Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic In Asia -- News Updates March 30 - 31, 2020

Financial Post/Reuters: Coronavirus epidemic 'far from over' in Asia - WHO official

BEIJING — The coronavirus epidemic is “far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region, and the current measures to curb the spread of the virus are merely buying time for countries to prepare for large-scale community transmissions, a WHO official said on Tuesday.

Even with all the measures, the risk of transmission in the region will not go away as long as the pandemic continues, said Takeshi Kasai, Regional Director for the Western Pacific at the World Health Organization (WHO).

Preparations for a large-scale transmission must reach everyone, Kasai said at a virtual media briefing.

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Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic In Asia -- News Updates March 30 - 31, 2020

China reports rise in new coronavirus cases due to imported infections -- Reuters
Will 'silent carriers' trigger a new coronavirus crisis in China? Beijing rushes to screen patients with no symptoms amid fears of a second outbreak -- Daily Mail
‘Responsible and necessary’: China defends temporary travel ban on foreigners during pandemic -- SCMP
China's Wuhan sees return to normal life -- Al Jazeera
Coronavirus: Countries reject Chinese-made equipment -- BBC
India's coronavirus measures prompt beatings and forced push-ups. Travellers say they're scared to leave hotel rooms -- ABC News Online
Coronavirus: India's pandemic lockdown turns into a human tragedy -- BBC
India reels from migrant worker coronavirus exodus -- AFP
Coronavirus cluster emerges at another South Korean church, as others press ahead with Sunday services -- SCMP
Coronavirus: Philippines heath system struggles as cases rise -- Al Jazeera
Japan coronavirus infections top 2,000 cases -- Reuters
Japan is accused of coronavirus cover-up to keep Olympic hopes alive after number of infections shoots up following postponement -- Daily Mail
Japan PM, Deputy PM to avoid same meetings as precaution vs virus infection -- Reuters
Coronavirus: Hong Kong may turn sports and expo centres into temporary hospitals, sources say -- SCMP
Australia's coronavirus infection rate shows sustained slowdown -- Reuters
Australian share index soars as virus infections slow -- AFP