Guatemala buries dead without IDs
Guatemalan hospital officials say they’ve had to bury dozens of COVID19 victims who have never been identified.
One hospital is creating an archive in hopes that once the pandemic passes, relatives will come looking for them.
Workers at one of the country’s largest public hospitals have begun photographing patients who arrive alone and too ill to give their personal details. Those who die unidentified are placed in body bags with transparent windows over the faces in case relatives arrive.
Officials say protocols to rapidly burying the dead during a pandemic only make the situation more difficult.
The government has reported more than 47,000 confirmed infections and more than 1,800 deaths nationwide. SPAIN
Spike in cases most in months
Spain has reported the highest daily number of new coronavirus infections in almost three months with 1,153.
The Health Ministry says it’s the highest since early May and up from 905 new cases reported Tuesday. The northeastern regions of Aragon (424 new cases) and Catalonia (211) recorded the highest increases followed by the Madrid region (199).
Spain has officially recorded 282,641 cases and 28,441 deaths. ITALY
Extension OKd for emergency
Italian lawmakers approved extending Italy’s state of emergency for the coronavirus through Oct. 15.
The move came as Italy counted 289 confirmed new positives, bringing the pandemic total to 246,776. Six more people died, bringing the death total to 35,129.
The peak of 6,500 new daily cases was hit on March 31. VIETNAM
Tough response gains approval
Vietnam’s government said Wednesday it is stepping up measures against the coronavirus as the country’s first domestic outbreak in more than three months continues to spread.
Starting from a hospital in the popular beach city of Da Nang, 34 cases have been confirmed over the past five days, including an additional 12 on Wednesday. PHILIPPINES
Reopenings ready to start
The Philippines will allow fitness gyms, sports facilities, internet cafes, beauty parlors, pet grooming shops and drivein movie theaters to reopen at 30% capacity starting Saturday in metropolitan Manila and most other areas, despite spikes in coronavirus cases.
The country has reported more than 85,400 confirmed infections and nearly 2,000 deaths.