by Robin MILLARD Agence France Presse GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — A World Health Organization committee of experts met Thursday to decide whether the monkeypox outbreak constitutes a global health emergency. The outcome of the in-private meeting will be issued on Friday at the earliest, the WHO said. A surge of monkeypox cases has been detected since May outside of the West and Central African countries where the disease has long been endemic. Most of […]
Tag: transmission
Omicron community transmission in NCR, Omicron could soon be dominant variant in PHL – says DOH’s Vergeire
Omicron characteristics noted in Metro Manila, other regions with high cases (Eagle News) – The Department of Health said that the steep rise in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and in other regions recently is “characteristic” of the Omicron variant. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that in the country’s capital, the National Capital Region, there is already a confirmed local transmission of the Omicron variant although the genome sequencing results from the latest […]
Sydney broadens Covid lockdown as Delta variant cases sweep city
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Sydney streets were nearly deserted on Saturday at the start of a beefed-up two-week lockdown to contain the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant sweeping Australia’s largest city. More than 80 Covid-19 cases have been reported so far in an infection surge linked to an international flight crew transported to a quarantine hotel from the airport. The flare-up was a shock for a city that had returned to relative normality after […]
Use of face shield with face mask more effective in preventing COVID infection, says DOH expert
Dr. Salvaña cites study in India that covered community health workers (Eagle News) – A member of the Department of Health’s advisory group vouched for the reliability of wearing face masks together with face shields to prevent transmission of COVID-19, as well as being infected with the virus. Dr. Edsel Salvaña, a member of the DOH’s Technical Advisory Group (DOH-TAG), said that the use of face shield together with a face mask has been […]
PHL doctor explains what people can do amid evidence of airborne transmission of COVID virus
Importance of increased ventilation, stricter observance of health protocols cited by pulmonologist, Dr Eileen Aniceto in “Balitalakayan” interview (Eagle News) – The public should take extra precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19 after scientific evidence showing that COVID-19 is now not just spread through droplets, close contact, or even by touching infected surface, but through the air. Airborne transmission of COVID-19 means that the virus can be spread in farther distances (more than six […]
Workplace is hotspot of COVID-19 transmission, says QC gov’t; guidelines set for establishments
Transmission by infected employee to household further spreads virus (Eagle News) – The workplace has been identified as a hotspot for COVID-19 transmission, according to the Quezon City government citing data on recent rise in infections. “Reports showed that household transmission stems from one member of the household acquiring the virus from his workplace,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. From the workplace, the infected employee or worker then pass the virus to their households […]
France confirms first case on its soil of British virus variant
PARIS, France (AFP) — France has confirmed the first case of a new coronavirus variant that recently emerged in Britain, its health ministry said. The new strain of the virus, which experts fear is more contagious, has prompted more than 50 countries to impose travel restrictions on the UK. The first French case — found in a citizen living in Britain who arrived from London on December 19 — is asymptomatic and self-isolating at […]
Global experts warn of COVID-19 airborne threat
by Issam AHMED Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — As countries ease their lockdowns, authorities need to recognize the coronavirus can spread through the air far beyond the two meters (six feet) urged in social distancing guidelines, an international group of 239 scientists said Monday. In a comment piece that takes direct aim at the World Health Organization for its reluctance to update its advice, researchers recommended new measures including increasing indoor […]
Hamster tests show masks reduce coronavirus spread: scientists
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Tests on hamsters reveal the widespread use of facemasks reduces transmission of the deadly coronavirus, a team of leading experts in Hong Kong said Sunday. The research by the University of Hong Kong is some of the first to specifically investigate whether masks can stop symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers from infecting others. Led by Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, one of the world’s top coronavirus experts, the team placed hamsters […]
Amid new research, US recommends face masks to stop virus spread
by Issam AHMED Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump on Friday recommended that Americans cover their faces with masks when outdoors, a policy U-turn following growing scientific research suggesting their widespread use can stem the spread of the coronavirus. Trump told a White House briefing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was urging people to wear face coverings like scarves or homemade cloth masks, but to […]
The highly contagious novel coronavirus: How it is transmitted
(Videographics showing how the new coronavirus can be transmitted. Courtesy Agence France Presse) (Eagle News) — The 2019 novel coronavirus or 2019 nCOV can easily spread from human to human, and the transmission can be via “aerosol droplets in the air released by sneezing or coughing” or by touching a surface which has the virus.” In this videographics provided by Agence France Presse, it shows that the virus is “most contagious when there […]





