Health & Science

Friday, August 21st 2020 - 08:21 UTC
Rio de Janeiro iconic Copacabana Palace reopens after the pandemic lockdown

The Copacabana Palace, an iconic luxury hotel on the Rio de Janeiro waterfront, reopened on Thursday after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to close for the first time in its 97-year history.
Friday, August 21st 2020 - 08:15 UTC
Tourists kicked off Mediterranean cruise for not abiding the vessel's protocols

A family of tourists was kicked off a Mediterranean cruise after leaving their organized excursion to see the sights on their own, violating the ship's new COVID-19 regulations, the company said on Thursday.
Thursday, August 20th 2020 - 10:47 UTC
Colombia surpasses half a million Covid-19 cases and 16,000 deaths

Coronavirus cases in Colombia surpassed 500,000 on Wednesday as deaths from the virus approach 16,000 and the country nears the end of five months of lockdown.
Thursday, August 20th 2020 - 08:48 UTC
Coronavirus spread in Brazil seems to be slowing as transmission rate follows below key level

The spread of coronavirus in Brazil could be about to slow, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday, amid reports the transmission rate has fallen below the key level and early signs of a gradual decline in the weekly totals of cases and fatalities.
Thursday, August 20th 2020 - 08:18 UTC
UN pays tribute to humanitarian workers battling Covid-19 pandemic in a year particularly violent

The United Nations paid tribute on Wednesday to humanitarian workers now battling the COVID-19 pandemic after a year in which they found themselves under greater attack than ever before.
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.