Coronavirus

Coronavirus underscores urgency to bridge digital divide

The world is witnessing one of the swiftest organizational transformations in history as governments and businesses rely heavily on the internet to minimize the disruption caused by lockdowns and…

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Thessaloniki installs feeders for stray animals due to Covid 19

A volunteer fills a feeder for stray cats and dogs in Thessaloniki, Greece. The municipality of Thessaloniki placed feeders in central parts of the city to feed the stray animals,…

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Photo Story: Balloon artist strives for smiles in times of crisis

Balloon artist Andrew Lawton twists balloons in his spare time after was recently furloughed from his job at Cromwell Tools, in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, Britain, 09 April 2020. He noticed people…

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Photo Story: A poem to the NHS

A poem about Britain's National Health Service (NHS) is displayed on advertising boards at Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain, 09 April 2020. Latest figures show the UK recorded its highest…

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Israelis mark Passover in virtual isolation

The Jewish Passover holiday typically draws crowds of Israelis outside to burn heaps of leavened bread, commemorating the Biblical exodus from slavery in Egypt. But on Wednesday, a coronavirus lockdown…

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OneMillionClaps appeal in the UK to raise funds for NHS workers

A new appeal being launched on Thursday aims to raise at least £5m to support NHS workers battling coronavirus. Organised by NHS Charities Together, the #OneMillionClaps appeal aims to inspire…

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Turin’s Holy Shroud veneration to be broadcast live on Holy Saturday

On Saturday 11 April, there will be an extraordinary veneration of the Shroud in Turin Cathedral, which will be broadcast live on Italian television and through social media platforms. From…

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Photo Story: Coronavirus Emergency in Milan

Italian Carabinieri man checkpoint in the streets of Cinisello Balsamo, during Coronavirus' emergency in Milan, Italy, 09 April 2020. Premier Giuseppe Conte has said Italy may start to gradually ease…

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George and Amal Clooney donate $1M for coronavirus relief

George and Amal Clooney have donated more than one million dollars to the coronavirus relief effort, including money for the NHS, PA reports. The couple, who have a home in…

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Brown’s Pharma launches free delivery service to its POYC registered customers

Brown’s Pharma Ltd today announced the introduction of a free home delivery service to all the customers registered with Brown’s Pharmacy under the POYC scheme. As part of the Company’s…

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UK death toll increases further as Cabinet mulls lockdown extension

The UK daily tally provides yet again for some grim reading with 887 persons succumbing to the novel coronavirus. This has taken up Britain's total to 7,862. The National Health…

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Photo Story: Initiative in the UK to fight children’s boredom

Sock puppets displayed on a blue fence in Leicestershire, Britain. The Landlord of the Stoney Stanton village pub has encouraged children to make sock puppets, which he later displays on…

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Majority of Britons in favour of a government of national unity

A majority of Britons are in favour of a government of national unity being formed for the duration of the coronavirus crisis, a new poll from YouGov suggests. In…

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Voluntary repatriation scheme for all foreign nationals

Foreign nationals who wish to return to their home country will be able to do so at a subsidized cost following a voluntary repatriation scheme launched this afternoon by the…

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Photo Story: Gym lessons for the elderly in the Netherlands

The elderly take gym lessons from their balcony in Kwintsheul, The Netherlands, 08 April 2020. Because of the advice to stay indoors during the coronavirus crisis, many seniors miss their…

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UK domestic abuse helplines report surge in calls during lockdown

A helpline for perpetrators of domestic abuse who are seeking help to change their behaviour has received 25% more calls as the Covid-19 lockdown continues, fresh figures show. The Respect…

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African leaders rally around WHO head after Trump criticism

African leaders have rallied around the Ethiopian head of the World Health Organization (WHO) after U.S. President Donald Trump criticised the United Nations agency and threatened to withhold his country’s…

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US Senate tells members not to use video conferencing app Zoom

The US senate has told members not to use video conferencing app Zoom over security concerns, the Financial Times reports. Senators have been asked to find an alternative platform…

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China seeks to contain ‘silent carriers’ of coronavirus

China released new measures to try and prevent asymptomatic “silent carriers” of coronavirus from causing a second wave of infections, as the country reported another modest rise in new…

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Poland to lift some restrictions

In Poland, some measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 will be lifted after Easter, its deputy health minister has suggested. During a news conference, Waldemar Kraska, said some restrictions would…

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Photo Story: Swiss residents thanked for respecting the confinement

A chocolate Easter bunny pictured in a letterbox during the state of emergency of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Daillens, Switzerland, 09 April 2020. In order to thank its…

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Britain’s Labour calls for coronavirus lockdown exit strategy

Britain’s opposition Labour Party leader called on Thursday for the government to publish its exit strategy from the coronavirus lockdown, the most stringent measures in the country’s peacetime history. “I’m…

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Melania Trump expresses her support for Italy in this time of crisis

United States First Lady Melania Trump called Laura Mattarella, the daughter of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, to express support for Italy as it battles against the coronavirus, the White House…

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U2 gives €10m to support healthcare workers

U2 has given €10m to support healthcare workers during the coronavirus outbreak in Ireland. The band’s donation will be used to source and buy personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline…

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Slowdown in coronavirus related deaths in Spain

The number of daily coronavirus-related deaths in Spain slowed on Thursday as 683 fatalities were recorded in 24 hours. The total of people who have succumbed to the virus now stands at…

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Bank of England to temporarily finance UK government spending

The Bank of England has agreed temporarily to finance government borrowing in response to COVID-19 if funds cannot immediately be raised from debt markets, reviving a measure last used to…

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EU to take up pandemic fight on a global level

The European Commission has set out plans for a robust and targeted EU response to support partner countries' efforts in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. The EU's collective action will focus…

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Russia reports record increase in cases

Russia has reported a record one-day rise of 1,459 new cases of Covid-19, bringing its national total to 10,131. The number of reported related deaths also increased by 13 to…

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EP offers its buildings to local communities in support of pandemic response

The European Parliament has offered its building as well as a fleet of cars and lorries to the Brussels regional authorities in its efforts to support the community to deal…

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Persons infected in Vatican increase

An eighth Holy See worker has come down with the coronavirus, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced. He said the man had been hospitalised locally without returning to Rome. Via ANSA

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People who deliberately spread coronavirus to Australian health workers face life in prison

People who deliberately try to spread the coronavirus to Australia's healthcare workers could spend life in prison, the federal government has warned. Speaking at a Wednesday press conference, Health Minister Greg…

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New Zealand is weighing up whether to relax its COVID-19 lockdown

New Zealand will consider dropping its lockdown arrangements on April 20, two days before the restrictions are due to expire. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has declared her country's…

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UN issues children’s story book to help children cope with COVID-19

A new story book that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the…

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German cases climb for third straight day

The case of coronavirus in Germanys on Thursday climbed for third straight day. The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Germany rose by 4,974 in the past 24 hours to…

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Easter lockdowns around the world

Measures ranging from the draconian to the quixotic – a French mayor has banned sitting on benches – represent a collective warning to citizens who may be tempted to take…

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Second US study for COVID-19 vaccine underway

U.S. researchers have opened another safety test of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine, this one using a skin-deep shot instead of the usual deeper jab. “It’s the most important trial that…

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China reports slight increase for second day

China reported a slight increase in new coronavirus cases for the second straight day, as the number of infections involving incoming overseas travellers hit a two-week high. China reported 63 new…

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Global deaths from Covid-19 near 90,000

At least 88,538 people have now died worldwide, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. They say more than 1.5 million people have been infected, of whom 329,492 have recovered.…

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US-Maltese collaboration to defeat COVID-19

The U.S. Embassy is to partner with Maltese company Invent 3D in its innovative project to produce face shields to help health workers stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Embassy made…

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UK coronavirus cases and hospital admissions starting to ‘plateau’

The number of coronavirus infections and hospital admissions in Britain is beginning to show signs of flattening, Stephen Powis, medical director of the National Health Service, said on Wednesday. “We…

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Hopes boosted for vaccine for coronavirus

UK scientists say the coronavirus is "hit and run" and not as well shielded from the immune system as some others - meaning it could be easier to develop a…

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Virus fears prompt halt to Saudi military operations in Yemen

Concerns about a potential outbreak in Yemen, where no cases have been reported so far, are partly behind a decision to call a halt to the military action there that…

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WHO chief urges end to ‘politicisation’ of virus

Please don’t politicise this virus,’ urged World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus a day after US president Donald Trump tried to pin blame on the WHO for…

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Boris Johnson’s condition ‘improving’

Boris Johnson remains in intensive care but is "improving" and "sitting up in bed" engaging with doctors, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said. The prime minister was moved into intensive care…

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Turkey to track mobiles to ensure Covid-positive persons stay home

As the infection and death rate continue to increase at alarming rate in Turkey, the Government of the South Eastern European nation has given itself ample powers in its bid…

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“We’re going back to normality” – Czech Health Minister

The Czech Republic has effectively declared victory in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, according to media reports in the Central European nation's media. Health Minister Adam Vojtěch reportedly…

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Photo Story: Nuns give a helping hand in Poland as cases increase to 5,000

Nuns of the canon of the Holy Spirit de Saxia make face masks in Krakow, Poland. The Sisters of the canon of the Holy Spirit de Saxia are making…

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Photo Story: The daily salute to honour Spanish health workers

People clap from windows during a collective scheduled clapping event in honor of workers of the sanitary and health care sector in Malaga, Andalusia, Spain. Easter celebrations have been cancelled…

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165 VIPs urge 20 economic powers for billions for COVID-19

Many former global leaders and other VIPs urged the world’s 20 major industrialized nations to approve $8 billion in emergency funding to speed the search for a vaccine, cure and…

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New York mulls emergency burial sites

A backhoe digs a large hole and deposits dirt into dump trucks on Hart Island, located in the Long Island sound, off the coast of the Bronx, New York, USA.…

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Donald Trump ‘lost $1bn in a month’ from coronavirus lockdown

Donald Trump lost an estimated $1bn of his paper fortune in the past month as the coronavirus lockdown forced the closure of offices, shopping centres, hotels and golf courses he…

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Photo Story: Birth during the coronavirus pandemic

A Thai nurse puts face shields on new-born babies as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic at Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi, in Samut Prakan province, Thailand, 08 April 2020. The…

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Italian antibody test ready for end of month

The DiaSorin company announced it has completed tests at Pavia's Policlinico San Matteo Hospital and the necessary studies to launch a new high-volume serum test to detect antibodies in patients…

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A year after blaze, Notre-Dame to hold Good Friday service

A small congregation of worshippers will hold a Good Friday service at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a year after it was devastated by fire, but attendance will be limited…

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Photo Story: Hindu devotees celebrate amid Covid-19 lockdown

A Hindu devotee wears a facial mask while observing the Balaju Purnima festival during the nationwide coronavirus emergency lockdown, in Kathmandu, Nepal, 08 April 2020. A very low number of…

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Photo Story: Brazil increases graves at cemetery

An aerial view of the Vila Formosa cemetery, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Vila Formosa cemetery, in the eastern part of Sao Paulo, is the largest in Latin America. The…

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UK’s Wednesday death tally doubles Monday’s count

The UK's Department of Health confirmed that 936 people died after contracting coronavirus in the UK in the past 24 hours, the highest increase so far. This number more than…

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