Asia

Global COVID markers fall, though cases rising in several countries CIDRAP

The World Health Organization (WHO) in its weekly pandemic update said yesterday that COVID-19 cases and deaths declined over the last month, but added that levels are rising in 31% of countries, especially in two world regions.

Cases rise in India and the Middle East

Also, the WHO on March 30 added one more variant under monitoring to its list, XBB.1.9.1.

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WHO warns new Omicron spinoff XBB.1.16 is 'one to watch,' but hasn't shown to be more severe | CNN The World Health Organization is monitoring the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, which has been identified in about two dozen countries. Deidre McPhillips CNN

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China to promote vaccine development, new medicines China will prevent and control health outbreaks in a more scientific, precise and efficient way, and upgrade vaccines and develop new medicines to ensure enough supply for the public, Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday. Reuters Reuters

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Hong Kong to lift one of the world’s longest Covid mask mandates The announcement that masks would no longer be required indoors or out ends the last major restriction the Chinese territory imposed during the pandemic. NBC News

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Lee’s announcement at a news briefing Tuesday came a day after the neighboring Chinese territory of Macao eased its mask rule and will bring the financial hub closer to the life in pre-pandemic days.

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