Coronavirus: at a glance
Coronavirus latest: at a glance
A summary of the biggest developments in the global coronavirus outbreak
by Alexandra ToppingKey developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
South Korea closes schools days after reopening
More than 200 schools in South Korea have been forced to close, just days after they reopened, due to a new spike in virus cases. Thousands of students returned to school on Wednesday as the country began easing virus restrictions, but a day later, 79 new cases were recorded, the highest daily figure in two months.
Spain approves minimum basic income scheme
Spain’s deputy prime minister, the Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, , has announced that the coalition government’s minimum basic income scheme has been approved by the cabinet. The €3bn scheme, which will provide monthly payments of between €462 and €1,015 to around 850,000 households, comes as tens of thousands of Spanish families struggle to buy food in the wake of the pandemic.
Global deaths pass 360,000
According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center global deaths from coronavirus have now passed 360,000.
Renault to cut nearly 15,000 jobs worldwide
Renault SA plans to eliminate about 14,600 jobs worldwide and lower production capacity by almost a fifth as part of cost reductions aimed at outlasting the downturn that has rocked the global auto industry.
Philippines records its highest daily infection rate – 539 new cases – but will ease lockdowns
Residents in Manila will see their lockdown – one of the toughest and longest in the world – ease from Monday, despite the Philippines seeing its biggest spike in coronavirus cases on Thursday. The Philippines reported 539 infections on Thursday, its highest ever daily tally, to make a total of 15,588. It has recorded 921 deaths.
Coronavirus lockdown reinforces gender inequality across Europe
Life during the coronavirus lockdown has reinforced gender inequality across Europe with research emphasising that the economic and social consequences of the crisis are far greater for women and threaten to push them back into traditional roles in the home, which they will struggle to shake off once it is over. Throughout the continent, campaign groups are warning that the burdens of the home office and home schooling together with additional household duties and extra cooking, has been unequally carried by women and that improvements made in their lives by the growth in equality over the past decades are in danger of being rolled back by the health crisis.
US unemployment soars to more than 40m
The number of Americans who have lost their jobs in the past 10 weeks soared to more than 40 million, with 2.1 million people filing for unemployment last week.
The growth in the number of claims has slowed, but millions more have continued to file for unemployment each week, bringing the total number to a rate not seen since the Great Depression.
US records more than 100,000 deaths from Covid-19
The US has now recorded more than 100,000 deaths from Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University, as many states continued to relax mitigation measures. The US has recorded more deaths from the disease than any other country in the pandemic, and almost three times as many as the second-ranking country, the UK.
Up to six people will be able to meet outside in England from Monday
Members of different households will have to stay two metres apart, the prime minister has said. This will be allowed in gardens and other private outdoor spaces, Boris Johnson added.