Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
Southern European countries ease lockdowns
Italy is reopening bars, cafes, restaurants and hairdressers – with social distancing measures in place – for the first time since its lockdown began. Meanwhile, in Spain, almost three-quarters of the country progressed to the second phase of its lockdown de-escalation, allowing millions of people to meet up in groups of up to 10, and to have a drink or a meal on cafe and restaurant terraces.
Global infections pass 4.7 million
There are 4,727,625 confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide. At least 315,482 people have died over the course of the pandemic. The number of deaths in the US is approaching 90,000, with 89,564 confirmed fatalities and 1,486,742 infections, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
Japan falls into recession
Japan dived into its first recession since 2015, according to official data on Monday, with the world’s third-largest economy contracting by 0.9% in the first quarter as it wrestled with the fallout from the coronavirus.
South Africa reports highest daily increase in cases
South Africa reported 1,160 new coronavirus infections, the highest daily number since the first case was recorded in March. The Western Cape province, popular with tourists, accounted for nearly 60% of the national numbers.
New virus cases in Russia under 9,000 for first time since 1 May
8,926 new infections were recorded in the last 24 hours, as anti-virus restrictions ease and officials say the situation is stabilising.
Mayor of São Paulo, Brazil, says hospitals ‘near collapse’.
The BBC has reported that the mayor of São Paulo, the country’s largest city, has warned that hospitals have reached 90% capacity and are “near collapse”. They could run out of space in two weeks’ time, he said. Brazil has the fourth-highest number of infections worldwide, with 241,080, according to Johns Hopkins University figures. It has recorded 16,118 deaths. Meanwhile, the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, greeted hundreds of supporters who gathered before the presidential offices Sunday and joined some in a series of push-ups.
Taiwan blocked from WHO meeting following Chinese pressure
Taiwan had been lobbying to take part in the World Health Assembly, which opens later on Monday, but did not get invited due to Chinese pressure, its foreign minister said, adding they had agreed to put the issue off until later this year.
Thailand’s economy contracts for first time since 2014
The coronavirus pandemic, which has shuttered borders and devastated the tourism-reliant country, caused the economy to shrink for the first time in six years.
Ryanair chief accuses UK of mismanaging coronavirus crisis
Michael O’Leary described the UK’s planned introduction of a 14-day quarantine period for travellers arriving from abroad as “idiotic and unimplementable”.
