May 4 coronavirus news

US secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday stepped up administration claims that China mounted efforts to hide the extent of the coronavirus spread, including concealing the severity while stockpiling medical supplies.

"You've got the facts just about right," Pompeo told ABC's "This Week" when asked if China intentionally stockpiled medical supplies in early January while it concealed the severity of Covid-19.

Pompeo's comments come as the Trump administration is formulating a long-term plan to punish China on multiple fronts for the coronavirus pandemic, injecting a rancorous new element into a critical relationship already on a steep downward slide.

Multiple sources inside the administration say that there is an appetite to use various tools, including sanctions, canceling US debt obligations and drawing up new trade policies, to make clear to China, and to everyone else, where they feel the responsibility lies.

While there are serious questions about China's transparency, the Trump administration has escalated its effort to blame China for the global spread of the virus as criticism of its own handling of the pandemic has increased.

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Pompeo claims China intentionally concealed coronavirus severity

The Chinese government intentionally concealed the severity of Covid-19 from the international community while it stockpiled imports and decreased exports, a Department of Homeland Security report found, according to an administration official familiar with the report.

The report, which assessed export and import data earlier this year, was circulated within the federal government on Friday, the source said.

The DHS assessment also says, "in its communications, China intentionally concealed its trade activity by publicly denying it has ever imposed an export ban on masks and other medical supplies," according to the source. 

The findings were assessed at "moderate confidence," the source told CNN, pointing out that the report does not conclude whether the actions of the Chinese government were nefarious. It is reasonable to conclude that based on the outbreak, before it was declared a pandemic, that China would recognize key measurements in determining requirements for the need of personal protective equipment, said the source. 

The US needs "to be mindful about, 'what do you do about it?'" said the source. "Is this a trigger that propels industry here? Will there be enough in the stockpile" going forward? questioned the source. 

China has access to a wide array of raw materials that are necessary in establishing a production line of goods that are necessary in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, said the source, whether it’s surgical gowns, masks, or goggles.

"They have a robust manufacturing capability and workforce that can quickly ramp up manufacturing," said the source. 

ABC first reported the existence of the report.

When asked about whether he thought the origination of the coronavirus was nefarious or a mistake on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said he believes it was “a horrible mistake.” 

During a town hall on Fox News Sunday, Trump added that China “didn’t want to admit it,” and that China was embarrassed by the problem and was unable to “put the fire out.”

Both Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have said they believe the virus had its origins in a lab in Wuhan, China, and not at a market in the city, but neither provided evidence.

Earlier in the week, Trump implied that China knowingly let the virus spread around the globe.

During the town hall, Trump also seemed to indicate that he will make public a “strong report on exactly what we think happened” in regards to the origin of the virus, and that the report will be “very conclusive.”

US Vice President Mike Pence has admitted during a Fox News town hall that he should have worn a mask on his visit to the Mayo Clinic last week.

Pence said he originally “didn’t think it was necessary” because he is tested for the coronavirus frequently, but went on to say, “I should have worn a mask at the Mayo Clinic.” 

A person involved in planning the visit previously told CNN that Mayo Clinic staff briefed Pence's team about the clinic's policy requiring face masks.  

Another source familiar with discussions said it was clear that despite what Pence originally said in defending himself and not wearing a mask, that Pence's staff understood it was a mistake.

However, the next day a VP spokesperson told CNN’s Jim Acosta, “We don’t feel it was a mistake.”

China's National Health Commission reported three new cases of the novel coronavirus today, as domestic tourism surged during the Labor Day "golden week" holiday.

The new cases were all imported -- two in Shanghai and one in Shandong province, according to the commission. There were no new deaths from the virus on Sunday.

As of today, mainland China has officially recorded 82,880 cases -- 481 of which remain active.

In addition, 13 new asymptomatic cases were also reported. Some 962 asymptomatic patients are still under medical observation. The death toll remains at 4,633.

May Day holiday: Millions of Chinese citizens took advantage of their post-lockdown freedom to travel during the Labor Day "golden week" holiday.

The total number of domestic tourists reached almost 85 million for the first three days of the holiday, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.

Some businesses will start to reopen in Spain on Monday as the country starts "Phase Zero" of loosening coronavirus restrictions.

Following eight weeks of strict confinement since a countrywide state of emergency was declared on March 14, the process of transition in Spain will be gradual. 

The four phases will be determined by a “series of indicators, such as the strategic capacities available in the health care system," officials say.

Some of these indicators include being able to test and identify sources of contagion and the ability to isolate and control those sources.

Spain's health ministry said another key to reopening the economy is the availability of hospital beds.

For every 10,000 residents, hospitals have to be able to add between 1.5 to 2 intensive care unit beds, and between 37 to 40 beds for severely ill patients, as outlined by the ministry.

Across Spain, masks will be mandatory on public transport as of Monday.

Here are some of the reopening guidelines for businesses:

Afghanistan released 98 Taliban prisoners from Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul on Saturday evening as part of the government’s efforts to contain coronavirus, according to a statement from the National Directorate of Security.

The release is in line with a decree Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed on March 11 to release Taliban prisoners as the peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban began.

The prisoners were released based on their health conditions, age, and length of remaining sentence.

So far, 650 Taliban prisoners have been released since March 10, and the government will release 850 more, the statement added.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday night that he was first briefed about the novel coronavirus on January 23 and indicated the US intelligence agencies would be issuing a statement in the coming days.

But while Trump claims he was told that "there could be a virus coming," that January 23 briefing came three days after the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the United States.

The President was also briefed by his Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about the threat of the coronavirus during a January 18 phone call, according to multiple reports.

Trump also said that at the time the US intelligence community was not "competently run."

CNN and other news outlets have reported that the President's daily intelligence briefing included information about the coronavirus outbreak in China and its potential to spread to the United States as early as January 3.

It is not clear whether Trump -- who infrequently reads the President's Daily Brief compiled by intelligence officials -- read the information at the time or whether officials briefing the President in person raised the issue.

A total of 373 employees and contract workers at Triumph Foods, a pork processing plant in Buchanan County, Missouri, have tested positive for coronavirus despite showing no related symptoms, according to a news release from the Department of Health and Senior Services.

The department encouraged anyone experiencing symptoms to reach out to their health care provider, the release said.

The latest numbers come after the the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced Thursday more than 120 employees tested positive for Covid-19.