19 June

Global: The global death toll from Covid-19 passes 450,000. The number of people who have lost their lives in the pandemic so far stands at 453,289, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.

The World Health Organization said Thursday that a few hundred million Covid-19 vaccine doses could be produced by the end of the year – and be targeted at those most vulnerable to the virus.

The United Nations food agency is warning that without immediate funding, its global transport system will have to stop delivering thousands of tonnes of masks, gloves and other critical equipment to 132 countries by the third week of July.

US: The number of coronavirus cases in California’s San Quentin state prison has tripled within the last two weeks, prompting advocates, families and attorneys to demand urgent action to fast track the release of prisoners and curb the spread among correctional officers.

Pakistan: Pakistan added 4,944 infections in 24 hours, bringing its total to 165,062. The health ministry also reported that its total number of deaths from the virus stood at 3,229.

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China: China has published the genome data for the coronavirus behind the latest Covid-19 outbreak in the capital city of Beijing, the website of state-backed National Microbiology Data Center showed on Friday.

New confirmed cases of coronavirus remained stable in Beijing on Friday after a public health official declared Beijing’s latest outbreak under control.

New Zealand: Covid-19 testing of thousands of people in New Zealand has not uncovered any new cases, health officials say. The testing was undertaken after a quarantine bungle when two women were allowed out of managed isolation without being tested – and later turned out to have the coronavirus.

Mexico: Mexico’s health ministry reported on Thursday a record 5,662 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and 667 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 165,455 cases and 19,747 deaths.

South Korea: South Korea reported 49 cases of Covid-19 on Friday, of which 26 came from the capital Seoul and the nearby port city of Incheon.

Thailand: Thailand reported five new cases on Friday, all from state quarantine, bringing its total to 3,146. All five cases were returnees from Saudi Arabia and showed no symptoms, and no new deaths were reported.

Argentina: Coronavirus cases may peak in Argentina between the end of June and beginning of July even as cases and deaths increase at a faster pace, according to Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia.

Lockdown updates

Japan: Tokyo lifted all remaining restrictions on businesses on Friday, although officials urged caution over a possible second wave of the coronavirus.

Japan agreed with Vietnam to work toward a staged easing of travel restrictions between the countries, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

US: AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., the largest US theater chain, will reopen most locations on 15 July and expects major cities to let audiences back in time for Walt Disney Co.’s “Mulan” premiere nine days later.

American Airlines Group Inc. removed a passenger who refused to wear a face covering and banned him from taking flights in the future, after US. carriers pledged to boost enforcement of mask use. The man, Brandon Straka, won’t be allowed to fly on the airline until face coverings are no longer required, the company said.

UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a $1.2 billion package to help UK children catch up on schooling they missed during lockdown, saying he was “determined” to get kids back in school by September.

All non-essential shops in Wales will be able to reopen from Monday 22 June so long as physical distancing can take place, as part of the devolved government’s cautious easing of lockdown restrictions.

China: Beijing Capital International Airport cancelled 305 inbound flights and 272 headed outbound on Friday, the Beijing Daily reported. Many travellers have cancelled their plans after a second coronavirus outbreak in the city.

Economic updates

India: On Thursday India fully lifted an export ban on hydroxychloroquine, a drug favoured by US President Donald Trump as a treatment against coronavirus. Questions remain over the malaria medicine’s effectiveness against Covid-19.