UK drugmaker AstraZeneca logs soaring profit

AstraZeneca reported a five-fold increase in net profit to $1.8 billion in Q1 2023, as sales of cancer treatments offset the slump in Covid-related treatments. The pharmaceutical giant’s turnover fell by 4% to US$10.9 billion, but excluding Covid-related sales, turnover jumped by 10% to $10.7 billion, with cancer treatment sales up 14%. AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot credited the company’s strong start to the year to its impressive growth and innovation in emerging markets.

Malaysia’s Health Ministry recommend use of masks in all schools amidst concerns over the spread of new COVID variant

The Malaysian Ministry of Health has recommended face mask usage in schools to combat the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and the new Arcturus variant. The Health Minister plans to discuss guidelines with the Education Minister to contain the virus in schools. Students are encouraged to wear masks and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. The Arcturus variant has exhibited mild symptoms in reported cases.

Singapore sees surge in COVID-19 cases as it transitions into endemic phase

Singapore is experiencing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases due to XBB subvariants as it transitions into the endemic phase. The Ministry of Health expects periodic waves of new infections. Clinics are seeing a twofold increase in patient load, with mild cases being treated symptomatically. While there has been a steady increase in new COVID-19 hospitalizations, there has been a decrease in ICU admissions.

Japan to scrap virus tests on arrival from China

Japan will stop COVID testing of travellers arriving from mainland China and instead require proof of vaccination or negative test results obtained before departure, ending a policy that had been criticised by Beijing as “discriminatory”. The decision comes after a spat that began in January when several countries imposed new travel rules due to rising COVID cases in China. Chinese tourists constituted around one-third of all visitors to Japan prior to the pandemic.

MOH says recent surge in COVID-19 cases not posing a strain on the healthcare system

SINGAPORE— Last Friday(24 Mar), TOC reported that there have been over 10,000…

Weekly new cases of COVID-19 in Singapore surged over 10,000 for the past two weeks

There have been over 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 in Singapore per week for two consecutive weeks. Doctors interviewed say it is likely due to the more relaxed mindset of the public on preventative measures against COVID-19 infections.

Raccoon dog data sparks new debate about COVID origins

New genetic evidence of raccoon dogs present at the Wuhan market has reignited debate over the origin of COVID-19. The researchers who found the genetic data say it supports the theory that the virus may have originated in animals and then jumped to humans at the market. However, this is still uncertain, and the virus’s origin continues to be a divisive issue for the scientific community. Some believe it leaked from a Wuhan lab, while others argue it likely originated in animals. The WHO has called for more data to shed light on the start of the pandemic.

Ong Ye Kung denies Singapore’s initial advice against wearing mask was due insufficient supplies of surgical masks

During his speech on Singapore’s COVID-19 response, Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam argued that the Singapore government initially advised against wearing masks not because they believed it was less effective than hand-washing, but because of a shortage of surgical masks. Mr Giam noted that it took a leaked recording of a Minister at a closed-door meeting in February 2020 to reveal that Singapore was rationing masks to save them for healthcare workers. However, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung clarified to Parliament that the initial advice was due to the lack of understanding of the virus and was based on WHO recommendations.

Vaccine maker Novavax says ‘substantial doubt’ over future

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — COVID-19 vaccine maker Novavax raised doubts Tuesday about…

Hong Kong scraps mask mandate after almost 1,000 days

HONG KONG, CHINA — Hongkongers will finally be able to leave home…