The world's most vulnerable countries could become the next coronavirus hotspots
4 years, 9 months ago

The world's most vulnerable countries could become the next coronavirus hotspots

ABC  

As coronavirus spreads around the globe, health experts and aid groups fear some of the world's most vulnerable countries could become new hotspots for COVID-19. "This data shows a stark and chilling picture of what we can expect as we start to see the COVID-19 pandemic spread to many Africa and Middle Eastern countries," said Sally Austin, CARE International's head of emergency operations. In Papua New Guinea, the Police Minister has said the country's health system is not capable of dealing with an epidemic and measures are being put in place to stop people "clogging" up hospitals. "It's definitely something we should be talking about — and there are some great local service providers in the Pacific, but like the health systems, they will be stretched during this time," she said. "At our current spread rate, Guam's critical care break point could occur by this week," Dr Cabrera said.

Health Africa Coronavirus Bangladesh Syria Cases Care Indonesia Outbreak Pacific Countries Drc Reuters Spread Png Papua New Guinea Guam Health Systems Many Countries Ms Fell  covid19  outbreak  pacific  vulnerable  cases  africa  hotspots  worlds  countries  care  spread  health  coronavirus

History of this topic

COVID-19 infections not problematic, experts say
4 months, 3 weeks ago

COVID-19 infections not problematic, experts say

China Daily  

The number of people in China being infected with COVID-19 is fluctuating reasonably and won't be a burden on medical resources or the public, experts said. However, the National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases said the percentage of people catching flu and testing positive for COVID-19 rose from 8.9 percent in early July to 18.7 percent late last month. "COVID-19 …

Has the next pandemic already started?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Has the next pandemic already started?

Al Jazeera  

New cases of avian flu are raising alarm of a possible new pandemic. It is crucial to avoid repeating mistakes from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when dealing with H5N1, where the risks could be even greater due to its high mortality rate. Tests should be made available worldwide – including in low- and middle-income countries – and prioritised in populations …

Biden administration partners with 50 countries to stifle future pandemics
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Biden administration partners with 50 countries to stifle future pandemics

LA Times  

President Biden’s administration is launching a program that will help 50 countries, most of them in Africa and Asia, identify and respond to infectious diseases. President Biden’s administration will help 50 countries identify and respond to infectious diseases, with the goal of preventing pandemics like the COVID-19 outbreak that suddenly halted normal life around the globe in 2020. The Global …

Flu hangs on in US, fading in some areas and intensifying in others
11 months ago

Flu hangs on in US, fading in some areas and intensifying in others

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Friday …

COVID-19 update: WHO asks nations to strengthen surveillance as coronavirus cases rise
1 year ago

COVID-19 update: WHO asks nations to strengthen surveillance as coronavirus cases rise

India TV News  

COVID-19 update: The World Health Organisation has urged countries in South-East Asia to strengthen surveillance given the increasing cases of respiratory diseases, including due to COVID-19 and its new sub-variant JN.1, and influenza. "For this, countries must strengthen surveillance and sequencing, and ensure sharing of data," said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director, WHO South-East Asia. "As people travel and …

Centre writes to States, advises them to maintain vigil amid uptick in COVID-19 cases
1 year ago

Centre writes to States, advises them to maintain vigil amid uptick in COVID-19 cases

The Hindu  

The Union Health Ministry has asked all States to maintain constant vigil over the COVID-19 situation in the country in view of the upcoming festive season and recent surge in cases in some parts of the country. The Health Ministry has in its letter noted that considering the upcoming festive season, States are advised to put in place requisite public …

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Unanswered questions, lessons learnt and ongoing challenges
1 year, 2 months ago

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Unanswered questions, lessons learnt and ongoing challenges

Firstpost  

The COVID-19 pandemic that impacted all aspects of human life, quite literally cancelled the planet. Was any internal advice given to the Government of India that the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna were better, despite the fact that they were significantly more expensive and difficult to administer? Covishield, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca in the UK, is similar to previous …

COVID-19 still a global health threat, new variant under scanner: WHO chief
1 year, 4 months ago

COVID-19 still a global health threat, new variant under scanner: WHO chief

The Hindu  

Director-General of WHO Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus on August 18 said though COVID-19 is no longer a health emergency for the world, it is still a ‘global health threat’ and a new variant of coronavirus is already under the scanner. “Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, it remains a global health threat. On the occasion, he urged all …

Continue COVID-19 testing to check emergence of new virus variants: WHO chief
1 year, 4 months ago

Continue COVID-19 testing to check emergence of new virus variants: WHO chief

The Hindu  

Warning that many countries aren’t testing enough and that new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants may emerge, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, on Wednesday said that testing and being vigilant is vital in continuing the fight against COVID-19. “While COVID is now behind us and India did its best during the time, we can expect new and more …

Nearly 36 million in Europe may have experienced long Covid, World Health Organization official says
1 year, 6 months ago

Nearly 36 million in Europe may have experienced long Covid, World Health Organization official says

Hindustan Times  

Nearly 36 million people in Europe may have had long-lasting health problems from coronavirus infections they got during the first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization's regional director said Tuesday. Statistics from the University of Washington researchers indicate that about one in 30 of the region's residents have experienced “long COVID.” in the past three years. …

WHO, Believes Disease X Could Create A Pandemic Like Situation, All You Need To Know
1 year, 7 months ago

WHO, Believes Disease X Could Create A Pandemic Like Situation, All You Need To Know

News 18  

As the world gradually returns to a sense of normalcy following the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the scientific and public health communities remain steadfast in their preparations for future outbreaks and pandemics. As the global community reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, the pursuit of knowledge and preventive measures against future outbreaks …

World must prepare for disease more deadlier than Covid, WHO chief warns
1 year, 7 months ago

World must prepare for disease more deadlier than Covid, WHO chief warns

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The head of the World Health Organisation warned on Tuesday that …

'Deadlier than Covid': WHO chief urges nations to prepare for next pandemic
1 year, 7 months ago

'Deadlier than Covid': WHO chief urges nations to prepare for next pandemic

India TV News  

At a time when Covid cases are somewhat stabilising around the world, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisation, issued a warning that the world must prepare for the next pandemic, which might be "even deadlier" than the Covid-19 pandemic. At the annual meeting of the United Nations agency, the head of WHO praised countries' "historic" decision …

US ends COVID-19 health emergency today: Key figures defining the pandemic
1 year, 7 months ago

US ends COVID-19 health emergency today: Key figures defining the pandemic

Firstpost  

Though daily life has long returned to near-normal for many in the United States, the official end of the COVID-19 health emergency Thursday night still marks a new post-pandemic era for the country. Three years of health emergency A state of emergency was first declared in the United States in January 2020, more than three years ago. 1.1 million deaths …

Editorial: The COVID-19 pandemic emergency is over, but virus is still here
1 year, 7 months ago

Editorial: The COVID-19 pandemic emergency is over, but virus is still here

LA Times  

After three long and difficult years, the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ends Thursday. Now we are shifting into the next phase, in which we manage the waves of infection that are likely to continue for the foreseeable future, while seeking new medications and therapies to reduce transmission, treat infection and help the many people still suffering from infections they …

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days
1 year, 8 months ago

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days

Hindustan Times  

Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency, the World Health Organization declared last week, roughly 1,200 days after it first learnt of a new coronavirus spreading through Wuhan, China. Still, WHO’s word is a strong determinant in global health discourse and on this count, the agency fell short in its mission, especially in the early days of the pandemic. …

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over
1 year, 8 months ago

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over

Firstpost  

A top Chinese health official said that despite the World Health Organisation ending the worldwide emergency designation for COVID-19, the virus is still dangerous and China will continue to monitor it while boosting vaccination rates among high-risk groups. According to Liang Wannian, head of China’s COVID-19 response expert group under the National Health Commission, the warning status being lifted by …

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency
1 year, 8 months ago

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions of people worldwide. The U.N. health agency’s officials said that even though the emergency phase was over, the pandemic hasn’t finished, noting recent spikes in …

COVID-19 no longer a global emergency, says WHO
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID-19 no longer a global emergency, says WHO

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization said on May 5 that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It's with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

World Health Organisation downgrades Covid pandemic: 'No longer global emergency'
1 year, 8 months ago

World Health Organisation downgrades Covid pandemic: 'No longer global emergency'

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “That …

COVID no longer a global health emergency, WHO says
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID no longer a global health emergency, WHO says

Al Jazeera  

UN health agency declares end to public health emergency of international concern, in place for more than three years. COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a “global health emergency”, the World Health Organization says. “Yesterday, the Emergency Committee met for the 15th time and recommended to me that I declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern,” WHO …

COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, World Health Organization says
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, World Health Organization says

LA Times  

The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “That does not …

Many Asian Nations Seeing Covid Rise, India, Singapore on List. Are Countries Planning Curbs?
1 year, 8 months ago

Many Asian Nations Seeing Covid Rise, India, Singapore on List. Are Countries Planning Curbs?

News 18  

A recent spike in Covid-19 cases is seen among Asian nations with the fresh wave exerting pressure on the healthcare systems. India, on the other hand, has touched daily cases of 10,000, the highest in nearly eight months, while Indonesia’s caseload is near a four-month high, Bloomberg reported. Medical experts have said the virus’ new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving …

Ready, or not: The Hindu Editorial on rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and India’s state of preparedness
1 year, 8 months ago

Ready, or not: The Hindu Editorial on rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and India’s state of preparedness

The Hindu  

The better part of management is preparedness. On April 12, a total of 7,830 new cases were reported in a 24-hour period, according to the Union Health Ministry’s data, possibly the highest in over 200 days. However, health systems can scarcely afford to be under prepared, especially considering the recent traumatic experience of a raging pandemic taking a huge toll. …

DC Edit | Covid isn't over, be cautious
1 year, 9 months ago

DC Edit | Covid isn't over, be cautious

Deccan Chronicle  

After lying low for quite some time, the Covid-19 virus has started rearing its head again in the country. The daily caseload which came down to two digits towards the end of the last year has of late been crossing 1,000; as per the health ministry data, India logged 1,300 new cases, the highest in 140 days, on Thursday while …

WHO Says Covid-19 Remains 'Global Health Emergency'
1 year, 11 months ago

WHO Says Covid-19 Remains 'Global Health Emergency'

News 18  

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a “global health emergency” and the deadly virus will remain a “permanently established pathogen” in humans and animals for the foreseeable future, according to the World Health Organisation. “Three years ago today, I declared a public health emergency of international concern over the global spread of COVID-19 – the highest level of alarm under …

Covid still an emergency but nearing 'inflection' point, says WHO chief
1 year, 11 months ago

Covid still an emergency but nearing 'inflection' point, says WHO chief

India Today  

The coronavirus remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization chief said Monday, after a key advisory panel found the pandemic may be nearing an “inflexion point” where higher levels of immunity can lower virus-related deaths. Speaking at the opening of WHO’s annual executive board meeting, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “there is no doubt that we’re in …

COVID is still a global emergency but may be nearing an ‘inflection point,’ WHO says
1 year, 11 months ago

COVID is still a global emergency but may be nearing an ‘inflection point,’ WHO says

LA Times  

COVID-19 remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization’s chief said Monday, after a key advisory panel found that the pandemic may be nearing an “inflection point” where higher levels of immunity can lower coronavirus-related deaths. Speaking at the opening of the WHO’s annual executive board meeting, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that “there is no doubt that we’re …

Decoding China’s COVID-19 Policy U-Turn
1 year, 11 months ago

Decoding China’s COVID-19 Policy U-Turn

The Diplomat  

On November 30, several districts in the southern hub metropolis Guangzhou took the lead in lifting a large number of COVID-19-related lockdowns, as well as suspending testing requirements. In face of this, local and provincial administrations – in adherence to official party doctrine concerning “zero COVID” – turned to lockdowns and mass testing campaigns as desperate measures in tackling the …

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics
1 year, 11 months ago

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics

The Quint  

The costly lesson from COVID: why elimination should be the default global strategy for future pandemics Getty Images Imagine it is 2030. An upgraded pandemic response to eliminate at source The process by which the WHO currently decides whether to declare a public health emergency of international concern has drawn criticism for being too slow. Elimination makes sense for other …

COVID-19 update: China reports nearly 60,000 coronavirus deaths since December 2022| DETAILS
1 year, 11 months ago

COVID-19 update: China reports nearly 60,000 coronavirus deaths since December 2022| DETAILS

India TV News  

China COVID deaths : China today reported nearly 60,000 deaths in people who had COVID-19 since early December following complaints the government was failing to release data about the status of the pandemic. The death toll included 5,503 deaths due to respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 and 54,435 fatalities from other ailments combined with COVID-19. The National Health Commission said …

The covert winter wave of Covid-19
2 years ago

The covert winter wave of Covid-19

BBC  

The covert winter wave of Covid-19 Getty Images The coronavirus that caused the pandemic has largely vanished from public discourse – but it's still causing deaths. "We've come to really pay attention when there are very large spikes," says Denis Nash, an epidemiologist at the City University of New York. "The people we’re seeing hospitalised tend to be those who …

China enters new phase of COVID response
2 years ago

China enters new phase of COVID response

China Daily  

BEIJING -- From Jan 8, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. Confronted with epidemic uncertainties, China has always been putting people's lives and health first, adapting its COVID response in light of the evolving situation. The fast-changing features of the virus and the complicated evolution of epidemic …

China enters new phase of COVID response
2 years ago

China enters new phase of COVID response

China Daily  

BEIJING -- From Jan 8, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. Confronted with epidemic uncertainties, China has always been putting people's lives and health first, adapting its COVID response in light of the evolving situation. The fast-changing features of the virus and the complicated evolution of epidemic …

China enters new phase of COVID response
2 years ago

China enters new phase of COVID response

China Daily  

From Sunday, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. Confronted with epidemic uncertainties, China has always been putting people's lives and health first, adapting its COVID response in light of the evolving situation. The fast-changing features of the virus and the complicated evolution of epidemic response posed serious …

WHO worried about COVID-19 surge in China amid lack of info
2 years ago

WHO worried about COVID-19 surge in China amid lack of info

LA Times  

Shoppers wearing masks visit a popular mall in Beijing on New Year’s Day. The head of the World Health Organization said this week that the agency is “concerned about the risk to life in China” amid the coronavirus’ explosive spread across the country and the lack of outbreak data from the Chinese government. Tedros said he understood why numerous countries …

WHO worried about surge of COVID in China amid lack of info
2 years ago

WHO worried about surge of COVID in China amid lack of info

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday the agency is “concerned about the risk to life in China” amid the coronavirus’ explosive spread across the country and the lack of outbreak data from the Chinese government. “The reality for China is that many countries they don’t have enough information to base their risk assessment,” he said. …

DC Edit | Preparedness is the key to tackling any spike in Covid
2 years ago

DC Edit | Preparedness is the key to tackling any spike in Covid

Deccan Chronicle  

China has blown its Covid control strategy to the extent that a global uptick of fresh cases is projected. The BF.7 is the runaway pathogen in the Chinese outbreak of 2022, and it is going to dominate the narrative from here on as it may not take much time for the strain to land anew in India, even though four …

DC Edit | China endangering world again
2 years ago

DC Edit | China endangering world again

Deccan Chronicle  

China’s healthcare system is buckling under the strain of its latest and outlandish decision of taking down all Covid controls so rapidly that the country is endangering the world all over again. From late 2019 in Wuhan where the pathogen may have jumped species to spread panic over the coronavirus to the close of 2022, China took several decisions that …

China releases details of COVID-19 management shift
2 years ago

China releases details of COVID-19 management shift

China Daily  

BEIJING -- China has announced that it will be downgrading its management of COVID-19 as of Jan 8, treating it as a Class B infection, rather than a more serious Class A infection. He listed the fact that China has closely followed the mutation of the virus, moved fast on vaccination promotion and the supply of medicines, built up its …

China's COVID-19 surge raises odds of new coronavirus mutant
2 years ago

China's COVID-19 surge raises odds of new coronavirus mutant

The Hindu  

Could the COVID-19 surge in China unleash a new coronavirus mutant on the world? “When we've seen big waves of infection, it's often followed by new variants being generated,” Dr. Ray said. Dr. Shan-Lu Liu, who studies viruses at Ohio State University, said many existing Omicron variants have been detected in China, including BF.7, which is extremely adept at evading …

Explained | What is the threat from global COVID-19 rise?
2 years ago

Explained | What is the threat from global COVID-19 rise?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The Union Ministry of Health has issued a communique to States to resume genome sequencing of new cases of COVID-19, in view of the sudden spurt of cases in some parts of the world. In a letter, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said sequencing of positive case samples will allow the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium network …

COVID-19 China update: Difficult months ahead as 'coronavirus' cases spiral | KNOW WHY
2 years ago

COVID-19 China update: Difficult months ahead as 'coronavirus' cases spiral | KNOW WHY

India TV News  

China COVID-19 cases : Nearly three years after it was first identified in China, the coronavirus pandemic is now spreading through the vast country. “How well do they perform this particular catch up effort might determine some of the outcome.” Hospital conditions in China: Around Baoding and Langfang, hospitals have run out of intensive care beds and staff as severe …

Covid News Updates: No Pandemic Curbs in Goa till Jan 2; Centre Warns Against Overcrowding Ahead of Festive Season
2 years ago

Covid News Updates: No Pandemic Curbs in Goa till Jan 2; Centre Warns Against Overcrowding Ahead of Festive Season

News 18  

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asked States to strengthen surveillance systems, ramp up testing and ensure readiness of hospital infrastructure during a meeting with state health ministers on Friday regarding the Covid-19 situation in India. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit a government hospital in Delhi on Tuesday for a mock drill to review the emergency response in place …

In our 'profound interest' that China reins in latest surge in coronavirus infections: Antony Blinken
2 years ago

In our 'profound interest' that China reins in latest surge in coronavirus infections: Antony Blinken

The Hindu  

It is in America's "profound interest" that China reins in the recent surge in coronavirus infections, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said, asserting that there are major implications if the world's second-largest economy remained shut down due to the virus. When asked about the latest surge in COVID-19 cases in China, Mr. Blinken said the U.S. wants to …

‘India fully prepared to deal with coronavirus situation’: Jyotiraditya Scindia
2 years ago

‘India fully prepared to deal with coronavirus situation’: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia today said the country is fully prepared to deal with the coronavirus situation. Scindia, who is in charge of the ministries of civil aviation and steel, said the country is fully prepared to deal with the coronavirus situation. Meanwhile, India logged 163 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases declined to 3,380, according to …

Covid Alert: Statewise list of precautions undertaken to intensify preparations
2 years ago

Covid Alert: Statewise list of precautions undertaken to intensify preparations

Live Mint  

Covid-19 situation in China has become a source of concern for the world, with researchers predicting a rise in death toll to millions amid fears that new mutants could emerge as a new wave of infections quickly spreads throughout the vast country. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will also hold a meeting with the health ministers of states and Union …

Covid-19 situation in China remains grim | Top 5 latest updates
2 years ago

Covid-19 situation in China remains grim | Top 5 latest updates

Hindustan Times  

As China is witnessing a massive surge in coronavirus infections, several hospitals in the country are reportedly struggling to cope with the influx of patients. On Wednesday, China reported 3,030 new symptomatic cases and 2,966 new local infections. Covid-19 situation in China remains grim | Top 5 latest updates Top updates on the Covid-19 situation in China: 1. China on …

India on alert for new variants as Covid wave sweeps China
2 years ago

India on alert for new variants as Covid wave sweeps China

CNN  

New Delhi CNN — India’s health minister has advised the public to take precautions against Covid-19, including getting vaccinated and wearing masks, as the country remains on alert for potential new variants that could emerge from the wave of infections sweeping neighboring China. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday told Parliament that India would begin randomly testing 2% of international …

WHO “very concerned” about reports of severe COVID in China
2 years ago

WHO “very concerned” about reports of severe COVID in China

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The head of the World Health Organization said the agency is “very concerned” about rising reports of severe coronavirus disease across China after the country largely abandoned its “zero COVID” policy, warning that its lagging vaccination rate could result in large numbers of vulnerable people getting infected. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

Discover Related