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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 113 WHO 12 May 2020
• UN Chief Calls on Religious Leaders to Help Lead Faithful Through COVID-19 VOA 12 May 2020 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on religious leaders Tuesday to play a key role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic and the recovery from it.
• Several Countries Ease COVID Restrictions Despite Surges, Warnings VOA 12 May 2020 -- Several countries have begun easing measures to contain the new coronavirus, despite confronting upsurges and warnings of a second outbreak.
• WHO urges vigilance as world tiptoes out of virus lockdown Press TV 12 May 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic continues to take a toll on people around the world, while countries gradually dial down measures to contain their outbreaks, potentially risking more infections and deaths.
• UN holds policy discussion stressing multilateral solutions to ease COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- The United Nations on Monday held a wide-ranging policy discussion stressing a variety of multilateral solutions to ease the COVID-19 pandemic and also to get back on track toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

United States

• Indo-Pacific Cooperation on COVID-19 US Dept. of State 12 May 2020
• Transatlantic Cooperation on COVID-19 US Dept. of State 12 May 2020
• North American Cooperation on COVID-19 US Dept. of State 12 May 2020
• Air Force update for COVID-19 USAF 12 May 2020
• Army's anti-terrorism technology chasing COVID-19 Army News 12 May 2020 -- The Army's technology used to root out terrorism threats is also monitoring the spread of COVID-19, and in the process giving Army leaders a leg up to make real-time, force protection decisions, says the Army's top criminal investigator.
• DOD Awards $138 Million Contract, Enabling Prefilled Syringes for Future COVID-19 Vaccine DoD 12 May 2020 -- "Today the Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announce a $138 million contract with ApiJect Systems America for "Project Jumpstart" and "RAPID USA," which together will dramatically expand U.S. production capability for domestically manufactured, medical-grade injection devices starting by October 2020."
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Members of NY Congressional Delegation Will Introduce 'Americans First Law' to Stop Corporate Bailouts New York State 12 May 2020
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Urges New Yorkers to Wear Their Masks Out of Respect For the Nurses And Doctors Who Are Fighting to Save Lives New York State 12 May 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 12 May 2020
• CDPH Announces New Sectors that can Reopen with Modifications Statewide California Department of Public Health 12 May 2020
• 'Really serious' consequences if US reopens too quickly: Fauci Press TV 12 May 2020 -- The United States will face "really serious" consequences if the nation reopens too quickly, warns leading US infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci.
• Washington State Research Institute Projects Coronavirus May Kill Over 147,000 in US Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- The Seattle-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects over 147,000 coronavirus fatalities in the United States by early August, increasing its previous estimate by more than 10,000.
• US COVID Death Toll 'Almost Certainly Higher' Than Reported, Fauci Tells Senate VOA 12 May 2020 -- Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said Tuesday that the coronavirus death toll in the United States is "almost certainly higher" than the reported 80,000 figure and warned of serious consequences if cities and states reopen too quickly.
• Pence Distancing From Trump Amid Positive COVID-19 Tests at White House VOA 12 May 2020 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is distancing himself from President Donald Trump out of an abundance of caution, the White House has confirmed.
• Pence tests negative for coronavirus, Trump says People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Vice President Mike Pence had tested negative for the coronavirus again.
• US COVID-19 deaths surpass 80,000: Johns Hopkins University Global Times 12 May 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States topped 80,000 on Monday, reaching 80,087 as of 4:32 pm (2032 GMT), according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• Economists warn of costly COVID-19 resurgence if U.S. states reopen hastily Global Times 12 May 2020 -- As more U.S. states started partially reopening their economies, many economists have warned that moving too fast might risk a second wave of infections, which could have grave economic impacts.
• New York City COVID-19 death toll may be worse than official tally, says CDC report People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- There were over 5,000 deaths in New York City between March and early May that were not previously identified, according to a new report of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday.
• COVID-19 pandemic exposes painful truth in U.S.: Who's the most vulnerable? People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- Since the COVID-19 epidemic broke out in a large scale in the United States, the highly infectious virus has dealt a blow to almost every corner of society and business.
• Covid-19 Cases Soar in Some US Areas Contrary to Trump's Claims, US Media Says Citing Leaked Report Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- During a press briefing on Monday, US President Donald Trump announced that coronavirus cases were "coming down rapidly" across the US, despite the country still topping the list of those nations most affected by the pandemic. A recently leaked document also appeared to defy the president's claim.

China

• Wuhan eyes 10-day testing for all residents Global Times 12 May 2020 -- Wuhan is set to conduct a 10-day city-wide coronavirus testing of all its residents, as the city recently reported six new coronavirus cases in the same residential community, sources from Wuhan's health authority confirmed with the Global Times.
• China delivers more medical supplies to Kyrgyzstan to help fight COVID-19 Global Times 12 May 2020 -- China has handed over a second batch of medical supplies to Kyrgyzstan to help combat COVID-19, the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan said Monday.
• China vows to enhance bio-lab safety Global Times 12 May 2020 -- China's National Health Commission (NHC) Monday called for enhanced management at its bio-security laboratories as the country normalizes during its anti-epidemic stage.
• China's National Health Commission dispatches supervising team to Shulan Global Times 12 May 2020 -- The National Health Commission has dispatched a supervising team to Shulan, NE China's Jilin Province, to work together with the local government on prevention and treatment of COVID-19 patients and an epidemiological investigation.
• China's Heilongjiang reports no new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Monday, the provincial health commission said Tuesday.
• China sees no new COVID-19 deaths for 26 days People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- China had reported no new deaths from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for 26 days in a row by Sunday, a health official said Monday.
• 27 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals on Chinese mainland People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- A total of 27 patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland Monday, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.
• Chinese mainland reports no new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Tuesday that no new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases were reported on the Chinese mainland on Monday.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 12 May 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.
• Chinese mainland reports 1 new imported COVID-19 case People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported one new imported case of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Monday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,691, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.
• Wuhan Residents Fear Second Wave of Coronavirus Infections As Fresh Cases Emerge Radio Free Asia 12 May 2020 -- As fresh coronavirus cases were reported in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, sparking concerns over a second wave of the epidemic there, medical experts in the democratic island of Taiwan said they have developed a herbal treatment for COVID-19.
• Wuhan to Complete COVID-19 Test for Everyone in 10 Days - Reports Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- In response to the reemergence of patients with COVID-19 in the city, local authorities in Wuhan have decided to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for all local residents in ten days, the Paper, a Shanghai-based state-owned publication, reported on Tuesday.

Europe

• Europe Coronavirus Updates: UK death toll tops 32,000, Germany to earmark 750 mln euros for vaccine People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- UK recovery plan unveiled in detail as death toll tops 32,000;
• UK adopts strong security approach to coronavirus crisis management Press TV 12 May 2020 -- In a dramatic sign that the UK is determined to add a strong security dimension to the management of its coronovirus crisis, a new joint bio-security center is to be established by a senior security official tipped to become the next chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).
• UK COVID-19 death toll tops 38,000 SPA 12 May 2020 -- The United Kingdom's COVID-19 death toll topped 38,000 as of early May, including suspected cases, by far the worst official toll yet in Europe, according to official data published on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
• UK coronavirus recovery plan unveiled in detail as death toll tops 32,000 People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- The British government on Monday published the document of the long-expected COVID-19 recovery plan, hoping to gradually ease the lockdown measures while at the same time getting the coronavirus pandemic under control.
• Spain Reports Lowest Daily Number of Coronavirus New Cases in 2 Months SPA 12 May 2020 -- The number of newly diagnosed cases of coronavirus in Spain in one day fell on Tuesday to its lowest in more than two months, the health ministry reported, according to Reuters.
• Germany's Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Rise by 933 to 170,508 SPA 12 May 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 933 to 170,508, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
• French govt. management of PPE has left elderly exposed to coronavirus: Report Press TV 12 May 2020 -- The French government's intervention to exclusively manage the distribution of personal protection equipment (PPE) amid the coronavirus epidemic has over time had a side effect of leaving a portion of France's elderly population more at risk.
• Spotlight: France cautiously starts COVID-19 lockdown exit Global Times 12 May 2020 -- Nearly two months after ordering its 67 million population to stay home to stem the coronavirus outbreak, France on Monday cautiously started a gradual process to return to normalcy, easing some restrictions while maintaining others to avoid a new epidemic wave.
• Switzerland enters second phase of easing measures as restaurants, stores back to business Global Times 12 May 2020 -- Switzerland on Monday entered the second phase of relaxation measures as part of a three-phase plan to get back to normal life.

Russia

• Russian Deputy Prime Minister: We Never Manipulated COVID-19 Statistics Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- Russia has never manipulated official coronavirus statistics, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said on Tuesday commenting on reports of foreign media.
• Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov Hospitalised with COVID-19 Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- Peskov has become the latest top Russian figure to come down with COVID-19. Last week, Russia's Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova tested positive for the virus, but said she was manifesting mild symptoms.
• Putin's Spokesman Peskov Hospitalized for Coronavirus VOA 12 May 2020 -- The spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin has been hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to Russian news agencies.
• Russia Moves Up to Second Place In COVID-19 Cases SPA 12 May 2020 -- Russia has surpassed Spain and currently ranks second in the world in the number of officially confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the Russian News Agency (TASS) data based on statements made by these countries' authorities.
• Kremlin Spokesman Peskov, Wife Hospitalized With COVID-19 RFE/RL 12 May 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, and his wife, Tatyana Navka, have tested positive for the coronavirus and are in the hospital being treated for COVID-19.
• Russian Health-Care Regulator Checking Ventilators Linked To Deadly Fires RFE/RL 12 May 2020 -- Russia's health-care regulator, Roszdravnadzor, has started checking ventilation devices widely used for treating serious coronavirus cases in the country following two deadly fires allegedly caused by malfunctions in such equipment.
• No Signs That Russia Underestimates COVID-19 Mortality Rate - WHO Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- There are no signs that Russia is knowingly understating its data on COVID-19 mortality rate despite articles in western media outlets stating otherwise, WHO spokeswoman in Russia Melita Vujnovic said on Tuesday.
• Despite A Mass COVID-19 Outbreak, Workers In Russia's Arctic Labor On RFE/RL 12 May 2020 -- Until recently, the massive Kola Yard project in the town of Belokamenka on the western shore of the Kola Bay was best known as a flagship of Russia's effort to develop the Far North and open the Arctic region for economic exploitation.

India

• 6037 Indians return from abroad in 31 flights under Vande Bharat Mission since 7th May 2020 India PIB 12 May 2020 -- 6037 Indians have been flown back to India in 31 inbound flights operated by Air India and Air India Express under Vande Bharat Mission in 5 days beginning from 7th May 2020.
• Mission Sagar : INS Kesari Hands Over Food Provisions to Maldives India PIB 12 May 2020 -- As part of 'Mission Sagar', Indian Naval Ship Kesari entered Port of Male, Maldives on 12 May 2020.
• Dr. Harsh Vardhan engages with Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and UTs of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh to review preparedness and containment measures taken for COVID-19 management India PIB 12 May 2020 -- Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare held a high level meeting here today with Sh. Girish Chandra Murmu, Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Sh. R. K. Mathur, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Sh. Trivendra Singh Rawat, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, and Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh in presence of Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, MoS, Health and Family Welfare.
• India Announces $265 Billion Package to Revive Battered Economy VOA 12 May 2020 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a massive package of more than $265 billion to revive an economy battered by a seven-week lockdown enforced to contain the coronavirus pandemic.   

Iran

• Official: COVID-19 kills 48 more in Iran IRNA 12 May 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour stated on Tuesday that 88,357 people out of a total of 110,767 infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) have survived while 6,733 have lost their lives.

South Korea

• S.Korea's club-linked COVID-19 cluster infections rise to 102 Global Times 12 May 2020 -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to the cluster infection from clubs and bars at a multicultural neighborhood of Itaewon in the South Korean capital Seoul rose to 102 as of midday Tuesday local time, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

Saudi Arabia

• Ministry of Interior: Curfew in Baish Governorate of Jazan Region for 24 Hours Effective from Today, Entry into and Exit from It is Banned SPA 12 May 2020 -- An official source at the Ministry of Interior stated that within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts to confront coronavirus pandemic and in implementation of the recommendations of competent health authorities to raise the degree of precautionary and preventive measures to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents, it was decided the following:

Taiwan

• No new COVID-19 cases in Taiwan for five straight days CNA 12 May 2020 -- Taiwan confirmed no new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, keeping the total at 440 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

NATO

• Coronavirus response: NATO Secretary General discusses pandemic with EU defence ministers NATO 12 May 2020 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg joined a video conference of European Union Defence Ministers along with the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Tuesday (12 May 2020), to discuss the security implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the efforts of both organisations to respond to this challenge.

Turkey

• Coronavirus Watch in Mideast: Turkey's COVID-19 cases nudge 140,000 as Iran's tally nears 110,000 People's Daily 12 May 2020 -- Turkey's COVID-19 cases climb to 139,771, 3,841 deaths;
• Turkey's Erdogan Eases COVID Restrictions Despite Complacency Fears VOA 12 May 2020 -- Turkey is starting to ease COVID-19 restrictions, as the government claims success in containing the coronavirus. While infection and death rates are falling, concerns remain, the move may be premature, driven more by economic rather than health considerations. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Philippines

• Manila, other high-risk areas in Philippines to remain under "modified" coronavirus lockdown until May 31 Global Times 12 May 2020 -- The Philippines' capital city of Manila, along with other two "high-risk" areas in the country, will remain under "modified enhanced community quarantine" until May 31 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country's Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday.
• Philippines Reports 25 Coronavirus Deaths, 264 More Infections SPA 12 May 2020 -- The Philippines' Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 25 more coronavirus deaths and 264 additional infections, Reuters reported.

Other Countries

• Chinese medical team arrives in Zimbabwe to help combat COVID-19 Global Times 12 May 2020 -- A Chinese medical team arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday to assist the southern African country's efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
• Egypt reports 346 new COVID-19 cases as tally nears 10,000 Global Times 12 May 2020 -- Egypt reported on Monday 346 new COVID-19 infections, as the tally of coronavirus infections in the country nears 10,000.
• Iran, Russia urge enhanced cooperation in battle against coronavirus pandemic Press TV 12 May 2020 -- Iran's Health Minister Saeed Namaki and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Murashko have stressed the importance of enhancing joint efforts in the fight against the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
• Lebanon govt. decides to shut down for 4 days, fearing second virus wave Press TV 12 May 2020 -- Lebanon's government has ordered full shutdown of the Arab country for four days amid an increase in new cases of infection with the new coronavirus.
• COVID-19: Kazakh NGOs Demand Detailed Report On Spending; Iran Allows All Mosques To Open Temporarily RFE/RL 12 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is some 286,000 with more than 4.1 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Kuwait Reports 991 New Coronavirus Cases, 10 Deaths SPA 12 May 2020 -- Kuwait reported today 991 new coronavirus, COVID-19, infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of infections to 10,277.
• Oman announces 148 new COVID-19 cases SPA 12 May 2020 -- Oman's Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday 148 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Sultanate of Oman to 3,721.
• Yemen, WHO Explore Developing Response Plan to Counter Coronavirus Pandemic SPA 12 May 2020 -- Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Najib Al-Aweg held discussions virtually with the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Yemen Dr. Eltaf Mossani to develop response plans and harness resources to meet the health system's needs to counter coronavirus pandemic in Yemen.
• Malaysia reports 16 new coronavirus cases with no new deaths SPA 12 May 2020 -- Malaysian health authorities on Tuesday reported 16 new coronavirus cases, the lowest daily increase there since the government imposed curbs on movement and businesses to contain the spread of the pandemic in March, Reuters reported.
• After Holding Massive Parade, Lukashenko Says Belarus's Coronavirus Situation 'Tolerable' Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- Defying the near-global consensus on instituting lockdowns to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus has so far managed to weather the pandemic through a targeted approach including the hospitalization of cases with symptoms and the monitoring of people they've come in contact with.
• WHO Says US and Brazil Failed to Take Warnings About Virus Outbreak Seriously From the Start Sputnik 12 May 2020 -- The United States has the highest number of coronavirus cases globally, the only country reporting seven-digit numbers of infections. Brazil is also one of the 10 most infected nations according to the WHO. Its President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly dismissed the virus as just a "flu".
• Jamaica Set to Relax Restrictions on Churches and Bars Amid COVID-19 Outbreak VOA 12 May 2020 -- Jamaica will begin relaxing its COVID-19 restrictions this week with the reopening of churches for a two-week trial period.
• Rio Suburb Tighten Restrictions to Slow COVID-19 Spread VOA 12 May 2020 -- The Brazilian city of Niteroi, adjacent to Rio de Janeiro, is increasing its restrictive measures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
• Senegal Eases COVID Restrictions Tuesday, a Day After Surge in Cases VOA 12 May 2020 -- Senegalese President Macky Sall says the West African country will begin reopening mosques and churches Tuesday and ease other restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus.
• Nigeria's Jobless Pessimistic About Finding Work as Businesses Reopen After COVID Lockdown VOA 12 May 2020 -- As many businesses reopen across Nigeria, workers are adjusting to the new reality created by the COVID-19 pandemic, including shorter work hours, pay cuts, and higher unemployment. Nigerian authorities expect the jobless rate this year to hit one in three people.