S. Korea to give out rapid tests as omicron shatters record
2 years, 10 months ago

S. Korea to give out rapid tests as omicron shatters record

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea will distribute free coronavirus rapid test kits at schools and senior care facilities starting next week as it weathers an unprecedented wave of infections driven by the fast-moving omicron variant. 2 official behind President Moon Jae-in, said officials will start distributing free rapid test kits next week at kindergartens, elementary schools and senior care facilities, including nursing homes and neighborhood welfare centers, to strengthen protection for unvaccinated children and high-risk groups. “When testing positive from those tests, please visit the local health office to get PCR tests.” Health workers have diagnosed a daily average of 60,230 new coronavirus cases in the past seven days, which translates to 116.64 infections per 100,000 people, as the national caseload grew over 1.55 million. Prime Minister Kim said officials will consider both the pandemic’s growing economic strain and threats posed by the omicron surge before announcing new social distancing measures on Friday.

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History of this topic

South Korea to lift quarantine mandate and COVID test recommendation for travelers
1 year, 7 months ago

South Korea to lift quarantine mandate and COVID test recommendation for travelers

LA Times  

South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end coronavirus testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency. The decision was announced during a meeting attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, at which he thanked the country’s medical workers and said it was “delightful that people are …

Mutated version of Omicron is behind spike in case, health system on alert: Govt
1 year, 9 months ago

Mutated version of Omicron is behind spike in case, health system on alert: Govt

Live Mint  

Amid a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in India, Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said that currently a mutated variant of the Omicron sub-variant is spreading in the country and the health authorities are on alert. The health minister added that vaccines used by India have been found effective against all Covid-19 variants found till …

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide
1 year, 10 months ago

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide

Dutch News  

Coronavirus experts have advised against another round of vaccinations this spring because there is enough immunity in the population from previous vaccines or infections. The advisers will decide later in the year whether there should be another booster round in the autumn, when the peak season for coronavirus infections begins. Doctors should still be able to prescribe a vaccine for …

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide
1 year, 10 months ago

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide

Dutch News  

Coronavirus experts have advised against another round of vaccinations this spring because there is enough immunity in the population from previous vaccines or infections. The advisers will decide later in the year whether there should be another booster round in the autumn, when the peak season for coronavirus infections begins. Doctors should still be able to prescribe a vaccine for …

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount
2 years, 2 months ago

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount

Dutch News  

Everyone over the age of 12 is now being invited to sign up for another coronavirus vaccination, the health ministry has confirmed. With covid infections once again on the rise, health officials say getting the top-up jabs will help slow the spread of the virus. People aged 40 to 60 can make an appointment via website planjeprik.nl next week, while …

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount
2 years, 2 months ago

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount

Dutch News  

Everyone over the age of 12 is now being invited to sign up for another coronavirus vaccination, the health ministry has confirmed. With covid infections once again on the rise, health officials say getting the top-up jabs will help slow the spread of the virus. People aged 40 to 60 can make an appointment via website planjeprik.nl next week, while …

More coronavirus patients admitted to hospital, positive tests rise 55%
2 years, 3 months ago

More coronavirus patients admitted to hospital, positive tests rise 55%

Dutch News  

The number of coronavirus patients admitted to hospital has risen sharply over the past seven days and positive tests are also going up, public health institute RIVM said in its weekly Tuesday update. Over 19,000 positive tests were also recorded by regional health centres, a rise of 55% on a week ago. The figures do not reflect the true number …

More coronavirus patients admitted to hospital, positive tests rise 55%
2 years, 3 months ago

More coronavirus patients admitted to hospital, positive tests rise 55%

Dutch News  

The number of coronavirus patients admitted to hospital has risen sharply over the past seven days and positive tests are also going up, public health institute RIVM said in its weekly Tuesday update. Over 19,000 positive tests were also recorded by regional health centres, a rise of 55% on a week ago. The figures do not reflect the true number …

Beijing announces first vaccine mandate as Omicron clusters break out in China
2 years, 6 months ago

Beijing announces first vaccine mandate as Omicron clusters break out in China

Hindustan Times  

BEIJING: China’s capital Beijing will introduce a vaccine mandate for certain public venues from July 11, the first in the country, as millions in China face new curbs and the country tackles fresh Covid-19 clusters including a karaoke lounge-related outbreak in Shanghai and a spreading one in the tourist city of Xian. Cases caused by Omicron’s BA5 subvariant have been …

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow

Dutch News  

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands has risen for the third week in a row, and more people have been admitted to a hospital intensive care ward, public health institute RIVM said on Tuesday. Warnings On Monday, the Netherlands’ two biggest employers’ organisations made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus …

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow

Dutch News  

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands has risen for the third week in a row, and more people have been admitted to a hospital intensive care ward, public health institute RIVM said on Tuesday. Warnings On Monday, the Netherlands’ two biggest employers’ organisations made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus …

Coronavirus infections rise 64% in a week as Omicron variants take hold
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 64% in a week as Omicron variants take hold

Dutch News  

The number of positive coronavirus tests registered with public health institute RIVM rose 64% over the past seven days to 15,526. The rise in official positive tests is probably connected to two new Omicron variants which are ‘gaining ground’ in the Netherlands, the RIVM said. The RIVM is monitoring the spread of the virus via traces in waste water, and …

Germany seeks to avoid school closures if COVID surges again
2 years, 7 months ago

Germany seeks to avoid school closures if COVID surges again

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s federal and state leaders agreed Thursday to try to avoid closing schools and child care facilities if there is another surge in coronavirus cases this fall. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said after meeting with the governors of Germany’s 16 states that the goal would be to prevent “another blanket closure” of schools and kindergartens like what happened during …

Week after confirming Covid outbreak, North Korea's suspected cases near 2 million
2 years, 7 months ago

Week after confirming Covid outbreak, North Korea's suspected cases near 2 million

India Today  

North Korea on Thursday reported 2,62,270 more suspected Covid-19 cases as its pandemic caseload neared 2 million — a week after the country acknowledged the outbreak and scrambled to slow infections in its unvaccinated population. North Korea’s anti-virus headquarters reported a single additional death, raising its toll to 63, which experts have said is abnormally small compared to the suspected …

N. Korea's low death count questioned amid COVID-19 outbreak
2 years, 7 months ago

N. Korea's low death count questioned amid COVID-19 outbreak

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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. After admitting the omicron outbreak …

North Korea reports another fever surge amid Covid-19 crisis
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea reports another fever surge amid Covid-19 crisis

India Today  

North Korea on Tuesday reported another large jump in illnesses believed to be Covid-19 and encouraged good health habits, as a mass outbreak spreads through its unvaccinated population and military officers were deployed to distribute medicine. That raises North Korea's deaths to 56 after more than 1.48 million people became ill with fever since late April. North Korea lacks test …

Omicron smashes North Korea's 'safety vacuum', 8,20,000 cases reported
2 years, 7 months ago

Omicron smashes North Korea's 'safety vacuum', 8,20,000 cases reported

India TV News  

Highlights On Thursday, North Korea announced the first wave of COVID-19 cases in the country On Friday, North Korea reported the first coronavirus deaths Till now, North Korea had asserted it has aimed to manage and also prevent the spread of the virus North Korea reported 15 new death from "fever" in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally …

Pandemic gets tougher to track as COVID testing plunges
2 years, 7 months ago

Pandemic gets tougher to track as COVID testing plunges

LA Times  

Testing for coronavirus infections has plummeted across the globe, making it much tougher for scientists to track the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and spot new, worrisome viral variants as they emerge and spread. “We’re not testing anywhere near where we might need to,” said Dr. Krishna Udayakumar, who directs the Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University. At a …

South Korea drops most COVID-19 restrictions, citing dramatic fall in cases
2 years, 8 months ago

South Korea drops most COVID-19 restrictions, citing dramatic fall in cases

Firstpost  

The decision marks the end of two years of strict distancing requirements, which have put a huge strain on small businesses Seoul**, South Korea:** South Korea will lift almost all social distancing measures, the government said Friday, citing a dramatic fall in reported cases of COVID-19 after an Omicron-fuelled surge, but the mask mandate will remain. South Koreans will be …

South Korea to drop most COVID rules as Omicron wave ebbs
2 years, 8 months ago

South Korea to drop most COVID rules as Omicron wave ebbs

Al Jazeera  

An indoor mask mandate will remain but all other health protocols will be relaxed from Monday. South Korea has said it will lift all COVID-19 social distancing rules, except for the requirement to wear masks, marking the first time most restrictions have been lifted since the pandemic began two years ago. “As the virus situation is stabilised and capabilities of …

South Korea sees over 6,00,000 COVID-19 cases in a day
2 years, 9 months ago

South Korea sees over 6,00,000 COVID-19 cases in a day

The Hindu  

As the coronavirus pandemic seems to be tapering in India, with daily infections falling to the lowest levels since May 2020, the picture does not reflect similarly in a few other countries in Asia. Besides, the World Health Organisation has raised alarm about a global uptick in cases owing to the Omicron variant, its new sub-variant BA.2 or ‘Stealth Omicron’, …

South Korea records highest daily spike in Covid cases with 6 lakh new infections
2 years, 9 months ago

South Korea records highest daily spike in Covid cases with 6 lakh new infections

India Today  

South Korea continues to see an exponential rise in Covid-19 cases amid a wave of Omicron infections. Hitting yet another milestone on Thursday, South Korea recorded over 6,00,000 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily spike the country has witnessed so far. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Thursday South Korea reported a record 6,21,328 new daily Covid-19 …

COVID: S Korea reports record cases as Omicron wave nears peak
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID: S Korea reports record cases as Omicron wave nears peak

Al Jazeera  

Country long hailed as a pandemic success story reports more than 621,000 cases and 429 deaths. South Korea has reported new daily records for coronavirus cases and deaths as the Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly across the country. The country has scaled back the test, track, tracing, and quarantine strategy that helped keep earlier waves in check and despite …

After China, South Korea facing worst Covid outbreak as Omicron drives up cases
2 years, 9 months ago

After China, South Korea facing worst Covid outbreak as Omicron drives up cases

India Today  

After China, South Korea is now facing its worst Covid-19 outbreak as the country hit another milestone, recording over 4,00,000 infection cases on Wednesday. According to the state media, South Korea reported 4,00,741 new daily Covid-19 cases, the highest since the country reported its first Covid-19 case in January last year. Also, China's Jilin province was "in a last ditch …

New outbreak calls for quick response
2 years, 9 months ago

New outbreak calls for quick response

China Daily  

In a country where any local outbreak of the novel coronavirus is sufficient to trigger the lockdown of a neighborhood or a citywide epidemiological investigation, the appearance of 1,807 local cases on the Chinese mainland on Saturday poses a grave challenge due to the Omicron variant. That hundreds of asymptomatic cases are also being reported every day, along with confirmed …

At long last, WHO issues coronavirus testing advice
2 years, 9 months ago

At long last, WHO issues coronavirus testing advice

LA Times  

A woman is tested for a coronavirus infection at the Lenasia South Hospital near Johannesburg in South Africa. The advice comes months after critics said the lack of recommendations from the global health agency was compromising efforts to stop the pandemic in poor countries. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency was concerned …

S. Korea drops proof of vaccine, test to aid virus response
2 years, 10 months ago

S. Korea drops proof of vaccine, test to aid virus response

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea will no longer require people to show proof of vaccination or negative tests to enter any indoor space starting Tuesday, removing a key preventive measure during a fast-developing omicron surge that’s elevating hospitalizations and deaths. Park Hyang, a senior health ministry official, said rescinding the “anti-epidemic pass” would free more health workers to help …

S. Korea rescinds 'anti-epidemic pass' to free up resources
2 years, 10 months ago

S. Korea rescinds 'anti-epidemic pass' to free up resources

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. Read our privacy policy South Korea will no longer …

S. Korea has deadliest day of pandemic amid omicron surge
2 years, 10 months ago

S. Korea has deadliest day of pandemic amid omicron surge

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea saw its deadliest day of the pandemic on Saturday, reporting 112 fatalities in the latest 24-hour period, as it grapples with a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the fast-moving omicron variant. Health workers diagnosed 166,209 new cases, which came close to Wednesday’s one-day record of 171,451 and represented more than a 37-fold increase …

Hong Kong orders mandatory coronavirus testing of its entire population
2 years, 10 months ago

Hong Kong orders mandatory coronavirus testing of its entire population

LA Times  

Residents line up in rainy weather Tuesday for coronavirus tests at a temporary testing site in Hong Kong. Hong Kong will test its entire population for the coronavirus in March, the city’s leader said Tuesday, as it grapples with its worst outbreak of COVID-19, driven by the Omicron variant. The population will be tested three times in March, Hong Kong …

COVID-19 deaths fall for first time since January, WHO says
2 years, 10 months ago

COVID-19 deaths fall for first time since January, WHO says

LA Times  

A man gets a throat swab at a residential compound in Wuhan. The number of new coronavirus cases around the world fell 21% in the last week, marking the third consecutive week that cases have dropped, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. In the U.N. health agency’s weekly pandemic report, WHO said there were more than 12 million new coronavirus …

South Korea extends business curfew as COVID-19 cases top 100,000
2 years, 10 months ago

South Korea extends business curfew as COVID-19 cases top 100,000

Al Jazeera  

South Korea’s daily COVID-19 cases topped 100,000 for the first time amid its Omicron outbreak, as authorities announced a slight easing of restrictions ahead of the March 9 presidential election. “The situation for small business owners and the self-employed is desperate,” President Moon Jae-in told a meeting of aides on Friday, while calling on parliament to quickly pass a supplemental …

South Korea reports rise in Covid deaths, US CDC advises Americans to avoid travel
2 years, 10 months ago

South Korea reports rise in Covid deaths, US CDC advises Americans to avoid travel

India Today  

South Korea reported its highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a month Tuesday as U.S. health authorities advised Americans to avoid traveling to the country grappling with a fast-developing Omicron surge. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its travel notice for South Korea to level 4, the highest risk, advising Americans to avoid travel to the country …

South Korea to Roll Out Novavax Covid-19 Vaccine Next Week
2 years, 10 months ago

South Korea to Roll Out Novavax Covid-19 Vaccine Next Week

News 18  

South Korea will begin offering Novavax Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine at hospitals, nursing homes and public health centers next week, officials said, adding another tool to fight a fast-developing omicron surge. Novavaxs protein vaccine, which is similar to shots used for years against diseases such as the common flu and hepatitis B, could appeal to people who are hesitant to use …

Across Asia, spike in virus cases follows Lunar New Year
2 years, 11 months ago

Across Asia, spike in virus cases follows Lunar New Year

Associated Press  

SINGAPORE — Many Asian countries are facing a spike in COVID-19 infections after the widely-celebrated Lunar New Year holidays, as health officials grapple with the highly-transmissible omicron variant and expectations that numbers will continue to rise in coming weeks. The Lunar New Year, which is China’s biggest holiday, was celebrated across Asia on Feb. 1 even as pandemic restrictions in …

Lunar New Year holiday drives record coronavirus surge in South Korea
2 years, 11 months ago

Lunar New Year holiday drives record coronavirus surge in South Korea

LA Times  

South Korea on Friday logged its fourth straight day of record coronavirus cases, following the Lunar New Year holiday. South Korea on Friday extended its limits on indoor gatherings as health workers reported the fourth straight day of record coronavirus cases, following the Lunar New Year holiday. The 27,443 new cases reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency …

South Korea extends business curfews as Omicron cases spike
2 years, 11 months ago

South Korea extends business curfews as Omicron cases spike

Al Jazeera  

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum says extension necessary to slow spread of Omicron after Lunar New Year celebrations. South Korea extended COVID-19 social distancing rules on Friday for two weeks, including a 9pm curfew for restaurants, bars and gyms, amid soaring cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said extending the restrictions, which were due to end on …

WHO: In 10 weeks, omicron surge causes COVID cases to soar
2 years, 11 months ago

WHO: In 10 weeks, omicron surge causes COVID cases to soar

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The World Health Organization chief said Tuesday that 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago — amounting to more than in all of 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. With many countries easing their restrictive measures amid public fatigue about them, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom …

Covid deaths down in third quarter of 2021, but Omicron caused 1.3 million infections in January
2 years, 11 months ago

Covid deaths down in third quarter of 2021, but Omicron caused 1.3 million infections in January

NL Times  

The coronavirus caused almost three times fewer deaths in the third quarter of 2021 than in the previous quarter. In January, the Omnicron variant of the virus caused over 1.3 million coronavirus infections. In January of this year, the public health institute RIVM registered just over 1.3 million positive Covid-19 tests. In January, the RIVM reported that 355 people died …

Coronavirus cases since Omicron exceed those in all of 2020, WHO says
2 years, 11 months ago

Coronavirus cases since Omicron exceed those in all of 2020, WHO says

LA Times  

The head of the World Health Organization says 90 million coronavirus cases have been reported since the Omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago. The World Health Organization chief said Tuesday that 90 million coronavirus cases have been reported since the Omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago — amounting to more cases than in all of 2020, …

S. Korea tests new virus steps as infections reach new high
2 years, 11 months ago

S. Korea tests new virus steps as infections reach new high

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea on Wednesday began enforcing new COVID-19 response measures, including reduced quarantine periods and expanded rapid testing, as its new cases jumped nearly 50% in a day. South Korean officials say their early analysis suggests omicron spreads more than twice as fast as the delta variant, which spiked the country’s hospitalizations and fatalities during a …

S Korea tests new virus steps as infections reach new high
2 years, 11 months ago

S Korea tests new virus steps as infections reach new high

Deccan Chronicle  

Seoul: South Korea on Wednesday began enforcing new COVID-19 response measures, including reduced quarantine periods and expanded rapid testing, as its new cases jumped nearly 50 per cent in a day. South Korean officials say their early analysis suggests omicron spreads more than twice as fast as the delta variant, which spiked the country's hospitalisations and fatalities during a devastating …

Covid-19 is less severe with Omicron than Delta, suggests US study
2 years, 11 months ago

Covid-19 is less severe with Omicron than Delta, suggests US study

Live Mint  

The Omicron variant appears to result in less severe COVID-19 than seen during previous periods of high coronavirus transmission including the Delta wave, with shorter hospital stays, less need for intensive care and fewer deaths, according to a new U.S. study. Despite the steep spike in COVID cases, the percentage of hospitalized patients admitted to intensive care units during the …

Tokyo reports record virus cases as Japan tightens measures
2 years, 11 months ago

Tokyo reports record virus cases as Japan tightens measures

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Tokyo on Tuesday reported a record high of COVID-19 cases, as Japan prepared to implement new anti-virus measures amid surging infections driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. The Japanese government has increased hospital capacity for COVID-19 treatment, since last summer when many patients critical patients overflowed from hospitals and died at home, but the country continues to …

S. Korea to expand testing, shorten quarantine for omicron
2 years, 11 months ago

S. Korea to expand testing, shorten quarantine for omicron

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea will expand rapid testing and shorten quarantines as it reshapes its pandemic response to deal with a faster-than-expected surge in coronavirus infections driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. The new rules will require people who aren’t fully vaccinated to quarantine for seven days if they come in close contact with a virus carrier …

Coronavirus updates | January 22, 2022
2 years, 11 months ago

Coronavirus updates | January 22, 2022

The Hindu  

International travellers who test positive for COVID-19 will no longer be sent for mandatory “ institutional quarantine ” as the Centre has relaxed its guidelines, allowing States leeway in how they deal with such passengers. govt extends closure of educational institutions till January 30 The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday extended the closure of educational institutions, including schools, till January …

Mexico weathers the Omicron surge, but experts warn against complacency
2 years, 11 months ago

Mexico weathers the Omicron surge, but experts warn against complacency

LA Times  

People wait outside a pharmacy to get tested for the coronavirus in Mexico City on Jan. 10. “This variant of COVID doesn’t have the lethality, the danger of the previous variant, the so-called Delta,” a smiling President Andrés Manuel López Obrador declared in a video address last week after disclosing that he had recuperated from a second bout of the …

Omicron variant Updates: Delhi logs 13,785 fresh cases, 35 deaths, positivity rate at 23.8%
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron variant Updates: Delhi logs 13,785 fresh cases, 35 deaths, positivity rate at 23.8%

India TV News  

Omicron Variant LIVE Updates: Indian Council of Medical Research's Head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Dr Samiran Panda on Tuesday said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus is gradually replacing the Delta variant in many states across the country. Speaking with news agency ANI, Dr Panda said, "We are seeing a change in India that Omicron is gradually replacing Delta …

Omicron slamming S. American hospitals as workers fall ill
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron slamming S. American hospitals as workers fall ill

Associated Press  

BRASILIA, Brazil — The coronavirus’ omicron variant starting to barrel across South America is pressuring hospitals whose employees are taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed to cope with COVID-19′s third wave. The third wave “is affecting the health team a lot, from the cleaning staff to the technicians, with a high percentage of sick people, despite having a complete vaccination …

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