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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Statement by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin on the Introduction of Legislation to Transfer the Secret Service Back to Its Original Home at the Treasury Department US Treasury 06 May 2020
• Myanmar May Be Placed on EU Money-Laundering Blacklist Radio Free Asia 06 May 2020 -- The European Union is set to add Myanmar on Thursday to a blacklist of 22 countries failing to enforce curbs against money laundering and other financial crimes, a Reuters news report said on May 6, citing drafts of EU documents seen ahead of the list's expected release.
• Experts Split on Impact of Germany's Hezbollah Ban VOA 06 May 2020 -- Germany's recent decision to ban the political activities of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has sparked a debate among experts, with some believing the move was necessary while others arguing it would have little impact on Hezbollah's terrorist activities.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 107 WHO 06 May 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 06 May 2020 WHO 06 May 2020
• Global COVID-19 cases near 3.7mn mark, with over 257K deaths Press TV 06 May 2020 -- Coronavirus cases worldwide have reached 3,663,824, and 257,277 people have so far died, with the United States and Western Europe continuing to lead the rest of the world by far both in the number of infections and fatalities, according to data kept by Johns Hopkins University.
• Average of 80,000 COVID-19 new cases a day in April: UN health agency UN News 06 May 2020 -- Since the start of the month, an average of 80,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported each day to the World Health Organization (WHO), the agency's chief told journalists listening in to his virtual press conference on Wednesday.
• WHO Chief Warns Countries to Lift COVID Restrictions With Extreme Caution VOA 06 May 2020 -- World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Wednesday that countries lifting restrictions to control the spread of the coronavirus risk having to reimpose them if they do not ease them with extreme caution.

United States

• In Reversal, Trump Decides to Keep White House COVID Task Force VOA 06 May 2020 -- The White House's coronavirus task force will continue to operate, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday, reversing what he said the previous day.
• Whistleblower Says US Officials Ignored Coronavirus Drug, Equipment Warnings VOA 06 May 2020 -- A senior U.S. government scientist is set to testify in a congressional hearing next week after filing a whistleblower complaint alleging officials retaliated against him for insisting on "scientifically vetted proposals" and "a more aggressive agency response to COVID-19."
• Ousted U.S. vaccine official alleges Trump administration ignored coronavirus warnings People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- An ousted U.S. vaccine agency official filed a whistleblower complaint on Tuesday alleging his early warnings about the coronavirus were ignored and that his caution at a treatment favored by President Donald Trump led to his removal.
• 'Pressured to Let Politics Drive Decisions': Ousted US Vaccine Chief Files Whistleblower Complaint Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- Earlier, former leader of the US federal vaccine agency Dr. Rick Bright claimed he was sidelined as "retaliatory treatment" for raising science-based concerns about White House policies on treating COVID-19 and vaccines.
• Remarks by President Trump and Vice President Pence at a Meeting with Governor Reynolds of Iowa The White House 06 May 2020
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Schmidt Futures Will Help Integrate NYS Practices and Systems With Best Advanced Technology Tools to Build Back Better New York State 06 May 2020
• Additional U.S. Foreign Assistance Builds Upon U.S. Leadership in the Global COVID-19 Response US Dept. of State 06 May 2020 -- As we work together to defeat the coronavirus at home, the United States stands with our global partners in their time of need, as we always have. A healthier world means a healthier United States.
• Trump questions accuracy of coronavirus death toll: Report Press TV 06 May 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has questioned the way coronavirus deaths are being calculated, suggesting the real numbers are much lower, according to a report by Axios.
• New Jersey Guard, active-duty troops set up COVID-19 ops center Army News 06 May 2020 -- New Jersey Guard soldiers and airmen teamed up with active-duty service members from the Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as civilians from U.S. Northern Command, to establish a joint operations center to coordinate nearly 700 members of the New Jersey National Guard responding to the COVID-19 pandemic across the state.
• DOD Awards $126 Million Contract to 3M, Increasing Production of N95 Masks DoD 06 May 2020 -- "The Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, has signed a $126 million contract award with 3M for the increased production of 26 million N95 medical-grade masks per month, starting in October 2020."
• US Defense Chief: USS Kidd COVID-19 Outbreak May Have Started During Counternarcotics Operation Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- US Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Tuesday told reporters that the novel coronavirus outbreak aboard the Navy destroyer USS Kidd may have begun during a counterdrug mission the ship was carrying out while deployed in the Pacific.
• US COVID-19 Death Toll May Reach 350,000 if All States Reopen in June, Model Predicts Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- A new model from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania predicts nearly 350,000 COVID-19 deaths in the US by the end of June and half a million jobs lost if states fully lift lockdown measures.
• U.S. COVID-19 deaths top 70,000, poll gives negative marks for gov't virus handling People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States topped 70,000 on Tuesday, representing over a quarter of all the virus deaths reported worldwide, as Americans give negative marks for the federal government's handling of the outbreak.
• NYC children hospitalized with rare syndrome possibly linked to COVID-19 People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- Fifteen children in New York City (NYC) have been hospitalized with a rare syndrome possibly connected to COVID-19, officials said on Tuesday.
• Former Captain of US Carrier Roosevelt Given Desk Job Instead of Old Command After COVID-19 Recovery Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- Though many were looking to see Capt. Brett Crozier reinstated as commander of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, he is currently serving as special assistant to Capt. Max McCoy, chief of staff for the commander of Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 06 May 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 06 May 2020

China

• Pompeo Says US Intelligence 'Still Figuring Out' Where Coronavirus Began as Trump Blames China Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- The spate of recriminations over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic escalated last week after the US president accused China of 'concealing' the outbreak and mismanaging its containment, going so far as to claim the pandemic was the result of a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Chinese officials have forcefully denounced the claims.
• Top U.S. general says "we don't know" where coronavirus originated People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said on Tuesday that "we don't know" where the coronavirus originated.
• Fauci dismisses theory coronavirus originated in Chinese lab People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- Top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could not have been artificially or deliberately manipulated.
• More virus evidence slaps Trump's China theory Global Times 06 May 2020 -- Mounting scientific evidence suggesting COVID-19 may have surfaced earlier than reported in countries beyond China and global scientists' contradiction of US politicians, including US President Donald Trump's assertion that the virus originated from a Wuhan lab were a slap in the face of the Trump administration's "rancorous monodrama" of scapegoating China, which is seen as a political farce to the world.
• Pompeo spars with reporters over Wuhan lab claims Press TV 06 May 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has defended claims that there is evidence showing the covid-19 came from a lab in the Chinese province of China.
• A Wuhan Lab is at the Centre of the Coronavirus Origin Conspiracy. Here is What is Known About It Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- While scientists' attention is focused on a vaccine for the new coronavirus, politicians have begun raising questions as to where the virus came from. As the blame game goes international, a high-security lab at the epicentre of the pandemic in China has risen from obscurity.
• China's UN envoy slams 'absurd' US politicization of new coronavirus Press TV 06 May 2020 -- China's UN ambassador in Geneva has ruled out inviting international experts to investigate the source of the novel coronavirus until achieving the "final victory" over the COVID-19, amid what he described as the US politicization of the virus.
• 21 Chinese provincial-level regions lower COVID-19 response to level 3 Global Times 06 May 2020 -- A total of 21 Chinese provinces and regions have lowered their public emergency response level for COVID-19 to level three after Shandong and Henan did so on Wednesday.
• Beijing reports no new COVID-19 cases for 19 consecutive days People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- Beijing had seen no newly confirmed locally-transmitted or imported COVID-19 cases for 19 consecutive days as of Monday, according to a municipal government official Tuesday.
• More Chinese provinces further lower COVID-19 response level People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- More Chinese provinces decided to further downgrade its public health emergency response for COVID-19 as the nationwide battle against the epidemic has gained major strategic achievements.
• China's Heilongjiang reports no new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- No newly confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province Tuesday, the provincial health commission said Wednesday.
• Chinese mainland reports 2 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported two new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Tuesday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,678, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.
• Chinese mainland reports no new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- No new locally transmitted cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported Tuesday across the Chinese mainland, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases for 32 consecutive days People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- No newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province for Tuesday, the provincial health commission said Wednesday.
• China bought time for world with responsible stance - Turkish experts PLA Daily 06 May 2020 -- China has bought the world time to prepare for the COVID-19 outbreak, and has been acting in a responsible manner during this health crisis, some Turkish experts have said.

Europe

• Coronavirus Tops Agenda As EU Aims To Counter Russia, China In Western Balkans RFE/RL 06 May 2020 -- Leaders of the European Union and six Balkan states with hopes of entering the bloc will gather for an online summit on May 6 that has been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Britain's Johnson Says Lockdown Announcement to Come Sunday VOA 06 May 2020 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament Wednesday an announcement on the easing of lockdown measures will take place Sunday.
• Boris Johnson Promises 200,000 Daily Coronavirus Tests in the UK by End of May Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken to task in the House of Commons over the state of the country as it peaks above Italy for the most coronavirus deaths in Europe. The government had previously aimed to reach 100,000 tests per-day as its strategy seeks to expand testing and tracing of the population.
• UK overtakes Italy as worst-hit country in Europe by coronavirus People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- Britain has overtaken Italy as the worst-hit country in Europe by the novel coronavirus, according to the latest official figures released Tuesday.
• PM Johnson indicates lockdown relaxation by early next week Press TV 06 May 2020 -- Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has given strong indications that the UK-wide lockdown will be eased from next Monday (May 11).
• Ireland eases COVID-19 lockdown measures Global Times 06 May 2020 -- Ireland on Tuesday eased some of its lockdown measures introduced more than a month ago following the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
• Post-lockdown Italy maintains downward trend in active cases, but PM cautions "long road ahead" People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- Italy on Tuesday maintained a declining trend in active COVID-19 infections and intensive care cases, one day after it eased the national lockdown, according to the latest numbers released by the Civil Protection Department.
• Coronavirus causes another huge rise in unemployment in Spain after March People's Daily 06 May 2020 -- The number of people out of work in Spain rose by 282,891 to a total of 3,831,203 during April, according to the monthly data published by the Spanish Ministry of Labor, Migrations and Social Security on Tuesday.
• Spain reports 255 coronavirus deaths SPA 06 May 2020 -- Spain's health authorities registered on Wednesday 244 coronavirus deaths, up from below 200 on each of the three previous days, Reuters reported.
• We Have Put the First Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic Behind Us, Merkel Says Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- Earlier this week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany will contribute €525 Mln for coronavirus response purposes, while vaccines against the disease that the European Union is planning to develop will be available globally.
• Coronavirus crisis threatens eurozone's survival: EC Press TV 06 May 2020 -- The European Commission has warned that the coronavirus and the economic crisis that has ensued threaten the stability of the eurozone and risk its survival.

Russia

• COVID-19: Factories To Restart In Moscow Next Week Even As Cases Surge Across Russia RFE/RL 06 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is nearing 260,000 with more than 3.6 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Russia's coronavirus cases rise by more than 10,000 for fourth straight day SPA 06 May 2020 -- The number of new coronavirus cases in Russia rose by 10,559 over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 165,929, the coronavirus crisis response centre said on Wednesday. It was the fourth consecutive day that cases had risen by more than 10,000, according to Reuters.
• Russian Public Health Chief Proposes 3-Stage Plan to Lift Coronavirus-Related Restrictions Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- According to Anna Popova, the measures taken have allowed Russia to delay the spread of the virus by two months and benefit from international experience of the disease.
• Russian President Putin Discusses Timeline of Easing COVID-19 Restrictions With Gov't Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- In late April, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered an address to the nation via a video conference on the situation around the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, stressing that self-isolation measures should be extended until at least 11 May.
• Russian Minister of Culture Tests Positive for Coronavirus Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- As of 6 May, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia stands at 165,929, with 1,537 fatalities, according to the country's coronavirus response centre.

India

• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 06 May 2020
• Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews preparedness and containment measures taken for COVID-19 management in Gujarat and Maharashtra through Video Conferencing India PIB 06 May 2020 -- Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare held a high level meeting today with Shri Nitinbhai Patel, Dy. Chief Minister and Health Minister Gujarat and Shri Rajesh Tope, Health Minister of Maharashtra in presence of Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, MoS (HFW) along with the senior officials from both Centre and the States to review the situation, actions being taken and preparedness for management of COVID-19 in both the States.

Pakistan

• Covid-19: Pakistan becomes 29th country with 500 deaths IRNA 06 May 2020 -- Pakistan has become the 29th country in the world where over 500 deaths have been reported due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iran

• Iran Agency Forbidden To Release Number Of Deaths Amid Coronavirus Controversy Radio Farda 06 May 2020 -- A spokesman for Civil Registration Organization of Iran (NOCRI) says the agency will not disclose the country's death toll for the winter of 2020 at the request of the National Headquarters to Fight Coronavirus.
• Iran's Official COVID-19 Cases Pass The 100,000 Mark, With Fears Of A Second Wave Radio Farda 06 May 2020 -- Iran's health ministry announced on Wednesday that the number of Covid-19 cases in the country passed the 100,000 mark, with an uptick in new infections this week.
• WHO delivers more COVID-19 test kits to Iran IRNA 06 May 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) delivered additional COVID-19 test kits to the Islamic Republic of Iran to help the country combat the epidemic.
• Official: COVID-19 Kills 78 more in Iran IRNA 06 May 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Wednesday that some 78 more Iranians died of coronavirus over the past 24 hours and that 81,587 people out of a total of 101,650 infected with the coronavirus have survived and recovered while unfortunately, the total number of dead people reached 6,418.
• Coronavirus infects less than half a percent of Iranians IRNA 06 May 2020 -- A health official announced here on Wednesday that less than half a percent of Iranians have been infected with the deadly coronavirus since its outbreak in Iran late February.
• Iran sends medical items to Afghanistan, Lebanon, Germany ISNA 06 May 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi announced that as a gesture of solidarity Tehran has sent medical items Afghanistan, Lebanon and Germany recently.

Japan

• Tokyo reports 38 new coronavirus cases in fifth straight day of decline SPA 06 May 2020 -- Japan's capital of Tokyo reported 38 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, Jiji news agency said, marking a fifth straight day of declining numbers of new infections, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia

• COVID-19 Committee Holds 77th Meeting SPA 06 May 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 77th meeting today.
• Ministry of Interior: Lifting additional precautionary measures in Al-Faisaliah, Al-Fadaliah neighborhoods in Al-Ahsa from Wednesday, May 6 SPA 06 May 2020 -- An official source at the Ministry of Interior stated that, in light of the health authorities' recommendations, it was decided to lift the previously announced additional precautionary measures in Al-Faisaliah and Al-Fadhliya neighborhoods in Al-Ahsa Province, as of Wednesday, May 6, and continue permitting residents of the two neighborhoods to move freely to fulfill their needs, from nine in the morning until five in the evening, as well as continue the work of the excluded activities and the implementation of health precautionary precautions, which have been previously announced.

Taiwan

• Taiwan confirms 1 new imported case of COVID-19; total at 439 CNA 06 May 2020 -- One new imported case of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was confirmed in Taiwan on Wednesday, bringing the total to 439 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows promising results in early testing CNA 06 May 2020 -- Taiwan's Adimmune Corporation said Wednesday that it has developed a COVID-19 vaccine candidate that has shown promising results in tests on lab rodents, and that it plans to begin human trials in the second half of this year.
• Taiwanese stranded in China's Hubei free to return CNA 06 May 2020 -- Taiwanese nationals still stranded in the Chinese province of Hubei due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions will be free to return home on commercial flights from Friday, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday.

Other Countries

• U.S.: Russia, China Spinning Coronavirus Conspiracies To Blame West RFE/RL 06 May 2020 -- China and Russia are promoting "false narratives" on social media that blame the West for the coronavirus pandemic while casting their countries as best-equipped to deal with the crisis, U.S. officials say.
• Iraq reports 85 new cases of COVID-19 Global Times 06 May 2020 -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Tuesday confirmed four more deaths and 85 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections to 2,431 in the country.
• Israel's COVID-19 cases rise to 16,289, death toll at 238 Global Times 06 May 2020 -- The number of coronavirus infections in Israel surged to 16,289 after 43 new cases were reported, the state's Ministry of Health said Tuesday.
• Myanmar Struggles With COVID-19 Patient Tracing Amid Asymptomatic Infections Radio Free Asia 06 May 2020 -- Health authorities in Myanmar are struggling to trace the spread of the contagious coronavirus among several confirmed patients who have reported no travel abroad and no contact with others who are infected, lawmakers in two major cities said Wednesday.
• Kuwait announces 485 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths SPA 06 May 2020 -- Kuwait on Wednesday reported 485 new coronavirus, COVID-19, infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of infections to 6,289, while two deaths were reported, bringing the total fatalities' toll up to 42.
• Morocco Announces 163 New Cases of COVID-19, One Death SPA 06 May 2020 -- Morocco announced today 163 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and one death. This brings the total number of coronavirus infections in the country to 5,382, and the death toll to 182, according to Morocco Press Agency (MAP).
• Philippines' coronavirus infections top 10,000 SPA 06 May 2020 -- The Philippines' coronavirus infections have broken past the 10,000 mark, the health ministry said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
• Malaysia reports 45 new coronavirus cases; one death SPA 06 May 2020 -- Malaysia reported 45 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the cumulative total to 6,428 infections, according to Reuters.
• Indonesia reports 367 new coronavirus cases, 23 deaths SPA 06 May 2020 -- Indonesia reported 367 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the total to 12,438, Reuters quoted from health ministry official Achmad Yurianto. Twenty three more people who tested positive for the virus have died in the Southeast Asian nation, taking the total number of deaths to 895, the highest death toll in East Asia outside China.
• Kazakhstan says spread of coronavirus has slowed SPA 06 May 2020 -- The spread of the novel coronavirus in Kazakhstan has slowed in recent days, the Central Asian nation's government said on Wednesday, indicating it could exit a state of emergency next week. Reuters reported.
• Oman Reports 168 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 06 May 2020 -- The Omani Ministry of Health reported today 168 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Sultanate of Oman to 2903.
• Mexico Receives Ventilator Shipment From US Sputnik 06 May 2020 -- Mexican President Andés Manuel López Obrador said last month that President Trump had promised aid when he called and asked for help in obtaining 1,000 ventilators and other equipment for intensive care units.
• Coronavirus and human rights: New UN report calls for disability-inclusive recovery UN News 06 May 2020 -- The COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying inequalities experienced by the world's one billion people with disabilities, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in launching a report issued on Wednesday that calls for a disability-inclusive recovery and response to the crisis.
• 'No Country Is Doing More' Than US to Fight Coronavirus in Africa, US Official Says VOA 06 May 2020 -- "No country is doing more" to help African nations fight coronavirus than the United States, said the top U.S. diplomat to Africa.
• Egypt Announces Partial Opening as Economy Plunges VOA 06 May 2020 -- At a private charity in Cairo late last month, women waited for hours for meat and oil. It was crowded, but many didn't wear masks because they said they could not afford them.
• Australians Anxious at Relaxation of COVID-19 Restrictions VOA 06 May 2020 -- Many Australians would be reluctant to leave their homes or gather in large groups even if the nation's COVID-19 restrictions are eased or lifted, according to a new study. Australia has had 6,849 confirmed coronavirus cases. Almost 5,900 patients have recovered, but 96 people have died with the virus.
• Vietnam, Despite Low Coronavirus Caseload, Will Take Months to Recover Economically VOA 06 May 2020 -- Vietnam has reported few new coronavirus cases every day since mid-April. Now schools are reopening, smaller restaurants are back in business and traffic jams are forming again in the financial center, Ho Chi Minh City, as commuters head to work.