Covid index - May 2020 - July 2020
1 Jun 2020: Some pupils are returning to primary schools in England but many will stay at home
Some primary school classes resume; outdoor markets open; social groups of 6 people allowed outdoors (SI2020/558)
Other measures are also being eased in England - there are fears steps are being taken too quickly
Many European countries are lifting restrictions further - some even opening cafes, museums and cinemas
South Africans can buy alcohol for the first time in two months but the reopening of schools is delayed
The Philippine capital Manila, home to 12 million people, has exited a lockdown in place since mid-March
The number of confirmed cases in Brazil passes half a million
Globally, there have been 6.1m confirmed cases and 371,000 deaths linked to Covid-19
2 Jun 2020: UK MPs return to Westminster following a scheduled break at the end of May
They will decide how to legislate during the coronavirus crisis, while maintaining social distancing
Bars and restaurants are opening in France for the first time since lockdown
India registers a new record daily spike with 8,392 fresh infections, even as country eases restrictions
The world's second most populous nation now has 190,000 cases, including 5,394 deaths
The number of people with Covid-19 to die in Mexico passes 10,000
Globally, there have been 6.2m confirmed cases and 375,000 deaths since the outbreak began
3 Jun 2020: Travellers from most European countries will be allowed into Italy from Wednesday, with no quarantine
Italy is also lifting restrictions on domestic travel, allowing people to move between regions
The UK government defends its 14-day quarantine for travellers, which begins on Monday
The Lancet "raises concern" about a hydroxychloroquine study that caused the WHO to suspend trials
Brazil's death toll exceeds 30,000, the highest in South America
Globally, there have been almost 6.4m confirmed cases and 379,000 deaths
4 Jun 2020: Mexico reports more than 1,000 daily deaths for the first time
Brazil sets a new record of 1,349 daily deaths
In the UK, Business Secretary Alok Sharma is self-isolating
Austria is reopening almost all its borders on Thursday
Globally there have been 6.4m infections since the outbreak began, and 383,000 deaths
5 Jun 2020: The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs says states should reopen internal borders by end of June
Some EU states have reopened some borders, but others remain closed
In England, masks will be compulsory on public transport from 15 June
Article that said hydroxychloroquine increases risk of death in coronavirus patients is withdrawn
Peru declares oxygen a 'strategic resource' - meaning hospitals get priority on supplies
Basketball teams in the NBA vote to resume matches on 31 July in Disneyworld, Florida
Globally, there have been 6.6m cases since the outbreak began and 388,000 deaths
6 Jun 2020: Isle of Wight MP admits lockdown 'barbecue' visit
People in the UK are urged not to breach lockdown rules to take part in mass anti-racism demonstrations
Black Lives Matter protest takes place in Sydney after coronavirus restrictions overturned by court
Wearing masks in public can help slow spread of the virus - World Health Organization (WHO)
Prince William reveals he's a volunteer on mental health helpline during lockdown
UK care home residents who pay own fees face price hikes of more than £100 a week on average, claims Age UK
Number of cases in India overtakes Italy as hospitals struggle to cope
Globally, the number of infections is more than 6.7 million and some 395,000 people have died - Johns Hopkins
7 Jun 2020: The number of people confirmed to have died of coronavirus globally has passed 400,000 - Johns Hopkins
Big anti-racism rallies have taken place around the world despite warnings about the spread of the virus
Health Secretary for England Matt Hancock says protests risk spreading the virus
As many as 60 million people could be pushed into "extreme poverty" by Covid-19, the World Bank warns
Brazil has removed months of virus data from a government website amid criticism over its handling of the outbreak
A far-right rally in Rome against the Italian government's response to the pandemic has turned violent
England places of worship to reopen for private prayer
Colston statue pulled plinth by protestors and pushed into Bristol Harbour. The statue was recovered on 11 June and has become a museum exhibit.
8 Jun 2020: Dentists resume. Places of worship open for private prayer.
From Monday, most people arriving in the UK will have to quarantine for two weeks
Some groups are exempt such as road haulage workers and travellers from the Republic of Ireland
The move is controversial, with airlines and travel companies saying it is unjustified
With zero active cases, New Zealand will move to its lowest level of lockdown at midnight local time
New York City begins opening up, with hundreds of thousands expected back at work
A single coal mine in Poland has been found to be the source of hundreds of new cases
Infections in Saudi Arabia top 100,000, the health ministry said on Sunday
There are almost 7 million recorded virus cases globally, with more than 400,000 deaths
9 Jun 2020: The government is to drop plans for all English primary pupils to return to school before the end of summer
The Children's Commissioner for England told the BBC the news would be a "huge disappointment"
From Tuesday, people in Moscow will be allowed to move around the city whenever they like
But there remain concerns about a rush to reopen as the city still records 2,000 infections a day
The UK recorded its lowest daily death toll since 22 March - 55 people died with Covid-19
In Brazil, the number of cases passes 700,000, but a controversy is growing over its data
There are more than 7 million infections globally, with over 400,000 deaths
10 Jun 2020: US cases pass the two million mark, according to Johns Hopkins University
Pandemic is accelerating in Africa, with South Africa accounting for a quarter of cases on the continent - WHO
UK ministers defend decision-making after expert says going into lockdown a week earlier could have halved death toll
The US has the most recorded cases in the world, followed by Brazil (770,000) and Russia (500,000)
Infections are still rising in 20 US states even as restrictions continue to be relaxed
Disneyland announces phased reopening in July
There have been more than 7.3 million infections globally and more than 416,000 deaths
Seem to have missed a day somewhere....
12 Jun 2020: UK GDP fell by 20.4% in April, the largest fall since monthly records began in 1997
British Airways, Ryanair and Easyjet say they have filed a formal legal challenge to the UK government’s quarantine policy
The UN warns the virus crisis has left millions of children at risk of being forced into child labour
Attendees at Trump's election rally in Tulsa next week are asked to sign a waiver over the coronavirus
They are asked to promise they won't sue the president or organisers if they catch the virus by attending
Latin America has now recorded more than 1.5 million virus cases and 70,000 deaths
In India patients are being turned away from hospitals but officials warn the virus has not yet peaked
There have been 7.5m cases worldwide and more than 420,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University
13 Jun 2020: A virus outbreak in a wholesale market in Beijing leads to fears of a second wave in the Chinese capital
Forty-five cases have been recorded, after weeks without new infections; the area is put on lockdown
Brazil's death toll becomes second highest in the world, surpassing the UK's with more than 41,000 victims
Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro continues to play down the virus, focusing on the economic damage of lockdown
From today, people living alone in England and Northern Ireland will be able to form a support bubble with another household
The Queen's official birthday will be marked later with a new ceremony instead of the annual Trooping the Colour parade
Hong Kong's iconic Ocean Park theme park reopens after more than four months of temporary closure
14 Jun 2020: Self-isolation for 14 days for returning travellers. (SI2020/568)
India records 11,929 coronavirus cases in 24 hours – its highest single-day figure to date
Chile, Argentina, Peru and Colombia all report a record number of Covid-19 infections, amid mounting concerns about its spread in Latin America
In the UK, leading psychologists have called the delay in getting children back to school a “national disaster” that endangers their mental health
UK PM Boris Johnson has launched a review of the 2m distancing rule, after warnings it could cripple the hospitality industry
New South Wales and Victoria plan to ease restrictions at libraries, community centres and nightclubs despite increases in new infections
There have now been more than 7.7 million cases worldwide and more than 430,000 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University
15 Jun 2020: Non-essential shops open, household bubbles introduced (SI2020/588)
Face coverings required on public transport (SI2020/592)
Shops in England selling non-essential items open for first time in almost three months - long queues!
From Monday, anyone on public transport in England must wear a mask
In France, travel to other EU countries is allowed, and all cafes and restaurants can open
Other European countries are also easing border restrictions
In Beijing, a spike in cases continues, with 36 more cases recorded
Globally, there have been 7.9m confirmed cases since the outbreak began and 433,000 deaths
16 Jun 2020: There have been more than 8m confirmed virus cases worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University
The US has reported the most Covid-19 deaths followed by Brazil and the UK
NZ reports two new cases after a month without any, both recent arrivals from the UK
More than 600,000 workers lost their jobs in the UK between March and May
Hospitals in the Indian capital Delhi are overwhelmed, but officials have ruled out a new lockdown
The US FDA withdraws hydroxychloroquine as a virus treatment, saying it is ineffective
17 Jun 2020: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern orders the military to oversee the country's quarantine and border operations
It comes after two people allowed out early later tested positive for coronavirus
Any visitors for Russian President Vladimir Putin must pass through a special disinfection tunnel, state media report
Beijing's virus spike continues, as restrictions on travel are tightened
Three US states have reported record new infections
Brazil reports almost 35,000 new cases - its highest daily figure
In England, Premier League football resumes on Wednesday evening
Premier League matches resume without spectators
Globally, there have been 8.1m confirmed cases since the outbreak began, and 441,000 deaths
Missed a day!
19 Jun 2020: The UK lowers its coronavirus alert level from four to three
The new level means the epidemic is in "general circulation" and allows social distancing to be relaxed
Leicester sees hundreds of confirmed coronavirus cases in two weeks, while an outbreak in Yorkshire is reported.
A £1bn fund to help England's children catch up on what they have missed while schools have been closed is announced
South Asian people are most likely to die from coronavirus in hospital in Great Britain, a major analysis shows
Leading US government expert Dr Anthony Fauci tells AFP news agency he doesn't see the country returning to lockdowns
Chinese officials say a coronavirus strain in an outbreak in Beijing may have come from Europe
The World Health Organization hopes millions of vaccines can be produced this year and 2bn by the end of 2021
Japan allows more businesses back to work and Singapore also lifts some restrictions
Globally, there are almost 8.5m cases and more than 453,000 deaths with the coronavirus
20 Jun 2020: Spain is today reopening its tourism industry by lifting travel restrictions for foreign visitors
Visitors from the EU and Schengen zone countries and Britain will not have to isolate on arrival
Face masks still have to be worn in public spaces where social distancing is not possible
In the UK, a review into the two-metre social-distancing rule will conclude "within the coming days", the culture secretary tells the BBC
Greta Thunberg tells the BBC the world needs to learn the lessons of coronavirus and treat climate change with similar urgency
The authorities in Mexico City have delayed a planned reopening of the economy by a week
21 Jun 2020: World Health Organization records highest one-day increase in total cases, with 183,000 added in one day
Most came from Brazil, followed by the US and India
The high level of confirmed cases is partly down to a global increase in testing
Brazil passes 50,000 Covid-19 deaths; only the US has more
UK PM Boris Johnson will discuss reducing the 2m rule, with a decision expected on Tuesday
South Korea is going through a 'second wave' of coronavirus, officials say, even though new infections are falling
France is re-opening cinemas, swimming pools and holiday centres. All children up to 15 are back at school
Globally, there have been almost 9m confirmed cases since the outbreak began, with 467,000 deaths
23 Jun 2020: Cases in Florida surge past 100,000, the seventh US state to reach the mark
New infections are spiking in several US states as the country reopens
A lockdown is being re-introduced in Gutersloh in Germany after 1,553 workers test positive at Tonnies meat processing plant
Saudi Arabia has said the Hajj pilgrimage will go ahead but with no international visitors
Cases are rising in Victoria, Australia, raising fears a second wave might be coming
Boris Johnson says pubs, cinemas and galleries will be able to reopen in England from 4 July - 1 metre distancing if necessary
Worldwide there have been more than 9 million virus cases and 471,000 deaths
24 Jun 2020: More than 100,000 people have now died in Latin America as the pandemic accelerates
Health experts are saying infection rates still haven't peaked in many countries
Covid-19 has "brought this nation to its knees" said the director of the US CDC
Robert Redfield's comments came as about half of US states are seeing a surge in new cases
Health official Anthony Fauci warns of a "disturbing surge" in infections, and calls for increased contact tracing
An outbreak in Germany has sparked fresh lockdowns
World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic has said he is "so sorry" after testing positive
Globally there are now 9.2m cases and almost 477,000 deaths
25 Jun 2020: The Eiffel Tower in Paris reopens more than three months after France went into lockdown
Social distancing remains at the famous landmark, and for the first week, the lifts will stay shut
The Australian army is sending 1,000 army personnel to Victoria amid a surge in virus cases
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut ask people arriving from nine other US states to quarantine for 14 days
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says global cases will soon reach 10 million
The WHO says the pandemic has not yet reached its peak in Central and South America
The International Monetary Fund has said the pandemic is a financial crisis "like no other"
The UK has begun human trials of a new potential coronavirus vaccine
26 Jun 2020: US Vice-President Mike Pence is hosting the first coronavirus briefing in nearly two months
He says the US "flattened the curve" while admitting cases are rising in 16 states
Florida sets another new record for daily coronavirus cases, reporting nearly 9,000 new infections
Another hard-hit state, Texas, orders bars closed amid a surge in cases
UK police and government warn they will clamp down if mass gatherings continue in hot summer weather
Intu, company which owns the Trafford Centre in Manchester and 16 other UK shopping centres, has gone into administration
Mexico has now recorded 25,000 deaths and 200,000 cases of the new coronavirus
The number of cases worldwide stands at 9.6 million with more than 490,000 deaths - Johns Hopkins
27 Jun 2020: Health experts in the US call for urgent action after a record number of new cases were recorded on Friday
Top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci says there is "a serious problem" - but Vice-President Mike Pence hails "progress"
The US has more than 2.4 million confirmed infections and at least 125,000 people have died - more than any other country
Meanwhile, the number of reported cases in India has surged to more than 500,000
Restrictions on some non-essential overseas travel will be relaxed in the UK from 6 July
More than 9.8 million cases and 494,000 deaths worldwide - Johns Hopkins University
28 Jun 2020: The US states of Florida and Texas have reinstated curbs on bars to battle a surge in infections
America has recorded around 2.5 million cases and at least 125,000 deaths
UK travel companies say holiday bookings have "exploded" on news that restrictions are being eased
Delhi is now India's worst-hit area, with about 73,000 recorded cases and at least 2,500 deaths
The head of the European Commission has warned no country will escape the pandemic until it has been ended everywhere
Globally, the number of infections now stands at 9.98m, and more than 498,000 people have died - Johns Hopkins University
29 Jun 2020: The number of people to die with Covid-19 worldwide passes half a million
Since the outbreak began, there have been more than 10 million cases
With cases rising in 30 US states, the Texas governor speaks of "swift and dangerous turn"
New York state - once the epicentre - records its lowest death toll - five - since 15 March
In the UK, school pupils return in Wales, while more shops reopen in Scotland
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is "concerned" about a rise in coronavirus cases in Leicester
In Hebei province, China, more than 400,000 people are under a new, strict lockdown
30 Jun 2020: UK PM Boris Johnson is unveiling a building plan to soften the impact of coronavirus
The pledge comes as the UK emerges from lockdown
But the relaxation has had to be reversed for Leicester because of a rise in cases
In the US, more states decide to halt easing lockdown measures amid a surge of infections
The EU is expected to approve 14 countries whose citizens can enter from 1 July
A new strain of flu that has the potential to become a pandemic has been identified in China
Globally there are 10.2m cases and there have been more than 504,000 virus-linked deaths
Covid index - May 2020 - July 2020
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© Jo Edkins 2024