Hong Kong residents to receive free tests
Hong Kong will offer free coronavirus tests to its residents starting Sept. 1 as it grapples with its worst outbreak since the pandemic began, leader Carrie Lam said Friday.
“For the good of yourself and others, and for safeguarding public health, please take part in the scheme,” Lam said.
The testing is aimed at identifying people who are infected with the coronavirus but have exhibited no symptoms, officials said. A new surge in infections which started in July has more than tripled the number of cases in the city to 4,632. The population is 7.5 million.
Businesses such as beauty salons and bars have been temporarily shuttered and there is a ban on dinein services after 6 p.m. as part of social distancing measures.
The city’s government has faced resistance from critics who are worried about privacy issues, given that the program is supported by the Chinese Communist Party. Some fear the tests will be used to produce DNA records of residents.
AUSTRALIA Restrictions reduce cases
MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s hardhit Victoria state reported its lowest tally of new coronavirus cases in more than six weeks, following two weeks of unprecedented lockdown of the state capital, Melbourne.
Victoria’s Health Department reported the state had 179 new infections and nine deaths in the latest 24hour period.
State authorities say the daily infection rate will have to fall to single digits or low double digits before Melbourne’s lockdown is relaxed.
SOUTH KOREA Surge spreads beyond capital
South Korea has reported 324 new cases of the coronavirus, its highest single day total since early March as the recent surge of infections in the capital area now appears to be spreading nationwide.
Friday was the eighth consecutive day that South Korea has reported a tripledigit daily increase. Officials said the new infections were recorded in practically all major cities nationwide.
LEBANON Lockdown follows blast
Lebanon on Friday began a partial lockdown and nighttime curfew after coronavirus cases increased sharply following an explosion in Beirut that killed 180 people and injured thousands.
Confirmed cases have increased from 5,417 a day after the blast on Aug. 4 to more than 11,000 on Friday.
Restaurants, night clubs, beaches and clothes shops are among the businesses ordered to close by the Ministry of Interior.