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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 01 May 2020
• Syria, Yemen slam Germany for complying with US, Israeli dictates to ban Hezbollah Press TV 01 May 2020 -- Syria and Yemen have slammed the German government's decision to designate Hezbollah a "terrorist organization", saying Berlin has complied with the dictates of Washington and Tel Aviv to ban the resistance movement.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 102 WHO 01 May 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 01 May 2020 WHO 01 May 2020
• WHO Says Assured Coronavirus Natural in Origin, Notes Need for Identifying Natural Host Sputnik 01 May 2020 -- US officials have said that they agree the novel coronavirus most likely has natural origins, but are increasingly supportive of accusations that the virus leaked from a Wuhan lab and are lashing out at Beijing for its alleged lack of transparency.
• Global health experts advise WHO to identify animal source of COVID-19 virus UN News 01 May 2020 -- International experts have advised the World Health Organization (WHO) to work to identify the animal origins of the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic and its transmission to humans, the UN agency said on Friday.
• WHO Adviser Asks US to Rethink Funding Suspension VOA 01 May 2020 -- A chief adviser to the World Health Organization's director-general said the recent decision by the United States to halt funding to the organization is "devastating" and that the U.S. should rethink the move.
• UN Chief: 'Tragedy' That World Lacks Coordinated Approach Against COVID-19 VOA 01 May 2020 -- The United Nations Secretary-General said in an interview with the BBC that it is a "tragedy" that the world's leaders have not been able "to come together to face COVID-19 in an articulated coordinated way."

United States

• Remarks by President Trump on Protecting America's Seniors The White House 01 May 2020
• Remarks by President Trump in Announcement on Remdesivir The White House 01 May 2020
• Defense Logistics Agency Pivots to Support COVID-19 Response DoD News 01 May 2020 -- The agency that traditionally contributes to America's military readiness with items such as fuel and food has so far ordered more than $920 million in lifesaving supplies and equipment to support the nation's COVID-19 response.
• US death toll from novel coronavirus passes 65,000 Press TV 01 May 2020 -- The respiratory illness known as COVID-19 has so far infected more than 1,119,000 people across the United States and killed more than 65,000, according to the latest updates.
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Schools and College Facilities Statewide Will Remain Closed for the Rest of the Academic Year New York State 01 May 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 01 May 2020
• U.S. intelligence analysts concerned over Trump officials' pressure to link coronavirus with Chinese lab: media People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- Some U.S. intelligence analysts have expressed concern that senior Trump administration officials' pressure to link the coronavirus with a Chinese lab will distort assessments about the virus and they could be used as a political weapon, The New York Times said in a report on Thursday.
• Trump says virus may have originated in China lab, threatens tariffs Press TV 01 May 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has threatened China with new tariffs amid the coronavirus outbreak he blames Beijing for.
• Trump Says Intelligence Points to COVID-19's Origins in Chinese Lab VOA 01 May 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he has a "high degree of confidence" the coronavirus pandemic originated in a Chinese laboratory, going beyond a rare, public assessment issued hours earlier by his top intelligence agency.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 01 May 2020
• USNS Comfort Returns to Norfolk Prepared for Future Tasking NNS 01 May 2020 -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) will return to Naval Station Norfolk May 2 after supporting the Department of Defense response efforts to New York and New Jersey during the coronavirus outbreak.
• Pandemic Upends US Government Operations, Pushing Tradition-bound to Embrace Remote Work VOA 01 May 2020 -- On Capitol Hill, the nation's lawmakers are split on how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the same advice from the U.S. Capitol physician, the U.S. House of Representatives announced this week that its members would continue to work remotely while the U.S. Senate will be back in session in the nation's capital next Monday.

China

• WHO Says Still Not Invited to Join China's Investigation Into Origins of COVID-19 Sputnik 01 May 2020 -- The Chinese authorities refused to let the World Health Organisation (WHO) join the probe into causes of the COVID-19 outbreak, a WHO representative in China told the Sky News broadcaster.
• WHO Says It Wants to Join China's Probe Into COVID-19 Origins VOA 01 May 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday it wants to take part in Beijing's probe into the origins of COVID-19.
• Hubei lowers COVID-19 response level, retains strict residential community management Global Times 01 May 2020 -- Central China's Hubei Province announced on Friday that it is to lower the public emergency response level for COVID19 from level one to two starting from May 2, according to a press conference on Friday That means 31 provinces in China have deactivated their firstlevel public emergency response.
• New COVID-19 transmission model shows social distancing worked in Chinese cities Global Times 01 May 2020 -- A new COVID-19 transmission model, based on contact survey data from nearly 1,200 people in the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Shanghai, suggests that strict social distancing measures were sufficient to curtail the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causes COVID-19, according to a paper published on Science magazine Wednesday.
• 32 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals on Chinese mainland People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- A total of 32 patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from hospitals Thursday on the Chinese mainland, according to the National Health Commission.
• China releases report on clustered COVID-19 cases in NE province People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- Chinese authorities on Friday released a report on the clustered COVID-19 cases in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province since April, urging medical institutions nationwide to draw lessons from them.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases for 27 consecutive days People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Thursday, the provincial health commission said Friday.
• Chinese mainland reports 12 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Friday that it received reports of 12 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Thursday, of which six were imported.
• Factbox: China's progress on business resumption People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- Amid further containment of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), China is powering ahead in returning to work and resuming business and production. The following are the latest facts and figures:
• Beijing reports no new COVID-19 cases for 14 days People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- China's capital city Beijing had seen no new confirmed local or imported COVID-19 cases for 14 consecutive days as of Wednesday, according to a local government official Thursday.
• Chinese mainland's existing imported COVID-19 cases reach 35-day low People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- The number of existing imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the Chinese mainland was 525 as of the end of Wednesday, the lowest in 35 days, a health official said Thursday.
• China pledges continuous support for Peru in COVID-19 fight: Xi People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- China firmly supports the Peruvian government and people in their fight against COVID-19 and will continue to offer support and help within its capability, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Peruvian counterpart, Martin Vizcarra, in a phone conversation on Thursday.

Europe

• Italy sees highest daily coronavirus recoveries, death toll at 27,967 Global Times 01 May 2020 -- Italy on Thursday recorded the highest daily number of coronavirus recoveries since the emergency started in late February, the country's Civil Protection Department said.
• Europeans count economic toll, WHO warns of "unforgiving" virus Global Times 01 May 2020 -- A slew of bleak new figures, unveiled Thursday by the European Union (EU) and some major nations, underscored the economic pain inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which added more pressure to European governments to ease restrictive measures.
• UK ethnic minorities dying in greater numbers from COVID-19 Press TV 01 May 2020 -- A new report says the coronavirus epidemic is killing Britain's ethnic minorities in disproportionate numbers, despite the fact that most minority groups are much younger on average than the white British population.
• UK Institute Records Disproportion in COVID-19 Deaths Among Different Ethnic Groups Sputnik 01 May 2020 -- Different ethnic groups living in the United Kingdom are facing different mortality rates among COVID-19 patients, the UK's Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said in a report issued on Friday.
• Germany's Decision to Prohibit Hezbollah Movement Activities Slammed by Iran Sputnik 01 May 2020 -- Tehran condemns Germany's decision to designate the Lebanese Hezbollah movement as a terrorist organization and ban its activities, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Thursday.
• Dutch coronavirus cases rise to 39,791 with 98 new deaths - health authorities SPA 01 May 2020 -- The Netherlands' number of confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 475 to 39,791 with 98 new deaths, Reuters quoted health authorities as saying on Friday.

Russia

• Russian Minister of Construction, His Deputy Tested Positive for COVID-19 Sputnik 01 May 2020 -- So far, Russia has registered 114,431 COVID-19 cases, 1,169 deaths, and 13,220 recoveries, according to Rospotrebnadzor.
• Behind Russia's Coronavirus Fight, a Surveillance State Blooms VOA 01 May 2020 -- In the age of COVID-19, where does the line between security, privacy, and freedom lie?
• Over 3.7Mln COVID-19 Tests Conducted in Russia - Watchdog Sputnik 01 May 2020 -- Over 3.7 million tests to detect COVID-19 have been conducted in Russia, and 211,000 suspected carriers across the country are under medical observation, the national public health watchdog said on Friday.
• Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin tests positive for COVID-19 People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said he has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Kremlin on Thursday.

India

• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 01 May 2020
• Extension of Lockdown for a further period of Two Weeks with effect from May 4, 2020 India PIB 01 May 2020 -- After a comprehensive review, and in view of the Lockdown measures having led to significant gains in the COVID-19 situation in the country, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India (GoI) issued an Order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, today, to further extend the Lockdown for a further period of 2 weeks with effect from May 4, 2020.

Pakistan

• Lockdown or No Lockdown? Confusion Dominates Pakistan's COVID Response VOA 01 May 2020 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said Thursday his government would ease coronavirus-linked closures of businesses and allow some industries to open because of the risk of many of the poor starving to death.

Iran

• COVID-19 kills 63 more in Iran: Official IRNA 01 May 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Friday that 76,318 people out of a total of 95,646 infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) have recovered whereas 6,091 have lost their lives.
• WHO to provide access to medical services for Iran IRNA 01 May 2020 -- Representative of the World Health Organization in Iran Christopher Hamelman stated that WHO will do its best to provide access to medical services for all people in the world, including the Iranian people who are challenging with sanctions and problems in supplying pharmaceutical items.
• In One City In Iran 400 Retirees Have Died Of Coronavirus Radio Farda 01 May 2020 -- The Secretary of Retirees Association in Rasht, the capital of Gilan province in northern Iran, has said 400 retirees have died of COVID-19 in the city since February 19.
• Warning Of A Second Pandemic Wave, Minister Says Iran Needs A CDC Radio Farda 01 May 2020 -- While admitting that the official death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Iran has exceeded 6,000, the Islamic Republic Minister of Health warned of a heavy second wave of the disease next autumn and winter.

South Korea

• South Korea Balances Privacy, Public Health in Virus Fight VOA 01 May 2020 -- South Korea is one of very few countries to contain the coronavirus without resorting to mass lockdowns. So how did they do it?

Afghanistan

• Afghanistan likely to face 'health disaster' amid coronavirus Press TV 01 May 2020 -- A US watchdog report warns that the coronavirus outbreak is likely to cause a health disaster in Afghanistan, which is still plagued by war, despite a peace deal between the Taliban and the US.
• U.S. Watchdog Warns Of Pending Coronavirus Disaster In Afghanistan RFE/RL 01 May 2020 -- A watchdog report to the U.S. Congress has warned that Afghanistan is likely to face a health disaster in the coming months brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Saudi Arabia

• WHO: Covid-19 Pandemic Still Worldwide Emergency Case of Concern, KSA Takes part, in Emergency Committee Meeting SPA 01 May 2020 -- The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that the Emergency Committee of WHO has confirmed that the novel covid-19 pandemic, is still a worldwide health case of emergency of great concern.
• Most of Mecca's population may be infected: Saudi medical sources Press TV 01 May 2020 -- Saudi medical sources say more than half of Mecca's residents have been infected by COVID 19 as indicated by random testing conducted in the holy city.

Taiwan

• No new COVID-19 cases for 6th day, but masks still required CNA 01 May 2020 -- Taiwan did not record any new COVID-19 cases for a sixth consecutive day Friday, but the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) still advised that people wear masks when visiting crowded places over the Labor Day long weekend.
• Taiwan places export ban on hand sanitizers, disinfectants CNA 01 May 2020 -- Taiwan has placed a temporary export ban on 75 percent alcohol hand sanitizers and disinfectants, effective Friday, a day after the temporary ban on face mask exports was extended, according to the Bureau of Foreign Trade.
• Taiwan, Vatican team up to provide facial masks to Africa CNA 01 May 2020 -- In a spirit of collaboration, the Holy See will donate 100,000 surgical face masks provided by Taiwan to certain African countries to help them combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Taiwan's ambassador to the Vatican Matthew Lee (李世明) said Friday.
• CECC loosens restrictions on visits to nursing homes CNA 01 May 2020 -- The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Friday loosened restrictions on visits to nursing homes as Taiwan recorded its sixth consecutive day of zero new COVID-19 coronavirus infections.

Malaysia

• Malaysia reports 69 new coronavirus cases with 1 new death SPA 01 May 2020 -- Malaysia reported 69 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 6,071, according to Reuters. The number of fatalities rose by one to 103. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Malaysia would allow the majority of businesses to resume operations from May 4, partially easing restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the outbreak.
• Malaysian Prime Minister Says COVID Restrictions to Be Eased VOA 01 May 2020 -- Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced Friday the government would ease the COVID-19 containment restrictions in the country Monday, allowing most businesses to reopen.

Other Countries

• Egypt Reports 385 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 01 May 2020 -- The Egyptian Ministry of Health reported here today 385 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
• 146 New Coronavirus Cases Reported, in Morocco SPA 01 May 2020 -- The Kingdom of Morocco reported 146 new cases contracting novel Coronavirus today, raising the tally to 4569 cases, while the toll of death reach 170, following announcement of another death today.
• Jump in Sudan Coronavirus Cases Prompts Total Lockdown VOA 01 May 2020 -- After a steep jump in confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, Sudan's transitional government has imposed a nationwide lockdown to try to stop the spread of virus.
• Vaccine bottlenecks from COVID lockdown put children's lives at stake: UNICEF UN News 01 May 2020 -- Help is needed urgently to distribute vaccines worldwide amid dramatic shortages because of COVID-19 restrictions, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday. It has warned that youngsters' lives "are at stake" owing to the dramatic decline in commercial flights and limited availability of charters.
• UN Agency: COVID-19 Creating Unseen Hardships for Millions of Forcibly Displaced VOA 01 May 2020 -- No region in the world is spared from the devastating health and economic consequences of COVID-19. Among those most affected are the forcibly displaced, including more than 25 million refugees, most of whom are being sheltered in some of the world's poorest countries.
• Brazil registers record 7,218 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours Global Times 01 May 2020 -- Brazil registered 7,218 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health reported on Thursday, showing that the pandemic contagion curve in the country has accelerated in recent days.
• South Africa receives medical supplies from China People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, received a consignment of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by global internet group Naspers on April 30.
• China offers medical supplies to Sri Lanka People's Daily 01 May 2020 -- Hu Wei, chargé d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka, has handed over a list of medical supplies donation from China to Sri Lanka.
• COVID-19: Russia Reports Record Daily Increase; Pakistan's Parliament Speaker Tests Positive RFE/RL 01 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 233,000 with almost 3.3 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Cameroon Eases Coronavirus Lockdown, But Neighbors Block Access VOA 01 May 2020 -- Cameroon has eased restrictions put in place to curb COVID-19, which has caused 1,900 confirmed infections and 63 deaths in the country – the highest in Central Africa. But the return to normal operations for restaurants and public transportation comes as Cameroon's neighbors have refused to grant access to people crossing the border.
• Australia Starts to Wind Back COVID-19 Restrictions VOA 01 May 2020 -- Strict physical distancing restrictions are starting to be wound back across parts of Australia as the number of coronavirus cases continues to fall.
• Scotland Makes Strides on COVID-19 Testing VOA 01 May 2020 -- Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Friday the country will have the capacity to test 12,000 people for COVID-19 by the middle of the month.
• Turkey Delays S-400 Deployment Due to Coronavirus Pandemic Sputnik 01 May 2020 -- The country was planning to make the newly acquired air defence systems operational in April despite numerous protests from the US, which had been pressuring Ankara to ditch the systems for good.