Infections surging in India and US as lockdown restrictions eased

● Health experts fear second wave unless testing is quickly expanded

While millions of people took advantage of easing coronavirus lockdowns to enjoy spring weather, some of the world’s most populous countries reported worrisome new peaks in infections yesterday, including India, which saw its biggest single-day jump yet.

India, second in population only to China, reported more than 2,600 new infections. The United States continues to see tens of thousands of new infections each day, with more than 1,400 new deaths reported on Saturday.

Health experts warn that a second wave of infections could hit unless testing is expanded dramatically after lockdowns are eased. But pressure to reopen economies keeps building after the weeks-long shutdown of businesses worldwide plunged the global economy into its deepest slump since the 1930s and wiped out millions of jobs.

China, which reported only two new cases, has seen a surge in visitors to newly reopened tourist spots after domestic travel restrictions were relaxed ahead of a fiveday holiday that runs until tomorrow.

Nearly 1.7 million people visited Beijing parks on the first two days of the holiday, and Shanghai’s main tourist spots welcomed more than 1 million visitors, according to Chinese media. Many spots limited daily visitors to 30 per cent of capacity.

Meanwhile, Italians counted down the hours until today’s reopening of parks and public gardens. With sunshine and warm temperatures across the country, many people went outdoors, walking down streets and chatting on sidewalks. Despite the easing, Italians will still have to stay a metre apart. Picnics are not allowed, and playgrounds will remain closed.

In a sign that the disease still has a firm grip in some places, Rome’s infectious diseases hospital admitted 28 confirmed

Covid-19 patients from a nursing home.

In Spain, many ventured outside for the first time since the country’s lockdown began 14 March, but social distancing rules remained in place. Wearing masks on public transport is mandatory from today.

“There is highly probability that we will see new outbreaks,” said Spanish health expert Fernando Simon. “That is what we must be prepared for and keep in mind over the following months.”

In the US, White House coronavirus co-ordinator Deborah Birx expressed concern about protests by armed and mostly maskless crowds demanding an end to stay-at-home orders

and a full reboot of the economy. President Donald Trump has encouraged people to “liberate” their states.

Spanish health expert

“It’s devastatingly worrisome to me personally, because if they go home and infect their grandmother or their grandfather ... they will feel guilty for the rest of our lives,” she said.

“So we need to protect each other at the same time we’re voicing our discontent.”

Meanwhile, the divide in the United States between those who want lockdowns to end and those who want to move more cautiously extended to Congress.

The Republican-majority Senate will reopen today in Washington. The Democratcontrolled House of Representatives is staying shuttered.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell’s decision to convene 100 senators gives Mr Trump, a Republican, the imagery he wants of America getting back to work, despite the risks.

Pope Francis yesterday called for international collaboration in the search for a vaccine and treatment for Covid-19 and invited faithful of all religions to spiritually unite in prayer, fasting and works of charity on 14 May.

The virus has infected 3.4 million people and killed more than 244,000 worldwide, including more than 66,000 dead in the United States, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University.

Europe has seen more than 139,00 confirmed virus deaths.

“There is highly probability that we will see new outbreaks. That is what we must be prepared for”

FERNANDO SIMON