Covid-19 international news wrap:

Virus infections in Europe climb over 1.5 million: AFP tally 

With at least 1 506 853 infections, including 140 260 deaths, Europe is the hardest-hit continent.

Across the world, 3 350 224 cases and 238 334 deaths have been recorded.

The five European countries with official tolls over 150 000:

Spain:  215 216 cases and 24824 deaths,

Italy: 207 428 cases and 28 236 deaths,

Britain: 177 54 and 27 510 deaths,

France: 167 346 and 24 594 and

Germany 161 703 and 6 575.  

Russia reports almost 10 000 new virus cases            

New infections jumped by 9 623 to 124 054 cases, Russian authorities said.

Fifty-seven people died over the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 1 222.  

Nearly 10 000 inmates freed as virus hits Philippine jails           

Nearly 10 000 prison inmates have been released in the Philippines as the country races to halt coronavirus infections in its overcrowded jails, a Supreme Court official said on Saturday.

The move follows a directive to lower courts to release those awaiting trial in prison because they could not afford bail, Associate Supreme Court Justice Mario Victor Leonen told reporters.  

China condemns US tweet on Taiwan exclusion from UN         

China has condemned a US tweet backing Taiwan’s push for participation at the United Nations as the global body works with its 193 member states to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Beijing’s diplomatic mission to the UN expressed “strong outrage and firm opposition” to a message on Friday by the United States calling Taiwan’s exclusion an “affront” to UN principles.    

Spain eases strict lockdown conditions         

All Spaniards on Saturday were allowed to go for walks or play sport after 48 days of home confinement to combat the coronavirus in one of the worst-hit countries.

Spain’s nearly 47 million people have since 14 March lived under one of the strictest virus lockdowns in the world, with adults authorised to leave home only to buy food, medicine or walk the dog.  

– AFP