UK records 9,284 new cases as it happened – The Guardian

7.06pm EDT 19:06

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4.48pm EDT 16:48

The number of black fungus cases in India has shot up to more than 30,000 in the past three weeks.

According to the New York Times, while the federal health ministry has not published figures on fatalities related to the disease, states have brought the death toll to 2,100.

Black fungus cases started emerging last month as India was hit by a third wave of Covid-19.

The fungal disease, called mucormycosis, has a 50% mortality rate.

It affects patients initially in the nose but the fungus can then spread into the brain, and can often only be treated by major surgery removing the eye or part of skull and jaw.

Mucormycosis will tail off and go back to baseline as the Covid cases subside, Dr Dileep Mavalankar, an epidemiologist, was quoted saying by the US news outlet.

But it may come back in the third wave unless we find out why it is happening.

The rise in black fungus infections, mostly in patients who had severe cases of Covid-19, has been linked to an overuse of steroids in the treatment of the coronavirus, which can acutely compromise the immune system if taken over a prolonged period.

The high incidence of diabetes in India has also been blamed, with high blood sugar levels linked to susceptibility. India has the second-highest rate of diabetes in the world.

It has also been reported in Covid patients who were on ventilators in intensive care units, due to their airways being exposed to humidity and moisture.

But it is also feared that overcrowding in hospitals where oxygen was scarce may have given the fungus a chance to spread.

Updated at 4.59pm EDT

3.16pm EDT 15:16

France has reported 1,815 new Covid-19 cases on the same day it announced measures to ease lockdown, Reuters reports.

The number remains unchanged from the previous day, while deaths have risen by 14.

The total number of deaths in the country has now reached 110,900, according to latest figures from the John Hopkins university.

It comes as mask-wearing outdoors is being lifted and an eight-month nightly coronavirus curfew comes to an end today.

Le Monde reports, however, that vigilance is still being called for, as health protocols for public places and events will remain in place until 30 June.

Updated at 3.32pm EDT

3.00pm EDT 15:00

Reports of menstrual disorders following a Covid-19 vaccination are being closely monitored by the UKs vaccines watchdog.

According to figures obtained by The Sunday Times, the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received almost 4,000 reports of period issues linked to the vaccines up to 17 May.

A total of 2,734 reports related to the AstraZeneca vaccine, while 1,158 to the Pfizer jab and 66 to Moderna.

A range of different disorders were reported by women, including heavier or delayed periods and unexpected vaginal bleeding.

The MHRA said in the latest weekly report of Covid vaccine reactions that current evidence does not suggest an increased risk of either menstrual disorders or unexpected vaginal bleeding following the vaccines.

It went on to say that the number of reports remains low compared with the number of women who have had the vaccine and how common menstrual disorders are.

The MHRA will continue to closely monitor reports of menstrual disorders and vaginal bleeding with Covid-19 vaccines, the report reads.

Updated at 4.01pm EDT

1.03pm EDT 13:03

The organiser of Download Festival said it is 100% evidence of how large-scale music events can go ahead amid the pandemic.

Melvin Benn, who is behind the UKs largest rock show, said this weekends 10,000-strong event in Donington Park, Leicestershire, is a very clear demonstration you can do it, PA reports.

The festival takes place annually in June and usually hosts up to 80,000 rock and heavy metal fans.

But the three-day festival has been downscaled this year as it runs as part of a government live events pilot, meaning fans do not have to wear masks or socially distance.

Mr Benn said: Its extraordinary really. Its really fantastic. I am very heartwarmed by it all. The level of compliance around the testing and requirements we have is absolutely extraordinary.

Asked about the idea it remains impossible for such mass events to be Covid-secure, he said: It is evidence that this is not true. It is 100% evidence that it is not true. This is a very clear demonstration that you can do it.

Updated at 1.05pm EDT

12.34pm EDT 12:34

A total of 62,415,897 people in England have had one or two doses of a Covid-19 vaccination, according to NHS England data, a rise of 451,039 on the previous day.

Those receiving a first dose increased by 255,393 since Saturday to 35,959,555, according to PA.

While 26,456,342 people have now had both doses, a rise of 195,646.

Updated at 1.08pm EDT

12.04pm EDT 12:04

The UK has recorded 9,284 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, compared to 10,321 on Saturday, bringing the total number to 4,630,040.

A further six deaths were recorded, down from 14 on Saturday and bringing the total to 127,976.

Updated at 12.34pm EDT

11.48am EDT 11:48

Portuguese authorities have confirmed the Delta variant is behind the spike in new Covid-19 cases recently recorded in the Lisbon region.

Portugals National Health Institute said on Sunday that the highly infectious variant accounts for 60% of new cases in the city, the Associated Press reports.

The recent surge in infections prompted the Portuguese government to ban all weekend travel in and out of Lisbon.

The measures for the metropolitan area of the capital, which has about 2.8 million inhabitants, took effect on Friday.

Updated at 11.53am EDT

10.43am EDT 10:43

With Covid vaccination penetration in the US likely to fall short of Joe Bidens 70% by Fourth of July target, pandemic analysts are warning that vaccine incentives are losing traction and that two Americas may emerge as the aggressive Delta variant becomes the dominant US strain.

Efforts to boost vaccination rates have come through a variety of incentives, from free hamburgers to free beer, college scholarships and even million-dollar lottery prizes. But many of the efforts to entice people to get their shots have lost their initial impact, or failed to land effectively at all.

Its just not working, Irwin Redlener at the Pandemic Resource and Response Initiative at Columbia University, told Politico. People arent buying it. The incentives dont seem to be working whether its a doughnut, a car or a million dollars.

In Ohio, a programme offering five adults the chance to win $1m boosted vaccination rates by 40% for more a week. A month later, the rate had dropped to below what it had been before the incentive was introduced, Politico found.

Oregon followed Ohios cash-prize lead but reported a less dramatic uptick. Preliminary data from a similar lottery in North Carolina, launched last week, suggests the incentive is also not boosting vaccination rates there.

Updated at 10.59am EDT

10.33am EDT 10:33

Jonathan Watts

Inspired by a group set up in Britain during the pandemic, several of the worlds leading scientists plan to launch an independent expert group this week to advise, warn and criticise global policymakers about the climate and nature crises.

The body has been inspired by Independent Sage the cluster of British scientists who have held UK ministers and civil servants to account for their lack of transparency and mishandling of the Covid pandemic.

The Climate Crisis Advisory Group, comprising 14 experts from 10 nations and every continent, aims to have more of an international reach and provide the global public with regular analysis about efforts to tackle the global heating and biodiversity crises.

Headed by the former UK chief scientific adviser Sir David King, the group will issue monthly updates about the state of the global environment at meetings that will be open to the media and the public. These online gatherings will be chaired by the BBC presenter Ade Adepitan.

Updated at 11.00am EDT

10.13am EDT 10:13

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has accused the devolved government of Scotland of hypocrisy over its travel ban to the north-west of England.

Scotlands first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced on Friday all non-essential travel to Manchester and Salford would be banned from Monday, but Burnham, a Labour politician, said he or his administration were not contacted before the announcement.

Sturgeon, who leads the Scottish National party (SNP), pinpointed the areas as Covid-19 hotspots, despite figures in the cities matching case rates in parts of Scotland.

Anyone travelling elsewhere in the Greater Manchester or Lancashire area, Id ask to think carefully about whether your journey is really necessary, because we do see cases rising across that region, she said on Friday in a coronavirus briefing.

Speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Burnham said: I was really disappointed on Friday that the first minister of Scotland just announced out of the blue, as far as we were concerned, a travel ban saying that people couldnt travel from Scotland to Manchester and Salford and people couldnt go the other way.

That is exactly what the SNP always accuse the Westminster government of doing, riding roughshod over people.

The SNP are treating the north of England with the same contempt in bringing that in without any consultation with us.

Updated at 11.07am EDT

9.50am EDT 09:50

Over half the new Covid-19 cases being reported in the Lisbon region are of the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant, preliminary data showed on Sunday as Portuguese authorities scramble to curb a worrying spike in infections.

Ricardo Jorge, the national health institute, said the Delta variant represented more than 60% of cases in the Lisbon area though still less than 15% in the northern half of Portugal.

The Alpha variant, which was previously dominant in Britain, is more prevalent across Portugals north, representing 80% of infections there and only 30% in and around Lisbon, according to the institute.

Portugal posted over 1,000 new Covid-19 cases for the fourth straight day on Saturday and the number of people testing newly positive every 24 hours is back to late February levels, when the country was still under lockdown.

However, about 2.5 million of Portugals 10 million population has now been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. While there has been a slight increase in hospitalisations in recent days, there has been no noticeable rise in deaths given that most older, more vulnerable people have been vaccinated.

The recent jump in infections comes around a month after Portugal opened to visitors from the rest of the EU as well as Britain.

Updated at 10.05am EDT

9.38am EDT 09:38

Tobi Thomas

The number of children and young adults in the UK entering treatment for gaming addictions and disorders tripled over the last year, with experts believing that the pandemic and lockdowns play a key role in the increase.

The clinic, part of the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions, opened in 2019 as a specialist clinic to treat children and young adults who are addicted to playing video games. The clinic opened a year after the World Health Organization recognised gaming disorder as a medical condition.

The figures, obtained by the Guardian via freedom of information requests, show that 17 people entered treatment between January and May 2020, but over the same period in 2021 the number rose to 56.

The Nightingale hospital, a private hospital that specialises in treating mental health disorders, also saw a rise in referrals and individuals seeking treatment for gaming and technology addictions.

The hospital said that between March to June and July to September 2020, the number of inquiries received regarding technology addiction doubled, with the majority of them regarding parents seeking support for their children. In 2021, the hospital has seen a fourfold increase in inquiries.

Updated at 9.43am EDT

9.17am EDT 09:17

Mandatory mask-wearing outdoors is being lifted and and an eight-month nightly coronavirus curfew is ending in France today.

Le Monde reports, however, that vigilance is still being called for, as health protocols for public places and event will remain in place until 30 June.

The lifting comes as France is voting in the first round of regional elections that could see Marine Le Pens far-right party make gains and step further into the political mainstream.

The Financial Times cites forecasting by polling group Ipsos that turnout would reach only about 41%.

A low turnout with polling showing voters are more concerned about crime, immigration and unemployment than Covid-19 is tipped to assist Le Pen.

Updated at 10.08am EDT

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UK records 9,284 new cases as it happened - The Guardian