In a milestone of sorts, But Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the COVID-19 reported no new cases on Wednesday for the first time since the outbreak. On Monday and Tuesday, it reported only one new case each. Rest of the Hubei province has not reported any new infections for almost two weeks. Overall, China is seeing fewer domestic transmissions. According to the National Health Commission, 34 new cases were reported overall in mainland China and all of them were imported infections.
Once there are no new cases for 14 days, the lockdown of Wuhan may be lifted, the state-backed China Daily reported.
Strict disease control and prevention measures will still be needed to prevent a possible rebound, China Daily reported on Thursday, citing epidemiologist Li Lanjuan. Wuhan had been under lockdown since the Lunar New Year festival in mid-January and still remains a city designated as high-risk, subject to strict travel bans.
Here are COVID-19 updates from other parts of the world:
The UK must act like a "wartime" government and do whatever it takes to support the country's economy, PM Boris Johnson says as Britain's death toll from COVID-19 rose to 71 and the number of cases stands at nearly 2,000.
Hundreds of distressed Indian students, stuck in the Philippines, are seeking help through video messages due to travel restrictions imposed by India to contain coronavirus spread.
The number of deaths due to the new coronavirus in the US reaches 105, with the outbreak spreading to all 50 states.
S&P Global Ratings lowers India's economic growth forecast to 5.2 per cent for 2020, saying the global economy is entering a recession amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In order to give relief to the Americans adversely impacted by the coronavirus, President Donald Trump instructs that money be sent to them directly as soon as possible, White House officials say.
China is engaged in a disinformation campaign to shift its responsibility in the spread of the coronavirus, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleges.
The World Bank announces increasing to $14 billion the amount of fast-track financing to assist companies and countries in their efforts against COVID-19 pandemic.
