Publications
Partners
Keeping you up to date on the latest novel coronavirus (Covid-19) news from around the world.
FOLLOW LIVE | Eastern Cape Covid-19 surge could trigger second wave in new year
Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 62.47 million, death toll at 1 456 448
More than 62.47 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 456 448 have died, according to a Reuters tally.
Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.
- REUTERS
Hong Kong reimposes strict social distancing as fourth wave strikes
Hong Kong reimposed social distancing measures at some of their strictest levels in the city since the start of the coronavirus pandemic on Monday, as authorities battle a fourth wave of infections.
The financial hub has maintained bans on large group gatherings for much of year and has shuttered various industries when cases have spiked.
The measures have helped keep infections to just over 6 000 in the city of 7.5 million with 109 deaths.
But daily cases have risen above 100 in recent days, prompting authorities to usher in stricter measures similar to those seen during waves in the spring and summer.
"This new wave of Covid-19 has hit Hong Kong very quickly," chief executive Carrie Lam told reporters, adding the new restrictions would take effect from Wednesday.
The city's 170 000 civil servants will work from home unless their job is considered essential and Lam asked private businesses to follow suit where possible.
The restrictions on public gatherings will be reduced to two people maximum, down from four, while restaurants will only be able to serve a maximum of two people per table.
Schools, bars and nightclubs have already been ordered to close.
- AFP
Germans must do more to reduce contacts to curb pandemic, minister says
BERLIN – The number of Covid-19 infections is still much too high in most German regions and people must do more to reduce their contacts to slow the spread of the disease, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk on Monday.
Altmaier, a close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, added that pandemic relief aid for companies cannot be extended indefinitely and taxes will not be raised in this parliamentary term, which will likely last until late next year.
- REUTERS
Covid-19 surge triggers deadly prison riot in Sri Lanka
Intermittent gunfire rang out on Monday at a Sri Lankan high-security prison where a riot by inmates over a surge of coronavirus infections left at least eight dead and 55 wounded, police said.
Hundreds of police surrounded the Mahara prison, just outside the capital Colombo as prison guards sought to end the unrest.
Inmates fought with guards on Sunday and into the night after setting fire to the kitchens and briefly took two warders hostage, residents and police said.
"The two officers have been rescued and hospitalised," police spokesperson Ajith Rohana said. " The situation is under control."
Six hundred officers, including 200 police commandos, were deployed around the perimeter, he added.
- ALJAZEERA
First foreign students arrive in Australia since virus closure
Sydney – International students have arrived in Australia for the first time since the country shut its borders to curb coronavirus in March, with a charter flight touching down in Darwin on Monday.
Australian universities have been leaking cash due to the country's indefinite border closure, which has locked out foreign students who keep the billion-dollar sector afloat.
A plane chartered by Charles Darwin University (CDU) carrying 63 international students arrived in the northern city of Darwin as part of a pilot programme aimed at kickstarting the higher education industry.
The students – from mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia – travelled to Singapore to catch the flight and will now spend 14 days in a government quarantine facility.
The mix of new and continuing students are enrolled across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses including law, nursing and engineering.
- AFP
New York City to reopen primary schools despite virus surge
New York City will reopen elementary schools on 7 December and offer in-person classes for special-needs students of all ages despite a recent surge in coronavirus cases, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday.
With many parents struggling to care for students at home and with data showing the virus largely spares young children, the city dropped a requirement for schools to close if the rate of positive virus tests exceeds 3% for a week.
New York, home to the country's largest school district, currently has a 3.1% rate.
The mayor told reporters the reopening was possible "because we have so much proof now of how safe schools can be".
He said returning students would be subjected to weekly Covid-19 tests.
- AFP
US CDC reports 265 166 deaths from coronavirus
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sunday reported a total 13 142 997 cases of new coronavirus, an increase of 143 333 from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 1 210 to 265 166.
The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as Covid-19, caused by the new coronavirus, as of 16:00 (ET) on 28 November, compared with its previous report a day earlier.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.
- REUTERS
India Covid-19 cases top 9.4 million
MUMBAI – India's novel coronavirus cases rose by 38 772, the health ministry said on Monday, making it the 23rd straight day that daily cases have stayed below the 50 000 mark.
The country now has 9.43 million cases, the second highest in the world after the United States, but daily cases have been dipping since hitting a peak in September.
Deaths rose by 443 in the last 24 hours, and now total 137 139.
- REUTERS
Brazil registers 24 468 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 272 deaths
SAO PAULO – Brazil has registered 24 468 additional coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours and 272 new deaths, the nation's Health Ministry said on Sunday.
The South American country has now registered 6 314 740 total confirmed coronavirus cases and 172 833 deaths.
- REUTERS
Russia reports 26 338 new coronavirus cases, 368 deaths
MOSCOW – Russia reported 26 338 new coronavirus cases on Monday, including 6 511 in Moscow and 3 691 in St Petersburg, taking the national total to 2 295 654 cases since the pandemic began.
Authorities also reported 368 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll to 39 895.
- REUTERS
Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 11 169 - RKI
BERLIN – The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 11 169 to 1 053 869, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday.
The reported death toll rose by 125 to 16 248, the tally showed.
- REUTERS
Mexico reports more than 6 000 new coronavirus cases
MEXICO CITY – Mexico reported 6 388 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 196 additional deaths on Sunday, health ministry data showed.
The latest tally brought the official number of cases to 1 107 071 with a total death toll of 105 655.
Health officials have said the real number of both is likely to be significantly higher due to little testing.
- REUTERS
French Covid-19 infection rate slows further
PARIS – The spread of the coronavirus slowed again in France, with 9 784 new cases recorded on Sunday compared with 12 580 on Saturday and 13 157 last Sunday.
The number of people in intensive care fell by another 21 to 3 756 and the number of new deaths fell to 198 from 213 on Sunday, health ministry data showed.
- REUTERS
China reports 18 new Covid-19 cases vs 11 a day earlier
SHANGHAI – China reported 18 new Covid-19 cases on 29 November, up from 11 a day earlier, the national health authority said on Monday.
The National Health Commission said in a statement 15 of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas. It also reported three local infections in the Inner Mongolia region.
The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 17 from 10 a day earlier.
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in mainland China now stands at 86 530, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4 634.
- REUTERS
Did you know you can comment on this article? Subscribe to News24 and add your voice to the conversation.
