Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 99 WHO 28 Apr 2020
• 3mn infected with coronavirus as world torn between economic reopening & lockdowns Press TV 28 Apr 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide has now exceeded three million, while some countries are easing restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the disease caused by the new virus (COVID-19).
• COVID-19 far from over, number of cases under-reported in some countries, says WHO chief People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that the current COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and the accurate number of cases might be under-reported in some countries due to lack of testing capacity.
• Nearly half of global workforce at risk as job losses increase due to COVID-19: UN labour agency UN News 28 Apr 2020 -- Some 1.6 billion people employed in the informal economy – or nearly half the global workforce - could see their livelihoods destroyed due to the continued decline in working hours brought on by lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday.
• WHO chief warns COVID-19 still "extremely dangerous" amid ballooning caseload People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Monday that the virus remains "extremely dangerous," though countries are seeking to return to normal as social isolation measures have helped slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Global COVID-19 cases top 3 mln, U.S. economic outlook darkens People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- Global COVID-19 cases crossed the 3 million mark Monday, with nearly one-third of them in the United States as business economists' outlook about the country's economy got darkened.
• Protect workers during and after lockdowns, urges UN labour agency UN News 28 Apr 2020 -- Marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has urged States to take action to prevent and control COVID-19 in the workplace.
• COVID-19 could lead to millions of unintended pregnancies, new UN-backed data reveals UN News 28 Apr 2020 -- Ongoing lockdowns and major disruptions to health services during the COVID-19 pandemic could result in seven million unintended pregnancies in the coming months, according to data released on Tuesday by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners.
• UN leads bid to help 135 countries get vital COVID-19 medical kit, amid severe global shortages UN News 28 Apr 2020 -- A major UN-led initiative is under way to secure supplies of key medical equipment for 135 low to medium-income countries facing down the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
• COVID Link Suspected in Children's Inflammatory Disease VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Doctors in Britain, Italy, Portugal and Spain are exploring a possible link between a severe inflammatory disease in children and the coronavirus. A growing number of children of various ages in several European countries have been admitted to hospitals with high fever and heart issues. Some also have suffered from gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

United States

• Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Governor DeSantis of Florida The White House 28 Apr 2020
• Cuomo Outlines 12-Step Plan to Start New York's Reopening After COVID-19 Outbreak Sputnik 28 Apr 2020 -- New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday outlined a 12-step plan that will guide the state through regional reopening after the shutdown aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
• US COVID-19 Cases Top 1 Million VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- The number of U.S. coronavirus cases in the United States topped the 1 million mark Tuesday even as several states began taking small steps to reopen for business.
• New York's Reopening Plan: Go Cautiously, Be Smart VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- As New York state's coronavirus infection rate continues to decline, the governor announced Tuesday the creation of an advisory board to help bring businesses back online without causing a resurgence in cases.
• Fauci Expects 'Low Number' of New COVID-19 Cases if US Reopens Carefully VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday he expects COVID-19 cases to increase when the country reopens from its coronavirus lockdown.
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Outlines Additional Guidelines for Phased Plan to Re-Open New York New York State 28 Apr 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 28 Apr 2020
• Trump ignored repeated virus warnings in Jan. and Feb.: US media Press TV 28 Apr 2020 -- President Donald Trump was repeatedly warned about the dangers of the coronavirus in January and February but refused to take action, US media said.
• U.S. House panel launches inquiry into Trump's decision to halt WHO funding People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs launched an inquiry into the Trump administration's decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), committee chairman Eliot Engel said on Monday.
• Experts sound alarm for food shortage in US Press TV 28 Apr 2020 -- US meat producer warns "food supply chain is breaking" due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to multiple news outlets.
• Pentagon Reports Number of COVID-19 Cases Increase to 6,648 With 27 Deaths Sputnik 28 Apr 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the US armed forces, including family members, civilian staff and contractors, has exceeded 6,600 with a total of 27 deaths, the Department of Defence said on Thursday.
• Briefing With Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, Bureau of Medical Services; and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs On COVID-19 Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad US Dept. of State 28 Apr 2020
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 28 Apr 2020/li>
• Navy Provides Medical Care to Sailors of USS Kidd, Disinfects Ship NNS 28 Apr 2020 -- As part of the Navy's aggressive response to the COVID-19 outbreak on board the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100), the ship will arrive at Naval Base San Diego April 28 to provide medical care for its Sailors and to clean and disinfect the ship.

China

• China Holds Three Activists Linked to Censored Articles About Coronavirus Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2020 -- Authorities in the Chinese capital are holding three people in connection with the online storage of content censored by the ruling Chinese Communist Party, including posts and articles about the early days of the coronavirus epidemic, on a page hosted by the coding site GitHub.
• Navarro's coronavirus test kit accusation groundless: Chinese commerce ministry Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- White House adviser Peter Navarro's accusation about coronavirus test kits China sent to the US is groundless and extremely irresponsible, China's commerce ministry said on Tuesday.
• China slams US 'barefaced lies' over virus handling Press TV 28 Apr 2020 -- China has accused American politicians of telling "barefaced lies" in the time of the coronavirus pandemic, after US President Donald Trump threatened to seek damages from Beijing for the outbreak.
• China rejects Aussie 'economic coercion' claim Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed claims that China is using "economic coercion" against Australia after Australia called for an independent review into the origins and spread of COVID-19, which the Chinese Ambassador said could trigger Chinese public dissatisfaction.
• Shanghai blocks 2 million substandard masks from entering the market amid COVID-19 Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- Shanghai has blocked over two million fake and substandard-quality masks from entering the market amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, said local police.
• Beijing's SARS treatment hospital clears all COVID-19 cases Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- Xiaotangshan Hospital, which was previously used to quarantine SARS patients in Beijing, cleared all COVID-19 cases Tuesday and is scheduled to cease operation Wednesday.
• 430 silent carriers in Wuhan after lockdown removal, none turns into confirmed case Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- Officials with the Wuhan Health Commission said that since the lockdown restrictions were lifted on April 8, the city has reported 430 cases of asymptomatic infections, while none of them have turned into confirmed infections.
• Hong Kong to extend mandatory quarantine for inbound travelers from Chinese mainland for another month Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will extend mandatory quarantine for all inbound travelers from the Chinese mainland that will expire on May 7 for another one month to June 7 amid the COVID-19 epidemic.
• The end of May a vital point for pandemic development: Chinese top respiratory expert Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- When will the deadly COVID-19 pandemic reach an inflection point? Chinese top respiratory specialist Zhong Nanshan said that it depends on the pandemic situation outside China, especially in the US.
• Tibet stays alert on imported COVID-19 cases with closed ports and strict administration Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has been applying strict measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have reached the most remote areas in the country. The medical authority in China also has sent experts to Tibet to enhance border administration and avoid imported cases from neighbor countries.
• Wuhan doctors share COVID-19 experience with US counterparts to foster closer bond Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- As Wuhan recovers from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic thanks to efforts from medical personnel, the virus continues to wreak havoc in many parts of the world, especially in the US, which has reported the world's largest number of infections.
• Chinese firm's COVID-19 research data hacked Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- COVID-19 lab research data and coronavirus detecting source code from Chinese medical device maker Huiying Medical have been hacked, media reported on Tuesday. The hacker is selling the data for 4 bitcoins ($25,400).
• China-Europe freight trains ensure unimpeded transportation channel of medical supplies amid COVID-19 People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- China-Europe freight trains witnessed growth in both the number of trips made and cargo volume in the first quarter this year, serving as an effective logistics channel stabilizing international supply chain, facilitating international cooperation, and expediting the transportation of preventative materials amid COVID-19.
• Chinese mainland reports 3 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported three new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Monday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,639, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.
• Beijing's SARS treatment hospital clears all COVID-19 cases People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- As the last two patients with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged Tuesday morning, Xiaotangshan Hospital, which was previously used to quarantine SARS patients in Beijing, has cleared all existing COVID-19 cases.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Monday, the provincial health commission said Tuesday.
• PLA sends materials to help Lebanese military battle COVID-19 PLA Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- At the request of the Lebanese military and with the approval of the Central Military Commission, the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Tuesday sent COVID-19 prevention and control materials, including medical masks and protective gowns, to the Lebanese military.

Europe

• Italy registers 199,414 coronavirus infections, death toll at 26,977 Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic has claimed 26,977 lives in locked-down Italy, bringing the total number of infections, fatalities and recoveries so far to 199,414, according to the latest official tally released on Monday.
• Germans urged to stay home as coronavirus infection rate edges up SPA 28 Apr 2020 -- Germany's coronavirus infection rate has edged up from earlier this month and people should stay at home as much as they can despite a lockdown relaxation last week, the head of the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
• German Health Experts Urge Public to 'Stay Disciplined' VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Germany's disease control agency is urging the public to "stay disciplined" as data regarding the COVID pandemic in the nation remains mixed, even as the country begins to ease public restrictions.
• Austria to Ease Coronavirus Lockdown Friday VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Austrian officials announced Tuesday the nation will lift lockdown measures effective Friday, May 1, making it among the first European countries to do so.
• Greek Church Demands Government Ease Controls on Religious Services VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Ready or not, Greece is opening back up. But it is not happening all at once, as the government plans to lift coronavirus restrictions in phases, keeping a ban on religious services to contain new outbreaks of COVID. The plan has infuriated the Greek Orthodox Church and it is now demanding preference over businesses like hair and nail salons.

Russia

• Meeting with regional heads on countering the spread of the coronavirus President of Russia 28 Apr 2020 -- The President held a meeting, via videoconference, with heads of the Russian regions on countering the spread of the coronavirus infection.
• Russia sees record rise in coronavirus cases, deaths SPA 28 Apr 2020 -- Russia saw a record daily rise in new coronavirus cases and related deaths on Tuesday, its coronavirus crisis response centre said, according to Reuters.
• Putin Says Russia Facing Difficult Stage of Epidemic, Urges Self-Isolation Extension Until 11 May Sputnik 28 Apr 2020 -- The Russian president has called for enhanced self-discipline in the run-up to the May holidays in the country, which are traditionally observed on 1-2 May and 9 May, the Victory Day, so as to halt as quickly as possible the spread of the novel virus.

India

• China Slams India's Decision to Stop Using 'Faulty' Chinese Rapid Test Kits VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- A decision by India to suspend the use of Chinese rapid testing kits for COVID-19 on the grounds that they are faulty has been slammed by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi as "unfair and irresponsible."
• India's COVID-19 death toll rises to 934 as total cases reach 29,435 Global Times 28 Apr 2020 -- India's federal health ministry Tuesday morning said 48 new deaths due to COVID-19, besides fresh 1,055 positive cases were reported since Monday evening across the country, taking the number of deaths to 934 and total cases to 29,435.
• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 28 Apr 2020
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviews contribution of DPSUs and OFB to mitigate COVID-19 and their operational plans post lock-down India PIB 28 Apr 2020 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed contribution of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to fight COVID-19 and their operational plans through video conference here today.

Pakistan

• Kashmiri Leader: COVID-19 Lowers Chances of Pakistan-India War VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Pakistan and India are locked in almost daily military clashes across their Kashmir frontier, but the president of the Pakistani-ruled part of the disputed territory says the coronavirus pandemic has for now diminished chances, if any, of the tensions escalating into a full-blown war.

Iran

• Official: Coronavirus kills 71 more in Iran IRNA 28 Apr 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Tuesday that 72,439 people out of a total of 92,584 infected with the coronavirus have survived and recovered while 5,877 have unfortunately succumbed to death.
• Iran to export coronavirus serology-based diagnostic kits ISNA 28 Apr 2020 -- Iran's vice president for science and technology, Sorena Sattari announced the export of domestically produced coronavirus serology-based diagnostic kits for the first time.

Japan

• Top Japanese Doctor Says Olympics 'Will Be Difficult' Without Vaccine VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- The head of the Japan Medical Association said Tuesday it will be difficult for the country to host the rescheduled Olympics next year without a coronavirus vaccine available.

Saudi Arabia

• COVID-19 Committee Holds 69th Meeting SPA 28 Apr 2020 -- The COVID-19 Follow-up Committee reviewed the epidemiological situation locally and globally.
• 1266 COVID-19 new cases reported in Saudi Arabia, Health Ministry Spokesperson announces SPA 28 Apr 2020 -- Assistant Minister of Health Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali who is also Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, said that 1266 new cases were reported today in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, adding that 841 confirmed cases were detected via active screening process, representing 66% of the total cases.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports no new COVID-19 cases for 3 consecutive days CNA 28 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan on Tuesday reported no new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus for the third consecutive day and sixth time this month, with the total number of confirmed cases remaining at 429, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan's COVID-19 infection rate does not justify mass testing: CECC CNA 28 Apr 2020 -- The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Tuesday there is no need for mass testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus in Taiwan, as the rate of infection so far has been quite low.
• Taiwan official in Manila promotes 'Taiwan model' to combat virus CNA 28 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan's representative to the Philippines on Monday argued in an op-ed that Taiwan can provide a model for successfully controlling COVID-19 without a lockdown, as the Philippines prepares for a phased re-opening of its economy this week.

North Korea

• North Korea Extends COVID-19 National Emergency to End of Year Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2020 -- North Korea has extended its COVID-19 national emergency to the end of the year in anticipation that the global pandemic will continue, raising concerns among residents that keeping the border with China closed will deal a serious blow to the economy.

Other Countries

• Charity forecasts one billion coronavirus cases, warns rapid outbreak in refugee camps Press TV 28 Apr 2020 -- A prominent charity organization says up to one billion people across the world could be infected with the new coronavirus and warned of a rapid outbreak in crowded refugee camps in Syria, Greece and Bangladesh.
• Myanmar Front-line Medical Workers Face Discrimination Amid COVID-19 Fight Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2020 -- Front line medical workers in Myanmar's fight against the coronavirus pandemic are being shunned by neighbors and landlords who fear infection from them, they told RFA Tuesday as experts warned that discrimination would reduce the number of people willing to help with the crisis.
• Virus-Fueled Recession Interrupts ASEAN Path to Middle-Income Status VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Indicators as diverse as movie ticket sales and airport arrivals reinforce the view that a recession is under way in some Southeast Asian economies and imminent in others, due in large part to COVID-19.
• As The World Fights a Pandemic, Journalism Has Never Been More Essential Radio Free Asia 28 Apr 2020 -- Recently, amid mounting global skepticism, China finally revised its official count of coronavirus fatalities in Wuhan -- the pandemic's initial epicenter -- upward by 50 percent, adding 1,290 deaths to bring it to 3,869.
• Chinese enterprises lend a big hand to Africa to combat COVID-19 People's Daily 28 Apr 2020 -- Chinese enterprises, while maintaining strict containment measures at home, are actively helping Africa upgrade its hospitals to cope with the exacerbating COVID-19 pandemic on the continent with a vision to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
• COVID-19: 'Coronavirus-Free' Turkmenistan Clears Out Quarantine Centers Ahead Of WHO Visit RFE/RL 28 Apr 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 210,000 with more than 3 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• UAE Ministry of Health announces 541 COVID-19 new cases, 91 recoveries and seven deaths SPA 28 Apr 2020 -- In line with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention's plans to increase the number of COVID-19 tests throughout the country for the early detection of infections, particularly among those who had contact with already infected cases, the Ministry has conducted 25,000 additional tests. Testing resulted in the detection of 541 new cases among various nationalities, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 11,380, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).
• Kuwait announces 152 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death SPA 28 Apr 2020 -- Kuwait on Tuesday reported 152 new coronavirus, COVID-19, infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of infections to 3,440, while one death was reported, bringing the total fatalities' toll up to 23.
• Oman Announces 82 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 28 Apr 2020 -- The Omani Ministry of Health announced today 82 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Sultanate of Oman to 2,131.
• Singapore Reports 799 New Cases of (COVID-19) SPA 28 Apr 2020 -- As the last two patients with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged Tuesday morning, Xiaotangshan Hospital, which was previously used to quarantine SARS patients in Beijing, has cleared all existing COVID-19 cases.
• Sudan: Coronavirus could be tipping point for 'untold suffering', Bachelet urges sanctions relief UN News 28 Apr 2020 -- In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government and people of Sudan could experience "untold suffering" unless donors act fast to shore up a country still in transition, the top UN human rights official warned on Tuesday.
• New Zealand Slowly Returns to Normal After Lockdown VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- New Zealanders clogged the drive thru lines of fast food restaurants Tuesday as they began venturing outside at the end of a strict coronavirus lockdown period.
• Peru Prisoners Riot Over Coronavirus Fears VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Tensions remain high at Peru's Miguel Castro and Huancayo prisons following a day of riots and protests by inmates over the government's coronavirus response on their behalf.
• Jamaica Tasks Formed to Help Restart Island's Economy Amid COVID-19 Outbreak VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness says his administration is shifting its attention to restarting the economy hampered by the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Nigeria President Announce Easing of Some Lockdown Restrictions VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Nigeria's president said the country will begin a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions to curtail the spread of the coronavirus in the capital, Lagos, Abuja and Ogun States May 4.
• Drones Spread Word About COVID-19 in Rural South Africa VOA 28 Apr 2020 -- Drones are helping to spread messages from the sky on how to prevent coronavirus infection in the far-flung, poor, rural areas of northern South Africa. The Greater Tzaneen Municipality has been pioneering the use of drones in South Africa as a tool to educate people about COVID-19 prevention in local languages and monitoring potential hotspots. So far there is only one coronavirus infection in the municipality.