Biden scores legislative win as House passes $1.9 trillion COVID

By Richard Cowan, Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden scored his first legislative win as the House of Representatives passed his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Saturday, though Democrats face challenges to their hopes of using the bill to raise the minimum wage. Democrats who control the chamber passed the sweeping measure by […]

French hospitals to move into crisis mode from Thursday: newspaper

By Reuters Staff PARIS (Reuters) – The French Health Ministry has asked regional health agencies and hospitals to go into “crisis organisation” from Feb. 18 to prepare for a possible surge in coronavirus cases due to highly contagious variants, Le Journal Du Dimanche reported on Sunday. The move, which would echo measures taken in March and […]

Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has 92% efficacy in trial

By Rachel Schraer Health reporter Coronavirus pandemic Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine gives around 92% protection against Covid-19, late stage trial results published in The Lancet reveal. It has also been deemed to be safe – and offer complete protection against hospitalisation and death. The vaccine was initially met with some controversy after being rolled out […]

WHO team visits Wuhan market where first COVID infections detected

By Martin Quin Pollard, Thomas Peter WUHAN, China (Reuters) – A World Health Organization-led team of experts investigating the origins of COVID-19 visited Huanan market on Sunday, the now-shuttered wholesale seafood centre in the Chinese city of Wuhan where the new coronavirus was initially detected. WHO investigation team visits Wuhan market The team arrived at Huanan […]

Coronavirus: WHO criticises EU over vaccine export controls

EU-UK post-Brexit trade deal The World Health Organization (WHO) has criticised the EU’s announcement of export controls on vaccines produced within the bloc, saying such measures risked prolonging the pandemic. The EU introduced the measure amid a row with vaccine manufacturers over delivery shortfalls. But WHO vice-head Mariangela Simao said it was a “very worrying […]

Coronavirus: AstraZeneca defends EU vaccine rollout plan

Coronavirus pandemic The head of AstraZeneca has defended its rollout of the coronavirus vaccine in the EU, amid tension with member states over delays in supply. Pascal Soriot told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that his team was working “24/7 to fix the very many issues of production of the vaccine”. He said production was “basically two months […]

New UK variant ‘may be more deadly’

By James Gallagher Health and science correspondent Early evidence suggests the variant of coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. The data has been assessed by scientists on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, which has briefed government. However, all the evidence remains at […]

Biden unveils $1.9tn US economic relief package

Coronavirus pandemic President-elect Joe Biden has unveiled a $1.9tn (£1.4tn) stimulus plan for the coronavirus-sapped US economy before he takes office next week. If passed by Congress, it would include $1tn for households, with direct payments of $1,400 to all Americans. The relief proposal includes $415bn to fight the virus and $440bn for small businesses. […]

Will eating more protein help you get fit at home?

With the UK in lockdown, many of us are looking for ways to get fit at home, and may consider increasing our protein intake to fuel exercise. Protein powder, a once niche product for bodybuilders, can now be found on supermarket shelves, in shakes, bars, fortified foods, capsules and even sweets. In 2016, a Mintel […]

Covid: Brisbane to enter three-day lockdown over single infection

Coronavirus pandemic The Australian city of Brisbane will enter a snap three-day lockdown after a cleaner in its hotel quarantine system became infected with coronavirus. Health officials said the cleaner had the highly transmissible UK variant and they were afraid it could spread. Brisbane has seen very few cases of the virus beyond quarantined travellers […]