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 Global cases to reach grim milestone
Global coronavirus cases are expected to pass 30 million on
Thursday, according to a Reuters tally, with the pandemic showing no
signs of slowing.
India was firmly in focus as the latest epicentre, although North
and South America combined accounted for almost half of the global
cases.
Global new daily case numbers reached record levels in recent days
and deaths neared 1 million as the international race to develop and
market a vaccine heated up.
The official number of global coronavirus cases is now more than
five times the number of severe influenza illnesses recorded
annually, according to World Health Organization data. [nL4N2GD12X]
Trump contradicts CDC director
President Donald Trump took exception on Wednesday to comments from
the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
who said a vaccine for the novel coronavirus could be broadly rolled
out in mid-2021 and that masks might be even more effective.
Robert Redfield, in testimony to a congressional committee, said
that general availability of a vaccine could come by "late second
quarter, third quarter 2021."
Trump, at a news conference, said he believed a vaccine will be
rolled out much sooner. He said he called Redfield after his
testimony to question him about it, and that Redfield appeared to
have been confused by the question.
"I think he made a mistake when he said that," Trump said of
Redfield's testimony. "I don't think he means that. When he said it,
I believe he was confused." [nL4N2GD3BY]
'Fantastic outcome' in Australia's virus epicentre
Australia on Thursday reported its lowest one-day rise in new
COVID-19 cases in nearly three months, as states said restrictions
imposed to slow the spread of the virus will be further relaxed.
Australia said 35 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the past
24 hours, the lowest one-day rise since June 24.
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Victoria state - Australia's COVID-19 epicentre - accounted for the bulk of the
new cases, with 28 people diagnosed with the virus in the past 24 hours.
"It is a fantastic outcome and a tribute to the hard work, sacrifice and
contribution every single Victorian is making and I want to say thank you,"
Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters in Melbourne. [nL4N2GD4A6]
Philippines considers relaxing travel ban for nurses
The Philippines is considering allowing more nurses and other medical
professionals to leave for jobs abroad after banning them from travel so they
can fight coronavirus at home, President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman said on
Thursday.
Thousands of the nurses, who call themselves "priso-nurses" have appealed to the
government to be allowed to travel, Reuters reported on Wednesday. The nurses
say they feel underpaid, underappreciated and unprotected at home. [nL4N2GD2D0]
Health care workers from the Philippines are on the front lines of the pandemic
at hospitals in the United States, Europe and the Middle East as well as back
home. [nL4N2GE1WD]
Tracking device for UAE visitors
International passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi airport will now have to wear a
tracking device while they complete a mandatory 14-day home quarantine due to
COVID-19, according to state-owned Etihad Airways.
Daily infections in the United Arab Emirates rose this month to their highest
since the outbreak started, which officials have largely blamed on people not
practicing social distancing.
Those arriving at Abu Dhabi airport will be fitted with a medically approved
wristband, which is removed after the 14-days of home quarantine. Those arriving
from countries deemed to be a high risk may have to quarantine in a government
facility. [nL8N2GE2R9]
(Compiled by Linda Noakes; Editing by Toby Chopra)
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