What you have to know concerning the coronavirus proper now

Sufferers sporting face masks relaxation at a makeshift remedy space exterior a hospital, following the coronavirus illness (COVID-19) outbreak in Hong Kong, China March 2, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

March 2 (Reuters) – Here is what you have to know concerning the coronavirus proper now:

Hong Kong urges calm as residents fret over COVID measures

Any resolution to impose a COVID-19 lockdown in Hong Kong will take into consideration the worldwide monetary hub’s standing and guarantee primary wants, the federal government mentioned on Wednesday, urging anxious residents who thronged supermarkets this week to remain calm.

Authorities reported a each day file of 55,353 new infections, with 117 deaths within the Chinese language-ruled metropolis. Infections have surged greater than 500 instances from about 100 instances a day originally of February. learn extra

Japan set to increase COVID curbs

Japan ready on Wednesday to increase an infection controls in some areas amid excessive numbers of hospital sufferers hit by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The central authorities has obtained requests from 5 prefectures, together with Osaka and Kyoto in western Japan, to increase measures set to run out on Sunday, Chief Cupboard Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno informed reporters. learn extra

Biden broadcasts new COVID initiative that offers People free drugs

U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned on Tuesday his administration has launched an initiative that can permit People to get examined for COVID-19 at a pharmacy and instantly obtain free drugs in the event that they take a look at optimistic.

“We’re launching the ‘Take a look at to Deal with’ initiative so individuals can get examined at a pharmacy, and in the event that they’re optimistic, obtain antiviral drugs on the spot, for gratis,” Biden mentioned throughout his State of the Union speech. learn extra

The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration on Tuesday warned individuals in opposition to using unauthorized variations of sure COVID-19 speedy antigen assessments at the moment being marketed in the USA. learn extra

Two years after world’s greatest lockdown, India surges again to regular life

Nearly two years after India went into the world’s greatest lockdown to sluggish the unfold of COVID-19, college students headed again to highschool in Maharashtra state on Wednesday, an indication of regular life resuming as an infection charges fall.

India’s each day coronavirus infections rose by lower than 10,000 for a 3rd straight day on Wednesday, a stage final seen in late December earlier than the speedy unfold of the Omicron variant, information from the well being ministry confirmed. learn extra

Italy information 178,000 extra deaths throughout pandemic

Italy has recorded some 178,000 extra deaths, principally attributable to COVID-19, in the course of the coronavirus pandemic, the Nationwide Statistics Workplace and Nationwide Well being Institute mentioned in a report on Wednesday.

The surplus demise determine, measured to the tip of January 2022, calculates the distinction between the overall deaths from all causes for the reason that begin of the pandemic and the anticipated pattern primarily based on the 2015-2019 common. learn extra

Nerve harm could clarify some instances of lengthy COVID – U.S. examine

A small examine of sufferers affected by persistent signs lengthy after a bout of COVID-19 discovered that just about 60% had nerve harm presumably attributable to a faulty immune response, a discovering that might level to new remedies, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

The examine concerned in depth exams of 17 individuals with so-called lengthy COVID, a situation that arises inside three months of a COVID-19 an infection and lasts at the very least two months. learn extra

Compiled by Linda Noakes
Modifying by Mark Heinrich

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.