India is all set to start the trials ayurvedic cure for coronavirus. Experts of AYUSH have been working on four traditional medicine formulations.

The announcement was made by Shripad Y Naik, the Union Minister of State for AYUSH, through Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/moayush?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@moayush</a> &amp; the <a href="https://twitter.com/CSIR_IND?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSIR_IND</a> are working together on validating four Ayush formulations against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19Pandemic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19Pandemic</a> and the trials will start within one week. These formulations will be tried as an add-on therapy and standard care for COVID-19 patients.
— Shripad Y. Naik (@shripadynaik) <a href="https://twitter.com/shripadynaik/status/1260786076773494786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In this research, the experts are trying a mix of treatment for the novel coronavirus till a vaccine is developed and distributed. So, these formulations will be add-on therapy.

Till now, no vaccine has been developed, and&nbsp;treatment has proved out to be hundred per cent successful. Plasma therapy has proved out to be useful, till certain extent.&nbsp;

Gilead's remdesivir, an antiviral drug, has also received authorisation by the&nbsp;US Food and Drug Administration to treat COVID-19 patients. However, the company, which is infamous for overpricing, is being closely monitored for pricing and distribution.

India is all set to start the trials ayurvedic cure for coronavirus. Experts of AYUSH have been working on four traditional medicine formulations. The announcement was made by Shripad Y Naik, the Union Minister of State for AYUSH, through Twitter.

India is all set to start the trials ayurvedic cure for coronavirus. Experts of AYUSH have been working on four traditional medicine formulations. The announcement was made by Shripad Y Naik, the Union Minister of State for AYUSH, through Twitter. The @moayush & the @CSIR_IND are working together on validating four Ayush formulations against #COVID19Pandemic and the trials will start within one week. These formulations will be tried as an add-on therapy and standard care for COVID-19 patients. — Shripad Y. Naik (@shripadynaik) May 14, 2020 × In this research, the experts are trying a mix of treatment for the novel coronavirus till a vaccine is developed and distributed. So, these formulations will be add-on therapy. Till now, no vaccine has been developed, and treatment has proved out to be hundred per cent successful. Plasma therapy has proved out to be useful, till certain extent. Gilead's remdesivir, an antiviral drug, has also received authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat COVID-19 patients. However, the company, which is infamous for overpricing, is being closely monitored for pricing and distribution.

India to test ayurvedic drugs for coronavirus treatment

Over a third of patients treated for COVID-19 in a large New York medical system developed acute kidney injury, and nearly 15% required dialysis, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

US Study: Kidney injury in 1/3rd of hospitalised COVID-19 patients

Australian soap opera 'Neighbours'&nbsp; is filming again, but don`t expect any kisses, hugs or punch-ups in the new episodes as cast members adhere to strict social distancing rules imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

The pandemic has hugely disrupted the entertainment industry worldwide and many popular television shows have had to suspend production. 
 
The cast and crew of "Neighbours" had a month-long break while producers re-worked scripts and storylines to ensure actors were able to stay apart, in line with Australian government guidelines on social distancing. 
 
"This is an unprecedented situation, there is no rulebook for it," said Jason Herbison, executive producer of the series, now in its 35th year, about the residents of a fictional suburb in the Australian city of Melbourne. 
 
"So what we really had to do was just stop, listen to the government advice and look at the way we film the show. And in consultation with our cast and crew, really formulate a plan where we felt we could all return to work safely," he said in an interview via Skype. 
 
This included reducing the number of characters in specific scenes. Sometimes they filmed them in "smaller components" before stitching scenes together in the editing room. 
 
In intimate scenes, a character might "lean in for a kiss, and then the camera pans away and we hear a little bit of a giggle," Herbison said. 
 
"It`s just about re-imagining the scene differently, so you don`t see that moment of impact." 
 
Actors and film crews have temperature checks when they arrive on set, and a colour coding scheme helps ensure that if somebody contracts the virus or has symptoms, it will be easier to trace the people they may have come into contact with. 
 
Wherever possible, actors will apply their own make-up and do their own hair. Where that is not possible, make-up artists will comply with strict health and hygiene rules. 
 
There will be no explicit references to the coronavirus in the series, Herbison said, especially given that it is all about neighbours interacting with one another. But viewers will see, for example, characters sanitising their hands in restaurants. 
 
"It`ll be little things like that that show that perhaps the world has changed a little bit," he said.

Australian soap opera 'Neighbours' is filming again, but don`t expect any kisses, hugs or punch-ups in the new episodes as cast members adhere to strict social distancing rules imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Australian soap opera 'Neighbours' is filming again, but don`t expect any kisses, hugs or punch-ups in the new episodes as cast members adhere to strict social distancing rules imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. The pandemic has hugely disrupted the entertainment industry worldwide and many popular television shows have had to suspend production. The cast and crew of "Neighbours" had a month-long break while producers re-worked scripts and storylines to ensure actors were able to stay apart, in line with Australian government guidelines on social distancing. "This is an unprecedented situation, there is no rulebook for it," said Jason Herbison, executive producer of the series, now in its 35th year, about the residents of a fictional suburb in the Australian city of Melbourne. "So what we really had to do was just stop, listen to the government advice and look at the way we film the show. And in consultation with our cast and crew, really formulate a plan where we felt we could all return to work safely," he said in an interview via Skype. This included reducing the number of characters in specific scenes. Sometimes they filmed them in "smaller components" before stitching scenes together in the editing room. In intimate scenes, a character might "lean in for a kiss, and then the camera pans away and we hear a little bit of a giggle," Herbison said. "It`s just about re-imagining the scene differently, so you don`t see that moment of impact." Actors and film crews have temperature checks when they arrive on set, and a colour coding scheme helps ensure that if somebody contracts the virus or has symptoms, it will be easier to trace the people they may have come into contact with. Wherever possible, actors will apply their own make-up and do their own hair. Where that is not possible, make-up artists will comply with strict health and hygiene rules. There will be no explicit references to the coronavirus in the series, Herbison said, especially given that it is all about neighbours interacting with one another. But viewers will see, for example, characters sanitising their hands in restaurants. "It`ll be little things like that that show that perhaps the world has changed a little bit," he said.

No kissing, no fighting as TV soap 'Neighbours' resumes filming

Britain's pubs may be shut, but one east London brewer has found a way to keep the beer flowing - by packing his kegs into a van and pulling pints on people's doorsteps.

Beer on the streets of London amid lockdown

With the governments imposing large-scale restrictions on economic activities to halt the spread of coronavirus, the global economy has come to a virtual standstill. A report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs has projected that the world economy is set to lose nearly $8.5 trillion over the next 2 years.

Global economic output to reduce by $8.5 trillion in 2 years

Authorities in the Chinese city where the novel coronavirus emerged launched an ambitious campaign on Wednesday (May 13) to test all of its 11 million residents, after a cluster of new cases raised fears of a second wave of infections.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Wuhan witnesses second wave of COVID-19

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday (May 11) he expects Beijing to keep its judgment on whether Australia dumped barley into China separate from protests over Canberra's call for an inquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus.

First US, now Australia to investigate coronavirus origin

As various countries are ready to resume their daily lives and save the crippling economy, World Health Organization has said that the coronavirus is here to stay.

"This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities and this virus may never go away," Michael Ryan, the WHO's emergencies director,&nbsp;told a virtual press conference in Geneva.

"HIV has not gone away -- but we have come to terms with the virus," he added.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-wuhan-coronavirus-takes-more-than-294000-lives-worldwide-298523/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-putting-nations-at-risk-by-excluding-taiwan-from-knowledge-sharing-us-report-298412">Also read:&nbsp;WHO putting nations at risk by excluding Taiwan from knowledge sharing: US report</a>

The virus, which has infected more than 4.2 million people globally, is something that the humans might have to learn to live with. Due to the spread of coronavirus, a lot of countries were out under lockdown. However, as the economies suffered and took a great fall, some countries are now hoping to lift the lockdown and save their economy.

However, WHO says there is no guarantee whether lifting the lockdown will start a fresh wave of coronavirus or not.&nbsp;As the risks are high, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus&nbsp;still wants countries to be on a high alert against the virus.

Ryan also expressed concern over the growing violent attacks on the healthcare workers. "COVID-19 is bringing out the best in us, but it's also bringing out some of the worst. People feel empowered to take out their frustrations on individuals who are purely trying to help. These are senseless acts of violence and discrimination that must be resisted," he said

As various countries are ready to resume their daily lives and save the crippling economy, World Health Organization has said that the coronavirus is here to stay.

As various countries are ready to resume their daily lives and save the crippling economy, World Health Organization has said that the coronavirus is here to stay. "This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities and this virus may never go away," Michael Ryan, the WHO's emergencies director, told a virtual press conference in Geneva. "HIV has not gone away -- but we have come to terms with the virus," he added. Also read: WHO putting nations at risk by excluding Taiwan from knowledge sharing: US report The virus, which has infected more than 4.2 million people globally, is something that the humans might have to learn to live with. Due to the spread of coronavirus, a lot of countries were out under lockdown. However, as the economies suffered and took a great fall, some countries are now hoping to lift the lockdown and save their economy. However, WHO says there is no guarantee whether lifting the lockdown will start a fresh wave of coronavirus or not. As the risks are high, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus still wants countries to be on a high alert against the virus. Ryan also expressed concern over the growing violent attacks on the healthcare workers. "COVID-19 is bringing out the best in us, but it's also bringing out some of the worst. People feel empowered to take out their frustrations on individuals who are purely trying to help. These are senseless acts of violence and discrimination that must be resisted," he said

Just like HIV, coronavirus may never go away: WHO expert warns

Police in Nassau County organize a parade and a "Pipes and Drums" concert outside Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital to honor medical staff in Oceanside, New York.

WION Dispatch: 'Pipes & Drums' concert to honour medics in Oceanside

During the holy month of Ramadan Muslims in Iraq are force to visit shrines and holy sites through their mobile phones.

Iraq shrine goes virtual amid COVID-19 pandemic

Japan PM Shinzo Abe said today that his government has removed the state of emergency for the majority of the country.imposed due to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-could-spread-rapidly-through-a-speech-study-298541">coronavirus</a> pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/just-like-hiv-coronavirus-may-never-go-away-who-expert-warns-298539">Also Read: Just like HIV, coronavirus may never go away, warns WHO expert</a>

However, major cities like Tokyo and Osaka will continue to be under lockdown. The lockdown is due to be lifted on May 31.

"If possible, before May 31, we would like to lift the state of emergency for the other regions as well," PM Abe said, however, the prime minister cautioned that "it's going to be a long road ahead."

The government has decided to end restrictions in 39 out of 47 prefectures before the May 31 deadline even as new cases have been reported in Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido island.

Abe informed that state of emergency would be kept in place in those areas.

"If each of us fails to exercise full vigilance, the future in two weeks time is unpredictable. A second declaration of a state of emergency is possible," PM Abe warned citizens.

Japan has a relatively small number of deaths - 687 in all with just over 16,000 coronavirus cases. On Wednesday, the country reported 55 cases with 10 in capital Tokyo, however, authorities have been under fire for low level of testing.

"As for the 39 prefectures, we were able to contain the spread of infections&nbsp;to the level at which it can be prevented with a thorough cluster-focused approach," the Japan PM said.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe said today that his government has removed the state of emergency for the majority of the country.imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read: Just like HIV, coronavirus may never go away, warns WHO expert However, major cities like Tokyo and Osaka will continue to be under lockdown.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe said today that his government has removed the state of emergency for the majority of the country.imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read: Just like HIV, coronavirus may never go away, warns WHO expert However, major cities like Tokyo and Osaka will continue to be under lockdown. The lockdown is due to be lifted on May 31. "If possible, before May 31, we would like to lift the state of emergency for the other regions as well," PM Abe said, however, the prime minister cautioned that "it's going to be a long road ahead." The government has decided to end restrictions in 39 out of 47 prefectures before the May 31 deadline even as new cases have been reported in Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido island. Abe informed that state of emergency would be kept in place in those areas. "If each of us fails to exercise full vigilance, the future in two weeks time is unpredictable. A second declaration of a state of emergency is possible," PM Abe warned citizens. Japan has a relatively small number of deaths - 687 in all with just over 16,000 coronavirus cases. On Wednesday, the country reported 55 cases with 10 in capital Tokyo, however, authorities have been under fire for low level of testing. "As for the 39 prefectures, we were able to contain the spread of infections to the level at which it can be prevented with a thorough cluster-focused approach," the Japan PM said.

Japan PM Abe lifts state of emergency except in some virus-hit regions

China-Taiwan tensions are on rise amid pandemic. Taiwan is facing military threat from China amid COVID-19 pandemic. Watch report.

Taiwan faces military threat from China amid COVID-19 pandemic

As Hollywood tries to figure out how to resume the production of movies and TV shows in the coronavirus era, one sector may be better prepared than others to deal with the challenges. 
 
The porn industry in Los Angeles came up with its own testing system and database in the 1990s to protect actors during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. 
 
Now it is using that system to develop protocols for making adult entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
"When we first starting talking about COVID, we felt very well prepared because we have a whole history of testing within the industry as well as contact tracing and production shut-downs," said Mike Stabile, spokesman for the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the U.S. adult entertainment industry. 
 
"This is obviously a different type of virus, this is a different type of threat, but we understood in general how it would work and what we`d need to do in order to protect ourselves," he said. 
 
The protocols were established in the late 1990s after a porn actor forged an HIV test and infected several others in the industry. 
 
Porn star Sharon Mitchell, who is now a physician, created a system now known as PASS (Performer Availability Scheduling Services), in which porn actors are required to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases every 14 days. The results are entered into a database which informs producers and directors who is clean and available for work. 
"All it tells us is a binary. Are you clear to work or are you not clear to work?" Stabile said. 
 
Stabile said the coronavirus, which is more easily transmitted, is a more complex problem but that the porn industry was open to working with mainstream Hollywood studios to share its expertise. 
 
"The challenges for sports, for Hollywood and the porn industry are all different but in reality, we each have things we can learn from each other," Stabile said. 
 
Hollywood movie studios, television networks and groups representing actors and directors have been brainstorming for weeks on how to re-start production while protecting everyone from actors to make-up artists and camera crews. 
 
Ideas include quarantining all cast and crew for the length of a shoot, medics on sets, temperature tests every 12 hours, and substituting extras and crowd scenes with computer-generated imagery, according to leaked documents and industry sources. 
 
Movie and TV production in Europe - including Iceland, Denmark and the Czech Republic, where many Hollywood shows are filmed - is expected to resume before the United States, according to the film commissions in those nations. 
But questions linger over insurance and how much actors and directors will want to travel when the outbreak has yet to be contained in many countries.

As Hollywood tries to figure out how to resume the production of movies and TV shows in the coronavirus era, one sector may be better prepared than others to deal with the challenges.

As Hollywood tries to figure out how to resume the production of movies and TV shows in the coronavirus era, one sector may be better prepared than others to deal with the challenges. The porn industry in Los Angeles came up with its own testing system and database in the 1990s to protect actors during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Now it is using that system to develop protocols for making adult entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When we first starting talking about COVID, we felt very well prepared because we have a whole history of testing within the industry as well as contact tracing and production shut-downs," said Mike Stabile, spokesman for the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the U.S. adult entertainment industry. "This is obviously a different type of virus, this is a different type of threat, but we understood in general how it would work and what we`d need to do in order to protect ourselves," he said. The protocols were established in the late 1990s after a porn actor forged an HIV test and infected several others in the industry. Porn star Sharon Mitchell, who is now a physician, created a system now known as PASS (Performer Availability Scheduling Services), in which porn actors are required to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases every 14 days. The results are entered into a database which informs producers and directors who is clean and available for work. "All it tells us is a binary. Are you clear to work or are you not clear to work?" Stabile said. Stabile said the coronavirus, which is more easily transmitted, is a more complex problem but that the porn industry was open to working with mainstream Hollywood studios to share its expertise. "The challenges for sports, for Hollywood and the porn industry are all different but in reality, we each have things we can learn from each other," Stabile said. Hollywood movie studios, television networks and groups representing actors and directors have been brainstorming for weeks on how to re-start production while protecting everyone from actors to make-up artists and camera crews. Ideas include quarantining all cast and crew for the length of a shoot, medics on sets, temperature tests every 12 hours, and substituting extras and crowd scenes with computer-generated imagery, according to leaked documents and industry sources. Movie and TV production in Europe - including Iceland, Denmark and the Czech Republic, where many Hollywood shows are filmed - is expected to resume before the United States, according to the film commissions in those nations. But questions linger over insurance and how much actors and directors will want to travel when the outbreak has yet to be contained in many countries.

What Hollywood could learn from the porn industry amid pandemic

Nigeria will be the first African country from where India will start its repatriation with the first flight set to operate next week.&nbsp;

Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Abuja, India's high commissioner to Nigeria Abhay Thakur said 20 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Indian community in the country, out of which 16 have recovered or are stable.&nbsp;

He also elaborated on how India has sent HCQ to Nigeria and Chad to deal with COVID-19 crisis and trained nine Nigerians under the eITEC COVID-19 Management programme. It is interesting to know, a number of Indian/Indian-origin companies, including Airtel, Bajaj, Mahindra, TVS, Godrej, Indorama, African Industries, Stallion Group, Skipper and others have donated to local relief efforts in Nigeria.

WION: How is the Indian mission reaching to stranded Indians in the country or other countries to which the mission is accredited - Benin and Chad?

Abhay Thakur: The resident Indian community in Nigeria is estimated to be nearly 50,000. In addition, thousands of workers are engaged in several ongoing, large projects. Our community is spread widely across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and other cities.&nbsp;

Our Mission in Abuja and our Office in Lagos are in direct touch with the heads of nearly 50 Indian community organizations/groups, as also with a number of prominent individuals. We have reached out to each and every Indian national through social media, particularly our Twitter handle.&nbsp;

It is easily accessible and we have used it effectively for disseminating authentic information and updates from India and local authorities, for our registration exercise for repatriation, and for attending to those in distress.&nbsp;

I personally wrote to all members of the Indian community and participated in four separate interactions over electronic platforms, in which several hundred Indian community members participated. Our Honorary Consulates in Benin and Chad, as well as the Indian Association Benin, which has 1,500 members with mandatory membership for every Indian, have helped our outreach.&nbsp;

We have managed to extend requisite help to stranded and distressed Indians, by helping them access approved medical facilities for testing and hospitalization, providing visa-related assurances, and facilitating locally arranged supply of medicines and food to patients.&nbsp;

We worked closely with commercial establishments such as M/s Dangote Refineries to put in place improved healthcare and welfare support to Indian employees and workers.

WION: &nbsp;Any Indian COVID-19 positive cases in the country, and any plans of repatriation?

Abhay Thakur: There are challenges in the healthcare sector in Nigeria, though the country has handled the Ebola and AIDS crises in the past relatively successfully. The spread of COVID-19 has been comparatively limited (4,787 cases and 158 deaths as on May 12), and Nigerian authorities have taken a number of timely measures including full border closure and partial internal lockdown.&nbsp;

Yet, there is a degree of concern in the country, including among its citizens and foreign residents. In the Indian community, we have had about 20 cases among the Indian community, of which 16 have recovered or are stable. We have extended the necessary assistance and support in all cases.&nbsp;

From facilitating hospitalization in Lagos, supplying Indian food in Benin City of Edo State, assisting in medical supplies and ensuring overstay visa-waivers, our efforts have had a positive impact.&nbsp;

Now, in view of genuine concerns of a number of Indian nationals, who are either stranded or need advanced medical care, Nigeria has been selected as the first country in Africa from where repatriation of Indians has been planned. The first repatriation flight will be operated next week, in Phase II of the "Vande Bharat" Mission.&nbsp;

Then subject to easing of lockdown and inter-state travel in India, as also genuine needs, more relief/repatriation flights can be organized. I would also like to emphasise that a large majority of Indian nationals are permanent residents and are not anxious to travel to India at this juncture, as they believe they are safer where they are, at their homes.

WION: How are India and Nigeria cooperating on the COVID-19 pandemic? EAM spoke to Nigeria's FM?

Abhay Thakur: India and Nigeria share long-standing ties based on goodwill and mutual trust. Our strategic and multifaceted ties encompass close cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, capacity building, and people-to-people linkages including education, culture and medical tourism.&nbsp;

As large developing countries, we have similar approaches and support each other at multilateral fora. On the COVID-19 pandemic, we shared extensive information of India’s experience with the Nigerian authorities, which has been appreciated and widely reported. In his address to the nation on April 13, President Muhammadu Buhari, announcing his decision to extend the lockdown for another two weeks, referred specifically to India’s approach.&nbsp;

As the most populous country and the largest economy of Africa, Nigeria has often looked to India as a country that has successfully overcome similar socio-economic developmental challenges and has sought to learn from India's expertise and experience.&nbsp;

As the leading pharmaceutical supplier to Nigeria, with annual exports of nearly $400 million with at least seven &nbsp;Indian/Indian-origin pharmaceutical companies have invested in Nigeria, as also a leading medical destination for Nigerians, we have played an important role in meeting healthcare needs of Nigeria including at this time.&nbsp;

We are also supplying HCQS to Nigeria and Chad. With nine participants, Nigeria was a leading beneficiary of the e-ITEC Course on “Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic”, conducted by PGI Chandigarh in April-May 2020.&nbsp;

A number of Indian/Indian-origin companies, including Airtel, Bajaj, Mahindra, TVS, Godrej, Indorama, African Industries, Stallion Group, Skipper and others have donated meaningfully to local relief efforts. Indian associations across the country have distributed food and essential items to needy Nigerians.

India's external affairs minister spoke with the Nigerian foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama on April 24. They had a good conversation on cooperation to combat COVID-19.&nbsp;

EAM conveyed our commitment to provide key medicines. Both ministers expressed support for welfare of their respective communities in each other’s country. They also expressed support for each other at multilateral fora.

Overall, even though both our economies are adversely impacted by COVID-19, with the steep decline in oil-prices forcing a budgetary review in Nigeria, I feel that it is also a potential opportunity for both countries to engage even more closely together.&nbsp;

We are Nigeria’s largest trading partner globally, and Nigeria is India's large trading partner in Africa, with our trade reaching nearly $14 billion in FY 2018-19, and our exports continuing to grow until January 2020.

Nearly 10 per cent of our energy needs are met by Nigeria. Indian and Indian-origin investments in Nigeria exceed $15 billion.

Given Nigeria’s price-sensitive and large market of 200 million people, desire to diversify its supply lines and boost domestic industry, positive image of Indian products and machinery, and abiding mutual goodwill, the post-COVID-19 situation holds immense promise and potential for both sides to further strengthen, prioritize and intensify their mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.

WION: How has the ground situation in Nigeria changed? How have Indian diplomats been faring?

Abhay Thakur: The lockdown in Nigeria was partial, limited to Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States, and now extended to Kano. Though rising prices and infrastructure constraints have affected ordinary citizens, longer-term deterioration in socio-economic or security situation appears to have been avoided.&nbsp;

Nigerians are working towards containing the further spread of COVID-19 whilst continuing economic activity and foresee economic growth in 2021.&nbsp;

The Mission in Abuja and Office in Lagos have continued to function while taking necessary precautions. Wherever possible, bilateral exchanges and interactions are taking place digitally.&nbsp;

Nigeria will be the first African country from where India will start its repatriation with the first flight set to operate next week. Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Abuja, India's high commissioner to Nigeria Abhay Thakur said 20 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Indian community in the country, out of which 16 have recovered or are stable.

Nigeria will be the first African country from where India will start its repatriation with the first flight set to operate next week. Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Abuja, India's high commissioner to Nigeria Abhay Thakur said 20 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Indian community in the country, out of which 16 have recovered or are stable. He also elaborated on how India has sent HCQ to Nigeria and Chad to deal with COVID-19 crisis and trained nine Nigerians under the eITEC COVID-19 Management programme. It is interesting to know, a number of Indian/Indian-origin companies, including Airtel, Bajaj, Mahindra, TVS, Godrej, Indorama, African Industries, Stallion Group, Skipper and others have donated to local relief efforts in Nigeria. WION: How is the Indian mission reaching to stranded Indians in the country or other countries to which the mission is accredited - Benin and Chad? Abhay Thakur: The resident Indian community in Nigeria is estimated to be nearly 50,000. In addition, thousands of workers are engaged in several ongoing, large projects. Our community is spread widely across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and other cities. Our Mission in Abuja and our Office in Lagos are in direct touch with the heads of nearly 50 Indian community organizations/groups, as also with a number of prominent individuals. We have reached out to each and every Indian national through social media, particularly our Twitter handle. It is easily accessible and we have used it effectively for disseminating authentic information and updates from India and local authorities, for our registration exercise for repatriation, and for attending to those in distress. I personally wrote to all members of the Indian community and participated in four separate interactions over electronic platforms, in which several hundred Indian community members participated. Our Honorary Consulates in Benin and Chad, as well as the Indian Association Benin, which has 1,500 members with mandatory membership for every Indian, have helped our outreach. We have managed to extend requisite help to stranded and distressed Indians, by helping them access approved medical facilities for testing and hospitalization, providing visa-related assurances, and facilitating locally arranged supply of medicines and food to patients. We worked closely with commercial establishments such as M/s Dangote Refineries to put in place improved healthcare and welfare support to Indian employees and workers. WION: Any Indian COVID-19 positive cases in the country, and any plans of repatriation? Abhay Thakur: There are challenges in the healthcare sector in Nigeria, though the country has handled the Ebola and AIDS crises in the past relatively successfully. The spread of COVID-19 has been comparatively limited (4,787 cases and 158 deaths as on May 12), and Nigerian authorities have taken a number of timely measures including full border closure and partial internal lockdown. Yet, there is a degree of concern in the country, including among its citizens and foreign residents. In the Indian community, we have had about 20 cases among the Indian community, of which 16 have recovered or are stable. We have extended the necessary assistance and support in all cases. From facilitating hospitalization in Lagos, supplying Indian food in Benin City of Edo State, assisting in medical supplies and ensuring overstay visa-waivers, our efforts have had a positive impact. Now, in view of genuine concerns of a number of Indian nationals, who are either stranded or need advanced medical care, Nigeria has been selected as the first country in Africa from where repatriation of Indians has been planned. The first repatriation flight will be operated next week, in Phase II of the "Vande Bharat" Mission. Then subject to easing of lockdown and inter-state travel in India, as also genuine needs, more relief/repatriation flights can be organized. I would also like to emphasise that a large majority of Indian nationals are permanent residents and are not anxious to travel to India at this juncture, as they believe they are safer where they are, at their homes. WION: How are India and Nigeria cooperating on the COVID-19 pandemic? EAM spoke to Nigeria's FM? Abhay Thakur: India and Nigeria share long-standing ties based on goodwill and mutual trust. Our strategic and multifaceted ties encompass close cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, capacity building, and people-to-people linkages including education, culture and medical tourism. As large developing countries, we have similar approaches and support each other at multilateral fora. On the COVID-19 pandemic, we shared extensive information of India’s experience with the Nigerian authorities, which has been appreciated and widely reported. In his address to the nation on April 13, President Muhammadu Buhari, announcing his decision to extend the lockdown for another two weeks, referred specifically to India’s approach. As the most populous country and the largest economy of Africa, Nigeria has often looked to India as a country that has successfully overcome similar socio-economic developmental challenges and has sought to learn from India's expertise and experience. As the leading pharmaceutical supplier to Nigeria, with annual exports of nearly $400 million with at least seven Indian/Indian-origin pharmaceutical companies have invested in Nigeria, as also a leading medical destination for Nigerians, we have played an important role in meeting healthcare needs of Nigeria including at this time. We are also supplying HCQS to Nigeria and Chad. With nine participants, Nigeria was a leading beneficiary of the e-ITEC Course on “Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic”, conducted by PGI Chandigarh in April-May 2020. A number of Indian/Indian-origin companies, including Airtel, Bajaj, Mahindra, TVS, Godrej, Indorama, African Industries, Stallion Group, Skipper and others have donated meaningfully to local relief efforts. Indian associations across the country have distributed food and essential items to needy Nigerians. India's external affairs minister spoke with the Nigerian foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama on April 24. They had a good conversation on cooperation to combat COVID-19. EAM conveyed our commitment to provide key medicines. Both ministers expressed support for welfare of their respective communities in each other’s country. They also expressed support for each other at multilateral fora. Overall, even though both our economies are adversely impacted by COVID-19, with the steep decline in oil-prices forcing a budgetary review in Nigeria, I feel that it is also a potential opportunity for both countries to engage even more closely together. We are Nigeria’s largest trading partner globally, and Nigeria is India's large trading partner in Africa, with our trade reaching nearly $14 billion in FY 2018-19, and our exports continuing to grow until January 2020. Nearly 10 per cent of our energy needs are met by Nigeria. Indian and Indian-origin investments in Nigeria exceed $15 billion. Given Nigeria’s price-sensitive and large market of 200 million people, desire to diversify its supply lines and boost domestic industry, positive image of Indian products and machinery, and abiding mutual goodwill, the post-COVID-19 situation holds immense promise and potential for both sides to further strengthen, prioritize and intensify their mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation. WION: How has the ground situation in Nigeria changed? How have Indian diplomats been faring? Abhay Thakur: The lockdown in Nigeria was partial, limited to Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States, and now extended to Kano. Though rising prices and infrastructure constraints have affected ordinary citizens, longer-term deterioration in socio-economic or security situation appears to have been avoided. Nigerians are working towards containing the further spread of COVID-19 whilst continuing economic activity and foresee economic growth in 2021. The Mission in Abuja and Office in Lagos have continued to function while taking necessary precautions. Wherever possible, bilateral exchanges and interactions are taking place digitally.

Nigeria will be the first African country from where India will start repatriation: Envoy Abhay Thakur

The coronavirus pandemic has killed over&nbsp;2,80,000 people globally, and several drugmakers are racing to develop a viable treatment or vaccine to combat the outbreak.

With no other approved treatment for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, interest in remdesivir has been growing. To this end, Gilead Sciences Inc has signed a non-exclusive licensing pacts with five generic drugmakers to expand the supply of its experimental COVID-19 treatment remdesivir.

Out of these, three are based in India.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-jubilant-signs-licensing-deal-for-gileads-potential-covid-19-drug-298310">Also read |&nbsp;India's Jubilant signs licensing deal for Gilead's potential COVID-19 drug</a>

The licenses are royalty-free until the World Health Organisation declares the end of the public health emergency regarding COVID-19, or until a product other than remdesivir or a vaccine is approved to treat or prevent the disease. The licensees will also set their own prices for the generic product they produce.

Gilead’s antiviral drug remdesivir earlier this month received the US Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorisation to treat COVID-19 patients. 
 
WATCH:&nbsp;Watch: Why the world can't defeat the coronavirus without India

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-the-world-cant-defeat-the-coronavirus-without-india-298517/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The said pacts allow the companies to make and sell the drug in 127 countries, enhancing India's leadership in the global pharmacy market.

At present, Indian pharma holds a 15 per cent share in the world market -- a leadership position.

India's drug manufacturing capability is its new soft power. There are three distinct areas of opportunity -- pharmaceutical exports, medical tourism destination, and reaching out to vulnerable nations and offer its knowledge and supplies.

India contributes more than 20 per cent by value to the global generics market, and by volume -- supplies more than 40 per cent of United States' drugs.

Indian drugs have been exported to more than 120 countries in the world.

Also, India co-sponsored a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly. It called for a fair, transparent and equitable access to essential medical supplies and any future vaccines for the coronavirus.

As many as 179 countries have thrown their support behind this resolution now.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed over 2,80,000 people globally, and several drugmakers are racing to develop a viable treatment or vaccine to combat the outbreak.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed over 2,80,000 people globally, and several drugmakers are racing to develop a viable treatment or vaccine to combat the outbreak. With no other approved treatment for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, interest in remdesivir has been growing. To this end, Gilead Sciences Inc has signed a non-exclusive licensing pacts with five generic drugmakers to expand the supply of its experimental COVID-19 treatment remdesivir. Out of these, three are based in India. Also read | India's Jubilant signs licensing deal for Gilead's potential COVID-19 drug The licenses are royalty-free until the World Health Organisation declares the end of the public health emergency regarding COVID-19, or until a product other than remdesivir or a vaccine is approved to treat or prevent the disease. The licensees will also set their own prices for the generic product they produce. Gilead’s antiviral drug remdesivir earlier this month received the US Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorisation to treat COVID-19 patients. WATCH: Watch: Why the world can't defeat the coronavirus without India × The said pacts allow the companies to make and sell the drug in 127 countries, enhancing India's leadership in the global pharmacy market. At present, Indian pharma holds a 15 per cent share in the world market -- a leadership position. India's drug manufacturing capability is its new soft power. There are three distinct areas of opportunity -- pharmaceutical exports, medical tourism destination, and reaching out to vulnerable nations and offer its knowledge and supplies. India contributes more than 20 per cent by value to the global generics market, and by volume -- supplies more than 40 per cent of United States' drugs. Indian drugs have been exported to more than 120 countries in the world. Also, India co-sponsored a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly. It called for a fair, transparent and equitable access to essential medical supplies and any future vaccines for the coronavirus. As many as 179 countries have thrown their support behind this resolution now.

Gilead gives royalty-free licences for remdesivir to Indian firms

The Wuhan coronavirus has taken more than 2,94,000 lives worldwide. India is reporting more than 74,000 confirmed cases. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the latest numbers.

Gravitas: Wuhan coronavirus takes more than 2,94,000 lives worldwide

Pakistan is rebranding terror groups. As Pakistani terrorists make more nefarious plans, Islamabad has opened the doors to Indian medical supplies. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more about a contrast that exposes the fault lines in South Asia.

Gravitas: Pakistan exports terror, imports drugs from India

China's combative diplomats have a new name - wolf warriors. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how Chinese diplomats, instead of fostering dialogue, have turned into megaphones for the Chinese narrative.

Gravitas: Meet China's 'wolf warriors'

A global pharma giant has tied up with three Indian companies to scale up production of a potential coronavirus drug. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why the world needs India's pharmaceutical companies to kill the virus.

Gravitas: Why the world can't defeat the coronavirus without India

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane has said while terror launch pads exist across the Line of Control(LoC), Pakistan needs to "change the policy" and "look beyond short-term gains".&nbsp;

Speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the Army chief commenting on recent India-China face-offs said one should "not read too much into this" and that the Army will "ensure peace and tranquillity is maintained in the border areas.

General Naravane also spoke on the Army's role in the national efforts against COVID-19 and situation in Kashmir calling the Handwara encounter a "stray incident".

WION: What is happening in our northern borders, the skirmishes in northern Sikkim and Ladakh?

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: Earlier this month, I had gone to Sikkim, and after that, I had gone to the southwestern command which is on our western front, I am glad to say at both places, we are totally prepared, operationally ready to take whatever task we have to do.&nbsp;

From safeguarding our borders, or to help our civil administration to tide over the COVID-19 crisis. As far as the situation in the northern border is concerned, I will not call it skirmishes, I would rather say it is face-offs and these faces-offs have been happening in the past also, nothing new about it.&nbsp;

Different perceptions on where the Line of Actual Control(LAC) runs in these areas, we patrol up to where we believe LAC is, PLA comes were they think LAC comes. When we come face-to-face, when we come at the same place at the same time, that is when such face-offs occur.&nbsp;

They have been occurring earlier too, It is just by chance it has occurred near simultaneously at a number of places in Ladakh and Sikkim but we should not read too much into this, that it is not part of some coordinated nation or anything like that, it is just matter of coincidence and nor should we read any greater picture into, that is because of any national or international situation prevailing.&nbsp;

It is just something which is happening in the past and I am sure, we will be able to deal with it as and when such incidences occur.&nbsp;

We have our various protocol in place to handle such situations and they have been successful always in defusing the situation as and when they have happened and we will continue to follow those and we ensure peace and tranquillity is maintained in the border areas.&nbsp;

WION: How is the Army helping in COVID-19 crisis in the national effort?

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: We have been doing a lot to help out our countrymen. It is not the just the Indian army but navy and the Air Force have also been playing an equally important part in making sure our national effort is well-coordinated between not only the armed forces but all the organs of the government.&nbsp;

As far as the army is concerned, we have been helping right from the day one, in fact, one of the first camps set up in Manesar was done by us in which students from Wuhan been evacuated and placed in quarantine. Thereafter, we have opened camps in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, even in camp in Narela is being looked after by us.&nbsp;

And we have established a number of such camps as have the Navy and Air Force to take care of all the persons since they need to be put in quartine and need to be tested before they can be sent home. This is one aspect, in addition, we have earmarked specific hospitals to look after the COVID-19 patients and also earmarked specific bed in various hospitals should there be an overflow from the dedicated hospitals in times to comes, we hope the situation will not reach those proportions where these beds need to be used. &nbsp;

We have enough capacity to deal with any such surge that happens. Apart from that our families are also playing a role. They have been making masks, making food packets, distributing rations to people in need. Our NCC has stepped in, NCC cadets have also risen to occasion. More than 11,000 volunteers have stepped up and taken various initiatives like taking care of traffic control.&nbsp;

They have also prepared more than 5,000 food packets, distributed masks, and come to the aid of the civil society at large. This has been a total team effort to help our citizens in need.

WION: Have any forces been impacted by COVID-19?

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: As soon as COVID-19 news started filtering in, we have been watching what has been happening globally and we in the army very pro-active measures to ensure we do not get impacted. In this, we are lucky also but some disadvantages also.

When I say lucky, we are deployed in far-flung places, on the border and inaccessible areas and because of that we have to keep our self safe.&nbsp;

Conversely, the disadvantage is the way we operate or forced to stay in close proximity to each other, so sometimes social distancing and other norms cannot always be followed.

But by virtue of all the actions and advisories we have issued, that we have been relatively incident-free and the majority of incidents that have occurred in the people who are providing assistance to COVID-19 patients and in the hospitals but happy to say not a single operational unit which has been impacted in whatsoever manner due to COVID-19.

WION: How has the situation been in Kashmir, we saw the Handwara encounter...

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: Post abrogation of article 370, and ongoing winter months definitely a drop in all the parameters of violence and as is the pattern with the improvement in the weather, snows melting once again infiltration has increased and correspondingly the incidences which have occurred are a reflection of that but we are well poised to take on any of these stray incidents which are bound to happen but no doubt terror launch pads and terrorist continue to be there across the LoC and we are closely monitoring the situation and we will take appropriate action to make sure all these attempts are foiled along the LoC or in the hinterland.

WION: Do you think Pakistan plans to change its terror-sponsoring strategy?

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: I can't comment on their policy but I can only hope, that they do change the policy and realise that the only way our two countries can prosper is if we have peace amongst ourself, and we must look beyond short-term gains and see what is best for the people both sides.

WION: How have the forces taken up PM's self-reliant call?

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: We have always been on the forefront of championing the cause of self-reliance and Make in India initiative and happy to say, as far as the Indian army is concerned over 70 per cent of our orders both by volume&nbsp; - the number of orders by cost, more than 70 per cent of these have gone to Indian companies and we will further improve upon this and we will make sure we give a good fillip to Make in India project.

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane has said while terror launch pads exist across the Line of Control(LoC), Pakistan needs to "change the policy" and "look beyond short-term gains".

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane has said while terror launch pads exist across the Line of Control(LoC), Pakistan needs to "change the policy" and "look beyond short-term gains". Speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the Army chief commenting on recent India-China face-offs said one should "not read too much into this" and that the Army will "ensure peace and tranquillity is maintained in the border areas. General Naravane also spoke on the Army's role in the national efforts against COVID-19 and situation in Kashmir calling the Handwara encounter a "stray incident". WION: What is happening in our northern borders, the skirmishes in northern Sikkim and Ladakh? Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: Earlier this month, I had gone to Sikkim, and after that, I had gone to the southwestern command which is on our western front, I am glad to say at both places, we are totally prepared, operationally ready to take whatever task we have to do. From safeguarding our borders, or to help our civil administration to tide over the COVID-19 crisis. As far as the situation in the northern border is concerned, I will not call it skirmishes, I would rather say it is face-offs and these faces-offs have been happening in the past also, nothing new about it. Different perceptions on where the Line of Actual Control(LAC) runs in these areas, we patrol up to where we believe LAC is, PLA comes were they think LAC comes. When we come face-to-face, when we come at the same place at the same time, that is when such face-offs occur. They have been occurring earlier too, It is just by chance it has occurred near simultaneously at a number of places in Ladakh and Sikkim but we should not read too much into this, that it is not part of some coordinated nation or anything like that, it is just matter of coincidence and nor should we read any greater picture into, that is because of any national or international situation prevailing. It is just something which is happening in the past and I am sure, we will be able to deal with it as and when such incidences occur. We have our various protocol in place to handle such situations and they have been successful always in defusing the situation as and when they have happened and we will continue to follow those and we ensure peace and tranquillity is maintained in the border areas. WION: How is the Army helping in COVID-19 crisis in the national effort? Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: We have been doing a lot to help out our countrymen. It is not the just the Indian army but navy and the Air Force have also been playing an equally important part in making sure our national effort is well-coordinated between not only the armed forces but all the organs of the government. As far as the army is concerned, we have been helping right from the day one, in fact, one of the first camps set up in Manesar was done by us in which students from Wuhan been evacuated and placed in quarantine. Thereafter, we have opened camps in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, even in camp in Narela is being looked after by us. And we have established a number of such camps as have the Navy and Air Force to take care of all the persons since they need to be put in quartine and need to be tested before they can be sent home. This is one aspect, in addition, we have earmarked specific hospitals to look after the COVID-19 patients and also earmarked specific bed in various hospitals should there be an overflow from the dedicated hospitals in times to comes, we hope the situation will not reach those proportions where these beds need to be used. We have enough capacity to deal with any such surge that happens. Apart from that our families are also playing a role. They have been making masks, making food packets, distributing rations to people in need. Our NCC has stepped in, NCC cadets have also risen to occasion. More than 11,000 volunteers have stepped up and taken various initiatives like taking care of traffic control. They have also prepared more than 5,000 food packets, distributed masks, and come to the aid of the civil society at large. This has been a total team effort to help our citizens in need. WION: Have any forces been impacted by COVID-19? Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: As soon as COVID-19 news started filtering in, we have been watching what has been happening globally and we in the army very pro-active measures to ensure we do not get impacted. In this, we are lucky also but some disadvantages also. When I say lucky, we are deployed in far-flung places, on the border and inaccessible areas and because of that we have to keep our self safe. Conversely, the disadvantage is the way we operate or forced to stay in close proximity to each other, so sometimes social distancing and other norms cannot always be followed. But by virtue of all the actions and advisories we have issued, that we have been relatively incident-free and the majority of incidents that have occurred in the people who are providing assistance to COVID-19 patients and in the hospitals but happy to say not a single operational unit which has been impacted in whatsoever manner due to COVID-19. WION: How has the situation been in Kashmir, we saw the Handwara encounter... Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: Post abrogation of article 370, and ongoing winter months definitely a drop in all the parameters of violence and as is the pattern with the improvement in the weather, snows melting once again infiltration has increased and correspondingly the incidences which have occurred are a reflection of that but we are well poised to take on any of these stray incidents which are bound to happen but no doubt terror launch pads and terrorist continue to be there across the LoC and we are closely monitoring the situation and we will take appropriate action to make sure all these attempts are foiled along the LoC or in the hinterland. WION: Do you think Pakistan plans to change its terror-sponsoring strategy? Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: I can't comment on their policy but I can only hope, that they do change the policy and realise that the only way our two countries can prosper is if we have peace amongst ourself, and we must look beyond short-term gains and see what is best for the people both sides. WION: How have the forces taken up PM's self-reliant call? Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: We have always been on the forefront of championing the cause of self-reliance and Make in India initiative and happy to say, as far as the Indian army is concerned over 70 per cent of our orders both by volume - the number of orders by cost, more than 70 per cent of these have gone to Indian companies and we will further improve upon this and we will make sure we give a good fillip to Make in India project.

Pakistan needs to look beyond short-term gains, says Army chief Naravane to WION

The number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai's Dharavi, considered to be the biggest slum of Asia, rose to 1,028 on Wednesday.

The death toll due to the pandemic in the area rose to 40 on Tuesday from 31.

Dharavi recorded its first&nbsp;coronavirus patient on April 1, 20 days after the first case of coronavirus infection was reported in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 54 deaths, while the number of positive cases across the state achieved a new single-day spike of 1,495.

The state's death toll shot up to 975 and the total number of coronavirus patients increased to 25,922.

Of the total deaths, a staggering 40 were recorded in Mumbai alone, taking the city's toll to 596 and the number of patients in the city shot up by a new high of 800 to touch 15,747.

Besides Mumbai, there were six deaths in Pune, two each in Jalgaon, Solapur, and Aurangabad, plus one each in Palghar and Ratnagiri.

(with inputs from agencies)

The number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai's Dharavi, considered to be the biggest slum of Asia, rose to 1,028 on Wednesday. The death toll due to the pandemic in the area rose to 40 on Tuesday from 31.

The number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai's Dharavi, considered to be the biggest slum of Asia, rose to 1,028 on Wednesday. The death toll due to the pandemic in the area rose to 40 on Tuesday from 31. Dharavi recorded its first coronavirus patient on April 1, 20 days after the first case of coronavirus infection was reported in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 54 deaths, while the number of positive cases across the state achieved a new single-day spike of 1,495. The state's death toll shot up to 975 and the total number of coronavirus patients increased to 25,922. Of the total deaths, a staggering 40 were recorded in Mumbai alone, taking the city's toll to 596 and the number of patients in the city shot up by a new high of 800 to touch 15,747. Besides Mumbai, there were six deaths in Pune, two each in Jalgaon, Solapur, and Aurangabad, plus one each in Palghar and Ratnagiri. (with inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus count in Mumbai's Dharavi crosses 1,000, death toll stands at 40

Launched amid the mounting scare over the coronavirus, a Japanese video chat website designed for hosting virtual drinking parties has soared in popularity while bars and pubs remain shut.

Virtual drinking parties in the times of COVID-19 in Japan

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with other key stakeholders is conducting a population-based sero survey to estimate the prevalence of coronavirus infection among the Indian population, according to a statement by the medical body.

The survey would be conducted in 69 districts of 21 states and Union Territories, the apex health research body said in a statement on Tuesday.

Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam and Bihar are some of the states where the survey would be conducted.

The&nbsp;survey will cover 24,000 adults distributed equally across four strata of districts categorised on the basis of COVID-19 cases.

The move was announced as the death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 2,293 and the total number of cases climbed to 70,756 in the country on Tuesday, according to the Union health ministry data.

"The ICMR, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and National Centre for Disease Control with support from state health departments and key stakeholders, including WHO, India is conducting a community based sero-survey to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Indian population," the statement said.

The survey is coordinated by ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) and National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), Chennai.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with other key stakeholders is conducting a population-based sero survey to estimate the prevalence of coronavirus infection among the Indian population, according to a statement by the medical body.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with other key stakeholders is conducting a population-based sero survey to estimate the prevalence of coronavirus infection among the Indian population, according to a statement by the medical body. The survey would be conducted in 69 districts of 21 states and Union Territories, the apex health research body said in a statement on Tuesday. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam and Bihar are some of the states where the survey would be conducted. The survey will cover 24,000 adults distributed equally across four strata of districts categorised on the basis of COVID-19 cases. The move was announced as the death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 2,293 and the total number of cases climbed to 70,756 in the country on Tuesday, according to the Union health ministry data. "The ICMR, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and National Centre for Disease Control with support from state health departments and key stakeholders, including WHO, India is conducting a community based sero-survey to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Indian population," the statement said. The survey is coordinated by ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) and National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), Chennai. (With inputs from PTI)

ICMR to conduct survey to estimate prevalence of COVID-19 infection among Indian population

India registered another 122 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total fatalities due to the novel coronavirus to 2,415, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Wednesday.

The country recorded another 3525 COVID-19 cases during the same period which took the total number to 74281. The MoHFW said that of the 74,281 cases, 47480 were active, 24386 had been cured/discharged/migrated cases and 2415 had passed away.

The coronavirus is slowly moving to the rural belt, with an increasing number of cases being reported from districts that were until recently untouched by Covid-19. In many states, it has resulted in more districts coming under the grip of the virus.

Yesterday, In a big push to revive the COVID-hit economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced massive new financial incentives on top of the previously announced packages for a combined stimulus of Rs 20 lakh crore, saying the coronavirus crisis has provided India an opportunity to become self-reliant and emerge as the best in the world. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
Apart from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) assistance, the government had last month announced a Rs 1.74 lakh crore to provide benefits to the poor, including cash transfers, Rs 50 lakh insurance cover and steps to ensure food security. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
In a televised address to the nation, Modi also said there will be a fourth phase of the lockdown which will be very different from the earlier three phases. The third phase of the 54-day lockdown is scheduled to end on May 17.

(With inputs from agencies)

India registered another 122 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total fatalities due to the novel coronavirus to 2,415, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Wednesday.

India registered another 122 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total fatalities due to the novel coronavirus to 2,415, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Wednesday. The country recorded another 3525 COVID-19 cases during the same period which took the total number to 74281. The MoHFW said that of the 74,281 cases, 47480 were active, 24386 had been cured/discharged/migrated cases and 2415 had passed away. The coronavirus is slowly moving to the rural belt, with an increasing number of cases being reported from districts that were until recently untouched by Covid-19. In many states, it has resulted in more districts coming under the grip of the virus. Yesterday, In a big push to revive the COVID-hit economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced massive new financial incentives on top of the previously announced packages for a combined stimulus of Rs 20 lakh crore, saying the coronavirus crisis has provided India an opportunity to become self-reliant and emerge as the best in the world. Apart from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) assistance, the government had last month announced a Rs 1.74 lakh crore to provide benefits to the poor, including cash transfers, Rs 50 lakh insurance cover and steps to ensure food security. In a televised address to the nation, Modi also said there will be a fourth phase of the lockdown which will be very different from the earlier three phases. The third phase of the 54-day lockdown is scheduled to end on May 17. (With inputs from agencies)

122 coronavirus deaths in India in 24 hours; over 74,200 total cases so far

Two cities in China's northeast Jilin province imposed new restrictions in order to contain a new coronavirus outbreak. Jilin city has emerged as the source of a potential new wave of infections and the neighbouring city of Shulan was forced to adjust the risk level to "high" from "medium" at the weekend.

Another Chinese city becomes COVID-19 hotspot | WION News

Britain's economy shrank by a record 5.8% in March as the coronavirus crisis escalated and the government shut down much of the country, according to official data that point towards an even bigger hit to come.

UK GDP falls by record 5.8% in March due to coronavirus crisis

A day after his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bryan-adams-slams-china-for-spreading-coronavirus-says-the-whole-world-is-now-on-hold-298138">racist anti-China post created a stir on social media</a>, Canadian rocker Bryan Adams on Tuesday issued an apology and stated that he had "love for all people". 
 
Adams had earlier gone on a rant on Instagram against the owners of Chinese wet markets and accused them of spreading coronavirus. The singer was upset that his London shows had got canceled due to the pandemic. 
 
Adams had said in an expletive-laced Twitter and Instagram posts that his gigs at the Royal Albert Hall were nixed thanks to "bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards." 
 
He went on to say that "the whole world is now on hold, not to mention the thousands that have suffered or died from this virus," admonishing the Chinese to "go vegan." 
 
A day later, the singer issued a statement offering "apologies to any and all that took offence to my posting yesterday," adding, "I have love for all people." 
 
In his apology, Adams explained, "No excuse, I just wanted to have a rant about the horrible animal cruelty in these wet markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAFy-nKnkFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAFy-nKnkFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAFy-nKnkFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAFy-nKnkFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">INTO THE FIRE. Title track from the same album. Apologies to any and all that took offence to my posting yesterday. No excuse, I just wanted to have a rant about the horrible animal cruelty in these wet-markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism. I have love for all people and my thoughts are with everyone dealing with this pandemic around the world. Here’s the appropriately titled song that would have been performed tonight at the @royalalberthall . #bryanadamsintothefire #songsfromisolation #covid19 #banwetmarkets #govegan</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bryanadams/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Bryan Adams</a> (@bryanadams) on <time datetime="2020-05-12T14:53:11+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 12, 2020 at 7:53am PDT</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

While animal rights groups praised his call to stop eating meat, others interpreted the expletive-laced comments as anti-Chinese. 
 
"This is so irresponsible and so racist," Amy Go of the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice told news agency AFP. 
 
"He's a Canadian idol and he's fanning the flames of anti-Chinese racism, and contributing to an increase in hateful taunts and blatant (physical) attacks on Chinese and Asian people in Canada and around the world," she said. 
Others called his remarks "racist garbage." 
 
Wet markets sell fresh food and produce, including farmed animals and wildlife. 
 
One such market in Wuhan, China was identified last week by the World Health Organization as a possible source or "amplifying setting" of the outbreak. 
 
There has been anecdotal evidence of a rise of anti-Chinese rhetoric and violence linked to the pandemic. 
 
Go cited, for example, the recent experience of a 92-year-old man thrown out of a Vancouver convenience store and onto the sidewalk by the shopkeeper because he was of Chinese descent.

A Chinese-Canadian woman was also punched in the face in an unprovoked attack last week while waiting at a downtown bus stop in the Pacific coast metropolis. 
 
Adams, meanwhile, has since deleted the offending tweet but the message remained on Instagram. 
The singer is at present in self-isolation with his wife and children.

A day after his racist anti-China post created a stir on social media, Canadian rocker Bryan Adams on Tuesday issued an apology and stated that he had "love for all people".

A day after his racist anti-China post created a stir on social media, Canadian rocker Bryan Adams on Tuesday issued an apology and stated that he had "love for all people". Adams had earlier gone on a rant on Instagram against the owners of Chinese wet markets and accused them of spreading coronavirus. The singer was upset that his London shows had got canceled due to the pandemic. Adams had said in an expletive-laced Twitter and Instagram posts that his gigs at the Royal Albert Hall were nixed thanks to "bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards." He went on to say that "the whole world is now on hold, not to mention the thousands that have suffered or died from this virus," admonishing the Chinese to "go vegan." A day later, the singer issued a statement offering "apologies to any and all that took offence to my posting yesterday," adding, "I have love for all people." In his apology, Adams explained, "No excuse, I just wanted to have a rant about the horrible animal cruelty in these wet markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism." View this post on Instagram INTO THE FIRE. Title track from the same album. Apologies to any and all that took offence to my posting yesterday. No excuse, I just wanted to have a rant about the horrible animal cruelty in these wet-markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism. I have love for all people and my thoughts are with everyone dealing with this pandemic around the world. Here’s the appropriately titled song that would have been performed tonight at the @royalalberthall . #bryanadamsintothefire #songsfromisolation #covid19 #banwetmarkets #govegan A post shared by Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) on May 12, 2020 at 7:53am PDT × While animal rights groups praised his call to stop eating meat, others interpreted the expletive-laced comments as anti-Chinese. "This is so irresponsible and so racist," Amy Go of the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice told news agency AFP. "He's a Canadian idol and he's fanning the flames of anti-Chinese racism, and contributing to an increase in hateful taunts and blatant (physical) attacks on Chinese and Asian people in Canada and around the world," she said. Others called his remarks "racist garbage." Wet markets sell fresh food and produce, including farmed animals and wildlife. One such market in Wuhan, China was identified last week by the World Health Organization as a possible source or "amplifying setting" of the outbreak. There has been anecdotal evidence of a rise of anti-Chinese rhetoric and violence linked to the pandemic. Go cited, for example, the recent experience of a 92-year-old man thrown out of a Vancouver convenience store and onto the sidewalk by the shopkeeper because he was of Chinese descent. A Chinese-Canadian woman was also punched in the face in an unprovoked attack last week while waiting at a downtown bus stop in the Pacific coast metropolis. Adams, meanwhile, has since deleted the offending tweet but the message remained on Instagram. The singer is at present in self-isolation with his wife and children.

Bryan Adams apologises for his anti-China racist post

Iran has reopened all of its Mosques in Tehran, after two months Iran eased restrictions that were aimed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Mosques reopen in Iran for Friday prayers amid rising COVID-19 cases

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has finally seen some positive data in its mission to resolve the coronavirus crisis.

The WHO on Tuesday said that some treatments appear to be limiting the severity or length of COVID-19, the disease caused due to the novel coronavirus, referring to the results of early studies of four or five treatments.

The respiratory illness has infected 4.29 million people around the world.

The WHO is leading a global initiative to develop safe and effective vaccines, tests and drugs to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19.

"We do have potentially positive data coming out but we need to see more data to be 100% confident that we can say this treatment over that one," spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a briefing, adding more research was needed and planned.

Harris said she had been referring to early results of four or five treatments already in the public domain and not to the WHO's Solidarity Trial.

Meanwhile, Gilead Science Inc says its antiviral drug remdesivir has helped improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Clinical data released last month on remdesivir raised hopes it might be an effective treatment. Several studies looking at combinations of antiviral medicines have also suggested they may help patients fight off the virus.

In another research, results of a trial in Hong Kong released this month showed a triple drug combination of antiviral medicines helped relieve symptoms in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection and swiftly reduced the amount of virus in their bodies.

A malaria treatment championed by US President Donald Trump as a "game changer" in the fight against the coronavirus again failed to show a benefit in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, a study this month found.

Meanwhile, more than 100 potential COVID-19 vaccines are being developed, including several in clinical trials. The WHO said in April a vaccine would take at least 12 months.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has finally seen some positive data in its mission to resolve the coronavirus crisis. The WHO on Tuesday said that some treatments appear to be limiting the severity or length of COVID-19, the disease caused due to the novel coronavirus, referring to the results of early studies of four or five treatments.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has finally seen some positive data in its mission to resolve the coronavirus crisis. The WHO on Tuesday said that some treatments appear to be limiting the severity or length of COVID-19, the disease caused due to the novel coronavirus, referring to the results of early studies of four or five treatments. The respiratory illness has infected 4.29 million people around the world. The WHO is leading a global initiative to develop safe and effective vaccines, tests and drugs to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19. "We do have potentially positive data coming out but we need to see more data to be 100% confident that we can say this treatment over that one," spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a briefing, adding more research was needed and planned. Harris said she had been referring to early results of four or five treatments already in the public domain and not to the WHO's Solidarity Trial. Meanwhile, Gilead Science Inc says its antiviral drug remdesivir has helped improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Clinical data released last month on remdesivir raised hopes it might be an effective treatment. Several studies looking at combinations of antiviral medicines have also suggested they may help patients fight off the virus. In another research, results of a trial in Hong Kong released this month showed a triple drug combination of antiviral medicines helped relieve symptoms in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection and swiftly reduced the amount of virus in their bodies. A malaria treatment championed by US President Donald Trump as a "game changer" in the fight against the coronavirus again failed to show a benefit in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, a study this month found. Meanwhile, more than 100 potential COVID-19 vaccines are being developed, including several in clinical trials. The WHO said in April a vaccine would take at least 12 months.

WHO finally sees 'potentially positive data' in treating coronavirus

An autonomous drone has begun delivering urgent medical supplies to a hospital on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England.

Delivery drone flies medical supplies to UK's Isle of Wight

The foreign ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will meet on Wednesday via video conference, India will be represented by external affairs ministers S Jaishankar.

SCO members to work together against coronavirus outbreak

covid-19-0

Covid 19, News on Covid 19, stories on Covid 19, articles on Covid 19, Covid 19 stories at Wion, Covid 19 news, Covid 19 latest news

covid 19-0