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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Cuba dismisses US labeling as country not cooperating in counterterrorism Press TV 14 May 2020 -- Cuba has dismissed a move by the United States to list the country among the states not cooperating with Washington in counterterrorism, saying the Caribbean nation itself is a victim of US-linked terror.
• Iran: US sponsors terrorists, not qualified to assess other countries' anti-terror efforts Press TV 14 May 2020 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has reacted to the United States' naming of Iran as one of the countries "not cooperating with the US' counterterrorism efforts," saying as a state sponsor of terrorism, Washington is barely qualified to assess other countries' anti-terror efforts.
• USS Lassen, Embarked Coast Guard Team Recover Illegal Drugs in Caribbean NNS 14 May 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) with embarked U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) team recovered more than 3,500 pounds of marijuana, May 2.
• China blasts US accusation of hacking COVID-19 research Press TV 14 May 2020 -- China says the United States is smearing the Asian country after Washington alleged that Chinese hackers were attempting to break into US COVID-19 research on developing a vaccine against the contagious disease.
• Pompeo Calls on China to Stop Attempts to Steal COVID-19 Research Sputnik 14 May 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned China-affiliated actors of trying to steal research related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and called on Beijing to cease such malicious activity, according to a statement issued on Thursday.
• The United States Condemns Attempts by PRC-Affiliated Actors to Steal American COVID-19 Research US Dept. of State 14 May 2020 -- The United States condemns attempts by cyber actors and non-traditional collectors affiliated with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to steal U.S. intellectual property and data related to COVID-19 research, as announced in a May 13, 2020 warning by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 115 WHO 14 May 2020
• Search for Coronavirus Vaccine Sparks Tensions VOA 14 May 2020 -- There are currently no known vaccines for COVID-19 but fighting over those that might be produced has begun.
• Presidents and prime ministers lead call for 'people's vaccine', free to all UN News 14 May 2020 -- UNAIDS, the UN agency fighting against the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, has initiated a petition from global leaders requesting that when a successful COVID-19 vaccine is developed, it be made available free of charge to all.
• Workers and COVID-19: Access to healthcare, now 'a matter of life and death' UN News 14 May 2020 -- The spread of COVID-19 in developing countries has exposed gaps in social protection coverage which could compromise recovery plans, expose millions of people to poverty and affect global readiness to cope with similar crises, according to two policy briefs issued Thursday by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
• UN rights chief warns against mishandling the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns UN News 14 May 2020 -- The UN Human Rights High Commissioner on Thursday warned of potential risks as more countries move to lift lockdown measures put in place to contain COVID-19 spread.
• UN Urges Countries to Focus on Mental Health in Coronavirus Response VOA 14 May 2020 -- The United Nations is calling on governments to focus on mental health services as people all over the world deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
• UN chief calls for attention to mental health problems caused by COVID-19 People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for attention to mental health problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• WHO, other UN agencies call for more prevention and control measures in prisons People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday joined a group of UN officials in urging all countries to enhance prevention and control measures in respect to vulnerable populations in places of detention.
• Global COVID-19 Death Toll Tops 300,000 - Johns Hopkins Sputnik 14 May 2020 -- The latest data by Johns Hopkins reveals that the number of COVID-19 deaths in the world has surpassed more than 300,000.
• COVID-19 to slash global economic output by $8.5 trillion over next 2 years IRNA 14 May 2020 -- Against the backdrop of a devastating pandemic, the global economy is projected to contract sharply by 3.2 percent this year, the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) reported on Thursday.

United States

• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 14 May 2020
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Fifth Region Hits Benchmark to Begin Reopening May 15th New York State 14 May 2020
• Whistleblower Testifies on 'Scientific Integrity' in US Coronavirus Response VOA 14 May 2020 -- The United States lacks a comprehensive plan to respond to the coronavirus, a U.S. health official warned lawmakers Thursday.
• Ousted health official to warn Congress of "unprecedented illness and fatalities" if US fails to act more Global Times 14 May 2020 -- Rick Bright, a US health official recently ousted from a post key to developing vaccines, will warn Congress of "unprecedented illness and fatalities" in the nation if it fails to ramp up preparation against the coronavirus, according to his written testimony to a congressional panel.
• Over One-Third of COVID-19 Patients Experienced Kidney Failure, US Study Claims Sputnik 14 May 2020 -- A recent study based on New York medical system data has found that some 36.6% of patients diagnosed with the COVID-19 novel coronavirus also experienced acute kidney injury (AKI) and, in some cases, required dialysis to survive.
• Pentagon Reports Number of COVID-19 Cases Among Servicemembers Approaches 5,500 Sputnik 14 May 2020 -- The number of novel coronavirus infections among US military servicemembers approaches 5,500, while the total number including infections among families, contractors and civilian personnel has increased to 8,297, the US Department of Defense announced in a fact sheet on Thursday.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 14 May 2020
• Trump Confident COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Available by Year's End VOA 14 May 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is saying he is confident there will be a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year, and mass inoculations of the public will occur quickly.
• Remarks by President Trump at Owens & Minor, Inc. Distribution Center | Allentown, PA The White House 14 May 2020
• 325K households could be evicted over COVID-19 in NY City Press TV 14 May 2020 -- More than 325,000 of lowest-income households in New York City, amounting to one million people, could be evicted over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a nonprofit providing aid to homeless children.
• Briefing With Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback On COVID-19 Impact on Religious Minorities US Dept. of State 14 May 2020
• Trump deepens rift with Fauci on US reopening amid Fed warning Press TV 14 May 2020 -- US President Donald Trump says he "totally" disagrees with his top health advisor, Anthony Fauci, who warned of "serious consequences" of an early ending of coronavirus restrictions as the epidemic continues to rage across the virus-stricken country.
• Trump, Fauci at odds on reopening schools in U.S. People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday questioned the assessment of Anthony Fauci, a U.S. top infectious disease expert, on reopening the nation's schools, a day after Fauci pleaded for caution in doing so.
• Over 100 children in New York state diagnosed with rare syndrome possibly linked to COVID-19 People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- The U.S. state of New York is investigating around 102 cases reported statewide of children diagnosed with a rare inflammatory syndrome possibly related to COVID-19, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.
• Benelux stands up COVID-19 facility in less than 30 days Army News 14 May 2020 -- Earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Army Benelux workforce did not know the extent to which the disease would spread within Belgium, within the garrison community, nor with what rapidity.
• Los Angeles reopens beaches as COVID-19 continues to spread Global Times 14 May 2020 -- Los Angeles County on Wednesday reopened all beaches to the public with restrictions, after a six-week temporary closure amid California's statewide stay-at-home order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

China

• China targets GOP hawks, US firms, states over lawsuits Global Times 14 May 2020 -- China is extremely dissatisfied with the abuse of litigation by the US against China over the COVID-19 epidemic, and is considering punitive countermeasures against US individuals, entities and state officials, such as Missouri's attorney general Eric Schmitt, who filed a lawsuit against China, seeking compensation for the coronavirus pandemic, sources close to the matter told the Global Times exclusively.
• US regulator not rejecting BYD's N95 masks Global Times 14 May 2020 -- US authorities have not struck down Chinese company BYD's bid for exporting its N95 masks to the country, sources said.
• Trump Eyes China Crackdown as Coronavirus Retribution VOA 14 May 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he is eyeing ways to crack down on China as retribution for the way it handled the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
• FM refutes theft slander, says China should worry about US hackers stealing vaccine research Global Times 14 May 2020 -- Rumors cannot defeat the virus, smearing cannot overcome the pandemic, Chinese FM spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Thursday after the FBI released an announcement claiming that China is stealing US information regarding research on COVID-19 drugs, vaccines and treatment.
• Wuhan universal test begins, to determine asymptomatic rates Global Times 14 May 2020 -- Wuhan, the city worst-hit by the COVID-19 in China, is undergoing a weeklong citywide nucleic acid testing for its 11 million residents, which medical experts believe could help assure residents, find out the proportion of silent carriers and offer reference for the nation to prevent a possible resurgence of COVID-19.
• China's Heilongjiang reports no new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Wednesday, the provincial health commission said Thursday.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Wednesday, the provincial health commission said Thursday.
• China's Jilin reports 1 new COVID-19 case People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Northeast China's Jilin Province reported one new confirmed COVID-19 case on Wednesday, local health authorities said Thursday.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Wednesday, the provincial health commission said Thursday.
• 6 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital on Chinese mainland People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Six patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from hospital after recovery on the Chinese mainland Wednesday, the National Health Commission said Thursday.
• Chinese mainland reports 3 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Thursday that it received reports of three new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Wednesday.
• Factbox: China's fight against novel coronavirus outbreak People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Here are the latest developments on COVID-19 in China:
• Vice premier inspects Heilongjiang for COVID-19 response People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan demanded strengthened efforts to plug the loopholes in COVID-19 response and prevent case importation and domestic resurgence.
• COVID-19 to slash global economic output by 8.5 trln USD over next two years: UN report People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Against the backdrop of a devastating pandemic, the global economy is projected to contract sharply by 3.2 percent this year, according to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid-2020 report published on Wednesday.
• PLA sends supplies to help militaries in 12 countries combat COVID-19 PLA Daily 14 May 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday and Wednesday sent COVID-19 prevention and control supplies, including protective gowns and face masks, at the request of military forces from 12 different countries.
• Wuhan Locks Down Residential Compounds Amid Citywide Test Rollout Radio Free Asia 14 May 2020 -- Authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan are restricting movements in and out of its residential communities, as fears grow of a resurgence in coronavirus cases following the lifting of the lockdown, RFA has learned.
• Xi Focus: Xi chairs leadership meeting on regular epidemic response, industrial and supply chains PLA Daily 14 May 2020 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Thursday chaired a leadership meeting on the effective implementation of regular epidemic prevention and control measures.
• China mulling punitive countermeasure on US over COVID-19 lawsuits: sources Global Times 14 May 2020 -- China is extremely dissatisfied with US excessive litigation against China over the COVID-19 epidemic and mulling punitive countermeasures on US individuals, entities and state officials like Missouri's attorney general, who filed lawsuits against China in seeking damages over the coronavirus pandemic, sources close to the matter told the Global Times exclusively, and China won't just strike back symbolically, but impose countermeasures that could make them feel the pain, analysts said.

Europe

• France rejects US should get coronavirus vaccine first Press TV 14 May 2020 -- France says equal access to any COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Paris-based multinational pharmaceutical company, Sanofi, is non-negotiable, stressing that no country, particularly the United States, should have priority because of financial motivation.
• Europe Coronavirus Updates: UK deaths pass 33,000, Germany to gradually relax border controls People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- UK faces "significant recession" as COVID-19 deaths pass 33,000;
• First COVID-19 cases in France date back to November People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Doctors at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital of Colmar in eastern France said they've found evidence that the earliest COVID-19 cases in the country can be traced back to November 16, according to a press release from the hospital on Thursday.
• COVID Deaths Increase in Spain VOA 14 May 2020 -- Spain's health ministry reported Thursday the country's daily coronavirus death toll rose above 200 for the first time in five days, with 217 fatalities reported since Wednesday.
• Sierra Leonean Uses Ebola Experience to Help Spain Fight COVID VOA 14 May 2020 -- Felix Sesay left his native Sierra Leone in 2016 to escape the Ebola outbreak, only to find himself helping others survive another epidemic – COVID-19.
• Barcelona to remain in first stage of lockdown de-escalation People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city, will have to wait until at least May 25 before progressing to the second phase of the Spanish government's four-phase plan to relax the coronavirus lockdown, which has been in force the country since March 15.
• Germany's Coronavirus Infections Rise by 933 Cases to 172,239 SPA 14 May 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose 933 to stand at 172,239, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Thursday, Reuters reported.
• EU Voices 'Particular Concerns' Over Hungary's Coronavirus Laws RFE/RL 14 May 2020 -- The European Union's commissioner responsible for upholding the bloc's values and transparency has expressed deep concern over the situation in Hungary, where right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban was granted sweeping powers under a package of emergency measures aimed at fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
• Bulgarian Ultra-Nationalists Protest Government's Coronavirus Measures RFE/RL 14 May 2020 -- Some two thousand supporters of an ultra-nationalist and pro-Russian party protested in Sofia against the Bulgarian government and its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Russia

• In Russia, Rumblings of Discontent Grow as Oligarchs Move to Plug Gaps VOA 14 May 2020 -- Once they scrambled to grab what they could from a disintegrating Soviet state, exploiting the political and economic chaos of the post-communist Boris Yeltsin era to secure state enterprises, oilfields and mineral deposits at knockdown prices. But now Russia's uber-wealthy oligarchs are rushing to shore up a failing state effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
• Russia Reports 9974 New Coronavirus Infections SPA 14 May 2020 -- Russia on Wednesday reported 9974 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide tally to 252,245, according to Reuters.
• WHO Representative Downplays Doubts About Russian Coronavirus Figures RFE/RL 14 May 2020 -- The World Health Organization's representative in Russia has downplayed doubts about the country's coronavirus statistics even as new public data suggests authorities may be undercounting the death toll from the pandemic.

India

• Dr Harsh Vardhan participates in the 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers' Meetingthrough VC India PIB 14 May 2020 -- Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare participated in the 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers' Meeting through Video Conference, here today. The theme of the meeting was- Delivering a co-ordinated Commonwealth COVID-19 response.
• Dr Harsh Vardhan dedicates COBAS 6800 testing machine to the nation India PIB 14 May 2020 -- Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare visited the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and dedicated the COBAS 6800 testing machine to the nation, here today. This is the first such testing machine that has been procured by the Government for testing of COVID-19 cases and is installed at the National Centre for Disease Control.
• OP Samudrasetu- INS Jalashwa Returns to Maldives for Phase 2 India PIB 14 May 2020 -- Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa has returned to Male, Maldives to begin Phase 2 of Operation SamudraSetu - repatriation of Indian Nationals from foreign shores by sea. The ship will enter Male port in the early hours of 15 May 20 and begin embarkation of Indian citizens who have already registered with the Indian Embassy in Maldives.

Iran

• Iran Receives Another Cargo Of Medical Supplies From Germany Radio Farda 14 May 2020 -- An official of the Iranian Customs Organization on Thursday confirmed that a consignment of medical equipment purchased from Germany worth around 749,000 euros (about $800,000) has been delivered to Iran.
• Rouhani: People's cooperation key factor in controlling coronavirus pandemic Press TV 14 May 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says solidarity among Iranian officials and good cooperation from people were major factors that helped the country rein in a deadly outbreak of the new coronavirus.
• Iran says test kits sent to Turkey, though with delay, despite Turkish denial of delivery Press TV 14 May 2020 -- Iran reiterates that a consignment of 40,000 Iranian-made COVID-19 test kits has been sent to Turkey, although with a delay caused by transportation restrictions amid the pandemic, days after Turkish sources denied that the delivery had been made.
• Official: 71 more Iranians die from COVID-19 IRNA 14 May 2020 -- The head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office said on Thursday that some 71 Iranians died from coronavirus over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 6,854.

South Korea

• Experts warn China to pay attention to S.Korea's COVID-19 cluster Global Times 14 May 2020 -- Chinese experts said that South Korea was moving too early and quickly to lift restrictions after the East Asian country detected a cluster of COVID-19 cases in its capital Seoul, and warned that China should be vigilant to keep this from happening domestically.

Japan

• Japan lifts COVID-19 emergency for 39 of 47 prefectures ahead of planned deadline Global Times 14 May 2020 -- The Japanese government on Thursday decided to lift a nationwide state of emergency for 39 of the country's 47 prefectures where the COVID-19 has been less prevalent, with the move coming ahead of the planned deadline of May 31.
• Japan Lifts COVID State of Emergency for Much of Country VOA 14 May 2020 -- A nationwide state of emergency imposed in Japan to blunt the coronavirus pandemic has been lifted with the exception of Tokyo and several other regions.

Saudi Arabia

• COVID-19 Committee Holds 85th Meeting SPA 14 May 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 85th meeting today, in the presence of the members of the Committee representing a number of the relevant governmental entities.

Taiwan

• Taiwan records no new COVID-19 cases, tally remains at 440 CNA 14 May 2020 -- Taiwan reported no new COVID-19 cases for seven days on Thursday, keeping the number of those infected at 440, 383 of whom have so far recovered, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan, Australia to team up on COVID-19 drug study CNA 14 May 2020 -- Taiwanese and Australian university researchers will work together on developing new drugs with potential efficacy against various viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, Taiwan's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) said Thursday.

Malaysia

• Malaysia Reports 40 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 14 May 2020 -- Malaysian health authorities today reported 40 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number to 689 cases, Reuters reported.
• Malaysia Reports 40 New Coronavirus Cases, One Additional Death SPA 14 May 2020 -- Malaysia on Thursday reported 40 new coronavirus cases with one additional death, the health ministry said, according to Reuters.

Yemen

• WHO Shortfalls Risk Yemen COVID-19 Response VOA 14 May 2020 -- The World Health Organization will start shutting down some of its programs in Yemen due to funding shortages, just as the coronavirus is starting to spread in the war-torn country.
• Yemen's COVID-19 Fight: 'We've Only Just Begun' VOA 14 May 2020 -- Outside the gates of the Old City in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, crowds of people gathered to buy clothes and food last week as they fasted for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month.

NATO

• NATO Looks to Ensure Health Crisis Doesn't Become Security Crisis DoD News 14 May 2020 -- NATO was created to deal with crises, and the alliance continues as the world faces the coronavirus pandemic, said the chairman of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels.
• Coronavirus response: United States transports aid in Italy using NATO's Rapid Air Mobility initiative NATO 14 May 2020 -- A United States Air Force Super Hercules C-130J transported medical and other relief supplies between Milan and Rome on Wednesday (13 May 2020), helping Italy with its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The operation helped redistribute more than 15,000 kilograms of supplies, including KN-95 masks, surgical gowns and COVID-19 test kits between Italian distribution hubs. The flight from the US 86th Airlift Wing out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is the first in a planned series of US Air Forces mobility support operations to Italy.
• NATO Secretary General thanks Slovenia for support in COVID-19 fight NATO 14 May 2020 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Prime Minister Janez Janša for Slovenia's solidarity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in a call on Thursday (14 May 2020). Mr. Stoltenberg also expressed appreciation for Slovenia's continued contributions to NATO, including the deployment of Slovenian troops in Kosovo.
• NATO Secretary General: Security challenges not diminishing because of COVID-19 NATO 14 May 2020 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed a meeting of NATO Chiefs of Defence on Thursday (14 May 2020) by videoconference. He stressed that security challenges have not diminished because of COVID-19 and NATO must continue to ensure that the health crisis does not turn into a security crisis.

Other Countries

• Founder Of Kaspersky Cybersecurity Lab: Cybercrime On Rise During COVID-19 Lockdowns RFE/RL 14 May 2020 -- Russian cybersecurity magnate and CEO of Moscow-based cybersecurity Kaspersky Lab says cybercrimes have risen during lockdowns introduced across the world to slow down coronavirus spread, adding that the majority of cybercriminals are Russian-speakers.
• France's Pasteur Institute on Front Lines of Africa's COVID Response VOA 14 May 2020 -- There are few days when the Paris-based Pasteur Institute and its far-flung network are not in the news.
• Cameroon Arrests People Without Masks as COVID-19 Cases Increase VOA 14 May 2020 -- Police in Cameroon have detained several hundred people for not wearing face masks in public, as COVID-19 cases in the central African state continue to rise.
• Nairobi Neighborhood's Residents Struggle to Make Living During COVID Lockdown VOA 14 May 2020 -- Kenyan authorities last week locked down the Nairobi neighborhood of Eastleigh because of a jump in confirmed coronavirus infections. As a result of the restriction of movement in and out of the area, aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, businesses in Eastleigh are struggling to get by.
• South Africa Set to Move Toward Easing Lockdown Restrictions VOA 14 May 2020 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said most of the country will move toward relaxing coronavirus restrictions later this month even as the number of confirmed cases topped 12,000.
• The Small Southern African Country of Lesotho is Attending its First COVID-19 Patient VOA 14 May 2020 -- Healthcare workers in the tiny Southern African country of Lesotho are attending to the country's first COVID-19 patient.
• Canada receives key COVID-19 testing equipment donation from China Global Times 14 May 2020 -- Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, has donated key laboratory equipment to Canada's Sinai Health, a major center for COVID-19 testing in the North American country. According to Chinese project contractor BGI Group, it will raise the Canadian facility's daily testing throughput to 2,000 samples and support the urgent need for additional testing capacity in Ontario.
• Chinese medical team to depart for Algeria for COVID-19 control Global Times 14 May 2020 -- The Chinese government will send a team of medical experts to Algeria to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Chinese military supports Afghan counterpart in fighting COVID-19 PLA Daily 14 May 2020 -- The Chinese military has provided medical supplies to its Afghan counterpart to help it fight the COVID-19 and the hand-over ceremony was held here on Tuesday.
• Coronavirus Watch in Mideast: Turkey's COVID-19 cases surpass 143,000 as Iran's tally exceeds 112,000 People's Daily 14 May 2020 -- Turkey's COVID-19 cases on Wednesday exceeded 143,000, while the tally in Iran crossed 112,000.
• Millions of Syrians food insecure amid coronavirus pandemic: WFP Press TV 14 May 2020 -- The United Nations food agency says a record 9.3 million people are now food insecure in Syria, which has endured almost a decade of foreign-backed militancy and is under rounds of crippling economic sanctions imposed by the United States.
• COVID-19: Armenian Government Approves Extending State Of Emergency RFE/RL 14 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is almost 300,000 with more than 4.3 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Kuwait reports 947 new Coronavirus cases, 6 deaths SPA 14 May 2020 -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced 947 new coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 11,975, while six deaths were reported as well, bringing the fatalities' toll up to 88, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
• UAE Health Ministry Announces 698 COVID-19 New Cases SPA 14 May 2020 -- The Ministry of Health and Prevention announced on Thursday that it conducted over 37,000 additional COVID-19 tests using state-of-the-art medical testing methods, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).
• Oman Announces 322 New Coronavirus Infections SPA 14 May 2020 -- Oman's Ministry of Health announced on Thursday 322 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Sultanate of Oman to 4341.
• Thailand Reports One New Coronavirus Case, No New Deaths SPA 14 May 2020 -- Thailand on Thursday reported one new coronavirus case and no new deaths, bringing the total to 3,018 cases and 56 deaths since the outbreak started in January, Reuters reported.
• Australia Parliament Debunks 5G COVID-19 Conspiracy Theory VOA 14 May 2020 -- An Australian parliamentary report has debunked a conspiracy theory linking COVID-19 to 5G technology. Anti-lockdown protesters in Australia and beyond have claimed a connection between the new coronavirus and the rollout of the mobile communications standard.
• COVID-19 Outbreak Peaking and Will Begin a Slow Decline, Peru's President Says VOA 14 May 2020 -- Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra said the rate of coronavirus cases is peaking and will begin a gradual decline as the country moves into the "final stage" of a lockdown which began more than two months ago.
• Mexico to gradually ease lockdown starting May 18 Global Times 14 May 2020 -- Mexico's government on Wednesday announced that it will begin to ease the nationwide lockdown from May 18 to reactivate an economy that ground to a halt two months ago to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.