Pandemic Latest News

COVID-19

Indonesia plans new global health agency; the latest health stories from around the world

Indonesia plans to propose the creation of a new global health agency when leaders meet at the Group of 20 Summit. The agency will set up standard operating procedures for international travel and health protocols, as well as procure vaccines and ensure access and investment in medical equipment and medicines for developing countries, President Joko …

Indonesia plans new global health agency; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »

5.5 million fatalities attributed to COVID-19; the latest health stories from around the world

Virtually two years since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a pandemic, COVID-19 has already accounted for close on 350 million cases and more than 5.5 million fatalities. The “good” news is that the faster it spreads these days, the lower its deaths. The Omicron variant appears to be a more benevolent avatar though …

5.5 million fatalities attributed to COVID-19; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »

Mass testing for COVID-19 in Tianjin; the latest health stories from around the world

Mass testing of the 14 million residents of Tianjin, a city near China’s capital Beijing, began after a score of COVID-19 cases were discovered. At least two cases of the Omicron variant were found. Lockdowns continue in Xi’an and Yuzhou, two other large cities affected by outbreaks. Cases have also been identified in Hong Kong. …

Mass testing for COVID-19 in Tianjin; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »

Omicron looms over New Year celebrations; the latest health stories from around the world

The Omicron coronavirus variant dampened New Year festivities around much of the world, with Paris cancelling its fireworks show, London relegating its one to television, and New York City scaling down its famous ball drop celebration in Times Square. The illuminated ball made of Waterford crystal panels slids down its pole at the midnight hour …

Omicron looms over New Year celebrations; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »

Emergency authorisation for new COVID-19 vaccine; the latest health stories from around the world

For COVID-19, small seems to be beautiful. First we had BioNTech, a tiny operation headed by a Turkish immigrant couple in Germany that gave us the Pfizer vaccine. Now along comes a small Maryland biotechnology company, Novavax, finally joining the ranks of high-profile COVID-19 vaccine developers, winning emergency authorisations for its candidate. (www.science.org/content/article/novavax a).  The …

Emergency authorisation for new COVID-19 vaccine; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »

African media insights on COVID-19 dominance in relation to other health issues in the region

Over the last 2 years since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, media houses across the world have been keen on highlighting the contagion and its new developments. In the backdrop of the other still existing health issues in Africa, the question is what will the health media focus on in a post COVID-19 world? …

African media insights on COVID-19 dominance in relation to other health issues in the region Read More »

“COVID-19 Tsunami” on the horizon; the latest health stories from around the world

Two weeks after the Omicron variant was identified, hospitals are bracing for a COVID-19 tsunami, according to a report in economist.com (www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/12/11/early-data-on-omicron-show-surging-cases-but-milder-symptoms). In South Africa, where it has displaced Delta, cases are rising faster than in earlier waves. Each person with Omicron may infect 3-3.5 others. Delta’s most recent rate in the country was 0.8. …

“COVID-19 Tsunami” on the horizon; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »

Another COVID-19 mutant arises; the latest health stories from around the world

It’s been just a year since the first anti-COVID-19 vaccine surfaced. And the virus has again turned up as a complicated avatar, its fifth since the original emerged from Wuhan in China two years ago. The World Health Organization (WHO) has christened it Omicron. Since its emergence in South Africa on 24 November, cases have …

Another COVID-19 mutant arises; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »

“variant of concern” emerges; the latest health stories from around the world

There is a new version of COVID-19 and the World Health Organisation has labelled it a “variant of concern.” First identified in South Africa on 25 November, preliminary evidence suggests that it carries a greater risk of reinfection than other strains. (www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/11/26/a-new-covid-19-variant-has-emerged) Just a day after its emergence, the world turned hyper. The EU imposed …

“variant of concern” emerges; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »

Europe COVID-19 cases rising; the latest health stories from around the world

The more things change the more they remain the same or, what you gain in the swing you lose on the roundabout. Despite the vaccine, Europe is back where it started, becoming the focal point of the Covid-19 pandemic just as it was in the spring and summer of 2020. However, thanks to the vaccines, …

Europe COVID-19 cases rising; the latest health stories from around the world Read More »