LIVE | Ramaphosa wishes Mkhize and wife 'safe, speedy recovery' from Covid-19, SA cases at 703 793

Covid-19: Sudden hearing loss, while rare, occurs in some patients - and needs to be caught early

The first case of sudden hearing loss due to a Covid-19 infection has been reported in the United Kingdom, and researchers say people need to be made aware of the symptom.

The first case of sudden hearing loss due to Covid-19 infection was reported in the United Kingdom and doctors are urging people to become aware of the symptom because prompt treatment could completely or at least partially reverse it.

While the report states that the condition is uncommon, doctors warned that if the condition remains undetected, and subsequently untreated, the damage is likely to be irreversible.

The case study was published in BMJ Case Reports and details how a 45-year-old patient, who suffers from asthma, was admitted to hospital following 10 days of Covid-19 symptoms.

'Masks work? NO': Twitter removes tweet by White House coronavirus adviser

 - Twitter removed a tweet by White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas who claimed that face coverings were not effective in stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

 - The doctor, who joined the coronavirus task force in August, tweeted on Saturday: "Masks work? NO", alongside a link to an article that argued against the success of face coverings.

 - Atlas told Newsweek he had appealed the decision, adding: "Twitter seems to be censoring the science if it goes against their own goals of public indoctrination."

Risk of severe Covid-19 high for obese people, regardless of other factors

A Brazilian meta-analysis looked at obesity prevalence in severe Covid-19 cases.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, obesity has been one of the top triggers for severe cases. Outside of the disease, obesity has always had a detrimental effect on health through chronic inflammation, a higher risk of heart disease and a weakened response to viral infections.

But how much does it matter in relation to other conditions, age, sex and race when it comes to contracting a severe coronavirus infection?

Obesity vs other comorbidities

To answer this question, Brazilian researchers conducted a meta-analysis of nine studies from five countries on severe Covid-19, which included more than 6 500 patients. More than half were male and had comorbidities such as hypertension (51.51%), diabetes (30.3%), cardiovascular disease (16.66%), lung disease (15.99%), renal disease (7.49%), cancer (5.07%), and immunosuppression (1.8%).

A high proportion of patients were smokers and suffered from dyslipidemia - a condition involving high levels of cholesterol or fat in the blood.

Ramaphosa wishes Zweli Mkhize and his wife a 'safe and speedy recovery' from Covid-19

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday wished Health Minister Zweli Mkhize and his wife, Dr May Mkhize, a "safe and speedy recovery from their Covid-19 infection".

Mkhize announced in a statement on Sunday that he and his wife tested positive for Covid-19. He revealed he was displaying mild symptoms, like fatigue and loss of appetite.

His wife, however, "had a cough, was dizzy and extremely exhausted".

"Given her symptoms, the doctors advised that she must be admitted for observation and rehydration," the statement read.

According to a statement from the Presidency on Monday, Ramaphosa "wishes the Mkhizes a safe and restful recovery and joins the minister in calling on all South Africans to remain careful and do all we need to do to keep safe and help the country avoid a second wave of the pandemic".

Mkhize earlier said they had duly informed all their close contacts and advised them to self-isolate at home and get tested.

"I am now in quarantine at home and both my wife and I remain optimistic that we will fully recover from this virus," Mkhize said.

(PHOTO: GCIS)

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Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 39.94 million, death toll at 1 112 131

More than 39.94 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 112 131 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

 - REUTERS

Coronavirus science | Week in review: Not like flu, role of blood type, and fake news

Hospitalised Covid-19 patients tend to be younger, and healthier than those with flu; the role of blood type in Covid infection; and top three conspiracies.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

People with blood type O are less likely to become infected with Covid-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, according to two new studies published in the journal Blood Advances.

They are also at lower risk of severe Covid-19 outcomes, such as organ failure, and even death.

Scientists have been investigating a potential link between blood type and vulnerability to Covid-19 for many months, and this latest evidence supports previous findings.

A preprint study published in March this year suggested that people with blood type A have a higher risk of acquiring Covid-19 compared with non-A blood groups, while another study published in June found that blood type O seemed to be more resistant against Covid-19 infection.

In this study, researchers analysed data from a Danish health registry that included more than 473 000 patients who were infected with Covid-19 between 27 February 2020 and 30 July 2020. After controlling for certain factors, they found fewer patients with blood type O, compared with patients with blood types A, B, and AB.

A total of 703 793 cases have been reported with 1 662 new cases in the past 24 hours. A reported 634 543 people have recovered and there are 18 471 reported deaths, 63 in the past day.

The most deaths have been recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape, with 4 618 and 4 280 deaths respectively. On average for the past week, 99 deaths were reported per day.

With 703 793 total cases, 634 543 recoveries and 18 471 reported deaths, there are an estimated 50 779 active Covid-19 cases. Active cases continue to decline.

Mkhize tests positive for Covid-19

Health minister Zweli Mkhize and his wife, May, have tested positive for Covid-19. 

The minister said in a statement on Sunday night that he had been showing mild symptoms, like feeling fatigued and was losing his appetite. 

"My wife had a cough, was dizzy and extremely exhausted. Given her symptoms, the doctors advised that she must be admitted for observation and rehydration," a statement said.

"Our close contacts in the past week have been a few of our family members and some of my Health Ministry team. We have informed them and advised them to immediately isolate in their homes and be tested.

"I am now in quarantine at home and both my wife and I remain optimistic that we will fully recover from this virus.

"I wish to take this opportunity to urge all South Africans to continue adhering to health protocols. I want to beg that we do not neglect wearing our masks, social distancing and washing / sanitizing our hands."

The UK government hopes that a coronavirus vaccine will be available by December, say reports.

England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, this week told members of Parliament that the vaccine being developed at Oxford University with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca could be available to high-priority groups in time for the New Year, according to The Times of London newspaper.

The coronavirus remains active on human skin for nine hours, Japanese researchers have found, in a discovery they said showed the need for frequent hand washing to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pathogen that causes the flu survives on human skin for about 1.8 hours by comparison, said the study published this month in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal.

1 928 new Covid-19 cases bring the total infections to 702 131.

There have been 38 more fatalities, taking the death toll to 18 408.

The total number of recoveries is 630 436.

US CDC reports 217 918 total deaths from coronavirus

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday reported 8 028 332 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 70 078 from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 1 001 to 217 918.

The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as Covid-19, caused by a new coronavirus, as of 16:00 ET on 16 October, versus its previous report a day earlier.

- Reuters

Slovakia to test whole country for coronavirus

Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic said on Saturday the eurozone member will test every resident ages 10 and up for the coronavirus, amid an uptick in infections.

"Testing will be free of charge," he told reporters in the country of 5.4 million people, without specifying whether it will be mandatory or voluntary.

"If we manage to pull this off, we can set an example for the entire world."

- AFP

Greece virus death toll hits 500: health agency

Greece's coronavirus death toll reached 500 on Saturday, the state health agency said, with authorities concerned about the spread of infections in northern rural areas.

"I must ask that we be very careful," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday during a visit to the island of Samothrace.

The civil protection agency this week put the densely populated northern region of Kozani, home to some 150 000 people, under lockdown until 29 October.

- AFP

Coronavirus: latest global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

Curfew in France

A nighttime curfew comes into force for at least a month in Paris and other major cities across France.

About 20 million people - about a third of the French population - will have to stay indoors from 21:00 to 18:00 or risk a fine of 135 euros.

More than 25 000 new cases of the coronavirus were registered on Friday after a record of 30 000 the day before.

Italy closes Lombardy bars, restaurants

Authorities have ordered that bars and restaurants be closed from midnight in the northern region of Lombardy, the area worst hit by the second wave and where the first European cases emerged in February. All amateur sporting activities are also to be suspended.

Germans urged to stay home

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged citizens to stay at home whenever they can after 7 830 positive cases were reported in 24 hours.

"Say no to the trip which isn't really necessary, to a celebration that isn't really necessary. Please stay at home as much as possible," Merkel said in her weekly podcast address, adding that how the country manages to enjoy Christmas depends on how people behave now.

German aid for Holocaust survivors

Germany said it is creating a fund of more than half a billion euros ($600 million) to disburse among Holocaust survivors suffering or at risk from the coronavirus, not just on age grounds but the fact that those who survived Nazi era brutality were left with deep-seated health problems.

More than 1.1 million dead

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 1 105 691 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 11:00 GMT on Saturday.

At least 39 368 710 cases have been registered. Of these, at least 27 117 500 are now considered recovered.

Friday saw 6 118 new deaths and 403 629 new cases recorded. The United States remains the worst-affected country with 218 602 deaths from 8 050 385 cases ahead of Brazil, India and Mexico. The United Kingdom remains Europe's worst hit nation in terms of fatalities.

Iran toll tops 30 000

Iran's death toll in Iran has surpassed 30 000, the health ministry announced, with 253 deaths over the past 24 hours, spokesperson Sima Sadat Lari said.

Iran's overall death toll is now 30 123 since it reported its first fatalities eight months ago and the country has recorded a total of 526 490 cases.

Half of England restricted

About 28 million people in England, more than half the population, are now living under tough restrictions imposed amid a surge in virus cases.

Some virus hotspots are seeing bans on household mixing and the closure of pubs in Britain, Europe's hardest-hit country with over 43 000 deaths from almost 700 000 cases.

But the government has come out against a new complete lockdown to preserve the economy, despite calls by scientific advisers and the opposition Labour party. Britain is the hardest-hit country in Europe, with over 43 000 deaths from almost 700 000 cases.

Austrian FM positive

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has tested positive for Covid-19, his ministry said, although he has no symptoms as yet.

His Swedish counterpart Ann Linde has begun self-isolating after meeting up with Schallenberg at an EU meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's spokesperson said the 64-year-old is in self-isolation after a bodyguard tested positive for the virus.

- AFP

'One-der-ful': Australia's coronavirus hotspot records single case

Australia's coronavirus hotspot of Victoria recorded a single case of the disease on Saturday - the lowest daily number since early June - and no deaths, with the state's top health official saying the figures were "one-der-ful".

Victoria's capital Melbourne, which has been the epicentre of the country's Covid-19 outbreak, is in its third month of a stringent lockdown and Premier Daniel Andrews is due to update plans to ease restrictions across the state on Sunday.

"We live in hope," Brett Sutton, Victoria's chief health officer, said at a televised news conference. Earlier, when the coronavirus numbers were released, he said on his Twitter account: "One. One-der-ful".

- Reuters

FACTBOX | Latest on the worldwide spread of coronavirus

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

* South African cases reported since the first infection in early March surpassed 700 000, amid fears of an impending second wave as the nation battles an economic recession.

* Israel said it would begin easing a second nationwide lockdown after a steady decline in daily infection rates, and examine how best to reopen holy sites in Jerusalem.

EUROPE

* The EU should renegotiate a $1.17 billion contract it sealed last week with Gilead for a six-month supply of remdesivir after it showed poor results in a large trial, experts said.

* With one of the world's highest fatality rates, Belgium is expected to tighten restrictions as infections soar and hospitals risk running out of beds.

* Malta is making the wearing of face masks mandatory in public and ordering clubs, bars and places of entertainment to close at 23:00.

* Britain put more of northwest England into the highest Covid alert level in the face of rising case numbers.

* Some 1 000 hospitality workers rallied in Barcelona to protest a 15-day shutdown of bars and restaurants.

AMERICAS

* US President Donald Trump called for a big economic stimulus as US infections surpassed eight million, with record spikes in several states.

* Mexico's president said he would take a Covid-19 vaccine in public if doctors approve the treatment for him. The country's death toll surpassed 85 000 on Thursday.

ASIA-PACIFIC

* Delhi residents with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma are stocking up on oxygen cylinders and pulse oximeters, fearing that worsening air quality will make them more vulnerable to Covid-19.

MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS

* Pfizer Inc said it could file in late November for US authorisation of the Covid-19 vaccine it is developing, suggesting that a vaccine could potentially be available in the country by the end of the year.

* The World Health Organisation said it would assess monoclonal antibodies and other antiviral drugs in its trial of potential Covid-19 treatments, after the trial found Gilead Science's remdesivir had no impact on survival rates.

* "Human challenge" trials of potential vaccines, where volunteers are deliberately infected with the disease, could become a reality after a British biotech firm said it was in advanced talks with the government.

- Reuters

FACTBOX | Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 39.07 million, death toll at 1 099 592

More than 39.07 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 099 592 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

- Reuters

US passes eight million confirmed coronavirus cases: Johns Hopkins

The United States on Friday crossed eight million confirmed coronavirus cases, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The figure of 8 008 402 cases confirmed by tests is the highest in the world, with India second at 7.4 million cases and Brazil third with 5.1 million.

According to the tracker, more than 218 000 people have died from Covid-19 in the US, which is also a global high.

-AFP

‘False’: No decision – yet – to extend corona UIF payments into November, Nxesi says

Nxesi this week warned that the UIF's pockets are not bottomless, raising the possibility that the fund may have to turn to government to ask for money should the number of retrenchments in the economy exceed its ability to pay.

President Cyril Ramaphosa this week announced the extension of the special Covid-19 unemployment grant, of R350 per month, for those who receive no other form of assistance from the government, for another three months.

Many have called on the government to turn that grant into a form of universal basic income, making it permanent and increasing its value.

India's coronavirus infections rise to 7.4 million

India's tally of coronavirus infections was 7.37 million on Friday, having risen by 63 371 in the last 24 hours, health ministry data showed.

Deaths from Covid-19 infections rose by 895 to 112 161, the ministry said.

India crossed the 7-million mark on Sunday, adding a million cases in just 13 days. It has the world's second-highest tally after the United States, where the figure is nearing eight million.

- Reuters

Virus lockdown reimposed in northern Greek region

A densely populated northern Greek region went into a new coronavirus lockdown on Friday after scores of new infections this month.

The curbs will remain in place until 29 October in the Kozani region, home to some 150 000 inhabitants, Greece's public protection agency said.

"Masks are compulsory in all indoor working areas and outdoors, all gatherings are suspended and movement outside the region is prohibited," it said in a statement.

The order shuts most businesses, including restaurants, cinemas, courts, retail shops, hair salons and gymnasiums.

However, in contrast to the first-wave nationwide lockdown in March, schools will remain open.

- AFP

Covid-19 wrap | Formula 1 race cancelled over coronavirus, vaccine race is on

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.

Hong Kong pink dolphins enjoy comeback as pandemic slows marine traffic

Rare pink dolphins are returning to the waters between Hong Kong and Macau after the coronavirus pandemic halted ferries, but scientists remain deeply concerned about their long-term survival in one of the world's busiest sea lanes.

The tell-tale flash of pink leaping from the waters alerts Naomi Brennan to the presence of a local Chinese white dolphin and she jots the animal's location into a GPS device.

Conservationists like Brennan regularly board boats in the Pearl River Delta to document how the mammals, known for their eye-catching pink colouring, are faring.

"Today we encountered three different groups of dolphins - six adults and two sub-adults," she explained.

"They were engaging in a range of behaviour, from feeding to travelling and socialising."

- AFP

Ukraine sees record daily high of 5 992 new coronavirus cases -security council

Ukraine registered a record 5 992 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the national security council said on Friday, up from a previous record of 5 804 new cases on 9 October.

The total number of cases climbed to 287 231, including 5 394 deaths, with 92 in the past 24 hours.

- Reuters

Philippines Covid-19 task force lifts overseas travel ban for citizens

The Philippines' coronavirus task force has lifted a ban on overseas travel for Filipino tourists, the presidential office said on Friday.

Non-essential overseas travel could resume starting on 21 October, ending a restriction in effect since July and potentially increasing customers for Philippine carriers that have suffered amid the pandemic.

- Reuters

FACTBOX | Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 38.8 million, death toll at 1 094 947

More than 38.8 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 094 947 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

- Reuters

Coronavirus morning recap: Top 3 Covid-19 conspiracy theories, and Ramaphosa announces rescue plan

Scientists explored the top three Covid-19 conspiracy theories most likely to be believed; and President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a post-Covid economic recovery plan.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

The Covid-19 pandemic has fuelled misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories so much so that leading tech companies, like Google and Facebook, have had to work hard to prevent this.

Now an international study by researchers from the University of Cambridge in England, has identified some prominent conspiracy theories that have gained traction among five different countries' populations: the UK, the US, Ireland, Mexico and Spain.

Police raid homes of French officials in Covid-19 probe

Police raided the homes and offices of France's health minister, its public health director and former prime minister on Thursday as a judicial investigation into the government's response to the coronavirus crisis deepened.

The early morning searches stunned many in France, which has one of the highest Covid-19 death tolls in Western Europe, and prompted Prime Minister Jean Castex to pay tribute to Health Minister Olivier Veran's courage and determination.

"I have full confidence in Mr. Veran," Castex told a press conference, held after France announced coronavirus curfews for Paris and eight other big cities.

"I attest before you, he leads from the front."

Although the prime minister and his cabinet do not enjoy legal immunity, unlike the president, police raids on the homes of sitting ministers are uncommon in France.

The probe was launched in July by France's Court of Justice, established in 1993 to handle cases of alleged ministerial misconduct in the wake of the country's contaminated blood scandal of the 1980s and 1990s.

The court received some 90 complaints lodged by doctors, nursing homes and local authorities over the government's handling of the pandemic. The complaints included accusations of involuntary homicide and endangering life.

All but nine were dismissed by the prosecutor. The remainder were wrapped into a single probe which aims to establish whether those in charge at the outset of the outbreak showed a "lack of will to fight a disaster".

Investigations are also underway in Italy, where Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was quizzed by prosecutors in June about his handling of the crisis. In Spain, there are investigations against the central, regional and municipal authorities.

Morning raids

The raids took place just hours after President Emmanuel Macron ordered a night curfew affecting almost a third of the French population, seeking to tackle a surging second wave of coronavirus infections.

A health ministry official said the searches against Veran and his public health director Jerome Salomon were conducted without any impediment.

The raids also targeted former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Veran's predecessor Agnes Buzyn, who quit to become Macron's pick for Paris mayor, and former government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye.

"Everything was very courteous and with (the former prime minister's) full co-operation," said a spokeswoman for Philippe, who is now mayor of the port city of Le Havre.Reuters was not immediately able to contact the other officials caught up in the raids. Francois Mitterrand established the Court of Justice in the wake of scandal which saw haemophiliacs receive blood transfusions infected with HIV.

Former prime minister Laurent Fabius and two of his ministers faced manslaughter charges after the government allegedly delayed its response, waiting for a French test to be authorised, even through a foreign company had one available.

Fabius and his social affairs minister were acquitted. His health minister was found guilty but received no sentence. In total the court has handled some ten cases. It has never handed out a prison sentence.

-REUTERS

France to deploy 12 000 police to enforce corona curfews

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 12 000 police officers would be deployed to enforce curfews in major cities across France from Saturday.

Police would not enforce the "rule of six" on private gatherings, he added. Macron ordered the curfews in Paris and eight other big cities on Wednesday to tackle a second wave of coronavirus infections.

-REUTERS

'Corona chaos' as Germans baffled by virus rules

When Covid-19 first struck Europe earlier this year, Germany's federal system was credited with taking early and targeted measures that helped contain the virus better than many other countries.

But as the second wave gathers momentum in Europe's biggest economy, cracks in the federal system are starting to show.

With different states implementing different travel restrictions, quarantine rules and test strategies, a confusing patchwork of regulations is leading to what the weekly Focus magazine has described as "corona chaos".

The leaders of Germany's federal states have met regularly with Chancellor Angela Merkel to agree rules and regulations, but ultimately each state has the right to decide whether to impose them or not.

One measure that has really left Germans scratching their heads is a travel ban agreed last week that theoretically prevents people from risk areas within Germany from booking overnight accommodation in another state.

But five of Germany's states have refused to comply with the ban, while others have tweaked it to suit their own needs.

Someone living in the capital Berlin, considered a risk zone, can travel to surrounding state Brandenburg for a day trip or to go shopping, but cannot stay overnight.

If they want to travel north to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, they must produce a negative test and undergo 14 days of quarantine - but if they want to travel further to Bremen, there are no such restrictions.

- AFP

'Things will get worse': London goes into stricter lockdown

London, the world's international financial capital, will enter a tighter Covid-19 lockdown from midnight on Friday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks to tackle a swiftly accelerating second coronavirus wave.

The respiratory pandemic, which emerged in China last year and has killed over a million people worldwide, is spreading in most parts of Britain, whose official death toll of 43 155 is the highest in Europe.

Anger, though, is rising over the economic, social and health costs of the biggest curtailment of freedoms since wartime. One former government adviser warned some people would have trouble clothing their children soon.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said London, which has a population of nine million, as well as the adjacent, heavily populated county of Essex, would be put on "high" alert level, up from "medium", at one minute past midnight (23:01 GMT on Friday).

- Reuters

Slovakia records biggest one-day tally of Covid-19 cases

Slovakia recorded 1 929 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, the country's biggest one-day tally since the pandemic started, Health Ministry data showed on Thursday.

Slovakia, which reported relatively few cases in the first wave of the pandemic compared to western neighbours, has seen a spike in new infections the past month, similar to much of the rest of Europe.

- Reuters

Oxford scientists develop 5-minute Covid-19 antigen test

Scientists from Britain's University of Oxford have developed a rapid Covid-19 test able to identify the coronavirus in less than five minutes, researchers said on Thursday, adding it could be used in mass testing at airports and businesses.

The university said it hoped to start product development of the testing device in early 2021 and have an approved device available six months afterwards.The device is able to detect the coronavirus and distinguish it from other viruses with high accuracy, the researchers said in a pre-print study.

- Reuters

Ireland to heighten virus curbs at UK border: PM

Ireland will crank up coronavirus restrictions, prime minister Micheal Martin said on Wednesday, announcing a raft of new curbs along the border with the British province of Northern Ireland.

From midnight (23:00 GMT) on Thursday fresh measures will be enacted in the border counties of Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan - home to around 300 000.

Non-essential retail outlets are to close alongside gyms, pools and leisure centres.

- AFP

Mexico's coronavirus death tally nears 85 000

Mexico's health ministry on Wednesday reported 4 056 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 478 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 829 396 cases and 84 898 deaths.

The government says the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

- Reuters

Coronavirus morning recap: Latest on infection risk, reinfection, and state of disaster extended

Age doesn't matter with your likelihood of being infected; reinfection is rare, but symptoms may be more severe second time around; and national state of disaster extended.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Scientists from Hokkaido University, Japan, have discovered that the age of an individual does not indicate how likely they are to develop Covid-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.

However, three factors are age-dependent: development of symptoms, progression of the disease, and mortality.

These results are based on the work of a team of scientists who used mathematical modelling to study Covid-19 susceptibility in patients from Japan, Spain, and Italy. Their results were published in the journal Scientific Reports this month.

The three countries were chosen based on well-recorded, publicly available data, the researchers stated in a news release by the university.

Trump's son Barron tested positive for Covid-19, says Melania Trump

President Donald Trump's 14-year-old son Barron tested positive for Covid-19 but exhibited no symptoms, after both of his parents contracted the virus, first lady Melania Trump said on Wednesday.

"Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms," Melania Trump said in a statement. She said Barron has since tested negative for the virus.

-REUTERS

France's new daily Covid-19 cases above 20 000 again

France reported 22 591 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the daily tally going beyond the 20 000 threshold for the third time in six days, while hospitalisations and deaths linked to the disease also keep ramping up.

Those data are published as French President Emmanuel Macron is announcing new restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, including curfews imposed on Covid-19 hotspots, including Paris.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases rose to 779 063 and the seven-day moving average of new cases per day increased more than a record 17 000 figure for the third day running.

-REUTERS