China is slowly easing out of the coronavirus crisis that once made the country the hardest-hit among all nations in terms of COVID-19 infections and deaths, while other Asian countries are also on the road to recovery.
Trump's Claims Contradict US Intel on Wuhan Lab Probe
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that he has seen evidence making him very confident that the COVID-19 strain originated in a Wuhan laboratory. However, his comments contradict earlier statements from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, CNN reported.
Trump said the evidence he saw gave him a "high degree of confidence" regarding the alleged origin of the novel coronavirus that has infected millions around the world.
On the other hand, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence said hours earlier that it continues to "rigorously examine" the origin of the coronavirus outbreak and whether it was accidentally released from the Wuhan lab in question.
Trump was questioned for more details about his claims but he refused to provide clearer information about the supposed piece or pieces of evidence he saw.
The World Health Organization (WHO) previously noted that there is no evidence the COVID-19 strain was a man-made virus, contrary to some rumors circulating about the origin of the virus.
12 New Cases, Zero Deaths in Mainland
Meanwhile in China, 12 new coronavirus cases were logged in the mainland. Half of the said cases were imported, as confirmed by the National Health Commission.
According to Xinhua, there were also no deaths reported in the mainland on Thursday, marking a significant change in the COVID-19 strain's route in the country.
As of Thursday, China logged 83,944 confirmed coronavirus cases and 4,637 deaths.
South Korea Sees Third Day of Single-Digit Infections
South Korea on Friday reported nine new coronavirus cases, marking the third day wherein single digits were added to the country's total infection tally, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
The new figure brings the country's total to 10,774. While new cases have been stalling in South Korea over the past week, health experts noted that there should still be increased vigilance to prevent a resurgence in double and triple-digit infections.
Furthermore, the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirmed that on Friday, one patient was lost to the COVID-19 strain. In total, the country's fatality toll is now at 248.
Japan Offers Avigan for Free to Over 40 Countries
Even as it continues to contain the coronavirus, Japan on Friday announced that it will provide anti-flu drug Avigan to 43 countries around the world for free as part of clinical studies looking into efficacy of the said medication for treating COVID-19 patients, Kyodo News reported.
Foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi noted that the drug is expected to be delivered to the selected countries after the Golden Week holidays.
Motegi added that the countries that will receive Avigan for clinical studies will get enough of the drug to conduct research for people between 20 and 100 in each country.
Japan has registered 13,895 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 413 deaths as of Thursday.
Over 900 New Cases in Singapore
Singapore on Friday recorded 932 new coronavirus cases as of noon, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) noting that most of the patients are residents of foreign worker dormitories.
According to Channel News Asia, the new figures bring the city-state's total COVID-19 infection tally to 17,101. The news came following the announcement that social distancing measures will continue to be implemented through June 1.
As part of the Singaporean government's efforts to flatten the curve in spiking cases in the city-state, schools and work places have been urged to adopt online systems for operations.
