Coronavirus Updates
Thai scientists develop vaccine using tobacco leaves
12:56 | 08/30/2020
A leading infectious disease doctor from Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University on Saturday announced that tests of a new COVID-19 vaccine on monkeys had been successful. Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, head of the Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Disease Health Science Centre, said the vaccine, using proteins from tobacco leaves, will go through a purification process before human trials.
Lebanon could ‘lose control’ of coronavirus outbreak
15:28 | 08/26/2020
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on Wednesday that the country was at risk of “losing control” of the coronavirus pandemic after a spike in cases following the Beirut explosion on August 4. Diab’s comments were cited in a statement issued by the Supreme Defence Council.
Iran’s coronavirus death toll passes 21,000
15:27 | 08/26/2020
Iran’s death toll from the novel coronavirus passed the 21,000 mark, Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV on Wednesday. The 119 new fatalities brought the total death count to 21,020.
First death in recent Gaza coronavirus outbreak
15:26 | 08/26/2020
Gaza health officials have reported the first death from COVID-19 since authorities detected community transmission of the coronavirus earlier this week. The victim, a 61-year-old man, had suffered previous illnesses and had been on a respirator, the Health Ministry said.
Egypt reports 18 new coronavirus deaths
15:24 | 08/26/2020
Egypt on Tuesday confirmed 18 additional coronavirus deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 5,298, the Health Ministry said. The country also reported 141 new cases, bringing the total case count to 97,619.
Report: Russia, Israel agree to collaborate on coronavirus vaccine
15:24 | 08/26/2020
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to collaborate on a coronavirus vaccine during a phone call Monday, according to Russia’s Tass news agency. Earlier this month, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine.
AstraZeneca starts trial of antibody treatment for COVID-19
12:55 | 08/25/2020
British drugmaker AstraZeneca on Tuesday said that it started early-stage trials of an antibody treatment for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Israel’s coronavirus cabinet votes to extend restrictions on gatherings
12:54 | 08/25/2020
Israel’s coronavirus cabinet on Tuesday approved an extension of restrictions on gatherings which were set to expire Tuesday at midnight, The Jerusalem Post reports.
Jordan isolating Sahab province to contain coronavirus
12:53 | 08/25/2020
Jordan’s Sahab province will be isolated starting at noon Tuesday until the coronavirus situation is stabilized, state news agency Petra reported, citing the Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh. The curfew hours will be from 8 pm to 6 am. Educational facilities, markets, parks and mosques will remain closed.
Dubai school buses to operate at 50% capacity
12:52 | 08/25/2020
School buses in Dubai will operate at only 50% capacity for the start of the academic year, Marwan Al Zarooni, Dubai Taxi Corporation director of operations and commercial affairs, said on Monday. According to the United Arab Emirates Education Ministry website, student attendance for both public and private schools starts on August 30.