Coronavirus live news: Ireland surges to worst infection rate in world; Spain sees record rise in weekend cases

Ireland ’s10,100 cases per million puts hospitals under severe strain; more than 61,000 new casesreported in Spain since FridayEngland told to prepare for worst weeks of Covid pandemicChina agrees to let in WHO team investigating Covid originsFrench vaccine scepticism reflects ‘dissatisfaction with politicians’UK coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage10.39pmGMTNearly nine million Americans had been given their first Covid-19 vaccination dose as of Monday morning, as states scrambled to step up inoculations that have yet to slow rising cases.The 8,987,322 people who have been given the first of two shots, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, represent less than one third of the total doses distributed to states by the US government.10.23pmGMTPortugal ’s presidentMarcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who is seeking a second term in an election on 24 January, has tested positive for the coronavirus but has so far shown no symptoms, his office said.The 72-year-old had one major presidential debate scheduled for Tuesday, as well as a meeting with health experts to discuss the details of a planned lockdown to be announced on Wednesday, but his office said he had already cancelled all his public appearances.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Coronavirus World news UK news Science Infectious diseases US news Ireland Source Type: news