International

UK warned to expect months of virus measures

by Alice RITCHIE LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Life in locked-down Britain may not return to normal for six months or longer as it battles the coronavirus outbreak, a top health official warned on Sunday, as the death toll reached passed 1,200. Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries said it would take two or three weeks to assess the impact of the current rules for people to stay at home wherever possible to limit the […]

US President Trump ditches hopes of quick virus bounce-back for US, extends restrictions for another month

  by Ben Sheppard and AFP bureaus Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday abandoned his timetable for life returning to normal in the United States, extending emergency coronavirus restrictions for another month, while Spain suffered its deadliest day. Trump, who had hoped to shortly re-open much of the US, said the death rate in the country was likely to increase for two weeks and announced “social distancing” guidelines […]

US sees 518 new coronavirus deaths in 24 hours

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US recorded 518 new coronavirus-linked deaths in the span of 24 hours, according to data published Sunday by Johns Hopkins University. The record toll, higher than the previous day’s increase of 453, brings the country’s total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic to 2,409. The number of cases shot up 21,333 in one day, the data showed. That is about the same as Saturday’s increase of […]

Total coronavirus cases worldwide reach more than 720,000 as more than 151,000 patients recover

  (Eagle News) – The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide have reached more than 720,000 with recoveries reported at more than 150,000, according to the latest data from the virus dashboard of Johns Hopkins University tracking global cases of COVID-19. The cases have reached 721,817 as of 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 30,  (Philippine time) with 33,968 total deaths and 151,204 total recoveries. -US still leading countries with most COVID-19 cases- […]

North Korea fires two short-range ‘ballistic missiles’ into sea

  by Sunghee Hwang Agence France Presse North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Sunday, the fourth such launch this month as the world battles the coronavirus outbreak. The string of weapons drills come as a prolonged hiatus in disarmament talks with the United States drags on, and despite recent overtures from Washington offering help to contain the pandemic. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said […]

Italy’s toll tops 10,000 despite long lockdown

  by Dmitry ZAKS Agence France Presse ROME, Italy (AFP) — The coronavirus toll in Italy shot past 10,000 on Saturday and showed little sign of slowing despite a 16-day lockdown. The 889 new fatalities reported in the world’s worst-hit nation came a day after it registered 969 deaths on Friday — the highest single toll since the COVID-19 virus emerged late last year. Italy now looks certain to extend its economically debilitating — and […]

DFA: 208 Filipinos abroad positive for COVID-19

(Eagle News)–Over 200 Filipinos abroad have been confirmed to have the coronavirus disease 2019, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. According to the DFA,  the 280 were dispersed in the following regions, Asia and Pacific, Europe, Middle East/Africa, and Americas, in 28 countries and areas. Of the 280, the DFA said 140 have been verified by the Department of Health, 35 are new cases, and 168 are undergoing treatment. Over 100, or 108, have recovered […]

Trump decides against quarantine of New York region

  by Paul HANDLEY Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump decided late Saturday against imposing a broad two-week lockdown on New York and its neighbors after a strong pushback from local political leaders and warnings of the panic it could spark. “A quarantine will not be necessary,” Trump tweeted, some eight hours after he stunned the New York metropolitan region, the epicenter of the US coronavirus outbreak, with a […]

Infant death due to COVID-19 in US shocks nation; cases reach more than 122,000 with 2,147 deaths

  (Eagle News) — The number of coronavirus cases in the United States has reached more than 122,000 with deaths rising fast and hitting 2,147, according to the virus dashboard tracking global COVID-19 cases of the Johns Hopkins University. The spike came as an infant died from the virus in the US, as more incidents of younger people, even those healthy ones, are not immune from the virus. According to the virus tracker tally of […]

South Korea virus test-kit makers approved to export to US

  SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — Three South Korean coronavirus test-kit makers have been given the green light to export their devices to the United States, officials said Saturday. The companies won pre-approval under emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration that allows for the products to be sold in America, South Korea’s foreign ministry said, without naming the firms. The US has more confirmed cases of the coronavirus than anywhere else […]

Coronavirus fears spark urban exodus across Africa

  by Tsirisena MANJAKAHERY with AFP bureaux in Africa Agence France Presse No one can remember ever seeing as many people heading out of Antananarivo along national highway number 7. Madagascans have joined the exodus in their hundreds in recent days, forming long queues to get away after the authorities declared a lockdown to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. Richard Rakotoarisoa hit the road during the morning, surrounded by dozens of […]

IMF chief: “It’s clear we have entered recession”

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The coronavirus pandemic has driven the global economy into a downturn that will require massive funding to help developing nations, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Friday. “It is clear that we have entered a recession” that will be worse than in 2009 following the global financial crisis, she said in an online press briefing. With the worldwide economic “sudden stop,” Georgieva said the fund’s estimate “for the overall financial needs […]