Healthcare

Belgium suffers record COVID cases

Fuelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Belgium's daily cases of COVID-19 reached a new peak this week, with health experts warning of between 30,000 and 125,000 cases a day…

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J&J says its single dose protects against breakthrough COVID-19 for up to 6 months

Johnson & Johnson said that a real-world study showed its single shot COVID-19 vaccine protects against breakthrough infections and hospitalizations for up to six months. The study, sponsored by the…

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Omicron may be less severe in young and old, but not ‘mild’ – WHO

The more infectious Omicron variant of COVID-19 appears to produce less severe disease than the globally dominant Delta strain, but should not be categorised as "mild", World Health Organization (WHO)…

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Chile to become first country in Latin America to offer fourth COVID shot

Chile will begin offering a fourth shot of the coronavirus vaccine next week to immunocompromised citizens, the government said, the first country in Latin America and one of the first…

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Mexico nears 300,000 deaths from COVID-19 as cases surge after holidays

MEXICO CITY, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Mexico is likely to surpass 300,000 deaths from COVID-19 this week - the fifth highest death toll worldwide - as infections rise after the…

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Africa CDC says severe lockdowns no longer tool to contain COVID-19

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Africa's top public health official said on Thursday that he was encouraged by the way that South Africa had handled its latest COVID-19 wave driven…

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Infections at record high as Omicron sweeps Israel, To cancel high COVID-risk designation of U.S.

JERUSALEM, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Data from Israel on Thursday supported growing evidence worldwide that Omicron causes milder illness than previous variants of the coronavirus, even as the country grappled…

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Fauci warns against complacency as Omicron strains U.S. hospitals

Top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci warned against complacency about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, saying the sheer number of cases could strain hospitals despite signs of lower…

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Billionaire Richard Branson says recovering from ‘mild’ case of COVID

Jan 6 (Reuters) - British billionaire Richard Branson said on Thursday he was recovering from a "mild" case of coronavirus along with his wife and other family members after they…

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COVID cases among Italian children almost doubles in a week

Cases of COVID-19 in children and teenagers below the age of 18 in Italy almost doubled in the week between December 28 and January 3, hospital group FIASO said Wednesday.…

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More than 100 test positive for Covid-19 on an Italy-India flight

A total of 125 passengers who arrived in the northern Indian city of Amritsar on a chartered flight from Italy have tested positive for Covid-19. They will be placed in…

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Thailand raises COVID-19 alert level due to Omicron spread

BANGKOK, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Thailand on Thursday raised its COVID-19 alert level following rising infections driven by the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, a senior health…

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Australia suffers record COVID cases, straining businesses and supply chains

SYDNEY, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Fuelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Australia's daily coronavirus infections soared to a fresh peak on Thursday, overwhelming hospitals, while isolation rules caused labour…

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Omicron spreads in India’s big cities but hospitalisations still low

KOLKATA, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Indian megacities Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, although without a corresponding rise in hospitalisations, but fears are growing about…

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China’s Henan imposes more COVID curbs as cases spike, though numbers small

BEIJING, Jan 6 (Reuters) - More cities in central China resorted to tough curbs as new coronavirus infections in Henan province rose sharply, with authorities taking urgent action to contain…

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Britain reports record COVID-19 prevalence as Omicron surges

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Wednesday reported record COVID-19 prevalence for the last week of 2021, with one in 15 people in England infected, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said…

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Germany could reduce COVID isolation periods to keep country running

Germany is considering shortening COVID-19 self-isolation periods over fears that critical services could grind to a halt as the highly infectious Omicron variant takes hold, a health ministry plan showed.…

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Ireland to drop COVID-19 test requirement for vaccinated arrivals

Ireland from today will no longer require vaccinated arriving travellers to present a negative COVID-19 test, Prime Minister Micheál Martin said. A government spokesman said the change will take effect…

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Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise cancel voyages amid Omicron scare

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line canceled sailings amid rising fears of Omicron-related coronavirus infections that have dampened the nascent recovery of the pandemic-ravaged cruise industry. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd…

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Bearing Christmas cheer but no sweets, the Three Wise Men return to Madrid

Flanked by dancers and live camels the Three Wise Men paraded down Madrid's central avenue atop glittering floats on Wednesday evening as traditional Epiphany celebrations returned - with restrictions -…

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UPDATED: French parliament approves latest COVID vaccine measures

France's parliament on Thursday approved President Emmanuel Macron's plans for a vaccine pass to help curb the spread of the Omicron variant after a tumultuous debate whipped up by Macron's…

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Sweden sets new daily COVID record, but severe cases contained

Daily coronavirus cases in Sweden soared to a record high, with the easily transmissible Omicron variant dominating, though numbers in intensive care remain well below previous pandemic peaks, the country's…

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Italy extends COVID vaccine mandate to everyone over 50

Italy made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for people from the age of 50, one of very few European countries to take a similar steps, in an attempt to ease pressure on…

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CDC recommends Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster for ages 12 to 15

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it expanded the eligibility of Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE's booster doses to those 12 to 15 years old. The…

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Thailand fears “tens of thousands” of new COVID-19 cases, weighs curbs

BANGKOK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Thailand is considering measures such as limiting large gatherings and banning alcohol sales in restaurants to discourage customers to avert a wave of coronavirus infections,…

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U.S. CDC backs previous advice for 5-day isolation; no test needed

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) backed its week-old guidance for people seeking to end their COVID-19 isolation at five days, adding they could take a rapid…

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Singapore sees Omicron coronavirus wave outpacing Delta

SINGAPORE, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Singapore expects the Omicron coronavirus variant to cause a bigger wave of infections than Delta, the health ministry said on Wednesday, adding a booster dose…

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Omicron estimated to be 95.4% of coronavirus variants in U.S. – CDC

The Omicron variant was estimated to be 95.4% of the coronavirus strains circulating in the United States as of Jan. 1, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…

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Israel earmarks COVID PCRs for high-risk groups, expands home-testing

JERUSALEM, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Israel changed its COVID-19 quarantine and testing policy on Wednesday in what the Health Ministry described as an effort to ensure continued protection for vulnerable…

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COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy not linked to complications at birth -U.S. study

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was not associated with preterm delivery or underweight newborns, in a study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rates of preterm…

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Czech government braces for Omicron, cuts isolation period

PRAGUE, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The Czech government shortened the quarantine period for COVID-19 positive people from seven days to five as it prepares for Omicron, which experts estimate will…

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Polish murderer on the run for 20 years arrested for not wearing facemask

Police in Poland have arrested a convicted murderer who had been on the run for 20 years because he was not wearing a face mask. Warsaw police said they had…

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New coronavirus variant identified in France, WHO downplays threat

A new coronavirus variant has been identified in France know officially as the B.1.640.2. It was discovered in a traveler returning from Cameroon and has a high number of mutations.…

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France slightly eases COVID travel restrictions regarding trips to UK

PARIS, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The French government has slightly eased COVID-19 travel restrictions regarding trips to the United Kingdom, said government spokesman Gabriel Attal, by widening the official list…

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Macron’s ‘piss off’ comments trigger new COVID law debate suspension

PARIS, Jan 5 (Reuters) - French parliament suspended debate on a new COVID-19 law early on Wednesday as opposition lawmakers demanded explanations from President Emmanuel Macron about comments in which…

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UPDATED: Sweden sets new daily record for COVID-19 cases, king and queen sick with COVID-19

STOCKHOLM, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Sweden set a new daily record for COVID-19 cases, registering 17,320 cases on Jan. 4, health agency data showed on Wednesday. The daily infection figures…

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Croatia reports record 8,587 new COVID-19 cases in sharp daily rise

SARAJEVO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Croatia reported 8,587 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, a 47% rise from the 5,845 recorded a day earlier, with 32 reported deaths amid the spread…

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Japan’s Okinawa sees doubling of COVID-19 cases, considers emergency steps

TOKYO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Japan's Okinawa region emerged on Wednesday as the epicentre of a new coronavirus surge with cases more than doubling from the previous day and officials…

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Poland’s president tests positive once more for COVID-19

WARSAW, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Polish President Andrzej Duda has tested positive for coronavirus, a top aide tweeted on Wednesday, after several people around him were infected. "The President feels…

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UPDATED: Ireland to drop COVID-19 test requirement for vaccinated arrivals

Ireland will drop its requirement for vaccinated arrivals to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test and return to seeking a proof of vaccination or recent infection upon entry, Prime…

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Australia COVID-19 cases surge, overloading testing system

SYDNEY, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Australia's daily COVID-19 cases hit a record high for a third day on Wednesday, further straining hospital resources and testing facilities as public anger grew…

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Philippines reports highest daily rise in COVID-19 cases in nearly 3 months, ‘Black Nazarene’ parade cancelled

MANILA, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The Philippines on Wednesday reported 10,775 new COVID-19 cases, the country's highest daily spike since Oct. 10. That brought the Southeast Asian country's total confirmed…

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Hungary reports 5,270 new COVID-19 cases in sharp rise

BUDAPEST, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Hungary reported 5,270 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, a sharp rise from the 3,005 recorded a week ago, as the Omicron variant spreads. Omicron accounted…

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UK opposition leader Starmer tests positive for COVID-19

LONDON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - British opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer has tested positive for COVID-19, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. Starmer had been due to face Prime Minister Boris…

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UK government considers scrapping PCR test requirement

In the UK, millions of people who test positive with lateral flow devices could be told they do not need to take follow-up PCR tests, according to reports. Sky News…

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Hong Kong announces new COVID measures, including flight bans

Hong Kong announced a two-week ban on incoming flights from eight countries on Wednesday and tightened local COVID-19 restrictions as authorities feared a fifth wave of coronavirus in the city.…

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UPDATED: Over 42,000 in central COVID quarantine in China’s Xian

BEIJING, Jan 5 (Reuters) - More than 42,000 people in the Chinese city of Xian were in centralised COVID-19 quarantine facilities as of Tuesday, a city official said on Wednesday.…

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Romania’s daily COVID-19 infections double

The number of daily COVID-19 infections more than doubled in Romania on Tuesday following an easing of restrictions during the winter holidays, and officials estimate the fifth wave of the…

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Germany considers more contact limits as infections jump

BERLIN, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Germany needs to consider further restrictions on social contact and must ramp up the number of people who have had booster vaccinations as the Omicron…

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Greece reports new high of COVID-19 cases in a day

Greece reported a record 50,126 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, breaking a previous high of 40,560 registered on Dec. 31. As recently as Dec. 27, only 9,284 new infections were recorded…

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India reports first death linked to Omicron coronavirus variant

NEW DELHI, Jan 5 (Reuters) - India on Wednesday reported its first COVID-19 death linked to the fast-spreading Omicron variant in the western state of Rajasthan, a federal health ministry…

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Fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose boosts antibodies five-fold in Israeli study

A fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine boosts antibodies five-fold a week after the shot is administered, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, citing preliminary findings of an Israeli study. "A…

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Canada asks regulator to probe maskless party on Sunwing flight as COVID cases soar

Canada's minister of transport called for an investigation into reports of maskless revelers on a recent Sunwing Airlines flight to Cancun, as the country battles soaring cases of COVID-19. Transport…

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Spanish students to go back to school after Christmas break, despite Omicron

Students at Spanish schools and universities will return to class in-person when the new term begins on Jan. 10, the Health Minister said , ending speculation that record COVID-19 infections…

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COVID-19 infects 214 on five cruise ships in Brazilian waters

Five cruise ships in Brazilian waters have reported 214 cases of COVID-19 among their crew and passengers, including two ships that are in quarantine in the port of Santos, health…

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U.S. reports nearly 1 mln COVID-19 cases in a day, setting global record

The United States reported nearly 1 million new coronavirus infections on Monday, the highest daily tally of any country in the world and nearly double the previous U.S. peak set…

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COVID-19 loss of $44 bln is 3rd largest catastrophe cost to insurers

Insured losses of $44 billion from COVID-19 so far represent the third largest cost to insurers of any catastrophe, behind Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 attacks, insurance broker Howden said…

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