Argentine newspaper calls Vietnam's "anti-epidemic fight" a "model"
Under the title "The fight against SARS-CoV-2: Vietnam model - World model", the Argentine website OJODIGITAL recently published an article about Vietnam's successes in preventing Covid-19.
According to the article, in the past 3 months, initial complacency has made many countries pay the price with unprecedented figures on the number of people infected and dying. In that context, there are still bright spots in the world in the work of preventing and stopping the spread of the pandemic to put into practice as a model for the world. That is the case of Vietnam - a country located close to the first large epidemic in the world, with a population of more than 95 million people, but up to now there have only been 257 cases positive for SARS-CoV-2, of which 144 people have recovered and there have been no deaths.
According to OJODIGITAL, the recent difficult days due to the pandemic also showed that Vietnamese people support the decisions made by the Government, including implementing social distancing orders.
South Korea continues to record less than 30 new infections
On April 13, according to the Korean CDC, the country recorded 25 new infections and 3 new deaths, bringing the total number of infections and deaths in the country to 10,537 cases and 217 cases, respectively.
It was the second time since late February that South Korea had fewer than 30 new virus cases. However, authorities remain on high alert for clusters at churches and hospitals as well as cases imported from abroad.
Number of infections increases sharply, Indonesia tightens traffic
Indonesia announced 399 new cases of coronavirus on April 12, the highest number of cases recorded in a single day in the country so far.
Indonesian authorities said the country has imposed stricter measures on public transport ahead of an annual "migration" that has raised concerns about the potential spread of Covid-19.
Specifically, Indonesians are expected to flock to their hometowns to mark the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, so about 75 million people here usually return to their hometowns during this time. This year, Indonesia's Ramadan will end at the end of May.
Under the plan, Indonesia will limit buses, subways, boats and planes to half their total seating capacity. Similarly, private cars will be limited to half their seating capacity, and motorbikes will be limited to one person.
Indonesia currently has 4,241 Covid-19 cases and 373 deaths.
The Malaysian Ministry of Health also announced 153 more cases of coronavirus infection on the same day, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 4,683. Malaysia continues to be the country with the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia.
India, Venezuela extend lockdown
With the number of infections rising, the Indian state of Maharashtra has extended its lockdown until “at least” April 30. Maharashtra is the worst-hit state by Covid-19 in India, and is the third state to extend its lockdown until the end of April after Punjab and Odisha.
In other developments, the Venezuelan President’s administration also announced that it would extend the lockdown for another 30 days. Thus, instead of the lockdown ending on April 13, Venezuela will continue the state of national emergency and lockdown until May 13.
US declares national disaster due to COVID-19 pandemic
For the first time in history, the United States has declared a national disaster. The declaration, issued by US President Donald Trump, applies to all 50 states on April 12.
According to the latest update from worldometers.info, the US currently has 560,443 people infected with the coronavirus and 22,115 deaths. The area most affected by the Covid-19 epidemic in the US is New York City with 6,898 deaths.
The US is currently the world leader in the number of infections and deaths.
The number of infections in Russia increased to a record level
On April 12, Russia announced 2,186 new cases of Covid-19, the largest number recorded in a single day in the country. Russia currently has a total of 15,770 cases, with 130 deaths from the disease.
In France, as of early morning on April 13, the epidemic has claimed the lives of 14,393 patients (an increase of 561 cases in the past 24 hours). The total number of patients infected with the corona virus in France is 132,591 cases, the third highest in Europe, including 2,937 new cases.
In addition to the 27,186 people who have recovered and been discharged from hospital, France estimates that tens of thousands of other virus-infected people are self-isolating and receiving treatment at home.
Spain eases lockdown
Spain's new virus cases continued to fall to a record low on April 12, with 619 deaths and only 2.6% increase in new cases to 3,804.
Spain's total deaths from the epidemic are 17,209 and the total number of infections is 166,831
The figures are said to be evidence that the lockdown, which began on March 14, is working. Many factories and construction sites are preparing to reopen today.
More positive signals from some other European countries
The number of new deaths in Italy announced on April 12 was only 431 cases, a sharp decrease compared to 619 cases the previous day and the lowest level since March 19.
The number of new infections on April 12 also decreased to 4,092 cases, nearly 600 cases less than the previous day, bringing the total number of infections to 156,363, including 34,211 cured.
In Germany, since the pandemic broke out in late February, this is the first time the country has recorded more recovered people than the total number of infected people. Specifically, the total number of Covid-19 patients as of the morning of April 13 was 127,574 cases, of which 60,300 people have recovered.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was discharged from St Thomas' Hospital on the evening of April 12 after nearly a week of treatment. However, Mr. Johnson will not return to work immediately, according to the announcement of the British Prime Minister's Office.
Pope Francis gives blessing via video camera
Pope Francis broke with centuries-old tradition for the first time, live-streaming Easter Mass on April 12, Vatican time, to 1.3 billion believers worldwide.
From St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Pope Francis read a message emphasizing that this is a time more urgent than ever, the world needs to unite to respond to the pandemic; politicians and governments need to coordinate for the benefit of the people. Pope Francis also sent his thanks to doctors, nurses, and health workers, those on the front lines of the fight against the pandemic.
On the occasion of Easter, Pope Francis also called for an end to conflicts and arms trafficking.
