Countries are developing vaccines, while new outbreaks of COVID-19 are being confirmed across the world, with a considerable increase in Latin America and Europe, prompting the reintroduction of quarantine measures and travel bans. Currently, Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, registered in August, is leading the way, undergoing phase 3 trials in several countries.
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Over the past 24 hours, 235 new fatalities have been registered.
"We are looking at the data to see how to manage the spread of the virus ahead of a very challenging winter period", Prof Chris Whitty, the UK government's chief medical adviser said.
"Another 12 patients, who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus infection, died in Moscow", the Russian capital's coronavirus response centre said in a statement on Sunday.
On Saturday, the single-day increase to the death toll was 13.
"Today, thousands of people throughout the Community of Madrid are denouncing the shameful policies of [Madrid regional leader Isabel Diaz] Ayuso and [Deputy Premier of the region Ignacio] Aguado and once again demonstrating the dignity of the south #AyusoAguadoDIMISION", Unidas Podemos political party in Madrid Assembly, Isabel Serra, wrote on Twitter.
Hoy miles de personas en toda la Comunidad de Madrid denunciando las vergonzosas políticas de Ayuso y Aguado y volviendo a demostrar la dignidad del sur.#AyusoAguadoDIMISION pic.twitter.com/8GmFqYvCMC
— Isa Serra (@isaserras) September 20, 2020
Hoy he estado junto con @isaserras, @MonederoJC y otras compañeras concentrado ante a la Asamblea de Madrid, respetando estrictamente las medidas de seguridad. Frente a su segregación, respondemos: más atención primaria y más medios para los barrios. #AyusoAguadoDIMISION pic.twitter.com/g6mQBKAL3C
— Jesús Santos Gimeno (@jesussantosalc) September 20, 2020
BELGRADE (Sputnik) - The deterioration of the epidemiological situation in the Balkans and whole Europe stems from the failure of the public to comply with the measures against COVID-19 and requires strengthened control by the authorities, the World Health Organisation (WHO) office in Serbia told RIA Novosti on Sunday.
"We are facing serious epidemiological situation, not only in the region but through the Europe and it is important for all the counties to react to the situation with adequate public health measures in a coordinated manner with decisive leadership. This means to test suspected cases, trace and quarantine their contacts and treat severe cases, and keep the distance if we are unable to wear masks, maintain adequate respiratory and hand hygiene", the office said.
According to the WHO, people often fail to obey anti-epidemic measures that challenges effective infection prevention and control in many countries.
"Reasons for this deterioration is that people are not obeying measures recommended especially during vacations, gatherings at stadiums, nightclubs, places of worship and other crowds, including celebrations, etc. Infection prevention and control is also a challenge for some counties", the WHO continued.
The office also stressed the need for implementation of preventive measures in schools to open them, as it is important for children to attend classes to learn and socialise.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Times Radio he "wouldn’t rule out" that people in London will work from home, in a bid to curb the pandemic.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Health authorities in Russia have registered 6,148 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, up from 6,065 the day before, bringing the country's cumulative toll to surpass 1.1 million, the Russian coronavirus response centre said on Sunday.
"Over the past day, 6,148 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in 84 regions of Russia, including 1,397 — or 22.7 percent — of active cases with no clinical symptoms", the response centre said, specifying that Russia's cumulative toll has now reached 1,103,399 cases.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - People in England will face fines between nearly $1,300 and $13,000 for violating quarantine measures aimed at stopping the second wave of the coronavirus infection in the UK, British media report.
Starting from 28 September, people will be required to self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 or if they have come into contact with an infected person, The Guardian said on Saturday. Violators will face fines between £1,000 and £10,000 (almost $13,000).
"People who choose to ignore the rules will face significant fines. We need to do all we can to control the spread of this virus, to prevent the most vulnerable people from becoming infected", Johnson said on Saturday, as quoted by ITV.
The Huffington Post also reported that the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has warned UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the English capital needs fresh coronavirus restrictions by Monday.
