Israel
Synagogues in Israel closed for Yom Kippur after record high coronavirus infection rates forced nationwide lockdown. Despite the measures, lawmakers argued over whether to limit public gathering restrictions. Some felt limitations should not be imposed for protests and public prayers. The lockdown is due to last two weeks, but could be extended if infection rates do not slow. [Times of Israel)
UK
Businesses in the UK have been fined for breaching COVID-19 legislation imposed by Boris Johnson’s Conservatives. Police were called to one wedding party in Telford, Shropshire, fining organizers £10,000 ($13,000). Police in Manchester imposed an identical fine on organizers of another wedding party after finding 70 people breached legislation. [GMP Police / West Mercia Police]
Venezuela
200 health workers have died in Venezuela from COVID-19. The data collected by Medicos Unidos por Venezuela (Doctors United for Venezuela) indicates that Zulia is the most affected state with 48 deaths. In the Capital District there have been 21 deaths. [El Nacional]
South Korea
Over 91% of coronavirus patients in a South Korean survey reported suffering from residual effects after recovering from COVID-19. 26.2% reported suffering from fatigue, 24.6% with an inability to focus, while other symptoms they reported were mental problems and a loss of taste and smell. [KBS News]
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro’s carnaval parades have become the latest casualty of the COVID-19 as Brazilian officials announced they were indefinitely postponing the February 2021 event. Rio’s carnaval, the world’s biggest, features tightly packed crowds in the street and all-night parties with people in close proximity—described as an “epidemiologist’s nightmare in a pandemic.” [Rio Times]
