The Japanese anti-influenza drug being tested for treating COVID-19
Last week, the Japanese conglomerate Fujifilm announced the start of phase III clinical trials of Avigan, an influenza antiviral drug that is being experimented with in many countries for the treatment of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As there is still no specific cure for COVID-19, medicines used for other ailments are being repurposed around the world for […]
At funerals in virus outbreak, mourning is from a distance
LEXINGTON : No one stands in line to embrace the widow and share memories of her husband of 50 years. No rows of family and friends file toward the flag-draped coffin to pay their last respects. No symphony of sniffles is heard across the room as the minister gives a final prayer. Instead, a handful of […]
Coronavirus: Trump predicts ‘a lot of death’ as cases pass 300,000
US President Donald Trump has warned Americans to prepare for the “toughest week” of the coronavirus pandemic yet, predicting a surge in deaths. At his daily briefing, Mr Trump said “there will be death” in a grim assessment of the days ahead. He sought to reassure the worst-hit states, promising medical supplies and military personnel […]
How Italy’s ageing population, overburdened health system spiked its Covid-19 death rate
New Delhi: As the world reels under the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, Italy has been one of the worst affected countries since day one, with an enormously high fatality rate. According to Worldometers, of the 119,827 coronavirus cases reported in the country — 14,681 succumbed to death. This puts the coronavirus-related death rate of the country […]
Coronavirus update: US beats its own grim record, Covid-19 death toll touches 1,480 in 24 hours
US authorities on Friday announced “voluntary” use of face masks in public as the country saw a record 1,480 deaths in the last 24 hours, the highest singe-day fatalities due to Covid-19. The total of confirmed cases rose by 30,000 over the same period of time to go past the quarter million mark. America ended […]
India likely to release Covid-19 rapid testing guidelines today
New Delhi: The government is likely to release detailed guidelines on the use of point-of-care rapid antibody test (blood test) to diagnose the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). The experts of the task force, created by the government to review the country’s Covid-19 test criteria, have been discussing the protocol for the past three days, including how to conduct […]
Exclusive: Pakistani Taliban down but not out, says ex-spokesman
Islamabad, Pakistan – The Pakistani Taliban has suffered major losses from American and Pakistani security operations in recent years, but its cells remain active in Pakistan’s cities and are still capable of carrying out attacks, a former spokesman has told Al Jazeera in his first interview since escaping from Pakistani military custody in January. The group […]
UN predicts ‘deep recession’ in Latin America due to coronavirus
Latin America is heading into “a deep recession” in 2020, with an expected drop in the region’s GDP of 1.8 to 4.0 percent due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UN economic commission for the region said Friday. “We are at the beginning of a profound recession. We’re faced with the largest fall in growth that […]
Coronavirus: Russia uses facial recognition to tackle Covid-19
As Russian cities go into lockdown to try to contain coronavirus, Moscow is using the latest technology to keep track of residents. City officials are using a giant network of tens of thousands of cameras – installed with facial recognition software – which they plan to couple with digital passes on people’s mobile phones. It’s […]
Turkey imposes curfew on youths amid COVID-19 outbreak
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has imposed a partial curfew for citizens under the age of 20 as part of measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country. The mandatory confinement is due to come into effect at midnight on Friday, Erdogan said in a televised address, adding that Ankara also […]
