COVID-19

Niue covid cases continues to rise

That takes the active case tally to 66, with three recovered cases.

180 cases have been recorded in total since Covid-19 arrived at the border 'via air from New Zealand' in March this year.

     

Covid restrictions hit iPhone maker Foxconn

It says the drop is a result of its plant in Zhengzhou, China being affected by coronavirus restrictions.

Compared to October its revenue was 29% down, despite making a record 5.9 trillion New Taiwan Dollars (£160bn) from January to November.

That is an increase of 13.5% compared to the same period in 2021.

The electronics manufacturer, also makes game consoles such as the PlayStation 5, has cited "strong sales" and "better components supply" among the reasons for its growth, and blamed the drop in November on coronavirus restrictions.

Philippine students return to school for first time since Covid

Almost half the country's schools resumed in-person classes after more than two years of distance learning.

The Philippines was one of the last few countries to transition back to face-to-face learning after Covid struck.

But some experts say the prolonged suspension of in-person lessons has worsened an education crisis.

Around 24,000 of the country's public schools - or just less than half - will implement five days of face-to-face classes.

Covid in China: Fish tested amid Xiamen outbreak

But they're not the only ones who have been ordered to get tested: an official notice states that some forms of sealife are also expected to join the latest mass-testing drive.

In recent weeks, Xiamen's Jimei Maritime Pandemic Control district committee issued a notice saying that when fishermen return to their ports "both fishermen and their seafood must be tested".

WHO expert group recommends second Covid-19 booster for vulnerable groups

Experts appointed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) made the statement on Thursday. 

The recommendation comes in a statement issued by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation, following a meeting held last week.  

Most Covid-19 vaccines consist of a primary series of two doses, with a first booster administered some four to six months after completion to improve immune response. 

Covid-19 spreads in Tonga

Tonga's Ministry of Health said the pandemic had reached the outer island hamlets of Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and 'Eua.     

One-month-old baby dies from Covid-19 in Fiji

The Ministry of Health confirmed that the one-month-old baby passed away at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva last week, 12 days after admission.

According to the ministry, the newborn was admitted three weeks after birth with severe Covid-19.

Of the 174 deaths since December 2021, nine deaths were below the age of 19.

The ministry said hospitalization for severe diseases remains within manageable limits.

Members of the public have been urged to get booster vaccine doses.

Cats to be freed from special lockdown in German town

People in Walldorf, in the south-west, were ordered in May to keep their cats indoors to protect an endangered bird.

Cats were only allowed to venture outside if they were kept on a leash no more than two metres (6ft) in length.

But the animals will again be allowed to roam free from 00:01 local time on Monday.

If a cat escaped while the lockdown was in force, owners were told to call a special hotline, then find and detain the offending feline.

Covid leads to drop in crime in Tonga

Covid lockdowns and border closures have impacted social activities and have been widely attributed as the reason for the lull.

Tonga Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said police are not being complacent as the Kingdom begins reopening its borders and the community becomes more active.

"Part of our major challenges at the moment is because our communities have been in lockdown and now borders are opening are reopening gradually, so the challenges for us is also to be out there, making sure our roads are safe, our homes are safe and our communities are safe," he said.

Covid leads to drop in crime in Tonga

Covid lockdowns and border closures have impacted social activities and have been widely attributed as the reason for the lull.

Tonga Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said police are not being complacent as the Kingdom begins reopening its borders and the community becomes more active.

"Part of our major challenges at the moment is because our communities have been in lockdown and now borders are opening are reopening gradually, so the challenges for us is also to be out there, making sure our roads are safe, our homes are safe and our communities are safe," he said.