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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, March 31st 2025 - 07:32 UTC

Tag: COVID-19

  • Monday, December 18th 2023 - 09:58 UTC

    Covid-19: First Pirola case confirmed in Ecuador

    According to the WHO, “Pirola” is circulating worldwide and is considered a variant of concern

    Ecuadorian authorities confirmed Sunday the detection of the first case of the so-called Pirola variant (BA.2.86) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a woman in Quito, who has been reported to be stable and “receiving outpatient treatment at home,” according to a statement from the Health Ministry, which is carrying out an epidemiological follow-up and monitoring of the patient.

  • Wednesday, December 6th 2023 - 10:18 UTC

    Encore of “tripledemic” feared in California

    The Pirola variant (BA.2.86) of Covid-19 is expected to be prevalent this season

    Health authorities in the US State of California have reported a surge in the number of cases of Covid-19, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). In response, residents have been urged to get vaccinated in a move to avoid the potential collapse of the sanitary network where an encore of last year's “tripledemic” is feared.

  • Friday, November 24th 2023 - 10:00 UTC

    WHO wants data from China on respiratory disease affecting children

    The disease could be circulating in school settings, given the absence of cases in adults

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested that Chinese health authorities explain the rapid spread of a respiratory disease among children.

  • Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 09:19 UTC

    Yearly vaccination against Covid-19 added to Brazil's immunization plan

    Yearly vaccination against Covid-19 added to Brazil's immunization plan

    Brazilian health authorities announced this week that starting in 2024 yearly vaccination against Covid-19 will be included in the country's Immunization Program (PNI) as per the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations, Agencia Brasil reported.

  • Saturday, October 28th 2023 - 01:09 UTC

    Carnival could face cascade of demands following a ruling on a Covid 19 outbreak in one of its vessels

    The Ruby Princess sailed from Sydney to New Zealand in March 2020, right at the start of the pandemic. Some 2,671 passengers and 1,146 crew were on board.

    Cruise operator Carnival could face a cascade of demands following a ruling by an Australian judge referred to passengers' safety and an outbreak of Covid-19 on board one of its vessels. According to the ruling, the company misled passengers about safety risks and should have canceled a voyage by the Ruby Princess in March 2020 before it departed.

  • Thursday, October 19th 2023 - 10:49 UTC

    Argentine-made Covid-19 vaccine approved

    The ARVAC Cecilia Grierson represents “a safe, effective and quality tool,” according to Vizzotti

    Argentine health authorities Tuesday approved a booster Covid-19 vaccine fully developed in the South American country, it was announced Wednesday in Buenos Aires. The “ARVAC Cecilia Grierson” drug is said to be effective against the latest versions of the disease for patients over 18 years of age.

  • Tuesday, October 17th 2023 - 09:29 UTC

    Members of Chilean delegation in China test positive for Covid-19

    “It is clear to me that there are endless opportunities” for Chinese companies in Chile, Boric said

    Various members of the Chilean delegation touring China ahead of the III Forum of the Belt and Road International Cooperation have tested positive for Covid-19 although President Gabriel Boric Font's results came back negative. All those infected will begin a 5-day isolation as per Chilean sanitary protocols, it was reported.

  • Wednesday, September 27th 2023 - 09:05 UTC

    Covid-19 understaffed Gatwick Airport adopts contingency plan

    Ryanair announced it would not abide by the restrictions

    Authorities at London's Gatwick Airport, the second-busiest in the British capital, have announced a cap on the number of flights this week due to understaffed air traffic control operations amid an outbreak of Covid-19. A daily 800-flight limit affecting both departures and arrivals has been imposed until Sunday.

  • Tuesday, September 19th 2023 - 10:08 UTC

    India ups security measures to contain spread of Nipah virus

    There is no vaccine against Nipah. WHO lists it as a possible cause of a pandemic alongside Covid-19 and other pathogens

    Indian health authorities are taking additional precautions to prevent the spread of the highly lethal Nipah virus after a sixth person was confirmed to be infected with it in the State of Kerala, where on-site activity at all educational facilities has been banned.

  • Thursday, September 14th 2023 - 10:24 UTC

    Deadly virus leads to Covid-19-like measures in India

    There is no vaccine for Nipah and mortality has been estimated at 70%

    Indian authorities have closed schools and offices in the southern State of Kerala in a move to stop the spread of the Nipah virus, which has already caused two deaths. At least seven villages in the Kozhikode district were declared as containment zones, Kerala Health Minister Veena George also explained.