Fresh Covid-19 wave sweeps Asia; New Zealand warns of pressure on hospitals, World News – AsiaOne

WELLINGTON/TOKYO – A new wave of coronavirus infections is rapidly spreading through Asia, prompting warnings for residents from New Zealand to Japan to take precautions to slow the outbreak and help prevent healthcare systems from being overwhelmed. The renewed surge in cases, mostly of the BA.4/5 Omicron variants, provides a further challenge for authorities grappling with the economic fallout of earlier waves of the pandemic while trying to avoid extending or reintroducing unpopular restrictions. The New Zealand government on Thursday (July 14) announced free masks and rapid antigen tests as it tries to relieve pressure on the country’s health system,…