Coronavirus: latest global developments
Updated | By AFP
Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.
The pandemic has killed at least 477,570 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally 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.
- '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.
- 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.
Show's Stories
-
Chinese sightseeing destination looking to hire a Monkey King
You can be a Monkey King for an easy R15k a month.
Carol Ofori 13 hours ago -
Woman shows us what she does when dating apps don't work
We guess this method of finding the one is worth the risk...
Vic Naidoo 13 hours ago