COVID-19 pandemic in the United States A study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that the true COVID-19 death toll in the United States is more than 900,000 people. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan reports 452 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total this year, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 93,176. (Xinhuanet)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a world record of 414,188 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 21.49 million. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan extends the state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto until May 31. It also declares a state of emergency for Aichi and Fukuoka Prefectures. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports 4,498 new cases in the past 24 hours, which is the first time the country has reported 4,000 new cases since February. It subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 432,425. (Malay Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala, COVID-19 lockdown in India Kerala enters a nine-day complete lockdown, closing shops, suspending public transport, and severely restricting the on-road movement of people amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (The Economic Times) India reports 401,078 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 21.9 million. The country also reports a record 4,187 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 238,270. (Khaleej Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala, COVID-19 lockdown in India Kerala enters a nine-day complete lockdown, closing shops, suspending public transport, and severely restricting the on-road movement of people amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (The Economic Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Madagascar Madagascar receives its first shipment of 50,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. (Africanews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan declares an eight-day partial lockdown until May 16 ahead of the celebration of Eid al-Fitr next week. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, Lineage B.1.617 South Africa reports its first four cases of the Lineage B.1.617.2 variant in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, where all of these had a travel history to India. (SABC News)
European Union response to the COVID-19 pandemic The European Commission signs a new deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase 900 million doses of its vaccine with an additional option to purchase another 900 million doses for delivery from 2021 to 2023 which they intend to use as booster shots against the illness and to allow for the vaccination of children and teenagers. (The Irish Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Laos Laos reports its first death from COVID-19. The patient is a 53-year-old woman who had been receiving treatment at a designated hospital in Vientiane since April 30. (Big News Network) COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 26 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,683. (New Straits Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka reports a record 2,672 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the cumulative number of patients to 125,906. (Newsfirst)
COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Florida has reported more than 10,000 cases of the Lineage B.1.1.7, Lineage P.1, and Lineage B.1.351 variants since spring break. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany lifts its curfew and some social restrictions, such as requiring a negative test result to enter certain venues, for those who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19. These people are also no longer required to enter quarantine unless they have travelled to a high-risk country. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Laos Laos reports its first death from COVID-19. The patient is a 53-year-old woman who had been receiving treatment at a designated hospital in Vientiane since April 30. (Big News Network)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 26 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,683. (New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain lifts its state of emergency that had been imposed since October, allowing people to travel freely between regions for the first time in months. The country's curfew is also lifted. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka reports a record 2,672 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the cumulative number of patients to 125,906. (Newsfirst)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Taoiseach Micheál Martin receives his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Irish Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia enters a seven-day strict lockdown during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which includes a curfew from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Al Jazeera)
Chernobyl disaster Ukrainian scientists report that, for an unknown reason, the levels of nuclear radiation have increased in the remains of the Chernobyl power plant. Most areas of containment have shown decreasing radiation levels, however, in one particular room, radiation counts have doubled over the last four years. These radiation levels are high enough to preclude installing sensors. Additionally, fuel containing materials, which were initially the consistency of lava, are disintegrating into radioactive dust. (Popular Mechanics) (Nature)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta expands its vaccine eligibility to people over the age of 12 years. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, variants of SARS-CoV-2 Argentina reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in two people who travelled from Paris, as well as its first case of the Lineage B.1.351 variant in a person who travelled from Spain. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bahrain, COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates establish “a safe travel corridor” for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, which will be in effect by the end of this week. (Al-Arabiya English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta expands its vaccine eligibility to people over the age of 12 years. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Tamil Nadu, COVID-19 lockdown in India Tamil Nadu enters a two-week complete lockdown until May 24 amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Livemint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan receives the second component of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (Kabar)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Nepal reports a record 9,127 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 403,794. (Kathmandu Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tamil Nadu, COVID-19 lockdown in India Tamil Nadu enters a two-week complete lockdown until May 24 amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Livemint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, Lineage B.1.617 Thailand reports its first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in a woman and her four-year-old son who traveled from Pakistan and are currently in quarantine. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom lowers its COVID-19 Alert level to level 3 as vaccinations and lockdown restrictions ease pressure on the NHS, which means that the transmission of the virus is no longer rising exponentially. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The Food and Drug Administration authorizes the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for use in children between the ages of 12 and 15 years. (MSN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey surpasses 5 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fifth country to do so after the United States, India, Brazil, and France. (Bianet)
The World Health Organization classifies the Lineage B.1.617 variant as a "Variant of Concern", becoming the fourth variant to be designated as being of global concern after the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variants. (The Wall Street Journal)
Variants of SARS-CoV-2 The World Health Organization classifies the Lineage B.1.617 variant as a "Variant of Concern", becoming the fourth variant to be designated as being of global concern after the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variants. (The Wall Street Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine for people that received the first dose after the State Institute for Drug Control ruled that the death of a 47-year-old woman was likely connected to the jab. (Euronews) COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain approves the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for people under the age of 60 years. (El Pais)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Nepal reports a record 9,317 new cases and 225 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the total of confirmed cases to 413,111 and the nationwide death toll to 4,084. (Kathmandu Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine for people that received the first dose after the State Institute for Drug Control ruled that the death of a 47-year-old woman was likely connected to the jab. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain approves the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for people under the age of 60 years. (El Pais)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Lineage B.1.617 The Philippines reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India in two Filipino seafarers who travelled to Oman and the United Arab Emirates. (CNA)
A total of 52 bodies have been found floating in the Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh with suspicions that villages may simply be disposing of pandemic deaths in the river. (The New Indian Express)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 4,205 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 254,197. (The Times of India) COVID-19 pandemic in Uttar Pradesh A total of 52 bodies have been found floating in the Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh with suspicions that villages may simply be disposing of pandemic deaths in the river. (The New Indian Express)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 39 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,761. (Malay Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Sri Lanka imposes a night travel ban from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. until May 31 in order to combat the rise of COVID-19 cases. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan reports a record 16 new locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,231. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 34 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 486. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uttar Pradesh A total of 52 bodies have been found floating in the Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh with suspicions that villages may simply be disposing of pandemic deaths in the river. (The New Indian Express)
Five villagers are killed and two more wounded as militants storm the village of Fantio, in the Tillabéri Region, Niger, during Eid al-Fitr celebrations. (Africa News)
Lineage B.1.617 The World Health Organization says that the B.1.617 variant first detected in India in October has now been detected in more than 4,500 samples from 44 countries that were uploaded to an open-access database. (Khaleej Times)
The World Health Organization says that the B.1.617 variant first detected in India in October has now been detected in more than 4,500 samples from 44 countries that were uploaded to an open-access database. (Khaleej Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii Hawaiian Governor David Ige says that the state will keep its mask mandate despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying that fully vaccinated Americans can go to places without wearing a mask. (Hawaii Tribune-Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, Lineage B.1.617 Russia reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in 16 Indian students studying at Ulyanovsk State University. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 4,887 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours due to the emergence of jail clusters that have infected 2,835 prisoners. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 93,794. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates approves the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (The National)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii Hawaiian Governor David Ige says that the state will keep its mask mandate despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying that fully vaccinated Americans can go to places without wearing a mask. (Hawaii Tribune-Herald) The CDC announces that all fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks or practice social distancing, unless the person is immunodeficient or still displaying symptoms of the virus. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan, Lineage B.1.617 Saskatchewan reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (CKCK-DT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia surpasses 80,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan, Lineage B.1.617 Saskatchewan reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (CKCK-DT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore The Singaporean Health Ministry announces that it will impose the strictest curbs since the circuit breaker last year, including limiting social gatherings to two people, making work from home default, and banning dining at restaurants. The new restrictions will be in effect from May 16 until June 13. (The Straits Times) (Forbes)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam The Vietnamese health ministry says the country will receive 31 million Pfizer vaccine doses this year and also register to buy about 10 million additional doses through COVAX. (Bloomberg)
Cyclone Tauktae India's western state of Gujarat braces for cyclone Tauktae, reported to be the strongest storm to hit the region since 1998. (BBC News)
India's western state of Gujarat braces for cyclone Tauktae, reported to be the strongest storm to hit the region since 1998. (BBC News)
Pro-Palestinian protesters storm the Queensway tunnel in the United Kingdom, disrupting traffic. (Birmingham Mail)
The Singaporean Health Ministry announces that it will impose the strictest curbs since the circuit breaker last year, including limiting social gatherings to two people, making work from home default, and banning dining at restaurants. The new restrictions will be in effect from May 16 until June 13. (The Straits Times) (Forbes)
The Vietnamese health ministry says the country will receive 31 million Pfizer vaccine doses this year and also register to buy about 10 million additional doses through COVAX. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (Kabar)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China The General Administration of Sport of China announces that the summits of Mount Everest used by climbers in China will remain closed through the spring, citing COVID-19 concerns in both mainland China and neighboring Nepal. (Reuters via Yahoo!)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 44 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, including one foreign citizen. This subsequently brings the nationwide death toll to 1,866. (Malay Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reopens bars, restaurants, and other establishments for outdoor usage for the first time in seven months and relaxes its mask requirement as the number of COVID-19 cases declines and the number of vaccinations increases. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia lifts its national state of emergency that has been in force since October as the number of COVID-19 cases declines, ending the curfew and all nationwide restrictions on gatherings. (The Slovak Spectator)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela approves the use of the single-dose Sputnik Light COVID-19 vaccine. (Azeri Press Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia The Ministry of Health suspends the distribution of around 450,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from batch CTMAV547 for toxicity and sterility tests following the death of a 22-year-old man who received the vaccine 11 days ago. (Jakarta Globe)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, Lineage B.1.617 Maine reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that originated in India. (Bangor Daily News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education The Singaporean Ministry of Education announces that they will close all schools and shift all primary, secondary, and junior college students to full home-based learning beginning May 19 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the community. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan reports a record 207 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, 206 of which are locally transmitted cases. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,682. (The Guardian)
