US coronavirus cases surpass 500,000

The number of coronavirus cases recorded in the United States surged past 500,000, according to the latest tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The US has led the world in the number of infections since the end of March. With more than a third of all officially declared cases globally, it threatens to overtake Europe, which has recorded more than 850,000 cases. 

Thailand reports 45 new cases

Thailand reported 45 new coronavirus infections and two more deaths.

The dead were Thai men, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman of the government's Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

The Southeast Asian nation has registered a total of 2,518 cases and 35 deaths since its outbreak emerged in January.

South Korea plans tracking wristbands

South Korea announced plans to strap tracking wristbands on people who defy quarantine orders and Christians were urged to stay home on Easter weekend as the global coronavirus death toll passed 100,000.

South Korean officials said stricter controls are required because some of the 57,000 people who are under orders to stay home have slipped out by leaving behind smartphones with tracking apps. 

Plans for broader use of wristbands were scaled back after objections by human rights and legal activists.

Uruguay transports passengers from virus-hit cruise ship

Uruguay started to repatriate 112 Australians and New Zealanders from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus and stranded in the La Plata River near the capital of Montevideo since March 27, the government said.

The passengers, most of whom have tested positive for the coronavirus, went by bus to a special airport terminal with strict health controls. 

Two Australian passengers could not be transported as they had to stay in intensive care at a hospital because of their poor condition.

Mainland China reports 46 new coronavirus cases

Mainland China reported 46 new coronavirus cases, including 42 involving travellers from overseas, up from 42 cases a day earlier.

China's National Health Commission said in a statement that 34 new asymptomatic coronavirus cases were also reported, down from 47 the previous day.

Mainland China's tally of infections now stands at 81,953, while the death toll rose by three, to 3,339.

US marks record 2,108 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours

The United States on Friday become the first country to record more than 2,000 coronavirus deaths in one day, with 2,108 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

The US has now recorded 18,586 deaths and is closing in on the toll of 18,849 dead in Italy, which has seen the most fatalities so far in the global pandemic.

Argentina extends coronavirus lockdown 

Argentina will extend until April 27 the lockdown it imposed last month to control the spread of the coronavirus, President Alberto Fernandez said in a televised address on Friday, adding that the measure would be applied only in major cities.

The nationwide lockdown was first mandated on March 20.

Mexico registers 3,844 cases of coronavirus 

Mexico reported 403 new cases of coronavirus on Friday, bringing the country's total to 3,844 cases and 233 deaths, the health ministry said.

Panama registers 2,974  Covid-19 cases 

Panama registered 222 new cases of coronavirus on Friday, bringing the country's total to 2,974 cases and 74 deaths, the health ministry said. 

Bangladesh extends lockdown

Bangladeshi authorities on Friday announced the current nationwide lockdown would continue till April 25, a third-time extension after it was first announced on March 23.

A countrywide lockdown has been running in Bangladesh since March 26, and the army has been deployed across the country to maintain social distancing during the shutdown. [Source: TRT World, Anadolu Agency and other sources]

Kamruzzaman