Coronavirus global summary: deaths, cases, news - 27 May

"Their names and their stories"

As the US death toll passes the 100,000 mark, the New York Times highlights 1,000 of the people who have been killed by Covid-19 in the country:

"To those hurting, I'm so sorry for your loss. The nation grieves with you"

Joe Biden, the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee, has reacted to the United States passing the milestone of 100,000 coronavirus deaths:

Trump prayers with "all those grieving loss of a loved one or friend"

Donald Trump has not yet reacted to the news that the United States’ coronavirus death toll has passed the 100,000 mark, but NBC reporter Peter Alexander has shared this statement issued by the White House on the president’s behalf.

“Trump’s prayers for comfort and strength are with all of those grieving the loss of a loved one or friend,” it reads, adding that the president is “proud” of the American people’s “spirit, courage and determination every single day to defeat this virus.” 

US coronavirus death toll passes 100,000 mark

The coronavirus death toll in the United States has passed the 100,000 mark, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. As of 00:30 CEST on Thursday morning, 100,047 people had died of Covid-19 in the States, JHU said.

CNN notes that this is almost twice as many Americans as were killed in the Vietnam War.

There have been just under 1.7 million registered coronavirus cases in the US, the world's worst-hit country. 

US coronavirus death toll passes 100,000 mark

The coronavirus death toll in the United States has passed the 100,000 mark, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. As of 00:30 CEST on Thursday morning, 100,047 people had died of Covid-19 in the States, JHU said.

There have been just under 1.7 million registered coronavirus cases in the US, the world's worst-hit country. 

Tory MPs refuse to "move on" from Cummings row

Over 40 Conservative backbenchers are calling for Dominic Cummings to resign or be sacked over his lockdown trips to Durham and Barnard Castle, the Guardian is reporting.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, UK prime minister Boris Johnson had urged Britain to "move on" from the row, saying he would not hold an inquiry into Cummings' actions.

Covid-19 apps "expose tension between privacy and need for data"

While track-and-trace apps are being put forward as key to countries reopening their economies, there are fears that the data they gathered will be abused "for political or commercial gain, or outright oppression in authoritarian states", AFP reports.

"Are new technologies becoming more efficient? Certainly. Is it dangerous? Certainly, also," the epidemiologist and former NATO adviser Benjamin Queyriaux told the news agency.

People enjoy an aperitif next to the Rialto bridge in Venice on Wednesday, as Italy eases its lockdown within the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)

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Johnson refuses to launch Cummings inquiry

The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has said he won't be staging an inquiry into apparent lockdown breaches by his chief aide, Dominic Cummings.

Taking MPs' questions on Wednesday, Johnson urged the country to "move on" from the row over Cummings' controversial lockdown trips to Durham and Barnard Castle.

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Italy records 117 new coronavirus deaths, 584 new cases

Deaths from the Covid-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 117 on Wednesday, against 78 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new cases climbed to 584 from 397 on Tuesday. The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on 21 February now stands at 33,072 - the third highest in the world after those of the United States and Britain.

The number of confirmed cases amounts to 231,139, the sixth highest global tally behind those of the United States, Brazil, Russia, Spain and Britain. 

UK Covid-19 confirmed death toll rises 412 to 37,460

The United Kingdom's death toll from confirmed cases of Covid-19 rose by 412, taking the total to 37,460, health officials said on Wednesday. Including deaths from suspected cases of Covid-19, Britain's toll is now over 47,000.

Spain mourns those lost to coronavirus pandemic

Spain began 10 days of mourning in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the coronavirus crisis. Flags were lowered to half-mast today in honour of the 27,117 people who have died in the country during the pandemic. Spain is the fifth country to have suffered the most fatalities, behind the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and France.

Merkel: We have to make it clear that the pandemic is not over

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday it has to be made clear that the coronavirus pandemic is not over and basic measures such as social distancing and wearing face masks are still needed.

"It hasn't gone away. The virus is still there," Merkel told reporters, adding it was important to her to agree with Germany's federal states on the key questions on dealing with the coronavirus.

Luxury brand stores in Europe struggle without tourists

As European luxury shopping capitals from Paris to Milan slowly emerge from coronavirus lockdowns, stores are reopening to a trickle of customers, and virtually no tourists.

The absence of big-spending travellers, particularly from China, the Middle East and the United States, is a major drag  on sales as, depending on the brand, they provide between 35% and 55% of revenues in Europe.

With a global recession looming, and fears of a second wave of infections, there seems little prospect of a big influx of tourists soon - or of local buyers making up the shortfall.

In Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the city's famed shopping arcade, masked sales clerks stood idly in empty Prada, Chanel and Louis Vuitton stores on Monday, a week after non-essential stores were allowed to reopen. Six of the eight restaurants lining the 19th century mall had opted to stay shut.

Greece to welcome Germans, Cypriots, Israelis in first wave of visitors

Greece will allow travellers from around two dozen countries including Germany, Cyprus and Israel to visit from mid-June without having to be quarantined, government officials said, part of a gradual easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Tourism accounts for about 20% of the Greek economy and the government sees the sector as a major engine of its recovery from a lockdown that has brought business to a virtual standstill.

"There will be some 20-25 countries whose nationals will be allowed to come," a government source said, adding that the list would include Cyprus, Israel and countries in central Europe and the Balkans. The full list would be announced this week.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said Germans will be allowed to visit Greece from June 15.

With black masks and silence, Spain mourns its coronavirus dead

Grieving Spaniards wore black and fell silent across the nation at midday on Wednesday at the start of 10 days of mourning for more than 27,000 dead from the coronavirus crisis.

Some people donned black face masks as parliament stopped for a minute, the royal family stood outside the Zarzuela Palace and flags flew at half-mast to honour those lost during one of Spain's most traumatic episodes in its modern history.

"We all feel orphans today of so many of our elders, wishing we had been able to thank them for all they did for us," said parliament speaker Meritxell Batet.

The official mourning until June 5 is the longest in Spain's democratic history since the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco that followed the 1936-1939 civil war.

One of the worst-hit nations from the global COVID-19 pandemic, Spain has recorded 27,117 deaths and 236,259 cases and endured a strict lockdown that even saw children unable for weeks to leave their homes for fresh air. The healthcare system is reeling and the economy is spinning into recession.

Portugal test rate key in Covid-19 fight

Fine article via The Telegraph/Jorge Branco on how Portugal battled the Covid-19 pandemic with greater success then neighbouring Spain. 

Spain to commence 10 days of mourning

Starting on Wednesday at midday the country will mourn for the nearly 27,000 people who have died from coronavirus in the country with flags set to be hoisted to half-staff in more than 14,000 public buildings across the country.

Japan's J-League targeting return

League officials are hoping for the season to commence at the end of June/early July as the nation grapples with the Covid-19 virus.

'Time for Britain to move on', claims minister after outrage over PM adviser Cummings

The British government said on Wednesday that it was time to move on after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's senior adviser provoked outrage and widespread scorn by making a 400 km (250 mile) road trip during the coronavirus lockdown.

Dominic Cummings has refused to quit after it was revealed that he had driven from London to northern England in March with his 4-year-old son and his wife, who was sick at the time, to be close to relatives. Johnson has backed his adviser.

"Now I think is the time for us all to move on," Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told the BBC.

"That's not to say this isn't an important issue or that people don't care a great deal about it but I think there is a lot more that we need to focus on now, like the virus and the economy."

UK's Hancock says Remdesivir may be biggest step forward in COVID-19 treatment yet

Britain's health minister Matt Hancock said anti-viral drug Remdesivir was probably the most significant development yet in treating COVID-19 patients.

"This is probably the biggest step forward in the treatment of coronavirus since the crisis began," he told a government news conference on Tuesday.

That followed an earlier announcement that Britain would provide the drug, manufactured by Gilead Sciences, to some patients.

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 362 to 179,364

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 362 to 179,364, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.

The reported death toll rose by 47 to 8,349, according to the tally.

New Zealand expects plan for safe travel with Australia in June

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday a draft blueprint on safely starting travel between New Zealand and Australia will be presented to both governments in early June.

The neighbours have been discussing the possibility of a travel bubble between them as both have slowed the spread of the novel coronavirus to levels well below those in United States, Britain and some other European countries.

Ardern said she spoke to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday and there was enthusiasm for travel to resume on both sides.

"We are working to move on this as quickly as we can. We are both very keen on it ... across both sides of the ditch," Ardern said at a news conference.

Bulgaria to reopen restaurants, bars and cafes on 1 June 

Bulgaria will allow restaurants, bars and cafes to reopen at full capacity on Monday as the Balkan country further eased restrictions imposed in mid-March to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Health Minister Kiril Ananiev issued a new order on Tuesday night, allowing bars and restaurants in tourism-dependent Bulgaria to go fully back to business ahead of the summer season.

Ananiev also allowed the resumption of cultural and entertainment events, including theatres, concerts and stage performances

China reports 1 new mainland COVID-19 case

China reported 1 new confirmed coronavirus case in the mainland as of end-May 26, up from 7 a day earlier, the National Health Commission reported.

It also reported 28 new asymptomatic cases - patients who are infected but do not show symptoms - versus 29 a day earlier.

The new confirmed case was an imported one. The 7 reported a day earlier were also all imported. The total number of cases to date in the mainland stands at 82,993. The death toll remains unchanged at 4,634.

Twitter takes Trump to task

Twitter has taken the unusual step of adding a fact-checking option to posts by Donald Trump, in the wake of the US president's claims that mail-in voting would increase electoral fraud.

Trump has clashed with Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, over the latter's attempts to implement postal voting to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Trump later hit back at the social media giant demanding the right to 'free speech'. 

Global totals and country news

Confirmed worldwide cases: 5.5 million +

Confirmed worldwide deaths: 350,000 +

(Source: Johns Hopkins University)

Coronavirus live coverage: welcome

Hello and welcome to our global coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has now registered well over five and a half million cases worldwide and has caused over 350,000 deaths.

Join us for the latest news and numbers as they emerge throughout the course of the day