Omicron variant
- Asia Pacific, China, Coronavirus, Infectious diseases, Omicron variant, Science, Society, World news, Xi Jinping
‘It was all for nothing’: Chinese count cost of Xi’s snap decision to let Covid rip
After three years of lockdowns, the country was ill prepared for its abrupt ‘freedom’. Now, with some estimati…
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Eight in 10 people in China caught Covid since early December, say officials
Reported death toll surges to 72,000 after zero-Covid restrictions lifted; some experts estimate 1m deathsAbou…
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China’s President Xi battles to save face as Covid U-turn weakens his grip on power
Despite public bullishness, overflowing hospitals across the country suggest its leader may have made a huge m…
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China: another Covid wave expected in rural areas after lunar new year
Many city workers heading home for holiday in late January are likely to take disease with themChina is prepar…
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EU states resist joining Italy on Covid testing for arrivals from China
Italy urges action at European level as more than 50% of recent arrivals from China test positive at Milan air…
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Fears of deadly infection surge as China abandons zero-Covid policy
Dramatic U-turn following widespread unrest leaves country ill-prepared for OmicronThe portable PCR testing bo…
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New Zealand to make masks and rapid antigen tests free as Omicron wave grows
More people will also be eligible for antiviral drugs as Covid cases, hospitalisations and deaths riseNew Zeal…
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China’s zero-Covid policy is not sustainable, WHO director general says
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls for shift in approach as scores of Chinese cities remain in strictly enfor…
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Beijing residents stock up on food amid Covid lockdown fears – video
Beijing residents have rushed to buy food, emptying supermarket shelves, as Covid-19 cases rise and fears grow…
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Covid lockdown fears spark panic buying in Beijing as largest district begins mass testing
Residents hope to avoid Shanghai-style shortages as Chinese authorities rush to stamp out outbreak in the capi…
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‘This is inhumane’: the cost of zero Covid in Shanghai
Patients sick with non-Covid related illnesses are being kept away from hospitals as anger grows over failure …
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Drone footage shows deserted Shanghai as city remains in lockdown – video
Covid-19 cases in China’s most populous city of Shanghai have risen again as millions remain isolated at home …
- Asia Pacific, China, Coronavirus, Older people, Omicron variant, Vaccines and immunisation, World news
With 37 million in lockdown and Covid plans under fire, Chinese ask: what comes next?
Elderly residents are wary of the jab even as Omicron spreads, and critics say zero-Covid policy is not sustai…
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New Zealand authorities deploy Barry Manilow against Covid protesters
Sound system on parliament grounds plays vaccine messages, Macarena and the crooner’s 1970s hitsCoronavirus – …
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Omicron: what do we know about ‘stealth’ subvariant BA.2?
Omicron’s ‘close cousin’ has mutations that could alter how it behaves and has begun to surpass Covid’s most c…