Asia

South Korea dials up virus testing with hospital ‘phone booths’

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — A South Korean hospital has introduced phone booth-style coronavirus testing facilities that allow medical staff to examine patients from behind the safety of a plastic panel, the latest innovation in the country’s drive to track down infections. The row of four booths — which use negative air pressure to prevent harmful particles from escaping outside — stand under a tented shelter outside the H Plus Yangji Hospital in Seoul. The […]

Russia begins testing potential coronavirus vaccine

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russian scientists have begun to test vaccine prototypes for the new coronavirus, and plan to present the most effective one by June, a laboratory chief at a state biotech institute said. Russia has reported 93 cases of infection but no deaths, according to official numbers published Tuesday. “The prototypes have been created. We are starting laboratory testing on animals, to ensure effectiveness and safety,” Ilnaz Imatdinov of the Vector Institute in […]

Iran says, 135 new virus deaths take total to 988

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran announced on Tuesday another 135 deaths from the novel coronavirus, bringing the overall toll to 988 in one of the world’s worst-hit countries. “Reports by more than 56 laboratories indicated that we have had 1,178 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in the past 24 hours,” health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a televised news conference. “This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 16,169 as of today […]

Egypt quarantines 300 families in village after virus deaths

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — Egypt has placed over 300 families under quarantine in a Delta village to stem the spread of the new coronavirus after two deaths were recorded this month originating from the area. “We have confined more than 300 families to their homes where they will remain in quarantine,” Health Minister Hala Zayed told late-night television host Amr Adib on Monday. Without naming the village in Daqahliya governorate, 150 kilometers (90 miles) north […]

China reports just 1 new domestic virus case, 20 more imported

BEIJING, China (AFP) — China reported on Tuesday just one new domestic coronavirus infection but found 20 more cases imported from abroad, threatening to spoil its progress against the disease. The single case in Wuhan will boost China’s view that it has “basically curbed” the spread of a disease that is believed to have emerged in a live animal market in the central city in December. Wuhan and its 11 million people were placed under […]

Armenia declares state of emergency over coronavirus

YEREVAN, Armenia (AFP) — Armenia on Monday declared a nationwide state of emergency over the coronavirus, announcing additional social distancing measures and travel restrictions. “In order to contain the spread of the virus that threatens lives and public health, the government has decided to declare a state of emergency,” Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan told a televised cabinet meeting. Armenian nationals will be banned from leaving the country through its land borders and public gatherings of […]

China tightens quarantine for international arrivals

by Laurie Chen and Jing Xuan Teng BEIJING, China (AFP) — China tightened quarantine measures for international arrivals on Monday as the country worries about a rise in imported cases of the deadly coronavirus and anger raged online at how Europe and the United States are handling the pandemic. After declaring they had “basically curbed” the spread of the disease within China, where the virus first emerged, authorities have now ordered international arrivals to Beijing […]

Iran reports 129 new virus deaths, taking total to 853

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran said on Monday that the novel coronavirus had killed 129 more people, a new record high for a single day in one of the world’s worst-hit countries. “Our plea is that everyone takes this virus seriously and in no way attempt to travel to any province,” health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a televised news conference. The latest deaths bring the overall toll to 853 fatalities since February 19, […]

Iran says coronavirus kills member of top clerical body; 12 Iranian officials among virus fatalities

  TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran’s coronavirus outbreak Monday killed a member of the clerical body that appoints the supreme leader, state media said, taking the death toll among serving and ex-officials to at least 12. Ayatollah Hashem Bathayi Golpayegani, who was 78, died two days after testing positive for the COVID-19 disease and being hospitalised, state news agency IRNA reported. The official represented Tehran in the Assembly of Experts, an 88-strong body of clerics […]

Israel’s Gantz calls for ‘unity’ as tasked with forming govt

JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Israel’s ex-military chief Benny Gantz was Monday nominated to form a government, issuing a call for “unity” after a year of political deadlock and amid the coronavirus pandemic. “I’ll do everything to form in a few days as possible a national, patriotic and broad government… I always wanted unity,” Gantz said, urging his rival, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to join him. © Agence France-Presse

Lebanon announces two-week lockdown over coronavirus

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — Lebanon on Sunday urged people to stay at home for two weeks and prepared to close its main airport to stem a novel coronavirus outbreak that has killed three people in the country. The COVID-19 virus has officially infected 99 people in the Mediterranean nation. Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad ordered “citizens to remain at home and not go out except out of extreme necessity” until March 29. The Beirut international […]

Qatar restricts entry, announces $23 bn stimulus over virus

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Qatar will bar entry to arriving air passengers except for citizens from Wednesday, the government said as it announced a $23 billion economic stimulus in response to the new coronavirus. The country is the worst affected in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with 401 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday. It has not reported any fatalities but has closed universities, schools, gyms, and cinemas as well as canceling many public […]