00:00 As coronavirus cases rise in parts of Europe, governments have been reimposing restrictions just as many people take their summer holidays. Europe is looking for a more coordinated response as national governments act alone to contain the virus. Many fear their countries are entering a second wave. 05:30 South Korea has been reporting an uptick in new daily cases of coronavirus. There were 48 on Tuesday, but that’s still low compared to many other parts of the world. Early in the pandemic, South Korea was badly hit, but swift action brought the infection rate down dramatically. Certain groups thought most likely to infect others have been targeted for preventative measures. That includes students, and most of them seem to be listening after a super-spreader event occurred when nightclubs were allowed to open again. 12:07 Pilgrims have begun arriving at Islam’s holiest site in Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the start of Hajj. This year’s pilgrimage is dramatically downsized due to the coronavirus. Numbers are limited about 10,000 Saudi residents. 13:47 After rescuing some 94 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is reporting that at least 65 of them have tested positive for the coronavirus. 14:04 US President Donald Trump has repeated his defense of hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19, even after his son was blocked on Twitter for retweeting a post in favor of the drug. Doctors say there is a lack of evidence it is effective. 14:29 Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam has warned the city is on the verge of a large-scale outbreak of the coronavirus that could overwhelm hospitals. Authorities have implemented strict new measures, which they say are to curb the spread of the disease. The new regulations include a ban on public gatherings of more than two people and mandatory face masks in public places. 17:55 What if you’re in love, but can’t express it in person because of travel bans? Some lovelorn couples have started a campaign they’re calling “Love Is Not Tourism”, hoping governments will help them.
Super spreaders & second waves: News on the COVID-19 pandemic | Coronavirus update
