DUBAI: Parts of the Middle East have recorded more infections of COVID-19 In recent days, with the global number of cases reaching 4.9 million as of Wednesday.
Turkey has the highest number in the region at 151,615, while the US tops the global list at 1.5 million.
These figures come as countries continue to explore ways of returning to normal life, including easing mobility restrictions and reopening public areas including parks and beaches.
May 20, 2020, Wednesday (All times in GMT)
17:48 - French health authorities reported 110 new coronavirus deaths, an increase of 0.4%, bringing the total to 28,132, still the fourth-highest in the world behind the US, Britain and Italy.
The number of confirmed cases increased by 418 to 143,845, an increase of 0.3%, in line with the average rise per day seen since the end of a lockdown on May 11. On Tuesday, the number of cases rose by 524.
16:07 - Canada's total confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 79,112 from 78,499 on May 19, with 5,912 deaths, up from 5,857, according to Public Health Agency data.
16:02 - Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 161, against 162 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new cases fell to 665 from 813 on Tuesday.
The total death toll now stands at 32,330 the agency said, the third highest in the world after those of the United States and Britain.
The number of confirmed cases amounts to 227,364 the sixth highest global tally behind those of the United States, Russia, Spain, Britain and Brazil.
16:01 - All Italian airports can reopen from June 3 in another step to easing the country’s coronavirus lockdown, the transport minister said on Wednesday.
“It will be possible to reopen all airports from June 3, when regional and international transfers will be allowed again,” minister Paola De Micheli told lawmakers.
15:06 - Spain’s overnight death toll from the new coronavirus was 95, a slight rise on Tuesday’s 83, the health ministry said.
The overall number of fatalities is now 27,888 the ministry said, while the number of diagnosed cases rose to 232,555 cases.
12:55 - US president Donald Trump has blamed Chinese "incompetence" for "mass worldwide killing,' referring to the COVID-19 pandemic.
12:40 - Saudi Arabia announced 10 more coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, with a further 2,691 confirmed infections, bringing the total to 62,545 cases and 339 fatalities. Some 1,844 people have also recovered recovered, meaning the total number of recoveries stands at 33,478. READ FULL STORY.
11:22 - Qatar confirmed 1,491 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of infected people in the country to 37,097
09:31 - Oman confirmed 372 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of infected people to 6,043 in the Sultinate
09:27 - Sudan confirmed 137 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of infected people to 2,728
09:24 - Russia’s PM Mishustin said the situation with coronavirus in the country had started to stabilize
07:48 – Russia reported 8,764 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, its lowest daily rise since May 2, taking the total number of documented infections to 308,705.
07:28 – The discovery of new coronavirus cases in two students marred the reopening of South Korean schools. READ THE STORY
Students eat lunch at tables equipped with plastic barriers to prevent possible spread of the coronavirus at Jeonmin High School in Daejeon, South Kore on May 20, 2020. (Yonhap via AP)
06:12 – Spain’s health ministry has mandated the use of face masks in public spaces for people above six years old.
06:05 – Philippine police have raided a small clandestine hospital and a drugstore catering to Chinese citizens suspected to be infected with the COVID-19 disease and arrested two Chinese administrators.
05:12 – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday that the coronavirus pandemic threatens Africa’s progress and could push millions into extreme poverty.
04:44 – Afghanistan’s coronavirus crisis has freed young couples in Kabul to consider something that once seemed unthinkable: downsizing their weddings. READ THE STORY
04:02 – The Kuwaiti government is firming up plans to repatriate residency violators who have registered for the amnesty campaign launched throughout April.
03:30 – Jordan has since May 5 repatriated 6,855 nationals who were stranded overseas due to travel restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic.
03:05 – A UAE company has developed a laser-based testing equipment that identifies coronavirus patients in seconds, further enabling the country’s aggressive screening program.
02:45 – The UAE reported 873 new coronavirus infections, bringing the caseload to 25,063 as the country aggressively pursues testing for early detection particularly of individuals who had prior contact with active COVID-19 cases.
