Coronavirus Pandemic: Latest updates

More than 217,000 deaths

More than 217,439 people have died worldwide since the epidemic surfaced in China in December, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT yesterday based on official sources. In total, 3,104,331 cases have now been reported. In the United States, which has now passed the one-million-case mark, 58,355 people have died, the most of any country. Italy is the second hardest-hit country, with 27,359 dead. Spain follows with 24,275, then France with 23,660 and the United Kingdom with 21,678.

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Emerging from lockdowns

France's Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says the country will begin a gradual return to normality on May 11, with shops, markets and some schools reopening and the wearing of masks compulsory on public transport. Spain will transition out of its strict lockdown in four phases from May 9 through the end of June, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says. Schools will remain closed until September.

Masks across Germany

Face masks are now mandatory in shops across Germany. Nose and mouth coverings are also compulsory on buses, trains and trams. Germany extends its warning against worldwide travel until June 14.

Oscars tweak entry rules

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences breaks with its tradition of requiring at least a seven-day run in Los Angeles theatres for films to be eligible for the Oscars. For the 2021 ceremony, scheduled on February 28, the Academy says films without cinema releases -- the fate of many as the pandemic has shuttered movie theatres -- will be allowed to contend for the coveted awards.

Face masks ineffective!

British scientists advising the government have concluded that wearing a face mask has a small effect on stopping a coronavirus carrier from infecting someone else, and the evidence is weak, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser Angela McLean said on Tuesday. "There is weak evidence of a small effect in which a face mask can prevent a source of infection going from somebody who is infected to the people around them," she said.

Brazil passes 5,000 deaths

Brazil, the South American country worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, has registered more than 5,000 deaths from COVID-19, the health ministry announced, pushing the toll above that of China. A record 474 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, with the number of infections rising to 71,886, the ministry said. Experts believe the overall number of COVID-19 cases could be 12 to 15 times higher, due to a large number of undetected cases given the lack of testing availability across the country's 210 million population.

Source: AFP, Reuters