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Coronavirus cases in the US rose by 49,299 on Friday, a 0.7 percent increase compared to a daily average of 0.6 percent for the previous week. It was the second highest number of new infections in a single day in the past two weeks. Another 932 people died from Covid-19.
Confirmed cases nationwide since the start of the pandemic rose to more than 6.7 million, while deaths nationwide approached 200,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg.
The latest California figures topped the 14-day averages for both new cases and deaths, according to the health department website. The state reported 4,304 new cases of coronavirus, up from a 14-day average of 3,350. The number of deaths increased by 100, compared to an average of 91. There have been 14,912 deaths in total.
Florida reported the most new cases and the highest rate of positive tests among residents since Sept. 10, according to a report from the state Department of Health that reflects data received as of Friday. The positivity of the test increased to 4.5 percent from 4.1 percent a day earlier.
Cases, including people diagnosed with Covid-19 who do not reside in Florida, increased by 3,573 to 681,233. Virus-related deaths among residents fell for the second day in a row to 67, bringing the total to 13,287.
Global update:
Cases in the UK exceed 4,000 per second day
The UK reported 4,422 more cases on Saturday, the second day in a row with the highest number of new infections since May 8. Another 27 people died within 28 days of testing positive.
Cases in the UK have increased in the past two weeks, prompting Prime Minister Boris Johnson to warn that stricter restrictions on public life may be necessary.
The country is facing a “perfect storm” after easing controls over the summer, former government adviser Neil Ferguson told the BBC on Saturday. The government must resume some measures at the national level “sooner rather than later” to avoid a further increase leading to more deaths, said Ferguson, a professor at Imperial College London whose model led to the UK shutdown in March.
Meanwhile, the UK will introduce fines of up to 10,000 pounds ($ 12,917) for those who violate self-isolation rules, local media reported, as the government intensifies efforts to contain the latest spike in coronavirus cases.
The Telegraph reported that fines for those who refuse to isolate after being asked to do so start at 1,000 pounds and can go up to 10,000 pounds for repeat offenders. Police will be ordered to patrol the areas with the highest infection to ensure that people comply with the new laws, the newspaper reported.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also considering various proposals to ease the latest increase. A nationwide closure of pubs, bars and restaurants is being considered for three weeks, The Telegraph said. Johnson is also considering increasing the fine from 100 pounds for breaking the six rule to up to 1,000 pounds for first-time offenders. The announcement of new curbs could come on Tuesday.
Cathay Flight Suspension After Infections Found
Cathay Pacific said in a statement that five passengers from India who were on a Cathay Dragon flight between Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on September 18 tested positive for Covid-19, even after they had negative nucleic acid tests before their travel. The passengers were previously traveling on an India Express flight.
Hong Kong authorities will ban passenger flights from Kuala Lumpur operated by the airline for two weeks, leading Cathay Dragon to suspend service until October 3, according to the statement.
South Korean cases decline
The country reported 82 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, less than 100 for the first time since Aug. 12. The total number of infections reached 22,975. Yonhap previously reported that the government will announce whether it will maintain Level 2 distancing rules for regions outside of Seoul’s larger area at 4:30 pm local time Sunday.
Stable Brazilian cases
Brazil reported 33,057 cases, an increase of 0.7 percent in line with the average daily increase of the previous seven days. The total number of cases is 4,528,240. The nation reported 739 more deaths, for a total of 136,532.
France reaches another record since the blockade
Daily coronavirus cases in France rose to the highest level since the national shutdown ended in May. Another 13,498 cases were reported on Saturday, the second day in a row in more than 13,000.
The higher numbers to some extent reflect an increase in testing, now five times the level achieved in May to more than a million a week. But the pace of infections is at an all-time high since the start of the outbreak, based on continuous 7-day data smoothing out reporting spikes.
Authorities have been calling on the population to step up social distancing measures as the number of clusters has increased in recent weeks, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Friday became the country’s highest-ranking official in become infected.
Deaths in Italy return to July level
Italy reported 24 new coronavirus deaths on Saturday, more than double the 10 recorded the previous day at levels not seen since July.
While new cases fell by nearly 300 to 1,638, the number of Covid-19 patients in hospital intensive care increased from seven to 215, according to health authorities. That compares with a peak of more than 4,000 ICU patients in April.
Saudi Arabia has 28 more deaths, Kuwait cases rise
Saudi Arabia recorded 551 new Covid-19 cases and 28 deaths on Saturday, the Health Ministry said. Kuwait had 521 new infections and one death.
