Reuters: Health News

Blood type, genes tied to risk of severe COVID-19: European study

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 14:26:41 -0400

A person's blood type and other genetic factors may be linked with severity of coronavirus infection, according to European researchers looking for further clues about why COVID-19 hits some so much harder than others.

Canada hits 100,000 coronavirus cases, major challenges remain

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 14:20:22 -0400

Canada officially racked up 100,000 cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday and although the outbreak is slowing, health experts said major challenges remain.

UK ditches homegrown COVID-19 tracing app to use Google-Apple model

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 14:05:08 -0400

Britain will switch to the Apple and Google model for its COVID-19 test-and-trace app, ditching an attempt to develop an app by itself after the homegrown system did not work well enough on Apple's iPhone, the government said on Thursday.

France reports 28 more coronavirus deaths, cases up slightly

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 13:35:32 -0400

The number of people who died from coronavirus infection in France rose by 28 to 29,603 on Thursday, the same increase as Wednesday.

No date for release of test-and-trace app in UK, minister says

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:40:10 -0400

Britain's health minister declined on Thursday to set a date for when a smartphone app to help trace people who have been in contact with a person infected with the new coronavirus would be rolled out.

Exclusive: EU in advanced talks with Johnson & Johnson on COVID-19 vaccine deal - sources

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:00:17 -0400

The European Commission is in advanced talks with pharmaceuticals giant Johnson & Johnson to reserve or make an up-front purchase of its COVID-19 vaccine under development, two officials familiar with the talks told Reuters.

Johnson & Johnson in talks with governments on possible COVID-19 vaccine

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 11:51:34 -0400

Johnson & Johnson is in talks with multiple governments and global organizations as it seeks to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, it said on Thursday after Reuters reported that the U.S. company is in talks over a potential EU supply deal.

U.S. court rules in favor of Mylan over Biogen's key MS drug patent

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 11:37:20 -0400

A U.S. district court on Thursday ruled in favor of generic drugmaker Mylan NV in a patent dispute over Biogen Inc's blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug, Tecfidera, sending Biogen's shares down nearly 6%.

Filipino SFX artist seeks to ward off virus with horror-inspired face masks

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 11:05:35 -0400

With film and television productions halted in the Philippines due to lockdown, one special effects artist is maximizing his skills by making scary face masks to raise cash and a few smiles.

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 11:02:51 -0400

The World Health Organization hopes hundreds of millions of doses of coronavirus vaccine can be produced this year and 2 billion doses by the end of 2021 and is drawing up plans to help decide who should get the first doses once a vaccine is approved, its chief scientist said.

Cuban dons full-body cardboard shield against coronavirus

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 10:04:33 -0400

Ever since the novel coronavirus reached Cuba, a tall cardboard box with arms and legs can be seen tottering around a Havana suburb, popping into the bakery or butchers, or browsing the newspaper stand.

New study casts more doubt on Swedish coronavirus immunity hopes

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 09:39:23 -0400

Sweden's hopes of getting help from herd immunity in combating the coronavirus received a fresh blow on Thursday, when a new study showed fewer than anticipated had developed antibodies.

WHO hopes for hundreds of millions of vaccine doses this year, 2 billion next year

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 09:22:23 -0400

The World Health Organization hopes hundreds of millions of doses of coronavirus vaccine can be produced this year and 2 billion doses by the end of 2021, chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said on Thursday.

Medtronic ties up with Foxconn to boost ventilator production

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 09:12:26 -0400

Medtronic said on Thursday it had partnered with Foxconn to boost production of its ventilators to 10,000 over the next year amid surging demand as the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus overwhelms hospitals.

Russia says preparing for new wave of coronavirus in autumn

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 09:07:25 -0400

Russia said on Thursday it was already preparing for a new wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the autumn, after officials reported their lowest daily rise in new infections since May 1.

Pfizer's hemophilia gene therapy shows sustained effect in early-stage study

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 09:04:39 -0400

Pfizer Inc and Sangamo Therapeutics Inc said on Thursday their gene therapy helped maintain levels of a vital protein for up to 14 months in patients with a rare genetic disorder in which blood does not clot easily.

British, Australian PMs agree investigation into origins of coronavirus outbreak needed

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 08:23:56 -0400

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed the need for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak with his Australian counterpart, Downing Street said on Thursday.

China finds heavy coronavirus traces in seafood, meat sections of Beijing food market

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 08:12:29 -0400

China has found the trading sections for meat and seafood in Beijing's wholesale food market to be severely contaminated with the new coronavirus and suspects the area's low temperature and high humidity may have been contributing factors, officials said on Thursday.

Beijing residents rush coronavirus test clinics as emergency rules expand

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 08:00:30 -0400

China's capital has mandated coronavirus tests for hundreds of thousands of people as it widens measures against a new outbreak of the disease that has sent anxious residents flooding to clinics for voluntary tests, putting a strain on the system.

Beijing extends movement curbs to contain resurgent coronavirus

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 08:00:17 -0400

China's capital cancelled scores of flights, shut schools and blocked off some neighbourhoods as it ramped up efforts to contain a coronavirus outbreak that has fanned fears of wider contagion.