Daily summary report
Other coronavirus developments
[i
]It could be as long as “four or five years” before covid-19 is under control and the pandemic could “potentially get worse”, according to the World Health Organization’s chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan. Speaking at an FT conference, she said a vaccine “seems for now the best way out,” but it could stop working if the virus mutates.
UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer criticised prime minister Boris Johnson and the government about the extent of the coronavirus outbreak in care homes in parliament today. Starmer also questioned the decision to stop publishing international comparisons of covid-19 deaths at the government’s daily TV briefing, shortly after the UK became the country with the second highest official death toll.
In the US, 25 million more people left their homes on an average day last week compared to the previous six weeks. Businesses in many states including Texas and Florida have started to reopen after governors allowed stay-at-home orders to lapse, often against government health advice.
Brazil recorded its highest daily increase in the number of covid-19 deaths. 881 new deaths were registered yesterday, bringing Brazil’s total death toll to more than 12,400.
The European Commission has outlined guidance for EU countries to reopen national borders, compensate people for cancelled flights and ensure social distancing at holiday resorts, in an attempt to support the travel and tourism industries.
One type of ventilator has been banned in Russia amid suspicion that it may be linked to two hospital fires in which six covid-19 patients were killed.
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi unveiled an economic stimulus plan worth £220 billion, equivalent to 10 per cent of the country’s GDP.[/i]
https://www.newscientist.com/