WHO DEMANDS MORE DATA ON VIRUS FROM MIDEAST STATES
AFP, Cairo
The World Health Organization urged Middle Eastern governments yesterday to be more forthcoming with information about new coronavirus infections in order to effectively combat the global pandemic. “We can only control this disease if we have access to information that allows us to understand its dynamic in the region” Ahmed al-Mandhari, WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean director, told an online press conference from Cairo.

POPE URGES HUGS, PHONE CALLS TO FIGHT OFF ISOLATION
AFP, Vatican City
Pope Francis stressed Wednesday the importance of families and friends making small gestures such as hugs and phone calls during times of isolation in a pandemic. “We must rediscover the concrete nature of small things, of making small gestures toward those around us—family, friends,” the 83-year-old pontiff told the La Repubblica newspaper.

RUSSIA’S VIRUS CASES JUMP 29PC AMID CRACKDOWN
AFP, Moscow
Russia yesterday announced coronavirus cases had jumped almost 29 per cent overnight to 147 despite the Kremlin imposing tight controls on movement and saying the situation is under control. The number of cases has gone up by 33 to 147, Russia’s state health watchdog said, with 31 of those testing positive in Moscow after recently flying in from European countries including France, Italy, Spain and Germany. The other two new cases were in Siberia. Russia has prided itself on relatively low numbers infected and no deaths and President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said “the situation is generally under control.”