Israel company tests oral Covid vaccine, Bali tourism industry unlikely to open up this year – ThePrint

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New Delhi:The Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the world. The latest count being more than 12 crore cases and 27 lakh deaths.

We highlight some of the important stories from around the world. Papua New Guinea, a country in Oceania, has reported that the number of Covid-19 cases has tripled in a month. Bali, in Indonesia, isnt expected to bring back tourists until the end of this year or even into 2022. An Israeli-American pharmaceutical company is on its way to launch a Phase 1 clinical trial of the worlds first oral Covid-19 vaccine.

Papua New Guinea, a country in Oceania, has reported that its number of Covid-19 cases tripled in a month. Doctors in the country warn that their healthcare system is at the brink of being overwhelmed, reportsThe Guardian.

On 20 March, thecountry recorded 242 new cases of Covid-19 which brought the total cases to 3,359 cases and 36 deaths.

Theimpact of Covid is being keenly felt in the Pacific country, which has roughly 500 doctors to serve a population of around nine million, and was already struggling to deal with outbreaks of measles, drug-resistant tuberculosis andpolio, said thereport.

Also read:Covid antibodies, vaccines may become less effective against virus variants, study says

Bali, wary of the coronavirus outbreak, isnt expected to bring back tourists until the end of this year or even into 2022, reportsAsia Times.

The resort island in Indonesia has witnessed its economy plummet over the pandemic, falling to -5 per cent in 2020.

So far, Bali has recorded 36,448 Covid-19infections and 576 deaths.

Despite an effort to crank up domestic tourism, the impact on Baliitself is believedto have been greater, far worse than inthe aftermath of the 2002 terrorist bombings, said thereport.

An Israeli-Americanpharmaceutical company is on its way to launch a Phase 1clinical trial of the worlds first oral Covid-19 vaccine,reportsJerusalem Post.

Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced their joint venture with Premas Biotech to develop this oral vaccine. Orameds technology can be used to orally administer a number of protein-based therapies, which would otherwise be delivered by injection, said the report.

Israel has recorded 8,27,772 cases of Covid-19 and 6,092 deaths.

Also read:Pakistan bans travel from 12 countries till 5 April to curb Covid spike

On Monday, people living inMelbourne, Victoria startedreceiving coronavirus vaccine as Phase 1b of Australias national vaccine rollout began,reportsThe Age.

People who are over 70 years of age, with an underlying medical condition ordisability, healthcare workers who havent been vaccinated, will be immunised in the rollout.

State Health Departments Covid testing commander Jeroen Weimar said,I reckon well do 20,000 to 25,000 thisweek, the rate will go beyond that, and well get to around 3,00,000 by the end of April.

Australia has recorded 29,205 cases of Covid-19 and 909 deaths.

Saudi Arabia vaccinates 3 million against Covid-19: Arab News

Bouquets of flowers are nowsubstitute hugs, says booming florist:The Guardian

Also read:Going to malls, bus & railway stations in Mumbai? Like it or not, you must get Covid tested

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Israel company tests oral Covid vaccine, Bali tourism industry unlikely to open up this year - ThePrint