Experts monitoring emerging omicron variant with new symptoms
The World Health Organization is keeping an eye on a new COVID-19 variant — the omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, known as “Arcturus.” Read more
Coronavirus Outbreak World
China reopens to tourists but getting there isn’t easy
Many people are struggling to even book a plane ticket, stymied by high prices and a lack of direct flights. Read more
China health officials lash out at WHO, defend virus search
The director of the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shen Hongbing, called the WHO comments “offensive and disrespectful.” Read more
China publishes data showing raccoon dog DNA at Wuhan market
The study focused on swabs taken from surfaces in early 2020 at the market where many of the earliest known COVID patients had worked or shopped. Read more
South Korea to test sewage samples for COVID-19
South Korea this month will begin weekly tests of sewage produced by its major cities and towns to track the spread of COVID-19 and identify future waves. Read more
Brazil hits 700,000 virus deaths, 2nd highest in the world
Brazilian health experts say most people dying of COVID-19 in recent days are either unvaccinated or suffer from other debilitating diseases. Read more
Amid strained U.S. ties, China finds unlikely friend in Utah
Security experts say that China’s campaign is widespread and tailored to local communities. Read more
Hong Kong residents protest over years of strict COVID rules
The rules set out by the police, who cited security reasons, came as the financial hub was promoting its return to normalcy after years of anti-virus controls and political turmoil. Read more
Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives
Experts estimate that many hundreds of thousands of people, perhaps millions, may have died in China’s wave of COVID — far higher than the official toll of under 90,000. Read more
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Biden signs bill on COVID origins declassification
The legislation, which passed both the House and Senate without dissent, directs the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to declassify intelligence related to China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology. Read more
New data links pandemic’s origins to raccoon dogs at Wuhan market
The new evidence is sure to provide a jolt to the debate over the pandemic’s origins, even if it does not resolve the question of how it began. Read more
China to reopen to tourists, resume all visas Wednesday
China is one of the last major countries to reopen its borders to tourists. Read more
Masks stay put in Japan as 3-year request to wear them ends
Dropping the mask-wearing request is one of the last steps Japan’s government is taking in easing COVID-19 rules in public places as it tries to expand business and other activity. Read more
Pandemic 3 years later: Has the COVID-19 virus won?
The virus appears here to stay, along with the threat of a more dangerous version sweeping the planet. Read more
U.S. to relax COVID testing rules for travelers from China
The U.S. decision to lift restrictions comes at a moment when U.S.-China relations are strained. Read more
China expands defense budget 7.2%, marking slight increase
That marks the eighth consecutive year of single-digit percentage point increases in what is now the world’s second-largest military budget. Read more
China says it’s been ‘open and transparent’ on COVID origins
U.S. officials and members of Congress have accused China of not being entirely cooperative with inquiries into the origin. Read more
Lab leak most likely caused pandemic, Energy Department says
The conclusion was a change from the department’s earlier position that it was undecided on how the virus emerged. Read more
Macao eases COVID mask mandate as virus situation stabilizes
They’ll still be required in places like elderly care homes and hospitals and on public transit. Read more
N. Korea food shortage worsens amid COVID, but no famine yet
Unconfirmed reports say an unspecified number of North Koreans have been dying of hunger. Read more
World Baseball Classic in Japan to still feature masks
After almost three years of strict COVID-19 rules, traditional cheering returned this week during preseason games for Nippon Professional Baseball. Read more
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