New Delhi: The Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the world, with more than 42,50,84,971 confirmed cases and 59,06,580 deaths.
Italy has recommended a fourth booster dose for the immunocompromised. Meanwhile, Israel has announced that it will allow unvaccinated tourists to enter the country, and for the first time in nearly two years, Australia has reopened its international border. And researchers in Hong Kong have found that the novel coronavirus could affect fertility in men.
We bring you some of the top stories on the pandemic from across the world.
Italy recommends fourth booster dose for immunocompromised
Italy’s health ministry Sunday recommended that people who are immunocompromised — with a reduced ability to fight infections and diseases — receive a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, reports Reuters.
Such patients should receive the jab at least 120 days after their previous booster, the ministry said. It added that booster shots had shown effectiveness in preventing Covid-related deaths and severe symptoms.
The government is yet to set a date for the recommendation to come into force.
Italy has registered 1,24,69,975 cases and 1,52,989 deaths.
Also read: No perfect solution to protection from COVID-19 amid growing fatigue: Fauci
Israel allows entry of unvaccinated tourists as more restrictions are lifted
Starting 1 March, Israel will allow unvaccinated tourists of all ages to enter the country, reports Haaretz.
Incoming tourists will have to undergo RT-PCR tests prior to departure and upon arrival in Israel.
The move is in line with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz’s decision Sunday to lift several Covid-19 restrictions. For the first time in almost two years, families with children aged five or younger will be able to travel to Israel.
Vaccinated Israeli travellers will only need to take a RT-PCR test upon arrival, and unvaccinated Israelis will no longer have to quarantine upon arrival as long as they have a negative test report.
Israel has registered 35,52,865 cases and 9,971 deaths.
Australia reopens international border for first time in two years
After nearly two years, Australia has reopened its international border, prompting a boost to tourism and a joyful response from families who had been separated by border rules, reports the BBC.
Australia had imposed one of the world’s strictest travel bans since March 2020. Citizens and some others were allowed to return from late last year, but a majority of foreigners were not allowed entry.
With the border now open, visitors with two vaccine doses do not need to quarantine, but unvaccinated travellers must do so in a hotel for up to 14 days at their own expense.
Visitors can enter all states except Western Australia, which remains closed until 3 March and will require three jabs for entry.
Australia has registered 30,49,564 cases and 4,929 deaths.
Covid-19 could affect male fertility, finds Hong Kong study
A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has found that the novel coronavirus could damage testicles, lower sex drive and affect fertility in men, reports the South China Morning Post.
The findings were based on a study of testicular and hormonal changes in hamsters infected with the virus. Professor Yuen Kwok-yung and his team from HKU discovered a sharp decline in sperm count and serum testosterone of infected hamsters four to seven days after infection.
Inflammation, degeneration and death of testicular tissue persisted seven to 120 days after infection, the study found.
Hong Kong has registered 52,830 cases and 288 deaths.
What else are we reading:
The C.D.C. Isn’t Publishing Large Portions of the Covid Data It Collects: The New York Times
A post-Covid world is coming into view — but where is the payback for two years of death and suffering?: The Guardian
(Edited by Rohan Manoj)
Also read: Will Indian visitors return after Singapore’s latest re-opening move?