Philippines reports 184 new coronavirus cases, 15 more deaths

MANILA (REUTERS) – The Philippines’ health ministry on Sunday (May 10) confirmed 184 new coronavirus cases, taking the Southeast Asian nation’s total reported infections to 10,794.

Fifteen more deaths related to Covid-19, the disease caused by the new virus, were recorded, bringing the toll to 719, while 82 patients have recovered to bring total recoveries to 1,924, it said in a bulletin.

Russian coronavirus cases climb above 200,000

MOSCOW (REUTERS) – The Russian authorities said on Sunday (May 10) they had recorded 11,012 new cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 209,688.

Russia’s coronavirus task force said 88 people had died in the past day, pushing the national death toll to 1,915.

Russian coronavirus cases overtook French and German infections this week to become the fifth highest in the world.

Indonesia's coronavirus infections top 14,000

JAKARTA (REUTERS) – Indonesia reported 387 new coronavirus infections on Sunday (May 10), taking the total number to 14,032, said health ministry official Achmad Yurianto.

The Southeast Asian country also reported 14 more people have died from Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, bringing total to 973, Mr Yurianto said. Meanwhile, 2,698 people have recovered.

More than 113,452 people have been tested, he said, adding that many areas across the country are still showing fluctuating number of new infections.

Spain Reports Fewest Deaths Since March as Lockdown Set to Ease

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Spain recorded fewer fatalities from the coronavirus as about half the country’s population awaits a further easing of lockdown restrictions starting Monday.

The number of deaths in the last 24 hours was 143, the lowest tally since March 18, versus 179 the previous day, according to Health Ministry data. The number of new cases rose by 621, slightly more than 604 the previous day.

The government has authorized a further partial easing of restrictions from Monday for areas of the country where about half its population lives as health officials make further progress in containing the virus.

Under the more relaxed rules, hotels and smaller shops can reopen while bars and cafes will be able to offer service to limited groups of customers sitting at outside tables. The easing of the rules so far doesn’t apply to major cities including Madrid and Barcelona.

Virus Death Toll in Indonesia Nears 1,000

The death toll from the coronavirus in Indonesia neared 1,000, a day after the world’s fourth-most populous country reported a record surge in new cases.

Fourteen people succumbed to the deadly virus in the past 24 hours in Indonesia, taking the total to 973, Achmad Yurianto, a spokesman for the government task force on Covid-19, said at an online briefing on Sunday. The total number of positive cases rose to 14,032, with tests confirming 387 more new infections, he said.

The number of people suspected of contracting the virus and exhibiting symptoms but still awaiting clinical confirmation topped 30,000 for the first time, Yurianto said. There were almost 250,000 people under observation nationwide, he said. A total of 2,698 people have so far recovered from the Covid-19, Yurianto said.

The government has banned travel and progressively tightened restrictions on movement to curb the spread of the virus. Officials expect the disease will infect about 95,000 people before it eases. Still, they foresee a return to restriction-free life by July as authorities step up testing nationwide. There are fears of a second wave of infections from the return of thousands of migrant workers and cruise-ship employees in the coming weeks.

Most Nigerians cannot afford to buy a house

Many Nigerians are seeing their dream of owning a home disappear.

The World Bank says Nigeria needs hundreds of billions of dollars to bridge its housing deficit.

Home ownership is at a mere 25 percent, and Nigerians are finding it harder to buy as incomes fall along with the price of oil, the country’s main earner.

Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris reports from Abuja, Nigeria.

Malaysia reports 67 new coronavirus cases with no new deaths

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian health authorities on Sunday reported 67 new coronavirus cases, bringing the cumulative total to 6,656

The health ministry reported no new deaths, with total fatalities at 108.

One person in stable condition after Winnipeg house fire

A person was hospitalized after a fire in south Winnipeg Saturday night.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says crews were called to the blaze at a home in the 100-block of Phil Chris Way around 7:30 p.m.

They found smoke coming from inside but launched an offensive attack and had it put out within about 20 minutes.

Kuwait, U.A.E. Have Highest Daily Jump in Covid-19 Cases in Gulf

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait reported their biggest daily increases in coronavirus cases on Sunday as new infections remained above thousand for the third-day running in Qatar.

Kuwait has imposed a 20-day curfew starting Sunday to contain the spread of the virus.

Sunday Numbers:

• Saudi Arabia: 1,912 cases

  • Total 39,048, including 246 deaths

  Qatar: 1,189 cases

  • Total 22,520, including 14 deaths

  Kuwait: 1,065 cases

  • Total 8,688, including 58 deaths

  U.A.E.: 781 cases

  • Total 18,198, including 198 deaths

  Countries and cities in the Middle East have imposed varying degrees of restrictions on people’s movement. Dubai, whose population comprises about 90% foreigners, last month eased a 24-hour lockdown after almost three weeks. Kuwait imposed a full curfew starting May 10 for 20 days to contain the spread of the virus.

  Iran has the biggest number of confirmed cases in the Middle East with over 107,000 cases and 6,640 deaths.