COVID-19

Japanese visitors in Beijing confirmed with the embassy that they were subjected to the mandatory anal swab for COVID-19 testing.

While inoculation campaigns are now well under way, the spread of highly infectious Covid variants has fuelled worries that they could prove more resistant to the vaccines.

The UK's vaccination programme has rolled out fast since its start in early December, when it became the first country in the world to begin mass inoculation with a fully trialled vaccine.

The World Health Organization this week urged governments to prioritize understanding the long-term effects of infections.

The royal family is speaking out as health officials have voiced concerns over lower take-up among ethnic minority communities.

Some Chinese doctors consider the tests more reliable compared to a nasal or throat swab test.

The Covid-19 vaccines are boosting hopes that countries can finally start to emerge from the pandemic that has killed more than 2.5 million people and infected at least 112 million worldwide.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are quarantining at their home in Tennessee following her COVID-19 diagnosis.

The small volcanic atoll is actually not on the radar of frequent travelers, which is perhaps the main reason why it remained COVID-free until now.

Several EU officials and diplomats warned on Wednesday that, while they back a verifiable vaccination record, it is too early to look at using "vaccine passports" to permit easier travel.

US biotech firm Moderna also announced its new Covid vaccine candidate aimed at the dangerous South African coronavirus variant had been shipped to government labs for testing.

The rest of the European Union thinks it is still too soon to open borders freely to tourists.

The UK government has vaccinated millions of Britons with the AstraZeneca jab since late last year.

The devastated man found out he has incurable cancer just an hour after testing positive for COVID-19.

According to the Johns Hopkins University tally, another 1,297 virus-related deaths were reported on Monday in the United States.

The Football Association welcomed the easing of restrictions, saying in a brief statement: "The FA is absolutely delighted that fans will be allowed back soon.

Countries like the United States have contributed money for procurement to supply poor countries, but the WHO said funds are useless if no vaccines are available.

One in three adults in the UK has already received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The at-home test consists of a swabbing kit and an iOS app, providing systematic guidelines on how to gather a nasal swab sample and then process it.

Britain is one of the countries hardest-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with more than 120,000 deaths.

The vaccination campaign is beginning with imported doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and a later phase will use locally manufactured AstraZeneca shots.

The freezing weather and snow storms that hit the United States for over a week have slowed the nation's vaccine efforts, with some six million doses delayed.

The study aims to promote thorough monitoring of animals that are likely to breed coronaviruses, and not to demonise them.

Gwyneth Paltrow said COVID-19 left her with long-term fatigue, body inflammation, and brain fog.

Some 145 economies participating in Covax are set to receive enough doses to immunise 3.3 percent of their collective population by mid-2021.

The FDA and the CDC must accept the results of the clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine on children before their age group can be vaccinated.

Under the new rules, arrivals found to have given false information about being in one of the listed countries prior to travel could receive up to 10 years in prison.

Governments are pinning their hopes on vaccines to end a pandemic that has killed more than 2.4 million people, but some rollouts are continuing to attract controversy.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen last week admitted that mistakes had been made in procuring vaccines on behalf of all 27 member states.

Several countries, including China, Russia and some Gulf nations, have already launched "vaccine diplomacy" initiatives.