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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Iran Spokesman Rejects State Department Allegations Of Extraterritorial Terrorism Radio Farda 26 May 2020 -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Monday dismissed the U.S. State Department allegations that the Iranian regime has carried out more than 360 assassinations and terrorist operations across the world since 1979.
• After Record Drug Bust, Questions of Opioid Crisis Creeping into Asia VOA 26 May 2020 -- The evergreen hills of northeast Myanmar's section of the Golden Triangle are sparse, making it easy to hide out in the open a set of machines that look like squat robots, but are in fact pressure reactors that cook drug chemicals. Authorities revealed last week they had seized the reactors, along with opioids, 193 million meth tablets and other narcotics in what the United Nations called one of the biggest drug busts in Asian history.
• Alexandria Man on FBI Most Wanted List Indicted on Terrorism Charges US Dept. of Justice 26 May 2020 -- A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging an Alexandria man with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization operating in Somalia.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 127 WHO 26 May 2020
• World Still Amidst '1st Wave' of Coronavirus Outbreak, WHO Warns VOA 26 May 2020 -- The World Health Organization's executive director has warned that the world remains in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak as countries continue to struggle to contain it and others rapidly reopen even as cases rise.
• Global COVID-19 cases near 5.5mn mark, WHO warns of 2nd peak Press TV 26 May 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus infections worldwide now stands at 5,495,061, with 346,232 cases having resulted in loss of life, according to the latest figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

United States

• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 26 May 2020
• ATSD(PA), CMO, USD(P&R) Provide Updates on DOD COVID-19 Response DoD 26 May 2020 -- Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs; Matthew Donovan, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; Lisa W. Hershman, the Defense Department's Chief Management Officer
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Eighth Region Hits Benchmark to Begin Reopening Today New York State 26 May 2020
• Readout from the Governors Briefing on COVID-19 Response & Re-Opening Efforts The White House 26 May 2020
• Pentagon Weeks Away From Normal Operating; Military Bases Set to Allow Transfers VOA 26 May 2020 -- The Pentagon is still several weeks away from returning most of the more than 20,000 people who work there back to their offices, defense officials said Tuesday, as the military prepares for some bases to start accepting transfers immediately.
• Pentagon Reservation Plan for Resilience and 'Aligning With National Guidelines for Opening Up America Again' DoD 26 May 2020 -- Today the department unveiled the "Pentagon Reservation Plan for Resilience and 'Aligning with National Guidelines for Opening Up America Again'" for returning to normal operations. The Pentagon Reservation resilience plan places the health and safety of our workforce first.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 26 May 2020
• US may see 30,000 new cases daily, China's COVID-19 predictor shows Global Times 26 May 2020 -- A group of Chinese scientists has developed a global prediction platform for the COVID-19 pandemic based on the impact of climate, environmental conditions and government control measures, which was launched on Monday.
• Democratic Governors Hesitating to Reopen States for Political Reasons, Trump Claims VOA 26 May 2020 -- The governor of North Carolina must make assurances "within a week" that Republicans can hold an in-person convention in late August or the event will be relocated to another state, President Donald Trump said Tuesday.
• Black Covid-19 patients in US hospitalized more often than whites: Study Press TV 26 May 2020 -- African-American patients infected with COVID-19 were hospitalized at emergency rooms nearly three times the rate of white and Hispanic patients due to delayed care, highlighting longstanding disparities in access to health care and economic opportunity in the US.

China

• Chinese scientists find new evidence that Huanan seafood market in Wuhan may not be the origin of the coronavirus Global Times 26 May 2020 -- Chinese scientists have discovered a novel coronavirus clade that is different from that shared among patients connected to the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, which provides new evidence that the market may not be the origin of the virus that caused the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
• Wuhan's test capacity improved by grouped testing Global Times 26 May 2020 -- How did Wuhan manage to test 9 million people within 10 days? Hospitals and testing agencies combined individual sample testing and grouped testing to increase test efficiency, sources told the Global Times.
• Chinese mainland reports 7 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 26 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 Jilin reports no new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic cases were reported in northeast China's Jilin Province on Monday, the provincial health commission said Tuesday.
• WHO appreciates China's openness to joint efforts to identify source of COVID-19 People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that it appreciates China's openness to joint efforts by the international science community to identify the source of the virus, and that such a scientific mission should consist of "the right mix of scientific experts from a multinational perspective."
• China's Hubei reports no new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in central China's Hubei Province on Monday, the provincial health commission said Tuesday.
• 9 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals on Chinese mainland People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- Nine COVID-19 patients 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 26 May 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Tuesday that no new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases were reported on the Chinese mainland on Monday.
• Chinese mainland reports 7 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported seven new imported COVID-19 cases Monday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,731, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.
• Political advisors refute anti-China COVID-19 bills at US Congress PLA Daily 26 May 2020 -- Some US Congress members' anti-China bills related to COVID-19 response are "groundless" and "deceitful," members of China's top political advisory body attending its annual session have said.
• Virologist: Lab leakage claims pure fabrication PLA Daily 26 May 2020 -- The Wuhan Institute of Virology, the target of COVID-19 virus conspiracy theories, did not possess the novel coronavirus before the outbreak, nor did it have the intention or the ability to create the virus, a senior virologist told China Daily on the sidelines of the annual national legislative and political advisory sessions.

Europe

• Europe Coronavirus Updates: Italy's death toll rises to 32,877, Belgium enters new deconfinement stage People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- UK COVID-19 deaths rise to 36,914 as another 121 patients die;
• British Junior Minister for Scotland Resigns over PM Advisor Quarantine Trip VOA 26 May 2020 -- A junior British government minister to Scotland resigned Tuesday over Prime Minister Boris Johnson's failure to fire his top aide for breaching coronavirus lockdown rules by traveling to visit his family.
• Swedish Foreign Minister Defends COVID-19 Response VOA 26 May 2020 -- Sweden's foreign minister has defended the nation's response to the COVID-19 global pandemic after a recent "week-by-week measurement of mortality" that shows the Scandinavian country as having one of the highest rates in the world.
• Italy's New COVID-19 App Tracks Contacts and Protects Privacy VOA 26 May 2020 -- Italy's new contact tracing app for the coronavirus is about to be launched in a number of pilot regions. It will be available to everyone in the country on a voluntary basis and will guarantee the privacy of users, officials who commissioned its development say.
• Greece reopens restaurants and cafes, allowing travel to all islands Global Times 26 May 2020 -- Greece took more steps to normality on Monday, reopening restaurants and cafes while allowing travel to all the islands.
• Britain to provide anti-viral drug remdesivir to some COVID-19 patients SPA 26 May 2020 -- Britain will provide anti-viral drug remdesivir to certain COVID-19 patients that it is most likely to benefit as part of a collaboration with manufacturer Gilead Sciences, Reuters quoted the health ministry as saying on Tuesday.
• 'Swedish Model Not the Smartest': Ex-State Epidemiologist Reverses Herself on Lockdown Strategy Sputnik 26 May 2020 -- Annika Linde, former Swedish state epidemiologist, was initially supportive of Sweden's no-lockdown strategy in a bid to achieve herd immunity, but made a u-turn as the death tally in the nation grew much higher than in neighbouring states.
• Germany Extends Contact Restrictions for Citizens Over COVID-19 Until 29 June - Cabinet Sputnik 26 May 2020 -- The German authorities have extended restrictions on social contacts for citizens in connection with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak until 29 June, the German cabinet said in a statement.

Russia

• Russia Reports 8915 COVID-19 New Infections SPA 26 May 2020 -- Russia reported 8915 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to 362,342.
• Hailed As Heroes On State TV, Russia's Medical Workers Feel Like Victims Off-Screen RFE/RL 26 May 2020 -- When the number of coronavirus cases in Russia began growing in early March, Vladimir Shelkovy set about preparing for an influx of patients to his hospital in Noviy, a village in the southern Krasnodar region.

India

• UPDATES ON COVID-19 India PIB 26 May 2020
• COVID-19 Updates India PIB 26 May 2020
• India's COVID-19 death toll rises to 4,167, total cases at 145,380 People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- India's federal health ministry said Tuesday morning that 146 new deaths due to the COVID-19, besides fresh 6,535 positive cases, were reported since Monday in the country, taking the number of deaths to 4,167 and total cases to 145,380.
• India Reports 6535 Coronavirus New Cases SPA 26 May 2020 -- India announced today that the number of deaths related to COVID-19 in the country increased to 4167 cases, while the number of infections increased to 145,380.

Iran

• Official: 57 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 26 May 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Tuesday that some 57 more Iranians died from coronavirus over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 7,508.
• Getting It In The Gut: Iran Sees Rise In Gastrointestinal Coronavirus Infections RFE/RL 26 May 2020 -- Iran became one of the first coronavirus hot spots outside of China in March when thousands of Iranians began showing respiratory symptoms of COVID-19.

South Korea

• S.Korea reports 19 more COVID-19 cases, 11,225 in total People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- South Korea reported 19 more cases of the COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago as of 0:00 a.m. Tuesday local time, raising the total number of infections to 11,225.

Japan

• Japan Reports 21 Coronavirus New Cases SPA 26 May 2020 -- Japan registered 21 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the total number of infected patients to 16642 cases.

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia to end curfew on June 21 Global Times 26 May 2020 -- Saudi Arabia will begin easing restrictions on movement and travel this week, more than two months after stringent measures were introduced to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
• COVID-19 Follow-up Committee Holds 94th Meeting SPA 26 May 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 94th meeting today, in the presence of the members of the Committee representing a number of the relevant governmental entities.
• Ministry of Interior: Change to the times allowed during the curfew in all regions, except Makkah SPA 26 May 2020 -- An official source at the Ministry of Interior stated that, based on what the relevant health authorities submitted regarding the measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the possibility of changing the times of the partial curfews and the return of some activities amid precautionary and preventive measures, the approval has been issued on the following:
• Ministry of Health: Recovery Cases Exceed 45,000 SPA 26 May 2020 -- Assistant Minister of Health Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, who is also spokesperson of the Health Ministry, said that 2235 new COVID-19 cases were reported today in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, adding that the new cases were reported in many cities and governorates in the Kingdom.

Taiwan

• Taiwan Navy cluster originated in Taiwan, not Palau: CECC CNA 26 May 2020 -- The source of a cluster infection of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on board a Taiwanese Navy ship in March originated in Taiwan rather than Palau, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Tuesday.

Brazil

• Trump's Brazil Travel Ban Begins Tuesday VOA 26 May 2020 -- A new U.S. ban on travelers from Brazil goes into effect Tuesday, two days earlier than the White House initially announced, in an added effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
• U.S. imposes travel restrictions on Brazil due to COVID-19 People's Daily 26 May 2020 -- The White House on Sunday announced travel restrictions on Brazil, the nation with the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases.

NATO

• Coronavirus response: United States and NATO provide additional critical assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in tackling pandemic NATO 26 May 2020 -- Today (26 May 2020), as part of the broad Allied efforts in response to the COVID 19 pandemic, representatives of the United States military and NATO Headquarters/Sarajevo have donated critical supplies and medical equipment to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The donation was delivered to the Ministry of Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It included dozens of thermometers, hundreds of face shield visors, five thousands masks, hundreds of protective goggles and suits, hundreds of blankets, pillows and bed linen sets and hundreds of litres of disinfectant. A similar delivery was made this past Friday (22 May 2020) to the Ministry of Health of Republika Srpska.

Other Countries

• Afghanistan reports 658 new COVID-19 cases, 11,831 in total Global Times 26 May 2020 -- Afghanistan on Tuesday reported 658 new COVID-19 within the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 11,831, the country's Ministry of Public Health confirmed.
• COVID-19: Russia Says CSTO Should Focus On Biosecurity; Georgia Marks Subdued Independence Day RFE/RL 26 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is almost 350,000 with more than 5.4 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Algeria Reports 194 New COVID-19 Cases SPA 26 May 2020 -- The Ministry of Health of Algeria reported today 194 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of the cases to 8697 cases.
• Jordan's Total Number of COVID-19 Cases Reaches 718 SPA 26 May 2020 -- The Jordanian Ministry of Health reported today 7 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number to 718.
• Lebanon Reports 21 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 26 May 2020 -- Lebanon reported 21 new cases of the nonvel Coronavirus (COVID-19),bringing the total number of cases to 1140.
• UAE Reports 779 Coronavirus New Cases SPA 26 May 2020 -- The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced on Tuesday that it had detected 779 coronavirus new cases, bringing the total number of the infected in the United Arab Emirates to 31086, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
• Kuwait Confirms 608 More Coronavirus Cases, 7 Fatalities SPA 26 May 2020 -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced 608 persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in the past 24 hours, taking the overall count to 22575, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
• Oman Reports 348 New COVID-19 Cases SPA 26 May 2020 -- Oman's Ministry of Health announced today 348 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Sultanate to 8118.
• Morocco Reports 24 COVID-19 New Cases SPA 26 May 2020 -- Morocco reported 24 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 7556 cases, while the fatalities' tally remained at 202, according to Morocco Press Agency (MAP).
• Number of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Ukraine Exceeds 21,000 SPA 26 May 2020 -- The number of people infected with the new coronavirus in Ukraine increased to 21,584 cases.
• Malaysia Reports 172 Coronavirus New Cases SPA 26 May 2020 -- Malaysia reported 172 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 7417, Reuters reported.
• Singapore Confirms 383 More Coronavirus Cases SPA 26 May 2020 -- Singapore's health ministry confirmed on Tuesday 383 more cases of the new coronavirus, taking the city-state's tally to 32,343, Reuters reported.
• WHO Official Warns Against Reopening African Nations Unable to Duly Test, Treat Patients Sputnik 26 May 2020 -- The abatement of coronavirus-related restrictions should be carried out carefully and only in those African countries whose health care system is prepared to properly cope with a potential influx of patients, WHO Africa Programme Manager for Emergency Response Michel Yao said in an interview.
• Urban Refugees in East Africa Resort to Desperate Measures as COVID-19 Takes Hold VOA 26 May 2020 -- The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR warns hundreds of thousands of urban refugees across the East, Horn and Great Lakes region of Africa are resorting to desperate measures to survive as the economic impact of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, takes hold.
• Madagascar Deploys Troops, Doctors to City After Spike in COVID-19 Cases VOA 26 May 2020 -- Madagascar is sending soldiers and doctors to the city of Toamasina in an effort to contain a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country's second largest city.
• More COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions to Be Eased in New Zealand VOA 26 May 2020 -- By the end of this week New Zealand will have some of the world's most relaxed COVID-19 controls. Gatherings of up 100 people will be permitted starting Friday (May 29), up from the previous limit of ten people. New Zealand has had about 1,500 reported or probable coronavirus infections. 21 people have died.
• Medical Workers in Mexico City Protest for Proper Equipment to Treat Coronavirus VOA 26 May 2020 -- Dozens of Mexican health workers in Mexico City are demanding that authorities provide them with Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed for attending to coronavirus patients.