4 new cases in South Korea, China show work on containment

China and South Korea, which h early, intense outbreaks of coronavirus, toger reported only four new infections Tuesday and were slowly resuming public events after months of containment efforts.

Meanwhile, U.S. was taking halting steps to lift some restrictions even as thousands of new cases continue to be reported each day.

In Washington, Supreme Court heard arguments by telephone and allowed world to listen in live for first time ever. And Senate convened for first time since March, though prospects for quick action on a new aid pack are uncertain.

South Korea's three new cases represented lowest daily jump in nearly three months. More than 10,000 people have been infected in nation's outbreak, and more than 250 have died.

As cases slow, South Korea will start reopening schools in phases starting with high school seniors next week, and its professional baseball league began its new season Tuesday. Pictures were placed in stands depicting absent fans, and stium was quiet eugh to hear cheers and shouts from dugout.

In China, it has been three weeks since any new deaths have been reported in country where pandemic began in December. Just one new case of infection was confirmed, and fewer than 400 patients are still being treated for COVID-19, health officials said. Strict travel restrictions, testing, quarantining and case tracing policies appear to have stemmed virus as warm wear arrives in much of country.

Or places in Asia-Pacific region have also h success in suppressing outbreaks, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand, which has h zero new cases for two days. But some countries like India have escalating outbreaks, and experts say country with its 1.3 billion population has yet to see its peak.

In U.S., a shuttered pork processing plant in South Dakota took its first steps toward reopening after more than 800 employees were infected with virus. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, one of first goverrs to impose a statewide stay-home order,

In Louisiana, state lawmakers were restarting ir legislature — but feuded over wher y should return at all. Political battles have become increasingly embedded in U.S. coronavirus policy.

moves to open U.S. states come even as daily new infections continue to exceed 20,000 and daily deaths 1,000, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Governments around world have reported 3.5 million infections and more than 251,000 deaths, including more than 68,000 deaths in United States. Deliberately concealed outbreaks, low testing rates and severe strain disease has placed on health care systems mean true scale of pandemic is undoubtedly much greater.

With pressure growing in many countries for more measures to restart ecomy, politicians were trying to boost funding for research into a vaccine for COVID-19. re are hopes one could be available in months, but many scientists warn it could take much longer.

Developing a vaccine will be key to returning to less restricted everyday life. An alliance of world leers on Monday pledged to give 7.4 billion euros ($8 billion) for effort, but U.S. and Russia were tably absent.

money raised will be channeled mostly through recognized global health organizations. French President Emmanuel Macron said he was convinced U.S. would at some point join initiative.

Carnival Cruise Line, which saw outbreaks on several ships, plans to start cruises again in August, leaving from Florida and Texas. Caribbean trips will be company’s first since pandemic forced a near-total pause in cruise industry.

In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro said he twice tested negative for coronavirus. Many people, including a federal judge, are demanding he share actual results, but he has refused.

standoff is latest flashpoint in a broer battle between a president who has repeatedly tested limits of his power and democratic institutions. re are concerns it could spark a constitutional crisis.

Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed coronavirus pandemic and has fiercely criticized local attempts to control its spre, inste vocating for most people to get back to work. More than 108,000 people have been infected in Brazil and more than 7,300 have died.