Month: November 2021

(Xinhua)16:04, November 30, 2020

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) — The United States on Sunday reported more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases for the 27th consecutive day, with over 135,000 cases counted by Johns Hopkins University from 0000 GMT Sunday to 0000 GMT Monday.

The United States has already recorded more than 13.37 million cases in total, with over 266,800 related deaths as of Sunday night, according to the real-time data published by the university.

Meanwhile, over 5 million COVID-19 patients have recovered across the country since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The hospitalization number of COVID-19 patients reached a record high of over 93,000 on Sunday, trumping Saturdays record-breaking 91,635, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

(Xinhua)17:03, November 30, 2020

MANILA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) — The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines on Monday reported 1,773 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection, bringing the total number in the country to 431,630.

The DOH said 44 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 398,658. The death toll climbed to 8,392 after 19 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH added.

The DOH reported 2,076 new cases on Sunday, breaking 19 straight days of less than 2,000.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque attributed the slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases to the evacuation center crowding and the holiday rush.

Hundreds of Filipinos displaced by the cyclones that swept through the country this month are temporarily housed in government-run shelters.

Of course, the upcoming Christmas season, the number of people going out and mingling with others has increased, sometimes they forget to observe minimum health standards, Duque said in a virtual briefing.

Duque urged Filipinos to avoid travel and visit relatives in the provinces this holiday season, saying the health threat remains. He also urged Filipinos to limit their celebrations to low-risk activities to avoid transmission.

The 17 mayors of Metro Manila, one of the hotspots of the outbreak, have formally recommended extending the general community quarantine status in the capital until Dec. 31.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will announce later Monday the new quarantine measures in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

(Xinhua)17:12, November 30, 2020

NEW DELHI, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) — Local government in Indias western state of Rajasthan has decided to close schools, colleges, cinema and entertainment parks until Dec. 31 in wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, officials said Monday.

The move comes after a surge in COVID-19 cases was recorded in the state.

Previously the state home department extended the closure of educational institutions till Nov. 30. Now, after the recent announcement, schools and colleges in Rajasthan will remain shut until Dec. 31, an official said. Likewise cinemas and entertainment parks will remain closed during this period in order to minimise the rush of people.

On Sunday evening Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation across the state.

During the last 24 hours, the state recorded 18 COVID-19 deaths and 2,518 fresh cases.

Rajasthan is the eleventh worst-hit state in India. The state so far has witnessed 265,386 cases of COVID-19 and 2,292 related deaths.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan Kiran Maheshwari, who had tested positive for COVID-19 last month, passed away late Sunday night at a hospital. She is the second lawmaker in the state to die of the disease after Congress party lawmaker Kailash Trivedi.

On Monday morning the federal health ministry said the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 9,431,691 and the death toll has risen to 137,139.

India is the second worst-hit country due to COVID-19 after the United States.

(Xinhua)15:06, November 28, 2020

WELLINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) — Tens of thousands of people lined along Lambton Quay in Wellington, New Zealand to enjoy an array of family-friendly activities and performances on Saturday to celebrate Christmas in the southern hemisphere.

People of all ages and cultures enjoyed roaming Christmas characters, corgis, face painting, crafts and a photo booth, a foam cannon, ice skating, Big Air Gym, circus performers, Tape Art Labyrinth fun, food trucks and more.

In the celebration, two Chinese lion dances and two Chinese folk mask big-headed dolls sponsored by the China Culture Center in Wellington were particularly eye-catching. Several dance programs and two Chinese folk music performances were also provided by the China Culture Center in Wellington.

Guo Zongguang, director of the China Culture Center in Wellington, saw the performances as an opportunity to strengthen ties between both countries and promote the people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Spreading joy and happiness, the celebration decorated the capital with festive colors of red and white. The parade and performances brought people of all ages and cultures together in a colorful, creative, and vibrant display.

As one of the regional marquee events, the parade, which was usually held in the last weekend of November and attracts large crowds every year, was by far the largest gathering held in COVID-19 alert level 1 in Wellington.

New Zealand relaxed its restrictions by moving from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1 on Sept. 21 after controlling the pandemic. At Alert Level 1, everyone can return to work, school, sports and domestic travel, without restrictions. However, border restrictions and good hygiene are required.

(Xinhua)08:23, November 27, 2020

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he would leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for Biden, claiming that the electors would make a mistake by doing so, and that its very hard for him to concede defeat.