Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne on Quad Senior Cyber Group Meeting The White House 25 Mar 2022
• Cybercriminal Connected to Multimillion Dollar Ransomware Attacks Sentenced for Online Fraud Schemes US Dept. of Justice 25 Mar 2022 -- An Estonian man was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for his years-long role in furthering and facilitating computer intrusions, the movement of fraudulently obtained goods and funds, and the monetization of stolen financial account information. He also participated in ransomware attacks causing over $53 million in losses and was ordered to pay over $36 million in restitution.
• U.S. Accuses Three FSB Officers, Russian Ministry Programmer Of Hacking Nuclear, Energy Firms RFE/RL 25 Mar 2022 -- U.S. authorities have accused three Russian intelligence officers of hacking U.S. nuclear companies and others for nearly six years, charging them and another man employed by the Russian Defense Ministry of computer conspiracy and other crimes.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

United States

• DoD Awards Contract Modifications to Purchase COVID-19 Antigen Over-the-Counter Test Kits in Support of POTUS' One Billion Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests DoD 25 Mar 2022 -- In the month of March, the Department of Defense (DoD), in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded contract modifications to Abbott Rapid Dx North America, LLC (Orlando, Florida) and iHealth Labs Inc. (Sunnyvale, California), purchasing an additional 176.8 million over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits. This effort supports the president's plan to deliver one billion free at-home COVID-19 tests to the nation in response to the Omicron variant.

China

• China Continues Battling Worst COVID-19 Outbreak of Pandemic VOA 25 Mar 2022 -- China's national health officials said Friday the nation is continuing to battle the country's worst COVID-19 outbreak of the pandemic, with more than 56,000 new cases counted since March 1.
• Shanghai sees highest daily increase in asymptomatic cases amid calls for home quarantine Global Times 25 Mar 2022 -- Shanghai registered its highest daily tally of asymptomatic cases on Friday as the city faces a tough fight against the Omicron variant. Some experts have called for an exploration of home quarantine to free up more medical resources and ease the pressure from increasing COVID-19 cases.
• Chinese mainland reports 1,301 new local COVID-19 cases People's Daily 25 Mar 2022 -- The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported 1,301 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, down from 2,010 on Wednesday, the National Health Commission said Friday.
• Most COVID-19 cases in northeast China's Jilin have mild symptoms People's Daily 25 Mar 2022 -- Northeast China's Jilin Province has logged more than 20,000 local confirmed cases in the latest round of outbreak, with most of those treated in hospital showing mild symptoms, according to the provincial health commission.
• 1st phase of mainland-aided COVID-19 medical facilities completed in Hong Kong People's Daily 25 Mar 2022 -- The community isolation facility (CIF) in Hong Kong's Yuen Long, constructed with the support from the mainland, was handed over to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday, marking the full completion of the first phase of mainland-aided medical facilities in Hong Kong.

India

• India's Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 182.55 Cr India PIB 25 Mar 2022 -- India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 182.55 Cr (1,82,55,75,126) as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,16,22,613 sessions.
• COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 434 India PIB 25 Mar 2022 -- India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 182.83 Crore (1,82,83,57,675) today. More than 25 lakh (25,81,126) Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 1 Crore (1,05,06,025) vaccine doses have been administered to 12-14 years age group so far. More than 2.23 Crore (2,23,98,041) Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries (HCWs, FLWs and Over 60 years) for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
• Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs India PIB 25 Mar 2022 -- The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
• COVID-19 UPDATE India PIB 25 Mar 2022

Iran

• COVID-19 kills 52 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 25 Mar 2022 -- The number of deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in Iran increased to 139,917 with 52 more Iranians killed by the deadly disease over the past 24 hours, Iran's Health Ministry announced on Friday.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports 136 new COVID-19 cases, including 14 domestic CNA 25 Mar 2022 -- Taiwan reported 136 new COVID-19 cases on Friday -- 14 domestically transmitted and 122 that originated abroad -- and no new deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan reports new COVID-19 cases at New Taipei factory and Keelung CNA 25 Mar 2022 -- The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Friday said it was still looking into the sources of domestically-transmitted COVID-19 infections at a technology plant in New Taipei's Shulin District and in Keelung City, northern Taiwan.

Other Countries

• Trucks backed up at Chinese borders in Myanmar and Laos due to COVID restrictions Radio Free Asia 25 Mar 2022 -- Long lines of trucks have formed at the Chinese borders of Laos and Myanmar, held up by China's restriction of imports in an effort to prevent more coronavirus outbreaks, sources in both Southeast Asian countries told RFA.