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Covid still int'l health emergency: WHO_我的网站

金粉世家

A | (ECNS) -- Shanghai is accelerating its digital transformation under a new blueprint for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), with a focus on breakthroughs in 6G technology and next-generation digital infrastructure. The city plans to advance the commercial deployment of 6G and develop intelligent experimental networks. It will also expand 5G-A coverage across a wide range of scenarios and strengthen links with the "Thousand Sails Constellation" satellite internet project. Beyond communications infrastructure, Shanghai aims to develop into a leading international data processing hub. The city plans to build advanced data centers in key areas including Lingang and Hongqiao, while facilitating cross-border data flows through a more practical negative-list system. The measures are intended to make international data exchanges more secure and efficient for multinational companies and other global businesses. The plan also places greater emphasis on high-performance computing, including the integration of AI computing and supercomputing resources into a unified service platform. At the same time, Shanghai will deepen digital cooperation with Singapore and BRICS countries, further strengthening its role as a gateway connecting China with the global digital economy. The strategy underscores China's push to lead the development of next-generation technologies while expanding international cooperation in the digital sector. (By Intern Lin Qiaochu, Zhang Dongfang) 。 Geneva, Oct 20 (UNI) The World Health Organization (WHO) said that Covid-19 is still a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the WHO's highest alert level.

The announcement came although the number of weekly deaths is almost at its lowest level since the pandemic began.

The WHO's International Health Regulations Emergency Committee said on Wednesday after its quarterly assessment meeting last week that despite a decline in severe cases of Covid-19, and the falling number of weekly deaths, deaths from Covid-19 nevertheless remain high compared with other respiratory viruses.

It also warned of Covid-19-related complications and post-Covid-19 conditions, with the full impact of these still not completely understood. The outbreak could also evolve during the upcoming winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, the committee said.

Meanwhile, the current gaps in global surveillance of Covid-19 have hindered early identification and evaluation of the virus' evolution. With the virus expected to continue evolving, the committee said that the genetic and antigenic characteristics of future variants cannot yet be reliably predicted. Evolving variants may pose challenges to current vaccines and therapeutics, the committee warned.

"Given the above considerations, the committee concurred that continued coordination of the international response is necessary," and considered that "the situation remains dynamic and requires frequent reassessments, and that the termination of the PHEIC, when considered feasible, should be implemented as safely as possible."

The committee recommended that there should be three key priorities in the future: strengthening surveillance and achieving vaccination targets for at risk-groups; continuing to increase access to affordable therapeutics; and strengthening pandemic preparedness planning, while continuing to protect the most at-risk groups.

UNI/XINHUA PRT。