Coronavirus was largely under control in South Korea and Japan. Here's why COVID-19 cases are now spiralling
4 years ago

Coronavirus was largely under control in South Korea and Japan. Here's why COVID-19 cases are now spiralling

ABC  

Japan and South Korea went about tackling the coronavirus in vastly different ways — and yet they appear to be in a similar situation, with record numbers of COVID-19 cases amid a third wave. In terms of daily new COVID-19 cases per million people, the seven day rolling average to December 12 puts Japan at 20 and Korea at 15. Both figures are lower than Australia's 36 deaths per million and far below the UK's rate of 950 deaths per million people — but the region is starting to set new records for cases. South Korea's Health Minister says the Seoul metropolitan area is now a "COVID-19 war zone".

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History of this topic

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 …

December Blues: Is COVID-19 making a comeback amid holiday season?
1 year ago

December Blues: Is COVID-19 making a comeback amid holiday season?

Firstpost  

Several Asian nations, including Singapore and Malaysia, have reported an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks. Singapore, Malaysia see COVID-19 spike Singapore has been reporting an uptick in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, the country’s Ministry of Health said in a statement on 8 December. In the week ending 2 December, the COVID-19 cases rose …

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 …

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 …

No new Covid variants during recent breakout in China: Lancet study
1 year, 10 months ago

No new Covid variants during recent breakout in China: Lancet study

India Today  

New coronavirus variants did not emerge during the recent outbreak of cases in China, said a study published in the medical journal, The Lancet. Samples of 350 locally acquired infections and 63 imported cases were studied during a five-week period beginning in November 2022 - shortly after China abruptly overturned its strict zero-Covid policy. Further, China also administers inactivated whole …

China defends its move against South Korea, Japan Covid travel curbs: 'Reasonable...'
1 year, 11 months ago

China defends its move against South Korea, Japan Covid travel curbs: 'Reasonable...'

Hindustan Times  

Chinese state media defended on Wednesday the retaliatory measures against South Korea and Japan over their COVID-19 travel curbs as "reasonable", while Chinese tourists decried Seoul's "insulting" treatment on social media. China defends its move against South Korea, Japan Covid travel curbs. South Korean foreign minister Park Jin has said that Seoul's decision was based on scientific evidence and that …

South Korea seeks Chinese national missing from Covid quarantine
1 year, 11 months ago

South Korea seeks Chinese national missing from Covid quarantine

India Today  

South Korean authorities said on Wednesday they were trying to track down a Chinese national who tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival but went missing while waiting at a quarantine facility. The person tested positive after arriving at Incheon International Airport near Seoul late on Tuesday and was transferred to a hotel to await admission to quarantine, but then went …

Which countries have placed COVID curbs on travellers from China?
1 year, 11 months ago

Which countries have placed COVID curbs on travellers from China?

Al Jazeera  

Governments cite a lack of information from Beijing on variants as they express concerns over a new wave of infections. United Kingdom The UK will require a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test from passengers from China as of January 5, the Department of Health said on Friday. Spain Spain says it will require a negative COVID-19 test or a full course …

China's COVID-19 surge raises odds of new coronavirus mutant
1 year, 11 months 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 …

\'India develops herd immunity; BF.7 variant may not be as serious as in China\'
1 year, 11 months ago

\'India develops herd immunity; BF.7 variant may not be as serious as in China\'

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The severity of BF.7 variant of coronavirus in India may not be as serious as it is currently prevailing in China as Indian have already developed "herd immunity" a top official of CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology here said. India reported 201 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 3,397, the Union health Ministry said …

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 …

‘A very hard road ahead’ for China as COVID-19 cases spiral
2 years ago

‘A very hard road ahead’ for China as COVID-19 cases spiral

Associated Press  

BAZHOU, China — Nearly three years after it was first identified in China, the coronavirus is now spreading through the vast country. The National Health Commission said China had 10 intensive care beds for every 100,000 people on Dec. 9, a total of 138,000 beds, up from 4 for every 100,000 people on Nov. 22. Even taken at face value, …

Covid-19 cases in the US surpass 100 million, says report
2 years ago

Covid-19 cases in the US surpass 100 million, says report

Firstpost  

According to health officials in China, Chinese cities are currently hit by the highly transmissible Omicron strains, mainly BA.5.2 and BF.7 Washington: The number of Covid-19 cases registered in the US since the start of the pandemic in early 2020 exceeded a staggering 100 million, Johns Hopkins University has said, amid a sharp spike in caseloads globally and the WHO …

North Korea says new fever cases were flu, not COVID-19
2 years, 3 months ago

North Korea says new fever cases were flu, not COVID-19

India TV News  

North Korea on Friday said the latest fever cases detected in its border region with China were tested to be influenza, not coronavirus infections as initially feared. While Kim claimed that the country's success against the virus would be recognized as a global health miracle, experts believe North Korea has manipulated disclosures on its outbreak to help him maintain absolute …

North Korea reports no new ‘fever’ cases for first time since May
2 years, 4 months ago

North Korea reports no new ‘fever’ cases for first time since May

Al Jazeera  

The official case count has dropped sharply in recent days and Pyongyang has held mass events where many people were unmasked. North Korea has reported no new “fever” cases for the first time since mid-May when it abruptly announced its first domestic outbreak of COVID-19, and imposed tough measures to curb the spread of the virus. The North’s state emergency …

North Korea says nearing end of COVID crisis
2 years, 5 months ago

North Korea says nearing end of COVID crisis

Al Jazeera  

The isolated country’s claim comes as Asian neighbours are battling a new wave of infections driven by Omicron subvariants. North Korea is on the path to “finally defuse” a crisis stemming from its first acknowledged outbreak of COVID-19, the state news agency said on Monday, while Asian neighbours battle a new wave of infections driven by Omicron subvariants. “Under the …

North Korea may declare victory over Covid just a month after detecting outbreak
2 years, 6 months ago

North Korea may declare victory over Covid just a month after detecting outbreak

India Today  

It’s only been a month since North Korea acknowledged having an COVID-19 outbreak, after steadfastly denying any cases for more than two years. The South Korean government as well as some experts believe that North Korea may soon declare that it has beaten the virus, linked, of course, to leader Kim Jong Un’s strong and clever guidance. DAILY FEVER CASES …

North Korea reports another infectious disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave
2 years, 6 months ago

North Korea reports another infectious disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave

Firstpost  

Some observers say the ‘an enteric epidemic’ refers to an infectious disease like typhoid, dysentery or cholera, which routinely occur in North Korea Seoul, South Korea: North Korea on Thursday reported the eruption of another infectious disease in addition to its ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, saying leader Kim Jong Un has donated his private medicines to those stricken with the new …

WHO: COVID cases and deaths falling nearly everywhere
2 years, 6 months ago

WHO: COVID cases and deaths falling nearly everywhere

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally fell everywhere last week except the Middle East and Southeast Asia, according to the World Health Organization. In its latest weekly update on the pandemic, the U.N. health agency said Wednesday that confirmed cases dropped 12% to more than 3 million and reported deaths declined 22% to about …

WHO believes COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea
2 years, 6 months ago

WHO believes COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea

Associated Press  

LONDON — A top official at the World Health Organization said the U.N. health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is “getting worse, not better,” despite the secretive country’s recent claims that COVID-19 is slowing there. At a briefing on Wednesday, WHO’s emergencies chief Dr. Mike Ryan appealed to North Korean authorities for more information about the COVID-19 …

Covid "getting worse, not better" in North Korea: WHO
2 years, 6 months ago

Covid "getting worse, not better" in North Korea: WHO

India Today  

A top official at the World Health Organization said the UN health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is “getting worse, not better,” despite the secretive country’s recent claims that COVID-19 is slowing there. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO’s emergencies chief Dr. Mike Ryan appealed to North Korean authorities for more information about the Covid-19 outbreak …

COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea: World Health Organization
2 years, 6 months ago

COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea: World Health Organization

India TV News  

Highlights WHO said UN health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is “getting worse" WHO’s emergencies chief appealed to North Korean authorities for more information about COVID cases WHO has previously also voiced concerns about impact of COVID in North Korea’s population Coronavirus outbreak in North Korea : A top official at the World Health Organization said the …

COVID amid food insecurity: A perfect storm is brewing in N Korea
2 years, 6 months ago

COVID amid food insecurity: A perfect storm is brewing in N Korea

Al Jazeera  

Widespread malnutrition and the absence of a stable health system are exacerbating the impact of COVID-19 in the country. On May 12, North Korea reported the country’s first COVID outbreak, a significant public admission after two and a half years of stringent lockdowns and border closures. Omicron, the variant behind North Korea’s outbreak, is estimated to be asymptomatic in close …

WHO: Covid-19 cases mostly drop, except for the Americas
2 years, 6 months ago

WHO: Covid-19 cases mostly drop, except for the Americas

India Today  

The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths are still falling globally after peaking in January, the World Health Organisation said. In its latest weekly assessment of the pandemic, the UN health agency said there were more than 3.7 million new infections and 9,000 deaths in the last week, drops of 3 per cent and 11 per cent respectively. WHO …

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

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Friday that nearly 10% of its 26 million people have fallen ill and 65 people have died amid its first COVID-19 outbreak, as outside experts question the validity of its reported fatalities and worry about a possible humanitarian crisis. Some observers say North Korea was likely forced to acknowledge the COVID-19 outbreak because …

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 …

COVID-19 deaths dropped by 21% last week but cases rising: World Health Organization
2 years, 7 months ago

COVID-19 deaths dropped by 21% last week but cases rising: World Health Organization

The Hindu  

The number of coronavirus deaths globally dropped by about 21% in the past week while cases rose in most parts of the world, according to the World Health Organization. In its weekly report on the pandemic released on May 19, the U. N. health agency said the number of new COVID-19 cases appears to have stabilised after weeks of decline …

Tea and infomercials: N. Korea fights COVID with few tools
2 years, 7 months ago

Tea and infomercials: N. Korea fights COVID with few tools

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — On a recent nighttime visit to a drugstore, a double-masked Kim Jong Un lamented the slow delivery of medicine. Despite what the North’s propaganda is describing as an all-out effort, the fear is palpable among citizens, according to defectors in South Korea with contacts in the North, and some outside observers worry the outbreak may get …

North Korea's COVID-19 caseload nears 2 million in just a week; over 7 lakh in quarantine
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea's COVID-19 caseload nears 2 million in just a week; over 7 lakh in quarantine

India TV News  

Highlights The outbreak could be worse than officially reported because of scarce resources for virus testing North Korea's anti-virus headquarters reported a single death in the last 24 hours Experts said the single death is abnormally small compared to the suspected number of infections Just after a week of reporting the coronavirus outbreak, North Korea has already registered nearly 2 …

North Korea fights Covid with traditional medicines
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea fights Covid with traditional medicines

India TV News  

Highlights North Korean lieutenants have quarantined hundreds of thousands of suspected Covid patients Officilas urged people with mild symptoms to take willow leaf or honeysuckle tea Earlier, North Korea claimed its total Covid19 caseload stood at 168 despite rising fever cases On a recent nighttime visit to a drugstore, a double-masked Kim Jong Un lamented the slow delivery of medicine. …

Explained: Decoding the explosive COVID outbreak in North Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

Explained: Decoding the explosive COVID outbreak in North Korea

The Hindu  

The story so far: After reportedly remaining “COVID-free” since the start of the global pandemic, North Korea last week confirmed its first case. In an immediate response to what North Korea termed was the “state’s most serious emergency”, its leader Kim Jong Un imposed a nationwide lockdown. Saying that the outbreak has pushed North Korea into “great turmoil”, Mr. Kim …

North Korea reports another jump in suspected Covid-19 cases
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea reports another jump in suspected Covid-19 cases

India Today  

North Korea on Wednesday reported 232,880 new cases of fever and another six deaths as leader Kim Jong Un accused officials of “immaturity” and “slackness” in handling the escalating Covid-19 outbreak ravaging across the unvaccinated nation. The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim, during a ruling party Politburo meeting on Tuesday, criticized officials over their early pandemic response, …

COVID-19 Has Reached North Korea, Threatening a Humanitarian Emergency
2 years, 7 months ago

COVID-19 Has Reached North Korea, Threatening a Humanitarian Emergency

The Quint  

But now, the country, which has a population of roughly 26 million people, looks to be facing a very sizeable and rapidly-spreading outbreak of the omicron variant. As of 17 May, 1.4 million cases of “fever” had been reported, with 56 deaths since late April. The country is treating fever as indicative of COVID-19 infection owing to reported shortages of …

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 …

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

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — 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 reports another surge in fevers amid Covid crisis
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea reports another surge in fevers amid Covid crisis

India Today  

North Korea on Tuesday reported another large jump in illnesses believed to be Covid-19 as a mass outbreak spreads through its unvaccinated population and military medical officers were deployed to distribute medicine. North Korea lacks testing supplies to confirm coronavirus infections in large numbers, and the report didn’t say how many of the fever cases were Covid-19. Read: China tests …

Kim Jong Un criticises North Korea's slow response to COVID-19 outbreak as country records thousands of new cases
2 years, 7 months ago

Kim Jong Un criticises North Korea's slow response to COVID-19 outbreak as country records thousands of new cases

ABC  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the country's military to respond to the surging but largely undiagnosed COVID-19 crisis that has left 50 people dead and infected 1.2 million in a matter of days. Key points: Hundreds of thousands of North Koreans are believed to have been infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 since the end of …

North Korea reports 8 new Covid deaths, 392,920 cases as Kim laments virus response
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea reports 8 new Covid deaths, 392,920 cases as Kim laments virus response

India TV News  

Highlights North Korea reported eight new Covid deaths and 392,920 more people with 'fever' symptoms. North Korea on Monday reported eight new deaths and 392,920 more people with fever symptoms amid a growing COVID-19 outbreak as leader Kim Jong Un blasted officials over delays in medicine deliveries and ordered his military to get involved in the pandemic response in the …

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 …

Still far from normal: Covid-19 cases rising rapidly in 36 countries
2 years, 7 months ago

Still far from normal: Covid-19 cases rising rapidly in 36 countries

India Today  

Even as world leaders debated Covid-19 related issues at a virtual summit on Thursday, May 12, the pandemic has not shown any signs of disappearing from our lives. The latest data shows: New cases are still rising in 89 countries, including the US, weekly trends show. The latest weekly situation report of the WHO said during the week through May …

EXPLAINER: What’s behind North Korea’s COVID-19 admission?
2 years, 7 months ago

EXPLAINER: What’s behind North Korea’s COVID-19 admission?

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — Before acknowledging its first domestic COVID-19 cases, North Korea spent 2 1/2 years rejecting outside offers of vaccines and steadfastly claiming that its superior socialist system was protecting its 26 million people from “a malicious virus” that had killed millions around the world. The World Health Organization says North Korea has reported tests of 64,200 people …

North Korea confirms first COVID death; 350,000 reporting ‘fever’
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea confirms first COVID death; 350,000 reporting ‘fever’

Al Jazeera  

Experts worry North Korea’s health system will be unable to cope with spread of COVID in an unvaccinated population. North Korea has confirmed its first COVID-19 death, and says hundreds of thousands of people have “fever”, in the first indication of the scale of the outbreak in its largely unvaccinated population. Experts worry North Korea’s crumbling health system will be …

North Korean state media reports first official COVID-19 deaths as outbreak spreads
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korean state media reports first official COVID-19 deaths as outbreak spreads

ABC  

North Korean state media has reported the country's first official COVID-19 deaths, with six people dying amid an "explosive" spread of illness. Key points: More than 350,000 people have reportedly been treated for fever About 18,000 people were newly found with fever symptoms on Thursday One of the six people who died was confirmed to have been infected with the …

WHO says COVID-19 falling everywhere, except Americas and Africa
2 years, 7 months ago

WHO says COVID-19 falling everywhere, except Americas and Africa

The Hindu  

The number of new coronavirus cases reported worldwide has continued to fall except in the Americas and Africa, the World Health Organisation said in its latest assessment of the pandemic. In its weekly pandemic report released late on May 10, the U.N. health agency said about 3.5 million new cases and more than 25,000 deaths were reported globally, which respectively …

North Korea reports first COVID outbreak, orders lockdown
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea reports first COVID outbreak, orders lockdown

Al Jazeera  

North Korea has confirmed its first outbreak of COVID-19, raising fears of a humanitarian disaster in one of the world’s few unvaccinated countries as it goes into a nationwide lockdown. It reported later that North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un had “called on all the cities and counties of the whole country to thoroughly lock down their areas” with …

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 …

China continues to battle 'severe and complex' Covid outbreak, cases shoot up in UK | Top points
2 years, 8 months ago

China continues to battle 'severe and complex' Covid outbreak, cases shoot up in UK | Top points

India Today  

India logged 1,660 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours on Saturday, taking the active case tally to 16,741. The World Health Organisation earlier reported that the number of new coronavirus cases increased two weeks in a row globally. The Chinese mainland reported 1,280 locally transmitted Covid-19 cases and 55 imported cases in 24 hours on Friday. The Office for National …

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