Britain's Queen Elizabeth, 95, spent a night in hospital for the first time in years for what Buckingham Palace termed "preliminary investigations", but was in good spirits and back at work at Windsor Castle.

The world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch cancelled an official trip to Northern Ireland on Wednesday. The palace said the queen had been told to rest by her medical staff, and that her ailment was not related to COVID-19.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-more-martini-queen-elizabeth-advised-to-cut-down-daily-alcohol-consumption-421737">No more martini: Queen Elizabeth advised to cut down daily alcohol consumption</a>

"Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits," the palace said late on Thursday.

The palace gave no details on what had prompted the medical attention, and some royal correspondents said they hoped the official version of events painted the full picture.

"We must hope that we can rely on what the palace is now telling us," said Nicholas Witchell, the BBC's royal correspondent.

A royal source said the queen had stayed at the King Edward VII hospital in central London for practical reasons and that her medical team had taken a cautious approach.

Elizabeth, who is queen of 15 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, returned to her desk for work on Thursday afternoon and was undertaking some light duties, the source said.

Gillian Keegan, a junior health minister, said it was concerning to hear that the queen had stayed a night in hospital but that she appeared to be on the mend.

"She's just so fantastic and I hope that she's feeling better today," Keegan said.

Elizabeth, who acceded to the throne as Britain was shedding its imperial power, has symbolised stability for generations of British people, building the popularity of the monarchy despite seismic political, social and cultural changes that threatened to make it an anachronism.

A quiet and uncomplaining dedication to duty, even in old age, has earned her widespread respect in Britain and abroad, even from republicans who are eager for the monarchy to be abolished.

<h2>Billionaries Drinks</h2>

Elizabeth spent Tuesday night hosting a drinks reception at Windsor for billionaire business leaders including Bill Gates after Prime Minister Boris Johnson convened a green investment conference ahead of the COP26 climate summit.

Elizabeth, along with her son and heir Prince Charles, 72, and grandson Prince William, 39, greeted guests including US&nbsp;climate envoy John Kerry without masks.

The queen, wearing a teal skirt and jacket with pearls, was photographed beside Johnson, smiling and chatting with guests.

The head of state, who next year celebrates 70 years on the throne, is known for her robust health. The last time she is thought to have spent a night in hospital was in 2013 when she was suffering from symptoms of gastroenteritis.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-cancels-northern-ireland-tour-as-she-is-advised-to-rest-by-doctors-422363">&nbsp;Queen Elizabeth cancels Northern Ireland tour as she is 'advised to rest' by doctors</a>

She had a successful surgery to treat an eye cataract in 2018 and a knee operation in 2003, but royal officials are loathe to discuss health issues in general.

Prince Philip, her husband of more than seven decades, died in April aged 99.

That has not stopped her from carrying out her official engagements, although her age has meant she has handed more duties to Charles and other members of the royal family.

She was this month seen using a walking stick for support in public for the first time, apart from after her knee operation.

Not only has she lost her husband, who she described as her "strength and stay", but her second son Prince Andrew has quit royal duties over his links to U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, a registered sex offender who killed himself in a Manhattan jail in 2019.

Her grandson Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan have also stepped away from royal duties to move to Los Angeles from where they delivered some barbed attacks on Buckingham Palace.

Elizabeth's next major engagement is at the end of the month when she is due to welcome world leaders at the opening of COP26 in Glasgow.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth, 95, spent a night in hospital for the first time in years for what Buckingham Palace termed "preliminary investigations", but was in good spirits and back at work at Windsor Castle.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth, 95, spent a night in hospital for the first time in years for what Buckingham Palace termed "preliminary investigations", but was in good spirits and back at work at Windsor Castle. The world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch cancelled an official trip to Northern Ireland on Wednesday. The palace said the queen had been told to rest by her medical staff, and that her ailment was not related to COVID-19. Also Read | No more martini: Queen Elizabeth advised to cut down daily alcohol consumption "Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits," the palace said late on Thursday. The palace gave no details on what had prompted the medical attention, and some royal correspondents said they hoped the official version of events painted the full picture. "We must hope that we can rely on what the palace is now telling us," said Nicholas Witchell, the BBC's royal correspondent. A royal source said the queen had stayed at the King Edward VII hospital in central London for practical reasons and that her medical team had taken a cautious approach. Elizabeth, who is queen of 15 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, returned to her desk for work on Thursday afternoon and was undertaking some light duties, the source said. Gillian Keegan, a junior health minister, said it was concerning to hear that the queen had stayed a night in hospital but that she appeared to be on the mend. "She's just so fantastic and I hope that she's feeling better today," Keegan said. Elizabeth, who acceded to the throne as Britain was shedding its imperial power, has symbolised stability for generations of British people, building the popularity of the monarchy despite seismic political, social and cultural changes that threatened to make it an anachronism. A quiet and uncomplaining dedication to duty, even in old age, has earned her widespread respect in Britain and abroad, even from republicans who are eager for the monarchy to be abolished. Billionaries Drinks Elizabeth spent Tuesday night hosting a drinks reception at Windsor for billionaire business leaders including Bill Gates after Prime Minister Boris Johnson convened a green investment conference ahead of the COP26 climate summit. Elizabeth, along with her son and heir Prince Charles, 72, and grandson Prince William, 39, greeted guests including US climate envoy John Kerry without masks. The queen, wearing a teal skirt and jacket with pearls, was photographed beside Johnson, smiling and chatting with guests. The head of state, who next year celebrates 70 years on the throne, is known for her robust health. The last time she is thought to have spent a night in hospital was in 2013 when she was suffering from symptoms of gastroenteritis. Also Read | Queen Elizabeth cancels Northern Ireland tour as she is 'advised to rest' by doctors She had a successful surgery to treat an eye cataract in 2018 and a knee operation in 2003, but royal officials are loathe to discuss health issues in general. Prince Philip, her husband of more than seven decades, died in April aged 99. That has not stopped her from carrying out her official engagements, although her age has meant she has handed more duties to Charles and other members of the royal family. She was this month seen using a walking stick for support in public for the first time, apart from after her knee operation. Not only has she lost her husband, who she described as her "strength and stay", but her second son Prince Andrew has quit royal duties over his links to U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, a registered sex offender who killed himself in a Manhattan jail in 2019. Her grandson Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan have also stepped away from royal duties to move to Los Angeles from where they delivered some barbed attacks on Buckingham Palace. Elizabeth's next major engagement is at the end of the month when she is due to welcome world leaders at the opening of COP26 in Glasgow.

Queen Elizabeth in good spirits after first night in hospital in years

In a freak accident, a&nbsp;60-year-old patient in South Korea, who was undergoing an MRI scan, died after he was hit in the head by a 60kg oxygen cylinder that was sucked into the machine due to its strong magnetic force.

The man, who is yet to be named, was admitted to the MRI ward in a hospital in the southern city of Gimhae late on Thursday in a critical condition. According to doctors, the man was suffering from seizures.

“We’re investigating why the oxygen tank was brought into the room,” police superintendent Choi Tae-yong told Hong Kong-based news outlet South China Morning Post, adding that the inbuilt oxygen supply system may have been malfunctioning.

“We will thoroughly investigate the incident to determine whether human errors were involved,” he added.

According to the authorities, “There are usually no metal objects around it because of the strong magnetic force” and “the hospital also knew about this but explained that the patient was in critical condition at the time and could not [be taken] off the oxygen cylinder.”

MRI scanners, whose magnetic fields are up to 60,000 times stronger than the Earth's– attract metal objects and cause them to become airborne.

Notably, a similar tragedy took place in India’s Mumbai city, where a 32-year-old man visiting his mother-in-law in Nair Hospital was killed when an oxygen cylinder he was carrying pulled him into the MRI bore.

It was later reported that the metal detector in the room wasn’t working properly&nbsp;and that a&nbsp;hospital staff member was on the phone when the accident occurred.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a freak accident, a 60-year-old patient in South Korea, who was undergoing an MRI scan, died after he was hit in the head by a 60kg oxygen cylinder that was sucked into the machine due to its strong magnetic force.

In a freak accident, a 60-year-old patient in South Korea, who was undergoing an MRI scan, died after he was hit in the head by a 60kg oxygen cylinder that was sucked into the machine due to its strong magnetic force. The man, who is yet to be named, was admitted to the MRI ward in a hospital in the southern city of Gimhae late on Thursday in a critical condition. According to doctors, the man was suffering from seizures. “We’re investigating why the oxygen tank was brought into the room,” police superintendent Choi Tae-yong told Hong Kong-based news outlet South China Morning Post, adding that the inbuilt oxygen supply system may have been malfunctioning. “We will thoroughly investigate the incident to determine whether human errors were involved,” he added. According to the authorities, “There are usually no metal objects around it because of the strong magnetic force” and “the hospital also knew about this but explained that the patient was in critical condition at the time and could not [be taken] off the oxygen cylinder.” MRI scanners, whose magnetic fields are up to 60,000 times stronger than the Earth's– attract metal objects and cause them to become airborne. Notably, a similar tragedy took place in India’s Mumbai city, where a 32-year-old man visiting his mother-in-law in Nair Hospital was killed when an oxygen cylinder he was carrying pulled him into the MRI bore. It was later reported that the metal detector in the room wasn’t working properly and that a hospital staff member was on the phone when the accident occurred. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korean patient dies after oxygen cylinder sucked into MRI machine hits him

In Kabul's children hospital, infants are facing a shortage of basic supply of items like medical supplies and equipment. WION visited the Indira Gandhi child hospital in Kabul, watch this ground report.

Afghanistan: Medicine, bed shortage for infants riddles Kabul hospital

Czech President Milos Zeman was taken to hospital on Sunday, bringing uncertainty at a key period when the president is due to lead political talks on forming a new government after a parliamentary election.

A spokeswoman for the Central Military Hospital in Prague said Zeman, 77, was being hospitalised and the hospital director would give a briefing at 2 pm.

Reporters saw an ambulance leaving the presidential chateau at Lany, west of Prague, soon after Zeman met Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

Neither Babis&nbsp;nor Zeman's office had any comment after the meeting.

Zeman's spokesman, Jiri Ovcacek, confirmed the president had been taken to hospital, but gave no details of what was wrong with him.

"On the basis of a recommendation from his attending physician professor Miroslav Zavoral, Milos Zeman agreed to be hospitalised at the Central Military Hospital in Prague," Ovcacek said on Twitter.

"The president was hospitalised on Sunday, Oct 10."

The presidential office had previously said Zeman has been ill and he spent eight days in hospital last month. But officials have not given details of his condition.

Babis&nbsp;centrist ANO party narrowly lost the parliamentary election - which took place on Friday and Saturday - to the centre-right Together coalition, and seemed to have no chance of forming a ruling majority.

Together and the liberal Pirates/Mayors coalition between them won 108 seats in the 200-seat lower house and said they intended to form a government.

However, while Babis conceded on Saturday that Together won more votes as a coalition, he did not signal a move into opposition, saying "If the president authorises me to do so, I will lead talks on forming a cabinet".

In the Czech Republic, the president leads talks with party leaders after elections to find a workable majority.

Under the constitution, the president can appoint anyone as prime minister and instruct them to nominate a cabinet. A new cabinet must face a vote of confidence in the lower house within a month of its appointment. 
Zeman had said prior to the election that he would appoint the leader of the biggest winning individual party, not a coalition, to try to form a government.

This would be Babis, since the ANO won the most votes of any party.

Zeman, an ally of Babis, has made no comment on his next steps since the election results. 
Under the constitution, the president's authority to appoint the prime minister passes to the speaker of the lower house if the presidential position is vacated.

Czech President Milos Zeman was taken to hospital on Sunday, bringing uncertainty at a key period when the president is due to lead political talks on forming a new government after a parliamentary election.

Czech President Milos Zeman was taken to hospital on Sunday, bringing uncertainty at a key period when the president is due to lead political talks on forming a new government after a parliamentary election. A spokeswoman for the Central Military Hospital in Prague said Zeman, 77, was being hospitalised and the hospital director would give a briefing at 2 pm. Reporters saw an ambulance leaving the presidential chateau at Lany, west of Prague, soon after Zeman met Prime Minister Andrej Babis. Neither Babis nor Zeman's office had any comment after the meeting. Zeman's spokesman, Jiri Ovcacek, confirmed the president had been taken to hospital, but gave no details of what was wrong with him. "On the basis of a recommendation from his attending physician professor Miroslav Zavoral, Milos Zeman agreed to be hospitalised at the Central Military Hospital in Prague," Ovcacek said on Twitter. "The president was hospitalised on Sunday, Oct 10." The presidential office had previously said Zeman has been ill and he spent eight days in hospital last month. But officials have not given details of his condition. Babis centrist ANO party narrowly lost the parliamentary election - which took place on Friday and Saturday - to the centre-right Together coalition, and seemed to have no chance of forming a ruling majority. Together and the liberal Pirates/Mayors coalition between them won 108 seats in the 200-seat lower house and said they intended to form a government. However, while Babis conceded on Saturday that Together won more votes as a coalition, he did not signal a move into opposition, saying "If the president authorises me to do so, I will lead talks on forming a cabinet". In the Czech Republic, the president leads talks with party leaders after elections to find a workable majority. Under the constitution, the president can appoint anyone as prime minister and instruct them to nominate a cabinet. A new cabinet must face a vote of confidence in the lower house within a month of its appointment. Zeman had said prior to the election that he would appoint the leader of the biggest winning individual party, not a coalition, to try to form a government. This would be Babis, since the ANO won the most votes of any party. Zeman, an ally of Babis, has made no comment on his next steps since the election results. Under the constitution, the president's authority to appoint the prime minister passes to the speaker of the lower house if the presidential position is vacated.

Czech President Zeman taken to hospital at key post-election time

Hospitals in Pakistan's Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces are refusing to take in more dengue virus patients as they are running out of beds, with cases surging across the country, Geo TV reported.

The beds reserved for coronavirus patients in Punjab's hospitals are being used to treat dengue virus patients, according to a report in The News International.

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A massive anti-dengue virus campaign has been launched in Islamabad to deal with the alarmingly high rate of cases being reported in the city.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has declared a medical emergency at the public health facilities in Lahore due to the rising number of dengue cases.

The decision was made in a meeting chaired by the Punjab Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid, which looked into the challenge of preventing the rapid breeding of mosquitoes in the province and expressed concern over the possible deterioration of the dengue situation in the coming weeks.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-to-discuss-afghanistan-with-pakistans-national-security-council-419115">&nbsp;Imran Khan to discuss Afghanistan with Pakistan's National Security Council</a>

The provincial health department also instructed all doctors on leave to return to their respective medical facilities to deal with the growing number of dengue cases.

"Recent rain spells coupled with humidity and a lot of construction work in some of the top neighbourhoods of Lahore, have provided a breeding ground for dengue that has engulfed much of the city and its adjoining areas," Punjab Health Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch said.

He maintained that the climatic conditions conducive to the spread of the disease were likely to continue until the end of the year.

Hospitals in Pakistan's Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces are refusing to take in more dengue virus patients as they are running out of beds, with cases surging across the country, Geo TV reported.

Hospitals in Pakistan's Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces are refusing to take in more dengue virus patients as they are running out of beds, with cases surging across the country, Geo TV reported. The beds reserved for coronavirus patients in Punjab's hospitals are being used to treat dengue virus patients, according to a report in The News International. Also Read | Talks with Pakistan on counterterrorism measures to continue, says US' Wendy Sherman A massive anti-dengue virus campaign has been launched in Islamabad to deal with the alarmingly high rate of cases being reported in the city. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has declared a medical emergency at the public health facilities in Lahore due to the rising number of dengue cases. The decision was made in a meeting chaired by the Punjab Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid, which looked into the challenge of preventing the rapid breeding of mosquitoes in the province and expressed concern over the possible deterioration of the dengue situation in the coming weeks. Also Read | Imran Khan to discuss Afghanistan with Pakistan's National Security Council The provincial health department also instructed all doctors on leave to return to their respective medical facilities to deal with the growing number of dengue cases. "Recent rain spells coupled with humidity and a lot of construction work in some of the top neighbourhoods of Lahore, have provided a breeding ground for dengue that has engulfed much of the city and its adjoining areas," Punjab Health Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch said. He maintained that the climatic conditions conducive to the spread of the disease were likely to continue until the end of the year.

Pakistan hospitals run out of beds on dengue surge

People generally avoid assisting or reaching out to a person in need on the road or after an accident because they are afraid of police investigations and other legal procedures, even though it is our duty as citizens to assist someone in need.

While police and governments frequently state that assisting an injured individual after an accident is a humanitarian act for which you will not be prosecuted.

Despite this, ordinary people are afraid to take the injured to the hospital. However, the Indian government has launched a one-of-a-kind programme to address this issue.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on Monday that it has created a system for 'Good Samaritans" under which people who save the lives of road accident victims by transporting them to a hospital within the 'golden hour' after the accident will receive a financial reward of Rs 5,000.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) announced in a letter to all state and union territory principals and transport secretaries that the programme will be in force from October 15, 2021, to March 31, 2026.&nbsp;

The ministry released guidelines for a "scheme for grant of the award to a Good Samaritan who has saved the life of a victim of a fatal motor vehicle accident by administering immediate assistance and rushing to hospital/trauma Care Centre within the Golden Hour of the accident to provide medical treatment."&nbsp;

Aside from the prizes awarded in each case, the ministry stated that there would be ten national-level awards of Rs 1,000,000 each for the most deserving Good Samaritans (to be chosen from all those who have been honoured during the year).

If more than one Good Samaritan saves the lives of several victims, the prize will be Rs 5,000 per victim rescued, up to a maximum of Rs 5,000 per Good Samaritan, according to the rules.

The 'golden hour,' or the one hour following a severe injury when early medical attention has the best chance of averting mortality, is referred to as the 'golden hour." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

People generally avoid assisting or reaching out to a person in need on the road or after an accident because they are afraid of police investigations and other legal procedures, even though it is our duty as citizens to assist someone in need.

People generally avoid assisting or reaching out to a person in need on the road or after an accident because they are afraid of police investigations and other legal procedures, even though it is our duty as citizens to assist someone in need. While police and governments frequently state that assisting an injured individual after an accident is a humanitarian act for which you will not be prosecuted. Despite this, ordinary people are afraid to take the injured to the hospital. However, the Indian government has launched a one-of-a-kind programme to address this issue. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on Monday that it has created a system for 'Good Samaritans" under which people who save the lives of road accident victims by transporting them to a hospital within the 'golden hour' after the accident will receive a financial reward of Rs 5,000. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) announced in a letter to all state and union territory principals and transport secretaries that the programme will be in force from October 15, 2021, to March 31, 2026. The ministry released guidelines for a "scheme for grant of the award to a Good Samaritan who has saved the life of a victim of a fatal motor vehicle accident by administering immediate assistance and rushing to hospital/trauma Care Centre within the Golden Hour of the accident to provide medical treatment." Aside from the prizes awarded in each case, the ministry stated that there would be ten national-level awards of Rs 1,000,000 each for the most deserving Good Samaritans (to be chosen from all those who have been honoured during the year). If more than one Good Samaritan saves the lives of several victims, the prize will be Rs 5,000 per victim rescued, up to a maximum of Rs 5,000 per Good Samaritan, according to the rules. The 'golden hour,' or the one hour following a severe injury when early medical attention has the best chance of averting mortality, is referred to as the 'golden hour." (With inputs from agencies)

Indian govt to award Rs 5,000 for taking injured to the hospital after a road accident

Nine people died on Friday when a fire broke out in an intensive care unit at a Romanian hospital treating COVID-19 patients, officials said, the country`s third deadly hospital fire in less than a year.

Firefighters extinguished the fire at the hospital in the eastern city of Constanta at around 0755 GMT, having brought in additional teams from nearby counties.

Video footage showed patients jumping out of windows from the hospital`s lower levels and firefighters carrying people out.

Interim Health Minister Cseke Attila said 113 patients were in the hospital at the time of the fire, including 10 in the intensive care unit.

Emergency response teams have installed a mobile triage unit near the hospital and 50 patients have so far been evacuated and transferred to other hospitals.

There were more than 12,100 COVID-19 patients, including 315 children, being treated in Romanian hospitals as of Thursday, including 1,364 in intensive care units.

The number of new COVID-19 infections in Romania reached 12,032 on Thursday, a new record high, and intensive care units across the country were running out of space. Romania has the second-lowest vaccination rate in the 27-nation European Union.

In February, a fire killed four patients at a COVID-19 hospital in the capital Bucharest. Last November 10 people died in an intensive care unit at the Piatra Neamt county hospital.

Even before the pandemic, Romania`s health care system had been under pressure, dogged by corruption, inefficiencies and politicised management. The country has one of the EU`s least developed healthcare infrastructures.

The state has built one hospital in the last three decades, spends the least on healthcare in the EU and tens of thousands of doctors and nurses have emigrated.

Nine people died on Friday when a fire broke out in an intensive care unit at a Romanian hospital treating COVID-19 patients, officials said, the country`s third deadly hospital fire in less than a year.

Nine people died on Friday when a fire broke out in an intensive care unit at a Romanian hospital treating COVID-19 patients, officials said, the country`s third deadly hospital fire in less than a year. Firefighters extinguished the fire at the hospital in the eastern city of Constanta at around 0755 GMT, having brought in additional teams from nearby counties. Video footage showed patients jumping out of windows from the hospital`s lower levels and firefighters carrying people out. Interim Health Minister Cseke Attila said 113 patients were in the hospital at the time of the fire, including 10 in the intensive care unit. Emergency response teams have installed a mobile triage unit near the hospital and 50 patients have so far been evacuated and transferred to other hospitals. There were more than 12,100 COVID-19 patients, including 315 children, being treated in Romanian hospitals as of Thursday, including 1,364 in intensive care units. The number of new COVID-19 infections in Romania reached 12,032 on Thursday, a new record high, and intensive care units across the country were running out of space. Romania has the second-lowest vaccination rate in the 27-nation European Union. In February, a fire killed four patients at a COVID-19 hospital in the capital Bucharest. Last November 10 people died in an intensive care unit at the Piatra Neamt county hospital. Even before the pandemic, Romania`s health care system had been under pressure, dogged by corruption, inefficiencies and politicised management. The country has one of the EU`s least developed healthcare infrastructures. The state has built one hospital in the last three decades, spends the least on healthcare in the EU and tens of thousands of doctors and nurses have emigrated.

Fire at COVID-19 hospital in Romania kills nine people

One&nbsp;of Brazil’s biggest healthcare providers, Prevent Senior, has been accused of covering up coronavirus deaths, pressuring doctors to prescribe ineffective treatments, and testing unproven drugs on elderly patients.

The health maintenance organisation is in the crosshairs of a congressional inquiry into Brazil’s coronavirus crisis.

It all started last month when a group of doctors handed a 10,000-page dossier to investigators containing a series of incendiary allegations against the organisation. The dossier contained claims that elderly patients had been used as “human guinea pigs” for the testing of unproven COVID-19 “remedies” without giving their full consent.

Bruna Morato, the lawyer representing the doctors, appeared before the COVID-19 investigation in Brasília and made further allegations.

As per his allegations, Prevent Senior doctors were pressured into giving patients a cocktail of ineffective drugs, including the antimalarial hydroxychloroquine and the anti-parasitic ivermectin.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-prison-riots-death-toll-crosses-100-416995">Also read |&nbsp;Ecuador prison riots: Death toll crosses 100</a>

This was a part of what is being termed as 'COVID kit'.

The decision to promote hydroxychloroquine as an effective COVID-19 treatment was partly designed to help government ideologues who allegedly wanted to use such information to convince Brazilians there was no need to stay at home during the pandemic.&nbsp;

“The economy couldn’t stop so they needed to find a way of giving hope to people who were leaving their homes. This hope had a name: hydroxychloroquine,” Morato alleged.

The lawyer further claimed that coronavirus deaths had been concealed in order not to compromise the results of Prevent Senior tests allegedly designed to show “Covid kit” drugs were effective against the disease. “This is a fraud,” said the inquiry’s vice-president, Randolfe Rodrigues.

A statement issued by Prevent Senior said that it repudiated the “untruthful accusations” and had always operated within legal and ethical guidelines.&nbsp;

The company further denied it had ever hidden or under-reported deaths.

“Prevent Senior has always respected the autonomy of its doctors and has never fired its employees because of their technical convictions,” the company said.

One of Brazil’s biggest healthcare providers, Prevent Senior, has been accused of covering up coronavirus deaths, pressuring doctors to prescribe ineffective treatments, and testing unproven drugs on elderly patients.

One of Brazil’s biggest healthcare providers, Prevent Senior, has been accused of covering up coronavirus deaths, pressuring doctors to prescribe ineffective treatments, and testing unproven drugs on elderly patients. The health maintenance organisation is in the crosshairs of a congressional inquiry into Brazil’s coronavirus crisis. It all started last month when a group of doctors handed a 10,000-page dossier to investigators containing a series of incendiary allegations against the organisation. The dossier contained claims that elderly patients had been used as “human guinea pigs” for the testing of unproven COVID-19 “remedies” without giving their full consent. Bruna Morato, the lawyer representing the doctors, appeared before the COVID-19 investigation in Brasília and made further allegations. As per his allegations, Prevent Senior doctors were pressured into giving patients a cocktail of ineffective drugs, including the antimalarial hydroxychloroquine and the anti-parasitic ivermectin. Also read | Ecuador prison riots: Death toll crosses 100 This was a part of what is being termed as 'COVID kit'. The decision to promote hydroxychloroquine as an effective COVID-19 treatment was partly designed to help government ideologues who allegedly wanted to use such information to convince Brazilians there was no need to stay at home during the pandemic. “The economy couldn’t stop so they needed to find a way of giving hope to people who were leaving their homes. This hope had a name: hydroxychloroquine,” Morato alleged. The lawyer further claimed that coronavirus deaths had been concealed in order not to compromise the results of Prevent Senior tests allegedly designed to show “Covid kit” drugs were effective against the disease. “This is a fraud,” said the inquiry’s vice-president, Randolfe Rodrigues. A statement issued by Prevent Senior said that it repudiated the “untruthful accusations” and had always operated within legal and ethical guidelines. The company further denied it had ever hidden or under-reported deaths. “Prevent Senior has always respected the autonomy of its doctors and has never fired its employees because of their technical convictions,” the company said.

Brazil hospital chain accused of hiding COVID-19 deaths

Hundreds of sought-after nurses are leaving some U.S. hospitals that have established vaccine requirements for all employees, involving some protests and legal opposition. But most workers, especially at large hospital chains, appear to be complying with the policies.

New York hospitals and nursing homes are grappling with the state’s Monday deadline for workers to have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, with thousands of workers remaining unvaccinated and at risk of being fired. Several other states and cities have also imposed mandates for health care workers, with deadlines approaching.

All are also facing a looming federal vaccine mandate for hospital and nursing home staff that President Joe Biden ordered, although its exact scope and timing has yet to be announced.

The departures, especially of nurses, have compounded major staffing shortages over the course of the pandemic. The situation has become acutely difficult these past few months, particularly in regions where the delta variant has overwhelmed hospitals and caused new spikes in COVID cases among nursing home staffs and residents. In one instance, a hospital in upstate New York said it briefly had to stop delivering babies after six of its employees left rather than get vaccinated.

At Novant Health, a large hospital group based in North Carolina, 375 workers were suspended after not meeting the system’s vaccination deadline this month. Another 200 agreed to comply, increasing the vaccination rate to over 99% of its more than 35,000 employees, according to Novant.

Yet the loss of some employees “is going to be the cost of doing business in a pandemic,” said Dr. Saad B. Omer, director of the Yale Institute for Global Health, who has studied vaccine mandates. “I’m not seeing any widespread disruptive effect."

Dr. David H. Priest, an infectious-disease specialist and senior executive at Novant, said he believed that the hospital would persuade most of its workers by addressing their concerns. The hospital has “been working on this for weeks on end,” he said, by holding webinars and sending emails to help educate employees about the benefits of being immunized.

How the nation’s hospitals are handling the holdouts varies widely, and many facilities are waiting for federal guidelines. Others have set deadlines later this year.

Many hospitals are not establishing sharp cutoffs for when they might eventually fire someone.

UNC Health, another North Carolina group, said that it was confirming the status of about 900 employees. About 70 employees have left as a result of the system’s mandate, and the group has granted about 1,250 exemptions for medical or religious reasons. About 97% of its workforce have complied. Those who still need to be vaccinated or qualify for an exemption have until Nov. 2, providing what UNC described as “a last chance to remain employed.”

At Trinity Health, one of the first major hospital chains to announce a vaccine mandate, the percentage of its vaccinated staff has increased from 75% to 94%, said the group, which operates in 22 states.

SSM Health, a Catholic hospital group based in St. Louis, also adopted a mandate but said that few of its workers had left because of its requirement.

Hospitals and nursing homes have raised concerns about their ability to find workers if they impose strict requirements. The situation may be worse in rural areas, where limited numbers of workers are available. But healthy vaccinated workers may also ease staffing shortages.

At Houston Methodist, where 150 employees left from a workforce of about 26,000 people, the hospital said that there had been little lasting effect on its ability to hire people. And when Texas was hit with rising numbers of COVID cases over the summer, the hospital found that fewer of its workers were out sick.

“The mandate has not only protected our employees, but kept more of them at work during the pandemic,” a hospital spokeswoman said in an email.

ChristianaCare, a hospital group based in Wilmington, Delaware, said Monday that it had fired 150 employees for not complying with its vaccine mandate. But the group emphasized that over the past month it had hired more than 200 employees, many of whom are more comfortable working where they knew their colleagues were vaccinated.

Hundreds of sought-after nurses are leaving some U.S. hospitals that have established vaccine requirements for all employees, involving some protests and legal opposition.

Hundreds of sought-after nurses are leaving some U.S. hospitals that have established vaccine requirements for all employees, involving some protests and legal opposition. But most workers, especially at large hospital chains, appear to be complying with the policies. New York hospitals and nursing homes are grappling with the state’s Monday deadline for workers to have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, with thousands of workers remaining unvaccinated and at risk of being fired. Several other states and cities have also imposed mandates for health care workers, with deadlines approaching. All are also facing a looming federal vaccine mandate for hospital and nursing home staff that President Joe Biden ordered, although its exact scope and timing has yet to be announced. The departures, especially of nurses, have compounded major staffing shortages over the course of the pandemic. The situation has become acutely difficult these past few months, particularly in regions where the delta variant has overwhelmed hospitals and caused new spikes in COVID cases among nursing home staffs and residents. In one instance, a hospital in upstate New York said it briefly had to stop delivering babies after six of its employees left rather than get vaccinated. At Novant Health, a large hospital group based in North Carolina, 375 workers were suspended after not meeting the system’s vaccination deadline this month. Another 200 agreed to comply, increasing the vaccination rate to over 99% of its more than 35,000 employees, according to Novant. Yet the loss of some employees “is going to be the cost of doing business in a pandemic,” said Dr. Saad B. Omer, director of the Yale Institute for Global Health, who has studied vaccine mandates. “I’m not seeing any widespread disruptive effect." Dr. David H. Priest, an infectious-disease specialist and senior executive at Novant, said he believed that the hospital would persuade most of its workers by addressing their concerns. The hospital has “been working on this for weeks on end,” he said, by holding webinars and sending emails to help educate employees about the benefits of being immunized. How the nation’s hospitals are handling the holdouts varies widely, and many facilities are waiting for federal guidelines. Others have set deadlines later this year. Many hospitals are not establishing sharp cutoffs for when they might eventually fire someone. UNC Health, another North Carolina group, said that it was confirming the status of about 900 employees. About 70 employees have left as a result of the system’s mandate, and the group has granted about 1,250 exemptions for medical or religious reasons. About 97% of its workforce have complied. Those who still need to be vaccinated or qualify for an exemption have until Nov. 2, providing what UNC described as “a last chance to remain employed.” At Trinity Health, one of the first major hospital chains to announce a vaccine mandate, the percentage of its vaccinated staff has increased from 75% to 94%, said the group, which operates in 22 states. SSM Health, a Catholic hospital group based in St. Louis, also adopted a mandate but said that few of its workers had left because of its requirement. Hospitals and nursing homes have raised concerns about their ability to find workers if they impose strict requirements. The situation may be worse in rural areas, where limited numbers of workers are available. But healthy vaccinated workers may also ease staffing shortages. At Houston Methodist, where 150 employees left from a workforce of about 26,000 people, the hospital said that there had been little lasting effect on its ability to hire people. And when Texas was hit with rising numbers of COVID cases over the summer, the hospital found that fewer of its workers were out sick. “The mandate has not only protected our employees, but kept more of them at work during the pandemic,” a hospital spokeswoman said in an email. ChristianaCare, a hospital group based in Wilmington, Delaware, said Monday that it had fired 150 employees for not complying with its vaccine mandate. But the group emphasized that over the past month it had hired more than 200 employees, many of whom are more comfortable working where they knew their colleagues were vaccinated.

Many workers at US hospital chains with mandates are getting shots

A 73-year-old man from Alabama, US, died due to cardiac arrest after he couldn’t secure an ICU bed in 43 hospitals across three states as they were already filled up by Covid patients.

Ray DeMonia, an antique dealer, died on September 1 in a Mississippi hospital, about 322 kilometres from his home because there were no cardiac ICU beds nearby, his daughter Raven DeMonia told The Washington Post.

DeMonia went to Cullman Regional Medical Center on August 23 because he was having heart problems, she said.

Raven said her mother got a call from the hospital staff about 12 hours after he was admitted, saying that the staff had called 43 hospitals and were unable to find a “specialized cardiac ICU bed.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Alabama has one of the highest rates of new cases, with 541 per 100,000 testing positive&nbsp;in the last week.

In DeMonia’s obituary, the family urged everyone to get vaccinated to prevent others from being denied facilities due to a lack of resources.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/5-us-states-nearly-out-of-icu-beds-as-fresh-surge-of-covid-19-cases-stretch-hospitals-409717">5 US states nearly out of ICU beds as fresh surge of COVID-19 cases stretch hospitals</a>

“In honour of Ray, please get vaccinated if you have not, in an effort to free up resources for non-Covid related emergencies,” the obituary read.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the ICU capacity in Alabama has been at maximum in recent weeks, with COVID-19 patients occupying about half of the intensive care beds.

Dr Scott Harris, the head of the Alabama Department of Public Health, last week said the state was continuing to experience “a real crisis” with ICU bed capacity.

“The numbers aren’t great. But the numbers at least have not continued to go up,” he was quoted as saying by local media.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 73-year-old man from Alabama, US, died due to cardiac arrest after he couldn’t secure an ICU bed in 43 hospitals across three states as they were already filled up by Covid patients.

A 73-year-old man from Alabama, US, died due to cardiac arrest after he couldn’t secure an ICU bed in 43 hospitals across three states as they were already filled up by Covid patients. Ray DeMonia, an antique dealer, died on September 1 in a Mississippi hospital, about 322 kilometres from his home because there were no cardiac ICU beds nearby, his daughter Raven DeMonia told The Washington Post. DeMonia went to Cullman Regional Medical Center on August 23 because he was having heart problems, she said. Raven said her mother got a call from the hospital staff about 12 hours after he was admitted, saying that the staff had called 43 hospitals and were unable to find a “specialized cardiac ICU bed.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Alabama has one of the highest rates of new cases, with 541 per 100,000 testing positive in the last week. In DeMonia’s obituary, the family urged everyone to get vaccinated to prevent others from being denied facilities due to a lack of resources. Also read | 5 US states nearly out of ICU beds as fresh surge of COVID-19 cases stretch hospitals “In honour of Ray, please get vaccinated if you have not, in an effort to free up resources for non-Covid related emergencies,” the obituary read. According to Johns Hopkins University, the ICU capacity in Alabama has been at maximum in recent weeks, with COVID-19 patients occupying about half of the intensive care beds. Dr Scott Harris, the head of the Alabama Department of Public Health, last week said the state was continuing to experience “a real crisis” with ICU bed capacity. “The numbers aren’t great. But the numbers at least have not continued to go up,” he was quoted as saying by local media. (With inputs from agencies)

Cardiac patient dies after failing to get ICU bed in 43 US hospitals occupied by COVID patients

Mexico is battling with floods and earthquakes. Government authorities have advised people to move to higher grounds. The heavy rainfall also caused flooding at a hospital in central Hidalgo state in Mexico.

Mexico battles floods and earthquakes, people advised to move higher grounds

An Oklahoma doctor recently said that overdoses of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin, which many believe without evidence can prevent or cure COVID-19, are helping cause delays and problems for rural hospitals and ambulance services.&nbsp;

The drug is used to kill internal and external parasites in livestock animals and, in smaller doses, in humans.

Dr Jason McElyea told KFOR, an Oklahoma TV station, "There’s a reason you have to have a doctor to get a prescription for this stuff, because it can be dangerous".

He added, "The [emergency rooms] are so backed up that gunshot victims were having hard times getting to facilities where they can get definitive care and be treated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/auckland-knife-attacker-was-on-deportation-notice-reveals-new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-410772">Also read |&nbsp;Auckland knife attacker was on deportation notice, reveals New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern</a>

“Ambulances are stuck at the hospital waiting for a bed to open so they can take the patient in and they don’t have any, that’s it. If there’s no ambulance to take the call, there’s no ambulance to come to the call.”

Oklahoma, currently, is struggling to cope with a surge in hospitalisations and deaths caused by the Delta virus variant.&nbsp;

As per reports by the Johns Hopkins University, in the past week Oklahoma has recorded more than 18,400 cases and 189 deaths.&nbsp;

The same source puts the death toll in Oklahoma over 8,000, out of more than 647,000 across the US.

An Oklahoma doctor recently said that overdoses of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin, which many believe without evidence can prevent or cure COVID-19, are helping cause delays and problems for rural hospitals and ambulance services.

An Oklahoma doctor recently said that overdoses of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin, which many believe without evidence can prevent or cure COVID-19, are helping cause delays and problems for rural hospitals and ambulance services. The drug is used to kill internal and external parasites in livestock animals and, in smaller doses, in humans. Dr Jason McElyea told KFOR, an Oklahoma TV station, "There’s a reason you have to have a doctor to get a prescription for this stuff, because it can be dangerous". He added, "The [emergency rooms] are so backed up that gunshot victims were having hard times getting to facilities where they can get definitive care and be treated. Also read | Auckland knife attacker was on deportation notice, reveals New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern “Ambulances are stuck at the hospital waiting for a bed to open so they can take the patient in and they don’t have any, that’s it. If there’s no ambulance to take the call, there’s no ambulance to come to the call.” Oklahoma, currently, is struggling to cope with a surge in hospitalisations and deaths caused by the Delta virus variant. As per reports by the Johns Hopkins University, in the past week Oklahoma has recorded more than 18,400 cases and 189 deaths. The same source puts the death toll in Oklahoma over 8,000, out of more than 647,000 across the US.

Oklahoma hospitals deluged by ivermectin overdoses

With hospitals in Indonesia running at full capacity as the nation sees its worst COVID-19 outbreak&nbsp;fuelled by the Delta variant, several overworked nurses have been staging protests and threatening mass resignation if the government benefits are not paid by September 1.

According to local media reports, the Philippines’ government had set aside special risk allowances for health care workers, which included hazard pay and money for accommodation and transportation, at the start of the pandemic year

However, health care worker unions have alleged that the promised benefits and compensation have not been paid out.

“Health care workers are tired and extremely demoralized. Many have already resigned and many more want to,”&nbsp;Deutsche Welle news quoted Jao Clumia, union president of St. Luke’s Medical Center, one of the largest private hospitals in Manila.

However, the Philippines health department has been urging the healthcare worker unions to drop their plans and return to work.

“We understand their points, but we want to explain to them that there are policies that we have to follow,” Department of Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press conference.

According to Department of Health data, over 22,000 COVID-19 cases were reported in the Philippines on August 30. The seven-day moving average of new cases is currently more than 16,000. Hospital beds are also filling up around the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

With hospitals in Indonesia running at full capacity as the nation sees its worst COVID-19 outbreak fuelled by the Delta variant, several overworked nurses have been staging protests and threatening mass resignation if the government benefits are not paid by September 1.

With hospitals in Indonesia running at full capacity as the nation sees its worst COVID-19 outbreak fuelled by the Delta variant, several overworked nurses have been staging protests and threatening mass resignation if the government benefits are not paid by September 1. According to local media reports, the Philippines’ government had set aside special risk allowances for health care workers, which included hazard pay and money for accommodation and transportation, at the start of the pandemic year However, health care worker unions have alleged that the promised benefits and compensation have not been paid out. “Health care workers are tired and extremely demoralized. Many have already resigned and many more want to,” Deutsche Welle news quoted Jao Clumia, union president of St. Luke’s Medical Center, one of the largest private hospitals in Manila. However, the Philippines health department has been urging the healthcare worker unions to drop their plans and return to work. “We understand their points, but we want to explain to them that there are policies that we have to follow,” Department of Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press conference. According to Department of Health data, over 22,000 COVID-19 cases were reported in the Philippines on August 30. The seven-day moving average of new cases is currently more than 16,000. Hospital beds are also filling up around the country. (With inputs from agencies)

As COVID-19 surge, Philippines nurses threaten mass resignation over unpaid compensation

Former President Jacob Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday at a hospital outside the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal province where he is serving a 15-month prison sentence, the department of correctional services (DSC) confirmed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Mr&nbsp;Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday, August&nbsp;14, with other procedures scheduled for the coming days. As a result, DSC is unable to predict a discharge date as our priority at this stage is for&nbsp;Mr&nbsp;Zuma to be provided the best care possible,” the department said in a statement on Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The department also appealed to the people to refrain from speculating on the health of former President and allow medical practitioners space to continue providing quality healthcare&nbsp;to&nbsp;him.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“As inmates are placed in correctional centers involuntarily, the state has a total and inescapable responsibility and duty to care for them in a manner that does not violate or compromise their constitutional rights, with access to healthcare,” the department said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jacob Zuma, 79, was sentenced to&nbsp;15-month&nbsp;prison sentence for contempt of court.&nbsp;

Former President Jacob Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday at a hospital outside the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal province where he is serving a 15-month prison sentence, the department of correctional services (DSC) confirmed.

Former President Jacob Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday at a hospital outside the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal province where he is serving a 15-month prison sentence, the department of correctional services (DSC) confirmed. “Mr Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday, August 14, with other procedures scheduled for the coming days. As a result, DSC is unable to predict a discharge date as our priority at this stage is for Mr Zuma to be provided the best care possible,” the department said in a statement on Sunday. The department also appealed to the people to refrain from speculating on the health of former President and allow medical practitioners space to continue providing quality healthcare to him. “As inmates are placed in correctional centers involuntarily, the state has a total and inescapable responsibility and duty to care for them in a manner that does not violate or compromise their constitutional rights, with access to healthcare,” the department said. Jacob Zuma, 79, was sentenced to 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

Former President Jacob Zuma undergoes surgical treatment at hospital 

Getting an ambulance quickly in case of emergency may not be easy as COVID-19 cases skyrocket, a Tennessee official has warned.

On Thursday Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said that emergency services were overwhelmed and that long wait times should be expected.

She added that they were answering about 100 more calls a day than last year. August could possibly be their busiest month yet, according to local media.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/businesses-in-portland-oregon-close-early-amid-scorching-heat-405201">Also read |&nbsp;Businesses in Portland, Oregon, close early amid scorching heat</a>

Low vaccination rates and the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus have driven a surge of COVID-19 cases across the United States, overwhelming some state medical systems.

The number of daily COVID-19 cases across the country has doubled in the last two weeks, according to a Reuters tally, reaching a six-month peak, while the average number of daily deaths has increased 85% in the last 14 days.

Getting an ambulance quickly in case of emergency may not be easy as COVID-19 cases skyrocket, a Tennessee official has warned. On Thursday Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said that emergency services were overwhelmed and that long wait times should be expected.

Getting an ambulance quickly in case of emergency may not be easy as COVID-19 cases skyrocket, a Tennessee official has warned. On Thursday Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said that emergency services were overwhelmed and that long wait times should be expected. She added that they were answering about 100 more calls a day than last year. August could possibly be their busiest month yet, according to local media. Also read | Businesses in Portland, Oregon, close early amid scorching heat Low vaccination rates and the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus have driven a surge of COVID-19 cases across the United States, overwhelming some state medical systems. The number of daily COVID-19 cases across the country has doubled in the last two weeks, according to a Reuters tally, reaching a six-month peak, while the average number of daily deaths has increased 85% in the last 14 days.

Ambulances in short supply as COVID-19 patients overwhelm Memphis hospitals

When Diego started going out again to meet friends he never expected to be among a growing number of&nbsp;young&nbsp;Mexicans&nbsp;hospitalised by a highly contagious&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;variant&nbsp;driving another wave of infections.

"I let my guard down thinking that I wasn't going to catch it, but in the end I did," the 20-year-old student told AFP at a private clinic in a suburb north of Mexico City.

"This is&nbsp;no&nbsp;joke. It's a pretty cruel disease," said Diego, who did not want to give his full name.

He is one of 16 coronavirus patients being treated in the same&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;in Coacalco.

Unlike during the first two waves of the pandemic, most of the sick are in their 20s and 30s.

Mexico's official&nbsp;Covid-19 death toll of more than 244,000 is the fourth highest in the world, and the actual figure is believed to be significantly higher.

The government says that is partly a reflection of the country's large population, but is also due to the prevalence of underlying health problems, including obesity, hypertension and diabetes.

The country has registered nearly three million confirmed cases since the pandemic began, of which around 138,000 are active.

No&nbsp;lockdown

Experts say the latest wave of infections is due to the arrival of the Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;of the virus, as well as reduced social distancing, particularly among younger&nbsp;Mexicans.

The Mexico City authorities on Friday ruled out imposing any new lockdown measures, despite the health ministry raising the capital's alert status to the highest level.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-says-thousands-fled-fighting-in-syrias-daraa-403264">Also read |&nbsp;UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa</a>

"Right now it seems that neither the government nor anyone is interested in making people stay at home again," said Jesus Victoria, the head of nursing at the&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;in Coacalco.

Although people aged between 18 and 29 began to be vaccinated in late July, it was too late for some of the patients at the clinic, he said.

"We've been able to discharge most of them, but we have also had many deaths of&nbsp;young&nbsp;people," Victoria said.

"I don't know if as a society we are failing, if the government is failing. Shopping centres are open, cinemas, sports centres. It complicates things," he added.

Thanks to vaccinations, hospitalisations remain far below a peak seen in January when occupancy rose above 90 percent.

Now around half of general beds and 58 percent of those equipped with ventilators are available, according to the government.

Almost 50 million people in the country of 126 million have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and 27 million of them are fully vaccinated, the health ministry says.

&nbsp;Bars, parties

Hector Lopez, a 26-year-old computer programmer who is also hospitalised for&nbsp;Covid-19, said that in hindsight his family was not careful enough.

"Usually I don't go out. The problem is that my relatives do," he said.

"I had been taking care of myself. I hadn't gone out unless it was necessary," he added, as machines monitored his vital signs.

Lopez, who is expected to be discharged soon, said he had seen on social media that friends were going out more, despite the risks.

"It was very easy to see that they were in a bar or at a party as if nothing was happening," he said.

Mayra Jimenez, another patient, believes the Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;is so infectious that anyone who has avoided catching it without taking extra care is very lucky.

"We didn't go to parties or gatherings," said the 39-year-old, who is using a medical device to help her lungs recover.

"Fortunately I came through it okay, but there are people who are in a really bad way," she said.

When Diego started going out again to meet friends he never expected to be among a growing number of young Mexicans hospitalised by a highly contagious Covid-19 variant driving another wave of infections.

When Diego started going out again to meet friends he never expected to be among a growing number of young Mexicans hospitalised by a highly contagious Covid-19 variant driving another wave of infections. "I let my guard down thinking that I wasn't going to catch it, but in the end I did," the 20-year-old student told AFP at a private clinic in a suburb north of Mexico City. "This is no joke. It's a pretty cruel disease," said Diego, who did not want to give his full name. He is one of 16 coronavirus patients being treated in the same hospital in Coacalco. Unlike during the first two waves of the pandemic, most of the sick are in their 20s and 30s. Mexico's official Covid-19 death toll of more than 244,000 is the fourth highest in the world, and the actual figure is believed to be significantly higher. The government says that is partly a reflection of the country's large population, but is also due to the prevalence of underlying health problems, including obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The country has registered nearly three million confirmed cases since the pandemic began, of which around 138,000 are active. No lockdown Experts say the latest wave of infections is due to the arrival of the Delta variant of the virus, as well as reduced social distancing, particularly among younger Mexicans. The Mexico City authorities on Friday ruled out imposing any new lockdown measures, despite the health ministry raising the capital's alert status to the highest level. Also read | UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa "Right now it seems that neither the government nor anyone is interested in making people stay at home again," said Jesus Victoria, the head of nursing at the hospital in Coacalco. Although people aged between 18 and 29 began to be vaccinated in late July, it was too late for some of the patients at the clinic, he said. "We've been able to discharge most of them, but we have also had many deaths of young people," Victoria said. "I don't know if as a society we are failing, if the government is failing. Shopping centres are open, cinemas, sports centres. It complicates things," he added. Thanks to vaccinations, hospitalisations remain far below a peak seen in January when occupancy rose above 90 percent. Now around half of general beds and 58 percent of those equipped with ventilators are available, according to the government. Almost 50 million people in the country of 126 million have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and 27 million of them are fully vaccinated, the health ministry says. Bars, parties Hector Lopez, a 26-year-old computer programmer who is also hospitalised for Covid-19, said that in hindsight his family was not careful enough. "Usually I don't go out. The problem is that my relatives do," he said. "I had been taking care of myself. I hadn't gone out unless it was necessary," he added, as machines monitored his vital signs. Lopez, who is expected to be discharged soon, said he had seen on social media that friends were going out more, despite the risks. "It was very easy to see that they were in a bar or at a party as if nothing was happening," he said. Mayra Jimenez, another patient, believes the Delta variant is so infectious that anyone who has avoided catching it without taking extra care is very lucky. "We didn't go to parties or gatherings," said the 39-year-old, who is using a medical device to help her lungs recover. "Fortunately I came through it okay, but there are people who are in a really bad way," she said.

COVID-19 variant 'no joke,' young Mexicans warn from hospital

People living in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir will be provided with the same medical facilities that are available in cities now. Government is constructing 30 new oxygen plants in these far-flung areas and also providing high-standard medical equipment to these primary health hospitals.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir government with the help of the World Bank has been able to upgrade the medical Infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley. Previously, the people from rural areas had to come to the city for emergency cases. The inflow to the tertiary hospitals had increased manifold due to the Covid Pandemic.&nbsp;

And with the grant of 360 crores from the World Bank, people from the rural areas will benefit a lot. They won't have to come down to cities for medical treatments.&nbsp;

"Covid as a pandemic was a major challenge. The Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) is implementing a 250 million dollar project. 50 million project for covid related infrastructure. We have provided the best medical equipment to the peripheral areas of Kashmir. The primary health centres and district hospitals of these villages will have all the facilities needed.The management has improved remarkably. Patients had to travel from these remote places to Srinagar or Jammu for medical care. But now they won't have to," said Abid Rashid Shah, CEO, ERA

There are 30 new oxygen plants being set up across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 15 will be constructed in Jammu while the rest in the Kashmir zone. 42 different types of latest Critical Care Medical Equipments have been procured and provided to these facilities. In central Kashmir's Budgam district, ERA is constructing a 500 LPMS oxygen plant at Charar-e-Shareef. This will cater to around 1.5 lakh people living in the area.&nbsp;

"This project is with regard to providing oxygen plants. There will be 15 plants in the Kashmir valley while 15 will be constructed in Jammu. This plant here in Chahrar-e-Shareef would be providing oxygen to 60 beds in a hospital. This will benefit the people living in villages as they have facilities available nearby now," said Shuja Qureshi, AEE, ERA.

The doctors working in these rural areas have appreciated the step and say that it will help them in treating patients in these primary care centres, district hospitals etc. Earlier any patient requiring high oxygen supply would be sent to a tertiary hospital in Srinagar or Jammu.&nbsp;

"We had to shift patients from these far flung areas to Srinagar for the requirement of high oxygen supply. Now that we have an oxygen plant here, we don't have to shift them any more. We can manage the patients here only. This is an excellent job done by the government and they made it in record time." said Dr Mushtaq, Surgeon at Sub-Division Hospital.&nbsp;

The installation of various vital medical equipment at these medical care facilities in the far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit the people and also take off the load of tertiary hospitals.

People living in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir will be provided with the same medical facilities that are available in cities now. Government is constructing 30 new oxygen plants in these far-flung areas and also providing high-standard medical equipment to these primary health hospitals.

People living in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir will be provided with the same medical facilities that are available in cities now. Government is constructing 30 new oxygen plants in these far-flung areas and also providing high-standard medical equipment to these primary health hospitals. The Jammu and Kashmir government with the help of the World Bank has been able to upgrade the medical Infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley. Previously, the people from rural areas had to come to the city for emergency cases. The inflow to the tertiary hospitals had increased manifold due to the Covid Pandemic. And with the grant of 360 crores from the World Bank, people from the rural areas will benefit a lot. They won't have to come down to cities for medical treatments. "Covid as a pandemic was a major challenge. The Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) is implementing a 250 million dollar project. 50 million project for covid related infrastructure. We have provided the best medical equipment to the peripheral areas of Kashmir. The primary health centres and district hospitals of these villages will have all the facilities needed.The management has improved remarkably. Patients had to travel from these remote places to Srinagar or Jammu for medical care. But now they won't have to," said Abid Rashid Shah, CEO, ERA There are 30 new oxygen plants being set up across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 15 will be constructed in Jammu while the rest in the Kashmir zone. 42 different types of latest Critical Care Medical Equipments have been procured and provided to these facilities. In central Kashmir's Budgam district, ERA is constructing a 500 LPMS oxygen plant at Charar-e-Shareef. This will cater to around 1.5 lakh people living in the area. "This project is with regard to providing oxygen plants. There will be 15 plants in the Kashmir valley while 15 will be constructed in Jammu. This plant here in Chahrar-e-Shareef would be providing oxygen to 60 beds in a hospital. This will benefit the people living in villages as they have facilities available nearby now," said Shuja Qureshi, AEE, ERA. The doctors working in these rural areas have appreciated the step and say that it will help them in treating patients in these primary care centres, district hospitals etc. Earlier any patient requiring high oxygen supply would be sent to a tertiary hospital in Srinagar or Jammu. "We had to shift patients from these far flung areas to Srinagar for the requirement of high oxygen supply. Now that we have an oxygen plant here, we don't have to shift them any more. We can manage the patients here only. This is an excellent job done by the government and they made it in record time." said Dr Mushtaq, Surgeon at Sub-Division Hospital. The installation of various vital medical equipment at these medical care facilities in the far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit the people and also take off the load of tertiary hospitals.

Jammu & Kashmir: Health infrastructure upgraded in rural areas, World Bank helps

Lebanon's deepening economic crisis has piled pressure on hospitals, leaving them ill-equipped to face any new wave of the coronavirus, a top hospital director has warned.

Already struggling with shortages of medicine and an exodus of staff abroad, the country's health facilities are now also having to contend with almost round-the-clock power cuts.

"All hospitals... are now less prepared than they were during the wave at the start of the year," said Firass Abiad, the manager of the largest public hospital in the country battling Covid.

"Medical and nursing staff have left, medicine that was once available has run out," and ever lengthening cuts to the mains power supply have left hospitals under constant threat.

Even the Rafik Hariri University Hospital he runs has been struggling to cope.

"We only get two to three hours of mains electricity, and for the rest of the time it's up to the generators," Abiad said.

On top of worrying they could burn out, "we have the huge burden of having to constantly be on the hunt for fuel oil."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanons-public-water-system-on-the-verge-of-collapse-warns-unicef-400293">Also read |&nbsp;Lebanon's public water system on the verge of collapse, warns UNICEF</a>

Huge demand for the increasingly scarce commodity has driven up prices&nbsp;by more than 80 percent since June 17.

Even at the prestigious RHUH, some medicines are routinely running out.

"Some days it's antibiotics, others it's anaesthetics," the hospital chief said.&nbsp;

Sometimes "we're forced to ask the patients' relatives to go and try to find the medicine from another hospital or a pharmacy."

'Could be catastrophic'

After dropping over the spring, COVID-19 cases are on the rise again as Lebanese expats flood home for the summer, and many gather with family and friends.

On Thursday alone, 98 people tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival at Beirut airport, the health ministry said.

"It could be catastrophic if this rise in coronavirus numbers leads to a spike like the one we saw at the start of the year," Abiad said.

Abiad said the solution was better social distancing and more inoculations in a country where just 15 percent of the population have been fully vaccinated.

On Thursday, private hospitals warned of a looming "catastrophe" as some were only hours away from running out of fuel to power their generators.

The following day, pharmacies said they were going on indefinite strike over persistent shortages of medicines, just weeks after drug importers said the central bank owed millions of dollars to their suppliers abroad.

Pharmacies said importers are refusing to make deliveries as they are unhappy with the new prices for drugs that are no longer subsidised, and cannot get lines of credit for those that still are.

Around 1,300 doctors have emigrated since the economic crisis began in 2019, with the numbers picking up over the past 12 months, the doctors' syndicate says.

Since February last year, Lebanon has recorded&nbsp;553,615&nbsp;cases of COVID-19, 7,890&nbsp;of them fatal, according to health ministry figures.

Lebanon's deepening economic crisis has piled pressure on hospitals, leaving them ill-equipped to face any new wave of the coronavirus, a top hospital director has warned.

Lebanon's deepening economic crisis has piled pressure on hospitals, leaving them ill-equipped to face any new wave of the coronavirus, a top hospital director has warned. Already struggling with shortages of medicine and an exodus of staff abroad, the country's health facilities are now also having to contend with almost round-the-clock power cuts. "All hospitals... are now less prepared than they were during the wave at the start of the year," said Firass Abiad, the manager of the largest public hospital in the country battling Covid. "Medical and nursing staff have left, medicine that was once available has run out," and ever lengthening cuts to the mains power supply have left hospitals under constant threat. Even the Rafik Hariri University Hospital he runs has been struggling to cope. "We only get two to three hours of mains electricity, and for the rest of the time it's up to the generators," Abiad said. On top of worrying they could burn out, "we have the huge burden of having to constantly be on the hunt for fuel oil." Also read | Lebanon's public water system on the verge of collapse, warns UNICEF Huge demand for the increasingly scarce commodity has driven up prices by more than 80 percent since June 17. Even at the prestigious RHUH, some medicines are routinely running out. "Some days it's antibiotics, others it's anaesthetics," the hospital chief said. Sometimes "we're forced to ask the patients' relatives to go and try to find the medicine from another hospital or a pharmacy." 'Could be catastrophic' After dropping over the spring, COVID-19 cases are on the rise again as Lebanese expats flood home for the summer, and many gather with family and friends. On Thursday alone, 98 people tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival at Beirut airport, the health ministry said. "It could be catastrophic if this rise in coronavirus numbers leads to a spike like the one we saw at the start of the year," Abiad said. Abiad said the solution was better social distancing and more inoculations in a country where just 15 percent of the population have been fully vaccinated. On Thursday, private hospitals warned of a looming "catastrophe" as some were only hours away from running out of fuel to power their generators. The following day, pharmacies said they were going on indefinite strike over persistent shortages of medicines, just weeks after drug importers said the central bank owed millions of dollars to their suppliers abroad. Pharmacies said importers are refusing to make deliveries as they are unhappy with the new prices for drugs that are no longer subsidised, and cannot get lines of credit for those that still are. Around 1,300 doctors have emigrated since the economic crisis began in 2019, with the numbers picking up over the past 12 months, the doctors' syndicate says. Since February last year, Lebanon has recorded 553,615 cases of COVID-19, 7,890 of them fatal, according to health ministry figures.

Lebanon can't handle next COVID-19 wave: hospital chief

Peruvian police said on Wednesday they had dismantled an alleged criminal ring that had charged as much $21,000 per bed for seriously ill COVID-19 patients in a state-run hospital, aggravating care in a country hit by one of the world's deadliest outbreaks of the virus.

Authorities arrested nine people in an early morning raid on Wednesday, including the administrators of Lima's Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen public hospital, according to prosecutor Reynaldo Abia.

The scam was uncovered after police received a complaint from the brother of a man suffering from COVID-19 who had been asked for 82,000 soles ($20,783) to obtain an intensive care (ICU) bed and treatment at the hospital, said Abia.

Health Minister Óscar Ugarte told reporters the scam warranted immediate repercussions. "This is totally reprehensible," he said. "We cannot be negotiating with people's lives."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-set-to-name-castillo-as-president-as-rival-says-she-will-recognise-result-399132">Also read |&nbsp;Peru set to name Castillo as president as rival says she will recognise result</a>

Corruption scandals around virus care have already rattled the highest levels of power in&nbsp;Peru. Outrage over prior allegations that some top officials had been granted preferential "VIP" vaccinations prompted the country's health and foreign ministers to resign earlier this year.

The hospital involved in the more recent scandal, administered by the EsSalud social security system, provides free care. Patients must endure a long waiting list for the 80 ICU beds the hospital offers.

During the peak of the pandemic, many patients paid large sums of money to private clinics as the public system neared collapse. The number of available ICU beds has since soared to nearly 3,000 nationwide, compared to just hundreds available in March last year, but beds are still in high demand in the Andean nation.

Peru&nbsp;in late May tripled its official death count from the virus and leads the world in deaths per 100,000 inhabitants from the disease.

Peruvian police said on Wednesday they had dismantled an alleged criminal ring that had charged as much $21,000 per bed for seriously ill COVID-19 patients in a state-run hospital, aggravating care in a country hit by one of the world's deadliest outbreaks of the virus.

Peruvian police said on Wednesday they had dismantled an alleged criminal ring that had charged as much $21,000 per bed for seriously ill COVID-19 patients in a state-run hospital, aggravating care in a country hit by one of the world's deadliest outbreaks of the virus. Authorities arrested nine people in an early morning raid on Wednesday, including the administrators of Lima's Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen public hospital, according to prosecutor Reynaldo Abia. The scam was uncovered after police received a complaint from the brother of a man suffering from COVID-19 who had been asked for 82,000 soles ($20,783) to obtain an intensive care (ICU) bed and treatment at the hospital, said Abia. Health Minister Óscar Ugarte told reporters the scam warranted immediate repercussions. "This is totally reprehensible," he said. "We cannot be negotiating with people's lives." Also read | Peru set to name Castillo as president as rival says she will recognise result Corruption scandals around virus care have already rattled the highest levels of power in Peru. Outrage over prior allegations that some top officials had been granted preferential "VIP" vaccinations prompted the country's health and foreign ministers to resign earlier this year. The hospital involved in the more recent scandal, administered by the EsSalud social security system, provides free care. Patients must endure a long waiting list for the 80 ICU beds the hospital offers. During the peak of the pandemic, many patients paid large sums of money to private clinics as the public system neared collapse. The number of available ICU beds has since soared to nearly 3,000 nationwide, compared to just hundreds available in March last year, but beds are still in high demand in the Andean nation. Peru in late May tripled its official death count from the virus and leads the world in deaths per 100,000 inhabitants from the disease.

Peru arrests state hospital workers for charging COVID-19 patients $21,000 per bed

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for complications following a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Saturday that he feels fine and cannot wait to get back to work. 
 
The Vila Nova Star hospital where Bolsonaro has been since Wednesday said that is making satisfactory progress and may be discharged within days, while chief surgeon Antonio Macedo told journalists that he could be released on Sunday. 
 
Bolsonaro was offered a diet of soups and purees on Saturday, and assuming he showed no negative reaction, he could be discharged in the next few days, according to the hospital statement. 
 
Bolsonaro, 66, has been in the Sao Paulo hospital since Wednesday for treatment relating to an obstructed intestine following the 2018 knifing. 
 
In a live online event on Saturday to mark the opening of a Caixa Economica bank branch in the northern state of Ceará, Bolsonaro said he is feeling fine and itching to get back to work. 
 
"I'm fine, thank God. The problem I had earlier this week was still due to the stab wound I received in 2018 ... from time to time, it affects the gut," Bolsonaro said in the live event, explaining that he will not undergo surgery. 
 
"I can't wait to get back to work, see friends, and really get Brazil moving," he added.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for complications following a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Saturday that he feels fine and cannot wait to get back to work.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for complications following a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Saturday that he feels fine and cannot wait to get back to work. The Vila Nova Star hospital where Bolsonaro has been since Wednesday said that is making satisfactory progress and may be discharged within days, while chief surgeon Antonio Macedo told journalists that he could be released on Sunday. Bolsonaro was offered a diet of soups and purees on Saturday, and assuming he showed no negative reaction, he could be discharged in the next few days, according to the hospital statement. Bolsonaro, 66, has been in the Sao Paulo hospital since Wednesday for treatment relating to an obstructed intestine following the 2018 knifing. In a live online event on Saturday to mark the opening of a Caixa Economica bank branch in the northern state of Ceará, Bolsonaro said he is feeling fine and itching to get back to work. "I'm fine, thank God. The problem I had earlier this week was still due to the stab wound I received in 2018 ... from time to time, it affects the gut," Bolsonaro said in the live event, explaining that he will not undergo surgery. "I can't wait to get back to work, see friends, and really get Brazil moving," he added.

Brazil's Bolsonaro feeling 'fine', could be discharged from hospital on Sunday

Baghdad&nbsp;police&nbsp;said Saturday they had&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;a group of related&nbsp;men&nbsp;who&nbsp;allegedly&nbsp;attacked&nbsp;a&nbsp;hospital, as a security source told AFP the&nbsp;armed&nbsp;assault was carried out in retaliation after four Covid patients died when their oxygen was cut.

Security forces "arrested&nbsp;an&nbsp;armed&nbsp;group which&nbsp;attacked&nbsp;al-Kindi&nbsp;hospital", one of the main ones in the Iraqi capital, a&nbsp;police&nbsp;statement said.

About ten people were involved in the attack and were all&nbsp;arrested, the security source said.

They belonged to the family of one of the four patients&nbsp;who&nbsp;died earlier when a power cut turned off ventilators, according to this source.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dreamers-programme-deemed-unlawful-by-us-federal-judge-biden-says-deeply-disappointed-398708">Also read |&nbsp;'Dreamers' programme deemed unlawful by US Federal Judge, Biden says 'deeply disappointed'</a>

The situation in&nbsp;hospitals&nbsp;across the country has often been catastrophic during the pandemic.

There have been two deadly fires in less than three months in Covid-19 units, with one killing more than 80 people in&nbsp;Baghdad&nbsp;in April and the most recent killing at least 60 on Monday in southern Nassiriya.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 17,700 lives in Iraq, Covid units have been hastily built to care for patients. The country, however, remains subject to incessant power cuts.

Baghdad police said Saturday they had arrested a group of related men who allegedly attacked a hospital, as a security source told AFP the armed assault was carried out in retaliation after four Covid patients died when their oxygen was cut.

Baghdad police said Saturday they had arrested a group of related men who allegedly attacked a hospital, as a security source told AFP the armed assault was carried out in retaliation after four Covid patients died when their oxygen was cut. Security forces "arrested an armed group which attacked al-Kindi hospital", one of the main ones in the Iraqi capital, a police statement said. About ten people were involved in the attack and were all arrested, the security source said. They belonged to the family of one of the four patients who died earlier when a power cut turned off ventilators, according to this source. Also read | 'Dreamers' programme deemed unlawful by US Federal Judge, Biden says 'deeply disappointed' The situation in hospitals across the country has often been catastrophic during the pandemic. There have been two deadly fires in less than three months in Covid-19 units, with one killing more than 80 people in Baghdad in April and the most recent killing at least 60 on Monday in southern Nassiriya. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 17,700 lives in Iraq, Covid units have been hastily built to care for patients. The country, however, remains subject to incessant power cuts.

Armed men who attacked Baghdad hospital arrested, says police

Researchers have found out that cholesterol-lowering statins and anti-hypertension medicines stabilise underlying diseases, making patients more likely to recover from COVID-19.

A study conducted by a researchers from the University of California's San Diego School of Medicine found that patients taking statin are at 41 per cent lower risk of an in-hospital death due to coronavirus disease.

Lead author Lori Daniels said, "When faced with this virus at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a lot of speculation surrounding certain medications that affect the body's ACE2 receptor, including statin, and whether they may influence Covid-19 risk. At the time we thought that statins may inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 infection through their known anti-inflammatory effects and binding capabilities, which may potentially stop the progression of the virus".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-leaders-pledge-to-redouble-pandemic-fight-at-special-apec-meeting-398599">Also read |&nbsp;World leaders pledge to redouble pandemic fight at special APEC meeting</a>

As a part of the study, the research team used data from the American Heart Association's COVID-19 Cardiovascular Registry. They then applied their original findings to 10,541 patients across the United States, who were hospitalised with the coronavirus disease.&nbsp;

It was conducted across 104 hospitals from January to September 2020.

Further speaking about the research, Daniels said, "We performed more advanced analyses as we attempted to control for comorbidities, socioeconomic status and hospital factors. The study confirmed our prior findings that statins reduce risk of death among patients hospitalised for Covid-19."

Researchers have found out that cholesterol-lowering statins and anti-hypertension medicines stabilise underlying diseases, making patients more likely to recover from COVID-19.

Researchers have found out that cholesterol-lowering statins and anti-hypertension medicines stabilise underlying diseases, making patients more likely to recover from COVID-19. A study conducted by a researchers from the University of California's San Diego School of Medicine found that patients taking statin are at 41 per cent lower risk of an in-hospital death due to coronavirus disease. Lead author Lori Daniels said, "When faced with this virus at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a lot of speculation surrounding certain medications that affect the body's ACE2 receptor, including statin, and whether they may influence Covid-19 risk. At the time we thought that statins may inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 infection through their known anti-inflammatory effects and binding capabilities, which may potentially stop the progression of the virus". Also read | World leaders pledge to redouble pandemic fight at special APEC meeting As a part of the study, the research team used data from the American Heart Association's COVID-19 Cardiovascular Registry. They then applied their original findings to 10,541 patients across the United States, who were hospitalised with the coronavirus disease. It was conducted across 104 hospitals from January to September 2020. Further speaking about the research, Daniels said, "We performed more advanced analyses as we attempted to control for comorbidities, socioeconomic status and hospital factors. The study confirmed our prior findings that statins reduce risk of death among patients hospitalised for Covid-19."

Patients taking cholesterol medicine statin at 41% lower risk of an in-hospital death due to COVID-19

Brazil President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;was making satisfactory progress on Thursday according to the hospital where he is receiving treatment for a blocked intestine.

Far right leader&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;was taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday after suffering persistent hiccups and abdominal pain for around 10 days.

The 66-year-old was later transferred by a Brazilian Air Force airplane to the Vila Nova Star private hospital in Sao Paulo for further tests to determine whether or not he would need to undergo surgery.

The hospital decided on Wednesday to begin with a "conservative clinical treatment."

It said in a statement Thursday&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;remained in its care and was "evolving satisfactorily."

"The previously established treatment plan remains in place. The president will remain with no discharge scheduled," the hospital added.

There are no plans to operate but should the hospital change its mind, it would be the president's seventh surgery since he was stabbed in the abdomen in 2018 on the campaign trail.

His legislator son, Eduardo&nbsp;Bolsonaro, said in a video published to Telegram that doctors had removed "close to one liter (a quarter of a gallon) of liquid" from the president's stomach that was caused by the obstruction, considerably alleviating the pain.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-president-jair-bolsonaro-gets-hospitalised-to-find-cause-of-hiccups-398087">Also read |&nbsp;Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro gets hospitalised to find cause of 'hiccups'</a>

Another son, senator Flavio&nbsp;Bolsonaro, said his father had been "intubated as a precaution" when he was taken to the hospital in Brasilia.&nbsp;

His admission to the hospital came at a difficult time for&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;who last week saw his disapproval rating climb to an all-time high.

The Senate has also launched an investigation over his handling of the pandemic, the seriousness of which he repeatedly downplayed and which has cost almost 540,000 lives in Brazil. The investigation was extended by 90 days on Wednesday.

Bolsonaro, who contracted Covid-19 last year, is also being investigated by the public prosecutor for allegedly failing to act on an embezzlement tip-off regarding coronavirus vaccine purchases.&nbsp;

The opposition is pushing for the president of the chamber of deputies to open impeachment proceedings against&nbsp;Bolsonaro.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro was making satisfactory progress on Thursday according to the hospital where he is receiving treatment for a blocked intestine. Far right leader Bolsonaro was taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday after suffering persistent hiccups and abdominal pain for around 10 days.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro was making satisfactory progress on Thursday according to the hospital where he is receiving treatment for a blocked intestine. Far right leader Bolsonaro was taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday after suffering persistent hiccups and abdominal pain for around 10 days. The 66-year-old was later transferred by a Brazilian Air Force airplane to the Vila Nova Star private hospital in Sao Paulo for further tests to determine whether or not he would need to undergo surgery. The hospital decided on Wednesday to begin with a "conservative clinical treatment." It said in a statement Thursday Bolsonaro remained in its care and was "evolving satisfactorily." "The previously established treatment plan remains in place. The president will remain with no discharge scheduled," the hospital added. There are no plans to operate but should the hospital change its mind, it would be the president's seventh surgery since he was stabbed in the abdomen in 2018 on the campaign trail. His legislator son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, said in a video published to Telegram that doctors had removed "close to one liter (a quarter of a gallon) of liquid" from the president's stomach that was caused by the obstruction, considerably alleviating the pain. Also read | Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro gets hospitalised to find cause of 'hiccups' Another son, senator Flavio Bolsonaro, said his father had been "intubated as a precaution" when he was taken to the hospital in Brasilia. His admission to the hospital came at a difficult time for Bolsonaro who last week saw his disapproval rating climb to an all-time high. The Senate has also launched an investigation over his handling of the pandemic, the seriousness of which he repeatedly downplayed and which has cost almost 540,000 lives in Brazil. The investigation was extended by 90 days on Wednesday. Bolsonaro, who contracted Covid-19 last year, is also being investigated by the public prosecutor for allegedly failing to act on an embezzlement tip-off regarding coronavirus vaccine purchases. The opposition is pushing for the president of the chamber of deputies to open impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro's condition 'evolving satisfactorily', says hospital

After 10 straight days of hiccups, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been admitted to a hospital with intestinal obstruction. The 66-year-old had been complaining publicly since last week about suffering from hiccups following a July 3 surgery on a dental implant.

Brazil's President Bolsonaro in hospital due to persistent hiccups

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