 | | | | Some 172 countries are engaging with the WHO-led COVAX plan designed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization said on Monday, but more funding is urgently needed and countries should now make binding commitments. | | | | | | As nearly 100 employees went back to work in the office of a Dubai media company, managers found a way to avoid awkwardness around social distancing -- colour-coded bracelets indicating how staff want to be greeted. | | | | | | Italy kicked off human trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, joining a global effort to develop a response to the virus which has shown signs of resurging in Europe. | | | | | | Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: | | | | | | Finland will tighten restrictions on public gatherings from September, limiting them to 50 people unless further measures are in place, due to a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, authorities said on Monday. | | | | | | The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 711 to 233,575, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday. | | | | | | Indonesia reported 1,877 new coronavirus infections on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the Southeast Asian country to 155,412, data from its COVID-19 task force showed. | | | | | | South Korea's capital on Monday ordered masks to be worn in both indoor and outdoor public places for the first time, as it battles a surge in coronavirus cases centred in the densely populated metropolitan area. | | | | | | The Philippine health ministry on Monday confirmed 4,686 additional novel coronavirus infections and 13 more deaths. | | | | | | Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG has financial firepower for acquisitions even with net debt of $26 billion, though the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult to value takeover candidates, Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan said in an interview. | | | | | | Takeda Pharmaceutical Co said on Monday it has agreed to sell its Japanese consumer healthcare business to U.S. investment fund Blackstone Group. | | | | | |
