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HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD FACTS
Coronavirus: latest global developments
PARIS, July 11, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments
in the coronavirus crisis:
– Hard times in Iran –
Iran says it cannot afford to shut down its sanctions-hit economy
despite battling the deadliest COVID-19 outbreak in the Middle East,
with record-high death tolls and rising infections.
The country must continue “economic, social and cultural activities
while observing health protocols”, says President Hassan Rouhani
during a televised virus taskforce meeting.
– More than 560,000 deaths –
The pandemic has killed at least 560,425 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 is the hardest-hit country with 134,097 deaths. It
is followed by Brazil with 70,398, Britain with 44,650, Italy with
34,938 and Mexico with 34,191 fatalities.
– Emirates layoffs –
The Middle East’s largest carrier Emirates has cut a tenth of its
workforce during the pandemic in layoffs that could rise to 15
percent, or 9,000 jobs, its president says, according to a report.
– Go free –
The US state of California, one of the hardest hit by the pandemic,
will release up to 8,000 more prisoners to reduce the spread of the
virus in its crowded jails.
The inmates could be eligible for early release by the end of August
— joining 10,000 prisoners already freed in similar initiatives since
the start of the crisis, the California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation says.
– Cricket ground quarantine –
Kolkata’s legendary Eden Gardens 80,000 capacity cricket stadium is
to be used as a quarantine centre for Indian police who have the
virus. Nearly 550 have tested positive and two have died. The beds
will be put in galleries around the seating and not on the pitch.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1816hrs