ZCZC
BFF-48
HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD FACTS
Coronavirus: latest global developments
PARIS, June 24, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in
the coronavirus crisis:
– ‘Crisis like no other’: IMF –
The pandemic has sparked an economic “crisis like no other,”
sending world GDP plunging 4.9 percent in 2020 and wiping out $12
trillion over two years, the International Monetary Fund says.
The prospects for recovery are steeped in “pervasive uncertainty”
given the unpredictable path of the virus, the IMF says in its updated
World Economic Outlook.
– More than 477,500 dead –
The pandemic has killed at least 477,570 people worldwide since it
surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 1100
GMT on Wednesday, based on official sources.
The United States has the most deaths with 121,225 followed by
Brazil with 52,645, Britain with 42,927, Italy with 34,675 and France
with 29,720.
– UK warns of second wave –
Medical experts warn the British government to prepare for the
“real risk” of a second wave.
“While the future shape of the pandemic in the UK is hard to
predict, the available evidence indicates that local flare-ups are
increasingly likely and a second wave a real risk,” say the experts in
an open letter printed in the British Medical Journal.
– Djokovic debacle –
Men’s tennis world number one Novak Djokovic is widely condemned
for hosting a tennis exhibition where he was one of four players to
test positive for the virus, raising concerns over attempts to restart
professional tournaments in August.
In the latest twist, Serbian NBA player Nikola Jokic reportedly
tests positive after being pictured with Djokovic at an exhibition
basketball event in Belgrade earlier this month.
– Beijing outbreak ‘under control’ –
Chinese officials say the new cluster that has infected 256 people
in Beijing since early June is “under control”, but fears remain over
the risk of community transmission.
“The prevention and control situation remains complicated, we
cannot lower our guard in the slightest”, says Beijing municipal
government spokesman Xu Hejian at a briefing.
– Mask up Iran? –
Iran’s deputy health minister calls for mask-wearing to be made
compulsory as the country reports its highest daily death toll in more
than two-and-a-half months.
Since its first reported case in February, the Islamic Republic has
refrained from imposing a mandatory lockdown, and the use of masks and
protective equipment is optional in most areas.
– Aviation job cuts –
Swissport, the airport services group, says it plans to axe more
than 4,000 jobs or about half its UK workforce.
As of May the Swiss-based company says its revenue has dropped by
around 75 percent across its business.
– Paris shutters two schools –
French authorities close two schools in Paris as a precautionary
measure after the discovery of cases but they have not been classed as
potentially dangerous clusters, authorities say.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1939hrs