Vietnamese flock to festival, shrug off outbreak risk

PHU THO, Vietnam (Reuters) – Thousands of people scaled the steps of a mountain temple in northern Vietnam on Tuesday to burn incense sticks and make spiritual offerings, shrugging off concerns about the coronavirus risks as outbreaks rage in nearby countries. As many as 30,000 people were expected to visit…

China reports 11 new COVID-19 cases vs six a day earlier

FILE PHOTO: A medical worker in a protective suit collects a swab sample from a middle school student during a mass nucleic acid testing following a recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Xingtai, Hebei province, China January 6, 2021. China Daily via REUTERSBEIJING (Reuters) – China reported 11 new COVID-19…

Britain says lumps in global vaccine supply an issue

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain said on Thursday that there were lumps and bumps in the global vaccine supply chain that were causing slower deliveries than expected and scolded the European Union for threatening to slap a ban on vaccine exports.FILE PHOTO: Abida Bi receives a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine from…

Philippines' Duterte looking to reopen economy in coming weeks

FILE PHOTO: A health worker collects a saliva sample in a sealed package at a drive-thru coronavirus disease (COVID-19) saliva testing site, in Pasay city, Metro Manila, Philippines, February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie DavidMANILA (Reuters) – Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday the economy should be reopened soon, calling…

COVID-19 vaccine confidence grows as side effect worries fade

Slideshow ( 3 images )LONDON (Reuters) – Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines is growing, with people’s willingness to have the shots increasing as they are rolled out across the world and concerns about possible side effects are fading, a 14-country survey showed on Friday. Co-led by Imperial College London’s Institute of…

New Zealand coronavirus cluster grows with three new cases

FILE PHOTO: People jog past a social distancing sign on the first day of New Zealand’s new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) safety measure that mandates wearing of a mask on public transport, in Auckland, New Zealand, August 31, 2020. REUTERS/Fiona GoodallWELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand reported three new locally transmitted cases…