Eating two servings of avocados a week was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a recent study.

The study was published in 'Journal of the American Heart Association'.

Avocados contain dietary fibre, unsaturated fats especially monounsaturated fat (healthy fats) and other favourable components that have been associated with good cardiovascular health. Clinical trials have previously found avocados have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors including high cholesterol.

Researchers have believed this is the first, large, prospective study to support the positive association between higher avocado consumption and lower cardiovascular events, such as coronary heart disease and stroke.

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"Our study provides further evidence that the intake of plant-sourced unsaturated fats can improve diet quality and is an important component in cardiovascular disease prevention," said Lorena S. Pacheco, PhD, M.P.H., R.D.N., lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research fellow in the nutrition department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

"These are particularly notable findings since the consumption of avocados has risen steeply in the U.S. in the last 20 years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture," she added.

For 30 years, researchers followed more than 68,780 women (ages 30 to 55 years) from the Nurses 'Health Study and more than 41,700 men (ages 40 to 75 years) from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. All study participants were free of cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke at the start of the study and living in the United States.

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Researchers documented 9,185 coronary heart disease events and 5,290 strokes during more than 30 years of follow-up. Researchers assessed participants'&nbsp;diet using food frequency questionnaires given at the beginning of the study and then every four years. They calculated avocado intake from a questionnaire item that asked about the amount consumed and frequency. One serving equalled half of an avocado or a half cup of avocado.

The analysis found:

1. After considering a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors and overall diet, study participants who ate at least two servings of avocado each week had a 16 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease, compared to those who never or rarely ate avocados.

2. Based on statistical modelling, replacing half a serving daily of margarine, butter, egg, yoghurt, cheese or processed meats such as bacon with the same amount of avocado was associated with a 16 per cent to 22 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease events.

3. Substituting half a serving a day of avocado for the equivalent amount of olive oil, nuts and other plant oils showed no additional benefit.

4. No significant associations were noted in relation to stroke risk and how much avocado was eaten.

"The study's results have provided additional guidance for health care professionals to share. Offering the suggestion to replace certain spreads and saturated fat-containing foods, such as cheese and processed meats, with avocado is something physicians and other health care practitioners such as registered dietitians can do when they meet with patients, especially since avocado is a well-accepted food," Pacheco said.

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"These findings are significant because a healthy dietary pattern is a cornerstone for cardiovascular health, however, it can be difficult for many Americans to achieve and adhere to healthy eating patterns," said Cheryl Anderson, PhD, M.P.H., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association's Council on Epidemiology and Prevention.

"We desperately need strategies to improve intake of AHA-recommended healthy diets -- such as the Mediterranean diet -- that is rich in vegetables and fruits," said Anderson, who is a professor and dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego.

"Although no one food is the solution to routinely eating a healthy diet, this study is evidence that avocados have possible health benefits. This is promising because it is a food item that is popular, accessible, desirable and easy to include in meals eaten by many Americans at home and in restaurants," Cheryl concluded.

Eating two servings of avocados a week was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a recent study. The study was published in 'Journal of the American Heart Association'.

Eating two servings of avocados a week was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a recent study. The study was published in 'Journal of the American Heart Association'. Avocados contain dietary fibre, unsaturated fats especially monounsaturated fat (healthy fats) and other favourable components that have been associated with good cardiovascular health. Clinical trials have previously found avocados have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors including high cholesterol. Researchers have believed this is the first, large, prospective study to support the positive association between higher avocado consumption and lower cardiovascular events, such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Also read | Staying active, travelling can help people cope with anxiety, depression, says study "Our study provides further evidence that the intake of plant-sourced unsaturated fats can improve diet quality and is an important component in cardiovascular disease prevention," said Lorena S. Pacheco, PhD, M.P.H., R.D.N., lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research fellow in the nutrition department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. "These are particularly notable findings since the consumption of avocados has risen steeply in the U.S. in the last 20 years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture," she added. For 30 years, researchers followed more than 68,780 women (ages 30 to 55 years) from the Nurses 'Health Study and more than 41,700 men (ages 40 to 75 years) from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. All study participants were free of cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke at the start of the study and living in the United States. Watch | Hidden immunity: Study gives clues on how some escape Covid-19 infection Researchers documented 9,185 coronary heart disease events and 5,290 strokes during more than 30 years of follow-up. Researchers assessed participants' diet using food frequency questionnaires given at the beginning of the study and then every four years. They calculated avocado intake from a questionnaire item that asked about the amount consumed and frequency. One serving equalled half of an avocado or a half cup of avocado. The analysis found: 1. After considering a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors and overall diet, study participants who ate at least two servings of avocado each week had a 16 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease, compared to those who never or rarely ate avocados. 2. Based on statistical modelling, replacing half a serving daily of margarine, butter, egg, yoghurt, cheese or processed meats such as bacon with the same amount of avocado was associated with a 16 per cent to 22 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease events. 3. Substituting half a serving a day of avocado for the equivalent amount of olive oil, nuts and other plant oils showed no additional benefit. 4. No significant associations were noted in relation to stroke risk and how much avocado was eaten. "The study's results have provided additional guidance for health care professionals to share. Offering the suggestion to replace certain spreads and saturated fat-containing foods, such as cheese and processed meats, with avocado is something physicians and other health care practitioners such as registered dietitians can do when they meet with patients, especially since avocado is a well-accepted food," Pacheco said. Also read | 'Probably just hormones': Women's illnesses going undiagnosed "These findings are significant because a healthy dietary pattern is a cornerstone for cardiovascular health, however, it can be difficult for many Americans to achieve and adhere to healthy eating patterns," said Cheryl Anderson, PhD, M.P.H., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association's Council on Epidemiology and Prevention. "We desperately need strategies to improve intake of AHA-recommended healthy diets -- such as the Mediterranean diet -- that is rich in vegetables and fruits," said Anderson, who is a professor and dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego. "Although no one food is the solution to routinely eating a healthy diet, this study is evidence that avocados have possible health benefits. This is promising because it is a food item that is popular, accessible, desirable and easy to include in meals eaten by many Americans at home and in restaurants," Cheryl concluded.

Avocados may lower risk of cardiovascular disease, study finds

The world's largest Muslim-majority nation of&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;welcomed the start of the holy fasting month of&nbsp;Ramadan&nbsp;with a&nbsp;mass&nbsp;prayer&nbsp;at Jakarta's grand mosque on Saturday, with plateauing coronavirus cases allowing for&nbsp;eased restrictions this year.

Thousands gathered after dusk at Istiqlal mosque in the&nbsp;Indonesian capital to join the Tarawih&nbsp;prayer, special&nbsp;prayers performed only during the month of&nbsp;Ramadan, donning masks and using check-in apps to take part in the event.

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For the past two years&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;has grappled with one of the highest rates of&nbsp;COVID-19 in Asia, but this&nbsp;Ramadan, traditionally a time of community, reflection and&nbsp;prayer, cases have&nbsp;eased enough to allow for&nbsp;mass&nbsp;gatherings.

"I feel grateful that we are finally able to gather for the Tarawih&nbsp;prayer, and there are no strict restrictions this time like before," said Tri Haryono, 28.

"I'm very grateful that we can finally pray here together."

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Amid the worst spikes in the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;Indonesian Muslims have been prohibited from praying at the mosque, and joining the annual mudik or exodus tradition, when millions travel to visit their families across the sprawling archipelago.

President Joko Widodo announced last week that mudik would be permitted this year after pandemic-related travel bans have prevented the practise for the past two years.

"The improving covid&nbsp;situation has brought optimism as the&nbsp;Ramadan&nbsp;holy month is upon us," he told a news conference.

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The start of&nbsp;Ramadan, during which observers abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset, can fall on different dates due to differences in sightings of the new moon.

This year fasting month began earlier in much of the Middle East and South Asia than in Southeast Asia, which started fasting on Sunday.

The world's largest Muslim-majority nation of Indonesia welcomed the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan with a mass prayer at Jakarta's grand mosque on Saturday, with plateauing coronavirus cases allowing for eased restrictions this year.

The world's largest Muslim-majority nation of Indonesia welcomed the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan with a mass prayer at Jakarta's grand mosque on Saturday, with plateauing coronavirus cases allowing for eased restrictions this year. Thousands gathered after dusk at Istiqlal mosque in the Indonesian capital to join the Tarawih prayer, special prayers performed only during the month of Ramadan, donning masks and using check-in apps to take part in the event. Also read | Ukraine conflict creates 'noodle crisis' in Indonesia For the past two years Indonesia has grappled with one of the highest rates of COVID-19 in Asia, but this Ramadan, traditionally a time of community, reflection and prayer, cases have eased enough to allow for mass gatherings. "I feel grateful that we are finally able to gather for the Tarawih prayer, and there are no strict restrictions this time like before," said Tri Haryono, 28. "I'm very grateful that we can finally pray here together." Watch | A story of hope: Rare Sumatran rhino born in Indonesia Amid the worst spikes in the coronavirus pandemic, Indonesian Muslims have been prohibited from praying at the mosque, and joining the annual mudik or exodus tradition, when millions travel to visit their families across the sprawling archipelago. President Joko Widodo announced last week that mudik would be permitted this year after pandemic-related travel bans have prevented the practise for the past two years. "The improving covid situation has brought optimism as the Ramadan holy month is upon us," he told a news conference. Also read | Indonesia’s cooking oil shortage turns deadly, two killed after queuing for liquid gold The start of Ramadan, during which observers abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset, can fall on different dates due to differences in sightings of the new moon. This year fasting month began earlier in much of the Middle East and South Asia than in Southeast Asia, which started fasting on Sunday.

Indonesia greets Ramadan with mass prayer as Covid curbs ease

Do you know someone who has never been infected with coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic? How did some health professionals avoid falling ill despite daily contact with Covid-19 patients? A study by Sweden's University of Gothenburg may provide some clues.

Hidden immunity: Study gives clues on how some escape Covid-19 infection

Many patients have died recently at a prominent Shanghai elderly-care hospital which is currently facing a COVID-19 outbreak, according to the persons acquainted with the situation, said a report in The Wall Street Journal.

This indicates that the new wave of illness is striking China’s financial capital harder than what the authorities have officially revealed.

Since the city’s Covid cases began to rise in March, the Shanghai government has not yet reported any Covid-related deaths or outbreaks in its hundreds of elderly-care centres.&nbsp;

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The replacement of six orderlies at the city’s Donghai Elderly Care Hospital told The Wall Street journal that they brought in previous caretakers after they were sent away to quarantine, that they had seen or heard of the recent removal of many bodies from the facility, where they said at least 100 patients had tested positive for Covid.

It could not be determined whether Covid infections or other chronic illnesses were the cause for deaths. The hospital does not publicise its data on deaths, making it difficult to compare the current rate of deaths to the previous period. Several relatives of the infected patients said that their loved ones were left unattended after the caretakers were sent for the quarantine.

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Shanghai’s health officials haven’t noticed the rapid spread of the illness at the hospital. On March 16 and 17, the government reported two new Covid cases at an address matching that of Donghai Hospital. In the following days, the government listed the address as a location where the infections were earlier reported but did not say how many cases were recorded there.

Watch |&nbsp;Parts of Shanghai under lockdown: 6,000 new cases recorded on Tuesday

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Many patients have died recently at a prominent Shanghai elderly-care hospital which is currently facing a COVID-19 outbreak, according to the persons acquainted with the situation, said a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Many patients have died recently at a prominent Shanghai elderly-care hospital which is currently facing a COVID-19 outbreak, according to the persons acquainted with the situation, said a report in The Wall Street Journal. This indicates that the new wave of illness is striking China’s financial capital harder than what the authorities have officially revealed. Since the city’s Covid cases began to rise in March, the Shanghai government has not yet reported any Covid-related deaths or outbreaks in its hundreds of elderly-care centres. Also read | How does COVID-19 actually infect humans? World's first human challenge study reveals The replacement of six orderlies at the city’s Donghai Elderly Care Hospital told The Wall Street journal that they brought in previous caretakers after they were sent away to quarantine, that they had seen or heard of the recent removal of many bodies from the facility, where they said at least 100 patients had tested positive for Covid. It could not be determined whether Covid infections or other chronic illnesses were the cause for deaths. The hospital does not publicise its data on deaths, making it difficult to compare the current rate of deaths to the previous period. Several relatives of the infected patients said that their loved ones were left unattended after the caretakers were sent for the quarantine. Also read | Shanghai enters 'static management' amid lockdown as COVID-19 cases surge Shanghai’s health officials haven’t noticed the rapid spread of the illness at the hospital. On March 16 and 17, the government reported two new Covid cases at an address matching that of Donghai Hospital. In the following days, the government listed the address as a location where the infections were earlier reported but did not say how many cases were recorded there. Watch | Parts of Shanghai under lockdown: 6,000 new cases recorded on Tuesday

Covid cases unreported, patients unattended, deaths plague Shanghai’s hospital: Reports

A 33-year-old Singapore doctor, linked to an anti-vaccination group, has been suspended after being accused of injecting patients with saline solution instead of a COVID-19 vaccine, and uploading false vaccination statuses to the Ministry of Health's National Immunisation Registry, local media reported.

Dr Jipson Quah's registration as a medical practitioner was suspended by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) from March 23 for 18 months, or until the disciplinary proceedings are concluded, whichever is sooner, the council said on Monday.

Quah, a member of the anti-coronavirus vaccination Healing the Divide, has been charged in court with conspiring to defraud Ministry of Health (MOH) by submitting false vaccination data.

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SMC said on Monday that it received a complaint from MOH on January 23, which was referred to the Interim Orders Committee. The committee ruled that Quah's suspension was "necessary for the protection of members of the public and in the public interest".

Among other things, it was alleged that Quah had administered saline solution instead of a COVID-19 vaccine to patients and that he uploaded false vaccination statuses to the MOH's National Immunisation Registry to record that these patients have been vaccinated against the disease.

He allegedly "grossly overcharged" for giving these patients saline solution instead of the vaccine, the Channel News Asia reported , citing the council.

Quah is also accused of being involved in the creation of a fake patient account and uploading a false COVID-19 antigen rapid test (ART) result to MOH's portal for an unvaccinated patient.

He allegedly issued the patient with a letter so the patient could be exempted from vaccination-differentiated safe management measures, said SMC.

The doctor is also accused of facilitating the uploading of pre-event testing (PET) results, obtained through remote PET that was "not conducted in a manner in accordance" with the prevailing regulations, added the council.

Dr Quah's actions carry public health consequences and show his failure to maintain the highest standards of moral integrity and intellectual honesty and to protect and promote the health of individuals and the community, said SMC.

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Investigations are ongoing, said the council, adding that an independent complaints committee has been appointed to look into the case.

Quah's assistant, Thomas Chua Cheng Soon, has also been charged with conspiring to defraud MOH.

Separately, Healing the Divide founder Iris Koh faces two charges one for conspiring with Quah and another for obstructing a police inspector by refusing to sign and tearing up a copy of her statement.

Quah was arrested on January 21 along with his assistant, Thomas Chua, 40, and Iris Koh.

He was charged in court, before being granted bail of SGD20,000 on January 31.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that Koh, 46, had allegedly referred clients to Quah and Chua.

According to court documents, Quah and Chua are said to have falsely represented to MOH that a woman named Mehrajunnisha was vaccinated with the Sinopharm vaccine, although she was not.

Four clinics owned or managed by Quah were issued notices of suspension and had their approvals to conduct rapid tests for COVID-19 revoked, according to a report by The Straits Times.

Following his arrest, Quah was also suspended from his part-time position as a laboratory director at the clinical diagnostics lab of Diagnostics Development Hub, which is funded by the National Research Foundation and led by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

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He was also placed on leave by Thermo Fisher Scientific, which owns biomedical company PPD Global Central Lab, where Quah was listed as a director, reported The Straits Times.

Meanwhile, Singapore reported 4,925 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, comprising 112 imported infections or those arriving here from abroad.

There were four fatalities, taking the death toll from coronavirus complications to 1,254.

Singapore has recorded 10,76,930 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.

Watch |&nbsp;India slams Singapore PM Loong after he targets Indian lawmakers

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A 33-year-old Singapore doctor, linked to an anti-vaccination group, has been suspended after being accused of injecting patients with saline solution instead of a COVID-19 vaccine, and uploading false vaccination statuses to the Ministry of Health's National Immunisation Registry, local media reported.

A 33-year-old Singapore doctor, linked to an anti-vaccination group, has been suspended after being accused of injecting patients with saline solution instead of a COVID-19 vaccine, and uploading false vaccination statuses to the Ministry of Health's National Immunisation Registry, local media reported. Dr Jipson Quah's registration as a medical practitioner was suspended by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) from March 23 for 18 months, or until the disciplinary proceedings are concluded, whichever is sooner, the council said on Monday. Quah, a member of the anti-coronavirus vaccination Healing the Divide, has been charged in court with conspiring to defraud Ministry of Health (MOH) by submitting false vaccination data. Also read | Singapore to further relax COVID-19 restrictions as cases decline, says PM SMC said on Monday that it received a complaint from MOH on January 23, which was referred to the Interim Orders Committee. The committee ruled that Quah's suspension was "necessary for the protection of members of the public and in the public interest". Among other things, it was alleged that Quah had administered saline solution instead of a COVID-19 vaccine to patients and that he uploaded false vaccination statuses to the MOH's National Immunisation Registry to record that these patients have been vaccinated against the disease. He allegedly "grossly overcharged" for giving these patients saline solution instead of the vaccine, the Channel News Asia reported , citing the council. Quah is also accused of being involved in the creation of a fake patient account and uploading a false COVID-19 antigen rapid test (ART) result to MOH's portal for an unvaccinated patient. He allegedly issued the patient with a letter so the patient could be exempted from vaccination-differentiated safe management measures, said SMC. The doctor is also accused of facilitating the uploading of pre-event testing (PET) results, obtained through remote PET that was "not conducted in a manner in accordance" with the prevailing regulations, added the council. Dr Quah's actions carry public health consequences and show his failure to maintain the highest standards of moral integrity and intellectual honesty and to protect and promote the health of individuals and the community, said SMC. Also read | Watch: Otters get police escort in Singapore to cross road safely Investigations are ongoing, said the council, adding that an independent complaints committee has been appointed to look into the case. Quah's assistant, Thomas Chua Cheng Soon, has also been charged with conspiring to defraud MOH. Separately, Healing the Divide founder Iris Koh faces two charges one for conspiring with Quah and another for obstructing a police inspector by refusing to sign and tearing up a copy of her statement. Quah was arrested on January 21 along with his assistant, Thomas Chua, 40, and Iris Koh. He was charged in court, before being granted bail of SGD20,000 on January 31. Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that Koh, 46, had allegedly referred clients to Quah and Chua. According to court documents, Quah and Chua are said to have falsely represented to MOH that a woman named Mehrajunnisha was vaccinated with the Sinopharm vaccine, although she was not. Four clinics owned or managed by Quah were issued notices of suspension and had their approvals to conduct rapid tests for COVID-19 revoked, according to a report by The Straits Times. Following his arrest, Quah was also suspended from his part-time position as a laboratory director at the clinical diagnostics lab of Diagnostics Development Hub, which is funded by the National Research Foundation and led by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research. Also read | Singapore planning to further ease COVID-19 restrictions, simplify rules He was also placed on leave by Thermo Fisher Scientific, which owns biomedical company PPD Global Central Lab, where Quah was listed as a director, reported The Straits Times. Meanwhile, Singapore reported 4,925 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, comprising 112 imported infections or those arriving here from abroad. There were four fatalities, taking the death toll from coronavirus complications to 1,254. Singapore has recorded 10,76,930 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Watch | India slams Singapore PM Loong after he targets Indian lawmakers

Singapore suspends doctor for injecting patients with saline solutions in place of Covid vaccine

Shanghai&nbsp;recorded a steep climb in&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;cases&nbsp;Tuesday as spreading&nbsp;anxiety&nbsp;in the Chinese city of about 25 million prompted panic-buying at supermarkets.

Millions endured a second day of lockdown after authorities effectively split the country's biggest urban area in two,&nbsp;with residents of the city's eastern half confined to their homes for four days and subjected to mandatory testing.&nbsp;

China reported 6,886 domestic Covid&nbsp;cases&nbsp;nationwide on Tuesday, with more than 4,400 of them detected in&nbsp;Shanghai, now the centre of the country's worst&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;outbreak since the early days of the pandemic.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shanghai-lockdown-begins-as-authorities-start-mass-testing-466486">Shanghai lockdown begins as authorities start mass testing</a>

Images showed some supermarket&nbsp;shelves&nbsp;in the city emptied of all goods.

"After being unable to grab any groceries this morning, I went back to sleep, and all I dreamt about was buying food at the supermarket," one user wrote on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform.

"I'd never have thought that society today would be worried over buying groceries."

In a bid to keep&nbsp;Shanghai's economy running, authorities have avoided the hard lockdowns regularly deployed in other Chinese cities, instead opting for rolling, localised restrictions.

The area locked down on Monday is the sprawling eastern district known as Pudong, which includes the main international airport and glittering financial centre.

The lockdown will last until Friday, then switch to the city's more populated western Puxi section, home to the historic Bund riverfront.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-spike-in-covid-cases-shanghai-wont-go-for-lockdown-says-official-465650">Despite spike in Covid cases, Shanghai won't go for lockdown, says official</a>

The city's airports, railway stations and international shipping ports remain operational, while key manufacturers are allowed to resume production after a brief halt, state media reported.

China has largely kept virus outbreaks under control over the past two years through strict zero-tolerance measures including mass lockdowns of cities and provinces for even small numbers of&nbsp;cases.

But Omicron has proven harder to stamp out.

At a press briefing on Monday, health expert Wu Fan said it was "necessary to take more resolute measures" to eliminate community transmission.

Watch |&nbsp;Shanghai tightens COVID lockdown: Curbs imposed on highway traffic

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Shanghai recorded a steep climb in Covid-19 cases Tuesday as spreading anxiety in the Chinese city of about 25 million prompted panic-buying at supermarkets. Millions endured a second day of lockdown after authorities effectively split the country's biggest urban area in two, with residents of the city's eastern half confined to their homes for four days and subjected to mandatory testing.

Shanghai recorded a steep climb in Covid-19 cases Tuesday as spreading anxiety in the Chinese city of about 25 million prompted panic-buying at supermarkets. Millions endured a second day of lockdown after authorities effectively split the country's biggest urban area in two, with residents of the city's eastern half confined to their homes for four days and subjected to mandatory testing. China reported 6,886 domestic Covid cases nationwide on Tuesday, with more than 4,400 of them detected in Shanghai, now the centre of the country's worst Covid-19 outbreak since the early days of the pandemic. Also read | Shanghai lockdown begins as authorities start mass testing Images showed some supermarket shelves in the city emptied of all goods. "After being unable to grab any groceries this morning, I went back to sleep, and all I dreamt about was buying food at the supermarket," one user wrote on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform. "I'd never have thought that society today would be worried over buying groceries." In a bid to keep Shanghai's economy running, authorities have avoided the hard lockdowns regularly deployed in other Chinese cities, instead opting for rolling, localised restrictions. The area locked down on Monday is the sprawling eastern district known as Pudong, which includes the main international airport and glittering financial centre. The lockdown will last until Friday, then switch to the city's more populated western Puxi section, home to the historic Bund riverfront. Also read | Despite spike in Covid cases, Shanghai won't go for lockdown, says official The city's airports, railway stations and international shipping ports remain operational, while key manufacturers are allowed to resume production after a brief halt, state media reported. China has largely kept virus outbreaks under control over the past two years through strict zero-tolerance measures including mass lockdowns of cities and provinces for even small numbers of cases. But Omicron has proven harder to stamp out. At a press briefing on Monday, health expert Wu Fan said it was "necessary to take more resolute measures" to eliminate community transmission. Watch | Shanghai tightens COVID lockdown: Curbs imposed on highway traffic

Empty shelves and anxiety as Shanghai COVID-19 cases surge

Brazilian President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;was admitted to a military hospital in Brasilia Monday to undergo tests&nbsp;after&nbsp;feeling&nbsp;unwell, local&nbsp;press&nbsp;reported.

Bolsonaro, 67, who was stabbed in the abdomen during the 2018 presidential campaign leaving him with repeat health problems, was absent from an evening event organized by the Republican Party which he had been slated to attend.

"I'm sure the president is fine, it's just some extra exams he's doing, that's why he's not here," party chairman Marcos Pereira said.

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First Lady Michelle&nbsp;Bolsonaro, who attended the event, said her husband "is fine," and Minister of Communication Fabio Faria reported that the president simply felt "discomfort," according to the G1 news site.

Bolsonaro&nbsp;will remain overnight in the hospital, the publication said.

AFP contacted the presidential&nbsp;press&nbsp;service but did not immediately receive a response.&nbsp;

Culture Secretary Mario Frias meanwhile wrote on Twitter that he was "praying for the president."

Health problems&nbsp;

In January,&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;was&nbsp;hospitalized&nbsp;for two days in Sao Paulo with a partially blocked intestine.&nbsp;

The president, in power since 2019, was also admitted to hospital in mid-July with the same problem, staying for four days although he did not undergo surgery.

In September 2018, a month before the first round of&nbsp;Brazil's presidential election, an attacker stabbed&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;in the abdomen at a campaign rally in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, puncturing his intestine multiple times.

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Bolsonaro&nbsp;lost some 40 percent of his blood and underwent emergency surgery in the near-fatal incident, which was carried out by a man later declared mentally unfit to stand trial.

Due to the stab wound, the far-right leader has undergone at least four surgeries, including the placement and subsequent removal of a colostomy bag, which made him more prone to intestinal disorders.

He has also undergone other unrelated procedures during his presidency, including surgery to remove a kidney stone.

Bolsonaro, a Covid-19 skeptic who campaigned against quarantine measures because he believed them too damaging to the economy and who reports that he is not vaccinated, contracted the virus in July 2020, coming down with mild symptoms.

The president is aiming for reelection next October, when he will most likely face off against leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro&nbsp;would lose the elections in the second round with 34 percent of the vote against 55 percent for Lula, according to a survey published last week by the consulting firm Datafolha.

Watch |&nbsp;Microplastics found in Marine life: Scientists take research trips on the Brazilian coast

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to a military hospital in Brasilia Monday to undergo tests after feeling unwell, local press reported. Bolsonaro, 67, who was stabbed in the abdomen during the 2018 presidential campaign leaving him with repeat health problems, was absent from an evening event organized by the Republican Party which he had been slated to attend.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to a military hospital in Brasilia Monday to undergo tests after feeling unwell, local press reported. Bolsonaro, 67, who was stabbed in the abdomen during the 2018 presidential campaign leaving him with repeat health problems, was absent from an evening event organized by the Republican Party which he had been slated to attend. "I'm sure the president is fine, it's just some extra exams he's doing, that's why he's not here," party chairman Marcos Pereira said. Also read | Brazilian company using proceeds acquired by selling NFTs to preserve Amazon rainforest First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro, who attended the event, said her husband "is fine," and Minister of Communication Fabio Faria reported that the president simply felt "discomfort," according to the G1 news site. Bolsonaro will remain overnight in the hospital, the publication said. AFP contacted the presidential press service but did not immediately receive a response. Culture Secretary Mario Frias meanwhile wrote on Twitter that he was "praying for the president." Health problems In January, Bolsonaro was hospitalized for two days in Sao Paulo with a partially blocked intestine. The president, in power since 2019, was also admitted to hospital in mid-July with the same problem, staying for four days although he did not undergo surgery. In September 2018, a month before the first round of Brazil's presidential election, an attacker stabbed Bolsonaro in the abdomen at a campaign rally in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, puncturing his intestine multiple times. Also read | Brazilians join fight in far-away Ukraine Bolsonaro lost some 40 percent of his blood and underwent emergency surgery in the near-fatal incident, which was carried out by a man later declared mentally unfit to stand trial. Due to the stab wound, the far-right leader has undergone at least four surgeries, including the placement and subsequent removal of a colostomy bag, which made him more prone to intestinal disorders. He has also undergone other unrelated procedures during his presidency, including surgery to remove a kidney stone. Bolsonaro, a Covid-19 skeptic who campaigned against quarantine measures because he believed them too damaging to the economy and who reports that he is not vaccinated, contracted the virus in July 2020, coming down with mild symptoms. The president is aiming for reelection next October, when he will most likely face off against leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro would lose the elections in the second round with 34 percent of the vote against 55 percent for Lula, according to a survey published last week by the consulting firm Datafolha. Watch | Microplastics found in Marine life: Scientists take research trips on the Brazilian coast

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro hospitalized after feeling unwell: press

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.

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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

When Covid-19 ripped through&nbsp;India&nbsp;in 2020-21, several million people are thought to have died. Desperate efforts to stem the pandemic hurt the battle against another huge killer: tuberculosis.

India&nbsp;is the home to a quarter of the world's TB infections and an estimated half a million people died of the curable lung disease in 2020 in the South Asian nation -- a third of the global toll.

Because of the pandemic, global deaths from the "silent killer" rose in 2020 for the first time in more than a decade, reversing years of progress, the World Health Organization says.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-resumes-regular-international-flights-here-are-new-guidelines-465856">India resumes regular international flights: Here are new guidelines</a>

In&nbsp;India, the number of new cases detected in 2020 actually fell by a quarter to around 1.8 million due to Covid restrictions and as the pandemic diverted resources.

Nearly two-thirds of people with TB symptoms did not seek treatment, according to a 2019-21 nationwide government survey released on World TB Day on Thursday.

Ashna Ashesh, 29, diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis four years ago, saw how patients, many isolated and jobless because of lockdowns, struggled for support.

"They were incredibly afraid... They were reaching out for any kind of information that could be offered about how to access tests and medication," the public health professional with the Survivors Against TB collective told AFP.

"The impact has been immense... Covid has set back the fight against TB quite significantly. A recovery plan for TB is critical, both in&nbsp;India&nbsp;and globally."

India&nbsp;now faces an uphill battle to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of ending the spread of TB by 2025, five years earlier than the UN's target.

Experts and survivors are calling for intensive grassroots campaigns to find "missing" cases, more vaccine funding and support to combat malnutrition, a major trigger for TB.

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Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva from the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease said states need to increase services such as house-to-house visits and mass screenings.

"That's the only way now where you can eliminate TB," Sachdeva, who previously led the government's National Tuberculosis Elimination Program, told AFP.

&nbsp;Silver lining

Officially Covid has killed almost 520,000 Indians.

The pandemic -- which saw Covid replace TB as the world's deadliest infectious disease -- did however have one silver lining: increased mask-wearing.

Sachdeva estimates this might have cut TB transmission by 20 percent. Additional diagnostic machines&nbsp;procured for Covid could be redeployed for TB, he added.

Mumbai -- a megapolis of 20 million people and a TB hotspot -- has rolled out a programme with young survivors such as Seema Kunchikorve, who was diagnosed with TB five years ago at 20, to keep current patients on track with medications.

"The treatment has a lot of (side) effects which patients can't take," Kunchikorve told AFP during a TB awareness play staged at a school in&nbsp;India's biggest slum Dharavi.

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Vijay Chavan, who treats patients with drug-resistant TB at a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) clinic in Mumbai, said the Covid battle had shown the way to fight the older pandemic.

At the clinic, which treats children as young as five, patients spend hours undergoing check-ups beside brightly coloured wallpapers featuring famous comic characters, before collecting a large tray of pills for their treatments.

"If there is a political will for TB, just like Covid, it definitely will give us good results," he told AFP.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Why Wang Yi came to India

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When Covid-19 ripped through India in 2020-21, several million people are thought to have died. Desperate efforts to stem the pandemic hurt the battle against another huge killer: tuberculosis.

When Covid-19 ripped through India in 2020-21, several million people are thought to have died. Desperate efforts to stem the pandemic hurt the battle against another huge killer: tuberculosis. India is the home to a quarter of the world's TB infections and an estimated half a million people died of the curable lung disease in 2020 in the South Asian nation -- a third of the global toll. Because of the pandemic, global deaths from the "silent killer" rose in 2020 for the first time in more than a decade, reversing years of progress, the World Health Organization says. Also read | India resumes regular international flights: Here are new guidelines In India, the number of new cases detected in 2020 actually fell by a quarter to around 1.8 million due to Covid restrictions and as the pandemic diverted resources. Nearly two-thirds of people with TB symptoms did not seek treatment, according to a 2019-21 nationwide government survey released on World TB Day on Thursday. Ashna Ashesh, 29, diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis four years ago, saw how patients, many isolated and jobless because of lockdowns, struggled for support. "They were incredibly afraid... They were reaching out for any kind of information that could be offered about how to access tests and medication," the public health professional with the Survivors Against TB collective told AFP. "The impact has been immense... Covid has set back the fight against TB quite significantly. A recovery plan for TB is critical, both in India and globally." India now faces an uphill battle to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of ending the spread of TB by 2025, five years earlier than the UN's target. Experts and survivors are calling for intensive grassroots campaigns to find "missing" cases, more vaccine funding and support to combat malnutrition, a major trigger for TB. Also read | Airport operators join forces to study sustainable fuel in India Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva from the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease said states need to increase services such as house-to-house visits and mass screenings. "That's the only way now where you can eliminate TB," Sachdeva, who previously led the government's National Tuberculosis Elimination Program, told AFP. Silver lining Officially Covid has killed almost 520,000 Indians. The pandemic -- which saw Covid replace TB as the world's deadliest infectious disease -- did however have one silver lining: increased mask-wearing. Sachdeva estimates this might have cut TB transmission by 20 percent. Additional diagnostic machines procured for Covid could be redeployed for TB, he added. Mumbai -- a megapolis of 20 million people and a TB hotspot -- has rolled out a programme with young survivors such as Seema Kunchikorve, who was diagnosed with TB five years ago at 20, to keep current patients on track with medications. "The treatment has a lot of (side) effects which patients can't take," Kunchikorve told AFP during a TB awareness play staged at a school in India's biggest slum Dharavi. Also read | Indian Army trains specially-abled Kashmiri youths in skiing Vijay Chavan, who treats patients with drug-resistant TB at a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) clinic in Mumbai, said the Covid battle had shown the way to fight the older pandemic. At the clinic, which treats children as young as five, patients spend hours undergoing check-ups beside brightly coloured wallpapers featuring famous comic characters, before collecting a large tray of pills for their treatments. "If there is a political will for TB, just like Covid, it definitely will give us good results," he told AFP. Watch | Gravitas: Why Wang Yi came to India

After Covid, India tries to get on top of tuberculosis

Shanghai on Saturday recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but a member of the city's pandemic task force said officials were determined to avoid a full lockdown over the damage it would do to the economy.

Millions of Chinese in affected areas have been subjected to city-wide lockdowns by an Omicron-led outbreak that has sent daily case counts creeping ever-higher, though they remain insignificant compared to other countries.

Shanghai, however, has aimed to ease disruption with a more targeted approach marked by rolling 48-hour lockdowns of individual neighbourhoods and large-scale testing while largely keeping the metropolis of 25 million people running.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/transplantation-of-organs-from-deceased-covid-19-patients-is-possible-heres-how-464932">Transplantation of organs from deceased COVID-19 patients is safe and possible. Here's how</a>

At a daily Shanghai press conference Saturday, officials alluded to the importance of avoiding a full lockdown of the huge port city.

"If Shanghai, this city of ours, came to a complete halt, there would be many international cargo ships floating in the East China Sea," said Wu Fan, a medical expert with the city's pandemic task force.

"This would impact the entire national economy and the global economy."

Wu made the comments as city officials also announced that they would begin handing out self-testing kits to Shanghai residents, in the latest sign that the government was expanding its pandemic response.

The northeastern province of Jilin also said Saturday that it had begun distributing 500,000 of the rapid-antigen kits.

Shanghai and Jilin have been the areas hardest hit by the outbreak, which took off in early March.&nbsp;

China had largely kept the coronavirus -- which first emerged in the city of Wuhan in late 2019 -- under control through its strict zero-tolerance measures.

But that top-down approach is increasingly being questioned amid concerns over the economic impact and public "pandemic fatigue", especially considering Omicron's less severe symptoms.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-to-further-relax-covid-19-restrictions-as-cases-decline-says-pm-465178">Singapore to further relax COVID-19 restrictions as cases decline, says PM</a>

The National Health Commission announced two weeks ago that it would introduce the sale in China of rapid antigen self-test kits for the first time, and they have begun to appear on pharmacy shelves.

But Saturday's announcements appeared to mark their first wide-scale use as part of official pandemic control measures.

China on Saturday reported 5,600 new confirmed domestic transmissions, most of them asymptomatic.

Chinese authorities had watched nervously as a deadly Hong Kong Omicron surge sparked panic buying and claimed a high toll of unvaccinated elderly in the southern Chinese city.

Its subsequent spread in mainland China has posed a dilemma for authorities wrestling with how forcefully they should respond.

On Wednesday, Shanghai infectious disease expert Zhang Wenhong, a top doctor in the city's pandemic fight, called for balancing anti-virus measures with maintenance of "normal life".

The comments in his widely followed blog indicated growing official tolerance for voices who question the lockdown approach.

Shanghai's softer strategy has so far failed to stop cases from rising, and the localised lockdowns have provoked grumbling online and a run on groceries in some districts.

Shanghai on Saturday reported another steep rise in new local transmissions to 2,269 -- around 40 percent of the national total.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;This could happen if China doesn’t control its worst Covid-19 outbreak

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Shanghai on Saturday recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but a member of the city's pandemic task force said officials were determined to avoid a full lockdown over the damage it would do to the economy.

Shanghai on Saturday recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but a member of the city's pandemic task force said officials were determined to avoid a full lockdown over the damage it would do to the economy. Millions of Chinese in affected areas have been subjected to city-wide lockdowns by an Omicron-led outbreak that has sent daily case counts creeping ever-higher, though they remain insignificant compared to other countries. Shanghai, however, has aimed to ease disruption with a more targeted approach marked by rolling 48-hour lockdowns of individual neighbourhoods and large-scale testing while largely keeping the metropolis of 25 million people running. Also read | Transplantation of organs from deceased COVID-19 patients is safe and possible. Here's how At a daily Shanghai press conference Saturday, officials alluded to the importance of avoiding a full lockdown of the huge port city. "If Shanghai, this city of ours, came to a complete halt, there would be many international cargo ships floating in the East China Sea," said Wu Fan, a medical expert with the city's pandemic task force. "This would impact the entire national economy and the global economy." Wu made the comments as city officials also announced that they would begin handing out self-testing kits to Shanghai residents, in the latest sign that the government was expanding its pandemic response. The northeastern province of Jilin also said Saturday that it had begun distributing 500,000 of the rapid-antigen kits. Shanghai and Jilin have been the areas hardest hit by the outbreak, which took off in early March. China had largely kept the coronavirus -- which first emerged in the city of Wuhan in late 2019 -- under control through its strict zero-tolerance measures. But that top-down approach is increasingly being questioned amid concerns over the economic impact and public "pandemic fatigue", especially considering Omicron's less severe symptoms. Also read | Singapore to further relax COVID-19 restrictions as cases decline, says PM The National Health Commission announced two weeks ago that it would introduce the sale in China of rapid antigen self-test kits for the first time, and they have begun to appear on pharmacy shelves. But Saturday's announcements appeared to mark their first wide-scale use as part of official pandemic control measures. China on Saturday reported 5,600 new confirmed domestic transmissions, most of them asymptomatic. Chinese authorities had watched nervously as a deadly Hong Kong Omicron surge sparked panic buying and claimed a high toll of unvaccinated elderly in the southern Chinese city. Its subsequent spread in mainland China has posed a dilemma for authorities wrestling with how forcefully they should respond. On Wednesday, Shanghai infectious disease expert Zhang Wenhong, a top doctor in the city's pandemic fight, called for balancing anti-virus measures with maintenance of "normal life". The comments in his widely followed blog indicated growing official tolerance for voices who question the lockdown approach. Shanghai's softer strategy has so far failed to stop cases from rising, and the localised lockdowns have provoked grumbling online and a run on groceries in some districts. Shanghai on Saturday reported another steep rise in new local transmissions to 2,269 -- around 40 percent of the national total. Watch | This could happen if China doesn’t control its worst Covid-19 outbreak

Despite spike in Covid cases, Shanghai won't go for lockdown, says official

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.

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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.

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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

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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

Moderna&nbsp;Inc on late Thursday (March 17) sought emergency use authorisation with US health regulators for a second COVID-19 booster shot, as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fuels fears of another wave of the pandemic.

The US biotechnology company said its request covered all adults over the age of 18 so that the appropriate use of an additional booster dose of its vaccine, including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities, could be determined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health care providers.

Moderna's request is significantly broader than Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech SE's application that was filed earlier this week with US regulators for a second booster shot for people aged 65 and older.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-approves-astrazenecas-preventative-covid-therapy-463272">Britain approves AstraZeneca's preventative COVID therapy</a>

Moderna, without specifically commenting on the effectiveness of a fourth shot, said its submission was partly based on data recently published in the United States and Israel following the emergence of the Omicron variant.

FDA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

US health officials, including top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, have raised the prospect of a fourth shot, especially for older people and to prepare for the possibility of another surge in cases.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/once-pledged-to-keep-covid-vaccine-patent-free-moderna-signals-to-enforce-patent-460237">Moderna once pledged to keep Covid vaccine patent-free. Now it's changing course</a>

CDC data has shown that vaccine efficacy wanes over time and a third shot helps restore it. It, however, has not released comprehensive data based on age or health status to back the case.

The news was first reported by the New York Times.

While COVID cases are falling in the United States and much of the world, infections are rising in China. In the UK and Europe, there has been a reversal in the downward trend of COVID cases as economies have opened up and a second variant of Omicron circulates.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Global covid cases are rising again

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Moderna Inc on late Thursday (March 17) sought emergency use authorisation with US health regulators for a second COVID-19 booster shot, as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fuels fears of another wave of the pandemic.

Moderna Inc on late Thursday (March 17) sought emergency use authorisation with US health regulators for a second COVID-19 booster shot, as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fuels fears of another wave of the pandemic. The US biotechnology company said its request covered all adults over the age of 18 so that the appropriate use of an additional booster dose of its vaccine, including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities, could be determined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health care providers. Moderna's request is significantly broader than Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech SE's application that was filed earlier this week with US regulators for a second booster shot for people aged 65 and older. Also read | Britain approves AstraZeneca's preventative COVID therapy Moderna, without specifically commenting on the effectiveness of a fourth shot, said its submission was partly based on data recently published in the United States and Israel following the emergence of the Omicron variant. FDA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. US health officials, including top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, have raised the prospect of a fourth shot, especially for older people and to prepare for the possibility of another surge in cases. Also read | Moderna once pledged to keep Covid vaccine patent-free. Now it's changing course CDC data has shown that vaccine efficacy wanes over time and a third shot helps restore it. It, however, has not released comprehensive data based on age or health status to back the case. The news was first reported by the New York Times. While COVID cases are falling in the United States and much of the world, infections are rising in China. In the UK and Europe, there has been a reversal in the downward trend of COVID cases as economies have opened up and a second variant of Omicron circulates. Watch | Gravitas: Global covid cases are rising again

Moderna seeks FDA authorisation for second COVID-19 booster for all adults

Germany&nbsp;reported&nbsp;another&nbsp;record&nbsp;high seven-day&nbsp;incidence&nbsp;of the coronavirus on Wednesday even as the country prepares to ease restrictions.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered 262,593 new infections, a 22% jump compared to a week ago, bringing the total number of infections to nearly 17.7 million.

Infections have been rising again since the start of March after rules preventing unvaccinated people from accessing many indoor public spaces started to be eased.

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>

The seven-day&nbsp;incidence&nbsp;rose to a new high of 1,607 infections per 100,000 people on Wednesday, up from 1,585 the day before.

Another&nbsp;269 people died, bringing the total death toll to 126,142 people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-protests-against-covid-measures-rock-europe-australia-430905">In Pics: Protests against Covid measures rock Europe, Australia</a>

On Friday, parliament is set to adopt a slimmed-down law that will significantly reduce restrictions around&nbsp;Germany. The existing law expires on Saturday.

The government argues that even though cases are rising, there is no longer a major risk of overloading the health system due to vaccinations and the fact that the dominant Omicron variant often has milder symptoms.

Limited protective measures will still be possible in hotspots with high numbers of infections.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Global covid cases are rising again

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Germany reported another record high seven-day incidence of the coronavirus on Wednesday even as the country prepares to ease restrictions. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered 262,593 new infections, a 22% jump compared to a week ago, bringing the total number of infections to nearly 17.

Germany reported another record high seven-day incidence of the coronavirus on Wednesday even as the country prepares to ease restrictions. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered 262,593 new infections, a 22% jump compared to a week ago, bringing the total number of infections to nearly 17.7 million. Infections have been rising again since the start of March after rules preventing unvaccinated people from accessing many indoor public spaces started to be eased. Also read | WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg' The seven-day incidence rose to a new high of 1,607 infections per 100,000 people on Wednesday, up from 1,585 the day before. Another 269 people died, bringing the total death toll to 126,142 people. Also read | In Pics: Protests against Covid measures rock Europe, Australia On Friday, parliament is set to adopt a slimmed-down law that will significantly reduce restrictions around Germany. The existing law expires on Saturday. The government argues that even though cases are rising, there is no longer a major risk of overloading the health system due to vaccinations and the fact that the dominant Omicron variant often has milder symptoms. Limited protective measures will still be possible in hotspots with high numbers of infections. Watch | Gravitas: Global covid cases are rising again

Germany reports another record COVID-19 incidence

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

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-global-covid-cases-are-rising-again-462327/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

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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?

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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

<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>

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

Mainland&nbsp;China has logged its highest number of daily new local symptomatic COVID-19 infections in about two years, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant pressures its stringent policy to curb each outbreak quickly.

China reported 214 domestically transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms for Sunday, data from the National Health Commission showed on Monday.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/an-ukrainian-boy-travelled-1000-km-alone-to-slovakia-to-get-to-safety-459734">&nbsp;An Ukrainian boy travelled 1,000 km alone to Slovakia to get to safety</a>

That marks the highest daily caseload since Chinese authorities started in early March 2020 to count locally found infections and cases arriving from outside&nbsp;mainland&nbsp;separately.

China's latest local virus flare-ups are tiny by global standards, and the country is sticking to its "dynamic-clearing" policy which requires local authorities to quickly identify and quarantine every infection and their close contacts and impose travel restrictions to cut off transmission.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-spikes-to-2008-highs-as-us-europe-mull-russian-oil-import-ban-iran-delay-459688">Oil spikes to 2008 highs as U.S., Europe mull Russian oil import ban, Iran delay</a>

The majority of Sunday's 214 local cases were found in the provinces of Guangdong, Jilin and Shandong.

The number of locally transmitted asymptomatic cases rose to 312 for Sunday, the highest daily number since China stared in late March, 2020 to classify symptomless infections seperately from confirmed cases.

There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll unchanged at 4,636.

As of March 6, China had reported 111,195 cases with confirmed symptoms, including both local ones and those arriving from outside the&nbsp;mainland.

Mainland China has logged its highest number of daily new local symptomatic COVID-19 infections in about two years, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant pressures its stringent policy to curb each outbreak quickly.

Mainland China has logged its highest number of daily new local symptomatic COVID-19 infections in about two years, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant pressures its stringent policy to curb each outbreak quickly. China reported 214 domestically transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms for Sunday, data from the National Health Commission showed on Monday. Also read | An Ukrainian boy travelled 1,000 km alone to Slovakia to get to safety That marks the highest daily caseload since Chinese authorities started in early March 2020 to count locally found infections and cases arriving from outside mainland separately. China's latest local virus flare-ups are tiny by global standards, and the country is sticking to its "dynamic-clearing" policy which requires local authorities to quickly identify and quarantine every infection and their close contacts and impose travel restrictions to cut off transmission. Also read | Oil spikes to 2008 highs as U.S., Europe mull Russian oil import ban, Iran delay The majority of Sunday's 214 local cases were found in the provinces of Guangdong, Jilin and Shandong. The number of locally transmitted asymptomatic cases rose to 312 for Sunday, the highest daily number since China stared in late March, 2020 to classify symptomless infections seperately from confirmed cases. There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll unchanged at 4,636. As of March 6, China had reported 111,195 cases with confirmed symptoms, including both local ones and those arriving from outside the mainland.

COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high

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 |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-virus-chaos-pushes-more-expats-to-join-hong-kong-exodus-459783">COVID-19: Virus chaos pushes more expats to join Hong Kong exodus</a>

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.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-china-daily-local-virus-cases-at-two-year-high-459760">COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high</a>

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;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-settlement-uk-governments-home-office-to-pay-ps5750-to-eu-citizen-for-10-hour-detention-459737">In settlement, UK government’s Home Office to pay £5,750 to EU citizen for 10-hour detention</a>

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

After years of controversy and criticism from gynaecologists,&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;is planning to scrap a&nbsp;Nazi-era&nbsp;law&nbsp;that limits information&nbsp;on&nbsp;abortion, while access to the procedure in the country remains beset by obstacles.

The Social Democrats, Greens and the Free Democrats, ruling together as a government since December, promised in their coalition agreement to scratch from the statute books one of the most controversial sections of the penal code.

Paragraph 219a, adopted in 1933 shortly after Adolf Hitler had taken power, prohibits the "promotion" of&nbsp;abortion, a crime punishable by "up to two years of imprisonment or a fine".

It is on this basis that courts have in recent years handed out penalties to medical professionals offering&nbsp;information&nbsp;on pregnancy terminations on the internet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-remove-obstacle-for-reviving-nuke-deal-iran-iaea-agree-on-3-month-timeline-459480">To remove obstacle for reviving nuke deal, Iran, IAEA agree on 3-month timeline</a>

In some cases, the sites offered a simple statement that the gynaecologist carries out abortions, with no further details.

But an end came a step closer after the Justice Minister Marco Buschmann put forward draft legislation at the start of the year to remove the paragraph, though it has yet to be voted on in the Bundestag.

&nbsp;Strictly limited

Among the doctors prosecuted in recent years is Kristina Haenel, a general practitioner from Giessen in western&nbsp;Germany, who became the face of the campaign to ditch the&nbsp;law&nbsp;after being fined 6,000 euros ($6,558).

Her legal misadventures created a sensation in the media, reminding Germans that&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;remains severely restricted in&nbsp;law.&nbsp;

The many pitfalls for practitioners dissuade doctors from offering the procedure in a country that was at the forefront of the women's rights movement in the 1970s.

In June 2019, two gynaecologists in Berlin, Bettina Gaber and Verena Weyer, were each also handed two-thousand-euro fines for the same offence.

"I'm pleased that taking an informed decision will now be possible" for pregnant women, Haenel said when the plan to remove the&nbsp;law&nbsp;was announced.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-german-flood-victims-receive-tiny-houses-just-before-christmas-439700">In Pics | German flood victims receive tiny houses just before Christmas</a>

Anti-abortion&nbsp;militants, who organise themselves online, are behind most of the complaints made against medical professionals, while one activist was recently convicted for comparing&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;to the Holocaust.

Under pressure from campaigners, many medics have removed all relevant&nbsp;information&nbsp;from their websites and have declined to be included in family planning lists shared with women looking to end their pregnancies.&nbsp;

The outcry that came in response to the prosecutions led Angela Merkel’s government to relax legislation slightly, allowing gynaecologists and hospitals to indicate online that they offered abortions.&nbsp;

Advertising&nbsp;

Specifying what methods were used was, however, still prohibited, a compromise solution that did not satisfy practitioners.

Opposition from within Merkel's own Christian Democrats had prevented the paragraph from being struck from the penal code completely.

Removing the paragraph would mean no longer being able to tell "whether the advertisement came from a cosmetic clinic or an&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;clinic", said Merkel's party colleague Helge Braun, one of her closest aides and who is himself a doctor.

In&nbsp;Germany, a woman wishing to have an&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;in the first 12 weeks of her pregnancy must have an obligatory consultation at an approved centre.&nbsp;

The aim of this dialogue is to "encourage the woman to continue her pregnancy", even if in the end the choice was up to her. After the consultation patients must wait through a "reflection period" of three days.

Except in exceptional circumstances, such as a risk to the life of the mother or in the event of rape, abortions are not paid for by health insurance, despite sometimes costing hundreds of euros.

Around 100,000 abortions are carried out in&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;every year although the number has gone down in recent years.

The subject is still a taboo in&nbsp;Germany, according to a number of gynaecologists, and can be like an obstacle course for patients, particularly in traditionally Catholic Bavaria.

In some parts of the vast southern state, no hospitals offer the procedure, with many people opting to cross the border to Austria instead.

After years of controversy and criticism from gynaecologists, Germany is planning to scrap a Nazi-era law that limits information on abortion, while access to the procedure in the country remains beset by obstacles.

After years of controversy and criticism from gynaecologists, Germany is planning to scrap a Nazi-era law that limits information on abortion, while access to the procedure in the country remains beset by obstacles. The Social Democrats, Greens and the Free Democrats, ruling together as a government since December, promised in their coalition agreement to scratch from the statute books one of the most controversial sections of the penal code. Paragraph 219a, adopted in 1933 shortly after Adolf Hitler had taken power, prohibits the "promotion" of abortion, a crime punishable by "up to two years of imprisonment or a fine". It is on this basis that courts have in recent years handed out penalties to medical professionals offering information on pregnancy terminations on the internet. Also read | To remove obstacle for reviving nuke deal, Iran, IAEA agree on 3-month timeline In some cases, the sites offered a simple statement that the gynaecologist carries out abortions, with no further details. But an end came a step closer after the Justice Minister Marco Buschmann put forward draft legislation at the start of the year to remove the paragraph, though it has yet to be voted on in the Bundestag. Strictly limited Among the doctors prosecuted in recent years is Kristina Haenel, a general practitioner from Giessen in western Germany, who became the face of the campaign to ditch the law after being fined 6,000 euros ($6,558). Her legal misadventures created a sensation in the media, reminding Germans that abortion remains severely restricted in law. The many pitfalls for practitioners dissuade doctors from offering the procedure in a country that was at the forefront of the women's rights movement in the 1970s. In June 2019, two gynaecologists in Berlin, Bettina Gaber and Verena Weyer, were each also handed two-thousand-euro fines for the same offence. "I'm pleased that taking an informed decision will now be possible" for pregnant women, Haenel said when the plan to remove the law was announced. Also read | In Pics | German flood victims receive tiny houses just before Christmas Anti-abortion militants, who organise themselves online, are behind most of the complaints made against medical professionals, while one activist was recently convicted for comparing abortion to the Holocaust. Under pressure from campaigners, many medics have removed all relevant information from their websites and have declined to be included in family planning lists shared with women looking to end their pregnancies. The outcry that came in response to the prosecutions led Angela Merkel’s government to relax legislation slightly, allowing gynaecologists and hospitals to indicate online that they offered abortions. Advertising Specifying what methods were used was, however, still prohibited, a compromise solution that did not satisfy practitioners. Opposition from within Merkel's own Christian Democrats had prevented the paragraph from being struck from the penal code completely. Removing the paragraph would mean no longer being able to tell "whether the advertisement came from a cosmetic clinic or an abortion clinic", said Merkel's party colleague Helge Braun, one of her closest aides and who is himself a doctor. In Germany, a woman wishing to have an abortion in the first 12 weeks of her pregnancy must have an obligatory consultation at an approved centre. The aim of this dialogue is to "encourage the woman to continue her pregnancy", even if in the end the choice was up to her. After the consultation patients must wait through a "reflection period" of three days. Except in exceptional circumstances, such as a risk to the life of the mother or in the event of rape, abortions are not paid for by health insurance, despite sometimes costing hundreds of euros. Around 100,000 abortions are carried out in Germany every year although the number has gone down in recent years. The subject is still a taboo in Germany, according to a number of gynaecologists, and can be like an obstacle course for patients, particularly in traditionally Catholic Bavaria. In some parts of the vast southern state, no hospitals offer the procedure, with many people opting to cross the border to Austria instead.

Germany looks to reform Nazi-era abortion information laws

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