India reported 16,678 new infection cases, as per the data released by the Union Health Ministry on Monday (July 10), taking the number of active cases in the country to 1,30,713 and total number of Covid cases to 4,36,39,329. As per the figures updated at 8 am, the toll increased to 5,25,454 with 26 new fatalities. As per the ministry, the recovery rate was recorded at 98.50 per cent while active cases make up 0.30 per cent of all the infections. In the last 24 hours, there has been an increase of 2,023 cases in the active caseload, reported by PTI.

The death toll reached 5,25,454 with the fatalities reported. Among the 26 fatalities recorded on Monday, 18 are from Kerala, 4 from West Bengal, 2 from Delhi, and 1 each from Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-tackling-particle-pollution-leads-to-upward-push-in-photochemical-smog-495689">Why tackling particle pollution leads to upward push in photochemical smog</a>

The weekly positivity rate was 4.18 per cent, while the daily positivity rate was 5.99 per cent. The number of recovered people from illness is at 4,29,83,162, while the case mortality rate has been reported at 1.20 per cent.

The number of cases recorded in Assam increased to 7,26,541 on Monday as 86 additional people had positive tests, as per official health bulletin. Over the past 24 hours, no new fatalities have been reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-covarscan-a-new-covid-19-test-that-can-detect-all-variants-in-hours-494425">Also read |&nbsp;What is CoVarScan? A new COVID-19 test that can detect all variants in hours</a>

However, three more people tested positive for Covid on Monday, bringing the total number for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to 10,239, as per the official health bulletins.

The number of Covid infections in Maharashtra increased by 272, bringing the total to 7,31,464 as per the health officials on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

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India reported 16,678 new infection cases, as per the data released by the Union Health Ministry on Monday (July 10), taking the number of active cases in the country to 1,30,713 and total number of Covid cases to 4,36,39,329.

India reported 16,678 new infection cases, as per the data released by the Union Health Ministry on Monday (July 10), taking the number of active cases in the country to 1,30,713 and total number of Covid cases to 4,36,39,329. As per the figures updated at 8 am, the toll increased to 5,25,454 with 26 new fatalities. As per the ministry, the recovery rate was recorded at 98.50 per cent while active cases make up 0.30 per cent of all the infections. In the last 24 hours, there has been an increase of 2,023 cases in the active caseload, reported by PTI. The death toll reached 5,25,454 with the fatalities reported. Among the 26 fatalities recorded on Monday, 18 are from Kerala, 4 from West Bengal, 2 from Delhi, and 1 each from Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Also read | Why tackling particle pollution leads to upward push in photochemical smog The weekly positivity rate was 4.18 per cent, while the daily positivity rate was 5.99 per cent. The number of recovered people from illness is at 4,29,83,162, while the case mortality rate has been reported at 1.20 per cent. The number of cases recorded in Assam increased to 7,26,541 on Monday as 86 additional people had positive tests, as per official health bulletin. Over the past 24 hours, no new fatalities have been reported. Also read | What is CoVarScan? A new COVID-19 test that can detect all variants in hours However, three more people tested positive for Covid on Monday, bringing the total number for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to 10,239, as per the official health bulletins. The number of Covid infections in Maharashtra increased by 272, bringing the total to 7,31,464 as per the health officials on Monday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

COVID-19: India reports 16,678 new infections, active cases rise to 1,30,713

The United States has relaxed most of the Covid-19 restrictions in many parts for a long time. But since then, the Covid-19 cases have also started to increase.&nbsp;

It is feared that the US is moving towards its second-largest wave, which may have already begun.

The country reported a huge number of cases while the pandemic was at its peak and was also one of the worst affected countries, with a large number of deaths being reported due to the infection.

In a matter of weeks, the BA.5 version of Covid-19 has become the predominant&nbsp;variant of the virus in the country. 
 
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The BA.5 variant can spread faster than other variants around the world.&nbsp;The infection rate is very high, which may lead to more problems.

It is one of Omicron's sub-variants. It is similar to the Ba 2 variant from last year but has its own mutations.

Watch |&nbsp;China's Xi'an, Shanghai &amp; Macao put under COVID lockdown

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Its spread depends on the population's immunity.&nbsp;

The Ba.5 variant may pose the biggest threat to immune protection yet in the US.

The BA.5 variant accounted for nearly 54 percent of Covid-19 cases in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The BA.4 variant accounted for 17%&nbsp;of the total.

The variants have also been shown to evade protection from vaccination and previous infections.&nbsp;

The symptoms vary from person to person. While some have a high fever, headache, runny nose, cough, etc., some show no symptoms at all.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-travellers-warned-of-rising-virus-cases-in-europe-495211">COVID-19: Travellers warned of rising virus cases in Europe</a>

According to a report by The Guardian, Jason Salemi, who is an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health said,&nbsp;“Covid-19 is very clearly not over. We’re seeing dramatic increases in the number of cases and hospitalisations in many places throughout the United States".&nbsp;

“BA.4 and 5 are potentially the variants that can break through immunity the easiest.&nbsp;They are capable of reinfection and&nbsp;we’re headed in a bad direction”, he added.&nbsp;

According to the&nbsp;US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in three Americans live in a county at medium risk from Covid, and one in five are at high risk. This is the&nbsp;highest proportion of the country facing risks since February.

Though hospitalisations were fewer earlier, they have increased as the cases have started to rise.&nbsp;

Usually, people in their old age were hospitalised, but now hospitalisations are continuing for all ages.&nbsp;

Salemi also said that “the first and second booster is very important”.

However, only 34 percent of people in the US have received their booster doses. While after that the second booster dose has been taken by a very less number of people.

The US government as well as the citizens&nbsp;need to take&nbsp;some necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the infection and take the booster doses as well.&nbsp;

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The United States has relaxed most of the Covid-19 restrictions in many parts for a long time. But since then, the Covid-19 cases have also started to increase. It is feared that the US is moving towards its second-largest wave, which may have already begun.

The United States has relaxed most of the Covid-19 restrictions in many parts for a long time. But since then, the Covid-19 cases have also started to increase. It is feared that the US is moving towards its second-largest wave, which may have already begun. The country reported a huge number of cases while the pandemic was at its peak and was also one of the worst affected countries, with a large number of deaths being reported due to the infection. In a matter of weeks, the BA.5 version of Covid-19 has become the predominant variant of the virus in the country. Also read | Macau uses two more casino hotels for COVID-19 medical facilities The BA.5 variant can spread faster than other variants around the world. The infection rate is very high, which may lead to more problems. It is one of Omicron's sub-variants. It is similar to the Ba 2 variant from last year but has its own mutations. Watch | China's Xi'an, Shanghai & Macao put under COVID lockdown Its spread depends on the population's immunity. The Ba.5 variant may pose the biggest threat to immune protection yet in the US. The BA.5 variant accounted for nearly 54 percent of Covid-19 cases in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The BA.4 variant accounted for 17% of the total. The variants have also been shown to evade protection from vaccination and previous infections. The symptoms vary from person to person. While some have a high fever, headache, runny nose, cough, etc., some show no symptoms at all. Also read | COVID-19: Travellers warned of rising virus cases in Europe According to a report by The Guardian, Jason Salemi, who is an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health said, “Covid-19 is very clearly not over. We’re seeing dramatic increases in the number of cases and hospitalisations in many places throughout the United States". “BA.4 and 5 are potentially the variants that can break through immunity the easiest. They are capable of reinfection and we’re headed in a bad direction”, he added. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in three Americans live in a county at medium risk from Covid, and one in five are at high risk. This is the highest proportion of the country facing risks since February. Though hospitalisations were fewer earlier, they have increased as the cases have started to rise. Usually, people in their old age were hospitalised, but now hospitalisations are continuing for all ages. Salemi also said that “the first and second booster is very important”. However, only 34 percent of people in the US have received their booster doses. While after that the second booster dose has been taken by a very less number of people. The US government as well as the citizens need to take some necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the infection and take the booster doses as well. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Is America heading towards its second-largest Covid-19 wave?

Taiwan&nbsp;Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has contracted COVID-19, and is feeling fine and isolating at home, the government said on Sunday.

Taiwan&nbsp;has been dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases since the start of the year, driven by the more infectious Omicron variant, though numbers are beginning to level off.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/mass-covid-testing-announced-for-beijings-chaoyang-district-amid-ferocious-outbreak-487540">Mass COVID-19 testing announced for Beijing's Chaoyang district amid 'ferocious' outbreak</a>

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Centre, which Chen is also the head of, said that on Sunday morning he began feeling symptoms and carried out a home test, which was positive.

Chen has been the public face of the fight against COVID-19, appearing almost daily at news conferences.

While he is feeling fine he will remain at home, and his position as head of the command centre will temporarily be taken by Deputy Interior Minister Chen Tsung-yen, it added.

Watch |&nbsp;Mainland China sees surge in COVID cases

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The two Chens are not related.

Taiwan's presidential office said President Tsai Ing-wen had not recently met with Health Minister Chen, instead speaking with him by telephone, and wished him a speedy recovery.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-delays-school-reopenings-after-new-covid-outbreak-487229">Beijing delays school reopenings after new Covid outbreak</a>

With more than 99 per cent&nbsp;of those infected with COVID-19 this year exhibiting no or mild symptoms, the government has relaxed rather than tightened restrictions in what it calls the "new&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;model".

On Saturday, the government said it would be reducing to three days from seven the mandatory quarantine for all arrivals into&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;as it looks to gradually fully re-open the borders.

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Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has contracted COVID-19, and is feeling fine and isolating at home, the government said on Sunday. Taiwan has been dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases since the start of the year, driven by the more infectious Omicron variant, though numbers are beginning to level off.

Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has contracted COVID-19, and is feeling fine and isolating at home, the government said on Sunday. Taiwan has been dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases since the start of the year, driven by the more infectious Omicron variant, though numbers are beginning to level off. Also read | Mass COVID-19 testing announced for Beijing's Chaoyang district amid 'ferocious' outbreak Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Centre, which Chen is also the head of, said that on Sunday morning he began feeling symptoms and carried out a home test, which was positive. Chen has been the public face of the fight against COVID-19, appearing almost daily at news conferences. While he is feeling fine he will remain at home, and his position as head of the command centre will temporarily be taken by Deputy Interior Minister Chen Tsung-yen, it added. Watch | Mainland China sees surge in COVID cases The two Chens are not related. Taiwan's presidential office said President Tsai Ing-wen had not recently met with Health Minister Chen, instead speaking with him by telephone, and wished him a speedy recovery. Also read | Beijing delays school reopenings after new Covid outbreak With more than 99 per cent of those infected with COVID-19 this year exhibiting no or mild symptoms, the government has relaxed rather than tightened restrictions in what it calls the "new Taiwan model". On Saturday, the government said it would be reducing to three days from seven the mandatory quarantine for all arrivals into Taiwan as it looks to gradually fully re-open the borders. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taiwan's health minister contracts COVID-19, feeling fine

Pakistan reported 73 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the country`s ministry of health said on Saturday.

The tally of infected people climbed to 1,531,112 across the country after adding the fresh cases, according to the data released by the ministry.

A total of 30,381 people died of COVID-19 in Pakistan, with no more deaths over the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's statistics.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-moderna-vaccine-effective-and-safe-for-kids-under-the-age-of-5-says-fda-487083">Also read |&nbsp;Covid-19: Moderna vaccine effective and safe for kids under the age of 5, says FDA</a>

As many as 13,635 tests for COVID-19 were conducted in Pakistan while the positivity rate stood at 0.54 per cent.

There are 51 active cases that are in critical condition in the South Asian country.

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan reported 72 new COVID-19 cases and 50 active cases that are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health of Pakistan reported the first case of COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. on May 9.

Watch |&nbsp;Residents stock up food supplies as Shanghai imposes new COVID lockdown curbs

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This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries, the National Institute of Health (NIH) had said in a statement.

"NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries", the health body had tweeted.

In view of this, NIH advised people to take preventive measures to avoid contracting the virus, which is vaccination against it.

"We strongly recommended getting vaccinated and all those due for boosters must get the shots immediately", it added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-records-massive-jump-in-covid-cases-with-over-8300-infections-highest-in-3-months-487096">Also read |&nbsp;India records massive jump in Covid cases with over 8,300 infections; highest in 3 months</a>

Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar said that the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 was detected in a traveller who had returned from Qatar.

He added that this sub-variant is seen in the recent spike in cases in the US.

"The disease severity and hospitalisation remain the same as Omicron but data is limited as of now",&nbsp;Pakistani media Geo TV reported.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern on November 26, 2021, while the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Karachi was reported on December 13.

Since then, the Ministry of NHSRC (National Health Systems Resource Centre), NCOC, NIH (National Institute of Health) and the provincial health departments have remained vigilant to detect the variant in Pakistan", read an official statement.&nbsp;

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Pakistan reported 73 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the country`s ministry of health said on Saturday. The tally of infected people climbed to 1,531,112 across the country after adding the fresh cases, according to the data released by the ministry.

Pakistan reported 73 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the country`s ministry of health said on Saturday. The tally of infected people climbed to 1,531,112 across the country after adding the fresh cases, according to the data released by the ministry. A total of 30,381 people died of COVID-19 in Pakistan, with no more deaths over the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's statistics. Also read | Covid-19: Moderna vaccine effective and safe for kids under the age of 5, says FDA As many as 13,635 tests for COVID-19 were conducted in Pakistan while the positivity rate stood at 0.54 per cent. There are 51 active cases that are in critical condition in the South Asian country. Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan reported 72 new COVID-19 cases and 50 active cases that are in critical condition. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health of Pakistan reported the first case of COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. on May 9. Watch | Residents stock up food supplies as Shanghai imposes new COVID lockdown curbs This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries, the National Institute of Health (NIH) had said in a statement. "NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries", the health body had tweeted. In view of this, NIH advised people to take preventive measures to avoid contracting the virus, which is vaccination against it. "We strongly recommended getting vaccinated and all those due for boosters must get the shots immediately", it added. Also read | India records massive jump in Covid cases with over 8,300 infections; highest in 3 months Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar said that the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 was detected in a traveller who had returned from Qatar. He added that this sub-variant is seen in the recent spike in cases in the US. "The disease severity and hospitalisation remain the same as Omicron but data is limited as of now", Pakistani media Geo TV reported. The WHO (World Health Organisation) designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern on November 26, 2021, while the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Karachi was reported on December 13. Since then, the Ministry of NHSRC (National Health Systems Resource Centre), NCOC, NIH (National Institute of Health) and the provincial health departments have remained vigilant to detect the variant in Pakistan", read an official statement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan reports 73 fresh COVID cases

On June 9, residents of Shanghai's sprawling Minhang area were forced to stay at home for two days in order to control COVID-19 transmission threats.

On June 11, the government of Minhang, which has a population of over 2 million people, will conduct nucleic acid tests for all citizens, and limitations will be eased once the testing is completed, according to the administration's WeChat account.

On Wednesday, Shanghai reported four new confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 cases, all in quarantined zones. There were no new cases in the Minhang district.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-zero-covid-two-districts-sealed-off-once-again-as-lockdowns-continue-to-haunt-shanghai-484839">China Zero-Covid: Two districts sealed off once again, as 'lockdowns' continue to haunt Shanghai</a>

Last week, Shanghai was released from a two-month city-wide lockdown, but certain residential compounds have been re-locked as officials continue to pursue a "dynamic zero-COVID" policy aimed at shutting down transmission chains as quickly as possible.

Residents would be subjected to two days of imprisonment and another 12 days of severe testing beginning Thursday, according to several street-level government authorities.

Residents in at least three Shanghai neighbourhoods will be subjected to five rounds of mandatory tests, which will culminate on June 23, and will be kept indoors until Saturday, according to notices.

Watch |&nbsp;China: Parts of Shanghai impose new lockdown restrictions

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Zhao Dandan, the vice-head of Shanghai`s health commission, told a briefing on Tuesday that the city would continue to implement restrictions even in areas that had not been identified as "high risk". 
 
"Based on the assessment of the epidemic prevention and control trends, related measures will be adjusted dynamically," he said. "We hope the public will continue to understand and cooperate." 
 
The restrictions have triggered protests among residents, and business groups have also said the ongoing preoccupation with "zero-COVID" could lead foreign companies to reconsider their presence in Shanghai.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shanghai-residents-spent-2-months-locked-up-but-china-bans-media-from-calling-it-a-lockdown-484410">Shanghai residents spent 2 months 'locked' up, but China bans media from calling it a 'lockdown'</a>

"One of the major issues facing foreign business is the level of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 restrictions," said Alexandra Hirst, senior policy analyst with the British Chamber of Commerce in China. 
 
"This unpredictability, and increased risk, is resulting in many businesses delaying, reducing or withdrawing entirely from the Chinese market," she said.

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(With inputs from agencies)

On June 9, residents of Shanghai's sprawling Minhang area were forced to stay at home for two days in order to control COVID-19 transmission threats. On June 11, the government of Minhang, which has a population of over 2 million people, will conduct nucleic acid tests for all citizens, and limitations will be eased once the testing is completed, according to the administration's WeChat account.

On June 9, residents of Shanghai's sprawling Minhang area were forced to stay at home for two days in order to control COVID-19 transmission threats. On June 11, the government of Minhang, which has a population of over 2 million people, will conduct nucleic acid tests for all citizens, and limitations will be eased once the testing is completed, according to the administration's WeChat account. On Wednesday, Shanghai reported four new confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 cases, all in quarantined zones. There were no new cases in the Minhang district. Also read | China Zero-Covid: Two districts sealed off once again, as 'lockdowns' continue to haunt Shanghai Last week, Shanghai was released from a two-month city-wide lockdown, but certain residential compounds have been re-locked as officials continue to pursue a "dynamic zero-COVID" policy aimed at shutting down transmission chains as quickly as possible. Residents would be subjected to two days of imprisonment and another 12 days of severe testing beginning Thursday, according to several street-level government authorities. Residents in at least three Shanghai neighbourhoods will be subjected to five rounds of mandatory tests, which will culminate on June 23, and will be kept indoors until Saturday, according to notices. Watch | China: Parts of Shanghai impose new lockdown restrictions Zhao Dandan, the vice-head of Shanghai`s health commission, told a briefing on Tuesday that the city would continue to implement restrictions even in areas that had not been identified as "high risk". "Based on the assessment of the epidemic prevention and control trends, related measures will be adjusted dynamically," he said. "We hope the public will continue to understand and cooperate." The restrictions have triggered protests among residents, and business groups have also said the ongoing preoccupation with "zero-COVID" could lead foreign companies to reconsider their presence in Shanghai. Also read | Shanghai residents spent 2 months 'locked' up, but China bans media from calling it a 'lockdown' "One of the major issues facing foreign business is the level of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 restrictions," said Alexandra Hirst, senior policy analyst with the British Chamber of Commerce in China. "This unpredictability, and increased risk, is resulting in many businesses delaying, reducing or withdrawing entirely from the Chinese market," she said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Parts of Shanghai impose new Covid lockdown measures

After mass shootings killed and wounded people grocery shopping, going to church and simply living their lives last weekend, the nation marked a milestone of 1 million deaths from COVID-19. The number, once unthinkable, is now an irreversible reality in the United States like the persistent reality of gun violence that kills tens of thousands of people a year.

Americans have always tolerated high rates of death among certain segments of society. But the sheer numbers of deaths from preventable causes, and the apparent acceptance that no policy change is on the horizon, raises the question: Has mass death become accepted in America.

"I think the evidence is unmistakable and quite clear. We will tolerate an enormous amount of carnage, suffering and death in the U.S., because we have over the past two years. We have over our history,"&nbsp;says Gregg Gonsalves, an epidemiologist and professor at Yale who was a leading member of the AIDS advocacy group ACT UP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandemic-effect-us-economy-set-to-outpace-china-first-time-since-1976-481005">Pandemic effect: US economy set to outpace China first time since 1976</a>

"If I thought the AIDS epidemic was bad, the American response to COVID-19 has sort of...It's a form of the American grotesque, right?"&nbsp;Gonsalves says. Really, a million people are dead&nbsp;And you're going to talk to me about your need to get back to normal, when for the most part most of us have been living pretty reasonable lives for the past six months.

Certain communities have always borne the brunt of higher death rates. There are profound racial and class inequalities in the United States, and our tolerance of death is partly based on who is at risk, says Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, a sociology professor who studies mortality at the University of Minnesota.

"Some people's deaths matter a lot more than others, "she laments. "I think that's what we're seeing in this really brutal way with this coincidence of timing."

In Buffalo, the alleged shooter was a racist bent on killing Black people, according to authorities. The family of 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield, one of the 10 people killed, channelled the grief and frustration of millions as they demanded action.

You expect us to keep doing this over and over and over again over again, forgive and forget,&nbsp;her son, former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield, Jr, said. "While people we elect and trust in offices around this country do their best not to protect us, not to consider us equal."

That sense&nbsp;that politicians have done little even as the violence repeats itself is shared by many Americans. It's a feeling encapsulated by the thoughts and prayers&nbsp;offered to victims of gun violence by politicians unwilling to change policies, according to Martha Lincoln, an anthropology professor at San Francisco State University.

"I don't think that most Americans feel good about it. I think most Americans would like to see real action from their leaders in the culture about these pervasive issues,"&nbsp;says Lincoln, who sees a similar political vacuum around COVID-19.

With COVID-19, American society has even come to accept the deaths of children from a preventable cause. Pediatrician Dr Mark W Kline wrote in a guest column for The Advocate newspaper that more than 1,500 children have died from COVID-19, and recalled a time in pediatrics when children were not supposed to die.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Biggest Covid scam in the world?

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"There was no acceptable pediatric body count,"&nbsp;he wrote. "At least, not before the first pandemic of the social media age, COVID-19, changed everything."

Gun violence is such a part of life in America now that we organise our lives around its inevitability, says Sonali Rajan, a Columbia University professor who researches school violence. Children do lockdown drills at school. And in about half the states, Rajan says, teachers can carry firearms. She notes that an estimated 100,000 people are shot annually and some 40,000 will die.

She sees similar dynamics in the current response to COVID-19. Americans, she says, deserve to be able to commute to work without getting sick, or work somewhere without getting sick, or send their kids to school without them getting sick. 
It's important, she says, to ask what policies are being put forth by elected officials who have the power to attend to the health and the well-being of their constituents.

"It's remarkable how that responsibility has been sort of abdicated, is how I would describe it,"&nbsp;Rajan says.

The level of concern about deaths often depends on context, says Rajiv Sethi, an economics professor at Barnard College. He points to a rare but dramatic event such as an airplane crash, which does seem to matter to people.

Sethi notes there are more suicides from guns in America than there are homicides, an estimated 24,000 gun suicides compared with 19,000 homicides. But even though there are policy proposals that could help within the bounds of the Second Amendment, he says, the debate on guns is politically entrenched, causing 'paralysis.'

"It divides us when people think that there's nothing they can do," says Dr Megan Ranney of Brown University's School of Public Health.

Ranney points to false narratives spread by bad actors, such as denying that the deaths were preventable, or suggesting those who die deserved it. There is an emphasis in the United States on individual responsibility for one's health, Ranney says.

"It's not that we put less value on an individual life, but rather we're coming up against the limits of that approach,"&nbsp;she says. 
In truth, she says, any individual's death or disability affects the community.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-us-surpasses-1-million-covid-19-deaths-the-worlds-highest-known-total-480616">The US surpasses 1 million COVID-19 deaths, the world’s highest known total</a>

Similar debates happened in the last century about child labour laws, worker protections and reproductive rights, while in the 1980s during the AIDS crisis, there a lack of political will to address it in an environment where anti-gay discrimination was rampant.

Wrigley-Field notes activists were able to mobilise a movement that forced people to change the way they thought and forced politicians to change the way they operated.

"I don't think that those things are off the table now. It's just that it's not really clear if they're going to emerge,"&nbsp;Wrigley-Field says. "I don't think giving up is a permanent state of affairs. But I do think that's where we're at, right at this moment."

After mass shootings killed and wounded people grocery shopping, going to church and simply living their lives last weekend, the nation marked a milestone of 1 million deaths from COVID-19.

After mass shootings killed and wounded people grocery shopping, going to church and simply living their lives last weekend, the nation marked a milestone of 1 million deaths from COVID-19. The number, once unthinkable, is now an irreversible reality in the United States like the persistent reality of gun violence that kills tens of thousands of people a year. Americans have always tolerated high rates of death among certain segments of society. But the sheer numbers of deaths from preventable causes, and the apparent acceptance that no policy change is on the horizon, raises the question: Has mass death become accepted in America. "I think the evidence is unmistakable and quite clear. We will tolerate an enormous amount of carnage, suffering and death in the U.S., because we have over the past two years. We have over our history," says Gregg Gonsalves, an epidemiologist and professor at Yale who was a leading member of the AIDS advocacy group ACT UP. Also read | Pandemic effect: US economy set to outpace China first time since 1976 "If I thought the AIDS epidemic was bad, the American response to COVID-19 has sort of...It's a form of the American grotesque, right?" Gonsalves says. Really, a million people are dead And you're going to talk to me about your need to get back to normal, when for the most part most of us have been living pretty reasonable lives for the past six months. Certain communities have always borne the brunt of higher death rates. There are profound racial and class inequalities in the United States, and our tolerance of death is partly based on who is at risk, says Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, a sociology professor who studies mortality at the University of Minnesota. "Some people's deaths matter a lot more than others, "she laments. "I think that's what we're seeing in this really brutal way with this coincidence of timing." In Buffalo, the alleged shooter was a racist bent on killing Black people, according to authorities. The family of 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield, one of the 10 people killed, channelled the grief and frustration of millions as they demanded action. You expect us to keep doing this over and over and over again over again, forgive and forget, her son, former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield, Jr, said. "While people we elect and trust in offices around this country do their best not to protect us, not to consider us equal." That sense that politicians have done little even as the violence repeats itself is shared by many Americans. It's a feeling encapsulated by the thoughts and prayers offered to victims of gun violence by politicians unwilling to change policies, according to Martha Lincoln, an anthropology professor at San Francisco State University. "I don't think that most Americans feel good about it. I think most Americans would like to see real action from their leaders in the culture about these pervasive issues," says Lincoln, who sees a similar political vacuum around COVID-19. With COVID-19, American society has even come to accept the deaths of children from a preventable cause. Pediatrician Dr Mark W Kline wrote in a guest column for The Advocate newspaper that more than 1,500 children have died from COVID-19, and recalled a time in pediatrics when children were not supposed to die. Watch | Gravitas: Biggest Covid scam in the world? "There was no acceptable pediatric body count," he wrote. "At least, not before the first pandemic of the social media age, COVID-19, changed everything." Gun violence is such a part of life in America now that we organise our lives around its inevitability, says Sonali Rajan, a Columbia University professor who researches school violence. Children do lockdown drills at school. And in about half the states, Rajan says, teachers can carry firearms. She notes that an estimated 100,000 people are shot annually and some 40,000 will die. She sees similar dynamics in the current response to COVID-19. Americans, she says, deserve to be able to commute to work without getting sick, or work somewhere without getting sick, or send their kids to school without them getting sick. It's important, she says, to ask what policies are being put forth by elected officials who have the power to attend to the health and the well-being of their constituents. "It's remarkable how that responsibility has been sort of abdicated, is how I would describe it," Rajan says. The level of concern about deaths often depends on context, says Rajiv Sethi, an economics professor at Barnard College. He points to a rare but dramatic event such as an airplane crash, which does seem to matter to people. Sethi notes there are more suicides from guns in America than there are homicides, an estimated 24,000 gun suicides compared with 19,000 homicides. But even though there are policy proposals that could help within the bounds of the Second Amendment, he says, the debate on guns is politically entrenched, causing 'paralysis.' "It divides us when people think that there's nothing they can do," says Dr Megan Ranney of Brown University's School of Public Health. Ranney points to false narratives spread by bad actors, such as denying that the deaths were preventable, or suggesting those who die deserved it. There is an emphasis in the United States on individual responsibility for one's health, Ranney says. "It's not that we put less value on an individual life, but rather we're coming up against the limits of that approach," she says. In truth, she says, any individual's death or disability affects the community. Also read | The US surpasses 1 million COVID-19 deaths, the world’s highest known total Similar debates happened in the last century about child labour laws, worker protections and reproductive rights, while in the 1980s during the AIDS crisis, there a lack of political will to address it in an environment where anti-gay discrimination was rampant. Wrigley-Field notes activists were able to mobilise a movement that forced people to change the way they thought and forced politicians to change the way they operated. "I don't think that those things are off the table now. It's just that it's not really clear if they're going to emerge," Wrigley-Field says. "I don't think giving up is a permanent state of affairs. But I do think that's where we're at, right at this moment."

First Covid and now shootings: Is mass death now tolerated in America?

A bizarre story of a 24-year-old Japanese guy collecting 46.3 million yen ($358,857) in Covid relief payments was published in Japan Today. That sum was supposed to be distributed among 463 homes in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, as 100,000 yen (almost $774.76) each.

At the time, the mayor had apologised for the clerical error that had resulted in the miscalculation and was allegedly looking into recovering the funds. However, it has just been discovered that the individual who received the large amount of cash by mistake has vanished!

At the time, the mayor had apologised for the clerical error that had resulted in the miscalculation and was allegedly looking into recovering the funds. However, it has just been discovered that the individual who received the large amount of cash by mistake has vanished!

According to JapanToday, the man began shifting quantities of roughly 600,000 yen every day for about two weeks after discovering the windfall payment in his account on April 8, 2022.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Japanese town realised their mistake and set out to find the money. When they discovered where it had gone, they attempted to contact the individual right away but were unsuccessful.

When they finally caught up with him on April 21, 2022, he told them that the money had vanished from his account and that "it could no longer be undone." I'm not going to run. "I shall be held accountable for my wrongdoing."

However, here was the issue. The man had already vanished.

All of this put officials in a tricky legal situation, because they technically gave him the money by mistake, and it wasn't quite theft in the strict meaning of the word.&nbsp;

Watch | Covid lockdown hit China sales, Japan's factory activity expands

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They sought advice from lawyers and law enforcement, and on May 12, 2022, they finally took action by filing a lawsuit against the individual, seeking 51.16 million yen in compensation for the money he took, plus legal fees.

During the time it took the town to file a lawsuit against the 24-year-old, he cleared out his bank account, quit his job, and moved out of his house.

Needless to say, this clerical error has turned into a circus.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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A bizarre story of a 24-year-old Japanese guy collecting 46.3 million yen ($358,857) in Covid relief payments was published in Japan Today. That sum was supposed to be distributed among 463 homes in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, as 100,000 yen (almost $774.

A bizarre story of a 24-year-old Japanese guy collecting 46.3 million yen ($358,857) in Covid relief payments was published in Japan Today. That sum was supposed to be distributed among 463 homes in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, as 100,000 yen (almost $774.76) each. At the time, the mayor had apologised for the clerical error that had resulted in the miscalculation and was allegedly looking into recovering the funds. However, it has just been discovered that the individual who received the large amount of cash by mistake has vanished! At the time, the mayor had apologised for the clerical error that had resulted in the miscalculation and was allegedly looking into recovering the funds. However, it has just been discovered that the individual who received the large amount of cash by mistake has vanished! According to JapanToday, the man began shifting quantities of roughly 600,000 yen every day for about two weeks after discovering the windfall payment in his account on April 8, 2022. Meanwhile, the Japanese town realised their mistake and set out to find the money. When they discovered where it had gone, they attempted to contact the individual right away but were unsuccessful. When they finally caught up with him on April 21, 2022, he told them that the money had vanished from his account and that "it could no longer be undone." I'm not going to run. "I shall be held accountable for my wrongdoing." However, here was the issue. The man had already vanished. All of this put officials in a tricky legal situation, because they technically gave him the money by mistake, and it wasn't quite theft in the strict meaning of the word. Watch | Covid lockdown hit China sales, Japan's factory activity expands They sought advice from lawyers and law enforcement, and on May 12, 2022, they finally took action by filing a lawsuit against the individual, seeking 51.16 million yen in compensation for the money he took, plus legal fees. During the time it took the town to file a lawsuit against the 24-year-old, he cleared out his bank account, quit his job, and moved out of his house. Needless to say, this clerical error has turned into a circus. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Japanese man receives entire town's Covid relief funds, disappears with the cash

Beijing has begun widespread testing of its citizens as part of an extraordinary plan to track down and stop omicron's spread before it becomes uncontrollable in the Chinese capital.

Nearly 20 million individuals will be tested for COVID-19 over the weekend as Beijing's city administration expands an effort that began in the eastern Chaoyang district, which has seen the majority of cases in the recent flare-up.

The larger test will include ten additional administrative districts as well as an economic development zone.

Following the discovery of hundreds of cases in the city in recent days, Beijing officials have ordered everyone in 12 key districts, which account for the majority of the city's population, to undergo three rounds of PCR testing.

People waited in long queues to be swabbed by health workers in protective gear in the capital's most populous downtown area, Chaoyang, which was the first to order mass testing on Monday. 
 
Watch | COVID crisis: Situation worsens in China, Beijing on alert as COVID numbers increase

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On Tuesday, eleven more districts began testing.

The testing order for Chaoyang spurred frantic buying beginning Sunday night, with residents queued up at stores with full carts and bulging shopping bags, despite state media assurances that supplies would be sufficient.

Inhabitants in Beijing said they feared a repetition of Shanghai's recent lockdown, in which residents struggled to find food and medical attention for non-Covid illnesses.

Virus proliferation in Beijing is still "within the limits of control," according to city health director Xu Hejian.

Beijing has begun widespread testing of its citizens as part of an extraordinary plan to track down and stop omicron's spread before it becomes uncontrollable in the Chinese capital.

Beijing has begun widespread testing of its citizens as part of an extraordinary plan to track down and stop omicron's spread before it becomes uncontrollable in the Chinese capital. Nearly 20 million individuals will be tested for COVID-19 over the weekend as Beijing's city administration expands an effort that began in the eastern Chaoyang district, which has seen the majority of cases in the recent flare-up. The larger test will include ten additional administrative districts as well as an economic development zone. Following the discovery of hundreds of cases in the city in recent days, Beijing officials have ordered everyone in 12 key districts, which account for the majority of the city's population, to undergo three rounds of PCR testing. People waited in long queues to be swabbed by health workers in protective gear in the capital's most populous downtown area, Chaoyang, which was the first to order mass testing on Monday. Watch | COVID crisis: Situation worsens in China, Beijing on alert as COVID numbers increase On Tuesday, eleven more districts began testing. The testing order for Chaoyang spurred frantic buying beginning Sunday night, with residents queued up at stores with full carts and bulging shopping bags, despite state media assurances that supplies would be sufficient. Inhabitants in Beijing said they feared a repetition of Shanghai's recent lockdown, in which residents struggled to find food and medical attention for non-Covid illnesses. Virus proliferation in Beijing is still "within the limits of control," according to city health director Xu Hejian.

China begins unprecedented COVID-19 testing of nearly all 21 million Beijing residents

The pandemic took so much from everyone's loved ones: time, mental health, physical health, and just as we began to believe that living with the coronavirus was possible, here's another bad news.

People hospitalised during the pandemic for Covid and other reasons have a higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections than people hospitalised before the pandemic says a study.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mother-of-14-or-a-toddlers-murderer-court-stays-execution-of-texas-woman-who-claims-confession-was-coerced-473974" hreflang="en">Mother of 14 or a toddler's murderer? Court stays execution of Texas woman who claims confession was coerced</a>

Antibiotic-resistant infections claimed the lives of an estimated 1.2 million people worldwide in 2019, with the number anticipated to increase by more than tenfold by 2050.

The study, which was presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Portugal this year, looked at how the pandemic affected antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 271 hospitals across the United States.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) secondary infections have been linked to the pandemic in the past. It is thought to be&nbsp;a result of increased antibiotic use to treat COVID-19 patients and interruptions to infection prevention and control measures in overburdened health systems.

Watch |&nbsp;If you are unvaccinated for COVID, you are a threat to those who're jabbed

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During the pre-pandemic period, 1,789,458 patients were admitted to the hospital, and 3,729,208 were hospitalised during the pandemic.

In the pre-pandemic period, there were 63,263 people admitted to the hospital with at least one AMR infection, and during the pandemic, this number more than doubled,&nbsp;increasing&nbsp;to a whopping&nbsp;129,410.

AMR was shown to be more prevalent during the pandemic, with rates of 4.92 per 100 admissions during the epidemic and 4.11 per 100 admissions before the pandemic, according to the study.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-detects-omicron-ba23-variant-for-the-first-time-473877" hreflang="en">China detects Omicron BA.2.3 variant for the first time</a>

These new findings emphasise the significance of closely monitoring the influence of Covid-19 on antibiotic resistance rates,&nbsp;stated Merck's Dr Karri Bauer.

As per him it's especially concerning because drug resistance has been increasing in both SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients during the pandemic.

Watch WION LIVE HERE:

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(With inputs from agencies)

The pandemic took so much from everyone's loved ones: time, mental health, physical health, and just as we began to believe that living with the coronavirus was possible, here's another bad news.

The pandemic took so much from everyone's loved ones: time, mental health, physical health, and just as we began to believe that living with the coronavirus was possible, here's another bad news. People hospitalised during the pandemic for Covid and other reasons have a higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections than people hospitalised before the pandemic says a study. Also read | Mother of 14 or a toddler's murderer? Court stays execution of Texas woman who claims confession was coerced Antibiotic-resistant infections claimed the lives of an estimated 1.2 million people worldwide in 2019, with the number anticipated to increase by more than tenfold by 2050. The study, which was presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Portugal this year, looked at how the pandemic affected antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 271 hospitals across the United States. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) secondary infections have been linked to the pandemic in the past. It is thought to be a result of increased antibiotic use to treat COVID-19 patients and interruptions to infection prevention and control measures in overburdened health systems. Watch | If you are unvaccinated for COVID, you are a threat to those who're jabbed During the pre-pandemic period, 1,789,458 patients were admitted to the hospital, and 3,729,208 were hospitalised during the pandemic. In the pre-pandemic period, there were 63,263 people admitted to the hospital with at least one AMR infection, and during the pandemic, this number more than doubled, increasing to a whopping 129,410. AMR was shown to be more prevalent during the pandemic, with rates of 4.92 per 100 admissions during the epidemic and 4.11 per 100 admissions before the pandemic, according to the study. Also read | China detects Omicron BA.2.3 variant for the first time These new findings emphasise the significance of closely monitoring the influence of Covid-19 on antibiotic resistance rates, stated Merck's Dr Karri Bauer. As per him it's especially concerning because drug resistance has been increasing in both SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients during the pandemic. Watch WION LIVE HERE: (With inputs from agencies)

Covid pandemic increased antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections: Study

Long lines of COVID-19 tests, empty streets and closed storefronts: a now familiar sight in&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;as the financial hub reported over 27,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday (April 14).

Shanghai&nbsp;is battling China's worst covid outbreak since the virus first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, with the city's 25 million residents remaining largely under lockdown, though restrictions were partially eased in some areas this week. However, while some people were allowed out on Tuesday (April 12), there was still confusion about how freely they could move, with many awaiting permission from their residential committees.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Shanghai Covid Outbreak: Indian consulate "inaccessible"

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On Thursday,&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;reported a record 2,573 symptomatic cases for the previous day, up from 1,189 a day earlier, while asymptomatic cases reached 25,146, up from 25,141.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-iphone-supplier-ceases-operations-as-chinas-covid-lockdown-bites-470809">Another iPhone supplier ceases operations as China’s Covid lockdown bites</a>

A city official said that cases continued to rise despite the lockdown in part because of a backlog of test results and because of ongoing transmission among family members.

Long lines of COVID-19 tests, empty streets and closed storefronts: a now familiar sight in Shanghai as the financial hub reported over 27,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday (April 14).

Long lines of COVID-19 tests, empty streets and closed storefronts: a now familiar sight in Shanghai as the financial hub reported over 27,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday (April 14). Shanghai is battling China's worst covid outbreak since the virus first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, with the city's 25 million residents remaining largely under lockdown, though restrictions were partially eased in some areas this week. However, while some people were allowed out on Tuesday (April 12), there was still confusion about how freely they could move, with many awaiting permission from their residential committees. Watch | Gravitas: Shanghai Covid Outbreak: Indian consulate "inaccessible" On Thursday, Shanghai reported a record 2,573 symptomatic cases for the previous day, up from 1,189 a day earlier, while asymptomatic cases reached 25,146, up from 25,141. Also read | Another iPhone supplier ceases operations as China’s Covid lockdown bites A city official said that cases continued to rise despite the lockdown in part because of a backlog of test results and because of ongoing transmission among family members.

Life in a city under lockdown as Shanghai's covid cases hit new peak

A third&nbsp;dose&nbsp;of&nbsp;Pfizer&nbsp;Inc and&nbsp;BioNTech's covid&nbsp;vaccine produced significant&nbsp;protection&nbsp;against&nbsp;the&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;variant in healthy children&nbsp;aged&nbsp;between 5 and&nbsp;11&nbsp;years in a trial, the companies said on Thursday.

Blood serum analysis of a few pediatric participants who received a&nbsp;booster&nbsp;dose&nbsp;in the study showed a 36-fold increase in Omicron neutralizing antibodies, the drugmakers said.

Neutralizing antibodies&nbsp;against&nbsp;SARS-CoV-2 wild-type strain rose six-fold following the&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shot.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-medicines-regulator-approves-valneva-covid-19-vaccine-for-adult-use-470950">UK medicines regulator approves Valneva COVID-19 vaccine for adult use</a>

The mid-to-late stage study was testing the safety and immunogenicity of a 10 microgram&nbsp;booster&nbsp;dose&nbsp;in 140 healthy children&nbsp;aged&nbsp;5 through&nbsp;11&nbsp;years.

Pfizer&nbsp;and its German partner said the data reinforces potential function of a third&nbsp;dose&nbsp;of the vaccine in maintaining high levels of&nbsp;protection&nbsp;against&nbsp;the virus in this age group.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Global Headlines: Covid-19 booster shots for adults, Peru protests &amp; more

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The companies plan to apply for Emergency Use Authorization of a&nbsp;booster&nbsp;dose&nbsp;in the 5-11&nbsp;age group in coming days, with additional submissions to global regulatory agencies including the European Medicines Agency to follow.

Earlier this year, the US&nbsp;Food &amp; Drug Administration authorized a third&nbsp;dose&nbsp;of the vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 and those&nbsp;aged&nbsp;5 through&nbsp;11&nbsp;years who are immunocompromised.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/std-cases-in-us-including-syphilis-rose-during-pandemic-cdc-report-470645">Cases of syphilis, other STDs rose in US during Covid pandemic: CDC report</a>

The agency at the time said it will weigh&nbsp;boosters for 5 to&nbsp;11&nbsp;year olds after more children receive two&nbsp;doses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control &amp; Prevention (CDC), about 8 million children&nbsp;aged&nbsp;between 5 and&nbsp;11&nbsp;in the United States are fully vaccinated.

A third dose of Pfizer Inc and BioNTech's covid vaccine produced significant protection against the Omicron variant in healthy children aged between 5 and 11 years in a trial, the companies said on Thursday.

A third dose of Pfizer Inc and BioNTech's covid vaccine produced significant protection against the Omicron variant in healthy children aged between 5 and 11 years in a trial, the companies said on Thursday. Blood serum analysis of a few pediatric participants who received a booster dose in the study showed a 36-fold increase in Omicron neutralizing antibodies, the drugmakers said. Neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type strain rose six-fold following the booster shot. Also read | UK medicines regulator approves Valneva COVID-19 vaccine for adult use The mid-to-late stage study was testing the safety and immunogenicity of a 10 microgram booster dose in 140 healthy children aged 5 through 11 years. Pfizer and its German partner said the data reinforces potential function of a third dose of the vaccine in maintaining high levels of protection against the virus in this age group. Watch | Gravitas Global Headlines: Covid-19 booster shots for adults, Peru protests & more The companies plan to apply for Emergency Use Authorization of a booster dose in the 5-11 age group in coming days, with additional submissions to global regulatory agencies including the European Medicines Agency to follow. Earlier this year, the US Food & Drug Administration authorized a third dose of the vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 and those aged 5 through 11 years who are immunocompromised. Also read | Cases of syphilis, other STDs rose in US during Covid pandemic: CDC report The agency at the time said it will weigh boosters for 5 to 11 year olds after more children receive two doses. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), about 8 million children aged between 5 and 11 in the United States are fully vaccinated.

Pfizer-BioNTech say booster dose increases protection against Omicron in kids aged 5-11

Scientists recently discovered that SARS-CoV-2 virus-infected people show&nbsp;signs of severe brain injury and inflammation, including a reduction in oxygen and blood flow into the brain, neuron damage and even small areas of haemorrhage.

Researchers at Tulane University&nbsp;explained how Covid affects the central nervous system of humans. The observation is the first comprehensive report of neuropathology in a nonhuman primate model linked with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

These findings by researchers were published in the journal ‘Nature Communications.’

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/viruses-that-could-save-millions-of-lives-468373">Viruses that could save millions of lives</a>

However,&nbsp;what’s interesting, is that similar findings were noticed in people who never had any serious respiratory infection from the virus.

Trachy Fischer, PhD, the lead investigator and associate professor in microbiology and immunology at Tulane National Primate Research Centre, has been studying the brain&nbsp;for decades now. Fischer began studying the brain tissues of many infected animals soon after the primate centre launched its COVID-19 pilot programme in mid-2020.

Fischer’s preliminary reports showed that the level of brain damage caused by SARS-Cov-2&nbsp;is severe. Over the next few&nbsp;years, she tried to&nbsp;ensure the results were traceable to the illness.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Shanghai lockdown extended: City records 13,086 asymptomatic cases

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Fischer said, “Because the subjects didn’t experience significant respiratory symptoms, no one expected them to have the severity of disease that we found in the brain. But the findings were distinct and profound, and undeniably a result of the infection.”&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-does-covid-19-actually-infect-humans-study-reveals-467325">How does COVID-19 actually infect humans? World's first human challenge study reveals &nbsp;</a>

The findings also aligned with COVID-19 related deaths, suggesting that non-human models or primates will be a good model to determine the human experience. &nbsp;Neurological infections are amongst the first symptoms of the infection that can be severe and even long-lasting.

As per Fischer, this study as well as the ones in future that focus on how SARS-CoV-2 impacts the human brain will help in better understanding and treatment of patients suffering from neurological effects of COVID-19 and long Covid.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists recently discovered that SARS-CoV-2 virus-infected people show signs of severe brain injury and inflammation, including a reduction in oxygen and blood flow into the brain, neuron damage and even small areas of haemorrhage.

Scientists recently discovered that SARS-CoV-2 virus-infected people show signs of severe brain injury and inflammation, including a reduction in oxygen and blood flow into the brain, neuron damage and even small areas of haemorrhage. Researchers at Tulane University explained how Covid affects the central nervous system of humans. The observation is the first comprehensive report of neuropathology in a nonhuman primate model linked with SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings by researchers were published in the journal ‘Nature Communications.’ Also read | Viruses that could save millions of lives However, what’s interesting, is that similar findings were noticed in people who never had any serious respiratory infection from the virus. Trachy Fischer, PhD, the lead investigator and associate professor in microbiology and immunology at Tulane National Primate Research Centre, has been studying the brain for decades now. Fischer began studying the brain tissues of many infected animals soon after the primate centre launched its COVID-19 pilot programme in mid-2020. Fischer’s preliminary reports showed that the level of brain damage caused by SARS-Cov-2 is severe. Over the next few years, she tried to ensure the results were traceable to the illness. Watch | Shanghai lockdown extended: City records 13,086 asymptomatic cases Fischer said, “Because the subjects didn’t experience significant respiratory symptoms, no one expected them to have the severity of disease that we found in the brain. But the findings were distinct and profound, and undeniably a result of the infection.” Also read | How does COVID-19 actually infect humans? World's first human challenge study reveals The findings also aligned with COVID-19 related deaths, suggesting that non-human models or primates will be a good model to determine the human experience. Neurological infections are amongst the first symptoms of the infection that can be severe and even long-lasting. As per Fischer, this study as well as the ones in future that focus on how SARS-CoV-2 impacts the human brain will help in better understanding and treatment of patients suffering from neurological effects of COVID-19 and long Covid. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid might have longer impacts on your brain: Study

Nearly all of&nbsp;Shanghai's 25 million residents were under stay-at-home orders on Saturday, as&nbsp;parents&nbsp;raised fears of being separated&nbsp;from&nbsp;their children in the event of a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;test.

The city, which is the epicentre of China's most severe&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;outbreak since the first months of the pandemic, has faced weeks of phased lockdowns.

Authorities had vowed not to shut down the whole city, China's finance hub, but have conceded to rare failures in their attempts to control the outbreak.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-cases-unreported-patients-unattended-deaths-plague-at-shanghais-hospital-the-wall-street-journal-467363">Covid cases unreported, patients unattended, deaths plague Shanghai’s hospital: Reports</a>

On Saturday,&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;had over 6,300 local cases -- more than two-thirds of the nationwide caseload, which is relatively low by global standards but troubling to a country that recorded double-digit daily cases for much of the last two years.

Over 14 million residents were tested on Friday, state media reported.

But the testing regime has seeded anxiety among&nbsp;parents&nbsp;about being separated&nbsp;from&nbsp;their children.

"My daughter is not yet four-months-old but if she tests&nbsp;positive&nbsp;then she'll be quarantined by herself," a resident in the populous Puxi area, west of the Huangpu river, told AFP.

"This is totally impossible to understand. No matter the circumstances, a newborn should never be separated&nbsp;from&nbsp;their&nbsp;parents," the 33-year-old, who gave his surname as Law, said.

Shanghai&nbsp;will offer "timely support to juveniles" left unattended due to reasons such as their&nbsp;parents&nbsp;being infected with&nbsp;Covid, Zeng Qun, deputy head of the&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Civil Affairs Bureau, said according to state media outlet Xinhua.&nbsp;

Those left at home will be allotted a "temporary guardian" or transferred to institutions "for juvenile protection for special care", the report said.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/life-on-hold-shanghai-expands-covid-19-lockdown-testing-lines-grow-467466">&nbsp;'Life on hold': Shanghai expands COVID-19 lockdown, testing lines grow</a>

Anger and&nbsp;fear&nbsp;rising&nbsp;

Anger is rising among&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;residents over lockdowns that were initially billed for four days to mass-test&nbsp;the city, but now appear likely to drag into late next week or longer.

An initial four-day shutdown of Pudong, the eastern half of the financial hub, was meant to lapse on Friday.&nbsp;

But most of its residents are still confined, as complex quarantine rules mean any block with a virus case will have to be locked down for up to two weeks. &nbsp;

Residents in the city's western half -- Puxi -- were ordered to stay home&nbsp;from&nbsp;Friday, meaning almost all of&nbsp;Shanghai's population is currently quarantined.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-does-covid-19-actually-infect-humans-study-reveals-467325">How does COVID-19 actually infect humans? World's first human challenge study reveals </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-does-covid-19-actually-infect-humans-study-reveals-467325">&nbsp;</a>

"I'm worried both parts of the city will end up remaining closed for a while," a Puxi resident surnamed Wang told AFP.

Fear&nbsp;is rising in&nbsp;Shanghai, with residents complaining of a lack of fresh food while the city's health resources are stretched.

There are over 1,500 people in a city exhibition hall that has been converted into a quarantine centre.

An unverified audio clip circulating on social media Saturday purportedly showed a health official telling a resident that state quarantines were full.

While China has managed to quash most of its domestic virus clusters, the highly infectious Omicron variant has piled pressure on the country's zero-Covid&nbsp;strategy.

Shanghai's restrictions threaten to snarl supply chains, with&nbsp;shipping giant Maersk saying Friday that some depots in the city remain closed and trucking services will likely be hit further due to the lockdown.

Organisers of mega motor show Auto China 2022 said Saturday that the event in Beijing this month would be postponed over the "widespread and frequent occurrence" of&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;outbreaks in many parts of China.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Shanghai's healthcare system has collapsed

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Nearly all of Shanghai's 25 million residents were under stay-at-home orders on Saturday, as parents raised fears of being separated from their children in the event of a positive Covid-19 test.

Nearly all of Shanghai's 25 million residents were under stay-at-home orders on Saturday, as parents raised fears of being separated from their children in the event of a positive Covid-19 test. The city, which is the epicentre of China's most severe Covid outbreak since the first months of the pandemic, has faced weeks of phased lockdowns. Authorities had vowed not to shut down the whole city, China's finance hub, but have conceded to rare failures in their attempts to control the outbreak. Also read | Covid cases unreported, patients unattended, deaths plague Shanghai’s hospital: Reports On Saturday, Shanghai had over 6,300 local cases -- more than two-thirds of the nationwide caseload, which is relatively low by global standards but troubling to a country that recorded double-digit daily cases for much of the last two years. Over 14 million residents were tested on Friday, state media reported. But the testing regime has seeded anxiety among parents about being separated from their children. "My daughter is not yet four-months-old but if she tests positive then she'll be quarantined by herself," a resident in the populous Puxi area, west of the Huangpu river, told AFP. "This is totally impossible to understand. No matter the circumstances, a newborn should never be separated from their parents," the 33-year-old, who gave his surname as Law, said. Shanghai will offer "timely support to juveniles" left unattended due to reasons such as their parents being infected with Covid, Zeng Qun, deputy head of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, said according to state media outlet Xinhua. Those left at home will be allotted a "temporary guardian" or transferred to institutions "for juvenile protection for special care", the report said. Also read | 'Life on hold': Shanghai expands COVID-19 lockdown, testing lines grow Anger and fear rising Anger is rising among Shanghai residents over lockdowns that were initially billed for four days to mass-test the city, but now appear likely to drag into late next week or longer. An initial four-day shutdown of Pudong, the eastern half of the financial hub, was meant to lapse on Friday. But most of its residents are still confined, as complex quarantine rules mean any block with a virus case will have to be locked down for up to two weeks. Residents in the city's western half -- Puxi -- were ordered to stay home from Friday, meaning almost all of Shanghai's population is currently quarantined. Also read | How does COVID-19 actually infect humans? World's first human challenge study reveals "I'm worried both parts of the city will end up remaining closed for a while," a Puxi resident surnamed Wang told AFP. Fear is rising in Shanghai, with residents complaining of a lack of fresh food while the city's health resources are stretched. There are over 1,500 people in a city exhibition hall that has been converted into a quarantine centre. An unverified audio clip circulating on social media Saturday purportedly showed a health official telling a resident that state quarantines were full. While China has managed to quash most of its domestic virus clusters, the highly infectious Omicron variant has piled pressure on the country's zero-Covid strategy. Shanghai's restrictions threaten to snarl supply chains, with shipping giant Maersk saying Friday that some depots in the city remain closed and trucking services will likely be hit further due to the lockdown. Organisers of mega motor show Auto China 2022 said Saturday that the event in Beijing this month would be postponed over the "widespread and frequent occurrence" of Covid outbreaks in many parts of China. Watch | Gravitas: Shanghai's healthcare system has collapsed

Shanghai parents fear separation from kids after positive Covid test

Ousted&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;leader Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;returned for hearings in a&nbsp;junta&nbsp;court&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;after&nbsp;being quarantined when&nbsp;Covid-19 was detected&nbsp;among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said.

The 76-year-old's civilian government was removed in a coup last year that triggered mass protests, and she faces a raft of charges that could see her sentenced to more than 150 years in jail.

Currently on trial for alleged corruption, breaching&nbsp;Myanmar's official secrets act and pressuring the election commission, Suu Kyi was placed in&nbsp;quarantine&nbsp;last week&nbsp;after&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;was found among her staff.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-in-quarantine-after-staff-tests-covid-19-positive-466279">Myanmar's Suu Kyi 'in quarantine' after staff tests COVID-19 positive</a>

On Thursday she "appeared before the district judge" for her official secrets act trial in a special&nbsp;court&nbsp;in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, said a source with knowledge of the matter.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;is accused along with Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was arrested in the days following the coup last February.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;and her personal staff have been fully vaccinated against&nbsp;Covid-19 since being taken into military custody, her lawyer told AFP last July.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-army-says-will-annihilate-coup-opponents-on-crackdown-anniversary-465854">&nbsp;Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary</a>

She missed a hearing in September due to illness, and in October her lawyer said her health had suffered during her frequent appearances before the&nbsp;junta-run&nbsp;court.

Journalists are barred from the proceedings and her lawyers have been banned from speaking to the press.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;has already been sentenced to a total of six years in jail for incitement against the military, breaching&nbsp;Covid-19 rules and breaking a telecommunications law -- although she remains under house arrest while she fights other charges.

Watch |&nbsp;US determines Myanmar Junta committed genocide against Rohingya

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Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi returned for hearings in a junta court Thursday after being quarantined when Covid-19 was detected among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said.

Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi returned for hearings in a junta court Thursday after being quarantined when Covid-19 was detected among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said. The 76-year-old's civilian government was removed in a coup last year that triggered mass protests, and she faces a raft of charges that could see her sentenced to more than 150 years in jail. Currently on trial for alleged corruption, breaching Myanmar's official secrets act and pressuring the election commission, Suu Kyi was placed in quarantine last week after Covid was found among her staff. Also read | Myanmar's Suu Kyi 'in quarantine' after staff tests COVID-19 positive On Thursday she "appeared before the district judge" for her official secrets act trial in a special court in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, said a source with knowledge of the matter. Suu Kyi is accused along with Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was arrested in the days following the coup last February. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. Suu Kyi and her personal staff have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 since being taken into military custody, her lawyer told AFP last July. Also read | Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary She missed a hearing in September due to illness, and in October her lawyer said her health had suffered during her frequent appearances before the junta-run court. Journalists are barred from the proceedings and her lawyers have been banned from speaking to the press. Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to a total of six years in jail for incitement against the military, breaching Covid-19 rules and breaking a telecommunications law -- although she remains under house arrest while she fights other charges. Watch | US determines Myanmar Junta committed genocide against Rohingya

Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court after Covid quarantine

Israeli&nbsp;Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has put off a&nbsp;trip&nbsp;planned for later this week to&nbsp;India, his office said on Tuesday,&nbsp;after&nbsp;he tested positive for&nbsp;Covid.

"Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's&nbsp;trip&nbsp;to&nbsp;India&nbsp;has been postponed and will be rescheduled," the office said in a statement.

The three-day&nbsp;trip, organised&nbsp;after&nbsp;an invitation from&nbsp;India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had been scheduled to start on Sunday.

It had been set to mark 30 years since the two nations established diplomatic ties, Bennett's office said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-thinks-of-buying-israeli-anti-missile-system-466033">Germany thinks of buying Israeli anti-missile system Iron Dome</a>

On Monday, the prime minister's office said Bennett had tested positive for&nbsp;Covid-19 but was "feeling well and will continue his schedule as planned from his home".

It was to have been Bennett's first official&nbsp;trip&nbsp;to&nbsp;India.

Modi visited Israel in 2017 and former&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a reciprocal visit a year later.

Israeli&nbsp;Defence Minister Benny Gantz, who had been scheduled to fly to&nbsp;India&nbsp;to meet his counterpart in a separate visit this week, also delayed his&nbsp;trip.

India&nbsp;has historically been a vocal supporter of the Palestinians, but it has drawn closer to Israel in recent years, in part via buying military hardware from Israel.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-working-with-united-states-to-prevent-nuclear-iran-foreign-minister-yair-lapid-466049">Israel working with United States to prevent nuclear Iran: Foreign Minister Yair Lapid</a>

On Monday top diplomats from Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Egypt and the United States met at a landmark summit in southern Israel.

Palestinians say Arab states are betraying their cause by abandoning a decades-long policy of boycotting Israel until the&nbsp;Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved.

Watch |&nbsp;Israeli PM Naftali Bennett tests Covid-19 positive ahead of India trip

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Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has put off a trip planned for later this week to India, his office said on Tuesday, after he tested positive for Covid. "Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's trip to India has been postponed and will be rescheduled," the office said in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has put off a trip planned for later this week to India, his office said on Tuesday, after he tested positive for Covid. "Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's trip to India has been postponed and will be rescheduled," the office said in a statement. The three-day trip, organised after an invitation from India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had been scheduled to start on Sunday. It had been set to mark 30 years since the two nations established diplomatic ties, Bennett's office said. Also read | Germany thinks of buying Israeli anti-missile system Iron Dome On Monday, the prime minister's office said Bennett had tested positive for Covid-19 but was "feeling well and will continue his schedule as planned from his home". It was to have been Bennett's first official trip to India. Modi visited Israel in 2017 and former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a reciprocal visit a year later. Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, who had been scheduled to fly to India to meet his counterpart in a separate visit this week, also delayed his trip. India has historically been a vocal supporter of the Palestinians, but it has drawn closer to Israel in recent years, in part via buying military hardware from Israel. Also read | Israel working with United States to prevent nuclear Iran: Foreign Minister Yair Lapid On Monday top diplomats from Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Egypt and the United States met at a landmark summit in southern Israel. Palestinians say Arab states are betraying their cause by abandoning a decades-long policy of boycotting Israel until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved. Watch | Israeli PM Naftali Bennett tests Covid-19 positive ahead of India trip

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett delays India trip after Covid infection

The White House's deputy&nbsp;spokeswoman&nbsp;said Sunday she has tested&nbsp;positive&nbsp;for&nbsp;Covid-19 following a trip to Europe with President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;that she only joined because the senior press secretary canceled after getting her own&nbsp;positive&nbsp;test.

The announcement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was the latest in a string of&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;cases among people who have spent time with&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;or people around him.

Jean-Pierre said she had a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;PCR test after returning in the early hours of Sunday to the United States with&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;from Brussels and Poland. But she said the president, who has been vaccinated and boosted, was not in danger.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-biden-not-seeking-regime-change-in-russia-clarifies-white-house-465824">&nbsp;President Biden not seeking regime change in Russia, clarifies White House</a>

"This afternoon... I took a PCR test. That test came back&nbsp;positive. I last saw the president during a socially distanced meeting yesterday, and the president is not considered a close contact as defined by CDC guidance," she said in a statement.

"I am sharing the news of my&nbsp;positive&nbsp;test today out of an abundance of transparency," said Jean-Pierre, who added that she is experiencing "mild symptoms" and has been fully vaccinated.

Last Tuesday, on the eve of&nbsp;Biden's departure, Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced she had received a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;test. This required Jean-Pierre to fill in for Psaki on the high-profile trip, which included a series of summits in Belgium and a visit with US troops and Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wary-of-escalation-france-calls-for-restraint-after-bidens-butcher-jibe-466052">Wary of escalation, France calls for restraint after Biden's 'butcher' jibe</a>

Earlier this month,&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;attended a dinner in Washington where he met with Ireland's prime minister, Micheal Martin, who then abruptly left the gala after being informed of a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;test.

The White House said that&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;had not spent enough time with Martin to be at risk and did not require more frequent testing.

Shortly before Martin's case, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, who regularly sees&nbsp;Biden, also tested&nbsp;positive&nbsp;for&nbsp;Covid-19.

Watch |&nbsp;Biden admin's course-correction over 'regime change in Russia' remark

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The White House's deputy spokeswoman said Sunday she has tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to Europe with President Joe Biden that she only joined because the senior press secretary canceled after getting her own positive test.

The White House's deputy spokeswoman said Sunday she has tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to Europe with President Joe Biden that she only joined because the senior press secretary canceled after getting her own positive test. The announcement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was the latest in a string of Covid cases among people who have spent time with Biden or people around him. Jean-Pierre said she had a positive PCR test after returning in the early hours of Sunday to the United States with Biden from Brussels and Poland. But she said the president, who has been vaccinated and boosted, was not in danger. Also read | President Biden not seeking regime change in Russia, clarifies White House "This afternoon... I took a PCR test. That test came back positive. I last saw the president during a socially distanced meeting yesterday, and the president is not considered a close contact as defined by CDC guidance," she said in a statement. "I am sharing the news of my positive test today out of an abundance of transparency," said Jean-Pierre, who added that she is experiencing "mild symptoms" and has been fully vaccinated. Last Tuesday, on the eve of Biden's departure, Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced she had received a positive Covid test. This required Jean-Pierre to fill in for Psaki on the high-profile trip, which included a series of summits in Belgium and a visit with US troops and Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Also read | Wary of escalation, France calls for restraint after Biden's 'butcher' jibe Earlier this month, Biden attended a dinner in Washington where he met with Ireland's prime minister, Micheal Martin, who then abruptly left the gala after being informed of a positive Covid test. The White House said that Biden had not spent enough time with Martin to be at risk and did not require more frequent testing. Shortly before Martin's case, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, who regularly sees Biden, also tested positive for Covid-19. Watch | Biden admin's course-correction over 'regime change in Russia' remark

Another Biden spokeswoman tests positive for Covid

Hong Kong plans to relax some anti-COVID-19 measures next month, lifting a ban on flights from nine countries, reducing quarantine and reopening schools, after a backlash from business and residents.

The moves, announced on Monday by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, come as many countries shift to trying to living with the virus rather than trying to keep it out.

Residents in the Chinese-ruled territory have become increasingly frustrated with the stringent measures, many of which have been in place for over two years.

A ban on flights from Australia, Britain, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and the United States will be lifted from April 1.

"The flight ban is no longer timely and appropriate...it will bring huge disturbances to Hong Kong people who are stuck in these nine countries if we continue the ban," Lam told a news briefing.

Hotel quarantine for Hong Kong residents arriving into the city could be cut to seven days from 14 if they tested negative, Lam said. She had previously said measures would be in place until April 20.

Schools would resume face to face classes from April 19 while public venues including sports facilities would also reopen from April 21, she said.

Hong Kong`s border has effectively been shut since 2020 with few flights able to land and hardly any passengers allowed to transit, isolating a city that had built a reputation as a global financial hub.

Hong Kong has registered the most deaths per million people globally in recent weeks – more than 24 times that of rival Singapore - due to a large proportion of elderly who were unvaccinated as the highly transmissible Omicron variant ripped through care homes.

The densely packed city has recorded more than a million infections since the pandemic started and about 6,000 deaths - most of them in the past month. Authorities reported 14,068 new cases on Monday and 223 deaths.

As many as 4 million people, out of a population of 7.4 million, could be infected according to estimates from health experts as many residents have contracted the virus and isolated at home without notifying authorities.

Businesses and the city`s economy are reeling from widespread closures, while doctors say many residents are grappling with rising mental health issues, particularly among low-income families.

Lam`s policy turnaround comes after her administration has been scolded repeatedly by politicians, pro-Beijing media and on Chinese social media, just weeks before the city is due to hold an election on May 8 to choose who will lead the territory for the next five years.

She declined to comment on whether she will run for a new term.

EXIT STRATEGY

A plan to carry out mass coronavirus testing would be put on hold, Lam said, citing experts who said it was not a suitable time. Hong Kong needs to have a clear exit strategy rather than trying to completely eradicate the virus, experts said.

While the former British colony has officially stuck to the "dynamic zero" coronavirus policy, similar to mainland China, which seeks to curb all outbreaks, it has been shifting to mitigation strategies as deaths skyrocketed.

Lam said social distancing measures would be eased in phases starting April 21, allowing restaurant dining after 6 p.m. with tables of four people from two currently.

Nightclubs, pubs and beaches would be allowed to open in the second phase while people would be allowed to exercise outdoors without a mask. Masks are currently compulsory everywhere outside the home.

Until this year, Hong Kong had been far more successful at controlling the coronavirus than many other cities its size, but the latest wave of infections swamped its world class medical system, morgues are overflowing and public confidence in the city government is at an all-time low.&nbsp;

Hong Kong plans to relax some anti-COVID-19 measures next month, lifting a ban on flights from nine countries, reducing quarantine and reopening schools, after a backlash from business and residents.

Hong Kong plans to relax some anti-COVID-19 measures next month, lifting a ban on flights from nine countries, reducing quarantine and reopening schools, after a backlash from business and residents. The moves, announced on Monday by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, come as many countries shift to trying to living with the virus rather than trying to keep it out. Residents in the Chinese-ruled territory have become increasingly frustrated with the stringent measures, many of which have been in place for over two years. A ban on flights from Australia, Britain, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and the United States will be lifted from April 1. "The flight ban is no longer timely and appropriate...it will bring huge disturbances to Hong Kong people who are stuck in these nine countries if we continue the ban," Lam told a news briefing. Hotel quarantine for Hong Kong residents arriving into the city could be cut to seven days from 14 if they tested negative, Lam said. She had previously said measures would be in place until April 20. Schools would resume face to face classes from April 19 while public venues including sports facilities would also reopen from April 21, she said. Hong Kong`s border has effectively been shut since 2020 with few flights able to land and hardly any passengers allowed to transit, isolating a city that had built a reputation as a global financial hub. Hong Kong has registered the most deaths per million people globally in recent weeks – more than 24 times that of rival Singapore - due to a large proportion of elderly who were unvaccinated as the highly transmissible Omicron variant ripped through care homes. The densely packed city has recorded more than a million infections since the pandemic started and about 6,000 deaths - most of them in the past month. Authorities reported 14,068 new cases on Monday and 223 deaths. As many as 4 million people, out of a population of 7.4 million, could be infected according to estimates from health experts as many residents have contracted the virus and isolated at home without notifying authorities. Businesses and the city`s economy are reeling from widespread closures, while doctors say many residents are grappling with rising mental health issues, particularly among low-income families. Lam`s policy turnaround comes after her administration has been scolded repeatedly by politicians, pro-Beijing media and on Chinese social media, just weeks before the city is due to hold an election on May 8 to choose who will lead the territory for the next five years. She declined to comment on whether she will run for a new term. EXIT STRATEGY A plan to carry out mass coronavirus testing would be put on hold, Lam said, citing experts who said it was not a suitable time. Hong Kong needs to have a clear exit strategy rather than trying to completely eradicate the virus, experts said. While the former British colony has officially stuck to the "dynamic zero" coronavirus policy, similar to mainland China, which seeks to curb all outbreaks, it has been shifting to mitigation strategies as deaths skyrocketed. Lam said social distancing measures would be eased in phases starting April 21, allowing restaurant dining after 6 p.m. with tables of four people from two currently. Nightclubs, pubs and beaches would be allowed to open in the second phase while people would be allowed to exercise outdoors without a mask. Masks are currently compulsory everywhere outside the home. Until this year, Hong Kong had been far more successful at controlling the coronavirus than many other cities its size, but the latest wave of infections swamped its world class medical system, morgues are overflowing and public confidence in the city government is at an all-time low.

Hong Kong to ease strict COVID curbs after business backlash

Hong&nbsp;Kong's leader said Thursday she was mulling&nbsp;easing&nbsp;some of the city's coronavirus restrictions due to waning&nbsp;public&nbsp;tolerance, but could not provide a roadmap out of the current Omicron-fuelled crisis.

Carrie&nbsp;Lam's administration has been pummelled by all sides over its unclear&nbsp;public&nbsp;messaging and handling of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's fifth wave, which has brought nearly a million cases and 4,600 deaths in less than three months.

The jump in case numbers comes despite the finance hub putting in place border restrictions since the pandemic's start and deploying some of the harshest social-distancing measures outside mainland China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fourth-covid-shot-provides-little-benefit-against-omicron-infection-study-463048">Fourth Covid shot provides little benefit against Omicron infection: Study</a>

Since Omicron broke through in January, there have been bans on&nbsp;public&nbsp;gatherings of more than two, restrictions on night-time dining and mandatory masking while doing outdoor activities.&nbsp;

The latest new restrictions came Thursday, when&nbsp;public&nbsp;beaches were closed.

But&nbsp;Lam&nbsp;told a press conference that "the time has come" to review the restrictions.&nbsp;

"Not because the number of cases has come down... but I have a very strong feeling that people's&nbsp;tolerance&nbsp;are&nbsp;fading," she said.

"Some of our financial institutions are losing patience about this sort of isolated status of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong," she added, promising an update would come "around March 20 or 21".

When pressed on a roadmap for a way out of the crisis, she declined to give specifics.&nbsp;

"The most difficult part of fighting the virus is that we cannot fully predict what's going to happen."&nbsp;

Despite two hard-won years of breathing room due to&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's adherence to the mainland's zero-Covid&nbsp;strategy, the city is currently seeing scenes reminiscent of the pandemic's start, with mounting elderly deaths and overcrowded hospitals.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-global-rise-in-covid-cases-is-tip-of-the-iceberg-463031">WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg'</a>

Authorities initially announced plans for mass testing of the city's 7.4 million people accompanied by a lockdown, before rolling them back.&nbsp;

The panic fuelled by mixed messaging and further restrictions prompted a record-high exodus of 65,400 local and foreign residents from the finance hub in February.&nbsp;

International banks such as JPMorgan and Bank of America have been working on relocation plans in view of flight bans and potential lockdown, according to a Financial Times report last week.

And&nbsp;Lam's near-daily press conferences about&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;have done little to stop rumours about mass testing and lockdown plans.

Very grateful

Researchers estimate&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's infection toll is significantly higher than official figures, likely already reaching half its population.

China has offered to aid&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in its&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;battle, including providing about 400 medics who arrived this week to support the city's health workers.&nbsp;

But members of the health sector, lawmakers and reporters have repeatedly raised questions about the visiting medics' legal liabilities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-hong-kong-leader-says-city-is-not-yet-past-covid-peak-461568">COVID-19: Hong Kong leader says city is not yet past Covid peak</a>

On Wednesday a reporter from local NowTV channel asked&nbsp;Lam&nbsp;how patients' complaints over the medics will be handled -- drawing wrath from a pro-Beijing group that started a petition calling for the journalist's firing.&nbsp;

Newspaper Ta Kung Pao -- affiliated with Beijing's liaison office -- also published an article alleging questions of liability were "seditious" and could run afoul of China's national security law.

By Thursday afternoon, NowTV news channel issued an apology for the reporter's question at the press conference.&nbsp;

"We are very grateful for the selfless support from the central government and mainland China," it said.&nbsp;

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;authorities have said the city will shoulder ultimate responsibility.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hong-kongs-covid-19-outbreak-triggers-mass-exodus-461093/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Hong Kong's leader said Thursday she was mulling easing some of the city's coronavirus restrictions due to waning public tolerance, but could not provide a roadmap out of the current Omicron-fuelled crisis.

Hong Kong's leader said Thursday she was mulling easing some of the city's coronavirus restrictions due to waning public tolerance, but could not provide a roadmap out of the current Omicron-fuelled crisis. Carrie Lam's administration has been pummelled by all sides over its unclear public messaging and handling of Hong Kong's fifth wave, which has brought nearly a million cases and 4,600 deaths in less than three months. The jump in case numbers comes despite the finance hub putting in place border restrictions since the pandemic's start and deploying some of the harshest social-distancing measures outside mainland China. Also read | Fourth Covid shot provides little benefit against Omicron infection: Study Since Omicron broke through in January, there have been bans on public gatherings of more than two, restrictions on night-time dining and mandatory masking while doing outdoor activities. The latest new restrictions came Thursday, when public beaches were closed. But Lam told a press conference that "the time has come" to review the restrictions. "Not because the number of cases has come down... but I have a very strong feeling that people's tolerance are fading," she said. "Some of our financial institutions are losing patience about this sort of isolated status of Hong Kong," she added, promising an update would come "around March 20 or 21". When pressed on a roadmap for a way out of the crisis, she declined to give specifics. "The most difficult part of fighting the virus is that we cannot fully predict what's going to happen." Despite two hard-won years of breathing room due to Hong Kong's adherence to the mainland's zero-Covid strategy, the city is currently seeing scenes reminiscent of the pandemic's start, with mounting elderly deaths and overcrowded hospitals. Also read | WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg' Authorities initially announced plans for mass testing of the city's 7.4 million people accompanied by a lockdown, before rolling them back. The panic fuelled by mixed messaging and further restrictions prompted a record-high exodus of 65,400 local and foreign residents from the finance hub in February. International banks such as JPMorgan and Bank of America have been working on relocation plans in view of flight bans and potential lockdown, according to a Financial Times report last week. And Lam's near-daily press conferences about Covid have done little to stop rumours about mass testing and lockdown plans. Very grateful Researchers estimate Hong Kong's infection toll is significantly higher than official figures, likely already reaching half its population. China has offered to aid Hong Kong in its Covid battle, including providing about 400 medics who arrived this week to support the city's health workers. But members of the health sector, lawmakers and reporters have repeatedly raised questions about the visiting medics' legal liabilities. Also read | COVID-19: Hong Kong leader says city is not yet past Covid peak On Wednesday a reporter from local NowTV channel asked Lam how patients' complaints over the medics will be handled -- drawing wrath from a pro-Beijing group that started a petition calling for the journalist's firing. Newspaper Ta Kung Pao -- affiliated with Beijing's liaison office -- also published an article alleging questions of liability were "seditious" and could run afoul of China's national security law. By Thursday afternoon, NowTV news channel issued an apology for the reporter's question at the press conference. "We are very grateful for the selfless support from the central government and mainland China," it said. Hong Kong authorities have said the city will shoulder ultimate responsibility. Watch | Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam mulls easing Covid rules

A&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;dose of existing mRNA&nbsp;Covid-19 vaccines may have only "marginal benefits" for younger, healthy adults, according to a new Israeli&nbsp;study&nbsp;published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The research assessed 270 health care workers at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv who received a second booster&nbsp;shot&nbsp;of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, four months after initially getting three Pfizer shots.&nbsp;

Each was age-matched&nbsp;against&nbsp;two participants in a control group that had received only three doses of Pfizer, with the median ages in the groups ranging from mid-fifties to early sixties.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-global-rise-in-covid-cases-is-tip-of-the-iceberg-463031">WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg'</a>

Overall, the&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;shot&nbsp;was found to be safe, and topped up recipients' neutralizing antibodies -- which block the coronavirus from infecting cells -- to levels comparable to just after the third dose, prior to when antibody levels started waning with time.

The&nbsp;study&nbsp;took place when spread of the&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;variant was rife in Israel, and it found that the&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;dose didn't confer much added protection&nbsp;against&nbsp;infection, despite the reduction over time of antibodies among people who'd received just three shots.&nbsp;

Those who got a&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;shot&nbsp;of Pfizer were 30 percent less likely to acquire infection than those who got three doses, while those who got Moderna were 18 percent less likely to get infected.

The&nbsp;study&nbsp;included only a small number of participants and was not a randomized trial -- meaning its conclusions should be interpreted with caution -- &nbsp;but the results point towards only minor benefits from the extra dose.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-one-place-which-has-been-covid-free-since-pandemic-started-423126">The one place which has been Covid-free since pandemic started</a>

Protection&nbsp;against&nbsp;symptomatic infection was slightly better in under-40 adult recipients of a&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;jab -- 43 percent for Pfizer and 31 percent for Moderna -- compared to people who received three shots.

The&nbsp;study&nbsp;authors, led by Gili Regev-Yochay, wrote that their research seems to indicate the advantages of three doses of vaccine designed&nbsp;against&nbsp;the original strain of coronavirus had hit a ceiling in terms of immune response, with additional boosters only restoring waned immunity, rather than taking it to new heights.

"Furthermore, we observed low vaccine efficacy&nbsp;against&nbsp;infections in health care workers, as well as relatively high viral loads suggesting that those who were infected were infectious. Thus, a&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;vaccination of healthy young health care workers may have only marginal benefits," they said.

Outside experts said the findings showed the need to develop new vaccines.

"If&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;continues circulating and we are still using the current first-generation&nbsp;Covid-19 vaccines&nbsp;against&nbsp;it, then I agree with the authors that the benefits to otherwise healthy, younger people will be marginal," said Julian Tang, a clinical virologist at the University of Leicester.

"Any&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;dose boosters will be more beneficial to the older and more vulnerable groups (e.g. those with comorbidities)," he continued.

"Ideally, we need new&nbsp;COVID-19 vaccines designed specifically&nbsp;against&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;if we want to improve this protection for the most vulnerable -- in the same way that we update the seasonal flu vaccine each year -- to ensure the best possible match&nbsp;against&nbsp;the currently circulating virus strain."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Global covid cases are rising again

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A fourth dose of existing mRNA Covid-19 vaccines may have only "marginal benefits" for younger, healthy adults, according to a new Israeli study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

A fourth dose of existing mRNA Covid-19 vaccines may have only "marginal benefits" for younger, healthy adults, according to a new Israeli study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research assessed 270 health care workers at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv who received a second booster shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, four months after initially getting three Pfizer shots. Each was age-matched against two participants in a control group that had received only three doses of Pfizer, with the median ages in the groups ranging from mid-fifties to early sixties. Also read | WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg' Overall, the fourth shot was found to be safe, and topped up recipients' neutralizing antibodies -- which block the coronavirus from infecting cells -- to levels comparable to just after the third dose, prior to when antibody levels started waning with time. The study took place when spread of the Omicron variant was rife in Israel, and it found that the fourth dose didn't confer much added protection against infection, despite the reduction over time of antibodies among people who'd received just three shots. Those who got a fourth shot of Pfizer were 30 percent less likely to acquire infection than those who got three doses, while those who got Moderna were 18 percent less likely to get infected. The study included only a small number of participants and was not a randomized trial -- meaning its conclusions should be interpreted with caution -- but the results point towards only minor benefits from the extra dose. Also read | The one place which has been Covid-free since pandemic started Protection against symptomatic infection was slightly better in under-40 adult recipients of a fourth jab -- 43 percent for Pfizer and 31 percent for Moderna -- compared to people who received three shots. The study authors, led by Gili Regev-Yochay, wrote that their research seems to indicate the advantages of three doses of vaccine designed against the original strain of coronavirus had hit a ceiling in terms of immune response, with additional boosters only restoring waned immunity, rather than taking it to new heights. "Furthermore, we observed low vaccine efficacy against infections in health care workers, as well as relatively high viral loads suggesting that those who were infected were infectious. Thus, a fourth vaccination of healthy young health care workers may have only marginal benefits," they said. Outside experts said the findings showed the need to develop new vaccines. "If Omicron continues circulating and we are still using the current first-generation Covid-19 vaccines against it, then I agree with the authors that the benefits to otherwise healthy, younger people will be marginal," said Julian Tang, a clinical virologist at the University of Leicester. "Any fourth dose boosters will be more beneficial to the older and more vulnerable groups (e.g. those with comorbidities)," he continued. "Ideally, we need new COVID-19 vaccines designed specifically against Omicron if we want to improve this protection for the most vulnerable -- in the same way that we update the seasonal flu vaccine each year -- to ensure the best possible match against the currently circulating virus strain." Watch | Gravitas: Global covid cases are rising again

Fourth Covid shot provides little benefit against Omicron infection: Study

The Pakistani government has decided to scrap all Covid-19 restrictions amid a continuous decline in the number of new cases, with experts and officials calling for continued surveillance and vaccination process. 
 
Asad Umar, chairman of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), which oversees the country's response to the pandemic, said on Wednesday that Pakistan is removing restrictions as it has come close to eliminating the pandemic in the country, reports Xinhua news agency. 
 
"We have decided that all the restrictions we have imposed related to the coronavirus. We are ending all of them ... We need a transition process towards a normal, ordinary life," he said during a press conference in Islamabad.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/will-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-face-the-axe-his-key-ally-says-100-462962">Will Pakistan PM Imran Khan face the axe? His key ally says '100%'</a> 
 
However, Umar said that all restrictions on citizens not vaccinated against the virus would remain in place until 80-85 per cent of the eligible population was fully jabbed, adding that the government would keep monitoring the disease prevalence on a daily basis to decide for any change in policy in future. 
 
Pakistan witnessed a major decline in the daily Covid-19 case count. 
 
The country reported 493 new infections over the past 24 hours, with the positivity rate falling to 1.42 per cent, the NCOC said. 
 
Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, the country has registered 1,520,634 confirmed cases and 30,319 deaths. 
 
Pakistani experts and officials believe that though the restrictions are being lifted in the country, the threat of the pandemic is not over yet, urging the public to continue taking precautions and vaccines to fully defeat the deadly disease.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-global-rise-in-covid-cases-is-tip-of-the-iceberg-463031">WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg'</a> 
 
Speaking to Xinhua, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Faisal Sultan said that Pakistan has successfully overcome the challenge of Covid-19 due to prudent policies and measures taken by the government. 
 
Provincial governments, healthcare professionals, media, and scholars played a vital role in controlling the pandemic, he said, adding that vigorous vaccination process helped the country in curbing the virus spread.

At the moment, more than 70 per cent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated, and over 80 per cent have received at least one dose of a Covid jab, "which is quite encouraging" for the country of over 220 million population, Sultan said.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan PM Imran Khan to face a no-confidence vote

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The Pakistani government has decided to scrap all Covid-19 restrictions amid a continuous decline in the number of new cases, with experts and officials calling for continued surveillance and vaccination process.

The Pakistani government has decided to scrap all Covid-19 restrictions amid a continuous decline in the number of new cases, with experts and officials calling for continued surveillance and vaccination process. Asad Umar, chairman of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), which oversees the country's response to the pandemic, said on Wednesday that Pakistan is removing restrictions as it has come close to eliminating the pandemic in the country, reports Xinhua news agency. "We have decided that all the restrictions we have imposed related to the coronavirus. We are ending all of them ... We need a transition process towards a normal, ordinary life," he said during a press conference in Islamabad. Also read | Will Pakistan PM Imran Khan face the axe? His key ally says '100%' However, Umar said that all restrictions on citizens not vaccinated against the virus would remain in place until 80-85 per cent of the eligible population was fully jabbed, adding that the government would keep monitoring the disease prevalence on a daily basis to decide for any change in policy in future. Pakistan witnessed a major decline in the daily Covid-19 case count. The country reported 493 new infections over the past 24 hours, with the positivity rate falling to 1.42 per cent, the NCOC said. Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, the country has registered 1,520,634 confirmed cases and 30,319 deaths. Pakistani experts and officials believe that though the restrictions are being lifted in the country, the threat of the pandemic is not over yet, urging the public to continue taking precautions and vaccines to fully defeat the deadly disease. Also read | WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg' Speaking to Xinhua, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Faisal Sultan said that Pakistan has successfully overcome the challenge of Covid-19 due to prudent policies and measures taken by the government. Provincial governments, healthcare professionals, media, and scholars played a vital role in controlling the pandemic, he said, adding that vigorous vaccination process helped the country in curbing the virus spread. At the moment, more than 70 per cent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated, and over 80 per cent have received at least one dose of a Covid jab, "which is quite encouraging" for the country of over 220 million population, Sultan said. Watch | Pakistan PM Imran Khan to face a no-confidence vote

COVID-19: Pakistan decides to end all restrictions

South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;reported a record of more than 600,000 coronavirus cases Thursday, with authorities saying the country was near the peak of an Omicron-fuelled infection wave.

According to WHO data,&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;leads the world in newly reported cases in the last seven days with 2,417,174 infections, followed by Vietnam with 1,776,045.

The 621,328 case tally recorded Thursday is&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea's highest daily figure since the pandemic began.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-global-rise-in-covid-cases-is-tip-of-the-iceberg-463031">WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg'</a>

But critical cases and deaths remain comparatively low in the country of around 52 million where the majority of adults are fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot, official data shows.

"We have been preparing for an increase in the number of patients since Omicron became dominant," Lee Sang-won, a senior official at the&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Thursday.&nbsp;

But even the government's modelling did not anticipate this many, he said.&nbsp;

"The number is much greater than what was expected," he said.

Health authorities believe&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;is nearing the peak of an Omicron-driven wave, but Lee said they were recalculating "the scale of the confirmed cases or how long the 'peak period' is going to last".

Once it has passed, officials believe the country will be able to start getting back to normal.

"I think this crisis will be the last major crisis in the overall response to Covid-19," Sohn Young-rae, a senior health ministry official, said Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-north-korea-missile-fails-after-launch-over-pyongyang-462817">Suspected North Korea missile fails after launch over Pyongyang</a>

Since the pandemic began in 2020, 11,481 people have died of Covid in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea, according to health authorities.

Its total Covid fatality rate stands at 0.14 percent as of Thursday, compared to 0.05 to 0.1 percent for seasonal flu, according to official statistics.

The&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;surge and its&nbsp;economic&nbsp;implications&nbsp;will pose an immediate&nbsp;challenge&nbsp;to&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea's new president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who&nbsp;narrowly&nbsp;won&nbsp;last week.

Seoul abandoned its "trace, test and treat" approach last month as a dramatic surge in Omicron cases threatened to overwhelm its healthcare system.

Instead of mass testing and aggressive contact tracing, patients with mild or moderate symptoms are now asked to look after themselves at home.

Authorities are also prioritising PCR testing for people aged 60 or older.

The country has continued to relax its social distancing rules, under pressure from small businesses owners who say years-long Covid restrictions had pushed them to the brink.

The government is expected to decide whether to keep current distancing guidelines, such as an 11 pm curfew for businesses, this Friday.

Later this month, Seoul will also begin vaccinating children between the ages of 5 and 11.

Watch |&nbsp;South Korea facing worst COVID-19 outbreak as government eases norms

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South Korea reported a record of more than 600,000 coronavirus cases Thursday, with authorities saying the country was near the peak of an Omicron-fuelled infection wave.

South Korea reported a record of more than 600,000 coronavirus cases Thursday, with authorities saying the country was near the peak of an Omicron-fuelled infection wave. According to WHO data, South Korea leads the world in newly reported cases in the last seven days with 2,417,174 infections, followed by Vietnam with 1,776,045. The 621,328 case tally recorded Thursday is South Korea's highest daily figure since the pandemic began. Also read | WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg' But critical cases and deaths remain comparatively low in the country of around 52 million where the majority of adults are fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot, official data shows. "We have been preparing for an increase in the number of patients since Omicron became dominant," Lee Sang-won, a senior official at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Thursday. But even the government's modelling did not anticipate this many, he said. "The number is much greater than what was expected," he said. Health authorities believe South Korea is nearing the peak of an Omicron-driven wave, but Lee said they were recalculating "the scale of the confirmed cases or how long the 'peak period' is going to last". Once it has passed, officials believe the country will be able to start getting back to normal. "I think this crisis will be the last major crisis in the overall response to Covid-19," Sohn Young-rae, a senior health ministry official, said Wednesday. Also read | Suspected North Korea missile fails after launch over Pyongyang Since the pandemic began in 2020, 11,481 people have died of Covid in South Korea, according to health authorities. Its total Covid fatality rate stands at 0.14 percent as of Thursday, compared to 0.05 to 0.1 percent for seasonal flu, according to official statistics. The Omicron surge and its economic implications will pose an immediate challenge to South Korea's new president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who narrowly won last week. Seoul abandoned its "trace, test and treat" approach last month as a dramatic surge in Omicron cases threatened to overwhelm its healthcare system. Instead of mass testing and aggressive contact tracing, patients with mild or moderate symptoms are now asked to look after themselves at home. Authorities are also prioritising PCR testing for people aged 60 or older. The country has continued to relax its social distancing rules, under pressure from small businesses owners who say years-long Covid restrictions had pushed them to the brink. The government is expected to decide whether to keep current distancing guidelines, such as an 11 pm curfew for businesses, this Friday. Later this month, Seoul will also begin vaccinating children between the ages of 5 and 11. Watch | South Korea facing worst COVID-19 outbreak as government eases norms

South Korea reports more than 600,000 Covid cases amid Omicron surge

China, the country where the coronavirus was first detected in 2019, is among the last remaining devotees to a&nbsp;zero-Covid&nbsp;approach to the pandemic.

But after two years of virtually closed borders, mass testing, targeted lockdowns and quarantines, the&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;is being stress-tested like never before as&nbsp;cases&nbsp;surge&nbsp;across the country.

With millions currently under lockdown, can&nbsp;China's approach&nbsp;hold&nbsp;out against the march of the Omicron variant?

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-seeking-military-assistance-from-china-for-ukraine-invasion-report-462010">Russia asked China for weapons and aid, US officials claim</a>

What is&nbsp;zero-Covid?

China&nbsp;essentially closed itself off from the world in March 2020 to follow a formula it calls "dynamic zero" for curbing outbreaks: strict lockdowns and immediate mass testing.

Unlike during softer lockdowns elsewhere, people in&nbsp;China&nbsp;can be banned from leaving their building or forced to remain inside a hotel room if they are considered high-risk contacts.

Mandatory track-and-trace apps mean close contacts are usually detected and quarantined quickly.

Shops, schools, tourist sites, office blocks and malls have been summarily locked down with people inside after the detection of a single close contact.

Officials are routinely dismissed or castigated in state media for outbreaks in their areas. That puts the onus on local authorities to move fast and hard on any clusters.

Residents are forced to stay at home at a moment's notice, including the 17 million people of Shenzhen who were locked down on Sunday.

International flight volumes have also collapsed, with the limited arrivals undergoing strict weeks-long quarantine.

The government has said it will not renew expiring Chinese passports unless the holder has a good reason for travel -- shredding outbound demand for travel.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-citywide-covid-lockdown-imposed-in-shenzen-461991">China: Citywide Covid lockdown imposed in Shenzen</a>

Why has&nbsp;China&nbsp;held on?

China's caseload since the start of the pandemic -- just over 115,000 -- is&nbsp;a fraction of those recorded elsewhere.&nbsp;

The official death toll has stayed under 5,000.

Although&nbsp;cases&nbsp;from the chaotic initial outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020 are widely believed to have been under-reported,&nbsp;life since then has largely returned to normal.

Beijing's communist leadership has made its handling of the pandemic a matter of political capital, saying the low death rate demonstrates the strength of its governance model.

It has highlighted chaotic Covid responses in the US as an example of the wider failures of liberal democracies. Analysts warn any change in&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;will also need to shift perceptions of the&nbsp;virus&nbsp;among the masses in&nbsp;China.

Loosening&nbsp;virus&nbsp;restrictions could also prove risky for President Xi Jinping as he seeks a third term in October after billing himself as the leader who keeps&nbsp;China&nbsp;safe.

What is the impact?&nbsp;

Zero-Covid&nbsp;comes at a cost, both human and economic.

It has caused repeated disruption, particularly in port cities and border areas that endure almost constant lockdowns.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-china-records-nearly-3400-daily-virus-cases-in-worst-outbreak-in-two-years-461813">COVID-19: China records nearly 3,400 daily virus cases in worst outbreak in two years</a>

Analysts say repeated shutdowns of factories and businesses have contributed to the slowing economy.

And there has been a grinding impact on ordinary lives.

Locked-down communities have complained of poor access to food, supplies and medical treatment.

The distressing case of a pregnant Chinese woman miscarrying after a strict lockdown delayed her access to medical treatment reignited debate over the limits of&nbsp;China's zero-tolerance approach.

Meanwhile, migrant workers&nbsp;have been left stranded from families for months due to onerous travel rules and restrictions.

Examples of extreme enforcement have sparked outrage, such as when health workers beat a corgi to death after the owners were sent to quarantine.

Can it be maintained?

A top Chinese scientist said this month that the country should aim to coexist with the&nbsp;virus. Meanwhile, the government announced it was introducing rapid antigen tests for the first time, which would allow at-home testing -- a potential loosening of the state's&nbsp;hold&nbsp;on the health crisis.

However, there are concerns over the capacity of the country's healthcare system and the efficacy of domestic vaccines.

Watch |&nbsp;China records 3400 new covid-19 cases on Sunday, steps up covid measures

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-records-3400-new-covid-19-cases-on-sunday-steps-up-covid-measures-461844/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Peking University researchers have warned&nbsp;China&nbsp;could suffer a "colossal outbreak" that would overwhelm its medical system if it relaxed restrictions to a similar level as in Europe and the US.

And officials are anxiously watching the experience of Hong Kong, where hospitals have struggled in a recent outbreak.&nbsp;

The city currently has one of the world's highest death rates from the&nbsp;virus, as the Omicron variant cuts through its elderly population, among whom vaccine hesitancy is common.

China, the country where the coronavirus was first detected in 2019, is among the last remaining devotees to a zero-Covid approach to the pandemic. But after two years of virtually closed borders, mass testing, targeted lockdowns and quarantines, the strategy is being stress-tested like never before as cases surge across the country.

China, the country where the coronavirus was first detected in 2019, is among the last remaining devotees to a zero-Covid approach to the pandemic. But after two years of virtually closed borders, mass testing, targeted lockdowns and quarantines, the strategy is being stress-tested like never before as cases surge across the country. With millions currently under lockdown, can China's approach hold out against the march of the Omicron variant? Also read | Russia asked China for weapons and aid, US officials claim What is zero-Covid? China essentially closed itself off from the world in March 2020 to follow a formula it calls "dynamic zero" for curbing outbreaks: strict lockdowns and immediate mass testing. Unlike during softer lockdowns elsewhere, people in China can be banned from leaving their building or forced to remain inside a hotel room if they are considered high-risk contacts. Mandatory track-and-trace apps mean close contacts are usually detected and quarantined quickly. Shops, schools, tourist sites, office blocks and malls have been summarily locked down with people inside after the detection of a single close contact. Officials are routinely dismissed or castigated in state media for outbreaks in their areas. That puts the onus on local authorities to move fast and hard on any clusters. Residents are forced to stay at home at a moment's notice, including the 17 million people of Shenzhen who were locked down on Sunday. International flight volumes have also collapsed, with the limited arrivals undergoing strict weeks-long quarantine. The government has said it will not renew expiring Chinese passports unless the holder has a good reason for travel -- shredding outbound demand for travel. Also read | China: Citywide Covid lockdown imposed in Shenzen Why has China held on? China's caseload since the start of the pandemic -- just over 115,000 -- is a fraction of those recorded elsewhere. The official death toll has stayed under 5,000. Although cases from the chaotic initial outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020 are widely believed to have been under-reported, life since then has largely returned to normal. Beijing's communist leadership has made its handling of the pandemic a matter of political capital, saying the low death rate demonstrates the strength of its governance model. It has highlighted chaotic Covid responses in the US as an example of the wider failures of liberal democracies. Analysts warn any change in strategy will also need to shift perceptions of the virus among the masses in China. Loosening virus restrictions could also prove risky for President Xi Jinping as he seeks a third term in October after billing himself as the leader who keeps China safe. What is the impact? Zero-Covid comes at a cost, both human and economic. It has caused repeated disruption, particularly in port cities and border areas that endure almost constant lockdowns. Also read | COVID-19: China records nearly 3,400 daily virus cases in worst outbreak in two years Analysts say repeated shutdowns of factories and businesses have contributed to the slowing economy. And there has been a grinding impact on ordinary lives. Locked-down communities have complained of poor access to food, supplies and medical treatment. The distressing case of a pregnant Chinese woman miscarrying after a strict lockdown delayed her access to medical treatment reignited debate over the limits of China's zero-tolerance approach. Meanwhile, migrant workers have been left stranded from families for months due to onerous travel rules and restrictions. Examples of extreme enforcement have sparked outrage, such as when health workers beat a corgi to death after the owners were sent to quarantine. Can it be maintained? A top Chinese scientist said this month that the country should aim to coexist with the virus. Meanwhile, the government announced it was introducing rapid antigen tests for the first time, which would allow at-home testing -- a potential loosening of the state's hold on the health crisis. However, there are concerns over the capacity of the country's healthcare system and the efficacy of domestic vaccines. Watch | China records 3400 new covid-19 cases on Sunday, steps up covid measures Peking University researchers have warned China could suffer a "colossal outbreak" that would overwhelm its medical system if it relaxed restrictions to a similar level as in Europe and the US. And officials are anxiously watching the experience of Hong Kong, where hospitals have struggled in a recent outbreak. The city currently has one of the world's highest death rates from the virus, as the Omicron variant cuts through its elderly population, among whom vaccine hesitancy is common.

As virus cases surge, can China's zero-Covid strategy hold?

Chinese health authorities reported nearly 3,400 Covid-19 cases on Sunday, double the previous day, forcing lockdowns on virus hotspots as the country contends with its gravest outbreak in two years.

A nationwide surge in cases has seen authorities close schools in Shanghai and lock down several northeastern cities, as almost 19 provinces battle clusters of the Omicron and Delta variants.

The city of Jilin has been partially locked down, with hundreds of neighbourhoods sealed up, an official announced Sunday, while Yanji, an urban area of nearly 700,000 bordering North Korea, was fully closed off.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-china-records-highest-daily-cases-in-two-years-461677">COVID-19: China records highest daily cases in two years</a>

China, where the virus was first detected in late 2019, has maintained a strict 'zero-Covid' policy enforced by swift lockdowns, travel restrictions and mass testing when clusters have emerged.

But the latest flare-up, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant and a spike in asymptomatic cases, is challenging that approach.

Zhang Yan, an official with the Jilin provincial health commission, admitted Sunday that local authorities' virus response so far had been lacking.

"The emergency response mechanism in some areas is not robust enough, there is insufficient understanding of the characteristics of the Omicron variant... and judgment has been inaccurate," he said at a government press briefing.

Residents of Jilin have completed six rounds of mass testing, local officials said. On Sunday the city reported over 500 cases of the Omicron variant.

The neighbouring city of Changchun -- an industrial base of nine million people -- was locked down Friday.&nbsp;

The smaller cities of Siping and Dunhua, both in Jilin province, were locked down Thursday and Friday, according to official announcements.

The mayor of Jilin and the head of the Changchun health commission were dismissed from their jobs Saturday, state media reported, in a sign of the political imperative placed on local authorities to squash virus clusters.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-fires-mayors-and-closes-schools-as-an-outbreak-spreads-461622">&nbsp;China fires mayors and closes schools as an outbreak spreads</a>

Covid-zero

But fatigue with the strict approach has been showing in&nbsp;China, with officials increasingly urging softer and more targeted measures to contain the virus, while economists warn that tough clampdowns are hurting the economy.

As cases have climbed since late February, the response in different parts of the country has been generally softer and more targeted compared to December, when the city of Xi’an and its 13 million people were locked down for two weeks.

In&nbsp;China’s biggest city Shanghai, authorities have increasingly moved to temporarily lock down individual schools, businesses, restaurants and malls over close-contact fears rather than mass quarantines.

Long lines have been seen outside hospitals in the city as people rush to obtain a negative Covid test.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-locks-down-city-of-9-million-as-covid-cases-surge-461271">China locks down city of 9 million as Covid cases surge</a>

As cases rise, the country's National Health Commission announced Friday that they would introduce the use of rapid antigen tests.

The kits will now be available online or at pharmacies for clinics and ordinary citizens to buy for "self-testing", the health commission said.

Although nucleic acid tests will continue to be the main method of testing, the move suggests&nbsp;China&nbsp;may be anticipating that official efforts will not be able to contain the virus.

Last week, a top Chinese scientist said the country should aim to co-exist with the virus, like other nations, where Omicron has spread like wildfire.

Watch |&nbsp;China: Highest daily COVID-19 cases in 2 years as Omicron fuels the surge

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-highest-daily-covid-19-cases-in-2-years-as-omicron-fuels-the-surge-461735/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But the government has also made clear that mass lockdowns remain an option.

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who frequently telegraphs top-level thinking on the pandemic response, on Saturday urged regions to quickly pounce on and clear outbreaks.

Chinese health authorities reported nearly 3,400 Covid-19 cases on Sunday, double the previous day, forcing lockdowns on virus hotspots as the country contends with its gravest outbreak in two years.

Chinese health authorities reported nearly 3,400 Covid-19 cases on Sunday, double the previous day, forcing lockdowns on virus hotspots as the country contends with its gravest outbreak in two years. A nationwide surge in cases has seen authorities close schools in Shanghai and lock down several northeastern cities, as almost 19 provinces battle clusters of the Omicron and Delta variants. The city of Jilin has been partially locked down, with hundreds of neighbourhoods sealed up, an official announced Sunday, while Yanji, an urban area of nearly 700,000 bordering North Korea, was fully closed off. Also read | COVID-19: China records highest daily cases in two years China, where the virus was first detected in late 2019, has maintained a strict 'zero-Covid' policy enforced by swift lockdowns, travel restrictions and mass testing when clusters have emerged. But the latest flare-up, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant and a spike in asymptomatic cases, is challenging that approach. Zhang Yan, an official with the Jilin provincial health commission, admitted Sunday that local authorities' virus response so far had been lacking. "The emergency response mechanism in some areas is not robust enough, there is insufficient understanding of the characteristics of the Omicron variant... and judgment has been inaccurate," he said at a government press briefing. Residents of Jilin have completed six rounds of mass testing, local officials said. On Sunday the city reported over 500 cases of the Omicron variant. The neighbouring city of Changchun -- an industrial base of nine million people -- was locked down Friday. The smaller cities of Siping and Dunhua, both in Jilin province, were locked down Thursday and Friday, according to official announcements. The mayor of Jilin and the head of the Changchun health commission were dismissed from their jobs Saturday, state media reported, in a sign of the political imperative placed on local authorities to squash virus clusters. Also read | China fires mayors and closes schools as an outbreak spreads Covid-zero But fatigue with the strict approach has been showing in China, with officials increasingly urging softer and more targeted measures to contain the virus, while economists warn that tough clampdowns are hurting the economy. As cases have climbed since late February, the response in different parts of the country has been generally softer and more targeted compared to December, when the city of Xi’an and its 13 million people were locked down for two weeks. In China’s biggest city Shanghai, authorities have increasingly moved to temporarily lock down individual schools, businesses, restaurants and malls over close-contact fears rather than mass quarantines. Long lines have been seen outside hospitals in the city as people rush to obtain a negative Covid test. Also read | China locks down city of 9 million as Covid cases surge As cases rise, the country's National Health Commission announced Friday that they would introduce the use of rapid antigen tests. The kits will now be available online or at pharmacies for clinics and ordinary citizens to buy for "self-testing", the health commission said. Although nucleic acid tests will continue to be the main method of testing, the move suggests China may be anticipating that official efforts will not be able to contain the virus. Last week, a top Chinese scientist said the country should aim to co-exist with the virus, like other nations, where Omicron has spread like wildfire. Watch | China: Highest daily COVID-19 cases in 2 years as Omicron fuels the surge But the government has also made clear that mass lockdowns remain an option. Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who frequently telegraphs top-level thinking on the pandemic response, on Saturday urged regions to quickly pounce on and clear outbreaks.

COVID-19: China records nearly 3,400 daily virus cases in worst outbreak in two years

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Carrie Lam said on Saturday that the&nbsp;city's&nbsp;COVID-19 outbreak wasn't&nbsp;yet&nbsp;past&nbsp;its&nbsp;peak&nbsp;despite recent daily case numbers showing a slight levelling off.

"At this moment, we could&nbsp;not&nbsp;comfortably say that we have&nbsp;past&nbsp;the&nbsp;peak," Lam told reporters.

Health authorities reported 29,381 new infections on Friday, compared with 31,402 new cases on Thursday.

Lam added that fresh food supplies from mainland China had largely been restored to previous levels, after panic buying by the public in recent weeks had seen some supermarket shelves emptied on a daily basis.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-pandemic-far-from-over-as-covid-death-toll-reaches-6-million-460689">WHO warns pandemic 'far from over' as Covid death toll reaches 6 million</a>

In total since early 2020, the global financial hub has recorded almost 650,000&nbsp;COVID-19 infections and about 3,500 deaths - most of them in the&nbsp;past&nbsp;two weeks.

Hong&nbsp;Kong, like mainland China, has adopted a "dynamic zero" strategy that seeks to curb infections with strict mitigation measures, even as most other major cities learn to live with the virus. China and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's approach has been severely tested by the fast spreading Omicron variant.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;registered the most deaths per million people globally in the week to March 9, according to data publication Our World in Data. Most have been unvaccinated senior citizens.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-builds-new-bridge-to-hong-kong-amid-covid-surge-460602">&nbsp;China builds new bridge to Hong Kong amid Covid surge</a>

A senior Chinese official overseeing&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;affairs, Xia Baolong, who has been helping coordinate China's response to aid&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in trying to contain the outbreak, was cited by the China News Agency as saying the&nbsp;city's&nbsp;COVID-19 situation was still severe and to adequately prepare oneself mentally for this "long-term war".

He added that the government needed to do carry out its anti-epidemic work in a precise manner like "acupuncture" and to strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus

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Responding to the remarks, Lam said "I can assure him ... that we are putting in every effort to fight this epidemic," while dismissing the view that the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;government wasn't working effectively and in unison to battle the outbreak.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Saturday that the city's COVID-19 outbreak wasn't yet past its peak despite recent daily case numbers showing a slight levelling off.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Saturday that the city's COVID-19 outbreak wasn't yet past its peak despite recent daily case numbers showing a slight levelling off. "At this moment, we could not comfortably say that we have past the peak," Lam told reporters. Health authorities reported 29,381 new infections on Friday, compared with 31,402 new cases on Thursday. Lam added that fresh food supplies from mainland China had largely been restored to previous levels, after panic buying by the public in recent weeks had seen some supermarket shelves emptied on a daily basis. Also read | WHO warns pandemic 'far from over' as Covid death toll reaches 6 million In total since early 2020, the global financial hub has recorded almost 650,000 COVID-19 infections and about 3,500 deaths - most of them in the past two weeks. Hong Kong, like mainland China, has adopted a "dynamic zero" strategy that seeks to curb infections with strict mitigation measures, even as most other major cities learn to live with the virus. China and Hong Kong's approach has been severely tested by the fast spreading Omicron variant. Hong Kong registered the most deaths per million people globally in the week to March 9, according to data publication Our World in Data. Most have been unvaccinated senior citizens. Also read | China builds new bridge to Hong Kong amid Covid surge A senior Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, who has been helping coordinate China's response to aid Hong Kong in trying to contain the outbreak, was cited by the China News Agency as saying the city's COVID-19 situation was still severe and to adequately prepare oneself mentally for this "long-term war". He added that the government needed to do carry out its anti-epidemic work in a precise manner like "acupuncture" and to strengthen inter-departmental coordination. Watch | Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus Responding to the remarks, Lam said "I can assure him ... that we are putting in every effort to fight this epidemic," while dismissing the view that the Hong Kong government wasn't working effectively and in unison to battle the outbreak.

COVID-19: Hong Kong leader says city is not yet past Covid peak

A top Chinese health official rallied embattled&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;on Tuesday to&nbsp;stick&nbsp;with a "dynamic zero" coronavirus&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;and warned that the city's "lifeline" health system was at risk and the situation had to be turned around as soon as possible.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;reported more than 43,100 new cases on Tuesday after the launch of an online platform for people to record infections in a surge that has seen the city suffering the most deaths globally per million people in the week to March 6, according to the Our World in Data publication.

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China&nbsp;has championed the "dynamic zero"&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;that involves stamping out infections with strict mitigation measures as opposed to the approach adopted in other places of relying on high vaccination rates and moderate mitigation like masks in an effort to "live with&nbsp;COVID".

The fast-spreading Omicron variant has tested both strategies but&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is now suffering the consequences of a relatively low vaccination rate, especially among the elderly, as the virus surges through the community.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;"must&nbsp;persevere with its&nbsp;dynamic zero&nbsp;strategy", Liang Wannian, an expert from&nbsp;China's National Health Commission, told the state-run Xinhua news agency in an interview.

"Reducing infection, severe cases and deaths is&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's most urgent and top priority at the current stage," said Liang, who is in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;to coordinate efforts to battle the outbreak.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-is-the-war-in-ukraine-impacting-russian-gas-supplies-to-europe-460238">Explainer: Is the war in Ukraine impacting Russian gas supplies to Europe?</a>

"After we achieve the first target, we will then move on to the second and third goals."

Infections in the Asian financial hub have surged to record highs with a total of about 540,000 cases and more than 2,300 deaths - most in the past two weeks.

Liang said that a serious depletion of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's medical resources was "endangering the city's lifeline operations".

"Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is in danger of not being able to function normally," he said.

Effective and realistic measures

Compounding&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's difficulties and public frustration have been contradictory and confusing messages about the campaign against the virus, including a plan for mass testing and whether a city-wide lockdown would be imposed.

Liang said there could be improvements.

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"How can more effective and realistic measures be taken to curb the rising momentum of the epidemic and turn the situation around as soon as possible ... This is one of the most important tasks," he said.

Some experts have warned that the "dynamic zero"&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;is not sustainable. Liang said "dynamic zero" did not mean zero infections but the city should do its best to reduce infections and cut transmission.

Liang's comments came as the city's 7.4 million residents braced for details of the mass testing that is expected to take place in coming weeks. Liang said it would need to be done at the right time with all details carefully arranged.

Health authorities on Monday launched a platform for people to register their own rapid antigen test results.The platform accounted for 14,715 of the new cases on Tuesday.

There were also 160 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Ukraine Vs Russia: The meme war

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A team from the University of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has estimated that by the end of April the number of people infected in the city of 7.6 million people could be about 4.3 million, with a death toll of 5,000.

Hong&nbsp;Kong's hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours are swamped while public transport, malls, postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies are struggling to operate due to a severe manpower crunch.

Food prices have shot up and supermarket shelves have been emptied every day for a week as shoppers panic buy.

A top Chinese health official rallied embattled Hong Kong on Tuesday to stick with a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy and warned that the city's "lifeline" health system was at risk and the situation had to be turned around as soon as possible.

A top Chinese health official rallied embattled Hong Kong on Tuesday to stick with a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy and warned that the city's "lifeline" health system was at risk and the situation had to be turned around as soon as possible. Hong Kong reported more than 43,100 new cases on Tuesday after the launch of an online platform for people to record infections in a surge that has seen the city suffering the most deaths globally per million people in the week to March 6, according to the Our World in Data publication. Also read | Street in front of Russian Embassy in US unofficially renamed as 'President Zelensky Way' China has championed the "dynamic zero" strategy that involves stamping out infections with strict mitigation measures as opposed to the approach adopted in other places of relying on high vaccination rates and moderate mitigation like masks in an effort to "live with COVID". The fast-spreading Omicron variant has tested both strategies but Hong Kong is now suffering the consequences of a relatively low vaccination rate, especially among the elderly, as the virus surges through the community. Hong Kong "must persevere with its dynamic zero strategy", Liang Wannian, an expert from China's National Health Commission, told the state-run Xinhua news agency in an interview. "Reducing infection, severe cases and deaths is Hong Kong's most urgent and top priority at the current stage," said Liang, who is in Hong Kong to coordinate efforts to battle the outbreak. Also read | Explainer: Is the war in Ukraine impacting Russian gas supplies to Europe? "After we achieve the first target, we will then move on to the second and third goals." Infections in the Asian financial hub have surged to record highs with a total of about 540,000 cases and more than 2,300 deaths - most in the past two weeks. Liang said that a serious depletion of Hong Kong's medical resources was "endangering the city's lifeline operations". "Hong Kong is in danger of not being able to function normally," he said. Effective and realistic measures Compounding Hong Kong's difficulties and public frustration have been contradictory and confusing messages about the campaign against the virus, including a plan for mass testing and whether a city-wide lockdown would be imposed. Liang said there could be improvements. Also read | Found 30 biological labs in Ukraine, possibly for bioweapons, claim Russian forces "How can more effective and realistic measures be taken to curb the rising momentum of the epidemic and turn the situation around as soon as possible ... This is one of the most important tasks," he said. Some experts have warned that the "dynamic zero" strategy is not sustainable. Liang said "dynamic zero" did not mean zero infections but the city should do its best to reduce infections and cut transmission. Liang's comments came as the city's 7.4 million residents braced for details of the mass testing that is expected to take place in coming weeks. Liang said it would need to be done at the right time with all details carefully arranged. Health authorities on Monday launched a platform for people to register their own rapid antigen test results.The platform accounted for 14,715 of the new cases on Tuesday. There were also 160 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours. Watch | Gravitas | Ukraine Vs Russia: The meme war A team from the University of Hong Kong has estimated that by the end of April the number of people infected in the city of 7.6 million people could be about 4.3 million, with a death toll of 5,000. Hong Kong's hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours are swamped while public transport, malls, postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies are struggling to operate due to a severe manpower crunch. Food prices have shot up and supermarket shelves have been emptied every day for a week as shoppers panic buy.

COVID-19: China says Hong Kong must stick to 'dynamic zero' COVID strategy

Hospitalised COVID-19 patients with congenital heart defect may be at higher risk for severe illness or death than those without the disorder, according to a US study.

The research, published in the journal Circulation, found that people with a congenital heart defect who contracted COVID-19 were also more likely to require treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) or need a ventilator.

The researchers found that among those at the highest risk for the most severe COVID-19 illness were patients who had a heart defect and another health condition, were 50 years and older, or were men.

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There are more than a dozen types of congenital heart defects, which result when the heart, or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth, they said.

"Data comparing COVID-19 outcomes among individuals with and without congenital heart defects has been limited," said study lead author Karrie Downing from the US&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers examined data on hospitalised COVID-19 patients from March 2020 to January 2021, collected in the Premier Healthcare Database Special COVID-19 Release, a database representing approximately 20 per cent of all US&nbsp;Hospitalisations.

During this period, the database had more than 235,000 patients, aged 1 to 64 years old, who were hospitalised for COVID-19.

Patients were divided into two groups: those who had a congenital heart defect and those who did not.

Researchers then determined how many required an admission to the ICU, needed a ventilator to help with breathing or died.They also reviewed other characteristics including other health conditions.

People with congenital heart defects consistently remained at high-risk for severe COVID-19 illness, even when divided into categories by age or other health conditions noted in the study, according to the researchers.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-china-daily-local-virus-cases-at-two-year-high-459760">&nbsp;COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high</a>

The findings have immediate, practical relevance for health care professionals as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the researchers said.

"People with heart defects should be encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and to continue to practice additional preventive measures for COVID-19, such as mask-wearing and physical distancing," said Downing.

"People with heart defects should also consult with their health care teams about additional steps to manage personal risks related to COVID-19, given the significantly increased risk of severe infection and serious complications," she added.

Downing noted that not all patients with heart defects who were hospitalised with COVID-19 had poor outcomes. 
The authors pointed out several limitations to their study.

Only people already hospitalised with COVID-19 were included, the clinical details about the underlying heart defect were not available, and lab testing to identify or confirm COVID-19 diagnoses may vary by hospital.

COVID-19 vaccination status was not considered, since the vaccines became available in the U.S. Starting in December 2020.

Hospitalised COVID-19 patients with congenital heart defect may be at higher risk for severe illness or death than those without the disorder, according to a US study.

Hospitalised COVID-19 patients with congenital heart defect may be at higher risk for severe illness or death than those without the disorder, according to a US study. The research, published in the journal Circulation, found that people with a congenital heart defect who contracted COVID-19 were also more likely to require treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) or need a ventilator. The researchers found that among those at the highest risk for the most severe COVID-19 illness were patients who had a heart defect and another health condition, were 50 years and older, or were men. Also read | COVID-19: Virus chaos pushes more expats to join Hong Kong exodus There are more than a dozen types of congenital heart defects, which result when the heart, or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth, they said. "Data comparing COVID-19 outcomes among individuals with and without congenital heart defects has been limited," said study lead author Karrie Downing from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers examined data on hospitalised COVID-19 patients from March 2020 to January 2021, collected in the Premier Healthcare Database Special COVID-19 Release, a database representing approximately 20 per cent of all US Hospitalisations. During this period, the database had more than 235,000 patients, aged 1 to 64 years old, who were hospitalised for COVID-19. Patients were divided into two groups: those who had a congenital heart defect and those who did not. Researchers then determined how many required an admission to the ICU, needed a ventilator to help with breathing or died.They also reviewed other characteristics including other health conditions. People with congenital heart defects consistently remained at high-risk for severe COVID-19 illness, even when divided into categories by age or other health conditions noted in the study, according to the researchers. Also read | COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high The findings have immediate, practical relevance for health care professionals as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the researchers said. "People with heart defects should be encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and to continue to practice additional preventive measures for COVID-19, such as mask-wearing and physical distancing," said Downing. "People with heart defects should also consult with their health care teams about additional steps to manage personal risks related to COVID-19, given the significantly increased risk of severe infection and serious complications," she added. Downing noted that not all patients with heart defects who were hospitalised with COVID-19 had poor outcomes. The authors pointed out several limitations to their study. Only people already hospitalised with COVID-19 were included, the clinical details about the underlying heart defect were not available, and lab testing to identify or confirm COVID-19 diagnoses may vary by hospital. COVID-19 vaccination status was not considered, since the vaccines became available in the U.S. Starting in December 2020.

People with heart defects may be at higher risk for severe Covid: Study

For the last eight years Mathilde and her family have called&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;home, but as the coronavirus tears through the city they are joining an&nbsp;exodus&nbsp;of foreign workers looking for an escape route.

"We are leaving and we will come back to empty our house whenever that is possible," she told AFP, declining to give her surname and nationality.&nbsp;"All our close friends are leaving."&nbsp;

For Mathilde it was the risk of being separated from her three&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong-born children that was the final straw after two years of tough "zero-Covid" restrictions.

"We want to get our children out of here above all," she said.

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Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;used mainland China's "zero-Covid" strategy to keep the&nbsp;virus&nbsp;at bay, until the highly infectious Omicron variant broke through at the start of the year.&nbsp;

But while other places that deployed similar tactics such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are learning to live with the&nbsp;virus,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is doubling down -- even as it records tens of thousands of new infections each day.

The city has been ordered by China, the only major economy still pursuing zero-Covid, to curb the outbreak at all costs.&nbsp;

All 7.4 million residents will be tested later this month and authorities are building a network of isolation camps to house the infected, deepening fears that families will be separated in the months ahead.

As a result, departures have skyrocketed with a net outflow of 71,000 people -- including 63,000 residents -- in February, the highest since the pandemic began.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-hong-kong-residents-urged-not-to-panic-ahead-of-covid-mass-testing-459564">COVID-19: Hong Kong residents urged not to panic ahead of COVID mass testing</a>

No road map

Travel restrictions have been hard on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's foreign workers, who make up nearly 10 percent of the population.

Borders have been effectively sealed to visitors and residents who do return have faced two to three weeks in expensive hotel quarantines throughout most of the pandemic.

"If there was a road map and we knew that there's some light at the end of the tunnel we might stay," said Heiko, a German entrepreneur who works in artificial intelligence.&nbsp;

"Since this is not the case... we've decided to leave."

Heiko's youngest daughter recently celebrated her second birthday.

"Her entire life has been a sequence of lockdowns, multiple stays in quarantine hotels, closed playgrounds and closed kindergartens. She's met her grandparents only once," he sighed.

Lucy Porter Jordan, a sociologist at the University of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, said that, before Omicron,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;"had the restrictions but you also had the safety".

If you take that out of the equation, you end up with this kind of perfect storm."

Most of those leaving, she added, were people with children and "people that have the means".

Over the last fortnight&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has looked&nbsp;more&nbsp;like New York or London at the start of the pandemic than a city which had two years of hard-won breathing room to get ready.&nbsp;

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The government was caught flat-footed with few plans in place to deal with a mass Omicron-fuelled outbreak.

Hospitals and morgues were quickly overwhelmed and the city's current death rate is four times Singapore's, mostly accounted for by unvaccinated elderly residents.

Panic buying has stripped shelves bare, schools remain shuttered and summer holidays have been brought forward so classrooms can be used for mass testing.

Talent drain

Companies and industry groups have been increasingly public in their talent-drain warnings. The European Union's local office estimates 10 percent of its nationals have left since the pandemic began.

Multiple airlines have reported a surge of bookings in recent weeks while shipping container prices have doubled in a year. International shipping company SendMyBag told AFP outbound shipments from&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;have increased four-fold compared with 2021.

"Everybody is looking for tickets to go, people are fighting for the containers," said Lin, a mother of two grown children who declined to give her nationality.

Lin is looking to move to Dubai after 12 years in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and said many of her colleagues were doing the same. &nbsp;

"A friend who's leaving next week had a three-year-old BMW and she said 'You know what, I'm just giving it to charity because no one will buy it anyway.'"

The current&nbsp;exodus&nbsp;adds to a wave of migration already under way of local&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers, which began after China cracked down against democracy protests.

Between June 2020 and June 2021&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;saw its biggest population decrease in 60 years, and there is little sign of that changing.&nbsp;

"We are now only in the starting period of this wave," said Chung Kim-wah, head of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's Public Opinion Research Institute.&nbsp;

"Many&nbsp;more&nbsp;young people will choose to move away if they have a chance".

For the last eight years Mathilde and her family have called Hong Kong home, but as the coronavirus tears through the city they are joining an exodus of foreign workers looking for an escape route.

For the last eight years Mathilde and her family have called Hong Kong home, but as the coronavirus tears through the city they are joining an exodus of foreign workers looking for an escape route. "We are leaving and we will come back to empty our house whenever that is possible," she told AFP, declining to give her surname and nationality. "All our close friends are leaving." For Mathilde it was the risk of being separated from her three Hong Kong-born children that was the final straw after two years of tough "zero-Covid" restrictions. "We want to get our children out of here above all," she said. Also read | COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high Hong Kong used mainland China's "zero-Covid" strategy to keep the virus at bay, until the highly infectious Omicron variant broke through at the start of the year. But while other places that deployed similar tactics such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are learning to live with the virus, Hong Kong is doubling down -- even as it records tens of thousands of new infections each day. The city has been ordered by China, the only major economy still pursuing zero-Covid, to curb the outbreak at all costs. All 7.4 million residents will be tested later this month and authorities are building a network of isolation camps to house the infected, deepening fears that families will be separated in the months ahead. As a result, departures have skyrocketed with a net outflow of 71,000 people -- including 63,000 residents -- in February, the highest since the pandemic began. Also read | COVID-19: Hong Kong residents urged not to panic ahead of COVID mass testing No road map Travel restrictions have been hard on Hong Kong's foreign workers, who make up nearly 10 percent of the population. Borders have been effectively sealed to visitors and residents who do return have faced two to three weeks in expensive hotel quarantines throughout most of the pandemic. "If there was a road map and we knew that there's some light at the end of the tunnel we might stay," said Heiko, a German entrepreneur who works in artificial intelligence. "Since this is not the case... we've decided to leave." Heiko's youngest daughter recently celebrated her second birthday. "Her entire life has been a sequence of lockdowns, multiple stays in quarantine hotels, closed playgrounds and closed kindergartens. She's met her grandparents only once," he sighed. Lucy Porter Jordan, a sociologist at the University of Hong Kong, said that, before Omicron, Hong Kong "had the restrictions but you also had the safety". If you take that out of the equation, you end up with this kind of perfect storm." Most of those leaving, she added, were people with children and "people that have the means". Over the last fortnight Hong Kong has looked more like New York or London at the start of the pandemic than a city which had two years of hard-won breathing room to get ready. Also read | In settlement, UK government’s Home Office to pay £5,750 to EU citizen for 10-hour detention The government was caught flat-footed with few plans in place to deal with a mass Omicron-fuelled outbreak. Hospitals and morgues were quickly overwhelmed and the city's current death rate is four times Singapore's, mostly accounted for by unvaccinated elderly residents. Panic buying has stripped shelves bare, schools remain shuttered and summer holidays have been brought forward so classrooms can be used for mass testing. Talent drain Companies and industry groups have been increasingly public in their talent-drain warnings. The European Union's local office estimates 10 percent of its nationals have left since the pandemic began. Multiple airlines have reported a surge of bookings in recent weeks while shipping container prices have doubled in a year. International shipping company SendMyBag told AFP outbound shipments from Hong Kong have increased four-fold compared with 2021. "Everybody is looking for tickets to go, people are fighting for the containers," said Lin, a mother of two grown children who declined to give her nationality. Lin is looking to move to Dubai after 12 years in Hong Kong and said many of her colleagues were doing the same. "A friend who's leaving next week had a three-year-old BMW and she said 'You know what, I'm just giving it to charity because no one will buy it anyway.'" The current exodus adds to a wave of migration already under way of local Hong Kongers, which began after China cracked down against democracy protests. Between June 2020 and June 2021 Hong Kong saw its biggest population decrease in 60 years, and there is little sign of that changing. "We are now only in the starting period of this wave," said Chung Kim-wah, head of Hong Kong's Public Opinion Research Institute. "Many more young people will choose to move away if they have a chance".

COVID-19: Virus chaos pushes more expats to join Hong Kong exodus

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;reported 31,008 new&nbsp;COVID-19 cases and 153 deaths on Sunday as the city's chief secretary said&nbsp;residents&nbsp;should&nbsp;not&nbsp;worry about a looming&nbsp;mass&nbsp;testing&nbsp;scheme, with details to be announced and authorities ensuring a steady supply of food.

The global financial hub is clinging to a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy as a&nbsp;massive spike in infections pushed hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours beyond capacity. Health experts said around 15% of the city's 7.4 million&nbsp;residents&nbsp;are already infected.

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The comments by Chief Secretary John Lee on his blog, came as supermarket shelves were stripped for a seventh consecutive day, with anxious&nbsp;residents&nbsp;stocking up on products left on shelves from tofu and soy sauce to frozen vegetables.

As infections and deaths hit record highs,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has implemented its most draconian restrictions, with restrictions on public gatherings of more than two people, most venues closed and flights banned into the city from countries including the United States and Britain.

The government has repeatedly tried to reassure&nbsp;residents&nbsp;after widespread chaos this week due to authorities' mixed messaging over whether a city-wide lockdown would take place and the almost daily tweaking of&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;rules.

While city leader Carrie Lam has said the Chinese-ruled hub will&nbsp;not&nbsp;have a full-blown lockdown during the&nbsp;mass&nbsp;testing,&nbsp;residents&nbsp;remain unnerved about what to expect.

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The former British colony has had more than 470,000&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;infections. Most of the roughly 1,800 deaths have been in the past two weeks, many of them unvaccinated elderly&nbsp;residents&nbsp;as infections have spread in hundreds of nursing homes.

The surge in infections has crippled manpower in the healthcare system, for public transport, mall operators as well as postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies.

Many restaurants and stores have been shuttered with main districts eerily quiet and few&nbsp;residents&nbsp;out in typically busy neighbourhoods.

Hong Kong reported 31,008 new COVID-19 cases and 153 deaths on Sunday as the city's chief secretary said residents should not worry about a looming mass testing scheme, with details to be announced and authorities ensuring a steady supply of food.

Hong Kong reported 31,008 new COVID-19 cases and 153 deaths on Sunday as the city's chief secretary said residents should not worry about a looming mass testing scheme, with details to be announced and authorities ensuring a steady supply of food. The global financial hub is clinging to a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy as a massive spike in infections pushed hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours beyond capacity. Health experts said around 15% of the city's 7.4 million residents are already infected. Also read | Radio Free Europe, with roots in the Cold War, suspends operations in Russia The comments by Chief Secretary John Lee on his blog, came as supermarket shelves were stripped for a seventh consecutive day, with anxious residents stocking up on products left on shelves from tofu and soy sauce to frozen vegetables. As infections and deaths hit record highs, Hong Kong has implemented its most draconian restrictions, with restrictions on public gatherings of more than two people, most venues closed and flights banned into the city from countries including the United States and Britain. The government has repeatedly tried to reassure residents after widespread chaos this week due to authorities' mixed messaging over whether a city-wide lockdown would take place and the almost daily tweaking of COVID rules. While city leader Carrie Lam has said the Chinese-ruled hub will not have a full-blown lockdown during the mass testing, residents remain unnerved about what to expect. Also read | London: Hundreds of women march in a bid to end violence and misogyny The former British colony has had more than 470,000 COVID infections. Most of the roughly 1,800 deaths have been in the past two weeks, many of them unvaccinated elderly residents as infections have spread in hundreds of nursing homes. The surge in infections has crippled manpower in the healthcare system, for public transport, mall operators as well as postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies. Many restaurants and stores have been shuttered with main districts eerily quiet and few residents out in typically busy neighbourhoods.

COVID-19: Hong Kong residents urged not to panic ahead of COVID mass testing

India reported 5,476 fresh Covid infections and 158 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said on Sunday morning. 
 
With the new deaths the toll has climbed to 5,15,036 in the country. 
 
Meanwhile, the active Covid cases have further reduced to 59,442, which constitute 0.14 per cent of the country`s total positive cases, as per the ministry report.

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The recovery of 9,754 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally to 4,23,88,475. Consequently, India`s recovery rate stands at 98.66 per cent, said the Union Health Ministry on Sunday. 
 
Also in the same period, a total of 9,09,985 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 77.28 crore cumulative tests. 
 
Meanwhile, the weekly positivity rate has further come down to 0.77 per cent while the daily positivity rate has fallen at 0.60 per cent.

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With the administration of over 26.19 lakhs vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's Covid inoculation coverage has reached 178.83 crore as of Sunday morning. This has been achieved through 2,07,34,782 sessions. 
 
More than 15.54 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories to be administered, according to the health ministry as of Sunday morning.

India reported 5,476 fresh Covid infections and 158 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said on Sunday morning. With the new deaths the toll has climbed to 5,15,036 in the country.

India reported 5,476 fresh Covid infections and 158 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said on Sunday morning. With the new deaths the toll has climbed to 5,15,036 in the country. Meanwhile, the active Covid cases have further reduced to 59,442, which constitute 0.14 per cent of the country`s total positive cases, as per the ministry report. Also read | India set to export record 7 million tonnes wheat this year The recovery of 9,754 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally to 4,23,88,475. Consequently, India`s recovery rate stands at 98.66 per cent, said the Union Health Ministry on Sunday. Also in the same period, a total of 9,09,985 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 77.28 crore cumulative tests. Meanwhile, the weekly positivity rate has further come down to 0.77 per cent while the daily positivity rate has fallen at 0.60 per cent. Also read | Sigh of relief: 183 Indian citizens reach Delhi in special flight under Operation Ganga With the administration of over 26.19 lakhs vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's Covid inoculation coverage has reached 178.83 crore as of Sunday morning. This has been achieved through 2,07,34,782 sessions. More than 15.54 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories to be administered, according to the health ministry as of Sunday morning.

COVID-19: India reports 5,476 new Covid cases & 158 deaths

Two of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's largest consumer&nbsp;retail&nbsp;chains&nbsp;started&nbsp;rationing some food and drug items on Friday to&nbsp;curb&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as&nbsp;COVID-19 cases soar.

Health authorities reported 52,523 new&nbsp;COVID-19 cases on Friday and 136 deaths. This compares with about 100 infections at the start of February and a clean three-month streak of zero cases before the end of December.

It was the third consecutive day that the number of cases topped 50,000. The spread has limited available manpower in the health care system, and for public transport, mall operators, supermarkets and pharmacies.

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Supermarket chain ParknShop announced limits of five items per customer on&nbsp;staples&nbsp;such as rice, canned food and toilet paper, while pharmacy Watsons put the same limits on medication for pain, fever and colds.

"Effective today, ParKnShoP and Watsons&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;will impose purchase restrictions on selected products and medication at all stores," Watsons said in a statement.

Both ParknShop and Watsons are units of the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;listed conglomerate CK Hutchison.

On Wednesday, ParknShop announced shorter opening hours, with some of its 200 branches shutting at 3 p.m. - by which time many shops across the Asian financial hub have been stripped of fresh and frozen meat and vegetables in recent days.

Mall operator HKTV said in an exchange filing on Friday that 20% of its "frontline manpower" was in quarantine.

Separately,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's judiciary, citing health risks, said court hearings would be suspended between March 7 and April 11, with some exceptions, including bail applications, as well as cases involving people in custody and juvenile protection.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;officials have repeatedly urged people against&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;this week, saying supplies were adequate.

Amid public complaints of confused official messaging,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said her government had no plan for a "complete lockdown" while it plots compulsory testing of the city's 7.4 million residents.

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The government would announce details of the plan when finalised, she said.

The surge in cases and fears of a lockdown have sparked mass departures of people from the city, where authorities are clinging to a "dynamic zero" policy that seeks to eradicate all outbreaks at all costs.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;saw a net outflow of more than 71,000 people in February, the most since the beginning of the pandemic, according to government data, compared with 16,879 in December.

On the other hand, bans on flights from nine countries including the United States, Britain and Australia are in place until April 20, leaving some residents who had left temporarily stranded, unable to get back in.

Many restaurants and shops are shuttered, while its Central financial district is eerily quiet and few people are out in normally bustling neighbourhoods.

Highlighting growing public frustration, prominent businessman and government adviser Allan Zeman said on Tuesday the city's international reputation had been "very damaged" and alarm had been created by the confusing messages.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has reported about 400,000 cases of&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;since the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and some 1,500 deaths, far fewer than many other cities. Most infections and deaths were recorded in the past month.

Two of Hong Kong's largest consumer retail chains started rationing some food and drug items on Friday to curb panic buying that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as COVID-19 cases soar.

Two of Hong Kong's largest consumer retail chains started rationing some food and drug items on Friday to curb panic buying that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as COVID-19 cases soar. Health authorities reported 52,523 new COVID-19 cases on Friday and 136 deaths. This compares with about 100 infections at the start of February and a clean three-month streak of zero cases before the end of December. It was the third consecutive day that the number of cases topped 50,000. The spread has limited available manpower in the health care system, and for public transport, mall operators, supermarkets and pharmacies. Also read | COVID-19: Families forced to split as cases spiral and rules tighten in Hong kong Supermarket chain ParknShop announced limits of five items per customer on staples such as rice, canned food and toilet paper, while pharmacy Watsons put the same limits on medication for pain, fever and colds. "Effective today, ParKnShoP and Watsons Hong Kong will impose purchase restrictions on selected products and medication at all stores," Watsons said in a statement. Both ParknShop and Watsons are units of the Hong Kong listed conglomerate CK Hutchison. On Wednesday, ParknShop announced shorter opening hours, with some of its 200 branches shutting at 3 p.m. - by which time many shops across the Asian financial hub have been stripped of fresh and frozen meat and vegetables in recent days. Mall operator HKTV said in an exchange filing on Friday that 20% of its "frontline manpower" was in quarantine. Separately, Hong Kong's judiciary, citing health risks, said court hearings would be suspended between March 7 and April 11, with some exceptions, including bail applications, as well as cases involving people in custody and juvenile protection. Hong Kong officials have repeatedly urged people against panic buying this week, saying supplies were adequate. Amid public complaints of confused official messaging, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said her government had no plan for a "complete lockdown" while it plots compulsory testing of the city's 7.4 million residents. Also read | COVID-19: Western Australia ends closures as the country fully opens to travel The government would announce details of the plan when finalised, she said. The surge in cases and fears of a lockdown have sparked mass departures of people from the city, where authorities are clinging to a "dynamic zero" policy that seeks to eradicate all outbreaks at all costs. Hong Kong saw a net outflow of more than 71,000 people in February, the most since the beginning of the pandemic, according to government data, compared with 16,879 in December. On the other hand, bans on flights from nine countries including the United States, Britain and Australia are in place until April 20, leaving some residents who had left temporarily stranded, unable to get back in. Many restaurants and shops are shuttered, while its Central financial district is eerily quiet and few people are out in normally bustling neighbourhoods. Highlighting growing public frustration, prominent businessman and government adviser Allan Zeman said on Tuesday the city's international reputation had been "very damaged" and alarm had been created by the confusing messages. Hong Kong has reported about 400,000 cases of COVID since the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and some 1,500 deaths, far fewer than many other cities. Most infections and deaths were recorded in the past month.

Covid-19: Hong Kong retail chains ration staples to curb panic buying

The US&nbsp;Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors.

In an announcement on Friday, CDC eased its guidelines on when Americans should wear masks indoors, saying they can also drop them in counties experiencing low or medium COVID-19 levels.

COVID hospitalizations - a key benchmark for the new masking recommendations - continue to decline, as indicated by the latest figures.

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The CDC, while&nbsp;announcing its revised guidelines said about 70 per cent&nbsp;of US&nbsp;counties and 72 per cent&nbsp;of the US&nbsp;population resides in communities where face coverings are no longer recommended.

The agency on Thursday said 85.4 per cent of counties are now ranked as low to medium risk and about 92.9 per cent of the population lives in those counties.

However, it is&nbsp;still to be determined whether the Biden administration will extend the mask&nbsp;requirements for travelling on airplanes, trains, buses or for transit hubs.

The current transit order expires on March 18 but can be&nbsp;extended. As per the White House the issue is still being evaluated.

The guidelines announced last week shifted its focus from COVID-19 transmission rates to infection rates, local hospitalisation and hospital capacity.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-western-australia-ends-closures-as-the-country-fully-open-to-travel-458631">COVID-19: Western Australia ends closures as the country fully open to travel</a>

As per the earlier recommendations, only 5 per cent of the counties fell under the safe zone and could&nbsp;abandon wearing masks indoors, while&nbsp;95 per cent of were&nbsp;considered to be at risk for higher transmission.

Many federal agencies this week have told government employees that they can now stop wearing masks indoors in federal buildings in Washington, D.C. Area or in some low or medium Covid&nbsp;level areas including Pentagon, Transportation Department, Justice Department, State Department and Federal Aviation.

Watch |&nbsp;The five stages of the covid Pandemic, as told by Dr Anthony Fauci

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-five-stages-of-the-covid-pandemic-as-told-by-dr-anthony-fauci-454715/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As per an earlier&nbsp;memo, the White House had directed agencies to revise federal employee masking and testing rules number by Friday.&nbsp;

The guidance said that Federal agencies in counties with low Covid community levels do not need to regularly screen unvaccinated employees for COVID-19. This guidance covers about 3.5 million employees.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors.

The US Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors. In an announcement on Friday, CDC eased its guidelines on when Americans should wear masks indoors, saying they can also drop them in counties experiencing low or medium COVID-19 levels. COVID hospitalizations - a key benchmark for the new masking recommendations - continue to decline, as indicated by the latest figures. Also read | This is how Covid could reverse all the progress made towards gender equality The CDC, while announcing its revised guidelines said about 70 per cent of US counties and 72 per cent of the US population resides in communities where face coverings are no longer recommended. The agency on Thursday said 85.4 per cent of counties are now ranked as low to medium risk and about 92.9 per cent of the population lives in those counties. However, it is still to be determined whether the Biden administration will extend the mask requirements for travelling on airplanes, trains, buses or for transit hubs. The current transit order expires on March 18 but can be extended. As per the White House the issue is still being evaluated. The guidelines announced last week shifted its focus from COVID-19 transmission rates to infection rates, local hospitalisation and hospital capacity. Also read | COVID-19: Western Australia ends closures as the country fully open to travel As per the earlier recommendations, only 5 per cent of the counties fell under the safe zone and could abandon wearing masks indoors, while 95 per cent of were considered to be at risk for higher transmission. Many federal agencies this week have told government employees that they can now stop wearing masks indoors in federal buildings in Washington, D.C. Area or in some low or medium Covid level areas including Pentagon, Transportation Department, Justice Department, State Department and Federal Aviation. Watch | The five stages of the covid Pandemic, as told by Dr Anthony Fauci As per an earlier memo, the White House had directed agencies to revise federal employee masking and testing rules number by Friday. The guidance said that Federal agencies in counties with low Covid community levels do not need to regularly screen unvaccinated employees for COVID-19. This guidance covers about 3.5 million employees. (With inputs from agencies)

New CDC guidelines say that more than 90% of US population doesn't need masks anymore

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