June 15 coronavirus news

Updated 0016 GMT (0816 HKT) June 16, 2020

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5:13 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

Global stocks plunge as fears of a coronavirus surge grow in the US and China

From CNN's Clare Duffy, Laura He and Jill Disis

An electronic stock board shows Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo, on Monday, June 15. Eugene Hoshiko/AP

Global stocks plunged Monday as the United States and China grappled with new coronavirus outbreaks, signaling that the pandemic isn't done wreaking havoc on the global economy.

Dow futures plunged more than 800 points, or 3.2%, extending losses ahead of the opening bell
S&P 500 futures dropped 3%
Nasdaq futures were down 2.3%

Markets across Asia also recorded steep declines, after Beijing recorded a fresh cluster of cases of the virus, originating in the city's largest wholesale food market.

China reported concerning economic data, suggesting that the recovery in the world's second largest economy is progressing slowly.

Japan's Nikkei ended down 3.5%
South Korea's Kospi lost 4.8%, closing out its worst day since March.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 2.1%
China's Shanghai Composite declined 1%

And European markets broadly declined at open.

The FTSE 100 dropped 2.4% in London
Germany's DAX fell 2.5%
While France's CAC 40 declined 2.6%

Read more here:

4:46 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

Why a second shutdown over coronavirus might be worse than the first -- and how to prevent it

From CNN's Holly Yan

It's an outcome no one wants, but could become a "harsh reality": a second wave of shutdowns.

Weeks after lifting stay-at-home orders, some US states are seeing record numbers of hospitalizations from Covid-19 as thousands more Americans get infected every day.

"We're going to have to face the harsh reality in some states that we may need to shut down again," said Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor at George Washington University School of Medicine.

And the second wave of state shutdowns could be more damaging than the first.

"Because of quarantine fatigue, because of the economic effects of quarantine, another round of shutdowns might have even larger effects on businesses that may be on the edge of not being able to stay solvent," said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

How Americans can prevent another round of shutdowns:

While states try to revive the economy, the fate of this pandemic is largely up to individuals.

"People must observe the safety guidelines," top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said.

"Social distancing must be observed. Face coverings in key places must be observed."

Read the full story:

Why a 2nd shutdown over coronavirus might be worse than the 1st -- and how to prevent it

4:39 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

Germany reports 4 new coronavirus deaths

From CNN's Stephanie Halasz

Germany recorded 192 new coronavirus cases and four deaths on Sunday, according to the Robert Koch Institute, the national agency for disease control and prevention.

The total number of confirmed cases in Germany now stands at 186,461 including 8,791 deaths, the institute said.

4:18 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

Germany lifts travel warning for 27 European countries

CNN's Al Goodman, Ingrid Formanek and Laura Perez Maestro

Northbound traffic from Germany into Denmark queues at the border between the two countries near the town of Krusa on June 15. Claus Fisker/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

Germany has lifted its travel warning for 27 countries in continental Europe.

Spain is not included in the list, but some German tourists can now travel to the popular Balearic island of Mallorca.

Frankfurt airport this morning remained quiet, however. Only two flights are leaving for Palma de Mallorca today the departure display showed, according to CNN affiliate n-tv.

Spain’s Balearic Islands are set to see 10,900 German visitors in the second half of June in a “pilot project” to test tourism safety measures during the pandemic, the Balearic regional president said.

The project starts on June 15 -- two weeks before the rest of Spain reopens for tourism -- and includes the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera.

3:57 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

Guatemala declares "maximum alert" in four regions as coronavirus cases surge

From CNN's Daniel Silva Fernandez and Michelle Mendoza

Municipal firefighters disinfect each other outside the Hospital General de Enfermedades after transferring a patient in Guatemala City on June 12. Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images

Guatemala has declared a state of "maximum alert" in four administrative regions, the country's President Alejandro Giammattei announced Sunday.

The alerts went into effect in the regions -- called departments -- of Guatemala, El Progreso, Sacatepéquez and San Marcos. It comes in response to the increase in coronavirus cases in those particular areas, the President said in an address to the nation.

The new measures will last for 15 days and include full-day curfews on Sundays, and from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. the rest of the week. Vehicles with odd and even number plates are only allowed to drive on alternate days.

The entire country has been on a state of "high alert" since February 25.

Guatemala has so far registered 384 coronavirus-related deaths, with 9,845 people infected with the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

3:31 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

It's just past 8:30 a.m. in London and 3:30 p.m. in Beijing. Here's the latest on the pandemic

More than 7.9 million cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide, including at least 433,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

If you're just joining us, here's the latest developments.

Beijing cases linked to market: Since Thursday, the Chinese capital reported 79 coronavirus cases -- almost all of which are linked to a wholesale food market -- according to the National Health Commission, which has called the situation in the city “severe and uncertain.” Beijing shut down the Xinfadi wholesale food market, is tracking those who visited, and has sealed off several neighborhoods to control the outbreak.
France is easing more restrictions: President Emmanuel Macron said mainland France will lift all restrictions previously applied to businesses and transport from Monday. Macron also said France will follow the EU Commission recommendation of opening up borders on Monday.
Chinese company says experimental vaccine induces antibodies: A Chinese company says its experimental coronavirus vaccine caused the body to produce antibodies against the virus. Sinovac Biotech is testing the vaccine in more than 700 volunteers in an accelerated trial.
Clusters in Japan linked to young people: New research from Japan suggests that many coronavirus clusters outside of hospitals may have been started by people who are younger than 40 or don’t feel sick. The findings offer insight into who might be driving transmission of the virus.
Brazil cases rise: The Brazilian health ministry reported 17,110 new cases on Sunday, bringing the country’s total to 867,624. Brazil is Latin America's hardest-hit country, and one of the few large nations where Covid-19 cases, and death rates, are still rising.
Hong Kong Disneyland to reopen: And in lighter news, on June 18 the venue will become the world's second Disney park to reopen. It closed on January 26 and has remained shut since then, with a few exceptions -- namely its hotels and a few on-site restaurants. Shanghai Disneyland was the first Disney park to reopen.

3:06 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

China's new outbreak sees Beijing adopt "wartime" measures as capital races to contain spread

From CNN's Nectar Gan in Hong Kong

Beijing is reintroducing strict lockdown measures and rolling out mass testing after a fresh cluster of novel coronavirus cases emerged from the city's largest wholesale food market, sparking fears of a resurgence of the deadly outbreak.

The Chinese capital reported 36 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number to 79 since a locally transmitted infection was reported on June 12 for the first time in nearly two months.

The cases are linked to Xinfadi market, which supplies most of the capital's fresh fruit and vegetables. The market, which also sells meat and seafood, has been shut down since Saturday.
The outbreak has already spread to the provinces of Liaoning and Hebei, where a total of five new cases were found to be close contacts of patients in Beijing.
The new cluster has sent shock waves throughout China, with Beijing's municipal government spokesman Xu Hejian describing it as "an extraordinary period" during a news conference on Sunday.
Another virus wave: The sudden reemergence of the virus in Beijing, previously considered among the country's safest cities, has raised the prospect of a second wave of infections and the possible reintroduction of the types of sweeping lockdowns that had previously brought much of the country to a halt and hammered the economy.
Life in Beijing had started to return to normal: Like much of the rest of the country, businesses and schools were reopening, and crowds returning to shopping malls, restaurants and parks.

Read the full story:

China's new coronavirus outbreak sees Beijing adopt 'wartime' measures

2:35 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

Japan records 62 new coronavirus cases

From CNN's Junko Ogura in Tokyo

A woman wearing a face mask takes a photo of full bloomed hydrangea at Hasedera temple in Kamakura, near Tokyo, on Monday, June 15. Koji Sasahara/AP

Japan’s health ministry recorded 62 new coronavirus cases and no new deaths on Sunday.

The total number of infections reported in Japan stands at 18,214, with 712 of those from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The official death toll is 938, with 13 of those deaths from the cruise ship.

In Tokyo, 47 new infections were recorded on Sunday in the largest single-day increase in the capital since May 5.

That number includes 18 cases linked to the nightlife entertainment area in Shinjuku district.

2:12 a.m. ET, June 15, 2020

South Korea reports 37 new coronavirus cases

From CNN's Jake Kwon in Seoul

Korean War veterans of South Korea salute during a ceremony to unveil an installation artwork to commemorate the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Korean War, in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday, June 15. Ahn Young-Joon/AP

South Korea reported 37 new coronavirus cases on Sunday and no new deaths, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The total number of reported cases in the country stands at 12,121 and there are more than 1,100 patients in active quarantine.

Of the 37 new cases, 24 are locally transmitted. Of those, 22 occurred in the capital Seoul

Despite strengthened infection prevention measures, the average number of daily cases from the Seoul Metropolitan area increased from 20.4 cases during the period May 17 to May 30, to 36.5 average cases during May 31 to June 13.