Page 47 - Latest Updates on Omicron
Covid-19: Hong Kong to get 10,000 hotel rooms amid reports of mass testing
Chief Executive Carrie Lam renewed an appeal for support from the global financial hub's 7.5 million people, many of whom are fatigued by some of the world's most stringent restrictions
 "Covid-19: Hong Kong to get 10,000 hotel rooms amid reports of mass testing")
Australian unemployment holds at 13-year low as Omicron hits hours
The unemployment rate stayed at 4.2%, matching the lowest reading since 2008 when it bottomed out at 4.0%
 "Australian unemployment holds at 13-year low as Omicron hits hours")
Centre tells states to review Covid curbs amid a downward trend in cases
The average daily cases during last week were 50,476, and 30,615 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours
 "Centre tells states to review Covid curbs amid a downward trend in cases")
Short AstraZeneca shelf life complicates vaccine rollout to world's poorest
Many more vaccines are expected to be rejected as African nations and Covax said that from January they would not accept vaccines with less than two-and-a-half months' shelf life
 "Short AstraZeneca shelf life complicates vaccine rollout to world's poorest")
Covid vaccine makers shoot for exports as domestic demand may remain low
ZyCoV-D is already approved by the regulator for use in children aged 12 and more
 "Covid vaccine makers shoot for exports as domestic demand may remain low")
No Covid death recorded in Mumbai for second day in row, 255 test positive
Mumbai did not record any Coronavirus death for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, while 255 people tested positive for the infection, says the civic body.
 "No Covid death recorded in Mumbai for second day in row, 255 test positive")
Work from home ends in Kerala as daily Covid tally reaches 12,223
As more and more Covid restrictions in Kerala continue to be lifted, the state on Wednesday saw 12,223 new Covid cases while the positivity rate was at15.75%, says state Health Minister Veena George.
 "Work from home ends in Kerala as daily Covid tally reaches 12,223")
Govt asks states to review, amend additional Covid-19 restrictions
The average daily cases during last week were 50,476, and 27,409 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours; the daily case positivity rate declined to 3.63 per cent on Wednesday
 "Govt asks states to review, amend additional Covid-19 restrictions")
New coronavirus cases drop by 19% globally, deaths stable, says WHO
The number of new coronavirus cases globally fell by 19% in the last week while the number of deaths remained stable, according to the World Health Organisation.
 "New coronavirus cases drop by 19% globally, deaths stable, says WHO")
Samsung's factory in China temporarily closed after Covid-19 case
China has maintained a "zero tolerance" policy toward the Covid-19 pandemic and used stringent lockdowns and testing to root out infections, reports Yonhap news agency
 "Samsung's factory in China temporarily closed after Covid-19 case")
China's Xi urges Hong Kong to get control as coronavirus cases surge
Hong Kong hospitals overflow on Wednesday as new Covid cases defy city's Zero-Covid Policy, while China's Xi Jinping says it was local government's task to curb the situation.
 "China's Xi urges Hong Kong to get control as coronavirus cases surge")
Airbnb sees strong first-quarter revenue on travel demand, longer stays
Strong demand helped push up prices charged by hosts, with average daily rates during the fourth quarter up 20% at $154
 "Airbnb sees strong first-quarter revenue on travel demand, longer stays")
Janet Yellen to urge G20 help for developing countries to end pandemic
Janet Yellen is due to participate virtually in the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20 major economies on Thursday and Friday
 "Janet Yellen to urge G20 help for developing countries to end pandemic")
Covid-19: Singapore records seven deaths and 19,420 fresh cases
So far, 94 per cent of Singapore's eligible population have completed their full vaccination regime under the national vaccination programme
 "Covid-19: Singapore records seven deaths and 19,420 fresh cases")
Dutch govt lifts most Covid measures as country returns to 'normal'
Meanwhile, a total of 1,149 new patients were hospitalized, compared to 1,393 the week before
LIVE: Russia ready to discuss confidence-building measures, says Putin
Britain sees signs of a diplomatic opening with Russia over Ukraine, but the latest intelligence is still not encouraging, says PM Boris Johnson
 "LIVE: Russia ready to discuss confidence-building measures, says Putin")
WHO warns of Covid rise in eastern Europe, including Russia, Ukraine
Over the past two weeks, cases of COVID-19 have more than doubled in six countries in eastern Europe (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine)
 "WHO warns of Covid rise in eastern Europe, including Russia, Ukraine")
Major Chinese industrial city steps up Covid control; Bosch affected
The city of Suzhou - a trading, commercial and industrial hub in the eastern province of Jiangsu - reported eight domestically transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms for Monday
 "Major Chinese industrial city steps up Covid control; Bosch affected")
Data story: India logs 27,409 new cases; test positivity rate drops to 2.2%
India has so far administered 1,734,262,440 vaccine doses. That is 4062.17 per cent of its total caseload, and 123.78 per cent of its population
Hong Kong leader says no plans for citywide lockdown as infections spiral
Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Lam said she could not 'preclude' the possibility of postponing the city's chief executive election, due to be held in March
 "Hong Kong leader says no plans for citywide lockdown as infections spiral")