The number of mobile Covid-19 testing units in the UK will more than double over coming weeks, with the military earmarked to staff many facilities. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said 1,763 personnel will support the 236 units. There were 96 units in April. “Testing is at the heart of the strategy for beating coronavirus”, […]
At least 20 million people in the US may already have been infected with Covid-19, according to the latest estimate by health officials. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the true number of cases is likely to be 10 times higher than the reported figure. It comes as the state of Texas halted its […]
Taxi drivers have been left without “adequate protection and guidance” despite many working throughout the lockdown, industry leaders say. Figures show the profession has one of the highest rates of Covid-19 deaths. Drivers, taxi firms and industry bodies have said national safety guidance is urgently needed. Government advice says drivers can refuse to take passengers who […]
America’s top infectious disease expert has told lawmakers that the US is seeing a “disturbing surge” in coronavirus infections in some states. A panel of health officials, including Dr Anthony Fauci, said the next few days will be crucial to stem the new outbreaks. Cases are climbing rapidly across a number of US states. The […]
Covid-19 antibody tests for NHS and care staff are being rolled out without “adequate assessment”, experts warn. The tests could place an unnecessary burden on the NHS, the 14 senior academics say in a letter in the BMJ, Last month, the government said it had bought 10 million antibody tests and asked NHS trusts and care […]
Newborn triplets in Mexico have tested positive for coronavirus in an “unprecedented” case, according to local health authorities. Medical experts are investigating whether the disease could have been passed on through the mother’s placenta during pregnancy. Two of the babies, one boy and one girl, are in a stable condition in a hospital in San […]
German authorities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia have reimposed lockdown restrictions in two districts after a spike in cases. One area is home to a meatpacking plant where more than 1,500 workers have tested positive. State premier Armin Laschet said the “preventative measures” in Gütersloh district, where about 360,000 people live, would last until […]
Health officials in South Korea believe the country is going through a second wave of coronavirus, despite recording relatively low numbers. The country had been a success story in dealing with Covid-19, but now expects the pandemic to continue for months. Head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control (KCDC), Jung Eun-kyeong, said the first […]
Saudi Arabia has lifted its nationwide curfew, but says other restrictions will remain. Authorities say all economic and commercial activities will resume, but bans on international travel and religious pilgrimages will not change. The kingdom has not yet made any announcements about the annual Hajj pilgrimage, beginning in late July. Several countries, including Malaysia and […]
The widow of a scientist who died with coronavirus has thanked donors who raised £10,000 for his body to be sent back to his family in the Philippines. Richzeal Albufera, 45, a biomedical scientist at Cottingham’s Castle Hill Hospital, died on 9 June. His wife said: “Thank you to all who have kindly donated and […]