Wear masks on long flights: WHO urges amid spread of XBB.1.5
1 year, 11 months ago

Wear masks on long flights: WHO urges amid spread of XBB.1.5

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organization on Tuesday urged countries to recommend all those travelling to wear masks in view of the rapid spread of the new Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5 in several nations across the world - especially the United States. WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe - Catherine Smallwood during a briefing said: “Passengers should be advised to wear masks in high-risk settings such as long-haul flights”, reported Reuters. Wear masks on long flights: WHO urges amid spread of XBB.1.5 According to the WHO official, wearing masks should be a “recommendation issued to passengers arriving from anywhere where there is widespread Covid-19 transmission”. The latest highly transmissible Omicron variant - XBB.1.5 - has accounted for 27.6 percent of the Covid-19 in the United States so far till Sunday, reported Reuters citing health officials.

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History of this topic

I'm an A&E doctor and this is why it's time to start wearing masks again... as experts issue dire warnings over a virulent new Covid variant
11 months, 2 weeks ago

I'm an A&E doctor and this is why it's time to start wearing masks again... as experts issue dire warnings over a virulent new Covid variant

Daily Mail  

It’s that time again. Dr Saleyha Ahsan says she always wears a mask in crowded places Now one of the UK’s leading experts, Sir Andrew Pollard, who is a professor of infection and immunity at the University of Oxford, is predicting ‘a rise in infections in the population over the course of the next week’, driven by a highly infectious …

Start Wearing Masks, Says Health Minister
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Start Wearing Masks, Says Health Minister

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: Health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha on Wednesday urged the public to start wearing masks in public places and follow social distance protocols, while chairing a review on Covid-19 control in the state in the wake of the emergence of the JN.1 variant. The minister said that people experiencing Covid-like symptoms must visit a doctor, get advice and get themselves tested …

What Karnataka advisory on Covid JN.1 subvariant states
1 year ago

What Karnataka advisory on Covid JN.1 subvariant states

The Hindu  

The State government guidelines for feared COVID-19 surge issued on Tuesday, advise not only senior citizens, those with comorbidities, and those with covid-like symptoms to wear masks in public places, but also advises everyone to wear masks in crowded public spaces with low ventilation. When travelling overseas, stay vigilant and adopt relevant travel precautions, such as wearing masks at the …

Karnataka health minister advises senior citizens to wear masks, amid Covid surge in Kerala
1 year ago

Karnataka health minister advises senior citizens to wear masks, amid Covid surge in Kerala

Hindustan Times  

Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao suggested the senior citizens of the state with co-morbidities to wear masks as the number of Covid cases see a rise in neighboring Kerala. Karnataka health min advices senior citizens to wear masks, amid Covid surge Speaking at Kodagu, the health minister said, “We will issue a detailed advisory soon and discussed regarding the …

WHO calls on China to reinstate masks, social distancing and staying home when ill amid mystery pneumonia outbreak
1 year, 1 month ago

WHO calls on China to reinstate masks, social distancing and staying home when ill amid mystery pneumonia outbreak

Daily Mail  

China must be more transparent on new outbreak than with Covid, experts say People in China should wear masks, socially distance and stay home if unwell amid an outbreak of a mystery respiratory illness, global health chiefs have warned. Students being dismissed from a school in Beijing as the city and others in Northern China are hit by a wave …

Expert who has never caught Covid tells Aussies to wear face masks every time they leave the house - amid fresh mandate in one state
1 year, 1 month ago

Expert who has never caught Covid tells Aussies to wear face masks every time they leave the house - amid fresh mandate in one state

Daily Mail  

A leading epidemiologist who has never caught Covid-19 has advised Australians to wear face masks every time they leave the house to avoid catching the virus. Dr Zoe Hyde,who has never caught Covid-19 has advised Australians to wear face masks every time they leave the house if they want to stay Covid-free A recent surge in Covid-19 cases - Australia's …

Why no one is talking about new mask rules even as COVID-19 rises in L.A.
1 year, 3 months ago

Why no one is talking about new mask rules even as COVID-19 rises in L.A.

LA Times  

Despite rising coronavirus outbreaks across Los Angeles County, officials said they have no plans for new public mask mandates — a sign of how COVID-19 policies have changed in an era of plentiful vaccines, lower death rates and back-to-normal culture. “We have such good tools right now that we really shouldn’t get there.” California COVID outbreaks hit workplaces, schools across …

Dr Fauci refutes study claiming that masks don’t work as Covid concerns rise
1 year, 3 months ago

Dr Fauci refutes study claiming that masks don’t work as Covid concerns rise

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. “I am concerned that people will not abide by recommendations—and we’re not talking about mandates …

Return of masks? COVID-19 cases surge; new variant ‘Pirola’ causes concern
1 year, 3 months ago

Return of masks? COVID-19 cases surge; new variant ‘Pirola’ causes concern

Live Mint  

COVID-19 cases in the United States have surged to levels reminiscent of the peak experienced last winter, causing concerns over the emergence of a new highly mutated variant known as "Pirola" BA.2.86 and the impending respiratory virus season. Dr. Georges Benjamin, the Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, highlights that masking remains a potent tool for mitigating COVID-19 …

COVID-19: should we start wearing masks again?
1 year, 3 months ago

COVID-19: should we start wearing masks again?

The Hindu  

One thing that can be guaranteed about COVID-19 is that evolution will provide us with a more or less constant stream of new coronavirus variants, some of which will be more successful at infecting people. It’s this worry that there may be a new wave of infections that has got some people talking about the need to reintroduce measures that …

New Covid wave has begun in UK and masks should be worn again, warn scientists
1 year, 4 months ago

New Covid wave has begun in UK and masks should be worn again, warn scientists

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Rates have risen since early July Prof Pagel predicted the …

We are not out of COVID-19: Soumya Swaminathan
1 year, 7 months ago

We are not out of COVID-19: Soumya Swaminathan

The Hindu  

On 30 January 2020, the WHO’s Director General declared that the COVID-19 outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. So it’s no longer considered a public health emergency, but the WHO Director General did warn that it is still a global threat. Are we going to need a variant adapted vaccine every year, every couple of years, particularly …

Top disease control body clarifies mask use
1 year, 8 months ago

Top disease control body clarifies mask use

China Daily  

Passengers wear masks on the subway in Beijing on March 30. ZHU ZHENQIANG/FOR CHINA DAILY China's top disease control authorities clarified on Wednesday that people do not need to wear masks in outdoor spaces and workplaces, on campuses and when working out. The National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control released the latest mask use protocol on Wednesday evening, at …

Top disease control body clarifies mask use
1 year, 8 months ago

Top disease control body clarifies mask use

China Daily  

By Wang Xiaoyu| China Daily| Updated :2023-04-14 Passengers wear masks on the subway in Beijing on March 30. ZHU ZHENQIANG/FOR CHINA DAILY China's top disease control authorities clarified on Wednesday that people do not need to wear masks in outdoor spaces and workplaces, on campuses and when working out. The National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control released the latest …

Top disease control body clarifies mask use
1 year, 8 months ago

Top disease control body clarifies mask use

China Daily  

Passengers wear masks on the subway in Beijing on March 30. ZHU ZHENQIANG/FOR CHINA DAILY China's top disease control authorities clarified on Wednesday that people do not need to wear masks in outdoor spaces and workplaces, on campuses and when working out. The National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control released the latest mask use protocol on Wednesday evening, at …

Top disease control body clarifies mask use
1 year, 8 months ago

Top disease control body clarifies mask use

China Daily  

Passengers wear masks on the subway in Beijing on March 30. ZHU ZHENQIANG/FOR CHINA DAILY China's top disease control authorities clarified on Wednesday that people do not need to wear masks in outdoor spaces and workplaces, on campuses and when working out. The National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control released the latest mask use protocol on Wednesday evening, at …

China ends mandatory face masks on public transport
1 year, 8 months ago

China ends mandatory face masks on public transport

China Daily  

Xinhua | Updated: Apr 13, 2023 China issued a new set of guidelines on Wednesday regarding the use of face masks by the general public to prevent COVID-19 infection, stating that it is now no longer mandatory to wear face masks when using public transport. The guidelines from the joint COVID-19 prevention and control mechanism of the State Council aim …

Covid 19 scare: India logs 5,357 fresh Covid cases; active tally at 32,814
1 year, 8 months ago

Covid 19 scare: India logs 5,357 fresh Covid cases; active tally at 32,814

India TV News  

Covid19 Cases : India logged 5,357 fresh cases of coronavirus while 11 deaths, Union Health Ministry data informed on Sunday. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore The active cases now comprise 0.07 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.74 per cent, the ministry said. UP govt makes testing …

Covid Status Check: Masks Are Back, States on High Alert; UP, Kerala Mull New Strategies
1 year, 8 months ago

Covid Status Check: Masks Are Back, States on High Alert; UP, Kerala Mull New Strategies

News 18  

Covid cases in India have seen a spike the past month, with a 40% jump in daily cases on March 30. According to the World Health Organisation, the highest proportional increase of new Covid cases was observed in India, in the Southeast Asia Region from February 27 to March 26, 2023. Uttar Pradesh The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh …

COVID-19: Wearing face mask mandatory in Tamil Nadu hospitals from tomorrow
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID-19: Wearing face mask mandatory in Tamil Nadu hospitals from tomorrow

India TV News  

COVID-19: The Tamil Nadu government has made wearing of face masks mandatory at all government hospitals across the State from Saturday owing to an increase in coronavirus-positive cases. Doctors, nurses, medical staff, patients and visitors have been asked to ensure cent per cent compliance at around 11,300 health facilities because infection initially started in hospitals, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said …

Mask mandate dropped for school campuses
1 year, 9 months ago

Mask mandate dropped for school campuses

China Daily  

Students and teachers are no longer required to wear masks on campuses, according to the latest COVID-19 epidemic control plan for schools and universities. No mass nucleic acid testing should be carried out at universities, yet they can conduct antigen tests or nucleic acid tests on staff members such as medical workers and canteen staff, the plan said. The plan …

Mask mandate dropped for school campuses
1 year, 9 months ago

Mask mandate dropped for school campuses

China Daily  

Students attend their first class after winter break at Beijing Huajiadi Experimental Primary School on Feb 13, 2023. Students and teachers are no longer required to wear masks on campuses, according to the latest COVID-19 epidemic control plan for schools and universities. No mass nucleic acid testing should be carried out at universities, yet they can conduct antigen tests or …

This city had world's longest Covid mask mandate. Now scrapped after 1,000 days
1 year, 9 months ago

This city had world's longest Covid mask mandate. Now scrapped after 1,000 days

Hindustan Times  

Hongkongers will finally be able to leave home without a face mask from Wednesday, nearly 1,000 days after the pandemic mandate was imposed. Pedestrians wearing protective Covid mask Hong Kong was one of the last places on Earth to enforce mask-wearing outside, with violators facing hefty fines. "Making it illegal not to wear one is frankly anachronistic by now," University …

Wearing masks did ’little to nothing’ to help curb Covid spread, study reveals
1 year, 10 months ago

Wearing masks did ’little to nothing’ to help curb Covid spread, study reveals

Live Mint  

Face masks have done ‘little to nothing’ to curb the Covid-19 transmission, a new scientific review titled “Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses” suggested. It conducted research on the findings of 78 randomized controlled trials to find out whether the physical interventions, including face masks and hand wash, limited the spread of respiratory diseases. “Wearing …

Masks made little or no difference in Covid-19 spread, new study suggests
1 year, 10 months ago

Masks made little or no difference in Covid-19 spread, new study suggests

India TV News  

A new review led by 12 researchers from universities around the world has examined whether wearing face masks helped prevent the spread of Covid-19. According to the study published by the Cochrane Library, "Wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference" in controlling the spread of Covid-19. However, it's important to note that the review included studies …

Explained: Why Asian nations aren't ditching the mask just yet
1 year, 10 months ago

Explained: Why Asian nations aren't ditching the mask just yet

Firstpost  

South Korea dropped indoor masking on Monday. “Without a mask on, they feel something is missing.” The dangers of air pollution are sharply felt in South Korea, where masks are a common line of defence on days when fine dust particles form a gray haze in the sky. “People have taken comfort in their faces being concealed, and they feel …

Japan to drop mask guidance, relax Covid strategy
1 year, 10 months ago

Japan to drop mask guidance, relax Covid strategy

Firstpost  

Tokyo: Japan’s government will drop its recommendation to wear masks indoors and downgrade its medical classification for Covid-19, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday. “We will take further steps towards ’life with corona’ and make steady progress on returning to normality in homes, schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods and all facets of life.” Masks are ubiquitous in public places and are commonly …

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush
1 year, 11 months ago

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush

Firstpost  

China abruptly ended a strict regime of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing in December amid growing concerns about the economic impact and rare public protests in a country that permits no open political dissent Beijing: China is seeking to minimize the possibility of a major new COVID-19 outbreak during this month’s Lunar New Year travel rush following the end of …

KLM gives China flight crew medical masks due to Covid fears
1 year, 11 months ago

KLM gives China flight crew medical masks due to Covid fears

Dutch News  

Airline KLM said on Wednesday it is taking immediate extra safety measures on flights from China because of crew concerns about coronavirus. Personnel will now be equipped with medical quality FFP2 face masks and protective goggles and will have their own toilet facilities to try to reduce the spread of the virus. Coronavirus infections in China have soared since all …

Covid: People urged to wear masks and stay at home if unwell as NHS under immense pressure
1 year, 11 months ago

Covid: People urged to wear masks and stay at home if unwell as NHS under immense pressure

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. In “back-to-school advice” issued on Monday, the UKHSA warned that flu and Covid are currently …

Covid News: China Returnee 6-year-old Girl, Her Mother Test Coronavirus Positive in Tamil Nadu's Madurai
1 year, 11 months ago

Covid News: China Returnee 6-year-old Girl, Her Mother Test Coronavirus Positive in Tamil Nadu's Madurai

News 18  

Covid News Updates: Several hospitals across the country on Tuesday held mock drills to check the preparedness of health facilities to deal with any spurt in Covid-19 cases. Today mock drills are conducted across Covid hospitals in the country to make sure people get proper treatment,” Mandaviya said after reviewing the mock drill at the Delhi hospital. Deputy Chief Minister …

China to scrap COVID-19 quarantine for incoming passengers
1 year, 11 months ago

China to scrap COVID-19 quarantine for incoming passengers

LA Times  

People coming to China will still need a negative virus test 48 hours before departure and will need to wear masks aboard planes, the country’s health commission said. China will drop a COVID-19 quarantine requirement for passengers arriving from abroad starting Jan. 8, the National Health Commission announced Monday in the latest easing of the country’s once-strict virus-control measures. People …

Avoid Travelling Abroad, Wear Masks In Public Places: Top Medical Body Issues Covid Advisory
2 years ago

Avoid Travelling Abroad, Wear Masks In Public Places: Top Medical Body Issues Covid Advisory

ABP News  

Amid a spike in coronavirus cases in parts of the world, especially China, the Indian Medical Association on Thursday advised people to to follow Covid appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. The Indian Medical Association also asked the government to ramp up preparedness for any such situation as seen in 2021 during the deadly Covid second wave by issuing necessary instructions …

Covid-19: IMA advises citizens to avoid public gatherings, international travel amid global surge in cases
2 years ago

Covid-19: IMA advises citizens to avoid public gatherings, international travel amid global surge in cases

India TV News  

Covid-19: Amid a rise in Covid cases in China and several other countries, the Indian Medical Association, on Thursday, advised citizens to avoid public gatherings such as marriages, and political or social meetings. In an advisory, the IMA also appealed to people to take Covid-19 vaccines, including the precaution dose, and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as using masks in public …

Govt advises caution, masks; says don’t panic over Covid
2 years ago

Govt advises caution, masks; says don’t panic over Covid

Hindustan Times  

People should wear masks in crowded places and states must keep a closer watch on new Covid-19 cases, especially those that crop up in unusual clusters, top government officials said on Wednesday as the administration held a pandemic situation review in light of the spike in cases in several countries, particularly China. In the last week, the country reported a …

Wear Masks In Crowded Places, Get Precaution Doses: Govt Advises Amid Covid Surge In China
2 years ago

Wear Masks In Crowded Places, Get Precaution Doses: Govt Advises Amid Covid Surge In China

ABP News  

As the surge in Covid cases once again makes it to the news, the government, after a review meeting to access the situation, has advised people to wear masks in crowded places to prevent the spread of the infection. This is all the more important for people with comorbidities or are of higher age," VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog said …

Random Covid tests for international passengers amid China scare: Sources
2 years ago

Random Covid tests for international passengers amid China scare: Sources

India Today  

The government is re-introducing Covid-19 testing related measures at airports for international travellers. Even today, the delta variant is being seen somewhere in the country," sources told India Today. Earlier today, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a meeting with top officials and experts on the Covid situation in the country. Niti Aayog member Dr VK Paul also advised people …

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs
2 years ago

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs

Hindustan Times  

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs Since China announced the rollback of its zero-Covid policy, Reuters has reported a rise in Covid-19 cases among a vulnerable, under vaccinated population with little natural immunity. It is believed that the end to mandatory testing has made the toll of China's Covid surge difficult to track.. …

Health officials are urging masks again amid high COVID, flu levels
2 years ago

Health officials are urging masks again amid high COVID, flu levels

LA Times  

With COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory diseases circulating widely in Los Angeles County and elsewhere, many officials are urging residents to use a familiar tool to help thwart transmission: masks. As case rates rise, “your chance of catching COVID during your routine activities — grocery shopping, eating out, running errands, going to work — will increase,” according to Los …

DC Edit | Don’t give up masks altogether
2 years, 1 month ago

DC Edit | Don’t give up masks altogether

Deccan Chronicle  

The notification of the civil aviation ministry on Wednesday relaxing the rules on wearing masks on flights and in airports marks an important milestone in the nearly three-year-long fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The world has been on edge ever since a cluster of cases of pneumonia was reported in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province on December 31, 2019. The …

COVID-19: 'Wearing masks on flight no longer compulsory, but is advisable,' says Government
2 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19: 'Wearing masks on flight no longer compulsory, but is advisable,' says Government

Firstpost  

Additionally, it stated that any specific reference of a fine or other penalty was not required to be made during in-flight announcements New Delhi: The civil aviation ministry on Wednesday said the use of masks is not mandatory during air travel; however, passengers should preferably use them amid the declining number of COVID-19 cases. In a communication to the scheduled …

WHO chief scientist warns of another wave of Covid, urges people to take booster shots | Top points
2 years, 2 months ago

WHO chief scientist warns of another wave of Covid, urges people to take booster shots | Top points

India Today  

The chief scientist at the World Health Organisation, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, on Thursday said some countries may go through "another wave of infections" with the XBB variant of the Covid-19 virus. The WHO chief scientist said that monitoring and tracking are the key steps to ensuring that another wave of infections do not occur. According to her, when the Omicron …

‘No one to be overlooked’: Beijing on high alert as Covid cases quadruple
2 years, 2 months ago

‘No one to be overlooked’: Beijing on high alert as Covid cases quadruple

Hindustan Times  

China is witnessing a surge in Covid cases as the country's capital introduced new measures to stop the transmission of the virus. The measures include strengthening public checks and locking down residential compounds, although strict curbs have not been placed owing to a key Communist Party congress underway. The caseload in Beijing itself has quadrupled in recent weeks as the …

Should I start wearing a mask on public transport again?
2 years, 2 months ago

Should I start wearing a mask on public transport again?

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

Malaysia scraps indoor face mask rule as Covid-19 wave eases
2 years, 3 months ago

Malaysia scraps indoor face mask rule as Covid-19 wave eases

Hindustan Times  

Malaysia is scrapping its rule requiring masks indoors, effective immediately, ending the last of its significant Covid-era restrictions. Malaysia scraps indoor face mask rule as Covid-19 wave eases Masks will still be mandatory for people who test positive for the disease as well as in places such as public transport and health-care facilities, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said in a …

Passenger can be deboarded from aircraft for not wearing a mask
2 years, 6 months ago

Passenger can be deboarded from aircraft for not wearing a mask

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: If a passenger does not comply with Covid-19 protocols and refuses to wear a mask despite repeated warnings, such a passenger can be treated as an “unruly passenger” and can be de-boarded, if need be, before departure, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation has told all airlines. The latest order by the DGCA comes after the Delhi High Court …

CDC claims it backtracked on face mask recommendation because it was 'causing confusion'
2 years, 6 months ago

CDC claims it backtracked on face mask recommendation because it was 'causing confusion'

Daily Mail  

The CDC backtracked on advice calling on travelers to wear face masks to protect themselves against monkeypox because it was 'causing confusion', the agency claimed Tuesday. The CDC had quietly added advice to wear coverings to its Level 2 travel alert — encouraging 'enhanced precautions' abroad — six days ago. Screen grabs of their website taken at 3am on June …

Covid-19 task force recommends restoration of mask mandate
2 years, 6 months ago

Covid-19 task force recommends restoration of mask mandate

Hindustan Times  

Mumbai: Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, the state Covid-19 task force has recommended that the state government make masks mandatory mask in crowded and poorly ventilated public places. Following Covid-19 appropriate behaviour will also help in combating other airborne diseases like tuberculosis,” said Dr Kedar Toraskar, critical care specialist and member of the state Covid-19 task force. In Wockhardt …

A third of US should be considering masks, officials say
2 years, 7 months ago

A third of US should be considering masks, officials say

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — COVID-19 cases are increasing in the United States — and could get even worse over the coming months, federal health officials warned Wednesday in urging areas hardest hit to consider reissuing calls for indoor masking. “Prior increases of infections, in different waves of infection, have demonstrated that this travels across the country,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC …

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