Health & Science

Thursday, August 20th 2020 - 07:42 UTC
Most people catch Covid-19 in house to house transmission, UK Health secretary Hancock

Britain is unlikely to follow France in ordering people to wear face coverings at work because its test and trace scheme shows most people catch COVID-19 in house-to-house transmission, health secretary Matt Hancock said on Wednesday (Aug 19).
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:58 UTC
Brazil approved human clinical trials for a potential Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine

Brazil approved on Tuesday human clinical trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson, the fourth candidate to trial in the Latin American country that has become key to the global race for a vaccine.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Chile's GDP plunged 14,1% in the second quarter; mining the only positive sector

Chile's gross domestic product (GDP) plunged 14.1% in the second quarter, the Central Bank said on Tuesday, after the coronavirus pandemic mauled economic activity with the exception of the vital mining sector. Among the worst-hit sectors were manufacturing, construction and the hotel and restaurant sector. In the first quarter, the Chilean GDP had increased slightly by 0.2%.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:15 UTC
“We need to prevent vaccine nationalism”, WHO chief Tedros

Nations that hoard possible COVID-19 vaccines while excluding others will deepen the pandemic, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday, issuing a last-ditch call for countries to join a global vaccine pact.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Airlines prepared to accept passengers with a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours before travel

Airlines and airports have asked a United Nations-led task force meeting on Monday to recommend that countries accept a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of travel as an alternative to quarantines that have decimated demand for travel, according to a document seen by news agency Reuters.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 07:09 UTC
Diabetes Type 1 among children in UK almost doubled during Covid-19 peak, Imperial College

Cases of type 1 diabetes among children in a small UK study almost doubled during the peak of Britain's COVID-19 epidemic, suggesting a possible link between the two diseases that need more investigation, scientists said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 06:02 UTC
Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hits back at Trump statements

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday hit back against United States President Donald Trump for saying her country is experiencing a “big surge” in Covid-19, calling the remarks “patently wrong”.
Tuesday, August 18th 2020 - 09:55 UTC
Thousands waving national flags demonstrate across Argentina to protest against government plans

Thousands of demonstrators across Argentina's main cities defied social distancing rules to answer calls to protest against a government announcement last Friday to extend containment measures in the Buenos Aires region until Aug 30 and to condemn a controversial reform of the judicial branch.
Tuesday, August 18th 2020 - 08:54 UTC
Brazil and China drafting a protocol for chicken slaughterhouses to avoid Covid-19

Following China's claims to have found traces of the new coronavirus in chicken wings from Brazil, the two countries are in negotiations to establish a protocol to prevent contamination of Covid-19 in slaughterhouses that export to the Asian largest economy.
Tuesday, August 18th 2020 - 08:34 UTC
US opioid epidemic: US$ 2,2 trillion claim filed against Purdue Pharma and Sackler family

U.S. states claimed they are owed US$ 2.2 trillion to address harm from OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP’s alleged role in America’s opioid epidemic, accusing the drug-maker in new filings of pushing prescription painkillers on doctors and patients while playing down the risks of abuse and overdose.