As many as 75,000 Americans could die from coronavirus despair -- of drug or alcohol misuse and suicide, a new study has claimed.&nbsp;

According to an analysis conducted by the national public health group Well Being Trust, the growing unemployment crisis, economic downturns and stress caused by isolation and lack of a definitive end date for the pandemic could significantly increase "deaths of despair" unless local, state and federal authorities take action.

The measures can include comprehensive federal, state, and local resources behind improving access to high quality mental health treatments and community supports.

The Well Being trust has called for a robust approach from local, state and federal officials and agencies to ensure those who lose their jobs because of the pandemic can find work.

During the 2008 recession too, deaths from both suicide and drug overdoses rose along with unemployment.&nbsp;

Unemployment went from 4.6% in 2007 to a peak of 10% in October 2009 and declined steadily reaching 3.5% in early 2010.

Despite the dire warnings, the group however warns this possible tide can be stemmed.

As many as 75,000 Americans could die from coronavirus despair -- of drug or alcohol misuse and suicide, a new study has claimed. According to an analysis conducted by the national public health group Well Being Trust, the growing unemployment crisis, economic downturns and stress caused by isolation and lack of a definitive end date for the pandemic could significantly increase "deaths of despair" unless local, state and federal authorities take action.

As many as 75,000 Americans could die from coronavirus despair -- of drug or alcohol misuse and suicide, a new study has claimed. According to an analysis conducted by the national public health group Well Being Trust, the growing unemployment crisis, economic downturns and stress caused by isolation and lack of a definitive end date for the pandemic could significantly increase "deaths of despair" unless local, state and federal authorities take action. The measures can include comprehensive federal, state, and local resources behind improving access to high quality mental health treatments and community supports. The Well Being trust has called for a robust approach from local, state and federal officials and agencies to ensure those who lose their jobs because of the pandemic can find work. During the 2008 recession too, deaths from both suicide and drug overdoses rose along with unemployment. Unemployment went from 4.6% in 2007 to a peak of 10% in October 2009 and declined steadily reaching 3.5% in early 2010. Despite the dire warnings, the group however warns this possible tide can be stemmed.

75,000 Americans at risk of dying from 'coronavirus despair', says study

Amid a spurt in COVID-19 cases, apex health research body ICMR has decided to conduct a study in 75 affected districts across the country to identify people who were exposed to the novel coronavirus infection and yet showed mild or no symptoms.

The study can help ascertain whether there has been community transmission of the respiratory disease in those areas or not, official sources said.

The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 1,886 and the number of cases climbed to 56,342 on Friday registering an increase of 103 deaths and 3,390 cases in the last 24 hours since Thursday morning, according to Union health ministry data.

"As a part of the study, people from red, orange and green zones in a district will be tested for COVID-19 at random to check whether they have developed antibodies against the infection even though they remained asymptomatic or showed mild symptoms.

"The presence of antibody in them will establish that they were infected by the virus and were able to fight it off. They did not know they had contracted the disease as they had no symptoms," an official explained.

The exercise will also help ascertain if there has been community spread of the disease, the official said. Community spread is a stage where the source of the infection cannot be traced.

Scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) aim to begin the study at the earliest.

Districts with high population and heavy inter-state movement of people will be selected for the study to represent the respective state, the sources said.

According to a study, around 80 per cent of coronavirus infected people show mild or no symptoms of the illness.

Officials said the study would have started earlier as it was planned to be conducted with the rapid antibody test kits brought from China. But after those test kits showed inaccurate results in some places, the study had to be postponed.

"The quantum of sampling for the study is yet to be decided. The study will only make sense if it has a decent sample size," another official said.

The modality of testing is yet to be decided, but according to sources, either an ELISA antibody test which is a kind of blood test or pool sampling with RT-PCR test could be used for the study, the official sources said.

The ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test kits are awaiting ICMR's validation, which is expected soon, they said.

The ELISA test is similar to rapid antibody tests as it looks for antibodies in the blood to ascertain if one has been infected with the coronavirus infection or not.

A pooled testing algorithm involves the PCR screening of a specimen pool comprising multiple individual patient specimens, followed by individual testing only if a pool screens positive.

At present, efforts are being made by the government to identify asymptomatic people through contact tracing and community surveillance.&nbsp;

Amid a spurt in COVID-19 cases, apex health research body ICMR has decided to conduct a study in 75 affected districts across the country to identify people who were exposed to the novel coronavirus infection and yet showed mild or no symptoms.

Amid a spurt in COVID-19 cases, apex health research body ICMR has decided to conduct a study in 75 affected districts across the country to identify people who were exposed to the novel coronavirus infection and yet showed mild or no symptoms. The study can help ascertain whether there has been community transmission of the respiratory disease in those areas or not, official sources said. The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 1,886 and the number of cases climbed to 56,342 on Friday registering an increase of 103 deaths and 3,390 cases in the last 24 hours since Thursday morning, according to Union health ministry data. "As a part of the study, people from red, orange and green zones in a district will be tested for COVID-19 at random to check whether they have developed antibodies against the infection even though they remained asymptomatic or showed mild symptoms. "The presence of antibody in them will establish that they were infected by the virus and were able to fight it off. They did not know they had contracted the disease as they had no symptoms," an official explained. The exercise will also help ascertain if there has been community spread of the disease, the official said. Community spread is a stage where the source of the infection cannot be traced. Scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) aim to begin the study at the earliest. Districts with high population and heavy inter-state movement of people will be selected for the study to represent the respective state, the sources said. According to a study, around 80 per cent of coronavirus infected people show mild or no symptoms of the illness. Officials said the study would have started earlier as it was planned to be conducted with the rapid antibody test kits brought from China. But after those test kits showed inaccurate results in some places, the study had to be postponed. "The quantum of sampling for the study is yet to be decided. The study will only make sense if it has a decent sample size," another official said. The modality of testing is yet to be decided, but according to sources, either an ELISA antibody test which is a kind of blood test or pool sampling with RT-PCR test could be used for the study, the official sources said. The ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test kits are awaiting ICMR's validation, which is expected soon, they said. The ELISA test is similar to rapid antibody tests as it looks for antibodies in the blood to ascertain if one has been infected with the coronavirus infection or not. A pooled testing algorithm involves the PCR screening of a specimen pool comprising multiple individual patient specimens, followed by individual testing only if a pool screens positive. At present, efforts are being made by the government to identify asymptomatic people through contact tracing and community surveillance.

ICMR to study prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 infected people to check for community spread

The novel coronavirus could kill as many as 1,90,000 people in Africa during the first year of the pandemic if containment measures fail, the World Health Organisation has warned.

The WHO on Thursday predicted that between 29 million to 44 million Africans could be infected in the first year of the pandemic.

Covid-19 likely will smoulder in transmission hotspots, Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, said in a statement.

As many as 5.5 million of the infected people could require hospital treatment. This number stands to overwhelm the medical capacity of most places on the continent.

A survey has earlier found an average of nine intensive care unit beds per 1 million people in 47 African countries.

The novel coronavirus could kill as many as 1,90,000 people in Africa during the first year of the pandemic if containment measures fail, the World Health Organisation has warned.

The novel coronavirus could kill as many as 1,90,000 people in Africa during the first year of the pandemic if containment measures fail, the World Health Organisation has warned. The WHO on Thursday predicted that between 29 million to 44 million Africans could be infected in the first year of the pandemic. Covid-19 likely will smoulder in transmission hotspots, Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, said in a statement. As many as 5.5 million of the infected people could require hospital treatment. This number stands to overwhelm the medical capacity of most places on the continent. A survey has earlier found an average of nine intensive care unit beds per 1 million people in 47 African countries.

Coronavirus could kill up to 1,90,000 people in Africa, says WHO

A record 1,764 new coronavirus cases were reported in Pakistan in one day, taking the total number of patients in the country to 25,837.

The Ministry of National Health Service said that 35 patients died in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 594.

As many as 7,530 people have so far recovered.

Punjab reported 10,033 patients, Sindh 9,093, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 3,956, Balochistan 1,725, Islamabad 558, Gilgit-Baltistan 394 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 78 patients, it said.

So far 257,247 tests have been conducted so far, including 11,993 in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the government on Thursday announced to start lifting lockdown from Saturday. It also said that the suspension of domestic flight operation will continue up to May 10. The earlier order was to expire on May 7.

The country will begin easing its nationwide lockdown in a phased manner by allowing various businesses to open up, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, citing the economic crisis due to the shutdown.

A record 1,764 new coronavirus cases were reported in Pakistan in one day, taking the total number of patients in the country to 25,837. The Ministry of National Health Service said that 35 patients died in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 594.

A record 1,764 new coronavirus cases were reported in Pakistan in one day, taking the total number of patients in the country to 25,837. The Ministry of National Health Service said that 35 patients died in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 594. As many as 7,530 people have so far recovered. Punjab reported 10,033 patients, Sindh 9,093, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 3,956, Balochistan 1,725, Islamabad 558, Gilgit-Baltistan 394 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 78 patients, it said. So far 257,247 tests have been conducted so far, including 11,993 in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the government on Thursday announced to start lifting lockdown from Saturday. It also said that the suspension of domestic flight operation will continue up to May 10. The earlier order was to expire on May 7. The country will begin easing its nationwide lockdown in a phased manner by allowing various businesses to open up, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, citing the economic crisis due to the shutdown.

Pakistan reports record 1,764 new cases in 24 hours; total death toll nears 600

An Air India repatriation flight from Singapore landed at the Delhi airport on Friday morning with 234 passengers.

The flight was part of the Vande Bharat mission which started on Thursday to bring back stranded Indian nationals home amid the novel coronavirus-induced lockdown.

The B-787 plane of Air India with 234 passengers landed at the Delhi airport around 11.45 am.

On Monday, the Indian government announced plans to begin a phased repatriation of its citizens stranded abroad due to the lockdown from May 7. The government also said that Air India will operate 64 flights from May 7 to May 13 to bring back around 15,000 Indian nationals stranded abroad amid the COVID-19-induced lockdown.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-mega-repatriation-plan-to-bring-back-stranded-citizens-begins-first-flight-to-reach-kerala-in-night-297183">Also read |&nbsp;India's mega repatriation plan to bring back stranded citizens begins; first flight to reach Kerala in night</a>

A total of 354 Indian nationals, including 11 pregnant women and a pair of twins, returned home on Thursday in the first two flights from the UAE to Kerala.

India imposed a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country, grounding all international flights since mid-March. Under the repatriation plan, the government facilitated the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner.

The aviation sector has been hit hard due to the suspension of all scheduled commercial passenger flights during the lockdown in the country which began on March 25.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-undertake-largest-repatriation-mission-to-bring-back-its-citizens-stranded-abroad-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-296652">Also read |&nbsp;India to undertake largest repatriation&nbsp;mission&nbsp;to bring back its citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19 pandemic</a>

An Air India repatriation flight from Singapore landed at the Delhi airport on Friday morning with 234 passengers. The flight was part of the Vande Bharat mission which started on Thursday to bring back stranded Indian nationals home amid the novel coronavirus-induced lockdown.

An Air India repatriation flight from Singapore landed at the Delhi airport on Friday morning with 234 passengers. The flight was part of the Vande Bharat mission which started on Thursday to bring back stranded Indian nationals home amid the novel coronavirus-induced lockdown. The B-787 plane of Air India with 234 passengers landed at the Delhi airport around 11.45 am. On Monday, the Indian government announced plans to begin a phased repatriation of its citizens stranded abroad due to the lockdown from May 7. The government also said that Air India will operate 64 flights from May 7 to May 13 to bring back around 15,000 Indian nationals stranded abroad amid the COVID-19-induced lockdown. Also read | India's mega repatriation plan to bring back stranded citizens begins; first flight to reach Kerala in night A total of 354 Indian nationals, including 11 pregnant women and a pair of twins, returned home on Thursday in the first two flights from the UAE to Kerala. India imposed a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country, grounding all international flights since mid-March. Under the repatriation plan, the government facilitated the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner. The aviation sector has been hit hard due to the suspension of all scheduled commercial passenger flights during the lockdown in the country which began on March 25. Also read | India to undertake largest repatriation mission to bring back its citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19 pandemic

Air India flight, part of Vande Bharat mission, from Singapore lands at Delhi with 234 passengers

Pangolins possess an evolutionary advantage against coronavirus, and researchers say that understanding their immune system may help develop new treatment options for COVID-19.

According to the scientists from the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, certain genes sense when a virus enters the body, and trigger an immune response in most mammals.

The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology.

It suggests that pangolins, which were believed to have carried the novel coronavirus from bats to humans, lack two of those virus-sensing genes.

The researchers believe that the finding is significant since pangolins can be carriers of coronavirus while they also seem to tolerate it via an unknown mechanism.

Understanding this evolutionary advantage may point to possible treatment options for coronavirus in humans.

In the study, the scientists analysed the genome sequence of pangolins and compared it to other mammals including humans, cats, dogs, and cattle.

In humans, coronavirus can cause an inflammatory immune response called a cytokine storm, which worsens outcomes.

While pharmaceutical suppression of gene signaling could be a possible treatment option for severe cases of COVID-19, Eckhart cautioned though that such a remedy could open the door to secondary infections.

According to Eckhart, this can be done by reducing the intensity or by changing the timing of the human body's defense reaction.

While the study identified genetic differences between pangolins and other mammals, the scientists said they did not investigate the impact of those differences on the antiviral response.

The scientists believe that the study offers a starting point to better understand the characteristics of the novel coronavirus, the body's response, and the best options for treatment.

(with inputs from PTI)

Pangolins possess an evolutionary advantage against coronavirus, and researchers say that understanding their immune system may help develop new treatment options for COVID-19.

Pangolins possess an evolutionary advantage against coronavirus, and researchers say that understanding their immune system may help develop new treatment options for COVID-19. According to the scientists from the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, certain genes sense when a virus enters the body, and trigger an immune response in most mammals. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology. It suggests that pangolins, which were believed to have carried the novel coronavirus from bats to humans, lack two of those virus-sensing genes. The researchers believe that the finding is significant since pangolins can be carriers of coronavirus while they also seem to tolerate it via an unknown mechanism. Understanding this evolutionary advantage may point to possible treatment options for coronavirus in humans. In the study, the scientists analysed the genome sequence of pangolins and compared it to other mammals including humans, cats, dogs, and cattle. In humans, coronavirus can cause an inflammatory immune response called a cytokine storm, which worsens outcomes. While pharmaceutical suppression of gene signaling could be a possible treatment option for severe cases of COVID-19, Eckhart cautioned though that such a remedy could open the door to secondary infections. According to Eckhart, this can be done by reducing the intensity or by changing the timing of the human body's defense reaction. While the study identified genetic differences between pangolins and other mammals, the scientists said they did not investigate the impact of those differences on the antiviral response. The scientists believe that the study offers a starting point to better understand the characteristics of the novel coronavirus, the body's response, and the best options for treatment. (with inputs from PTI)

Pangolins may possess evolutionary advantage against coronavirus, says study

The impact of the coronavirus outbreak will exacerbate the material slowdown in India's economic growth, with the country expected to see 0% expansion in the current fiscal year, analysts at Moody's said on Friday.

The ratings agency said it expected India to see no growth in financial year 2021 and bounce back to a 6.6% GDP growth in FY22, while the fiscal deficit is seen rising to 5.5% of GDP in FY21 versus the budgeted estimate of 3.5%.

The COVID-19 spread in the country has also "significantly reduced the prospects of a durable fiscal consolidation," it said in a report.

In November, Moody's cut the outlook on India's sovereign rating of Baa2 to "negative" from "stable" due to a slowdown in growth and had said it will monitor the country's debt levels closely.

Baa2 is the second-lowest investment grade score.

"Prolonged financial stress among rural households, weak job creation and, more recently, a credit crunch among non-bank financial institutions have increased the probability of a more entrenched weakening," the agency noted.

If nominal GDP growth does not return to high rates the government will face very significant constraints in narrowing the budget deficit and preventing a rise in the debt burden, Moody's said.

India has so far outlined a 1.7 trillion rupee ($22.53 billion) stimulus plan providing direct cash transfers and food security measures to give relief to millions of poor and a second package focussing on help for small and medium businesses is expected soon.

Moody's reiterated that the negative outlook indicates an upgrade is unlikely in the near term.

"We would be likely to change the rating outlook to stable if we saw a significant increase in the probability of fiscal metrics stabilizing and strengthening over time," it said.

It added that a downgrade of India's rating would likely occur "if we expected its fiscal metrics to weaken materially".

India's eight-week long lockdown, one of the world's most stringent, has helped contain the spread of the coronavirus, officials say, with the country having reported only 56,342 cases and 1,886 deaths, compared to the 3.86 million global infections.

"Lower growth and government revenue generation, coupled with coronavirus-related fiscal stimulus measures, will lead to higher government debt ratios, which we project to rise to around 81% of GDP over the next few years," Moody's said.

While the government remains committed to medium-term fiscal consolidation, material strengthening in India's public finances is likely to be limited near term and the debt burden will remain sensitive to changes in nominal GDP growth, it added.

The impact of the coronavirus outbreak will exacerbate the material slowdown in India's economic growth, with the country expected to see 0% expansion in the current fiscal year, analysts at Moody's said on Friday.

The impact of the coronavirus outbreak will exacerbate the material slowdown in India's economic growth, with the country expected to see 0% expansion in the current fiscal year, analysts at Moody's said on Friday. The ratings agency said it expected India to see no growth in financial year 2021 and bounce back to a 6.6% GDP growth in FY22, while the fiscal deficit is seen rising to 5.5% of GDP in FY21 versus the budgeted estimate of 3.5%. The COVID-19 spread in the country has also "significantly reduced the prospects of a durable fiscal consolidation," it said in a report. In November, Moody's cut the outlook on India's sovereign rating of Baa2 to "negative" from "stable" due to a slowdown in growth and had said it will monitor the country's debt levels closely. Baa2 is the second-lowest investment grade score. "Prolonged financial stress among rural households, weak job creation and, more recently, a credit crunch among non-bank financial institutions have increased the probability of a more entrenched weakening," the agency noted. If nominal GDP growth does not return to high rates the government will face very significant constraints in narrowing the budget deficit and preventing a rise in the debt burden, Moody's said. India has so far outlined a 1.7 trillion rupee ($22.53 billion) stimulus plan providing direct cash transfers and food security measures to give relief to millions of poor and a second package focussing on help for small and medium businesses is expected soon. Moody's reiterated that the negative outlook indicates an upgrade is unlikely in the near term. "We would be likely to change the rating outlook to stable if we saw a significant increase in the probability of fiscal metrics stabilizing and strengthening over time," it said. It added that a downgrade of India's rating would likely occur "if we expected its fiscal metrics to weaken materially". India's eight-week long lockdown, one of the world's most stringent, has helped contain the spread of the coronavirus, officials say, with the country having reported only 56,342 cases and 1,886 deaths, compared to the 3.86 million global infections. "Lower growth and government revenue generation, coupled with coronavirus-related fiscal stimulus measures, will lead to higher government debt ratios, which we project to rise to around 81% of GDP over the next few years," Moody's said. While the government remains committed to medium-term fiscal consolidation, material strengthening in India's public finances is likely to be limited near term and the debt burden will remain sensitive to changes in nominal GDP growth, it added.

India may see 0% GDP growth this fiscal year, says Moody's report

Chinese researchers who tested sperm of men infected with COVID-19 found that a minority of them had the new coronavirus in their semen, opening up a small chance the disease could be transmitted sexually, scientists said on Thursday.

A study by doctors at China`s Shangqiu Municipal Hospital of 38 men hospitalised with the disease found that six of them, or 16%, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in their semen.

The researchers said that while the findings were preliminary and based on only a small number of infected men, more research is needed to see whether sexual transmission might play a role in the spreading COVID-19 pandemic.

"Further studies are required with respect to the detailed information about virus shedding, survival time and concentration in semen," the team wrote in a study published in JAMA Network Open.

"If it could be proved that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted sexually ... (that) might be a critical part of the prevention," they said, "especially considering the fact that SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the semen of recovering patients."

Independent experts said the findings were interesting but should be viewed with caution and in the context of other small studies that have not found the new coronavirus in sperm.

A previous small study of 12 COVID-19 patients in China in February and March found that all of them tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples.

Allan Pacey, a professor of andrology at Britain`s Sheffield University, said the studies should not be seen as conclusive since there were some technical difficulties in testing semen for viruses. He said the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sperm did not show whether it is active and capable of causing infection.

"However, we should not be surprised if the virus which causes COVID-19 is found in the semen of some men since this has been shown with many other viruses such as Ebola and Zika," he said.

Sheena Lewis, a professor of reproductive medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, stressed that this was a "very small study" and said its findings were in keeping with other small studies showing low or no SARS-CoV-2 in tests of semen samples.

"However, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproduction are not yet known," she said.

Chinese researchers who tested sperm of men infected with COVID-19 found that a minority of them had the new coronavirus in their semen, opening up a small chance the disease could be transmitted sexually, scientists said on Thursday.

Chinese researchers who tested sperm of men infected with COVID-19 found that a minority of them had the new coronavirus in their semen, opening up a small chance the disease could be transmitted sexually, scientists said on Thursday. A study by doctors at China`s Shangqiu Municipal Hospital of 38 men hospitalised with the disease found that six of them, or 16%, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in their semen. The researchers said that while the findings were preliminary and based on only a small number of infected men, more research is needed to see whether sexual transmission might play a role in the spreading COVID-19 pandemic. "Further studies are required with respect to the detailed information about virus shedding, survival time and concentration in semen," the team wrote in a study published in JAMA Network Open. "If it could be proved that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted sexually ... (that) might be a critical part of the prevention," they said, "especially considering the fact that SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the semen of recovering patients." Independent experts said the findings were interesting but should be viewed with caution and in the context of other small studies that have not found the new coronavirus in sperm. A previous small study of 12 COVID-19 patients in China in February and March found that all of them tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples. Allan Pacey, a professor of andrology at Britain`s Sheffield University, said the studies should not be seen as conclusive since there were some technical difficulties in testing semen for viruses. He said the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sperm did not show whether it is active and capable of causing infection. "However, we should not be surprised if the virus which causes COVID-19 is found in the semen of some men since this has been shown with many other viruses such as Ebola and Zika," he said. Sheena Lewis, a professor of reproductive medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, stressed that this was a "very small study" and said its findings were in keeping with other small studies showing low or no SARS-CoV-2 in tests of semen samples. "However, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproduction are not yet known," she said.

Sperm containing virus raises the risk of COVID-19 spread via sex: Study

A woman in the United States has been arrested on suspicion of shooting a fast-food worker and injuring others after she was told to leave a McDonald's restaurant.

Gloricia Woody had entered the restaurant in the Oklahoma city despite the dining area being closed because of coronavirus restrictions. When employees asked her to leave, she refused and got into a scuffle with one of them.

The employees eventually forced her outside, but she re-entered the restaurant with a handgun and fired about three rounds.

One worker was shot in the arm, and one suffered a head injury.

Three were taken to a hospital; none of the injures was life-threatening, police said.

Woody was later arrested.

There have been other incidents too of this nature in the country.

In Michigan, a man had wiped his nose on a Dollar Tree worker's shirt after the employee told him he needed to wear a mask.

A woman in the United States has been arrested on suspicion of shooting a fast-food worker and injuring others after she was told to leave a McDonald's restaurant.

A woman in the United States has been arrested on suspicion of shooting a fast-food worker and injuring others after she was told to leave a McDonald's restaurant. Gloricia Woody had entered the restaurant in the Oklahoma city despite the dining area being closed because of coronavirus restrictions. When employees asked her to leave, she refused and got into a scuffle with one of them. The employees eventually forced her outside, but she re-entered the restaurant with a handgun and fired about three rounds. One worker was shot in the arm, and one suffered a head injury. Three were taken to a hospital; none of the injures was life-threatening, police said. Woody was later arrested. There have been other incidents too of this nature in the country. In Michigan, a man had wiped his nose on a Dollar Tree worker's shirt after the employee told him he needed to wear a mask.

Customer shoots McDonald's employee after being told to leave due to coronavirus restrictions

Nearly a fifth of young children in the United States are not getting enough to eat since the coronavirus pandemic erupted, according to research out Wednesday highlighting the broader health impact of the crisis.

Study: Nearly one out of five children in US left hungry since COVID-19 crisis

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (May 6) said Russia should not rush to lift coronavirus-related restrictions, warning that any haste in removing preventative measures could undo their work so far.

Russian President Putin warns against lifting coronavirus-related restrictions

Air India has announced that it will resume bookings for evacuation flights for people who wish to travel to London, Singapore and select destinations in the US.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyAI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyAI</a> : Important Update for passengers regarding evacuation flights from India. Please visit <a href="https://t.co/FOAixDQ0Qo">https://t.co/FOAixDQ0Qo</a> for details. <a href="https://t.co/O23kcKLVlU">pic.twitter.com/O23kcKLVlU</a>
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The flights will operate from May 08 to May 14. These flights are specifically for people who are stranded and wish to be evacuated. These outgoing flights will have certain rules in place.

Air India will only be allowing the eligible passengers to board the flight. The eligibility will depend on the nationality status with respect to the destination countries, i.e., the passenger should either hold a green card/permanent residency or a one-year valid visa.

The passengers will have to go through thermal screening, compulsorily wear face masks and follow all protocols of social distancing at all times.

The entire cost of the travel will be borne by the passenger. In addition to this, if the passenger is quarantined or deported, he/she will have to bear the entire cost for that too.

The bookings can be made through Air India's official website.

Air India has announced that it will resume bookings for evacuation flights for people who wish to travel to London, Singapore and select destinations in the US.

Air India has announced that it will resume bookings for evacuation flights for people who wish to travel to London, Singapore and select destinations in the US. #FlyAI : Important Update for passengers regarding evacuation flights from India. Please visit https://t.co/FOAixDQ0Qo for details. pic.twitter.com/O23kcKLVlU — Air India (@airindiain) May 6, 2020 × The flights will operate from May 08 to May 14. These flights are specifically for people who are stranded and wish to be evacuated. These outgoing flights will have certain rules in place. Air India will only be allowing the eligible passengers to board the flight. The eligibility will depend on the nationality status with respect to the destination countries, i.e., the passenger should either hold a green card/permanent residency or a one-year valid visa. The passengers will have to go through thermal screening, compulsorily wear face masks and follow all protocols of social distancing at all times. The entire cost of the travel will be borne by the passenger. In addition to this, if the passenger is quarantined or deported, he/she will have to bear the entire cost for that too. The bookings can be made through Air India's official website.

Air India starts bookings for London, Singapore and the US

As COVID-19 pandemic hits supply and demand in the world, the US private employers laid off a record 20.236 million workers in April. Watch this video to know more.

US: 20.2 million private sectors workers laid off in April

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday renewed his aggressive criticism of China, blaming it for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people from the coronavirus and demanding again that it share information about the outbreak.

Mike Pompeo: China could have prevented thousands of deaths

A journalist should never become the story. One of the first rules you're taught in journalism but times have changed and sometimes, rules must too.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-china-censors-european-unions-friendship-letter-297279">Also Read:&nbsp;Now, China censors European Union's 'friendship letter'</a>

In today's times shooting the messenger is fashionable. So, invariably, journalists end up becoming part of the story that they document.&nbsp;

It has been happening to WION since we started exposing China's lies. It happened again on Wednesday night. It is about Wondfo Biotech which is a Chinese company.

A company that supplied rapid antibody test kits to India. India found that the testing kits were faulty. So orders were cancelled and licenses were revoked. Wondfo Biotech also lost its import license for India. The story should have ended there.

But the Chinese didn't let it end. Wondfo biotech and the government of China are in no mood to put the matter to rest. So Wondfo biotech issued a statement. The company has singled out WION with our name and pictures and the press release was emailed by the Chinese embassy which is peculiar. Why should the embassy be sending press releases of a company?

The press release is four pages long. It bears the stamp of the company. It begins with denial, followed by a long list of articles and links. These are international media reports about Wondfo Biotech. Almost all reports say that Wondfo's testing kits work but, the last page is different.

It features a clip from Gravitas. A story from our broadcast on April 21 which was the day when the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) had asked Indian states to stop using the Chinese test kit.&nbsp;

WION had reported the story in detail with facts. Now Wondfo says we got it wrong. We welcome the feedback but they say nothing about our reportage.

They&nbsp;mention one particular video clip. A file shot of coronavirus testing in India. Wondfo says the right procedure of blood collection wasn't followed by the medical worker. At least that is what we understood from their statement.

It says: "Users are supposed to collect specific blood samples with Wondfo made capillary straws". The fact is that our report in April had nothing to do with that!

Our story was how Chinese testing kits turned out to be faulty and we stand by it. On Gravitas, we have reported extensively on how different countries have complained about Chinese coronavirus supplies.

India's story is no different. India reportedly procured five lakh rapid testing kits from two Chinese companies - Wondfo Biotech and Livzon Diagnostics.

ICMR, the agency leading India's coronavirus response wanted to use these kits to check the trend but, they found that the kits are not working. In the state of Rajasthan, only 5.4 per cent of the results were accurate. In other words, more than 94 per cent were inaccurate.

Wondfo biotech says their kits worked in the United States and the United Kingdom. It didn't work in&nbsp;India, so, India stopped using Chinese testing kits.

The import license issued to Wondfo was revoked. India had not paid for the kits, the government just cancelled the entire order.

Neither the Chinese companies nor the Chinese government has accepted India's assessment. The Chinese embassy in New Delhi issued a statement.

It said labeling Chinese products "faulty" is unfair and irresponsible. China says this is preemptive prejudice. Now, here's something interesting to note. As far as we know, Wondfo Biotech is a private company.

The Chinese embassy has been emailing and tweeting Wondfo's press releases which is strange. Most governments, most embassies, anywhere in the world, do not push the agenda of private companies.

But Chinese embassies have been at the forefront of fighting PR battles for private Chinese firms. What does this tell you? the line between private and government is blurred.

As for their defence and complaints, China has mastered how to play the victim card, while being the perpetrator. Question them, and they call you racist. Cancel orders, and they cry pre-emptive prejudice.

The fact is, it's not just India, which has complained, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Finland and the United Kingdom also got faulty Chinese test kits.

The Netherlands recalled 600 thousand face masks purchased from China. They were N95 masks that did not fit properly and their filters didn't work.

Faulty kits are worse than no testing kits. Why should India use something that does not work? and also pay for it?

As for the Chinese companies best case scenario - this is a textbook case of a PR disaster &nbsp;- supplying a faulty product and then blaming the costumer.

The worst-case scenario backed by their government, and they targeting the media in a foreign land for exposing them. Their tactics, like their kits are sub-standard.

A journalist should never become the story. One of the first rules you're taught in journalism but times have changed and sometimes, rules must too. Also Read: Now, China censors European Union's 'friendship letter' In today's times shooting the messenger is fashionable.

A journalist should never become the story. One of the first rules you're taught in journalism but times have changed and sometimes, rules must too. Also Read: Now, China censors European Union's 'friendship letter' In today's times shooting the messenger is fashionable. So, invariably, journalists end up becoming part of the story that they document. It has been happening to WION since we started exposing China's lies. It happened again on Wednesday night. It is about Wondfo Biotech which is a Chinese company. A company that supplied rapid antibody test kits to India. India found that the testing kits were faulty. So orders were cancelled and licenses were revoked. Wondfo Biotech also lost its import license for India. The story should have ended there. But the Chinese didn't let it end. Wondfo biotech and the government of China are in no mood to put the matter to rest. So Wondfo biotech issued a statement. The company has singled out WION with our name and pictures and the press release was emailed by the Chinese embassy which is peculiar. Why should the embassy be sending press releases of a company? The press release is four pages long. It bears the stamp of the company. It begins with denial, followed by a long list of articles and links. These are international media reports about Wondfo Biotech. Almost all reports say that Wondfo's testing kits work but, the last page is different. It features a clip from Gravitas. A story from our broadcast on April 21 which was the day when the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) had asked Indian states to stop using the Chinese test kit. WION had reported the story in detail with facts. Now Wondfo says we got it wrong. We welcome the feedback but they say nothing about our reportage. They mention one particular video clip. A file shot of coronavirus testing in India. Wondfo says the right procedure of blood collection wasn't followed by the medical worker. At least that is what we understood from their statement. It says: "Users are supposed to collect specific blood samples with Wondfo made capillary straws". The fact is that our report in April had nothing to do with that! Our story was how Chinese testing kits turned out to be faulty and we stand by it. On Gravitas, we have reported extensively on how different countries have complained about Chinese coronavirus supplies. India's story is no different. India reportedly procured five lakh rapid testing kits from two Chinese companies - Wondfo Biotech and Livzon Diagnostics. ICMR, the agency leading India's coronavirus response wanted to use these kits to check the trend but, they found that the kits are not working. In the state of Rajasthan, only 5.4 per cent of the results were accurate. In other words, more than 94 per cent were inaccurate. Wondfo biotech says their kits worked in the United States and the United Kingdom. It didn't work in India, so, India stopped using Chinese testing kits. The import license issued to Wondfo was revoked. India had not paid for the kits, the government just cancelled the entire order. Neither the Chinese companies nor the Chinese government has accepted India's assessment. The Chinese embassy in New Delhi issued a statement. It said labeling Chinese products "faulty" is unfair and irresponsible. China says this is preemptive prejudice. Now, here's something interesting to note. As far as we know, Wondfo Biotech is a private company. The Chinese embassy has been emailing and tweeting Wondfo's press releases which is strange. Most governments, most embassies, anywhere in the world, do not push the agenda of private companies. But Chinese embassies have been at the forefront of fighting PR battles for private Chinese firms. What does this tell you? the line between private and government is blurred. As for their defence and complaints, China has mastered how to play the victim card, while being the perpetrator. Question them, and they call you racist. Cancel orders, and they cry pre-emptive prejudice. The fact is, it's not just India, which has complained, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Finland and the United Kingdom also got faulty Chinese test kits. The Netherlands recalled 600 thousand face masks purchased from China. They were N95 masks that did not fit properly and their filters didn't work. Faulty kits are worse than no testing kits. Why should India use something that does not work? and also pay for it? As for the Chinese companies best case scenario - this is a textbook case of a PR disaster - supplying a faulty product and then blaming the costumer. The worst-case scenario backed by their government, and they targeting the media in a foreign land for exposing them. Their tactics, like their kits are sub-standard.

China's Wondfo Biotech targets WION after producing faulty testing kits

Super rich have not forgone luxury even during time of COVID-19 pandemic. Watch this video to know more.

Thailand: Super rich have not forgone luxury in times of pandemic

Helmets are a common sight in Rome, worn by the thousands of vespa riders whizzing around the ancient city. But now you’ll see them inside the main international airport too. Fiumicino is now the first in Europe to use ‘smart helmets’ to check the temperature of travellers.

Robocop-style helmets help Rome airport check passenger temperatures from a distance

US President Donald Trump has described the coronavirus pandemic as the "worst attack" ever on the United States. Renewing his criticism of China on Wednesday over the global coronavirus pandemic and said it has been worse for the United States than Pearl Harbor and 9/11.

Donald Trump: Coronavirus pandemic 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11

97-year-old Russian World War Two veteran has taken inspiration from the charity efforts of British centenarian Captain Tom Moore and raised $29,274 dollors for the families of doctors who died of COVID-19.

British Captain Tom Moore inspires Russia's war veteran

A young boy chooses a nurse as the superhero he wants to play with over Batman and Spiderman in a new artwork by Banksy that encapsulates the gratitude Britons have felt toward the country's National Health Service during the coronavirus crisis.

Artist Banksy pays tribute to Britain's NHS staff in latest piece

Female athletes in Iran are determined to carry on training and keeping fit despite the restrictions imposed by anti-coronavirus measures. Life for female athletes in the strict Muslim nation was already complicated by the regulations on clothing and the virus outbreak added to their problems.

Iran's sportswomen fight to keep fit despite coronavirus curbs

Indigenous groups from nine countries in the Amazon basin called on Wednesday (May 6) for donations to help protect 3 million rainforest inhabitants who are vulnerable to the spread of the novel coronavirus because they lack adequate access to healthcare.

Amazon indigenous groups launch international fund to fight coronavirus

An Islamic course in Indonesia that usually runs during Ramadan has moved online this year due to social distancing measures designed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Islamic Ramadan school switches to virtual classroom in Indonesia

Resident of Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca neighborhood were treated to live music Wednesday (May 06) when members of the municipal guard band brought out their instruments for play for locals under lockdown.

'Happiness for the people' - Rio band plays tunes for residents under lockdown

Uber Technologies Inc will cut about 3,700 full-time jobs and Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi will forgo his base salary for the remainder of the year, the company said on Wednesday.

COVID-19 pandemic has hit ride-hailing firms, Uber to cut 3,700 jobs

Watch today in 'WION In Focus': Some stories related to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

WION In Focus: Some stories related to coronavirus pandemic | COVID-19 | Coronavirus News

China reported a surge in exports and a plunge in imports after restrictions imposed on movement to contain the novel coronavirus. Exports rose 3.5 per cent whereas imports fell 14.2 per cent in the same period according to data.

China’s April export rose and imports plunged amid COVID-19 pandemic

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December, 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan.&nbsp;

The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January.

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples.

A French hospital which retested old samples from pneumonia patients discovered that it treated a man who had COVID-19 as early as December 27, nearly a month before the&nbsp;government confirmed its first cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-covid-19-timeline-shifts-weeks-earlier-in-wake-of-new-evidence-296722">Also read | France COVID-19 timeline shifts weeks earlier in wake of new evidence</a>

There is not currently any suggestion that the virus emerged from anywhere other than Wuhan, China. It is thought that, instead, the French case was somehow connected to a person who travelled from there in December before the virus had been identified or reported by China, the WHO spokesman said.

However, the French patient, a fishmonger, is not thought to have a direct link to China or a history of recent travel and experts say the French case requires more investigation.

Lindmeier encouraged other countries to check records for pneumonia cases of unspecified origin in late 2019, since this would give a “new and clearer picture” of the outbreak.

This has come in the wake of a new genetic analysis of the novel coronavirus that shows it has been circulating in people since late last year, and must have spread extremely quickly after the first infection.

The samples were taken from more than 7,600 patients around the world.

Researchers at the University College London Genetics, Britain also looked at mutations in the virus and found evidence of quick spread, but no evidence the virus is becoming more easily transmitted or more likely to cause serious disease.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-analysis-dispels-theory-that-said-covid-19-was-in-circulation-long-before-dec-19-296906">Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19</a>

They said the findings indicate that the virus first started infecting people at the end of last year, ruling out any scenario that assumes SARSCoV-2 may have been in circulation long before it was identified, and hence have already infected large proportions of the population.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says his country has evidence that the new coronavirus emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan, although scientists have advised the WHO that it is of animal origin.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December, 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December, 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan. The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples. A French hospital which retested old samples from pneumonia patients discovered that it treated a man who had COVID-19 as early as December 27, nearly a month before the government confirmed its first cases. Also read | France COVID-19 timeline shifts weeks earlier in wake of new evidence There is not currently any suggestion that the virus emerged from anywhere other than Wuhan, China. It is thought that, instead, the French case was somehow connected to a person who travelled from there in December before the virus had been identified or reported by China, the WHO spokesman said. However, the French patient, a fishmonger, is not thought to have a direct link to China or a history of recent travel and experts say the French case requires more investigation. Lindmeier encouraged other countries to check records for pneumonia cases of unspecified origin in late 2019, since this would give a “new and clearer picture” of the outbreak. This has come in the wake of a new genetic analysis of the novel coronavirus that shows it has been circulating in people since late last year, and must have spread extremely quickly after the first infection. The samples were taken from more than 7,600 patients around the world. Researchers at the University College London Genetics, Britain also looked at mutations in the virus and found evidence of quick spread, but no evidence the virus is becoming more easily transmitted or more likely to cause serious disease. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 They said the findings indicate that the virus first started infecting people at the end of last year, ruling out any scenario that assumes SARSCoV-2 may have been in circulation long before it was identified, and hence have already infected large proportions of the population. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says his country has evidence that the new coronavirus emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan, although scientists have advised the WHO that it is of animal origin. (with inputs from Reuters)

WHO urges countries to retest old samples, investigate early suspicious COVID-19 cases

The Islamic holy month of Ramzan (also known as Ramadan) is just a couple of days away. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is dedicated to fasting (Sawm) and is meant for attaining spiritual wisdom and reward called Thawab.

Ramzan in the times of Coronavirus

Vietnam appreciates the "enormity and scale of action taken in India to enforce social distancing through the lockdown to contain the spread of novel coronavirus," says Indian envoy to Vietnam Pranay Verma. In an exclusive conversation from Hanoi with WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he said both India and Vietnam have shared best practices on dealing with the crisis.

WION exclusive conversation with Indian Envoy to Vietnam

South Korea has reported only two fresh cases of the new coronavirus as its outbreak continues to slow down.

The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said the tally stood at 10,806 infections and 255 deaths.

Both new cases were detected during screening at airports and that no fresh local transmissions were reported from South Korean cities and towns.

The imported cases have declined in recent weeks as authorities stepped up border controls, such as imposing two-day quarantines on all passengers arriving from abroad.

South Korean authorities also have relaxed social distancing guidelines and are preparing to reopen school. South Korea's professional baseball league began its new season without fans in the stands on Tuesday.

South Korea has reported only two fresh cases of the new coronavirus as its outbreak continues to slow down. The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said the tally stood at 10,806 infections and 255 deaths.

South Korea has reported only two fresh cases of the new coronavirus as its outbreak continues to slow down. The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said the tally stood at 10,806 infections and 255 deaths. Both new cases were detected during screening at airports and that no fresh local transmissions were reported from South Korean cities and towns. The imported cases have declined in recent weeks as authorities stepped up border controls, such as imposing two-day quarantines on all passengers arriving from abroad. South Korean authorities also have relaxed social distancing guidelines and are preparing to reopen school. South Korea's professional baseball league began its new season without fans in the stands on Tuesday.

South Korea reports only two new coronavirus cases

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