WHO says COVID emergency is over. So what does that mean?

LONDON — The World Health Organization downgraded its assessment of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, saying it no longer qualifies as a global emergency. The action reverses a declaration that was first made on January 30, 2020, when the disease had not even been named COVID-19 and when there were no major outbreaks beyond China.

Kaua‘i COVID-19 update: 29 new cases, no deaths

LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 29 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Kaua’i this past week, bringing the total number of cases on the island up to 19,215 since the start of the pandemic.

South Korea extends restrictions on travelers from China

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea says it will continue to restrict the entry of short-term travelers from China through the end of February over concerns that the spread of COVID-19 in that country may worsen following the Lunar New Year’s holidays.

Kaua‘i COVID-19 update: Case counts down to 51

HONOLULU — Staving off fears of a potential post-holiday COVID-19 spike, data released by Hawai‘i Department of Health on Wednesday showed that cases on Kaua‘i declined to seven per day from Jan. 3 to Jan. 9.

Companies welcome end to China quarantines for visitors

BEIJING — Companies welcomed China’s decision to end quarantines for travelers from abroad as an important step to revive slumping business activity while Japan on Tuesday announced restrictions on visitors from the country as infections surge.

China limits how it defines COVID deaths in official count

ZHUOZHOU, China — China only counts deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official COVID-19 death toll, a Chinese health official said, a narrow definition that limits the number of deaths being reported as the virus surges following the easing of pandemic-related restrictions.