The United States has recorded more than 65,000 new cases in a day. India is preparing to put its most populous state in a weekend lock-down after it also saw a record one-day spike.
- India is preparing to put 230 million people into a new weekend lock-down
- The US, India, South Africa and Mexico have set new daily infection records
- More Latin American political leaders have tested positive for COVID-19
- More than 12.2 million recorded cases and nearly 555,000 deaths worldwide
All updates in Universal Coordinated Time (UTC/GMT)
09:06 Singaporeans have been hitting the polls as the island city-state holds a general election with the coronavirus pandemic providing a unique backdrop to proceedings.
Face masks and gloves were on show as citizens observed social distancing when they approached the ballot box.
A nine-day campaign occurred predominantly online due to rallies being prohibited to reduce the risk of infection.
Polls will close at 8 p.m. local time (1200 UTC/GMT), with the outcome expected to be announced early Saturday.
The affluent financial hub had witnessed significant outbreaks in dormitories that house low-paid foreign workers, but with new infections in decline and authorities easing a partial lockdown, the government decided to call the election.
The opposition accused the ruling People’s Action Party of being “irresponsible,” but officials insist they have ensured the safety of some 2.65 million eligible voters.
India’s most-populous state, Uttar Pradesh, will enter a fresh lockdown for two days starting late Friday, the state government has announced.
All stores and businesses across the northern state have been ordered to close. Pharmacies and grocery stores will remain open, however.
The announcement comes as India reported a record 26,506 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.
Cases in Uttar Pradesh, with a population nearing 230 million people passed 32,000.
Read more: Can India really have a coronavirus vaccine ready by August?
Revellers in the Australian city of Melbourne have been fined A$26,000 ($18,000, €15,995) for a banned coronavirus birthday party. The event was busted after they placed an order at the fast-food chain KFC.
Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria state, was ordered into a six-week-long lockdown on Wednesday after a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Police discovered the party after being tipped off by paramedics who were eating at a KFC restaurant and saw two people order 20 meals in the early hours of Friday, said Shane Patton, the state police commissioner.
The police then followed the car and discovered 16 people hiding in a house in Dandenong, a south-eastern suburb of the city.
Patton said the behavior was “ridiculous,” adding: “That is a heck of a birthday party to recall.”
