By Gina Lee

Investing.com - Australia announced a $973 million package for its childcare sector.

Japan’s government debated an economic package including ECMO machines.

The United States is “on target” to develop a COVID-19 vaccine with biotech company Moderna within 12 to 18 months.

As of April 1, the number of confirmed cases globally stood at 827,419 with 40,777 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.

Australia

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an A$1.6 billion ($973 million) package for the country’s 13,000-strong childcare sector over the next three months.

The services will be rendered free of charge as they will be paid from taxpayer subsidies.

Japan

The government is mulling the increased production of extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) machines as part of an economic package to combat COVID-19.

The machines will replace a person’s breathing to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.

United States

White House health advisor Anthony Fauci announced overnight that the first human trial to test a potential COVID-19 vaccine is on target and will be an “ultimate game changer”.

Biotech company Moderna is working with Fauci and other health officials to develop the vaccine. Human trials started on March 16.

The vaccine is estimated to be distributed within 12 to 18 months, with phase two trials expected to begin in a “few months”.

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