A three-year-old girl was among the latest series of deaths from the coronavirus epidemic in Belgium, officials said, as the country confronts a worrying growth in new infections.
Health spokesman Boudewijn Catry said three people die each day in Belgium from COVID-19, including recently the toddler and an 18-year-old.
“It’s true that it’s rare that a young person dies of COVID-19, but it’s clear that no-one is immune,” he warned, after the number of new infections per week in Belgium jumped by 89 percent.
India sees record 49,000 new cases, drug shortages in places
India reported over 49,000 fresh cases of the coronavirus with 740 new deaths, marking the biggest daily surge in cases even as officials in some states complained of shortages of vital drugs for those hospitalised.
As the number of cases neared 1.3 million in India, local authorities scrambled to procure generic versions of remdesivir, the drug that has shown promise in clinical trials in treating severely-ill patients.
“Demand is huge as cases are rising rapidly in the state,” said a senior drug regulatory official in the western state of Maharashtra. “Supplies of the drug are limited, but companies have assured us they will provide more in a week.”
Hong Kong reports 123 new cases as local transmissions
Hong Kong reported 123 new cases, including 115 that were locally transmitted, a new daily record, as authorities warn the city faces a critical period in containing the virus.
The global financial hub reported 118 new cases on Thursday, after it extended strict social distancing measures this week.
Since late January, more than 2,000 people have been infected in Hong Kong, 16 of whom have died.
Philippines reports 15 new deaths, 2,103 infections
The Philippines’ health ministry reported 15 more deaths from the coronavirus and 2,103 additional infections.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths had increased to 1,879, while confirmed infections have reached 76,444.
SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies