Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• New York Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 20 Dec 2022 -- A New York man was sentenced today to 12 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support or resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

United States

• U.S. Los Angeles COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations surpass last winter levels People's Daily 20 Dec 2022 -- COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations continue to rise in Los Angeles County, in the western U.S. state of California, surpassing numbers seen at this time last year.

China

• Chinese hospitals seek ventilators, medical supplies amid ongoing COVID-19 wave Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2022 -- Hospitals across China are scrambling to source ventilators and other ICU equipment amid a mounting wave of COVID-19 infections after the government dropped widespread testing and targeted lockdowns under the zero-COVID policy, as residents of Wuhan report rampant community transmission of the virus.
• China's Official COVID Statistics Meet Public Doubt as Cases Increase VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Almost two weeks after China relaxed its strict "zero-COVID" policy measures, China's National Health Commission (NHC) on Tuesday reported five deaths related to the virus after reporting two deaths the day before.
• China Trying to Downplay COVID Threat, Experts Say VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Chinese government officials and international experts have always been at loggerheads about the COVID-19 situation in the world's most populated country. But now they have changed positions.
• Leading respiratory expert predicts Beijing facing spike in severe COVID-19 cases over coming fortnight, urges city to expand ICUs Global Times 20 Dec 2022 -- Beijing may experience a spike in severe COVID-19 cases over the next fortnight, a leading Chinese respiratory expert warned, urging medical institutions to expand intensive care units (ICUs) and boost medical resources to address the impending wave of infections.
• Deaths from other or underlying diseases not classified as COVID-related deaths: epidemiologist Global Times 20 Dec 2022 -- China's top epidemiologist said at a press conference on Tuesday that the deaths of COVID-19 patients due to underlying diseases, which is the main cause of their deaths, are not counted as deaths from Omicron infections.
• Public access to medical care 'immediate priority' of COVID prevention; more focus given to rural areas: health officials Global Times 20 Dec 2022 -- The immediate priority of epidemic prevention and control in China is to ensure the public's access to medical care, while giving focus to strengthening the prevention work and health services in rural areas, a spokesperson of China's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Tuesday at a press conference held by the State Council Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism Against COVID-19.
• Multiple Chinese cities allow mild COVID cases to return to work as life starts to normalize Global Times 20 Dec 2022 -- More Chinese cities are gradually moving on from the COVID-19 impact as some including Guiyang and Chongqing in the Southwest have announced notices to allow people with mild COVID-19 symptoms to return to work if their health conditions are qualified amid the country's continuous efforts to better balance epidemic prevention and social and economic development. Experts suggested each city should make dynamic adjustments based on its epidemic situation.
• China constantly optimizes COVID19 response to strike balance between epidemic prevention and economic, social devt: FM Global Times 20 Dec 2022 -- In light of the new developments in the COVID-19 epidemic, China is constantly optimizing its prevention and control measures to strike a balance between epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response to remarks from the US Department of State about the global concerns over the current Chinese epidemic situation.
• Chinese pharmaceutical firms operate at full capacity to address cold medicine shortage Global Times 20 Dec 2022 -- Many Chinese pharmaceutical companies are operating at full capacity to meet rocketing demand for cold and fever medicines, and thanks to various measures taken by the government and firms, the shortages are easing, according to industry insiders on Tuesday.

Iran

• COVID-19 kills 3 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 20 Dec 2022 -- The number of deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in Iran increased to 144,667 with three more Iranians killed by the deadly disease over the past 24 hours, Iran's Health Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports 17,131 new COVID-19 cases, 18 deaths CNA 20 Dec 2022 -- Taiwan on Tuesday reported 17,131 new COVID-19 infections and 18 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

Other Countries

• Argentina sees spike in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 20 Dec 2022 -- Argentina saw a 129 percent jump in COVID-19 cases in the past week, the Health Ministry said Monday.