All Covid induced restrictions lifted in Pakistan

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Killing of Hamas deputy leader in Beirut raises risk of Gaza war spreading

One more Covid death takes K-P toll to 6,307

At least one more patient succumbed to the novel coronavirus in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 6,307.

According to health officials, 70 new cases emerged in the province as the tally jumped to 218,503.

They further said that 536 patients recovered overnight, lifting the total to 211,058.

NCOC lifts all Covid induced restrictions

The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) announced lifting all Covid-19 restrictions imposed across Pakistan on Wednesday.

NCOC chief Asad Umar, also the Federal Minister for Planning and Development, made the announcement during a news briefing.

"The vaccination mandate will remain in place, because the coronavirus is not over yet,” he said, adding that lifting the ban may increase the number of cases but the government could take required action again.

Sindh posts more than 300 Covid cases, no deaths

Sindh reported at least 306 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 569,681.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, as many as 170 patients also recovered from the virus overnight, lifting the total to 552,368.

He added there were no reported deaths due to the virus during the period, with the toll currently standing at 8,091.

Another 76 contract Covid-19, 130 recover in K-P

At least 76 new coronavirus cases emerged in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 218,433.

The health department said in statement 130 more patients recovered from the disease, pushing the recoveries to 210,522.

It added that there were no reported deaths due to Covid in K-P during the period, with the toll currently standing at 6,306.

Vietnam ends Covid quarantine for international travellers

Vietnam announced an end to quarantine for international travellers on Wednesday, as it seeks to restart its tourism industry after two years of strict Covid-19 restrictions.

The only virus requirement for visitors will be a negative Covid test, the country's ministry of health said in a statement.

The communist state's tourism sector was worth up to $32 billion a year before the pandemic, but it ground to a standstill during the pandemic as the government restricted travel.

AFP

Covid deaths at their lowest in over a year and a half

Covid-19 deaths around the world are currently at their lowest in more than a year and a half, according to authentic statistics.

There were an average of 5,959 deaths from October 20 to 26, 2020, with the toll rising to 6,013 deaths during March 8 to 14, 2022.

So far, there have been a reported 6,046,530 deaths due to the contagious disease around the globe.

Nearly 90 new cases take K-P Covid tally to 218,357

At least 89 new coronavirus cases emerged in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 218,357.

The health department said in a statement that four more patients succumbed to the contagious disease, bringing the death toll to 6,306.

It added that 509 more patients also recovered from the disease in K-P, with the recoveries currently standing at 210,392.

Sindh posts over 250 Covid cases in a single day

Sindh reported at least 258 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 569,375.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, as many as 276 patients also recovered from the virus overnight, lifting the total to 552,198.

He added there were no reported deaths due to the virus during the period, with the toll currently standing at 8,091.

'Variant that combines Delta and Omicron identified'

The new Covid-19 variant "Deltacron" with the genes of Delta and Omicron has been found.

Hybrid versions of the coronavirus that combine genes from the Delta and Omicron variants - dubbed "Deltacron" - have been identified in at least 17 patients in the United States and Europe, researchers said.

Because there have been so few confirmed cases, it is too soon to know whether Deltacron infections will be very transmissible or cause severe disease, said Philippe Colson of IHU Mediterranee Infection in Marseille, France, lead author of a report.

REUTERS

China posts steep jump in Covid-19 cases

China posted a steep jump in daily Covid-19 infections on Tuesday, with new cases more than doubling from a day earlier to hit a two-year high, raising concerns about the rising economic costs of its tough measures to contain the disease.

A total of 3,507 domestically transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms were reported on Monday across more than a dozen provinces and municipalities, up from 1,337 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said.

REUTERS

Four succumb to Covid across Pakistan

Greek PM Mitsotakis tests positive for Covid

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has tested positive for Covid-19, he said in a video message on Instagram on Monday.

"Recently, we are all occupied with the war in Ukraine and increased prices but the coronavirus is still here. I tested positive this morning and therefore will isolate at home and work from there," Mitsotakis said, wearing a mask.

Mitsotakis, triple vaccinated against Covid-19, met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul on Sunday.

REUTERS

France lifts most Covid restrictions

France lifted most Covid-19 restrictions on Monday, ending the need for face masks to be worn in the majority of public places and allowing the unvaccinated back into bars, restaurants and cinemas.

The move comes less than a month before the first round of a presidential election and just as the number of new coronavirus infections trends upwards again, prompting questions among some scientists over whether the easing is premature.

"We can breathe," said construction worker Jean-Yves Richard, "and smell things we haven't smelled in a while."

K-P sees another 88 coronavirus cases, one death

At least 88 new coronavirus cases emerged in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the tally in the province to 218,268.

The health department said in a statement that one more patient succumbed to the contagious disease, bringing the death toll to 6,302.

It added that 95 more patients recovered from the disease in K-P, with the recoveries currently standing at 209,883.

Over 250 contract Covid-19 in Sindh since Sunday

Sindh reported at least 255 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 569,117.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, as many as 126 patients recovered from the virus overnight, lifting the total to 551,922.

He added there were no reported deaths due to the virus during the period, with the death toll currently standing at 8,091.

China records more local COVID cases this year than in whole of 2021

China has reported more local symptomatic COVID-19 cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant triggers outbreaks from Shanghai to Shenzhen.

Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted COVID cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13, the National Health Commission (NHC) said. That brought the total this year to more than 9,000, compared with 8,378 in 2021, according to Reuters calculations.

Pakistan reports two Covid-19 related deaths in 24 hours

The infection rate of Covid-19 continues to decline across the country as the positivity ratio fell to 1.70 per cent.

According to statistics issued by National Command and Operation Centre, two more Covid-19 related deaths and 462 new positive cases were been reported in the country in the last 24 hours.

It added that there are about 577 Covid-19 patients still in critical condition. 

Millions locked down as China wrestles worst virus outbreak in two years

Millions of people across China endured lockdowns on Sunday as virus cases doubled to nearly 3,400 and anxiety mounted over the resilience of the country's 'zero-Covid' approach in the face of the worst outbreak in two years.

A nationwide surge in cases has seen authorities close schools in Shanghai, lock down central neighbourhoods in the southern tech powerhouse of Shenzhen as well as whole northeastern cities, as almost 18 provinces battle clusters of the Omicron and Delta variants.

The city of Jilin – centre of the outbreak in the northeast – was partially locked down Saturday, while residents of Yanji, an urban area of nearly 700,000 bordering North Korea, were confined to their homes Sunday.

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K-P records over 100 coronavirus cases in a single day

At least 110 new coronavirus cases emerged in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the tally in the province to 218,180.

The health department said in a statement that one more patient succumbed to the contagious disease, bringing the death toll to 6,301.

It added that 73 more patients recovered from the disease in K-P, with the recoveries currently standing at 209,788.

Another 188 people test positive for Covid in Sindh

Sindh reported at least 188 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 568,862.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, as many as 37 patients also recovered from the virus overnight, lifting the total to 551,796.

There were no reported deaths due to the virus, with the toll currently standing at 8,091.

China's daily cases of symptomatic Covid more than triple

Mainland China reported 1,807 new local symptomatic Covid-19 cases on Sunday, the highest daily figure in two years and more than triple the caseload of the previous day, as surging infections in a northeastern province squeeze health resources.

The number of domestically transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms reported for Saturday spiked from 476 the previous day, data from the National Health Commission showed on Sunday. The daily count included 114 people initially classified as asymptomatic who later developed symptoms.

REUTERS

Australia nears living with Covid like flu: PM Morrison

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the nation's political leaders want to move to a new phase of living with Covid-19 as though it were the flu, but would consult health experts.

A day after meeting with the national cabinet of state and federal leaders, Morrison told reporters on Saturday morning they had discussed moving to "Phase D" of the national pandemic response plan.

"Our airports are open again, international arrivals can come, there are waivers now on quarantine for people returning, so we are pretty much in Phase D," he said.

K-P reports 134 new Covid cases, one death

At least 134 new coronavirus cases were reported in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 218,070.

According to health officials, one more patient succumbed to the deadly virus as the death toll reached 6,300.

As many as 174 patients recovered overnight, lifting the total to 209,715.

China approves five Covid antigen kits for self-testing

China has granted approval to five Covid-19 antigen kits made by local companies to be used for self-testing, state broadcaster CCTV said on Saturday, as it tweaks its testing regime that has been pressured by Omicron.

China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) published a notice on Friday saying Beijing Huaketai Biotechnology had been allowed to make changes to its Covid-19 antigen test kit's device certificate.

REUTERS

China daily local cases hit two-year high of over 1,500

Mainland China reported more than 1,500 new local Covid-19 infections on Saturday, the most since the first nationwide outbreak in early 2020, as the Omicron variant prompted Beijing to introduce self-testing kits for the first time.

China's current case count is far fewer than those of many other countries, but the growing number could complicate Beijing's "dynamic-clearance" ambition to suppress contagion as quickly as possible.

REUTERS

Sindh sees over 300 Covid cases, no deaths

Sindh reported at least 306 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 568,674.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, as many as 211 patients recovered from the virus overnight, lifting the total to 551,759.

He added there were no reported deaths due to the virus, with the death toll in Sindh currently standing at 8,091.

Two more die of Covid-19 in K-P

At least 79 new coronavirus cases emerged in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 217,936.

The health department said in a statement that two more patients also succumbed to the virus, bringing the death toll to 6,299.

As many as 209,541 patients recovered from the disease so far, it added.

Sindh reports 280 new coronavirus cases, two casualties

Sindh reported at least 280 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 568,368.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, two more patients succumbed to the deadly virus as the death toll jumped to 8,091.

He further said that as many as 159 patients also recovered from the virus overnight, lifting the total to 551,548.

167 new cases take K-P coronavirus tally to 217,857

At least 167 more people contracted coronavirus in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the confirmed cases to 217,857.

According to health officials, three patients succumbed to the disease in K-P, with the toll currently standing at 6,297.

They added that 451 patients also recovered overnight, lifting the total to 209,484.

Sindh sees 330 new Covid cases, four fatalities

At least 330 more people contracted Covid-19 in Sindh, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 568,088.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, 147 patients also recovered from the deadly disease, with the current tally standing at 551,389.

He added that four patients succumbed to the virus in Sindh during the period. So far 8,089 patients have succumbed to the deadly virus.

China's local symptomatic COVID cases nearly double; curbs start to bite

Mainland China reported 402 locally transmitted COVID-19 infections with confirmed symptoms for March. 9, official data showed on Thursday, nearly doubling from the daily count a day earlier.

Of those, 165 were in the northeastern province of Jilin, the National Health Commission said in a statement. That marks the highest daily count for the province since China contained its first national outbreak in early 2020.

The number of new domestically-transmitted asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, was 435, a near two-year high.

Hong Kong leader plans to reopen city after controlling latest COVID outbreak

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Thursday it was not the time to lift a ban on flights from nine countries including the United States and Britain, with plans to reopen the city only after the government controls a deepening coronavirus outbreak.

The global financial hub has some of the most draconian restrictions in place to combat a surge in coronavirus cases that has seen the city suffer the most deaths globally per million people in the week to March 7, according to the Our World in Data publication.

Total infections have surged to about 600,000, including more than 2,800 deaths - most in the past two weeks.

Variant that combines Delta and Omicron identified

Hybrid versions of the coronavirus that combine genes from the Delta and Omicron variants - dubbed "Deltacron" - have been identified in at least 17 patients in the United States and Europe, researchers said.

Because there have been so few confirmed cases, it is too soon to know whether Deltacron infections will be very transmissible or cause severe disease, said Philippe Colson of IHU Mediterranee Infection in Marseille, France, lead author of a report posted on Tuesday on medRxiv ahead of peer review.

His team described three patients in France infected with a version of SARS-CoV-2 that combines the spike protein from an Omicron variant with the "body" of a Delta variant. Another two unrelated Deltacron infections have been identified in the United States, according to an unpublished report by genetics research company Helix that has been submitted to medRxiv and seen by Reuters. On virus research bulletin boards, other teams have reported an additional 12 Deltacron infections in Europe since January - all with an Omicron spike and a Delta body.

Another four succumb to Covid across Pakistan

Nearly 250 test positive for coronavirus in Sindh

At least 246 more people contracted Covid-19 in Sindh, bringing the total of confirmed cases in the province to 567,758.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, 127 patients recovered from the deadly disease, with the current tally standing at 551,242.

He added that no deaths were reported in Sindh during the period. So far 8,085 patients have succumbed to the deadly virus.

Another 187 contract coronavirus, three die in K-P

At least 187 more people contracted coronavirus in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the confirmed cases to 217,690.

According to health officials, 141 patients also recovered overnight, lifting the total to 209,033.

They added that three patients succumbed to the disease in K-P, with the toll currently standing at 6,294.

Omicron sub-variant 'BA.2 makes up 11.6% of Covid variants in US'

The BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron was estimated to be 11.6% of the coronavirus variants circulating in the United States as of March 5, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Tuesday.

Scientists are tracking a rise in cases caused by BA.2, the dominant variant in South Africa, which is spreading rapidly in parts of Asia and Europe.

The World Health Organization said last month that the BA.2 variant appears to be more transmissible than the original BA.1 sub-variant, based on initial data. Africa's top public health body last month said BA.2 does not cause more severe disease than BA. 1.

Austria says it is putting its COVID-19 vaccine mandate on ice

Austria is suspending its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, its ministers for health and constitutional affairs said on Wednesday, six days before fines for breaches were due to start being handed out.

The measure has been in effect since Feb. 5, but enforcement was only due to begin on March 15.

The decision to introduce it was announced in November, before the wider emergence of the highly contagious but less severe Omicron variant in Austria. The strain on intensive-care units has since eased. 

Hong Kong races to build isolation facilities as COVID cases surge

Hong Kong is rushing to build facilities for COVID-19 patients, with Reuters drone footage showing construction work in full swing after a temporary bridge linking the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen to the Asian financial hub opened at the weekend.

As a surge in COVID-19 cases overwhelms Hong Kong's healthcare facilities, authorities have deployed mainland medical and construction workers, as well as building materials, to speed up efforts to contain an outbreak of the virus.

Drone footage over the rural Hong Kong district of Lok Ma Chau close to the border with China showed a huge building site next to fish ponds and lush wetlands, with the glistening skyscrapers of Shenzhen towering in the background.

Another six succumb to Covid across Pakistan

Over 300 cases take Sindh Covid tally to 567,512

Sindh reported at least 335 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 567,512.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, no deaths were reported in the province. So far 8,085 patients have succumbed to the deadly virus.

K-P sees nearly 200 Covid cases since Monday

At least 199 more people contracted coronavirus in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the last 24 hours, taking the confirmed cases to 217,503.

According to health officials, 271 patients also recovered overnight, lifting the total to 208,892.

They added that there were no reported deaths due to the disease in K-P, with the toll currently standing at 6,291.

Florida breaks with CDC, recommends no vaccine for children

Florida's top health official said on Monday the state would recommend against the Covid-19 vaccine for healthy children, breaking with guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In announcing the move during press briefing convened by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the state's surgeon general Dr. Joseph Lapado cited studies that showed few Covid fatalities among healthy children and elevated risk among young boys receiving the vaccine of side effects such as myocarditis.

"The Florida Department of Health is going to be first state to officially recommend against the use of Covid-19 vaccines for healthy children," Lapado said during the more than 90-minute panel discussion.

REUTERS

China says Hong Kong must stick to 'dynamic zero' Covid strategy

A top Chinese health official rallied embattled Hong Kong on Tuesday to stick with a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy and warned that the city's "lifeline" health system was at risk and the situation had to be turned around as soon as possible.

Hong Kong reported more than 43,100 new cases on Tuesday after the launch of an online platform for people to record infections in a surge that has seen the city suffering the most deaths globally per million people in the week to March 6, according to the Our World in Data publication.

China has championed the "dynamic zero" strategy that involves stamping out infections with strict mitigation measures as opposed to the approach adopted in other places of relying on high vaccination rates and moderate mitigation like masks in an effort to "live with Covid ".

Hong Kong reports over 43,000 new COVID cases after new reporting system launched

Hong Kong reported more than 43,000 new coronavirus infections, a day after the launch of an online self-reporting platform that lets residents register their own rapid antigen tests results.

Moderna plots vaccines against 15 pathogens with future pandemic potential

Moderna said it plans to develop and begin testing vaccines targeting 15 of the world's most worrisome pathogens by 2025 and will permanently wave its COVID-19 vaccine patents for shots intended for certain low- and middle-income countries.

The US biotechnology company also said it will make its messenger RNA (mRNA) technology available to researchers working on new vaccines for emerging and neglected diseases through a program called mRNA Access.

COVID-19 can cause brain shrinkage, memory loss: study

COVID-19 can cause the brain to shrink, reduce grey matter in the regions that control emotion and memory, and damage areas that control the sense of smell, an Oxford University study has found.

The scientists said that the effects were even seen in people who had not been hospitalised with COVID, and whether the impact could be partially reversed or if they would persist in the long term needed further investigation.

"There is strong evidence for brain-related abnormalities in COVID-19," the researchers said in their study.