The&nbsp;UK&nbsp;government announced Wednesday it will offer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> vaccinations to all 16 and 17-year-olds, but not to younger healthy teenagers as in many other Western countries.&nbsp;

The move follows updated guidance from British health regulators that the country's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> drive should be extended to those aged 16 and 17 without underlying health issues after a review of the latest data.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-more-than-220000-children-inoculated-with-first-dose-of-covid-vaccine-402885">UK: More than 220,000 children inoculated with first dose of Covid vaccine</a>

However, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) made no change to its current advice to the government that only 12 to 15-year-olds deemed vulnerable should be jabbed.

This contrasts with the United States, which announced in May that younger teens would be vaccinated, and the European Union's medicines regulator which has approved two shots for all over-12s.

Britain's health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed he had accepted the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;experts' latest recommendations and asked the state-run National Health Service (NHS) "to prepare to vaccinate those eligible as soon as possible".

"JCVI will continue to review data and provide updates on at risk groups aged 12-15 and whether any additional groups will be added," he said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/long-term-covid-symptoms-very-rare-in-children-study-confirms-402937">Long term Covid symptoms very rare in children, study confirms</a>

The older teenagers eligible will receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved for use in Britain for people aged 12 and over.

Regulators have not yet decided when they should get their second doses, with a further recommendation likely in the coming weeks.

England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said at a televised briefing to announce the change that he wanted the NHS to begin jabbing 16 and 17-year-olds "as fast as practically possible".

"It has been preparing for multiple permutations and options for very many weeks now, and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks," he added.

Health experts welcomed the move, with Russell Viner, Professor of Child and Adolescent Health at University College London, calling it a "sensible step".

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/universal-coronavirus-vaccine-scientists-make-unique-discovery-that-may-help-prevent-future-pandemics-393371" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/universal-coronavirus-vaccine-scientists-make-unique-discovery-that-may-help-prevent-future-pandemics-393371&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwigubKuqpfyAhUQzjgGHd1KCx4QFjABegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3BRw2pt4_bvB6RzdFhGch6" dir="ltr" href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/universal-coronavirus-vaccine-scientists-make-unique-discovery-that-may-help-prevent-future-pandemics-393371&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwigubKuqpfyAhUQzjgGHd1KCx4QFjABegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3BRw2pt4_bvB6RzdFhGch6" target="_blank">Universal&nbsp;coronavirus vaccine? Scientists make unique discovery</a>

"There are important social and educational benefits for protecting young people and reducing transmission in the upper years of secondary school," he said.

Britain's fast-paced vaccination programme has seen nearly 89 per cent of adults given at least one dose, while close to two-thirds are now fully jabbed.

Since easing all virus curbs in England on July 19, the number of new daily cases has declined, prompting hopes the vaccines are succeeding in defeating the pandemic in Britain.

The UK government announced Wednesday it will offer coronavirus vaccinations to all 16 and 17-year-olds, but not to younger healthy teenagers as in many other Western countries.

The UK government announced Wednesday it will offer coronavirus vaccinations to all 16 and 17-year-olds, but not to younger healthy teenagers as in many other Western countries. The move follows updated guidance from British health regulators that the country's vaccine drive should be extended to those aged 16 and 17 without underlying health issues after a review of the latest data. UK: More than 220,000 children inoculated with first dose of Covid vaccine However, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) made no change to its current advice to the government that only 12 to 15-year-olds deemed vulnerable should be jabbed. This contrasts with the United States, which announced in May that younger teens would be vaccinated, and the European Union's medicines regulator which has approved two shots for all over-12s. Britain's health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed he had accepted the UK experts' latest recommendations and asked the state-run National Health Service (NHS) "to prepare to vaccinate those eligible as soon as possible". "JCVI will continue to review data and provide updates on at risk groups aged 12-15 and whether any additional groups will be added," he said in a statement. Also read | Long term Covid symptoms very rare in children, study confirms The older teenagers eligible will receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved for use in Britain for people aged 12 and over. Regulators have not yet decided when they should get their second doses, with a further recommendation likely in the coming weeks. England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said at a televised briefing to announce the change that he wanted the NHS to begin jabbing 16 and 17-year-olds "as fast as practically possible". "It has been preparing for multiple permutations and options for very many weeks now, and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks," he added. Health experts welcomed the move, with Russell Viner, Professor of Child and Adolescent Health at University College London, calling it a "sensible step". Also read | Universal coronavirus vaccine? Scientists make unique discovery "There are important social and educational benefits for protecting young people and reducing transmission in the upper years of secondary school," he said. Britain's fast-paced vaccination programme has seen nearly 89 per cent of adults given at least one dose, while close to two-thirds are now fully jabbed. Since easing all virus curbs in England on July 19, the number of new daily cases has declined, prompting hopes the vaccines are succeeding in defeating the pandemic in Britain.

UK to offer Covid vaccine to healthy 16 and 17 year-olds

The mayor of New York has announced a program that offers $100 to New Yorkers who get the COVID-19 vaccination.

Mayor Bill de Blasio reportedly announced that the city will offer the incentive to every adult citizen who gets their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine&nbsp;from a city-run vaccination site.

The&nbsp;development comes&nbsp;as people remain sceptical of vaccines, even as COVID-19 infections in the US spike as the more infectious Delta variant keeps spreading.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-york-govt-gives-new-incentives-for-people-getting-vaccinated-against-coronavirus-401500/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

"I think when someone says, here's one hundred dollars for you, that's going to make a big impact," said de Blasio during a&nbsp;news conference.

In another development, as per reports, New York state employees must get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get tested, a mandate that goes into effect on Labor Day. The move was announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday.

Vaccination will be required for all healthcare workers working in state hospitals, Cuomo said, however, no testing option will be made available.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-make-coronavirus-vaccine-compulsory-for-federal-workers-reports-401159">Biden to make coronavirus vaccine compulsory for federal workers: Reports</a>

"That is a point of contact that could be a serious spreading event, and we want to make sure that those healthcare workers are vaccinated, period," the governor said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The mayor of New York has announced a program that offers $100 to New Yorkers who get the COVID-19 vaccination. Mayor Bill de Blasio reportedly announced that the city will offer the incentive to every adult citizen who gets their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine from a city-run vaccination site.

The mayor of New York has announced a program that offers $100 to New Yorkers who get the COVID-19 vaccination. Mayor Bill de Blasio reportedly announced that the city will offer the incentive to every adult citizen who gets their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine from a city-run vaccination site. The development comes as people remain sceptical of vaccines, even as COVID-19 infections in the US spike as the more infectious Delta variant keeps spreading. "I think when someone says, here's one hundred dollars for you, that's going to make a big impact," said de Blasio during a news conference. In another development, as per reports, New York state employees must get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get tested, a mandate that goes into effect on Labor Day. The move was announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday. Vaccination will be required for all healthcare workers working in state hospitals, Cuomo said, however, no testing option will be made available. Also read | Biden to make coronavirus vaccine compulsory for federal workers: Reports "That is a point of contact that could be a serious spreading event, and we want to make sure that those healthcare workers are vaccinated, period," the governor said. (With inputs from agencies)

New York offers $100 to citizens who get vaccinated against COVID-19

The WHO this month proposed a second phase of studies into the origins of the coronavirus in China, including audits of laboratories and markets in the city of Wuhan, calling for transparency from authorities. But China has opposed this move. The first known cases emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. The virus was believed to have jumped to humans from animals being sold for food at a city market.

China opposes the second probe into origins of Coronavirus

As COVID cases surge in New York, the state govt is giving new incentives for people who are getting vaccinated against Coronavirus. Starting this Friday, anyone who goes to a city vaccination site for taking the first dose of COVID vaccination will receive 100 dollars.

New York govt gives new incentives for people getting vaccinated against Coronavirus

If you and most of the people in your area are vaccinated, things are substantially better than they used to be.

Case counts are rising, some hospitals are filling up, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is again&nbsp;recommending universal masking&nbsp;in&nbsp;areas where cases are surging. But to suggest that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> is an escalating emergency in the United States is not quite right. The truth is that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccinated</a>&nbsp;and the unvaccinated are experiencing two very different pandemics right now. If we don’t confront that, the nation can’t address either appropriately.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-deaths-surge-by-21-cases-can-exceed-200-million-in-two-weeks-who-401228">Coronavirus deaths surge by 21% , cases can exceed 200 million in two weeks: WHO</a>

The CDC’s&nbsp;announcement&nbsp;will lead many to believe that the pandemic is getting worse. But if you and most of the people in your area are vaccinated, things are substantially better than they used to be. Hospitals are relatively clear of COVID-19. Few deaths are occurring. People may still be worried, and some may be masking, but much of their panic is that the stuffy nose they woke up with may be COVID-19.

Sometimes it is. As has always been the case, breakthrough infections of COVID-19 remain possible. Such reports have become&nbsp;more frequent. Because the vaccines are not 100 percent effective, some vaccinated people will get infected, some will get sick, and in rare cases, some may even be hospitalized. The success of the vaccines has long been predicated on preventing severe illness, which they do, rather than on preventing any infection.

If the vast majority of vaccinated people who get COVID-19 recover with no real issues, how much should we worry?

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-outbreak-of-covid-19-in-china-highest-daily-rise-since-january-400714">New outbreak of COVID-19 in China: Highest daily rise since January</a>

There are&nbsp;four other endemic&nbsp;coronaviruses&nbsp;in circulation. They all cause&nbsp;colds. It would be a major victory if we could relegate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to this group. For the vaccinated, right now, that victory has largely been achieved.

One of the reasons we can’t celebrate yet is that none of this is true for the unvaccinated. For them, the pandemic has not changed much. Hospitals are filling up again in states where rates of vaccination are low. In those places, more people are on ventilators, and many are still dying.

Even in places with high rates of vaccination, some people can’t be vaccinated. Others do not respond as well to the vaccines because they are immunocompromised. The very elderly are still at higher risk because a breakthrough infection is more dangerous for them. Children aren’t eligible to be vaccinated yet, and while they’re at relatively low risk for severe illness, they may need some extra protection.

It’s critical to act at a local level to protect all such people in our communities. Others should mask up around them, try to limit indoor contact with them and sit a little farther away. That’s what we did before the vaccines, and it’s still good practice. Specific masking recommendations for those at highest risk make sense.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-recorded-highest-new-covid-19-cases-worldwide-in-past-week-who-401286">US recorded highest new COVID-19 cases worldwide in past week: WHO</a>

The single best thing we can do for such people, though, is to get everyone around them immunized.

Across the country, the vast majority of severe illness and deaths are&nbsp;among the unvaccinated. Fewer than 1,200 vaccinated people have&nbsp;died&nbsp;of COVID-19 as of July 19. Over 97 percent of people who are hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated,&nbsp;according to&nbsp;the CDC.

Breakthrough cases should be addressed to avoid possible transmission (it remains unclear how much vaccinated people who get infected contribute to spread), but they are not the most important metric for measuring the end of the pandemic. If most breakthrough infections cause colds or limited illness, they really aren’t the main concern, unless they start resulting in serious illness and deaths. For the most part, they’re not right now.

Even the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delta-is-the-fastest-covid-19-variant-and-will-pick-off-the-most-vulnerable-who-393278">Delta variant</a> is not a major threat to everyone in the United States. It is largely a threat to the unvaccinated. It’s more infectious, it’s spreading more quickly, and most people aren’t being as careful as they were months ago. Delta is therefore causing the unvaccinated to get sick, and they’re still going to the hospital, and they’re still dying.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-cdc-advises-fully-vaccinated-individuals-to-wear-masks-again-401145/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Despite this difference, reporting on the relative percentage of Delta cases every day is causing vaccinated people to panic and sowing some doubt about the effectiveness of vaccinations. But it’s clear from the data on hospitalizations and deaths today compared to when the Alpha variant was on the rise at the&nbsp;beginning of the year&nbsp;that the United States is in a much better situation now.

That’s because more people are vaccinated, including&nbsp;most Americans&nbsp;over 65.

Many may read the CDC’s continued focus on masking and distancing as an acknowledgement that the vaccines don’t work well enough. Leaning heavily on masking and distancing is what we did when we didn’t have vaccinations. Today, such recommendations are less likely to succeed because they are more likely to be followed by those already primed to listen — the vaccinated — and to be fought and ignored by those who aren’t.

Hospitalizations and deaths are rising in some areas not because someone didn’t wear a mask at the ballgame. They’re occurring because too many people are not immunized.

This is why I’ve&nbsp;advocated&nbsp;vaccine mandates. I don’t understand how we can mandate wearing masks but not getting vaccinations.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-wuhan-virus-is-making-a-comeback-in-the-united-states-401281/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It may take enormous political capital to enforce mandates or huge incentives, but it will be worth it. COVID-19 is not even close to a crisis for those who are vaccinated, but it is a true danger to those who are unvaccinated. Our policies and actions should continue to reinforce that message while helping the latter join the former.

If you and most of the people in your area are vaccinated, things are substantially better than they used to be. Case counts are rising, some hospitals are filling up, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is again recommending universal masking in areas where cases are surging.

If you and most of the people in your area are vaccinated, things are substantially better than they used to be. Case counts are rising, some hospitals are filling up, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is again recommending universal masking in areas where cases are surging. But to suggest that COVID-19 is an escalating emergency in the United States is not quite right. The truth is that the vaccinated and the unvaccinated are experiencing two very different pandemics right now. If we don’t confront that, the nation can’t address either appropriately. Coronavirus deaths surge by 21% , cases can exceed 200 million in two weeks: WHO The CDC’s announcement will lead many to believe that the pandemic is getting worse. But if you and most of the people in your area are vaccinated, things are substantially better than they used to be. Hospitals are relatively clear of COVID-19. Few deaths are occurring. People may still be worried, and some may be masking, but much of their panic is that the stuffy nose they woke up with may be COVID-19. Sometimes it is. As has always been the case, breakthrough infections of COVID-19 remain possible. Such reports have become more frequent. Because the vaccines are not 100 percent effective, some vaccinated people will get infected, some will get sick, and in rare cases, some may even be hospitalized. The success of the vaccines has long been predicated on preventing severe illness, which they do, rather than on preventing any infection. If the vast majority of vaccinated people who get COVID-19 recover with no real issues, how much should we worry? Also read | New outbreak of COVID-19 in China: Highest daily rise since January There are four other endemic coronaviruses in circulation. They all cause colds. It would be a major victory if we could relegate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to this group. For the vaccinated, right now, that victory has largely been achieved. One of the reasons we can’t celebrate yet is that none of this is true for the unvaccinated. For them, the pandemic has not changed much. Hospitals are filling up again in states where rates of vaccination are low. In those places, more people are on ventilators, and many are still dying. Even in places with high rates of vaccination, some people can’t be vaccinated. Others do not respond as well to the vaccines because they are immunocompromised. The very elderly are still at higher risk because a breakthrough infection is more dangerous for them. Children aren’t eligible to be vaccinated yet, and while they’re at relatively low risk for severe illness, they may need some extra protection. It’s critical to act at a local level to protect all such people in our communities. Others should mask up around them, try to limit indoor contact with them and sit a little farther away. That’s what we did before the vaccines, and it’s still good practice. Specific masking recommendations for those at highest risk make sense. Also read | US recorded highest new COVID-19 cases worldwide in past week: WHO The single best thing we can do for such people, though, is to get everyone around them immunized. Across the country, the vast majority of severe illness and deaths are among the unvaccinated. Fewer than 1,200 vaccinated people have died of COVID-19 as of July 19. Over 97 percent of people who are hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated, according to the CDC. Breakthrough cases should be addressed to avoid possible transmission (it remains unclear how much vaccinated people who get infected contribute to spread), but they are not the most important metric for measuring the end of the pandemic. If most breakthrough infections cause colds or limited illness, they really aren’t the main concern, unless they start resulting in serious illness and deaths. For the most part, they’re not right now. Even the Delta variant is not a major threat to everyone in the United States. It is largely a threat to the unvaccinated. It’s more infectious, it’s spreading more quickly, and most people aren’t being as careful as they were months ago. Delta is therefore causing the unvaccinated to get sick, and they’re still going to the hospital, and they’re still dying. Despite this difference, reporting on the relative percentage of Delta cases every day is causing vaccinated people to panic and sowing some doubt about the effectiveness of vaccinations. But it’s clear from the data on hospitalizations and deaths today compared to when the Alpha variant was on the rise at the beginning of the year that the United States is in a much better situation now. That’s because more people are vaccinated, including most Americans over 65. Many may read the CDC’s continued focus on masking and distancing as an acknowledgement that the vaccines don’t work well enough. Leaning heavily on masking and distancing is what we did when we didn’t have vaccinations. Today, such recommendations are less likely to succeed because they are more likely to be followed by those already primed to listen — the vaccinated — and to be fought and ignored by those who aren’t. Hospitalizations and deaths are rising in some areas not because someone didn’t wear a mask at the ballgame. They’re occurring because too many people are not immunized. This is why I’ve advocated vaccine mandates. I don’t understand how we can mandate wearing masks but not getting vaccinations. It may take enormous political capital to enforce mandates or huge incentives, but it will be worth it. COVID-19 is not even close to a crisis for those who are vaccinated, but it is a true danger to those who are unvaccinated. Our policies and actions should continue to reinforce that message while helping the latter join the former.

Covid is now a crisis for the unvaccinated

Amid declining COVID-19 cases in the national capital, cinema halls across the city resumed business as they prepare to open with 50 per cent seating capacity. Halls were carefully sanitised and UV lights were installed in several theatres.

"Expecting to open by Friday. Producers are waiting to release their movies here because `big screen is big screen`," said Delite Cinema Manager while speaking to ANI.

Proprietor of Liberty cinema and President of Cinema Owners` Association of Delhi, said "The government has allowed cinemas to open with 50 per cent occupancy. We welcome this decision of the government. Cinemas are fully prepared to reopen. Everything is in place. The primary focus should be on proper sanitisation which is being taken care of." 
 
According to the manager at the Delite Cinema Hall, snacks will not be allowed in the halls and only seal-packed eatables will be available for sale. 
 
The Delhi government on Saturday issued orders allowing cinemas/theatres/multiplexes to reopen with 50 per cent capacity from 5 am on July 26. 
 
As a part of unlock-8, the Delhi government on Saturday issued orders allowing cinemas/theatres/multiplexes to reopen with 50 per cent capacity from 5 am on July 26.The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in its guidelines also permitted the Delhi metro to operate at 100 per cent capacity.&nbsp; 
 
Even buses plying within the metropolis, including DTC and cluster buses, were allowed to run at full capacity.

Meanwhile, the national capital on Monday reported 39 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, as per the Delhi Health Department on Monday.With this, the total Covid-19 cases in the national capital mounted to 14,35,949 including 537 active cases. 
 
The cumulative recoveries in the city due to this virus escalated to 14,10,368 including 80 fresh recoveries. In the last 24 hours, 56,435 tests were conducted and a positivity rate of 0.07 per cent was reported.The death toll in the capital touched 25,044 including the new death. The case fatality rate now stands at 1.74 per cent.As far as the Covid-19 vaccination status is concerned, Delhi jabbed 96,68,514 cumulative beneficiaries vaccinated so far of which 10,614 beneficiaries got vaccinated in the last 24 hours.

Amid declining COVID-19 cases in the national capital, cinema halls across the city resumed business as they prepare to open with 50 per cent seating capacity. Halls were carefully sanitised and UV lights were installed in several theatres.

Amid declining COVID-19 cases in the national capital, cinema halls across the city resumed business as they prepare to open with 50 per cent seating capacity. Halls were carefully sanitised and UV lights were installed in several theatres. "Expecting to open by Friday. Producers are waiting to release their movies here because `big screen is big screen`," said Delite Cinema Manager while speaking to ANI. Proprietor of Liberty cinema and President of Cinema Owners` Association of Delhi, said "The government has allowed cinemas to open with 50 per cent occupancy. We welcome this decision of the government. Cinemas are fully prepared to reopen. Everything is in place. The primary focus should be on proper sanitisation which is being taken care of." According to the manager at the Delite Cinema Hall, snacks will not be allowed in the halls and only seal-packed eatables will be available for sale. The Delhi government on Saturday issued orders allowing cinemas/theatres/multiplexes to reopen with 50 per cent capacity from 5 am on July 26. As a part of unlock-8, the Delhi government on Saturday issued orders allowing cinemas/theatres/multiplexes to reopen with 50 per cent capacity from 5 am on July 26.The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in its guidelines also permitted the Delhi metro to operate at 100 per cent capacity. Even buses plying within the metropolis, including DTC and cluster buses, were allowed to run at full capacity. Meanwhile, the national capital on Monday reported 39 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, as per the Delhi Health Department on Monday.With this, the total Covid-19 cases in the national capital mounted to 14,35,949 including 537 active cases. The cumulative recoveries in the city due to this virus escalated to 14,10,368 including 80 fresh recoveries. In the last 24 hours, 56,435 tests were conducted and a positivity rate of 0.07 per cent was reported.The death toll in the capital touched 25,044 including the new death. The case fatality rate now stands at 1.74 per cent.As far as the Covid-19 vaccination status is concerned, Delhi jabbed 96,68,514 cumulative beneficiaries vaccinated so far of which 10,614 beneficiaries got vaccinated in the last 24 hours.

Cinemas in Delhi prepare to reopen with 50 pc capacity

Pakistan has banned domestic air travel for unvaccinated people as COVID cases are surging in the country. The travel restriction, imposed by the National Command and Operation Centre will come into effect from Aug 1.

Pakistan bans domestic air travel for unvaccinated people as COVID cases surge

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics finally kicks off on Friday. The Games will begin still in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time ever, no fans will be permitted to witness the opening ceremony just like they have been banned from other sporting competitions.

Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony to kick off on Friday

COVID-19 cases nearly tripled in the United States over two weeks amid an onslaught of vaccine misinformation that is straining hospitals, exhausting doctors. Health officials have blamed the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant and also the slow vaccination rates for the rise in cases.

COVID-19 cases nearly triple in US over two weeks amid vaccine misinformation

Angered by doctors' support for anti-junta protests,&nbsp;Myanmar's military has arrested several doctors treating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> patients independently, colleagues and media said, as the health system struggles to cope with a record wave of infections.

Since the military overthrew the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February, the ensuing turmoil and protests have thrown&nbsp;Myanmar's COVID-19 response into chaos, as activists say scores of doctors have been arrested for their prominent role in a civil disobedience movement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-response-runs-underground-in-junta-ruled-myanmar-398915">COVID-19 response runs underground in junta-ruled Myanmar</a>

Myanmar&nbsp;registered on Thursday over 6,000 new COVID-19 infections after reporting 286 deaths a day earlier, both record highs. Medics and funeral services say the real death toll is far higher, with crematoriums unable to keep pace.

To help people who either refuse to go to a state hospital, because of opposition to the military, or find hospitals are too strapped to treat them, some doctors participating in the anti-junta campaign have offered free medical advice over the telephone, and visited the sick at home in some cases.

But according to doctors and media reports in the past few weeks nine volunteer doctors offering tele-medicine and other services have been detained by the military in&nbsp;Myanmar's two largest cities - Yangon and Mandalay.

The information team of the army-led State Administration Council issued a statement denying reports that five doctors had been arrested in Yangon, but omitted any reference to the alleged arrests in Mandalay, which included doctors active in the civil disobedience movement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-covid-rages-in-myanmar-army-hoards-oxygen-doctors-say-398574">As COVID rages in Myanmar, army hoards oxygen, doctors say</a>

All telephone calls from Reuters to a spokesman for the junta were unanswered.

A doctor, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted by the military authorities, said four of his colleagues from the "Medical Family - Mandalay group" had been arrested.

They included Kyaw Kyaw Thet, who had been tutoring medical students, and senior surgeon Thet Htay, who the doctor said witnesses had seen handcuffed and bruised before being led away on July 16.

Their group was set up to advise virus sufferers over the telephone how to breathe, how to use an oxygen concentrator, which medicines to buy and how to administer them.

"We have been giving medical treatment to hundreds of patients per day," the doctor said, adding that many more of those patients could have died if they had not been attended to.

Media reports from Yangon, which have been denied by the junta, said three doctors from a COVID-19 response group were arrested after being lured to a home by soldiers pretending to need treatment. The junta also denied&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;News portal reportthat security forces had arrested two doctors during a followup raid on their offices in the North Dagon district of Yangon.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/health-volunteers-provide-hope-to-covid-infected-myanmar-amid-another-outbreak-397441">Health volunteers provide hope to Covid-infected Myanmar amid another outbreak</a>

The National Unity Government, set up as a shadow body by army opponents, and media reports had also accused security forces of taking oxygen cylinders, protective wear and medicine for their own use during those raids.

"Weaponising Covid"

It was unclear why any of the doctors would have been detained, but the military has arrested medical staff previously for their conspicuous support for the civil disobedience movement.

An activist group, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, has said hundreds of doctors who joined the anti-junta campaign have been charged with spreading false news and 73 have been arrested.

The consequent shortage of staff at hospitals and clinics has added to public mistrust of the junta.

A junta spokesman urged people last week to cooperate with the government in order to overcome the epidemic. And according to some doctors, the latest arrests could be an attempt to force people to rely more on the military authorities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-covid-19-outbreak-hits-health-system-shattered-after-coup-388299">Myanmar COVID-19 outbreak hits health system shattered after coup</a>

Denying the reported arrests in Yangon, the military administration referred to information about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> patients being secretly treated and charged high prices or being directed to online cures, adding that lives were being lost unnecessarily.

Yanghee Lee, a former UN&nbsp;Special Rapporteur on human rights in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;now on an advisory council, has accused the junta of "weaponising COVID-19 for its own political gain."

Angered by doctors' support for anti-junta protests, Myanmar's military has arrested several doctors treating COVID-19 patients independently, colleagues and media said, as the health system struggles to cope with a record wave of infections.

Angered by doctors' support for anti-junta protests, Myanmar's military has arrested several doctors treating COVID-19 patients independently, colleagues and media said, as the health system struggles to cope with a record wave of infections. Since the military overthrew the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February, the ensuing turmoil and protests have thrown Myanmar's COVID-19 response into chaos, as activists say scores of doctors have been arrested for their prominent role in a civil disobedience movement. Also read | COVID-19 response runs underground in junta-ruled Myanmar Myanmar registered on Thursday over 6,000 new COVID-19 infections after reporting 286 deaths a day earlier, both record highs. Medics and funeral services say the real death toll is far higher, with crematoriums unable to keep pace. To help people who either refuse to go to a state hospital, because of opposition to the military, or find hospitals are too strapped to treat them, some doctors participating in the anti-junta campaign have offered free medical advice over the telephone, and visited the sick at home in some cases. But according to doctors and media reports in the past few weeks nine volunteer doctors offering tele-medicine and other services have been detained by the military in Myanmar's two largest cities - Yangon and Mandalay. The information team of the army-led State Administration Council issued a statement denying reports that five doctors had been arrested in Yangon, but omitted any reference to the alleged arrests in Mandalay, which included doctors active in the civil disobedience movement. Also read | As COVID rages in Myanmar, army hoards oxygen, doctors say All telephone calls from Reuters to a spokesman for the junta were unanswered. A doctor, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted by the military authorities, said four of his colleagues from the "Medical Family - Mandalay group" had been arrested. They included Kyaw Kyaw Thet, who had been tutoring medical students, and senior surgeon Thet Htay, who the doctor said witnesses had seen handcuffed and bruised before being led away on July 16. Their group was set up to advise virus sufferers over the telephone how to breathe, how to use an oxygen concentrator, which medicines to buy and how to administer them. "We have been giving medical treatment to hundreds of patients per day," the doctor said, adding that many more of those patients could have died if they had not been attended to. Media reports from Yangon, which have been denied by the junta, said three doctors from a COVID-19 response group were arrested after being lured to a home by soldiers pretending to need treatment. The junta also denied Myanmar News portal reportthat security forces had arrested two doctors during a followup raid on their offices in the North Dagon district of Yangon. Also read | Health volunteers provide hope to Covid-infected Myanmar amid another outbreak The National Unity Government, set up as a shadow body by army opponents, and media reports had also accused security forces of taking oxygen cylinders, protective wear and medicine for their own use during those raids. "Weaponising Covid" It was unclear why any of the doctors would have been detained, but the military has arrested medical staff previously for their conspicuous support for the civil disobedience movement. An activist group, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, has said hundreds of doctors who joined the anti-junta campaign have been charged with spreading false news and 73 have been arrested. The consequent shortage of staff at hospitals and clinics has added to public mistrust of the junta. A junta spokesman urged people last week to cooperate with the government in order to overcome the epidemic. And according to some doctors, the latest arrests could be an attempt to force people to rely more on the military authorities. Also read | Myanmar COVID-19 outbreak hits health system shattered after coup Denying the reported arrests in Yangon, the military administration referred to information about COVID-19 patients being secretly treated and charged high prices or being directed to online cures, adding that lives were being lost unnecessarily. Yanghee Lee, a former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar now on an advisory council, has accused the junta of "weaponising COVID-19 for its own political gain."

Myanmar military accused of arresting doctors while COVID-19 infections rise

Israeli scientists have identified three existing drugs that have good prospects as COVID-19 treatments. So far, the drugs have illustrated a high ability to fight the virus in lab tests.

Israel scientists identify 3 existing drugs to fight COVID-19

Coronavirus cases among Olympic contenders and their support staff&nbsp;are on the rise and around 15% of those are unvaccinated. This is leading to admonitions from medical experts about potential far-reaching consequences.&nbsp;

Set to start officially on Friday with the opening ceremony, the Tokyo&nbsp;Olympic games were promoted as safe from any danger by organisers.

However, they have so far been tormented by Covid infections among competitors, hotel workers, and others associated with the event and many of those partaking have not been vaccinated.&nbsp;

A total of 67 cases have been detected among those certified for the Games since most competitors and authorities started showing up on July 1, authorities said on Tuesday. The top Tokyo Games official&nbsp;didn't rule out dropping the event completely if cases&nbsp;spike.&nbsp;

"You're now introducing risk factors from elsewhere," Dr. Nitin Mohan, a public health consultant, revealed to CBC News.

"Somewhere there will be a breaking point."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-clinches-third-olympics-after-brisbane-declared-host-of-2032-games-399398" hreflang="en">Australia clinches third Olympics after Brisbane declared host of 2032 Games</a>

A coach with Uganda's crew tested positive on landing in Narita air terminal and isolated at a&nbsp;facility. The remainder of the group headed by transport for their host city, Izumisano, close to Osaka in western Japan.&nbsp;

Seven staff at a hotel in Hamamatsu, focal Japan, where many Brazilian competitors are remaining, tested positive, a city official said.&nbsp;

Eight competitors from the Kenya women's rugby crew are named close contacts after a positive Covid case is found on their trip to Tokyo, said an official&nbsp;with the southwestern city of Kurume.

Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur tested positive for COVID-19 before his takeoff for Tokyo, the Australian Olympic Committee said.

An individual from the Nigerian Olympics contingent is in a medical clinic subsequent to testing positive at Narita air terminal, as per media reports.

Below are the other main cases.&nbsp;

JULY 17 - Fifteen people test positive for the virus, the organisers say, including the first case at the athletes' village - a visitor from abroad involved in organising the Games. The rest are two members of the media, seven contractors, and five members of the Games personnel.

JULY 18 - Ten people, including two South African male soccer players staying at the athletes' village, tested positive for the virus, organizers say. This is the first time athletes have been found positive within the village. The others are one athlete under a 14-day quarantine period, one member of the media, one contractor, and five Games personnel.

JULY 19 - Three people - one member of the Games personnel, one member of the media, and one contractor - tested positive for the virus. Twenty-one people in the South African soccer delegation are categorised as close contacts, following positive test results for two soccer players from that country. The number of close contacts is later revised down to 18.

Those identified as close contacts can still take part in the competition if they are found negative in a test conducted within six hours of the start of their event.

An alternate on the U.S. women's gymnastics team tests positive and another alternate is close contact, USA Gymnastics said. They remain at the team's training camp just east of Tokyo.

JULY 20 - Nine people, including one athlete staying at the Olympic village, tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The other eight were a volunteer worker, a member of the Games personnel, and six contractors, according to Reuters.

Four competitors have tested positive up until this point — out of the 11,000 contenders expected to remain in the Olympic town.&nbsp;

In one case, the initial six individuals from Brazil's judo crew who had arrived in Tokyo were isolated after COVID-19 cases were found among the staff at an inn in Hamamatsu, southwest of Tokyo.

"Tokyo is undergoing a surge, and to bring in people from all over, with all the different challenges they have, into a country and a city that's already having its own challenges that's definitely not a public health move. Still, if the Games can maintain fairly high restrictions, the event should be able to avoid becoming a "total disaster," said Dr. Andrew Morris.

A few cases among members are not out of the ordinary, Morris said, however, the possibility of the Olympics fuelling a mass-transmission is improbable.&nbsp;

"If there is, it's going to be&nbsp;breaches of protocol in the Athletes' Village," &nbsp;he added.

Coronavirus cases among Olympic contenders and their support staff are on the rise and around 15% of those are unvaccinated. This is leading to admonitions from medical experts about potential far-reaching consequences.

Coronavirus cases among Olympic contenders and their support staff are on the rise and around 15% of those are unvaccinated. This is leading to admonitions from medical experts about potential far-reaching consequences. Set to start officially on Friday with the opening ceremony, the Tokyo Olympic games were promoted as safe from any danger by organisers. However, they have so far been tormented by Covid infections among competitors, hotel workers, and others associated with the event and many of those partaking have not been vaccinated. A total of 67 cases have been detected among those certified for the Games since most competitors and authorities started showing up on July 1, authorities said on Tuesday. The top Tokyo Games official didn't rule out dropping the event completely if cases spike. "You're now introducing risk factors from elsewhere," Dr. Nitin Mohan, a public health consultant, revealed to CBC News. "Somewhere there will be a breaking point." ALSO READ: Australia clinches third Olympics after Brisbane declared host of 2032 Games A coach with Uganda's crew tested positive on landing in Narita air terminal and isolated at a facility. The remainder of the group headed by transport for their host city, Izumisano, close to Osaka in western Japan. Seven staff at a hotel in Hamamatsu, focal Japan, where many Brazilian competitors are remaining, tested positive, a city official said. Eight competitors from the Kenya women's rugby crew are named close contacts after a positive Covid case is found on their trip to Tokyo, said an official with the southwestern city of Kurume. Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur tested positive for COVID-19 before his takeoff for Tokyo, the Australian Olympic Committee said. An individual from the Nigerian Olympics contingent is in a medical clinic subsequent to testing positive at Narita air terminal, as per media reports. Below are the other main cases. JULY 17 - Fifteen people test positive for the virus, the organisers say, including the first case at the athletes' village - a visitor from abroad involved in organising the Games. The rest are two members of the media, seven contractors, and five members of the Games personnel. JULY 18 - Ten people, including two South African male soccer players staying at the athletes' village, tested positive for the virus, organizers say. This is the first time athletes have been found positive within the village. The others are one athlete under a 14-day quarantine period, one member of the media, one contractor, and five Games personnel. JULY 19 - Three people - one member of the Games personnel, one member of the media, and one contractor - tested positive for the virus. Twenty-one people in the South African soccer delegation are categorised as close contacts, following positive test results for two soccer players from that country. The number of close contacts is later revised down to 18. Those identified as close contacts can still take part in the competition if they are found negative in a test conducted within six hours of the start of their event. An alternate on the U.S. women's gymnastics team tests positive and another alternate is close contact, USA Gymnastics said. They remain at the team's training camp just east of Tokyo. JULY 20 - Nine people, including one athlete staying at the Olympic village, tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The other eight were a volunteer worker, a member of the Games personnel, and six contractors, according to Reuters. Four competitors have tested positive up until this point — out of the 11,000 contenders expected to remain in the Olympic town. In one case, the initial six individuals from Brazil's judo crew who had arrived in Tokyo were isolated after COVID-19 cases were found among the staff at an inn in Hamamatsu, southwest of Tokyo. "Tokyo is undergoing a surge, and to bring in people from all over, with all the different challenges they have, into a country and a city that's already having its own challenges that's definitely not a public health move. Still, if the Games can maintain fairly high restrictions, the event should be able to avoid becoming a "total disaster," said Dr. Andrew Morris. A few cases among members are not out of the ordinary, Morris said, however, the possibility of the Olympics fuelling a mass-transmission is improbable. "If there is, it's going to be breaches of protocol in the Athletes' Village," he added.

Tokyo Olympics: Situation worsens amid raging COVID-19 pandemic as cases rise to 67

The Tour de France's Saitama Criterium has been cancelled for the second straight year over rising Covid-19 cases, organizers said, days before the Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony.

"We have reached the conclusion that our priority is ensuring the safety and security of the people of Saitama, athletes and other participants, and fans," organisers said in a statement late Tuesday.

"Various anti-infection measures are being taken... but the expanding spread of infections in Japan remains unpredictable," the statement said.

The annual autumn race features winners and stars from the Tour de France and attracts some 100,000 fans to the Saitama region, north of Tokyo.

But the pandemic forced the event's cancellation last year for the first time since it started in 2013.

The greater Tokyo region has seen a rapid rise of new infections in recent weeks, prompting the central government to place the area under a state of emergency.

The measure is much looser than a lockdown, however, and Japan's pandemic outbreak remains much smaller than in many other countries.

The Tokyo Olympics started competition Wednesday with a softball game between Japan and Australia.

The Games, which will officially open Friday, will be held mostly behind closed doors with athletes and officials placed under strict anti-virus protocols.

The Tour de France's Saitama Criterium has been cancelled for the second straight year over rising Covid-19 cases, organizers said, days before the Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony.

The Tour de France's Saitama Criterium has been cancelled for the second straight year over rising Covid-19 cases, organizers said, days before the Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony. "We have reached the conclusion that our priority is ensuring the safety and security of the people of Saitama, athletes and other participants, and fans," organisers said in a statement late Tuesday. "Various anti-infection measures are being taken... but the expanding spread of infections in Japan remains unpredictable," the statement said. The annual autumn race features winners and stars from the Tour de France and attracts some 100,000 fans to the Saitama region, north of Tokyo. But the pandemic forced the event's cancellation last year for the first time since it started in 2013. The greater Tokyo region has seen a rapid rise of new infections in recent weeks, prompting the central government to place the area under a state of emergency. The measure is much looser than a lockdown, however, and Japan's pandemic outbreak remains much smaller than in many other countries. The Tokyo Olympics started competition Wednesday with a softball game between Japan and Australia. The Games, which will officially open Friday, will be held mostly behind closed doors with athletes and officials placed under strict anti-virus protocols.

Japan's cycling Saitama Criterium cancelled over pandemic

HBO has shut down production on `Game of Thrones` prequel series `House of the Dragon` due to COVID-19. Reports suggest that the UK shoot has been paused for two days after a positive case was found in zone A, which includes cast and crew. 
 
According to The Hollywood Reporter, in compliance with industry guidelines, the COVID positive member is currently in isolation, and close contacts will be required to quarantine.&nbsp;

The member had tested positive after rigorous testing was implemented for all production employees. Production will resume on Wednesday after a two-day pause.&nbsp; 
 
The series stars Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen and Emma D`Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon (also known as the Sea Snake), Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower. 
 
`House of the Dragon` brings the story of the Targaryen family in Westeros and is set 300 years before the events in Game of Thrones.&nbsp; 
The drama is from co-showrunners Ryan Condal (Colony) and Miguel Sapochnik (Game of Thrones), and executive producer and saga author George R.R. Martin. The production pause comes amid virus fears surging in the UK as the country ends most remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including mask mandates.&nbsp; 
 
Production on `Bridgerton` second season was similarly halted for the second time this week following a positive COVID test, with production paused indefinitely while a timetable for a return to production is reached. 
 
According to The Hollywood Reporter, `House of the Dragon` is one of six GoT-related prequel projects in the works at HBO, as well as a stage show in development for Broadway/West End that will feature new actors playing iconic characters from the original series.&nbsp;

HBO has shut down production on `Game of Thrones` prequel series `House of the Dragon` due to COVID-19. Reports suggest that the UK shoot has been paused for two days after a positive case was found in zone A, which includes cast and crew.

HBO has shut down production on `Game of Thrones` prequel series `House of the Dragon` due to COVID-19. Reports suggest that the UK shoot has been paused for two days after a positive case was found in zone A, which includes cast and crew. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in compliance with industry guidelines, the COVID positive member is currently in isolation, and close contacts will be required to quarantine. The member had tested positive after rigorous testing was implemented for all production employees. Production will resume on Wednesday after a two-day pause. The series stars Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen and Emma D`Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon (also known as the Sea Snake), Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower. `House of the Dragon` brings the story of the Targaryen family in Westeros and is set 300 years before the events in Game of Thrones. The drama is from co-showrunners Ryan Condal (Colony) and Miguel Sapochnik (Game of Thrones), and executive producer and saga author George R.R. Martin. The production pause comes amid virus fears surging in the UK as the country ends most remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including mask mandates. Production on `Bridgerton` second season was similarly halted for the second time this week following a positive COVID test, with production paused indefinitely while a timetable for a return to production is reached. According to The Hollywood Reporter, `House of the Dragon` is one of six GoT-related prequel projects in the works at HBO, as well as a stage show in development for Broadway/West End that will feature new actors playing iconic characters from the original series.

HBO pauses production on 'House Of The Dragon' due to COVID-19 positive case

Protesters in Thailand took to the streets to demand Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha's resignation over mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also marked the anniversary of the pro-democracy movement that started last year.

Thai protesters demand Premier Chan-O-Cha's resignation over COVID crisis

An alternate on the United States women's gymnastics team has tested positive for COVID-19 in an Olympic training camp in Inzai city, taking the total number of cases involving the games to nearly 60.

Tokyo Olympics: US gymnast tested positive at training camp in Inzai city

The UK government has warned that there will be an increase in COVID-19 deaths in the coming weeks. This warning comes as England celebrated the lifting of nearly all COVID-19 restrictions after over a year.

UK Govt: Will see an increase in COVID-19 deaths in coming weeks

The healthcare system of Myanmar is nearing a total collapse as the country is reporting daily record-breaking numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths.

COVID-19 crisis worsens in Myanmar, record cases & deaths reported

The Pune-based scientist, Monali Rahalkar has tweeted screenshots of a mail trail from February 2020 which lists the name of scientists from around the world joining for a discussion on the SARS virus and include terms like missing link and natural evolutionary link.

COVID-19 origin probe: Indian scientist explains terms used in online discussion

By the thousands, they sleep in hallways, tents and cars, gasping for air as they wait for beds in overcrowded hospitals that may not have oxygen to give them. Others see hospitals as hopeless, even dangerous, and take their chances at home.

Wherever they lie, as COVID-19 steals their breath away, their families engage in a frantic, daily hunt for scarce supplies of life-giving oxygen.

Indonesia has become the new epicenter of the pandemic, surpassing India and Brazil to become the country with the world’s highest count of new infections. The surge is part of a wave across Southeast Asia, where vaccination rates are low but countries had, until recently, contained the virus relatively well​. Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand are also facing their largest outbreaks yet and have imposed new restrictions, including lockdowns and stay-at-home orders.

In Indonesia, cases and deaths have skyrocketed in the past month as the highly contagious delta variant sweeps through densely populated Java island, as well as Bali. In some regions, the coronavirus has pushed the medical system past its limits, although hospitals are taking emergency steps to expand capacity.

Bekasi Regional Public Hospital, where some COVID patients have waited days for treatment, has erected large tents on its grounds, with beds for up to 150 people. Nearby in Jakarta, the capital, a long line of people waited for hours outside a small dispensary, hoping to fill their portable tanks with oxygen.

Among them was Nyimas Siti Nadia, 28, who had been searching for oxygen for her aunt’s family, all sick with COVID.

“She is a doctor and she is afraid to go to a hospital because she knows the situation,” Nyimas said. “There are many instances where patients do not get beds or oxygen. If we go to the hospital, we have to bring our own oxygen.”

On Thursday, Indonesian authorities reported nearly 57,000 new cases, the highest daily total yet — seven times as many as a month earlier. On Friday, they reported a record 1,205 deaths, bringing the country’s official toll from the pandemic to more than 71,000.

But some health experts say those figures vastly understate the spread in Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most-populous nation, because testing has been limited. Dicky Budiman, an Indonesian public health researcher at Griffith University in Australia, estimates that the true number of cases is three to six times higher.

In India, where the delta variant was first identified, daily cases peaked at more than 414,000 in May, but they have since dropped to about 40,000.

Despite Indonesia’s mushrooming caseload, officials say they have the situation under control.

“If we talk about the worst-case scenario, 60,000 or slightly more, we are pretty OK,” said Luhut Pandjaitan, a senior minister assigned by President Joko Widodo to handle the crisis. “We are hoping that it will not reach 100,000, but even so, we are preparing now for if we ever get there.”

Many Indonesians, however, have been facing their worst-case scenarios for weeks.

Family members describe nightmare scenes of trying to get a hospital to admit their sick relatives. Some hospitals were accepting only patients who brought their own oxygen, they said. At others, patients waited wherever they could find space to lie down.

In Bekasi, a city of 2.5 million that adjoins Jakarta, patients have flocked to the regional public hospital. To accommodate the surge, 10 large tents were set up on the grounds, equipped with beds for as many as 150 people.

Lisa Wiliana’s husband had been in one of the tents since the previous day, waiting for space in a ward. After nine days of sickness, she said, his oxygen saturation level had dropped to 84, well below the range of 95-100 that is considered healthy. The hospital was giving him some oxygen, but she had to arrange to get more.

“We are waiting for an available room because it is full,” she said. “What else can we do? The important thing is to get the oxygen, because he already had trouble breathing. It was scary.”

Even being admitted does not make getting oxygen a certainty. At Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, in the city of Yogyakarta, 33 patients died this month after the central oxygen supply ran out. The staff switched to tanks donated by the police, but it was too late for many patients.

Overwhelmed hospitals have added thousands of beds, but on average, 10% of their health care workers are in isolation after exposure to the virus, said Dr. Lia G. Partakusuma, secretary-general of the Indonesian Hospital Association. Some hospitals are using five times as much liquid oxygen as normal, and distributors are having difficulty keeping up with the demand, she said.

“Some hospitals have said, ‘If you brought your own oxygen tank, please use it first because we have a limited oxygen supply,’” she said. “But it is not a requirement for them to bring their own oxygen.”

With hospitals so overcrowded, many people choose to stay home — and many die there. Lapor COVID, a nonprofit group that is tracking deaths from the disease, reports that at least 40 COVID patients a day are now dying at home.

The president has stopped short of a nationwide lockdown but ordered restrictions in Java and Bali, including closing places of worship, schools, shopping malls and sports facilities, reducing public-transit capacity and limiting restaurants to takeout. The restrictions are set to expire Tuesday, but officials are weighing whether to extend them.

Only about 15% of Indonesia’s 270 million people have received a dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and just 6% are fully inoculated. Indonesia has relied heavily on the vaccine made by Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese company, which has proved less effective than other shots. At least 20 Indonesian doctors who were fully vaccinated with Sinovac have died from the virus.

This past week, the United States donated 4.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Indonesia. Officials said the first priority would be to give booster shots to nearly 1.5 million health workers.

Budiman, the Indonesian public health researcher in Australia, predicted more than a year ago that Indonesia would become a pandemic epicenter because of its dense population and weak health care system. He has urged more testing, contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals.

Indonesia’s health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said Friday that the country had increased testing to about 230,000 people a day, from about 30,000 in December. His target is 400,000 a day.

But Budiman contends that testing is still woefully limited, noting that in recent days, the share of tests that came up positive had risen to more than 30%. Health experts say a high rate is a sign of too little testing.

“For more than a year, our test positivity rate has almost never been below 10%, which means we are missing many cases and we cannot identify the majority of infections and the clusters,” he said.

Outside the small CV Rintis Usaha Bersama oxygen shop in South Jakarta, more than 100 customers lined up in the street with their oxygen tanks and waited hours for the chance to refill them.

Alif Akhirul Ramadan, 27, said he was getting oxygen for his 77-year-old grandmother, who was being cared for by family members at home. He said that her condition had suddenly worsened and that her tank was running low.

“Now it has to be refilled,” said Alif, who has had COVID twice. “There is no backup at home. That is why we need to refill it quickly.”

By the thousands, they sleep in hallways, tents and cars, gasping for air as they wait for beds in overcrowded hospitals that may not have oxygen to give them. Others see hospitals as hopeless, even dangerous, and take their chances at home.

By the thousands, they sleep in hallways, tents and cars, gasping for air as they wait for beds in overcrowded hospitals that may not have oxygen to give them. Others see hospitals as hopeless, even dangerous, and take their chances at home. Wherever they lie, as COVID-19 steals their breath away, their families engage in a frantic, daily hunt for scarce supplies of life-giving oxygen. Indonesia has become the new epicenter of the pandemic, surpassing India and Brazil to become the country with the world’s highest count of new infections. The surge is part of a wave across Southeast Asia, where vaccination rates are low but countries had, until recently, contained the virus relatively well. Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand are also facing their largest outbreaks yet and have imposed new restrictions, including lockdowns and stay-at-home orders. In Indonesia, cases and deaths have skyrocketed in the past month as the highly contagious delta variant sweeps through densely populated Java island, as well as Bali. In some regions, the coronavirus has pushed the medical system past its limits, although hospitals are taking emergency steps to expand capacity. Bekasi Regional Public Hospital, where some COVID patients have waited days for treatment, has erected large tents on its grounds, with beds for up to 150 people. Nearby in Jakarta, the capital, a long line of people waited for hours outside a small dispensary, hoping to fill their portable tanks with oxygen. Among them was Nyimas Siti Nadia, 28, who had been searching for oxygen for her aunt’s family, all sick with COVID. “She is a doctor and she is afraid to go to a hospital because she knows the situation,” Nyimas said. “There are many instances where patients do not get beds or oxygen. If we go to the hospital, we have to bring our own oxygen.” On Thursday, Indonesian authorities reported nearly 57,000 new cases, the highest daily total yet — seven times as many as a month earlier. On Friday, they reported a record 1,205 deaths, bringing the country’s official toll from the pandemic to more than 71,000. But some health experts say those figures vastly understate the spread in Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most-populous nation, because testing has been limited. Dicky Budiman, an Indonesian public health researcher at Griffith University in Australia, estimates that the true number of cases is three to six times higher. In India, where the delta variant was first identified, daily cases peaked at more than 414,000 in May, but they have since dropped to about 40,000. Despite Indonesia’s mushrooming caseload, officials say they have the situation under control. “If we talk about the worst-case scenario, 60,000 or slightly more, we are pretty OK,” said Luhut Pandjaitan, a senior minister assigned by President Joko Widodo to handle the crisis. “We are hoping that it will not reach 100,000, but even so, we are preparing now for if we ever get there.” Many Indonesians, however, have been facing their worst-case scenarios for weeks. Family members describe nightmare scenes of trying to get a hospital to admit their sick relatives. Some hospitals were accepting only patients who brought their own oxygen, they said. At others, patients waited wherever they could find space to lie down. In Bekasi, a city of 2.5 million that adjoins Jakarta, patients have flocked to the regional public hospital. To accommodate the surge, 10 large tents were set up on the grounds, equipped with beds for as many as 150 people. Lisa Wiliana’s husband had been in one of the tents since the previous day, waiting for space in a ward. After nine days of sickness, she said, his oxygen saturation level had dropped to 84, well below the range of 95-100 that is considered healthy. The hospital was giving him some oxygen, but she had to arrange to get more. “We are waiting for an available room because it is full,” she said. “What else can we do? The important thing is to get the oxygen, because he already had trouble breathing. It was scary.” Even being admitted does not make getting oxygen a certainty. At Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, in the city of Yogyakarta, 33 patients died this month after the central oxygen supply ran out. The staff switched to tanks donated by the police, but it was too late for many patients. Overwhelmed hospitals have added thousands of beds, but on average, 10% of their health care workers are in isolation after exposure to the virus, said Dr. Lia G. Partakusuma, secretary-general of the Indonesian Hospital Association. Some hospitals are using five times as much liquid oxygen as normal, and distributors are having difficulty keeping up with the demand, she said. “Some hospitals have said, ‘If you brought your own oxygen tank, please use it first because we have a limited oxygen supply,’” she said. “But it is not a requirement for them to bring their own oxygen.” With hospitals so overcrowded, many people choose to stay home — and many die there. Lapor COVID, a nonprofit group that is tracking deaths from the disease, reports that at least 40 COVID patients a day are now dying at home. The president has stopped short of a nationwide lockdown but ordered restrictions in Java and Bali, including closing places of worship, schools, shopping malls and sports facilities, reducing public-transit capacity and limiting restaurants to takeout. The restrictions are set to expire Tuesday, but officials are weighing whether to extend them. Only about 15% of Indonesia’s 270 million people have received a dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and just 6% are fully inoculated. Indonesia has relied heavily on the vaccine made by Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese company, which has proved less effective than other shots. At least 20 Indonesian doctors who were fully vaccinated with Sinovac have died from the virus. This past week, the United States donated 4.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Indonesia. Officials said the first priority would be to give booster shots to nearly 1.5 million health workers. Budiman, the Indonesian public health researcher in Australia, predicted more than a year ago that Indonesia would become a pandemic epicenter because of its dense population and weak health care system. He has urged more testing, contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals. Indonesia’s health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said Friday that the country had increased testing to about 230,000 people a day, from about 30,000 in December. His target is 400,000 a day. But Budiman contends that testing is still woefully limited, noting that in recent days, the share of tests that came up positive had risen to more than 30%. Health experts say a high rate is a sign of too little testing. “For more than a year, our test positivity rate has almost never been below 10%, which means we are missing many cases and we cannot identify the majority of infections and the clusters,” he said. Outside the small CV Rintis Usaha Bersama oxygen shop in South Jakarta, more than 100 customers lined up in the street with their oxygen tanks and waited hours for the chance to refill them. Alif Akhirul Ramadan, 27, said he was getting oxygen for his 77-year-old grandmother, who was being cared for by family members at home. He said that her condition had suddenly worsened and that her tank was running low. “Now it has to be refilled,” said Alif, who has had COVID twice. “There is no backup at home. That is why we need to refill it quickly.”

The pandemic has a new epicenter: Indonesia

Lockdown restrictions ease in England after more than a year but with cases surging UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the public to remain cautious. Johnson himself remains in isolation after the British Health Minister contracted the virus.

England comes out of COVID-19 lockdown, PM Johnson urges caution

Many Londoners appeared to be apprehensive on Monday about the Boris Johnson administration's decision of lifting Covid restrictions across England.

Britain has one of the world's highest death tolls from Covid. The country is facing a new wave of cases. However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pushing ahead with lifting of restrictions.

After rushing to vaccinate its population faster than almost all other European countries, the government is betting that England can reopen as fully vaccinated people are less likely to get seriously ill with COVID-19.

Reuters quoted some of the Londoners who expressed apprehension about lifting of restrictions.

Retiree Wendy Bryant, 66, told Reuters she thought the lifting of rules, including law-mandated mask-wearing, happened too quickly and that Johnson "bowed to pressure from large businesses".

Surveyor Jordan Buche, 42, said he was "caught in two minds" and felt nervous about the restrictions coming to an end. He was also unsure about whether he should continue to wear a mask in shops and on public transport.

British society appears split on the restrictions: some want tough rules to continue as they fear the virus will keep killing people, but others have chafed at the most onerous restrictions in peacetime history.

Business owners - including nightclubs, travel companies and the hospitality industry - have been desperate to reopen the economy while many students, young people and parents have disregarded many of the most onerous rules.

(With inputs from agencies)

Many Londoners appeared to be apprehensive on Monday about the Boris Johnson administration's decision of lifting Covid restrictions across England. Britain has one of the world's highest death tolls from Covid.

Many Londoners appeared to be apprehensive on Monday about the Boris Johnson administration's decision of lifting Covid restrictions across England. Britain has one of the world's highest death tolls from Covid. The country is facing a new wave of cases. However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pushing ahead with lifting of restrictions. After rushing to vaccinate its population faster than almost all other European countries, the government is betting that England can reopen as fully vaccinated people are less likely to get seriously ill with COVID-19. Reuters quoted some of the Londoners who expressed apprehension about lifting of restrictions. Retiree Wendy Bryant, 66, told Reuters she thought the lifting of rules, including law-mandated mask-wearing, happened too quickly and that Johnson "bowed to pressure from large businesses". Surveyor Jordan Buche, 42, said he was "caught in two minds" and felt nervous about the restrictions coming to an end. He was also unsure about whether he should continue to wear a mask in shops and on public transport. British society appears split on the restrictions: some want tough rules to continue as they fear the virus will keep killing people, but others have chafed at the most onerous restrictions in peacetime history. Business owners - including nightclubs, travel companies and the hospitality industry - have been desperate to reopen the economy while many students, young people and parents have disregarded many of the most onerous rules. (With inputs from agencies)

Nervous Londoners think it's 'too early' to end Covid restrictions

Thai protesters call for PM to resign over mismanagement of COVID-19 pandemic

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The pandemic has a new epicenter: Indonesia

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Nervous Londoners think it's 'too early' to end Covid restrictions

Thai protesters call for PM to resign over mismanagement of COVID-19 pandemic