Contents tagged with coronavirus
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Spain returns to China unreliable coronavirus test kits also purchased by Ukraine
Spain has sent a large batch of rapid coronavirus test kits back to the Chinese manufacturer because they proved unreliable, reports El Pais.
On March 10, Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko announced that the Ukrainian authorities bought similar rapid test kits. These test kits were to be distributed to seven hospitals for coronavirus testing.
It is noted that the first 9,000 test kits from the shipment had an accuracy of only 30% while the required accuracy is at least 80%.
At the same time, …
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Austrian Foreign Minister: sanctions against Russia will remain despite coronavirus
The Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg believes that Russia will not be able to achieve the removal of sanctions amid the coronavirus pandemic, reports the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Russia's attempts to lift sanctions due to coronavirus are futile," Schallenberg said during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmutro Kuleba.
The ministres noted the unity of positions on the need to preserve …
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La Stampa: 80% of Russian coronavirus aid to Italy is useless
Russia's assistance to Italy in the fight against coronavirus is a geopolitical and diplomatic project of Vladimir Putin, 80% of the supply of Russian equipment is useless in contrast to Chinese supplies, wrote Italian newspaper La Stampa with reference to unnamed high-ranking political sources.
"Among Russian supplies, 80% are absolutely useless or of little use for Italy. In short, it is little more than a pretext," the newspaper quoted one of the interlocutors as saying.
The newspaper …
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Kyiv declares state of emergency in Ukraine
Ukraine is under the state of emergency until April 24, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was broadcast on the Cabinet's YouTube channel.
According to the Prime Minister, the emergency regime throughout the country, which was previously introduced in nine regions, is necessary to strengthen the fight against the spread of coronavirus. According to the Ukrainian Health Ministry, to date, 113 cases of COVID-19 infection have been detected …
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Russian Defense Minister undergoes coronavirus test after his trip to Syria
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu was tested for coronavirus infection upon his return from Syria, reported the Russian Defense Ministry’s TV channel Zvezda.
On March 23, Sergey Shoygu made a working visit to Syria. There he held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. They discussed stabilizing the situation in Syria, including ensuring a sustainable ceasefire in Idlib province, as well as Russian-Syrian military-technical, humanitarian and economic cooperation.
According to Zvezda, …
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Kremlin: self-quarantine restrictions do not apply to Putin
The rule to observe the self-isolation regime for people over 65 years of age, introduced in Moscow and the Moscow region, does not apply to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said President’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov.
"Work is work, especially the work of the president," Peskov said, noting that it is outside the criteria specified in the restrictive measures.
In addition, the president does not live in his apartment in Moscow, but in the state residence, Peskov said. "More often than …
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Ukraine receives first shipment of coronavirus test kits from China
A cargo planed of the Ukrainian Armed Forces arrived in Ukraine from China. It delivered rapid coronavirus test kits and other medical equipment, reported the press service of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration.
Two types of tests were delivered: PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and tests for rapid diagnostics. 250,000 rapid test kits have been delivered, and the number of PCR has not been specified.
China has also provided medical masks with varying degrees of protection, disinfectants, …
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Russia claims to have begun testing coronavirus vaccine
Animal testing of the coronavirus vaccine have begun at the Vector research center in Novosibirsk, reports Rospotrebnadzor (the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing).
The Russian government agency believes that the introduction of the vaccine may be possible as early as the fourth quarter of 2020.
The vaccine was tested on laboratory rats and mice. Scientists are testing several samples of the vaccine, from which they will choose the one …
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Russia postpones ‘sovereign internet exercises’ due to coronavirus
The Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media postponed the exercises, which were to "ensure the sustainability and security of the Internet in Russia", reports Interfax.
Initially, it was planned to hold exercises once a quarter and work out four different threats. They were planned on March 20, June 20, September 20 and December 20. The exercises were cancelled due to measures taken in connection with the outbreak of coronavirus.
The law on ensuring the …
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Zelensky: Ukraine to receive a million coronavirus test kits
A large shipment of rapid coronavirus test kits will soon be delivered to Ukraine, said Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky during the TV talk show "Freedom of Speech."
"We have agreed with China, we are grateful to them, we are grateful separately to Jack Ma (the head of Alibaba Group). He helped us by providing $80 million dollars. And thanks to him and Mr. Yaroslavsky (Alexander Yaroslavsky - Ukrainian businessman). We also want to thank him. On Saturday we expect the arrival of these …