A new study has warned that countries wanting to lift lockdown restrictions should maintain movement control measures until a vaccine against the coronavirus is discovered.

The study was based on China’s trajectory of the coronavirus pandemic.

China entered its lockdown on January 23, after the outbreak began spreading rapidly from Wuhan. Restrictions in several Chinese provinces were gradually relaxed since February 17. The lockdown in Wuhan ended on Wednesday.

Researchers in Hong Kong said the potential for a second wave of COVID-19 -- a disease caused by coronavirus -- infections could increase “exponentially” if measures are relaxed too quickly and governments become complacent.

The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, used a model based on COVID-19 reproduction data from 10 Chinese provinces with the highest number of confirmed cases.

Furthermore, restrictions on daily life in China had been effective in reducing the number of coronavirus infections. But as soon as the Chinese government began to lift measures, a second wave of infections became apparent.

The researchers said their findings were critical for countries in the early stages of a similar lockdown. The UK is entering its fourth week of lockdown, with all but key workers advised to stay and work from home wherever possible and most shops shut down. India was scheduled to lift restriction on April 14 -- which is still subject to discussions.

The only limitations in the study are that the estimated reproductive numbers were based on the reported number of positive coronavirus cases, and that time and dates of symptom onset were not available for some provinces.

 
&nbsp;

A new study has warned that countries wanting to lift lockdown restrictions should maintain movement control measures until a vaccine against the coronavirus is discovered.

A new study has warned that countries wanting to lift lockdown restrictions should maintain movement control measures until a vaccine against the coronavirus is discovered. The study was based on China’s trajectory of the coronavirus pandemic. China entered its lockdown on January 23, after the outbreak began spreading rapidly from Wuhan. Restrictions in several Chinese provinces were gradually relaxed since February 17. The lockdown in Wuhan ended on Wednesday. Researchers in Hong Kong said the potential for a second wave of COVID-19 -- a disease caused by coronavirus -- infections could increase “exponentially” if measures are relaxed too quickly and governments become complacent. The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, used a model based on COVID-19 reproduction data from 10 Chinese provinces with the highest number of confirmed cases. Furthermore, restrictions on daily life in China had been effective in reducing the number of coronavirus infections. But as soon as the Chinese government began to lift measures, a second wave of infections became apparent. The researchers said their findings were critical for countries in the early stages of a similar lockdown. The UK is entering its fourth week of lockdown, with all but key workers advised to stay and work from home wherever possible and most shops shut down. India was scheduled to lift restriction on April 14 -- which is still subject to discussions. The only limitations in the study are that the estimated reproductive numbers were based on the reported number of positive coronavirus cases, and that time and dates of symptom onset were not available for some provinces.

Lockdowns shouldn't end until COVID-19 vaccine is found, says study

After making accurate predictions about the coronavirus pandemic in the past, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has made another&nbsp;prediction that has garnered a lot of attention.

The 64-year-old business magnate has said that ''10&nbsp;of about 100 vaccines under development ‘are very promising.''

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-15-million-cases-of-coronavirus-registered-across-192-countries-291490" hreflang="en">Over 1.5 million cases of coronavirus registered across 192 countries</a>

According to him, one of these 10 vaccines, called Moderna-NIAID, went into its first phase of human trials on March 16, and others will start testing within the next month.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-covid-19-can-push-half-a-billion-people-into-poverty-291463" hreflang="en">How COVID-19 can push half a billion people into poverty?</a>

Gates also said that the vaccine development efforts his foundation is funding will move at ''full speed''&nbsp;and the manufacturing capacities for all of the most promising ones under development immediately even though few of the candidates will prove to be effective.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-4-lakh-infected-with-coronavirus-in-us-report-291455" hreflang="en">Over 4 lakh infected with coronavirus in US: Report</a>

He said the&nbsp;world will not experience another pandemic like COVID-19 as it will be able to contain future human pathogens before they reach the “global, tragic scale” of the current one.

Gates had previously warned&nbsp;the world five years ago about a coming pandemic.

However, he went ahead and added that&nbsp;that ''an effective Covid-19 vaccine is not likely until somewhere around September 2021, and the US will not be able to ease up on social distancing measures that have shut broad swathes of its economy until the end of May this year without risking a resurgence in cases.''

After making accurate predictions about the coronavirus pandemic in the past, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has made another prediction that has garnered a lot of attention.

After making accurate predictions about the coronavirus pandemic in the past, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has made another prediction that has garnered a lot of attention. The 64-year-old business magnate has said that ''10 of about 100 vaccines under development ‘are very promising.'' Also read: Over 1.5 million cases of coronavirus registered across 192 countries According to him, one of these 10 vaccines, called Moderna-NIAID, went into its first phase of human trials on March 16, and others will start testing within the next month. Also read: How COVID-19 can push half a billion people into poverty? Gates also said that the vaccine development efforts his foundation is funding will move at ''full speed'' and the manufacturing capacities for all of the most promising ones under development immediately even though few of the candidates will prove to be effective. Also read: Over 4 lakh infected with coronavirus in US: Report He said the world will not experience another pandemic like COVID-19 as it will be able to contain future human pathogens before they reach the “global, tragic scale” of the current one. Gates had previously warned the world five years ago about a coming pandemic. However, he went ahead and added that that ''an effective Covid-19 vaccine is not likely until somewhere around September 2021, and the US will not be able to ease up on social distancing measures that have shut broad swathes of its economy until the end of May this year without risking a resurgence in cases.''

'Very promising vaccines' for coronavirus pandemic under development: Bill Gates

A three-man crew successfully blasted off for the International Space Station (ISS), leaving behind a coronavirus-stricken planet.&nbsp;

Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner of Russia's Roscosmos space agency and NASA's Chris Cassidy left the earth at 08:05 GMT from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday.

COVID-19 has caused changes to pre-launch protocol, as the departing crew would not face questions from the press. The crew did, however, respond to emailed questions from journalists in a Wednesday press conference.

Cassidy admitted the crew had been affected by their families not being unable to be in Baikonur for their blastoff to the ISS. "But we understand that the whole world is also impacted by the same crisis," Cassidy told AFP.

The quarantine process for the astronauts began earlier than usual last month as the trio and their reserve crew hunkered down in Russia's Star City training centre outside Moscow.

NASA has not yet confirmed travel plans for Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir, who will be departing the ISS along with Skripochka on April 17.

The ISS typically carries up to six people at a time and has a livable space of 388 cubic metres (13,700 cubic feet) -- quite enviable for people on earth, currently overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The International Space Station has been orbiting Earth at about 28,000 kilometres per hour (17,000 miles per hour) since 1998.

A three-man crew successfully blasted off for the International Space Station (ISS), leaving behind a coronavirus-stricken planet. Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner of Russia's Roscosmos space agency and NASA's Chris Cassidy left the earth at 08:05 GMT from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday.

A three-man crew successfully blasted off for the International Space Station (ISS), leaving behind a coronavirus-stricken planet. Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner of Russia's Roscosmos space agency and NASA's Chris Cassidy left the earth at 08:05 GMT from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday. COVID-19 has caused changes to pre-launch protocol, as the departing crew would not face questions from the press. The crew did, however, respond to emailed questions from journalists in a Wednesday press conference. Cassidy admitted the crew had been affected by their families not being unable to be in Baikonur for their blastoff to the ISS. "But we understand that the whole world is also impacted by the same crisis," Cassidy told AFP. The quarantine process for the astronauts began earlier than usual last month as the trio and their reserve crew hunkered down in Russia's Star City training centre outside Moscow. NASA has not yet confirmed travel plans for Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir, who will be departing the ISS along with Skripochka on April 17. The ISS typically carries up to six people at a time and has a livable space of 388 cubic metres (13,700 cubic feet) -- quite enviable for people on earth, currently overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic. The International Space Station has been orbiting Earth at about 28,000 kilometres per hour (17,000 miles per hour) since 1998.

Three-man crew blasts off for ISS, leaving behind a coronavirus-stricken planet

Initiatives taken by global icons to combat coronavirus pandemic

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the export of raw materials to Brazil for production of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, cited by many as a viable therapeutic solution to fight coronavirus infection. 
In an address to the nation on Wednesday, Bolsonaro said Brazil will receive ingredients from India for the production of hydroxychloroquine on Saturday.

"We have more good news. As an outcome of my direct conversation with Prime Minister of India, we will receive, by Saturday, raw materials to continue our production of hydroxychloroquine so that we can treat patients of COVID-19 as well as of lupus, malaria, and arthritis," he said.

"I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for such timely help to the people of Brazil," the Brazilian leader said. 
Parts of the transcript of his speech were made available by a diplomat from the Latin American country.

Modi and Bolsonaro had a telephonic conversation on April 4 during which the Brazilian leader requested Modi to allow export of the drug as well as raw materials for its production in Brazil.

Separately, in a letter to Modi on Tuesday, Bolsonaro mentioned that two Brazilian laboratories, EMS and Apsen, have been importing raw materials from India for several years to produce hydroxychloroquine and that Brazil's internal supply of the drug depends on its production by the two firms.

Bolsonaro requested Modi to ensure that Brazil gets the supply of the raw material ordered prior to the imposition of the ban on hydroxychloroquine.

On March 25, India banned export of hydroxychloroquine in the midst of views in some quarters that the drug could be used to fight COVID-19. India is the largest exporter of the drug. The ban was partially lifted on Tuesday.

In the letter to Modi, the Brazilian leader invoked ancient Indian epic, Ramayana, mentioning the story of how Lord Hanuman brought a holy medicine from the Himalayas to save the life of Laxmana.

Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, has recorded close to 14,000 coronavirus cases and over 660 deaths due to the infection. Globally, the virus has killed over 75,000 people and infected more than 13 lakh.

Bolsonaro said Brazil hoped that the use of hydroxychloroquine would help in the treatment of coronavirus-infected people in his country.

"Like many other countries, Brazil places hope in the use of hydroxychloroquine as an effective means to treat patients who have contracted COVID-19," the Brazilian leader wrote in the letter.

He also referred to the partnership between the two countries in the pharmaceutical sector, adding that leading Brazilian pharmaceutical laboratories have a "solid and long" partnership with Indian laboratories.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the export of raw materials to Brazil for production of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, cited by many as a viable therapeutic solution to fight coronavirus infection.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the export of raw materials to Brazil for production of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, cited by many as a viable therapeutic solution to fight coronavirus infection. In an address to the nation on Wednesday, Bolsonaro said Brazil will receive ingredients from India for the production of hydroxychloroquine on Saturday. "We have more good news. As an outcome of my direct conversation with Prime Minister of India, we will receive, by Saturday, raw materials to continue our production of hydroxychloroquine so that we can treat patients of COVID-19 as well as of lupus, malaria, and arthritis," he said. "I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for such timely help to the people of Brazil," the Brazilian leader said. Parts of the transcript of his speech were made available by a diplomat from the Latin American country. Modi and Bolsonaro had a telephonic conversation on April 4 during which the Brazilian leader requested Modi to allow export of the drug as well as raw materials for its production in Brazil. Separately, in a letter to Modi on Tuesday, Bolsonaro mentioned that two Brazilian laboratories, EMS and Apsen, have been importing raw materials from India for several years to produce hydroxychloroquine and that Brazil's internal supply of the drug depends on its production by the two firms. Bolsonaro requested Modi to ensure that Brazil gets the supply of the raw material ordered prior to the imposition of the ban on hydroxychloroquine. On March 25, India banned export of hydroxychloroquine in the midst of views in some quarters that the drug could be used to fight COVID-19. India is the largest exporter of the drug. The ban was partially lifted on Tuesday. In the letter to Modi, the Brazilian leader invoked ancient Indian epic, Ramayana, mentioning the story of how Lord Hanuman brought a holy medicine from the Himalayas to save the life of Laxmana. Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, has recorded close to 14,000 coronavirus cases and over 660 deaths due to the infection. Globally, the virus has killed over 75,000 people and infected more than 13 lakh. Bolsonaro said Brazil hoped that the use of hydroxychloroquine would help in the treatment of coronavirus-infected people in his country. "Like many other countries, Brazil places hope in the use of hydroxychloroquine as an effective means to treat patients who have contracted COVID-19," the Brazilian leader wrote in the letter. He also referred to the partnership between the two countries in the pharmaceutical sector, adding that leading Brazilian pharmaceutical laboratories have a "solid and long" partnership with Indian laboratories.

Brazil president thanks PM Modi for allowing export of raw material to produce HCQ

Tablighi Jamaat is facing criticism in Pakistan for organising its annual mass assembly at Raiwind Markaz last month in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus.

According to a Dawn report, the Jamaat organised its annual mass assembly despite strong opposition by the Punjab province government.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-pak-minorities-face-discrimination-at-the-hands-of-authorities-291369" hreflang="en">COVID-19: Pak minorities face discrimination at the hands of authorities</a>

The outlet citing a report by the Punjab Special Branch, stated that around 70,000-80,000 members of the organisation gathered to participate in a congregation on March 10.

The Jamaat`s management are claiming that over 2,50,000 people participated in its annual event.The congregation was also attended by 3000 people who had arrived from 40 countries and who could not go back because Pakistan halted all international flights due to worsening pandemic situation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/south-east-asia-needs-19-million-more-nurses-midwives-who-291314" hreflang="en">South-East Asia needs 1.9 million more nurses, midwives: WHO</a>

The Jamaat has been criticized in India and Malaysia after several of its members tested positive for the coronavirus leading to a surge in a number of cases.

So far, Pakistan has reported 4196 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus and 60 deaths in the country have been linked to the deadly infection.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-police-arrest-doctors-in-quetta-during-protest-against-lack-of-ppes-291462" hreflang="en">Pakistan police arrest doctors in Quetta during protest against lack of PPEs</a>

The virus had already adversely affected several countries when its spread began to show presence in Pakistan last month.

The Dawn reported that Raiwind city with a population of around two lakh has been completely locked down after several hundred members of Jamaat tested positive.Around 10,263 people who attended the gathering last month have been quarantined in 36 districts of Punjab with the search on for thousands of other participants.

Of the 539 members of the Tableeghi Jamaat who tested positive for the virus so far, the highest number of cases has been reported from Raiwind Markaz -- 404.

As the Jamaat continued to ignore the instructions, authorities engaged the top administration officials of the organisation and after several meetings, the six-day event was cut short to three days. 
&nbsp;

Tablighi Jamaat is facing criticism in Pakistan for organising its annual mass assembly at Raiwind Markaz last month in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus. According to a Dawn report, the Jamaat organised its annual mass assembly despite strong opposition by the Punjab province government.

Tablighi Jamaat is facing criticism in Pakistan for organising its annual mass assembly at Raiwind Markaz last month in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus. According to a Dawn report, the Jamaat organised its annual mass assembly despite strong opposition by the Punjab province government. Also read: COVID-19: Pak minorities face discrimination at the hands of authorities The outlet citing a report by the Punjab Special Branch, stated that around 70,000-80,000 members of the organisation gathered to participate in a congregation on March 10. The Jamaat`s management are claiming that over 2,50,000 people participated in its annual event.The congregation was also attended by 3000 people who had arrived from 40 countries and who could not go back because Pakistan halted all international flights due to worsening pandemic situation. Also read: South-East Asia needs 1.9 million more nurses, midwives: WHO The Jamaat has been criticized in India and Malaysia after several of its members tested positive for the coronavirus leading to a surge in a number of cases. So far, Pakistan has reported 4196 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus and 60 deaths in the country have been linked to the deadly infection. Also read: Pakistan police arrest doctors in Quetta during protest against lack of PPEs The virus had already adversely affected several countries when its spread began to show presence in Pakistan last month. The Dawn reported that Raiwind city with a population of around two lakh has been completely locked down after several hundred members of Jamaat tested positive.Around 10,263 people who attended the gathering last month have been quarantined in 36 districts of Punjab with the search on for thousands of other participants. Of the 539 members of the Tableeghi Jamaat who tested positive for the virus so far, the highest number of cases has been reported from Raiwind Markaz -- 404. As the Jamaat continued to ignore the instructions, authorities engaged the top administration officials of the organisation and after several meetings, the six-day event was cut short to three days.

Tablighi Jamaat faces criticism in Pakistan for COVID-19 spread

The coronavirus crisis and the subsequent nationwide lockdown has impacted India in more than one ways. The economy has come to a standstill, and India is staring at a recession.

A FICCI survey has, in consequence, said that few sectors like restaurants, auto and real estate may take around 12 to 24 months to recover. The other severely hit sectors also &nbsp;may require similar period to revive. These include transportation and tourism, logistics, entertainment and consumer durables.

The survey titled 'COVID-19 India: Economic Impact &amp; Mitigation' said that sectors such as apparel and beauty product, beverages, alcoholic beverages, insurance, agriculture, chemicals, metals and mining, services, industries, offline retail, and healthcare are likely to recover in 9-12 months.

The survey report, however, added the recovery is dependent on consumption stimulus and survival of businesses itself.

The industry body also said the Indian industry requires an immediate stimulus package of Rs 9-10 lakh crore, which would account for 4-5 per cent of the country's GDP.

The report stated services such as food retail, telecommunications, utility services and pharmaceuticals have witnessed a boost in the short term and would stabilise in the long term, in about 6-9 months. Online healthcare, personal care, online entertainment and education have also received a boost during the restrictions and lockdown and would keep growth momentum in the long term.

 
&nbsp;

The coronavirus crisis and the subsequent nationwide lockdown has impacted India in more than one ways. The economy has come to a standstill, and India is staring at a recession.

The coronavirus crisis and the subsequent nationwide lockdown has impacted India in more than one ways. The economy has come to a standstill, and India is staring at a recession. A FICCI survey has, in consequence, said that few sectors like restaurants, auto and real estate may take around 12 to 24 months to recover. The other severely hit sectors also may require similar period to revive. These include transportation and tourism, logistics, entertainment and consumer durables. The survey titled 'COVID-19 India: Economic Impact & Mitigation' said that sectors such as apparel and beauty product, beverages, alcoholic beverages, insurance, agriculture, chemicals, metals and mining, services, industries, offline retail, and healthcare are likely to recover in 9-12 months. The survey report, however, added the recovery is dependent on consumption stimulus and survival of businesses itself. The industry body also said the Indian industry requires an immediate stimulus package of Rs 9-10 lakh crore, which would account for 4-5 per cent of the country's GDP. The report stated services such as food retail, telecommunications, utility services and pharmaceuticals have witnessed a boost in the short term and would stabilise in the long term, in about 6-9 months. Online healthcare, personal care, online entertainment and education have also received a boost during the restrictions and lockdown and would keep growth momentum in the long term.

Restaurants, realty sector worst hit due to coronavirus lockdown, will take 1-2 yrs to revive, says report

China has kicked off a fresh wave of crackdown against critics. Ren Zhiqiang - a critic who called Xi Jinping a 'clown' over his response to the coronavirus is under investigation. WION's Palki Sharma brings you stories of 3 critics who showed the courage to speak out.

Gravitas:  A fresh wave of crackdown in China | Wuhan Coronavirus

More than 50 patients who recovered from COVID-19 in South Korea have now tested positive again, this is due to the concept called reactivation of the virus.

COVID-19 patients in South Korea test positive after recovery

An Australian couple suffering from a deteriorating COVID-19 condition were evacuated from a cruise ship stranded off the coast of Uruguay and taken to hospital, the Uruguayan navy said on Wednesday.

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Eight people out of the more than 200 aboard -- 128 of whom have tested positive for the new coronavirus -- have now been transferred to hospitals in Uruguay's capital Montevideo.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-coronavirus-outbreak-chinese-companies-eye-european-businesses-291401" hreflang="en">After coronavirus outbreak, Chinese companies eye European businesses</a>

The navy posted a picture on Twitter of the raft that took the tourists, "aged 59 and 60, both with pneumonia and coronavirus," ashore.

Foreign Minister Ernesto Talvi had said on Tuesday night that two more people aboard the Australian-owned Greg Mortimer would need to be brought ashore.

"Their health is deteriorating and they're going to need to be taken to hospital in Montevideo," Talvi said.

The liner, owned by Aurore Expeditions, has been anchored 20 kilometers (12 miles) off the port of Montevideo in the Rio de la Plata since March 27.

Uruguay, which is assuming that everyone aboard has contracted the virus due to the lack of isolation measures deployed on the liner when the first cases emerged, has said only those whose "life is at risk" will be allowed off the ship.

The six people previously taken off the ship -- three Australians, one Briton and two Filipino crew -- are in a stable condition in hospital, Health Minister Daniel Salinas told AFP on Tuesday.

Uruguay has authorized a humanitarian flight to evacuate Australian and New Zealand passengers to Melbourne via a "reinforced sanitary corridor" following "intense conversations and very close cooperation with the Australian government," Talvi said.

Australian&nbsp;Foreign Minister Marise Payne confirmed on Wednesday that authorities were working together to try to repatriate as many Australians as possible.

"The Greg Mortimer&nbsp;is a very difficult situation," said Payne.

"So we are working very closely to try to finalise this charter flight as soon as possible and to ensure that the maximum number of Australians who are on that vessel are able to fly."

That includes both those to have tested positive and negative. Once arriving in Melbourne they will all be required to stay in isolation for two weeks.

The Airbus A340 plane contracted to fly the Aussies and Kiwis home "is configured with medical facilities aboard... to look after the health and security of everyone," said Aurore.&nbsp;

However, there are no plans yet to repatriate European and American passengers.

They must "wait until they test negative" before organizing their repatriation via Sao Paulo, Brazil, the ship's owner said.

Those to have tested negative could be evacuated in the coming days "subject to a second test and permission from the Uruguayan government," Aurore said.

The cruise ship was originally due to tour Antarctica, South Georgia and Elephant Island but the expedition was called off on March 21 after South American countries and Australia started closing their borders and imposing strict lockdown regulations.

With ports all along the Atlantic coast of South America closed, the Greg Mortimer was forced to sail to Montevideo, more than 2,600 kilometers from South Georgia.&nbsp;

An Australian couple suffering from a deteriorating COVID-19 condition were evacuated from a cruise ship stranded off the coast of Uruguay and taken to hospital, the Uruguayan navy said on Wednesday.

An Australian couple suffering from a deteriorating COVID-19 condition were evacuated from a cruise ship stranded off the coast of Uruguay and taken to hospital, the Uruguayan navy said on Wednesday. Also read: UK reports highest one-day deaths as COVID-19 toll surges past 7,000 Eight people out of the more than 200 aboard -- 128 of whom have tested positive for the new coronavirus -- have now been transferred to hospitals in Uruguay's capital Montevideo. Also read: After coronavirus outbreak, Chinese companies eye European businesses The navy posted a picture on Twitter of the raft that took the tourists, "aged 59 and 60, both with pneumonia and coronavirus," ashore. Foreign Minister Ernesto Talvi had said on Tuesday night that two more people aboard the Australian-owned Greg Mortimer would need to be brought ashore. "Their health is deteriorating and they're going to need to be taken to hospital in Montevideo," Talvi said. The liner, owned by Aurore Expeditions, has been anchored 20 kilometers (12 miles) off the port of Montevideo in the Rio de la Plata since March 27. Uruguay, which is assuming that everyone aboard has contracted the virus due to the lack of isolation measures deployed on the liner when the first cases emerged, has said only those whose "life is at risk" will be allowed off the ship. The six people previously taken off the ship -- three Australians, one Briton and two Filipino crew -- are in a stable condition in hospital, Health Minister Daniel Salinas told AFP on Tuesday. Uruguay has authorized a humanitarian flight to evacuate Australian and New Zealand passengers to Melbourne via a "reinforced sanitary corridor" following "intense conversations and very close cooperation with the Australian government," Talvi said. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne confirmed on Wednesday that authorities were working together to try to repatriate as many Australians as possible. "The Greg Mortimer is a very difficult situation," said Payne. "So we are working very closely to try to finalise this charter flight as soon as possible and to ensure that the maximum number of Australians who are on that vessel are able to fly." That includes both those to have tested positive and negative. Once arriving in Melbourne they will all be required to stay in isolation for two weeks. The Airbus A340 plane contracted to fly the Aussies and Kiwis home "is configured with medical facilities aboard... to look after the health and security of everyone," said Aurore. However, there are no plans yet to repatriate European and American passengers. They must "wait until they test negative" before organizing their repatriation via Sao Paulo, Brazil, the ship's owner said. Those to have tested negative could be evacuated in the coming days "subject to a second test and permission from the Uruguayan government," Aurore said. The cruise ship was originally due to tour Antarctica, South Georgia and Elephant Island but the expedition was called off on March 21 after South American countries and Australia started closing their borders and imposing strict lockdown regulations. With ports all along the Atlantic coast of South America closed, the Greg Mortimer was forced to sail to Montevideo, more than 2,600 kilometers from South Georgia.

Australian couple with 'pneumonia' evacuated from stranded liner

As many as 400 million people working in the informal economy in India may fall deeper into poverty due to the coronavirus crisis, the UN's labour body has warned.

Coronavirus pandemic has already wreaked "catastrophic consequences" on India and the world alike, and is expected to wipe out 195 million full-time jobs or 6.7 per cent of working hours globally in the second quarter of this year in the country, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its report titled 'ILO Monitor 2nd edition: COVID-19 and the world of work' said, describing COVID-19 as "the worst global crisis since World War II".

"In India, Nigeria and Brazil, the number of workers in the informal economy affected by the lockdown and other containment measures is substantial," ILO said.

"In India, with a share of almost 90 per cent of people working in the informal economy, about 400 million workers in the informal economy are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the crisis. Current lockdown measures in India, which are at the high end of the University of Oxford's COVID-19 Government Response Stringency Index, have impacted these workers significantly, forcing many of them to return to rural areas," it said.

"Workers and businesses are facing catastrophe, in both developed and developing economies. We have to move fast, decisively, and together. The right, urgent, measures, could make the difference between survival and collapse," ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said on Tuesday.

The report said the disruption to the world's economies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to wipe out 6.7 per cent of working hours globally in the second quarter of this year -- the equivalent of 195 million jobs worldwide.

Huge losses are expected across different income groups but especially in upper-middle income countries (7.0 per cent, 100 million full-time workers), far exceeding the effects of the 2008-9 financial crisis, the report warned.

Thee report, however, added the eventual increase in global unemployment during 2020 will depend substantially on future developments and policy measures. There is a high risk that the end-of-year figure will be significantly higher than the initial ILO projection of 25 million, it said.

According to the report, 1.25 billion workers are employed in the sectors identified as being at high risk of "drastic and devastating" increases in layoffs and reductions in wages and working hours. Many are in low-paid, low-skilled jobs, where a sudden loss of income is devastating.

As many as 400 million people working in the informal economy in India may fall deeper into poverty due to the coronavirus crisis, the UN's labour body has warned.

As many as 400 million people working in the informal economy in India may fall deeper into poverty due to the coronavirus crisis, the UN's labour body has warned. Coronavirus pandemic has already wreaked "catastrophic consequences" on India and the world alike, and is expected to wipe out 195 million full-time jobs or 6.7 per cent of working hours globally in the second quarter of this year in the country, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its report titled 'ILO Monitor 2nd edition: COVID-19 and the world of work' said, describing COVID-19 as "the worst global crisis since World War II". "In India, Nigeria and Brazil, the number of workers in the informal economy affected by the lockdown and other containment measures is substantial," ILO said. "In India, with a share of almost 90 per cent of people working in the informal economy, about 400 million workers in the informal economy are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the crisis. Current lockdown measures in India, which are at the high end of the University of Oxford's COVID-19 Government Response Stringency Index, have impacted these workers significantly, forcing many of them to return to rural areas," it said. "Workers and businesses are facing catastrophe, in both developed and developing economies. We have to move fast, decisively, and together. The right, urgent, measures, could make the difference between survival and collapse," ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said on Tuesday. The report said the disruption to the world's economies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to wipe out 6.7 per cent of working hours globally in the second quarter of this year -- the equivalent of 195 million jobs worldwide. Huge losses are expected across different income groups but especially in upper-middle income countries (7.0 per cent, 100 million full-time workers), far exceeding the effects of the 2008-9 financial crisis, the report warned. Thee report, however, added the eventual increase in global unemployment during 2020 will depend substantially on future developments and policy measures. There is a high risk that the end-of-year figure will be significantly higher than the initial ILO projection of 25 million, it said. According to the report, 1.25 billion workers are employed in the sectors identified as being at high risk of "drastic and devastating" increases in layoffs and reductions in wages and working hours. Many are in low-paid, low-skilled jobs, where a sudden loss of income is devastating.

Coronavirus: Hundreds of millions of workers in India may sink deeper into poverty, says UN's labour body

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in Guayaquil, the capital of Ecuador's Guayas province, has collapsed the region's health system. To deal with the increased number of deaths, temporary morgues were installed outside a hospital in Guayaquil, as the government distributes cardboard coffins.

Ecuador faces shortage of coffins, locals resort to cardboard boxes

The new coronavirus isn't biased about who it infects -- so why does data emerging from some states suggest that&nbsp;African-Americans are bearing the brunt of the pandemic in the US?

Experts say African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by underlying health conditions linked to poverty, face discrimination in medical care, and are more likely to work jobs that require them to leave their home.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-exploit-coronavirus-pandemic-for-sea-disputes-us-warns-china-291057" hreflang="en">Don't 'exploit' coronavirus pandemic for sea disputes: US warns China</a>

"We know that African&nbsp;Americans are more likely to have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease," the nation's top doctor, Surgeon General Jerome Adams told CBS News on Tuesday.

These chronic illnesses, which are in turn linked to poverty and structural racism, can lead to more serious forms of the COVID-19 disease.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-drugs-to-life-saving-paraphernalia-how-the-dark-web-is-capitalising-on-pandemic-panic-291049" hreflang="en">From drugs to life-saving paraphernalia: How the dark web is capitalising on pandemic panic!</a>

Adams, who is himself African-American&nbsp;and has high blood pressure and asthma, added,&nbsp;"I represent that legacy of growing up poor and black in America.&nbsp;

"And I, and many black Americans, are at higher risk for COVID."

There is no nationwide data available on COVID-19 cases by race, but a pattern of over-representation by African&nbsp;Americans&nbsp;has emerged in states or jurisdictions that are sharing the numbers.

Sixty-eight per cent of coronavirus deaths in Chicago have been among&nbsp;African&nbsp;Americans, who make up just 30 per cent of the city's population.

"Those numbers take your breath away," the city's mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday at a coronavirus briefing. "This is a call to action for all of us."

The trend is repeated in North Carolina, Louisiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and the capital Washington.

Doctor Georges Benjamin, executive director of the&nbsp;American&nbsp;Public Health Association, told AFP the issue was also linked to social class, with African-Americans people more likely to work jobs deemed essential that expose them to potential infection.

"That population is more public-facing," he said. "More bus drivers, more people taking public transportation to work, more people providing services in nursing homes, more folks working in grocery stores."

The problem is compounded by implicit and explicit bias that&nbsp;African&nbsp;Americans face in the medical system.

The new coronavirus isn't biased about who it infects -- so why does data emerging from some states suggest that African-Americans are bearing the brunt of the pandemic in the US?

The new coronavirus isn't biased about who it infects -- so why does data emerging from some states suggest that African-Americans are bearing the brunt of the pandemic in the US? Experts say African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by underlying health conditions linked to poverty, face discrimination in medical care, and are more likely to work jobs that require them to leave their home. Also read: Don't 'exploit' coronavirus pandemic for sea disputes: US warns China "We know that African Americans are more likely to have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease," the nation's top doctor, Surgeon General Jerome Adams told CBS News on Tuesday. These chronic illnesses, which are in turn linked to poverty and structural racism, can lead to more serious forms of the COVID-19 disease. Also read: From drugs to life-saving paraphernalia: How the dark web is capitalising on pandemic panic! Adams, who is himself African-American and has high blood pressure and asthma, added, "I represent that legacy of growing up poor and black in America. "And I, and many black Americans, are at higher risk for COVID." There is no nationwide data available on COVID-19 cases by race, but a pattern of over-representation by African Americans has emerged in states or jurisdictions that are sharing the numbers. Sixty-eight per cent of coronavirus deaths in Chicago have been among African Americans, who make up just 30 per cent of the city's population. "Those numbers take your breath away," the city's mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday at a coronavirus briefing. "This is a call to action for all of us." The trend is repeated in North Carolina, Louisiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and the capital Washington. Doctor Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, told AFP the issue was also linked to social class, with African-Americans people more likely to work jobs deemed essential that expose them to potential infection. "That population is more public-facing," he said. "More bus drivers, more people taking public transportation to work, more people providing services in nursing homes, more folks working in grocery stores." The problem is compounded by implicit and explicit bias that African Americans face in the medical system.

Why African Americans are dying at higher rates from COVID-19?

With a virulent coronavirus outbreak, hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients, pushing pregnant women to look for alternative means for a safe birth of their children.

The pandemic notched around 4,00,000 infections in the United States alone -- more than 12,000 of them fatal. Expectant mothers, hence, do not want to a hospital where there are potentially a lot of sick people and staff that have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Fear of infection, staff and drug shortages, and increasingly strict rules on visitors are leading more and more women to consider shunning hospitals -- and opting for home births.

What becomes imperative in this situation is that the soon-to-be moms must weigh fears for their newborns and worries over their own health with the prohibitive cost of having a baby at home.

Home births are considered "out of network" under many plans in the byzantine US health insurance ecosphere, and couples are rarely lucky enough to be fully covered.

In New York, hospitals had barred husbands or partners from delivery rooms until Governor Andrew Cuomo stepped in last month and signed a decree stating no women had to give birth alone.

With health services bracing for worse to come in a crisis of historic proportions, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says hospitals remain safe places to give birth.

A US resident, Gina Conley, who is seven months pregnant, said she would pay more than $4,000 to cover the services associated with a home birth, the largest of which is typically the midwife.

"It's definitely not cheap but having the birth experience that we want, with a lot less anxiety -- we felt like it was worth it," the fitness coach told AFP.

Another pregnant lady, Ashley Esposito, a 35-year-old data specialist from the East Coast port city of Baltimore, expects to fork out up to $8,000 up front.

"Paying all that chunk of money, especially given the financial situation, you know -- there are people from my husband's job who were laid off," Esposito told AFP.

Like many soon-to-be moms, she worries about new anti-infection rules adopted by some hospitals that limit the number of people who can be in the delivery room.

Jordan Perez, 30, will soon reach full term in Homer, Alaska, where she decided to have her baby at home.

"I've always wanted to have a home birth but before the virus happened, my midwife team didn't offer home birth," said Perez, who sells cosmetic products.

Nevertheless, midwives are struggling to cope with the sudden boom in demand for their expertise in home births.

Of roughly 12,000 certified nurse midwives and midwives in America, an estimated 3,000 practice outside hospitals.

(with inputs from AFP)

 
&nbsp;

With a virulent coronavirus outbreak, hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients, pushing pregnant women to look for alternative means for a safe birth of their children.

With a virulent coronavirus outbreak, hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients, pushing pregnant women to look for alternative means for a safe birth of their children. The pandemic notched around 4,00,000 infections in the United States alone -- more than 12,000 of them fatal. Expectant mothers, hence, do not want to a hospital where there are potentially a lot of sick people and staff that have been exposed to the coronavirus. Fear of infection, staff and drug shortages, and increasingly strict rules on visitors are leading more and more women to consider shunning hospitals -- and opting for home births. What becomes imperative in this situation is that the soon-to-be moms must weigh fears for their newborns and worries over their own health with the prohibitive cost of having a baby at home. Home births are considered "out of network" under many plans in the byzantine US health insurance ecosphere, and couples are rarely lucky enough to be fully covered. In New York, hospitals had barred husbands or partners from delivery rooms until Governor Andrew Cuomo stepped in last month and signed a decree stating no women had to give birth alone. With health services bracing for worse to come in a crisis of historic proportions, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says hospitals remain safe places to give birth. A US resident, Gina Conley, who is seven months pregnant, said she would pay more than $4,000 to cover the services associated with a home birth, the largest of which is typically the midwife. "It's definitely not cheap but having the birth experience that we want, with a lot less anxiety -- we felt like it was worth it," the fitness coach told AFP. Another pregnant lady, Ashley Esposito, a 35-year-old data specialist from the East Coast port city of Baltimore, expects to fork out up to $8,000 up front. "Paying all that chunk of money, especially given the financial situation, you know -- there are people from my husband's job who were laid off," Esposito told AFP. Like many soon-to-be moms, she worries about new anti-infection rules adopted by some hospitals that limit the number of people who can be in the delivery room. Jordan Perez, 30, will soon reach full term in Homer, Alaska, where she decided to have her baby at home. "I've always wanted to have a home birth but before the virus happened, my midwife team didn't offer home birth," said Perez, who sells cosmetic products. Nevertheless, midwives are struggling to cope with the sudden boom in demand for their expertise in home births. Of roughly 12,000 certified nurse midwives and midwives in America, an estimated 3,000 practice outside hospitals. (with inputs from AFP)

Expectant moms in US, fearing coronavirus infection, are embracing home births

Dancers of Mikhailovsky Theatre on Tuesday (April 7) released a video of "self-isolation ballet" performed by dancers while being at home as a proof that no pandemic can stand in the way of true art.

Russian theatre dancers perform in self-isolation

Nearly 2,000 people infected with the new coronavirus have died in the United States in the last 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University as of 8:30 pm Tuesday (0030 GMT Wednesday). WION spoke to Dr. Anil Kaul about the nature of COVID-19 and its complex diagnosis.

WION speaks to Dr. Anil Kaul about nature of COVID-19 and its diagnosis

The Indian Air force is helping the country in its fight against coronavirus, ensuring the suplies are delivered wherever necessary. Video Courtesy: IAF

Indian Air force helping the nation in it's fight against Coronovirus

Watch how the brave soldiers of the Indian Army are helping in the fight against coronavirus. Video courtesy: The Indian Army

How the Indian Army is helping in the fight against Coronavirus

As hospitals in the United States deal with coronavirus crisis the fear of infection, drug shortages and strict rules imposed in visitors are now leading more and more women in the United States to consider home births. Watch report:

Coronavirus Pandemic: Women in United States struggle with home births

Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla has died of COVID-19 in New York, the epicentre of the pandemic in the US.

The journalist died on Monday morning after nine days in a hospital.

Brahm Kanchibotla was a correspondent for United News of India. He showed COVID-19 symptoms on March 23. When his conditions worsened, he was admitted to a hospital on Long Island on March 28. He was put on ventilator on March 31, and on Monday he had a cardiac arrest.

<img alt="Brahm Kanchibotla" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="28a2095f-6daf-4dd5-a9d9-22191f85efa0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/brahm.jpg" />

The 66-year-old journalist had emigrated to the US in 1992 after having worked for several publications in India.&nbsp;

Brahm Kanchibotla is survived by his wife Anjana, son Sudama and daughter Siujana. His son Sudama Kanchibotla said that the family was not sure of the last rites for him because of the restrictions in New York.

The US has recorded a total of 368,196 confirmed cases, while the death toll stood at 10,986. At least 4,758 people have died of COVID-19 in New York City.

(with inputs from agencies)

Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla has died of COVID-19 in New York, the epicentre of the pandemic in the US. The journalist died on Monday morning after nine days in a hospital.

Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla has died of COVID-19 in New York, the epicentre of the pandemic in the US. The journalist died on Monday morning after nine days in a hospital. Brahm Kanchibotla was a correspondent for United News of India. He showed COVID-19 symptoms on March 23. When his conditions worsened, he was admitted to a hospital on Long Island on March 28. He was put on ventilator on March 31, and on Monday he had a cardiac arrest. The 66-year-old journalist had emigrated to the US in 1992 after having worked for several publications in India. Brahm Kanchibotla is survived by his wife Anjana, son Sudama and daughter Siujana. His son Sudama Kanchibotla said that the family was not sure of the last rites for him because of the restrictions in New York. The US has recorded a total of 368,196 confirmed cases, while the death toll stood at 10,986. At least 4,758 people have died of COVID-19 in New York City. (with inputs from agencies)

Indian-American journo Brahm Kanchibotla dies of COVID-19 in New York

Data emerging from some states suggest that African Americans are bearing the brunt of the pandemic in the US. Experts say blacks are disproportionately impacted by underlying health conditions linked to poverty, face discrimination in medical care, and are more likely to work jobs that require them to leave their home.

Coronavirus Pandemic: African-Americans worst hit in United States

Wuhan, the Chinese city hardest hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak, started lifting outbound travel restrictions from Wednesday after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. A midnight lightshow brightens up Wuhan's sky as the central Chinese city enters the first day post-lockdown.

Midnight light show marks end of coronavirus lockdown in Wuhan

The central Chinese city of Wuhan, the origin point for the coronavirus pandemic, began allowing its residents to travel in and out, as the 76-day lockdown ended on Wednesday.

China sealed off the city on January 23 -- after it was found that the flu-like virus that had emerged there late last year was highly contagious and potentially deadly. Wuhan residents had been allowed out of their homes only to buy food or attend to other tasks deemed absolutely necessary.

The shutdown came as the coronavirus began spreading to the rest of China and overseas during the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, when many Chinese travel.

The unprecedented lockdown served as an example for other countries battling the coronavirus around the world.&nbsp;

Wuhan residents are, however, still urged not to leave their neighbourhoods, the city and even the province unless necessary, health officials said on Tuesday.

Despite fears of a second wave of infection if such restrictions are eased too soon, the first train to carry departing passengers out of the city left at 00:50 a.m. (1650 GMT), and outbound highways were opened to vehicular traffic around the same time.

The topic “Wuhan lifts lockdown” quickly became the top trending topic on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform, with posters leaving comments such as “welcome back Wuhan”.

Many people remain fearful of catching the disease, with China reporting 137 new asymptomatic cases on April 7.

The death toll in the city has reached 2,571, about 80 per cent of the total fatalities in China, according to official figures.

Mainland China reported no coronavirus deaths for the first time on Tuesday, and Wuhan has counted only two new infections in the past fortnight.

The exact source of the novel coronavirus remains under investigation, though it is thought to be linked to an outdoor food market in the city. Theories also say the virus was developed in a laboratory.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19, a disease caused by coronavirus, a pandemic on March 11.

(with inputs from agencies)

The central Chinese city of Wuhan, the origin point for the coronavirus pandemic, began allowing its residents to travel in and out, as the 76-day lockdown ended on Wednesday.

The central Chinese city of Wuhan, the origin point for the coronavirus pandemic, began allowing its residents to travel in and out, as the 76-day lockdown ended on Wednesday. China sealed off the city on January 23 -- after it was found that the flu-like virus that had emerged there late last year was highly contagious and potentially deadly. Wuhan residents had been allowed out of their homes only to buy food or attend to other tasks deemed absolutely necessary. The shutdown came as the coronavirus began spreading to the rest of China and overseas during the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, when many Chinese travel. The unprecedented lockdown served as an example for other countries battling the coronavirus around the world. Wuhan residents are, however, still urged not to leave their neighbourhoods, the city and even the province unless necessary, health officials said on Tuesday. Despite fears of a second wave of infection if such restrictions are eased too soon, the first train to carry departing passengers out of the city left at 00:50 a.m. (1650 GMT), and outbound highways were opened to vehicular traffic around the same time. The topic “Wuhan lifts lockdown” quickly became the top trending topic on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform, with posters leaving comments such as “welcome back Wuhan”. Many people remain fearful of catching the disease, with China reporting 137 new asymptomatic cases on April 7. The death toll in the city has reached 2,571, about 80 per cent of the total fatalities in China, according to official figures. Mainland China reported no coronavirus deaths for the first time on Tuesday, and Wuhan has counted only two new infections in the past fortnight. The exact source of the novel coronavirus remains under investigation, though it is thought to be linked to an outdoor food market in the city. Theories also say the virus was developed in a laboratory. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19, a disease caused by coronavirus, a pandemic on March 11. (with inputs from agencies)

Wuhan, China's coronavirus pandemic epicentre, ends 76-day lockdown

A blinds company in Northern Ireland has switched its production focus to creating thousands of face shields for medical workers tackling the spread of coronavirus.

UK blind company switches production to make thousands of face shields

Twitter's co-founder and chief executive officer&nbsp;Jack Dorsey&nbsp;has announced that he is donating $1 billion of his personal fortune to coronavirus relief fund.

According to&nbsp;Dorsey, the donation represented approximately 28 per cent&nbsp;of his&nbsp;fortune of approximately $3.9 billion.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-2000-coronavirus-deaths-in-us-in-the-last-24-hours-report-291241" hreflang="en">Nearly 2,000 coronavirus deaths in US in the last 24 hours: Report</a>

The 43-year-old&nbsp;took to Twitter to make the announcement and said that he was donating square shares equivalent to the sum to a charitable fund, called Start Small, to ''fund global Covid-19 relief''.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I’m moving $1B of my Square equity (~28% of my wealth) to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/startsmall?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#startsmall</a> LLC to fund global COVID-19 relief. After we disarm this pandemic, the focus will shift to girl’s health and education, and UBI. It will operate transparently, all flows tracked here: <a href="https://t.co/hVkUczDQmz">https://t.co/hVkUczDQmz</a>
— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1247616214769086465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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It is by far the biggest single donation to the global fight to tackle the coronavirus outbreak and comes with the pandemic spanning the globe and inflicting a heavy toll in lives and economic devastation on the United States.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-accuses-who-of-bias-toward-china-threatened-to-put-hold-on-us-funding-291237" hreflang="en">Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatened to ‘put hold on’ US funding</a>

Dorsey said that after the pandemic ends, the fund would focus on health and education for girls and "universal basic income" efforts.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has committed $30 million, the bulk of which is focused on efforts to create a treatment.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos has donated $100 million&nbsp;to food banks in the US to help those struggling with hunger during this period.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-fN773HvBu/?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">Even in ordinary times, food insecurity in American households is an important problem, and unfortunately COVID-19 is amplifying that stress significantly. Non-profit food banks and food pantries rely in large part on surplus food from a range of food businesses. For example, many restaurants donate excess food. But during this time of social distancing, restaurants are closed, and many other normal channels of excess food have also shut down. To make matters worse, as supply is dwindling, demand for food bank services is going up.⁣ ⁣ Today, I want to support those on the front lines at our nation’s food banks and those who are relying on them for food with a $100 million gift to @FeedingAmerica. Feeding America will quickly distribute the funds to their national network of food banks and food pantries, getting food to those countless families who need it.⁣ ⁣ Feeding America is the largest non-profit focused on food security. Millions of Americans are turning to food banks during this time. If you want to help, the link to Feeding America is in my bio. They’d be excited and grateful for donations of any size.</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/jeffbezos/?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"> Jeff Bezos</a> (@jeffbezos) on <time datetime="2020-04-02T18:00:55+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 2, 2020 at 11:00am PDT</time>
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Apple's chief executive Tim Cook announced in March the company would donate medical supplies to Italy which has been hit hard by the virus.

Twitter's co-founder and chief executive officer Jack Dorsey has announced that he is donating $1 billion of his personal fortune to coronavirus relief fund. According to Dorsey, the donation represented approximately 28 per cent of his fortune of approximately $3.

Twitter's co-founder and chief executive officer Jack Dorsey has announced that he is donating $1 billion of his personal fortune to coronavirus relief fund. According to Dorsey, the donation represented approximately 28 per cent of his fortune of approximately $3.9 billion. Also read: Nearly 2,000 coronavirus deaths in US in the last 24 hours: Report The 43-year-old took to Twitter to make the announcement and said that he was donating square shares equivalent to the sum to a charitable fund, called Start Small, to ''fund global Covid-19 relief''. I’m moving $1B of my Square equity (~28% of my wealth) to #startsmall LLC to fund global COVID-19 relief. After we disarm this pandemic, the focus will shift to girl’s health and education, and UBI. It will operate transparently, all flows tracked here: https://t.co/hVkUczDQmz — jack (@jack) April 7, 2020 × It is by far the biggest single donation to the global fight to tackle the coronavirus outbreak and comes with the pandemic spanning the globe and inflicting a heavy toll in lives and economic devastation on the United States. Also read: Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatened to ‘put hold on’ US funding Dorsey said that after the pandemic ends, the fund would focus on health and education for girls and "universal basic income" efforts. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has committed $30 million, the bulk of which is focused on efforts to create a treatment. Amazon's Jeff Bezos has donated $100 million to food banks in the US to help those struggling with hunger during this period. View this post on Instagram Even in ordinary times, food insecurity in American households is an important problem, and unfortunately COVID-19 is amplifying that stress significantly. Non-profit food banks and food pantries rely in large part on surplus food from a range of food businesses. For example, many restaurants donate excess food. But during this time of social distancing, restaurants are closed, and many other normal channels of excess food have also shut down. To make matters worse, as supply is dwindling, demand for food bank services is going up.⁣ ⁣ Today, I want to support those on the front lines at our nation’s food banks and those who are relying on them for food with a $100 million gift to @FeedingAmerica. Feeding America will quickly distribute the funds to their national network of food banks and food pantries, getting food to those countless families who need it.⁣ ⁣ Feeding America is the largest non-profit focused on food security. Millions of Americans are turning to food banks during this time. If you want to help, the link to Feeding America is in my bio. They’d be excited and grateful for donations of any size. A post shared by Jeff Bezos (@jeffbezos) on Apr 2, 2020 at 11:00am PDT × Apple's chief executive Tim Cook announced in March the company would donate medical supplies to Italy which has been hit hard by the virus.

Twitter chief Dorsey vows quarter of his fortune for coronavirus relief fund

As many as 60 per cent of the people from Australia, Europe and the United States on board a cruise ship off the coast of Uruguay have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Of 217 people tested on the ship, the Greg Mortimer, 128 were positive for the virus that causes the COVID-2019 disease and 89 tested negative.

The infected people are all asymptomatic, said Aurora Expeditions, the Australian operator of the Greg Mortimer ship that is working to disembark the crew and passengers and arrange flights to their home countries. 
&nbsp; 
The vessel departed on March 15 on a voyage to Antarctica and South Georgia that was titled 'In Shackleton's Footsteps' -- a reference to the polar explorer who led British expeditions to the region and died there in 1922.

Six people were earlier evacuated from the ship. They are in a stable condition and are being treated in Montevideo.

The passengers, once embarked, would undergo a 14-day quarantine on arrival at a facility in Melbourne.

US and European passengers who tested negative will be able to depart later in the week, following a second test and permission from the Uruguayan government.

The cost per passenger is about $9,300 and the cruise ship operator has asked the Australian government for help with expenses.

DEATH LURKS AT SEA

In a separate case, a cruise ship anchored in Santos, on the coast of Brazil's Sao Paulo state, had its quarantine extended until at least April 19.

Doctors found 40 new suspected cases of the coronavirus, aboard the Costa Fascinosa vessel, which is owned by Costa Cruises. Hundreds of people are on the ship.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-stricken-cruise-ships-allowed-to-dock-in-florida-290278">Also read |&nbsp;Coronavirus-stricken cruise ships allowed to dock in Florida</a>

As many as 60 per cent of the people from Australia, Europe and the United States on board a cruise ship off the coast of Uruguay have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

As many as 60 per cent of the people from Australia, Europe and the United States on board a cruise ship off the coast of Uruguay have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Of 217 people tested on the ship, the Greg Mortimer, 128 were positive for the virus that causes the COVID-2019 disease and 89 tested negative. The infected people are all asymptomatic, said Aurora Expeditions, the Australian operator of the Greg Mortimer ship that is working to disembark the crew and passengers and arrange flights to their home countries. The vessel departed on March 15 on a voyage to Antarctica and South Georgia that was titled 'In Shackleton's Footsteps' -- a reference to the polar explorer who led British expeditions to the region and died there in 1922. Six people were earlier evacuated from the ship. They are in a stable condition and are being treated in Montevideo. The passengers, once embarked, would undergo a 14-day quarantine on arrival at a facility in Melbourne. US and European passengers who tested negative will be able to depart later in the week, following a second test and permission from the Uruguayan government. The cost per passenger is about $9,300 and the cruise ship operator has asked the Australian government for help with expenses. DEATH LURKS AT SEA In a separate case, a cruise ship anchored in Santos, on the coast of Brazil's Sao Paulo state, had its quarantine extended until at least April 19. Doctors found 40 new suspected cases of the coronavirus, aboard the Costa Fascinosa vessel, which is owned by Costa Cruises. Hundreds of people are on the ship. Also read | Coronavirus-stricken cruise ships allowed to dock in Florida

Another shipwreck? Many people on Antarctica cruise ship have COVID-19

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-accuses-who-of-bias-toward-china-threatened-to-put-hold-on-us-funding-291237">Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatened to ‘put hold on’ US funding</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/03/17/133398-untitled-design-5.jpg?itok=-8Ieu99m" /> 
As the United States suffered a record total of nearly 2,000 deaths in the past 24 hours, China reported no new deaths for the first time since the outbreak began in Wuhan in late December.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-accuses-who-of-bias-toward-china-threatened-to-put-hold-on-us-funding-291237">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-african-americans-are-dying-at-higher-rates-from-covid-19-291240">Why African Americans are dying at higher rates from COVID-19?</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/03/29/134821-untitled-design-6.jpg?itok=EZHUQalk" /> 
Experts say blacks are disproportionately impacted by underlying health conditions linked to poverty, face discrimination in medical care, and are more likely to work jobs that require them to leave their home.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-african-americans-are-dying-at-higher-rates-from-covid-19-291240">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alls-well-that-ends-well-us-and-china-have-reached-a-truce-291239">All's well that ends well? US and China have reached a 'truce'</a> 
 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/04/08/136054-us-china-truce.jpg?itok=Ag6w-1Jx" /> 
Coronavirus is no longer the "Wuhan virus" for the United States, as the country has reached a truce with China. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alls-well-that-ends-well-us-and-china-have-reached-a-truce-291239">READ MORE</a>

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Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatened to ‘put hold on’ US funding As the United States suffered a record total of nearly 2,000 deaths in the past 24 hours, China reported no new deaths for the first time since the outbreak began in Wuhan in late December.

Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatened to ‘put hold on’ US funding As the United States suffered a record total of nearly 2,000 deaths in the past 24 hours, China reported no new deaths for the first time since the outbreak began in Wuhan in late December.READ MORE Why African Americans are dying at higher rates from COVID-19? Experts say blacks are disproportionately impacted by underlying health conditions linked to poverty, face discrimination in medical care, and are more likely to work jobs that require them to leave their home.READ MORE All's well that ends well? US and China have reached a 'truce' Coronavirus is no longer the "Wuhan virus" for the United States, as the country has reached a truce with China. READ MORE

Morning news brief: US death toll, Trump attacks WHO and more

Nearly 2,000 people infected with the new coronavirus have died in the United States in the last 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University as of 8:30 pm Tuesday (0030 GMT Wednesday).

Coronavirus Pandemic: US records highest daily COVID-19 death toll

Italy has so far registered 135,586 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 17,127 fatalities, according to data from the Civil Protection Department managing the COVID-19 emergency.

Of these, the new active infections registered on Tuesday were 880, bringing the total number of infected people to 94,067. At least 1,555 more people have been cured compared to the previous day, reaching 24,392 in total.

According to Xinhua news agency on Tuesday, the decrease in the trend of new infections is being confirmed, and the number of 880 is the lowest (daily) rise seen since March 10.

There was an increase of 3,039 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall cases to 135,586.

Of those who have tested positive so far, 28,718 are hospitalised in normal wards, 3,792 are in intensive care units, and the remaining 61,557 under home isolation.

The death toll grew by 604 over the last 24 hours. New fatalities registered on a daily basis had been 636 on Monday, and 525 on Sunday.

However, an epidemiologist warned caution, stressing the ISS experts would rather "wait for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, before eventually heaving a sigh of relief."

As of Tuesday, some 26 nurses and 94 doctors had died since the pandemic hit Italy`s northern regions on Feb. 21, according to data provided by the respective professional associations.

Some five physicians lost their lives over the last 24 hours, the country`s Federation of Medical Associations (Fnomceo) said.

As for nurses, the national staff registered 6,549 infections, with an increase of 1,049 cases compared to last Saturday, Italy's ANSA news agency reported, citing data by the National Federation of Professional Nurses Orders (Fnopi).

 
&nbsp;

Italy has so far registered 135,586 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 17,127 fatalities, according to data from the Civil Protection Department managing the COVID-19 emergency.

Italy has so far registered 135,586 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 17,127 fatalities, according to data from the Civil Protection Department managing the COVID-19 emergency. Of these, the new active infections registered on Tuesday were 880, bringing the total number of infected people to 94,067. At least 1,555 more people have been cured compared to the previous day, reaching 24,392 in total. According to Xinhua news agency on Tuesday, the decrease in the trend of new infections is being confirmed, and the number of 880 is the lowest (daily) rise seen since March 10. There was an increase of 3,039 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall cases to 135,586. Of those who have tested positive so far, 28,718 are hospitalised in normal wards, 3,792 are in intensive care units, and the remaining 61,557 under home isolation. The death toll grew by 604 over the last 24 hours. New fatalities registered on a daily basis had been 636 on Monday, and 525 on Sunday. However, an epidemiologist warned caution, stressing the ISS experts would rather "wait for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, before eventually heaving a sigh of relief." As of Tuesday, some 26 nurses and 94 doctors had died since the pandemic hit Italy`s northern regions on Feb. 21, according to data provided by the respective professional associations. Some five physicians lost their lives over the last 24 hours, the country`s Federation of Medical Associations (Fnomceo) said. As for nurses, the national staff registered 6,549 infections, with an increase of 1,049 cases compared to last Saturday, Italy's ANSA news agency reported, citing data by the National Federation of Professional Nurses Orders (Fnopi).

Italy registers the lowest daily rise in new coronavirus cases in last 24 hrs

The US President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday (April 7) to cut US funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing it of bias toward China, where the authorities lifted a two-and-a-half month travel ban on Wuhan, the city that spawned the global coronavirus pandemic.

Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatens to halt funding

Coronavirus is no longer the "Wuhan virus" for the United States, as the country has reached a truce with China. It is being said that the superpowers saw a tactical interest in making peace with each other in the vitriolic feud over the COVID-19 pandemic that has been ravaging the world.

US President Donald Trump dropped the provocative term "Chinese virus" and did not, for the first time, criticise&nbsp;Beijing's response on March 26. It is said this happened after a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Even US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been talking of cooperation.

"We know that this is a global pandemic, and this is the time for every country to work together to resolve that," Pompeo told reporters Tuesday when asked about China.

Talking of their feud, Trump said the coronavirus could very effectively be also called the Chinese virus because it broke out in China's Wuhan city.

Beijing then infuriated the United States last month when a foreign ministry spokesman spread a conspiracy theory that US troops brought the virus to Wuhan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-accuses-who-of-bias-toward-china-threatened-to-put-hold-on-us-funding-291237">Also read |&nbsp;Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatened to ‘put hold on’ US funding</a>

China's ambassador to Washington, however, struck a highly different tone in an op-ed in The New York Times in which he spoke of his affection for Americans and promised China would do "whatever it can to support the United States."

China has been, across the world, held responsible for passing on the virus to the world. But whatever the faults in China's response, many observers saw Trump's blaming of Beijing as a political ploy as he faces criticism for not acting sooner to stop COVID-19, which has killed more than 12,000 people in the United States.

Political reasons aside, with medical supplies in dangerously short supply, Trump also needs China, which produces half of the imported masks in the United States.

To this end, an expert opined: "Washington certainly does not want to alienate Beijing to the point that it bans the sale of medical equipment to the United States," doubting if the newfound tone would improve the rest of the relationship, which was already tense before the pandemic.

From China's standpoint, when Beijing is seeking to cast itself around the world as a pandemic benefactor, the friction with the US will hardly reap any benefits. Its top priority, at &nbsp;this moment, would be to revive global demand for its exports.

China also sees a "historic strategic opportunity" to expand its power as Trump has weakened US alliances, experts say.

All's well that ends well? Or not!?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-no-new-coronavirus-deaths-for-first-time-291187">Also read |&nbsp;China reports no new coronavirus deaths for first time</a>

Coronavirus is no longer the "Wuhan virus" for the United States, as the country has reached a truce with China. It is being said that the superpowers saw a tactical interest in making peace with each other in the vitriolic feud over the COVID-19 pandemic that has been ravaging the world.

Coronavirus is no longer the "Wuhan virus" for the United States, as the country has reached a truce with China. It is being said that the superpowers saw a tactical interest in making peace with each other in the vitriolic feud over the COVID-19 pandemic that has been ravaging the world. US President Donald Trump dropped the provocative term "Chinese virus" and did not, for the first time, criticise Beijing's response on March 26. It is said this happened after a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Even US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been talking of cooperation. "We know that this is a global pandemic, and this is the time for every country to work together to resolve that," Pompeo told reporters Tuesday when asked about China. Talking of their feud, Trump said the coronavirus could very effectively be also called the Chinese virus because it broke out in China's Wuhan city. Beijing then infuriated the United States last month when a foreign ministry spokesman spread a conspiracy theory that US troops brought the virus to Wuhan. Also read | Donald Trump accuses WHO of bias toward China, threatened to ‘put hold on’ US funding China's ambassador to Washington, however, struck a highly different tone in an op-ed in The New York Times in which he spoke of his affection for Americans and promised China would do "whatever it can to support the United States." China has been, across the world, held responsible for passing on the virus to the world. But whatever the faults in China's response, many observers saw Trump's blaming of Beijing as a political ploy as he faces criticism for not acting sooner to stop COVID-19, which has killed more than 12,000 people in the United States. Political reasons aside, with medical supplies in dangerously short supply, Trump also needs China, which produces half of the imported masks in the United States. To this end, an expert opined: "Washington certainly does not want to alienate Beijing to the point that it bans the sale of medical equipment to the United States," doubting if the newfound tone would improve the rest of the relationship, which was already tense before the pandemic. From China's standpoint, when Beijing is seeking to cast itself around the world as a pandemic benefactor, the friction with the US will hardly reap any benefits. Its top priority, at this moment, would be to revive global demand for its exports. China also sees a "historic strategic opportunity" to expand its power as Trump has weakened US alliances, experts say. All's well that ends well? Or not!? Also read | China reports no new coronavirus deaths for first time

All's well that ends well? US and China have reached a 'truce'

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