Leading US infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci has warned of a surge of infections in some US states after an increase in community spread.
Meanwhile a Brazilian judge has ordered President Jair Bolsonaro to wear a mask in public or be fined for each day he does not as the nation continues to battle large outbreaks of coronavirus.
This story was last updated at 4: 00am on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s key moments:
- Fauci warns of ‘critical’ weeks ahead for US states
- Brazilian judge orders president to wear mask in public
- Social distancing to be relaxed in United Kingdom
- Djokovic tests positive after ill-fated tournament
- Egypt to allow restaurants and cafes to operate at 25 per cent
- Saudi Arabia to restrict hajj pilgrims amid coronavirus
- Global trade down, but WTO says could have been worse
- Tokyo Disney parks to open, but no hugging Mickey Mouse
- Parts of Germany under lockdown after infections soar
Fauci warns of ‘critical’ weeks ahead for US states
Leading US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has warned the US is seeing a disturbing surge of infections in states like Texas, Florida and Arizona, where there is an increase in community spread.
“Right now the next couple of weeks are going to be critical in our ability to address those surges we are seeing in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and other states,” said Dr Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
US health officials last week warned that states seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases may need to reimpose strict restrictions similar to what was implemented in March.
Many states, including Texas and Arizona, have relaxed social distancing rules while grappling with a rising number of coronavirus patients filling hospital beds.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that better testing has led to a higher number of identified coronavirus cases across the country, and at a political rally on Saturday he said he had asked for a slowdown in testing.
However, four top US public health officials and members of Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force, including Dr Fauci, said Mr Trump had not actually asked them to slow down testing for the virus.
Testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Dr Fauci said neither he nor any members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force had been asked to do so.
The US where more cases have been recorded than anywhere else has tested more than 27 million people, with about 2.3 million — or 8.4 per cent — testing positive.
Brazilian judge orders President to wear