Parts of Beijing locked down as virus outbreak gathers fresh pace… Iran warns may have to reimpose tough controls… Second wave fears in Rome

Parts of Beijing locked down as virus outbreak gathers fresh pace…

All indoor sports and entertainment venues were shut down in China’s capital on Monday as authorities raced to contain a coronavirus outbreak linked to a wholesale food market, with some neighbourhoods placed under complete lockdown.

Tens of thousands of people were also targeted in a massive test and trace programme, as the number of cases from the new Beijing cluster increased to 79.

The outbreak came after China had largely brought the virus under control following its emergence in a central Chinese city late last year, highlighting the enduring dangers for the rest of the world about a second wave of the pandemic.

Indoor sports and entertainment venues across Beijing have been ordered to close, the municipal party committee said at a press conference Monday.

Iran warns may have to reimpose tough controls…

Tehran (AFP) – Iran warned Monday it may have to reimpose tough measures against the novel coronavirus to ensure social distancing, as it reported more than 100 deaths for a second straight day.

Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said 113 new fatalities took to 8,950 the total number of COVID-19 deaths since the country’s outbreak began in February.

She also said another 2,449 people had tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, taking the Islamic republic’s overall caseload to 189,876.

Second wave fears in Rome…

AN ENTIRE apartment block in Rome has been put into lockdown over fears of a second wave of deadly coronavirus infections.

The shock move came after at least 17 people tested positive for the virus on Piazza Pecile in the Garbatella district of the Italian capital.

WORLD SICK MAP…