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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• More Glimpses Of How Russian Intelligence Utilized Hackers Revealed In U.S. Trial RFE/RL 16 Mar 2020 -- One month after he was indicted in the United States for hacking-related cybercrimes, a Russian man named Nikita Kislitsin sat in a room at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow where FBI agents notified him of the charges.
• Reports: US Health & Human Services Department Hacked VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) department suffered a cyberattack Sunday night, according to news reports.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 56 WHO 16 March 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 16 March 2020 WHO
• WHO says global confirmed COVID-19 cases surpass 150,000 People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- A total of 152,428 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease have been reported globally as of Sunday morning, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Fadela Chaib told Xinhua.
• 'You cannot fight a fire blindfolded': WHO chief blasts slow virus testing response UN News 16 Mar 2020 -- "The most effective way to prevent infections and save lives, is breaking the chains of transmission. And to do that, you must test and isolate", said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at Monday's COVID-19 press briefing, held at the UN health agency's headquarters in Geneva: "Once again, our message is: test, test, test."
• COVID-19: Mental health in the age of coronavirus UN News 16 Mar 2020 -- Since January when the World Health Organization (WHO) determined the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a "public health emergency of international concern", stress levels everywhere have continued to mount.
• Australian Doctor Says Warm Weather Unlikely to Stem COVID-19 Spread VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia continues to rise. Doctors say the infections do not at this stage appear to be influenced by warmer weather. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump predicted the pandemic would end in April with warmer temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere. Australia has about 300 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Five people have died.
• WHO chief: 'Test every suspected case' of COVID-19 Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) chief has urged all countries to test every suspected coronavirus case, warning that the pandemic is the "defining global health crisis of our time."
• G7 Leaders' Statement The White House 16 Mar 2020

United States

• DEFENDER-Europe 20 modified in size and scope Army News 16 Mar 2020 -- In response to the current outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and recent guidance by the Secretary of Defense, we have modified exercise DEFENDER-Europe 20 in size and scope. As of March 13, all movement of personnel and equipment from the United States to Europe has ceased. The health, safety and readiness of our military, civilians, and family members is our primary concern.
• Major Military Exercise in Africa Now Canceled VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- One of the U.S. military's largest exercises in Africa has been canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus, after already being significantly scaled down last week.
• Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing The White House 16 Mar 2020
• Department of Defense Press Briefing on COVID-19 Response DoD 16 Mar 2020 -- Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs; Joint Staff Surgeon Air Force Brigadier General Paul Friedrichs
• Pentagon Spokesman: DOD Ready to Help With Coronavirus, but Capability Limited DoD News 16 Mar 2020 -- As concerns of coronavirus grow, the Defense Department stands ready to provide support wherever it's asked to do so, the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs said.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 16 Mar 2020
• Rush Transcript: Amid Lack of Federal Direction, Governor Cuomo, Governor Murphy and Governor Lamont Announce Regional Approach to Combatting Covid-19 New York State 16 Mar 2020
• Rush Transcript: During Coronavirus Briefing, Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order Allowing State to Increase Hospital Capacity New York State 16 Mar 2020
• State Health & Emergency Officials Release Guidance to Prevent the Transmission of COVID-19 in Food and Beverage Venues California Department of Public Health 16 Mar 2020

China

• Virus peak in China passes, focuses on imported infections, sporadic community cases: frontline medics Global Times 16 Mar 2020 -- Chinese doctors who served in the pandemic frontline in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, believed the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan and China has passed and the focus now is on preventing imported cases to China from overseas as well as sporadic cases in the community.
• China builds new 'Great Wall' to contain imported cases Global Times 16 Mar 2020 -- Facing the pressure of a growing number of imported coronavirus cases swarming into the capital Beijing, China is taking a range of measures to defend the result it seized in the fight against the coronavirus, after basically containing the epidemic across the country.
• China tightens entry rules for international travelers as imported cases rise People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- With China reporting more imported coronavirus cases, many parts of the country have tightened entry rules at airports and other points of entry for international travelers in an effort to curb the coronavirus influx. As of March 15, China has reported a total of 123 cases imported from abroad.
• China supports WHO to carry out international cooperation on combating COVID-19 People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the COVID-19 as a pandemic after the organization's assessment at a briefing in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday local time.
• China advises nationals against traveling abroad amid COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- Chinese authorities on Monday suggested that residents on the mainland not travel abroad amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, particularly to countries hit hard by the pandemic.
• China's Guizhou cleared of COVID-19 cases People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- A hospital in southwest China's Guizhou Province discharged the province's last confirmed case of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Monday.
• Number of confirmed COVID-19 cases drops to less than 10,000 on Chinese mainland: official People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- The number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) fell to 9,898 on Sunday on the Chinese mainland, said the country's health authorities on Monday.
• Beijing completes renovation of SARS treatment hospital for COVID-19 control People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- A renovated hospital formerly used to quarantine and treat SARS patients in Beijing has been kitted out with new medical supplies for the treatment of the novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19).
• China's economy hit broadly by coronavirus, but economists are upbeat People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- China's retail sales, fixed-asset investment and other broader economic indicators declined sharply in the first two months of 2020, impacted by the outbreak of the deadly novel coronavirus which has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization.
• NE China province clear of COVID-19 cases People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- The northeast China province of Jilin on Monday became the latest in a crop of Chinese provincial-level regions that have reduced the number of COVID-19 patients to zero.
• Beijing reports 4 imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- Beijing reported four newly confirmed cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from other countries Sunday, the Beijing Municipal Health Commission said Monday.
• China's Hubei reports single-digit new infections of COVID-19 for five days People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- Central China's Hubei Province reported four new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and 14 deaths Sunday, the provincial health commission said Monday.
• 16 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection reported on Chinese mainland People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Monday it received reports of 16 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 14 deaths on the Chinese mainland on Sunday.
• Chinese mainland reports 12 newly imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported 12 newly imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Sunday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 123, according to the National Health Commission.
• China reports 16 new coronavirus infections, 14 deaths SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- China has reported 16 new coronavirus infections and 14 new deaths over the past day, dpa reported.
• China shows COVID-19 Coronavirus can be 'stopped in its tracks' UN News 16 Mar 2020 -- China's experience in containing the spread of the new coronavirus could serve as a lesson for other countries now facing the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior official with the World Health Organization (WHO) has told UN News in an in-depth interview.

Europe

• Britain's "herd immunity" plan against COVID-19 arouses debates People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- As Britain has switched from the "containment" to "delay" phase in response to the spread of COVID-19, the Downing Street hopes to create "herd immunity" to the disease instead of taking proactive and drastic countermeasures.
• UK coronavirus death toll hits 21 as confirmed cases top 1,100 People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- The novel coronavirus death toll has reached 21 as of Saturday in Britain as the number of confirmed cases totalled 1,140, according to the latest figures released by the British Department of Health and Social Care.
• UK scientists urge "more restrictive measures" as confirmed COVID-19 cases reach 1,372 People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- British scientists have urged the government to take "more restrictive measures" to tackle the novel coronavirus as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Britain reached 1,372 as of Sunday morning, an increase of 232 over the last 24 hours.
• Nicola Sturgeon asserts leadership over Coronavirus crisis Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- As the British government's ill-defined plans to tackle the coronavirus outbreak descend into shambles, Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has stepped forward to fill the leadership vacuum.
• UK coronavirus crisis 'to last until spring 2021 and could see 7.9m hospitalised': PHE document Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- A Public Health England (PHE) briefing for senior NHS officials, leaked to the press, asserts that the UK coronavirus epidemic will, in all likelihood, last until next spring 2021 and may necessitate 7.9 million people being hospitalized.
• UK preparing to deploy army to fight Coronavirus outbreak Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- Even as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, held his first daily briefing on the coronavirus outbreak, there are credible reports the British military is preparing to intervene in the battle against the deadly COVID-19 disease.
• Macron suspends pension reforms, 'we are at war' with coronavirus Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday ordered stringent restrictions on people's movement to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and said the army would be drafted in to help move the sick to hospitals.
• Europeans feel sting as coronavirus panic spreads across green continent Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- Despite all efforts made by governments to assuage the public concern about the pandemic of the novel coronavirus, which has already taken a heavy toll on Europe, people in many European countries are overwhelmed with panic, storming convenient stores to buy essential commodities amid speculations of total lockdown.
• Over 20,000 test positive for coronavirus in Italy, 368 new deaths People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- The coronavirus epidemic claimed 368 lives in locked down Italy on Sunday, according to new data released by the Civil Protection Department.
• Italian PM Calls for European Coordination to Fight Coronavirus VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has called for "European coordination on health and economic measures" to confront the coronavirus, as his country was entering "the riskiest weeks."
• Spain Adopts Italy-Style Measures to Contain Coronavirus VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- Spain is suffering Europe's worst coronavirus contagion after Italy, according to government officials who have declared a "state of alarm" to implement the type of emergency measures instituted in Italy, forcing people to stay indoors even at the risk of economic paralysis.

Russia

• Russia Announces $4 Billion Fund To Help Economy Cope With Oil Plunge, Virus Impact RFE/RL 16 Mar 2020 -- Russia, hit by falling oil prices and the coronavirus outbreak, has announced the formation of a $4 billion fund as part of a package of measures to support the economy.

India

• High level Group of Ministers reviews current status, and actions for prevention and management of COVID-19 India PIB 16 Mar 2020 -- Ministry of Health issues Comprehensive Advisory on Social Distancing

Pakistan

• Coronavirus Cases in Pakistan Spike; Dozens of Cases Reported VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan jumped Monday from 52 to more than 180, with most of the patients being returnees from Iran. The situation has raised fears the outbreak could pose a major challenge to an already strained national health care system.
• Rising COVID-19 Cases Pose Challenge to Pakistan's Crumbling Health Care System VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- Pakistan said Monday another 50 nationals returning from Iran have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the national tally of infections to at least 92, with zero deaths, and posing a major challenge to an already under pressure health care system.

Iran

• COVID-19 death toll reaches 853 in Iran IRNA 16 Mar 2020 -- The head of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education said on Monday that 14,991 Iranians have been infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iran and 853 of them have succumbed to death.
• President: Public screening to be carried out to contain corona IRNA 16 Mar 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that the government adopted plan for public screening in different provinces as of tomorrow (March 17) to contain corona epidemic.
• Iran approves $250mln emergency funding to fight coronavirus Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- The Iranian government has agreed to spend an extra $250 million on imports of drugs and medical gear amid nationwide efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
• Iran screens 10 million for coronavirus symptoms Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry says the country has screened more than 10 million people for the new coronavirus symptoms as it goes all out against the outbreak.
• COVID-19: Iran Reports Single-Day Record In New Deaths; Serbia Declares State Of Emergency RFE/RL 16 Mar 2020 -- A roundup of the latest news on the coronavirus crisis in RFE/RL's broadcast countries:

South Korea

• S.Korea reports 74 more COVID-19 cases, 8,236 in total People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- South Korea reported 76 more cases of the COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago as of midnight Monday local time, raising the total number of infections to 8,236.
• South Korea's daily new virus infections drop again to 74 SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- South Korea has reported its lowest daily increase of new coronavirus cases in almost three weeks, with 74 new infections recorded and no new deaths, according to figures released by the health authorities, dpa reported.

Japan

• COVID-19 infections in Japan rise to 804 People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- Japan's health ministry and local governments said Monday the number of COVID-19 infections stood at 804 in Japan as of 10:30 a.m. local time.

Saudi Arabia

• Ministry of Health Announces Recovery of Three COVID-19 Cases in the Kingdom SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- The Ministry of Health announced the recovery of three cases infected by the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Kingdom, where all medical examinations and procedures were completed. A laboratory testing proved that the recovered cases are now free of Coronavirus infection and in good health. They were discharged. The total number of the recovered cases is six cases.
• Saudi Press: Ministry of Health Intensifies Efforts to Combat Coronavirus SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas.
• Kingdom's government decides to suspend attendance at workplaces in all government agencies for period of (16) days except for health, security, military and electronic security center SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- An official source at the Ministry of Interior stated that in continuation of the preventive and precautionary measures recommended by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; as part of its determined efforts to control the Novel Coronavirus (Covid 19);

Taiwan

• Taiwan adds 43 countries to travel quarantine list CNA 16 Mar 2020 -- Taiwan on Monday issued its highest Level 3 travel warning for 43 countries and regions in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Northern Africa, effective Tuesday, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Taiwan reports 8 new imported COVID-19 cases, bringing total to 67 CNA 16 Mar 2020 -- Eight new cases of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 have been confirmed in Taiwan, all of which are believed to have been imported, bringing the total number in the country to 67, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Monday.
• Students, teachers barred from overseas travel under Cabinet decision CNA 16 Mar 2020 -- Students and teachers at senior and junior high schools as well as elementary schools around Taiwan will all be prohibited from overseas travel until the end of the current semester, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Monday, citing a Cabinet decision.
• How Taiwan has been able to keep COVID-19 at bay CNA 16 Mar 2020 -- In January, when the world started taking notice of COVID-19, a new coronavirus disease that was rapidly spreading from the Chinese city of Wuhan, researchers at John Hopkins University predicted that Taiwan would be one of the hardest-hit countries.

North Korea

• Teachers Face Hardship in North Korea as COVID-19 Halts Private Classes Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in North Korea are clamping down on private tutoring and banning school teachers from working on the side due to coronavirus concerns, in a major blow to many educators who supplement their low salaries with private students, sources in the country say.

UAE

• 12 new COVID-19 cases in UAE: Ministry of Health and Prevention SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, has announced the diagnosis of 12 new coronavirus, COVID-19, cases in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
• Three more recoveries from coronavirus in UAE SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, of the United Arab Emirates has announced the full recovery of three additional individuals from the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, bringing the total number of recovered cases in the country to 26.

Bahrain

• Bahraini Ministry of Health announces 17 additional COVID-19 recoveries SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- Bahraini Ministry of Health has announced that 17 individuals have recovered from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, bringing the total number of confirmed recoveries to 77.
• Bahraini Ministry of Health announces the first death case infected with Coronavirus SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- Bahraini Ministry of Health has announced the death of a 65-year-old female Bahraini national who was suffering from underlying and chronic health problems, and was registered as an active case of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

South Afric

• South Africa: 'National State of Disaster,' President Says VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- South Africa has declared a "national state of disaster" because of COVID-19.
• South Africa Shuts Borders, Schools to Try to Slow COVID Spread VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- The rise of coronavirus cases in South Africa has prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce tough measures to try to slow the virus' spread. The respiratory illness, now a global pandemic, has infected more than 153,000 people worldwide since it was first reported in China at the end of 2019. Since South Africa reported its first case on March 5, the nation's burden has risen to at least 62 confirmed cases, with the World Health Organization classifying it a as a country with local transmission.

Other Countries

• Laos Shutters Small Checkpoints on Borders With Vietnam, Cambodia, Citing Coronavirus Spread Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2020 -- Laos is shuttering small checkpoints on its borders with Vietnam and Cambodia as part of a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus into the country, where authorities have yet to announce a positive case of the disease caused by the virus (COVID-19).
• Death toll at 5 as Australia battles COVID-19 outbreak with enhanced measures People's Daily 16 Mar 2020 -- A fifth person has died in Australia after contracting COVID-19, as the country initiated strict new measures to contain the spread of the virus.
• Coronavirus infections rise in Middle East Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- Since raising its head in central China late last year, the new coronavirus has come to affect 157 countries and territories.
• Coronavirus updates: China reports downfall, Europe sees outbreak rapidly growing Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- China has reported an overall drop in its new cases of coronavirus infections, while much of the rest of the world continues to report increasingly more cases, with governments taking stricter precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus.
• African nations step up measures to contain COVID-19 outbreak Press TV 16 Mar 2020 -- President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday said South African would close its borders from Wednesday to all foreigners from countries highly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
• 16 COVID-19 cases in Jordan SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- The National Epidemic Committee spokesperson, Nazir Obaidat said the 16th case infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) belongs to a Jordanian, who has was in contact with an infected case.
• Omani Health Ministry Reports Two Covid-19 Cases SPA 16 Mar 2020 -- Omani Ministry of Health has reported two new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Somalia Confirms First Case of Coronavirus VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- Somalia's government confirmed the country's first case of coronavirus on Monday.
• Haiti Closes Border with Dominican Republic, Suspends Most Flights VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- Haiti will close its border with the Dominican Republic as of midnight on Monday, Prime Minister Jouthe Joseph announced Sunday.
• Tanzania Confirms First Case of Coronavirus VOA 16 Mar 2020 -- At least 30 countries across Africa have now reported cases of coronavirus, including four that reported their first instances Monday – Benin, Liberia, Somalia and Tanzania.