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PARIS, France (AFP) — The pandemic has had a “substantial” impact on childhood cancer care worldwide, with a marked rise in the number of patients abandoning treatment altogether, new research showed Thursday. Covid-19 has placed huge pressure on hospitals and healthcare systems, particularly in developing nations, as most medical facilities have been inundated with Covid patients. A global assessment of the impact of Covid-19 on paediatric cancer care showed that care was affected at more […]
BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Germany will soon authorize the AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine for people over the age of 65, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday, the same day Belgium authorized its rollout to seniors. The countries — both criticized for the slow pace of their inoculation drives — had previously said there was insufficient data about the effect of the vaccine on older age groups. But both Merkel and the Belgian health minister said recent studies […]
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Seven NBA players have tested positive for Covid-19 among the 456 players tested by the league in the past week, the NBA announced Wednesday. The league does not identify players results, but any player who tests positive is isolated or quarantined until they are cleared under NBA health and safety guidelines. Protocols also require those identified as having been in close contact to an infected person to quarantine. The […]
BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday unveiled plans to gradually ease virus curbs in Europe’s top economy, caving to pressure from regional leaders and the public for more freedom after months of shutdowns. Declaring a “new phase” in the pandemic, Merkel said more socializing between households would be allowed from Monday. Book shops, flower stores and garden centers will also reopen nationwide. Further reopenings will be closely tied to local infection […]
NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — Indian pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech said Wednesday its domestically developed vaccine, criticized for being rolled out before final trials, was found in interim late-stage data to have almost 81 percent efficacy in preventing Covid-19 infection. Questions had been raised by Indian medical experts about the effectiveness of Bharat Biotech’s “Covaxin” after officials authorized it for emergency use in January even though its Phase 3 trials — the last stage before […]
by Johannes LEDEL STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) — A man attacked eight people Wednesday with a “sharp weapon,” seriously injuring two in the Swedish city of Vetlanda, police said, adding they were investigating a potential “terror motive”. The assailant was taken to hospital after being shot in the leg by police as he was taken into custody following the mid-afternoon attack in the southern city of 13,000 inhabitants. Speaking to AFP, police said the man in […]
BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil registered a record of Covid-19 deaths for the second straight day Wednesday, with 1,910 lives lost to the pandemic. With a surge in cases currently pushing health systems to the limit in many areas, Brazil has recorded a total of 259,271 deaths, according to the health ministry — the second-highest death toll worldwide, after the United States. “For the first time since the pandemic began, we are seeing a deterioration […]
by Patrick GALEY PARIS, France (AFP) — The AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine appears to be more than 80 percent effective at preventing severe illness among elderly, at-risk individuals after a single dose, according to preliminary research published Wednesday. The results, which have yet to be peer-reviewed, added to the growing body of evidence that the vaccine — which several countries have advised against giving to over-65s — is both safe and effective in older people. Researchers […]
by Louise DEWAST with AFP Africa bureaus ABUJA, Nigeria (AFP) — Millions of coronavirus shots from the global Covax scheme has arrived in Nigeria, Angola and Kenya, as African countries ramp up their vaccine rollouts. Richer countries have surged ahead with vaccinations but many poorer countries are still awaiting deliveries, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to warn that the crisis cannot end unless everyone can inoculate their populations. The Covax facility, run by the […]
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s economy contracted 1.1 percent in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, but saw a remarkable recovery late in the year as outbreaks were brought under control and restrictions lifted. Official figures released Wednesday showed the economy grew 3.1 percent in the October-December quarter following a 3.4 percent increase in the previous quarter. The Australian Bureau of Statistics said it was the first time since records began 60 years ago […]
BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil on Tuesday registered a record 1,641 deaths in 24 hours from Covid-19, health authorities announced, as the country endures a further worsening of the pandemic. The country of 212 million inhabitants has recorded a total of 257,361 Covid-19 deaths, according to the health ministry, and has the second-highest national death toll after the United States. Brazil continues to have a piecemeal response, with individual cities and states setting their own […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday lifted a state mask mandate and said he was authorizing businesses restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic to open “100 percent.” “For nearly half a year, most businesses have been open either 75 percent or 50 percent and during that time, too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities,” Abbott said. “Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills,” the […]
