CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: Latest updates

Death toll crosses 165,273

The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 165,273 yesterday, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University yesterday. More than 2,411,553 declared cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories. In US, the death toll stood at 40,683 with 759,786 infections. Italy is the next most-affected country with 23,660 deaths and 178,972 confirmed infections. It is followed by Spain with 20,852 fatalities, France with 19,744 deaths and Britain with 16,095 deaths.

Psychological tests to know Impact of lockdown            

Italian scientists want the government to conduct psychological tests on a sample of the population to determine how long people can stay confined to their homes, a report said yesterday. The Corriere della Sera newspaper said scientists want to understand how long Italians "are able to endure a lockdown" in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. PM Giuseppe Conte will announce a new set of social guidelines this week that could include the tests, the report said.

2021 Olympics in doubt!

A Japanese expert who has criticised the country's response to the coronavirus yesterday warned that he is "pessimistic" that the postponed Olympics can be held even in 2021. Kentaro Iwata, a professor of infectious diseases at Kobe University, told a press briefing that the virus would have to be under control at home and abroad for the Games to take place. But he said that is unlikely.

Weaknesses in health systems exposed: G20  

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed "systemic weaknesses" in global health systems, the G20 said yesterday, but there was no mention of Washington's contentious decision to halt World Health Organization funding. The statement from health ministers from the 20 most advanced economies expressed willingness to work together "to improve the effectiveness of global health systems by sharing knowledge and closing the gap in response capabilities and readiness."

S'pore sees record cases

Singapore reported a record daily jump of more than 1,400 coronavirus cases yesterday, taking its total to over 8,000, with almost all new infections linked to dormitories housing foreign labourers. Health authorities in the financial hub, which now has the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia, reported 1,426 new cases, taking its total to 8,014, including 11 deaths.

Novartis backs Malaria drug

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis yesterday said it would sponsor a clinical trial in the US using hydroxychloroquine to treat patients hospitalised with COVID-19. It said it had reached an agreement with the US food and Drug Administration (FDA) to go ahead with a phase III clinical trial with around 440 patients to evaluate whether the drug is efficient in treating coronavirus.