Published in: The Daily Star

Date: 28 Apr 2020

More than 206,000 dead

A total of 206,567 people have died worldwide since the epidemic surfaced in China in December, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT yesterday based on official sources. More than 2.9 million cases have now been reported.The US has the most deaths of any country with 54,877 fatalities. Italy is the second hardest-hit country, with 26,644 dead. Spain follows with 23,521, then France with 22,856 and the UK with 20,732.

Modi hails ‘positive’ lockdown

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday underlined that lockdown across the country “has yielded positive results” by potentially saving thousands of lives. Across India, the death toll rose to 872 and the number of positive cases soared to 28,892.

Back to school

China and Norway, which say they have the epidemic under control, reopen schools in another step toward a gradual normalisation. China reported three new confirmed coronavirus cases on April 26, with no new deaths.

COVIDSafe app

Australia launches a smartphone app to trace people who come in contact with coronavirus patients. The COVIDSafe app, which has raised privacy concerns, uses a phone’s Bluetooth wireless signal to store information about people’s interactions, and can be accessed by health officials if a person contracts the virus. Nearly two million Australians rushed to download the app within hours of launch.

China deny ‘disinformation’

China’s foreign ministry yesterday denied claims that Beijing is spreading disinformation about the coronavirus following a European Union report that said there was “significant evidence” of covert Chinese operations on social media. The report by the EU’s foreign policy arm said state-backed governments including China and Russia were responsible for spreading disinfomration on the virus.

Thai emergency to extend

Thailand will extend a state of emergency over the coronavirus until the end of May, but will consider easing some restrictions on businesses and public activities. Thailand yesterday reported nine new coronavirus cases.

Italy to reopen factories

Italy will allow manufacturers, construction companies and some wholesalers to reopen businesses from May 4, followed by retailers two weeks later. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to reopen fully from the beginning of June, although takeaway business will be possible earlier.

NY may ‘reopen’ on May 15  

New York may start reopening manufacturing and construction after May 15, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Sunday. Cuomo, however, said that any easing of measures would take place first in the north of the state and not in the New York City metropolitan region, by far the hardest-hit area in the United States.

Source:

https://www.thedailystar.net/world/news/coronavirus-pandemic-latest-updates-1897435