.png)
- As Europe and the US loosen their lockdowns against the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, health experts are expressing growing dread over what they say is an all-but-certain second wave of deaths and infections that could force governments to clamp back down.
- The coronavirus pandemic could kill between 83,000 and 190,000 people in Africa in the first year and infect between 29 million and 44 million during that period if it is not contained, the WHO has warned.
- Russia’s coronavirus cases, which now stand at over 177,000, have overtaken France and Germany to become the fifth-highest total in the world after a record daily rise and the epicentre of the virus in Europe.
- Japan’s household spending plunged 6 percent in March and while over-time pay shrank 4.1 percent, reinforcing expectations that the coronavirus pandemic is tipping the world’s third-largest economy into deep recession.
- Almost 269,000 reported killed worldwide from the disease with cases up to 3.8 million and 1.3 recovered. Cases in the US have reached 1.25 million with 75,500 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.
Here are the latest updates:
Friday, May 8
02:58 GMT – Many states disregarding Trump’s guideline on reopening
Many governors across the US are disregarding or creatively interpreting White House guidelines for safely easing restrictions and letting businesses reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, an Associated Press analysis found.
The AP determined that 17 states did not meet a key benchmark set by the White House for loosening up — a 14-day downward trajectory in new cases or positive test rates. And yet many of those have begun to reopen or are about to do so, including Alabama, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah.
Asked Thursday about states reopening without meeting the benchmarks, President Donald Trump said: “The governors have great power as to that, given by us. We want them to do that. We rely on them. We trust them. And hopefully they are making the right decisions.”
02:18 GMT – Pandemic sets Japan on course for deep recession
Japan’s household spending plunged in March and service-sector activity shrank at a record pace in April, reinforcing expectations that the coronavirus pandemic is tipping the world’s third-largest economy into deep recession, Reuters news agency reported.
The weak readings make it a near certainty the economy suffered a second straight quarter of contraction in January-March, the technical definition of a recession, and was on track for a deeper decline in the current quarter as the health crisis kept shoppers home and businesses closed.
01:40 GMT – Argentina’s Fernandez rises in polls over handling of COVID-19 crisis
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez has received a 68.5 percent approval rating in April over his handling of the country’s response to the spread of COVID-19, buttressing his political clout as he faces off against creditors with a major debt revamp.
Argentina is in a nationwide lockdown, which has been extended until at least May 10, helping slow the spread of new confirmed COVID-19 cases, which total just over 5,000 with 270 deaths. That is far less than in nearby Chile, Peru or Brazil.
A man disinfects a street in the “Villa 31” neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday [Natacha Pisarenko/AP]
01:08 GMT – Eyes an important entry point of coronavirus infection – Hong Kong study
The eyes could be an “important route” for the coronavirus infection to enter the human body, according to researchers from Hong Kong.
The South China Morning post also quoted University of Hong Kong scientists as saying that the virus is 100 times more infectious through the eyes and airways than SARS.
00:40 GMT – Australia prepares to ease coronavirus restrictions in four-week stages
Australia will ease social distancing restrictions in four-week increments, two sources told Reuters, as the country’s national cabinet meets on Friday to decide which curbs to remove first amid dwindling numbers of coronavirus cases.
With fewer than 20 new infections each day, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday began talks with state and territory leaders to decide which restrictions will be eased.
The easing will carried out in four-week increment to ensure measures do not lead to a resurgence in infections, two sources familiar with the plan told Reuters.
00:01 GMT – In clash with riot police, Hondurans block burial of coronavirus victim
Residents of an impoverished part of the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, have clashed with riot police after blocking the burial of a person suspected of having died from the novel coronavirus, according to a Reuters news agency witness.
Riot police fired tear gas when the residents armed with rocks burned tires and blocked a road leading to the Amor Enterno Cemetery with stones and construction material in the La Era neighbourhood, the witness said.
The Central American country has so far reported 1,461 coronavirus cases, many of them in the capital, and 99 deaths. Residents said their neighbourhood lacked adequate sanitation for such burials.
____________________________________________________________________
Hello and welcome to Al Jazeera’s continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. I’m Ted Regencia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
For key developments from yesterday, May 7, go here.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
