COVID-19 cases
Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases
Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 from Jan. 30 as part of its strategy to return the southern Chinese city to normalcy, the city's leader said on Thursday.
For most of the pandemic over the last three years, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, requiring those who tested positive to undergo quarantine. Many residents once had to be sent to hospitals or government-run quarantine facilities even when their symptoms were mild.
Currently, infected persons are allowed to isolate at home for a minimum of five days and can go out once they test negative for two consecutive days. After the rule is dropped, the mask mandate will be the only major COVID-19 restriction left in the city.
Read more: China halts visas for Japan, South Korea in COVID-19 spat
Chief Executive John Lee told lawmakers he made the decision based partly on the city's high vaccination and infection rates, saying the local community has a strong "immunity barrier.”
“As most infected persons only suffer mild symptoms, the government should shift from a clear-cut, mandatory approach to one that allows residents to make their own decisions and take their own responsibilities when we manage the pandemic,” he said.
He said it is a step all countries make on their paths to normalcy and that Hong Kong has reached this stage now, adding that the city's pandemic situation had not worsened after it started to reopen its border with mainland China about two weeks ago.
COVID-19 will be handled as another kind of upper respiratory disease, he said.
Edwin Tsui, the controller of the Centre for Health Protection, told a news conference that people with asymptomatic infections can go out freely or return to their workplace but infected students should not go to school until they obtain a negative test result. Those who suffer from COVID-19 symptoms should avoid leaving home, he said.
Residents will no longer need to report to the government when they test positive, he added.
Read more: China suspends social media accounts of over 1,000 critics of govt’s Covid-19 policies
Hong Kong's daily tally has fallen to 3,800 cases from 19,700 over the past two weeks. With many infected residents only having mild symptoms, most choose to isolate at home. The figures don’t include those who never report their cases but stay at home to avoid spreading the virus to others.
The city has one government-run facility in operation for those unsuitable for home quarantine, according to a government reply to a lawmaker's inquiries on Wednesday. But it did not elaborate on the facility's occupancy rate. The Associated Press has asked the government about such data.
Hong Kong, which once had some of the world's strictest COVID-19 rules, has been easing various restrictions to revive its economy, including removing an isolation rule for close contacts of those who tested positive for COVID-19 and vaccination requirements to enter certain venues.
Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 9 more cases
Bangladesh reported nine more Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours till Tuesday morning.
With the new number, the country's total caseload rose to 2,037,386, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,441 as no new fatalities were reported.
Read more: China halts visas for Japan, South Korea in COVID-19 spat
The daily case test positivity rose to 0.42 percent from Monday's 0.38 percent as 2,164 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.45 percent while the recovery rate rose to 97.67 percent.
Bangladesh reported its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 in 2021 and daily fatalities of 264 on August 5 of the same year.
Global Covid-19 cases so far near 667 million
The overall number of global Covid-19 cases is gradually nearing 667 million, with the sudden surge of the virus’ sub-variant in Asia.
According to latest global data, the total case count mounted to 666,603,048 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,703,798 this morning.
The US has recorded 102,963,370 cases so far, while 1,120,040 people have died from the virus in the country, both highest counts around the world.
India reported 141 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, taking the caseload to 44,680,402.
Read more: EU, Beijing heading for collision over China’s COVID crisis
With no deaths reported across the country during this period, India’s Covid death toll remained static at 530,707.
Meanwhile, France has registered 39,356,184 Covid-19 cases so far, occupying the third position, while 162,377 people have died in the country, as per the Worldometer.
The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday that the agency is “concerned about the risk to life in China” amid the coronavirus’ explosive spread across the country and the lack of outbreak data from the Chinese government, reports AP.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency recently met with Chinese officials to underline the importance of sharing more details about Covid-19 issues including hospitalisation rates and genetic sequences, even as the pandemic continues to recede globally since it began in late 2019.
Read more: Lack of info on China’s COVID-19 surge stirs global concern
The WHO said Chinese scientists have now shared more than 770 sequences, with omicron subvariants BA.5 and its descendants accounting for more than 97% of all local infections. Globally, BA.5 variants comprise about 68% of all sequences.
China reported 9,308 Covid cases in the last 24 hours till Thursday morning, taking the caseload to 461,825. With one more death, the country’s death toll stands at 5,259.
Covid-19 in Bangladesh
Bangladesh registered 21 more Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total caseload rose to 2,037,208, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read More: Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures
However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,440 as no new fatalities were reported.
The daily case test positivity fell to 0.62 percent from Tuesday's 0.74 percent as 3,404 samples were tested during the period.
The mortality and recovery rates remained unchanged at 1.45 percent and 97.59 per cent, respectively, it added.
Read More: 1st case of Omicron sub-variant BF.7 detected in Bangladesh
Covid-19: Bangladesh registers another death, 26 cases
Bangladesh registered another Covid-linked death and 26 more Covid cases in 24 hours till Monday morning.
With the new numbers, the total number of fatalities rose to 29,431 while the caseload rose to 2,036,393, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate rose to 0.66 per cent from Sunday’s 0.64 per cent as 3,943 samples were tested during the period.
Read: COVID-19: US vaccine donations to Bangladesh exceed 100 million
The deceased was a man from the Sylhet division which took the death toll in the division to 1,356.
The mortality and recovery rates remained unchanged at 1.45 percent and 97.47 per cent, respectively.
In October, the country reported 60 Covid-linked deaths and 10,043 cases.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.
Bangladesh reports another Covid death, 140 more cases
Bangladesh reported another Covid-linked death and 140 more cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
With this, the total fatalities in the country rose to 29,425 while the caseload rose to 2,035,657, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate dropped to 3.10 per cent from Wednesday’s 4.81 per cent as 4,511 samples were tested during the period.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.45 per cent and the recovery rate rose to 97.35 per cent.
In September, the country reported 40 Covid-linked deaths and 13,251 cases.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and its highest number of fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.
N. Korea sees suspected COVID-19 cases after victory claim
North Korea on Thursday said it found four new fever cases in its border region with China that may have been caused by coronavirus infections, two weeks after leader Kim Jong Un declared a widely disputed victory over COVID-19.
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency said health workers were conducting genetic tests on the samples taken from four people in the Ryanggang Province who exhibited fevers to confirm whether they were caused by the “malignant epidemic.” The North often uses that term, along with “malignant virus,” to describe COVID-19 and the coronavirus.
Authorities immediately locked down the areas where the fever cases emerged and plan to maintain tight restrictions and quarantines until health workers determine the cause of the illness.
“(Health authorities) pay attention to the fact that those with fever had not been infected by the malignant epidemic,” KCNA said.
The country’s emergency anti-virus headquarters dispatched “talented epidemiological, virology and test experts to the area" and is taking steps to "trace all persons ... connected with the suspect cases, and persons going to and from the relevant area and keep them under strict medical observation,” the report said.
North Korea said there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in any part of the country since Aug. 10 when Kim declared victory over the virus and ordered preventive measures eased, just three months after the country acknowledged an outbreak.
Read:North Korea claims disputed victory over virus, blames Seoul
While Kim claimed that the country’s success against the virus would be recognized as a global health miracle, experts believe the North has manipulated disclosures on its outbreak to help him maintain absolute control. The victory statement signals Kim’s aim to move to other priorities, including a possible nuclear test, experts say.
After admitting to an omicron outbreak of the virus in May, North Korea reported about 4.8 million “fever cases” across its mostly unvaccinated population of 26 million but only identified a fraction of them as COVID-19. It claimed just 74 people have died, which experts see as an abnormally small number considering the country’s lack of public health tools.
Kim’s declaration of victory over COVID-19 during a national meeting in Pyongyang was followed by a combative speech from his powerful sister, who said Kim had suffered a fever himself while steering the anti-virus campaign and laid dubious blame against South Korea while vowing deadly retaliation.
North Korea claims that its initial infections were caused by anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and other items carried across the border by balloons launched by South Korean activists, a claim the South has described as “ridiculous” and unscientific. There are concerns that Kim Yo Jong’s comments portend a provocation, possibly a nuclear or missile test or even border skirmishes.
There are also worries that the North may try to stir up tensions as South Korea and the United States hold their biggest combined military training in years to counter the growing North Korean nuclear threat. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which involves aircraft, tanks and warships, continues in South Korea through Sept. 1.
Diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang to defuse the nuclear standoff has stalled since 2019 over disagreements in exchanging crippling U.S.-led sanctions against the North for the North’s denuclearization steps.
Global Covid cases top 597 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now surged past 597 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 597,886,573 and the death toll reached 6,462,388 on Thursday morning.
The US has recorded 95,065,403 cases so far and 1,064,207 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
India recorded 9,062 new cases of Covid in 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,286,256, as per the federal health ministry data released on Wednesday.
With the reporting of fresh cases, India's active caseload currently stands at 105,058.
The country also logged 36 related deaths in 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 527,134 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
With the increase in cases, the daily positivity rate stands at 2.49 percent. The weekly positivity rate is recorded at 4.38 percent.
Also read: Bangladesh reports one more Covid death, 259 new cases
Covid in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported zero Covid deaths and 212 new cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
With the latest numbers, Bangladesh's total fatalities remained static at 29,314 while the caseload rose to 2,009,434, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate rose to 4.54 percent from Tuesday's 4.41 percent as 4,666 samples were tested
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 97.17 percent from Tuesday's 97.15 percent.
In July, the country reported 142 Covid-linked deaths and 31,422 cases, the highest monthly death toll and caseload since March this year.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Global Covid cases near 596 million
The overall number of global Covid cases is approaching 596 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 596,947,974 and the death toll reached 6,456,487on Tuesday morning.
The US has recorded 94,788,022 cases so far and 1,062,770people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
Also read: Bangladesh reports one more Covid death, 259 new cases
According to India’s federal health ministry data released on Monday morning, 7,306 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the country in 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,275,687.
With the reports of the fresh cases, India's active caseload currently stands at 124,814.
The country also logged 32 related deaths in the 24 hours, pushing the overall death toll to 527,069 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
Covid in Bangladesh
One more person died from Covid, and 259 tested positive for the virus in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to Monday morning.
While the country's total fatalities reached 29,314, the new number took its caseload to 2,009,129, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate dropped to 4.09 percent from Sunday's 4.32 percent as 6, 336 samples were tested.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 595 million
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent and the recovery rate at 97.14 percent.
Global Covid cases top 595 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now surged past 595 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 595,168,628 and the death toll reached 6,454,572 on Monday morning.
The US has recorded 94,688,168 cases so far and 1,062,343 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
According to India’s federal health ministry data released on Sunday, 14,092 new cases of COVID-19 were reported during the past 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,253,464 in the country.
The cases reported on Sunday mark a decrease in comparison to the daily caseload of Saturday (15,815).
With the reports of the fresh cases, India's active caseload currently stands at 116,861.
The country also logged 41 related deaths during the past 24 hours, pushing the overall death toll to 527,037 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
Read: Children aged 5-11 get Covid jabs on trial basis
Covid in Bangladesh
Bangladesh recorded one more Covid-linked deaths with 226 fresh cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning.
While the country's total fatalities reached 29,313, the new number took its caseload to 2,008,870, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate rose to 4.32 percent from Saturday's 4.29 percent as 5,226 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 97.14 from Saturday's 97.12 percent.
In July, the country reported 142 Covid-linked deaths and 31,422 cases, the highest monthly death toll and caseload since March this year.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 4 more die, 618 new cases reported in 24hrs
Bangladesh recorded four more Covid-19-linked deaths with 618 new cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
With the latest figures, the country's total fatalities reached 29,284 while the caseload 2,004,188, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate rose to 6.62 from Wednesday's 6.83 per cent as 9,338 samples were tested.
The deceased included two men and two women. Three of them were from Chattogram and another from Dhaka division.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 578 million
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 96.80 per cent from Thursday's 96.79 per cent.
In June, the country reported 18 Covid-linked deaths and 20,201 new cases, according to the DGHS.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 5 more die, 626 new cases reported in 24hrs
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.