ZCZC
BFF-33
HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD FACTS
Coronavirus: latest global developments
PARIS, June 27, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in
the coronavirus crisis:
– India’s surge –
India now has more than 500,000 confirmed cases, according to
government figures that show a record daily leap of 18,500 new
infections.
“Unlike China, where the pandemic was relatively more concentrated
around Wuhan and a few other cities, India has a more diffused spread
that makes it a bit more challenging for the healthcare system,” says
Anant Bhan, a leading public health expert
India may see several peaks in coming months because the spread of
the virus “is variable across the country”, he says.
– More than 494,000 deaths –
The pandemic has killed at least 494,337 people worldwide since it
surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 1100
GMT on Saturday, based on official sources.
The United States has the most deaths with 125,039, followed by
Brazil with 55,961, Britain with 43,414, Italy with 34,708 and France
with 29,778.
– New lockdown in Buenos Aires –
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez announces a toughening of
lockdown measures in the capital and its surrounding area in a measure
due to last until July 17 with “only essential services and some
industrial zones” remaining operational.
With cases on the rise, the Buenos Aires metropolitan area will be
closed down and from July 1 people will be asked to return to
isolation at home and only leave for essential provisions.
– Iran’s economic woes –
Iran’s supreme leader warns the country’s economic problems will
worsen if the virus spreads unchecked, saying the initial momentum to
contain it had since “waned”.
Official figures have shown a rising trajectory in new confirmed
cases since early May.
Microsoft rethinks its retail –
Microsoft says it will close all of its stores and move its retail
operations online, keeping just four locations and transforming them
into “experience centres” in a move that means the more than 80
Microsoft stores closed due to the pandemic will not reopen.
– Football fans chided –
Liverpool criticises some of its own fans for “wholly unacceptable”
behaviour ignoring social distance guidelines after they crowd parts
of the city to celebrate the football team’s first top flight title
win in 30 years.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1933hrs