Coronavirus: latest global developments

A nurse performs a coronavirus test in Netherlands on September 29, 2020.

Photo credit: Rob Engelaar | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The United States has suffered the most deaths, with 205,091, followed by Brazil with 142,058, India with 96,318, Mexico with 76,603 and Britain with 42,001.
  • The Czech Republic and Slovakia are set to declare states of emergency this week to combat the pandemic, their prime ministers say after a sharp rise in cases.


Paris

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

By 1100 GMT Tuesday the coronavirus pandemic had killed at least 1,005,981 people around the world, since emerging in China in late 2019, according to an AFP tally based on official sources.

The United States has suffered the most deaths, with 205,091, followed by Brazil with 142,058, India with 96,318, Mexico with 76,603 and Britain with 42,001.

US President Donald Trump announces the distribution of 150 million rapid coronavirus tests ordered from Abbott Laboratories that are able to deliver a result in 15 minutes and display it in a similar format to a home pregnancy kit.

And the World Health Organization says 120 million more will be available for the developing world at $5 each as long as funding is secured.

Up to 100 million additional doses of any eventual safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines will be secured for delivery to poorer countries in 2021, doubling the amount available, the vaccine alliance Gavi announces.

Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein says that there is "no way" the country's second nationwide coronavirus lockdown will be lifted on October 10 as originally planned.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia are set to declare states of emergency this week to combat the pandemic, their prime ministers say after a sharp rise in cases.

The first cruise ship to sail to Greece since the lockdown docks at the port of Piraeus after a dozen crew members are reported positive for the virus. Passengers undergo follow-up coronavirus tests, with early results negative.

Pubs, restaurants and cafes in Northern Ireland will shut early to stem a surge in coronavirus cases, First Minister Arlene Foster says, the latest tightening of UK restrictions.

Moscow's mayor announces that school holidays will be extended in the Russian capital after cases of Covid-19 rise swiftly in the second half of September, from around 700 a day to 2,300 on Tuesday.