Covid-19 has infected more than 349M people and killed over 5.6M worldwide. Here are some of the latest coronavirus-related developments:
Beijing tests 2M as Winter Olympics loom
Beijing city officials said all two million residents of a neighbourhood where a small cluster of coronavirus cases was detected will be tested, less than two weeks before the start of the Winter Olympics.
China’s cases constitute a tiny fraction of the massive surge in countries around the globe, with the highly contagious Omicron variant driving a fresh spike in infections.
Still, multiple small outbreaks around China — including in Beijing — have tested its strict “zero Covid” policy, which authorities have pursued even as the rest of the world has gradually re opened.
Russia breaks case record for third day
Russia reported a new daily high of Covid-19 cases, breaking its national record for the third day running as the highly contagious Omicron variants spurs surging infections.
The European country worst hit by the pandemic registered 63,205 cases over 24 hours, beating previous records of 57,212 on Saturday and 49,513 on Friday, government figures showed.
Moscow, the epicentre of Russia’s outbreak, posted a new record for the fourth day in a row with 17,528 infections.
Two Australian states to test school students twice weekly for Covid
Australia reported 58 deaths from Covid-19, as the two most populous states, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, said students would be tested twice weekly for the Omicron variant when classes resume next week.
NSW reported 34 deaths of patients with Covid-19, while Victoria state saw 14 deaths, and Queensland reported 10 deaths.
Health officials said they believe an Omicron outbreak has peaked in NSW and Victoria, which reported 20,324 and 13,091 new cases respectively.
Covax opens new front in pandemic arms race
Covax aims to break the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022 by ensuring a steady supply of vaccines at last for the world’s poorest countries — and swiftly getting them into arms.
The global scheme, aimed at procuring donor-funded jabs for the 91 weakest economies, delivered its one billionth dose last weekend — a major milestone that came far later than anticipated after a year of setbacks.
The battle for Covax in 2021 was getting hold of doses — besides rich countries cornering most of the vaccine supply, it faced export bans from producer countries, regulatory red tape and manufacturing delays.
PM cancels her wedding as New Zealand tightens measures
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has cancelled her wedding as the nation imposes new restrictions to slow the community spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, she told reporters.
New Zealand will impose mask rules and limit gathering from midnight on Sunday after a cluster of nine cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant showed community transmission from the North to South islands after a wedding.
A family travelled by plane from the North Island capital of Auckland to a wedding in the South Island attended by 100 people. The family and a flight attendant tested positive.
US food banks scrambling for volunteers
Food banks across the country are experiencing a critical shortage of volunteers as the Omicron variant frightens people away from their usual shifts, and companies and schools that regularly supply large groups of volunteers are canceling their participation over virus fears.
The end result in many cases has been a serious increase in spending by the food banks at a time when they are already dealing with higher food costs due to inflation and supply chain issues.
Europeans protest against vaccine passports
Thousands of people gathered in European capitals Saturday to protest vaccine passports and other requirements governments have imposed in hopes of ending the coronavirus pandemic.
Demonstrations took place in Athens, Helsinki, London, Paris and Stockholm.
No major incidents or clashes were reported.
Source: TRTWorld and agencies
Beijing tests 2M for Covid-19 as Winter Olympics loom – latest updates
Source: Pinay Pop Showbiz
