New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 5.9 crore cases and more than 14 lakh deaths.
The number of refugees fleeing North Korea is expected to increase with the country facing an economic crisis due to the pandemic and international sanctions. Debate rages over Turkey’s Covid numbers, and a parliament committee report highlights there has been a 33 per cent increase in cases of sexual abuse in Israel during the pandemic.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Pandemic to ‘unleash’ new wave of North Korean refugees
With North Korea facing an economic crisis because of the pandemic and international sanctions, the number of refugees fleeing the country is expected to increase, reports Asia Times.
On 20 November, six women from North Korea crossed the Mekong river from Laos and then entered northern Thailand, specifically Chiang Saen.
“It’s not yet clear why the recent batch of the North Korean refugees in Thailand and apparently waiting to cross the border from Laos fled their home country, though its possible twin health and economic crises are driving a new wave of refugees,” says the report.
North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has claimed that there are no coronavirus cases in the country but international health experts remain skeptical of the claim, especially because the country has extremely poor public health infrastructure.
Also read: Covid passports emerge as key for aviation industry to restart international travel
Debate between doctors & government over infection numbers in Turkey
A debate is on among doctors and government health officials is in Turkey over the country’s Covid numbers, reports Arab News.
The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has estimated that daily Covid cases have increased to more than 47,500 in the past few days. This is a 300 per cent increase compared to October.
However, Turkey’s official data reveals that it recorded only 5,103 new Covid patients on 20 November.
“The TTB, whose data drew on figures from 1,270 medics in 76 provinces, claimed that someone in Turkey dies from Covid-19 every 10 minutes. It declared that ‘they have lost control of the pandemic’,” says the report.
Turkey has recorded 4,53,535 cases of Covid-19 and 12,511 deaths, so far, according to the country’s official estimates.
Covid cases in Shanghai linked to cargo from North America
The latest coronavirus infections detected in China’s Shanghai have been traced back to an airport cargo handler who had cleaned a container that arrived on a flight from North America, reports Reuters.
Sun Xiadong, an official of Shanghai’s disease control centre was quoted as saying, “Research at home and abroad has shown coronavirus could live in enclosed, damp environments.” He added that the container was damp and closed.
Sun also revealed that the viral strain detected suggested that the virus had come from abroad.
China has recorded 86,464 cases of Covid-19 and 4,634 deaths, so far.
Also read: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka are also facing the risk of a new wave of Covid
Govt to spend $49 billion to pull Australian city out of recession
The government in Victoria, Australia, will use record level of debts and deficit to spend $49 billion in the next four years to pull the province out of the “disastrous Covid-19 recession”, reports The Age.
Treasurer Tim Pallas revealed that the government had also set a target for creating 4,00,000 jobs in the next five years.
“A massive spend, with the jobs plan at its centre, will take the government’s net debt to nearly $155 billion within three years, more than 28 per cent of Victoria’s total annual economic output,” says the report.
Australia has recorded 27,843 cases of Covid-19 and 907 deaths till date.
Sexual abuse increased by 33% in Israel amid pandemic
According to a report by a parliament committee, cases of sexual abuse increased by 33 per cent amid the coronavirus pandemic in Israel, reports The Jerusalem Post.
The Knesset Committee on Advancing the Status of Women’s report also found that in at least 62 per cent of the cases, the victims were minors.
“While 42% of those who turn to the police say they did not know the person who abused them, the majority of people who come to the rape crisis centres knew the abusers as part of their own family,” notes the report.
Israel has recorded 3,29,998 cases of Covid-19 and 2,811 deaths. so far.
What else we are reading:
Saudi Arabia to make coronavirus vaccine free for citizens and residents: Arab News
World’s biggest glove maker shuts 28 Malaysia factories after Covid-19 infections: The Straits Times
Also read: US, China shouldn’t force others to choose sides, Australian PM Morrison says