No case in China, surge in LatAm

Berlin, May 23: New Covid-19 cases dropped to zero in China for the first time Saturday but overwhelmed hospitals across Latin America — both in countries lax about lockdowns and those lauded for firm, early confinement. The pandemic’s persistence stymied authorities struggling to keep people safe and revive their economies at the same time, disrupting the Memorial Day weekend in the United States and collective celebrations around the Muslim world marking the end of the holy month of Ramzan.

As deaths and infections surge across Latin America, experts note the limits of government action in a region where millions have informal jobs and many police forces are weak or corrupt and unable to enforce restrictions. Brazil and Mexico reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week, fueling criticism of their presidents for limited lockdowns. But infections also rose and intensive-care units were swamped in Peru, Chile and Ecuador, all lauded for imposing early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines. One bright spot emerged Saturday: China, where the outbreak began late last year, reported no new confirmed cases for the first time.

In Germany, seven people appear to have been infected with the Covid-19 at a restaurant in the northwest of the country. It would be the first known such case since restaurants started reopening in the country two weeks ago. And in the southwestern city of Frankfurt, a parish leader says that several members of a congregation have tested positive for the Covid-19 after attending a church service on May 10. Six are hospitalised, said the Evangelical Christian Baptist congregation.