Coronavirus LIVE: 17,518 new Covid cases in Kerala; 6,753 in Maharashtra

A decline of 3,881 cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours

7:07 AM

Brunei reports 2 more imported Covid-19 cases, 311 in total

Brunei reported two new imported Covid-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the national tally to 311.

 

According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, the two new cases are a 59-year-old man and his 22-year-old son, who arrived in the country from Thailand via Singapore on July 12, and developed symptoms on July 18.

 

Investigation and contact tracing have confirmed five close contacts for the two cases, the Xinhua news agency reported.

 

All new cases were detected when they were undergoing quarantine, and they are being treated and monitored at the National Isolation Center with 37 other active patients, who are all in stable condition.

7:05 AM

White House 'deeply disappointed' with China for rejection of fresh COVID-19 probe

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday slammed China for rejecting a fresh World Health Organisation (WHO) probe into the origins of COVID-19.

 

Speaking to reporters at a White House briefing, Psaki said the Biden administration is "deeply disappointed" by China's rejection.

 

"Their position is irresponsible and frankly, dangerous. Alongside other member states around the world, we continue to call for China to provide the needed access for data and samples," the press secretary declared.

 

Psaki further added, "This is critical, so we can understand, to prevent the next pandemic. This is about saving lives in the future and it is not a time to be stonewalling."

7:00 AM

US officials seek to know if third dose helps some patients with weak immune systems

Federal health officials have signalled they're hunting ways to quickly learn if a third COVID-19 vaccine dose might better protect organ transplant recipients and other patients with weak immune systems.

 

While the vaccines are strongly effective in most people, many Americans with immune-suppressing health problems remain in limbo after immunisation, uncertain how protected they really are. France and Israel already have begun offering an extra dose to transplant recipients and other immunocompromised people. In the US, those patients increasingly are pushing for -- even lying to get -- another shot, too.

6:58 AM

Saudi Arabia announces conclusion of Hajj season free from Covid-19

Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday the successful conclusion of this year's Hajj season, free from the Covid-19 and other contagious diseases, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

 

Saudi Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah attributed the success to an integrated system of health facilities in the holy sites, highly equipped ambulances and qualified teams, the report said.

 

The minister added that limiting the number of domestic pilgrims during this Hajj season to 60,000 also contributed to the success, the Xinhua news agency reported.

6:56 AM

Singapore postpones National Day Parade amid spike in Covid cases, to skip fanfare

Singapore, which is on heightened alert to check the spread of Covid-19, has postponed its National Day Parade from August 9 to August 21 and will only hold a ceremonial one to mark 56 years of independence, the Ministry of Defence said.