Tag: Virus

Vaccination levels falling during pandemic, UN warns

by Marlowe HOOD Agence France Presse The number of children worldwide getting life-saving vaccinations has declined this year largely because of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization and UNICEF warned on Wednesday. The first four months of 2020 saw a “substantial drop” in the completion of the three-dose jab that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough — the first decline in 28 years. “Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in the […]

India coronavirus cases pass one million

by Abhaya SRIVASTAVA NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — Coronavirus cases in India passed one million on Friday, official data showed as authorities struggle to check the spread of the deadly pandemic across the world’s second-most populous nation. With over 600 Indians dying daily, lockdowns are being re-imposed across the country of 1.3 billion following an easing of restrictions in recent weeks on hopes the outbreak was under control. Health ministry data released Friday put the […]

Florida at center of virus outbreak and battle over school reopening

by Chris Lefkow WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Florida is the new epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic in the United States and is shaping up as a key battleground in a partisan-tinged fight playing out nationally over reopening schools in the fall. While cities such as Houston, Los Angeles and New York plan to begin the school year virtually or on a restricted basis, Florida governor Ron DeSantis is insisting schools reopen fully in August. […]

Brazil surpasses 2 million coronavirus cases: official

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil topped two million coronavirus cases on Thursday, according to official data that put the number of deaths at more than 76,000. Figures published by the health ministry showed there were more than 45,000 new cases over the last 24 hours, and an extra 1,300 deaths. Brazil is the second worst affected country in the world by the coronavirus after the United States. And these figures are considered largely […]

Año appeals for public to cooperate with gov’t’s “Oplan Kalinga” program to stop COVID-19 spike

  (Eagle News) — Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año appealed to the public to cooperate with the government’s Oplan Kalinga program that aims to transfer to isolation centers the COVID-19 infected persons who have no capability to self-isolate inside their homes. He made the appeal amid the spike in virus cases especially in Metro Manila. Ano said that it is the duty of the government to prevent further spread of the virus which […]

US notches record 68,428 new virus cases in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) –The United States on Thursday set yet another record for new coronavirus cases with 68,428 infections recorded in 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. In that period the death toll also climbed by 974 people, the Baltimore-based university’s tracker showed at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Friday). That brought the total death toll in the country since the pandemic began to 138,201, and the total number of cases […]

PHL COVID cases reach 61,266 with the addition of almost 2,500 new cases mostly from Metro Manila

(Eagle News) — COVID-19 cases continued to surge nationwide with the addition of almost 2,500 cases just for today, Thursday, July 16, mostly coming from Metro Manila, as total cases reached 61,266. Total active cases, wherein recoveries and number of COVID-19 deaths have already been substracted, reached 38,183, most of them mild cases at 90.7 percent, but with increasing percentage of asymptomatics (those showing no symptoms) at 8.5 percent.  Severe cases and critical cases accpunted […]

Brazil’s Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus again

BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus again, CNN Brazil said on Wednesday, quoting the far right leader, who underwent a new test on Tuesday. Bolsonaro, who at 65 is in a high risk group, said he would remain in quarantine at his official residence in Brasilia from where he would continue to work by video conference. The far-right president, who has caused huge controversy in Brazil for repeatedly flouting […]

Millions face new virus curbs, but hope rises for US vaccine

  by Qasim Nauman, with AFP Bureaus Agence France Presse Millions of people faced new coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday as infections surge, but in one sign of hope, an American firm said it would soon start final-stage human trials for a possible vaccine. Countries around the world re-imposed lockdowns and curbs to contain new outbreaks, as global cases surged past 13.2 million with more than 576,000 deaths. Parts of the Asia-Pacific region, which had been […]

Disneyland Paris reopens, but no hugs for Donald

MARNE-LA-VALLEE, France (AFP) — Disneyland Paris, Europe’s biggest private tourist attraction, reopened its gates Wednesday after four months of coronavirus lockdown, albeit with limited access and a ban on hugging the famous characters. As festive music played, Mickey, Pluto and other Disney characters greeted the first visitors — all sporting face masks and some the trademark Mickey Mouse ears — while keeping a safe distance from the guests. Despite the merry mood, things at Disneyland […]

Tokyo on top virus alert level after new cases

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo is on its highest coronavirus alert level after a spike in new cases, the city’s governor warned Wednesday, as experts said the rising infections were a clear “red flag”. However, the move to a “red” alert does not mean the city will ask businesses to close or events to be postponed. Even during a national state of emergency in April, there was no “lockdown” in Japan of the type seen […]

US clocks up another 63,000 virus cases in 24 hours

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States recorded 63,262 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, according to a tally by the Johns Hopkins University on Tuesday. The total number of cases recorded in the country since the start of the pandemic now exceeds 3.42 million, according to the Baltimore-based university. COVID-19 also claimed 850 new victims in the United States in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 136,432, […]