Summary

  • India has recorded 57,000 new corona virus cases - the highest daily total to date

  • Maharashtra - home to the financial capital, Mumbai - is still the worst affected state

  • In the UK, shielding ends for some two million people - while further easing of restrictions in England is halted

  • Pubs or "other activities" in England may need to close to allow schools to reopen next month, a leading scientist says

  • Mexico's coronavirus death toll is now the world's third highest, with only the US and Brazil recording greater numbers

  • The US top infectious diseases expert has said he is 'optimistic' a US-developed vaccine will be available by end of 2020

  • Millions of Americans are set to lose a $600 benefit after US politicians failed to agree a deal on its extension

  1. We're pausing our coverage nowpublished at 19:27 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    That's it for our live coverage today. Join us again tomorrow for more of the latest news on coronavirus as it happens.

    Contributors were: Joshua Nevett, Deirdre Finnerty, Dulcie Lee, Holly Wallis, Alice Cuddy and David Walker

  2. Recap of today's main storiespublished at 19:15 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    As we approach the end of today's coronavirus live coverage, here is a recap of the main developments from the UK and around the world.

  3. Is the UK now at the limit of easing lockdown?published at 19:06 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    James Gallagher
    Health and science correspondent, BBC News

    Woman in face maskImage source, Getty Images

    This is it. We are now, give or take, at the absolute limit of how much we can reopen society without a resurgence of coronavirus.

    This realisation at the heart of government is about more than delaying the opening of bowling alleys, it will define our lives for months to come - and probably until we have a vaccine.

    And I'm sorry to break it to parents, but the biggest question mark now is around the reopening of schools.

    Read more from James here.

  4. US lawmakers struggle to strike new relief dealpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, joined by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, speaks to reporters in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. July 29, 2020Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi held further talks on Saturday

    Senior US Democrats say they "not close yet" to clinching a deal with the White House over the latest Covid-19 relief package.

    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters that a three-hour meeting on Saturday was "more productive than the other meetings". But he added: "There are many issues that are still very much outstanding."

    He and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were in talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows at the Capitol.

    Negotiations have focused on an extension of the $600 (£458) per week federal unemployment benefits. In April, Congress passed a Covid-19 relief package totalling $484bn (£391bn), which was the fourth aid bill in response to the pandemic.

  5. UK job seekers hit by 'toughest market in a generation'published at 18:37 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Nick and Emily McKerrell are frustrated that few firms bother to reply
    Image caption,

    Nick and Emily McKerrell say few firms bother to reply

    Job hunters in the UK are finding it increasingly hard to find work as coronavirus takes its toll on the economy.

    Even well-qualified candidates find they are applying for a shrinking number of roles, often many pay grades below what they are used to.

    BBC consumer affairs correspondent Sarah Corker has been hearing first-hand from some of the country's frustrated and worried job-seekers.

  6. Spitfire pays tribute to NHS heroespublished at 18:18 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    The NHS SpitfireImage source, PA Media

    A World War Two Spitfire has flown over hospitals across the south of England to pay tribute to those on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The aircraft has "THANK U NHS" written beneath its wings, and also bears the names of thousands of heroes of the pandemic, nominated by members of the public.

    Organsiers have been using the Spitfire to raise money for NHS charities.

    It is touring hospitals around the country throughout the summer.

    "The reaction from the people on the ground and the support has been amazing," said pilot John Romaine.

    Read more about NHS Spitfire.

  7. Wetherspoon pub shuts after staff member tests positivepublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    The outside of the William Rufus pubImage source, Google

    A Wetherspoon pub in the city of Carlisle, in northern England, has temporarily closed after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

    Twenty-four employees at the William Rufus pub are now self-isolating.

    A spokesman for the Wetherspoon chain said the pub would reopen "as and when it can get the number of staff needed to do so safely."

    "Customer test and trace details have not yet been requested by the authorities but are available when needed," he added.

    Read more here.

  8. Four more hospital deaths in Englandpublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Four people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England - so not including deaths in care homes or the wider community, according to the NHS.

    This brings the total number to 29,342.

    The four patients were aged between 78 and 84. All had underlying health conditions.

  9. Player tests positive at WTA Palermo Openpublished at 17:16 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    The WTA logoImage source, Getty
    Image caption,

    The WTA said the tournament would go ahead as planned

    An unnamed player has tested positive for coronavirus shortly before the start of the Palermo Ladies Open - an event that marks the return of professional tennis for the first time since March.

    The player, who was showing no symptoms of coronavirus, has withdrawn from the contest.

    The Women's Tennis Association said the tournament would still go ahead as planned, adding that anyone who had come into contact with the player would undergo testing.

    In June, a number of players contracted coronavirus while taking part in the Adria Tour event, organised by world number one Novak Djokovic.

    Djokovic apologised, saying it had been "too soon" to stage the tournament.

    Read more about the Palermo Open coronavirus case here.

  10. A bleak situation in Mexicopublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Will Grant
    Mexico and Central America correspondent for BBC News

    A woman wearing a face mask walks among other people at Sonora market in Mexico CityImage source, Reuters

    Seeing Mexico rise to the third-highest number of coronavirus-related deaths in the world reflects just how bad most Mexicans feel the situation in their country is.

    Surpassing the UK in that classification, Mexico has now registered 46,688 deaths linked to Covid-19, with only the US and Brazil having had more.

    The situation is bleak in Mexico in a number of ways. First, testing remains low with the government unconvinced of its importance. Only the most severe cases are tested and contact tracing is also poor.

    Furthermore, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador appears to continue to pour scorn on the use of face masks to combat the spread of the virus.

    His critics accuse him of taking a cavalier attitude to the virus and say his government’s response has been wholly inadequate.

    The government claims long-standing issues in Mexican society - such as high levels of diabetes and obesity - are partly the reason for the large number of cases.

  11. In pictures: Thousands protest in Berlinpublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Demonstrators march during a protest against the government"s restrictions amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Berlin, Germany, 1 August , 2020Image source, Reuters

    As we reported earlier, thousands of people gathered in the German capital Berlin to protest against the country's coronavirus restrictions today.

    Demonstrators argue that measures introduced during the pandemic - such as wearing face coverings - violate people's rights and freedoms.

    Here are some pictures of the protest, and you can find out more about it here.

    Protesters gather in Berlin on 01 August 2020Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Thousands gathered at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate for the protest march

    Protesters gather in Berlin on 01 August 2020Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    The protest was peaceful but few people wore face masks or observed social distancing

    Demonstrators hold a banner reading "Nobody has the right to obey"Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Some carried signs, bearing messages such as: "Nobody has the right to obey"

    A cardboard sign shows a face wearing a mask and says: "Oh man, how long shall this be going on like this?"Image source, EPA
    Image caption,

    This sign says: "Oh man, how long shall this be going on like this?"

  12. The latest UK coronavirus figurespublished at 16:32 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    The UK has released its daily coronavirus figures. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know:

    • Cases: 771 people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 303,952
    • Deaths: 74 more deaths have been recorded, bringing the total death toll to 46,193 - across hospitals, care homes and the community

    For more on what these numbers mean and how they compare with previous days, take a look at the charts below:

    A graph shows daily confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK
    Chart shows UK daily reported deaths
  13. Vietnam's Da Nang 'to test entire population'published at 16:16 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    A child who has recently returned from Da Nang city has his blood tested at a makeshift rapid testing centre for coronavirus in Hanoi, Vietnam, 31 July 2020.Image source, EPA

    The beach resort city of Da Nang in Vietnam plans to test its entire population for coronavirus, Reuters news agency reports.

    Local authorities made the announcement as 40 new cases linked to the city were reported across the country.

    This brings the total number of cases in Vietnam to 586, while three deaths have been reported since Friday.

    Da Nang has a population of about 1.1m people.

    Local medical officials have conducted more than 8,000 tests since a new outbreak was detected in the city - popular with domestic tourists - on July 25.

    Authorities said testing capacity will now be increased to 8,000 to 10,000 per day.

  14. Hard decisions ahead as October second wave probable - UK scientific adviserpublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Calum Semple

    There will probably be a second wave of coronavirus in October in the UK and "some hard decisions will need to be made about what restrictions need to be reintroduced", a scientist advising the government says.

    Prof Calum Semple, who is a member of the advisory group Sage, made the comments after another scientific adviser said pubs or "other activities" in England may need to close to allow schools to reopen next month.

    Prof Semple, from the University of Liverpool, says whether pubs or the hospitality sector will be "taking a hit in preference to education will be a political decision."

    Read the full story here.

  15. Traditional dance theatre reopens in Tokyo, with Covid-19 twistpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Staff members wearing protective face masks conduct a simulation on how to support social distancing at the entrance of the Kabukiza TheatreImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Struct social distancing measures were in place at the theatre

    Tokyo's main theatre for performances of the Japanese kabuki dance-drama has reopened, five months after it shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Strict social distancing measures were in place at the famous Kabukiza theatre, following a record number of fresh infections in the Japanese capital.

    The kabuki, however, was most unlike its usual self.

    Spectators were spaced apart and there were fewer performers on stage.

    Workers wearing protective face masks disinfect seats at the Kabukiza TheatreImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    The seats at the Kabukiza Theatre were disinfected

    They all wore black masks and a traditional part of the act - in which spectators shout out phrases towards the stage - was dropped.

    A member of the audience said she felt she had finally come back to life after five months of lockdown.

    Yet Covid-19 has not gone away. Tokyo reported 472 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday - a record rise for a third successive day.

    Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike warned on Friday that the city may declare an emergency to stem the spread of coronavirus.

    Staff members wearing protective face masks and shields hold a meeting at the Kabukiza TheatreImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Masks are to be worn at by staff in the theatre

  16. Swiss mountains light up for Covid-safe national daypublished at 15:21 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    The mountain chains of Veisivi and Dent de PerrocImage source, Reuters

    Switzerland has marked its national day with a pyrotechnics display at a section of mountains in the Alps, wowing spectators while complying with social-distancing rules.

    Switzerland’s national day is held every year on 1 August to celebrate the date of the central European nation’s founding in 1291.

    The day is usually celebrated with fireworks displays, but in times of social distancing, event organisers had to be creative this year.

    More than 100 kg (220 lbs) of magnesium powder were ignited at the mountain chains of Veisivi and Dent de Perroc on Friday night.

    The mountain chains of Veisivi and Dent de PerrocImage source, Reuters

    The show, which illuminated 12 sq km (4.6 sq miles) of the mountains, was visible from 20 km (12 miles) away.

    "It is like 100 million candles being lit on the mountains and gives them a lovely warm glow," organiser Jacques Morard told Reuters news agency.

    The Swiss government has banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

    But on Friday, social distancing was reportedly observed as thousands watched the three-minute-long display in the Evolene valley.

  17. Mexican president will wear mask ‘when there is no corruption’published at 15:07 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Mexican president, Andres Manuel Lopez ObradorImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Obrador made the comments during a news conference on Friday

    The president of Mexico has said he will only wear a face mask when corruption has been completely stamped out in the country.

    Andrés Manuel López Obrador made the apparently sarcastic pledge on Friday, as Mexico became the country with the third-highest coronavirus death toll in the world.

    “You know when I’m going to put on a mask? When there is no corruption. Then I’ll put on a mask and I’ll stop talking,” Obrador told reporters.

    Corruption has long cast a shadow over Mexico’s political system. Transparency International's most recent corruption index, external lists Mexico at 130th in the world, with a score of 29 out of 100.

    Obrador, who has appeared sceptical of face masks, has been criticised for his response to the Mexico’s coronavirus epidemic.

    Critics say Obrador’s government was slow to impose lockdown measures and has lifted them too quickly.

  18. If you're just joining us...published at 14:52 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    A woman is tested for coronavirus in Los AngelesImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    The US has now recorded more than 4.5m cases of coronavirus

    Welcome to our live coverage. Here's a look at some of the latest developments in the US:

    • The top Democrats in Congress are set to meet today with senior aides to President Donald Trump for talks on a new coronavirus relief bill
    • It comes as a $600 (£459) jobless benefit paid weekly to tens of millions of unemployed Americans expired overnight after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on its extension
    • The US has now reported more than 4.5m cases of coronavirus, while more than 153,000 people have died, according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University
    • Cases in 19 US states doubled during the month of July, a tally by Reuters news agency found

  19. Two deaths in Wales, none in Scotland for 16 days in a rowpublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    A further two people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Wales.

    The number of cases have increased by 21, according to Public Health Wales.

    For the 16th day in a row, Scotland recorded no new deaths among people who tested positive.

    Another 18 cases of the virus were recorded, the Scottish government said.

    We'll bring you the figures for Northern Ireland and England when we get them, as well as the UK-wide figures later.

  20. FA Cup final to kick off at Wembley - without fanspublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 1 August 2020

    Arsenal and Chelsea will face each other in the FA Cup final at Wembley this afternoon - but the final will look like no other as fans will not be present in the stadium.

    Watch the video below as BBC Sport looks back at how fans on Wembley Way became an iconic sight on FA Cup final day - and how they'll be missed for this year's final.

    The game kicks off at 17:30 BST and can be watched on BBC One, the iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

    Find out how to catch every moment of the final on the BBC here.