COVID-19 Archives

Baidu’s New AI Algorithm Boosts COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Antibody Response by 128 Times

A team of researchers from Baidu Research, an AI company based in Beijing, has developed an AI algorithm that can rapidly design highly stable COVID-19 mRNA vaccine sequences that were previously unattainable.

Firms Gear Up for China’s Return to Pre-Pandemic Business Travel

Domestic and foreign firms are now eagerly awaiting a resumption of streamlined international business travel to and from China.

Alibaba to Donate $18.4M to Equip Chinese Villages With Oximeters

Leading Chinese tech firm Alibaba announced it would donate 125 million yuan ($18.4 million) to equip more than 600,000 village clinics with two oximeters, basically achieving full coverage in rural areas.

Merck’s COVID Drug Molnupiravir Expected to Hit Chinese Market on Friday

According to the official website of the Tianjin Medical Purchasing Center, the price of Molnupiravir, a COVID-19 drug developed by US pharmaceutical company Merck, was 1,500 yuan ($222) per bottle of 40 capsules.

Pfizer to Provide COVID Pill Paxlovid to China in First Half of 2023

Albert Bourla, the CEO of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, said that the company is working with Chinese partners to provide Paxlovid, a COVID-19 pill developed by the firm, to China from the first half of this year.

China’s First Self-Developed ECMO Medical Equipment Cleared for Release

Since the pandemic broke out, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a technique used to offer patients prolonged respiratory and cardiac support, has attracted significant attention. Recently, China's first domestic ECMO equipment was approved for public sale.

Pfizer’s COVID Pill Paxlovid Price Soars Amid Skyrocketing Demand and Supply Shortages

Due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 infection cases in China, the demand for Pfizer's pill Paxlovid has also greatly increased. As the drug is being hyped by drug scalpers, the price of Paxlovid on third-party channels has climbed to tens of thousands of yuan, which is nearly six times more expensive than the normal price of 2,000 yuan ($287).

Demand for Oximeters Surges in China as Firms Expand Production Capacity

As the Omicron coronavirus variant spreads across China, the risk of silent hypoxia to the elderly population has received significant attention. As an effective means to monitor blood oxygen level and prevent critical illness, oximeters are now selling rapidly.

NIO Lowers Q4 Delivery Forecast

Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO announced on December 27 that due to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases across the country, the company now estimates that 38,500 to 39,500 vehicles will be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year.

Chinese E-Commerce Site JD.com Sells Pfizer’s COVID Pill Paxlovid

Many places across China are now facing a dramatic spike in COVID-19 infections. Due to the increasing number of patients with severe symptoms, market demand for drugs such as Paxlovid and Azvudine has soared.

COVID-19 Surge in China Causes Oximeter Shortage

Following China's loosening of pandemic control measures earlier this month, the number of cases across the country has soared, while demand for drugs and medical supplies such as antipyretics, antigen tests and oximeters has skyrocketed.

Tencent Launches Pandemic Supplies Platform in China as COVID Cases Soar

With the recent lifting of pandemic control policies in China, the number of infections has risen sharply. Chinese internet giant Tencent launched a "COVID-19 Pills Mutual Help Public Welfare Platform."

Chinese EV Firms Accelerate Production and Promotions as Pandemic Controls Ease

With the recent easing of stringent COVID-19 control policies across China and increased support for struggling enterprises, many domestic automakers have sped up the resumption of production and kickstarted fresh marketing campaigns in pursuit of their sales targets.

Chinese Mental Health Apps Attract Investment as COVID-19 Spreads

For almost three years now, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many people's preexisting mental health problems, and mental health apps of various types have emerged, attracting considerable investment.

Chinese Genomics Researcher Yunlong Cao Named in Nature’s 10 List

Nature, one of the world's top science journals, released its "Nature's 10" list of 2022 on December 14. Chinese genomics researcher Yunlong (Richard) Cao was named in the list. He helped track the evolution of the novel coronavirus and predicted some mutations that led to a new variant.

Chinese Economist Uses Baidu Search Data to Forecast Future COVID Cases

A popular economist on Chinese Q&A platform Zhihu released a report on December 11 regarding the initial round of expected mass COVID-19 infections since the government lifted tight restrictions in recent weeks.

Chinese COVID Pill Azvudine to Open for Online Sales

On the evening of December 13, Fosun Pharma, the exclusive commercial partner of Chinese COVID-19 oral drug Azvudine, confirmed that the pills can soon be prescribed through online medical platforms.

Electrolyte Water in Short Supply After China Adjusts COVID Policies

With the adjustment of COVID-19 prevention and control policies in many cities in China, in addition to a wave of panic buying of cold medicines, some food products have become unexpectedly popular recently, such as canned yellow peaches and electrolyte water.

Pfizer COVID-19 Pill Paxlovid Began Online Sales in China Only to be Removed Shortly After

On December 13, the online COVID-19 Clinic of a Chinese internet hospital under 111, Inc., a domestic digital healthcare platform, began to pre-sell Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets; ritonavir tablets), an oral antiviral drug for COVID-19. However, shortly after the news was reported, the drug was quickly removed from online platforms.

China to Scrap COVID-Tracing Digital “Itinerary Card”

Operators of China's digital "itinerary card," a smartphone function that has played a key role in authorities' pursuit of zero COVID, announced on December 12 that the service will officially go offline at 0:00 on December 13.

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