Tag: novel coronavirus

Covid-19 vaccine ‘best science news’ of 2020

by Nina LARSON Agence France-Presse GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — Data indicating that a vaccine being developed against Covid-19 is highly effective is the “best science news of the year”, a pharmaceutical industry association chief said, voicing hope that other vaccine candidates would show equally good results. “A vaccine that has 90 percent efficacy and is pretty safe, that is a historic breakthrough,” the head of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), Thomas […]

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Chinese bus offers new evidence of airborne coronavirus spread: study

WASHINGTON D.C., United States (AFP) — A person on a poorly ventilated Chinese bus infected nearly two dozen other passengers with coronavirus even though many weren’t sitting close by, according to research published on Tuesday that offers fresh evidence the disease can spread in the air. Health authorities had initially discounted the possibility that simply breathing could send infectious micro-droplets into the air, but did a U-turn as experts piled on pressure and evidence mounted. […]

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Hong Kong: first ‘proven’ case of COVID reinfection

by Marlowe HOOD Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Researchers in Hong Kong Monday identified what they said was the first confirmed case worldwide of COVID-19 reinfection, raising questions about the durability of immunity, whether acquired naturally or with a vaccine. “Our study proves that immunity for COVID infection is not lifelong — in fact, reinfection can occur quite quickly,” said Kelvin Kai-Wang To, a microbiologist at Hong Kong University’s Faculty of Medicine and lead […]

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Mutated SARS-CoV-2 strain detected in QC

Study says mutation can increase viral rate of transmission but “no definitive evidence” carriers are more infectious than others yet (Eagle News)–A mutated  strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID19   has been found in Quezon City. The Philippine Genome Center, which conducted a whole genome and targeted sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the country as part of the validation study of the locally developed SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR kit, said in its first advisory that […]

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Israeli firm developing 30-second coronavirus breath test

by Jonah Mandel Agence France-Presse MISGAV, Israel (AFP) — An Israeli company is developing a coronavirus breathalyser test that gives results in 30 seconds, billing it as a “front line” tool that can help restore a sense of normality during the pandemic. NanoScent, the firm making the test kits, said an extensive trial in Israel for the presence of live virus delivered results with 85 percent accuracy, and the product could receive regulatory approval within […]

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Test equipment found to be contaminated; 40 cases yielded false positives

Eagle News — A second test found all 40 of the newly suspected COVID-19 cases in Yala on Sunday turned out to be false positives, as the public health ministry has decided to run another test. The Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) however, wants to run a third test through the Department of Medical Sciences. Sources said there are several factors potentially contributing to false positives. Including the possibilities that the equipment had […]

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Over 130 virus therapies under investigation: pharma group

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — More than 130 therapies are being investigated as possible treatments for the coronavirus, a leading pharmaceutical industry association said Thursday. Unprecedented efforts to collaborate across the pharmaceutical industry have significantly accelerated the search for safe and effective treatments for the novel coronavirus, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations said. “Over 130 COVID-19 therapeutics are under investigation,” IFPMA director Thomas Cueni told a virtual briefing, along with a number of pharmaceutical […]

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Thunberg donates $100,000 to support children during pandemic

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has donated a $100,000 prize she won from a Danish foundation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for use against the COVID-19 pandemic, the world body said Thursday. “Like the climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a child rights crisis,” Thunberg, 17, was quoted as saying in the UNICEF statement. “It will affect all children, now and in the long term, but vulnerable […]

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COVID-19 to cause record emissions fall in 2020: IEA

by Patrick GALEY Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — COVID-19 is expected to cause global energy emissions to fall a record eight percent this year due to an unprecedented drop in demand for coal, oil and gas, the International Energy Agency said Thursday. The IEA’s Global Energy Review was based on an analysis of electricity demand over more than 100 days, during which much of the world has entered lockdown in a bid to control the […]

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Despite virus outbreaks, US meat plants told to stay open

by Juliette MICHEL Agence France-Presse Video report by Eagle News International NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US slaughterhouses are being forced to stay open on government orders despite deadly coronavirus outbreaks among workers, as authorities move to ensure supermarkets are fully stocked with meat. President Donald Trump signed the executive order on Tuesday under the Defense Production Act, a law designed for use in wartime to divert private business for defense and security needs. Several […]

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UK plans mass singalong for locked-down VE Day

  LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britons will be urged to join a national singalong from their doorsteps and hold 1940s-style tea parties to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day or Victory in Europe Day, under a coronavirus-appropriate programme unveiled Wednesday. Queen Elizabeth II will make a televised address to the nation on May 8 to mark the day the Nazis surrendered, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. It will be followed […]

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COVIDSafe App speeds up contact tracing of people exposed to COVID-19

Eagle News — The coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19, is one of the most unpredictable pandemics in recent history. Due to the fact that the world has never seen this type of coronavirus strain. As scientists and health officials, are learning more about the virus as it continues to spread around the world, tracing the spread of the virus, is crucial for vaccine development. Modern technology helps expedites the tracing process. However, there are many counties […]

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