Coronavirus news – live: UK adds more countries to 'no-go' list as Covid cases increase 17% over last week in England

Keir Starmer calls for inquiry into purchase of 50 million masks

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for an inquiry into the government's purchase of 50 million face masks, as part of a £252 million contract, that cannot be used in the NHS.

During a visit to north Wales, he told reporters: "For months we were told that the government was purchasing the right equipment for the front line. Yet again it hasn't happened.

"There needs now to be an investigation, an inquiry, into what went wrong with this particular contract because it's just not good enough to people who need that protective equipment that we find ourselves in this position."

One in five contacts reported to the coronavirus test and trace programme by individuals who have tested positive are untraceable, an official from one of the companies managing the system has admitted.

Rupert Soames, chief executive of the outsourcing company Serco, which is among several firms recruiting, coaching and managing contact traces, said that 20 per cent of the contacts provided are untraceable due to a lack of information.

Brazil police bust alleged coronavirus corruption racket in Sao Paulo

Brazil's federal police says it has carried out six search and arrest warrants as part of an operation into alleged coronavirus-related corruption in the city of Sao Paulo.

The federal police did not say who the operation had targeted, but said it involved alleged irregularities in the purchase of disposable aprons to supply hospitals managed by the city of Sao Paulo.

The value of the purchases, made without public tender, was 11.1 million reais ($2.10 million), police said.

The alleged crimes include tendering fraud, criminal association, corruption and embezzlement, the police said.

With large amounts of federal and state cash deployed to tackle the coronavirus crisis, fears have risen of increased corruption in Brazil, where graft is already a deep-seated issue.

Brussels to require face masks if virus uptick continues

Brussels will require people to wear masks in public spaces and in private spaces accessible to the public if the uptick in coronavirus cases continues, the regional government has said.

The order will kick in when the daily average of cases per 100,000 inhabitants reaches 50 over seven days, Rudi Vervoort, the minister-president of the Brussels region, said. The daily average in the region was 38.4 last week.

Belgium imposed sharp curbs on social contacts on 27 July after coronavirus infections surged in recent weeks.

The UK government today said it would impose a quarantine on arrivals from Belgium, following Estonia, Ireland, Latvia and Norway.

Test and trace 'crucial'

Boris Johnson said the test and trace system was "absolutely crucial" for the government's coronavirus strategy.

"If you look at what we are doing with some of the local social distancing measures that we are bringing back in, that's entirely driven by our ability to detect cases through local test and trace, working with our local authorities and taking the right local measures," he said.

"That is how we hope that we will be able to keep the lid on the disease."

Test and trace system 'world beating'

Boris Johnson has repeated his claim that the NHS Test and Trace system is "world beating".

The PM told reporters: "If you look at what we are doing, actually I think it certainly is - it certainly does fit that description of 'world beating'.

"I think I'm right in saying that we are now testing more - per head of population - than virtually any other country in Europe, certainly, in America they are testing a huge number of people."

PM 'very disappointed' 50 million masks bought for NHS unusable 

Boris Johnson said he was "very disappointed" that masks bought for the NHS will not be able to be used due to safety concerns.

Fifty million face masks bought by the government as part of a £252 million contract will not be used because have ear loops rather than head loops, and there are concerns over whether these are adequate.

The prime minister told reporters: "I'm very disappointed that any consignment of PPE should turn out not to be fit for purpose."

He said there were legal proceedings under way so he would not be drawn on the specific example.

But he added: "We have achieved a colossal race against time to produce billions of items of PPE, sourcing them from abroad but now increasingly making them here in the UK as well, and stockpiling them now in case we have a second wave in the autumn and the winter."

Israel institute to start Covid-19 vaccine trials in humans soon

An Israeli research institute overseen by the Defence Ministry intends to begin human trials for a potential Covid-19 vaccine as early as October, defence minister Benny Gantz has revealed.

The Israel Institute of Biological Research (IIBR) would start the trials in conjunction with the Health Ministry after a series of Jewish holidays ends in October, Mr Gantz said.

The IIBR has been working on a vaccine for six months and began animal trials in March.

"All the initial experiments that have been successful ... give great hope," said the defence minister, after touring the institute in Ness Ziona, about 25 km (15 miles) south of Tel Aviv.

Shmuel Shapira, IIBR director, said: "There is an excellent vaccine ...We have the product in hand."

COVID-19 infections have spiked in Israel in recent weeks to reach 78,500, with 569 deaths.

Italy’s aviation authority has warned Ryanair that “repeated violations” of coronavirus precautions must stop – or the airline could be banned from Italian airports.

ENAC, the national civil aviation authority of Italy, has written to Ryanair to say that it “systematically does not comply with the provisions envisaged in Italy to limit the risk from coronavirus on board aircraft”.

The letter says social distancing and rules on face coverings are not observed, and that unless the airline improves it will impose a rule prohibiting Ryanair from filling more than half its seats.

Trump claims vaccine could be finished before end of the year

Donald Trump has said it is possible the United States would have a coronavirus vaccine before the November election - a far more optimistic forecast than timing put forth by his own White House health experts.

Asked on the Geraldo Rivera radio program when a vaccine might be ready, Mr Trump said, "Sooner than the end of the year, could be much sooner."

"Sooner than November 3?" he was asked.

"I think in some cases, yes possible before, but right around that time," Mr Trump said.

The nation's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci said a week ago it was likely a vaccine would be finished by early 2021.