Hong Kong said on Sunday it is shortening the ban on airlines that are found to have carried three or more passengers who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival, as the number of local cases continues to ease from its peak.

Starting on Friday, the ban on individual airline routes will be reduced to seven days, from 14 previously, as part of its ongoing "flight suspension mechanism", the government said in a statement.

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The change came after the government said last week a ban on flights from nine countries - Canada, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Britain, the United States, France, Australia and the Philippines - would be lifted on April 1.

If there is at least one positive test and at least one case of non-compliance with pre-departure testing on any single flight, the airline will also be suspended from flying the route for seven days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/high-death-rate-in-hong-kong-shows-importance-of-vaccinating-the-elderly-464569">High death rate in Hong Kong shows importance of vaccinating the elderly</a>

Hong Kong reported 8,841 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, down from 10,405 on Friday, as its latest wave of infections continues to ease.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus

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Hong Kong said on Sunday it is shortening the ban on airlines that are found to have carried three or more passengers who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival, as the number of local cases continues to ease from its peak.

Hong Kong said on Sunday it is shortening the ban on airlines that are found to have carried three or more passengers who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival, as the number of local cases continues to ease from its peak. Starting on Friday, the ban on individual airline routes will be reduced to seven days, from 14 previously, as part of its ongoing "flight suspension mechanism", the government said in a statement. Also read | 50% of foreign companies in Hong Kong plan to relocate The change came after the government said last week a ban on flights from nine countries - Canada, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Britain, the United States, France, Australia and the Philippines - would be lifted on April 1. If there is at least one positive test and at least one case of non-compliance with pre-departure testing on any single flight, the airline will also be suspended from flying the route for seven days. Also read | High death rate in Hong Kong shows importance of vaccinating the elderly Hong Kong reported 8,841 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, down from 10,405 on Friday, as its latest wave of infections continues to ease. Watch | Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus

COVID-19: Hong Kong says to halve flight suspension rule to seven days

When Covid-19 ripped through&nbsp;India&nbsp;in 2020-21, several million people are thought to have died. Desperate efforts to stem the pandemic hurt the battle against another huge killer: tuberculosis.

India&nbsp;is the home to a quarter of the world's TB infections and an estimated half a million people died of the curable lung disease in 2020 in the South Asian nation -- a third of the global toll.

Because of the pandemic, global deaths from the "silent killer" rose in 2020 for the first time in more than a decade, reversing years of progress, the World Health Organization says.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-resumes-regular-international-flights-here-are-new-guidelines-465856">India resumes regular international flights: Here are new guidelines</a>

In&nbsp;India, the number of new cases detected in 2020 actually fell by a quarter to around 1.8 million due to Covid restrictions and as the pandemic diverted resources.

Nearly two-thirds of people with TB symptoms did not seek treatment, according to a 2019-21 nationwide government survey released on World TB Day on Thursday.

Ashna Ashesh, 29, diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis four years ago, saw how patients, many isolated and jobless because of lockdowns, struggled for support.

"They were incredibly afraid... They were reaching out for any kind of information that could be offered about how to access tests and medication," the public health professional with the Survivors Against TB collective told AFP.

"The impact has been immense... Covid has set back the fight against TB quite significantly. A recovery plan for TB is critical, both in&nbsp;India&nbsp;and globally."

India&nbsp;now faces an uphill battle to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of ending the spread of TB by 2025, five years earlier than the UN's target.

Experts and survivors are calling for intensive grassroots campaigns to find "missing" cases, more vaccine funding and support to combat malnutrition, a major trigger for TB.

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Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva from the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease said states need to increase services such as house-to-house visits and mass screenings.

"That's the only way now where you can eliminate TB," Sachdeva, who previously led the government's National Tuberculosis Elimination Program, told AFP.

&nbsp;Silver lining

Officially Covid has killed almost 520,000 Indians.

The pandemic -- which saw Covid replace TB as the world's deadliest infectious disease -- did however have one silver lining: increased mask-wearing.

Sachdeva estimates this might have cut TB transmission by 20 percent. Additional diagnostic machines&nbsp;procured for Covid could be redeployed for TB, he added.

Mumbai -- a megapolis of 20 million people and a TB hotspot -- has rolled out a programme with young survivors such as Seema Kunchikorve, who was diagnosed with TB five years ago at 20, to keep current patients on track with medications.

"The treatment has a lot of (side) effects which patients can't take," Kunchikorve told AFP during a TB awareness play staged at a school in&nbsp;India's biggest slum Dharavi.

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Vijay Chavan, who treats patients with drug-resistant TB at a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) clinic in Mumbai, said the Covid battle had shown the way to fight the older pandemic.

At the clinic, which treats children as young as five, patients spend hours undergoing check-ups beside brightly coloured wallpapers featuring famous comic characters, before collecting a large tray of pills for their treatments.

"If there is a political will for TB, just like Covid, it definitely will give us good results," he told AFP.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Why Wang Yi came to India

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-wang-yi-came-to-india-465562/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

When Covid-19 ripped through India in 2020-21, several million people are thought to have died. Desperate efforts to stem the pandemic hurt the battle against another huge killer: tuberculosis.

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

After Covid, India tries to get on top of tuberculosis

A&nbsp;Peruvian&nbsp;community&nbsp;has threatened to oppose the&nbsp;expansion&nbsp;of MMG Ltd's major&nbsp;Las&nbsp;Bambas&nbsp;copper&nbsp;mine, according to a document seen by Reuters, hinting at a new flashpoint for the project shortly after the state approved the increase in production.

Located in the Apurimac region of southern&nbsp;Peru, the Chinese-owned&nbsp;mine&nbsp;has been at the center of protests and road blockades since it started operations in 2016, which have caused it to frequently curtail its operations.

In a meeting on Thursday after the government's approval for the&nbsp;Las&nbsp;Bambas&nbsp;expansion&nbsp;was announced, the local Huancuire&nbsp;community&nbsp;said it would take all necessary "legal and social" measures to prevent the development of a second open pit copper&nbsp;mine&nbsp;called Chalcobamba.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-constitutional-court-orders-release-of-former-president-fujimori-463358">&nbsp;Peru constitutional court orders release of former president Fujimori</a>

"We are adamant in pointing out that we will not allow, or tolerate the start of operations in the unconsulted Chalcobamba project," the Huancuire&nbsp;community&nbsp;said in a document seen by Reuters and signed by local leaders on Thursday.

Peru's energy and mining ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

MMG, which controls&nbsp;Las&nbsp;Bambas, said it will complete work on Chalcobamba within five months to begin production in the second half of 2022.

The company expects the development of the project to increase its production to 400,000 tonnes of copper concentrate per year in the medium term, up from 380,000 tonnes.

Peru&nbsp;is the world's No. 2 copper producer after Chile and&nbsp;Las&nbsp;Bambas&nbsp;produces 2% of the world's supply of the red metal.

Huancuire's&nbsp;community&nbsp;leaders claims that the Ministry of Energy and&nbsp;Mines authorized the construction of Chalcobamba without having completed due diligence procedures with the&nbsp;community&nbsp;to start the project.

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Most of those living near the&nbsp;mine&nbsp;are indigenous people of Quechua descent and have repeatedly accused the Chinese company of failing to provide enough jobs and money to the region, one of the poorest in&nbsp;Peru, despite the vast&nbsp;mineral wealth.

Later on Friday, the federal government said in a statement it would send more national police troops to the region, an effort it says will free up the movement of vehicles and people and avoid disruption to regional economic activity. The move is a shift in strategy by the government of leftist President Pedro Castillo, who was attempting to avoid police confrontation with communities in the area.

"The Ministry of the Interior maintains a dissuasive police presence, guaranteeing the normal development of activities, both for communities and for companies in the public and private sectors," it said.

Watch |&nbsp;Peru Water Crisis: Two million people lack access to water

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A Peruvian community has threatened to oppose the expansion of MMG Ltd's major Las Bambas copper mine, according to a document seen by Reuters, hinting at a new flashpoint for the project shortly after the state approved the increase in production.

A Peruvian community has threatened to oppose the expansion of MMG Ltd's major Las Bambas copper mine, according to a document seen by Reuters, hinting at a new flashpoint for the project shortly after the state approved the increase in production. Located in the Apurimac region of southern Peru, the Chinese-owned mine has been at the center of protests and road blockades since it started operations in 2016, which have caused it to frequently curtail its operations. In a meeting on Thursday after the government's approval for the Las Bambas expansion was announced, the local Huancuire community said it would take all necessary "legal and social" measures to prevent the development of a second open pit copper mine called Chalcobamba. Also read | Peru constitutional court orders release of former president Fujimori "We are adamant in pointing out that we will not allow, or tolerate the start of operations in the unconsulted Chalcobamba project," the Huancuire community said in a document seen by Reuters and signed by local leaders on Thursday. Peru's energy and mining ministry did not respond to a request for comment. MMG, which controls Las Bambas, said it will complete work on Chalcobamba within five months to begin production in the second half of 2022. The company expects the development of the project to increase its production to 400,000 tonnes of copper concentrate per year in the medium term, up from 380,000 tonnes. Peru is the world's No. 2 copper producer after Chile and Las Bambas produces 2% of the world's supply of the red metal. Huancuire's community leaders claims that the Ministry of Energy and Mines authorized the construction of Chalcobamba without having completed due diligence procedures with the community to start the project. Also read | Peru: Archaeologists unearth fourteen 1000-years-old pre-Inca mummies Most of those living near the mine are indigenous people of Quechua descent and have repeatedly accused the Chinese company of failing to provide enough jobs and money to the region, one of the poorest in Peru, despite the vast mineral wealth. Later on Friday, the federal government said in a statement it would send more national police troops to the region, an effort it says will free up the movement of vehicles and people and avoid disruption to regional economic activity. The move is a shift in strategy by the government of leftist President Pedro Castillo, who was attempting to avoid police confrontation with communities in the area. "The Ministry of the Interior maintains a dissuasive police presence, guaranteeing the normal development of activities, both for communities and for companies in the public and private sectors," it said. Watch | Peru Water Crisis: Two million people lack access to water

Peru community plans opposition to Las Bambas mine expansion

Shanghai on Saturday recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but a member of the city's pandemic task force said officials were determined to avoid a full lockdown over the damage it would do to the economy.

Millions of Chinese in affected areas have been subjected to city-wide lockdowns by an Omicron-led outbreak that has sent daily case counts creeping ever-higher, though they remain insignificant compared to other countries.

Shanghai, however, has aimed to ease disruption with a more targeted approach marked by rolling 48-hour lockdowns of individual neighbourhoods and large-scale testing while largely keeping the metropolis of 25 million people running.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/transplantation-of-organs-from-deceased-covid-19-patients-is-possible-heres-how-464932">Transplantation of organs from deceased COVID-19 patients is safe and possible. Here's how</a>

At a daily Shanghai press conference Saturday, officials alluded to the importance of avoiding a full lockdown of the huge port city.

"If Shanghai, this city of ours, came to a complete halt, there would be many international cargo ships floating in the East China Sea," said Wu Fan, a medical expert with the city's pandemic task force.

"This would impact the entire national economy and the global economy."

Wu made the comments as city officials also announced that they would begin handing out self-testing kits to Shanghai residents, in the latest sign that the government was expanding its pandemic response.

The northeastern province of Jilin also said Saturday that it had begun distributing 500,000 of the rapid-antigen kits.

Shanghai and Jilin have been the areas hardest hit by the outbreak, which took off in early March.&nbsp;

China had largely kept the coronavirus -- which first emerged in the city of Wuhan in late 2019 -- under control through its strict zero-tolerance measures.

But that top-down approach is increasingly being questioned amid concerns over the economic impact and public "pandemic fatigue", especially considering Omicron's less severe symptoms.

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The National Health Commission announced two weeks ago that it would introduce the sale in China of rapid antigen self-test kits for the first time, and they have begun to appear on pharmacy shelves.

But Saturday's announcements appeared to mark their first wide-scale use as part of official pandemic control measures.

China on Saturday reported 5,600 new confirmed domestic transmissions, most of them asymptomatic.

Chinese authorities had watched nervously as a deadly Hong Kong Omicron surge sparked panic buying and claimed a high toll of unvaccinated elderly in the southern Chinese city.

Its subsequent spread in mainland China has posed a dilemma for authorities wrestling with how forcefully they should respond.

On Wednesday, Shanghai infectious disease expert Zhang Wenhong, a top doctor in the city's pandemic fight, called for balancing anti-virus measures with maintenance of "normal life".

The comments in his widely followed blog indicated growing official tolerance for voices who question the lockdown approach.

Shanghai's softer strategy has so far failed to stop cases from rising, and the localised lockdowns have provoked grumbling online and a run on groceries in some districts.

Shanghai on Saturday reported another steep rise in new local transmissions to 2,269 -- around 40 percent of the national total.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;This could happen if China doesn’t control its worst Covid-19 outbreak

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/this-could-happen-if-china-doesnt-control-its-worst-covid-19-outbreak-464622/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Shanghai on Saturday recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but a member of the city's pandemic task force said officials were determined to avoid a full lockdown over the damage it would do to the economy.

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

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

Thousands of people fled their homes near a Philippine volcano Saturday after an eruption sent ash and steam hundreds of metres into the sky.

Taal volcano, which sits in a picturesque lake south of Manila, exploded with a "short-lived" burst at 7:22 am (2322 GMT), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement.&nbsp;

It warned further eruptions were possible, which it said could trigger dangerous, fast-moving volcanic flows of gas, ash and debris, as well as a tsunami.&nbsp;

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Residents in five fishing and farming settlements around the lake were ordered to leave their homes, in the third mass evacuation in as many years around one of the country's most active volcanoes.

"It rained mud," said Cornelia Pesigan, 25, who sought shelter at a school outside the seven-kilometre (4.3-mile) "danger zone".

"It smelled really bad and I had difficulty breathing," the mother-of-two added.

The initial eruption was followed by "nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity" that sent plumes stretching 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) into the air, the seismological agency said, raising the alert level from two to three on a scale of zero to five.

A phreatomagmatic eruption happens when molten rock comes into contact with underground or surface water, said Princess Cosalan, a scientist at the agency, likening it to pouring "water on a hot pan".

Cosalan told AFP that ash and steam emissions had quietened in the hours after the initial burst, but said the institute's on-site sensors continued to detect volcanic earthquakes and another eruption was "possible".

The agency's chief, Renato Solidum, said the activity was weaker than in January 2020, when Taal shot ash 15 kilometres high and spewed red-hot lava, crushing scores of homes, killing livestock and sending tens of thousands into shelters.

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"There is no threat beyond the... five villages," Solidum said.

More than 12,000 people live in the most vulnerable communities, according to the latest available official data.

Police have been deployed to stop people entering the high-risk zones, while aviation authorities warned airlines and pilots of potential hazards from volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

The Philippines is hit periodically by eruptions and earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" -- a zone of intense seismic activity.&nbsp;

Access to the volcano island, which was once home to a community of thousands, has been prohibited since the 2020 eruption.

Last July, the seismological agency raised the alert level to three after Taal burst to life again.

It belched sulphur dioxide for several days, creating a thick haze over the capital and surrounding provinces.&nbsp;

The alert level was lowered back to two before Saturday's eruption.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;&nbsp;Gravitas: The Philippines delays RCEP nod

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-philippines-delays-rcep-nod-453334/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Thousands of people fled their homes near a Philippine volcano Saturday after an eruption sent ash and steam hundreds of metres into the sky. Taal volcano, which sits in a picturesque lake south of Manila, exploded with a "short-lived" burst at 7:22 am (2322 GMT), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement.

Thousands of people fled their homes near a Philippine volcano Saturday after an eruption sent ash and steam hundreds of metres into the sky. Taal volcano, which sits in a picturesque lake south of Manila, exploded with a "short-lived" burst at 7:22 am (2322 GMT), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement. It warned further eruptions were possible, which it said could trigger dangerous, fast-moving volcanic flows of gas, ash and debris, as well as a tsunami. Also read | To prevent rape and abuse, Philippines raises age of sexual consent to 16 Residents in five fishing and farming settlements around the lake were ordered to leave their homes, in the third mass evacuation in as many years around one of the country's most active volcanoes. "It rained mud," said Cornelia Pesigan, 25, who sought shelter at a school outside the seven-kilometre (4.3-mile) "danger zone". "It smelled really bad and I had difficulty breathing," the mother-of-two added. The initial eruption was followed by "nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity" that sent plumes stretching 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) into the air, the seismological agency said, raising the alert level from two to three on a scale of zero to five. A phreatomagmatic eruption happens when molten rock comes into contact with underground or surface water, said Princess Cosalan, a scientist at the agency, likening it to pouring "water on a hot pan". Cosalan told AFP that ash and steam emissions had quietened in the hours after the initial burst, but said the institute's on-site sensors continued to detect volcanic earthquakes and another eruption was "possible". The agency's chief, Renato Solidum, said the activity was weaker than in January 2020, when Taal shot ash 15 kilometres high and spewed red-hot lava, crushing scores of homes, killing livestock and sending tens of thousands into shelters. Also read | Philippines arrests doctor alleged to be top rebel "There is no threat beyond the... five villages," Solidum said. More than 12,000 people live in the most vulnerable communities, according to the latest available official data. Police have been deployed to stop people entering the high-risk zones, while aviation authorities warned airlines and pilots of potential hazards from volcanic ash in the atmosphere. The Philippines is hit periodically by eruptions and earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" -- a zone of intense seismic activity. Access to the volcano island, which was once home to a community of thousands, has been prohibited since the 2020 eruption. Last July, the seismological agency raised the alert level to three after Taal burst to life again. It belched sulphur dioxide for several days, creating a thick haze over the capital and surrounding provinces. The alert level was lowered back to two before Saturday's eruption. Watch | Gravitas: The Philippines delays RCEP nod

Thousands flee after Philippine volcano erupts

As recovery crews sifted through the mud at the China Eastern Airlines&nbsp;crash&nbsp;site, dozens of relatives of those on board flight MU5735 remained nearby in an anxious wait for further news.

One was Qin Haitao who comes from neighbouring Hunan province.

Qin's daughter, Shujun, was a passenger on the flight on Monday that had been en-route from the southwestern inland city of Kunming to the southeastern coastal city of Guangzhou, when it plummeted to the ground in a rural part of the Guangxi region, leaving no known survivors.

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Guangzhou-based migrant worker Shujun, 40, had travelled to Kunming to accompany her mother to see a specialist doctor she had heard was very good.

"We couldn't believe it and didn't dare say anything, for fear that my wife would not be able to bear it," Qin said, when describing the moment he heard the news of the&nbsp;crash&nbsp;on Monday.

"Our eyes were full of tears but we dared not weep. In fact, we knew the truth, but we kept it from her for a night, for half a day plus one night."

Qin said he initially received no official confirmation about his daughter's situation. But on Monday night his brother-in-law rushed to Guangzhou's Baiyun International Airport, where the flight was scheduled to arrive. There, he was shown a list of the passengers' names, which included Shujun's.

On Tuesday, Qin, his son and two others drove to Wuzhou and the next day visited the&nbsp;crash&nbsp;site accompanied by staff and volunteers from China Eastern.

"It's so painful," he said in a broken voice, holding back tears. "We&nbsp;have&nbsp;nothing&nbsp;but grief now…We are living in grief every day."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescue-team-find-human-remains-at-the-chinese-plane-crash-site-465135">Rescue teams find human remains at the Chinese plane crash site</a>

By 10am on Friday, 375 family members of the 132 people on board flight MU5735 had visited the&nbsp;crash&nbsp;site, officials said.

Rescue workers&nbsp;have&nbsp;reported finding human remains, pieces of personal belongings of the passengers and debris from the&nbsp;plane.

"Many family members were burning incense," Qin said, about the visit to the&nbsp;crash&nbsp;site.

"I prayed and put my daughter's name there. It happened to be her birthday that same day...so I said: 'Dad came to see you, my child. Happy birthday.'"

After that visit to the site, Qin has largely stayed at his hotel with his son, Shujun's elder brother and only sibling.

Shujun herself leaves behind a teenage daughter.

"We don't&nbsp;have&nbsp;any requests now," Qin said.

"Our only request is to find my daughter's body as soon as possible and bring her home."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: The moment Chinese Boeing nosedived

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-moment-chinese-boeing-nosedived-464424/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As recovery crews sifted through the mud at the China Eastern Airlines crash site, dozens of relatives of those on board flight MU5735 remained nearby in an anxious wait for further news.

As recovery crews sifted through the mud at the China Eastern Airlines crash site, dozens of relatives of those on board flight MU5735 remained nearby in an anxious wait for further news. One was Qin Haitao who comes from neighbouring Hunan province. Qin's daughter, Shujun, was a passenger on the flight on Monday that had been en-route from the southwestern inland city of Kunming to the southeastern coastal city of Guangzhou, when it plummeted to the ground in a rural part of the Guangxi region, leaving no known survivors. Also read | China renews search for second black box from crashed passenger plane Guangzhou-based migrant worker Shujun, 40, had travelled to Kunming to accompany her mother to see a specialist doctor she had heard was very good. "We couldn't believe it and didn't dare say anything, for fear that my wife would not be able to bear it," Qin said, when describing the moment he heard the news of the crash on Monday. "Our eyes were full of tears but we dared not weep. In fact, we knew the truth, but we kept it from her for a night, for half a day plus one night." Qin said he initially received no official confirmation about his daughter's situation. But on Monday night his brother-in-law rushed to Guangzhou's Baiyun International Airport, where the flight was scheduled to arrive. There, he was shown a list of the passengers' names, which included Shujun's. On Tuesday, Qin, his son and two others drove to Wuzhou and the next day visited the crash site accompanied by staff and volunteers from China Eastern. "It's so painful," he said in a broken voice, holding back tears. "We have nothing but grief now…We are living in grief every day." Also read | Rescue teams find human remains at the Chinese plane crash site By 10am on Friday, 375 family members of the 132 people on board flight MU5735 had visited the crash site, officials said. Rescue workers have reported finding human remains, pieces of personal belongings of the passengers and debris from the plane. "Many family members were burning incense," Qin said, about the visit to the crash site. "I prayed and put my daughter's name there. It happened to be her birthday that same day...so I said: 'Dad came to see you, my child. Happy birthday.'" After that visit to the site, Qin has largely stayed at his hotel with his son, Shujun's elder brother and only sibling. Shujun herself leaves behind a teenage daughter. "We don't have any requests now," Qin said. "Our only request is to find my daughter's body as soon as possible and bring her home." Watch | Gravitas: The moment Chinese Boeing nosedived

'We have nothing but grief' says father of plane crash victim

With Sri Lanka's economic situation getting worse, two of the country's major newspapers are suspending their print editions due&nbsp;to a lack of paper.

The island is facing its worst economic meltdown since it gained its&nbsp;independence from Britain in 1948.

The country was already in a big economic crisis when the pandemic began, reducing foreign worker remittance and damaging a key source of dollars for Sri Lanka's economy, the tourism sector.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-asks-sri-lanka-to-end-detentions-improve-rights-465086">US asks Sri Lanka to end detentions, improve rights</a>

Upali Newspapers said that their English- language daily, The Island and its Sinhalese version, Divaina will now only be available online&nbsp;"in view of the prevailing newsprint shortage"&nbsp;in the country.

Other main national&nbsp;dailies have also reduced the number of pages in their editions after the costs hiked&nbsp;by over a third in the past five months and having difficulties securing supplies from abroad.

Schools in Sri Lanka have had to postpone tests for three million students as the school authorities failed to source ink and papers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/amid-economic-crisis-in-the-island-nation-6-sri-lankan-nationals-illegally-enter-india-via-boat-464747">Amid economic crisis in the island nation, 6 Sri Lankan nationals illegally enter India via boat</a>

People have to wait for hours in a queue at gasoline pumps. At least four people have died waiting in long queues in the past week.

The government earlier this month allowed the rupee to depreciate and also announced that it is&nbsp;seeking help from&nbsp;IMF to clear its foreign debt.

The country is also seeking loans from India, China and other countries to overcome the current economic crisis.

The South Asian Island nearly needs $7 billion to pay for its external debts. The country’s foreign reserves have hit a low since the current government came in power in November 2019,&nbsp;from $7.5 billion to $2.3 billion.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: What caused Sri Lanka's economic crisis?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-what-caused-sri-lankas-economic-crisis-464997/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">
Sri Lanka has witnessed a record inflation of 17.5 per cent in February. This is fueled by the dollar shortage which has sparked energy shortages that are affecting all sectors and has led to skyrocketing prices with inflation reaching its fifth consecutive monthly high.

Officials of the Energy Ministry said that they have managed to raise $42 million has been by Friday. These funds will be used&nbsp;to pay for a cargo of diesel and aviation fuel that has been held up at the Colombo port for nearly two weeks as there were&nbsp;no dollars to pay for it.

(With inputs from agencies)
</div>

With Sri Lanka's economic situation getting worse, two of the country's major newspapers are suspending their print editions due to a lack of paper. The island is facing its worst economic meltdown since it gained its independence from Britain in 1948.

With Sri Lanka's economic situation getting worse, two of the country's major newspapers are suspending their print editions due to a lack of paper. The island is facing its worst economic meltdown since it gained its independence from Britain in 1948. The country was already in a big economic crisis when the pandemic began, reducing foreign worker remittance and damaging a key source of dollars for Sri Lanka's economy, the tourism sector. Also read | US asks Sri Lanka to end detentions, improve rights Upali Newspapers said that their English- language daily, The Island and its Sinhalese version, Divaina will now only be available online "in view of the prevailing newsprint shortage" in the country. Other main national dailies have also reduced the number of pages in their editions after the costs hiked by over a third in the past five months and having difficulties securing supplies from abroad. Schools in Sri Lanka have had to postpone tests for three million students as the school authorities failed to source ink and papers. Also read | Amid economic crisis in the island nation, 6 Sri Lankan nationals illegally enter India via boat People have to wait for hours in a queue at gasoline pumps. At least four people have died waiting in long queues in the past week. The government earlier this month allowed the rupee to depreciate and also announced that it is seeking help from IMF to clear its foreign debt. The country is also seeking loans from India, China and other countries to overcome the current economic crisis. The South Asian Island nearly needs $7 billion to pay for its external debts. The country’s foreign reserves have hit a low since the current government came in power in November 2019, from $7.5 billion to $2.3 billion. Watch | Gravitas: What caused Sri Lanka's economic crisis? Sri Lanka has witnessed a record inflation of 17.5 per cent in February. This is fueled by the dollar shortage which has sparked energy shortages that are affecting all sectors and has led to skyrocketing prices with inflation reaching its fifth consecutive monthly high. Officials of the Energy Ministry said that they have managed to raise $42 million has been by Friday. These funds will be used to pay for a cargo of diesel and aviation fuel that has been held up at the Colombo port for nearly two weeks as there were no dollars to pay for it. (With inputs from agencies)

Two major Sri Lankan newspapers suspend print editions as economic crisis surges

Crowding, confrontations and full-on attacks. Japan's many train fans are mostly mild-mannered enthusiasts passionate about the country's famed rail system, but a small group is gaining surprising notoriety.

Japan's railway system has long inspired envy around the world, with its famed punctuality, cutting-edge technology and meticulous timetables.

So it's no surprise that the country is home to a diverse landscape of train buffs, from those who enjoy poring over timetables to others who adore and even record the rumbling sound of passing trains.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-temperatures-drop-japan-asks-public-to-save-power-warns-of-blackouts-in-plea-464559">As temperatures drop, Japan asks public to save power, warns of blackouts in plea</a>

Perhaps the best-known group, however, is a tribe dubbed "toritetsu" (train photographers), who strive to take perfect photos of approaching trains.&nbsp;

They have been around for decades, but in recent years, reports of shouting matches, trespassing and even violence at stations have turned toritetsu into the bad boys of Japanese trainspotting.

Some argue the out-of-control behaviour isn't entirely new, citing frenzied farewells for retiring steam locomotives in the 1960s and '70s.

But recent incidents, including the harassment of a photobombing cyclist and an assault that left a teen with a fractured skull last year, have some enthusiasts worried.

"The manners have gotten worse for sure," lamented septuagenarian Masao Oda, who has been taking train photos for about 50 years.

I love everything about trains

It's an uncomfortable feeling for toritetsu like 27-year-old Akira Takahashi.

"People now point fingers at me," said Takahashi, whose fondest obsession is the EF66 electric locomotive model, which he describes as his "idol".

"The negative image of us now prevails... I don't want to be lumped together with some of us who are causing trouble."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-modi-and-japans-kishida-discuss-china-and-ukraine-conflict-463860">India’s Modi and Japan’s Kishida discussed China and Ukraine conflict: Shringla</a>

Most fans are more like 19-year-old Ryunosuke Takagai, a university student who has been known to get up at five in the morning to document his passion and sometimes takes on part-time factory work to finance his hobby.

"I love everything about trains -- their sound, their atmosphere," he told AFP.

"That moment when you succeed in capturing the train you'd spent hours waiting for is truly fulfilling," he said.

The increasingly raucous behaviour of some toritetsu may be driven by their pursuit of the perfect photo, according to Jun Umehara, a freelance railway journalist formerly at one of Japan's top train magazines.

He says factors including fewer "retiring" trains and more urban development mean hobbyist photographers are squeezed into smaller spaces as they chase their dream pictures.

"Every train has its last moment, which, for them, is the last missing piece of the puzzle they need to make their photo collection complete," he said.

"The idea of missing that final piece is almost unbearable for them," added Umehara.

"Hence the desperation."&nbsp;

No longer 'the enemy

Housing development over the years has also seen some old shooting spots razed, making it even harder for toritetsu to emulate the "impeccable" train photos they grew up admiring.&nbsp;

The images, featured by Japan's niche railway magazines with their devoted toritetsu readership, are often taken with a clear view of trains -- devoid of obstacles like fences, trees and passengers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japan-pm-fumio-kishida-announces-42-billion-investment-in-india-463849">Japan PM Fumio Kishida announces $42 billion investment in India</a>

"But imitating these exemplary photos in real-life situations is almost impossible," Umehara said. "And yet, that's what they're after."

The community of train fans encompasses a diverse group of enthusiasts, including "noritetsu", who simply enjoy riding on trains, "ekibentetsu", who focus on the ekiben bentos -- boxed meals sold at trains stations, and "soshikitetsu," so-called "mourners" of retiring trains.

Nationwide, there were an estimated five million train fans -- from casual to hardcore -- in 2015, according to Nobuaki Takada, a senior consultant at Tokyo-based firm NRI Social Information System Services.

And encroaching toritetsu have become an increasing problem for rail operators, which have often responded with heavier security.

But last year, industry behemoth East Japan Railway Company, commonly known as JR East, changed tack and launched an official fan club for train enthusiasts.

"Toritetsu can actually be counted on to take beautiful pictures of our trains and promote them on the internet," said Yusuke Yamamoto, an official with subsidiary JR East Start UP Co.

"So instead of treating them as our enemy, we wanted to build a good relationship with them through this fan community."&nbsp;

He wants to see the community overcome&nbsp;the stigma associated with its fringe elements, citing the way anime and manga obsessives have become more mainstream and less socially isolated in Japan.

"Toritetsu is a culture, and I hope its image will change," Yamamoto said.

Watch |&nbsp;Japan's Suzuki to invest $1.4 BN in India to boost EV infrastructure

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japans-suzuki-to-invest-14-bn-in-india-to-boost-ev-infrastructure-464187/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Crowding, confrontations and full-on attacks. Japan's many train fans are mostly mild-mannered enthusiasts passionate about the country's famed rail system, but a small group is gaining surprising notoriety.

Crowding, confrontations and full-on attacks. Japan's many train fans are mostly mild-mannered enthusiasts passionate about the country's famed rail system, but a small group is gaining surprising notoriety. Japan's railway system has long inspired envy around the world, with its famed punctuality, cutting-edge technology and meticulous timetables. So it's no surprise that the country is home to a diverse landscape of train buffs, from those who enjoy poring over timetables to others who adore and even record the rumbling sound of passing trains. Also read | As temperatures drop, Japan asks public to save power, warns of blackouts in plea Perhaps the best-known group, however, is a tribe dubbed "toritetsu" (train photographers), who strive to take perfect photos of approaching trains. They have been around for decades, but in recent years, reports of shouting matches, trespassing and even violence at stations have turned toritetsu into the bad boys of Japanese trainspotting. Some argue the out-of-control behaviour isn't entirely new, citing frenzied farewells for retiring steam locomotives in the 1960s and '70s. But recent incidents, including the harassment of a photobombing cyclist and an assault that left a teen with a fractured skull last year, have some enthusiasts worried. "The manners have gotten worse for sure," lamented septuagenarian Masao Oda, who has been taking train photos for about 50 years. I love everything about trains It's an uncomfortable feeling for toritetsu like 27-year-old Akira Takahashi. "People now point fingers at me," said Takahashi, whose fondest obsession is the EF66 electric locomotive model, which he describes as his "idol". "The negative image of us now prevails... I don't want to be lumped together with some of us who are causing trouble." Also read | India’s Modi and Japan’s Kishida discussed China and Ukraine conflict: Shringla Most fans are more like 19-year-old Ryunosuke Takagai, a university student who has been known to get up at five in the morning to document his passion and sometimes takes on part-time factory work to finance his hobby. "I love everything about trains -- their sound, their atmosphere," he told AFP. "That moment when you succeed in capturing the train you'd spent hours waiting for is truly fulfilling," he said. The increasingly raucous behaviour of some toritetsu may be driven by their pursuit of the perfect photo, according to Jun Umehara, a freelance railway journalist formerly at one of Japan's top train magazines. He says factors including fewer "retiring" trains and more urban development mean hobbyist photographers are squeezed into smaller spaces as they chase their dream pictures. "Every train has its last moment, which, for them, is the last missing piece of the puzzle they need to make their photo collection complete," he said. "The idea of missing that final piece is almost unbearable for them," added Umehara. "Hence the desperation." No longer 'the enemy Housing development over the years has also seen some old shooting spots razed, making it even harder for toritetsu to emulate the "impeccable" train photos they grew up admiring. The images, featured by Japan's niche railway magazines with their devoted toritetsu readership, are often taken with a clear view of trains -- devoid of obstacles like fences, trees and passengers. Also read | Japan PM Fumio Kishida announces $42 billion investment in India "But imitating these exemplary photos in real-life situations is almost impossible," Umehara said. "And yet, that's what they're after." The community of train fans encompasses a diverse group of enthusiasts, including "noritetsu", who simply enjoy riding on trains, "ekibentetsu", who focus on the ekiben bentos -- boxed meals sold at trains stations, and "soshikitetsu," so-called "mourners" of retiring trains. Nationwide, there were an estimated five million train fans -- from casual to hardcore -- in 2015, according to Nobuaki Takada, a senior consultant at Tokyo-based firm NRI Social Information System Services. And encroaching toritetsu have become an increasing problem for rail operators, which have often responded with heavier security. But last year, industry behemoth East Japan Railway Company, commonly known as JR East, changed tack and launched an official fan club for train enthusiasts. "Toritetsu can actually be counted on to take beautiful pictures of our trains and promote them on the internet," said Yusuke Yamamoto, an official with subsidiary JR East Start UP Co. "So instead of treating them as our enemy, we wanted to build a good relationship with them through this fan community." He wants to see the community overcome the stigma associated with its fringe elements, citing the way anime and manga obsessives have become more mainstream and less socially isolated in Japan. "Toritetsu is a culture, and I hope its image will change," Yamamoto said. Watch | Japan's Suzuki to invest $1.4 BN in India to boost EV infrastructure

Japan's hardcore train fans accused of going off the rails

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

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

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

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam mulls easing Covid rules

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

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

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

Germany&nbsp;reported&nbsp;another&nbsp;record&nbsp;high seven-day&nbsp;incidence&nbsp;of the coronavirus on Wednesday even as the country prepares to ease restrictions.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered 262,593 new infections, a 22% jump compared to a week ago, bringing the total number of infections to nearly 17.7 million.

Infections have been rising again since the start of March after rules preventing unvaccinated people from accessing many indoor public spaces started to be eased.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-global-rise-in-covid-cases-is-tip-of-the-iceberg-463031">WHO says global rise in COVID-19 cases is 'tip of the iceberg'</a>

The seven-day&nbsp;incidence&nbsp;rose to a new high of 1,607 infections per 100,000 people on Wednesday, up from 1,585 the day before.

Another&nbsp;269 people died, bringing the total death toll to 126,142 people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-protests-against-covid-measures-rock-europe-australia-430905">In Pics: Protests against Covid measures rock Europe, Australia</a>

On Friday, parliament is set to adopt a slimmed-down law that will significantly reduce restrictions around&nbsp;Germany. The existing law expires on Saturday.

The government argues that even though cases are rising, there is no longer a major risk of overloading the health system due to vaccinations and the fact that the dominant Omicron variant often has milder symptoms.

Limited protective measures will still be possible in hotspots with high numbers of infections.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Global covid cases are rising again

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Germany reported another record high seven-day incidence of the coronavirus on Wednesday even as the country prepares to ease restrictions. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered 262,593 new infections, a 22% jump compared to a week ago, bringing the total number of infections to nearly 17.

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

Germany reports another record COVID-19 incidence

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

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

Fourth Covid shot provides little benefit against Omicron infection: Study

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

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

COVID-19: Pakistan decides to end all restrictions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;were gearing up on Monday, with Ukrainian and&nbsp;Russian negotiators set to talk again after both sides cited progress, even though&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;attacked a&nbsp;base&nbsp;near the Polish border and fighting raged elsewhere.

A barrage of&nbsp;Russian missiles hit&nbsp;Ukraine's Yavoriv International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security, a&nbsp;base&nbsp;just 15 miles (25 km) from the Polish border that has previously hosted NATO military instructors, killing 35 people and wounding 134, a Ukrainian official said on Sunday.

Russia's defence ministry said up to 180 "foreign mercenaries" and a large number of foreign weapons were destroyed. Reuters could not independently verify the casualties reported by either side.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-war-who-is-chechen-warlord-ramzan-kadyrov-462074">Ukraine-Russia war: Who is Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov?</a>

Thousands of people have died since Feb. 24, when&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a special military operation to rid&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;of dangerous nationalists and Nazis.

The United States, which had watched&nbsp;Russia's build-up on&nbsp;Ukraine's borders with mounting alarm for weeks, says it was a premeditated, unjustified and unlawful "war of choice".

In a telephone call, U.S. President Joe Biden and France's Emmanuel Macron underscored their commitment to holding&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;accountable for the invasion, the White House said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, also discussed diplomatic efforts to stop&nbsp;Russia's invasion, the State Department said.

Hopes were boosted after&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;gave their most upbeat assessments following weekend negotiations.

"Russia&nbsp;is already beginning to talk constructively," Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said in a video online. "I think that we will achieve some results literally in a matter of days."

A&nbsp;Russian delegate to the&nbsp;talks, Leonid Slutsky, was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying they had made significant progress and it was possible the delegations could soon reach draft agreements.

Ukraine&nbsp;said&nbsp;talks&nbsp;via video were set to start at 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT). Neither side has said what they would cover. Three rounds of&nbsp;talks&nbsp;in Belarus, most recently last Monday, had focused mainly on humanitarian issues.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-tank-advance-in-ukraine-what-is-rasputitsa-462047">Russian tanks advance in Ukraine: What is 'Rasputitsa'?</a>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the countries' delegations had been speaking daily by video link and a clear aim of his negotiators was to "do everything" to arrange for him to meet Putin.

"We must hold on. We must fight. And we will win," Zelenskiy said in a late night video speech.

Harsh Sanctions

Global financial markets, battered by fears the conflict could spread and drag in NATO, rallied on hopes for progress in peace&nbsp;talks. Stocks rose while oil prices gave up some of their massive recent gains.&nbsp;

Soaring energy costs and disruptions to supply chains caused by the fighting and sanctions have fuelled inflationary pressures worldwide.

Russian coal and fertiliser king Andrei Melnichenko said the war in&nbsp;Ukraine, a top producer of grains, must be stopped or there would be a global food crisis as fertilizer prices were already too high for many farmers.

"The events in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;are truly tragic. We urgently need peace," Melnichenko told Reuters.

The West has sanctioned&nbsp;Russian businessmen, including European Union sanctions on Melnichenko, frozen state assets and cut off much of the&nbsp;Russian corporate sector from the global economy in an attempt to force Putin to change course.

Russia's finance ministry said on Monday it had approved a temporary procedure for repaying foreign currency debt, but warned payments would be made in roubles if sanctions prevented banks from honouring debts in the currency of issue.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-not-for-free-says-zelensky-on-western-arms-sale-to-ukraine-462030">&nbsp;It's not for free, says Zelensky on Western arms sale to Ukraine</a>

Also,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has asked China for military equipment, sparking concern in the White House that Beijing may undermine Western efforts to help Ukrainian defenders, several U.S. officials said.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is set to meet China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome on Monday, warned Beijing it would "absolutely" face consequences if it helped Moscow evade sanctions.

Asked about&nbsp;Russia's request for military aid, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, said, "I've never heard of that."

China found the current situation in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;"disconcerting", he said, adding, "We support and encourage all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis."

Still, violence and bloodshed continued.

Air raid sirens sounded before dawn in many cities and regions of&nbsp;Ukraine, including Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Ivano-Frankivsk and Cherkasy.

In Kyiv, at least one person was killed and three injured when a shell hit a residential building, state television said, while the city administration said the Antonov aircraft plant there had been shelled.

Authorities said they were stockpiling two weeks' worth of food for the 2 million people who have not yet fled from&nbsp;Russian forces attempting to encircle the capital.

An American journalist was shot and killed by&nbsp;Russian forces in the town of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, and another journalist was wounded, the regional police chief said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-warship-go-fck-yourself-ukraine-reveals-postage-stamp-462023">Russian warship 'go f*ck yourself': Ukraine reveals postage stamp</a>

Britain's defence ministry said&nbsp;Russian naval forces had established a distant blockade of&nbsp;Ukraine's Black Sea coast, isolating the country from international maritime trade.

In eastern&nbsp;Ukraine,&nbsp;Russian troops were trying to surround Ukrainian forces as they advance from the port of Mariupol in the south and the second city Kharkiv in the north, it added.

Russia's invasion has sent&nbsp;more&nbsp;than 2.5 million people fleeing across&nbsp;Ukraine's borders and trapped hundreds of thousands in besieged cities.

The United Nations says at least 596 civilians have died since the invasion began and the toll is probably considerably higher as it is difficult to confirm deaths in places such as Mariupol.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Why the West is winning the Information War

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-why-the-west-is-winning-the-information-war-461710/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The city council in Mariupol said 2,187 residents had been killed since the start of the invasion. Reuters was not able to verify that toll.

Moscow denies targeting civilians. It blames&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;for failed attempts to evacuate civilians from encircled cities, an accusation&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and its Western allies strongly reject.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine were gearing up on Monday, with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators set to talk again after both sides cited progress, even though Russia attacked a base near the Polish border and fighting raged elsewhere.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine were gearing up on Monday, with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators set to talk again after both sides cited progress, even though Russia attacked a base near the Polish border and fighting raged elsewhere. A barrage of Russian missiles hit Ukraine's Yavoriv International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security, a base just 15 miles (25 km) from the Polish border that has previously hosted NATO military instructors, killing 35 people and wounding 134, a Ukrainian official said on Sunday. Russia's defence ministry said up to 180 "foreign mercenaries" and a large number of foreign weapons were destroyed. Reuters could not independently verify the casualties reported by either side. Also read | Ukraine-Russia war: Who is Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov? Thousands of people have died since Feb. 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a special military operation to rid Ukraine of dangerous nationalists and Nazis. The United States, which had watched Russia's build-up on Ukraine's borders with mounting alarm for weeks, says it was a premeditated, unjustified and unlawful "war of choice". In a telephone call, U.S. President Joe Biden and France's Emmanuel Macron underscored their commitment to holding Russia accountable for the invasion, the White House said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, also discussed diplomatic efforts to stop Russia's invasion, the State Department said. Hopes were boosted after Russia and Ukraine gave their most upbeat assessments following weekend negotiations. "Russia is already beginning to talk constructively," Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said in a video online. "I think that we will achieve some results literally in a matter of days." A Russian delegate to the talks, Leonid Slutsky, was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying they had made significant progress and it was possible the delegations could soon reach draft agreements. Ukraine said talks via video were set to start at 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT). Neither side has said what they would cover. Three rounds of talks in Belarus, most recently last Monday, had focused mainly on humanitarian issues. Also read | Russian tanks advance in Ukraine: What is 'Rasputitsa'? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the countries' delegations had been speaking daily by video link and a clear aim of his negotiators was to "do everything" to arrange for him to meet Putin. "We must hold on. We must fight. And we will win," Zelenskiy said in a late night video speech. Harsh Sanctions Global financial markets, battered by fears the conflict could spread and drag in NATO, rallied on hopes for progress in peace talks. Stocks rose while oil prices gave up some of their massive recent gains. Soaring energy costs and disruptions to supply chains caused by the fighting and sanctions have fuelled inflationary pressures worldwide. Russian coal and fertiliser king Andrei Melnichenko said the war in Ukraine, a top producer of grains, must be stopped or there would be a global food crisis as fertilizer prices were already too high for many farmers. "The events in Ukraine are truly tragic. We urgently need peace," Melnichenko told Reuters. The West has sanctioned Russian businessmen, including European Union sanctions on Melnichenko, frozen state assets and cut off much of the Russian corporate sector from the global economy in an attempt to force Putin to change course. Russia's finance ministry said on Monday it had approved a temporary procedure for repaying foreign currency debt, but warned payments would be made in roubles if sanctions prevented banks from honouring debts in the currency of issue. Also read | It's not for free, says Zelensky on Western arms sale to Ukraine Also, Russia has asked China for military equipment, sparking concern in the White House that Beijing may undermine Western efforts to help Ukrainian defenders, several U.S. officials said. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is set to meet China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome on Monday, warned Beijing it would "absolutely" face consequences if it helped Moscow evade sanctions. Asked about Russia's request for military aid, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, said, "I've never heard of that." China found the current situation in Ukraine "disconcerting", he said, adding, "We support and encourage all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis." Still, violence and bloodshed continued. Air raid sirens sounded before dawn in many cities and regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Ivano-Frankivsk and Cherkasy. In Kyiv, at least one person was killed and three injured when a shell hit a residential building, state television said, while the city administration said the Antonov aircraft plant there had been shelled. Authorities said they were stockpiling two weeks' worth of food for the 2 million people who have not yet fled from Russian forces attempting to encircle the capital. An American journalist was shot and killed by Russian forces in the town of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, and another journalist was wounded, the regional police chief said. Also read | Russian warship 'go f*ck yourself': Ukraine reveals postage stamp Britain's defence ministry said Russian naval forces had established a distant blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea coast, isolating the country from international maritime trade. In eastern Ukraine, Russian troops were trying to surround Ukrainian forces as they advance from the port of Mariupol in the south and the second city Kharkiv in the north, it added. Russia's invasion has sent more than 2.5 million people fleeing across Ukraine's borders and trapped hundreds of thousands in besieged cities. The United Nations says at least 596 civilians have died since the invasion began and the toll is probably considerably higher as it is difficult to confirm deaths in places such as Mariupol. Watch | Gravitas Plus: Why the West is winning the Information War The city council in Mariupol said 2,187 residents had been killed since the start of the invasion. Reuters was not able to verify that toll. Moscow denies targeting civilians. It blames Ukraine for failed attempts to evacuate civilians from encircled cities, an accusation Ukraine and its Western allies strongly reject.

More Ukraine-Russia talks scheduled as attack on base kills dozens

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

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

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

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

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Carrie Lam said on Saturday that the&nbsp;city's&nbsp;COVID-19 outbreak wasn't&nbsp;yet&nbsp;past&nbsp;its&nbsp;peak&nbsp;despite recent daily case numbers showing a slight levelling off.

"At this moment, we could&nbsp;not&nbsp;comfortably say that we have&nbsp;past&nbsp;the&nbsp;peak," Lam told reporters.

Health authorities reported 29,381 new infections on Friday, compared with 31,402 new cases on Thursday.

Lam added that fresh food supplies from mainland China had largely been restored to previous levels, after panic buying by the public in recent weeks had seen some supermarket shelves emptied on a daily basis.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-pandemic-far-from-over-as-covid-death-toll-reaches-6-million-460689">WHO warns pandemic 'far from over' as Covid death toll reaches 6 million</a>

In total since early 2020, the global financial hub has recorded almost 650,000&nbsp;COVID-19 infections and about 3,500 deaths - most of them in the&nbsp;past&nbsp;two weeks.

Hong&nbsp;Kong, like mainland China, has adopted a "dynamic zero" strategy that seeks to curb infections with strict mitigation measures, even as most other major cities learn to live with the virus. China and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's approach has been severely tested by the fast spreading Omicron variant.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;registered the most deaths per million people globally in the week to March 9, according to data publication Our World in Data. Most have been unvaccinated senior citizens.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-builds-new-bridge-to-hong-kong-amid-covid-surge-460602">&nbsp;China builds new bridge to Hong Kong amid Covid surge</a>

A senior Chinese official overseeing&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;affairs, Xia Baolong, who has been helping coordinate China's response to aid&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in trying to contain the outbreak, was cited by the China News Agency as saying the&nbsp;city's&nbsp;COVID-19 situation was still severe and to adequately prepare oneself mentally for this "long-term war".

He added that the government needed to do carry out its anti-epidemic work in a precise manner like "acupuncture" and to strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hong-kongs-covid-19-outbreak-triggers-mass-exodus-461093/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Responding to the remarks, Lam said "I can assure him ... that we are putting in every effort to fight this epidemic," while dismissing the view that the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;government wasn't working effectively and in unison to battle the outbreak.

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

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

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

Experts have warned that there can be a resurgence of the virus as cases among older people are increasing. The warning came after nearly 100,000 swabs were collected from people all across England.&nbsp;

It was concluded that 1 in 35 people tested positive between February 8 to March 1.&nbsp;

Professor Paul Elliot, the director of Imperial College London's React programme, said that the data shows an "uptick" in hospital admissions.

Chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Dr Jenny Harries said, "These data confirm that cases have declined substantially following the peak of the Omicron wave.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-pandemic-far-from-over-as-covid-death-toll-reaches-6-million-460689">Also read |&nbsp;WHO warns pandemic 'far from over' as Covid death toll reaches 6 million</a>

"However, the increasing presence of the BA.2 sub-lineage of Omicron and the recent slight increase in infections in those over 55 show that the pandemic is not over and that we can expect to see COVID circulating at high levels."

The findings come at a time when the latest government figures showed a rise of 46 per cent in cases.

The experts also believe that the hospitalisation rates are being driven by "unshielding," meaning that the people who have been careful for two years have now emerged into a world where infections are still widespread.&nbsp;

World Health Organisation's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday warned that the pandemic is 'far from over.'

He further said that even after two years, the virus is still evolving and even surging in some parts of the world. "Two years later, more than six million people have died," Tedros told a press conference.

"Although reported cases and deaths are declining globally, and several countries have lifted restrictions, the pandemic is far from over -- and it will not be over anywhere until it's over everywhere."

(With inputs from agencies)

Experts have warned that there can be a resurgence of the virus as cases among older people are increasing. The warning came after nearly 100,000 swabs were collected from people all across England.

Experts have warned that there can be a resurgence of the virus as cases among older people are increasing. The warning came after nearly 100,000 swabs were collected from people all across England. It was concluded that 1 in 35 people tested positive between February 8 to March 1. Professor Paul Elliot, the director of Imperial College London's React programme, said that the data shows an "uptick" in hospital admissions. Chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Dr Jenny Harries said, "These data confirm that cases have declined substantially following the peak of the Omicron wave. Also read | WHO warns pandemic 'far from over' as Covid death toll reaches 6 million "However, the increasing presence of the BA.2 sub-lineage of Omicron and the recent slight increase in infections in those over 55 show that the pandemic is not over and that we can expect to see COVID circulating at high levels." The findings come at a time when the latest government figures showed a rise of 46 per cent in cases. The experts also believe that the hospitalisation rates are being driven by "unshielding," meaning that the people who have been careful for two years have now emerged into a world where infections are still widespread. World Health Organisation's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday warned that the pandemic is 'far from over.' He further said that even after two years, the virus is still evolving and even surging in some parts of the world. "Two years later, more than six million people have died," Tedros told a press conference. "Although reported cases and deaths are declining globally, and several countries have lifted restrictions, the pandemic is far from over -- and it will not be over anywhere until it's over everywhere." (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: UK sees a surge in cases for people aged 55 and above

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

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

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

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

Hospitalised COVID-19 patients with congenital heart defect may be at higher risk for severe illness or death than those without the disorder, according to a US study.

The research, published in the journal Circulation, found that people with a congenital heart defect who contracted COVID-19 were also more likely to require treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) or need a ventilator.

The researchers found that among those at the highest risk for the most severe COVID-19 illness were patients who had a heart defect and another health condition, were 50 years and older, or were men.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-virus-chaos-pushes-more-expats-to-join-hong-kong-exodus-459783">COVID-19: Virus chaos pushes more expats to join Hong Kong exodus</a>

There are more than a dozen types of congenital heart defects, which result when the heart, or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth, they said.

"Data comparing COVID-19 outcomes among individuals with and without congenital heart defects has been limited," said study lead author Karrie Downing from the US&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers examined data on hospitalised COVID-19 patients from March 2020 to January 2021, collected in the Premier Healthcare Database Special COVID-19 Release, a database representing approximately 20 per cent of all US&nbsp;Hospitalisations.

During this period, the database had more than 235,000 patients, aged 1 to 64 years old, who were hospitalised for COVID-19.

Patients were divided into two groups: those who had a congenital heart defect and those who did not.

Researchers then determined how many required an admission to the ICU, needed a ventilator to help with breathing or died.They also reviewed other characteristics including other health conditions.

People with congenital heart defects consistently remained at high-risk for severe COVID-19 illness, even when divided into categories by age or other health conditions noted in the study, according to the researchers.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-china-daily-local-virus-cases-at-two-year-high-459760">&nbsp;COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high</a>

The findings have immediate, practical relevance for health care professionals as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the researchers said.

"People with heart defects should be encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and to continue to practice additional preventive measures for COVID-19, such as mask-wearing and physical distancing," said Downing.

"People with heart defects should also consult with their health care teams about additional steps to manage personal risks related to COVID-19, given the significantly increased risk of severe infection and serious complications," she added.

Downing noted that not all patients with heart defects who were hospitalised with COVID-19 had poor outcomes. 
The authors pointed out several limitations to their study.

Only people already hospitalised with COVID-19 were included, the clinical details about the underlying heart defect were not available, and lab testing to identify or confirm COVID-19 diagnoses may vary by hospital.

COVID-19 vaccination status was not considered, since the vaccines became available in the U.S. Starting in December 2020.

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

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

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

For the last eight years Mathilde and her family have called&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;home, but as the coronavirus tears through the city they are joining an&nbsp;exodus&nbsp;of foreign workers looking for an escape route.

"We are leaving and we will come back to empty our house whenever that is possible," she told AFP, declining to give her surname and nationality.&nbsp;"All our close friends are leaving."&nbsp;

For Mathilde it was the risk of being separated from her three&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong-born children that was the final straw after two years of tough "zero-Covid" restrictions.

"We want to get our children out of here above all," she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-china-daily-local-virus-cases-at-two-year-high-459760">COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high</a>

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;used mainland China's "zero-Covid" strategy to keep the&nbsp;virus&nbsp;at bay, until the highly infectious Omicron variant broke through at the start of the year.&nbsp;

But while other places that deployed similar tactics such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are learning to live with the&nbsp;virus,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is doubling down -- even as it records tens of thousands of new infections each day.

The city has been ordered by China, the only major economy still pursuing zero-Covid, to curb the outbreak at all costs.&nbsp;

All 7.4 million residents will be tested later this month and authorities are building a network of isolation camps to house the infected, deepening fears that families will be separated in the months ahead.

As a result, departures have skyrocketed with a net outflow of 71,000 people -- including 63,000 residents -- in February, the highest since the pandemic began.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-hong-kong-residents-urged-not-to-panic-ahead-of-covid-mass-testing-459564">COVID-19: Hong Kong residents urged not to panic ahead of COVID mass testing</a>

No road map

Travel restrictions have been hard on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's foreign workers, who make up nearly 10 percent of the population.

Borders have been effectively sealed to visitors and residents who do return have faced two to three weeks in expensive hotel quarantines throughout most of the pandemic.

"If there was a road map and we knew that there's some light at the end of the tunnel we might stay," said Heiko, a German entrepreneur who works in artificial intelligence.&nbsp;

"Since this is not the case... we've decided to leave."

Heiko's youngest daughter recently celebrated her second birthday.

"Her entire life has been a sequence of lockdowns, multiple stays in quarantine hotels, closed playgrounds and closed kindergartens. She's met her grandparents only once," he sighed.

Lucy Porter Jordan, a sociologist at the University of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, said that, before Omicron,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;"had the restrictions but you also had the safety".

If you take that out of the equation, you end up with this kind of perfect storm."

Most of those leaving, she added, were people with children and "people that have the means".

Over the last fortnight&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has looked&nbsp;more&nbsp;like New York or London at the start of the pandemic than a city which had two years of hard-won breathing room to get ready.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-settlement-uk-governments-home-office-to-pay-ps5750-to-eu-citizen-for-10-hour-detention-459737">In settlement, UK government’s Home Office to pay £5,750 to EU citizen for 10-hour detention</a>

The government was caught flat-footed with few plans in place to deal with a mass Omicron-fuelled outbreak.

Hospitals and morgues were quickly overwhelmed and the city's current death rate is four times Singapore's, mostly accounted for by unvaccinated elderly residents.

Panic buying has stripped shelves bare, schools remain shuttered and summer holidays have been brought forward so classrooms can be used for mass testing.

Talent drain

Companies and industry groups have been increasingly public in their talent-drain warnings. The European Union's local office estimates 10 percent of its nationals have left since the pandemic began.

Multiple airlines have reported a surge of bookings in recent weeks while shipping container prices have doubled in a year. International shipping company SendMyBag told AFP outbound shipments from&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;have increased four-fold compared with 2021.

"Everybody is looking for tickets to go, people are fighting for the containers," said Lin, a mother of two grown children who declined to give her nationality.

Lin is looking to move to Dubai after 12 years in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and said many of her colleagues were doing the same. &nbsp;

"A friend who's leaving next week had a three-year-old BMW and she said 'You know what, I'm just giving it to charity because no one will buy it anyway.'"

The current&nbsp;exodus&nbsp;adds to a wave of migration already under way of local&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers, which began after China cracked down against democracy protests.

Between June 2020 and June 2021&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;saw its biggest population decrease in 60 years, and there is little sign of that changing.&nbsp;

"We are now only in the starting period of this wave," said Chung Kim-wah, head of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's Public Opinion Research Institute.&nbsp;

"Many&nbsp;more&nbsp;young people will choose to move away if they have a chance".

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

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

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

After helping war-torn Ukraine, SpaceX chief Elon Musk has been in news even more. He has garnered lots of traction for helping Ukrainians. Not just this, but he also took on the US President Joe Biden when he posted about jobs being created by Ford and General Motors.&nbsp;

His efforts have led to a massive increase in his fan following. Some even believe that he should be the President of the United States.&nbsp;

"Elon Musk should run for President in 2028," wrote a Twitter user. Another person wrote, "I’m starting to think Elon Musk would make one hell of a great president of the United States. Anybody else feel the same way?"

Here are some of the tweets:

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Too bad <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> Is from South Africa, he would make a phenomenal president in 2028 right after DJT.
— Tom Norton For Congress (MI-02) (@ForNorton) <a href="https://twitter.com/ForNorton/status/1499126254519435266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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I’m starting to think Elon Musk would make one hell of a great president of the United States. Anybody else feel the same way?
— terry l. (@dubsndoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubsndoo/status/1497964642869600256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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If he runs for president, he’s got my vote!!<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> <a href="https://t.co/GvQQIYvZ2r">pic.twitter.com/GvQQIYvZ2r</a>
— Dav may 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@2006cummins) <a href="https://twitter.com/2006cummins/status/1499967107341115395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Last week Musk announced that Starlink was active in Ukraine and that SpaceX was sending more stations after a Ukrainian government official tweeted asking Musk to provide the embattled country with Starlink stations.

After this, he said that he will not block Russian news on his Starlink satellite broadband service "unless at a gunpoint."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-says-will-not-block-russian-news-on-starlink-unless-at-gunpoint-459385">Also read |&nbsp;Elon Musk says will not block Russian news on Starlink 'unless at gunpoint'</a>

This came in as Musk said that the service has been told by some governments, not Ukraine, to block Russian news sources. "We will not do so unless at 'gunpoint', sorry to be a free speech absolutist," he wrote in a tweet.&nbsp;

It was reported Monday that Ukraine had received donated satellite internet, terminals from Starlink, but an internet security researcher warned these could be targeted by the Russians.

Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov thanks Starlink for "keeping our cities connected and emergency services saving lives!". However, he added, that due to Russian attacks on infrastructure, the country needs generators to maintain Starlink's service.

(With inputs from agencies)

After helping war-torn Ukraine, SpaceX chief Elon Musk has been in news even more. He has garnered lots of traction for helping Ukrainians. Not just this, but he also took on the US President Joe Biden when he posted about jobs being created by Ford and General Motors.

After helping war-torn Ukraine, SpaceX chief Elon Musk has been in news even more. He has garnered lots of traction for helping Ukrainians. Not just this, but he also took on the US President Joe Biden when he posted about jobs being created by Ford and General Motors. His efforts have led to a massive increase in his fan following. Some even believe that he should be the President of the United States. "Elon Musk should run for President in 2028," wrote a Twitter user. Another person wrote, "I’m starting to think Elon Musk would make one hell of a great president of the United States. Anybody else feel the same way?" Here are some of the tweets: Too bad @elonmusk Is from South Africa, he would make a phenomenal president in 2028 right after DJT. — Tom Norton For Congress (MI-02) (@ForNorton) March 2, 2022 × I’m starting to think Elon Musk would make one hell of a great president of the United States. Anybody else feel the same way? — terry l. (@dubsndoo) February 27, 2022 × If he runs for president, he’s got my vote!!@elonmusk pic.twitter.com/GvQQIYvZ2r — Dav may 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@2006cummins) March 5, 2022 × Last week Musk announced that Starlink was active in Ukraine and that SpaceX was sending more stations after a Ukrainian government official tweeted asking Musk to provide the embattled country with Starlink stations. After this, he said that he will not block Russian news on his Starlink satellite broadband service "unless at a gunpoint." Also read | Elon Musk says will not block Russian news on Starlink 'unless at gunpoint' This came in as Musk said that the service has been told by some governments, not Ukraine, to block Russian news sources. "We will not do so unless at 'gunpoint', sorry to be a free speech absolutist," he wrote in a tweet. It was reported Monday that Ukraine had received donated satellite internet, terminals from Starlink, but an internet security researcher warned these could be targeted by the Russians. Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov thanks Starlink for "keeping our cities connected and emergency services saving lives!". However, he added, that due to Russian attacks on infrastructure, the country needs generators to maintain Starlink's service. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk as US President?  Here is what people demand

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;reported 31,008 new&nbsp;COVID-19 cases and 153 deaths on Sunday as the city's chief secretary said&nbsp;residents&nbsp;should&nbsp;not&nbsp;worry about a looming&nbsp;mass&nbsp;testing&nbsp;scheme, with details to be announced and authorities ensuring a steady supply of food.

The global financial hub is clinging to a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy as a&nbsp;massive spike in infections pushed hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours beyond capacity. Health experts said around 15% of the city's 7.4 million&nbsp;residents&nbsp;are already infected.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/radio-free-europe-with-roots-in-the-cold-war-suspends-operations-in-russia-459548">Radio Free Europe, with roots in the Cold War, suspends operations in Russia</a>

The comments by Chief Secretary John Lee on his blog, came as supermarket shelves were stripped for a seventh consecutive day, with anxious&nbsp;residents&nbsp;stocking up on products left on shelves from tofu and soy sauce to frozen vegetables.

As infections and deaths hit record highs,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has implemented its most draconian restrictions, with restrictions on public gatherings of more than two people, most venues closed and flights banned into the city from countries including the United States and Britain.

The government has repeatedly tried to reassure&nbsp;residents&nbsp;after widespread chaos this week due to authorities' mixed messaging over whether a city-wide lockdown would take place and the almost daily tweaking of&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;rules.

While city leader Carrie Lam has said the Chinese-ruled hub will&nbsp;not&nbsp;have a full-blown lockdown during the&nbsp;mass&nbsp;testing,&nbsp;residents&nbsp;remain unnerved about what to expect.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-hundreds-of-women-march-in-a-bid-to-end-violence-and-misogyny-459556">&nbsp;London: Hundreds of women march in a bid to end violence and misogyny</a>

The former British colony has had more than 470,000&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;infections. Most of the roughly 1,800 deaths have been in the past two weeks, many of them unvaccinated elderly&nbsp;residents&nbsp;as infections have spread in hundreds of nursing homes.

The surge in infections has crippled manpower in the healthcare system, for public transport, mall operators as well as postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies.

Many restaurants and stores have been shuttered with main districts eerily quiet and few&nbsp;residents&nbsp;out in typically busy neighbourhoods.

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

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

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

India reported 5,476 fresh Covid infections and 158 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said on Sunday morning. 
 
With the new deaths the toll has climbed to 5,15,036 in the country. 
 
Meanwhile, the active Covid cases have further reduced to 59,442, which constitute 0.14 per cent of the country`s total positive cases, as per the ministry report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-set-to-export-record-7-million-tonnes-wheat-this-year-459461">India set to export record 7 million tonnes wheat this year</a> 
 
The recovery of 9,754 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally to 4,23,88,475. Consequently, India`s recovery rate stands at 98.66 per cent, said the Union Health Ministry on Sunday. 
 
Also in the same period, a total of 9,09,985 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 77.28 crore cumulative tests. 
 
Meanwhile, the weekly positivity rate has further come down to 0.77 per cent while the daily positivity rate has fallen at 0.60 per cent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sigh-of-relief-183-indian-citizens-reach-delhi-in-special-flight-under-operation-ganga-459431">Sigh of relief: 183 Indian citizens reach Delhi in special flight under Operation Ganga</a> 
 
With the administration of over 26.19 lakhs vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's Covid inoculation coverage has reached 178.83 crore as of Sunday morning. This has been achieved through 2,07,34,782 sessions. 
 
More than 15.54 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories to be administered, according to the health ministry as of Sunday morning.

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

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

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

New global estimates state that over a billion people around the world will be obese by 2030. This means that no country is on track to meet WHO's target to put a stop to obesity by 2025. The new figures come in from the fourth world obesity atlas and produced by the world obesity federation.&nbsp;

One in every five women and one in seven men are predicted to be obese&nbsp;by 2030.&nbsp;

The highest rates of obesity have been discovered in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Almost half of the people, which is 47 per cent, in the US are likely to be obese by 2030.

Its chief executive, Johanna Ralston, in a report by The Guardian said, "The numbers in our report are shocking, but what is even more shocking is how inadequate our response has been. Everyone has a basic right to prevention, treatment and management access which works for them. Now is the time for joined-up, decisive and people-centred action to turn the tide on obesity."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-is-undergoing-sixth-mass-extinction-and-things-dont-look-good-for-humans-458842">Also read |&nbsp;World is undergoing sixth mass extinction and things don't look good for humans</a>

The study further estimates that 74 million women in Africa will be living with obesity in 2030, compared with 26 million in 2010, and 27 million men in 2030.

Also, in South Africa, half of women are predicted to be obese by 2030.

Dr Adelheid Onyango, at the WHO’s regional office for Africa said, "Our obesity rates have been low in the past, so the incremental growth will be dramatic because of that."

“We are seeing a shift in the consumption of unhealthy diets,” she added. Policies and regulatory systems around processed, high fat and sugary foods are weak in many countries across the continent and drivers for obesity have a fertile ground compared to more developed regions, where there is more regulation and public awareness."

(With inputs from agencies)

New global estimates state that over a billion people around the world will be obese by 2030. This means that no country is on track to meet WHO's target to put a stop to obesity by 2025.

New global estimates state that over a billion people around the world will be obese by 2030. This means that no country is on track to meet WHO's target to put a stop to obesity by 2025. The new figures come in from the fourth world obesity atlas and produced by the world obesity federation. One in every five women and one in seven men are predicted to be obese by 2030. The highest rates of obesity have been discovered in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Almost half of the people, which is 47 per cent, in the US are likely to be obese by 2030. Its chief executive, Johanna Ralston, in a report by The Guardian said, "The numbers in our report are shocking, but what is even more shocking is how inadequate our response has been. Everyone has a basic right to prevention, treatment and management access which works for them. Now is the time for joined-up, decisive and people-centred action to turn the tide on obesity." Also read | World is undergoing sixth mass extinction and things don't look good for humans The study further estimates that 74 million women in Africa will be living with obesity in 2030, compared with 26 million in 2010, and 27 million men in 2030. Also, in South Africa, half of women are predicted to be obese by 2030. Dr Adelheid Onyango, at the WHO’s regional office for Africa said, "Our obesity rates have been low in the past, so the incremental growth will be dramatic because of that." “We are seeing a shift in the consumption of unhealthy diets,” she added. Policies and regulatory systems around processed, high fat and sugary foods are weak in many countries across the continent and drivers for obesity have a fertile ground compared to more developed regions, where there is more regulation and public awareness." (With inputs from agencies)

More than a billion people around the world will be obese by 2030

Two of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's largest consumer&nbsp;retail&nbsp;chains&nbsp;started&nbsp;rationing some food and drug items on Friday to&nbsp;curb&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as&nbsp;COVID-19 cases soar.

Health authorities reported 52,523 new&nbsp;COVID-19 cases on Friday and 136 deaths. This compares with about 100 infections at the start of February and a clean three-month streak of zero cases before the end of December.

It was the third consecutive day that the number of cases topped 50,000. The spread has limited available manpower in the health care system, and for public transport, mall operators, supermarkets and pharmacies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-families-forced-to-split-as-cases-spiral-and-rules-tighten-in-hong-kong-458781">COVID-19: Families forced to split as cases spiral and rules tighten in Hong kong</a>

Supermarket chain ParknShop announced limits of five items per customer on&nbsp;staples&nbsp;such as rice, canned food and toilet paper, while pharmacy Watsons put the same limits on medication for pain, fever and colds.

"Effective today, ParKnShoP and Watsons&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;will impose purchase restrictions on selected products and medication at all stores," Watsons said in a statement.

Both ParknShop and Watsons are units of the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;listed conglomerate CK Hutchison.

On Wednesday, ParknShop announced shorter opening hours, with some of its 200 branches shutting at 3 p.m. - by which time many shops across the Asian financial hub have been stripped of fresh and frozen meat and vegetables in recent days.

Mall operator HKTV said in an exchange filing on Friday that 20% of its "frontline manpower" was in quarantine.

Separately,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's judiciary, citing health risks, said court hearings would be suspended between March 7 and April 11, with some exceptions, including bail applications, as well as cases involving people in custody and juvenile protection.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;officials have repeatedly urged people against&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;this week, saying supplies were adequate.

Amid public complaints of confused official messaging,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said her government had no plan for a "complete lockdown" while it plots compulsory testing of the city's 7.4 million residents.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-western-australia-ends-closures-as-the-country-fully-opens-to-travel-458631">COVID-19: Western Australia ends closures as the country fully opens to travel</a>

The government would announce details of the plan when finalised, she said.

The surge in cases and fears of a lockdown have sparked mass departures of people from the city, where authorities are clinging to a "dynamic zero" policy that seeks to eradicate all outbreaks at all costs.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;saw a net outflow of more than 71,000 people in February, the most since the beginning of the pandemic, according to government data, compared with 16,879 in December.

On the other hand, bans on flights from nine countries including the United States, Britain and Australia are in place until April 20, leaving some residents who had left temporarily stranded, unable to get back in.

Many restaurants and shops are shuttered, while its Central financial district is eerily quiet and few people are out in normally bustling neighbourhoods.

Highlighting growing public frustration, prominent businessman and government adviser Allan Zeman said on Tuesday the city's international reputation had been "very damaged" and alarm had been created by the confusing messages.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has reported about 400,000 cases of&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;since the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and some 1,500 deaths, far fewer than many other cities. Most infections and deaths were recorded in the past month.

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

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

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

Thirty-three people died Thursday when Russian forces hit residential areas, including schools and a high-rise apartment building, in the northern Ukrainian city of&nbsp;Chernihiv, officials said.

Ukraine's emergencies service said 18 people were also injured in the attack, updating an earlier toll.

The town of&nbsp;Chernihiv&nbsp;lies 120 kilometres (75 miles) northeast of Kyiv, which the Russian forces have been trying to invade from the north.

Chernihiv's deputy mayor Regina Gusak told AFP that the city was hit by a Russian "bombing attack".

Ukraine's emergencies service released images showing plumes of smoke coming out of heavily damaged apartments, with debris scattered across a yard and rescuers carrying bodies on stretchers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-russia-claims-to-have-besieged-two-big-cities-in-ukraine-455211">Also read |&nbsp;Live | Ukraine war: Worst is to come, Macron believes after call with Putin</a>

"Russian aircraft also attacked two schools in the Staraya Podusivka area (of&nbsp;Chernihiv) and private homes. Rescuers are working in the area," the governor of the&nbsp;Chernihiv&nbsp;region, Vyacheslav Chaus, said on Telegram.&nbsp;

Since it invaded Ukraine a week ago, Russia has said that it does not target civilian areas, despite widespread evidence to the contrary.

Ukraine says at least 350 civilians have been killed since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his attack.

The strikes came as Ukraine and Russia officials gathered for talks on a ceasefire on the Belarus-Poland border Thursday.&nbsp;

Putin on Thursday vowed to carry on with his advance in Ukraine in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Russian leader has showed no signs of backing down even as a barrage of Western sanctions is set to destroy Moscow's economy.&nbsp;

Thirty-three people died Thursday when Russian forces hit residential areas, including schools and a high-rise apartment building, in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, officials said.

Thirty-three people died Thursday when Russian forces hit residential areas, including schools and a high-rise apartment building, in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, officials said. Ukraine's emergencies service said 18 people were also injured in the attack, updating an earlier toll. The town of Chernihiv lies 120 kilometres (75 miles) northeast of Kyiv, which the Russian forces have been trying to invade from the north. Chernihiv's deputy mayor Regina Gusak told AFP that the city was hit by a Russian "bombing attack". Ukraine's emergencies service released images showing plumes of smoke coming out of heavily damaged apartments, with debris scattered across a yard and rescuers carrying bodies on stretchers. Also read | Live | Ukraine war: Worst is to come, Macron believes after call with Putin "Russian aircraft also attacked two schools in the Staraya Podusivka area (of Chernihiv) and private homes. Rescuers are working in the area," the governor of the Chernihiv region, Vyacheslav Chaus, said on Telegram. Since it invaded Ukraine a week ago, Russia has said that it does not target civilian areas, despite widespread evidence to the contrary. Ukraine says at least 350 civilians have been killed since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his attack. The strikes came as Ukraine and Russia officials gathered for talks on a ceasefire on the Belarus-Poland border Thursday. Putin on Thursday vowed to carry on with his advance in Ukraine in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron. The Russian leader has showed no signs of backing down even as a barrage of Western sanctions is set to destroy Moscow's economy.

Thirty-three people killed in Russian strike on Ukraine's Chernihiv

Emergency services ordered some Sydney residents to prepare to flee Wednesday as heavy rainfall barrelled down&nbsp;Australia's east coast, burying towns in floodwater, killing 13 and putting hundreds of thousands at risk.

A week-long torrential downpour has swollen rivers and reservoirs past bursting point, causing chaos in an area 800 kilometres (500 miles) long.

From Brisbane to Sydney, more than 30 evacuation warnings are in place and several dams are overflowing, with some near Sydney under threat of bursting.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/hundreds-of-thousands-at-risk-as-australian-floods-spread-see-some-devasting-pictures-458170">Hundreds of thousands at risk as Australian floods spread - see some devasting pictures</a>

&nbsp;

Terrified residents have sought refuge on higher ground, in make-shift evacuation centres, or by clambering into attics or onto rooftops praying for rescue by boat or helicopter.

In the hard-hit town of Lismore, Lucy Wise said the floods came much quicker and much higher than expected.

"The rain just wouldn't stop&nbsp;and the water was just coming up so fast" she told AFP.

She huddled at home as the waters rose through the night before grabbing her sleeping two-year-old son, cloaking him in a lifejacket and scrambling into the roof space of their house for safety.

"We were just lying there, silently, and the rain was just pouring down. I'd never heard such heavy rain in my life."

From outside neighbours watched as the house went under water.

"It was a few hours that I couldn't move. I could barely breathe. I was just taking it one breath at a time."

Wise and her family were eventually rescued by boat, but authorities say the floods have already claimed the lives of 13 others in Queensland and New South Wales.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-tests-positive-for-covid-isolates-458300">Australian PM tests positive for Covid, isolates</a>

The focus has now shifted to Sydney,&nbsp;Australia's largest city and home to more than five million people.

The Warragamba Dam, which supplies 80 percent of the city's water, began to spill over in the early hours of Wednesday.

Several western suburbs are under major flood and evacuation warnings, and authorities have told residents across the city to stop all "non-essential travel."

"There are quite a few hundred thousand people affected by these warnings that we are putting out now," said State Emergency Services commissioner Carlene York.

A La Nina weather pattern has caused Sydney to experience its wettest summer in 30 years.&nbsp;

Meteorologist Ben Domensino of @Weatherzone described the current storm system as an "atmospheric river" featuring a "long area of airborne moisture that is going in one direction."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-climate-change-will-impact-the-worlds-regions-differently-457772">How climate change will impact the world's regions differently</a>

&nbsp;

Scientists say climate change is making&nbsp;Australia's floods, bushfires, cyclones and droughts more frequent and more intense.

"Despite decades of warnings from scientists about climate change,&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;is unprepared for the supercharged weather that it is now driving, such as the current floods," said environmental expert Hilary Bambrick of the Queensland University of Technology.

"Australia&nbsp;is at the forefront of severe climate change. Temperatures are rising faster in&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;than the global average, and higher temperatures mean the atmosphere holds more moisture, meaning rainfall events are becoming more extreme."

Long road back

As the cleanup begins in northern areas which were hit first by the floods, many, like Mullumbimby resident Casey Whelan, predict a "long recovery" that could "take years."

Whelan fled his home as the flooding worsened, but as water levels stabilised he used a kayak that had floated by and a broomstick as an oar to return. He found it "just destroyed."

Water had risen up to the height of the kitchen bench, their furniture was submerged.

"Lots of people in my street can't get flood insurance. Some insurers will quote $30,000 (US$22,000) a year... they will just be ruined. They will have no way to rebuild," he said.

Watch |&nbsp;Bolstering Ukraine's defence amid Russian attack: Australia to provide 'lethal aid' to Ukraine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bolstering-ukraines-defence-amid-russian-attack-australia-to-provide-lethal-aid-to-ukraine-457127/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Fifty-three year-old farmer James Clark said it would take weeks just to assess the damage.

"I lost tools, I lost equipment, I have got farm machinery that's underwater. I didn't get it high enough. I guessed how high the flood was going to come and got gear up, but didn't get it up enough," he said.

"After a flood it could take months before things get back to normal. It's weeks even before you can walk around without, without sort of things being too wet underfoot."

Emergency services ordered some Sydney residents to prepare to flee Wednesday as heavy rainfall barrelled down Australia's east coast, burying towns in floodwater, killing 13 and putting hundreds of thousands at risk.

Emergency services ordered some Sydney residents to prepare to flee Wednesday as heavy rainfall barrelled down Australia's east coast, burying towns in floodwater, killing 13 and putting hundreds of thousands at risk. A week-long torrential downpour has swollen rivers and reservoirs past bursting point, causing chaos in an area 800 kilometres (500 miles) long. From Brisbane to Sydney, more than 30 evacuation warnings are in place and several dams are overflowing, with some near Sydney under threat of bursting. Also read | Hundreds of thousands at risk as Australian floods spread - see some devasting pictures Terrified residents have sought refuge on higher ground, in make-shift evacuation centres, or by clambering into attics or onto rooftops praying for rescue by boat or helicopter. In the hard-hit town of Lismore, Lucy Wise said the floods came much quicker and much higher than expected. "The rain just wouldn't stop and the water was just coming up so fast" she told AFP. She huddled at home as the waters rose through the night before grabbing her sleeping two-year-old son, cloaking him in a lifejacket and scrambling into the roof space of their house for safety. "We were just lying there, silently, and the rain was just pouring down. I'd never heard such heavy rain in my life." From outside neighbours watched as the house went under water. "It was a few hours that I couldn't move. I could barely breathe. I was just taking it one breath at a time." Wise and her family were eventually rescued by boat, but authorities say the floods have already claimed the lives of 13 others in Queensland and New South Wales. Also read | Australian PM tests positive for Covid, isolates The focus has now shifted to Sydney, Australia's largest city and home to more than five million people. The Warragamba Dam, which supplies 80 percent of the city's water, began to spill over in the early hours of Wednesday. Several western suburbs are under major flood and evacuation warnings, and authorities have told residents across the city to stop all "non-essential travel." "There are quite a few hundred thousand people affected by these warnings that we are putting out now," said State Emergency Services commissioner Carlene York. A La Nina weather pattern has caused Sydney to experience its wettest summer in 30 years. Meteorologist Ben Domensino of @Weatherzone described the current storm system as an "atmospheric river" featuring a "long area of airborne moisture that is going in one direction." Also read | How climate change will impact the world's regions differently Scientists say climate change is making Australia's floods, bushfires, cyclones and droughts more frequent and more intense. "Despite decades of warnings from scientists about climate change, Australia is unprepared for the supercharged weather that it is now driving, such as the current floods," said environmental expert Hilary Bambrick of the Queensland University of Technology. "Australia is at the forefront of severe climate change. Temperatures are rising faster in Australia than the global average, and higher temperatures mean the atmosphere holds more moisture, meaning rainfall events are becoming more extreme." Long road back As the cleanup begins in northern areas which were hit first by the floods, many, like Mullumbimby resident Casey Whelan, predict a "long recovery" that could "take years." Whelan fled his home as the flooding worsened, but as water levels stabilised he used a kayak that had floated by and a broomstick as an oar to return. He found it "just destroyed." Water had risen up to the height of the kitchen bench, their furniture was submerged. "Lots of people in my street can't get flood insurance. Some insurers will quote $30,000 (US$22,000) a year... they will just be ruined. They will have no way to rebuild," he said. Watch | Bolstering Ukraine's defence amid Russian attack: Australia to provide 'lethal aid' to Ukraine Fifty-three year-old farmer James Clark said it would take weeks just to assess the damage. "I lost tools, I lost equipment, I have got farm machinery that's underwater. I didn't get it high enough. I guessed how high the flood was going to come and got gear up, but didn't get it up enough," he said. "After a flood it could take months before things get back to normal. It's weeks even before you can walk around without, without sort of things being too wet underfoot."

Emergency services order residents to prepare to flee as floods threaten hundreds of thousands in Sydney

&nbsp;At least 12 people were killed and dozens went missing when a landslide hit a jade mine in Myanmar`s northernmost Kachin state, local police said on Tuesday. 
 
&nbsp;"A landslide occurred late on Monday. Nearly 40 jade scavengers were buried. Twelve bodies have been found this morning and the rescue operation is underway," the police said, Xinhua news agency reported.

The death toll could be higher in the landslide that struck an old jade mining site in Mat Lin Chaung village in Hpakant township of Kachin state at 22.35 p.m. local time on Monday, a local resident said. 
 
Deadly landslides are frequent in Kachin state, especially in Hpakant mining region.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-accuses-foreign-media-of-persistent-bias-457497">Myanmar junta accuses foreign media of 'persistent bias'</a>

Many locals make their living by scavenging jade in the region and most of the landslides are caused by partial collapse of the tailing heaps or dams. 
 
A major fatal landslide occurred at a jade mining site in Hpakant township in July 2020, leaving 174 dead and 54 others injured.

At least 12 people were killed and dozens went missing when a landslide hit a jade mine in Myanmar`s northernmost Kachin state, local police said on Tuesday. "A landslide occurred late on Monday.

At least 12 people were killed and dozens went missing when a landslide hit a jade mine in Myanmar`s northernmost Kachin state, local police said on Tuesday. "A landslide occurred late on Monday. Nearly 40 jade scavengers were buried. Twelve bodies have been found this morning and the rescue operation is underway," the police said, Xinhua news agency reported. The death toll could be higher in the landslide that struck an old jade mining site in Mat Lin Chaung village in Hpakant township of Kachin state at 22.35 p.m. local time on Monday, a local resident said. Deadly landslides are frequent in Kachin state, especially in Hpakant mining region. Also read | Myanmar junta accuses foreign media of 'persistent bias' Many locals make their living by scavenging jade in the region and most of the landslides are caused by partial collapse of the tailing heaps or dams. A major fatal landslide occurred at a jade mining site in Hpakant township in July 2020, leaving 174 dead and 54 others injured.

Jade mine landslide kills 12 in Myanmar

&nbsp;fire&nbsp;in a&nbsp;shopping&nbsp;centre in the&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;capital Damascus&nbsp;killed&nbsp;at least 11 people early Tuesday, the interior ministry said, in one of the deadliest blazes of recent years.

Many of those&nbsp;killed&nbsp;were security guards or other staff on duty overnight in the six-storey building, civil defence director Ahmad Abbas said.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear.

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"Eleven&nbsp;people have died as a result of the&nbsp;fire&nbsp;in the La Mirada&nbsp;mall, and two people have been rescued," the interior ministry said.

The&nbsp;fire&nbsp;caused "extensive material damage", it added, ripping&nbsp;through&nbsp;stores that sold clothes, leather goods and cosmetics -- many of which were highly flammable.

"Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blaze," the ministry statement said.

Fires in the&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;capital are relatively frequent, some caused by electrical short-circuits, others by unsafe heating.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morning-news-brief-israel-launches-strike-at-syria-pfizers-pandemic-profiteering-more-451598">Morning news brief: Israel launches strike at Syria, Pfizer's pandemic profiteering, &amp; more</a>

A 52-year-old witness, who asked to be identified only by his first name Hani, said the&nbsp;fire&nbsp;broke out at around 3:00 am (0100 GMT).

"The&nbsp;fire&nbsp;started on the top floor and started to spread quickly to other levels," he said.

Damascus police chief Hussein Jumaa said the cause of the blaze was likely "internal."

"The&nbsp;fire&nbsp;spread so fast that the people in the building couldn't save themselves," Jumaa told state television.&nbsp;

My livelihood is gone

Twenty&nbsp;fire&nbsp;engines helped douse the blaze, civil defence chief Abbas said.

"It took around four hours for us to bring the&nbsp;fire&nbsp;under control," he said, adding that the victims died either of suffocation or of severe burns.

They were all guards working at the&nbsp;mall, or workers on duty," Abbas added.

Ten of the 11 corpses recovered from the building were charred beyond recognition, the state SANA news agency reported.

It said seven people were wounded, including those who suffered smoke inhalation.&nbsp;

An AFP correspondent saw&nbsp;fire&nbsp;trucks stationed outside the charred facade of the&nbsp;shopping&nbsp;mall, where dozens of businesses had been destroyed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-strikes-against-syria-after-missile-attack-451589">Israel launches strikes against Syria after missile attack</a>

"We have asked everyone to stay away from the area to facilitate civil defence operations," a&nbsp;fire&nbsp;department official told AFP on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Despite the security cordon, dozens flocked to the scene, including business owners eager to check on their shops.

One store owner collapsed when he saw the scale of the damage.

"My livelihood is gone... my money is gone," he wailed.

The&nbsp;fire&nbsp;comes a week after a blaze in a hospital in Syria's second city of Aleppo&nbsp;killed&nbsp;three people, sparked by an electrical short-circuit, according to SANA.

In September last year, a firefighter died and two civilians were injured in a blaze that destroyed a fabric warehouse in the Old City of Damascus.&nbsp;

fire in a shopping centre in the Syrian capital Damascus killed at least 11 people early Tuesday, the interior ministry said, in one of the deadliest blazes of recent years.

fire in a shopping centre in the Syrian capital Damascus killed at least 11 people early Tuesday, the interior ministry said, in one of the deadliest blazes of recent years. Many of those killed were security guards or other staff on duty overnight in the six-storey building, civil defence director Ahmad Abbas said. The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear. Also read | Five dead as man kills three children and himself in California church "Eleven people have died as a result of the fire in the La Mirada mall, and two people have been rescued," the interior ministry said. The fire caused "extensive material damage", it added, ripping through stores that sold clothes, leather goods and cosmetics -- many of which were highly flammable. "Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blaze," the ministry statement said. Fires in the Syrian capital are relatively frequent, some caused by electrical short-circuits, others by unsafe heating. Also read | Morning news brief: Israel launches strike at Syria, Pfizer's pandemic profiteering, & more A 52-year-old witness, who asked to be identified only by his first name Hani, said the fire broke out at around 3:00 am (0100 GMT). "The fire started on the top floor and started to spread quickly to other levels," he said. Damascus police chief Hussein Jumaa said the cause of the blaze was likely "internal." "The fire spread so fast that the people in the building couldn't save themselves," Jumaa told state television. My livelihood is gone Twenty fire engines helped douse the blaze, civil defence chief Abbas said. "It took around four hours for us to bring the fire under control," he said, adding that the victims died either of suffocation or of severe burns. They were all guards working at the mall, or workers on duty," Abbas added. Ten of the 11 corpses recovered from the building were charred beyond recognition, the state SANA news agency reported. It said seven people were wounded, including those who suffered smoke inhalation. An AFP correspondent saw fire trucks stationed outside the charred facade of the shopping mall, where dozens of businesses had been destroyed. Also read | Israel launches strikes against Syria after missile attack "We have asked everyone to stay away from the area to facilitate civil defence operations," a fire department official told AFP on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorised to speak to the media. Despite the security cordon, dozens flocked to the scene, including business owners eager to check on their shops. One store owner collapsed when he saw the scale of the damage. "My livelihood is gone... my money is gone," he wailed. The fire comes a week after a blaze in a hospital in Syria's second city of Aleppo killed three people, sparked by an electrical short-circuit, according to SANA. In September last year, a firefighter died and two civilians were injured in a blaze that destroyed a fabric warehouse in the Old City of Damascus.

Eleven killed as fire rips through Syria shopping mall

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