Here's the latest news from the pandemic.

U.K. economy's faster rebound isn't enough to recoup virus losses
Singapore's reopening resolve tested as Covid deaths hit record
G-7 ministers are set to meet on reopening international travel

Ivermectin has become a lightning rod in the Covid culture wars. Despite safety concerns and a rash of poisonings, the antiparasitic drug has been promoted by fringe groups, celebrities and social media as a treatment for the virus.

Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn against using ivermectin to treat Covid. That hasn't stopped some health-care professionals from being convinced that it works. Catherine Moring, president of Mississippi's Public Health Association, turned to ivermectin when she tested positive. She gathered information from newsletters and podcasts, read research papers and spoke to doctors she knew.

While the drug is often used to treat worms in livestock and domestic animals, some tests have shown it can also reduce viral load in humans. But many studies show ivermectin's benefits for Covid patients are small and lack good evidence, according to a recent review by the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group, which evaluates medical practices.

A syringe of ivermectin — a drug used to kill worms and other parasites — intended for use in horses only.

Photographer: Ted S. Warren/AP

Moring turned to a group of physicians and advocates called the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance for help getting a prescription for the drug. Some people who are unable to get prescriptions for ivermectin are taking animal formulations, which can be easier to acquire.

In an echo of the controversy over hydroxychloroquine — the malaria drug touted by former President Donald Trump as a Covid "game-changer" — ivermectin sales have soared in recent months, and poisonings have risen in tandem. Outpatient prescriptions rose more than 24-fold from pre-pandemic levels to 88,000 a week in the seven days ending Aug. 13. And there have been roughly 1.2 million retail prescriptions written this year for the drug, compared with 340,000 in 2020, according to data provider Symphony Health.

The run on ivermectin has strained some veterinary practices, which rely on the medicine to treat horses, cows and other livestock.

While many social-media platforms have taken steps to prevent the spread of misinformation about the drug, it doesn't always work. Ivermectin-focused groups still exist and are gaining members, according to Media Matters Associate Research Director Kayla Gogarty. Some posters are able to get around restrictions just by avoiding mentioning the drug by name.— Fiona Rutherford

Wall Street Titans Warn of the Next Big Risks

As the world adapts to Covid-19, we asked three of the biggest names in markets for their view on the emerging risks to investors. Their answers: deflation (really!), cybersecurity and mounting inequalities. See the full story and watch the interviews here.

Mohamed El-Erian, Cathie Wood and Scott Minerd

Bloomberg

China Diplomacy Wavers on mRNA Preference

Governments that once relied on Chinese shots seek Western options.

Football Parties Trigger Australia Infection Surge

Grand final social gatherings help bring Covid cases to an all-time high.

Hong Kong Bans 'Virus Shapes' on China's Flags

Imagery appeared in early days of pandemic as people blamed China.

DNA-Sequencing Firm Soars in London Debut

Oxford Nanopore's technology has been used to help track variants.

Beijing Olympics to Allow Only Local Spectators

City plans "closed loop" similar to Tokyo's Olympic bubble.

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