In the latest global COVID-19 developments, some recent hot spots reported new daily record cases, as US officials announced the transfer of some technology to an international effort to speed and share new pandemic tools.Cases accelerate in later Omicron outbreaksIn Hong Kong, where the peak is expected in the middle of March, cases reached a new daily record of 56,827.
At a briefing today, health officials urged the public to stay home as much as possible. They noted continued assistance from the mainland, including the arrival of Chinese medicines.
The food supply to Hong Kong is steady, and people shouldn't panic-buy in stores, the group added.South Korea's cases today topped 240,000 for the first time, with more than 60% reported from the Seoul area, according to Yonhap News.
The government has suspended vaccine passes due to lack of staffing, and health officials expect cases to peak in the middle of March.In Japan, among the countries reporting later Omicron variant surges, cases are starting to decline, though hospitals are still under pressure, according to Reuters.