WHO moves to update COVID-19 guidance after 'great news' in drug study

WHO moves to update COVID-19 guidance after 'great news' in drug study
Reuters: Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was moving to update its guidelines on treating people stricken with COVID-19 to reflect results of a clinical trial that showed a cheap, common steroid can help save critically ill patients.

WHO sees 'great news' in steroid's trial results in COVID-19

WHO sees 'great news' in steroid's trial results in COVID-19
Reuters: Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) hailed as "great news" initial clinical trial results that showed a cheap and widely used steroid called dexamethasone can help save the lives of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Beijing cuts flights to curb potential spread of mounting coronavirus cases

Beijing cuts flights to curb potential spread of mounting coronavirus cases
Reuters: Health
Scores of domestic flights in and out of Beijing were cancelled on Wednesday as officials ramped up attempts to contain a coronavirus outbreak in the Chinese capital over the past week that has sparked fears of renewed wider contagion.

Honduran president says he is infected with coronavirus

Honduran president says he is infected with coronavirus
Reuters: Health
Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, is receiving treatment and will work remotely and through his aides, he said late on Tuesday.

Thailand reports no new coronavirus cases or deaths

Thailand reports no new coronavirus cases or deaths
Reuters: Health
Thailand on Wednesday reported no new coronavirus infections or deaths, marking 23 successive days without a domestic transmission.

Kazakh lower house speaker tests positive for COVID-19

Kazakh lower house speaker tests positive for COVID-19
Reuters: Health
The speaker of the lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament has self-isolated after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, the legislature said on Wednesday.

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 345 to 187,184 - RKI

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 345 to 187,184 - RKI
Reuters: Health
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 345 to 187,184, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.

Japanese researchers confirm coronavirus testing in sewers as possible outbreak warning system

Japanese researchers confirm coronavirus testing in sewers as possible outbreak warning system
Reuters: Health
Japanese researchers confirmed the presence of the coronavirus in wastewater plants, a finding that could serve as a signal for future outbreaks.

Beijing on heightened alert as coronavirus cases mount

Beijing on heightened alert as coronavirus cases mount
Reuters: Health
Beijing officials reported several new COVID-19 cases for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, extending an outbreak that has forced the Chinese capital's authorities to reinstate strict defences against the coronavirus.

Beijing city reports 31 new coronavirus cases vs 27 a day earlier

Beijing city reports 31 new coronavirus cases vs 27 a day earlier
Reuters: Health
Beijing's city government reported 31 new confirmed coronavirus cases as of end-June 16, up from 27 cases reported a day earlier as the city moves to curb the spread of the disease.

Mexico's total coronavirus cases rise to 154,863 and 18,310 deaths

Mexico's total coronavirus cases rise to 154,863 and 18,310 deaths
Reuters: Health
Mexico's total confirmed coronavirus infections rose to 154,863 cases and 18,310 total deaths on Tuesday, as the health ministry reported 4,599 new infections along with 730 additional fatalities.

Some Amazon villagers eschew drugs for COVID-19, take 'toothache plant' herbal tea

Some Amazon villagers eschew drugs for COVID-19, take 'toothache plant' herbal tea
Reuters: Health
Some villagers in the eastern Amazon are spurning Brazilian government advice to take the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to keep the novel coronavirus at bay and are drinking tea of jambú, also known as the toothache plant.

Thailand reports no new coronavirus cases or deaths

Thailand reports no new coronavirus cases or deaths
Reuters: Health
Thailand on Tuesday reported no new coronavirus infections or deaths and marked 22 successive days without a domestic transmission.