10

New Zealand sees 10,290 cases in community, 12 new deaths

In a statement, the Ministry of Health, said 522 people were now in hospital, and 10 of those were in intensive care or a high dependency unit.

The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 7951 - up 661 on yesterday.

Today's death toll covers a period back to 1 July.

One person was in their 60s, three in their 70s, five in their 80s and three were aged over 90.

Ten Covid-19 cases recorded in Tahiti

The number of active cases has dropped sharply and is now 38.

The health authorities say one patient remains in hospital.

The death toll of the pandemic is 648, with most fatalities registered during last year's outbreak with the Delta variant.

Vaccinations have continued and 81 percent of those 12 years and older have had two jabs.

International travel options have been expanded with last week's resumption of flights between Tahiti and New Zealand.

     

More than 10,000 new Omicron cases found in UK

A further 90,418 daily Covid cases have been reported across the UK on Saturday, after days of record highs.

Cabinet ministers have been briefed on the latest Covid data.

London's mayor said he was "incredibly concerned" by the city's infection levels and the major incident was "a statement of how serious things are".

Sadiq Khan said Friday's 26,000 new cases in London were having an impact on staff absences for the capital's emergency services.

Tokyo organisers to cap spectators at 10,000 per venue

Fans from overseas had already been banned from the Games but it has been confirmed that spectators from Japan will be allowed.

Capacity will be set at 10,000 spectators, provided it does not exceed 50 percent of a venue's capacity.

The Olympics are scheduled to begin on 23 July, while the Paralympics follow a month later, from 24 August.

Russia's cases rise by 10,000 in one-day record

The increase brings Russia's total number of coronavirus cases to 134,686, the seventh highest tally in the world.

But Russia's mortality rate remains low relative to other countries, such as the US, Italy and Spain.

On Sunday, a further 58 coronavirus-related deaths were announced, bringing the total to 1,280 in Russia.

Moscow has been hit particularly hard by the virus, leaving its healthcare system struggling to cope.

Mo Farah to run 10,000m at 2020 Olympics

Two years ago, Farah walked away from track events to concentrate on marathons and he finished eighth across 26.2 miles in Chicago last month having won the event in 2018.

However, the 36-year-old has decided to return to shorter distances and will aim to add to his Olympic medal collection at the next Games.

Farah, who will still need to qualify for the event in Tokyo, won gold over 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.