Coronavirus Live News: Fears in Japan After Record Rise in Cases; Cambodia blocks border provinces with Thailand | World News

Cambodia is scheduled to initiate a blockade in eight provinces bordering Thailand starting at midnight Thursday, in a bid to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.

Prime Minister Hun Sen signed an order late Wednesday for the shutdown, prohibiting people from leaving their homes, gathering in groups and doing business except those involved in the airline operation.

“The temporary lockdown … is aimed at preventing community-based broadcasting of the new Covid Delta variant,” Hun Sen said in the order posted on Facebook.

The border checkpoints with Thailand will also be closed, except to allow the transport of goods and in emergency situations, Hun Sen said, adding that the closure should be extended until August 12.

The affected provinces are Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap.

Cambodia managed to largely contain the virus for most of last year, but an outbreak first detected in late February increased the total of cases to 75,152, with 1,339 deaths.

Neighboring Thailand has also faced a persistent outbreak fueled by the Delta variant, which was first detected in India, and has repeatedly reported a record number of daily infections in recent weeks.

Japan faces its most serious situation since the pandemic began, the country’s top medical adviser warned on Thursday, urging the government to send a “clearer and stronger message” about the growing risks, including to the medical system.

Reuters: Tokyo, the host city of the Olympics, recorded 3,177 new Covid cases on Wednesday, hitting a daily record for the second day in a row as a surge in infections puts pressure on hospitals. New cases nationwide exceeded 9,500 for the first time, media reported.

“The biggest crisis is that society does not share the sense of risk,” said senior medical adviser Shigeru Omi in a parliamentary panel. “The numbers (for Tokyo) were over 3,000 and this may have some announcement effect. Without losing this opportunity, I want the government to send a stronger and clearer message ”.

The rise in infections adds to concerns about the Games, which are being held in unprecedented conditions, including a ban on spectators in most venues.

Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Sullivan.

Japan faces its most serious situation since the pandemic began, the country’s top medical adviser warned on Thursday, urging the government to send a “clearer and stronger message” about the growing risks, including to the medical system.

Tokyo, the host city of the Olympics, recorded 3,177 new cases on Wednesday, hitting a daily record for the second day in a row as a surge in infections puts pressure on hospitals. New cases nationwide exceeded 9,500 for the first time, media reported.

Meanwhile, Cambodia is prepared to initiate a blockade in eight provinces bordering Thailand starting at midnight on Thursday, in a bid to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.

Here are the other key recent developments:

• France will apply new and controversial laws that impose a mandatory health pass from August 9 to visit a cafe, board a plane or travel on an intercity train. the government spokesman said.
• The UK has started exporting doses of coronavirus vaccine to poorer countries. announcing that 9 million will be delivered this week worldwide as its national program slows down.
• The new president of Tanzania, which under the former president was one of the last countries in the world to adopt Covid-19 vaccines, publicly received a dose and urged others to do the same.
• Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei canceled an order for a second batch of eight million Russian-made Covid-19 vaccines due to long delays.
• Children of Israel between the ages of five and 11 who are “at significant risk of serious illness or death” can be vaccinated against Covid-19 starting August 1. health officials have said.