New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 3.6 crore cases and more than 10 lakh deaths.
Spanish government could declare a state of emergency in Madrid. Peru’s bet on rapid antibody tests has gone awry and the Chinese government is reluctant to open the border with Hong Kong.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Spain PM considers declaring state of alarm in Madrid region
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez could possibly declare a state of emergency in the Madrid region after the regional high court struck down the new Covid restrictions, reports El País.
The court Thursday ruled against the restrictions as it disagreed with the legal framework that was being used to apply them.
The Spanish government, comprising a Centre-Left coalition, and the regional administration in Madrid, comprising a Centre-Right alliance, have been at loggerheads over the new restrictions, which placed curbs on entire municipalities.
Although the latter finally relented to the rules, they filed an appeal in court stating that the new orders encroached on their powers.
The Spanish PM said that “his government ‘has always contemplated’ the possibility of declaring a small-scale version in Madrid of the state of alarm that gave the government emergency powers to keep Spaniards confined to their homes between mid-March and mid-June,” the report notes.
Spain has been witnessing a resurgence in cases with experts calling it the second wave of the pandemic. It has recorded 8,84,381 cases and 32,688 deaths, so far.
Also read: Japan’s suicide rates highlight country’s mental health crisis made worse by Covid-19
Hard-hit Peru’s costly bet on cheap Covid antibody tests
In Peru, health officials are facing a dilemma as their bet on rapid antigens has led the Covid response “dangerously off-course”, reports Associated Press.
Back in March, the Peruvian President Martin Vizvarra had announced that the government had signed off on a purchase of 16 lakh tests, most of which were antibody tests.
However, months on, epidemiologists have now said that “their misuse is producing a sizable number of false positives and negatives, helping fuel one of the world’s worst Covid-19 outbreaks”.
The AP report quotes former minister of health, Dr Victor Zamora as saying, “This was a multi-systemic failure. We should have stopped the rapid tests by now.”
Among the many drawbacks of antibody tests is that they are not adept at detecting the virus early on in the infection leading people to incorrectly believe they are immune, the report states.
Peru has recorded 8,38,614 cases and 33,098 deaths.
Hong Kong’s rising Covid infections obstructs deal on opening border with China
The border between mainland China and Hong Kong is likely to remain closed for a while as the latter is looking at a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections, reports South China Morning Post.
The report notes that the administration in the neighbouring Guangdong province “would prefer a track record of zero infections” before any decision is made.
This is set to further impact Hong Kong’s economy, which is going through a recession.
The report quotes a “source close to the Hong Kong government”, who said, “Mainland authorities don’t want to let Hong Kong people in as we have more [new] infected cases than the whole of China, Macau and Taiwan combined.”
Hong Kong has reported 5,162 cases and 105 deaths.
Also read: UK Covid cases surge as Boris Johnson faces anger over policies from party members
Nairobi prison locked down due to Covid-19 outbreak
A prison in Kenya’s Nairobi was locked down after 35 of its inmates tested positive for Covid-19, reports Nation.
“55 percent of the confirmed cases in Nairobi in the last 24 hours came from the remand prison,” the report notes.
“Visits to the prison remain suspended as authorities try to contain the spread of the disease,” it adds.
Kenya has recorded 40,178 cases and 751 deaths.
Argentines ‘pivot’ to survive Covid economic blow
In Argentina, whose spiralling economy was badly hit by the pandemic, people are “pivoting to find new sources of income”, reports Al Jazeera.
The report notes that the country recorded its most severe economic contraction in 16 years in June, when the economy shrank to 19.1 percent due to the Covid crisis.
Al Jazeera also describes the struggles of a former chef turned taxi drive, Carolina Ascona. Ascona, a 44-year-old single mother, is also “learning to sew miniature tents for children as well as picnic blankets she plans to hawk from the roadside”.
“It’s the only thing I can come up with right now,” she told Al Jazeera.
Argentina has reported 8,56,369 cases and 22,710 deaths.
Also read: China joins WHO-backed vaccine effort that Trump administration refused to be part of
Australia records no Covid deaths for second day — first time in 3 months
Australia did not report any Covid deaths for a second straight day Friday, “the longest stretch without any fatalities” in three months, reports Reuters.
“Australian states and territories reported 16 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, down from 28 on Thursday, and no deaths for two days, the first time Australia has gone 48 hours without a COVID-19 death since July 11,” the report notes.
“The results cement optimism that Australia has contained a second wave of COVID-19 infections,” it adds.
Australia has reported 27,226 cases and 897 deaths.
What else we are reading:
How the White House flouted basic coronavirus rules: The New York Times
Singapore launches Covid-secure luxury cruises … to nowhere: The Guardian