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 Scientists say India government ignored warnings
A forum of scientific advisers, set up by the government, had warned
Indian officials in early March of a new and more contagious variant
of the coronavirus taking hold in the country, five scientists who
are part of the forum told Reuters.
Despite the warning, the scientists said the federal government did
not seek to impose major restrictions to stop the spread of the
virus. Total cases in the country are now nearing 20 million, and
the Indian COVID-19 variant has reached at least 17 countries
including Britain, Switzerland and Iran, leading several governments
to close their borders to people travelling from India.
Thailand reports new daily record of 31 coronavirus deaths
Thailand on Monday reported a new daily record of 31 coronavirus
deaths, the health ministry said, as the Southeast Asian country
grapples with a third wave of infections.
The new outbreak, which includes the highly transmissible B.1.1.7
variant first detected in Britain, has accounted for more than half
of total cases and deaths since the start of the pandemic.
'Hospitals are full' as Argentina cases hit 3 million
Coronavirus cases in Argentina hit 3 million on Sunday since the
pandemic began, as medical workers said hospitals were full to
capacity despite toughened government measures to bring down the
spread of infections.
President Alberto Fernandez's government unveiled another round of
tougher restrictions this week as a second wave of infections has
battered the country, filling up intensive care units and setting
new daily records for cases and deaths. But medical staff said it
was still not enough.
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 English music-lovers party like
it's 2019
Live music returned to the birthplace of The
Beatles on Sunday after a long coronavirus-enforced
silence when the English city of Liverpool
hosted a one-off music festival to test whether
such events spread the virus.
Around 5,000 people ditched face coverings and
social distancing rules in the name of science
and music. They attended the outdoor event
having tested negative for COVID-19, and
promised to get themselves tested again five
days after the festival. Their data will be used
by the government's Events Research Programme to
help understand the effect of crowds on the
spread of the virus.
Aficionados return to Madrid bullring
Carrying red and yellow flowers to show
bullfighting is a symbol of Spanish culture,
thousands of aficionados cheered on matadors who
returned to Madrid's Las Ventas bullring on
Sunday for the first time since the COVID-19
pandemic began.
A maximum of 6,000 people were allowed in to
watch the bullfight - equivalent to 40% capacity
at the arena, considered the world's most
important bullring.
(Compiled by Karishma Singh, Editing by Sherry
Jacob-Phillips)
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