: The Covid-19 pandemic is worse now than ever before
The situation may well be slowly improving at home and even across most of Europe, although there are signs of resurgence in some European countries which have lifted restrictions (see here).
But far from retreating, the coronavirus outbreak is actually gathering pace across the globe - on Wednesday, 33 countries reported their highest numbers of new daily cases so far, including the United States and Brazil, which had the highest numbers of new cases globally.
There are now more than 100 times as many cases as there were at the end of February:
Numbers are rising exponentially across the globe:
Rather than abating, the virus has moved into new territories:
07:40 AM
Children only experience mild form of virus, European study finds
One of the major unknowns about the coronavirus to date has been its impact on children and their role in transmission.
But according to the first Europe-wide study of children and adolescents with Covid-19, children generally experience only a mild disease and deaths are very rare.
The study in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Child Health, which included 582 children aged between three days and 18 years old, found that although the majority were admitted to hospital (62 per cent), fewer than one in 10 patients required treatment in intensive care (eight per cent).
Fatalities were also extremely rare, with just four deaths out of the 582 patients - less than one per cent. Two of these patients had pre-existing medical conditions.
The study adds to the growing body of evidence that coronavirus in children is mild and will add to calls for children to get back to school.
George Eustice, the UK's Environment Secretary, has been doing the morning rounds of broadcast and radio interviews this morning.
Mr Eustice has insisted that he did not think lockdown was being lifted too quickly, despite scenes of packed beaches yesterday. He also reiterated that local lockdowns could be put in place if infections rise in an area.
He told BBC Breakfast: "I think we always did this in phases, it was always a case of that third phase coming up next week starting on July 4 with the restaurants and pubs that was always going to be the most difficult to achieve because these are by their nature quite social venues.
"We will watch that and monitor the situation very carefully, and where necessary we will localise lockdowns delivered through the Test and Trace system."
Mr Eustice added that he went to Bournemouth beach a few weeks ago and saw people following social distancing rules. Here's a photo of the packed beachfront yesterday:
Visitors crowd together as they enjoy the hot weather on the beach on June 25 - Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
07:08 AM
'Don't just think of yourself' says WHO expert following packed out beaches
Dr David Nabarro said he was not "really concerned" by images of crowds on beaches, but feared what was going on "out of sight".
He told the Today programme: "I don't personally get really concerned when I see people outside in the open, because as you have just said, transmission is less likely to occur there.
"But it's what happens out of sight that I'm more worried about. People going to the toilet and being in a queue and perhaps there being transmission there.
"Or particularly the person who is cleaning the toilet being exposed to lots of folk with disease, people getting on the public transport and exposing bus drivers and the like.
"That's where I get nervous because I actually feel this vast amount of movement that's going on - that is absolutely essential for people to come out and enjoy themselves again - does come at a risk.
"And I just ask everybody, don't just think of yourself. Think of the other person who you might be exposing to the virus because sometimes they don't have a choice."
07:04 AM
WHO expert says there is a 'real reluctance' among Britons towards contact tracing
Dr David Nabarro, World Health Organization (WHO) special envoy on the coronavirus, said contact tracing is “absolutely vital” for life to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, but there is a “real reluctance” among British people to cooperate with the system.
Dr Nabarro said Britain, along with other countries, is trying it’s best to get the “best possible system” going, but questioned why the number of people reached by NHS Test and Trace has stayed “static” for around three weeks.
Speaking on the BBC’s Radio Four Today programme, he said: “If I was in charge of a contact tracing system. I'd be really asking myself why is it proving so hard to find all those who've got the disease, and to get to their contacts and it does appear that there's still a real reluctance among some British people to be open about their contacts and perhaps they feel it's an intrusion into their privacy.”
He added that when trying to eradicate a virus “contact tracing is absolutely critical”.
“So if you're in any doubt, please do cooperate on this contact tracing issue, because it's key to getting down to the low levels that we need for life to recover and people to go about their lives.”
06:45 AM
Croatian tennis pro says he is 'feeling well' after testing positive for Covid-19
Croatia's Borna Coric has told fans he is feeling well and experiencing no symptoms after contracting the novel coronavirus at Novak Djokovic's controversial Adria Tour tournament.
Djokovic, Coric, Grigor Dimitrov and Viktor Troicki all tested positive for Covid-19 after playing in the event in Serbia and Croatia, which drew big crowds and saw the players pose for pictures together.
World No. 1 Djokovic, who organised the charity event, has come in for heavy criticism after the players were pictured hugging at the net, playing basketball and partying together.
"A few days have passed since I tested positive for Covid-19," world number 33 Coric said on Twitter, with a picture of him standing on a treadmill.
A few days have passed since I tested positive for Covid-19. I’m extremely grateful that I still feel well and don’t have any symptoms 🙏🏼TY very much for all the messages of love and support I have received whilst isolating. I will do my best to stay in shape thanks to @Technogympic.twitter.com/zkKEhYl2Ls
Government experts believe more than 20 million Americans could have contracted the coronavirus, 10 times more than official counts, indicating many people without symptoms have or have had the disease, senior officials said.
The estimate, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is based on serology testing used to determine the presence of antibodies that show whether an individual has had the disease, the officials said.
The estimate comes as government officials note that many new cases are showing up in young people who do not exhibit symptoms and may not know they have it.
06:01 AM
Australia continues to lift restrictions despite new outbreak
Australia will continue easing social distancing restrictions despite an outbreak of coronavirus in one state, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today.
The country's second-most-populated state, Victoria, has seen 10 straight days of double digit new cases. It has about 200 of the country's total of 270 active cases.
Although authorities are scrambling to contain the virus, including embarking on a massive testing regime and calling in military support, Mr Morrison said states and territories on Friday had agreed to remove more social distancing curbs.
"All states are committed to continue on with the various plans that they have and they're making," Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
05:39 AM
BMA pleads with holidaymakers following scenes of packed beaches
Doctors have pleaded with holidaymakers to practise social distancing ahead of the tourism industry reopening next weekend.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has set out guidelines for people in England, who will be allowed to visit hotels, bed and breakfast facilities and campsites from July 4.
It comes as thousands have flocked to beaches and beauty spots on Thursday - the hottest day of the year so far - prompting a major incident to be declared in Bournemouth.
The BMA has advised people not to travel if they are ill or have any Covid-19 symptoms, including a cough, temperature or loss of smell or taste.
Holidaymakers should be prepared to self-isolate for 14 days if anyone in their "bubble" develops symptoms or is told to do so by the NHS Test and Trace service. Those who take prescribed medicines should make sure they have enough to last their trip and everyone should practise social distancing and hand washing on holiday.
The BMA has also encouraged people to wear a face covering when mixing with people from outside their "bubble" indoors.
05:08 AM
US watchdog finds flaws in government pandemic response
A US government watchdog gave a blunt review of the shortcomings in the government's response to the pandemic yesterday that included the sending of nearly $1.4 billion (£1.1 billion) to deceased Americans, and the collection of incomplete and inconsistent virus-testing data.
The report issued by the Government Accountability Office marked the first review of the government's response to the pandemic, and made recommendations to lawmakers how to improve the fight to come out of the crisis.
Some of its harshest criticism was reserved for the Small Business Administration (SBA), which oversees a $670 billion (£539 million) emergency loan program to help companies survive the pandemic, and the lack of a plan from the Department of Transportation to improve the aviation sector's response to outbreaks.
Detailing its findings on the coronavirus testing data, the GAO said the data that was collected at times included antibody tests that detect prior infections, and sometimes included counts on the number of samples tested, which could include multiple tests for one person.
"The absence of complete and consistent Covid-19 testing data reported through May 31, 2020, has made it more difficult to track and know the infection rate, mitigate the effect of infections, and inform decisions on reopening communities," the watchdog said.
04:25 AM
Cases rise in South Korea as social distancing is relaxed
South Korea reported 39 new cases, mostly from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area where officials have been struggling to stem transmissions amid increased public activity and eased attitudes on social distancing.
South Korea was considered an anti-virus success story after containing an outbreak during February and March surrounding the southeastern city of Daegu. However, the country has been seeing an uptick in new infections since authorities moved to ease social distancing guidelines and reopen schools starting in May.
The update from the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention today brought national totals to 12,602 cases, including 282 deaths. Twelve of the new cases were linked to international arrivals.
04:22 AM
Australia starts virus testing blitz to stop second wave in Melbourne
Roadside testing following an infection spike in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - Daniel Pockett/EPA-EFE
Health workers fanned out across suburbs of Melbourne today in a testing blitz aimed at choking off a surge in coronavirus cases in Australia's second-biggest city.
Officials reported another 30 new infections in the city overnight in a continuing outbreak that has raised fears of a second wave in Australia, which looked like it had successfully contained the disease.
It was the 10th straight day of double-digit rises in new cases in Melbourne and surrounding Victoria state, while most other Australian regions have seen no or low single-digit new infections for weeks.
Some 200 soldiers were due to deploy to Melbourne over the weekend to help with the testing offensive in 10 suburb "hot spots", where officials are going door-to-door to track the virus.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has set a goal of testing 100,000 people in 10 days in the targeted suburbs.
Australia has recorded roughly 7,500 cases and 104 deaths in a population of 25 million, with several regions believed to be effectively virus-free.
04:06 AM
Police warn Liverpool fans 'its not the time to gather together'
Liverpool fans gather to celebrate winning the Premier League, Liverpool, Britain - Phil Nobel/Reuters
Police have condemned the thousands of Liverpool fans who filled the streets outside Anfield after the club won the Premier League.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Carden said Merseyside had been "disproportionately affected" by the coronavirus pandemic and its residents had a responsibility to prevent further cases.
He said: "The overwhelming majority of fans have recognised the fact that now is not the time to gather together to celebrate, and chose to mark the event safely. They are a credit to this city.
"Unfortunately, as we have seen throughout the lockdown period, not everyone adhered to the regulations in place. Although the vast majority of celebrations were good natured, a large number of people chose to gather outside the stadium."
Earlier, about 100 fans gathered outside the Main Stand at Anfield for when the final whistle blew on Thursday's Chelsea v Manchester City match, securing Liverpool the title with seven games to spare.
Fireworks went off and fans waved flags and sang: "We've gone and won the league."
Within an hour of the result, thousands of fans had gathered outside the stadium, lighting red flares and singing football songs.
03:46 AM
Indonesians seek humour in safety
A vendor sits near a face design masks display at a traditional market in Jakarta, Indonesia - Reuters
Protective face masks are fast becoming fashion accessories for Indonesians keen to add some style and humour to their healthwear essentials.
Bespoke masks are catching on in Indonesia, with customers ordering designs with their own faces printed on reusable neoprene material, some with smiling faces, or big red lips.
A Jakarta print shop added masks to its services after its sales slumped due to the virus, which has infected more than 50,000 Indonesians and killed 2,620.
Customers place orders online and upload their pictures. Masks take 30 minutes to produce and each cost 50,000 rupiah (£2.80), income that has kept some businesses afloat.
03:36 AM
China reports a further decline in new virus cases
China reported a further decline in newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus today, with just 13 cases.
Eleven were in Beijing, where mass testing has been carried out following an outbreak that appears to have been largely brought under control. The other two cases were brought by Chinese travellers from overseas, according to the National Health Council.
No new deaths were reported and 389 people remained in treatment, with another 107 in isolation. Case numbers both nationally and in Beijing were down from Thursday. China has reported 4,634 Covid-19 deaths from 83,462 total cases.
03:17 AM
US sets one-day record for cases, Texas pauses reopening
The governor of Texas has temporarily halted the state's reopening as Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations surged and the country set a new record for a one-day increase in cases.
The state has been at the forefront of efforts to reopen devastated economies shut down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, has seen one of the biggest jumps in new cases, reporting more than 6,000 in a single day on Monday.
Texas has also set record hospitalisations for 13 days in a row.
Texas' rising numbers are part of a nationwide resurgence in states that were spared the brunt of the initial outbreak or moved early to lift restrictions on residents and businesses.
Cases rose across the United States by at least 39,818 on Thursday, the largest one-day increase of the pandemic.
01:27 AM
Appointments now available at six new ‘walk through’ testing sites
The number of mobile testing units will double to 236 by the end of July - Reuters
Six new ‘walk through’ local testing sites are now offering appointments to people in England, with the capacity to test hundreds of people each day and are all easily accessible by foot or on a bike.
Three months since the first regional drive through test site was set up in Nottingham, there are now 68 such sites across the country, alongside 6 new walk-through sites in England, new mobile testing units, and special home test postboxes for safe and easy returns.
Free and accessible testing is a cornerstone of the new NHS Test and Trace service. The service has identified 113,925 people as recent close contacts since the service began on 28 May 2020.
12:36 AM
US airline bosses to discuss EU travel restrictions
Major US airline CEOs to hold White House meeting - AP
The chief executives of major US airlines are set to hold a meeting today to discuss a range of coronavirus-travel issues.
The meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and other senior US officials is expected to include the CEOs of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines , United Airlines and JetBlue Airways Corp , the sources said.
The discussions will revolve around potential extended European Union travel restrictions on US travellers, possible temperature checks at US airports, contract tracing of airline passengers and the impact of Covid-19 on travel demand, among other issues, the sources said.
12:29 AM
Mexico's coronavirus deaths pass 25,000
Mexico's healthy ministry reported 6,104 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday and 736 deaths, bringing the nation's total known infections to 202,951 and 25,060 deaths.
The government has said the real number of infections is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
11:18 PM
Coronavirus: the final twist in Liverpool's Premier League title tale
Liverpool FC celebrate outside Anfield stadium in Liverpool, after been crowned champions of the Premier League for the first time in three decade - EPA-EFE
The delay to Liverpool's title celebrations caused by the coronavirus was just the latest twist in the tale of the Reds' 30-year wait to be crowned champions of England.
A stunning run of 26 wins and one draw from their opening 27 games of the Premier League season ensured Jurgen Klopp's men were champions-elect long before football was shut down in March.
The return of the Premier League even allowed them to seal it themselves rather than by votes via video conference. Liverpool were crowned champions yesterday after Manchester City fell 2-1 at Chelsea.
It is not the way fans would have chosen to seal the deal and there will be no celebrations to match those following Liverpool's sixth European Cup win last year. Klopp has promised a parade when it is safe to hold one.
US officials add pregnant women to virus risk group
America's top public health agency add pregnant women to risk group - Cultura RF
The top public health agency in the US revamped its list of which Americans are at higher risk for severe Covid-19 illness, adding pregnant women and removing age alone as a factor.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also changed the list of underlying conditions that make someone more susceptible to suffering and death.
Sickle cell disease joined the list, for example. And the threshold for risky levels of obesity was lowered. The changes didn't include adding race as a risk factor for serious illness, despite accumulating evidence that Black people, Hispanics and Native Americans have higher rates of infection, hospitalisation and death.
Previously, the CDC said those at high risk of serious illness included people aged 65 years and older; those who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility; and people with serious heart conditions, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, and conditions that leave them with weakened immune systems.
11:02 PM
Today's top stories
'It's like Armageddon': Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council declare a "major incident" after thousands of people ignored advice to stay away and flocked to Dorset's beaches.
Police warn of a 'summer of discontent' as lockdown is lifted and pubs are set to reopen on Saturday 4 July with violence, disorder and crime all expected to rise.
Former NBA guard Darius Morris has died at the age of 33. He played for five teams during his four NBA seasons. Morris played college basketball at Michigan.
Affluent Americans may want to double-check how much of their bank deposits are protected by government-backed insurance. The rules governing trust accounts just changed.
It’s key to note that we’re not saying the “best team” or “best roster.” Instead, we’re talking about the best confluence of factors that can outline a path for survival and then success.
Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the Padres-Marlins trade that sent Luis Arraez to San Diego, as well as recap all the action from this weekend in baseball and send birthday wishes to hall-of-famer Willie Mays.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley rebuked comments Jimmy Butler made about the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, while also implying that his star needs to play more.
An annual government report offered a glimmer of good news for Social Security and a jolt of good news for Medicare even as both programs continue to be on pace to run dry next decade.
Once named the “Most Likable Person in the World,” the actor is under fire in a new report, accused of showing up to work late on the film “Red One,” irritating the crew and causing the budget to balloon.
