"COVID-19 Lockdown Exit Analysis" 23rd Aug 2021
Overnight News RoundUp
One Minute Overview
- More than 9,000 Covid infections were linked to Euro 2020 football games monitored for the government’s mass events test scheme - Scientists have said the tournament generated “a significant risk to public health”. An analysis of the third and final stage of the research programme, released on Friday, found that more than 85% of all the infections connected to the 49 days of various outdoor sport, music and entertainment events came from the eight Euros games involved, and mainly the semi-final and final.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a strong and unusual warning on Saturday: “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.” The FDA was reacting to alarms from Mississippi, the state with the worst outbreak in the U.S., that people have been taking ivermectin to treat or prevent Covid-19. The drug is often used against parasites in livestock.
- India gives emergency approval for world’s first COVID-19 DNA jab. The vaccine, ZyCoV-D, uses a section of genetic material from the virus that gives instructions as either DNA or RNA to make the protein that the immune system responds to.
- With an alarming rise in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations, more Americans have recently made the decision to get vaccinated than in the last six weeks. More than 1 million doses of the vaccine were reported administered Thursday, new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed, marking the first time since early July for the single-day change in reported doses. The average pace of those initiating vaccination is more than 70% higher than one month ago.
- People taking part in coronavirus vaccine trials tell Sky News they have been unable to get COVID passes and face difficulties travelling in Europe because the jabs they received are not recognised
9,000 Covid cases linked to Euro 2020 games in mass events scheme
9,000 Covid cases linked to Euro 2020 games in mass events scheme
More than 9,000 Covid infections were linked to Euro 2020 football games monitored for the government’s mass events test scheme, and scientists have said the tournament generated “a significant risk to public health”. An analysis of the third and final stage of the research programme, released on Friday, found that more than 85% of all the infections connected to the 49 days of various outdoor sport, music and entertainment events came from the eight Euros games involved, and mainly the semi-final and final.
FDA Issues ‘You Are Not a Cow’ Warning After Livestock Drug Use
FDA Issues ‘You Are Not a Cow’ Warning After Livestock Drug Use
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a strong and unusual warning on Saturday: “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.” The FDA was reacting to alarms from Mississippi, the state with the worst outbreak in the U.S., that people have been taking ivermectin to treat or prevent Covid-19. The drug is often used against parasites in livestock.
India gives emergency approval for world’s first COVID-19 DNA jab
India gives emergency approval for world’s first COVID-19 DNA jab
The vaccine, ZyCoV-D, uses a section of genetic material from the virus that gives instructions as either DNA or RNA to make the protein that the immune system responds to.
As Covid-19 hospitalizations increase, a greater number of Americans are deciding to get vaccinated
As Covid-19 hospitalizations increase, a greater number of Americans are deciding to get vaccinated
With an alarming rise in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations, more Americans have recently made the decision to get vaccinated than in the last six weeks. More than 1 million doses of the vaccine were reported administered Thursday, new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed, marking the first time since early July for the single-day change in reported doses. The average pace of those initiating vaccination is more than 70% higher than one month ago.
COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteers say they're being punished by coronavirus passport schemes
COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteers say they're being punished by coronavirus passport schemes
People taking part in coronavirus vaccine trials tell Sky News they have been unable to get COVID passes and face difficulties travelling in Europe because the jabs they received are not recognised.
Coronavirus Australia: Vaccinated Australians to be allowed back into pubs, restaurants and gyms
Coronavirus Australia: Vaccinated Australians to be allowed back into pubs, restaurants and gyms
Fully vaccinated NSW residents could soon be able to get the jump on lockdown. NSW preparing to introduce vaccine passport system when jab targets reached.
Gladys Berejiklian is expected to unveil her so-called Freedom Plan next week. The proposal could see outdoor dining, gyms and beer gardens open back up. But the jab passport plan is not likely to come into effect until early October
Classrooms in England to get air quality monitors to help combat Covid
Classrooms in England to get air quality monitors to help combat Covid
Classrooms in England are to be fitted with air quality monitors when state schools and colleges reopen after the summer holidays, in an effort improve ventilation and combat the spread of Covid. The decision announced by the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, comes after a vociferous campaign by school staff unions for better ventilation, with research suggesting that the Covid virus mainly transmits via airborne particles, making enclosed spaces likely breeding grounds for infection.
Starting in September, the Department for Education (DfE) will spend £25m on providing 300,000 CO2 monitors to alert staff and students if CO2 levels rise, meaning that fresh air is failing to circulate.
San Francisco's new rule: Proof of vaccine or no dining in
San Francisco's new rule: Proof of vaccine or no dining in
San Francisco became the first major city in the nation to require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 on Friday for people dining inside restaurants, working out in gyms or attending indoor concerts
South Korea to get more Moderna COVID shots in boost to vaccination effort
South Korea to get more Moderna COVID shots in boost to vaccination effort
South Korea's health ministry said on Sunday that Moderna Inc will supply the country with 7.01 million doses of coronavirus vaccines by the first week of September, following a government request to speed up delivery. Some 1.01 million doses are expected to arrive on Monday, the ministry said, with another 6 million to be supplied sequentially. Moderna delivered 1.3 million doses earlier this month. It had at the time informed South Korea that it would only be able to deliver less than half the 8.5 million doses it had been due to ship in August.
UK travel restrictions for Covid-19 should be tougher, most voters think as 38% back fourth lockdown in future
UK travel restrictions for Covid-19 should be tougher, most voters think as 38% back fourth lockdown in future
Most Britons want the Government to impose tougher restrictions at the UK’s border to stop Covid-19 cases and new variants being imported from abroad, a new survey has revealed. The poll for i by Redfield & Wilton Strategies suggests that fewer that one in 10 people have travelled abroad for a summer holiday this year. It also shows that nearly 38 per cent of people would be prepared to support a fourth nationwide lockdown if the pressure on hospital from coronavirus cases reaches similar levels to the previous peaks.
UK scientists look at reducing boosters to save vaccine for rest of the world
UK scientists look at reducing boosters to save vaccine for rest of the world
Scientists in Britain are examining whether smaller doses of Covid vaccine could be used as part of booster programmes, amid hopes that the approach could also increase the supply of jabs across the world.
The use of so-called “fractional doses” has been proposed as a way of ensuring that precious supplies can immunise as many people as possible in parts of the world where there are shortages, while still providing high levels of protection from the virus.
Coronavirus Australia: Scott Morrison backs NSW plan to end lockdown at 70- 80 per cent vaccination
Coronavirus Australia: Scott Morrison backs NSW plan to end lockdown at 70- 80 per cent vaccination
NSW Premier's plans to end lockdown at 80 per cent vaccination backed by PM
State could reopen when it reaches magic milestone, even if cases remain high
New modelling suggests lifting lockdown with high cases won't make difference
Mr Morrison says it's 'inevitable' cases will rise once Australia starts to reopen
Lockdowns or vaccines? 3 Pacific nations try diverging paths
Lockdowns or vaccines? 3 Pacific nations try diverging paths
Cheryl Simpson was supposed to be celebrating her 60th birthday over lunch with friends but instead found herself confined to her Auckland home. The discovery of a single local COVID-19 case in New Zealand was enough for the government to put the entire country into strict lockdown this past week. While others might see that as draconian, New Zealanders generally support such measures because they worked so well in the past. “I’m happy to go into lockdown, even though I don’t like it,” said Simpson, owner of a day care center for dogs that is now closed because of the precautions. She said she wants the country to crush the latest outbreak: “I’d like to knock the bloody thing on the head.”
South Africans form long queues as COVID-19 jabs opened to all adults
South Africans form long queues as COVID-19 jabs opened to all adults
South Africans formed queues hundreds of metres long to get their COVID-19 shots on Friday, after the government made vaccinations available to all adults in order to hasten a rollout beset by challenges and delays. South Africa has been battered by three coronavirus waves, infecting at least 2.65 million people, killing 78,000 - by far the continent's worst toll - and pummelling an already struggling economy with lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Police arrest hundreds of protesters as Australia reports record COVID-19 cases
Police arrest hundreds of protesters as Australia reports record COVID-19 cases
Australian police arrested hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters in Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday and seven officers were hospitalised as a result of clashes, as the country saw its highest ever single-day rise in COVID-19 cases.
Vaccine resistance in the military remains strong, a dilemma for Pentagon as mandate looms
Vaccine resistance in the military remains strong, a dilemma for Pentagon as mandate looms
The Pentagon’s effort to mandate coronavirus vaccination for all 1.3 million active-duty service members will continue to face resistance from a segment of the force, troops and observers say, until military leaders devise an effective strategy for countering pervasive doubt about the pandemic’s seriousness and widespread misinformation about the shots designed to bring it under control. When Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced earlier this month that he would seek to require inoculation no later than mid-September, Pentagon data showed that thousands of personnel — about one-third of the force — remained unvaccinated. President Biden quickly endorsed the move.
‘Unmute us’: Marchers demand return of Dutch music festivals
‘Unmute us’: Marchers demand return of Dutch music festivals
Dutch music fans have been banned for months from going to large-scale festivals due to coronavirus restrictions. On Saturday, the festivals came to them. Hundreds of performers and festival organizers held marches through six Dutch cities on Saturday to protest what they argue are unfair restrictions that have forced the cancellation of summer music festivals and other events. Thousands of people attended one of the “Unmute Us” marches in Amsterdam, walking and dancing behind a convoy of trucks carrying DJs and sound systems pumping out music.
French protesters rally against COVID health pass
French protesters rally against COVID health pass
Thousands of people have marched in cities across France to protest the COVID-19 health pass that is now required to access restaurants and cafes, cultural venues, sports arenas and long-distance travel. For a sixth straight weekend, opponents on Saturday denounced what they see as a restriction of their freedom. Many criticised the measure, claiming the French government was implicitly making vaccines obligatory and unfairly restricting the rights of the unvaccinated.
The Big-Government-Conservative War on Masks
The Big-Government-Conservative War on Masks
Crises have the power to expose tensions within ideologies, and the current pandemic has made some of those in contemporary American conservatism vividly apparent.
New Zealand PM Ardern extends nationwide COVID-19 lockdown
New Zealand PM Ardern extends nationwide COVID-19 lockdown
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended New Zealand's strict nationwide coronavirus lockdown on Friday, saying the full extent of the Delta outbreak was still unknown.
Australian PM Morrison defends lockdown strategy as daily cases hit record
Australian PM Morrison defends lockdown strategy as daily cases hit record
Australia will stick to its lockdown strategy against the coronavirus until at least 70% of its population is fully vaccinated, but after that it will have to start living with the virus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday.
UK regulator approves ‘first of its kind’ Covid antibody treatment
UK regulator approves ‘first of its kind’ Covid antibody treatment
The antibody cocktail used to treat Donald Trump for Covid has been approved by the UK’s medicines regulator, becoming the first treatment in Britain using artificial antibodies to tackle the virus. The drug, developed by the US biotech company Regeneron, has received the backing of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Clinical trials showed it helped to prevent Covid infection as well as to reduce the risk of hospitalisation or symptoms in severe cases, when given soon after exposure. Known as Ronapreve, it is the first artificial antibody drug of its type to be approved in the UK, which was hailed by the health secretary, Sajid Javid, as “fantastic news”. Javid said he hoped it could be available for NHS patients as soon as possible.
J&J applies for COVID-19 vaccine study in Indian adolescents
J&J applies for COVID-19 vaccine study in Indian adolescents
Johnson & Johnson has sought approval from Indian drug regulators to conduct a study of its COVID-19 vaccine among 12- to 17-year-olds, the company said on Friday. Conducting vaccine clinical trials among adolescents is imperative to achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus, J&J said in an emailed statement.
The U.S. pharma giant had received emergency use
COVID-19: Antibody testing programme to be rolled out across the UK for COVID positive people
COVID-19: Antibody testing programme to be rolled out across the UK for COVID positive people
An antibody testing programme for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 is to be launched across the UK. The government's new programme is intended to produce data on antibody protections for people following infection by different coronavirus variants. From Tuesday, anyone aged 18 or over in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, will be able to opt in to the programme when receiving a PCR test.
Russian developer ready to launch clinical trials of nasal spray coronavirus vaccine
Russian developer ready to launch clinical trials of nasal spray coronavirus vaccine
Researchers at Russia’s Gamaleya Center have completed pre-clinical trials of a nasal spray coronavirus vaccine and are ready to launch clinical trials, the center’s Director Alexander Gintsburg told TASS. "There has been serious progress made in terms of the nasal spray vaccine, pre-clinical trials are over. We are ready to move on to clinical trials," he said. According to Gintsburg, the nasal spray vaccine consists of the second component of the Sputnik V vaccine. The Gamaleya Center’s director said earlier that clinical trials could begin in late 2021 or early 2022 and the vaccine was expected to be approved in 2022.
US officials reviewing possibility Moderna vaccine is linked to higher risk of uncommon side effect than previously thought
US officials reviewing possibility Moderna vaccine is linked to higher risk of uncommon side effect than previously thought
Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for adolescents has yet to be authorized by federal health officials in part because they are investigating emerging reports that the shots may be associated with a higher risk of a heart condition in younger adults than previously believed, according to two people familiar with the review who emphasized the side effect still probably remains very uncommon. The investigation, which involves the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is focusing on Canadian data that suggests the Moderna vaccine may carry a higher risk of myocarditis for young people than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, especially for males below the age of 30 or so.
Why the Philippines' long lockdowns couldn't contain covid-19
Why the Philippines' long lockdowns couldn't contain covid-19
The Philippines has been under some form of lockdown or strict quarantine for 17 continuous months, yet it finds itself with thousands of cases a day. Patricia Denise M Chiu asks why. In August 2020, the Philippines, already under quarantine measures involving shuttered businesses, enforced curfew hours, and limited access to basic supplies, was at a crossroads. Overwhelmed by quickly filling intensive care units amid rising cases of covid-19, the country’s healthcare workforce had had enough.
AstraZeneca says prospect of COVID-19 drug success underscores value of vaccine ops
AstraZeneca says prospect of COVID-19 drug success underscores value of vaccine ops
An AstraZeneca executive said the prospect of offering a new treatment to prevent COVID-19 could position the British drugmaker as a supplier of both vaccines and drugs which guard against the infectious disease. The remarks by executive Mene Pangalos on Friday, after antibody drug AZD7442 was shown to prevent COVID-19 in a trial, came after another leading executive, Ruud Dobber, said last month that different options were being explored for the vaccine operations, which stem from a collaboration with Oxford University
'We mustn't take our eye off the ball': Scientist warns Covid could come 'roaring back' as he calls for 'strategic' booster jabs
'We mustn't take our eye off the ball': Scientist warns Covid could come 'roaring back' as he calls for 'strategic' booster jabs
Virologist Dr Chris Smith has warned Britain not to take its eye off the ball. The lecturer said that any decision made on booster jabs should not be rushed. So far, the UK's vaccination drive has seen around 3/4 adults receive two doses
S.Korea says Russia's CoviVac COVID-19 vaccine seeks regulatory approval -drug safety ministry
S.Korea says Russia's CoviVac COVID-19 vaccine seeks regulatory approval -drug safety ministry
South Korea on Friday said Russia's COVID-19 vaccine CoviVac has applied for preliminary regulatory approval, the country's drug safety ministry said in a statement. South Korea has not yet announced plans to make any purchases of CoviVac, the ministry said.
England’s Covid R rate jumps to a high of 1.2
England’s Covid R rate jumps to a high of 1.2
England’s coronavirus reproduction number has risen to between 0.9 and 1.2 in the latest Government figures. R represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes onto infect with the virus. Every 10 people who have coronavirus will infect between 9 and 12 others when the R number is between 0.9 and 1.2. The R value has begun to climb in England as Monday’s saw self-isolation rules for double-jabbed Britons relaxed.
English schools told to delay seeking help with small Covid outbreaks
English schools told to delay seeking help with small Covid outbreaks
Universities, schools and nurseries in England have been advised to delay seeking help in dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks until a cluster involving as many as 10% of staff, students or children have contracted the virus. A new “contingency framework” issued by the Department for Education (DfE) to all education settings in England – ranging from universities and colleges to after-school tuition and youth clubs – advises that preventive measures such as wearing masks or remote learning should be used only after discussion with public health officers, once a “threshold” of infections has been reached.
Rev Jesse Jackson in hospital with Covid-19
Rev Jesse Jackson in hospital with Covid-19
The Rev Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, and his wife have been hospitalised after testing positive for Covid-19, according to a statement.He and his wife, 77, were being treated at Northwestern memorial hospital in Chicago, said his nonprofit Rainbow/Push Coalition. Jesse Jackson, 79, is vaccinated against the virus and received his first dose in January during a publicised event as he urged others to do so as soon as possible.
Louisiana sees 'astronomical' number of new Covid-19 cases, governor says
Louisiana sees 'astronomical' number of new Covid-19 cases, governor says
With the continued spread of the more infectious Delta variant, health and elected officials warned that hospitals across the country are reaching critical levels of Covid-19 patients, especially in areas with lower vaccination rates. Overall hospitalizations are continuing to increase across Alabama as the "pandemic of unvaccinated people continues," state health officer Dr. Scott Harris said on Friday. Alabama hospitals have a negative capacity of ICU beds available, he said, and the state is seeing the highest number of Covid-19 cases among children than at any other time during the pandemic.
Child Covid-19 hospitalizations soar, filling pediatric wings, data show
Child Covid-19 hospitalizations soar, filling pediatric wings, data show
Two weeks ago, only two or three children a day would come into Dr. Nick Hysmith’s hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, with Covid-19, usually ones who were admitted for other reasons, like broken bones. This week, he is seeing as many as 28 children under 18 a day, some of them landing in the intensive care unit.
Thailand reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases, plans vaccine boosters
Thailand reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases, plans vaccine boosters
Thailand's passed the 1 million mark in coronavirus cases on Friday, 97% of which were recorded in the past five months, as the country struggles to boost vaccinations and get on top of one of Asia's most severe COVID-19 outbreaks. Authorities on Friday reported 19,851 cases and 240 fatalities, taking total confirmed infections past 1 million and deaths to 8,826, a death ratio of 0.87% of confirmed cases.
Panic buying in Vietnam's largest city before tighter COVID-19 lockdown
Panic buying in Vietnam's largest city before tighter COVID-19 lockdown
Vietnam's plan to prohibit residents of Ho Chi Minh City from leaving their homes from Monday has triggered panic buying in the epicentre of its worst coronavirus outbreak.
Jamaica to have days of lockdown to tame coronavirus spread
Jamaica to have days of lockdown to tame coronavirus spread
Jamaica will prohibit residents from leaving their homes for seven days spread over three weekends to contain an upsurge in coronavirus infections and shield its healthcare system, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said. The Caribbean nation has been battling a third wave of infections, with the presence of the highly contagious Delta variant confirmed on the island.
Sri Lanka announces lockdown as coronavirus cases surge; president to address nation
Sri Lanka announces lockdown as coronavirus cases surge; president to address nation
Sri Lanka announced a 10-day lockdown starting on Friday night in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, as surging infections and deaths overwhelm the island's health system. The Indian Ocean nation recorded its highest single-day death toll of 187 and 3,793 cases on Wednesday. "Nationwide Lockdown in effect from 10pm today (20/08) to Monday (30/08). All essential services will function as normal," Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said on Twitter.