Advisers to President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats were set to discuss the next steps in responding to the coronavirus crisis on Tuesday, with congressional Republicans saying they were working on a $1 trillion relief bill.

In a meeting on Monday at the White House, Republican lawmakers and administration officials said they were making progress toward fresh legislation aimed at cushioning the heavy economic toll of the pandemic.

"Senate Republicans will put forward our proposal soon, I hope our Democratic colleagues will be ready to work together," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who hopes to unveil the proposal this week.

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will host a meeting on Tuesday to discuss coronavirus relief with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, a source familiar with the matter said.

Administration officials also met with Republican senators at the Capitol on Monday. They said the meeting had gone well and they planned more discussions on Tuesday.&nbsp;

They offered few details, with Mnuchin commenting only that a reporter's suggestion that there would be more than $70 billion for schools was "a good guess."

The Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic-led House of Representatives have less than two weeks to hammer out a new relief package before enhanced unemployment benefits run out for tens of millions of American workers made jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-months-of-resisting-wearing-one-trump-says-wearing-mask-patriotic-in-tweet-314794" hreflang="en">After months of resisting wearing one, Trump says wearing mask 'patriotic' in tweet</a>

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said the Republican proposal would include a cut to the payroll tax on workers' gross earnings, which funds national retirement programs. Trump backs such a cut as an economic stimulus, but the idea has stirred little enthusiasm among lawmakers, who worry about protecting Social Security payments.

"We're working and negotiating with the Democrats and trying to get a plan that helps small business, helps people, helps this country," Trump said.

Mnuchin did not provide details about the bill beyond saying that it included the payroll tax cut. "It's in the bill, so we'll see," he told reporters.

Schumer warned that Democrats were prepared to stymie any Republican effort to pass partisan legislation. "A bipartisan, bicameral process will result in a much better bill for the American people," he said in a letter to colleagues.&nbsp;

'NOWHERE NEAR OUT OF THE WOODS'

Congress has so far committed $3 trillion to the crisis. In the more than 12 weeks since Trump signed the last bill into law, the number of U.S. coronavirus cases has more than tripled to over 3.7 million. The virus has killed over 140,000 people in the United States. Both figures lead the world.

"We are nowhere near out of the woods," McConnell said.

Mnuchin, who led previous coronavirus bill negotiations with Congress, said he intended to "focus on starting with another trillion dollars. We think that will have a big impact."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-portland-trump-will-send-unknown-forces-to-liberal-democrat-cities-to-muzzle-protests-314802" hreflang="en">After Portland, Trump will send 'unknown' forces to 'liberal Democrat' cities to muzzle protests</a>

But Democrats have pledged to fight for legislation akin to a $3 trillion bill the House approved in mid-May, providing hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments, extending enhanced unemployment insurance and providing new payments to individuals and families.&nbsp;

The prospect for legislation was upstaged over the weekend by reports of White House plans to eliminate funding for testing, drawing opposition from Republicans as well as Democrats.

"I'm for whatever it takes to get enough tests out there to safely open up schools and other aspects of our economy," Senator John Thune, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, told reporters.

Advisers to President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats were set to discuss the next steps in responding to the coronavirus crisis on Tuesday, with congressional Republicans saying they were working on a $1 trillion relief bill.

Advisers to President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats were set to discuss the next steps in responding to the coronavirus crisis on Tuesday, with congressional Republicans saying they were working on a $1 trillion relief bill. In a meeting on Monday at the White House, Republican lawmakers and administration officials said they were making progress toward fresh legislation aimed at cushioning the heavy economic toll of the pandemic. "Senate Republicans will put forward our proposal soon, I hope our Democratic colleagues will be ready to work together," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who hopes to unveil the proposal this week. Also read: Teachers union sues to halt Florida classroom restart during pandemic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will host a meeting on Tuesday to discuss coronavirus relief with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, a source familiar with the matter said. Administration officials also met with Republican senators at the Capitol on Monday. They said the meeting had gone well and they planned more discussions on Tuesday. They offered few details, with Mnuchin commenting only that a reporter's suggestion that there would be more than $70 billion for schools was "a good guess." The Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic-led House of Representatives have less than two weeks to hammer out a new relief package before enhanced unemployment benefits run out for tens of millions of American workers made jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also read: After months of resisting wearing one, Trump says wearing mask 'patriotic' in tweet House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said the Republican proposal would include a cut to the payroll tax on workers' gross earnings, which funds national retirement programs. Trump backs such a cut as an economic stimulus, but the idea has stirred little enthusiasm among lawmakers, who worry about protecting Social Security payments. "We're working and negotiating with the Democrats and trying to get a plan that helps small business, helps people, helps this country," Trump said. Mnuchin did not provide details about the bill beyond saying that it included the payroll tax cut. "It's in the bill, so we'll see," he told reporters. Schumer warned that Democrats were prepared to stymie any Republican effort to pass partisan legislation. "A bipartisan, bicameral process will result in a much better bill for the American people," he said in a letter to colleagues. 'NOWHERE NEAR OUT OF THE WOODS' Congress has so far committed $3 trillion to the crisis. In the more than 12 weeks since Trump signed the last bill into law, the number of U.S. coronavirus cases has more than tripled to over 3.7 million. The virus has killed over 140,000 people in the United States. Both figures lead the world. "We are nowhere near out of the woods," McConnell said. Mnuchin, who led previous coronavirus bill negotiations with Congress, said he intended to "focus on starting with another trillion dollars. We think that will have a big impact." Also read: After Portland, Trump will send 'unknown' forces to 'liberal Democrat' cities to muzzle protests But Democrats have pledged to fight for legislation akin to a $3 trillion bill the House approved in mid-May, providing hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments, extending enhanced unemployment insurance and providing new payments to individuals and families. The prospect for legislation was upstaged over the weekend by reports of White House plans to eliminate funding for testing, drawing opposition from Republicans as well as Democrats. "I'm for whatever it takes to get enough tests out there to safely open up schools and other aspects of our economy," Senator John Thune, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, told reporters.

US congressional Democrats, White House to meet on coronavirus aid

California reported a record increase of more than 11,800 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, according to a Reuters tally of county data, as the Trump administration pushes for schools to reopen to help businesses return to normal.

If California were a country, it would be rank fifth in the world for total cases at nearly 400,000, behind the United States, Brazil, India and Russia.&nbsp;

This is the first time California has reported over 10,000 new infections since setting a record with 10,861 cases on July 14.&nbsp;

Florida has reported over 10,000 new cases a day for the last six days in a row and Texas has reported over 10,000 cases for five out of the last seven days.

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California's daily increases have already surpassed the highest daily tally reported by any European country during the height of the pandemic there.&nbsp;

The biggest outbreak in the state is in Los Angeles County, which has nearly 160,000 total cases on Monday. Hospitals are filling with COVID patients and Los Angeles reported record numbers of currently hospitalized coronavirus patients for the second day in a row on Monday.&nbsp;

To combat the pandemic, California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is shutting down California again.

In addition to closing bars, he ordered restaurants, movie theaters, zoos and museums to cease indoor operations. Gyms, churches and hair salons must close in the 30 hardest-hit counties.

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State prisons are releasing up to 8,000 inmates early to reduce the risk of virus transmission after large outbreaks in several correctional facilities.

California is home to both tech companies in Silicon Valley, Hollywood movie studios and Walt Disney Co's Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.&nbsp;

The entertainment company has indefinitely suspended plans to reopen the California theme park but it did reopen Disney World in Florida on July 11.

California reported a record increase of more than 11,800 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, according to a Reuters tally of county data, as the Trump administration pushes for schools to reopen to help businesses return to normal.

California reported a record increase of more than 11,800 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, according to a Reuters tally of county data, as the Trump administration pushes for schools to reopen to help businesses return to normal. If California were a country, it would be rank fifth in the world for total cases at nearly 400,000, behind the United States, Brazil, India and Russia. This is the first time California has reported over 10,000 new infections since setting a record with 10,861 cases on July 14. Florida has reported over 10,000 new cases a day for the last six days in a row and Texas has reported over 10,000 cases for five out of the last seven days. Also read: Trump to send 'unknown' forces to 'liberal Democrat' cities to muzzle protests California's daily increases have already surpassed the highest daily tally reported by any European country during the height of the pandemic there. The biggest outbreak in the state is in Los Angeles County, which has nearly 160,000 total cases on Monday. Hospitals are filling with COVID patients and Los Angeles reported record numbers of currently hospitalized coronavirus patients for the second day in a row on Monday. To combat the pandemic, California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is shutting down California again. In addition to closing bars, he ordered restaurants, movie theaters, zoos and museums to cease indoor operations. Gyms, churches and hair salons must close in the 30 hardest-hit counties. Also read: Teachers union sues to halt Florida classroom restart during pandemic State prisons are releasing up to 8,000 inmates early to reduce the risk of virus transmission after large outbreaks in several correctional facilities. California is home to both tech companies in Silicon Valley, Hollywood movie studios and Walt Disney Co's Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. The entertainment company has indefinitely suspended plans to reopen the California theme park but it did reopen Disney World in Florida on July 11.

California reports nearly 12,000 COVID cases, biggest increase since pandemic started

A Florida teachers union sued the state on Monday in an effort to halt next month's planned restart of classroom instruction, which it says poses an "imminent threat to the public health, safety and welfare" of its members, students and parents.&nbsp;

Citing the state's position as a leading U.S. coronavirus hot spot, the Florida Education Association (FEA) argued in its lawsuit that in-class instruction violates the state constitution's guarantee of a "safe" education for children.

The union's complaint against Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other officials asks the state Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County for an emergency order halting classroom in-class instruction to avoid "irreparable harm."&nbsp;

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"The spread of COVID-19 that will result from the unsafe reopening of schools during the surge is not limited to students, teachers, school administrators, or school staff and will undoubtably spread to their families and communities," the complaint said.&nbsp;

With new coronavirus infections having topped 10,000 per day for nearly a week, Florida has emerged as one of the country's epicenters for the pandemic in recent weeks.

"The governor needs to accept the reality of the situation here in Florida, where the virus is surging out of control," association President Fedrick Ingram said in a statement.

The suit also names Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, who issued a July 6 order requiring local officials to "open brick and mortar schools at least five days per week" in August for families opting for in-class instruction, as opposed to remote instruction.

Corcoran replied that his order did not lay out any new requirements for schools to be open.

"It simply created new innovative options for families to have the CHOICE to decide what works best for the health and safety of their student and family," he said in a statement.

The FEA, which has 140,000 members, is affiliated with both national teachers unions, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, both of which it said support the suit.

A Florida teachers union sued the state on Monday in an effort to halt next month's planned restart of classroom instruction, which it says poses an "imminent threat to the public health, safety and welfare" of its members, students and parents.

A Florida teachers union sued the state on Monday in an effort to halt next month's planned restart of classroom instruction, which it says poses an "imminent threat to the public health, safety and welfare" of its members, students and parents. Citing the state's position as a leading U.S. coronavirus hot spot, the Florida Education Association (FEA) argued in its lawsuit that in-class instruction violates the state constitution's guarantee of a "safe" education for children. The union's complaint against Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other officials asks the state Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County for an emergency order halting classroom in-class instruction to avoid "irreparable harm." Also read: COVID-19 vaccine: WHO applauds Oxford coronavirus vaccine data, but warns there’s still a long way to go "The spread of COVID-19 that will result from the unsafe reopening of schools during the surge is not limited to students, teachers, school administrators, or school staff and will undoubtably spread to their families and communities," the complaint said. With new coronavirus infections having topped 10,000 per day for nearly a week, Florida has emerged as one of the country's epicenters for the pandemic in recent weeks. "The governor needs to accept the reality of the situation here in Florida, where the virus is surging out of control," association President Fedrick Ingram said in a statement. The suit also names Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, who issued a July 6 order requiring local officials to "open brick and mortar schools at least five days per week" in August for families opting for in-class instruction, as opposed to remote instruction. Corcoran replied that his order did not lay out any new requirements for schools to be open. "It simply created new innovative options for families to have the CHOICE to decide what works best for the health and safety of their student and family," he said in a statement. The FEA, which has 140,000 members, is affiliated with both national teachers unions, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, both of which it said support the suit.

Teachers union sues to halt Florida classroom restart during pandemic

Liberty Island welcomed back visitors Monday, months after the attraction was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Liberty island reopens after 4-month closure due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The luxury jet segment is also a big victim of coronavirus pandemic globally. Big manufactures of business jets are canceling orders or putting them on hold indefinitely.

Slowdown in executive jet segment: Embraer's jet deliveries collapse

The United States of America continues to be the worst-hit coronavirus country in the world. Close to 4 million people have been affected and 150,000 people have lost their lives. Watch report.

Donald Trump to resume daily COVID-19 briefing: Long queues for testing in Texas, Florida

The British government borrowing went&nbsp;over $162 billion (128 billion Pounds) billion over the first three months of the 2020/21 financial year. This was when the country was under a strict lockdown.

The amount is over twice the entire of last year’s borrowing figures. According to many, this year’s borrowing will be the British government’s largest since World War Two.

Highest for June

In June alone, the borrowing was worth 35.5 Pounds, as per data from the government statistics office. This figure excludes state-owned banks. This was much higher than figures from the same period in the last year, but much below the Reuters forecast of 41. billion Pounds.

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In all, April, May, and June amount for the highest borrowing in the country’s country. The tax revenues, however, were higher, but spending on employment support went down.

"Borrowing is still rising at an exceptional rate and we suspect that a slowdown in the recovery and further rise in unemployment later this year will prompt the government to announce additional fiscal spending at the next budget," Thomas Pugh, UK economist at Capital Economics told Reuters.

Measures in place

Just last week, finance minister Rishi Sunak rolled out measures worth 30 billion Pounds. This was done to resuscitate businesses, while expecting companies to take back workers as the country’s scheme to support those on furlough will end in October 2020. This scheme supported over 9 million jobs in the UK.

The public sector debt now stands at 1.984 trillion Pounds, which amounts for 99.6 per cent of the GDP. Data says that this is the highest debt for the country since the 1960s.

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"Over the medium-term, we must, and we will, put our public finances back on a sustainable footing," Sunak said on Tuesday.

Additionally, the UK government recently announced extra spending and tax cuts amounting worth 192 billion Pounds for the ongoing financial year.

The economy is expected to shrink by 12.4 per cent throughout the year. The unemployment rate in the country is expected to rise by 11.9 per cent toward the end of 2020.

The British government borrowing went over $162 billion (128 billion Pounds) billion over the first three months of the 2020/21 financial year. This was when the country was under a strict lockdown.

The British government borrowing went over $162 billion (128 billion Pounds) billion over the first three months of the 2020/21 financial year. This was when the country was under a strict lockdown. The amount is over twice the entire of last year’s borrowing figures. According to many, this year’s borrowing will be the British government’s largest since World War Two. Highest for June In June alone, the borrowing was worth 35.5 Pounds, as per data from the government statistics office. This figure excludes state-owned banks. This was much higher than figures from the same period in the last year, but much below the Reuters forecast of 41. billion Pounds. Also read: EU breaks deadlock, inks a post-pandemic economic recovery deal In all, April, May, and June amount for the highest borrowing in the country’s country. The tax revenues, however, were higher, but spending on employment support went down. "Borrowing is still rising at an exceptional rate and we suspect that a slowdown in the recovery and further rise in unemployment later this year will prompt the government to announce additional fiscal spending at the next budget," Thomas Pugh, UK economist at Capital Economics told Reuters. Measures in place Just last week, finance minister Rishi Sunak rolled out measures worth 30 billion Pounds. This was done to resuscitate businesses, while expecting companies to take back workers as the country’s scheme to support those on furlough will end in October 2020. This scheme supported over 9 million jobs in the UK. The public sector debt now stands at 1.984 trillion Pounds, which amounts for 99.6 per cent of the GDP. Data says that this is the highest debt for the country since the 1960s. Also read: China threatens 'consequences' after UK suspends Hong Kong treaty "Over the medium-term, we must, and we will, put our public finances back on a sustainable footing," Sunak said on Tuesday. Additionally, the UK government recently announced extra spending and tax cuts amounting worth 192 billion Pounds for the ongoing financial year. The economy is expected to shrink by 12.4 per cent throughout the year. The unemployment rate in the country is expected to rise by 11.9 per cent toward the end of 2020.

UK borrowing feels the pandemic, goes over record $162 billion

The race to find the COVID-19 vaccine is heating up. India may or may not win the contest. But, no vaccine will succeed without India. Most of the world's current vaccines are made in India. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why the world can't mass produce a Covid-19 vaccine without India.

Gravitas: India: The World's Vaccine Producer

China declared victory over the Wuhan virus two months ago. But now, Coronavirus cases are on the rise in China. Xinjiang has emerged as the new hotspot - and the Uighur detention camps could be a ticking time bomb. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay has the details.

Gravitas: Why China is not virus free: Xinjiang emerges as the new hotspot

Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc all over the world, infiltrating and decapitating every territory that falls in its way. Scientifically, the most annoying facet of the virus has been its unpredictability.

In the beginning, scientists weren’t sure what to make of it, and what its most definitive group of symptoms are. Over the course of 2020, the information has been modified many times. Very recently, a group of scientists posited that the virus may indeed be airborne, which shocked the scientific community worldwide.

As the death toll and the number of infections continue to induct record numbers everyday, a group of scientists have been able to trace and compartmentalise symptoms of the disease. This division may help identify severe symptoms from non-severe, and also additionally offer insight into the precursory bodily reactions before a victim develops complications.

App only!

To achieve this, the scientists used a smartphone application to predict the severity in cases leading upto complications. With additional research, it could help identify and prevent complications among severe cases.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-vaccines-should-be-made-public-for-global-good-who-director-general-314854">COVID-19 vaccines should be made public for global good: WHO director-general</a>

The study has been published medRxiv, and hasn’t been peer-reviewed yet. This measurement of severity will facilitate priority basis action on certain cases. For instance, people who actually need medical assistance will simply not to be told to isolate at time until symptoms worsen, because the worsening of their symptoms will be predicted. Additionally, people who have minor symptoms and don’t need medical care may free up space in hospitals for severe cases.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-says-people-infected-with-covid-19-should-do-contact-tracing-themselves-314817" hreflang="en">Sweden says people infected with COVID-19 should do contact tracing themselves</a>

To understand this, the researchers collated data a particular mobile application with four million users. Out of these 1,653 who had tested positive for the virus were included in the study.&nbsp; Their status updates were recorded by the team. Out of these, 383 made at least one trip to the hospital, and 107 required oxygen or ventilation.

Six clusters

Based on this they created a spectrum of six clusters, with the sixth cluster being most susceptible to complications.

The first cluster developed only minor symptoms like cough and muscle pain. Out of these only 1.5 per cent needed breathing support, and 16 per cent went to the hospital. In contrast, in cluster six, breathlessness was seen, followed by chest pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Over 20 per cent of these required ventilation support, and at least 45.5 per cent went the hospital.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breakthrough-treatment-slashes-death-risk-among-covid-19-patients-study-314826" hreflang="en">‘Breakthrough’ treatment slashes death risk among Covid-19 patients: Study</a>

According to the team, the first two clusters represent minor cases of the virus. While the last two represent cases that may become complicated over time.

If verified by other researchers and medical professionals, this demarcation and grouping could help save millions of lives. The researchers claim that based on their data, they could predict whether a patient would require breathing assistance in over 79 per cent of the cases.

Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc all over the world, infiltrating and decapitating every territory that falls in its way. Scientifically, the most annoying facet of the virus has been its unpredictability.

Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc all over the world, infiltrating and decapitating every territory that falls in its way. Scientifically, the most annoying facet of the virus has been its unpredictability. In the beginning, scientists weren’t sure what to make of it, and what its most definitive group of symptoms are. Over the course of 2020, the information has been modified many times. Very recently, a group of scientists posited that the virus may indeed be airborne, which shocked the scientific community worldwide. As the death toll and the number of infections continue to induct record numbers everyday, a group of scientists have been able to trace and compartmentalise symptoms of the disease. This division may help identify severe symptoms from non-severe, and also additionally offer insight into the precursory bodily reactions before a victim develops complications. App only! To achieve this, the scientists used a smartphone application to predict the severity in cases leading upto complications. With additional research, it could help identify and prevent complications among severe cases. Also read: COVID-19 vaccines should be made public for global good: WHO director-general The study has been published medRxiv, and hasn’t been peer-reviewed yet. This measurement of severity will facilitate priority basis action on certain cases. For instance, people who actually need medical assistance will simply not to be told to isolate at time until symptoms worsen, because the worsening of their symptoms will be predicted. Additionally, people who have minor symptoms and don’t need medical care may free up space in hospitals for severe cases. Also read: Sweden says people infected with COVID-19 should do contact tracing themselves To understand this, the researchers collated data a particular mobile application with four million users. Out of these 1,653 who had tested positive for the virus were included in the study. Their status updates were recorded by the team. Out of these, 383 made at least one trip to the hospital, and 107 required oxygen or ventilation. Six clusters Based on this they created a spectrum of six clusters, with the sixth cluster being most susceptible to complications. The first cluster developed only minor symptoms like cough and muscle pain. Out of these only 1.5 per cent needed breathing support, and 16 per cent went to the hospital. In contrast, in cluster six, breathlessness was seen, followed by chest pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Over 20 per cent of these required ventilation support, and at least 45.5 per cent went the hospital. Also read: ‘Breakthrough’ treatment slashes death risk among Covid-19 patients: Study According to the team, the first two clusters represent minor cases of the virus. While the last two represent cases that may become complicated over time. If verified by other researchers and medical professionals, this demarcation and grouping could help save millions of lives. The researchers claim that based on their data, they could predict whether a patient would require breathing assistance in over 79 per cent of the cases.

Scientists map out six clusters to understand severity of coronavirus symptoms, and chances of developing complications

US&nbsp;deaths from the novel coronavirus topped 140,000 on Saturday as cases continued to rise in 42 out of 50 states over the past two weeks, according to a Reuters tally.

Since late June, the United States has seen a resurgence in new cases and now, six weeks later, deaths have also begun rising, according to a weekly Reuters analysis of state and county data.

America is losing about 5,000 people to the virus every week. By contrast, neighboring Canada has reported total deaths of 8,800 since the pandemic started.&nbsp;

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In just one week, the United States records about as many deaths as the 5,600 lives Sweden has lost since the pandemic began earlier this year.

In the hardest-hit US&nbsp;counties, officials are running out of places to store bodies as their morgues fill up.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/florida-coronavirus-cases-surge-for-fifth-day-as-trump-pledges-outbreak-will-be-under-control-314514" hreflang="en">Florida coronavirus cases surge for fifth day as Trump pledges outbreak will be under control</a>

Arizona's Maricopa County, home to the state's largest city, Phoenix, is bringing in 14 coolers to hold up to 280 bodies and more than double morgue capacity ahead of an expected surge in coronavirus fatalities, officials said on Thursday.

In Texas, the city of San Antonio and Bexar County have acquired five refrigerated trailers to store up to 180 bodies.

The appearance of such mobile morgues has fed the sense in some Southern states that the pandemic appears to be spinning out of control.&nbsp;

US deaths from the novel coronavirus topped 140,000 on Saturday as cases continued to rise in 42 out of 50 states over the past two weeks, according to a Reuters tally.

US deaths from the novel coronavirus topped 140,000 on Saturday as cases continued to rise in 42 out of 50 states over the past two weeks, according to a Reuters tally. Since late June, the United States has seen a resurgence in new cases and now, six weeks later, deaths have also begun rising, according to a weekly Reuters analysis of state and county data. America is losing about 5,000 people to the virus every week. By contrast, neighboring Canada has reported total deaths of 8,800 since the pandemic started. Also read: I'm not losing: Donald Trump refuses to commit to election results if defeated In just one week, the United States records about as many deaths as the 5,600 lives Sweden has lost since the pandemic began earlier this year. In the hardest-hit US counties, officials are running out of places to store bodies as their morgues fill up. Also read: Florida coronavirus cases surge for fifth day as Trump pledges outbreak will be under control Arizona's Maricopa County, home to the state's largest city, Phoenix, is bringing in 14 coolers to hold up to 280 bodies and more than double morgue capacity ahead of an expected surge in coronavirus fatalities, officials said on Thursday. In Texas, the city of San Antonio and Bexar County have acquired five refrigerated trailers to store up to 180 bodies. The appearance of such mobile morgues has fed the sense in some Southern states that the pandemic appears to be spinning out of control.

US coronavirus deaths surpass 140,000 as outbreak worsens

Most people in Japan are against government plans to kickstart domestic tourism with a subsidised campaign, according to newspaper surveys published on Monday, as fears grow over the number of new coronavirus cases, particularly in Tokyo.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/japan-accuses-china-of-pushing-territorial-claims-during-coronavirus-pandemic-313133" hreflang="en">Japan accuses China of pushing territorial claims during coronavirus pandemic</a>

The results highlight growing concerns that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's $16 billion "Go To" campaign, set to begin on Wednesday, could spread the virus to rural parts of the country where medical systems are fragile.

Broadcaster NHK said more than 500 new cases were reported nationally on Sunday, of which 188 were in Tokyo - down by about 100 from the previous day but still well above levels seen when Abe's government in late May called an end to a state of emergency it had imposed to contain the virus.'

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/uk-asks-japan-for-huawei-alternatives-in-5g-networks-314365" hreflang="en">UK asks Japan for Huawei alternatives in 5G networks</a>

A telephone survey conducted by the Asahi newspaper found 74% of respondents were opposed to the campaign. In a similar survey by the Nikkei business daily, some 80% of respondents said it was too early to launch such a programme.

Japan has not seen the kind of rapid spread of the virus that has killed tens of thousands in other countries. But Tokyo has raised its coronavirus alert to the highest level after a series of fresh highs for new cases.

Under the "Go To" campaign, travellers are set to get subsidies of as much as 50% to boost tourism-reliant economies outside major population areas. With cases on the rise in the capital, the campaign - originally open to all - will now exclude people living or vacationing in Tokyo.

Most people in Japan are against government plans to kickstart domestic tourism with a subsidised campaign, according to newspaper surveys published on Monday, as fears grow over the number of new coronavirus cases, particularly in Tokyo.

Most people in Japan are against government plans to kickstart domestic tourism with a subsidised campaign, according to newspaper surveys published on Monday, as fears grow over the number of new coronavirus cases, particularly in Tokyo. Also read: Japan accuses China of pushing territorial claims during coronavirus pandemic The results highlight growing concerns that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's $16 billion "Go To" campaign, set to begin on Wednesday, could spread the virus to rural parts of the country where medical systems are fragile. Broadcaster NHK said more than 500 new cases were reported nationally on Sunday, of which 188 were in Tokyo - down by about 100 from the previous day but still well above levels seen when Abe's government in late May called an end to a state of emergency it had imposed to contain the virus.' Also read: UK asks Japan for Huawei alternatives in 5G networks A telephone survey conducted by the Asahi newspaper found 74% of respondents were opposed to the campaign. In a similar survey by the Nikkei business daily, some 80% of respondents said it was too early to launch such a programme. Japan has not seen the kind of rapid spread of the virus that has killed tens of thousands in other countries. But Tokyo has raised its coronavirus alert to the highest level after a series of fresh highs for new cases. Under the "Go To" campaign, travellers are set to get subsidies of as much as 50% to boost tourism-reliant economies outside major population areas. With cases on the rise in the capital, the campaign - originally open to all - will now exclude people living or vacationing in Tokyo.

Big majority of Japanese reject government tourism campaign amid new coronavirus fears

A surge in COVID-19 cases in Australia's second-biggest city could take weeks to subside despite a lockdown and orders to wear masks, Australia's acting chief medical officer said on Monday as the country braces for a second wave of infection.

Authorities in the state of Victoria, whose capital Melbourne is in partial lockdown amid a new outbreak, reported 275 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, down from a daily record of 438 three days earlier.

Australia's Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said it would take "weeks" to slow the outbreak to levels seen as recently as June, when Victoria and the rest of Australia reported single or double-digit daily infections.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/essential-to-stop-virus-australias-second-biggest-city-makes-mask-wearing-compulsory-in-public-314388" hreflang="en">'Essential to stop virus': Australia's second-biggest city makes mask-wearing compulsory in public</a>

"We have learned over time that the time between introducing a measure and seeing its effect is at least two weeks and sometimes longer than that," Kelly told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio.

Australia has recorded about 11,800 coronavirus cases with a death toll of 123, a fraction of what has been seen in other countries. In most Australian states the disease has been effectively eliminated.

Less than a month ago, Australia was widely heralded as a global leader in combating COVID-19 but quarantine lapses in Victoria triggered a flare-up in infections in June. An official inquiry into the outbreak began hearings on Monday.

Victoria's government has ordered about five million people into a partial lockdown for six weeks and told residents around Melbourne to cover their faces if they have to leave their homes.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said it was too soon to declare that such measures had flattened the outbreak.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/australian-prime-minister-scott-morrison-delays-parliament-due-to-covid-19-spread-314180" hreflang="en">Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison delays parliament due to COVID-19 spread</a>

"Until we bring some stability to this, we won't be able to talk about a trend," he said, referring to the drop in daily new cases.

The Victorian outbreak and rising daily cases in neighbouring New South Wales, the country's most-populous state, are stoking fears of a national second wave.

NSW reported 20 new infections on Monday, the highest in three months. The transmission rate in the state is higher than in Victoria, despite social distancing restrictions being tightened.

NSW authorities have been unable to trace some of the clusters and state authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and public transport.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would consider tightening social-distancing restrictions in cities like NSW capital Sydney if the numbers continued to rise over the next few weeks.

Should NSW be forced to implement new restrictions, it would be a hammer blow to Australia's hopes for a quick economic recovery. Already, Australia is facing its first recession in nearly three decades, with unemployment at a 22-year high.

A surge in COVID-19 cases in Australia's second-biggest city could take weeks to subside despite a lockdown and orders to wear masks, Australia's acting chief medical officer said on Monday as the country braces for a second wave of infection.

A surge in COVID-19 cases in Australia's second-biggest city could take weeks to subside despite a lockdown and orders to wear masks, Australia's acting chief medical officer said on Monday as the country braces for a second wave of infection. Authorities in the state of Victoria, whose capital Melbourne is in partial lockdown amid a new outbreak, reported 275 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, down from a daily record of 438 three days earlier. Australia's Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said it would take "weeks" to slow the outbreak to levels seen as recently as June, when Victoria and the rest of Australia reported single or double-digit daily infections. Also read: 'Essential to stop virus': Australia's second-biggest city makes mask-wearing compulsory in public "We have learned over time that the time between introducing a measure and seeing its effect is at least two weeks and sometimes longer than that," Kelly told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio. Australia has recorded about 11,800 coronavirus cases with a death toll of 123, a fraction of what has been seen in other countries. In most Australian states the disease has been effectively eliminated. Less than a month ago, Australia was widely heralded as a global leader in combating COVID-19 but quarantine lapses in Victoria triggered a flare-up in infections in June. An official inquiry into the outbreak began hearings on Monday. Victoria's government has ordered about five million people into a partial lockdown for six weeks and told residents around Melbourne to cover their faces if they have to leave their homes. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said it was too soon to declare that such measures had flattened the outbreak. Also read: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison delays parliament due to COVID-19 spread "Until we bring some stability to this, we won't be able to talk about a trend," he said, referring to the drop in daily new cases. The Victorian outbreak and rising daily cases in neighbouring New South Wales, the country's most-populous state, are stoking fears of a national second wave. NSW reported 20 new infections on Monday, the highest in three months. The transmission rate in the state is higher than in Victoria, despite social distancing restrictions being tightened. NSW authorities have been unable to trace some of the clusters and state authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and public transport. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would consider tightening social-distancing restrictions in cities like NSW capital Sydney if the numbers continued to rise over the next few weeks. Should NSW be forced to implement new restrictions, it would be a hammer blow to Australia's hopes for a quick economic recovery. Already, Australia is facing its first recession in nearly three decades, with unemployment at a 22-year high.

Australia warns coronavirus outbreak will take weeks to tame

Florida reported over 12,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the fifth day in a row the state has announced over 10,000 new infections, even as President Donald Trump pledged that "it's going to be under control."&nbsp;

The virus has claimed over 140,000 U.S. lives since the pandemic started, and Florida, California, and other Southern and Western states shatter records every day.

Texas reported 7,300 new cases on Sunday after five straight days of new infections exceeding 10,000.

Despite record levels of new cases nationwide, the Trump administration is pushing for schools to reopen in a few weeks and resisting a federal mandate to wear masks in public.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-not-competent-to-lead-united-states-hes-mentally-shot-donald-trump-314508" hreflang="en">Joe Biden ‘not competent’ to lead United States, he’s mentally shot’: Donald Trump</a>

Trump, who faces a tough battle for re-election in November, defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in an interview broadcast on Sunday. The United States, with 3.7 million total cases, has almost as many infections as the next three hardest-hit countries combined - Brazil, India and Russia.

"We have embers and we do have flames. Florida became more flame-like, but it's - it's going to be under control."&nbsp;

Trump on "Fox News Sunday" repeated his assertion that the virus would eventually disappear.&nbsp;

"I'll be right eventually," he said. "It's going to disappear and I'll be right."

Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned that cases and deaths could rise this autumn and winter. Nearly all 20 forecasting models used by the CDC project rising deaths in the coming weeks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-cases-of-covid-19-jumps-to-144-million-death-toll-crosses-600000-314509" hreflang="en">Global cases of COVID-19 jumps to 14.4 million; death toll crosses 600,000</a>

Throughout the United States, every metric to measure the outbreak is going in the wrong direction - rising cases, deaths, hospitalizations and positivity rates of test results.&nbsp;

At least 14 states have reported record coronavirus hospitalizations so far in July, including Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Texas.

Trump said he did not agree with CDC Director Robert Redfield that this fall and winter would be one of the most difficult times in American public health, as hospitals deal with the seasonal flu on top of COVID cases. "I don't know and I don't think he knows," Trump said.

Trump also called Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious diseases expert, "a little bit of an alarmist."&nbsp;

TESTING SHORTAGES, DELAYS

Fauci has warned that cases could soon top 100,000 a day if Americans do not come together to take steps necessary to halt the spread of the virus. The country is averaging 60,000 new cases a day and reported a record one-day increase of 77,299 on Thursday.

Testing shortages and delayed results in some states are hampering efforts to curb the outbreak, similar to situations that frustrated state officials and health experts at the start of the pandemic in March and April.&nbsp;

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said on NBC’s "Meet the Press" on Sunday that people were waiting up to a week to learn if they tested positive.&nbsp;

"That really undercuts the value of the testing," Collins said.

Suburban Philadelphia resident Tamara Hala, 35, said she decided to get tested after attending a gathering where someone outside her group said COVID-19 was a "hoax." But she has not yet received results from the July 8 test at a CVS store.

"I just can't stop thinking about how many people potentially have it and don't know," she said.&nbsp;

Instead of expanding testing, the Trump administration wants to block $25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing, according to reports in the Washington Post and New York Times.&nbsp;

The White House declined on Sunday to comment to Reuters on those reports.

The number of COVID tests performed each day has doubled since late May but remains lower than recommended by some health experts. The United States set a record on Friday with over 850,000 tests performed, according to data from the COVID-Tracking Project.

Florida reported over 12,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the fifth day in a row the state has announced over 10,000 new infections, even as President Donald Trump pledged that "it's going to be under control.

Florida reported over 12,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the fifth day in a row the state has announced over 10,000 new infections, even as President Donald Trump pledged that "it's going to be under control." The virus has claimed over 140,000 U.S. lives since the pandemic started, and Florida, California, and other Southern and Western states shatter records every day. Texas reported 7,300 new cases on Sunday after five straight days of new infections exceeding 10,000. Despite record levels of new cases nationwide, the Trump administration is pushing for schools to reopen in a few weeks and resisting a federal mandate to wear masks in public. Also read: Joe Biden ‘not competent’ to lead United States, he’s mentally shot’: Donald Trump Trump, who faces a tough battle for re-election in November, defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in an interview broadcast on Sunday. The United States, with 3.7 million total cases, has almost as many infections as the next three hardest-hit countries combined - Brazil, India and Russia. "We have embers and we do have flames. Florida became more flame-like, but it's - it's going to be under control." Trump on "Fox News Sunday" repeated his assertion that the virus would eventually disappear. "I'll be right eventually," he said. "It's going to disappear and I'll be right." Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned that cases and deaths could rise this autumn and winter. Nearly all 20 forecasting models used by the CDC project rising deaths in the coming weeks. Also read: Global cases of COVID-19 jumps to 14.4 million; death toll crosses 600,000 Throughout the United States, every metric to measure the outbreak is going in the wrong direction - rising cases, deaths, hospitalizations and positivity rates of test results. At least 14 states have reported record coronavirus hospitalizations so far in July, including Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Texas. Trump said he did not agree with CDC Director Robert Redfield that this fall and winter would be one of the most difficult times in American public health, as hospitals deal with the seasonal flu on top of COVID cases. "I don't know and I don't think he knows," Trump said. Trump also called Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious diseases expert, "a little bit of an alarmist." TESTING SHORTAGES, DELAYS Fauci has warned that cases could soon top 100,000 a day if Americans do not come together to take steps necessary to halt the spread of the virus. The country is averaging 60,000 new cases a day and reported a record one-day increase of 77,299 on Thursday. Testing shortages and delayed results in some states are hampering efforts to curb the outbreak, similar to situations that frustrated state officials and health experts at the start of the pandemic in March and April. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said on NBC’s "Meet the Press" on Sunday that people were waiting up to a week to learn if they tested positive. "That really undercuts the value of the testing," Collins said. Suburban Philadelphia resident Tamara Hala, 35, said she decided to get tested after attending a gathering where someone outside her group said COVID-19 was a "hoax." But she has not yet received results from the July 8 test at a CVS store. "I just can't stop thinking about how many people potentially have it and don't know," she said. Instead of expanding testing, the Trump administration wants to block $25 billion for states to conduct testing and contact tracing, according to reports in the Washington Post and New York Times. The White House declined on Sunday to comment to Reuters on those reports. The number of COVID tests performed each day has doubled since late May but remains lower than recommended by some health experts. The United States set a record on Friday with over 850,000 tests performed, according to data from the COVID-Tracking Project.

Florida coronavirus cases surge for fifth day as Trump pledges outbreak will be under control

The intensive care unit at the Afghan capital's premier hospital for COVID-19 patients is a medical nightmare&nbsp;and a stark warning how the country's war-ravaged health care system risks collapsing. 
 
Family members, without protective equipment and only a few wearing face masks, help care for the patients lying in hospital beds. They say they have no choice because there are not enough nurses and other medical staff. 
 
The next-of-kin often guard their loved one's oxygen tank, fearing it could be stolen because there is a shortage of just about everything, including oxygen cylinders.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/afghanistan-faces-grim-economic-outlook-as-pandemic-wipes-out-growth-world-bank-313765" hreflang="en">Afghanistan faces 'grim' economic outlook as pandemic wipes out growth: World Bank</a> 
 
The 100-bed Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital in western Kabul is one of only two facilities for coronavirus testing and treatment in the Afghan capital.&nbsp; 
 
Newly graduated Afghan doctors have joined the 370-member staff after many of the hospital's experienced physicians walked out a few months ago, fearing the virus. 
 
The 92-square-meter (1,000-square-foot) ICU ward has only 13 beds, and COVID-19 patients admitted here are in critical condition; few are hooked up to ventilators, some of the others rely on oxygen tanks. 
 
Assadullah, who like many Afghans goes by only one name, says he struggled to stay awake night after night at the ICU ward, guarding the tank that kept his father alive.&nbsp; 
 
In his father's final days, the relative of another patient came over, threatening to take the tank.&nbsp; 
 
"Your father is dying but mine is alive, he told me ... In such a situation, how could I have left my father alone",&nbsp;said Assadullah, who lost his father to the virus on Tuesday. 
 
Abdul Rahman, 42, feels the same way and rushes to rub his 70-year-old mother's back every time she coughs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/world-bank-approves-200-million-aid-for-coronavirus-hit-afghanistan-312309" hreflang="en">World Bank approves $200 million aid for coronavirus-hit Afghanistan</a> 
 
A few beds away, 64-year-old Mohammad Amin's left foot has turned black from gangrene that set in after a blood clot due to the virus. His son and wife tend to him as best they can, but they say it's exhausting. 
For the hospital's director, Hakimullah Saleh, every staffer is a hero, risking their own life to provide critical care. They face so many work challenges, he said, on top of which they sometimes have to deal with ?threats" from distraught families who feel the hospital is not doing enough. 
 
One of Saleh's heroes, Dr. Jawad Norzai, is relentless in his devotion to the patients, he said. Along with his job as chief surgeon, Norzai visits over 60 patients a day and finds the time to train new doctors, Saleh said. 
The 32-year-old Norzai got his medical diploma in 2013 and worked first for private hospitals, joining the Afghan-Japan only after hearing how many of the staff had left. Norzai said he, like many medical professionals, contracted the virus but recovered. He said he infected several of his family members but luckily, they also recovered. 
 
Another one of the Afghan-Japan doctors who recovered from the virus is Mozhgan Nazehad, 35.&nbsp; 
"I spent three nights awake because of severe pain, back pain, and lower limb pain, that pain I will never forget,"&nbsp;said Nazehad, who lives apart from her family to keep them safe. 
 
The other hospital that treats COVID-19 patients is the Ali Jenah, funded by Pakistan, a 200-bed but less-equipped facility, also in western Kabul. There is also an isolation center in the dormitory of the Kabul University, but it does not provide treatment. 
 
According to the Health Ministry, more than 1,700 medical workers&nbsp;including 40 at the Afghan-Japan hospital&nbsp;were infected while providing care to COVID-19 patients; 26 have died. 
 
Afghanistan has so far recorded almost 35,000 cases of the virus, including 1,094 deaths, with the number of infections thought to far outnumber the official tally. 
 
The International Rescue Committee warned last month that Afghanistan is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster because the government is unable to test some 80% of possible coronavirus cases. 
 
The Health Ministry said it now has the capacity to test only 2,500 people per day.&nbsp; 
 
Last month, 10,000 to 20,000 people were coming daily, asking to be tested, but the government had to turn many down. Afghanistan has one doctor for every 3,500 people, less than a fifth of the global average, according to the World Health Organization. 
 
The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Tuesday that in addition to the COVID-19 health crisis faced in Afghanistan, the socioeconomic impact of the virus could become catastrophic with 12.4 million people one third of the country's population already considered to be living at emergency&nbsp;levels of food shortages.&nbsp; 
 
Seemingly indicative of the fractured health care system, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's special envoy for economic development, Yosuf Ghaznafar, went to Turkey when he became ill with COVID-19.&nbsp; 
 
He died of the disease there in early July, according to a statement from the presidency&nbsp;the most senior Afghan official so far to die of the virus

The intensive care unit at the Afghan capital's premier hospital for COVID-19 patients is a medical nightmare and a stark warning how the country's war-ravaged health care system risks collapsing.

The intensive care unit at the Afghan capital's premier hospital for COVID-19 patients is a medical nightmare and a stark warning how the country's war-ravaged health care system risks collapsing. Family members, without protective equipment and only a few wearing face masks, help care for the patients lying in hospital beds. They say they have no choice because there are not enough nurses and other medical staff. The next-of-kin often guard their loved one's oxygen tank, fearing it could be stolen because there is a shortage of just about everything, including oxygen cylinders. Also read: Afghanistan faces 'grim' economic outlook as pandemic wipes out growth: World Bank The 100-bed Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital in western Kabul is one of only two facilities for coronavirus testing and treatment in the Afghan capital. Newly graduated Afghan doctors have joined the 370-member staff after many of the hospital's experienced physicians walked out a few months ago, fearing the virus. The 92-square-meter (1,000-square-foot) ICU ward has only 13 beds, and COVID-19 patients admitted here are in critical condition; few are hooked up to ventilators, some of the others rely on oxygen tanks. Assadullah, who like many Afghans goes by only one name, says he struggled to stay awake night after night at the ICU ward, guarding the tank that kept his father alive. In his father's final days, the relative of another patient came over, threatening to take the tank. "Your father is dying but mine is alive, he told me ... In such a situation, how could I have left my father alone", said Assadullah, who lost his father to the virus on Tuesday. Abdul Rahman, 42, feels the same way and rushes to rub his 70-year-old mother's back every time she coughs. Also read: World Bank approves $200 million aid for coronavirus-hit Afghanistan A few beds away, 64-year-old Mohammad Amin's left foot has turned black from gangrene that set in after a blood clot due to the virus. His son and wife tend to him as best they can, but they say it's exhausting. For the hospital's director, Hakimullah Saleh, every staffer is a hero, risking their own life to provide critical care. They face so many work challenges, he said, on top of which they sometimes have to deal with ?threats" from distraught families who feel the hospital is not doing enough. One of Saleh's heroes, Dr. Jawad Norzai, is relentless in his devotion to the patients, he said. Along with his job as chief surgeon, Norzai visits over 60 patients a day and finds the time to train new doctors, Saleh said. The 32-year-old Norzai got his medical diploma in 2013 and worked first for private hospitals, joining the Afghan-Japan only after hearing how many of the staff had left. Norzai said he, like many medical professionals, contracted the virus but recovered. He said he infected several of his family members but luckily, they also recovered. Another one of the Afghan-Japan doctors who recovered from the virus is Mozhgan Nazehad, 35. "I spent three nights awake because of severe pain, back pain, and lower limb pain, that pain I will never forget," said Nazehad, who lives apart from her family to keep them safe. The other hospital that treats COVID-19 patients is the Ali Jenah, funded by Pakistan, a 200-bed but less-equipped facility, also in western Kabul. There is also an isolation center in the dormitory of the Kabul University, but it does not provide treatment. According to the Health Ministry, more than 1,700 medical workers including 40 at the Afghan-Japan hospital were infected while providing care to COVID-19 patients; 26 have died. Afghanistan has so far recorded almost 35,000 cases of the virus, including 1,094 deaths, with the number of infections thought to far outnumber the official tally. The International Rescue Committee warned last month that Afghanistan is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster because the government is unable to test some 80% of possible coronavirus cases. The Health Ministry said it now has the capacity to test only 2,500 people per day. Last month, 10,000 to 20,000 people were coming daily, asking to be tested, but the government had to turn many down. Afghanistan has one doctor for every 3,500 people, less than a fifth of the global average, according to the World Health Organization. The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Tuesday that in addition to the COVID-19 health crisis faced in Afghanistan, the socioeconomic impact of the virus could become catastrophic with 12.4 million people one third of the country's population already considered to be living at emergency levels of food shortages. Seemingly indicative of the fractured health care system, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's special envoy for economic development, Yosuf Ghaznafar, went to Turkey when he became ill with COVID-19. He died of the disease there in early July, according to a statement from the presidency the most senior Afghan official so far to die of the virus

Families step in at Kabul COVID-19 ward to care for patients

As the torrential rains have caused the worst flooding in China in more than 30 years. It has destroyed homes and impacted the livelihood of millions of people. Wuhan has announced a red alert and asked its citizens to stay indoors. Watch report.

Massive blow to the Chinese economy after Pandemic: Hundreds dead in floods | World News

Nelson Mandela's international day is an annual celebration of the icon that is held on his birthday. Many poor communities in his home nation of South Africa have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. So to commemorate the day this year the chef's decided to cook thousands of liters of soup. Watch report.

Annual Mandela Day celebrations: Soup cook-a-thorn pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

Floods in China: After pandemic Wuhan reels under floods

India saw a record single- day jump of 38,902 COVID-19 cases pushing its tally to 10,77,618 on Sunday, while the total number of recoveries rose to 6,77,422, according to the Union Health Ministry data.&nbsp;

The death toll due to the disease rose to 26,816 with 543 fatalities reported in a day.

The data updated at 8 am on Sunday showed that 23,672 patients have recuperated in the past 24 hours, the highest so far.

There are 3,73,379 active cases presently in the country.The total number of confirmed cases includes foreigners.

This is the fourth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 30,000.&nbsp;

Of the 543 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, 144 are from Maharashtra, 93 from Karnataka, 88 from Tamil Nadu, 52 from Andhra Pradesh, 27 from West Bengal, 26 from Delhi, 24 from Uttar Pradesh, 17 from Haryana, 16 from Gujarat and nine from Madhya Pradesh.

Bihar, Punjab and Rajasthan have reported seven fatalities each followed by Telangana with six deaths, Jammu and Kashmir five, Odisha and Puducherry three each, Assam, Tripura and Kerala two each while Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand have registered a fatality each.&nbsp;

To this end, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is of the view that community spread has started and the situation is pretty bad.

Dr V K Monga, the Chairman of IMA Hospital Board of India told ANI: "This is now an exponential growth. Every day the number of cases is increasing by more than around 30,000. This is really a bad situation for the country. There are so many factors connected with it but overall this is now spreading to rural areas. This is a bad sign. It now shows a community spread."

"Cases are penetrating down into towns and villages where it will be very difficult to control the situation. In Delhi, we were able to contain it, but what about interior parts of the country in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Madhya Pradesh (which may be the new hotspots). All these issues are very important and the state governments should take full care and seek help of the Central government to control the situation," he further said.

(with inputs from agencies)

India saw a record single- day jump of 38,902 COVID-19 cases pushing its tally to 10,77,618 on Sunday, while the total number of recoveries rose to 6,77,422, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

India saw a record single- day jump of 38,902 COVID-19 cases pushing its tally to 10,77,618 on Sunday, while the total number of recoveries rose to 6,77,422, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The death toll due to the disease rose to 26,816 with 543 fatalities reported in a day. The data updated at 8 am on Sunday showed that 23,672 patients have recuperated in the past 24 hours, the highest so far. There are 3,73,379 active cases presently in the country.The total number of confirmed cases includes foreigners. This is the fourth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 30,000. Of the 543 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, 144 are from Maharashtra, 93 from Karnataka, 88 from Tamil Nadu, 52 from Andhra Pradesh, 27 from West Bengal, 26 from Delhi, 24 from Uttar Pradesh, 17 from Haryana, 16 from Gujarat and nine from Madhya Pradesh. Bihar, Punjab and Rajasthan have reported seven fatalities each followed by Telangana with six deaths, Jammu and Kashmir five, Odisha and Puducherry three each, Assam, Tripura and Kerala two each while Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand have registered a fatality each. To this end, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is of the view that community spread has started and the situation is pretty bad. Dr V K Monga, the Chairman of IMA Hospital Board of India told ANI: "This is now an exponential growth. Every day the number of cases is increasing by more than around 30,000. This is really a bad situation for the country. There are so many factors connected with it but overall this is now spreading to rural areas. This is a bad sign. It now shows a community spread." "Cases are penetrating down into towns and villages where it will be very difficult to control the situation. In Delhi, we were able to contain it, but what about interior parts of the country in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Madhya Pradesh (which may be the new hotspots). All these issues are very important and the state governments should take full care and seek help of the Central government to control the situation," he further said. (with inputs from agencies)

Record single-day spike of 38,902 COVID-19 cases in India; IMA terms it onset of community spread

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases for the second day in a row -- 259,848 in 24 hours.

Total global coronavirus cases surpassed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed nearly 600,000 people in seven months. The surge means that 1 million cases were reported in under 100 hours.

The biggest increases reported on Saturday were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa. The previous WHO record for new cases was 237,743 on Friday.&nbsp;

Deaths rose by 7,360, the biggest one-day increase since May 10. Deaths have been averaging 4,800 a day in July, up slightly from an average of 4,600 a day in June.

The WHO reported 71,484 new cases in the United States, 45,403 in Brazil, 34,884 in India and 13,373 in South Africa.

India on Friday became the third country in the world to record more than 1 million cases of the new coronavirus, behind only the United States and Brazil.

Cases in Brazil crossed the 2 million mark on Thursday, doubling in less than a month and adding nearly 40,000 new cases a day.

The United States, which leads with world with over 3.7 million cases, has also tried to curb the outbreak at the state and local levels with only limited success.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases for the second day in a row -- 259,848 in 24 hours. Total global coronavirus cases surpassed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed nearly 600,000 people in seven months.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases for the second day in a row -- 259,848 in 24 hours. Total global coronavirus cases surpassed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed nearly 600,000 people in seven months. The surge means that 1 million cases were reported in under 100 hours. The biggest increases reported on Saturday were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa. The previous WHO record for new cases was 237,743 on Friday. Deaths rose by 7,360, the biggest one-day increase since May 10. Deaths have been averaging 4,800 a day in July, up slightly from an average of 4,600 a day in June. The WHO reported 71,484 new cases in the United States, 45,403 in Brazil, 34,884 in India and 13,373 in South Africa. India on Friday became the third country in the world to record more than 1 million cases of the new coronavirus, behind only the United States and Brazil. Cases in Brazil crossed the 2 million mark on Thursday, doubling in less than a month and adding nearly 40,000 new cases a day. The United States, which leads with world with over 3.7 million cases, has also tried to curb the outbreak at the state and local levels with only limited success.

Record daily increase in global coronavirus cases for second day in a row

Coronavirus pandemic and subsequently enforced lockdown could push 100 million people into extreme poverty, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday.

He was speaking on the 102nd birthday anniversary of the late Nelson Mandela -- South Africa's first black president. Guterres said coronavirus was "shining a spotlight" on global injustice.

"We have been brought to our knees -- by a microscopic virus. The pandemic has demonstrated the fragility of our world. Entire regions that were making progress on eradicating poverty and narrowing inequality have been set back years, in a matter of months," he warned at a virtual memorial lecture organised by the Johannesburg-based Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The economic fallout of the pandemic, which has infected more than 14 million and killed close to 600,000 people worldwide, is being disproportionately felt among informal workers, small businesses and women.

"We face the deepest global recession since World War II," he said. "One hundred million more people could be pushed into extreme poverty. We could see famines of historic proportions."

Coronavirus is an "x-ray" that has revealed "fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built", he added, citing unequal healthcare provision, unpaid care work, income disparity and climate change as some of the concerns.

"It is exposing fallacies and falsehoods everywhere... The delusion that we live in a post-racist world. The myth that we are all in the same boat."

He said the world's 26 richest people hold as much wealth as half the global population.

"But income, pay and wealth are not the only measures of inequality," he added.

Guterres said people were running out of patience at the glaring disparities and discrimination across societies.

He singled out the global anti-racism movement stoked by the death of George Floyd -- an African-American man killed by a white policeman in May -- as simply "one more sign that people have had enough".

Enough of "inequality and discrimination that treats people as criminals on the basis of their skin colour", enough of "structural racism" and "systematic injustice".

Coronavirus, he said, had also created an opportunity for world leaders to build a "more equal and sustainable world".

"We are at breaking point. But we know which side of history we are on."

(with inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus pandemic and subsequently enforced lockdown could push 100 million people into extreme poverty, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday.

Coronavirus pandemic and subsequently enforced lockdown could push 100 million people into extreme poverty, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday. He was speaking on the 102nd birthday anniversary of the late Nelson Mandela -- South Africa's first black president. Guterres said coronavirus was "shining a spotlight" on global injustice. "We have been brought to our knees -- by a microscopic virus. The pandemic has demonstrated the fragility of our world. Entire regions that were making progress on eradicating poverty and narrowing inequality have been set back years, in a matter of months," he warned at a virtual memorial lecture organised by the Johannesburg-based Nelson Mandela Foundation. The economic fallout of the pandemic, which has infected more than 14 million and killed close to 600,000 people worldwide, is being disproportionately felt among informal workers, small businesses and women. "We face the deepest global recession since World War II," he said. "One hundred million more people could be pushed into extreme poverty. We could see famines of historic proportions." Coronavirus is an "x-ray" that has revealed "fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built", he added, citing unequal healthcare provision, unpaid care work, income disparity and climate change as some of the concerns. "It is exposing fallacies and falsehoods everywhere... The delusion that we live in a post-racist world. The myth that we are all in the same boat." He said the world's 26 richest people hold as much wealth as half the global population. "But income, pay and wealth are not the only measures of inequality," he added. Guterres said people were running out of patience at the glaring disparities and discrimination across societies. He singled out the global anti-racism movement stoked by the death of George Floyd -- an African-American man killed by a white policeman in May -- as simply "one more sign that people have had enough". Enough of "inequality and discrimination that treats people as criminals on the basis of their skin colour", enough of "structural racism" and "systematic injustice". Coronavirus, he said, had also created an opportunity for world leaders to build a "more equal and sustainable world". "We are at breaking point. But we know which side of history we are on." (with inputs from agencies)

Have been 'brought to our knees' by coronavirus, says United Nations

European Union leaders in Brussels remained deadlocked Saturday over the COVID-19 recovery plan due to resistance from the Netherlands and its allies: Austria, Denmark, Finland and Sweden.

EU leaders were due to meet for a third day -- on Sunday -- to try and agree on a giant post-coronavirus economic recovery plan as four million residents of Barcelona in virus-ravaged Spain were effectively placed under lockdown.

The pandemic, which has spawned economic mayhem worldwide, also saw the G20 nations consider extending debt relief for coronavirus-hit poor countries in the second half of 2020.

European Council president Charles Michel was expected to propose another plan to the 27 leaders at noon (1000 GMT) Sunday after his blueprints for a 750-billion-euro ($850 billion) package were refused by the richer northern member states.

Michel's latest proposal would keep the total recovery budget at 750 million euros, but shift the balance slightly from grants to loans.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has insisted member states retain final approval of any funding -- an effective veto -- for recipients.

Michel's latest plan includes a "super emergency brake" that gives any country a three-day window to trigger a review by all member states of another's spending plans.

Meanwhile, Barcelona, one of Europe's most visited cities, effectively went back into lockdown Saturday.&nbsp;

Spain's COVID-19 death toll of 28,400 is one of Europe's worst and the country has identified more than 150 new virus clusters across the country.

The regional government of Catalonia urged nearly four million residents of metropolitan Barcelona to stay home unless absolutely necessary, banning gatherings of over 10 people and shutting cinemas, theatres and nightclubs, after the number of new cases tripled in a week.

The virus has now killed nearly 600,000 people and infected over 14 million as it continues to surge across the globe despite months of unprecedented lockdowns.

India hit one million cases on Friday, the day Brazil topped two million -- although the World Health Organization said Brazil's contagion has "plateaued" with the rate of infection stabilising after 77,000 deaths.

European Union leaders in Brussels remained deadlocked Saturday over the COVID-19 recovery plan due to resistance from the Netherlands and its allies: Austria, Denmark, Finland and Sweden.

European Union leaders in Brussels remained deadlocked Saturday over the COVID-19 recovery plan due to resistance from the Netherlands and its allies: Austria, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. EU leaders were due to meet for a third day -- on Sunday -- to try and agree on a giant post-coronavirus economic recovery plan as four million residents of Barcelona in virus-ravaged Spain were effectively placed under lockdown. The pandemic, which has spawned economic mayhem worldwide, also saw the G20 nations consider extending debt relief for coronavirus-hit poor countries in the second half of 2020. European Council president Charles Michel was expected to propose another plan to the 27 leaders at noon (1000 GMT) Sunday after his blueprints for a 750-billion-euro ($850 billion) package were refused by the richer northern member states. Michel's latest proposal would keep the total recovery budget at 750 million euros, but shift the balance slightly from grants to loans. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has insisted member states retain final approval of any funding -- an effective veto -- for recipients. Michel's latest plan includes a "super emergency brake" that gives any country a three-day window to trigger a review by all member states of another's spending plans. Meanwhile, Barcelona, one of Europe's most visited cities, effectively went back into lockdown Saturday. Spain's COVID-19 death toll of 28,400 is one of Europe's worst and the country has identified more than 150 new virus clusters across the country. The regional government of Catalonia urged nearly four million residents of metropolitan Barcelona to stay home unless absolutely necessary, banning gatherings of over 10 people and shutting cinemas, theatres and nightclubs, after the number of new cases tripled in a week. The virus has now killed nearly 600,000 people and infected over 14 million as it continues to surge across the globe despite months of unprecedented lockdowns. India hit one million cases on Friday, the day Brazil topped two million -- although the World Health Organization said Brazil's contagion has "plateaued" with the rate of infection stabilising after 77,000 deaths.

EU leaders extend summit as they grapple over coronavirus, recovery plan

Brazil continues to battle the virus, WHO's health emergencies chief Michael Ryan said, "The rise in Brazil is no longer exponential, it has plateaued." The WHO official stressed that the virus cases in Brazil had "stabilised".

WHO: Brazil has an opportunity to contain coronavirus outbreak

The United States on Saturday recorded 60,207 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, Johns Hopkins University reported in its real-time tally.

That put the total number of cases in the US, the nation hardest-hit by the global pandemic, at 3,698,209, the Baltimore-based university said at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Sunday).

Another 832 deaths were reported, bringing total fatalities to 139,960.

The latest numbers capped a week which saw the US set records in new cases for three consecutive days, topping out at 77,638 infections recorded on Friday.

The country has seen a resurgence of cases in the so-called Sun Belt, stretching across the south from Florida to California.

In Texas and Arizona, authorities are bringing in refrigerated trucks to cope with the body count.

The surge in cases has prompted some states to backtrack on loosening their anti-virus restrictions -- or to reinstate tougher measures.

The United States on Saturday recorded 60,207 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, Johns Hopkins University reported in its real-time tally. That put the total number of cases in the US, the nation hardest-hit by the global pandemic, at 3,698,209, the Baltimore-based university said at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Sunday).

The United States on Saturday recorded 60,207 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, Johns Hopkins University reported in its real-time tally. That put the total number of cases in the US, the nation hardest-hit by the global pandemic, at 3,698,209, the Baltimore-based university said at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Sunday). Another 832 deaths were reported, bringing total fatalities to 139,960. The latest numbers capped a week which saw the US set records in new cases for three consecutive days, topping out at 77,638 infections recorded on Friday. The country has seen a resurgence of cases in the so-called Sun Belt, stretching across the south from Florida to California. In Texas and Arizona, authorities are bringing in refrigerated trucks to cope with the body count. The surge in cases has prompted some states to backtrack on loosening their anti-virus restrictions -- or to reinstate tougher measures.

US records 60,207 coronavirus cases, 832 deaths in 24 hours

It is common practice among journalists motivated by a political agenda to misunderstand or misrepresent evidence in order to create or sustain a narrative that conforms to a predetermined conclusion.

Science now seems to be succumbing to the same strategy.

In order to escape the responsibility for the global pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party has aggressively promoted the narrative in both the scientific literature and the main stream media that COVID-19 is just another naturally-occurring disease transmission from animals to humans.

For example, China’s state-controlled media outlet, CGTN, republished an <a href="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-07-18/Here-s-how-scientists-know-the-coronavirus-wasn-t-made-in-a-lab-SerXv8GSU8/index.html">edited version</a> of “Here's how scientists know the coronavirus came from bats and wasn't made in a lab,” written by Polly Hayes, a lecturer in Parasitology and Medical Microbiology, University of Westminster in England.

Both articles begin by stating, unequivocally, that SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, shows no signs of genetic manipulation.

They quote Hayes: “If the virus had been genetically engineered in a lab there would be signs of manipulation in the genome data. This would include evidence of an existing viral sequence as the backbone for the new virus, and obvious, targeted inserted (or deleted) genetic elements."

"But no such evidence exists. It is very unlikely that any techniques used to genetically engineer the virus would not leave a genetic signature, like specific identifiable pieces of DNA code.”

First of all, SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, which means<a href="https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/covid-19-rna-coronavirus-research-428952/">https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/covid-19-rna-coronavirus-research-428952/</a> that unlike in humans and other mammals, the genetic material for SARS-CoV-2 is encoded in RNA, not DNA.

Furthermore, the ability to detect genetic manipulation of viruses remains a controversial issue, although the continual regurgitation in the media that manipulation always results in a genetic signature has reached the level of urban myth.

It is important to note that, so far, the natural source of SARS-CoV-2 has not been known. Although its “backbone” appears to originate in bats, no intermediate animal host has been identified.

In a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01989-z">news article</a> recently published by the international science journal Nature, the progress, or lack thereof, identifying the natural source of SARS-CoV-2 was reviewed.

According to the article, the two closest, but nevertheless relatively distant, relatives of SARS-CoV-2 are the bat coronaviruses RaTG13 and RmYN02, whose genomes are 96% and 93% identical to SARS-CoV-2, respectively.

Although RaTG13 is 96% identical overall to SARS-CoV-2, its receptor binding domain (RBD), which allows the virus to bind to the human angiotensin converting enzyme-2 receptor (ACE2), is structurally different and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0820-9">suggests</a> that RaTG13 may not bind efficiently to the human ACE2.

The Nature article also does not mention that the RBD of RmYN02 showed only a <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/S0960-9822(20)30662-X.pdf?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS096098222030662X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue">61.3% sequence identity</a> with SARS-CoV-2, meaning it is highly unlikely that RmYN02 could bind to human cells at all.

If none of the likely bat coronavirus relatives could bind effectively to human cells and no intermediate animal hosts have been identified, how did SARS-CoV-2 attain such a high affinity for human infection even in the earliest cases?

Such “pre-adaptation” for human infectivity and pathogenicity can be easily explained by genetic manipulation.

In 2015, Ralph Baric from the University of North Carolina and Zheng-Li Shi, the “<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-chinas-bat-woman-hunted-down-viruses-from-sars-to-the-new-coronavirus1/">bat woman</a>” from the Wuhan Institute of Virology jointly published a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nm.3985">scientific article</a> describing the combination of the RBD from a newly isolated coronavirus (SHC014) and the “backbone” from SARS-CoV, the coronavirus responsible for the 2002-2003 pandemic.

The above experiment produced a novel virus, chimera SHC014-MA15, which showed “robust viral replication both in vitro [cell cultures] and in vivo [animals],” using models adapted to test human infectivity.

Similar increases in human infectivity and pathogenicity can also be <a href="https://www.minervanett.no/files/2020/07/13/TheEvidenceNoNaturalEvol.pdf">accomplished</a> by several “point” replacements of single amino acids capable of having profound clinical effects, changes which might be otherwise indistinguishable from natural mutation.

Finally, the most conspicuous sign of SARS-CoV-2 genetic manipulation is the presence of a furin polybasic cleavage site, a structure that is not present in any of the coronaviruses so far identified as possible direct ancestors.

In fact, the <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.12.148726v1">artificial removal</a> of the furin polybasic cleavage site from SARS-CoV-2 does not affect human infectivity, indicating that it is not needed for that purpose and would be unlikely to appear through positive selection in the course of a natural evolutionary process.

The techniques for the artificial insertion of such furin polybasic cleavage sites have been used for over ten years.

Contrary to the scientific or media “conventional wisdom” and Chinese propaganda, there is substantially more evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic is a consequence of coronavirus genetic manipulation.

Lawrence Sellin, PhD is a retired US Army Reserve colonel. He has previously worked at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and conducted basic and clinical research in the pharmaceutical industry. His email address is lawrence.sellin@gmail.com.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

It is common practice among journalists motivated by a political agenda to misunderstand or misrepresent evidence in order to create or sustain a narrative that conforms to a predetermined conclusion.

It is common practice among journalists motivated by a political agenda to misunderstand or misrepresent evidence in order to create or sustain a narrative that conforms to a predetermined conclusion. Science now seems to be succumbing to the same strategy. In order to escape the responsibility for the global pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party has aggressively promoted the narrative in both the scientific literature and the main stream media that COVID-19 is just another naturally-occurring disease transmission from animals to humans. For example, China’s state-controlled media outlet, CGTN, republished an edited version of “Here's how scientists know the coronavirus came from bats and wasn't made in a lab,” written by Polly Hayes, a lecturer in Parasitology and Medical Microbiology, University of Westminster in England. Both articles begin by stating, unequivocally, that SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, shows no signs of genetic manipulation. They quote Hayes: “If the virus had been genetically engineered in a lab there would be signs of manipulation in the genome data. This would include evidence of an existing viral sequence as the backbone for the new virus, and obvious, targeted inserted (or deleted) genetic elements." "But no such evidence exists. It is very unlikely that any techniques used to genetically engineer the virus would not leave a genetic signature, like specific identifiable pieces of DNA code.” First of all, SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, which meanshttps://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/covid-19-rna-coronavirus-research-428952/ that unlike in humans and other mammals, the genetic material for SARS-CoV-2 is encoded in RNA, not DNA. Furthermore, the ability to detect genetic manipulation of viruses remains a controversial issue, although the continual regurgitation in the media that manipulation always results in a genetic signature has reached the level of urban myth. It is important to note that, so far, the natural source of SARS-CoV-2 has not been known. Although its “backbone” appears to originate in bats, no intermediate animal host has been identified. In a news article recently published by the international science journal Nature, the progress, or lack thereof, identifying the natural source of SARS-CoV-2 was reviewed. According to the article, the two closest, but nevertheless relatively distant, relatives of SARS-CoV-2 are the bat coronaviruses RaTG13 and RmYN02, whose genomes are 96% and 93% identical to SARS-CoV-2, respectively. Although RaTG13 is 96% identical overall to SARS-CoV-2, its receptor binding domain (RBD), which allows the virus to bind to the human angiotensin converting enzyme-2 receptor (ACE2), is structurally different and suggests that RaTG13 may not bind efficiently to the human ACE2. The Nature article also does not mention that the RBD of RmYN02 showed only a 61.3% sequence identity with SARS-CoV-2, meaning it is highly unlikely that RmYN02 could bind to human cells at all. If none of the likely bat coronavirus relatives could bind effectively to human cells and no intermediate animal hosts have been identified, how did SARS-CoV-2 attain such a high affinity for human infection even in the earliest cases? Such “pre-adaptation” for human infectivity and pathogenicity can be easily explained by genetic manipulation. In 2015, Ralph Baric from the University of North Carolina and Zheng-Li Shi, the “bat woman” from the Wuhan Institute of Virology jointly published a scientific article describing the combination of the RBD from a newly isolated coronavirus (SHC014) and the “backbone” from SARS-CoV, the coronavirus responsible for the 2002-2003 pandemic. The above experiment produced a novel virus, chimera SHC014-MA15, which showed “robust viral replication both in vitro [cell cultures] and in vivo [animals],” using models adapted to test human infectivity. Similar increases in human infectivity and pathogenicity can also be accomplished by several “point” replacements of single amino acids capable of having profound clinical effects, changes which might be otherwise indistinguishable from natural mutation. Finally, the most conspicuous sign of SARS-CoV-2 genetic manipulation is the presence of a furin polybasic cleavage site, a structure that is not present in any of the coronaviruses so far identified as possible direct ancestors. In fact, the artificial removal of the furin polybasic cleavage site from SARS-CoV-2 does not affect human infectivity, indicating that it is not needed for that purpose and would be unlikely to appear through positive selection in the course of a natural evolutionary process. The techniques for the artificial insertion of such furin polybasic cleavage sites have been used for over ten years. Contrary to the scientific or media “conventional wisdom” and Chinese propaganda, there is substantially more evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic is a consequence of coronavirus genetic manipulation. Lawrence Sellin, PhD is a retired US Army Reserve colonel. He has previously worked at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and conducted basic and clinical research in the pharmaceutical industry. His email address is lawrence.sellin@gmail.com. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

How scientific misinformation about COVID-19 has become Chinese propaganda

Divided US citizens dug further into debates over mask mandates and schools reopening on Friday, even as health authorities reported 77,638 new infections in 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The country also recorded 927 deaths in one day. The number of patients hospitalised for the virus is at its highest level since April 23, according to The COVID Tracking Project.

Experts believe the United States never emerged from its first wave of infections, and cases have been surging again in recent weeks, particularly across the south and west in states that pushed to lift lockdown restrictions early.

The death rate, which plummeted in May and June, has been rising since last week. Florida, the new epicentre, posted more than 11,000 new cases and 128 deaths on Friday.

Coronavirus is meanwhile spreading to new parts of the country including Idaho, Tennessee and Mississippi.

But New York, the original US epicentre where more than 32,000 virus patients have died, moved to further ease its restrictions after bringing its outbreak under control.&nbsp;

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott ordered a statewide mask order after seeing cases surge, but he has been condemned through censure resolutions passed by multiple local Republican officials. They accuse him of violating the party's principles of separation of powers, free enterprise and personal responsibility, according to The Texas Tribune.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-coronavirus-hit-texas-and-arizona-refrigerated-trucks-are-being-used-to-store-dead-314151">Also read |&nbsp;In coronavirus-hit Texas and Arizona, refrigerated trucks are being used to store dead</a>

The Democratic mayor of Houston, the state's largest city, wants to move back into lockdown but the governor refuses.

Many sheriffs -- who are often elected officials -- in California, North Carolina and elsewhere have said they won't enforce mask regulations in their counties.

In the state of Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp sued Atlanta's mayor to prevent her from mandating masks, while Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, leader of the country's third largest school district, unveiled a plan to offer both in-person and remote instruction over the objection of the teachers' union.

With school set to resume in a few weeks, school districts across the country have announced a variety of plans to restart teaching amid the pandemic.

One nurse on the front lines, however, begged schools not to call students back to class and decried a lack of personal protective equipment at her hospital, where she said at least six of her co-workers had tested positive for COVID-19.

More than 1,200 medical professionals, including 161 nurses, have died from the coronavirus in the United States, according to the National Nurses United union.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-leads-in-vaccine-nationalism-as-coronavirus-engulfs-the-world-314119">Also read |&nbsp;US leads in 'vaccine nationalism' as coronavirus engulfs the world</a>

Public health experts have pleaded with politicians and the public to cover their faces to help stop the spread of infection amid a wider cultural divide in the United States.

Videos on social media show people across the country irately declaring their right to shop or congregate in public without masks, with many disputing evidence that masks are effective.

Top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on Friday said he "would urge the leaders - the local political leaders in states and cities and towns - to be as forceful as possible in getting your citizenry to wear masks."

States enacted lockdowns in patchwork fashion, and several skipped important epidemiological checkpoints before easing stay-at-home orders, said Fauci.

On the other hand, US President Donald Trump has said he would not issue an order at the national level mandating the use of masks.

When asked during a Fox News interview if he would consider issuing a national mask mandate to slow the spread of the virus, Trump said: "No, I want people to have a certain freedom and I don't believe in that, no."

"I don't agree with the statement that if everyone wore a mask, everything disappears," the president added.

Subsequently, many have been forced to pause re-opening, re-closing bars but also sometimes gyms, movie theatres, places of worship and shops.

Through it all however, President Donald Trump has urged a return to normal, stressing the importance of reigniting the economy while sometimes rejecting the advice of public health advisers. He and his followers have resisted a full-throated endorsement of masks and have been calling for a return to normal economic activity following pandemic-induced shutdowns.

Trump's ratings have plummeted since the start of the pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-facebooks-zuckerberg-lashes-out-at-trumps-coronavirus-response-during-live-stream-chat-with-fauci-314014">Also read |&nbsp;Facebook's Zuckerberg lashes out at Trump's coronavirus response during live stream chat with Fauci</a>

Only 38 per cent of Americans approve of his handling of the crisis, against 51 per cent in March, according to a Washington Post poll published Friday.

The task force briefings featuring Trump were halted in late April amid mounting criticism over his exaggerated&nbsp;and inaccurate claims about the public health response and his penchant for pushing bogus treatments.

(with inputs from agencies)

Divided US citizens dug further into debates over mask mandates and schools reopening on Friday, even as health authorities reported 77,638 new infections in 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Divided US citizens dug further into debates over mask mandates and schools reopening on Friday, even as health authorities reported 77,638 new infections in 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The country also recorded 927 deaths in one day. The number of patients hospitalised for the virus is at its highest level since April 23, according to The COVID Tracking Project. Experts believe the United States never emerged from its first wave of infections, and cases have been surging again in recent weeks, particularly across the south and west in states that pushed to lift lockdown restrictions early. The death rate, which plummeted in May and June, has been rising since last week. Florida, the new epicentre, posted more than 11,000 new cases and 128 deaths on Friday. Coronavirus is meanwhile spreading to new parts of the country including Idaho, Tennessee and Mississippi. But New York, the original US epicentre where more than 32,000 virus patients have died, moved to further ease its restrictions after bringing its outbreak under control. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott ordered a statewide mask order after seeing cases surge, but he has been condemned through censure resolutions passed by multiple local Republican officials. They accuse him of violating the party's principles of separation of powers, free enterprise and personal responsibility, according to The Texas Tribune. Also read | In coronavirus-hit Texas and Arizona, refrigerated trucks are being used to store dead The Democratic mayor of Houston, the state's largest city, wants to move back into lockdown but the governor refuses. Many sheriffs -- who are often elected officials -- in California, North Carolina and elsewhere have said they won't enforce mask regulations in their counties. In the state of Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp sued Atlanta's mayor to prevent her from mandating masks, while Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, leader of the country's third largest school district, unveiled a plan to offer both in-person and remote instruction over the objection of the teachers' union. With school set to resume in a few weeks, school districts across the country have announced a variety of plans to restart teaching amid the pandemic. One nurse on the front lines, however, begged schools not to call students back to class and decried a lack of personal protective equipment at her hospital, where she said at least six of her co-workers had tested positive for COVID-19. More than 1,200 medical professionals, including 161 nurses, have died from the coronavirus in the United States, according to the National Nurses United union. Also read | US leads in 'vaccine nationalism' as coronavirus engulfs the world Public health experts have pleaded with politicians and the public to cover their faces to help stop the spread of infection amid a wider cultural divide in the United States. Videos on social media show people across the country irately declaring their right to shop or congregate in public without masks, with many disputing evidence that masks are effective. Top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on Friday said he "would urge the leaders - the local political leaders in states and cities and towns - to be as forceful as possible in getting your citizenry to wear masks." States enacted lockdowns in patchwork fashion, and several skipped important epidemiological checkpoints before easing stay-at-home orders, said Fauci. On the other hand, US President Donald Trump has said he would not issue an order at the national level mandating the use of masks. When asked during a Fox News interview if he would consider issuing a national mask mandate to slow the spread of the virus, Trump said: "No, I want people to have a certain freedom and I don't believe in that, no." "I don't agree with the statement that if everyone wore a mask, everything disappears," the president added. Subsequently, many have been forced to pause re-opening, re-closing bars but also sometimes gyms, movie theatres, places of worship and shops. Through it all however, President Donald Trump has urged a return to normal, stressing the importance of reigniting the economy while sometimes rejecting the advice of public health advisers. He and his followers have resisted a full-throated endorsement of masks and have been calling for a return to normal economic activity following pandemic-induced shutdowns. Trump's ratings have plummeted since the start of the pandemic. Also read | Facebook's Zuckerberg lashes out at Trump's coronavirus response during live stream chat with Fauci Only 38 per cent of Americans approve of his handling of the crisis, against 51 per cent in March, according to a Washington Post poll published Friday. The task force briefings featuring Trump were halted in late April amid mounting criticism over his exaggerated and inaccurate claims about the public health response and his penchant for pushing bogus treatments. (with inputs from agencies)

Masks and schools reopening spark political, legal battles in US as coronavirus cases surge

Leading countries in the developed world are trying to lock exclusive access to potential vaccines for the Wuhan virus. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why vaccine nationalism is dangerous for the world.

Graivtas: Vaccine for Wuhan Virus: The race to get it first

Canada, United States and the United Kingdom have accused Russian spies of trying to steal vaccine research. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why everyone wants to win the race to find a vaccine for the Wuhan virus.

Gravitas: Is Russia stealing vaccine research?

In one of the Bolivian cities hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, chlorine dioxide, a toxic bleaching agent has been falsely vouched for as a cure for COVID-19 and several other diseases.

This rush in the city of Cochabamba comes even after the Bolivian Health Ministry warned of its dangers and said at least five people were poisoned after taking chlorine dioxide in the capital city.

One of these five incorrectly believed he had COVID-19 and developed pneumonitis, an inflammation of lung tissue, after taking chlorine dioxide and a medication used to treat parasite infestations.&nbsp;

Cochabamba has reported about 440 deaths from COVID-19, or one-quarter of the total number of reported deaths in Bolivia. The real toll is believed to be higher.

Bolivia's opposition-controlled congress is promoting the use of chlorine dioxide. The Senate approved a bill authorising the emergency “manufacture, marketing, supply and use of chlorine dioxide solution for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus" last week. The bill would require the approval of interim President Jeanine Áñez, who is in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus.

Many fearful residents in Cochabamba, where opposition support is strong, are giving chlorine dioxide a try.

The governor of Cochabamba state said she supports a plan for a state law authorising the use of chlorine dioxide and traditional medicine to treat COVID-19. Cochabamba's mayor also said he favours the free distribution of the bleaching agent to treat patients.

But the president of the Cochabamba's scientific association said there are old beliefs that the toxic substance is “miraculous" and cures cancer, AIDS, malaria and other diseases, “but there is no scientific study that proves that it cures any disease."

Chlorine dioxide is one of a number of fake cures that have been promoted, often by fringe groups online, since the pandemic began.

In April, a federal judge in South Florida ordered a Colombia-based group, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, to stop selling a related product, Miracle Mineral Solution, as a treatment for COVID-19, autism and other ailments.

The US Food and Drug Administration has previously issued public warnings that MMS can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe dehydration.

In one of the Bolivian cities hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, chlorine dioxide, a toxic bleaching agent has been falsely vouched for as a cure for COVID-19 and several other diseases.

In one of the Bolivian cities hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, chlorine dioxide, a toxic bleaching agent has been falsely vouched for as a cure for COVID-19 and several other diseases. This rush in the city of Cochabamba comes even after the Bolivian Health Ministry warned of its dangers and said at least five people were poisoned after taking chlorine dioxide in the capital city. One of these five incorrectly believed he had COVID-19 and developed pneumonitis, an inflammation of lung tissue, after taking chlorine dioxide and a medication used to treat parasite infestations. Cochabamba has reported about 440 deaths from COVID-19, or one-quarter of the total number of reported deaths in Bolivia. The real toll is believed to be higher. Bolivia's opposition-controlled congress is promoting the use of chlorine dioxide. The Senate approved a bill authorising the emergency “manufacture, marketing, supply and use of chlorine dioxide solution for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus" last week. The bill would require the approval of interim President Jeanine Áñez, who is in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus. Many fearful residents in Cochabamba, where opposition support is strong, are giving chlorine dioxide a try. The governor of Cochabamba state said she supports a plan for a state law authorising the use of chlorine dioxide and traditional medicine to treat COVID-19. Cochabamba's mayor also said he favours the free distribution of the bleaching agent to treat patients. But the president of the Cochabamba's scientific association said there are old beliefs that the toxic substance is “miraculous" and cures cancer, AIDS, malaria and other diseases, “but there is no scientific study that proves that it cures any disease." Chlorine dioxide is one of a number of fake cures that have been promoted, often by fringe groups online, since the pandemic began. In April, a federal judge in South Florida ordered a Colombia-based group, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, to stop selling a related product, Miracle Mineral Solution, as a treatment for COVID-19, autism and other ailments. The US Food and Drug Administration has previously issued public warnings that MMS can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe dehydration.

In Bolivian city, a fake and toxic coronavirus cure proves popular

An Australian activewear brand has been fined for implying its "anti-virus" leggings and tops were effective at protecting people against the novel coronavirus.

Lorna Jane's website mentioned COVID-19 alongside a description of a "non-toxic mist" that it claimed creates a "permanent, chemical-free shield" that protects against infectious diseases.

The brand was then fined almost US$28,000 (Aus$40,000) over claims on its website that "anti-virus activewear" protects from infectious diseases and for implying it was effective against COVID-19, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said in a statement on Friday.

The firm has since re-branded the clothing "anti-bacterial" and said in a statement it never meant to claim the garments would fully protect wearers but instead provide "an added protection like hand sanitiser but for the clothes you wear".

"We are not trying to profiteer in any way on the fear around COVID-19," the statement said.

Most of Australia's regions have been successful in tackling the novel coronavirus but an outbreak in the second-biggest city of Melbourne is threatening to derail the recovery, with the city recently returned to lockdown and its outbreak spreading to parts of Sydney.

An Australian activewear brand has been fined for implying its "anti-virus" leggings and tops were effective at protecting people against the novel coronavirus. Lorna Jane's website mentioned COVID-19 alongside a description of a "non-toxic mist" that it claimed creates a "permanent, chemical-free shield" that protects against infectious diseases.

An Australian activewear brand has been fined for implying its "anti-virus" leggings and tops were effective at protecting people against the novel coronavirus. Lorna Jane's website mentioned COVID-19 alongside a description of a "non-toxic mist" that it claimed creates a "permanent, chemical-free shield" that protects against infectious diseases. The brand was then fined almost US$28,000 (Aus$40,000) over claims on its website that "anti-virus activewear" protects from infectious diseases and for implying it was effective against COVID-19, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said in a statement on Friday. The firm has since re-branded the clothing "anti-bacterial" and said in a statement it never meant to claim the garments would fully protect wearers but instead provide "an added protection like hand sanitiser but for the clothes you wear". "We are not trying to profiteer in any way on the fear around COVID-19," the statement said. Most of Australia's regions have been successful in tackling the novel coronavirus but an outbreak in the second-biggest city of Melbourne is threatening to derail the recovery, with the city recently returned to lockdown and its outbreak spreading to parts of Sydney.

Australian brand fined over 'anti-virus activewear' claim

The government of India has agreed to allow U.S. air carriers to resume passenger services in the US-India market starting July 23, the US&nbsp;Transportation Department said on Friday.

The Indian government, citing the coronavirus, had banned all scheduled services, prompting the US&nbsp;Transportation Department in June to accuse India of engaging in "unfair and discriminatory practices" on charter air carriers serving India.

The Transportation Department said it was withdrawing an order it had issued requiring Indian air carriers to apply for authorization prior to conducting charter flights, and said it had approved an Air India application for passenger charter flights between the United States and India.&nbsp;

A group representing major US&nbsp;airlines and the Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment on Friday.

India`s Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Twitter it was moving to "further expand our international civil aviation operations" and arrangements from some flights "with US, UAE, France &amp; Germany are being put in place while similar arrangements are also being worked out with several other countries."

"Under this arrangement," it added, "airlines from the concerned countries will be able to operate flights from &amp; to India along with Indian carriers."

The US&nbsp;Transportation Department order was set to take effect next week. The Trump administration said in June it wanted "to restore a level playing field for US&nbsp;airlines" under the US-India Air Transport Agreement. The Indian government had banned all scheduled services and failed to approve US&nbsp;carriers for charter operations, it added.

The US&nbsp;government said in June that Air India had been operating "repatriation" charter flights between India and the United States in both directions since May 7.

The government of India has agreed to allow U.S. air carriers to resume passenger services in the US-India market starting July 23, the US Transportation Department said on Friday.

The government of India has agreed to allow U.S. air carriers to resume passenger services in the US-India market starting July 23, the US Transportation Department said on Friday. The Indian government, citing the coronavirus, had banned all scheduled services, prompting the US Transportation Department in June to accuse India of engaging in "unfair and discriminatory practices" on charter air carriers serving India. The Transportation Department said it was withdrawing an order it had issued requiring Indian air carriers to apply for authorization prior to conducting charter flights, and said it had approved an Air India application for passenger charter flights between the United States and India. A group representing major US airlines and the Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment on Friday. India`s Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Twitter it was moving to "further expand our international civil aviation operations" and arrangements from some flights "with US, UAE, France & Germany are being put in place while similar arrangements are also being worked out with several other countries." "Under this arrangement," it added, "airlines from the concerned countries will be able to operate flights from & to India along with Indian carriers." The US Transportation Department order was set to take effect next week. The Trump administration said in June it wanted "to restore a level playing field for US airlines" under the US-India Air Transport Agreement. The Indian government had banned all scheduled services and failed to approve US carriers for charter operations, it added. The US government said in June that Air India had been operating "repatriation" charter flights between India and the United States in both directions since May 7.

US passenger flights to India can resume starting July 23

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