Tag
COVID-19
23 Australians on Ship Delivering Aid to Tonga Have COVID-19
By Associated Press
The pandemic is complicating international aid to tsunami-hit Tonga, one of the world’s few COVID-free countries.
Skeletons Are Tumbling Out of India’s COVID-19 Closet
By Sudha Ramachandran
Not only did the Modi government refuse to admit that the pandemic had entered the community transmission stage in March 2020 but it also grossly under-reported COVID deaths.
The Dilemma of Hong Kong’s Fixation on Zero COVID
By Charles Mok
Hong Kong's obsession with zero COVID is leading it down unproductive rabbit holes -- like hamster culling -- rather than finding long-term solutions.
Without Vaccine Equity, the World Could Remain Stuck in Pandemic Limbo
By Niha Dagia
On the cusp of a triumph over the coronavirus, the world snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Omicron Threatens to Derail Cambodia’s ASEAN Agenda
By Luke Hunt
Zoom conferencing won’t work if the Southeast Asian bloc is to tackle the big issues.
It’s Time for a Japan-US Pandemic Partnership
By James Gannon
Beyond their moral responsibility, Japan and the United States have compelling interests in doing more together to battle COVID-19 internationally.
Omicron Driving COVID-19 Wave to New Heights in the Philippines
By Sebastian Strangio
The government is aiming to fully vaccinate the country's adult population by the presidential election on May 9.
Omicron Overshadows Australia’s Opening Up
By Joshua Mcdonald
Opening up after nearly two years closed off from the world, Australia knew that would mean a rise in COVID-19 cases. But Omicron has surged cases past expectations.
How COVID-19 Has Enriched Asia’s Wealthy and Punished Its Poor
By Sebastian Strangio
A new report from the NGO Oxfam provides crucial context for the region's recent democratic decline.
Omicron Tests China’s ‘Zero-Tolerance’ COVID Approach Weeks Ahead of Beijing Olympics
By Huizhong Wu
More than 20 million people are under lockdown in China to prevent the virus’ spread, even as Beijing prepares to welcome thousands of foreigners for the Olympics.
Indonesia Begins Distributing Booster Shots as Omicron Makes Inroads
By Sebastian Strangio
The government made a last-minute decision to ditch a plan that would have required most of the public to pay for the jabs.
Central Asia Braces for COVID-19 Omicron Wave
By Catherine Putz
With the arrival of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Central Asia looks to be heading into its fourth wave of pandemic.
Philippines Posts Three Consecutive Days of Record COVID-19 Cases
By Sebastian Strangio
A new COVID-19 surge now threatens to overshadow campaigning for the country's presidential election on May 9.
Japan’s COVID-19 Surge Spreads at Alarming Speed
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan is showing signs of a “sixth wave” of coronavirus infections as the highly contagious Omicron variant tears through the community.
China’s COVID-19 Border Restrictions Wreak Economic Havoc in Southeast Asia
By Sebastian Strangio
Tighter customs clearance procedures have led producers to dump truckloads of fruit by the roadside.
Some Say Politics at Play in Djokovic Detention in Australia
By Steve McMorran
"No one is above these rules," Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
Thailand Raises COVID-19 Alert Level as Neighbors Brace for Omicron Surge
By Sebastian Strangio
The fast-spreading coronavirus variant is clouding the region's economic recovery.
North Korea’s Strict COVID-19 Policies Undermine Kim Jong Un’s Goal of Ending Hunger
By Troy Stangarone
Dismal trade figures for 2021 attest to the toll the North’s border closures are taking on its food supply.
Xi’an Residents Voice Frustration Amid Lockdown
By Ken Moritsugu
China’s largest-scale lockdown since 2020 has residents complaining about food shortages and harsh restrictions.
Thailand Wrestles With Omicron Variant Amid Holiday Spikes
By Sebastian Strangio
Health authorities have recommended that the suspension of a quarantine-free travel scheme be extended until January 31.
India Vaccinates Teens Aged 15 to 18 Amid Surge in Pandemic
By Sheikh Saaliq and Aniruddha Ghosal
The country has fully vaccinated 64 percent of its 1.3 billion population.
Australia’s Far-Right Taps Into COVID-Restriction Frustration
By Joshua Mcdonald
Protesters include the anti-vax wellness community, Christian fundamentalists, and some of Australia’s most extreme far-right organizations.
Indonesia Records First Local Transmission of Omicron Variant
By Sebastian Strangio
The arrival of the fast-spreading strain of COVID-19 threatens to unwind months of progress in containing the virus.
Japan Braces For Sixth Wave Driven By Omicron
By Thisanka Siripala
The spread of the new Omicron variant is on the rise and authorities are bracing for a worst case scenario.