Health & Science

Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 - 17:02 UTC
Fresh lockdown for 13 million Chileans despite vaccine success

The Chilean government has announced a new series of confinement measures for some 70% of the country’s population following a 36% hike in Covid cases over the last two weeks.
Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 - 16:56 UTC
Covid kits contributed to deaths in Brazil

A “covid kit” touted by Jair Bolsonaro as an effective early treatment against Covid may have resulted in an increased number of deaths in seriously ill covid patients, according to reports in BBC Brasil today.
Tuesday, March 23rd 2021 - 10:42 UTC
Uruguayan government to debate measures amid record Covid-19 cases and political pressures

The Uruguayan government will discuss this Tuesday a radical reduction of mobility in the midst of a new wave of Covid-19 cases. This Monday, the highest number of new cases was detected, with almost 2,700 confirmed cases and a positivity rate of 18%, and the community spread of the Brazillian P-1 variant of the virus was confirmed.
Monday, March 22nd 2021 - 13:44 UTC
Covid-19: Health situation in Uruguay worsens amid successful vaccination campaign

Although a few weeks ago we talked about Uruguay as a milestone in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, with very few daily cases and a lower mortality rate than any other country in the region, the country of 3.5 million inhabitants surpassed this Sunday the 13 thousand active cases after several record days of daily positives. Scientific and medical societies are demanding measures to stop the spread of the virus despite the fact that 1 out of 10 Uruguayans have already received the first dose of the vaccine – Pfizer or Coronavac – against the disease.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
Venezuelans agree to purchase US$ 30 million in Covax vaccines; Guaidó will ask US for funds to be unfrozen

As part of a rare deal between Venezuela’s government and the opposition, some US$ 30.3 million of the country’s offshore funds that were frozen under U.S. sanctions will be used to pay for coronavirus vaccines.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
Rio beaches closed for the weekend and no tourists allowed into the city

Rio de Janeiro closed its famed beaches on Friday in a bid to contain a surge of COVID-19, a move criticized by anti-lockdown President Jair Bolsonaro, who said sun-deprived citizens risked a lack of vitamin D.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:07 UTC
WHO urges countries to continue using the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) exhorted the world to keep administering AstraZeneca's COVID-19 shots on Friday, adding its endorsement to that of European and British regulators after concerns over blood clotting.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:07 UTC
VW closing down production in four plants in Brazil because of the pandemic

Germany's Volkswagen said on Friday that it will suspend production at its four plants in Brazil owing to a surge in coronavirus infections in the country. The Wolfsburg-based firm said it will stop factories from March 24 for a 12-day period “to protect the health of its employees and their families.”
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 08:44 UTC
Boris Johnson received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, “I did not feel a thing”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received his first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Friday and urged the public to do the same, saying “he did not feel a thing.”
Friday, March 19th 2021 - 09:46 UTC
Falklands ready to receive third batch of Covid-19 vaccines

The Falkland Islands Government has received confirmation that it will receive a third batch of Covid-19 vaccines and, while the exact timing is yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that these will arrive in the week beginning 22 March.