New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 4.7 crore cases and more than 12 lakh deaths.
Hospitals in Spain are coping with the increasing burden of Covid-19 patients as they now occupy about one-third intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The US has again witnessed a record number of new cases, signalling that the situation is only worsening. And South Korea has allowed the use of a test that targets both Covid-19 and the seasonal flu.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Nearly one-third of ICU beds in Spain occupied by Covid patients
In Spain, a third of the ICU beds are now occupied by coronavirus patients, indicating that areas across the country need “to ramp up” measures, reports El País.
It quotes a report by Spain’s health ministry which states that occupancy in nine regions of the country was between 37 per cent and 58 per cent.
The report also highlights the remarks of Fernando Simón, director of the health ministry’s Coordination Center for Health Alerts (CCAES), who has said that “in some hospitals, the programmed activity is being suspended, and it is not good news”.
“The regions of Aragón, Asturias and Castilla y León, as well as the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla, are the most compromised, with percentages above 20 per cent,” the report notes.
Spain has recorded 13,56,798 cases and 38,118 deaths so far.
Record 1,00,000 new Covid-19 cases reported in the US
The US once again saw a record number of new cases, at 1,00,000 Wednesday, reports the BBC.
The report highlights that since the climb in new cases was accompanied by the rise in hospitalisation, the surge “is not solely due to increased testing”.
“More than 50,000 people across the US are currently in hospital with coronavirus — an increase of about 64% from early October,” it details.
The focus on Covid-19, however, has taken a backseat in the country because of the dramatic presidential elections.
The US has recorded 98,01,355 cases and 2,39,829 deaths so far.
South Korea approves single test for Covid-19 and flu
Health authorities in South Korea have allowed the use of a new test that can detect both Covid-19 and the seasonal influenza from the same samples, reports the Associated Press.
This, the report highlights, “would help prevent disruption at hospitals as the pandemic stretches into the flu season”.
The new test is said to target genes that are specific to both the Covid-19 virus and seasonal flu.
“The country has struggled to stem the coronavirus, which some experts say could spread more broadly during cold weather when people spend more time indoors,” the report said, while also explaining why this test was so crucial.
South Korea has recorded 27,050 cases and 475 deaths so far.
China blocks travellers from Covid-hit Britain
China has closed its borders to travellers from Britain, where the death toll has been higher than any other country in Europe, reports Reuters.
The ban announced by the Chinese embassy would restrict non-Chinese nationals living in Britain from entering the country. The decision was taken after the number of new cases in the UK crossed the 20,000-mark.
“The suspension was a partial reversal of an easing on 28 September, when China allowed all foreigners with valid residence permits to enter,” the report further noted.
China has reported 86,115 cases and 4,634 deaths so far.
What else we are reading:
Schools hit hard by Covid-19 infections in Kenya: Nation
As Italy’s eateries closed early, a small neighbour became a dinner hot spot: The New York Times
Subscribe to our channels on YouTube & Telegram
Why news media is in crisis & How you can fix it
India needs free, fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism even more as it faces multiple crises.
But the news media is in a crisis of its own. There have been brutal layoffs and pay-cuts. The best of journalism is shrinking, yielding to crude prime-time spectacle.
ThePrint has the finest young reporters, columnists and editors working for it. Sustaining journalism of this quality needs smart and thinking people like you to pay for it. Whether you live in India or overseas, you can do it here.