Coronavirus

New Zealand locks down Auckland after cases end 102-day run

A three-day lockdown was swiftly imposed in Auckland after the cases were confirmed.

The four new cases are all members of a single family. None had travelled recently.

The restrictions will come into effect on Wednesday, as authorities scramble to trace contacts of the family.

Auckland residents will be asked to stay at home, large gatherings will be banned, non-essential businesses will be shut, and some social-distancing restrictions will be reintroduced in the rest of the country.

Australia borders to stay shut as Covid-19 daily deaths reach record

There was, however, some evidence that drastic lockdown measures in the city of Melbourne were having an effect, with daily new infections in the state of Victoria slowing to a near two week low.

"I am more hopeful of that today than I was in the course of the past week," Morrison told reporters in Canberra, as he called on state leaders to cooperate to allow stranded residents to return home.

Australia's federal political system has led to its eight states and territories taking different measures in response to the crisis, resulting in several internal border closures.

Brazil passes 100,000 deaths as outbreak shows no sign of easing

The virus killed 50,000 people in three months, but that number doubled in just 50 days. There have been more than three million confirmed cases so far.

The pandemic is yet to peak but shops and restaurants have already reopened.

President Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed the impact of the virus and opposed measures that could hit the economy.

The far-right leader, who caught the disease himself and recovered, fought restrictions imposed by state governors to curb Covid-19, and has frequently joined crowds of supporters, at times without a face mask.

PNG Covid-19 cases rise to 111

The infection was found during targeted testing of health staff following the confirmation of seven staff with the coronavirus at the department.

National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning said contract tracing for health staff in the nation's capital was continuing.

He said over the past 48 hours there had been nearly 2,000 tests.

Manning encouraged residents in the district to come forward for testing if they have developed any symptoms while also exercising social distancing and good hygiene.

Tahiti cruise passenger confirmed Covid-19 positive

The French High Commission confirmed the positive result today after the individual yesterday self-tested for the coronavirus while the ship was on its way to Rangiroa.

The ship to Papeete overnight and the person and family member sharing the cabin were removed to isolation.

A statement said close contacts among passengers and crew all tested negative.

All on board have been tested and the remaining results are expected tomorrow.

Madonna's Instagram account flagged for spreading misinformation

In her post, the singer claimed a vaccine for COVID-19 had already been found, but was being hidden to "let the rich get richer".

Instagram blurred out the video with a caption saying: "False Information".

It also directed users to a page debunking the claims in the video, noting there is no coronavirus vaccine.

The video was later deleted from Madonna's Instagram page, but not before fans protested at her decision to share the post.

Spain drives fears of European 'second wave'

Catalonia has closed its nightlife for two weeks but cities outside the north-eastern region are also seeing a surge.

France, which has seen a rise too, has issued a travel warning and Norway is quarantining arrivals from Spain.

Germany has also hit a two-month high on new infections, as nations grapple between staving off fresh outbreaks and reopening economies.

Travellers returning to the UK from Spain will have to quarantine for 14 days from Sunday, the BBC understands.

Hong Kong reports biggest one-day rise in cases

At a Sunday press conference, Ms Lam said there had been more than 100 new infections, and announced new restrictions to contain the spread.

She described the situation as "really critical" and said there was "no sign" it was coming under control.

Non-essential civil servants must work from home and testing will increase.

The chief executive promised that authorities would carry out 10,000 tests a day, and also made wearing face masks compulsory in indoor public spaces. Face coverings were already mandatory on public transport.

South Africa bans alcohol sales again to combat Covid-19

A night-time curfew has been imposed, and the wearing of masks outdoors is now compulsory.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the alcohol ban - South Africa's second this year - would take pressure off the national healthcare system.

It comes as total infections exceed a quarter of a million.

Deaths resulting from coronavirus have also risen to more than 4,000, and government projections estimate this could rise to 50,000 by the end of the year.

Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai test positive for coronavirus

Abishek Bachan said Saturday that he and his father both tested positive for COVID-19. He said they had mild symptoms and were admitted to the hospital. 

“Earlier today both my father and I tested positive for COVID 19. Both of us having mild symptoms have been admitted to hospital. We have informed all the required authorities and our family and staff are all being tested. I request all to stay calm and not panic,” the actor tweeted Saturday.