Global aviation industry isbeing hammered because of the coronavirus outbreak. The Qatar Airways is now at risk of bankruptcy.

Global aviation industry hammered, Qatar Airways at risk of bankruptcy

Coronavirus cases in Spain surpassed 100,000 mark, a hospital in the northeastern region of Catalonia has been forced to turn its library into an Intensive Care Unit to deal with the influx of COVID-19 patients in critical condition.

Spain: Hospital's library transforms into ICU for coronavirus patients

Global Coronavirus cases are nearing 1 million now. The death toll continues to rise in the US and Europe. WION's Palki Sharma brings you the latest numbers in India and around the world.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: More than 9,00,000

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is leading the coronavirus fight. China has been criticised for its response to the outbreak. But Dr Tedros has ignored China's criminal negligence. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why the WHO Chief is turning a blind eye to China's actions.

Gravitas: Coronavirus: Why is the WHO Director General toeing China's line?

The death toll due to coronavirus in the United States touched a new single-day high with 884 fatalities. The number of total death across the United States has now reached 4,475.

Donald Trump hopeful of overcoming medical supplies shortage

The United States is the worst affected country in the world with more than 2 lakh positive cases. American hospitals are flooded with patients making conditions worse is the shortage of medical equipment, protective gear, and medicines. Watch report:

Fineprint: US becomes the most infected country: New York is the hotspot of coronavirus

The United Kingdom has reported the highest number of coronavirus deaths and infections in the last 24 hours. The country has reported 4324 positive cases and 563 deaths due to the deadly coronavirus.

UK struggles to battle COVID-19:  563 deaths in last 24 hours

The coronavirus cases are growing at fast rate, the world is shaken by the sheer magnitude of this outbreak.

Watch: Tracking the coronavirus pandemic

Malaysian government authorities advice to women to wear make-up and avoid nagging their husbands during the coronavirus lockdown has sparked accusations of sexism.

Malaysian government urges women to wear make-up at home

Highest rise in daily COVID-19 death toll in US

Russia has sent a cargo plane to the United States which is loaded with aid to fight the coronavirus. Masks and medical equipment has been sent to the US after President Donald Trump excepted an offer of humanitarian aid from Russian President Vladamir Putin. However, the critics are calling this as Russia's PR machinery to escape sanctions. Watch report:

Russia sends masks and medical equipment to US to fight COVID-19

Patients infected with COVID-19 can transmit the deadly virus one to three days before showing symptoms of the disease. According to the latest study published by US centers for disease control and prevention. Watch report:

Understanding transmission of COVID-19: US study confirms threat of silent carriers

The coronavirus has affected even the mightiest countries of the world taking the global death toll to 48,276. Now according to some US researchers, there may be a ray of hope. BCG vaccine may offer protection against the deadly coronavirus. Watch report:

India's battle against COVID-19 Pandemic: BCG vaccine to offer COVID-19 protection

The British airways which are in negotiations with Unite Union have already stopped operations and are expected to announce the suspension of 36,000 employees due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Watch report:

COVID-19 impact on British airways: 36,000 employees to be suspended

Nepal purchased coronavirus testing kits worth millions of Nepalese rupees from China but soon the advisor to Nepal said that many countries using the same kits are showing unreliable and controversial results.

Government of Nepal rejects China's COVID-19 testing kits

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfares held a press conference on COVID-19 cases in India. The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus has crossed the 1,800-mark with 41 deaths. The authorities have also launched a nationwide search to track down the 6,000 people who attended the Nizamuddin Tablighi Jamaat congregation. On Wednesday 450 fresh cases of infection were reported.

Health Ministry briefs media on COVID-19: 28 new cases, 12 new deaths

According to the study, national differences in impact of coronavirus could be partially explained by the different national policies respect to a TB vaccine called Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine.

Study that projects TB vaccine can protect from COVID-19 is legit?

A report brought new findings on the lethal coronavirus, According to the report, COVID-19 fatality rate ranges between 0.006%-7.8% and the average death rate is 1.38%.

COVID-19 fatality rate ranges between 0.006%-7.8%

UK recorded the highest daily death toll of 381, an increase of twenty-nine per cent as the coronavirus continued to ravage to the country. A 13-year-old boy was among the casualty who died at King's College Hospital in London.

UK: 13-year-old youngest to die of coronavirus

The beginning of 2020 brought a wild card entry in the global strategic equations in the form of Coronavirus pandemic, with Wuhan being the initial epicentre.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-chinas-authoritarianism-vs-democracy-and-transparency-289530">China will continue to be accused</a> of doing global damage by hiding crucial information from the rest of the world. China has gone through a full cycle of initially hiding it, being late in quarantining affected people, not being able to prevent community transfers, taking harsh measures to control it later, declaring victory over a pandemic and reopening lockdowns.

The trends in January and February suggested a sheer drop in Comprehensive National Power (CNP) of China with the combined impact of US-China trade war, failing BRI and COVID-19. The last week of March saw the epicenters of COVID-19 m&nbsp;westwards with the US, Europe and UK emerging to be worst affected, and China appearing to be helping the world in combatting the pandemic.

What does shift in epicenters of COVID-19 indicate?&nbsp;

The coronavirus has affected 203 countries and territories around the world and two international conveyances. The worldometer indicates over 8.7 lakh cases of coronavirus with over 43,000 deaths and over 1.84 lakh recoveries. The WHO says the death rate continues to be low but the biggest danger being faced by mankind is its exponential rise due to community transfers. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-us-president-donald-trumps-misplaced-priorities-289696">USA has emerged to be the largest epicentre </a>of COVID-19 having more than 19 per cent of global confirmed cases with more than three thousand deaths.

Europe, with over one lakh cases and 30,000 deaths, is closely followed by Spain, Germany, France, Iran and the UK. All these countries took the pandemic lightly initially, resulting in quick entry into the third stage of community transfer. Now most countries in the world are struggling for capacity building to take the challenge of the peak period, which is yet to come. This lockdowns and quarantining has brought global economic/commercial productivity to almost a grinding halt. &nbsp;

China was quick to declare that it has conquered the disease with reporting 76,238 recovered cases, only 36 fresh cases, as reported by the National Health Commission (NHC) of China. Considering Chinese credibility, these figures cannot be taken at its face value, because some media reports of sudden silencing of more mobiles connections, restrictions on reporting COVID-19 cases create a doubt as to what exactly is happening in China. The community lockdowns, and stringent measures of social distancing helped China in flattening the trend. If we add the unreported cases, the potential of the second cycle of the pandemic in China cannot be ruled out. Chinese effort of shifting soft power balance is also evident from alleged effective use of its influence and media to propagate conspiracy theory against the US and later trying to shift the blame to Italy. The world, however, will continue to accuse China of this pandemic, with many legal notices already filed against it globally.&nbsp;

China cannot deny that the coronavirus broke out in China late last year whereas Wuhan was locked down on January 23. The US efforts to evacuate its people at that point of time were seen as ‘triggering panic reaction’ by Beijing, which had already over-delayed global response by then. China tried to shift the narrative to the belligerent superpower wrangling between Beijing and Washington great power competition, viewing each other through a lens of conspiracy theories, hostility, trading stinging barbs on everything - from the origin of the virus to permitting medical experts to visit Wuhan.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, China has a reason to be keen to repair its damaged global reputation caused due to mishandling of the crisis in the initial stage; hence it behaved so assertively in the diplomatic repairs including ‘Mask Diplomacy’. The reluctance to lockdown by the US might show that the US-China competition is moving China’s way, but the Chinese follies of making the world suffer by their pandemic cover-up would not put Xi Jinping in a comfortable position either, although it’s too early to predict. &nbsp;&nbsp;

What's happening inside China

The CNP of a country is a combination of hard and soft power and includes a sum of economic, military, technological, human resource, diplomatic and other levers of power. China, claiming to have successfully encountered COVID-19, has restarted its industries, with a focus on the largest emerging demand of medical equipment related to COVID-19. After the IMF Chief’s revelation that the global economy has entered a recession, which could possibly be worst of its kind, the Chinese economy seems to be benefitting from others' sufferings.

Domestic flights are commencing in most areas, life is limping back to normal. China after exporting the pandemic, is now making the best of COVID-19 economic model by switching from failing BRI to COVID19 related production.&nbsp;

China is projecting itself as a better resource provider in this crisis. China is now&nbsp;focusing on the production of testing kits, personal protection kits, ventilators and other crucial medical equipment. Beijing, therefore, leads the global supply chain with other major manufacturers across the globe being paralysed due to the pandemic. 
&nbsp; 
Why is the world silent?&nbsp;

The fact that Coronavirus was detected, and spread exponentially in Wuhan, China may find difficult to prevent the accusations from the world which is angered by sufferings caused due to pandemic. It is, however, understandable that not many have started blaming China, due to their domestic compulsion and priorities to check the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases, instead of involving in the blame game for the time being.&nbsp;

Most countries are also expecting Chinese assistance in their fight against the pandemic, as China is seen to have controlled the same, having gone through the peak of infection. Most countries also hope that a suspected creator of the virus is in the best position to find the antidote and help to combat it. Countries also do not want to disturb the supply chain of medical equipment from China at this juncture. The outcome of G20 virtual Summit was also on the same lines, wherein the G20 leaders issued a statement at the end of the summit calling for a coordinated global response to fight the coronavirus pandemic and adopting measures to protect the global economy, minimise disruptions in trade and take steps to enhance global coordination. If technologically advanced countries can utilize their capacities, especially on joint research and development of a vaccine, and strengthening the global value chain of supplies of medical equipment, it will help humanity.&nbsp; 
 
The G20 leaders pledged to inject $5 trillion into the global economy to reduce the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. I do feel that this issue of holding China accountable will not be dead but re-appear sometime in future. There are already few lawsuits already filed against China for the same and some more may be in the offing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The credibility of global bodies

The pandemic has also exposed the Chinese influence in global bodies claiming to be neutral and serving for humanity. WHO knew about the outbreak of coronavirus in January 2020 and declared it as pandemic only on March 11, 2020, losing precious time for the world to respond, presumably under pressure from China. Also, how can WHO claim to serve humanity leaving out Taiwanese population? In recent G20 virtual Summit chaired by Saudi Arabia, the group has been too generous to WHO by agreeing to extend support to strengthen its mandate in fight against the pandemic, but the organisation needs to be held accountable once the crisis is over.&nbsp;

United Nation Security Council (UNSC) has not found it relevant to discuss the pandemic because China is a P5 country. Beijing chaired UNSC for March and the monthly Chair decides the agenda. It never felt the need to investigate when Wuhan was under lockdown and writings of the potential pandemic were on the wall already. UNSC certainly requires restructuring because in the current system China or any P5 country in its place, with its veto power can get away easily, even after putting humanity to risk. The suspicion over COVID-19 being a product of Chinese biological weapon research in Wuhan, could have been settled if China would have allowed investigation by world bodies.&nbsp; 
Strategic relations post-pandemic

Global strategic equations post-pandemic

Thinking positively, even if the world is able to fight this pandemic successfully, the global strategic equation will never remain the same. Coronavirus pandemic has exposed weaknesses of China, US and world organisations 
 
While China can be accused of a lack of transparency in handling the COVID-19 initially, the US &nbsp;took it lightly and reacted late enough. The idea of putting national interest over the survival of humanity will reduce the confidence of the world in the US and China. The western countries are used to fight the strategic competition by controlling trade and financial system and the power of alliance, but unpredictable events like this pandemic, climate change, elements of non-contact warfare can change the entire equation. China would also not be in a comfortable position, because the autocratic model cannot work for eternity. While China might be recovering and complimenting itself to have fought it better than democratic countries, the success of South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong nullifies that claim.

The world will also realise its mistake of putting all eggs in Chinese basket, and hopefully, a reverse flow may occur post-pandemic. The credibility of the UN is at stake, which is increasingly been seen as a political tool of P5. In my opinion, unless it undergoes a drastic reformation, there will be many countries ignoring its relevance and resolutions. With a threat of the second cycle of COVID-19, no one can be sure that who is better placed in the future strategic equation. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

The beginning of 2020 brought a wild card entry in the global strategic equations in the form of Coronavirus pandemic, with Wuhan being the initial epicentre. China will continue to be accused of doing global damage by hiding crucial information from the rest of the world.

The beginning of 2020 brought a wild card entry in the global strategic equations in the form of Coronavirus pandemic, with Wuhan being the initial epicentre. China will continue to be accused of doing global damage by hiding crucial information from the rest of the world. China has gone through a full cycle of initially hiding it, being late in quarantining affected people, not being able to prevent community transfers, taking harsh measures to control it later, declaring victory over a pandemic and reopening lockdowns. The trends in January and February suggested a sheer drop in Comprehensive National Power (CNP) of China with the combined impact of US-China trade war, failing BRI and COVID-19. The last week of March saw the epicenters of COVID-19 m westwards with the US, Europe and UK emerging to be worst affected, and China appearing to be helping the world in combatting the pandemic. What does shift in epicenters of COVID-19 indicate? The coronavirus has affected 203 countries and territories around the world and two international conveyances. The worldometer indicates over 8.7 lakh cases of coronavirus with over 43,000 deaths and over 1.84 lakh recoveries. The WHO says the death rate continues to be low but the biggest danger being faced by mankind is its exponential rise due to community transfers. USA has emerged to be the largest epicentre of COVID-19 having more than 19 per cent of global confirmed cases with more than three thousand deaths. Europe, with over one lakh cases and 30,000 deaths, is closely followed by Spain, Germany, France, Iran and the UK. All these countries took the pandemic lightly initially, resulting in quick entry into the third stage of community transfer. Now most countries in the world are struggling for capacity building to take the challenge of the peak period, which is yet to come. This lockdowns and quarantining has brought global economic/commercial productivity to almost a grinding halt. China was quick to declare that it has conquered the disease with reporting 76,238 recovered cases, only 36 fresh cases, as reported by the National Health Commission (NHC) of China. Considering Chinese credibility, these figures cannot be taken at its face value, because some media reports of sudden silencing of more mobiles connections, restrictions on reporting COVID-19 cases create a doubt as to what exactly is happening in China. The community lockdowns, and stringent measures of social distancing helped China in flattening the trend. If we add the unreported cases, the potential of the second cycle of the pandemic in China cannot be ruled out. Chinese effort of shifting soft power balance is also evident from alleged effective use of its influence and media to propagate conspiracy theory against the US and later trying to shift the blame to Italy. The world, however, will continue to accuse China of this pandemic, with many legal notices already filed against it globally. China cannot deny that the coronavirus broke out in China late last year whereas Wuhan was locked down on January 23. The US efforts to evacuate its people at that point of time were seen as ‘triggering panic reaction’ by Beijing, which had already over-delayed global response by then. China tried to shift the narrative to the belligerent superpower wrangling between Beijing and Washington great power competition, viewing each other through a lens of conspiracy theories, hostility, trading stinging barbs on everything - from the origin of the virus to permitting medical experts to visit Wuhan. Meanwhile, China has a reason to be keen to repair its damaged global reputation caused due to mishandling of the crisis in the initial stage; hence it behaved so assertively in the diplomatic repairs including ‘Mask Diplomacy’. The reluctance to lockdown by the US might show that the US-China competition is moving China’s way, but the Chinese follies of making the world suffer by their pandemic cover-up would not put Xi Jinping in a comfortable position either, although it’s too early to predict. What's happening inside China The CNP of a country is a combination of hard and soft power and includes a sum of economic, military, technological, human resource, diplomatic and other levers of power. China, claiming to have successfully encountered COVID-19, has restarted its industries, with a focus on the largest emerging demand of medical equipment related to COVID-19. After the IMF Chief’s revelation that the global economy has entered a recession, which could possibly be worst of its kind, the Chinese economy seems to be benefitting from others' sufferings. Domestic flights are commencing in most areas, life is limping back to normal. China after exporting the pandemic, is now making the best of COVID-19 economic model by switching from failing BRI to COVID19 related production. China is projecting itself as a better resource provider in this crisis. China is now focusing on the production of testing kits, personal protection kits, ventilators and other crucial medical equipment. Beijing, therefore, leads the global supply chain with other major manufacturers across the globe being paralysed due to the pandemic. Why is the world silent? The fact that Coronavirus was detected, and spread exponentially in Wuhan, China may find difficult to prevent the accusations from the world which is angered by sufferings caused due to pandemic. It is, however, understandable that not many have started blaming China, due to their domestic compulsion and priorities to check the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases, instead of involving in the blame game for the time being. Most countries are also expecting Chinese assistance in their fight against the pandemic, as China is seen to have controlled the same, having gone through the peak of infection. Most countries also hope that a suspected creator of the virus is in the best position to find the antidote and help to combat it. Countries also do not want to disturb the supply chain of medical equipment from China at this juncture. The outcome of G20 virtual Summit was also on the same lines, wherein the G20 leaders issued a statement at the end of the summit calling for a coordinated global response to fight the coronavirus pandemic and adopting measures to protect the global economy, minimise disruptions in trade and take steps to enhance global coordination. If technologically advanced countries can utilize their capacities, especially on joint research and development of a vaccine, and strengthening the global value chain of supplies of medical equipment, it will help humanity. The G20 leaders pledged to inject $5 trillion into the global economy to reduce the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. I do feel that this issue of holding China accountable will not be dead but re-appear sometime in future. There are already few lawsuits already filed against China for the same and some more may be in the offing. The credibility of global bodies The pandemic has also exposed the Chinese influence in global bodies claiming to be neutral and serving for humanity. WHO knew about the outbreak of coronavirus in January 2020 and declared it as pandemic only on March 11, 2020, losing precious time for the world to respond, presumably under pressure from China. Also, how can WHO claim to serve humanity leaving out Taiwanese population? In recent G20 virtual Summit chaired by Saudi Arabia, the group has been too generous to WHO by agreeing to extend support to strengthen its mandate in fight against the pandemic, but the organisation needs to be held accountable once the crisis is over. United Nation Security Council (UNSC) has not found it relevant to discuss the pandemic because China is a P5 country. Beijing chaired UNSC for March and the monthly Chair decides the agenda. It never felt the need to investigate when Wuhan was under lockdown and writings of the potential pandemic were on the wall already. UNSC certainly requires restructuring because in the current system China or any P5 country in its place, with its veto power can get away easily, even after putting humanity to risk. The suspicion over COVID-19 being a product of Chinese biological weapon research in Wuhan, could have been settled if China would have allowed investigation by world bodies. Strategic relations post-pandemic Global strategic equations post-pandemic Thinking positively, even if the world is able to fight this pandemic successfully, the global strategic equation will never remain the same. Coronavirus pandemic has exposed weaknesses of China, US and world organisations While China can be accused of a lack of transparency in handling the COVID-19 initially, the US took it lightly and reacted late enough. The idea of putting national interest over the survival of humanity will reduce the confidence of the world in the US and China. The western countries are used to fight the strategic competition by controlling trade and financial system and the power of alliance, but unpredictable events like this pandemic, climate change, elements of non-contact warfare can change the entire equation. China would also not be in a comfortable position, because the autocratic model cannot work for eternity. While China might be recovering and complimenting itself to have fought it better than democratic countries, the success of South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong nullifies that claim. The world will also realise its mistake of putting all eggs in Chinese basket, and hopefully, a reverse flow may occur post-pandemic. The credibility of the UN is at stake, which is increasingly been seen as a political tool of P5. In my opinion, unless it undergoes a drastic reformation, there will be many countries ignoring its relevance and resolutions. With a threat of the second cycle of COVID-19, no one can be sure that who is better placed in the future strategic equation. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

China's cover-up: Will coronavirus pandemic lead to changed world order?

The United States recorded 865 new deaths in just 24 hours due the coronavirus epidemic with the number of confirmed cases surging to 188,547, according to Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource centre.

US records highest death toll due to coronavirus

Coronavirus Outbreak: TB vaccine to protect from COVID-19?

China has now re-opened businesses in Wuhan city as the lockdown ends. China has been changing its counting methods. The world is now questioning China's intentions.

China: Businesses re-open in Wuhan as lockdown ends

Studies suggests that strong social distancing, isolation & lockdown averted thousands of deaths in Europe. These non-medical interventions helped in curbing viral spread of coronavirus, eased the burden of countries health care systems.

COVID-19: Over 120,000 deaths averted in 11 countries

Italy is among the worst hit countries in this coronavirus outbreak. More than 90,000 people are infected in Italy. @francescam63 is one of the many Italian citizens who want China to pay 'war damages'.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: Italians seek 'war damages' from China

From South Korea to Singapore, democracies have performed better at containing the Coronavirus when compared to authoritative regimes.

WION Edit: Why the world must resist China's Coronavirus Authoritarianism

The United States has more confirmed cases of coronavirus than any other country. It has reported more than 140,000 cases.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: US overtakes China with most cases

China is extending its Belt and Road plans to build a 'Health Silk Road'. Chinese companies are sending Coronavirus supplies to worst hit countries. Is the coronavirus crisis a business opportunity for China?

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: A business opportunity for China?

Life may not return to normal in the UK anytime soon. The British government says the lockdown could last up to six months.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: The UK braces for a 6-month lockdown

The Wuhan Coronavirus has now spread to more than 170 countries and regions. Across the world, there are more than seven lakh confirmed cases now.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: Confirmed cases cross 7,00,000

COVId-19 cases are rising even as the world is grappling to contain the virus. There's already a new fear -- the fear of the second wave.&nbsp;

Is the coronavirus returning to countries which have controlled the outbreak? Can you be infected twice? How do you insulate yourself?

Japan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore have seen a sudden spike in cases.

Is this the second wave?

A pandemic comes in waves like a curve. The numbers rise and then there is a plateau, followed by its slide. In some cases, another curve follows.&nbsp;

This is what we call a second wave. In some countries, coronavirus has declined. For example, China while in some they are on the rise. The United States for example. And in some, new cases are emerging after a lull. This has triggered a new fear.&nbsp;

Expert opinion is divided. Some say the second wave could be because of faulty tests and imported cases. Wuhan in China is a textbook example. The city is no longer under lockdown. And all of a sudden, new cases are emerging. At least 5%-10% of the city's patients who recovered are testing positive for the second time. Experts say this is not re-infection, but faulty testing. They were wrongly tested the first time.&nbsp;

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If you are hearing about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/covid19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#covid19</a> “reinfections” in Asia, I can offer you my take as a virologist. The best explanation for what we’re seeing is likely due to three things...
— Peter Kolchinsky (@PeterKolchinsky) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterKolchinsky/status/1244029896453754880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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As this American virologist points out, either the swab did not pick up enough material or it was mishandled during the testing process. So patients were discharged based on faulty test results. They tested negative but were carrying the virus. Another reason is imported cases. Asia has seen a sudden spike in numbers. Reports say it will be hit hard by the second wave. Hong Kong has been largely successful in controlling the outbreak.

The city-state declared a virus emergency on the 25th of January. It restricted links to mainland China. Reported its first death of February 4th. And then just 3 more deaths over the last month. Positive cases have been limited to 642. But now, Hong Kong is witnessing a second wave -- thanks to citizens returning home. The imported cases are powering Hong Kong's second wave. The same is happening in South Korea, Japan and Singapore.

The second wave is coming. A re-infection is possible but it does not happen in a matter of weeks. It takes years for immunity to fade. The second wave of the coronavirus is not about re-infection. It's about faulty testing and imported cases. And finally. The need of the hour is testing.

&nbsp;

COVId-19 cases are rising even as the world is grappling to contain the virus. There's already a new fear -- the fear of the second wave. Is the coronavirus returning to countries which have controlled the outbreak?

COVId-19 cases are rising even as the world is grappling to contain the virus. There's already a new fear -- the fear of the second wave. Is the coronavirus returning to countries which have controlled the outbreak? Can you be infected twice? How do you insulate yourself? Japan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore have seen a sudden spike in cases. Is this the second wave? A pandemic comes in waves like a curve. The numbers rise and then there is a plateau, followed by its slide. In some cases, another curve follows. This is what we call a second wave. In some countries, coronavirus has declined. For example, China while in some they are on the rise. The United States for example. And in some, new cases are emerging after a lull. This has triggered a new fear. Expert opinion is divided. Some say the second wave could be because of faulty tests and imported cases. Wuhan in China is a textbook example. The city is no longer under lockdown. And all of a sudden, new cases are emerging. At least 5%-10% of the city's patients who recovered are testing positive for the second time. Experts say this is not re-infection, but faulty testing. They were wrongly tested the first time. If you are hearing about #covid19 “reinfections” in Asia, I can offer you my take as a virologist. The best explanation for what we’re seeing is likely due to three things... — Peter Kolchinsky (@PeterKolchinsky) March 28, 2020 × As this American virologist points out, either the swab did not pick up enough material or it was mishandled during the testing process. So patients were discharged based on faulty test results. They tested negative but were carrying the virus. Another reason is imported cases. Asia has seen a sudden spike in numbers. Reports say it will be hit hard by the second wave. Hong Kong has been largely successful in controlling the outbreak. The city-state declared a virus emergency on the 25th of January. It restricted links to mainland China. Reported its first death of February 4th. And then just 3 more deaths over the last month. Positive cases have been limited to 642. But now, Hong Kong is witnessing a second wave -- thanks to citizens returning home. The imported cases are powering Hong Kong's second wave. The same is happening in South Korea, Japan and Singapore. The second wave is coming. A re-infection is possible but it does not happen in a matter of weeks. It takes years for immunity to fade. The second wave of the coronavirus is not about re-infection. It's about faulty testing and imported cases. And finally. The need of the hour is testing.

As world grapples with COVID-19, fear of second-wave looms large 

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