New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 3.4 crore cases and more than 10 lakh deaths.
A resurgence of cases in early hotspot areas of Brazil has become a cause for concern. The Danish government is working on a Bill that will make Covid-19 tests mandatory for rejected asylum seekers and elderly homes are being criticised for “mismanagement” in Australia.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Surge of cases in previous hotspot areas sparks concerns in Brazil
The early hotspot areas in Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Manaus are witnessing a resurgence of cases, reports Bloomberg.
In Rio, weekly cases have risen to 9,000 from 7,000 in July and “Manaus has seen more than 2,000 new infections for two weeks in a row,” the report notes.
According to the report, the increase in the number of cases in the areas has alarmed health experts.
Federal University of Pelotas Professor, Fernando Barros, is quoted as saying: “It’s a lesson that you can’t reduce the level of social distance before the vaccine…And yes, we have a second wave.”
Brazil has reported 48,49,229 cases and 1,44,767 deaths.
Also read: US President Donald Trump and Melania test positive for Covid, quarantining at home
Danish government to force rejected asylum seekers to take Covid tests
Denmark’s Immigration Ministry is working out a Bill that will force rejected asylum seekers to undergo Covid-19 tests, reports The Copenhagen Post.
The news report notes that the move came in response to several asylum seekers who refused to take coronavirus tests “to avoid repatriation”.
The report quotes Immigration Minister Mattias Tesfaye as saying that “the measure is not too overboard”.
Denmark has reported 28,396 cases and 651 deaths.
Elderly homes in Australia under fire after high Covid-19 deaths
Australia’s elderly homes are being criticised over the alleged mismanaged response to the Covid-19 situation, reports Al Jazeera.
The elderly — those who contracted the virus in nursing homes — account for 665 of the 886 total deaths in the country.
“They (families of the elderly) are asking why the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was not made compulsory in the early stages of the pandemic and why infection control measures did not stop COVID-19’s initial spread,” the report highlights.
The report also describes the case of an octogenarian who had been suffering from dementia and passed away after contracting Covid-19.
“I find it hard to think that even possibly in March or April there was no PPE [being used by aged care staff],” his family members were quoted as saying.
Australia has recorded 27,109 cases and 890 deaths.
Also read: After fighting virus, this is how Australia plans to fix its economy
With students — and Covid — on campuses, US college towns look on warily
Outbreaks on university campuses across the US have been at the centre of rising tensions in college towns and cities, reports the Washington Post.
The report describes the case of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, where 39,000 students tested positive and turned the county into “one of the nation’s coronavirus hot spots”. This drew the ire of several residents and local leaders.
“In Athens, the university’s handling of the campus outbreak has become a lightning rod, spurring student protest, angry letters from residents, admonishment from faculty and even censure from Michael Stipe of the Athens-born band R.E.M,” the report notes.
The US has recorded 74,94,671 cases and 2,12,660 deaths.
Madrid will observe central government’s new coronavirus restrictions
After being at loggerheads with the Spanish government for several days, authorities in Madrid finally relented to imposing new restrictions, reports El País.
According to the new measures, movement in municipalities where the population is more than 1,00,000 will be restricted.
The regional officials had earlier said that they would consult their own legal experts but later agreed to adopt the restrictions. “We will obey, but we will go to the courts to defend the legitimate interests of Madrileños…” Madrid Premier Isabel Díaz Ayuso is quoted in the report as saying.
The Madrid region is governed by a Centre-Right coalition while the Spanish government comprises a Left coalition.
Spain has reported 7,78,607 cases and 78,078 deaths.
Also read: Spain’s troubles with lockdown, millions of Chinese to travel for holiday & other Covid news
Malaysia reports 260 new coronavirus cases, biggest daily spike in nearly four months
Malaysia reported the highest daily spike of cases with 360 new cases Thursday, reports The Straits Times.
According to the report, the increase seems to be a result of the “surge in travel to and from [the state of] Sabah” where state elections took place last Saturday.
“Meanwhile, the government on Thursday announced a ban on travel between all 27 districts in Sabah to curb the spread of the virus,” the report notes.
Malaysia has reported 11,484 cases and 136 deaths.
What else we are reading:
‘We want our island back’: the group taking on cruise ships in Florida Keys: The Guardian
Gadgets for groceries: coronavirus sparks Philippines online barter trade: Reuters