India says it will carry out a massive survey for the coronavirus, targeting New Delhi’s entire population of 29 million.
Officials will go each household to record each resident’s health details and administer a test to those who show or report symptoms.
Cases in Pakistan continue to decline
Coronavirus testing numbers in Pakistan – which has one of the highest rates of infection spread – are continuing to drop, with just 21,835 tests conducted on Wednesday.
Of those, 4,044 patients tested positive, according to government data, a test-positive rate of 18.5 percent. Countrywide cases rose on Wednesday to 192,970, according to the data. The country also recorded its second-highest number of deaths in a single day on Wednesday, with 148 patients dying, taking the overall death toll to 3,978.
The drop in testing is led by significant decreases in daily testing in Sindh and Punjab provinces, the country’s two most populous regions. In Sindh, officials told Al Jazeera the drop in testing was due to a “shortage of staff” at labs causing a backlog.
Market ‘disconnect’ could worsen virus downturn: IMF
Recent gains in global financial markets despite the coronavirus downturn’s “huge” economic uncertainties are a potential threat to the recovery if investors abruptly change their minds, the IMF cautioned Thursday.
Markets have been cheered by the massive support provided by governments and central banks, and seem to expect a quick recovery even though forecasts and consumer confidence are more pessimistic, the IMF said in its latest Global Financial Stability Report.
But the paper warns of the dangers lurking in the future from the flood of “unconventional” policies that have left the global economy awash in easy money.
Indonesia’s passes 50,000 cases as business resumes
The number of coronavirus infections in Indonesia has surpassed 50,000 as the government allows businesses to reopen amid increasing economic pressure.
A government task force says the spiking case numbers align with the country’s increasing testing capacity. But testing is still lower than recommended for a country that has 270 million people.
Indonesia started reopening businesses this month and will gradually reopen more through July.
Hong Kong announces coronavirus death
A 55-year-old male coronavirus patient (confirmed case No 1180) admitted to hospital in Hong Kong in late May has died early on Thursday morning, a spokesman for the Princess Margaret Hospital said
The hospital said the man had suffered a stroke in the Philippines and was airlifted back to Hong Kong. Seven people have now died from COVID-19 in the territory.
South Korea cases ease
South Korea’s latest coronavirus data suggests it is getting a grip on the clusters that have emerged in Seoul in recent weeks.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said this morning the country had recorded 28 new cases, 23 of them local infections.
That is a decrease from Wednesday’s 51 cases and Tuesday’s 46. Most clusters are linked to delivery firms and small churches.
New coronavirus cluster at Italy courier warehouse: Report
A cluster of new coronavirus cases has emerged at a warehouse in the Italian city of Bologna used by express courier Bartolini, a local newspaper reported.
The company uncovered 44 asymptomatic cases – including two drivers – after testing all workers at the warehouse in central-northern Italy following the discovery of two members of staff with the virus, the Resto del Carlino daily said.
Shops, cafes reopen as Italy lifts coronavirus restrictions
Pandemic could lead to more narcotic use: UN
The coronavirus pandemic could see a rise in the use and trafficking of narcotics as well as increased risks for users, the UN drugs and crime agency (UNODC) said.
The virus could lead to an overall increase in drug use with a shift towards cheaper products and injecting, both of which could mean greater danger for users, the agency said in its 2020 World Drug Report.
SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies
