Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
Spain coronavirus deaths hit 20,000
The coronavirus death toll in Spain, one of the world’s worst-hit countries by the pandemic, has topped 20,000 after 565 new fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours.
The number of the total dead from Covid-19 in the country hit 20,043 on Saturday. The rise was slightly lower than Friday, when an additional 585 deaths were recorded. The number of overall coronavirus cases rose to 191,726 on Saturday from 188,068 on Friday, the country’s health ministry added.
UK’s Covid-19 hospital death toll surpasses 15,000
In the UK, the official Covid-19 death toll has passed 15,000 – with 888 new fatalities recorded in the last 24 hours. It means as of 5pm on Friday, of those hospitalised in the UK who have tested positive for coronavirus, 15,464 people have died.
Robert Jenrick, the local government secretary, said during the UK’s daily briefing that a significant consignment of PPE is due to arrive from Turkey on Sunday, which will include 400,000 gowns.
Bangladesh garment workers pack streets to demand wages during coronavirus lockdown
Hundreds of workers in Bangladesh have taken to the streets in defiance of physical distancing rules to demand unpaid wages during the Covid-19 shutdown.
The country, which is the world’s second-largest clothing producer after China, is predicted to lose about $6bn (£4.8bn) of export revenues this financial year as retailers and brands across the world cancel orders.
The government sent troops out into the streets to help enforce a shutdown on travel and restrictions on gatherings.
New York daily death toll at two-week low
Deaths in New York State rose by 540 on Friday, the lowest daily death tally since the beginning of April.
Andrew Cuomo, the state’s governor, said new hospital admissions stayed around the 2,000-patient mark, which he said was still an “overwhelming number”.
Meanwhile, Cuomo said “this is no time for division” and that the pandemic was the “greatest challenge since world war two” following an attack on Twitter by US president Donald Trump.
Some shops in Iran have reopened as country’s daily death toll fell to 73
Iran allowed some businesses in the capital Tehran to reopen on Saturday as the country’s daily death toll from coronavirus fell to 73, its lowest in more than a month.
So-called low-risk businesses – including many shops, factories and workshops – resumed operations in Tehran, a week after reopening in the rest of the country, state television said.
Croatia extends its lockdown for another 15 days
Croatia is extending its coronavirus lockdown for another 15 days, but a minister says the country is exploring the possibility of gradually easing restrictions.
Shops, bars, restaurants and schools were closed a month ago, with public transport also stopped, leaving open only food stores, pharmacies and petrol stations. People have only been allowed to leave their homes to buy essentials, seek medical treatment, go for a walk or do an exercise, but not in a group and avoiding social contact.
