|
 U.S. cases surpass 7 million
The number of novel coronavirus cases in the United States topped 7
million on Thursday - more than 20% of the world's total - as
Midwest states reported spikes in COVID-19 infections in September,
a Reuters tally shows.
The latest milestone comes just days after the nation surpassed over
200,000 COVID-19 deaths, the world's highest. Each day, over 700
people die in the United States from COVID-19.
California leads the country with over 800,000 total cases, followed
by Texas, Florida and New York. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/363tab5)
All Midwest states except Ohio reported more cases in the past four
weeks as compared with the prior four weeks, led by South Dakota and
North Dakota.
AstraZeneca gets partial immunity in vaccine deal
European governments will pay claims above an agreed limit against
AstraZeneca over side-effects from its potential COVID-19 vaccine,
under different terms to a deal struck with Sanofi, an EU official
told Reuters.
The deals reflect different strategies by two of the world's top
drugmakers for protecting themselves as a debate rages about
liabilities for vaccines aimed at ending the pandemic.
AstraZeneca has secured the European Union's backing in a
confidential agreement which reflects the lower price sought by the
British drugmaker.
Unexpected side-effects after a drug has regulatory approval are
rare, but the speed at which a COVID-19 vaccine is being pursued
increases the risks of unforeseen conditions.
Virus ravages Latin America's working class
Mexico was set to surpass 75,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths on
Thursday, as the pandemic ravages Latin American nations with large
informal economies where workers have grappled with the twin threats
of hunger and contagion.
Mexico has the world's fourth-highest coronavirus death toll,
according to a Reuters tally, behind the United States, Brazil, and
India. Despite closing schools and offices six months ago, the
Mexican government has struggled to contain the virus' spread.
[to top of second column] |
More than half of Latin America's active population have informal jobs in areas
such as street commerce and domestic labor. In Mexico, working from home or
strict social distancing measures can mean no income, since the welfare safety
net is small.
UK hits highest daily cases
Britain recorded its highest number of daily cases of COVID-19 on Thursday at
6,634, reflecting a second wave of infections sweeping through the country but
also a much higher level of testing than during the first wave.
Thursday's number was up from 6,178 on Wednesday, itself a jump from 4,926 the
previous day.
Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government estimated fewer than
10,000 people were becoming infected every day, as opposed to estimated numbers
over 100,000 during the peak of the first wave.
While testing capacity has increased dramatically since the first wave, the
system has nevertheless been under strain, with many people reporting they were
unable to get tests, or had to travel long distances.
Moscow mayor urges more home-working
The mayor of Moscow urged businesses on Friday to get more people to work from
home as Russia's daily tally of new coronavirus cases hit its highest since June
23.
Officials reported 7,212 new infections, bringing the national case total to
1,136,048. In Moscow, the tally of new cases rose almost 50% overnight to 1,560
from 1,050 the previous day.
Russia lifted many of its lockdown restrictions in June and many shops,
businesses and public transport in the capital of more than 12.5 million people
are operating largely as normal.
(Compiled by Linda Noakes; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
