- Spain begins to ease strict lockdown to revive economy
South Korea reported on Monday that about 116 people initially cleared of the new coronavirus had tested positive again, although officials suggested they would soon look at easing strict recommendations aimed at preventing new outbreaks.
South Korea reported only 25 new cases overall yesterday, but the rise in “reactivated” patients has raised concerns as the country seeks to stamp out infections.
Officials are still investigating the cause of the apparent relapses. But Jeong Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), has said the virus may have been reactivated rather than the patients being re-infected.
Other experts said faulty tests may be playing a role or remnants of the virus may still be in patients’ systems but not be infectious or of danger to the host or others.
The 116 cases are more than double the 51 such cases South Korea reported a week earlier.
South Korea plans to send 600,000 coronavirus testing kits to the United States today in the first such shipment following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump, a Seoul official told Reuters.
Government leaders, meanwhile, called on South Koreans to continue to follow guidelines and restrictions on social gatherings, but hinted that such measures could soon be eased.
South Korea has called on residents to follow strict social distancing until at least April 19, but as cases have dropped and the weather has improved, a growing number of people have been flouting the guidelines.
At a meeting on disaster management yesterday, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the government would soon be looking to loosen the guidelines, which call for people to stay at home, avoid social gatherings of any type, and only go out for essential reasons.
“Later this week, we plan to review our intensive social distancing campaign that we have carried out so far and discuss whether we will switch to routine safety measures” he said.
Some local governments have imposed stricter measures, including closing bars and nightclubs, banning large demonstrations, and limiting church services.
Chung cautioned that even when the restrictions are eased, the country will not return to life as before the outbreak.
Putin warns Russia’s coronavirus situation getting worse
But, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the coronavirus epidemic in his country was “not getting better,” according to comments carried by state media.
Russia has registered a total of 18,328 cases of COVID-19 as at yesterday, with the number of infected rising by a new daily record of 2,558, latest official data showed.
The death toll is now 148, with 1,470 people having recovered so far, including 179 in the last 24 hours, according to the country’s coronavirus response centre in a statement.
Putin demanded that officials provide him with daily reports and forecasts about the situation.
He said Russia’s military could become involved in further response measures, such as assistance by military medical staff.
The Russian leader, who has been working remotely, expressed support for the city of Moscow’s lockdown quarantine measures.
Most of Russia’s regions have followed Moscow’s lead and imposed similar measures, advising residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
Moscow, the worst-hit part of the country, confirmed 1,355 new cases in the last 24 hours, with the total number of infected rising to 11,513.
To prevent the spread of coronavirus, Putin extended paid leave for all residents until the end of April.
Spain begins to ease lockdown to revive economy
However, Spain, one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus, is beginning to ease strict lockdown measures that have brought its economy to a standstill.
People in manufacturing, construction and some services are being allowed to return to work, but must stick to strict safety guidelines.
The rest of the population must still remain at home.
Almost 17,500 people with Covid-19 have died in Spain, but the rate of new infections has been falling.
Italy – the hardest hit country in Europe, with almost 19,900 deaths – said will allow a narrow range of firms to resume operations today.
Spain’s health ministry said yesterday that the daily number of deaths had dipped slightly, with 517 reported in the previous 24 hours, compared with 619 announced on Sunday. The official total death toll is now 17,489.
The number of new infections continues to drop, with 3,477 confirmed cases bringing the total to 169,496.
“We are still far from victory, from the moment when we will recover normality in our lives,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned over the weekend.
“We are all keen to go back out on the streets… but our desire is even greater to win the war and prevent a relapse,” he added.a
