Coronavirus

Russia brings army doctors home from Italy

Defence minister Sergei Shoigu said the teams would start to leave on Thursday, according to Interfax news agency.

Russia sent equipment and 100 soldiers in March as the outbreak threatened to overwhelm northern Italy.

The deployment provoked controversy in Italy, as many saw it as a big propaganda move by Russia and questioned its practical use.

However, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte approved the operation - dubbed "From Russia With Love" by Moscow - after speaking with President Vladimir Putin.

Coronavirus: UK death toll passes Italy to be highest in Europe

There have been 29,427 deaths recorded across the UK - a figure Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said was "a massive tragedy".

The latest total for Italy, previously the highest in Europe, now stands at 29,315.

But experts say it could be months before full global comparisons can be made.

Both Italy and the UK record the deaths of people who have tested positive for coronavirus.

BBC head of statistics Robert Cuffe said Britain reached this figure faster in its epidemic than Italy.

Coronavirus: Trump warns US death toll could hit 100,000

Speaking at a two-hour virtual "town hall", Mr Trump also denied that his administration had acted too slowly.

More than 67,000 people have already died with Covid-19 in the US.

But Mr Trump expressed optimism about the development of a vaccine, saying one would be ready by the end of this year - although public health experts believe it will take 12 to 18 months.

Russia's cases rise by 10,000 in one-day record

The increase brings Russia's total number of coronavirus cases to 134,686, the seventh highest tally in the world.

But Russia's mortality rate remains low relative to other countries, such as the US, Italy and Spain.

On Sunday, a further 58 coronavirus-related deaths were announced, bringing the total to 1,280 in Russia.

Moscow has been hit particularly hard by the virus, leaving its healthcare system struggling to cope.

Surge in Covid-19 cases in Papua mining hub

Mimika now has 51 cases, the most of any single regency in Papua region.

Indonesia's Health Ministry said the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in West Papua province was 37, and 189 in neighbouring Papua province, with seven deaths overall.

Cities near the border with PNG, Jayapura and Merauke, were among the hotspots.

But of particular concern to provincial health officials was the surge in cases over recent weeks in Mimika where the major Freeport gold and copper mine was located.

Australian PM discusses NRL return

The NRL is moving ahead with plans to restart its season next month amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It had been reported the Warriors would be granted an exemption to enter Australia.

But Morrison said that decision was yet to be made and a May 28 resumption for the NRL was not yet locked in.

"That still hasn't been determined. The commonwealth has made no decision about the access by the Warriors into Australia, that hasn't happened," he told a news conference on Wednesday.

New Zealand eases lockdown

The country says it has stopped community transmission of Covid-19, effectively eliminating the virus.

Lowering its alert level from four to three means that some non-essential business, healthcare and schools were able to resume this morning.

Around 400,000 people headed back to work, some schools and childcare facilities are open, and people are allowed to get takeout food again.

New Zealand, partly thanks to its isolation and easily-closed borders, managed to contain the virus early on.

More Covid-19 cases recorded in Guam

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said out of 38 samples, two tested positive for the virus, and one other case was reported earlier from Naval Hospital.

Five people have died from the virus in the US territory.

Meanwhile, roadblocks across Guam will be lifted today.

Ms Leon Guerrero said the situation will be closely monitored after the roadblocks are lifted, and a test programme will be expanded.

Many restrictions on everyday life will remain.

     

Italy's PM outlines lockdown easing measures

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said curbs would be eased from 4 May, with people being allowed to visit their relatives in small numbers, in masks.

Parks will reopen, but schools will not restart classes until September.

Italy has reported 26,644 virus-related deaths, Europe's highest official toll.

The country recorded 260 new deaths on Sunday, the lowest daily figure since 14 March. It has confirmed 197,675 cases of the virus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the disease globally.

Coronavirus remains a threat to Tonga

Despite being one of the 15 countries in the world that has not reported any case yet, the Tonga Ministry of Health is not ready to manage the fatal disease.

Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola said coronavirus remains a serious problem for the ministry.

He added that Tonga's health services would struggle to accommodate the cases, even a dozen cases would be difficult.

Dr. 'Akau'ola also said the Ministry of Health has identified eight areas to address in its state of preparation for possible infections, but of these, case management remained a major concern.