A man looks through the barriers of a closed street during a blockade against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), in Shanghai, China, May 16, 2022. REUTERS / Aly Song
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May 17 (Reuters) – Here’s what you need to know about the current pandemic:
Shanghai has reached the valuable status of “zero COVID”, but the blockade continues
Shanghai reached its long-awaited stage of three consecutive days without new cases of COVID outside quarantine areas on Tuesday, but most residents will have to endure detention for some time before resuming a more normal life. Read more
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For other cities in China that have been quarantined, three days without new cases in the community usually means “zero COVID” status and the beginning of the lifting of restrictions.
The 25-million mall on Monday set out its clearest timetable for breaking out of the blockade now in the seventh week, but the plan was met with skepticism by many residents, who saw the isolation continue over and over again.
North Korea mobilizes an army against the backdrop of the COVID wave
North Korea has mobilized its military to distribute COVID drugs and deployed more than 10,000 health workers to help track potential patients as it fights the large-scale coronavirus wave, state media KCNA reported on Tuesday. Read more
The isolated country is battling its first recognized COVID outbreak, which it confirmed last week, fueling fears of a major crisis due to a lack of vaccines and adequate medical infrastructure.
Japan to allow limited tour groups
Japan said on Tuesday it would begin conducting “test tourism” in the form of limited package tours in May as a way to gather information before the country’s full opening to tourism. Read more
Although tourism was a major pillar of Japan’s economy, tourists were not allowed to enter after it adopted strict border controls in 2020 at the start of the pandemic.
Indonesia abolishes the mandate for outdoor masks
Indonesia will no longer require people to disguise themselves in the open, its president said on Tuesday, as COVID infections are declining in the Southeast Asian country.
President Joko Widodo said the masks should still be worn indoors and on public transport, and also recommended that the elderly and those with concomitant health problems or coughs continue to use them. Read more
The FDA refuses to allow a simple antidepressant to treat COVID
The US Food and Drug Administration has decided not to allow the antidepressant fluvoxamine to treat COVID, saying the data did not show that the drug was an effective therapeutic tool to fight the virus. Read more
AstraZeneca expands COVID’s portfolio
AstraZeneca moved to strengthen its COVID antibody portfolio on Tuesday with a $ 157 million license deal for experimental therapies developed by the newly launched biotechnology RQ Bio.
In addition to the initial amount, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker is facing possible royalty payments as part of an exclusive license to develop preclinical antibodies against COVID designed by RQ Bio, the startup said. AstraZeneca announced the deal, but not its size. Read more
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Compiled by Linda Knox
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