Two New Cases, No COVID-19 Deaths in Victoria

Beijing Views US Consulates as ‘Hostile Forces,’ Orders Monitoring of Diplomats: Leaked Documents

Chinese authorities see U.S. consulates as “hostile forces” that conduct “infiltration and sabotage” activities on Chinese soil and have ordered officials to monitor key U.S. diplomats, according to a leaked document obtained by The Epoch Times. At a time when bilateral relations hit a historical low, the document from Leizhou city of China’s southeastern Guangdong Province offers a rare glimpse into how the Chinese regime deals with American diplomats. In a four-page “work plan” dated April 2018, the Leizhou Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Bureau described the “U.S. and other Western consulates in China” as key targets that could threaten the region’s political and social stability. All departments and units within the bureau must work to counter such influences, by effectively “blocking [the consulates] from establishing connections with key [Chinese]…

Another day of single-figure COVID-19 diagnoses, and no deaths, has Victorians keenly awaiting news of easing lifestyle restrictions.

The state reported two new cases on Sunday and a rolling daily case count of 7.5 in metropolitan Melbourne for the fortnight up to Saturday. Regional Victoria’s two-week average is 0.5.

The statistics mean Victoria’s coronavirus death count remains at 816 and the national toll is 904.

Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to reveal significant changes to Melbourne’s restrictions on movement and gatherings on Sunday.

The announcement will not change mandatory mask wearing whenever Victorians leave their home.

Federal health minister Greg Hunt has urged the Victorian government to ease restrictions in line with New South Wales.

“The epidemiological conditions for a COVID-safe reopening of hospitality, movement (and) family reunions among others, have now been firmly met,” Hunt posted on Twitter on Saturday.

“Victoria should now be able to move to the next step in line (with) NSW.”

However Andrews said Hunt was not an epidemiologist and accused him of “playing games”, before adding that he would not be rushed in reopening Victoria.

“We are not going to risk everything that Victorians have sacrificed. And that’s why this strategy is not about racing to open up (and) running to COVID-normal鈥攊t’s about safe and steady steps,” the premier said.

“We are right on the edge now of defeating this second wave. It’s not occurred in many countries, if any, across the world.”

Melbourne residents are subject to restrictions including a two-hour daily outdoor exercise window within five kilometer of home, and no more than five people from two households can gather outside.

Andrews has confirmed Sunday’s announcements will be “much more in the social space than in the economic space,” dashing the hopes of those in retail and hospitality industries.

Health authorities continue to investigate Victoria’s 15 cases for the fortnight up to Thursday which have no known source.

By Gus McCubbing

Focus News: Two New Cases, No COVID-19 Deaths in Victoria

Tuberculosis Outbreak Infects Dozens at Chinese College

While the COVID-19 pandemic is still ravaging the world, a series of tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks at a major Chinese university was revealed via social media posts and local media reports. The Epoch Times has also interviewed a few students and obtained internal government documents that indicate local authorities attempted to cover up the TB epidemic. Tuberculosis is a respiratory infectious disease that usually causes lung infection. Those with latent TB infection do not have symptoms. Without proper treatment in time, 10 percent of patients with latent infection will progress to active TB, with a fatality rate of 50 percent, according to the World Health Organization. Jiangsu Normal University Conceals TB Cases Jiangsu Normal University issued a notice on the evening of Oct. 14, stating that from Oct. 10 to 11,…