Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 89 WHO 18 Apr 2020
• What's A 'Reagent' And Why Is It Delaying Expanded Coronavirus Testing? RFE/RL 18 Apr 2020 -- They're the tip of the testing spear in the fight against the coronavirus.
• Global COVID-19 cases surpass 2.2 mln: Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Global confirmed COVID-19 cases topped 2.2 million on Friday afternoon, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• Global COVID-19 deaths top 150,000, int'l coordinated response intensifying People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Global COVID-19 deaths surpassed 150,000 with over 2.2 million infections on Friday as international institutions are intensifying their collective efforts on battling the pandemic.

United States

• Remarks by President Trump and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing The White House 18 Apr 2020
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Calls for Federal Coordination of Supply Chain to Bring Testing to Scale New York State 18 Apr 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 18 Apr 2020
• Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Provides Update to Department Stop-Move Policy DoD 18 Apr 2020 -- Matthew P. Donovan, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
• Are US Businesses Ready to Reopen as Coronavirus Still Looms? VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- The White House has announced a three-phase plan for restarting the U.S. economy, but experts said the continuing lack of vital public health tools to fight COVID-19 means it's risky to even move to phase one.
• COVID-19 deaths outpace funerals in New York City Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- Coronavirus deaths in New York City have outpaced the number of funerals held there, according to a recent report in US media.
• New York governor hits back at Trump over disparaging comments Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has hit back at a series of presidential tweets accusing him of dramatizing the coronavirus pandemic and not being appreciative of the president's efforts in providing help.
• Coronavirus is far more widespread in US than previously thought: Study Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- The number of people infected with the coronavirus in the US, which has suffered the greatest number of reported COVID-19 fatalities, is far higher than previously thought, according to a new study.
• White House COVID-19 Taskforce Claims Testing Capacity Sufficient for First Phase of Ending Lockdown Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- On 16 April President Donald Trump unveiled federal guidelines that would govern the gradual easing of social distancing measures in some parts of the country. But some governors and public health officials have slammed the plan for lacking a widespread testing component.

China

• EU Conservatives Call For Investigation into China's Handling of COVID-19 Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- Across the Western world and beyond, voices continue to grow louder calling for an investigation into whether China's early handling of the Coronavirus outbreak contributed to the current pandemic.
• US May 'Hold China Accountable' After Investigation Into COVID-19 Outbreak Source Completed – Report Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- While analysts are now striving to create "an accurate picture of what happened" during the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, it appears that US officials and the intelligence community have ruled out the possibility of the pathogen being man-made.
• France rejects US anti-China claim of COVID-19 link to Wuhan lab Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- The French government has rejected as unfounded the recent US allegations linking a Chinese research laboratory in the city of Wuhan to the new coronavirus.
• Xi chairs leadership meeting on regular epidemic control, economic work People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday chaired a leadership meeting on regular COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control measures.
• China's COVID-19 death toll revision to 'leave no case undocumented:' WHO Global Times 18 Apr 2020 -- Friday China's rectified COVID-19 death toll is "to leave no case undocumented," adding that since the systems of many countries are overwhelmed, they would also need to amend the data.
• Only through solidarity can world beat COVID-19: Chinese FM Global Times 18 Apr 2020 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday said only through solidarity can the international community win the battle against COVID-19.
• Chinese medical team arrives in Malaysia, expected to share experience over two weeks Global Times 18 Apr 2020 -- At the invitation of the Malaysian government, the Chinese government dispatched a medical team to aid Malaysia's battle against the coronavirus. The team arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday with the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia and officials from the Malaysian health ministry welcoming them at the airport.
• Shanghai reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Shanghai's municipal health commission said Saturday that no domestic cases and imported cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in the municipality on Friday.
• Chinese mainland reports 27 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Saturday that it received reports of 27 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland Friday, of which 17 were imported.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Friday, local health authority said Saturday.
• Chinese mainland reports 17 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported 17 new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Friday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,566, the National Health Commission said Saturday.
• Chinese mainland reports 27 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Saturday that it received reports of 27 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland Friday, of which 17 were imported.
• 18 held accountable for poor COVID-19 response in China's Heilongjiang People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Authorities in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Friday held 18 people accountable for their insufficient response to the local prevention and control of COVID-19.
• Factbox: China's fight against novel coronavirus outbreak People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Here are the latest developments on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China:
• Xi honors military personnel fighting COVID-19 People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People's Republic of China, has signed an order of commendation to honor all the military personnel undertaking the mission of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.
• China urges U.S. to stop politicizing COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 18 Apr 2020 -- The United States should stop politicizing the COVID-19 pandemic and focus on defeating the virus and boosting the economy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Friday.

Europe

• Europe's COVID-19 Death Toll Possibly Much Higher than Official Tally - Reports Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- Earlier reports suggested thousands of people have died in care homes across Britain, France, Italy and Spain - Europe's worst hit countries - with critics pointing to the number of deaths outside hospitals that are not included in official tallies.
• Germany's coronavirus cases rise by 3,609 to 137,439 - RKI SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 3,609 to 137,439, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Saturday, marking a fourth straight day of a spike in new infections.
• Germany Staggers World With Low COVID-19 Death Rate VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- While countries around the world struggle with a lack of hospital beds and equipment for coronavirus patients, German cities such as Bremen have taken in patients from neighboring countries.
• UK Expert Says Unreliable Antibody Tests Could Risk Further COVID-19 Infections Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- Widely held hopes that antibody tests could rescue the UK from its COVID-19 lockdown have been thrown into doubt after experts questioned the reliability of such tests.
• WHO Says UK Coronavirus Testing Plan To Trace Formerly Infected Not Based on Evidence Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- The United Kingdom's approach to coronavirus testing has shifted drastically from allowing the virus to spread largely unrestricted, in direct conflict with international guidelines, to pursuing mass testing of the population for antibodies supposedly present in those who have previously had the disease.

Russia

• Russia says its coronavirus death toll rises to 313 SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- Russia said on Saturday its death toll from the novel coronavirus had risen to 313, an overnight increase of 40, as it posted a new record daily jump in new cases.

India

• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 18 Apr 2020
• 21 Indian Navy personnel test positive for COVID-19 Global Times 18 Apr 2020 -- As many as 21 Indian Navy (IN) personnel at "INS Angre", a shore establishment at Mumbai city in southwestern state of Maharashtra, have tested positive for novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), confirmed a senior IN official in New Delhi to Xinhua on Saturday.
• Indian Navy Continues to be Mission Deployed and Combat Ready India PIB 18 Apr 2020 -- The twenty six sailors who were placed in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 at Mumbai, belong to INS Angre, a shore establishment. There has so far not been a single case of Covid-19 onboard any ship, submarine or air station of the Indian Navy.
• Defence PSUs, OFB ramp up their resources to fight COVID-19 pandemic India PIB 18 Apr 2020 -- Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) have played their part in assisting civilian administration in fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
• Indian Navy Traces Possible Contacts as 21 Sailors Test Positive for COVID-19 Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- The Indian Army has announced a total of eight positive cases of coronavirus so far, General M. M. Naravane confirmed yesterday. However, the Indian Navy reported that almost two dozen servicemen had been infected.

Pakistan

• US Pledges New Financial Aid to Help Pakistan Fight Virus VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- The United States announced Friday several new programs worth more than $8 million to assist Pakistan in stemming the spread of coronavirus nationwide and to care for afflicted people.

Iran

• Iran Administration Solicited Furlough For Imprisoned Dual-Citizens, Political Prisoners Radio Farda 18 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary Spokesman on Friday said the administration of President Hassan Rouhani had appealed to the Judiciary to grant furlough to imprisoned dual-citizens and political prisoners to protect them from coronavirus infection in prison.
• Iran's Capital Remains Epicenter Of COVID-19 Outbreak As Businesses Re-open Radio Farda 18 Apr 2020 -- Alireza Zali, the official in charge of the task force to fight coronavirus in Tehran says one third of COVID-19 fatalities and infections in Iran is taking place in the capital.
• Iran's Health Minister Defends 'Scientific Management' Of Coronavirus Radio Farda 18 Apr 2020 -- Defending his performance in the coronavirus crisis Iran's Health Minister Saeed Namaki has praised the "management pattern" of the disease in the country as "unique" and "unmatched" in the world.
• COVID-19 kills 73 more in Iran: Official IRNA 18 Apr 2020 -- The head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office said on Saturday that 73 other COVID-19 patients have lost their lives in Iran over the past 24 hours hence the country's total death toll reached 5,031.
• Health ministry receives budget to fight coronavirus IRNA 18 Apr 2020 -- A high-ranking official of Iran's Ministry of Health said on Saturday that the Planning and Budget Organization has provided the Ministry of Health with 3050 billion tomans to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
• Rouhani orders to prepare for middle-risk activities to resume IRNA 18 Apr 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday ordered Health Ministry to determine conditions for middle-risk activities to resume.
• Iran unveils six anti-COVID19 products IRNA 18 Apr 2020 -- The international complex of technology and innovation of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services unveiled six Iranian-made products for preventing and treating coronavirus.
• Coronavirus removes anti-terrorism mask off US sanctions' face: Gov't spox IRNA 18 Apr 2020 -- Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Saturday that coronavirus pandemic disclosed the reality of the US sanctions and removed the anti-terrorism mask off its face.
• Iran unveils 6 high-tech products in anti-coronavirus field Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- The Iranian administration has unveiled six products in the field of diagnosing, screening and combating the new coronavirus, as the country's officials press on with containment measures to handle the epidemiological crisis.

Japan

• Confirmed Japan coronavirus cases hit 10,000 - NHK SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Japan rose to 10,000 on Saturday, NHK public broadcaster said, just days after a state of emergency was extended to the entire nation in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.

Saudi Arabia

• Coronavirus' Developments Follow up Committee Confirms Continuation of Proactive Mopping to early Detect Infected Cases SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- Coronavirus' Developments Follow up Committee held its 59th meeting here today, presided by the Minister of Health Taufiq bin Fozan Al-Rabia'h.
• Saudi Arabia Reports Highest Daily Increase in Coronavirus Cases - Health Ministry Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- Saudi Arabia has registered a record high number of coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours - over 1,000 people, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to over 8,200 the Health Ministry said.
• Coronavirus infections among Saudi royals 'exceedingly surpassed' previous figures Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- A Saudi whistleblower has said that the number of Saudi royals infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) has "exceedingly surpassed" figures previously revealed by a New York Times report.

Taiwan

• Taiwan Quarantines More Than 700 Navy Personnel After Three Sailors Contract COVID-19 Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- More than 700 Taiwanese Navy sailors have been quarantined after three individuals who took part in a recent operation tested positive for COVID-19, Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung said at a press conference on Saturday.
• Military chief in 'self-health management' after COVID-19 cases CNA 18 Apr 2020 -- Chief of the General Staff Huang Shu-kuang (黃曙光) will be required to manage his health after three cadets were confirmed Saturday with COVID-19 after returning from a mission to Palau, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
• Taiwan confirms 3 new cases of COVID-19, in military: CECC CNA 18 Apr 2020 -- Three new cases of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were confirmed in Taiwan on Saturday, all of whom were naval cadets who had spent time on a military ship, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Most COVID-19 patients in Taiwan only experience light symptoms: CECC CNA 18 Apr 2020 -- Seven in 10 confirmed COVID-19 patients in Taiwan to date have only experienced light symptoms, and a slight majority of the infected have been female, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Saturday.
• New self-quarantine rules for returnees from Southeast Asia: CECC CNA 18 Apr 2020 -- Taiwanese citizens and foreign residents returning from Southeast Asia will soon be required to self-quarantine at designated hotels, depending on their home-living arrangements, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Saturday.
• Timeline: COVID-19 in Taiwan CNA 18 Apr 2020
• WHO praises Taiwan on COVID-19, but no change on participation issue CNA 18 Apr 2020 -- An official of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday openly praised Taiwan for its handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak but reiterated the agency's position on Taiwan's participation.

North Korea

• North Korean Lecturers Admit to COVID-19 Cases Despite Official Zero Toll - Reports Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- North Korean authorities have told citizens at public lectures that cases of COVID-19 infection have been detected in the country as early as March, Radio Free Asia reported citing anonymous sources.
• Experts: Pyongyang's Anti-Virus Measures Put Stability Over Public Health VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- Experts fear North Korea could be using its tough anti-virus measures to gain tighter centralized control over its people by prioritizing regime stability over public health.
• Construction of General Hospital Progresses Apace in Pyongyang KCNA 18 Apr 2020 -- The construction of the Pyongyang General Hospital is progressing apace in the DPRK.

Other Countries

• Rise in Bahrain's coronavirus infection cases causes serious alarm Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- Reports that Bahrain is witnessing straight days of increased infections with the highly contagious novel coronavirus have concerned international organizations over the inaction of the ruling Al Khalifah regime to take proper measures.
• UNHCR hails Iran's hosting of Afghan refugees, vows more assistance amid coronavirus Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- The representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Iran, Ivo Freijsen, has hailed as an "important achievement" the country's hosting of Afghan refugees for more than four decades, vowing to help the Islamic Republic protect Afghans amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.
• COVID-19: Baku Extends Restrictions; Afghan Presidential Staff Test Positive RFE/RL 18 Apr 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 156,000 with over 2.25 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Coronavirus Easter: Orthodox Churches Brace For Holy Holiday RFE/RL 18 Apr 2020 -- At midnight on April 18, bells throughout the cathedrals and sanctuaries of the Orthodox Christian world will toll, devout Christians will cross themselves and rush to kiss holy icons as priests chant "Christ has risen" and mark the beginning of the holiest day of the Orthodox calendar.
• Pandemic Restrictions Weigh Heavily On Orthodox Easter Celebrations RFE/RL 18 Apr 2020 -- Orthodox churches throughout Eastern Europe and Russia are prepared to celebrate Easter Sunday on April 19 amid coronavirus restrictions that will curtail ceremonies normally steeped in symbolism and tradition.
• Algeria Reports 116 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- Algeria has reported here today 116 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infections to 2534, including 367 deaths.
• Thailand reports 33 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- Thailand reports 33 new coronavirus infections, bringing the nation's total to 2,733 cases, a senior official said on Saturday.
• Philippines records 10 new coronavirus deaths, 209 more cases SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- The Philippines' health ministry on Saturday reported 10 new coronavirus deaths and 209 additional infections. In a bulletin, the health ministry said total infections have risen to 6,087, while deaths have reached 397.
• Africa COVID-19 Deaths Above 1,000 SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- Africa now has more than 1,000 deaths from COVID-19, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Saturday.
• Singapore reports 942 new COVID-19 cases in biggest daily jump, total reaches 5,992 SPA 18 Apr 2020 -- Singapore's health ministry confirmed 942 new coronavirus infections today, a new daily record, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the city-state to 5,992.
• Netanyahu Vows to Gradually Ease Lockdown As COVID-19 Spread Slows Down in Israel Sputnik 18 Apr 2020 -- In particular, the new guidelines put forward include re-opening some stores, including those selling electronics, and household goods; doing sports outdoors and praying in open spaces.
• 13 Nations Urge Global Cooperation to Reduce Pandemic's Economic Impact VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- A group of 13 countries called Saturday for global cooperation to reduce the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, as infections and fatalities continued to climb worldwide.
• Zimbabwe Marks Independence Anniversary Amid COVID-19 Lockdown VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- Zimbabwe on Saturday marked the 40th anniversary of its independence from Britain, but unlike years past, there were no celebrations. Zimbabwe is on lockdown and battling the spread of COVID-19 amid shortages of resources.
• Northeast Syria Reports First Confirmed Coronavirus Death, Braces for Outbreak VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- Authorities in northeastern Syria have confirmed the region's first death from the coronavirus, renewing fears the pandemic is about to make a devastating run through the war-torn region.
• Rise in Bahrain's coronavirus infection cases causes serious alarm Press TV 18 Apr 2020 -- Reports that Bahrain is witnessing straight days of increased infections with the highly contagious novel coronavirus have concerned international organizations over the inaction of the ruling Al Khalifah regime to take proper measures.
• COVID-19 Cases Top 1,000 in Crisis-Prone Cameroon VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- More than a thousand COVID cases have been confirmed in conflict-prone Cameroon, provoking fears that the situation may get out of hand if the virus spreads to refugee camps and areas where internally displaced persons from the country's separatist crisis and Boko Haram terrorism live. Rights groups are asking for humanitarian assistance, saying resources are already stretched tackling Boko Haram terrorism, separatist conflicts, the spillover of the carnage in neighboring CAR and now, COVID-19.
• Nazarbaev And Kazakhstan's Security Council Out Of Sight Amid Coronavirus Crisis RFE/RL 18 Apr 2020 -- Kazakh officials are working to guide the country through the health crisis caused by the coronavirus and the dramatic economic effects of a drastic drop in global prices for oil, the country's major export.
• Coronavirus, Conflict Threaten Millions Across West and Central Africa VOA 18 Apr 2020 -- The U.N. refugee agency warns millions of people across 21 countries in West and Central Africa are facing a potential humanitarian catastrophe because of armed conflict and the impact of coronavirus as the pandemic spreads throughout the region.