Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
Global number of infections passes 3.3m
At least 3,334,406 people have been infected and at least 238,787 have died around the world since the pandemic began, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University.
The figures, which are based on official and media reports, are likely to significantly underestimate the scale of the outbreak due to suspected underreporting, as well as differing testing and statistical regimes.
UK minister accused of artificially boosting test numbers
UK health secretary Matt Hancock has been accused of changing the criteria for counting Covid-19 tests after he claimed victory in reaching the target of 100,00 per day. But critics said that a large proportion of the 122,000 tests counted on Friday were tests that had been mailed to addresses and had not been carried out.
White House blocks Anthony Fauci from testifying
Top US health official Anthony Fauci will not testify next week to a congressional committee examining the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, the White House said on Friday, calling it “counterproductive” to have individuals involved in the response testify. Also in the US, a New York nursing home has reported 98 residents have died from the disease.
Somali medics report rapid rise in deaths
Medics, funeral workers and gravediggers in Somalia have reported an unprecedented surge of deaths in recent days amid growing fears that official counts of Covid-19 deaths reflect only a fraction of the virus’s toll in Africa .
Singapore to ease restrictions as cases subside again
Singapore’s health minister says the city-state will relax some anti-coronavirus measures after a fall in the number of cases in the broader community. Some businesses will be allowed to open again after 12 May while some schools will reopen from 19 May. Singapore saw cases flare up recently in a second wave as infections spiked in its crowded migrant worker dormitories.
US congress investigating Carnival Cruise Line
The US congress has launched an investigation into the conduct of Carnival Cruise Line over its response to the coronavirus pandemic, questioning why the company did not act sooner to protect passengers and staff. Dozens of people have died and more than 1,500 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been recorded in connection with Carnival’s ships, which saw major outbreaks at least nine ships including the Diamond Princess, the Zaandam and the Ruby Princess. Many cruise ship crew remain trapped on board cruise ships around the world.
Malaysia rounds up undocumented migrants
Malaysian authorities are rounding up undocumented migrants as part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus, the country’s police chief said late on Friday, after hundreds of migrants and refugees were detained in the capital Kuala Lumpur. Over 700 migrants were taken into custody, including young children and ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, during Friday’s raid in a downtown area where thousands of migrants and asylum-seekers live, rights groups had said.
