Healthcare

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…

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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…

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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…

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EU drug regulator must do more to tackle medicine shortages – patient orgs

The European Union drug regulator needs to do more to tackle shortages of some widely-used antibiotics in the region, according to a letter from a group of European patient and…

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No laughing matter: report shows rise in recreational use of nitrous oxide

A rise in the supply and recreational use of nitrous oxide (‘laughing gas’) is the focus of a new report by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA). The publication points to…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Pfizer to sell all its drugs in low-income countries at non-profit price

U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc PFE.N said on Tuesday it will offer its full portfolio of drugs, including off-patent medicines such as chemotherapies and oral cancer treatments, on a not-for-profit basis to 45…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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‘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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Pfizer explores options for some rare disease, cancer drugs

Pfizer Inc is exploring options for some early-stage treatments for rare diseases and cancer in a bid to focus on "high-impact" medicines and vaccines, the company said on Thursday. The U.S.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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)…

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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…

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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…

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India makes COVID test mandatory for arrivals from some countries, including China

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India has mandated a COVID-19 negative test report for travelers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand, the health minister said on Saturday.…

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Shanghai asks residents to stay in on Christmas as China COVID surges

SHANGHAI, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Shanghai authorities urged residents to stay at home this weekend, seeking a toned-down Christmas in the nation's most populous city as COVID-19 rages nationwide after tough curbs…

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China COVID deaths probably running above 5,000 per day – UK research firm Airfinity

BEIJING (Reuters) - More than 5,000 people are probably dying each day from COVID-19 in China, health data firm Airfinity estimated, offering a dramatic contrast to official data from Beijing…

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China’s stretched health system braces for peak in COVID infections

COVID infections may peak next week- Chinese health official China reports no new COVID deaths for 3rd day Overstretched health system braces for more severe cases By Bernard Orr and…

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India to test random 2% of international travellers for COVID

MUMBAI, Dec 22 (Reuters) - India will start randomly testing 2% of all international passengers arriving at its airports for COVID-19, the country's health minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, told parliament on…

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WHO says China may be struggling to keep a tally of COVID cases

By Manas Mishra and Nandhini Srinivasan (Reuters) - China may be struggling to keep a tally of COVID-19 infections as the country experiences a big spike in cases, a senior…

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Shanghai hospital readies for ‘tragic battle’ with COVID

Shanghai hospital estimates 5.43 mln positives in city Several cities distributing free anti-fever drugs No COVID deaths for 2nd consecutive day, China says First mRNA vaccines to arrive in China…

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