PARIS, Oct 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION DEAD: The virus has claimed at least 1,151,077 lives worldwide since it first emerged in China late last year, according to a tally on Sunday based on official sources.
At least 42,694,798 cases have been registered across the globe.
The United States is the worst-affected country with 224,906 deaths, followed by Brazil with 156,903, India with 118,534, Mexico with 88,743 and Britain with 44,745.
ITALY TOUGHENS MEASURES: Italy tightens its anti-virus curbs despite opposition from regional chiefs and street protests.
Under the new rules coming into force Monday and running until Nov 24, cinemas, theatres, gyms and swimming pools must all close while restaurants and bars have to stop serving at 6 pm.
SPAIN MULLS CURFEWS: A cabinet meeting will be held in Spain as the country mulls a new national state of emergency that would enable it to impose curfews and other containment measures.
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: US Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff tests positive for Covid-19, a spokesman says, the latest in a list of figures connected to Donald Trump’s administration to do so.
Marc Short is in quarantine and assisting in the contract tracing process, Pence’s spokesman Devin O’Malley says in a statement.
“Vice President Pence and Mrs. Pence both tested negative for Covid-19 today, and remain in good health,” he added.
Pence, who has been campaigning ahead of the November 3 election, will maintain his current schedule in consultation with White House doctors, said the spokesman.
Former US president Barack Obama, appearing in Miami as part of the campaign trail to support Joe Biden, talks tough on Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic.
“Donald Trump isn’t suddenly going to protect all of us. He can’t even take the basic steps to protect himself,” Obama says, referring to Trump’s hospitalisation for the virus three weeks ago.
INDIA’S RECOVERY RATE NEARS 90 PCT: The recovery rate of COVID-19 patients Sunday increased to almost 90 percent, India’s health ministry said.
“Till now, 7,078,123 patients have been cured and 668,154 patients are under active medical supervision,” the ministry said. “The recovery rate is now 89.99 per cent.”`
During the last 24 hours, 50,129 fresh positive cases and 578 deaths were reported in the country. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 7,864,811 including 118,534 deaths.
According to the country’s health ministry, the constant increase in recoveries has ensured the reduction in actual caseload.
“The national Recovery Rate has touched 90 percent today,” the ministry said. “This achievement is matched by the downward spiral fall of the total active cases, which are maintained below the 700,000 mark for the third successive day.” — NNN-AGENCIES
