Koronawirus

Coronavirus may have been present in Norway as early as December 2019, although the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in the country on February 24, 2020, according to Norwegian researchers published yesterday.more

Mutation analysis of the Omikron variant indicates that it evolved to efficiently attack mouse cells and probably arose in the organisms of these rodents. This indicates a potential threat from wild animals, especially rodents, researchers from three Chinese research centers report.more

Holiday bookings have jumped with "notable increases" in trips planned for February half-term and Easter ahead of Covid travel tests being scrapped.more

Vaccination against COVID-19 does not impair fertility in either women or men, according to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. However, men infected with the coronavirus may experience impaired fertility for a short time.more

The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into parties held in No 10 during the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Cressida Dick said they were looking into "potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations" in Downing Street and Whitehall since 2020.more

France is currently the country, excluding micro-states, with the highest incidence of coronavirus in Europe. The incidence rate per 100,000 population is 3 733 cases - reported today the daily "Le Figaro". Health Minister Olivier Veran said he hoped France would hit the peak of the current wave of Covid-19 in the next few days. more

The omicron remains on plastic surfaces for much longer than previous variants of the coronavirus, a new study by Japanese scientists at Kyoto Medical University has found. The omicron can survive on plastic for up to 193.5 hours - about 8 days, and on the skin for over 21 hours - it was specified.more

As of February 11, people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 coming to England and Scotland from abroad will no longer need to be tested for the coronavirus, it was announced yesterday.more

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a birthday party during the first coronavirus lockdown, in June 2020, when indoor socializing was banned, ITV News reported yesterday.more

Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization's (WHO) regional director for Europe, conceded yesterday that it was "likely" that a coronavirus pandemic was nearing an end on the continent, AFP reported.more

The Constitutional Council approved on Friday a law introducing a vaccine passport to replace the sanitary passport. Starting today, the document will be valid in public places for anyone over the age of 16. The law makes an exception for medical facilities and political rallies, where a negative test is still sufficient.more

Mandatory Covid jabs for NHS staff could be pushed back by six months amid nationwide protests over the measure, it has been reported.more

The annually administered vaccine against Covid-19 would be a better solution than the more frequently administered booster dose, assessed Albert Bourla, the head of the pharmaceutical concern of the Israeli television N12 News.more

Several thousand NHS public health workers demonstrated in London's Trafalgar Square yesterday against mandatory vaccination against Covid-19.more

A new pill to combat Covid, made by American pharmaceutical company Pfizer, will be available in French pharmacies by the end of January, France’s health minister has said. more

From 1 February in Italy, entry to most non-food stores, banks and post offices will only be possible with a Covid-19 pass. A decree to further tighten anti-epidemic regulations was signed yesterday by Prime Minister Mario Draghi.more

The third dose of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines offers strong protection against the Omikron variant, according to reports published yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data from the Delta and Omicron wave periods show 90%. effectiveness in preventing hospitalization.more

Ireland removes almost all covid restrictions, including all those introduced in connection with the Omikron variant. With the peak of this wave past and vaccination rates high, the government has decided that it is not necessary to maintain them anymore.more

An American Airlines plane turned back halfway from Miami to London because a female passenger refused to wear a facemask. They are a mandatory protective measure against Covid-19 on U.S. airlines, the CNN news service reported yesterday.more

Governments are unable to implement travel restrictions quickly enough to limit the spread of new coronavirus strains, research found.more

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today identified the BA.2 version of the Omikron coronavirus variant as an under surveillance variant, although it has noted that the number of detected cases in the UK is very low.more

Residents of Northern Ireland from Wednesday will no longer have to use covid certificates to enter a pub or restaurant. The government of this British province announced yesterday the lifting of restrictions introduced because of the Omikron variant.more

The British government offered Elizabeth II to lift covid restrictions for the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, so that more people could attend. The Queen refused because it would be unfair to others, Private Eye magazine revealed yesterday.more

"This is a historic decision," - write Austrian media. Last night, the parliamentarians of the National Council voted a law on universal mandatory vaccination against Covid-19. The legislation will cover Austrian residents over the age of 18.more

Starting Monday, a vaccine passport will take effect in public places in France, replacing the sanitary passport used until now, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced at a press conference yesterday. He announced a gradual easing of restrictions from February.more