Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 49 WHO 09 March 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 9 March 2020 WHO
• Coronavirus update: COVID-19 likely to cost economy $1 trillion during 2020, says UN trade agency UN News 09 Mar 2020 -- Apart from the tragic human consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, the economic uncertainty it has sparked will likely cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2020, the UN's trade and development agency, UNCTAD, said on Monday.

United States

• Transcript - CDC Media Telebriefing: Update on COVID-19 Center for Disease Control 09 Mar 2020
• Defense Department Press Briefing on Coronavirus DoD 09 Mar 2020 -- Mr. Robert "Bob" Salesses, Deputy Assistant Secretary Of Defense For Homeland Defense And Defense Support Of Civil Authorities; Brigadier General Paul Friedrichs, Joint Staff Surgeon, Joint Chiefs Of Staff; Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
• DOD Updates Coronavirus Situation, Guidance DoD News 09 Mar 2020 -- The Defense Department continues to issue guidance to commanders and directors to combat the coronavirus outbreak, officials said in Washington today.
• DOD Issues Flexible Instructions on Response to Coronavirus DoD News 09 Mar 2020 -- DOD has issued instructions to the armed services and department heads on how to respond to the implications of the growing coronavirus outbreak.
• Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing The White House 09 Mar 2020
• Rush Transcript: At Novel Coronavirus Briefing, Governor Cuomo Announces State Will Provide Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer to New Yorkers Free of Charge New York State 09 Mar 2020
• State Health & Emergency Officials Encourage Individuals at Higher Risk of Severe Illness due to COVID-19 to Take Precautions California Department of Public Health 09 Mar 2020
• Readout from the Vice President's Discussion with our Nation's Governors on COVID-19 Coordination & Preparedness The White House 09 Mar 2020
• Coronavirus cases top 100 in U.S. state of New York People's Daily 09 Mar 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. state of New York surged to 105 on Sunday, or 16 more than the day before, according to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
• US public frustrated over government's inconsistent messages on coronavirus People's Daily 09 Mar 2020 -- As COVID-19 continues to rampage across the US, the public is growing increasingly frustrated at the inconsistent messages on coronavirus being sent out by the US government, with its downplaying of the lethal virus clashing with health officials' solemn warnings.
• Trump administration 'overruled health officials' who advised seniors against flying Press TV 09 Mar 2020 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has reportedly overruled US health officials who sought to warn elderly and physically fragile Americans not to fly on commercial airlines due to the spread of the coronavirus.
• US Coronavirus Death Toll Rises to 21, Eight States Declare Emergency Sputnik 09 Mar 2020 -- The death toll from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States has gone up to 21, with 545 cases having been confirmed, data from the Johns Hopkins Centre for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) shows.

China

• Where Is Investigation Report Into Coronavirus Whistleblower? VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- One month after the death of China's coronavirus whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang, civil groups and rights advocates at home and abroad are demanding answers from the Chinese government's investigation into his alleged grievance and speech suppression.
• Xinjiang Authorities Quarantine Student Said to Have Infected First Uyghur Coronavirus Case Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have quarantined a young Uyghur student in isolation, suggesting that she spread the disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the first Uyghur identified by officials as being infected in the region.
• Covid-19 updates: China reports zero cases outside Hubei as world steps up fight Press TV 09 Mar 2020 -- China has reported zero cases of infections with the new coronavirus Covid-19 outside Hubei Province, the epidemic's epicenter, for the first time since the outbreak started in December 2019 and later reached other world continents, where the disease continues to infect more people and take more lives.

Europe

• Fragile EU amid COVID-19 crisis Global Times 09 Mar 2020 -- Europe, after seeing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, faces a dilemma of containing the virus spread with strict measures while preventing an economic crisis as the region is on the edge of recession. The reluctance and hesitation of some European officials make a definitive and aggressive approach against the disease "hard to apply in the bloc," analysts said.
• EU leaders to hold crisis teleconference to tackle coronavirus Press TV 09 Mar 2020 -- The leaders of the European Union have decided to hold an emergency teleconference in order to coordinate a joint response to the coronavirus outbreak.
• Italy's Coronavirus Death Toll Spikes as Lockdown Takes Effect VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- China on Monday reported its lowest number of new coronavirus cases, while about one-quarter of Italy's population was under quarantine orders and passengers from a cruise ship prepared to disembark in the western U.S. state of California after some tested positive for the virus.
• Italy steps up measures as coronavirus cases top 6,300, death toll at 366 People's Daily 09 Mar 2020 -- A total of 6,387 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Italy since the epidemic first broke out here over two weeks ago, the Civil Protection Department said Sunday.
• Coronavirus Sparks Church-State Controversy in Greece VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- Greece has shut down schools, theaters and large public gatherings in three major regions of the country in the latest sweep of measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Cases have climbed dramatically in the country after health officials detected the virus among travelers returning from the Middle East. The measures have now pit health authorities against the powerful Greek Orthodox Church.
• Italy's Coronavirus Death Toll Spikes as Lockdown Takes Effect VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- China on Monday reported its lowest number of new coronavirus cases, while about one-quarter of Italy's population was under quarantine orders and passengers from a cruise ship prepared to disembark in the western U.S. state of California after some tested positive for the virus.
• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 rises to 1,112 in Germany - media People's Daily 09 Mar 2020 -- The tally of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Germany has risen to 1,112, local media quoted Robert Koch institute, a government agency and research institute, as saying on Monday.
• Doctors warn UK hospitals running out of protective equipment for staff Press TV 09 Mar 2020 -- Hospitals in the United Kingdom are close to running out of equipment vital to protecting doctors and nurses from catching Covid-19 from infected patients.

India

• Evacuation by India of its citizens and other nationals from COVID-19 affected countries India PIB 09 Mar 2020 -- Government of India undertook evacuation operations from several countries in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Wuhan city in Hubei province of China had become the epicenter of the COVID-19 and there were hundreds of Indians stuck in the city. India engaged with China to safely evacuate its citizens and citizens of other friendly nations on a priority basis.
• Number of COVID-19 cases rise to 43 in India People's Daily 09 Mar 2020 -- India's federal health ministry Monday said total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 43 with four new cases reported.
• India Confirms New Case of Coronavirus in 3-Year-Old Boy - Reports Sputnik 09 Mar 2020 -- Doctors in the Indian state of Kerala have diagnosed the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a three-year-old boy, who had recently returned from Italy with his family, the Indian NDTV broadcaster reported on Monday.

Iran

• Official: Coronavirus affected cases mount to 7,161 in Iran IRNA 09 Mar 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Monday that 2,394 people out of a total of 7,161 infected by the coronavirus have survived the deadly disease while 237 have unfortunately succumbed to death.
• Iran's health minister calls for comprehensive coronavirus research IRNA 09 Mar 2020 -- Iran's minister of health in a letter to his deputy for research and technology called for the use of research teams' capacity at the country's medical universities for coronavirus disease.
• Iran to produce test kits for COVID-19 soon IRNA 09 Mar 2020 -- Iranian knowledge-based companies have made planning to produce coronavirus test kits which will go to market within a month, secretary of biotechnology development committee of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology said.
• Iran furloughs 70,000 prisoners as it battles virus Press TV 09 Mar 2020 -- Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi says Iran has temporarily released around 70,000 prisoners in order to prevent a further spread of the new coronavirus.
• Iran Says Tens Of Thousands Of Prisoners Released Because Of Coronavirus Fears RFE/RL 09 Mar 2020 -- Iranian authorities have released about 70,000 prisoners because of the new coronavirus outbreak in the country, judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said, as Iran reported 43 new deaths from the disease in the past 24 hours.
• Iran Frees 70,000 Prisoners to Contain Coronavirus Spread – Report Sputnik 09 Mar 2020 -- As coronavirus continues spreading around the world and crippling global markets, Iran is the worst-hit county after China, with over 2,000 deaths and more than 7,100 people infected as of Sunday.

South Korea

• Number of Coronavirus Cases in South Korea Rises to 7,382, 51 Died Sputnik 09 Mar 2020 -- The new virus originated in the Chinse city of Wuhan, Hubei province, later spreading to more than 100 countries worldwide. South Korea is one of the countries affected wors outside China.

Japan

• COVID-19 infections in Japan climb by 15 to 495 cases, death toll at 15 People's Daily 09 Mar 2020 -- Japan's health ministry and local governments said that the number of COVID-19 infections increased by 15 on Monday to stand at a total of 495 infected people in Japan as of 3:00 p.m. local time here.

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia Bans Travel To and From Nine Countries Amid Coronavirus Fears – Reports Sputnik 09 Mar 2020 -- The Saudi government has decided to suspend travel between the Kingdom and nine countries in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), media reported.
• Official Source at Interior Ministry: Citizens and Expatriates Travel to and from a Number of Countries Temporarily Suspended to Control Spread of Coronavirus SPA 09 Mar 2020 -- Further to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's decision of the temporary suspension of the citizens and expatriates' travel to (the United Arab Emirates, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of South Korea, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Italy, and the Republic of Iraq), an official source at the Ministry of Interior stated that, according to the preventive and precautionary measures recommended by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a part of its efforts to control the new Coronavirus (COVID19) and prevent its entry and spread as well as its keenness on protecting the health of citizens and expatriates and ensuring their safety, the Kingdom's government decided to suspend temporarily the travel of citizens and expatriates to (the Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Turkey and the Kingdom of Spain), as well as suspending the entry of those coming from those countries, and those who were there during the 14 days prior to their arrival.

Taiwan

• France Bans Gatherings of More Than 1,000 People Amid COVID-19 Outbreak Sputnik 09 Mar 2020 -- France banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people in order to confront the spread of the coronavirus disease, officially known as COVID-19, in the country, French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Sunday.
• Legislature plans video conference on coronavirus concern CNA 09 Mar 2020 -- If there are two legislators or more confirmed with COVID-19, the Legislative Yuan will use video conferencing for its sessions, Lin Jih-jia (林志嘉), secretary-general of the Legislative Yuan, said Monday, as the virus continued to spread globally.
• Taiwan mask output to hit 10 million per day by next week: minister CNA 09 Mar 2020 -- Taiwan is ramping up its production of surgical face masks, with the goal of reaching 10 million per day by next week, using newly acquired equipment, in an effort to meet domestic demand amid the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, Economics Minister Shen Jong-chin (沈榮津) said Monday.
• COVID-19 mortality risk highest amongst elderly: experts CNA 09 Mar 2020 -- Elderly people who have underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of death from the COVID-19 coronavirus than people in other demographics, Taiwan public health experts said Monday.
• Taiwan public health expert calls for WHO to declare COVID-19 pandemic CNA 09 Mar 2020 -- A leading public health expert in Taiwan has urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare COVID-19 a pandemic due to the surge in cases and spread of the disease around the globe.

North Korea

• UN Investigator Warns Against Isolating North Korea as Threat of COVID-19 Looms VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- A U.N. investigator Monday warned of serious consequences if COVID-19 gains a foothold in North Korea, and urged the government to accept international offers of help to contain the spread of the deadly virus. The investigator submitted a report on the North's human rights situation to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
• Some Foreign Diplomats Depart North Korea Amid Virus Scare VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- A group of foreign diplomats has departed Pyongyang, with some temporarily closing their missions in the North Korean capital amid a coronavirus scare.

NATO

• Statement by the NATO Spokesperson on COVID-19 NATO 09 Mar 2020 -- We can confirm that one NATO staff member working at NATO HQ in Brussels has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member had come back from a holiday in northern Italy, felt unwell at the end of last week, and was tested due to the onset of fever-like symptoms. The staff member is currently at home in self-isolation. Within minutes of receiving the result, all the immediate work colleagues were informed. They had been working from home at the end of last week and continue to do so. All NATO headquarters staff have also been informed of the confirmed case. NATO continues to monitor the situation on an ongoing basis and to take all necessary measures.

Other Countries

• Global Stock Markets Plummet on Oil Price Drop, Coronavirus Fears VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- Stock markets plummeted across the world Monday, plunging on the dual concerns over oil prices and the economic effects of the coronavirus that has spread to more than 100 countries.
• Coronavirus Fear Cancels Events Across Asia, Striking at Economy VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- Cancellations of events, from school field trips to giant international trade shows, are gouging out service economies around Asia as organizers fear that bringing too many people together would allow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
• Egypt Reports 55 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases and First Casualty VOA 09 Mar 2020 -- Egypt is reporting its first death from the coronavirus, or COVID-19 – a German tourist who came down with the infection during a visit to Luxor. Increasing numbers of casualties from the virus in Iran also have the government there scrambling, while some Gulf states have closed schools and stopped flights to neighboring countries.
• Cambodian PM Hun Sen Says He'll Get Coronavirus Test Radio Free Asia 09 Mar 2020 -- Prime Minister Hun Sen complained of a stuffy nose on Monday and said he'll get tested for the coronavirus, two days after authorities reported the first confirmed case in a Cambodian national.
• COVID-19 can transmit 4.5m in closed air-conditioned environment: study Global Times 09 Mar 2020 -- A recent case study of a dozen passengers infected with COVID-19 after taking a bus suggested that the coronavirus can survive at least 30 minutes and transmit 4.5 meters in a closed air-conditioned environment, triggering concerns over safety of public transportation.
• Azerbaijan Catches Smugglers Trying To Sneak Out 1 Million Medical Masks RFE/RL 09 Mar 2020 -- Azerbaijan says it has confiscated more than 1 million medical masks from several groups, including foreigners, who planned to illegally smuggle them out of the South Caucasus nation as countries around the world scramble for equipment to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.