New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 4 crore cases and more than 11 lakh deaths.
Japanese vaccine developers are facing cyberattacks from China. Belgium is looking at a more difficult Covid-19 situation now in comparison to March and Germany’s high streets are battling the pandemic-struck economic crisis.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Japan’s vaccine developers hit by cyberattacks from China
Research institutions in Japan which have been developing vaccines to contain the coronavirus outbreak are facing cyberattacks, believed to be from China, reports the Japan Times.
According to CrowdStrike, a US-based information security firm, these vaccine developers were being targeted since April but no reports of information leaks have been made.
“The government’s National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity has urged drugmakers and research organisations to raise alert levels against such attempts to steal confidential information,” says the report.
Japan has recorded 93,127 cases of Covid-19 and 1,674 deaths so far.
Also read: Women-owned businesses in Australia take a hit, Lebanon shuts bars & other global Covid news
Coronavirus affects TB and HIV treatment in South Africa
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected healthcare facilities across the world. In South Africa, the healthcare system has been struggling to use resources for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV treatments, reports Mail & Guardian.
A reduction in the number of tests for diagnosis of TB, contact tracing and its treatment has been reported.
Health experts in South Africa have warned that people infected with TB are more susceptible to contracting the Covid-19.
South Africa has recorded 7,05,254 cases of Covid-19 and 18,492 deaths.
Belgium’s Covid crisis turns worse
Government officials in Belgium Monday revealed that the Covid-19 crisis in the country was much worse now than it was during the first wave in March, reports Reuters.
The number of infections are reaching new peaks daily and the number of people getting hospitalised have also been doubling by the week.
“To slow the second wave of coronavirus, the government has ordered bars and restaurants across the country to close for four weeks. Most employees must work from home and a night-time curfew will start from midnight on Monday,” says the report.
Belgium has recorded 2,30,480 cases of Covid-19 and 10,443 deaths.
Pakistan Opposition criticised for violating Covid guidelines
Dhanesh Kumar, adviser to the Balochistan chief minister on minorities affairs, has called out Pakistan’s Opposition for defying the country’s Covid-19 guidelines and SOPs during their rallies, reports Dawn.
“Talking to reporters after inaugurating an RO plant in Hindu Mohalla in Dalbandin, Mr Kumar said the government of Pakistan has been praised globally for controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, but the leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement were holding their mass gatherings to once again spread Covid-19 in the country,” says the report.
Pakistan has recorded 3,23,452 cases of Covid-19 and 6,659 deaths.
More small businesses in Australia likely to fail due to pandemic
Owing to the coronavirus restrictions and its impact on the economy, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expecting more small businesses to fail in the coming year, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
RBA has said that even though Australia’s economy was doing reasonably better in comparison to other countries, unemployment would still increase and the nation may be looking at a “slow and uneven” recovery.
“A recovery was under way in most of Australia, although the second Covid-19 outbreak in Victoria and associated restrictions on activity had been having a major effect on the economy in that state,” the RBA said.
Australia has recorded 27,045 cases of Covid-19 and 905 deaths.
Germany looking at solutions to save economy on high streets
Germany’s Economics Minister Peter Altmaier has called upon trade representatives across the country to discuss how to keep the high street from collapsing in the face of the pandemic, reports The Guardian.
There has been a massive decline in the number of people visiting high streets, given the popularity of online shopping.
According to the German Retail Federation, 50,000 retail locations with a €40 billion turnover, could be “swept away” in the next few months.
Germany has recorded 3,37,731 cases of Covid-19 and 9,899 deaths.
What else we are reading:
‘More red ink than black gold’: Oil industry making deals in fight for survival: The Sydney Morning Herald
Wait, What? Dutch justice minister explains lockdown rules for weed: Reuters
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