BEIJING: China pledged support for the World Health Organisation, calling criticism of the group without merit. South Korea confirmed the lowest number of cases since experiencing a surge. The world’s biggest automated container terminal resumed full operations in Shanghai, as China reported 16 new cases.

President Donald Trump said signs "keep showing” the virus has passed its peak in the US, praising several governors for steps to reopen their states. The U.S. president raised the prospect that China deliberately caused the Covid-19 outbreak.

Spain will extend a lockdown for two weeks after joining the U.S. and Italy with more than 20,000 deaths. As the U.S. and Canada agreed to extend border limits to May 20, Israel planned to ease some restrictions.