Pfizer's anti-Covidpill Paxlovid is helping stave off hospitalizations and deaths amid the United States' latest wave of infections, a senior White House official said Wednesday.
US President Joe Biden's daughter Ashley tested positive for Covid.
Discussions are under way at the Union health ministry over possible framing of a policy or a scheme to enable Indian medical students affected by the Ukraine crisis and the pandemic complete their education in colleges in the country.
Eric Clapton cancels shows after testing positive for Covid
Eric Clapton, a critic of coronavirus vaccines and pandemic restrictions, has tested positive for Covid-19 and canceled two upcoming European gigs. Clapton's upcoming shows in Zurich on Tuesday and Milan on Wednesday will be rescheduled, he announced on his Facebook page and official online site. The 77-year-old rocker tested positive following his concert at London's Royal Albert Hall on May 8.
Delhi on Wednesday reported a rise in fresh Covid cases, to 532, against 393 recorded on previous day, but there was no new death, as per the state government health bulletin.
Maharashtra on Wednesday recorded 307 fresh coronavirus cases, the highest daily count since March 12, and one more death linked to the infection, while the number of patients under treatment spiraled to over 1,600, the health department said.
MP logs 37 new COVID-19 cases, zero death; active tally at 226
The Covid-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh rose to 10,42,024 on Wednesday after the detection of 37 new cases, while no fresh death due to the infection was registered in the state, a health department official said. The death toll remained unchanged at 10,735, the official said. The positivity rate, or cases detected per 100 tests, stood at 0.6 per cent, he said.
Just in | Delhi records 532 fresh Covid-19 cases, zero daily deaths; positivity rate 2.13 per cent
China calls for urgent boost to virus-hit economy
The Chinese Premier called for greater "urgency" in rolling out measures to support the country's virus-battered economy, state media reported Wednesday, days after data highlighted the stark impact of Covid-19 restrictions.
China -- the last major global economy sticking to a rigid zero-Covid policy -- is contending with an economic slump due to prolonged virus lockdowns that have constricted supply chains, quelled demand and stalled manufacturing.
"All localities and departments should step up their sense of urgency, and new measures that can be used should be used," Li Keqiang said at a symposium on Wednesday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Puducherry reports 3 new Covid-19 cases
The Union Territory of Puducherry recorded three new Covid-19 cases during the last 24 hours ending 10 am on Wednesday, pushing the overall tally to 1,65,817, a senior official of the health department said. The health department examined 1,237 samples and found three positive cases in the UT. Director of Health G Sriramulu, in a release, said the total active cases were 16 and two patients recovered in the last 24 hours taking the overall recoveries to 1,63,839.
China relaxes some Covid test rules for US, other travellers
China has removed certain Covid-19 test requirements for people flying in from countries like the United States and shortened the pre-departure quarantine period for some inbound travellers, as it finetunes its stringent measures to cope with the Omicron variant.
The slight relaxations were made in response to factors including the "characteristics of coronavirus variants", according to notices from Chinese embassies and consulates that did not provide further details.
Beijing city reports 49 new local Covid cases
Beijing reported 49 new domestically transmitted Covid-19 infections during the 24 hours to 3 pm local time (0700 GMT) on Wednesday, a disease control official at the Chinese capital said.
Out of the infections, 45 were found in controlled areas and four during community screening tests, Liu Xiaofeng, deputy director at Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, told a news briefing.
The city has reported 1,218 Covid infections since April 22, Liu said. - Reuters.
Japan 'sounded out' about hosting 2023 Asian Cup
The Japan Football Association (JFA) has been informally approached about the possibility of replacing China as hosts of next year's Asian Cup, Chairman Kozo Tashima told Nikkan Sports.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced last Saturday that China had pulled out of hosting the 24-team continental championship, citing the Covid-19 situation in the country.
South Korea says US offered Covid aid to North Korea, but no response - Deputy national security advisor
India records 1,829 fresh cases, 33 deaths in last 24 hours
As US Covid-19 cases rise, so does demand for antivirals
Rising Covid-19 cases are driving up the use of therapeutics, with Pfizer Inc's oral antiviral treatment Paxlovid seeing a 315% jump over the past four weeks, UShealth officials said on Tuesday.
North Korean leader Kim slams officials' 'immature' response amid Covid outbreak
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