Watch: As New Zealand reaches 100 days without community transmission, other countries are hitting milestones they would do anything to avoid. Credits: Video – Newshub; Image – Getty
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is nearly at 20 million, with the true number of infected likely far higher.
The death toll is now 730,000.
As New Zealand marked 100 days without a case of community transmission, the pandemic continued its spread overseas, with second waves breaking out in places that previously had it under control.
Here are the latest developments from around the world overnight.
United Kingdom
The UK recorded another 1062 coronavirus cases on Sunday, going over 1000 for the first time since June.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said reopening schools in September was a social, economic and moral imperative and insisted they would be able to operate safely despite the ongoing threat from the pandemic.
His comments follow a study earlier this month which warned that Britain risks a second wave of COVID-19 this winter twice as large as the initial outbreak if schools open.
Greece
Greece reported 203 new cases of COVID 19 on Sunday, its highest daily tally since the start of the outbreak in the country, a government official said.
The latest jump in cases brings the total number of infections in the country to 5623 since its first infection surfaced in late February.
Australia
Australia’s second-most populous state, Victoria, reported its deadliest day of the COVID-19 outbreak on Sunday, with 17 people dying, as police thwarted a planned anti-mask rally in the capital of Melbourne. Victoria, at the centre of a second wave of infections in Australia, reported 394 cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, compared with a daily average of 400-500 over the past week. The new deaths bring the state’s total to 210.
Philippines
The Philippines on Sunday recorded 61 more coronavirus deaths, the highest daily increase in fatalities reported since July 18, taking the country’s death tally to 2270. A health ministry bulletin also reported 3,109 more infections, bringing the total confirmed cases to 129,913.
India
At least 10 people died when a huge fire broke out at a COVID-19 treatment and quarantine centre in the southeastern Indian city of Vijaywada early on Sunday.
Television footage showed rescuers wearing face masks and full body suits taking survivors out of the blackened building on trolleys.
New Zealand
New Zealand marked 100 days without a domestic transmission of the coronavirus on Sunday, but warned against complacency as countries like Vietnam and Australia which once had the virus under control now battle a resurgence in infections.
New Zealand’s successful fight against COVID-19 has made the Pacific island nation of 5 million one of the safest places in the world right now.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong reported 72 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, of which 63 were locally transmitted, as authorities continued efforts to contain a resurgence of infections in the global financial hub over the past month. More than 4000 people have been infected in Hong Kong since January, 51 of whom have died.
Indonesia
Indonesia reported 1893 more novel coronavirus infections on Sunday, taking the total tally to 125,396 infections, the country’s COVID-19 taskforce website showed. The number of deaths rose 65 on Sunday, bringing the total number of deaths to 5723.
United States
The United States set a record for coronavirus cases on Saturday, with more than 5 million people now infected, according to a Reuters tally, as the country’s top infectious diseases official offered hope earlier this week that an effective vaccine might be available by year-end.
With one out of every 66 residents infected, the United States leads the world in COVID-19 cases, according to a Reuters analysis. The country has recorded more than 160,000 deaths, nearly a quarter of the world’s total.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported deaths had risen by 1340 to 160,220.
Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts have descended on on Sturgis, South Dakota, for an annual 10-day motorcycle rally. Roughly 100,000 people were expected, prompting concerns that the popular event could touch off a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections.
Israel
Thousands of Israelis rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem as anger mounted over corruption allegations and his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
“Your time is up,” read the giant letters projected on to a building at the protest site, as demonstrators waved Israeli flags and called on Netanyahu to resign over what they say is his failure to protect jobs and businesses affected by the pandemic.
Saudi Arabia will soon begin Phase III clinical trials on around 5000 people for a COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s CanSino Biologics Inc, a Saudi health ministry spokesman said on Sunday.
Last month, CanSino’s co-founder said the company was in talks with Russia, Brazil, Chile and Saudi Arabia to launch a Phase III trial of the vaccine candidate, Ad5-nCOV.
The vaccine uses a harmless cold virus known as adenovirus type-5 to carry genetic material from the coronavirus into the body.
Reuters / Newshub.