Covid live news: New Zealand reports first new cases in community; Russia approves vaccine

Coronavirus updates: community transmission ends over 100 days of virus-free streak; Putin claims vaccine success; deaths likely to pass 750,000 this week, says WHOGlobal report: coronavirus cases pass 20m as WHO points to ‘green shoots of hope’France extends mask use as Greece says it is in second waveSee all our coronavirus coverage 10.49am BST New Zealand is less than six weeks from an election, with lawmakers crossing the country in whistlestop tours. Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister – who has recently been in Auckland where the Covid-19 outbreak has been recorded – said she would remain in Wellington for the next three days. The three-day restrictions on the country, which are most stringent in Auckland, could be extended longer than the three days. But that gives officials the chance to find where the outbreak of four cases in Auckland has come from. “We’re expecting to see other cases,” said Ashley Bloomfield, the country’s top health official. “We want to find those other cases as soon as possible and identify or isolate any contacts.” 10.47am BST Auckland, New Zealand, will move into a restrictive phase of lockdown – the second strictest available – for the next three days. But the rest of the country will have measures imposed too.All restrictions on daily life had eased in early June when the last remaining Covid-19 case recorded in the community recovered. From tomorrow, outside of the city of Auckland, where the cases were recorded, New Zealanders will not be allowed to gather in large numbers, and should work from home if possible. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/11/coronavirus-live-news-who-chief-says-its-never-too-late-to-turn-outbreak-around-as-cases-near-20m #coronavirus_outbreak #world_news #science #infectious_diseases #microbiology #medical_research #uk_news #us_news #australia_news