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U.K. Records Its Most Daily COVID-19 Cases Since May; India Passes Brazil for Second-Highest Case Total; EU: Cases in Europe Almost Back to March Levels; Typhoon Haishen Makes Landfall in South Korea; Calm in Rochester After Four Nights of Tense Clashes; Harris on Policing: We have to reimagine Public Safety; Novak Djokovic Disqualified From Tournament. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired September 07, 2020 - 04:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:30:00]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to you our viewers in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber and you're watching CNN NEWSROOM.

Coronavirus cases are spiking in India and in Europe. India surpassed Brazil on Monday to become the country with the second highest case count worldwide behind only the U.S. and the U.K. reported nearly 3,000 new COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour period. It's highest daily number since May.

All right, so let's start in India with CNN's Vedika Sud. She joins us from New Delhi. So, India second highest case count and the fasted growing infection rate in the world. What behind this?

VEDIKA SUD, CNN REPORTER: Well, for the last two days we've seen more than 90,000 infections on a daily basis. If you just multiply that --

BRUNHUBER: I think we've lost Vedika Sud there. We might try and get her back a little bit later.

We are joined now by Ramanan Laxminarayan, the director of the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy. He also joins us from New Delhi. Thank you so much for being with us.

You wrote back in March that essentially India could only delay the virus. You likened it to a train that could only be slowed but not stopped. But did you expect the country to be where it is now, the fastest growing infection rate in the world?

RAMANAN LAXMINARAYAN, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR DISEASE DYNAMICS, ECONOMICS & POLICY: So, Kim, India is a large country, as Vedika just explained. And to some extent, you know, it's inevitable that there would be a lot of infections here. We are paying attention to formally reported infections. But you have to remember that even with the expansion in testing, India has one of the lowest rates of testing in the world.

And the true numbers of infections that have been detected through the serological surveys indicate that we undercount by anywhere between 50 and 100, a factor of 50 to 100. So, India is already above 100 millionth true infections, which is with the serology surveys are pointing out. And those surveys point out that probably 20 percent of Indians are infected anywhere between 10 and 40, depending on where the survey has been held.

So, to some extent, inevitable, but at the same time, you know, India did try to do its best through lockdowns to delay the epidemic. It can only delay, I suppose. It can't really stop the epidemic at this point in time.

BRUNHUBER: The lockdown did work, but as you said, I mean, it could not be stopped. Some critics say that, you know, early on, the government focused too much on health care infrastructure, things like building ventilators and intensive care units, rather than public health capacity like surveillance, contact tracing, masks, social distancing, things like that. Is that fair?

LAXMINARAYAN: Well, to some extent, that sort of public health infrastructure is hard to put in place in a two-month period. You either did that years ago or you can't. Things like buying ventilators or oxygen flow cylinders, these are things that can be done in a short term. So, the government did whatever possible to purchase. You cannot buy a critical care doctor in two months. You either trained that person 30 years ago. You don't have them today.

So, I think as much as could be done was done under the circumstances. But what India is really paying the price for is decades of neglect of the public health infrastructure. And that's what the problem is right now.

BRUNHUBER: Listen, thank you so much, Ramanan Laxminarayan. We appreciate you coming on the program to talk to us.

LAXMINARAYAN: Thanks for having me.

BRUNHUBER: All right, let's go with the situation in Europe to CNN's Scott Mclean who is in London. So, Scott, just as people are returning to work and school in the U.K., cases are shooting up. The government being accused of having lost control of the virus. What's behind this?

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kim. So, lockdowns are obviously incredibly effective at controlling the virus. But is any epidemiologist will tell you in that in most cases they can delay the onset of the virus, but they can't really stop it 100 percent. And that's what we're seeing right now as England and many places across Europe really get back to life as usual, restaurants are open, pubs are open.

In fact, up until a couple of days ago, the British government was actually, subsidizing restaurants to try to get people through the door. Schools are also open, as you said, and the government is trying to encourage office workers to go back into their offices, or to have their employers require them to go back into their offices which help some of the businesses in these town centers, which have really felt the brunt of the lockdown. Considering they've had very little foot traffic over the last couple of months. Yesterday the U.K. recorded its highest single day case count that it's had since May. The Health Secretary says they're obviously concerned. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT HANCOCK, BRITISH HEALTH SECRETARY: It's predominantly amongst younger people. But, of course, younger people can pass on the disease to their grandparents, and we do not want to see that.

And we've seen rise in cases in other countries, around the world, across Europe, often first amongst younger people and then passing it on to others. And so, it's so important that everybody follows the social distancing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[04:35:00]

MCLEAN: There's also some important context around these numbers, Kim. First off, the U.K. is doing more than twice as much testing as it was at the peak of the pandemic. Many other European countries are as well. Obviously, more tests will catch more cases. Also, the virus -- is you've heard the Health Secretary saying it's skewing much younger than it was the first time around which is keeping hospital systems from being overwhelmed. It's also keeping the death counts relatively low.

Here's one example as the U.K. right now at last count had 69 people on a ventilator. At the peak of a pandemic, that number was 40 times, 40 times higher. Death rates are low, but the concern is that those numbers will start to creep up. Obviously, death of is a trailing indicator of how bad the pandemic is.

In Spain they're starting to see that already. They just reported their highest number of coronavirus cases since May. They've also reported nearly 200 deaths on Friday. That is also the highest number that they've seen since May.

Things are also getting bad in France. They've just reported their highest number of single day coronavirus cases ever. Not since a few months ago but ever. And so, as a result, more than 1/4 of French districts are now being considered so-called red zones which means authorities have the power now to do things like close restaurants, close pubs and require that masks be worn even outdoors -- Kim.

BRUNHUBER: All right, a troubling situation in Europe. Thank you so much, Scott McLean. Appreciate it.

Well, Typhoon Haishen has made landfall on South Korea's east coast slamming the area with heavy rain and high winds. Japan took a lashing from the storm on Sunday. That country's public broadcaster reported that nearly 2 million people were under evacuation orders. Typhoon Haishen has reached speeds as powerful of a category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic. We have CNN's Paula Hancocks is live in Seoul for us. Paula, South Korea being hit by another storm now. What's the latest?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kim, this is the fifth typhoon that we've seen hit landfall in South Korea and on the Korean Peninsula in just four weeks. Now the average amount that you would see making landfall throughout the entire season would be one or two.

So, that just shows how active this typhoon season is. And it comes on the back as well of an extremely wet summer, the monsoon season was particularly wet this year as well. So certainly, this heavy rain fall that we will be seeing along the east coast of the Korean Peninsula in both North and South Korea, will not be welcome.

Now we have an update at this point that on the east coast in Changwon province there is one person missing and five people injured. But none of the injuries believed to be serious.

Now in Japan, of course, they did take a battering from this particular typhoon. We know four people are missing after landslides caused houses to slip into a river. You know, dozens have been injured. Tens of thousands have lost power. So certainly, there is a concern as this storm starts to head further north. South Korea, of course, has the infrastructure to handle this kind of severe weather.

North Korea does not have that. Now were seeing live reports, once again on North Korean state run media which is highly unusual. We saw this just last week with the previous typhoon. And we have also seen the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, touring one of the areas that was badly damaged in the typhoon from last week. In looking ahead to this severe weather now asking people to protect the crops from the severe weather.

Certainly, in a country like North Korea where food insecurity is prevalent, there is a concern about the impact and the continual typhoons will have on the agricultural industry. So certainly, that is one concern. We know that the typhoon is just off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula and it's heading into North Korea at this point and will be skirting along the side there. So certainly, heavy rainfall is expected and strong winds -- Kim.

BRUNHUBER: All right, we appreciate the update on the story we'll be following throughout the day. Thank you so much, Paula Hancocks from Seoul.

Well, calm returns to the streets of Rochester after clashes between police and protesters. Just ahead, we'll find out how city officials and civic leaders are responding to demands for change. Stay with us.

[04:40:00]

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BRUNHUBER: Protests against racial injustice and police brutality have been taking place all across the U.S., but on Sunday there was a welcome sense of calm on the streets of Rochester, New York. Demonstrators marched to the public safety building in what was a dramatic change. And with tensions gripping the city over the past few nights, protesters are demanding reform after a black man, Daniel Prude, died in police custody. And as CNN's Polo Sandoval reports changes could be coming soon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For five nights in a row, those demonstrations are staying relatively peaceful, this until the very end that things do take a bit of a tense and violent turn with some protesters clashing with police.

We do know that yesterday, the mayor of the city as well as the police chief are hoping to address some of those concerns, specifically those that have to do with the issue of mental health. As you recall, Daniel Prude's family initially called authorities after he was experiencing a mental health episode, for help to try to track him down.

Well yesterday, authorities here announced initiatives to address mental health issues and police reform. Initiatives including doubling the availability of mental health professionals and moving the family crisis intervention team from the police department to a separate city department.

I can tell you, over the weekend, the New York State Attorney General's Office announced that she plans to panel a grand jury to take a closer look at this case. So, authorities here are recommending that many people allow the investigation to run its course. Here is what Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren had to say over the weekend.

LOVELY WARREN, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, MAYOR: What truly matters is creating a city that is dedicated to serving, protecting and lifting up the least among us. What will always pain me about the death of Mr. Daniel Prude is our failure to do that.

SANDOVAL: The demonstrations are likely to continue into the week. One of the many reasons why local faith leaders could be working with city officials to have church members, essentially, serve as a peaceful buffer between protesters and police, hoping that the remainder of these demonstrations through the week remain peaceful.

Polo Sandoval, CNN, Rochester, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[04:45:00]

BRUNHUBER: Policing, safer communities and racial justice were topics discussed by Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris when she sat down for an exclusive interview with our Dana Bash. She pushed back strongly against both the President and his Attorney General for denying systemic racism is a problem in the U.S. here's part of that conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I want to ask about something that you wrote in a 2009 book which is if we take a show of hands of those who would like to see more police officers on the streets, mine would shoot up. And then in June of this year, you said to "The New York Times," it is status quo thinking to believe putting more police on the streets creates more safety. That's wrong. So, my question for you now in retrospect looking at your time as D.A.

and as Attorney General of California through the lens of 2020, did you help contribute to what you describe as a status quo thinking, that more police equals more safety?

SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA), DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I am very clear that we have got to in America reimagine how we are accomplishing public safety. And what I believe now and what I believed then remains true and consistent. Which is, if you look at the communities that have no or very little police presence as compared to those with a high degree of police presence, you will see stark differences.

And one of them is this. If you go into any upper class suburb in America, you will not see police presence, but what you will see their well-funded public schools, high rates of homeownership, small businesses that have access to capital. You'll see families who have jobs where they don't have to worry about getting to the end of the month and feeding their children. And so, if we want to create safe communities, one of the smartest ways we can do that is invest in the health of those communities because healthy communities are safe communities.

BASH: Would your hand shoot up if somebody asked if they wanted more police officers on your streets?

HARRIS: What I would say now is what I would say then, which is I want to make sure that if a woman is raped, a child is molested or one human being murders another human being, that there will be a police officer that responds to that case and that there will be accountability and consequence for the offender, yes.

BASH: Attorney General William Barr said on CNN he does not believe there are two justice systems in the United States for black and white Americans. He added, I think we have to be a little careful about throwing idea of racism around. And I don't think it's as common as people suggest. What do you think?

HARRIS: I think that Donald Trump and Bill Barr are spending full time in a different reality. The reality of America today is what we have seen over generations and frankly since our inception. Which is we do have two systems of justice in America. But here's the thing that gives me a sense of optimism and a sense of belief in who we are as a nation.

We also have an ideal that is inscribed in marble on a Supreme Court that we all hold dear, which is that ideal of equal justice under law. And so, while we have two systems of justice, we also fight for equal justice under law. And that means doing what Joe Biden and I are proposing, which is having a criminal justice system that, yes, bans choke holds and carotid holds, makes sure we require accountability for police officers who break the rules and break the law. That we are going to invest in communities and the economic strength of those communities.

But doing it all recognizing that there are huge disparities in our country based on race and it does us no good if buy want to solve those disparities to pretend they don't exist.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: The world's top ranked tennis player is out of the U.S. open. Coming up, we'll show you how a moment of frustration cost Novak Djokovic a chance at his 18th major title. Stay with us.

[04:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: A shocker at the U.S. Open. Now it wasn't an upset per se, but Novak Djokovic is out. The world number one was defaulted after he accidentally hit a line judge with a tennis ball on Sunday. Djokovic had been heavily favored to win the tournament and his 18th major title. So, for more on what happened at Arthur Ashe Stadium, let's turn to CNN World Sports, Alex Thomas, joining us from London. Alex, I happened to be watching this live. My jaw hit the floor when he was forced to walk there after lengthy deliberation. I mean, it was just so surprising.

ALEX THOMAS, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: You're reacting the same as all of ours. Kim, before we show you the incident, let's put this in context. Here is the top ranked player in the world in the men's game with no rival, no Rafa Nadal, no Roger Federer. They decided not to travel to New York during these dangerous times and compete there. You know how many restrictions were in place, no fans there. Djokovic, the outstanding favorite to take this title and get to 18 Grand Slams singles title in total. Just one behind Nadal, just two behind Federer.

The tournament there for the taking with him. He just had his serve broken in the first set against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, a guy who had never lost it before and this is what happened. Djokovic hitting a ball away in frustration, pretty hard and it smacked the line judge in her throat. You heard the strangled cries, she collapsed to the ground and under the rules of tennis, the umpire, a match referee had no option but to default Djokovic. To throw him out of the tournament. He left Flushing Meadows without speaking to the media. Later releasing a statement on Instagram and I'll read you some elements of that statement.

He said, the whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she's feeling OK.

[04:55:00]

Later he says as for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being.

Djokovic saying all the right things. He knows there's no excuse and he knows there's no leeway in the rules, no right of appeal. He would have gone on if he'd won, to play a young Canadian player called Denis Shapovalov and he actually was defaulted himself by hitting a ball that struck an umpire's eye back in 2017 during the Davis Cup match and after winning his fourth round match to reach the quarter finals. Shapovalov said this.

I've been in that situation, so I know exactly how Novak is feeling. Of course, he had no intentions to go after the lines woman. Thankfully, she's OK. It could have ended up very, very bad. The ball could have went anywhere. It's just super unfortunate.

It now means, Kim, that actually we are going to have a new men's Grand Slam champion for the first time since 2014.

BRUNHUBER: Wow. It was just unbelievable to see but a lesson for all of us in good sportsmanship, I guess, there. Thank you so much, Alex Thomas, in London. Appreciate it.

Finally, some sad news from the baseball world. Hall of Fame player Lou Brock has died. He played 19 seasons and spent 16 of those with the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock is one of 32 players with 3,000 or more hits and has the second highest number of stolen bases.

The Cardinals paid tribute to Brock on Twitter saying, our hearts are broken. Lou Brock was an amazing player and outstanding person. He loved the game and all of Them. Rest in peace.

Lou Brock was 81 years old.

Well, that wraps this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Kim Brunhuber. "EARLY START" is next.

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