Laos extends lockdown, South Korea tests Covid-19 vaccine combination

South Korea tests combination vaccines

South Korea said it will conduct clinical trials combining doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine with Pfizer's and others.

South Korea plans to roll out the plan as a number of countries consider using different vaccines for the first and second doses, as supply delays and safety concerns have slowed vaccination efforts, Reuters reported.

The trial involved about 500 military personnel who received the first dose of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca, a South Korean health official said.

The study will examine T cells – immune cells that can kill virus-infected cells and neutralizing antibodies – in people who have received a combination of vaccines, South Korean health officials said.

Laos extends lockdown for another half month

According to the Vientiane Times, the Lao government has decided to extend measures to control the Covid-19 outbreak for another 15 days, until June 4.

The new restrictions include the closure of beauty salons, barber shops, tourist attractions, food courts, casinos and gaming outlets.

The new measures will come into effect from today (May 21) and replace previous measures, including a lockdown that lasts until May 20.

Currently, while the virus infection situation in some provinces seems to be decreasing, Covid-19 is spreading in many areas, including the capital Vientiane.

Cancel Shangri-La Dialogue

Organizers of the Shangri-La Dialogue announced the cancellation of the event in Singapore due to changes arising from the rising number of Covid-19 cases and the imposition of new restrictions.

The meeting, which is expected to attract military and diplomatic officials, was scheduled for June 4-5. Earlier, the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum scheduled to take place in Singapore was also canceled.

Nearly 80,000 people came to Japan to attend the Tokyo Olympics

An estimated 79,000 people from abroad are expected to arrive in Tokyo in July, as organisers vow to go ahead with the Games despite public opposition from the host country.

According to Kyodo news agency, that is about half the expected number before the Covid-19 pandemic took place, forcing the event to be postponed.

Global Covid-19 Update

As of 5am this morning, the total number of Covid-19 infections worldwide was 165,804,143, with more than 3.4 million deaths and more than 146 million recoveries, according to Worldometer statistics.

Globally, more than 1.54 billion doses of vaccine have been administered, according to Bloomberg news agency.