Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Section 144 Imposed in Pune, WHO Says No Return to Normal For Foreseeable Future

UK Experts Fear Up To 120,000 Covid-19 Deaths This Winter | Britain must start “intense preparations” for the second wave of coronavirus that has the potential to kill as many as 120,000 hospital patients in a worst-case scenario, experts have warned.

Senior doctors and scientists convened by the Academy of Medical Sciences said that, without urgent action, a resurgence of cases this winter could overwhelm the NHS when services are already stretched because of flu and other seasonal pressures.

Section 144 Imposed in Pune Amid Lockdown | In the view of lockdown amid rising cases, Section 144 has been imposed in Pune city of Maharashtra. 

Can't Stand Isolation, Says Brazil President | Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been in quarantine nearly a week after testing positive for COVID-19, says he plans to take another test as he "can't stand" being in isolation. 

MIDCs, Industrial Belt Excluded From Lockdown in Pune Region |  Information Technology sector allowed to work with 15 per cent capacity as the 10-day lockdown in Pune begins from today. The decision has an impact on several industrial belts around Pune. So the authorities have decided to exclude industrial belts and industries from lockdown, which comes as a relief for the several industries situated around Pune

Itolizumab is an existing drug used to treat skin ailment Psoriasis. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approved its restricted emergency use on Saturday.

Hong Kong Reimposes Social Distancing Prompting Disneyland Park Closure | Hong Kong Disneyland is closing temporarily following the city’s decision to ban public gatherings of more than four people because of the pandemic. The resort’s hotels will remain open with adjusted levels of service.

Schools Are Important, Shouldn't Be Turned Into Another Political Football: WHO Chief | "Children represent between 1 and 3% of reported cases, sometimes up to 5%. Children can be infected, they tend to have more mild disease but in some situations, they can have severe diseases, our understanding is still limited. The safest way to reopen schools is in the context of low community transmission that has been effectively suppressed by a broad-based, comprehensive strategy, " said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

WHO Chief Warns Against 'Shortcuts' | The WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that there would be “no return to the old normal for the foreseeable future”, adding: “There are no short cuts out of this pandemic.” Speaking of leaders in countries where “mixed messages” have led to a breakdown in trust, he said that if this approach is taken, matters are going to get “worse and worse”.

Global Cases Pass 13 Million | There are more than 13 million coronavirus cases worldwide, an increase of 1m cases in 5 days, Johns Hopkins University data show. The current total is 13,026,225. There have been 570,924 known deaths so far.

No Community Transmission in India, Says Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan | "There is no permanent definition of the word community transmission, but given the current situation there is no community transmission in India, there was some localised transmission in places like Dharavi but it was effectively contained," said Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan.