International

‘Total’ lockdown for Chile capital after virus spike

by Paulina ABRAMOVICH Agence France Presse SANTIAGO, Chile (AFP) — Chile ordered a mandatory total quarantine for the capital Santiago’s seven million people Wednesday after authorities reported a 60 percent spike in coronavirus infections in 24 hours, dealing a stunning blow to hopes the economy would soon reopen. “The most severe measure I must announce is a total quarantine in Greater Santiago,” the location of 80 percent of the country’s 34,000-plus confirmed cases, Health Minister […]

COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos rise to 2,310; recoveries breach 700 mark

(Eagle News) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported 77 new confirmed COVID-19 cases involving overseas Filipinos, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,310 as of Wednesday, May 13. The Department also reported 8 new deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related fatalities to 269. Seventy seven (77) new recoveries were also recorded, mostly in the Asia and Pacific and Europe regions, with the total now at 757. “[T]he daily rate […]

Russia records more than 10,000 new virus cases

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russia registered more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday continuing a grim trend that has seen the country become a global virus hotspot. Health officials reported 10,028 new cases over the last 24 hours, bringing Russia’s total number of infections to 242,271. The Kremlin this week eased a national lockdown to slow the spread of the virus, despite a steady rise in numbers that has brought Russia to second place […]

Young sumo wrestler dies of coronavirus in Japan

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A 28-year-old sumo wrestler died in Japan on Wednesday after contracting coronavirus and suffering multiple organ failure, becoming the ancient sport’s first COVID-19 fatality, the national association said. Shobushi, a lower-ranking wrestler belonging to the Takadagawa stable in Tokyo, died early Wednesday after battling the disease for more than a month. He developed a fever over April 4-5 but had trouble contacting the local public health office because phone lines were […]

US virus expert warns of dangers as countries reopen

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — America’s top infectious diseases official has warned that ending lockdowns too quickly could trigger uncontrollable new coronavirus outbreaks, as the global death toll closes in on 300,000. The stark words from Anthony Fauci came as much of the United States and Europe press ahead with easing curbs that have confined billions to their homes to stem the spread of the disease. Opening up continues despite the toll spiking in some […]

Chinese city in partial lockdown over ‘major risk’ of virus spread

BEIJING, China (AFP) — A northeastern Chinese city has partially shut its borders and cut off transport links after the emergence of a local coronavirus cluster that has fuelled growing fears of a second wave of infections in China. Jilin, with a population of more than four million, suspended bus services Wednesday and said it will only allow residents to leave the city if they have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past 48 hours […]

Pence to ‘keep distance’ from Trump: White House

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Vice President Mike Pence, whose press secretary tested positive for coronavirus, has decided to “keep his distance” from President Donald Trump for a few days, the White House said Tuesday. Katie Miller, Pence’s press secretary, tested positive for the virus last week along with a personal valet to Trump. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Pence, who heads the White House coronavirus task force, “has made the choice […]

US adds 1,894 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: tracker

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States recorded 1,894 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 82,246, according to the real-time tally by Johns Hopkins University at 8:30 pm Tuesday (0030 GMT Wednesday). The figure was a sharp rise after daily tolls fell below 1,000 on Sunday and Monday. The country — hardest hit by the pandemic in terms of the number of fatalities — has now confirmed a total […]

113-year-old Spanish woman survives coronavirus

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — A 113-year-old woman, believed to be the oldest person living in Spain, has beat the coronavirus at the retirement home where several other residents died from the pandemic, the residence said Tuesday. Maria Branyas, who was born in the US, was infected with the virus in April at the Santa Maria del Tura care home in the eastern city of Olot where she has lived for the past 20 years and […]

Los Angeles residents likely confined through July

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The stay-at-home order for residents of Los Angeles County will likely be extended through the end of July unless the number of COVID-19 cases dramatically decreases, health officials said Tuesday. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Department of Public Health, made the comments during a meeting with the Board of Supervisors on how long a moratorium on evictions should stand. Ferrer said the county’s lockdown will remain in place under […]

US Senate threatens sanctions on China over COVID-19 accounting

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Republican senators proposed legislation Tuesday that would empower President Donald Trump to slap sanctions on China if Beijing does not give a “full accounting” for the coronavirus outbreak. “The Chinese Communist Party must be held accountable for the detrimental role they played in this pandemic,” said Senator Jim Inhofe, one of the sponsors of the “COVID-19 Accountability Act.” “Their outright deception of the origin and spread of the virus […]

Wuhan to test entire population after new virus cluster: state media

WUHAN, China (AFP) — Wuhan plans to conduct coronavirus tests on the Chinese city’s entire population after new cases emerged for the first time in weeks in the cradle of the global pandemic, state media reported Tuesday. Officials have been ordered to submit by noon on Tuesday plans to administer nucleic acid tests on all residents in the city of 11 million people, according to an official notice carried by news outlets. “Each district should […]