AROUND THE WORLD...

SPAIN

Spanish prime minster Pedro Sanchez has said his government will declare a national period of mourning for the more than 25,800 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic.

Spanish health authorities reported 244 new deaths over the previous 24 hours yesterday, taking the toll of virus deaths to 25,857.

The figures, which are in line with the overall slowdown of the outbreak in Spain, do not include thousands more who have died in nursing homes before they could be tested.

Spain also reported that its total number of confirmed infections has surpassed 253,000.

CZECH REPUBLIC

A comprehensive study to determine undetected infections in the population has revealed a low number of Covid-19 cases.

Health minister Adam Vojtech said 26,549 people were tested across the country, including the capital, with 107 previously undetected positive tests.

The study was conducted in different parts of the Czech Republic where the epidemic was at different stages on people aged 18-89. In the capital of Prague and the second largest city of Brno, children also were included.

The samples included volunteers as well as selected groups such as those suffering from chronic diseases.

AUSTRALIA

The country recorded 26 new coronavirus cases overnight yesterday mainly due to clusters at a Sydney nursing home and a Melbourne abattoir.

Deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly said the daily increase was larger than usual for recent weeks, but he is confident health authorities are quickly getting on top of the clusters.

The death toll at the nursing home has reached 16. There have been 49 infections linked to the abattoir, but no fatalities.

Tomorrow the Australian government plans to announce a relaxation of lockdown rules to get more people back to work.

CHINA

Disneyland in Shanghai will reopen on Monday under “enhanced health and safety measures”, the company said.

Only limited attendance will be allowed initially, and visitors will need to book tickets and make reservations in advance. Social distancing will be maintained in lines for amenities, in restaurants, on rides and other facilities, and sanitisation and disinfection will be boosted, the company said.

With warmer weather and new virus cases and deaths falling to near-zero, China has been steadily reopening parks, museums and tourist sites such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.