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Friday, March 29, 2024

World Roundup: US states impose tougher controls, cases near record

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US officials imposed tough measures including quarantines and stay-at-home advice as daily coronavirus cases approached record levels after surging across the nation’s South and West.

Nearly four months after reporting its first death from COVID-19, the United States faces a deepening health crisis as a wave of infections hits young Americans and experts issue new acute warnings.

More than 35,900 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, with heavily populated states including Florida, Texas, and California all reporting daily record cases.

The world’s largest economy is already the country's hardest hit by the pandemic, with a mounting death toll of almost 122,000.

Some officials – including the Texas governor – who loosened restrictions on business, dining, public gatherings and tourism, are now urging residents to again stay home.

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Three northeastern states that made progress beating back the pandemic – New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut – urged visitors arriving from US hotspots to quarantine themselves.

Australia deploys 1,000 troops to Melbourne

Australia’s military announced Thursday it would send 1,000 troops to Melbourne in an effort to help contain the country’s only significant coronavirus outbreak over fears of a second wave.

Victoria state has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases, recording almost 150 new infections over the past week as new clusters have emerged in Melbourne.

On Thursday authorities recorded at least 37 cases – the highest national total since mid-April.

Defense Minister Linda Reynolds said 1,000 troops would be deployed to Victoria “in the coming days.”

Up to 850 Australian Defense Force personnel will help monitor returned international travelers being held in hotel quarantine while about 200 others will provide logistical and medical support to COVID-19 testing facilities, she added. 

Beijing officials declare outbreak ‘under control’

The new coronavirus outbreak that has infected 256 people in Beijing since early June is “under control,” officials in the Chinese capital said, but fears still remain over the risk of community transmission.

Authorities have raced to contain the outbreak linked to the largest wholesale food market in Beijing after the first case was announced on June 11, leading to a partial lockdown of the city.

“The Beijing epidemic directly linked to Xinfadi (market) is basically under control, but at the same time we have discovered household and workplace cluster infections and cases of community transmission,” said Beijing municipal government spokesman Xu Hejian at a briefing.

“The prevention and control situation remains complicated, we cannot lower our guard in the slightest.”

Eiffel Tower reopens with strict restrictions

The Eiffel Tower reopened on Thursday for the first time since France imposed its coronavirus lockdown in March, though tourists will not be allowed to the top of the Paris landmark until later this summer.

Journalists from around the world were on hand as about 50 visitors, mainly French, prepared to make the steep climb by stairs to the first two levels, as elevators will remain closed because of social distancing concerns.

The very top of the iconic monument will remain off limits to the public for now.

The 10-ton metal landmark emerged from its longest closure since World War II in time for the summer season, but with limited visitor numbers at first, and mandatory face masks for all over the age of 11, said the Eiffel Tower website. 

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