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Live Reporting

Edited by Claire Heald

All times stated are UK

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  1. Global recap: Cases pass 13 million as WHO issues warning

    We're pausing our live coverage here for the day. Here are some of the main developments from across the world:

    • The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has reprimanded leaders of certain countries for sending “mixed messages” about the coronavirus pandemic, warning them they risk making matters “worse and worse”
    • The pointed comments were made as the number of coronavirus infections globally surpassed 13 million, according to a tally by Reuters news agency
    • Latin America has overtaken the US and Canada to become the second worst-hit region in terms of coronavirus deaths
    • Mexico, one of Latin America's worst-hit countries, passed Italy to record the fourth-highest death toll in the world
    • Several White House officials have issued critical statements about US infectious disease chief Dr Anthony Fauci, accusing him of making mistakes in an apparent effort to discredit him
    • In California, Los Angeles and San Diego public schools will be online only for the region’s 835,000 pupils when the school year begins in the autumn. They are the largest school districts in the US to suspend in-person learning for the coming academic year
    • Germany’s health minister has warned tourists to be more responsible, after pictures of holidaymakers partying on the Spanish island of Majorca over the weekend caused concern
    • The governor of Tokyo has said the Olympics in Japan must go ahead next year as a "symbol of world unity" in the face of the pandemic
  2. Thank you for joining us

    Thanks for joining our live coverage of news on the coronavirus pandemic today.

    Updates were brought to you by: Krutika Pathi, Saira Asher, Yvette Tan, Victoria Bisset, Vicky Baker, Katie Wright, Joshua Nevett, Lauren Turner and Claire Heald.

    Join us again tomorrow.

  3. What's been happening in the UK today?

    A woman wearing a face covering
  4. Houston, Texas, asks for second lockdown

    The leaders of Houston, Texas, are calling for another statewide lockdown after infections there climbed to more than 27,600 on Sunday.

    "Not only do we need a stay home order now, but we need to stick with it this time until the hospitalisation curve comes down, not just flattens," tweeted Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo - who oversees the most populous county in Texas - on Sunday.

    "Many communities that persevered in that way are reopening for the long haul. Let’s learn from that (and) not make the same mistake twice."

    Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said over the weekend that he disagrees with the governor’s effort to reopen schools.

    “It makes no sense to be having this conversation while this virus is out of control," Turner said on Saturday. "You don't send kids back to school when there's a raging fire and the fires still burning in August.

    “Put the doggone fire out in July, so shut down for a couple of weeks."

    Texas recorded 8,100 new cases on Sunday and 80 Covid-related deaths.

  5. From the Boss, to Queen, care home residents recreate record covers

    Care homes residents

    Residents and carers at a north London care home have been recreating classic album covers to keep themselves occupied during the lockdown.

    Albums by Adele, Taylor Swift and Queen are among those to have been redone at Sydmar Lodge Care Home, in Edgware.

    Robert Speker, who came up with the idea, said the residents had "absolutely loved" the creations.

    View more on twitter

    One of those who features in the photos is 93-year-old Sheila, who recreated Rag'n'Bone Man's album Human, having met the singer at a show last year.

    She jokingly told BBC Breakfast she had been persuaded to take part in the project "with a gun".

    View more on twitter
  6. Analysis: Ministers shift the message on face coverings

    Laura Kuenssberg

    Political editor

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson wearing a mask

    It seems after all that the ministers won't just be asking everyone to use their "common sense" or even just rely on manners to make people cover up.

    After weeks of discussion about the relative benefits of covering your face when out and about, ministers are now likely to confirm that it will be mandatory to cover your face in shops in England as soon as Tuesday and, like in Scotland seven days ago, expect that change to be brought in in law.

    It is quite the shift. At the start of the crisis, the government's scientists suggested that masks could do more harm than good.

    There were nerves too about creating sudden demand from the public to get hold of medical grade coverings when there was a worldwide spike in demand as the pandemic took hold.

    But more evidence has emerged about how coronavirus can be transmitted through the air.

    Read more from Laura here.

  7. China rolls eyes at countries over slow adoption of mask-wearing

    Kerry Allen

    BBC Monitoring, Chinese Media Analyst

    China’s media have been keen to highlight where countries with large numbers of Covid-19 cases have been lax about wearing masks, or have not taken mask-wearing seriously.

    In particular, papers have focused on the US and India. It’s big news today in China that US President Donald Trump wore a face mask for the first time in public over the weekend. . Many on the popular Weibo social media platform are asking whether the president has become “scared”, either for his own health, or for his chances at re-election later in the year.

    There is also a lot of online reaction to a report in Global Times about diamond-encrusted masks and solid-gold masks are being manufactured in India. Many in China are asking why masks are being treated like a fashion accessory, and not something that could potentially save your life.

    China was an early advocate of face-mask wearing, and in late January, papers noted that the outbreak in the central city of Wuhan had led to a “surge in demand” from consumers all across the country. TV presenters were even wearing them at this point.

    Masks have traditionally been worn anyway in the country whenever anybody has even a mild cold. This was a lesson learned from the 2003 SARS outbreak in the country.

    China has reported 83,602 confirmed cases of Covid-19 since late December and 4,634 deaths.

  8. How llamas could help fight coronavirus

    Llamas could provide the key to immune therapy in a potential coronavirus breakthrough.

    Scientists from the UK's Rosalind Franklin Institute have used specially evolved antibodies from a llama to make an immune-boosting therapy. The Covid-specific "antibody cocktail" could enter clinical trials within months.

    The development has been published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.

    A graphic showing how llama blood could help fight coronavirus
  9. US military infection rate 'double' that of general public

    A US soldier guards a testing site in New York in April
    Image caption: A US soldier guards a testing site in New York in April

    Rates of Covid-19 infection among the ranks of the US military are growing at twice the rate of the general public, according to analysis by the Military Times.

    The newspaper reports that 4,100 US soldiers and sailors have tested positive since 1 July, representing a rise of about 33% in the last 10 days.

    Over the same time period, the US Covid-19 growth rate reached 16%.

    The outbreak has not only affected US troops at home, but also has hit deployed forces stationed around the world.

    As we reported earlier today, at least 95 US troops have been affected at a US military base in Okinawa, Japan.

  10. Hong Kong Disneyland to close again

    Visitors wear protective masks at Hong Kong Disneyland
    Image caption: Hong Kong Disneyland reopened in June, only to be closed again a month later

    Walt Disney has announced it will temporarily close its Hong Kong theme park on 15 July after the territory saw a spike in coronavirus cases.

    Disneyland Hong Kong had reopened less than a month ago after it was shut in January during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Hong Kong has so far managed to keep infections down relative to other countries, recording around 1,500 cases since late January.

    But on Monday, 52 cases were reported in Hong Kong, prompting authorities to tighten social-distancing rules.

    “As required by the government and health authorities in line with prevention efforts taking place across Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland park will temporarily close from July 15,” Disney said in a statement on Monday.

    Hotels at the resort will remain open with enhanced safety measures in place.

    The closure comes just days after Disney reopened its biggest resort, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, where coronavirus cases rose by a daily record of 15,000 on Sunday.

  11. New York City child care centres reopen

    Nearly 3,000 daycare centres and children’s nurseries are reopening on Monday in New York City, months after they were closed due to the pandemic.

    Masks will not be required for children under two-years-old, but are compulsory for adults. No more than 15 children can be present in one room, sharing of toys is to be limited and staff must undergo health screenings.

    "It's been really, really tough for parents," Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week as the decision was announced. "So bringing back childcare is crucial."

    The move comes one day after New York announced that no Covid-19 deaths had been recorded in a 24-hour period for the first time since the start of the outbreak.

    On Monday, Gov Cuomo announced that schools that are in Phase 4 counties - where the daily infection rate remains below 5% - will be permitted to open in August. But he warned that schools can be shut again if the region's infection rate rises above 9% over a seven-day average.

  12. Mexican actor dies with virus

    Raymundo Capetillo
    Image caption: Raymundo Capetillo starred in many soap operas throughout his decades-long career

    Mexican actor Raymundo Capetillo has died with Covid-19 at the age of 76, local media has reported.

    The actor’s death was confirmed by the Asociación Nacional de Intérpretes on social media on Monday.

    Capetillo was reportedly admitted to hospital in Mexico City on 5 July after experiencing respiratory problems.

    Actress Laura Zapata was among those to pay tribute to Capetillo. “I'm going to miss you, my friend,” she wrote on Twitter.

    An economist by profession and a professor of English, Capetillo began his acting career in the late 1960s.

    He worked in TV, film and theatre, but was best known for his performances in soap operas, appearing in dozens of shows between the 1960s and the 2010s.

    Wild Rose, Brave Love and Hearts to the Limit were among the shows he appeared in.

  13. White House targets US disease chief Dr Anthony Fauci

    Dr Anthony Fauci

    US infectious disease chief Dr Anthony Fauci is being targeted by the Trump administration as tensions rise between the health expert and the president.

    The White House has been increasingly critical of Dr Fauci, and on Sunday, an official shared a list detailing past apparent erroneous comments.

    Dr Fauci's changing advice on masks and remarks on Covid-19's severity are among the points from the White House.

    The move to undercut him comes as the US continues to see surges in Covid-19.

    There are over 3.3 million cases confirmed and more than 135,000 deaths nationwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.

    Read more here.

  14. Watch: How have musicians been affected?

    BBC OS

    Video content

    Video caption: Musician Michaela Anne had her tour cancelled because of the pandemic

    The coronavirus outbreak has led to the cancellation of tours, gigs and festivals around the world. Analysts say that the music industry could lose billions as a result of the pandemic.

    Singer-songwriter Michaela Anne was due to go on tour before the outbreak began.

    Speaking to BBC OS on World Service radio from New York, she says she has been doing live streams and teaching online lessons to make money.

    “It’s been financially helpful for me, while also being emotionally helpful. It’s kind of kept me connected to feel like I have some purpose."

    She is worried about the prospects of others in the industry - such as booking agents, tour managers, merchandise sellers and crew members, adding that she is not sure how they will come through the crisis.

  15. BreakingEleven more deaths recorded in UK

    A chart showing there have been 44,830 coronavirus-related deaths in the UK, with an increase of 11 from the previous day, and 290,133 confirmed cases, an increase of 530

    The number of people reported to have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK has risen by 11, the Department of Health and Social Care says.

    It's believed to be the smallest daily increase in the number of deaths since lockdown was announced. However, the figure is usually lower on Mondays because fewer deaths are reported at weekends.

    It means 11 deaths were reported to DHSC in the 24-hour period - but some could have died several days ago.

    The individual nations of the UK report deaths slightly differently to the DHSC - which explains why their figures don't add up to the UK total.

    As of 17:00 BST on 12 July, 44,830 people have now died in all settings after testing positive for Covid-19, the DHSC said.

    Separate figures from the UK's statistical agencies show there have now been more than 55,000 deaths in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

    Three ways of measuring coronavirus deaths in the UK - 44,830 with a positive test result, 54,510 where a death certificate mentions Covid-19, and 64,844 deaths over and above the usual number at this time of year
  16. Germany issues warning to partying tourists in Majorca

    Jenny Hill

    BBC Berlin correspondent

    People enjoy a day out at Es Carregador Beach in Calvia on the Spanish island of Majorca
    Image caption: The island of Majorca is popular with German and British tourists in particular

    Germany’s health minister has expressed concern after pictures emerged this weekend of hundreds of German tourists flouting social-distancing rules on the Spanish island of Majorca.

    Jens Spahn told reporters on Monday that the coronavirus pandemic was not over, warning German tourists against complacency.

    Pictures showing crowds of German tourists partying - many without masks - in the bars and streets of Majorca have angered the Spanish authorities and dismayed the German government.

    The island is a popular destination for German and British tourists. Following the lifting of travel restrictions a few weeks ago, many Germans have seized the opportunity for a post-lockdown holiday.

    Mr Spahn said the island must not become a second Ischgl – referring to the Austrian ski resort which emerged as a coronavirus hotspot and the source of some of Germany’s very first infections.

    Thousands of German holidaymakers were allowed to travel to Spain's Balearic Islands last month as part of a pilot scheme to help reboot the country's tourism sector.

  17. Shocking way to ensure social distancing...

    A British pub landlord has put an electric fence in front of his bar to encourage customers to keep social distancing.

    Jonny McFadden, who runs the Star Inn in St Just, Cornwall, said there was limited space in his small pub and he had struggled to get the social distancing message across to some customers.

    He described the barrier as "just a normal electric fence that you would find in a field".

    Asked if it was switched on, Mr McFadden said: "Come and find out - there is a fear factor and it works."

    He said the fence was a good deterrent because customers "don't want to touch it to find out whether it is on or not", adding that "people keep away from it, people are like sheep".

    Electric fence around the bar at the Star Inn
  18. Slow start for reopening of some Scottish shops

    A shopper outside Waverley Mall
    Image caption: Mark Sleet, who lives in England and works in Scotland, says shops were busier south of the border

    More restrictions have lifted in Scotland today, with non-essential shops within shopping malls allowed to open.

    But at one such centre, Waverley Mall in Edinburgh, a number of shops remained closed on Monday.

    Mark Sleet, 62, a project manager working on the construction of another shopping centre in Edinburgh city centre, described his experience as a "culture shock".

    He said: "I've been travelling to Edinburgh from Morpeth in England every day for work and it's like going back in time.

    "It's really getting back to normal in England and the shopping malls are busy.

    "Waverley Mall was empty today and I had to wear a mask, which felt confusing for me."

    Alex Weedman, 29, from Edinburgh, said: "I'm a shopaholic and wanted to see Flying Tiger, which is a shop that is only in Waverley Mall. I'm wearing a mask in case others feel worried but I'm not afraid."

  19. Too many countries headed in wrong direction, WHO chief says

    Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
    Image caption: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been highly critical of the response of some governments to Covid-19

    The coronavirus pandemic is going to get “worse and worse” if certain governments do not take decisive action to curb the spread of the disease, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

    Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said we are seeing “dangerous increases in cases” in countries where “proven measures to reduce risk are not implemented or followed”.

    “Let me blunt, too many countries are headed in the wrong direction,” Dr Tedros said at a briefing in Geneva on Monday.

    “The virus remains public enemy number one, but the actions of many governments and people do not reflect this.”

    Dr Tedros said “mixed messages from leaders” were undermining public trust in attempts to bring the pandemic under control.

    While Dr Tedors did not mention those leaders by name, some may interpret his pointed remarks as a warning to US President Donald Trump and others who have been widely criticised for their handling of the pandemic.

    “If the basics aren’t followed, there is only one way this pandemic is going to go,” Dr Tedros added.

    “It’s going to get worse and worse and worse.”

  20. Who is Anthony Fauci?

    Video content

    Video caption: Dr Anthony Fauci explains failure of testing in the US

    Anthony Fauci is best known as the face of America's fight against coronavirus.

    In his five decades as a medical researcher, he has become used to criticism. He has seen his effigy burnt, heard the cries of protesters calling him a "murderer", and had smoke bombs thrown outside his office window.

    Now the 79-year-old, who has served under six presidents, has become the target of an attempt by the White House to discredit him over the pandemic. An official told the US press that Dr Fauci - a key member of government's Coronavirus task force - had “been wrong on things”.

    Read our profile here