Around 1,000 athletes and coaches reportedly plan to discard the phones they use at the Games.

South Korea weighs voting options for Covid-19 patients ahead of polls

The country is set to elect its next president on March 9, but concerns about potential Covid-related disruptions are growing as daily cases skyrocket because of the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant.

South Korea’s election watchdog planned to introduce a proposal on Wednesday to the National Assembly to amend the Public Official Election Act enabling in-person voting for Covid-19 patients after 6pm on March 5 and 9.

The current rules effectively ban people who were diagnosed with a contagious disease after the March 4-5 early voting period because of a mandatory isolation policy.

Both the ruling and opposition parties have called for allowing Covid-19 patients to vote from 6-9 pm, and an agreed proposal was expected to be put up for a vote on Monday.

The ruling Democratic Party also called for mail-in voting, while the main opposition People Power Party suggested setting up special polling stations.

South Korea’s daily number of new Covid-19 cases hit a record high of 49,567 for Tuesday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The daily tally has more than doubled in less than a week, and could reach up to 170,000 later this month, it said.

South Korea, with a population of 52 million, has largely been a Covid-19 mitigation success story, with 1,131,239 total infections and 6,943 deaths, thanks to masks, distancing and aggressive testing and tracing.

But the government shifted its testing and tracing policy in the face of the Omicron spread in favour of self-monitoring and diagnosis and at-home treatment starting last week.

It also extended strict distancing curbs until February 20, including a 9pm curfew for restaurants, cafes and bars.

Nearly 96 per cent of South Korean adults have been double jabbed and some 64 per cent have received a booster shot.

New Zealand anti-vax protesters refuse to back down

Many of the vehicles that jammed central Wellington’s streets the previous day had left by Wednesday, but a hardcore of several hundred protesters pitched tents and refused to leave.

Three were arrested after trying to breach the police line as supporters chanted “let them through” but officials said the event remained largely peaceful.

“Police will … continue to monitor activity recognising that people have a right to peaceful protest,” they said.

Aucklander Sel Currie said he had no plans to leave the capital.

“We’re here as long as it takes,” he said. “It feels very intimidatory here today, it feels like the police are trying to incite violence but it won’t come from us.”

A “Freedom Convoy” of truckers has gridlocked the Canadian capital Ottawa since late last month, prompting city authorities to declare a state of emergency.

New Zealand requires mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for people working in sectors such as health, law enforcement, education and defence, with those who refuse the jab facing the sack.

Proof of vaccination must also be shown to enter restaurants, sports events and religious services.

Japanese princess develops pneumonia after catching Covid-19

A Japanese princess infected with the novel coronavirus has developed moderate pneumonia, the Imperial Household Agency said on Wednesday.

Princess Yoko, 38, the first Covid-19 patient in the imperial family, was transferred to the University of Tokyo Hospital from a hospital inside the Imperial Palace following the diagnosis, the agency said. Her sister Princess Akiko, 40, whom she met with several days ago, tested negative.

Princess Yoko, the younger daughter of the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of former Emperor Akihito, complained of a sore throat on Monday and tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, the agency said the same day.

The infection route remains unknown as the princess had not attended any gathering involving food and drinks recently, according to the agency. No infection has been confirmed among her staff so far.

Princess Yoko serves as the head of Tokyo-based social welfare corporation Yuai Jujikai, as well as the honorary president of the Japan Universal Sound Design Association, a non-profit organisation that helps people with hearing loss.

Singapore’s children 5 to 11 have highest Covid-19 infection rate in the country

Children aged five to 11 years old reportedly have the highest rate of Covid-19 infection in Singapore, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.

The infection rate for children of this age group is currently about 67 per 100,000 population. The next highest infection rate is those aged 12 to 19 at about 55 per 100,000.

Ong said how this is different compared to the Delta variant wave, which mostly infected older adults. The current infection rate among older age groups is lower, Ong said, but did not give further details.

He also noted that while hospitals may not currently be under pressure in the same way they were during the Delta wave, there is still a need to ensure that there are sufficient paediatric beds.

Private hospitals are adding more beds. Covid-19 treatment facilities are also converting beds for children and their carers. The facility Connext@Changi at Expo, for instance, has 660 beds being prepared.

The minister said it is fortunate that the hospitalisation of children due to Covid-19 is often precautionary in nature, with short stays of two to three days. “Notwithstanding, it is important to get them vaccinated to protect them against the risk of severe illness should they get infected,” Ong said/

Reporting by Kyodo, Reuters, Agence France-Presse