Coronavirus: US records one million cases as lockdowns ease

The US on Tuesday recorded its one-millionth coronavirus case as countries including Spain, Russia and Nigeria took tentative steps towards normality by preparing to reopen some businesses.

Excitement over partial easing of lockdowns has been tempered by fears of new outbreaks and growing evidence of the economic devastation wreaked by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The US, where millions of jobs have been lost, reached another grim milestone as it registered 58,365 deaths, a larger loss of life than recorded by the US military in the Vietnam War.

And the overall US case load rose to 1,010,717 in a public health disaster that could threaten President Donald Trump's re-election.

But some countries have reported falling infection numbers and governments have begun to chart their way out of the shutdown.

France said on Tuesday that shops, markets and some schools could reopen next month, with face masks required on public transport and orders to work from home staying in place for several more weeks.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe admitted that even a gradual return to normal life was risky.

Spain said restrictions would be slowly lifted over the next two months, while Italians will be able to exercise outdoors and visit relatives from next week, but only if they wear masks and refrain from hugs and handshakes.

Italy, Spain and France have been the worst affected countries in Europe, with each reporting more than 23,000 deaths.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin warned that the peak of coronavirus infections was still ahead.

"The situation remains very difficult," Mr Putin said.

But he said that lockdown measures could be eased from next month.

Data on infection rates has shown mixed results in Germany, which is being closely watched after allowing some shops to reopen last week.

"We all need to take care that we don't end up with more infections," said Lothar Wieler, president of the Robert Koch Institute for disease control.

Experts have warned of a second wave of contagion if restrictions are lifted too hastily, and the World Health Organisation has said reinfection might be possible even among recovered patients.

In Nigeria's largest city Lagos, bus driver Taju Olonade said that a decision to ease the lockdown showed that authorities had finally listened "to the cries of the people".

"For almost one month I have not earned a penny," Mr Olonade said. "I hope life will soon return to normal."

The new coronavirus has killed at least 215,000 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December.

At least 3,110,702 cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories, although the official tally is widely thought to lag far behind the actual figures.

The US had the most deaths over the latest 24-hour period with 1,970, followed by Britain with 586.

With the US seeing by far the highest number of deaths, Mr Trump has increasingly sought to blame China for the mounting toll.

China responded fiercely on Tuesday, accusing US politicians of "bare-faced lies".

"They have only one objective: shirk their responsibility for their own poor epidemic prevention and control measures," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

Beijing and Washington have clashed repeatedly over the outbreak as tension soars between the world's two biggest economic powers.

The outbreak seems to be under control in China with no new deaths reported for 13 straight days and the toll standing at 4,633.

Anger at the global economic paralysis has intensified in recent weeks, and anti-government protesters took to the streets in Lebanon on Tuesday in defiance of a lockdown.

"I came down to raise my voice against hunger, poverty and rising prices," said Khaled, 41.

He said he had lost his job selling motorcycle parts and could no longer support his three children.

In the latest sign of big business woes, British Airways is set to slash up to 12,000 jobs, its parent company said.

The carrier, which has about 45,000 employees, has already sent almost 23,000 staff home.

Despite other European countries moving towards reopening schools and shops, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was too early for the UK to follow.

That was in contrast to New Zealand, where people enjoyed fast food and coffee shop treats for the first time in five weeks as the country lifted its strict lockdown.

"We see the difference in other countries and I don't envy them, that's for sure," said Wellington resident Cheryl Robertson, who planned to celebrate her rediscovered freedom with a curry.

In Australia, hundreds of surfers and swimmers rushed back to the waves at Bondi Beach in Sydney, five weeks after police closed the area because of large crowds flouting social distancing rules.

"I've been excited for like a week," said Diane Delaurens, dripping after an early morning surf.

There is not yet a vaccine for the disease and Britain issued a warning of coronavirus-related syndrome emerging in children, including abdominal pain and inflammation around the heart.

"What I would also stress is that it is rare," UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

"Although it is very significant for those children who do get it, the number of cases is small."

In Tokyo, organisers said the delayed 2020 Olympics woud have to be cancelled next year if the pandemic were not brought under control.

In Latin America, Brazil emerged as a new hotspot with 5,000 deaths so far, while nine inmates were killed when rioting broke out at a prison in Lima, Peru after two died from Covid-19.