Evening roundupFriday's key coronavirus developments in Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg

• [block type="summary”]The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 40 new cases of coronavirus were discovered yesterday, of which 33 were residents. The death toll remains at 119. 5,978 tests were conducted on Thursday, with 4,976 residents among them.

  • The president of the national Parents Council said communication with the ministry had improved, and that plans currently on the table are heading in the right direction, but things could go differently should a serious second wave return.
  • As of 12 August, everyone travelling to the Grand-Duchy from most non-EU countries and over the age of 11 will have to present a negative test for Covid-19 which must not have been taken later than 48 hours before the flight.
  • A post is making the rounds on social media warning people against offering bank details to scammers contacting them via phone.
  • How is the coronavirus crisis affecting young people? Our colleagues from RTL talked with the director of the centre for psycho-social and educational support (CePas).
  • Researchers at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology unveiled a new interactive board to manage the health crisis.

  And abroad

  • Mexico on Thursday passed the grim milestone of 50,000 coronavirus deaths, far more than the worst-case estimates of the government, which faces criticism of its handling of the crisis and the economic fallout.

  • Syria’s capital is facing a “terrible” spike in COVID-19 infections, with hospitals packed, patients scouring Facebook for advice and medics fearing the virus is spreading faster than clinics can test for it. Authorities in government-held areas have confirmed 999 cases including 48 deaths -- but even the health ministry admitted this week it lacks the “capacity... to carry out widespread testing in the provinces”.

  • Daily coronavirus deaths in the US surged to a three-month high of over 2,000 on Thursday and the number of cases passed 19 million globally, pushing many nations to further ratchet up restrictions in the battle against the pandemic.
  • Unauthorised rave parties, long a fringe pastime with a hardcore techno following, have found a new fan base among young people in Paris denied a dance floor by the coronavirus outbreak.
  • India’s official coronavirus case tally passed two million on Friday after a daily jump of more than 60,000.
  • Rwandans caught breaking curfew or not wearing masks are being sent to stadiums in droves for all-night lectures on the dangers of coronavirus, as the country maintains a tough approach to stem its spread.
  • The coronavirus crisis has weighed heavily on print newspapers already battling for survival around the world, with the number of copies sold tumbling while less profitable digital readerships surge.
  • Uber on Thursday reported a $1.8 billion loss in the recently ended quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic caused its shared-ride business revenue to plunge.