Israel approves new coronavirus regulations for cultural and sporting events; cases in India at four-month high

• Protesters opposing Covid regulations clash with police in German city
• Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan tests positive for Covid
• China’s first local Covid case since February had been vaccinated – state media

5.21pm GMT

Next month, Greece will begin distributing free COVID-19 tests that will allow residents to do it themselves and reduce pressure on the healthcare system, which has faced a rise in new positive cases.

The Greek government has announced that people with a social security number will be eligible for four test kits per month, which will be distributed at pharmacies.

It is a new tool in the country’s battle against the pandemic. The tests will allow better epidemiological monitoring, and of course prevention,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

The government said the do-it-yourself test kits have an accuracy rate of about 95%-99%. They are easier to do than rapid tests, needing nasal and saliva samples instead of the nasopharyngeal sample used in rapid tests.

5.11pm GMT

Chile has set a new daily record for Covid-19 cases, health officials have reported. While the South American nation continues its vaccination efforts, hospitals are on the verge of collapse.

Reuters reports:

Cases have been ticking up for weeks following the end of the southern hemisphere summer holiday but soared to 7,084, above the previous high of 6,938 last June, the data shows.

The fast-rising caseload has filled critical care wards north to south, leaving Chile with just 198 beds available for new patients. All of the capital Santiago, the economic engine, is in strict lockdown this weekend.