The sharp increase in new cases today is another reminder that, as expected, the highly transmissible Omicron variant is now spreading in our communities as we have seen in other countries.

Our expectation is that cases will continue to increase over the coming weeks and we’re asking people to do all they can to slow the spread of the virus and protect themselves and their whānau.

The most important step anyone can take to prepare for Omicron is to book their vaccine, whether it’s their first, second or booster.

Every dose counts and lowers the chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised. We are also continuing to remind people to do the basics well – staying home if you’re unwell, wearing a mask, physical distancing and scanning in using the NZ COVID Tracer app when you’re out and about.

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The website covid-19.rehab is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.

Everything we know about the new hybrid Covid-19 variant 'Deltacron'

Deltacron has now officially been declared a COVID-19 strain. Concerns about a mutation combining features of both the Delta and Omicron variants first arose earlier this year, following an investigation that took place in a Cyprus lab. Virologists in Paris have now confirmed its existence.

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Ontario updates reporting for COVID-related deaths, removes 411 deaths

COVID-19 has been modified to 12,227, which is down from the previous day as 411 deaths were removed.The Ontario government announced earlier this week that it was going to change and update how it reports deaths to be consistent with categorization from the World Health Organization.The province said it will exclude deaths where a person was infected with COVID-19 but the virus did not cause or contribute to the fatality.Officials said the change would take effect Friday and noted that deaths unrelated to COVID-19 were “significantly higher” in the most recent wave of the virus.The province said Wednesday that deaths due to causes unrelated to COVID-19 made up eight per cent of all fatalities in the fifth wave. Since the pandemic began, around 4.2 per cent of fatalities involving people infected with COVID-19 were not related to the virus, officials said.It is unknown how many new recent deaths there were due to the significant removal of incidental deaths.“The net change in deaths is not available today due to a planned change in reporting methods,” the report indicated.

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Canada adds 337K jobs in February, unemployment drops below pre-pandemic levels

unemployment rate fell below the February 2020 level.The unemployment rate fell to 5.5 per cent in February compared with 6.5 per cent in the first month of the year.That is the lowest it’s been since it was 5.7 per cent in February 2020 just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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WRDSB to hold meeting Friday night to discuss provincial COVID-19 changes for schools

Waterloo Region District School Board has a meeting scheduled for Friday night to discuss the recent changes announced by the province with regard to COVID-19.The agenda for the meeting is unclear as the only item listed is “response to March 9, 2022, announcement from the chief medical officer of health.” Lifting of mask mandates in Ontario schools being met with mixed reaction Global News has reached out to the WRDSB for further details on the meeting.On Wednesday, the province announced it would be lifting the mandates for masks in schools on March 21, when students return from spring break. In addition, they would also lift cohorting and physical distancing requirements.“As we continue to ease public health measures, we are also working with the Ministry of Education to align measures in schools and child care with those in the community as much as possible,” said Dr.

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This state has reported zero Covid-19 fatalities after 2 years. Read here

CHENNAI :

India city Chennai covid-19 death reports

Delhi sees decline in new Covid-19 cases, positivity rate at 0.45%

Delhi in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tally to 18,62,641, said the state health department on Friday. The positivity rate has reached 0.45%.

India city Delhi covid-19 patient Citi

Maharashtra: 318 new Covid cases, 1 death in 24 hrs; active cases down to 2,925

Covid-19 cases in the state stand at 2,925. Total 355 patients were discharged today, taking the total tally of recovered patients to 77,19,949. The state, which has been one of the most affected in terms of Covid, has a 98.09 per cent recovery rate. Maharashtra's case fatality rate stands at 1.82 per cent.Maharashtra reports 318 fresh COVID cases, 355 recoveries and one death in the last 24 hoursTotal Active cases: 2,925 pic.twitter.com/DEGKIsD8Dl

India city Mumbai covid-19 death reports

China amplifies unfounded Russian claim of US funding Ukraine biolabs

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (front L) and China's President Xi Jinping (C) arrive for a banquet for leaders in Beijing, China. (Nicolas Asfouri - Pool/Getty Images) BANGKOK - As Russia intensifies its assault on Ukraine, it is getting a helping hand from China in spreading inflammatory and unsubstantiated claims that the U.S.

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Winter storm will blast East Coast as powerful 'bomb cyclone' after bringing snow to Midwest, South

winter storm will bring snow from parts of the Plains and Midwest into the South through Friday night, then intensify into a powerful "bomb cyclone" as it blasts the East Coast with heavy snow and high winds on Saturday.As a strong upper-level jet stream plunges out of the West, it will spawn the development of a surface low-pressure system along a cold front in the lower Mississippi Valley. That low will then rapidly strengthen as it tracks into the Northeast by Saturday and Atlantic Canada on Sunday.Meteorologists use the term bomb cyclone to describe a low-pressure system that undergoes "bombogenesis" – defined as a rapid pressure drop of at least 24 millibars in 24 hours or less – indicative of a very intense storm system.

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‘Wrong anniversary’: Two years since declaration of Covid-19 pandemic, WHO voices frustration

World Health Organization first declared Covid-19 as a pandemic. But the UN health body has voiced its frustration at people marking 11 March as the second anniversary of the public health emergency, stating that the real alarm came six weeks earlier.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Maria Van-Kerkhove China Iran India Italy covid-19 pandemic Health

Germany in new Covid 'critical' situation: health minister

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

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Trader Joe's Crunchy Slaw salad recalled over concerns of plastic in dressing

The Trader Joe’s salad label for "Crunchy Slaw with Chicken, Crispy Noodles & Peanut Dressing" is pictured in a provided image. (Photo credit: Provided / Trader Joe’s) A salad sold at Trader Joe’s and shipped to grocery stores in the western U.S.

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Russia's 'most favored nation' status to be revoked by US, allies over Ukraine invasion

was - President Joe Biden will announce Friday that, along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke "most favored nation" trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.That's according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the announcement. Each country would have to follow its own national processes, the person said.

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PIP assessment guidance updated for people claiming with mental health conditions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made significant changes to its guidance for health professionals carrying out Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments across the UK.

Britain Department Health Provident

Quebec chooses quiet, reflective day to mark 2nd anniversary of COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Premier François Legault says the government did what it could to save as many lives as possible.“This day is dedicated to their memory and to their loved ones who continue to suffer from their absence,” Legault wrote in an open letter published in various media on Friday to mark the national day of remembrance for the victims of COVID-19.“It is for them that Quebecers will remember on March 11.”Unlike last year, the Legault government will not hold a ceremony to honour the memory of Quebecers who’ve succumbed to the disease since 2020. As of Thursday, 14,141 residents have died as a result of the novel coronavirus.Last year’s inaugural event brought together several dignitaries and representatives of bereaved families as part of an elaborate ceremony.

François Legault Canada covid-19 pandemic Government

Man dies after West Philadelphia shooting, marking city's 100th homicide in 2022

PHILADELPHIA - A man has died following a shooting in West Philadelphia late Thursday night, marking the 100th homicide in the city so far in 2022. The shooting occurred shortly before 11 p.m. on the 100 block of North 53rd Street. A 28-year-old man was found on the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds to the body.

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Dua Lipa faces 2nd copyright lawsuit over song ‘Levitating’

Dua Lipa has been sued twice for copyright infringement in regard to her 2020 single, Levitating. The first complaint was filed last week by the Florida reggae band Artikal Sound System and it claims Dua Lipa plagiarized their 2017 song Live Your Life.A second complaint was filed on Friday by songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer.

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Price of a loaf of bread will be increased by Rs. 30/-

COLOMBO (News 1st); The All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association announced that the price of a loaf of bread will be increased by Rs. 30/- with effect from midnight on Friday (11).Accordingly, the new price will be between Rs.

Power Cuts announced for Sunday (13)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved power cuts for Sunday (13).Groups PQRSTUVW:1 hour from 5 PM to 9 PMGroups ABCDEFGHIJKL:2 hours from 9 AM to 5 PM1 hour & 15 min from 5 PM to 10 PM

Sri Lanka

(PICTURES) Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise concludes at Bay of Bengal

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) was successfully held at the Naval Dockyard of Visakhapatnam, India and in the Bay of Bengal from 07th to 10th March 2022. Representing the Sri Lanka Navy, SLNS Sayurala took part in the bilateral naval exercise.The 09th edition of ‘SLINEX’ comprised two phases, as Harbour Phase and Sea Phase.

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Man jailed after spending £44,000 of COVID disaster relief on a Pokémon card

COVID disaster relief on a rare Pokémon card.Vinath Oudomsine allegedly lied to a US government loan program set up to provide funds to businesses affected by COVID-19. He claimed he ran an entertainment services business with ten employees and a turnover of $235,000 (£179,200).

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Russia-Ukraine war: Putin approves bringing 'volunteers' fighters from Syria, elsewhere

Russian invasion of Ukraine entered its third week, Russian forces appeared to expand the offensive by striking new areas in the west and President Vladimir Putin approved the recruitment of "volunteer" fighters from Syria and elsewhere.The war has forced more than 2.3 million people to flee Ukraine as others try to seek refuge in basements, subway stations and underground shelters.Ukraine's president said 100,000 people were evacuated over the past two days in the north and center of the country. Humanitarian corridors to facilitate the exodus were agreed to by Russia and Ukraine during ceasefires in those areas.More evacuations are expected Friday, though repeated attempts to reach the besieged city of Mariupol in the south have failed under continued Russian shelling.On Friday, Russia appeared to be pushing its offensive westward with authorities in Ukraine saying airstrikes hit two cities that had been far from Russia’s main targets elsewhere.Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with his Belarus counterpart at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 11, 2022.

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What is 'Deltacron'? New Covid variant identified as WHO issues update

"Deltacron" has been officially identified as a coronavirus variant.

Maria Van-Kerkhove Stephen Griffin Usa Britain France Netherlands Denmark city Paris city Oxford infection strain reports

China locks down city of 9 million amid new spike in COVID-19 cases

Residents queue to undergo tests for the Covid-19 in a residential area in Changchun in China's northeastern Jilin province on March 11, 2022. (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) BEIJING - China on Friday ordered a lockdown of the 9 million residents of the northeastern city of Changchun amid a new spike in COVID-19 cases in the area attributed to the highly contagious omicron variant.Residents are required to remain home, with one family member permitted to venture out to buy food and other necessities every two days.

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'We're not done': Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher raise over $20M for Ukraine in a week

LOS ANGELES - Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher said their campaign has raised more than $20 million in less than a week for Kunis’ native country of Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion. "But we’re not done," Kutcher said in an update posted Thursday to Instagram. "Our goal is $30 [million] and we’re gonna get there."The couple and "That '70s Show" stars announced their intent last week to raise donations via GoFundMe and vowed to match another $3 million.

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Kerala logs 1,175 new Covid-19 cases, active case tally at 10,511

Kerala Health department on Friday reported that the state had logged 1,175 new Covid-19 cases. The state had also seen 2 Covid- related deaths in the past twenty four hours.

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Ukrainian civilians bear the brunt of slow-moving Russian advance

Russian troops appear to be deliberately targeting civilians, shelling apartment buildings and even hospitals, as they slowly advance through Ukraine. Aaron McArthur reports.

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School District of Philadelphia narrows superintendent search to 3 finalists

PHILADELPHIA - The search for a new School District of Philadelphia superintendent is now down to three finalists, according to district officials.The school boards says those three candidates will come to Philadelphia individually next week to meet with students, parents, and teachers.The district will hold three roundtable discussions for each candidate and those will be livestreamed on the district’s social media pages. There will also be a public town hall. Last fall, Superintendent Dr.

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As Covid returns, China shuts schools; Builds makeshift hospitals

Omicron variant of Covid-19 is currently haunting many regions of China that pushed the country to shut schools on Shanghai streets and also directed to build hospitals to tackle the outbreak. China's zero-tolerance approach to the virus is challenged like never before as it takes up a host of new restrictions and mitigation measures.

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China locks down the city of 9 million people amid new Covid wave

Here are the key highlights of lockdown in Changchun city of China:

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Simon Harris tests positive for Covid-19

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has confirmed that he has tested positive for Covid-19.

Simon Harris Ireland Coronavirus

On Covid pandemic's 2nd anniversary, 3 things to beware of as endemic approaches

Covid-19 a global pandemic. These two years saw three waves of the deadly novel coronavirus. Many lives lost , especially during the second wave fueled by the Delta variant of the virus.

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Nicola Sturgeon urges Scots to take ‘sensible precautions’ as concern grows over Covid case rise

Nicola Sturgeon has urged Scots to continue with “sensible precautions” against Covid-19, with the number of hospital patients infected with coronavirus at a 13-month high.

Humza Yousaf Scotland hospital covid-19 infection

Arrest made in deadly Daytona Beach Bike Week stabbings

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Police officers have made an arrest in the brutal murders of a Daytona Beach couple."I’m pleased to announce that we have arrested the man responsible for the murders of Brenda Aultman and Terry Aultman," said Daytona Beach Chief Jakari Young in a tweet late Thursday afternoon, accompanied by a picture of the person taken into custody.Chief Young went on to thank the U.S.

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Chinese city of 9 million locks down amid Covid surge

A northeastern Chinese city of nine million people was ordered to lock down, as authorities scramble to halt a fresh Covid-19 outbreak that has pushed nationwide case counts to their highest in two years.

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Peter Andre's emotional reunion with parents in Australia for first time since pandemic

Peter Andre got emotional live on Good Morning Britain today as he was finally reunited with his family in Australia.

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Victoria charity putting together massive ‘care package’ for Ukrainian refugees

One Victoria charity is putting its experience to work with a giant ‘care package’ for refugees along the Ukraine-Poland border.Sharron Bates reports.

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Half of American IQs lessened by lead in gasoline, study says

IQ of more than half the United States population has been negatively affected by the presence of lead in gasoline, a new study estimates.The peer-reviewed study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal discovered childhood exposure to leaded gasoline cost the U.S. a deficit of at least 824 million IQ points, or approximately 2.6 points per American.Researchers at Florida State University and Duke University focused on U.S.

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Medicine prices to increase by 29%; Approval given by Price Control Committee

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Medicines Price Control Committee had granted approval to increase the prices of medicines.State Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana told News 1st that the prices of medicines will be increased by 29%.

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Global Covid death toll 'may be three times higher'

Today marks two years to the day since the World Health Organization first described Covid-19 as a pandemic.

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#PriceHikeFriday : Here’s a list of the latest price increases

COLOMBO (News 1st); The price of multiple goods in Sri Lanka were increased with effect on Friday (10), after the government allowed the currency to float.Here’s a list of what was increased on #PriceHikeFriday:1. Fuel Prices:Lanka IOC raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs. 50/- and Rs.

Sri Lanka Government

Footage shows Ukrainians' attack on Russian tanks in Kyiv suburb, forcing 'retreat,' officials claim

KYIV, Ukraine - Footage shared by Ukraine’s defense agency appeared to show Ukrainian forces taking out a Russian military tank regiment on the outskirts of Kyiv and forcing their retreat — one of many examples of the country’s rising will to fight since being invaded. The video, shared early Thursday by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, showed a large convoy of tanks in the Brovary area, just outside of Kyiv, before several explosions are seen. The defense agency said its attack on Russia’s military caused "significant losses in personnel and equipment," according to a statement translated to English. It also claimed to have taken out its commander, Col.

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Price Hike: Rice Pack, Kottu & Short-eats prices increased

COLOMBO (News 1st); The All Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association has said that the prices of rice packets, Kottu, and Short Eats will be increased from Friday (10)The Price of a rice packet will go up by Rs. 20/-, Kottu up by Rs.

All Ceylon

Canada’s defence chief warns Russia has reoccupied Arctic bases

Russia has reoccupied abandoned Cold War bases in its Far North.Speaking at a defence conference in Ottawa, Gen. Wayne Eyre said defending NATO’s northern flank “is a key area of concern” for the Canadian military.Eyre said the threat of a Russian incursion into Canada’s Arctic from the North is very low at the moment.

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Terrifying Covid variant warning as scientists spot new 'Delta-Omicron' hybrid

coronavirus that appears to be a hybrid of the Omicron and Delta variants.The worrying discovery comes after multiple false alarms over the last few months, with many preempting fears that the two hugely disruptive strains would combine to create the dreaded 'Deltacron'.Virologists from L’Institut Pasteur in Paris announced their findings after sequencing genomes in positive Covid samples taken from several regions across France.They now believe that the variant could have been circulating since early January. Commenting on the findings, Aris Katzourakis, a professor of evolution and genomics at the University of Oxford said: "This one is legit."“[It is] one to keep an eye on.”Other similar clusters are also said to have been found in Denmark and the Netherlands, but have not been confirmed yet.Dr Stephen Griffin, a virologist at the University of Leeds, said that while the new variant "doesn’t seem to have taken off as a dominant strain yet", this may only be because of a "very slow start" based on the number of initial cases.But he added that "fact it persists in the fact of Omicron" could suggest that its ability to transmit "can’t be too shoddy".No conclusive data has yet shown whether Deltacron can be considered to be more infectious or deadly than its 'root' variants, Delta and Omicron.Covid technical lead Maria van Kerkhove from the World Health Organisation revaled on Thursday that her team had been “tracking and discussing” the new variant.

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Wheat Flour prices increased with immediate effect

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prima Ceylon (Private) Limited has decided to increase the prices of wheat flour.PRIMA said that One kilogram of Wheat Flour was increased by a price between Rs. 35/- to Rs.45/-.

Lanka IOC increases fuel prices with effect from Thursday (10)

COLOMBO (News 1st): Lanka IOC, the Indian Oil Corporation in Sri Lanka increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs. 50/- and Rs. 75/- from Thursday (10) .Lanka IOC Statement:CBSL has announced flexibility in foreign exchange rate and the Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated twice in last 7 days against the dollar, initially to Rs 230 per USD and then again to an exorbitant level of Rs.

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More than 2.2 million boosters administered; 75% Capital & Coast and Nelson-Marlborough residents boosted; 3,297 community cases; 179 in hospital; 1 in ICU

People in the capital and at the top of the South are leading the charge in getting their booster shots in the fight against Omicron, with 75% of eligible people from the both Capital & Coast and Nelson-Marlborough DHBs having now had their booster.

New Zealanders New Zealand county Nelson city Marlborough testing vaccine Health

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

More than 49,000 boosters given yesterday; 810 community cases; 32 in hospital

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