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Covid-19 Updates
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Will gyms go the way of arcades and movie rental stores?
The pandemic has reshaped how Americans exercise and upended the fitness industry, accelerating the growth of a new era of high-tech home workout equipment and virtual classes. The question is can the they survive the onslaught from the apps and pricey bikes and treadmills or will they go the way of arcades, video rental shops and bookstores.
Novavax seeks OK for COVID vaccine in needy countries first
Vaccine maker Novavax announced Thursday it has asked regulators in India, Indonesia and the Philippines to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine -- offering its shot to some low-income countries before rich ones with ample supplies.
Delta variant challenges China’s costly lockdown strategy
The delta variant is challenging China’s costly strategy of isolating cities, prompting warnings that Chinese leaders who were confident they could keep the coronavirus out of the country need a less disruptive approach.
What should I know about the delta variant?
Recent research suggests that vaccinated people who get infected with the delta variant can spread it to others, even if the vaccinated don’t get seriously ill.
Google delays return to office, mandates vaccines
The delays by Apple and Google could influence other major employers to take similar precautions, given that the technology industry has been at the forefront of the shift to remote work triggered by the spread of the novel coronavirus.
EXPLAINER: Employers have legal right to mandate COVID shots
Private companies and government agencies can require their employees to get vaccinated as a condition of working there. Individuals retain the right to refuse, but they have no ironclad right to legal protection.
Thousands of foreigners leave Indonesia amid Covid-19 crisis
Indonesia now has the most confirmed daily cases in Asia, as infections and deaths have surged over the past month and India’s massive outbreak has waned. Infections peaked in mid-July, with the highest daily average reported at more than 50,000 new cases each day. Until mid-June, daily cases had been running at about 8,000.
Death rates soar in Southeast Asia as virus wave spreads
Images of bodies burning in open-air pyres during the peak of the pandemic in India horrified the world in May, but in the last two weeks Indonesia and two other Southeast Asian nations have surpassed India’s peak per capita death rate as a new coronavirus wave tightens its grip on the region.
Total COVID-19 cases rise to 71 at Tokyo Olympics
Tokyo Olympics organizers said 71 people have now tested positive. The total includes 31 people among the tens of thousands of international visitors expected in Japan to compete or work at the Games, which open Friday.
Research: India’s deaths during pandemic 10X official toll
The report also estimated that nearly 2 million Indians died during the first surge in infections last year and said not “grasping the scale of the tragedy in real time” may have “bred collective complacency that led to the horrors” of the surge earlier this year.
South Korean gov’t apologizes over virus-stricken destroyer
The outbreak aboard the destroyer Munmu the Great is the largest cluster South Korea's military has seen. A total of 247 of the ship's 301 crew have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days and two military planes had to be dispatched to fly them all home.
Bangladesh lifts lockdown to celebrate, exasperating experts
Tens of millions of Bangladeshis are shopping and traveling this week during a controversial eight-day pause in the country's strict coronavirus lockdown that the government is allowing for the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha. The suspension has been panned by health experts who warn it could exacerbate an ongoing surge fueled by the highly contagious delta variant, which was first detected in neighboring India.
Pacific Rim leaders discuss economic way out of pandemic
US President Joe Biden, his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among Pacific Rim leaders gathering virtually to discuss strategies to help economies rebound from a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden: Social media platforms ‘killing people’ with misinfo
“The only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated." — US President Joe Biden
The Latest: SKorea sees 11th straight day over 1,000 cases
South Korea has reported another new 1,455 cases of the coronavirus, its 11th straight day over 1,000, as officials push to tighten pandemic restrictions nationwide.
WHO chief says it was ‘premature’ to rule out COVID lab leak
“I was a lab technician myself, I’m an immunologist, and I have worked in the lab, and lab accidents happen. It’s common.” — WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Summer setback: COVID deaths and cases rising again globally
The reversal has been attributed to low vaccination rates, the relaxation of mask rules and other precautions, and the swift spread of the more-contagious delta variant, which WHO said has now been identified in 111 countries and is expected to become globally dominant in the coming months.
The Coca-Cola Foundation donates P20 million to Philippine Red Cross for vaccine distribution
The Coca-Cola Foundation (global) is donating US$400,000 (PhP 20 million) to Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to help expedite vaccine distribution around…
Lockdowns in Asia as some nations see 1st major virus surges
It's a rhythm familiar in much of the world, where repeated surges deluged hospitals and led to high numbers of deaths. But many Asian countries avoided that cycle by imposing stiff travel restrictions combined with tough measures at home. Now some are seeing record numbers of new cases and even deaths, blamed in part on the highly contagious delta variant combined with low rates of vaccination and decisions to ease restrictions that have hit economies hard.
Pfizer to seek OK for 3rd vaccine dose; shots still protect
Pfizer is about to seek US authorization for a third dose of its Covid-19 vaccine, saying that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant.
With 4 million Covid dead, many kids left behind
The 4 million people who have died so far in the coronavirus pandemic left behind parents, friends and spouses — but also young children who are navigating life now as orphans or with just one parent, who is also mourning the loss.
As global COVID-19 deaths top 4 million, a suicide in Peru
Vilca became yet another symbol of the despair caused by the coronavirus and the stark and seemingly growing inequities exposed by COVID-19 on its way to a worldwide death toll of 4 million, a milestone recorded Wednesday by Johns Hopkins University.
Indonesia caught between surge and slow vaccine rollout
After a slow vaccination rollout, Indonesia is now racing to inoculate as many people as possible as it battles an explosion of COVID-19 cases that have strained its health care. But inadequate global supply, the complicated geography of the world's largest archipelago nation, and hesitancy among some Indonesians stand as major roadblocks.
Europe in vaccination race against COVID-19’s delta variant
Countries across Europe are scrambling to accelerate coronavirus vaccinations and outpace the spread of the more infectious delta variant, in a high-stakes race to prevent hospital wards from filling up again with patients fighting for their lives.
No lockdown plans in Russia as virus deaths hit new record
Russian officials have blamed the rise in cases on Russians’ lax attitude toward taking precautions, the growing prevalence of more infectious variants and slow vaccination rates. Although Russia was among the first countries to announce and deploy a coronavirus vaccine, just over 23 million people — or 15% of its 146 million population — have received at least one shot.
Driven by delta variant, Covid-19 surges across Africa
Driven by the delta variant, a new wave of COVID-19 is sweeping across the African continent where new cases, hospital admissions, and deaths are increasing.
EXPLAINER: Delta variant exploits low vaccine rates, easing of rules
The latest alarming coronavirus variant is exploiting low global vaccination rates and a rush to ease pandemic restrictions, adding new urgency to the drive to get more shots in arms and slow its supercharged spread.
WHO decision challenges West to recognize Chinese vaccines
In its aim to restore travel across Europe, the European Union said in May that it would only recognize people as vaccinated if they had received shots licensed by the European Medicines Agency — although it’s up to individual countries if they wish to let in travelers who have received other vaccines, including Russia’s Sputnik V.
Will one dose of a two-dose Covid-19 vaccine protect me?
Experts recommend getting fully vaccinated, especially with the emergence of worrisome coronavirus mutations such as the delta variant first identified in India.
Israel scrambles to curb jump in COVID infections
Israel, a world leader in coronavirus vaccinations, reported its highest daily infection rate in three months as it scrambles to contain the spread of the new delta variant.
Amish put faith in God’s will and herd immunity over vaccine
Though vaccine acceptance varies by church district, the Amish often rely on family tradition and advice from church leaders, and a core part of their Christian faith is accepting God’s will in times of illness or death.
What should I know about the delta variant?
Viruses constantly mutate, and most changes aren't concerning. But there is a worry that some variants might evolve enough to be more contagious, cause more severe illness or evade the protection that vaccines provide.
Hong Kong to ban passenger flights from UK to curb virus
It said in a statement Monday that the UK has been classified as “extremely high risk“ because of the “recent rebound of the epidemic situation in the UK and the widespread delta variant virus strain there.”
Leaders of Germany, France urge vigilance over virus variant
The leaders of Germany and France called for vigilance Friday to prevent the spread of a coronavirus variant that this week prompted Britain to delay the planned relaxation of pandemic restrictions in England.
Republicans’ political attacks on Fauci go into overdrive after release of email trove
Dr. Anthony Fauci has been a political lightning rod since the early days of the pandemic, lionized by the left and villainized by the right. But with the release of a trove of Fauci's emails this past week, Republicans' political attacks on the nation’s top government infectious-diseases expert have gone into overdrive.
Get a jab, win a condo: Hong Kong tries vaccine incentives
Thousands of Hong Kong residents rush to make vaccination appointments after private companies, encouraged by the government, announced a slew of incentives for vaccinated residents, including the chance to win gold bars or a new Tesla.
Can employers make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory?
Experts say US employers can require employees to take safety measures, including vaccination. That doesn’t necessarily mean you would get fired if you refuse, but you might need to sign a waiver or agree to work under specific conditions to limit any risk you might pose to yourself or others.
Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 if I’m vaccinated?
The latest guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you don't need to be tested or to quarantine if you're fully vaccinated, even if you’ve been exposed to someone who was sick. An exception is if you develop COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue.
EXPLAINER: The US investigation into COVID-19 origins
Once dismissed by most public health experts and government officials, the hypothesis that COVID-19 leaked accidentally from a Chinese lab is now receiving scrutiny under a new US investigation.
Asia-Pacific area seeks post-pandemic progress
In many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the share of people vaccinated so far is in the low single digits. That includes places like Thailand and Taiwan that initially managed to avoid initial massive outbreaks but now are contending with their worst flare-ups.
WHO grants emergency approval to 2nd Chinese COVID vaccine
GENEVA — The World Health Organization has issued an emergency use listing for the COVID-19 vaccine made by…
Californians hit beaches, travel ahead of virus rules easing
LOS ANGELES — Californians headed to campgrounds, beaches and restaurants over the long holiday weekend as the state…
COVID-19 variants to be labeled as Greek letters
Hoping to strike a fair and more comprehensible balance, WHO said it will now refer to the most worrisome variants — known as “variants of concern” — by letters in the Greek alphabet.
Vietnam to test all 9M residents in largest city
Vietnam plans to test all 9 million people in its largest city for the coronavirus and imposed more restrictions Monday to deal with a growing COVID-19 outbreak.
Covid long-haulers baffle doctors with symptoms going on and on
A year into the pandemic, what’s causing the symptoms and how best to treat them is anything but clear. Making research especially difficult is that there is such a wide range of health issues involved—from brain fog to cardiovascular problems to rare cases of psychosis—and there’s no agreed-upon metric for who qualifies as a long-haul patient.
US taking ‘very close look’ at vaccine passports
WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the government is taking “a very close look” at the…
‘A whirlwind’: 1st Ohio vaccine lottery winners speak out
The Ohio Lottery inspired similar vaccine-incentive lotteries in Colorado, Maryland, New York state and Oregon. In Colorado, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis says the state will have a weekly lottery for five residents to win $1 million Tuesday to incentive COVID-19 vaccinations. Colorado is setting aside $5 million of federal coronavirus relief funds that would have gone toward vaccine advertising for five residents to win $1 million each.
Countries eager to reopen to travel as pandemic recedes
The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that the sector lost nearly $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs last year. Airlines alone lost $126 billion last year and are on track to lose another $48 billion this year, according to their largest trade group.
The poor, the rich: In a sick India, all are on their own
When a pandemic wave hits, everyone is on their own. The poor. The rich. The well-connected bureaucrats who hold immense sway here, and the people who clean the sewers. Wealthy businessmen fight for hospital beds, and powerful government officials send tweets begging for oxygen. Middle-class families scrounge wood for funeral pyres, and in places where there’s no wood to be found, hundreds of families have been forced to dump their relatives’ bodies into the Ganges River.
Sniffing Labrador retrievers join Thai coronavirus fight
Thailand has started deploying a canine virus-detecting squad in hopes of quickly identifying people with COVID-19 as the country faces a surge in cases, with clusters at construction sites, crowded slum communities and large markets.
Hundreds of bodies found buried along Indian riverbanks
Police are reaching out to villagers in northern India to investigate the recovery of bodies buried in shallow sand graves or washing up on the Ganges River banks, prompting speculation on social media that they were the remains of COVID-19 victims.
The unwitting are the target of COVID-19 falsehoods online
Dr. Michelle Rockwell lost a pregnancy in December and shared her heartache with her 30,000 Instagram followers. Weeks later, she received the COVID-19 vaccine and posted about that, too. By February, Rockwell was getting past the grief and finally starting to experience moments of joy. But then, to her horror, social media users began using her posts to spread the false claim that she miscarried as a result of the shot.
Why Patents On COVID Vaccines Are So Contentious
The Biden administration’s call to lift patent protections on COVID-19 vaccines to help poor parts of the world get more doses has drawn praise from some countries and health advocates. But it has run into resistance from the pharmaceutical industry and others, who say it won’t help curb the outbreak any time soon and will hurt innovation. Here’s a look at what patents do and why they matter:
PHOTO GALLERY: India’s Deadly Virus Surge Follows Crowded Events
India’s death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 200,000 as a virus surge sweeps the country, rooted in so-called…
COVID Treatment Has Improved, But Many Wish For An Easy Pill
There’s one choice now: Antibody drugs, which can cut the chances of needing to be hospitalized by 70% if given within 10 days of the start of symptoms.
The World Isolates. A New Zealand Band Plays To 50,000 Fans
While much of the world remains hunkered down, the band Six60 has been playing to huge crowds in New Zealand, where social distancing isn't required after the nation stamped out the coronavirus. The band’s tour finale on Saturday night was billed as the largest concert in the world since the pandemic began.
US To Resume J&J COVID Vaccinations Despite Rare Clot Risk
The US decision — similar to how European regulators are rolling out J&J's shot — comes after advisers to the CDC debated in a daylong meeting just how serious the risk really is. Panelists voted 10-4 to resume vaccinations without outright age restrictions, but made clear that the shots must come with clear warnings about the clots.
Norwegian Climber 1st To Test Positive On Mount Everest
The coronavirus has conquered the world's highest mountain.
How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?
While the current COVID-19 vaccines will likely last for at least about a year, they probably won’t offer lifelong protection, as with measles shots, said Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, a vaccine expert at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Vaccine passports are latest flash point in COVID politics
Vaccine passports being developed to verify COVID-19 immunization status and allow inoculated people to more freely travel, shop…
Are some COVID-19 vaccines more effective than others?
Around the world, hospitalizations are dropping in countries where vaccines have been rolling out including Israel, England and Scotland — regardless of which shots are given.
Vaccine passports are latest flash point in COVID politics
Vaccine passports are typically an app with a code that verifies whether someone has been vaccinated or recently tested negative for COVID-19. They are in use in Israel and under development in parts of Europe, seen as a way to safely help rebuild the pandemic-devastated travel industry.
Asian Americans top target for threats and harassment during pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic may be connected to the targeting of Asian Americans.
WHO report says animals likely source of COVID
A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to…
Survivors struggle as scientists race to solve COVID mystery
A year into the pandemic, thousands of self-described long-haulers, patients with symptoms that linger or develop out of the blue months after they first became infected with coronavirus, are still waiting for the symptoms to disappear. And for experts to come up with some answers.
I got the Covid-19 vaccine. What can I safely do?
One reason to keep your guard up after getting one dose of a two-dose vaccine: infection while having partial protection sets up the potential for the virus to mutate.
Pandemic redefines ‘public’ access to government meetings
A year after COVID-19 triggered government shutdowns and crowd limitations, more public bodies than ever are livestreaming their meetings for anyone to watch from a computer, television or smartphone. But in some cases, it's become harder for people to actually talk with their elected officials.
Anxiety, confusion, terror, relief: Giving birth in pandemic
As the pandemic stretches into a second year and economic worry persists, demographers are studying the reasons for an anticipated pandemic baby bust. Women, meanwhile, have learned to go through labor in masks and to introduce fresh arrivals to loved ones through windows.
Will work from home outlast virus? Ford’s move suggests yes
A report this week from the employment website Indeed says postings for jobs that mention “remote work” have more than doubled since the pandemic began. Such job postings are still increasing even while vaccinations are accelerating and the pace of new confirmed COVID cases is declining.
Warp-speed spending and other surreal stats of COVID times
The $1,400 federal payments going into millions of people's bank accounts are but one slice of a nearly $2 trillion relief package made law this past week. With that, the United States has spent or committed to spend nearly $6 trillion to crush the coronavirus, recover economically and take a bite out of child poverty.
Will the coronavirus ever go away?
Scientists think the virus that causes COVID-19 may be with us for decades or longer, but that doesn’t mean it will keep posing the same threat.
Anatomy of a conspiracy: With Covid, China took leading role
From Beijing and Washington to Moscow and Tehran, political leaders and allied media effectively functioned as superspreaders, using their stature to amplify politically expedient conspiracies already in circulation. But it was China -- not Russia – that took the lead in spreading foreign disinformation about COVID-19’s origins, as it came under attack for its early handling of the outbreak.
Texas and other states ease Covid-19 rules despite warnings
Texas on Tuesday became the biggest state to lift its mask rule, joining a rapidly growing movement by…
6 Covid-19 treatments helping patients survive
There is still no quick cure, but thanks to an unprecedented global research effort, several treatments are helping patients survive COVID-19 and stay out of the hospital altogether.
Covid-19 pandemic fuels attacks on health workers globally
A new report by the Geneva-based Insecurity Insight and the University of California, Berkeley’s Human Rights Center identified more than 1,100 threats or acts of violence against health care workers and facilities last year.
WHO: ‘Premature,’ ‘unrealistic’ COVID-19 will end soon
A senior World Health Organization official said Monday it was “premature” and “unrealistic” to think the pandemic might be stopped by the end of the year, but that the recent arrival of effective vaccines could at least help dramatically reduce hospitalizations and death.
Chinese vaccines sweep much of the world, despite concerns
China’s vaccine diplomacy campaign has been a surprising success: It has pledged roughly half a billion doses of its vaccines to more than 45 countries, according to a country-by-country tally by The Associated Press. With just four of China’s many vaccine makers claiming they are able to produce at least 2.6 billion doses this year, a large part of the world’s population will end up inoculated not with the fancy Western vaccines boasting headline-grabbing efficacy rates, but with China’s humble, traditionally made shots.
What’s safe after Covid-19 vaccination? Don’t shed masks yet
You’re fully vaccinated against the coronavirus — now what? Don’t expect to shed your mask and get back to normal activities right away.
‘Don’t worry, come forward’: Asian nations get 1st shots
Many nations in the Asia-Pacific region are rolling out the first shots for COVID-19 this week.
Can COVID-19 vaccines be mixed and matched?
In the US where vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are being distributed, health officials say the two aren't interchangeable even though they're made similarly.
How are experts tracking variants of the coronavirus?
Most mutations are meaningless, but others can make a virus more contagious, deadly or resistant to vaccines and treatment. Health experts are primarily concerned about three variants first detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil. They seem to spread more easily and research is underway to see if they cause more serious disease.
How do we know the COVID-19 vaccines are safe?
With more than 52 million vaccine doses administered in the US by mid-February, the CDC said it hasn't detected any patterns in deaths that signal a safety problem.
Building the nation’s resiliency one community at a time
Given the unprecedented and unexpected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the entire globe, developing economies such as…
Dragon dance ban saddens Manila residents
The Philippine government's ban on large public gatherings and street parties to fight the coronavirus dealt a big blow to hundreds of dragon dancers and production crews who are struggling to find other sources of income.
Does wearing two masks provide more protection?
It depends, but it’s possible that doubling up could help in some situations. The U.S. Centers for Disease…
Coronavirus variants, viral mutation and COVID-19 vaccines: The science you need to understand
As the virus infects more people and the pandemic spreads, SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. This process of evolution is constant and it allows the virus to sample its environment and select changes that make it grow more efficiently. Thus, it is important to monitor viruses for such new mutations that could make them more deadly, more transmissible or both.
Romania activist urges people to do something good every day
“It should be the basics: do good things for others!” he said. “Even a tiny bit of good for someone around you, and no bad at all.”
Covid-19 variant brings new dimension to Europe’s pandemic
In the first week of December, Portugal’s prime minister gave his pandemic-weary people an early Christmas gift: restrictions on gatherings and travel due to COVID-19 would be lifted from Dec. 23-26 so they could spend the holiday season with family and friends. Soon after those visits, the pandemic quickly got out of hand.
Indonesia’s confirmed coronavirus cases exceed 1 million
Indonesia’s Health Ministry announced that new daily infections rose by 13,094 on Tuesday to bring the country’s total to 1,012,350, the most in Southeast Asia. The total number of deaths reached 28,468.
New virus clusters hit China’s north provinces
BEIJING — A Chinese city has brought 2,600 temporary treatment rooms online as the country’s north battles new…
China builds hospital in 5 days after surge in virus cases
A similar program of rapid hospital construction was launched by the ruling Communist Party at the start of the outbreak last year in Wuhan.
UN: COVID-19 herd immunity unlikely in 2021 despite vaccines
“Even as vaccines start protecting the most vulnerable, we’re not going to achieve any levels of population immunity or herd immunity in 2021,” Swaminathan said. “Even if it happens in a couple of pockets, in a few countries, it’s not going to protect people across the world.”
Pacific nation of Micronesia sees 1st virus case
President David Panuelo said one crewmember aboard the government ship Chief Mailo had tested positive after the ship had returned from the Philippines following more than a year of drydock repairs.
Asia Today: India starts shipping COVID-19 vaccine to cities
Beginning Saturday, India will start the massive undertaking of inoculating an estimated 30 million doctors, nurses and other front-line workers. The effort will then turn to inoculating around 270 million people who are either older than 50 or have secondary health conditions that raise their risks of dying from COVID-19.
Biden gets 2nd dose of vaccine as team readies COVID-19 plan
President-elect Joe Biden received his second dose of the coronavirus vaccine on Monday, three weeks after getting his first one with television cameras rolling in an attempt to reassure the American public that the inoculations are safe.
Gorillas test positive for coronavirus at San Diego park
Several gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for the coronavirus in what is believed to be the first known cases among such primates in the United States and possibly the world.
From Zoom to Quibi, the tech winners and losers of 2020
We streamed, we Zoomed, we ordered groceries and houseplants online, we created virtual villages while navigating laptop shortages…
Some businesses thrived, many lagged during pandemic in 2020
A look at businesses that benefitted from the pandemic and those that faltered.
India vaccine maker sees virus as wake-up call
NEW DELHI — The coronavirus pandemic is a “wake up call” for governments to invest more in health…
Thriving together beyond 2020
Fear. Disruption. Uncertainty. These words perhaps best sum-up the feelings felt by all Filipinos this 2020 in light…