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HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD
Coronavirus: Latest global developments
PARIS, Nov 30, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the
coronavirus crisis:
– Hong Kong hotline –
Hong Kong introduces a hotline to denounce people who do not respect
social distancing after ballroom dancing nights are blamed for helping spark
a fourth wave of infections.
– Deadly prison riot –
At least eight people die and 55 are wounded in a riot in a Sri Lankan
high security prison after inmates broke out of their cells to protest at a
surge of infections in the jail.
– Surge upon surge –
US official Anthony Fauci says Americans should brace for a “surge upon a
surge” in infection as millions of travellers return home after the
Thanksgiving holiday and with more year-end travel looming.
– Canada stays shut –
Canada extends border closures to all non-essential foreigners until
January 21, 2021.
– Fashion victim –
Topshop boss Philip Green’s clothing empire Arcadia is on the brink of
bankruptcy, the BBC reports, after being badly hit by lockdowns. The
controversial entrepreneur inspired the film “Greed” last year. Arcadia
employs more than 13,000 people in the UK alone.
– Madrid march –
Thousands of health workers march in Madrid demanding more support for the
Spanish health system. The country is among the hardest hit in Europe by the
pandemic.
– 1.46 million dead –
The virus has so far killed at least 1,460,018 people since the outbreak
emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources
compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT Monday.
More than 62,732,523 cases of coronavirus have been registered. The US is
the worst-affected country with 266,887 deaths, followed by Brazil with
172,833 deaths, India with 137,139 deaths and Mexico with 105,655 deaths.
– Lebanon lightens up –
Lebanon gradually eases restrictions imposed two weeks ago in a bid to
revive its struggling economy in the run-up to Christmas.
– Back to school –
The first flight in nine months carrying international students has
touched down in Australia since the country shut its borders in March. Sixty-
three students arrived on the special charter to Darwin.
– New Italy stimulus –
Italy’s government approves a new stimulus package worth eight billion
euros ($9.6 billion) as well as 1,000-euro lump sum to workers in tourism,
the arts, sports and leisure.
– Mask up, Maradona fans –
Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso urges thousands of football fans paying
tribute to club legend Diego Maradona to wear their masks.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1835 hrs