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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 71 WHO 31 March 2020
• Millions of stateless people could be denied healthcare in virus outbreak, activists warn Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- Human rights campaigners have warned that millions of "invisible" stateless people around the world will be unable to access healthcare if they fall ill with COVID-19 because they have no nationality.
• COVID-19 May Drive Millions Into Poverty as 'Financial Stress' Could Spill Beyond 2020 - World Bank Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- A fresh report by the premiere international bank rolls out two scenarios that may unfold under specific conditions, depending on how well nations fulfil their pandemic containment measures - from self-isolation practices to state fiscal policies.
• Up Your Nose: Why Testing Is So Crucial For Curbing The Spread Of COVID-19 RFE/RL 31 Mar 2020 -- The key to curtailing the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the globe might well be a 15-centimeter-long stick, made of plastic or wood, with a small cotton bud on the end.
• UN Creates COVID Trust Fund to Assist Poorer Countries VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- The United Nations is establishing a trust fund to support low- and middle-income countries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic and recovering from its socio-economic shock.
• UN launches COVID-19 plan that could 'defeat the virus and build a better world' UN News 31 Mar 2020 -- The UN chief launched on Tuesday a new plan to counter the potentially devasting socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling on everyone to "act together to lessen the blow to people".
• WHO: Countries Must Take Steps to 'Push Down' Coronavirus VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- Despite vast improvements in countries such as China and South Korea, the World Health Organization said Tuesday the coronavirus outbreak is "far from over" in that region.

United States

• President Donald J. Trump Approves Montana Disaster Declaration The White House 31 Mar 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Ohio Disaster Declaration The White House 31 Mar 2020
• The U.S. Role in International Organizations' Response to COVID-19 US Dept. of State 31 Mar 2020 -- The United States is by far the most generous and reliable contributor to crisis response and humanitarian action through the United Nations and dozens of international organizations. U.S. assistance, monetary and in-kind contributions, expertise and technology, are indispensable to the effort to combat COVID-19.
• Transcom Looks for Ways to Safely Move COVID-19 Patients DoD News 31 Mar 2020 -- Last week, U.S. Transportation Command was responsible for moving a patient with COVID-19 from Djibouti, Africa, to Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment. Moving a contagious patient isn't easy, Transcom's commander said, but efforts are underway to make it safer.
• DOD Mounts Multifaceted Response to COVID-19 Pandemic DoD News 31 Mar 2020 -- The Defense Department is rapidly ramping up its efforts to fight COVID-19 and assist federal, state and local governments in their efforts.
• Logisticians Make COVID-19 Fight Possible DoD News 31 Mar 2020 -- Joint Staff logisticians are working around the clock to help civilian authorities deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
• 'Sailors Do Not Need to Die': US Navy Captain Pleads for Help as COVID-19 Consumes Carrier Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- As the COVID-19 outbreak onboard the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt gets worse, its captain has penned a pleading letter to the Navy for enough resources to isolate his entire crew.
• US Withdraws Troops Stationed Abroad as 97 Bases, 1,000 Servicemen Infected With COVID-19 - Report Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- According to the latest official data, some 1,087 US troops have contracted the novel coronavirus, but the Pentagon recently said that it would allow commanders to withhold information about new infection cases. The move was justified as necessary in order to prevent American adversaries from potentially exploiting this knowledge.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 31 Mar 2020 -- In an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 and to prioritize the health and safety of Department of the Air Force personnel, the following modifications have been made:
• COVID-19 Data Reporting Guidance DoD 31 Mar 2020
• USTRANSCOM Commander Gen. Lyons Holds a Press Briefing on Support for the Nation's COVID-19 Response Efforts DoD 31 Mar 2020 -- General Stephen R. Lyons, commander, U.S. Transportation Command
• Joint Staff Ops Official Breaks Down DOD Aid to Fight Coronavirus DoD News 31 Mar 2020 -- The Defense Department is going all out to support civilian agencies confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, the vice director of operations for the Joint Staff said.
• COVID-19 death toll in U.S. tops 3,000: Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- The death toll from COVID-19 in the United States has topped 3,000, according to the latest tally from Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE).
• U.S. has over 160,000 COVID-19 cases - Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- The United States has reported more than 160,000 COVID-19 cases, according to the latest tally from Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE).
• Red tape cripples America's coronavirus response: US media Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- Red tape, together with insufficient medical supplies has caused the United States to fall behind on coronavirus testing, the New York Post and CNBC said.
• US coronavirus death toll rises past 3,000 on deadliest day Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- The US death toll from the coronavirus pandemic climbed past 3,000 on Monday, the deadliest day yet in the country's mounting crisis, while New York cheered the arrival of a gleaming 1,000-bed US Navy hospital ship as a sign of hope in the city's desperate fight.
• Trump: Social Distancing Could Save 1 Million Lives VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said the one-month extension of social distancing guidelines he has ordered could save 1 million lives in the country.
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces New Hospital Network Central Coordinating Team New York State 31 Mar 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 31 Mar 2020

Europe

• Italy's COVID-19 cases top 100,000, record high in recoveries People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic has so far claimed 11,591 lives in locked-down Italy, as the cumulative number of cases reached 101,739, according to new data released on Monday evening by the Civil Protection Department, managing the national emergency response.
• London rushes medical supplies to occupied Malvinas Islands in anticipation of coronavirus outbreak Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- The UK is rushing military medics and specialist kit to the occupied Malvinas Islands (which the British call Falkland Islands) in a desperate bid to contain a potentially nasty outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
• Romania's 'Lombardy': How A Small Romanian Region Got So Badly Infected By The Coronavirus RFE/RL 31 Mar 2020 -- When Romanian President Klaus Iohannis visited St. John the New hospital in the northern city of Suceava in October, he praised it as a shining example for the country's patchy health-care system.
• Coronavirus Cases in Czech Top 3000 SPA 31 Mar 2020 -- The Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic reported 184 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Spain Announces Record-High Daily Death Toll From Coronavirus, as 849 Die Over 24 Hours Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- Madrid previously introduced strict quarantine measures, with the country occupying third place in the world in terms of the number of infected (almost 94,000) after the US and Italy and second in the number of fatalities (8,189 cases after the latest updates).
• EU Warns Against Using Pandemic To Undermine Democracy RFE/RL 31 Mar 2020 -- In a thinly veiled warning to right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister VIktor Orban, the European Union's executive said on March 31 that emergency measures adopted by member states to fight the coronavirus crisis cannot undercut democracy.

China

• Schools in Xinjiang Reopen Despite Ongoing Threat of Coronavirus Infection Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2020 -- Schools in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have reopened despite the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, according to sources in the region, raising concerns that authorities looking to bolster their reputations as having effectively stemmed the outbreak are putting lives at stake.
• Wuhan Awaits Lockdown Amid Concerns Over Asymptomatic Cases Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan were getting ready to ease restrictions on its 11 million residents this week, with national health adviser Li Lanjuan claiming that the coronavirus has basically been brought under control after two-and-a-half months of lockdown.
• Chinese medical supplies' 'quality concerns' overblown Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- As China mounted a nationwide effort to produce desperately needed medical supplies, concerns over the quality of some Chinese-made equipment have been raised, and some foreign media outlets and politicians have even attempted to hype up recent incidents to smear China's manufacturing sector and its intention to help other countries.
• China to report asymptomatic patients daily starting Wednesday Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- Starting from April 1, Chinese health authorities will publish the details of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients every day, amid public concerns that these patients may cause further infections.
• Spread of COVID-19 has been contained in China: health director Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- China announced Tuesday it has basically blocked the spread of the novel coronavirus within the country, with the city Wuhan as the main battlefield, reaching a significant milestone in prevention and control of the epidemic.
• Beijing ready to welcome more domestic returnees with comprehensive local efforts Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- Facing the pressure of imported cases from overseas and domestic arrivals, the local community is managing all returnees in a strict and humane manner, as well as applying technologies to ensure smooth home isolation.
• Local COVID-19 transmission with Wuhan as the main battlefield has been curbed: central govt's anti-epidemic leading group Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- By March 31, more than 63,000 COVID-19 patients in Central China's Hubei Province have recovered and been discharged from hospital, with a recovery rate of over 93%: central government's anti-epidemic leading group
• Hong Kong's various sectors facing unprecedented hit due to COVID-19: HKSAR chief executive People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that many sectors in Hong Kong are facing an unprecedented strike due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the retail sector, which has seen the biggest decline on record.
• HKSAR chief executive reiterates zero tolerance of quarantine breaches People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam reiterated on Tuesday zero tolerance of contraventions of the compulsory quarantine orders on inbound travelers, urging members of the public for self-discipline and cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.
• Shanghai reports 11 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- Shanghai reported 11 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from overseas on Monday, the municipal health commission said Tuesday.
• China faces mounting pressure of imported COVID-19 cases: official People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- China must shore up its preventive measures against the imported cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as cases are soaring overseas, a health official said Monday.
• China to strengthen prevention, control of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- The leading group of China's COVID-19 response on Monday stressed the control of cases of infections that show no symptoms.
• China's Zhejiang tightens control on asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- East China's Zhejiang Province will step up efforts in reducing the risk of asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19, with all people tested positive without showing any symptoms treated in strict accordance with the requirements for confirmed cases.
• Wuhan closes COVID-19 hospital for critical patients People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- A hospital designated for treating critically ill COVID-19 patients in Wuhan was closed Monday as the number of hospitalized patients keeps falling in the city.
• China's senior political advisors meet on COVID-19 response People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- The chairman and vice chairpersons of China's top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on Monday held a meeting on the COVID-19 prevention and control work.
• China's Wuhan reports zero increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported Monday in Wuhan, the hardest-hit city in central China's Hubei Province.
• Chinese mainland reports 48 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported 48 new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Monday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 771, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.
• 282 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital on Chinese mainland People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- A total of 282 patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from the hospital Monday on the Chinese mainland, according to the National Health Commission.
• Chinese mainland reports zero increase in domestic COVID-19 cases People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Tuesday that no new domestically transmitted cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported on the Chinese mainland on Monday.
• China to strengthen prevention, control of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- The leading group of China's COVID-19 response on Monday stressed the control of cases of infections that show no symptoms.
• China shares achievements, experience with world in fight against COVID-19 People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- China has been cooperating and holding in-depth communication with the international community on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and shared with the world its scientific research data, technological achievements, and epidemic prevention and control strategies, a Chinese official said on March 26, Science and Technology Daily reported Monday.
• China Set to Release Data on Symptom-Free Coronavirus Cases - Reports Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- The new coronavirus was first detected in China and has infected 81,518 people in the nation since December 2019. The country is now moving towards easing the restrictions imposed to contain COVID-19 as the number of those who have recovered has reached 76,052, giving hope for a decline of the infection.
• China Not Tracking Recovered Coronavirus Patients Who Test Positive Again VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- After testing negative twice in a row, a coronavirus patient in Wuhan – the former epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak – was discharged recently from one of China's mobile hospital units.
• China pledges stronger macro policies to offset economic impact of COVID-19 People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- To lower lending costs and offset the economic shock of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, China's central bank on Monday pumped liquidity into the market through seven-day reverse repos while cutting its interest rate by 20 basis points.
• Chinese FM calls for adherence to multilateralism, solidarity in fight against COVID-19 People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday spoke with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, with the two sides vowing to uphold multilateralism in the joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russia

• Russian Upper House OKs Bill on Up to 5 Years of Imprisonment for COVID-19 Disinformation Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- The Russian upper house, the Federation Council, approved on Tuesday a bill that makes the dissemination of fake information about the coronavirus a crime punishable with up to five years of imprisonment.
• Kremlin Slams Talk of Russian Health Care System Failing in Situation With Coronavirus Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- Current Oil Prices Disadvantage Both Russia, US

India

• Indian Railways to Turn 20,000 Coaches Into Isolation Wards Capable of Holding 320,000 COVID Cases Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- Earlier this week, amid a national lockdown, coronavirus cases crossed the 1,000-infected threshold in India. Some analysts view the exodus of migrant workers back to their hometowns, the untended slums, and a population with little awareness of the disease as a ticking time bomb that could cause a literal virus explosion.
• India lockdown triggers migrant worker exodus, fear of viral spread Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- India is witnessing large-scale migration flows after businesses were shut down in cities amid a nationwide coronavirus lockdown, with experts believing a situation that is most conducive to the spread of COVID-19 is taking shape in the country.
• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 31 Mar 2020 -- The prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the country are being monitored at the highest level and various actions have been initiated in collaboration with the States. Hon'ble Prime Minister is regularly monitoring and reviewing the situation with top officials of the concerned Ministries/Departments and States/UTs.
• Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews the sampling and testing strategy for COVID 19 India PIB 31 Mar 2020 -- Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare held a meeting with senior officials of ICMR, Department of Science & Technology, Bio-technology and CSIR to review the sampling and testing strategy for COVID-19, here yesterday. There was an elaborate discussion on the issues like procurement of reagents, website integration, data management and analysis, dashboards, research studies both planned and done so far etc.
• India's success key to global fight against Corona virus, says Vice President India PIB 31 Mar 2020 -- Vice-President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu has lauded the efforts of the central and State governments and the resolve, response and cooperation of the people leading to successful implementation of the first week of the nationwide lockdown announced to contain the spread of Corona virus in the country with a population of 130 crore.

Iran

• Rouhani hails public compliance with social distancing measures in virus fight Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani has expressed his gratitude to the Iranian nation for their cooperation with a crisis task force set up to manage the nationwide battle against the coronavirus pandemic, saying public support has played a key role in the government's plans to fight and curtail the outbreak.
• Official: Figures of coronavirus show fall from peak in some provinces, mild growth in other areas IRNA 31 Mar 2020 -- Deputy Minister of Health and Medical Education, Ghasem Janbabaei said on Tuesday that hospital statistics show that peak of corona disease has passed in some provinces, but, there is mild growth of coronavirus cases in other provinces.
• Official: 14,656 COVID19-infected patients recovered in Iran IRNA 31 Mar 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Tuesday that 14,656 people out of a total of 44,606 infected by the coronavirus have survived while 2,898 have unfortunately succumbed to death.
• Germany confirms first INSTEX transaction IRNA 31 Mar 2020 -- The Federal Foreign Office of Germany in a tweet confirmed the first transaction with Iran through the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) on Tuesday.
• European States Send Medical Goods to Iran in First INSTEX Transaction Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- The INSTEX trading mechanism was previously created by European countries to bypass unilateral restrictions, imposed against the Islamic Republic by Washington, as the US threatened to hit those trading with Tehran via secondary sanctions. Iran, however, has repeatedly criticised INSTEX for not functioning properly.
• Iran Gets Medical Aid Through US Sanctions Workaround VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- Germany, Britain and France have facilitated exports of medical goods to Iran in the first use of a mechanism designed to get around U.S. sanctions, Germany said Tuesday.
• Europe sends medical supplies to Iran in first INSTEX transaction: Germany Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- Germany says the three European signatories to the 2015 Iran deal have registered the first transaction under a trade system set up last year to protect companies doing business with Iran from US sanctions, delivering medical supplies to the Islamic Republic amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Taiwan

• Taiwan confirms 16 new COVID-19 cases, 14 imported CNA 31 Mar 2020 -- Taiwan on Tuesday reported 16 new cases of COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 322, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan further expands screening to curb COVID-19 pandemic CNA 31 Mar 2020 -- Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Tuesday announced that it will expand the scope of COVID-19 coronavirus screening tests to all patients with pneumonia and those who have lost their sense of smell or taste, effective immediately.
• Taiwan's surgical mask output hits 13 million per day CNA 31 Mar 2020 -- Taiwan's daily surgical mask output has hit 13 million, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced Tuesday.
• Taiwan's hospitals help allies control COVID-19 spread CNA 31 Mar 2020 -- Several hospitals in Taiwan have responded to the government's efforts to demonstrate "Taiwan can help" by showing allies how to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.
• Taiwan issues social distancing guidelines CNA 31 Mar 2020 -- The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Tuesday recommended that people in Taiwan stay at least one meter apart outdoors and 1.5 meters apart indoors to help contain the COVID-19 outbreak that has spread across the world.
• Taiwan's COVID-19 response could reach NT$1 trillion: premier CNA 31 Mar 2020 -- The Taiwan government's response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic could reach as much as NT$1 trillion (US$33 billion), Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) told a legislative hearing on Tuesday.
• Rail, inter-city bus travelers required to wear masks from April 1 CNA 31 Mar 2020 -- All members of the public must wear masks on trains and inter-city buses from April 1, Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Tuesday.
• Taiwan urges WHO to review restrictions on its participation CNA 31 Mar 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to review what it described as the WHO's "unfair restrictions" on Taiwan at a time when the world is struggling with the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Syria

• HRW: Ankara Denying Water to Syrian Kurds as Coronavirus Escalates VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- Turkey is being accused of "weaponizing" water against Syrian Kurds amid the coronavirus epidemic. Ankara is dismissing the accusation, however, as a "smear campaign."
• WHO Working Closely With Turkey to Protect Northwestern Syria From COVID-19 - Official Sputnik 31 Mar 2020 -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating closely with Turkey, including processing samples in Turkish laboratories to prevent COVID-19 from spreading into northwestern Syria, the head of the WHO's operation in northwestern Syria has said in an interview.
• Syria UN envoy calls for lifting of sanctions amid COVID-19 outbreak Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- Syria's Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar al-Ja'afari has called upon the international community to work on lifting illegal economic sanctions and coercive measures imposed on his war-ravaged country and other states as the world is battling to rein in a deadly coronavirus pandemic.
• China to UN: Unilateral Syria sanctions must be lifted amid pandemic Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- China has called for the complete and immediate lifting of unilateral sanctions against Syria, saying the "coercive measures" will hamper the war-ravaged country's efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Other Countries

• COVID-19: Russian Duma OKs State-Of-Emergency Bill; Armenia Extends Lockdown RFE/RL 31 Mar 2020 -- The global death toll has surpassed 40,000 with over 825,000 infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Corona updates: World fighting off lethal virus; Italy, US worst hotspots Press TV 31 Mar 2020 -- Italy, the world's worst hotspot for the new coronavirus after the United States, has reported a decline in the number of its new cases.
• Japan to include U.S. in foreign entry ban to curb imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- Japan plans to extend its ban on foreign entrants to cover those who have recently been to the United States, China and South Korea and most parts of Europe in bid to curb the import and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, state sources said on Monday.
• Netanyahu tests negative for coronavirus after his aide's infection People's Daily 31 Mar 2020 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was tested negative for the novel coronavirus, his office said on Monday, after one of his aides has contracted the virus.
• Concern at Low COVID-19 Awareness in Myanmar's Rakhine Under Internet Blackout Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2020 -- Residents of Myanmar's war-torn Rakhine state are conducting business as usual and holding gatherings in public, deprived by an internet blackout of information about how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, residents and local lawmakers said Tuesday.
• In Turkmenistan, Whatever You Do, Don't Mention The Coronavirus RFE/RL 31 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in Turkmenistan have yet to admit there are any cases of the coronavirus in the country. Now, officials are making sure the word doesn't appear in print or casual conversations either.
• COVID-19 Follow-up Committee Holds Meeting SPA 31 Mar 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 41st meeting today.
• Oman: 13 More Catch COVID-19 SPA 31 Mar 2020 -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced today the registration of (13) new positive cases with Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Sultanate of Oman.
• Malaysia: 140 New Cases of Novel Coronavirus, 6 Deaths SPA 31 Mar 2020 -- Malaysia reported today 140 new coronavirus cases, 6 deaths.
• Tanzania confirms its first coronavirus death, health minister says SPA 31 Mar 2020 -- Tanzania confirmed its first coronavirus death on Tuesday, health minister Ummy Mwalimu said in a statement, according to Reuters.
• Coronavirus poses latest threat to battered health system in DR Congo UN News 31 Mar 2020 -- The looming threat of the new coronavirus disease COVID-19 is just the latest challenge to the beleaguered health care system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is struggling with deadly measles and cholera epidemics that have killed thousands of children over the past year, the UN children's fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
• Pakistan Railway Converts Train Cars Into COVID-19 Isolation Units VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- With train service suspended in the country, Pakistan railway officials have begun converting air-conditioned sleeper and business class cars into medical wards for COVID-19 virus patients.
• Vietnam Orders National Isolation After Initial Containment of Coronavirus VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- Vietnam has announced a national lockdown to fight COVID-19, with nearly 100 million people ordered not to go outside except for food and medical needs, the most extreme measure taken yet after the nation had early success in limiting its first wave of infections.
• Mexico Declares Month-long Health Emergency VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- Mexico has declared a month-long health emergency, with new restrictions on the size of gatherings, to contain the surging coronavirus that already exceeds 1,000 cases, with 28 deaths.
• Cubans Returning Home In Quarantine Over Coronavirus Concerns VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- Nearly 200 Cubans returning home from trips out of the country just began a two-week quarantine in government centers until medical authorities are sure clear they have no signs of coronavirus.
• Colombian Rebels to Observe Ceasefire Amid Coronavirus Outbreak VOA 31 Mar 2020 -- Colombia's left-wing National Liberation Army rebel group says it will observe a month-long unilateral cease-fire beginning Wednesday.
• China Helps Laos With Medical Equipment as Coronavirus Wave Begins Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2020 -- China on Tuesday donated truckloads of medical supplies to Laos, where hospitals struggled with shortages of gear, while Vietnam imposed social distancing polices and moved to relax restrictions on rice exports it had earlier made to ensure food security during COVID-19 the crisis.
• Tibetans Cautious as Virus Restrictions Ease in Some Areas Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2020 -- A lift of restrictions blocking the spread of COVID-19 in Tibetan areas of China is bringing more people out into the streets, but is raising concerns that the worst of the pandemic may not yet be over, Tibetan sources say.
• UN appeals to all Somalis to 'come together' in fight against COVID-19 pandemic UN News 31 Mar 2020 -- Like most countries in the world, Somalia is facing the unparalleled challenge of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the United Nations system in the country noted on Tuesday, calling on its citizens to "unite" in stemming the spread.
• Economic sanctions should be lifted to prevent hunger crises in countries hit by COVID-19 – UN rights expert UN News 31 Mar 2020 -- As the world exhibits new bonds of solidarity in response to the coronavirus pandemic, it is a matter of "humanitarian and practical urgency to lift unilateral economic sanctions immediately," to prevent hunger crises in pandemic-hit countries, a UN human rights expert, said on Tuesday.