A Swedish start-up company called Epicentre has invented a 'rice-sized' microchip that can be implanted under your skin.

The multi-functional chip stores COVID-19 vaccination records along with passport data and can also be used for making contactless payments.

Approximately 6,000 people living in Sweden have got the chip injected into their hands.

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The chip uses the near-field communication (NFC) protocol and transmits data through electromagnetic waves.

''Implants are very versatile technology that can be used for many different things, and right now it is very convenient to have COVID passport always accessible on your implant,'' said Hannes Sjöblad, chief distribution officer of Epicentre.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-acted-too-slowly-as-pandemic-swept-country-finds-probe-425025">Also read |&nbsp;Sweden acted too slowly as pandemic swept country, finds probe</a>

''In case your phone runs out of battery, it's always accessible to you. So of course, that's how we use this technology today, next year we are going to use it for something else,'' said Sjoblad.

According to the company's co-founder and CEO Patrick Mesterton, ''The biggest benefit I think is convenience.''

''It basically replaces a lot of things you have, other communication devices, whether it be credit cards or keys.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-has-sweden-become-the-silicon-valley-of-europe-despite-having-one-of-the-highest-tax-rates-in-the-world-404603">Also read |&nbsp;How has Sweden become the Silicon Valley of Europe despite having one of the highest tax rates in the world?</a>

Sweden is currently ratcheting up restrictions aimed at fighting a surge in new infections of the COVID-19 virus.

The country has urged all employees to work from home if possible and imposed tighter rules for social distancing.

The new rules also require seated-only service at bars and restaurants as well as at larger public events.

"We must now take joint responsibility and we need to adapt to the new reality," Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told a news conference.

"I understand that many are tired of this - so am I - but we now have a new virus variant, which means we are in a new situation."

The country of 10.3 million people is still seeing some of the lowest levels of new cases in Europe, according to the WHO, but it has seen an increase of 37 percent in the 14-day incidence rate, compared to the preceding period.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Swedish start-up company called Epicentre has invented a 'rice-sized' microchip that can be implanted under your skin. The multi-functional chip stores COVID-19 vaccination records along with passport data and can also be used for making contactless payments.

A Swedish start-up company called Epicentre has invented a 'rice-sized' microchip that can be implanted under your skin. The multi-functional chip stores COVID-19 vaccination records along with passport data and can also be used for making contactless payments. Approximately 6,000 people living in Sweden have got the chip injected into their hands. The chip uses the near-field communication (NFC) protocol and transmits data through electromagnetic waves. ''Implants are very versatile technology that can be used for many different things, and right now it is very convenient to have COVID passport always accessible on your implant,'' said Hannes Sjöblad, chief distribution officer of Epicentre. Also read | Sweden acted too slowly as pandemic swept country, finds probe ''In case your phone runs out of battery, it's always accessible to you. So of course, that's how we use this technology today, next year we are going to use it for something else,'' said Sjoblad. According to the company's co-founder and CEO Patrick Mesterton, ''The biggest benefit I think is convenience.'' ''It basically replaces a lot of things you have, other communication devices, whether it be credit cards or keys.'' Also read | How has Sweden become the Silicon Valley of Europe despite having one of the highest tax rates in the world? Sweden is currently ratcheting up restrictions aimed at fighting a surge in new infections of the COVID-19 virus. The country has urged all employees to work from home if possible and imposed tighter rules for social distancing. The new rules also require seated-only service at bars and restaurants as well as at larger public events. "We must now take joint responsibility and we need to adapt to the new reality," Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told a news conference. "I understand that many are tired of this - so am I - but we now have a new virus variant, which means we are in a new situation." The country of 10.3 million people is still seeing some of the lowest levels of new cases in Europe, according to the WHO, but it has seen an increase of 37 percent in the 14-day incidence rate, compared to the preceding period. (With inputs from agencies)

Vaccine passport in your hands, literally: This rice-sized chip with Covid data can be implanted into body

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday, the second such declaration from the country at the epicentre of the global&nbsp;outbreak of the disease.

The proclamation was made because the person with Guinea&#39;s last confirmed case tested negative for the second time more than 42 days ago.

Guinea will now enter a 90-day period of heightened surveillance to make sure of the identification of any new cases before they spread to others.

In the most recent outbreak, seven confirmed and three possible cases of the virus surfaced between March 17 and April 6. At least five people died.

Another three cases were recorded in neighbouring Liberia in a woman who had travelled from Guinea and her two children.

The flare-up seems to have occurred after a person came into contact with infected body fluid from an Ebola survivor, WHO said. Since the virus can remain active in certain body fluids for months, the WHO cautions the risk of outbreaks remain.

However, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday that the organisation was confident that affected countries were prepared and could deal with flare-ups efficiently.

Guinea is believed to be where the world&#39;s worst Ebola outbreak occurred, spanning three countries primarily and killing 11,310 people. It first declared itself free of transmission in December.

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said, the second such declaration from the country at the global epicentre of the disease.

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday, the second such declaration from the country at the epicentre of the global outbreak of the disease. The proclamation was made because the person with Guinea's last confirmed case tested negative for the second time more than 42 days ago. Guinea will now enter a 90-day period of heightened surveillance to make sure of the identification of any new cases before they spread to others. In the most recent outbreak, seven confirmed and three possible cases of the virus surfaced between March 17 and April 6. At least five people died. Another three cases were recorded in neighbouring Liberia in a woman who had travelled from Guinea and her two children. The flare-up seems to have occurred after a person came into contact with infected body fluid from an Ebola survivor, WHO said. Since the virus can remain active in certain body fluids for months, the WHO cautions the risk of outbreaks remain. However, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday that the organisation was confident that affected countries were prepared and could deal with flare-ups efficiently. Guinea is believed to be where the world's worst Ebola outbreak occurred, spanning three countries primarily and killing 11,310 people. It first declared itself free of transmission in December.

Guinea declared free of active Ebola transmission - WHO

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