Moderna, Switzerland's Lonza strike deal on potential COVID-19 vaccine

Moderna Inc and Swiss contract drugmaker Lonza Group AG said on Friday they would accelerate the manufacturing of the U.S. drug developer's potential coronavirus vaccine.

Thailand reports six new coronavirus cases, no deaths

Thailand reported six new coronavirus cases and no new death on Friday, taking its tally to 2,960 infections while fatalities remained at 54 since the outbreak began in January.

Australia to consider next Friday easing of coronavirus containment measures

Australia will consider next Friday whether to relax coronavirus-related mobility restrictions, as the growth rate of new infections slows, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday following a national cabinet meeting.

Fax-loving Japan to introduce online system for reporting coronavirus

Japan's health ministry will introduce a system for health centres to report new coronavirus cases online instead of by hand-written faxes, phone or email - drawing praise from some but scorn from others wondering what took it so long.

Experts call for Japan to keep current framework of virus containment

Japan's coronavirus experts said it was desirable for the nation to keep its current framework of coronavirus containment policies until the number of new infections fell to a certain level, according to Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura.

Afghanistan likely facing coronavirus 'health disaster': U.S. watchdog

Afghanistan, beset by a poor healthcare system, malnutrition, war and other vulnerabilities, likely is facing a "health disaster" from the coronavirus, a watchdog report to the U.S. Congress warns.

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the new coronavirus

More than 3.21 million people have reportedly been infected by the novel coronavirus globally, and 227,864 have died, according to a Reuters tally as of 1400 GMT on Thursday.

China reports 12 new coronavirus cases versus four a day earlier

China reported 12 new coronavirus cases for April 30, up from four a day earlier, data from the country's health authority showed on Friday.

Mexico reports 1,425 new coronavirus cases, 127 deaths

Mexican health officials on Thursday reported 1,425 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 127 new deaths in the country, bringing the total to 19,224 cases and 1,859 deaths.

Russia's coronavirus case tally surges past the 100,000 mark after record daily rise

Russia's nationwide tally of confirmed coronavirus cases surged past the 100,000 mark on Thursday after a record daily rise in new cases, days after President Vladimir Putin warned the peak of the outbreak was yet to come.

Ukraine reaches 10,000 coronavirus cases as public chafes against lockdown

Ukraine reached 10,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday as Health Minister Maksym Stepanov urged the public to be patient and not violate lockdown measures that have kept the country's death toll far lower than in much of western Europe.

Singapore reports 528 new coronavirus cases, taking total to 16,169

Singapore confirmed 528 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, its Health Hinistry said, taking the city-state's total cases to 16,169.

AstraZeneca to make Oxford University's potential COVID-19 vaccine

AstraZeneca will make and distribute globally the University of Oxford's potential COVID-19 vaccine, the British drugmaker said on Thursday.