Global Deaths Pass 800,000, Cases Above 23 Million: Virus Update

(Bloomberg) -- Covid-19 deaths worldwide passed 800,000 as cases rose to more than 23 million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg.

The U.S. had its fourth day in a row with more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths. Cases and deaths in Florida slowed, while both increased in Arizona.

Germany recorded the most new infections since April, though Europe’s virus surge is less deadly so far than the first wave. At least 41 schools in Berlin have reported Covid-19 cases, and hundreds of students and teachers are quarantining. Cases in France remained at levels last seen in May.

Key Developments:

• Global Tracker: Cases above 23 million; deaths pass 800,000
• Why European countries are keeping deaths in check
• Boris Johnson’s vow to get children back to school is causing dread in the U.K.
• South Korea will extend anti-virus measures to whole country
• J&J plans huge vaccine study while Pfizer cites rapid enrollment
• CDC updates guidance for schools to handle sick kids
• Vaccine Tracker: where we are in the race for protection

Subscribe to a daily update on the virus from Bloomberg’s Prognosis team here. Click CVID on the terminal for global data on coronavirus cases and deaths.

IMHE Predicts 310,000 Deaths by December (2:47 p.m. NY)

Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. could reach almost 310,000 by Dec. 1, according to projections by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. In two other scenarios, universal mask wearing could reduce deaths to about 241,000, and eased restrictions could push the toll as high as 421,000.

IHME, funded partly by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was influential in the early days of the pandemic, including within the Trump administration. The institute was criticized by some as too optimistic and says it has updated its modeling since.

Outbreaks in California, Florida, Arizona and Texas have “peaked or stabilized,” according to the latest analysis, while nationwide deaths have “stayed quite steady” at about 1,000 a day.

French Infections Stuck at May Levels (2:28 p.m. NY)

France reported 3,602 new cases after two consecutive days with more than 4,000, though infections remain at levels last seen in May, according to government data. Deaths increased by nine to 30,512, the fewest in six days. The toll compares with more than 1,000 deaths on several days in April at the peak of France’s virus crisis.

Italy Cases Rise Further (11:47 a.m. NY)

Italy reported 1,071 cases, the first time since mid-May the country has registered more than 1,000 new infections.

As many Italians return from holidays abroad and some of the country’s vacation spots popular with foreigners have been near capacity, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s government has shut down nightclubs and required face coverings in public at night.

Italy has struggled to institute virus testing at airports and critics say Conte’s governing coalition hasn’t provided a clear plan for reopening schools next month.

Arizona Cases, Deaths Rise (11:40 a.m. NY)

Arizona reported 996 cases, a 0.5% rise that’s more than the average 0.4% daily increase of the previous week. The total, in a hard-hit state which is now improving, is 197,895.

Another 68 deaths were reported, up from 4 the previous day. Total deaths, which peaked at 105 over the last week, are now 4,756.

U.K. Adds Most Cases in Two Months (11:30 a.m. NY)

The U.K. had the most new cases since June as the country continues to step up testing. Infections rose by 1,288 to 324,601, according to government data. That’s the most since June 20 and above the previous seven-day average of 992. Deaths increased by 18 to 41,423.

Florida Cases and Deaths Slow (11:03 a.m. NY)

Florida reported 597,597 cases on Saturday, a 0.7% rise compared with the average increase of 0.8% in the previous seven days. The state added 4,311 new cases.

Deaths among Florida residents reached 10,274, an increase of 106 compared with 119 the previous day and below the average daily increase of the previous week, according to the state health department report, which includes data through Friday.

New York Cases, Deaths Remain Low (10:15 a.m. NY)

New York reported 653 cases, little changed from the average 0.1% daily increase of the previous seven days. Another four deaths were reported, and hospitalizations fell to 483, Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a tweet.

American Cases Steady; Deaths Still High (8 a.m. NY)

U.S. cases rose 47,581 on Friday, an 0.9% increase that matches the average daily rise of the previous seven days, according to data from Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg. While overall cases have been dropping in recent weeks, there were 1,102 deaths, the fourth day in a row over 1,000.

Student Travel Company STA Stops Trading in the U.K. (7:25 a.m. EST)

STA Travel UK, known for the adventurous trips it offered backpackers and students, has ceased trading, becoming the latest tourism company to be hit by the pandemic.

Spanish Region Closes Brothels to Fight Virus (6:18 a.m. EST)

The government of Castilla-La Mancha region ordered the closure of brothels, according to an order published Saturday.

The sprawling central Spanish region is home to four in five of Spanish brothels, ABC newspaper reported, citing data from the Institute for Women.

Spain has announced curbs on smoking and bar opening times and closed nightclubs as part of its latest efforts to clamp down on social interactions that the government says are fueling Covid-19. Governments across Europe have advised against traveling to Spain.

France Delays Recovery Plan (6 a.m. EST)

France said it would delay the presentation of a 100 billion-euro recovery plan until the first week of September as the country grapples with a pickup in Covid-19 infections to levels not seen since April.

The stimulus package is “ready,” Government Spokesman Gabriel Attal said in a statement on Saturday. The plan was due to be released next week, but will now be presented later to allow ministers to focus on ensuring a smooth application of new health measure entering into force in September, including a systematic use of face masks at work.

German Cases Rise the Most Since April (4:08 a.m. EST)

German cases rose by 2,034 to 232,082, the most since April, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, the German government’s monitoring agency. The number of daily cases reached current peaks at the end of March and in early April.

Virus-related deaths increased by seven to 9,267.

Tokyo Cases Above 200 for Third Day: NHK (3:16 p.m. HK)

Tokyo confirmed 256 new Covid-19 cases Saturday, state-run NHK broadcaster reported, citing government data. It’s the third straight day that cases have topped 200, though the daily caseload has declined from a peak of 472 on Aug. 1.

Berlin Schools Hit by Virus Oubreaks (2:26 p.m. HK)

At least 41 schools in Berlin have reported that students or teachers have become infected with Covid-19, less than two weeks after schools in Germany’s capital reopened, the AP reports. Hundreds of students and teachers are in quarantine, the Berliner Zeitung newspaper reported.

Berlin was one of the first places in Germany to reopen its schools after the summer holidays.

Europe Virus Surge Looks Less Deadly Than Initial Wave (2:05 p.m. HK)

Europe’s renewed surge in Covid-19 cases appears to be less deadly than the original wave several months ago, data show. Increased testing is catching the disease earlier, and in contrast to spikes in March and April -- when the pandemic ripped through nursing homes -- authorities are doing a better job of protecting the elderly and other vulnerable people, according to scientists.

However, others caution that as infections in most European countries began climbing only a few days or weeks ago, deaths could rise again too given the lag between infection and death.

Indonesia, Sinovac Ink Deal for Vaccine (1:55 p.m. HK)

Indonesia, which is suffering the second-worst outbreak in Southeast Asia, signed an agreement with China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd. for 50 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine concentrate that will allow state-owned PT Bio Farma to produce doses locally.

Sinovac will ship the concentrate in five stages between November and March, vaccine maker Bio Farma said in a statement Saturday. Beijing-based Sinovac also granted priority access for bulk supply to Indonesia until the end of 2021.

PPP Data Show Loans Reaching Small Businesses (12:41 p.m. HK)

The Trump administration released new details on the biggest coronavirus-relief initiative that show more than 98% of loans approved after July 6 were for less than $150,000 -- suggesting the program was reaching smaller businesses before it closed earlier this month.

The Paycheck Protection Program had been criticized for not being quick enough in serving independent contractors, truly small firms and minority-owned companies. The new data show the most loan approvals in July and August were for personal-services firms, general freight and trucking companies and beauty salons.

As of Aug. 8, when the program closed, the Small Business Administration reported approving more than 5.2 million PPP loans totaling $525 billion, with almost $134 billion in remaining funding that will be returned to the Treasury unless Congress votes to re-purpose it.

One Dies, 32 Contract Covid After Maine Wedding (12:38 p.m. HK)

One woman has died and 32 have tested positive for Covid-19 after attending a wedding in the state of Maine that broke rules limiting the number of guests, The Boston Globe reports. The Big Moose Inn received a citation for exceeding the 50-person limit on indoor gatherings.

South Korea to Extend Social-Distancing Rules Nationwide (10:30 a.m. HK)

South Korea will extend Level 2 social-distancing measures in place in Seoul and Busan to the rest of the country from Sunday, Health Minister Park Neung-Hoo said Saturday. Level 2 restrictions forbid indoor gatherings of 50 or more people, with limits placed on events such as weddings and places like water parks.

Authorities said Saturday that 332 more coronavirus cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours, the second straight day above 300. South Korea has had more than 17,000 cases since the pandemic began.

New Zealand Finds 6 New Cases in Auckland Cluster (10:14 a.m. HK)

New Zealand reported six new confirmed coronavirus cases as the cluster of infections in Auckland grows. Confirmed cases rose to 1,321 nationwide as of Saturday, according to the ministry of health’s website.

Mitsubishi UFJ to Launch Coronavirus Bonds: Nikkei (9:55 a.m. HK)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. will issue as much as 150 billion yen ($1.42 billion) in corporate bonds for individual investors by mid-September, the Nikkei newspaper reported Saturday. Funds from the issuance will be used for loans to small and mid-sized companies struggling with falling sales due to the pandemic, and to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.

Venezuela Offers 500 Volunteers to Test Russian Covid-19 Vaccine (7:45 a.m. HK)

Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on state television that Venezuela offered Russia 500 volunteers for the testing phase of its Sputnik V vaccine.

“Venezuela is going to contribute 500 volunteers for this phase, which is very important for the massive application,” Alvarado said, adding that Venezuela and Russia will study the possibility of jointly producing the vaccine

New Antibody Tests Offer Better Snapshot of Immunity (7:30 a.m. HK)

A new crop of Covid-19 antibody tests measures the level of protection someone has built up against the deadly virus and may help determine which vaccines are most effective.

Siemens Healthineers AG is the first big company to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for a test that gauges the concentration of long-lasting antibodies flowing through a person’s blood. Swiss giant Roche Holding AG is following up with its own version.

Biden Says Would Shut Down U.S. If Scientists Say So (6:45 a.m. HK)

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says he would shut down the country in order to halt the spread of the coronavirus if scientists recommended that to him.

“I would shut it down; I would listen to the scientists,” Biden says in excerpt of interview with ABC to be aired Sunday.

“I will be prepared to do whatever it takes to save lives because we cannot get the country moving, until we control the virus.”

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With assistance from Bloomberg