VI
EN
Vietnam has gone 16 days without any new community transmission cases.
The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control announced that as of 6:00 AM on May 2nd, Vietnam had no new community-acquired COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases remains at 270, with 219 patients having recovered and been discharged from hospitals. The remaining 53 patients are currently receiving treatment and monitoring their health at 9 medical facilities, including 14 who tested positive again after being discharged. Sixteen of these patients have tested negative at least once. Additionally, Vietnam has a total of 130 imported cases that were immediately quarantined.
All 92 people linked to Patient 92 in Ho Chi Minh City have tested negative.
On May 1st, information from the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 92 people (including 87 residents of Apartment Building 1A-1B Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Da Kao Ward, District 1, and 5 convenience store employees) tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These individuals were linked to Patient 92, the fourth patient in Ho Chi Minh City to test positive again after contracting the virus.
Vietnam repatriates nearly 300 citizens from Canada.
On the evening of May 1st, Vietnam Airlines announced that flight VN08 from Canada, carrying 300 Vietnamese citizens, had landed safely at Van Don Airport. Immediately afterward, all passengers and crew underwent health checks and were placed in centralized quarantine as per regulations. This marks the first time a Vietnam Airlines aircraft has flown to Toronto Airport in Canada, carrying nearly 300 Vietnamese citizens, including many children under 18, elderly people, those with illnesses, and students returning home after being stranded for a long time due to the pandemic. The Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa sent staff to Toronto to directly assist citizens at the airport.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnamese authorities, the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada, and Vietnam Airlines previously repatriated a number of Canadian citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also added that, based on citizens' wishes, quarantine capacity in localities across the country, and the evolving pandemic situation, relevant authorities and airlines will continue to operate commercial flights to bring Vietnamese citizens back home.
The US announces $9.5 million in aid to Vietnam to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 1st, the US State Department announced that Vietnam would receive a total of $9.5 million in aid to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, including $5 million for economic support and $4.5 million for healthcare. Over the past 20 years, the US has provided Vietnam with more than $1.8 billion in assistance, including over $706 million for healthcare.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. government has committed $775 million to emergency medical, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance to help governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations combat the pandemic.
The number of deaths from Covid-19 in Europe has exceeded 140,000.
As of the morning of May 2nd, Vietnam time, the total number of deaths from Covid-19 in Europe has exceeded 140,000. Europe is currently the continent most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with 1,495,293 confirmed cases and 140,096 deaths, accounting for nearly 60% of the total global deaths.
The European countries with the highest number of Covid-19 deaths are Italy (28,236), the UK (27,510), Spain (24,284), and France (24,594).
According to data from the Italian Civil Protection Agency, on May 1st, the country recorded an additional 1,965 cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of infections to 207,428. The number of deaths due to Covid-19 in Italy increased by 269 in the past day, reaching 28,236.
The number of deaths from Covid-19 in the UK increased by 739 on May 1st, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 27,510. Currently, the UK has the second highest number of deaths in Europe, after Italy. On the same day, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that the UK had reached its target of conducting 100,000 tests by the end of April.
As of the morning of May 2nd, the number of deaths from Covid-19 in France had reached 24,594, an increase of 218 in 24 hours, the lowest 24-hour death toll in over five weeks. The French government announced that the strict lockdown would be eased from May 11th, but the process would be slower in areas heavily affected by the pandemic.
Along with France, Spain also confirmed a downward trend in the pandemic, recording only 281 additional deaths in the past 24 hours. Spain will continue to ease lockdown measures this weekend, allowing people to go out and participate in sporting activities.
Nearly 3,000 people on the German cruise ship have been quarantined.
A statement from the German travel company TUI on May 1st announced that 2,899 people (including crew and passengers) on their cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 have been quarantined at the port of Cuxhaven on Germany's North Sea coast after one person on board tested positive for Covid-19.
Mein Schiff 3 Cruise
In the past 24 hours, Germany recorded an additional 1,068 Covid-19 infections and 133 deaths, bringing the total to 164,077 and 6,736 respectively. From May 4th, Germany will allow religious institutions, playgrounds, museums, and zoos to reopen, but they must ensure "hygiene requirements, access control, and avoiding long queues." On May 6th, German leaders will meet to decide on reopening schools, restaurants, and football leagues.
Russian Construction Minister hospitalized with COVID-19
A day after Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced he had contracted the coronavirus, Russian Construction Minister Vladimir Yakushev was also hospitalized with Covid-19. Interfax news agency reported that a deputy minister of the Construction Ministry had also been infected. The agency quoted Yakushev as saying he was being treated by doctors at a Moscow hospital.
Russia currently has 114,431 confirmed cases, the eighth highest in the world, including 1,169 deaths, mostly in the Moscow region and the city of Saint Petersburg. Russian authorities have closed most public places since the end of March to prevent the spread of the virus. Russian President Putin announced an extension of paid leave until May 11th, instructed local authorities to continue strictly maintaining "social distancing," and indicated that Russia may gradually ease restrictions from May 12th, depending on the pandemic situation.
The number of Covid-19 cases in the US continues to decline.
Johns Hopkins University reported an additional 32,908 COVID-19 infections in the US in the past 24 hours, higher than yesterday's increase of nearly 30,000 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 1,100,197. The US continues to be the epicenter of the pandemic with the highest number of infections and deaths in the world.
Protests demanding the lifting of lockdowns continue in many US states. In Michigan, for example, many protesters carrying guns gathered in the town hall demanding the governor reopen the economy, but were stopped by police.
New York is the state hardest hit by Covid-19, with 313,575 cases, an increase of 9,203 from the previous day. An additional 289 deaths were reported in the state, marking a continuous decline over the past few days and the lowest number since March 30th. The total death toll in New York is now 23,841. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that all schools in the state will close for the remainder of the school year and switch to remote learning. Summer school schedules will be announced at the end of May.
Meanwhile, some US states began easing restrictions on May 1st, despite the continued rise in Covid-19 infections and deaths. Texas was the most open state, allowing stores, restaurants, movie theaters, museums, and libraries to operate at 25% capacity.
The number of Covid-19 infections in South America may be much higher than the reported figures.
Brazil reported an additional 6,357 cases and 483 deaths from Covid-19, bringing the total to 91,737 and 6,384 respectively. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the death toll may be higher than the official figures, while experts believe the number of infections in the country could be 12-15 times higher than current data due to a large number of undetected cases stemming from limited testing capacity.
The state of Rio de Janeiro, one of the hardest-hit areas in the country, continues to require residents to stay home until May 11th. President Jair Bolsonaro has frequently expressed impatience with restrictions imposed by state governors and urged local leaders to restart economic activity. Bolsonaro has also sparked controversy by suggesting that Covid-19 is just like the common flu, fueling public dissatisfaction with his administration's response to the pandemic.
Leaders and citizens of South American countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Nicaragua tend to underestimate the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mexico reported 19,224 infections and 1,859 deaths, an increase of 1,425 and 127 cases respectively. The government said the actual number of infections could be much higher than the confirmed cases.
Despite rising new infection numbers, the government is facing calls to ease restrictions on industry. More than 300 US executives wrote to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador last week urging the swift reopening of their suppliers in Mexico.
The Middle East eases curfews during Ramadan.
Saudi Arabia reported 1,344 new infections and 7 deaths, bringing the total number of cases and deaths nationwide to 24,097 and 169, respectively. The country has eased daytime curfews during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan; however, Mecca remains under 24/7 lockdown measures. Elsewhere, people are allowed to leave their homes between 9 am and 5 pm, and some businesses have resumed operations until May 13th. Shopping malls, wholesalers, and construction companies have also been allowed to reopen.
The UAE reported 557 new infections and 6 additional deaths, bringing the total to 13,038 and 111 respectively.
Iran continues to be the largest outbreak area in Asia with 95,646 infections, an increase of 1,006. The country recorded 63 additional deaths, marking the 18th consecutive day with daily deaths below 100, bringing the total death toll to 6,091. The Iranian government has allowed shops to reopen in phases and lifted inter-provincial travel restrictions. However, schools, mosques, cinemas, stadiums, and other public places remain closed nationwide. Authorities have recently raised the possibility of reopening mosques in less affected areas, but no concrete plans have been announced.
China and South Korea have brought the epidemic under control.
China reported only one new imported case in the past 24 hours. The country recorded no additional deaths, maintaining the death toll at 4,633 out of a total of 82,875 infections; 989 asymptomatic cases are under monitoring. Hubei province, the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak in China, lowered its Covid-19 emergency response level from the highest to the second highest level on May 2nd. Hubei has gone 28 consecutive days without reporting any new cases.
South Korea reported six new cases, all imported, marking the fourth consecutive day with fewer than 10 new cases. Two more deaths were reported, bringing the total to 250 among 780 confirmed cases. 9,123 people have recovered. On May 3rd, South Korea will announce whether it will ease social distancing measures, allowing schools and workplaces to reopen but with the condition that preventative measures are in place.
India extends nationwide lockdown.
In South Asia, India reported 2,394 new infections and 69 deaths, bringing the total to 37,257 and 1,223 respectively. Authorities have divided the country into red, orange, and green zones, depending on the severity of the outbreak in each area. The nationwide lockdown was set to expire on May 4th; however, the government decided to extend it for another two weeks, but allowed for the easing of some restrictions in the orange and green zones.
Air, rail, and metro traffic, as well as intercity road transport, remains banned in India; schools, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, cinemas, and religious establishments remain closed.
Southeast Asia remains a hotspot for the pandemic.
Southeast Asia reported an additional 1,725 cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of infections in the region to 46,179, with 1,558 deaths. Singapore remains the region's largest outbreak area with 17,101 infections and 16 deaths. Indonesia ranks second with 10,551 infections and 800 deaths. The Philippines reported 8,772 infections and 579 deaths, making it the third largest outbreak area.
Along with Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor, and Laos are among the countries that have not recorded any deaths due to Covid-19. The number of infections in these countries, along with Brunei, remained unchanged in the past 24 hours.
WHO and EIB will support 10 African and Middle Eastern countries in combating COVID-19.
On May 1st, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it would strengthen cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to enhance public health, provide essential equipment, training, and investment in sanitation and disease prevention worldwide, particularly in countries vulnerable to the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially, WHO and the EIB will urgently invest in infrastructure and healthcare personnel in 10 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
According to a WHO statement issued on May 1, the new partnership will benefit from the EIB's support package of up to 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) aimed at addressing the health, social, and economic impacts of Covid-19 in Africa.
