Coronavirus

US CDC tracks new lineage of virus that causes COVID

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday that it was tracking a new, highly mutated lineage of the virus that causes COVID-19. The lineage is named BA.2.86,…

Read More Here

New Covid vaccines are on the way as ‘Eris’ variant rises in US

A new COVID vaccine is due out next month, but health experts and analysts say it is likely to be coolly received even as hospitalizations from "Eris", a variant of…

Read More Here

Britain’s COVID inquiry launches with pledge to put bereaved at its heart

The chair of Britain's COVID-19 inquiry pledged to put the bereaved and those who suffered at the heart of her work as she began main hearings on Tuesday into how…

Read More Here

COVID global emergency over but risks remain, says China health official

SHENZHEN, China, May 6 (Reuters) - While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an end to the global emergency status for COVID-19, the virus remains harmful and China will…

Read More Here

UPDATED: WHO declares end to COVID global health emergency

By Jennifer Rigby and Bhanvi Satija LONDON, May 5 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization ended the global emergency status for COVID-19 on Friday more than three years after its…

Read More Here

No evidence yet showing which animal COVID may have come from, says former head of China CDC

(Reuters) - There is no evidence yet showing which animal the COVID-causing virus may have come from, the former head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…

Read More Here

India asks states to ramp up testing as COVID-19 cases climb

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's federal government asked states to identify emergency hotspots and ramp up-testing for COVID-19, after the country recorded its highest daily case count since September, a Reuters…

Read More Here

Finding COVID-19’s origins is a moral imperative – WHO’s Tedros

GENEVA (Reuters) - Discovering the origins of COVID-19 is a moral imperative and all hypotheses must be explored, the head of the World Health Organization said, in the clearest indication…

Read More Here

China declares ‘decisive victory’ over COVID-19

BEIJING, Feb 17 (Reuters) - China's top leaders declared a "decisive victory" over COVID-19, claiming the world's lowest fatality rate, although experts have questioned Beijing's data as the coronovirus tore…

Read More Here

Chances of new wave of COVID low in China in coming months -CDC official

BEIJING, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The possibility of a large new wave of COVID-19 is relatively low in the coming months in China, Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the China…

Read More Here

World should ‘calm down’ about China COVID variants – Chinese scientist

By Farah Master and Jennifer Rigby HONG KONG (Reuters) - The world should "calm down" about the possibility of new COVID-19 variants circulating in China, leading Chinese scientist George Gao…

Read More Here

Updated COVID vaccines prevented illness from latest variants -CDC

(Reuters) - The updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer Inc /BioNTech SE and Moderna helped prevent symptomatic infections against the new XBB-related subvariants, offering new evidence of how the vaccines perform…

Read More Here

Roche launches new test to detect fast spreading Omicron sub-variant

ZURICH, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Roche has launched a new PCR test to detect a fast-spreading sub-variant of the Omicron variant of Coronavirus, the Swiss drugmaker said on Thursday. The…

Read More Here

China says peak COVID infections exceeded 7 million daily, deaths more than 4,000 daily

HONG KONG, Jan 25 (Reuters) - China's daily new COVID-19 infections hit a peak of more than 7 million per day around Dec. 22, while deaths reached a daily peak…

Read More Here

China reports almost 13,000 new COVID-related deaths for Jan. 13-19

BEIJING, Jan 22 (Reuters) - China reported almost 13,000 deaths related to COVID-19 in hospitals between January 13 and 19, adding to the nearly 60,000 in the month-or-so before that,…

Read More Here

China making ‘enormous progress’ on vaccinating elderly: WHO

GENEVA, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization's director of immunisation on Friday praised China for making quick progress on vaccinating older people with COVID-19 shots and boosters since…

Read More Here

China plays down COVID outbreak with holiday rush at full tilt

Top official says COVID at 'relatively low' level Hospital, critical cases dropping, authorities say More than 2 bln trips expected over Lunar New Year Some fear travel season could see…

Read More Here

China reports big jump in COVID hospitalisations – WHO

GENEVA (Reuters) - China reported a large jump in COVID-19 hospitalisations in the week through to January 15 to the highest since the pandemic began, according to a weekly report…

Read More Here

Israel says has not found a link between Pfizer COVID shot and stroke

JERUSALEM, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Israel has not identified any evidence linking strokes to an updated coronavirus vaccine made by U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech according to…

Read More Here

China races to make COVID drugs as Xi fears rural outbreaks

Drugmakers to triple capacity for key medicines-media President says worried about elderly, rural areas Millions travel across country for holiday season Daily deaths could peak at 36,000 next week-analyst By…

Read More Here

China braces for COVID holiday surge as people leave megacities for hometowns

By Martin Quin Pollard and Bernard Orr BEIJING, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Luggage-laden passengers flocked to railway stations and airports in China's megacities on Monday, heading home for holidays that…

Read More Here

WHO recommends use of masks in crowded areas

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended to continue face mask-wearing in specific situations, regardless of any local epidemiological situation, given current spread of Covid-19 worldwide. WHO detailed face covering should…

Read More Here

Update – China reports huge rise in COVID-related deaths after data criticism

BEIJING, Jan 14 (Reuters) - China said on Saturday nearly 60,000 people with COVID-19 had died in hospital since it abandoned its zero-COVID policy last month, a huge increase from previously reported…

Read More Here

U.S. says Pfizer’s bivalent COVID shot may be linked to stroke in older adults

(Reuters) - A safety monitoring system flagged that U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech's updated COVID-19 shot could be linked to a type of brain stroke in older…

Read More Here

Long COVID symptoms ‘resolve in a year’ for most with mild illness, study finds

Long COVID sufferers who had a mild bout of the virus should expect their symptoms to resolve within a year, researchers have suggested. People with ongoing effects after illness have…

Read More Here

Chinese fret over elderly as WHO warns of holiday COVID surge

2 bln trips expected over Lunar New Year period Virus spreading from cities to vulnerable villages WHO says China response challenged by lack of data China's grand reopening marred by…

Read More Here

U.S. extends public health emergency status for COVID

(Reuters) - The U.S. health department extended the COVID-19 pandemic's status as a public health emergency, allowing millions of Americans to continue receiving free tests, vaccines and treatments. The emergency…

Read More Here

WHO concerned with quick spread of new Covid variant

The world is not out of the woods yet when it comes to Covid as a new variant sees cases increase exponentially in North America. WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead Maria…

Read More Here

Israeli study finds Omicron COVID booster cuts hospitalization in 65+

JERUSALEM, Jan 9 (Reuters) - The Omicron-adapted COVID-19 vaccine booster developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE 22UAy.E sharply reduced hospitalizations among older patients, Israeli researchers said on Monday, in…

Read More Here

‘Life is moving forward’: China declares new COVID phase

By Liz Lee and Eduardo Baptista BEIJING, Jan 9 (Reuters) - China braced for a "new phase" in its battle against COVID-19 on Monday and financial markets strengthened after Beijing…

Read More Here

Thailand U-turns on COVID vaccination rule for visitors

BANGKOK, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Thailand on Monday rescinded a policy announced at the weekend requiring visitors to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, its health minister said, citing sufficient immunisation…

Read More Here

EXPLAINER: What do we know about the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant?

By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Jennifer Rigby GENEVA (Reuters) - The Omicron subvariant, XBB.1.5, is causing concern among scientists after its rapid spread in the United States in December. Here is…

Read More Here

China reopens borders in final farewell to zero-COVID

By Joyce Zhou and Brenda Goh HONG KONG/SHANGHAI, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Travellers began streaming across land and sea crossings from Hong Kong to mainland China on Sunday, many eager…

Read More Here

FACTBOX: Countries mandate COVID tests for China travellers

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Authorities around the world are imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China as COVID-19 cases there surged following its relaxation of "zero-COVID" rules. China has…

Read More Here

India finds 11 Omicron subvariants of COVID-19 in international travellers

NEW DELHI, Jan 5 (Reuters) - India detected a total of 11 variants of COVID-19 in international travellers who arrived in the country during Dec. 24 to Jan. 3, health…

Read More Here

Sweden to require negative COVID tests for travelers from China

STOCKHOLM, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Sweden will require travelers from China to show they have tested negative for COVID before they can enter the country, the Nordic country's government said…

Read More Here

Germany to require rapid COVID-19 test for travellers from China

BERLIN, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Germany is changing its entry rules for travellers from China and will in future require at least a rapid coronavirus test to enter the country,…

Read More Here

Biden raises concern over China’s COVID response after WHO questions data

WHO says China under-reporting hospital admissions, deaths Official data at odds with packed hospitals, morgues EU recommends border controls for China travellers Asian shares up on hopes China reopening stimulates…

Read More Here

EU recommends pre-flight testing of passengers from China, wastewater testing in airports

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union government officials recommended on Wednesday that passengers flying from China to the EU should have a negative COVID-19 test before they board, as Beijing plans…

Read More Here

Airline group IATA slams COVID restrictions on travellers from China

BERLIN, Jan 4 (Reuters) - The head of the world's biggest airline trade body criticised travel restrictions against travellers from China in a statement published on Wednesday, arguing that such…

Read More Here

China pledges ‘final victory’ over COVID as outbreak raises global alarm

Virus spreading fast in China after policy U-turn Several countries have imposed travel restrictions EU meets on Weds to discuss China travel policy WHO holds talks with Chinese scientists, seeks…

Read More Here

FACTBOX: Countries impose COVID restrictions on Chinese travellers

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Authorities around the world are imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China as COVID-19 cases in the country surge following its relaxation of "zero-COVID" rules.…

Read More Here

EU to discuss coordinated response to China COVID situation on Wednesday

BRUSSELS, Jan 2 (Reuters) - European Union government health officials will hold talks on Wednesday on a coordinated response to the surge in COVID-19 infections in China, the Swedish EU…

Read More Here

Qatar to require all travelers from China to have a COVID test

(Reuters) - Qatar will from Tuesday require travellers arriving from China to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of departure, Qatar's state news agency QNA said…

Read More Here

Morocco to ban arrivals from China over COVID surge

RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco will impose a ban on people arriving from China, whatever their nationality, from Jan. 3 to avert any new wave of coronavirus infections, the foreign ministry…

Read More Here

Some in China return to regular activity after COVID infections

By Josh Arslan and Martin Quin Pollard BEIJING/WUHAN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Some people in China's key cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan braved the cold and a spike in…

Read More Here

France urges EU peers to test Chinese travellers for COVID

PARIS (Reuters) - France on Sunday urged European Union peers to test Chinese travellers for COVID after Paris decided to do so amid an outbreak sweeping the country. Only Italy…

Read More Here

Xi calls for unity as China enters “new phase” of COVID policy

BEIJING, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Saturday for more effort and unity as the country enters a "new phase" in its approach to combating the…

Read More Here

Over 40% of U.S. COVID cases caused by Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 – CDC

By Raghav Mahobe and Julie Steenhuysen (Reuters) - Over 40% of COVID-19 cases in the United States are now caused by the highly contagious Omicron XBB.1.5, data from the U.S.…

Read More Here

FACTBOX: Authorities around the world imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China

(Reuters) - Authorities around the world are imposing or considering curbs on travellers from China as COVID-19 cases in the country surge following its relaxation of "zero-COVID" rules. They cite…

Read More Here

EU urges more checks for COVID variants given surge in China

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union should consider immediately scaling up genomic sequencing of COVID-19 infections and monitoring of waste water, including from airports, to detect any new variants given…

Read More Here

WHO urges China to share specific data regularly on COVID situation

(Reuters) - The World Health Organization once again urged China's health officials to regularly share specific and real-time information on the COVID-19 situation in the country, as it continues to…

Read More Here

China to drop COVID tests for inbound travellers from Jan 8

Dec 28 (Reuters) - China will drop a requirement for inbound travellers to take COVID-19 PCR tests starting from Jan 8, 2023, customs authorities said on Wednesday. PCR checks for…

Read More Here

Japan marks record 415 COVID-19 deaths -health ministry

TOKYO, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Japan on Wednesday recorded 415 COVID-19 deaths, the highest-ever count for a single day, health ministry data showed. The country counted 216,219 newly confirmed coronavirus…

Read More Here

Chinese hospitals ‘extremely busy’ as COVID spreads unchecked

Hospitals report surge in COVID infections China reports three new COVID deaths for Tuesday Some countries consider travel rules for Chinese visitors By Martin Quin Pollard CHENGDU, Dec 28 (Reuters)…

Read More Here

China to scrap COVID quarantine rule for inbound travellers

BEIJING, Dec 26 (Reuters) - China will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine starting from Jan. 8, the National Health Commission said on Monday in a major step towards easing curbs on its borders, which…

Read More Here

China’s Zhejiang has 1 mln daily COVID cases, expected to double

By Bernard Orr and Roxanne Liu BEIJING, Dec 25 (Reuters) - China's Zhejiang, a big industrial province near Shanghai, is battling around a million new daily COVID-19 infections, a number expected to…

Read More Here