U.S. reports 1.35 million COVID-19 cases in a day, shattering global record

13 Sept 11:31 Key points summarised by AI

The U.S. recorded an unprecedented 1.35 million new COVID-19 infections on Monday, setting a new global daily record driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant.
This surge in cases coincided with a record high in COVID-19 hospitalizations, which doubled in three weeks and severely strained healthcare systems nationwide.
The widespread infections led to significant societal disruptions, including school closures, public transport suspensions, and delayed returns to offices.
Pfizer's CEO announced that a redesigned, Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine could be available as early as March.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Yesterday 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.