Chinese agents stoked panic in US in&nbsp;the early days of COVID-19 outbreak by spreading fake warnings, according to a report published in the&nbsp;New York Times.

The report was based on interviews with&nbsp;six American officials who denied to reveal their identity.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-coronavirus-timeline-shifts-three-weeks-earlier-in-wake-of-new-disclosure-294142" hreflang="en">US coronavirus timeline shifts three weeks earlier in wake of new disclosure</a>

The study&nbsp;states that&nbsp;operatives helped spread messages claiming Trump administration would deploy national guard to enforce nationwide quarantine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-asymptomatic-cases-increase-to-over-980-294139" hreflang="en">China's asymptomatic cases increase to over 980</a>

According to the US Department of Homeland Security, a common&nbsp;message&nbsp;circulated&nbsp;in the early phase&nbsp;of the pandemic was: ''they will announce this as soon as they have troops in place to help prevent looters and rioters. He said he got the call last night and was told to pack and be prepared for the call today with his dispatch orders.''

<img alt="US Department of Homeland Security" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="471214f7-76c2-4b00-8110-4278594fcfed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/NPEK45S6VZAENIYE5JMK5LSPSQ_0.jpg" /> 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-pet-cats-in-us-test-positive-for-covid-19-294134" hreflang="en">Two pet cats in US test positive for COVID-19</a>

Since the disinformation appeared as text messages on the mobile phones of several Americans, the Department&nbsp;issued an announcement on&nbsp;Twitter declaring that they were all&nbsp;''fake''.

However, China has denied broader claims that it is involved in misinformation campaigns.

The tactic was especially alarming to intelligence officials because&nbsp;several of them said they had not seen before.

The findings appear to represent an escalation by foreign powers like Russia and China in trying to capitalise on the panic surrounding the pandemic to sow confusion in the US, and intelligence agencies are taking a new look at how operatives may have exploited the situation.

Chinese agents stoked panic in US in the early days of COVID-19 outbreak by spreading fake warnings, according to a report published in the New York Times. The report was based on interviews with six American officials who denied to reveal their identity.

Chinese agents stoked panic in US in the early days of COVID-19 outbreak by spreading fake warnings, according to a report published in the New York Times. The report was based on interviews with six American officials who denied to reveal their identity. Also read: US coronavirus timeline shifts three weeks earlier in wake of new disclosure The study states that operatives helped spread messages claiming Trump administration would deploy national guard to enforce nationwide quarantine. Also read: China's asymptomatic cases increase to over 980 According to the US Department of Homeland Security, a common message circulated in the early phase of the pandemic was: ''they will announce this as soon as they have troops in place to help prevent looters and rioters. He said he got the call last night and was told to pack and be prepared for the call today with his dispatch orders.'' Also read: Two pet cats in US test positive for COVID-19 Since the disinformation appeared as text messages on the mobile phones of several Americans, the Department issued an announcement on Twitter declaring that they were all ''fake''. However, China has denied broader claims that it is involved in misinformation campaigns. The tactic was especially alarming to intelligence officials because several of them said they had not seen before. The findings appear to represent an escalation by foreign powers like Russia and China in trying to capitalise on the panic surrounding the pandemic to sow confusion in the US, and intelligence agencies are taking a new look at how operatives may have exploited the situation.

Chinese agents fuelled panic in US by spreading fake warnings, says report

Numerous koala bears who were injured in&nbsp;bushfires that wreaked havoc in Australia&nbsp;last year have been re-released into forests.

They were being treated&nbsp;at&nbsp;the world's only hospitals for koala bears, located in the New South Wales town of Port Macquarie.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/serendipity-in-times-of-coronavirus-couple-meets-marries-in-colombian-shelter-294146" hreflang="en">Serendipity in times of coronavirus: Couple meets, marries in Colombian shelter</a>

26 koalas have returned to their habitat at the Lake Innes Nature Reserve in New South Wales, which is on the state's Tasman Sea coast some 235 km north of Newcastle.

These marsupials include&nbsp;Anwen, a female whose photos went viral due to the severe nature of her burns.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-scientists-companies-in-uk-could-put-covid-19-vaccine-in-human-trials-soon-294106" hreflang="en">Several scientists, companies in UK could put COVID-19 vaccine in human trials soon</a>

Though the Lake Innes area was badly damaged in the fires, higher-than-expected amounts of rainfall made it possible to release the animals sooner than planned.

Hospital employees carefully considered a mix of koala ages and sexes in order to make for a well-rounded community.

According to Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, ''while we are all facing difficult and uncertain times due to coronavirus pandemic, this incredible story of hope serves as a reminder of the resilience of our incredible flora and fauna and people."

Numerous koala bears who were injured in bushfires that wreaked havoc in Australia last year have been re-released into forests. They were being treated at the world's only hospitals for koala bears, located in the New South Wales town of Port Macquarie.

Numerous koala bears who were injured in bushfires that wreaked havoc in Australia last year have been re-released into forests. They were being treated at the world's only hospitals for koala bears, located in the New South Wales town of Port Macquarie. Also read: Serendipity in times of coronavirus: Couple meets, marries in Colombian shelter 26 koalas have returned to their habitat at the Lake Innes Nature Reserve in New South Wales, which is on the state's Tasman Sea coast some 235 km north of Newcastle. These marsupials include Anwen, a female whose photos went viral due to the severe nature of her burns. Also read: Several scientists, companies in UK could put COVID-19 vaccine in human trials soon Though the Lake Innes area was badly damaged in the fires, higher-than-expected amounts of rainfall made it possible to release the animals sooner than planned. Hospital employees carefully considered a mix of koala ages and sexes in order to make for a well-rounded community. According to Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, ''while we are all facing difficult and uncertain times due to coronavirus pandemic, this incredible story of hope serves as a reminder of the resilience of our incredible flora and fauna and people."

Koala bears wounded during Australian bushfires re-released into forests again

Chelsea defender and German national Antonio Rudiger is said to be covering the catering cost for nurses in a berlin hospital called Berlin Charité hospital. The defender was born in the same hospitalin the year 1993. He will be covering these costs for the next three months.&nbsp;

Chelsea confirmed this news on its website that their centre back is making a &nbsp;“significant financial donation”.

Rudiger has said: “I contacted the Berlin Charite before Easter and asked where I can help the most.

“They told me that it’s very difficult to organise catering for the nursing staff during these days as the canteen is closed at the moment, as are all the restaurants around the hospital.

“I decided ... to overtake the catering costs for at least three months. I’m thankful for everything Berlin has given me during my youth. Now I have the possibility to give something back and hope the situation will get better very soon.”

COVID-19 has now infected 2,626,929 people worldwide and 183,120 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 710,405 people of that tally have recovered.

Germany has more than 148,000 cases with the death toll crossing 5,000.

(Inputs from Reuters)

Chelsea defender and German national Antonio Rudiger is said to be covering the catering cost for nurses in a berlin hospital called Berlin Charité hospital. The defender was born in the same hospitalin the year 1993.

Chelsea defender and German national Antonio Rudiger is said to be covering the catering cost for nurses in a berlin hospital called Berlin Charité hospital. The defender was born in the same hospitalin the year 1993. He will be covering these costs for the next three months. Chelsea confirmed this news on its website that their centre back is making a “significant financial donation”. Rudiger has said: “I contacted the Berlin Charite before Easter and asked where I can help the most. “They told me that it’s very difficult to organise catering for the nursing staff during these days as the canteen is closed at the moment, as are all the restaurants around the hospital. “I decided ... to overtake the catering costs for at least three months. I’m thankful for everything Berlin has given me during my youth. Now I have the possibility to give something back and hope the situation will get better very soon.” COVID-19 has now infected 2,626,929 people worldwide and 183,120 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 710,405 people of that tally have recovered. Germany has more than 148,000 cases with the death toll crossing 5,000. (Inputs from Reuters)

Coronavirus: Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger covers catering costs for Berlin hospital nurses

The British government's&nbsp;chief medical adviser,&nbsp;Chris Whitty, has said that the country will have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year&nbsp;to prevent fresh outbreaks of Covid-19.

The senior-most medic of UK said it said it was important to be realistic that ''highly disruptive''&nbsp;social distancing would need to be in place for ''really quite a long period of time''.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-scientists-companies-in-uk-could-put-covid-19-vaccine-in-human-trials-soon-294106" hreflang="en">Several scientists, companies in UK could put COVID-19 vaccine in human trials soon</a>

In the government's daily coronavirus briefing,&nbsp;Whitty said that the chances of&nbsp;a vaccine or treatments being ready for use this year are ''incredibly small'' and therefore, social distancing will&nbsp;have to stay in place to suppress outbreaks until then.

"This disease is not going to be eradicated, it is not going to disappear.&nbsp;So we have to accept that we are working with a disease that we are going to be with globally... for the foreseeable future," he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/make-no-mistake-coronavirus-will-be-with-us-for-a-long-time-who-chief-tedros-294088">Make no mistake, coronavirus will be with us for a long time: WHO chief Tedros</a>

Whitty also said that it was "wholly unrealistic" to expect life would suddenly return to normal soon.

His stark assessment dampened hopes that the lockdown would be largely removed when it is reviewed in just over a fortnight.

However, United Kingdom has already reached the peak of the current epidemic.&nbsp;

The British government's chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, has said that the country will have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year to prevent fresh outbreaks of Covid-19.

The British government's chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, has said that the country will have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year to prevent fresh outbreaks of Covid-19. The senior-most medic of UK said it said it was important to be realistic that ''highly disruptive'' social distancing would need to be in place for ''really quite a long period of time''. Also read: Several scientists, companies in UK could put COVID-19 vaccine in human trials soon In the government's daily coronavirus briefing, Whitty said that the chances of a vaccine or treatments being ready for use this year are ''incredibly small'' and therefore, social distancing will have to stay in place to suppress outbreaks until then. "This disease is not going to be eradicated, it is not going to disappear. So we have to accept that we are working with a disease that we are going to be with globally... for the foreseeable future," he added. Also read: Make no mistake, coronavirus will be with us for a long time: WHO chief Tedros Whitty also said that it was "wholly unrealistic" to expect life would suddenly return to normal soon. His stark assessment dampened hopes that the lockdown would be largely removed when it is reviewed in just over a fortnight. However, United Kingdom has already reached the peak of the current epidemic.

UK's Covid-19 social restrictions to remain for 'rest of year'

Being a journalist in China is no easy feat. Now more than ever. You sway a little and you're taught a lesson by the Chinese regime. Governments like these are adept at "re-educating people".

Being a journalist in China is no easy feat. Now more than ever. You sway a little and you're taught a lesson by the Chinese regime. Governments like these are adept at "re-educating people". This is the story of one such journalist, his name is Li Zehua. A former employee of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV He quit his job and travelled to Wuhan as a 'citizen' journalist. The 25-year-old wanted to report on the situation in Wuhan, the city of origin of the coronavirus. By the February 26, Li had posted four videos from the lockdown zone. Videos from crematoriums --- virology labs and funeral homes in Wuhan. Videos that were busting all of Beijing's claims of normalcy. But Li Zehua disappeared on February 26. He was detained by the Chinese police and forcibly quarantined. He was last seen in the video that is on your screen. This was live-stream that stretched for hours. It shows Li being chased by some vehicles. The chase ended at his apartment and some men showed up at his door. They identified themselves as public security agents and took him away. All of this was live-streamed on Youtube. × Li was charged with disrupting public order and then he disappeared. He wasn't seen for two months. Now, he's back and there's a twist in the tale. Li Zehua-- is a changed man. He's singing praises of his captors. The Chinese state which arrested, interrogated and confined him for two months for reporting the truth. He is praising them. "May the people of the world unite". His comments and his tone are in stark contrast to his previous vlogs. Was this made under duress? Or as a condition of his release? The real truth is yet to be unveiled. The truth behind his claims. The truth behind his disappearance and the truth behind his new position.

From whistleblower to nationalist: How did Chinese government manage to change Li Zehua?

Premier League is facing a challenge in deciding their confirmed Champions League spots and relegation spots without completing the season. They could decide these spots by one-off ties.&nbsp;

UEFA has developed 'new' guidelines after Thursday to formulate a plan for all the European leagues so that they finish their 2019/20 seasons.&nbsp;

All the five leagues in Europe have come to a halt after the coronavirus outbreak. Europe has been the worst affected continent in term of the pandemic deaths.&nbsp;

UEFA has indicated that the leagues will restart but in a different format to complete its season. The statement post-meeting read: "It is preferable that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit."

As far as Premier League is concerned, Liverpool has qualified for the Champions League after sitting 25 points clear on the top whereas Chelsea and Manchester United sit at number four and five respectively with three points difference and nine games left to play.&nbsp;

Norwich is bottom of the table, six points off safety, while Aston Villa are two points adrift and Bournemouth are in the relegation zone on goal difference.&nbsp;

Looking at UK's condition due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is highly unlikely that the league would return before early June. &nbsp;UEFA is optimistic about the leagues being concluded by August as the month will witness the Champions League final match.&nbsp;

Leagues that are unable to complete their leagues due to deteriorating situation will host a one-off tie to decide the qualifiers and the relegation.&nbsp;

UEFA has also acknowledged the leagues getting prematurely cancelled with the governments don't lift the lockdown. One more possibility that could lead to early league cancellation was listed during the meeting, &nbsp;"insurmountable economic problems which make finishing the season impossible because it would put at risk the long-term financial stability of the domestic competition and/or clubs".

Another way out?&nbsp;

According to The Times, leagues are offered to make a decision based on points-per-game ratio. The decision that will secure current Premier League top four Liverpool, Man City, Leicester and Chelsea contenders in next Champions League, whereas, Manchester United take the Europa spot. Biggest losers? Arsenal and Tottenham as they will miss out on all European action.&nbsp;

The German Bundesliga has decided to send its top four teams &nbsp;Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach to the Champions League as all teams have played the same amount of games.&nbsp;

Serie A has minor difficulties as some top teams have played fewer games but if they go according to the points-per-game ratio, Lazio will make a surprise entry to Champions League. Along with Lazio, Juventus, Inter Milan and Altlanta could represent Italy in the Champions League next year.&nbsp;

Premier League is facing a challenge in deciding their confirmed Champions League spots and relegation spots without completing the season. They could decide these spots by one-off ties.

Premier League is facing a challenge in deciding their confirmed Champions League spots and relegation spots without completing the season. They could decide these spots by one-off ties. UEFA has developed 'new' guidelines after Thursday to formulate a plan for all the European leagues so that they finish their 2019/20 seasons. All the five leagues in Europe have come to a halt after the coronavirus outbreak. Europe has been the worst affected continent in term of the pandemic deaths. UEFA has indicated that the leagues will restart but in a different format to complete its season. The statement post-meeting read: "It is preferable that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit." As far as Premier League is concerned, Liverpool has qualified for the Champions League after sitting 25 points clear on the top whereas Chelsea and Manchester United sit at number four and five respectively with three points difference and nine games left to play. Norwich is bottom of the table, six points off safety, while Aston Villa are two points adrift and Bournemouth are in the relegation zone on goal difference. Looking at UK's condition due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is highly unlikely that the league would return before early June. UEFA is optimistic about the leagues being concluded by August as the month will witness the Champions League final match. Leagues that are unable to complete their leagues due to deteriorating situation will host a one-off tie to decide the qualifiers and the relegation. UEFA has also acknowledged the leagues getting prematurely cancelled with the governments don't lift the lockdown. One more possibility that could lead to early league cancellation was listed during the meeting, "insurmountable economic problems which make finishing the season impossible because it would put at risk the long-term financial stability of the domestic competition and/or clubs". Another way out? According to The Times, leagues are offered to make a decision based on points-per-game ratio. The decision that will secure current Premier League top four Liverpool, Man City, Leicester and Chelsea contenders in next Champions League, whereas, Manchester United take the Europa spot. Biggest losers? Arsenal and Tottenham as they will miss out on all European action. The German Bundesliga has decided to send its top four teams Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach to the Champions League as all teams have played the same amount of games. Serie A has minor difficulties as some top teams have played fewer games but if they go according to the points-per-game ratio, Lazio will make a surprise entry to Champions League. Along with Lazio, Juventus, Inter Milan and Altlanta could represent Italy in the Champions League next year.

UEFA insists Premier league to conclude season as it is or with play-offs; will other leagues follow?

Leading Pakistani doctors on Wednesday urged the government and clerics to reverse a decision to allow prayer congregations at mosques during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, warning that the spread of coronavirus could spiral out of control.

Pakistan on Saturday lifted precautionary restrictions on congregational prayers.

The decision came three days after clerics said such limitations were not acceptable and after several incidents of clashes between police and worshippers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-tests-negative-for-coronavirus-294090" hreflang="en">Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tests negative for coronavirus&nbsp;</a>

Congregations increase in size during Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Friday in Pakistan.

“Unfortunately, our rulers have made a wrong decision; our clerics have shown a non-serious attitude,” Dr Qaiser Sajjad, secretary-general of the Pakistan Medical Association, told a news conference hastily convened by the doctors.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-orders-resumption-of-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-amid-pandemic-294073" hreflang="en">Pakistan orders resumption of China's Belt and Road Initiative amid pandemic</a>

Pakistan, the world’s second most populous Muslim country after Indonesia, has reported more than 10,000 cases of the coronavirus, including 212 deaths.

Both the government and experts say the peak for infections is expected to hit in May.

Last week, Pakistan extended a nationwide lockdown for two weeks, but eased restrictions on some activities, including key industrial production and mosques.

The doctors said a 20-point standard operating procedure for mosques agreed between the government and religious leaders was not practical or implementable.

Another doctor at the news conference, Dr Saad Niaz, said coronavirus facilities in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, had already reached maximum capacity.

At this rate, Niaz added, medical facilities will face great difficulties in coming days and patients will have to be denied admission because there will be no beds.

In a statement distributed at the news conference, doctors called for strict enforcement of lockdowns, urging businesses to bear with the hardships for a few more weeks until the virus can be brought under control.

Prime Minister Imran Khan underwent a test for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, on Wednesday after meeting an infected social worker last week. He tested negative.

Leading Pakistani doctors on Wednesday urged the government and clerics to reverse a decision to allow prayer congregations at mosques during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, warning that the spread of coronavirus could spiral out of control.

Leading Pakistani doctors on Wednesday urged the government and clerics to reverse a decision to allow prayer congregations at mosques during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, warning that the spread of coronavirus could spiral out of control. Pakistan on Saturday lifted precautionary restrictions on congregational prayers. The decision came three days after clerics said such limitations were not acceptable and after several incidents of clashes between police and worshippers. Also read: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tests negative for coronavirus Congregations increase in size during Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Friday in Pakistan. “Unfortunately, our rulers have made a wrong decision; our clerics have shown a non-serious attitude,” Dr Qaiser Sajjad, secretary-general of the Pakistan Medical Association, told a news conference hastily convened by the doctors. Also read: Pakistan orders resumption of China's Belt and Road Initiative amid pandemic Pakistan, the world’s second most populous Muslim country after Indonesia, has reported more than 10,000 cases of the coronavirus, including 212 deaths. Both the government and experts say the peak for infections is expected to hit in May. Last week, Pakistan extended a nationwide lockdown for two weeks, but eased restrictions on some activities, including key industrial production and mosques. The doctors said a 20-point standard operating procedure for mosques agreed between the government and religious leaders was not practical or implementable. Another doctor at the news conference, Dr Saad Niaz, said coronavirus facilities in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, had already reached maximum capacity. At this rate, Niaz added, medical facilities will face great difficulties in coming days and patients will have to be denied admission because there will be no beds. In a statement distributed at the news conference, doctors called for strict enforcement of lockdowns, urging businesses to bear with the hardships for a few more weeks until the virus can be brought under control. Prime Minister Imran Khan underwent a test for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, on Wednesday after meeting an infected social worker last week. He tested negative.

Pakistani doctors urge government to reimpose mosque restrictions

Trader He Ximing in the Chinese city of Wuhan says he has no idea how or where he caught the coronavirus or why repeated nucleic acid tests showed he didn't have it.

He was not a coronavirus patient, doctors told him, even though he had been having difficulty breathing with what he described as smothering chest congestion from early February.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-rapid-testing-paused-due-to-issues-with-chinese-kits-293997" hreflang="en">COVID-19: Rapid testing paused due to issues with Chinese kits</a>

But his condition worried the authorities enough to get him sent to a quarantine centre.

Still, he did not challenge the three negative tests at the time. After all, his wife did not fall sick.

But he could not shake off the nagging suspicion that he had the coronavirus and in late March went to a hospital in Wuhan for more tests, including one for antibodies. This time he tested positive.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-crisis-is-not-going-away-anytime-soon-who-294110" hreflang="en">Coronavirus crisis is not going away anytime soon: WHO</a>

"I didn't expect it," the 52-year-old vegetable seller said as he showed Reuters a copy of his test results - positive for antibodies showing exposure to the coronavirus.

Finally, at least, he had an explanation for why he felt so terrible. "I felt like I was dying. You can't imagine how it feels."

His case is not unique. Similar instances in China and elsewhere have compounded concern over the accuracy of coronavirus testing, even as authorities push for testing as key to handling the crisis.

Unreliable testing could undermine strategies not just for stopping the virus but for opening up locked-down economies, as pressure grows on governments around the world to ease restrictions.

More than 2.5 million people have been infected with the coronavirus globally and about 177,000 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Wuhan, where the new coronavirus emerged late last year, has recorded 50,333 cases and 3,869 deaths as of April 21, accounting for the majority of China's cases.

Nucleic acid testing, on samples swabbed from the back of a patient's throat or respiratory tract, for the virus' genome, is the main way cases are detected.

The test is not easy to administer and, experts say, and mistakes do happen, such as if too small a sample is taken or if the swab misses a virus-hit spot.

"The limitations of these tests need to be recognised, and the need to run regular tests if we want assurance that someone is truly negative, and that they remain so over a period of time," said Andrew Preston, a lecturer in microbial pathogenesis at the University of Bath.

There is little consensus on what proportion of nucleic acid tests yield false negatives.

A survey by Chinese doctors in February looking at samples from 213 patients suggested a false-negative rate of about 30 per cent.

Media has also reported cases of people testing negative repeatedly before finally getting a positive result.

In February, the People's Daily newspaper reported on a woman who had fallen ill with pneumonia but tested negative for the coronavirus four times. A fifth test was positive.

Wuhan authorities have started testing residents for antibodies. China is conducting an epidemiological survey in nine regions in an effort to determine the full extent of asymptomatic infections and immunity levels.&nbsp;

He said he first got tested on March 1 when his chest congestion worsened though he had no fever or cough.

X-rays showed his lungs had white blotches, similar to those found in coronavirus patients, but his nucleic acid test was not positive so a hospital declined to admit him.

As a precaution, a committee that manages his housing compound put him in quarantine for 14 days.

Later, two more hospital tests came back negative so he turned to traditional Chinese medicine and other drugs.

Finally, on March 28, he took a fourth nucleic acid test, which was again negative, but he was also tested for antibodies and got confirmation.

"I told my story to a doctor and he said 'you're so lucky you didn't die'," he said in his apartment, where boxes of various medicines were scattered about.

His wife, who he lives alone with, has shown no coronavirus symptoms though she has not been tested.

He said he believed he was immune and not infectious, though he's taking no chances and wears an N95 mask and a face shield when going out.

"If there’s any possibility that I'll infect others, I'll harm them," he said. "That’s why I’m taking these precautions."

Trader He Ximing in the Chinese city of Wuhan says he has no idea how or where he caught the coronavirus or why repeated nucleic acid tests showed he didn't have it.

Trader He Ximing in the Chinese city of Wuhan says he has no idea how or where he caught the coronavirus or why repeated nucleic acid tests showed he didn't have it. He was not a coronavirus patient, doctors told him, even though he had been having difficulty breathing with what he described as smothering chest congestion from early February. Also read: COVID-19: Rapid testing paused due to issues with Chinese kits But his condition worried the authorities enough to get him sent to a quarantine centre. Still, he did not challenge the three negative tests at the time. After all, his wife did not fall sick. But he could not shake off the nagging suspicion that he had the coronavirus and in late March went to a hospital in Wuhan for more tests, including one for antibodies. This time he tested positive. Also read: Coronavirus crisis is not going away anytime soon: WHO "I didn't expect it," the 52-year-old vegetable seller said as he showed Reuters a copy of his test results - positive for antibodies showing exposure to the coronavirus. Finally, at least, he had an explanation for why he felt so terrible. "I felt like I was dying. You can't imagine how it feels." His case is not unique. Similar instances in China and elsewhere have compounded concern over the accuracy of coronavirus testing, even as authorities push for testing as key to handling the crisis. Unreliable testing could undermine strategies not just for stopping the virus but for opening up locked-down economies, as pressure grows on governments around the world to ease restrictions. More than 2.5 million people have been infected with the coronavirus globally and about 177,000 have died, according to a Reuters tally. Wuhan, where the new coronavirus emerged late last year, has recorded 50,333 cases and 3,869 deaths as of April 21, accounting for the majority of China's cases. Nucleic acid testing, on samples swabbed from the back of a patient's throat or respiratory tract, for the virus' genome, is the main way cases are detected. The test is not easy to administer and, experts say, and mistakes do happen, such as if too small a sample is taken or if the swab misses a virus-hit spot. "The limitations of these tests need to be recognised, and the need to run regular tests if we want assurance that someone is truly negative, and that they remain so over a period of time," said Andrew Preston, a lecturer in microbial pathogenesis at the University of Bath. There is little consensus on what proportion of nucleic acid tests yield false negatives. A survey by Chinese doctors in February looking at samples from 213 patients suggested a false-negative rate of about 30 per cent. Media has also reported cases of people testing negative repeatedly before finally getting a positive result. In February, the People's Daily newspaper reported on a woman who had fallen ill with pneumonia but tested negative for the coronavirus four times. A fifth test was positive. Wuhan authorities have started testing residents for antibodies. China is conducting an epidemiological survey in nine regions in an effort to determine the full extent of asymptomatic infections and immunity levels. He said he first got tested on March 1 when his chest congestion worsened though he had no fever or cough. X-rays showed his lungs had white blotches, similar to those found in coronavirus patients, but his nucleic acid test was not positive so a hospital declined to admit him. As a precaution, a committee that manages his housing compound put him in quarantine for 14 days. Later, two more hospital tests came back negative so he turned to traditional Chinese medicine and other drugs. Finally, on March 28, he took a fourth nucleic acid test, which was again negative, but he was also tested for antibodies and got confirmation. "I told my story to a doctor and he said 'you're so lucky you didn't die'," he said in his apartment, where boxes of various medicines were scattered about. His wife, who he lives alone with, has shown no coronavirus symptoms though she has not been tested. He said he believed he was immune and not infectious, though he's taking no chances and wears an N95 mask and a face shield when going out. "If there’s any possibility that I'll infect others, I'll harm them," he said. "That’s why I’m taking these precautions."

Three negatives and a positive: Problems with coronavirus tests in China

April 23 in history: Causes of AIDS discovered, first video uploaded on YouTube

Iran's military spokesman on&nbsp;Wednesday said US President Donald Trump should concentrate on "saving" his own country from the "major crisis" caused by coronavirus rather than&nbsp;making threats.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for&nbsp;Iran's armed forces, said "today, instead of intimidating others, the Americans would do better to save their troops infected by the coronavirus."

"If the US is skilful and competent, they will withdraw their troops (from the Middle East) in order to save (the country) from the coronavirus disease... before mobilising all other forces in the US... to save the people from this major crisis hitting their country," Shekarchi said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/instructed-us-navy-to-shoot-down-iranian-gunboats-if-they-harass-our-ships-at-sea-trump-294036" hreflang="en">Instructed US Navy to shoot Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships: Trump</a>

His comments came after Trump said on Twitter he had "instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea".

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I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.
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The Pentagon later said the US military considered the tweet a message to the Iranian regime, suggesting that no new orders had been issued to US Navy ships patrolling the Gulf.

The US Defence Department had accused Iran of "dangerous and provocative" actions in the Gulf. The US department had said that eleven Iran boats had "repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns" of US vessels in international waters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-due-to-coronavirus-rises-to-5391-in-iran-businesses-open-294039" hreflang="en">Death toll due to coronavirus rises to 5,391 in Iran; businesses open</a>

Iran dismissed the US allegation, saying that it was a "Hollywood account of the encounter" while warning the US that any "miscalculation will receive a decisive response".

The tensions between the two nations have escalated since a US drone strike killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, the former head of the country's elite Quds Force.

However, with the coronavirus sweeping the country Iran has accused the US of hurting it with sanctions at a time when its citizens are suffering.&nbsp;

Iran's military spokesman on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump should concentrate on "saving" his own country from the "major crisis" caused by coronavirus rather than making threats.

Iran's military spokesman on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump should concentrate on "saving" his own country from the "major crisis" caused by coronavirus rather than making threats. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for Iran's armed forces, said "today, instead of intimidating others, the Americans would do better to save their troops infected by the coronavirus." "If the US is skilful and competent, they will withdraw their troops (from the Middle East) in order to save (the country) from the coronavirus disease... before mobilising all other forces in the US... to save the people from this major crisis hitting their country," Shekarchi said. Also read: Instructed US Navy to shoot Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships: Trump His comments came after Trump said on Twitter he had "instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea". I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 22, 2020 × The Pentagon later said the US military considered the tweet a message to the Iranian regime, suggesting that no new orders had been issued to US Navy ships patrolling the Gulf. The US Defence Department had accused Iran of "dangerous and provocative" actions in the Gulf. The US department had said that eleven Iran boats had "repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns" of US vessels in international waters. Also read: Death toll due to coronavirus rises to 5,391 in Iran; businesses open Iran dismissed the US allegation, saying that it was a "Hollywood account of the encounter" while warning the US that any "miscalculation will receive a decisive response". The tensions between the two nations have escalated since a US drone strike killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, the former head of the country's elite Quds Force. However, with the coronavirus sweeping the country Iran has accused the US of hurting it with sanctions at a time when its citizens are suffering.

Iran general takes jibe at Trump, says should focus on saving US from virus

Chief of the US agency responsible for&nbsp;making a vaccine against COVID-19 said that he was removed from his job for opposing the chloroquine treatment promoted by President Donald Trump.

Rick Bright said he was removed on Tuesday as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the government agency for developing and procuring treatments and vaccines, and transferred to a lesser position in the National Institutes of Health.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/make-no-mistake-coronavirus-will-be-with-us-for-a-long-time-who-chief-tedros-294088" hreflang="en">Make no mistake, coronavirus will be with us for a long time: WHO chief Tedros</a>

In a statement to the US media he said, "I believe this transfer was in response to my insistence that the government invest the billions of dollars allocated by Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic into safe and scientifically vetted solutions, and not in drugs, vaccines and other technologies that lack scientific merit."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-to-pass-nearly-500-billion-more-in-coronavirus-aid-on-thursday-pelosi-294046" hreflang="en">US House to pass nearly $500 billion more in coronavirus aid: Pelosi</a>

He said the move was a direct response to his resistance to "misguided directives" to support the use of malaria treatments chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus.

Those treatments, he said, were "promoted by the administration as a panacea," but "clearly lack scientific merit.".

"While I am prepared to look at all options and to think 'outside the box' for effective treatments, I rightly resisted efforts to provide an unproven drug on demand to the American public."

Trump has advocated for the use of chloroquine to treat COVID-19 infections since mid-March, with scant evidence from studies of its safety or effectiveness.

Chief of the US agency responsible for making a vaccine against COVID-19 said that he was removed from his job for opposing the chloroquine treatment promoted by President Donald Trump.

Chief of the US agency responsible for making a vaccine against COVID-19 said that he was removed from his job for opposing the chloroquine treatment promoted by President Donald Trump. Rick Bright said he was removed on Tuesday as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the government agency for developing and procuring treatments and vaccines, and transferred to a lesser position in the National Institutes of Health. Also read: Make no mistake, coronavirus will be with us for a long time: WHO chief Tedros In a statement to the US media he said, "I believe this transfer was in response to my insistence that the government invest the billions of dollars allocated by Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic into safe and scientifically vetted solutions, and not in drugs, vaccines and other technologies that lack scientific merit." Also read: US House to pass nearly $500 billion more in coronavirus aid: Pelosi He said the move was a direct response to his resistance to "misguided directives" to support the use of malaria treatments chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus. Those treatments, he said, were "promoted by the administration as a panacea," but "clearly lack scientific merit.". "While I am prepared to look at all options and to think 'outside the box' for effective treatments, I rightly resisted efforts to provide an unproven drug on demand to the American public." Trump has advocated for the use of chloroquine to treat COVID-19 infections since mid-March, with scant evidence from studies of its safety or effectiveness.

US vaccine expert removed by Trump for opposing chloroquine

The coronavirus pandemic has sent shockwaves to the sporting world and the turbulence are meant for at least a couple of years. The women's European Championship which was supposed to be held in 2021 will now be held from 6-31 July 2022.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/italys-sports-minister-says-caution-needed-over-return-to-football-294197" hreflang="en">Italy's sports minister says caution needed over return to football</a>

This decision has come after the men's Euros and Tokyo Olympics were postponed until 2021 due to the on-going coronavirus.&nbsp;

UEFA has come out to confirm the news, they even plan the venues of the event remain the same.&nbsp;

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has decided to postpone the event as the competition should get the "spotlight it deserves".&nbsp;

He said: &nbsp;"By moving to the following year, we are ensuring that our flagship women's competition will be the only major football tournament of the summer."

UEFA's chief of women football, Nadine Kessler said: "This decision puts us in a position to deliver a tournament that attracts global attention, maximises media coverage and increases stadium attendances, and is, therefore, helping us to meet our core objective of inspiring the next generation of footballers.

"2022 also allows for further promotion and partner activation, which would have been much more difficult in what is now a crowded summer in 2021."

The Football Association's director of women's football, Baroness Sue Campbell said: "We are also grateful to the Commonwealth Games Federation for its collaboration as we sought to confirm these new dates, and look forward to working together to showcase the best of women's sport across both of our events."

The coronavirus pandemic has sent shockwaves to the sporting world and the turbulence are meant for at least a couple of years. The women's European Championship which was supposed to be held in 2021 will now be held from 6-31 July 2022.

The coronavirus pandemic has sent shockwaves to the sporting world and the turbulence are meant for at least a couple of years. The women's European Championship which was supposed to be held in 2021 will now be held from 6-31 July 2022. Also read: Italy's sports minister says caution needed over return to football This decision has come after the men's Euros and Tokyo Olympics were postponed until 2021 due to the on-going coronavirus. UEFA has come out to confirm the news, they even plan the venues of the event remain the same. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has decided to postpone the event as the competition should get the "spotlight it deserves". He said: "By moving to the following year, we are ensuring that our flagship women's competition will be the only major football tournament of the summer." UEFA's chief of women football, Nadine Kessler said: "This decision puts us in a position to deliver a tournament that attracts global attention, maximises media coverage and increases stadium attendances, and is, therefore, helping us to meet our core objective of inspiring the next generation of footballers. "2022 also allows for further promotion and partner activation, which would have been much more difficult in what is now a crowded summer in 2021." The Football Association's director of women's football, Baroness Sue Campbell said: "We are also grateful to the Commonwealth Games Federation for its collaboration as we sought to confirm these new dates, and look forward to working together to showcase the best of women's sport across both of our events."

Women's Euro Championship to be held in 2022 instead of 2021: UEFA

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