Paris (AFP)
New assessments, new measures, highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic, which killed more than 335,000 people worldwide.
- South America: "new epicenter" -
South America is "a new epicenter" of the pandemic, with a particularly alarming situation in Brazil, said the World Health Organization.
Peru, the second most affected country in Latin America by the coronavirus epidemic, will extend compulsory confinement throughout the country until June 30, announced President Martin Vizcarra.
Ecuador crossed the threshold of 3,000 dead on Friday (3,056), announced the Minister of Health Juan Carlos Zevallos. And the government also reports 1,892 people whose death is probably due to the disease.
- Russia is preparing for the worst -
Second most affected country in number of cases, Russia said to expect a "significant increase" in mortality in May, while welcoming a stabilization of the epidemic.
- China proclaims its victory -
Premier Li Keqiang celebrated "a major strategic achievement" in his country's fight against the new coronavirus.
The Asian giant is now facing the "immense task" of reviving its economy and will not set a growth target this year.
The country has also recorded no new cases of contamination with coronavirus on Saturday, for the first time since Beijing began to publish data on the epidemic in January. The coronavirus appeared in December in Wuhan.
- More than 335,000 dead -
More than 5,158,750 cases have been diagnosed in 196 countries and territories.
The United States is the most affected country in terms of number of deaths and cases, with 95,921 deaths for 1.6 million cases. This is followed by the United Kingdom with 36,393 deaths, Italy (32,616), Spain (28,628) and France (28,289).
- Chloroquine ineffective -
Neither chloroquine nor its derivative hydroxychloroquine prove effective against Covid-19 in hospital patients, and these molecules even increase the risk of death and cardiac arrhythmia, warns a large study published in The Lancet, which recommends not to prescribe them outside of clinical trials.
- Disrupted vaccination campaigns -
About 80 million children under the age of one in 68 countries are at risk of contracting communicable diseases, such as measles, as the pandemic limits routine immunizations, warned WHO, UNICEF and the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi).
- France: municipal in June -
The government has decided to set June 28 as the date for the second round of municipal elections, which it had to cancel at the height of the pandemic. Wearing a mask will be compulsory to go to vote.
- Quarantine in the United Kingdom -
The United Kingdom will impose a 14-day quarantine on travelers arriving on its soil.
France "regretted" this decision, saying it was "ready to put in place a reciprocity measure".
- Deconfinement -
Madrid and Barcelona, so far excluded from deconfinement in Spain, will be able to reopen terraces of bars, hotels and museums from Monday.
In Iceland, discos, bars and gyms can also reopen as of Monday.
The cathedral of Florence, in Tuscany, in central Italy, has reopened to the public without its usual hordes of tourists, but with thousands of reservations already.
- Places of worship -
President Donald Trump called on the governors of the American states to authorize the reopening of places of worship "immediately", and threatened to do so himself if they did not comply.
Religious ceremonies will be able to resume in France as of this Saturday according to the conditions fixed by a decree published in the official journal and immediately entered into force. Hand disinfection and mandatory mask, filtering at the entrance are notably planned.
- Billionaires enriched -
The 600 "ultra rich" Americans saw their fortune increase by 434 billion dollars, an increase of almost 15% in two months, according to data compiled by two think tanks.
- get married masked -
Sri Lanka has lifted the ban on wedding receptions as part of the relaxation of restrictions, but has imposed a mask on all guests, including the bride and groom.
burx-elm / am
© 2020 AFP