The number of new infections has decreased in many countries.

Cambodia has reported no new cases for three days.

The Cambodian Ministry of Health announced that the country has not recorded any new Covid-19 cases for three consecutive days, from April 4th to 6th. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health stated that, despite the lack of new infections, the public should remain vigilant against the disease.

Also on April 6th, Indonesia recorded an additional 218 cases, the highest single-day increase to date. The country now has a total of 2,491 confirmed cases.

China reports no deaths for the first time.

According to AFP, China's National Health Commission (NHC) announced today (April 7) that for the first time since it began publishing epidemic data in January 2020, the country recorded no daily deaths from Covid-19.

As of April 6th, China reported 32 new cases nationwide, all imported from abroad. Although the number of cases in mainland China has been declining since March, the country is still facing a second wave of infections from overseas, with a total of nearly 1,000 imported cases.

Israel imposes a nationwide lockdown for 3 days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a nationwide lockdown from April 7th to 10th to prevent the spread of the virus during the Jewish Passover holiday.

Netanyahu announced that travel restrictions would be tightened on April 7th, and Israelis would be prohibited from leaving their homes on the evening of April 8th, when families typically go out to participate in traditional holiday activities. Movement between cities will be banned for nearly three days.

Iran calls on France to pressure the US to lift sanctions.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on April 6. During the call, the Iranian leader urged France to pressure the United States to lift unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic, as Tehran grapples with the COVID-19 outbreak.

In addition, Tehran is also negotiating with several countries on the issue of prisoner exchanges. According to Iranian media, unrest has occurred in several prisons and there has been a mass escape from a prison in the west of the country, although authorities have temporarily released about 100,000 prisoners to alleviate overcrowding at that prison.

According to Iran's Deputy Justice Minister, Mahmoud Abbasith, 2,600 Afghan prisoners are preparing to leave Iran to return to their country, and several Central Asian nations have agreed to prisoner exchanges with Tehran.

Iran is one of the countries most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, the death toll from the disease in Iran stands at 3,739, with a total of 60,500 confirmed cases.

Morocco makes wearing a face mask mandatory when going outside.

The Moroccan government announced that, starting April 7th, everyone in the country is required to wear a face mask when going outside to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who fail to comply with the new regulation could face imprisonment for up to three months and a fine of up to 1,300 dirhams.

Reportedly, this North African nation plans to increase its mask production to 6 million per day next week, up from the current level of 3.3 million.

Death toll surpasses 10,000, US extends New York lockdown.

According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University on April 6th, the total number of deaths from Covid-19 in the US has surpassed 10,000. In just the past week, the number of deaths in the country has increased from an average of 500 to over 1,000 cases per day.

In New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo decided to extend the lockdown until almost the end of April. Cuomo also warned that the state remains in a state of emergency and it is impossible to accurately predict the timing of the peak of the pandemic. He urged New Yorkers to adhere to social distancing guidelines, even as warmer weather encourages people to go outside.

Italy: number of new infections decreases, number of deaths increases.

The Italian Civil Protection Agency confirmed 3,599 new positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 on April 6, the lowest number of new cases since March 17.

The agency also recorded an additional 636 deaths, higher than the 525 reported on April 5th, bringing the total number of COVID-19 fatalities to 16,523 – the highest in the world.

France records a record number of new deaths.

On April 6th, France recorded an additional 833 deaths from Covid-19 within hospitals and nursing homes in the past 24 hours. This is the highest single-day death toll to date in the country.

The British Prime Minister requires special medical treatment.

The UK Prime Minister's office announced on April 6 that Boris Johnson is receiving specialized treatment in hospital after his condition, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, worsened.

Boris Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who holds the position of Chief Cabinet Secretary, to handle matters in his place when necessary.

Norway declares it has brought the epidemic under control.

According to the Norwegian government, the rate of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from infected individuals has dropped to 0.7% – lower than the 2.5% rate when containment measures such as closing public places and banning sporting and cultural events were implemented in mid-March.

Currently, the total number of Covid-19 cases recorded in Norway is 5,865.

Czech Republic will ease some anti-epidemic measures.

From April 7th, the Czech government will allow the reopening of raw material collection and purchasing facilities. Individual outdoor sports activities not in public places (such as jogging, cycling in the forest, etc.) will no longer require the wearing of face masks or coverings, however, a distance of 2 meters from other people must still be maintained.

From April 9th, Czech citizens will be allowed to open convenience stores, building material stores, computer stores, and bicycle repair shops.

This easing of restrictions will come with stricter hygiene requirements. Shops must provide hand sanitizer, and supermarkets will continue to be required to provide disposable gloves for customers.

From April 14th, some Czech border crossings will gradually be allowed to reopen to handle essential entry and exit cases such as business trips and the transport of essential goods.

As of the end of April 6th (local time), the Czech Republic had recorded a total of 4,735 COVID-19 patients, including 78 deaths.

The UN Security Council will hold its first meeting on COVID-19.

According to AFP, citing diplomats on April 6, the United Nations Security Council will hold its first meeting on the Covid-19 pandemic on April 9, following weeks of disagreements among its five permanent members.

Lan Oanh