(Reuters) – Here are the facts about coronavirus.

Singapore looks into an unusual rise after records cases

After the report of 5,324 COVID-19 cases in Singapore, Singapore’s health minister said that it was investigating an “unusual spike” of infections. This is the highest number of new cases since the start of the pandemic. Singapore was also hit with 10 more deaths, bringing the total number of victims to 349.

To contain COVID-19’s spread, Singapore increased some social-distancing restrictions last week in order to alleviate pressure on its health system. The authorities have reinstated curbs, including limiting social interaction and limiting dining out for two.

Deaths and COVID infection rates are dropping in the Americas

COVID-19’s spread is slowing in most parts of North, Central, South America. The Pan American Health Organization reported on Wednesday that the continent’s infection and death rates were at their lowest level for more than one year. Many larger Caribbean islands, including Cuba where there was a long-running COVID-19 crisis, are experiencing a decline in their population.

Paraguay experienced a doubled in coronavirus infections in the week that ended, and Belize suffered a spike in COVID-related death rates, according to the World Health Organization regional branch. The COVAX facility will receive more vaccines this week than usual, with deliveries picking up during the end of the year. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO assistant director, said that the area could see an additional 3 million doses.

White House shows flexibility regarding Dec.8 vaccine deadline

According to the White House coronavirus coordinator, employers will not have to take immediate measures against employees who aren’t vaccinated by the COVID-19 deadline set by the Biden Administration when it enters into effect on Dec. 8.

White House remarks suggest that federal contractors, who are employed by millions of U.S workers, have considerable flexibility in enforcing COVID-19 regulations and won’t have to immediately layoff workers. However, they can have the time and resources for education, counselling, and other activities before potentially terminating employment.

The critical role of genes may play in COVID-19 development in young healthy adults

New findings indicate that a gene which aids the coronavirus to reproduce might be responsible for life-threatening COVID-19 among young and otherwise healthy individuals. Five genes were identified as being significantly more active in COVID-19 patients suffering from critical illnesses. The most common was ADAM9.

Science Translational Medicine published Tuesday’s report that the researchers found the exact same genetic pattern among a different group of COVID-19 victims. They found out that the virus could not make duplicates of itself by blocking ADAM9’s activity in laboratory experiments with human lung cells infected. To confirm these findings and decide if it is worth developing treatments that block ADAM9, more research will be needed.

Coronavirus infects fat cells

The risk factors for COVID-19 are known as obesity and hypertension. Researchers have found that the virus may infect fat cells. They discovered the virus could infect fat cells in two ways in laboratory experiments as well as autopsies from patients with COVID-19.

“Infection of fat cell led to a marked immune response consistent with the type of immune reaction that is seen in severe COVID-19,” Dr Catherine Blish of Stanford University School of Medicine reported on bioRxiv, Monday. This was ahead of peer reviews.