Governments around world eye tougher steps to fight virus
A man wearing a face mask to protect against the new coronavirus opens his health code on his smartphone before entering a cafe at a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A street artist spray paints a protective face mask over an old mural featuring a Venezuelan Indigenous man, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, July 18, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A man wearing a face mask to protect against the new coronavirus puts his masked child on his shoulders as they visit to a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam listens to reporters questions during a press conference held in Hong Kong, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Lam introduced renewed anti-virus measures Sunday, saying the southern Chinese city’s situation is “really critical” and adding that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control. The new restrictions make mask wearing mandatory in any public place including inside buildings, and put non-essential civil servants back to work at home. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Palestinian Hamas police officers wear protective suits as they take part in a simulation of possible coronavirus infections in Gaza City, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Sumo spectators wearing face mask practice social distance in their seats during the outbreak of the new coronavirus as they watch the first day of the sumo tournament in Tokyo, Sunday, July 19, 2020.(Kyodo News via AP)
People walk along a skywalk to Chris Hani Bardgwanath Hospital in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
People protest against coronavirus trials in Africa, outside Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospita in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, July 18, 2020, The first clinical trial in Africa for a COVID-19 vaccine started last week in South Africa. Experts note a worrying level of resistance and misinformation around testing on the continent. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Indian paramilitary soldiers carry the body of a colleague who died of COVID-19 for cremation at a crematorium in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country’s feeble health care system. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
Palestinian medics wear protective suits as they take part in a simulation of possible coronavirus infections in Gaza City, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Numerous beach visitors are at summery temperatures on the North Sea beach of Schillig, Germany, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (Mohssen Assanimoghaddam/dpa via AP)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, second from right, listens to reporters questions during a press conference held in Hong Kong, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Lam introduced renewed anti-virus measures Sunday, saying the southern Chinese city’s situation is “really critical” and adding that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control. The new restrictions make mask wearing mandatory in any public place including inside buildings, and put non-essential civil servants back to work at home. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Juggler Lucas performs at the Estoril Circus in a drive-in format amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, performs at the Estoril Circus in a drive-in format, amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. “The pandemic is a reality for all of us. After 4 months closed it’s a great emotion to perform in this drive-in format”, says the 36-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
People wearing face masks to protect against the new coronavirus visit a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Cars arrive at the Estoril Circus during the coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as a circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Children watch artists performing at the Estoril Circus rom inside their car despite the coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as a circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
A man wearing a face mask to protect against the new coronavirus opens his health code on his smartphone before entering a cafe at a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A man wearing a face mask to protect against the new coronavirus opens his health code on his smartphone before entering a cafe at a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A street artist spray paints a protective face mask over an old mural featuring a Venezuelan Indigenous man, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, July 18, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A street artist spray paints a protective face mask over an old mural featuring a Venezuelan Indigenous man, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, July 18, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A man wearing a face mask to protect against the new coronavirus puts his masked child on his shoulders as they visit to a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A man wearing a face mask to protect against the new coronavirus puts his masked child on his shoulders as they visit to a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam listens to reporters questions during a press conference held in Hong Kong, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Lam introduced renewed anti-virus measures Sunday, saying the southern Chinese city’s situation is “really critical” and adding that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control. The new restrictions make mask wearing mandatory in any public place including inside buildings, and put non-essential civil servants back to work at home. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam listens to reporters questions during a press conference held in Hong Kong, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Lam introduced renewed anti-virus measures Sunday, saying the southern Chinese city’s situation is “really critical” and adding that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control. The new restrictions make mask wearing mandatory in any public place including inside buildings, and put non-essential civil servants back to work at home. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Palestinian Hamas police officers wear protective suits as they take part in a simulation of possible coronavirus infections in Gaza City, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Sumo spectators wearing face mask practice social distance in their seats during the outbreak of the new coronavirus as they watch the first day of the sumo tournament in Tokyo, Sunday, July 19, 2020.(Kyodo News via AP)
Sumo spectators wearing face mask practice social distance in their seats during the outbreak of the new coronavirus as they watch the first day of the sumo tournament in Tokyo, Sunday, July 19, 2020.(Kyodo News via AP)
People walk along a skywalk to Chris Hani Bardgwanath Hospital in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
People protest against coronavirus trials in Africa, outside Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospita in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, July 18, 2020, The first clinical trial in Africa for a COVID-19 vaccine started last week in South Africa. Experts note a worrying level of resistance and misinformation around testing on the continent. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
People protest against coronavirus trials in Africa, outside Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospita in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, July 18, 2020, The first clinical trial in Africa for a COVID-19 vaccine started last week in South Africa. Experts note a worrying level of resistance and misinformation around testing on the continent. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Indian paramilitary soldiers carry the body of a colleague who died of COVID-19 for cremation at a crematorium in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country’s feeble health care system. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
Indian paramilitary soldiers carry the body of a colleague who died of COVID-19 for cremation at a crematorium in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, July 18, 2020. India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country’s feeble health care system. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
Palestinian medics wear protective suits as they take part in a simulation of possible coronavirus infections in Gaza City, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Numerous beach visitors are at summery temperatures on the North Sea beach of Schillig, Germany, Saturday, July 18, 2020. (Mohssen Assanimoghaddam/dpa via AP)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, second from right, listens to reporters questions during a press conference held in Hong Kong, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Lam introduced renewed anti-virus measures Sunday, saying the southern Chinese city’s situation is “really critical” and adding that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control. The new restrictions make mask wearing mandatory in any public place including inside buildings, and put non-essential civil servants back to work at home. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, second from right, listens to reporters questions during a press conference held in Hong Kong, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Lam introduced renewed anti-virus measures Sunday, saying the southern Chinese city’s situation is “really critical” and adding that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control. The new restrictions make mask wearing mandatory in any public place including inside buildings, and put non-essential civil servants back to work at home. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Juggler Lucas performs at the Estoril Circus in a drive-in format amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Juggler Lucas performs at the Estoril Circus in a drive-in format amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, performs at the Estoril Circus in a drive-in format, amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. “The pandemic is a reality for all of us. After 4 months closed it’s a great emotion to perform in this drive-in format”, says the 36-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, performs at the Estoril Circus in a drive-in format, amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. “The pandemic is a reality for all of us. After 4 months closed it’s a great emotion to perform in this drive-in format”, says the 36-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
People wearing face masks to protect against the new coronavirus visit a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
People wearing face masks to protect against the new coronavirus visit a shopping district in Beijing, Sunday, July 19, 2020. China on Sunday reported another few dozen of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Cars arrive at the Estoril Circus during the coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as a circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Cars arrive at the Estoril Circus during the coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as a circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Children watch artists performing at the Estoril Circus rom inside their car despite the coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as a circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Children watch artists performing at the Estoril Circus rom inside their car despite the coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way, as a circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Signs of governments reassessing their coronavirus response were scattered around the world Sunday, with the mayor of Los Angeles saying the city was reopened too quickly, Ohio’s governor warning his state is “going the wrong way,” Hong Kong issuing tougher new rules on wearing face masks and Spain closing overcrowded beaches.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Los Angeles was “on the brink” of new widespread stay-at-home orders as Los Angeles County continued to see the state’s largest increase in confirmed coronavirus cases. California reported on Saturday its fourth-highest daily total of newly confirmed coronavirus cases, with more than 9,000.
Appearing on CNN Sunday, Garcetti was asked about a Los Angeles Times editorial that criticized the rapid reopening of California, which was followed by a spike in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
“I do agree those things happened too quickly,” Garcetti said, adding that the decisions were made at the state and county levels, not by city officials. But he also said people in general had become less vigilant about taking precautions to avoid transmission.
“It’s not just what’s open and closed,” he said. “It’s also about what we do individually.”
Infections have been soaring in U.S. states including California, Florida, Texas and Arizona, with many blaming a haphazard, partisan approach to lifting lockdowns as well as the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks.
In Florida, where health officials reported nearly 12,500 new infections and nearly 90 additional deaths on Sunday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio called for consistent, nonpartisan messaging.
“We’ve seen a lot of these things turned into sort of a partisan fight or a political statement,” he told South Florida television station, CBS4, on Sunday.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, like Rubio a Republican, said he would not rule out a statewide mandate on wearing masks, as infections in his state grew. He has already issued such orders in 19 counties accounting for nearly 60% of the state’s population.
“We’re going the wrong way. We’re at a crucial time,” DeWine said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Globally, the World Health Organization said that 259,848 new infections were reported Saturday, its highest one-day tally yet. India, which has now confirmed more than 1 million infections, on Sunday reported a 24-hour record of 38,902 new cases.
Pope Francis said “the pandemic is showing no sign of stopping” and urged compassion for those whose suffering during the outbreak has been worsened by conflicts.
In Europe, where infections are far below their peak but local outbreaks are causing concern, leaders of the 27-nation European Union haggled for a third day in Brussels over a proposed 1.85 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is “a lot of good will, but there are also a lot of positions” in the talks, which have have laid bare divisions about how the countries hit hardest by the pandemic, such as Italy and Spain, should be helped. She said the talks, which were initially scheduled to end on Saturday, could still end without a deal.
Confirmed global virus deaths have risen to more than 603,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The United States tops the list with over 140,000, followed by more than 78,000 in Brazil. Europe as a continent has seen about 200,000 deaths.
The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.3 million, with 3.7 million in the United States and more than 2 million in Brazil. Experts believe the pandemic’s true toll around the world is much higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues.
Even where the situation has been largely brought under control, new outbreaks are prompting the return of restrictions.
Following a recent surge in cases, Hong Kong made the wearing of masks mandatory in all public places and told non-essential civil servants to work from home. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the situation in the Asian financial hub is “really critical” and that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control.
Police in Barcelona have limited access to some of the city’s beloved beaches because sunbathers were ignoring social distancing regulations amid a resurgence of coronavirus infections.
Slaughterhouses also have featured in outbreaks in the U.S., Germany and elsewhere. Authorities in northwestern Germany’s Vechta county said 66 workers at a chicken slaughterhouse tested positive, though most appeared to have been infected in their free time. An earlier outbreak at a slaughterhouse in western Germany infected over 1,400 and prompted a partial lockdown.
Cases in the Australian state of Victoria rose again Sunday, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby district of Mitchell for people who leave their homes for exercise or to purchase essential goods.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said those who fail to wear a mask will be fined 200 Australian dollars ($140).
“There’s no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus and it’s a simple thing, but it’s about changing habits, it’s about becoming a simple part of your routine,” Andrews said.
___
Moulson contributed from Berlin and Calvan from Tallahassee, Fla. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak