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Covid News Live: RT-PCR test has been made mandatory for flyers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand from 1st January 2023. They will have to upload their reports on the Air Suvidha portal before travel, announced the Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
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Union Health Min Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the status of essential medicines & drugs with pharma companies amid Covid19 alert
Pharma companies asked to keep close watch on global supply chain scenario&to ensure adequate stocks&availability of all drugs incl COVID drugs: MoHFW.
Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya is holding a virtual meeting with drug manufacturing pharma companies for advance preparedness for Covid-19 management: Official sources
Agra on alert after Covid positive foreign tourist disappears
After an Argentinian tourist, who tested Covid-19 positive, disappeared without a trace, the district health authorities here sounded an alert and tightened the preventive pandemic protocol. All tourists are now being screened at the monuments, according to the CMO. The hotels have been told to keep a complete record and upload the details on the website of the health department. Sources said the search for the ‘missing’ Argentinian tourist was on. CCTV cameras were being reviewed, at the stations and city entry points. The guest had recorded a wrong phone number. His sample was collected. The local district hospital has been readied to meet any emergency situation, and visitors were being screened at the bus stands and railway stations, officials said.
Japan reports 420 Covid deaths in single day, another record high
Japan reported 420 Covid-19 deaths, another high for a country that is going through the eighth wave of the pandemic. The country reported 192,063 new coronavirus cases, down 24,146 from Wednesday, according to Japan Today. Tokyo reported 18,372 new cases, down 1,871 from Wednesday. The number of infected people hospitalised with severe symptoms in Tokyo was 47, down two from Wednesday, health officials said. The nationwide figure was 565, down 12. Japan on Wednesday recorded 415 Covid deaths.
No need for French border controls over China COVID surge – health official
There is no need for France to impose border controls in reaction to a surge of COVID infections in China, the head of France’s health risks committee said. China has recorded a sharp rise in cases since it relaxed strict measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus, prompting the United States, India, Japan and other countries to impose restrictions on travellers from mainland China. “From a scientific point of view, there is no reason to bring back controls at the border … but that could change any day,” Brigitte Autran, head of the French health risk assessment committee COVARS, said on French Radio Classique.
Negative RT-PCR report mandatory for flyers from China and others from January 1
RT-PCR test has been made mandatory for flyers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thai… https://t.co/2uQrqlM5K5
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) 1672305927000
Covid News Live: RT-PCR test made mandatory for flyers from 1st January 2023
RT-PCR test made mandatory for flyers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand from 1st January 2023. They will have to upload their reports on the Air Suvidha portal before travel, said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
Salem businessman tests positive for COVID-19 on return from China
A businessman from nearby Salem, Coimbatore who arrived here from China via Singapore has tested positive for Covid-19, official sources said. The 37-year old man, who arrived in the city by a connecting flight on Wednesday, tested positive at the airport, the sources said. “The man, a textile businessman hailing from Ilampillai near Salem, is asymptomatic and under follow-up of health authorities,” they said. He is under surveillance of the health authorities and quarantined, they added. The Salem businessman is the fifth person to test positive for Covid.
Lucknow Police runs awareness campaign on COVID, drink and drive ahead of new year
Ahead of the arrival of the New Year, the Lucknow Police ran an awareness campaign on COVID-19 protocol and drink and drive. The Police also conducted a flag march in the Hazratganj area of the city to spread awareness about the adherence to protocols. Earlier on December 21, the UP government had issued an alert across the state while also stepping up preparedness. “We are appealing to all to follow the guidelines of COVID as everyone comes out of their homes for the New Year celebrations,” Aparna Rajat Kaushik, DCP Central said.
Covid News Live: New Zealand logs 32,010 new Covid community cases, 78 deaths in a week
New Zealand recorded 32,010 new community cases of Covid-19 and 78 deaths in the week ending December 25, the Ministry of Health said. On average, new cases per day reached 4,565 in the last week, reports Xinhua news agency. With the fresh cases, New Zealand has reported 2,094,354 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 2,331 deaths since the pandemic hit the country in early 2020, the Ministry said. Currently, 413 infected patients are being treated in hospitals in the country, including 15 in intensive care units or high dependency units, showed official data.
US reports nearly 48,000 weekly child Covid-19 cases
Nearly 48,000 child Covid-19 cases were reported in the US in the week ending December 22, the third consecutive weekly rise in child cases, according to the latest report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association. Nearly 15.2 million children in the country had tested positive for Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic, Xinhua news agency reported.
Next 40 days crucial as India may see COVID cases surge in mid-January: Health Ministry Sources
The next 40 days will be crucial as India may see a surge of COVID cases in mid of January, said Union Health Ministry sources. The sources said the assessment had been made after analysing the previous trends of the COVID surge the country experienced. As there have been reports of a surge in COVID cases in some countries, the operational readiness of health facilities is being reviewed in all States and Union Territories in case of another wave. Notably, two passengers coming from Dubai tested positive for the COVID infection at Chennai airport on Wednesday.
Covid News Live: Rupee opens largely unchanged as China COVID impact assessed
The Indian rupee is expected to open largely unchanged against the dollar, while most Asian currencies eased as worries about a spike in COVID cases in China set in. The rupee is seen opening between 82.80-82.85 in early trades, against its previous close of 82.8575 per dollar. Investors have cautioned it would be hard to determine a direction amid the holiday season’s thin-volume trades.
South African rand flat as China COVID spike hits risk sentiment
South Africa’s rand was flat against the dollar in early trade as rising COVID-19 cases in China dented risk sentiment. At 0645 GMT, the risk-sensitive rand traded at 17.0975 against the dollar, near its previous close of 17.0925. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six rivals, was up 0.06% at 104.41.
Covid News Live: Hong Kong asks Japan to drop airport curb set to hit 60,000 travellers
Hong Kong’s government has asked Japan to withdraw a COVID-19 restriction that requires passenger flights from the financial hub to land at only four designated Japanese airports, saying the decision will impact about 60,000 passengers. The United States, India, Italy and Taiwan now require mandatory COVID-19 tests on travellers from China after Beijing’s decision last month to lift stringent zero-COVID policies, fuelling a surge in cases across mainland China.
Govt closely monitoring exports of products used to deal with Covid
The government has started close monitoring of exports of products used to deal with Covid infections such as PPE kits, masks, ventilators and certain medicines like paracetamol on account of rising infections in various countries, including China, an official said. The move is aimed at dealing with any possible emergency situation on account of a spurt in coronavirus cases. “We are keeping a close watch on exports of all these products. We are monitoring the situation to take appropriate decisions, though the situation at present is not alarming. We should be prepared for everything and for that our domestic requirement should be ready,” the official said.
Asia’s tourist hotspots prepare for boom as China relaxes COVID rules
Asian countries are bracing for an influx of Chinese tourists as COVID restrictions are dismantled, and while some are wary, operators in others are preparing packages such as hotpot buffets to cash in on the expected spike in travel. Chinese tourists will no longer need to quarantine on return home starting Jan. 8, the government announced this week, a move that spurred a surge in bookings from what was the world’s largest outbound travel market in 2019.
China’s COVID policymaking under scrutiny as infections soar
After China scrapped three years of zero-COVID curbs in 30 days, setting off a massive wave of infections, Beijing’s policymakers face an immense challenge to treat the sick and minimise deaths while winning back public trust dented by previous policies. Scenes of overwhelmed hospitals, people on intravenous drips by the roadside and lines of hearses outside crematoria have fuelled public concern. An extraordinarily small number of reported fatalities – 10 deaths since the old policy regime was overturned on Dec. 7 – and a decision by authorities to stop publishing data on cases have also stoked distrust.
India records 268 new Covid cases, active cases rise to 3,552
India recorded 268 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 3,552, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,77,915). The death toll stands at 5,30,698 with two fatalities with one reconciled by Kerala and one death reported from Maharashtra in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.11 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.17 per cent, the ministry said. It said 2,36,919 tests for detection of Covid have been conducted in the last 24 hours.
Iron ore gains as China demand optimism dwarfs COVID worries
Iron ore prices climbed with the Dalian benchmark rising to a more than six-month high, as optimism over demand prospects in top steel producer China outweighed concerns about a surge in the country’s COVID cases. The most-traded iron ore on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange for May delivery ended morning trade 1.5% higher at 844.50 yuan a tonne, after initially touching 846 yuan, its highest since mid-June.
Lack of info on China’s COVID outbreak stirs global concerns
Moves by the US, Japan and others to mandate COVID-19 tests for passengers arriving from China reflect global concern that new variants could emerge in its ongoing explosive outbreak – and the government may not inform the rest of the world quickly enough. There have been no reports of new variants to date. But given the country’s track record, the worry is that China may not be sharing data on any signs of evolving strains that could spark fresh outbreaks elsewhere.The US, in announcing a negative test requirement on Wednesday for passengers from China, cited both the surge in infections and what it said was a lack of information, including the genomic sequencing of the virus strains in the country.
Australia says no change to rules regarding travellers from China
Australia is making no change to its rules around allowing travellers from China into the country, despite measures by some countries to require mandatory COVID-19 tests said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “We will take the appropriate advice from the health experts,” Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC). “There is no change in the travel advice at this point in time but we are continuing to monitor the situation, as we continue to monitor the impact of COVID here in Australia as well as around the world.”
Uttarakhand makes masks compulsory at private, government schools amid COVID concerns
Amid COVID-19 fear, the Uttarakhand government made masks mandatory in private as well as government schools. Uttarakhand Director General of Education Bansidhar Tiwari said, “Students, teachers and other employees of private and government schools will have to come wearing masks and use sanitiser-thermal screening.” Tiwari said that instructions have been given to the principals of all private and government schools that every employee, teacher and child will have to wear masks in the school. “No one will be allowed to enter the school without a mask,” he said.
Thane records three new COVID-19 cases; active tally at 11
Three new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Maharashtra’s Thane district, taking its infection tally to 7,47,397, a health official said. The latest infections were reported on Wednesday, he said. There are currently 11 active COVID-19 cases in the district, which comes under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, he said. The death toll in the district stood at 11,969 and the recovery count at 7,36,180, he added.
China customs: China to cancel coronavirus checks on all imported chilled and frozen foods from Jan 8
Oil prices ease, China COVID spike hurts demand outlook
Oil prices ticked down as surging COVID-19 cases in China dimmed hopes of a recovery in fuel demand in the world’s second-biggest oil consumer. The scale of the latest outbreak and doubts over official data prompted some countries to enact new travel rules on Chinese visitors, even as China began dismantling the world’s strictest COVID regime of lockdowns and testing. Brent futures for February delivery fell 42 cents, or 0.5%, to $82.84 a barrel, by 0123 GMT, while U.S. crude fell 50 cents, or 0.6%, to $78.46 per barrel.
Tourist from Argentina tests Covid positive, goes missing
A tourist from Argentina, who visited the Taj Mahal on December 26, has tested positive for Covid-19. His samples were collected during screening at the monument’s Western gate to test for the virus as a precautionary measure. The RT-PCR report, which came out on Wednesday, confirmed that the man was Covid-19 positive.
Indonesia to keep loose entry rules for Chinese visitors
- Indonesia has no plans to tighten restrictions for travelers from China, keeping its looser Covid-19 policy for international visitors despite a recent surge in cases.
- Under current rules, travelers arriving from overseas are only required to show proof of complete vaccination against the coronavirus. It scrapped the PCR test requirement for fully-vaccinated visitors in May unless they have a fever.
- “There is no immediate need to change the existing policy but we will continue to monitor the situation,” Covid-19 Task Force Spokesman Wiku Adisasmito said in a phone interview in Jakarta.
Asian shares skid as COVID surge in China unsettles investors, reports Reuters
Asian share markets fell along with oil prices on Thursday as soaring COVID cases in China unsettled investors who have been expecting the world’s second biggest economy to regather momentum after the relaxation of stringent COVID curbs. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 1.06%, and was set for a third straight week of losses. China shares opened 0.4% lower, while Hong Kong’s stock market fell 1%. Japan’s Nikkei fell more than 1% to a nearly three month low, while Australia’s resource heavy S&P/ASX 200 index lost 1.18%.
Rigid approach
China has rejected criticism of its statistics as groundless and politically-motivated attempts to smear its policies. It also played down the risk of new variants, saying it expects future mutations to be potentially more virulent but less severe.
Testing requirements
The United States, India, Italy, Japan and Taiwan said they would require COVID tests for travellers from China. Britain was considering a similar move, the Telegraph reported.
Race against time
State-run China Daily reported on Thursday that rural regions across China were beefing up their medical treatment capacities and ensuring availability of life support equipment and critical-care beds. It said a hospital in a part of Inner Mongolia where more than 100,000 people live in the countryside was seeking bidders for a 1.9 million yuan ($272,308) contract to upgrade its wards into intensive care units. Liancheng County Central Hospital in the eastern Fujian province was seeking tenders for ambulances and medical devices, ranging from breathing machines to electrocardiogram monitors. A hospital in Huailai county, in the Hebei province, also said it needed equipment for its emergency wards.
COVID Mayhem In China
Hospitals and funeral homes in major Chinese cities have been under intense pressure, but the main concern over the health system’s ability to cope with surging infections is focused on the less affluent and poorly equipped countryside.
China reports 1 COVID death?
China officially reported one new COVID death for Wednesday, down from three on Tuesday, but some foreign governments and epidemiologists believe the numbers are much higher, and that more than 1 million people may die across the country next year.
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