COVID-19 Updates
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US averts government shutdown a day ahead of deadline
The US Congress approved a stopgap funding bill on Thursday in a rare show of cross-party unity to keep federal agencies running into 2022 and avert a costly holiday season…
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Why it’s too early to panic about Omicron and vaccines may protect against the variant after all
Researchers around the world are trying to work out whether existing Covid-19 vaccines protect us from the latest variant, Omicron.The worst-case scenario is the virus has mutated so much in…
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‘Electric vibe’: Auckland celebrates end of lockdown with brunch and traffic gridlock
Vaccinated people in New Zealand’s largest city can now go to the pub for the first time in over 100 days In Auckland, nature was healing. The ungroomed lined up…
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New York health officials report at least five cases of Omicron variant
Officials say positive tests suggest variant is undergoing ‘community spread’ in the city but say there’s no cause for alarm Multiple cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been detected…
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Scott Morrison denies misleading Australians on Liberal senator Alex Antic’s vaccination status
Prime minister says he wasn’t corrected after last month telling ABC radio the South Australian senator was ‘double-dose vaccinated’ Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates Get…
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Coronavirus: Australia reports first local Omicron case; South Korea expands use of vaccine pass
Australia on Friday reported a student with no history of foreign travel had tested positive for the Covid-19 Omicron variant, the country’s first detected case of community transmission.The case, detected…
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Covid-19 vaccine Australia rollout tracker: per cent of population vaccinated and vaccination rate by state
How does Australia’s coronavirus vaccine rollout and schedule compare with other countries, and when will Australia reach 70% and 80% double dose vaccination? We bring together the latest numbers on…
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UK government’s risk planning is weak and secretive, says Lords report
Chair of committee points out unpreparedness for Covid shows better anticipation of future threats is needed Assessment and planning by the government relating to risks facing the UK are deficient…
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What are Hong Kong’s charities, businesses doing to help the needy? As inflation amid Covid-19 pandemic bites, do-gooders band together in bid to lighten food burden on city’s poor
As Hong Kong grapples with runaway inflation and a still-raging pandemic, charities, food banks, NGOs and businesses have entered the fray to help the needy. In the second of a…
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Reinfections three times more likely with Omicron coronavirus variant, South African scientists say
A preliminary study by South African scientists published Thursday suggests the Omicron variant is three times more likely to cause reinfections compared to the Delta or Beta strains.The findings, based…