Global coronavirus death toll approaches half a million

China has imposed a strict lockdown on some 500,000 people near Beijing to contain a new coronavirus outbreak.

• China has imposed a strict lockdown on some 500,000 people near Beijing to contain a new coronavirus outbreak.

• Italy has registered the lowest number of daily deaths since March 1.
• Global coronavirus cases exceeded 10 million on Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The respiratory disease has killed almost half a million people in seven months. More than five million have recovered.
  

  Sunday, June 28

  18:08 GMT – Virus death toll drops to 5 in NY, once the US epicenter

  Five people died from the coronavirus in New York state, a death toll Gov. Andrew Cuomo called “the lowest number we have had since this started.”

  “We are on the exact opposite end,” Cuomo said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

  “We have less than 800 people in hospitals – lowest number basically since we started.”

  The governor cautioned, however, that the numbers could spike again if New Yorkers let down their guard down and fail to follow social distancing and mask-wearing requirements.

  “I’m now afraid of the spread coming from other states because we are one country and people travel,” Cuomo said. “I’m afraid the infection rate in the other states will come back to New York and raise that rate again.”

  15:26 GMT – Low turnout expected as France votes in local polls

  French people went to the polls wearing face masks in the final round of municipal elections expected to yield a rebuke for President Emmanuel Macron’s party.

  Amid persistent fears of coronavirus contagion, just over 15 percent of voters had turned out by midday – fewer even than four hours into the first election round on March 15 marked by a record 55-percent abstention rate.

  Polls opened for 12 hours for some 16.5 million eligible voters at 8:00am (06:00 GMT) in nearly 5,000 cities and towns, about 15 percent of the country’s municipal councils, where the first election round did not yield a decisive outcome.

  Power remains up for grabs in the key cities of Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, and Strasbourg.

  14:52 GMT – Cases in Florida rise by 8,530 in past 24 hours

  The number of cases in Florida increased by 8,530, bringing the total number of infections to 141,075 after a record rise of 9,585 the day before.

  13:43 GMT – Turkey imposes partial curfew for university exams

  Turkey imposed a partial curfew as nationwide university entrance exams were held. 

  The curfew started at 9.30am (06:30GMT) and will end at 6:30pm (15:30GMT), according to a statement by the Interior Ministry.

  However, students will be allowed to use public transport to reach the exam venue. Also, relatives will be allowed to drop off students.

  During the lockdown, bakeries, markets, grocery stores, and butchers will remain open. 

  13:35 GMT – Kuwait reports 551 new infections

  The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced 551 new infections, raising the total number of cases to 44,942. Deaths reached 348 with four additional fatalities.

  The Ministry’s spokesman, Abdullah Al-Sanad, said in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the confirmed cases included patients who had contracted the virus due to mingling with infected persons.

  Others remained under examination to determine source of the infection.The 551 infections included 341 Kuwaitis and 210 non-Kuwaitis , Al-Sanad said.

  13:28 GMT – Indonesian president threatens to reshuffle cabinet over COVID-19 response

  Indonesian President Joko Widodo told his cabinet he is ready to reshuffle ministers or even disband government agencies that he feels have not done enough to fight the coronavirus outbreak, according to his office.

  Widodo made the remarks in a cabinet meeting on June 18, the video of which was released by his office on Sunday.

  “I see that many of us are working as though things are normal. That’s what’s irritating me. Don’t you have feelings? This is a crisis,” Widodo said in the video.

  “I will take any extraordinary measures for our 267 million people, for the nation. It can be disbanding agencies, can be a reshuffle, I have thought of everything,” he said, adding that he may also issue more emergency rules if needed.

  12:50 GMT – Greek island to host German doctors for free as flights to resume

  The Greek island of Kos will host dozens of German doctors for free from Monday, the tourism ministry said as the country prepared to reopen its regional airports to passenger flights.

  The visiting 170 doctors will be hosted for free “in recognition and gratitude for their contribution in combating the coronavirus in Germany,” the Greek tourism ministry said.

  Officials from German tour operator TUI will be among the passengers and will meet with Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis on the island, the ministry said.