Tag: virus

Iran’s daily novel coronavirus infections crossed the 10,000 mark on Monday, the health ministry announced, setting a new record as fatalities remained close to their all-time high level. The latest official figure of 10,463 positive COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour period comes only three days after the Islamic republic exceeded 9,000. Iran’s coronavirus caseload now

One of the novel coronavirus’ most insidious tricks is that it can block the ability of cells to produce protective proteins without hindering its own ability to replicate. Now, a multidisciplinary team of Yale researchers has discovered how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, accomplishes this trick by blocking production of cellular proteins, including immune

France could announce tougher measures later this week to bring the coronavirus under control after the number of daily cases topped 50,000 for the first time, government sources suggested on Monday. President Emmanuel Macron will gather his top ministers Tuesday to review efforts to curtail the outbreak, his office said. Prime minister, Jean Castex, will

Spain has become the first European Union nation to surpass a million coronavirus infections, official data showed Wednesday, as the government mulls fresh restrictions on public life to curb the spread of the disease. The country recorded 16,973 confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, the health ministry announced Wednesday, taking the total

Fresh restrictions loomed for millions of Europeans at the weekend after the highest-ever worldwide number of coronavirus infections in a single day, while pharma giant Pfizer said Friday it could apply for emergency US authorisation for its vaccine next month. An AFP tally based on official data showed that more than 400,000 new cases were

New curfews for bars and cafes, and tighter rules on social gatherings, were announced for Berlin, Frankfurt and across Belgium on Tuesday as authorities tackled virus spikes. From Friday, Belgians will be restricted to unmasked contact with just three people in their personal “bubble”, down from five, and an 11:00 pm curfew on bars and

The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus. Breathing with face masks does not affect the lungs The average face mask may be uncomfortable but does not limit the flow of oxygen

Iran on Monday announced 235 new fatalities from the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, a figure equalling the record high set nearly 10 weeks ago. The Islamic republic also announced a new record for the number of COVID-19 infections in a single day, for the second time in less than a week. Tehran

Coronavirus tests that deliver results in 15-30 minutes are to be rolled out across the United States and in scores of poorer countries, as health authorities worldwide try to get a handle on a disease that has now killed more than a million people. US President Donald Trump announced 150 million tests would be distributed

The Czech Republic registered a record high of 3,130 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, reaching in 24 hours a figure comparable with the entire month of March, health ministry data showed Friday. It was the third straight daily record for the EU member of 10.7 million people, which has registered 44,155 confirmed cases and 489

When Narayan Mitra died on July 16, a day after being admitted to the hospital for fever and breathing difficulties, his name never appeared on any of the official lists put out daily of those killed by the coronavirus. Test results later revealed that Mitra had indeed been infected with COVID-19, as had his son,

A ban on smoking on streets and restaurant terraces when social-distancing cannot be guaranteed came into effect Thursday in Spain’s northwestern region of Galicia, with other areas mulling similar restrictions. Under a law approved by the regional government of Galicia late on Wednesday, smoking in public is not allowed if it is not possible to

Credit: CC0 Public Domain The US on Tuesday added 1,302 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The world’s largest economy also added 53,847 new cases of the virus, the Baltimore-based institution’s tracker showed at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Wednesday). The US has now recorded 4,765,170

Californians should wear masks and skip Fourth of July family gatherings, Gov. Gavin Newsom pleaded as the state’s coronavirus tally surged. But the governor stopped short of threatening a crackdown on those who violate state public health orders. Newsom on Thursday urged people to turn to their “better angels” and use common sense but said,

China raised its emergency warning to its second-highest level and canceled more than 60% of the flights to Beijing on Wednesday amid a new coronavirus outbreak in the capital. It was a sharp pullback for the nation that declared victory over COVID-19 in March and a message to the rest of the world about how

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has topped six million as the disease spread rapidly across Latin America and political leaders feuded over how to deal with the pandemic. Much of the world is moving at varying speeds to lift lockdowns that have wrecked economies and stripped millions of their jobs while Muslims in Jerusalem

Ireland recorded no new deaths from the coronavirus on Monday for the first time since March 11, when the first fatalities were announced. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar called it a “significant milestone”, adding on Twitter: “This is a day of hope. We will prevail.” The announcement came one week after Ireland, which has suffered 1,606

Credit: CC0 Public Domain The number of deaths in New York state caused by the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours has fallen to 84, the lowest one-day total since late March, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Saturday. “The news is good news,” with the lowest toll since March 24, Cuomo said in his daily

South Korean students began returning to schools Wednesday as their country prepares for a new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic. In a reminder that returning to normalcy won’t be easy, students in some schools near Seoul were quickly asked to leave and return home after two students were found to have contracted the virus. South

Hong Kong on Tuesday announced plans to ease major social distancing measures, including reopening schools, cinemas, bars and beauty parlours after the Chinese territory largely halted local transmission of the deadly coronavirus. The relaxation, which comes into effect Friday, will be a boost for a city mired in a deep recession following months of virus