8th Sep 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=90 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The Straits Times Several Covid19 vaccine developers including Pfizer Inc Johnson Johnson and Moderna Inc plan to issue a public pledge not to seek government approval until their vaccine candidates are proven to be safe and effective the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday Sept 4. The companies would pledge to adhere to high scientific and ethical standards in the conduct of clinical studies and in their manufacturing processes the Journal report said citing the draft of a joint statement that is still being finalised. The companies might issue the pledge as soon as early next week the report added citing two people familiar with the matter https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/covid-19-vaccine-developers-prepare-joint-safety-pledge-wall-street-journal 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC Pupils and teachers have been asked to self isolate with schools across Wales affected by positive Covid19 cases. Areas affected include Bridgend Cardiff Caerphilly Carmarthen Gwynedd Neath Rhondda and Wrexham. Thirty pupils in Year 7 class at Ysgol Bro Edern Llanedeyrn Cardiff have been asked to selfisolate for 14 days after a confirmed case. Head teacher Iwan Pritchard said the school had acted as quickly as possible to contact those affected. They were identified as close contacts of a confirmed case at the school. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54056732 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Sky News Train services are ramping up from today amid evidence of growing demand as schools reopen in England and Wales and workers are urged to return to offices. Timetables are increasing to around 90 of prelockdown levels meaning additional trains and longer carriages on many routes according to industry body the Rail Delivery Group. The changes coincide with figures suggesting a modest rise in demand since the August Bank Holiday weekend following the governments plea for staff to go back to the office over fears the coronavirus crisis will leave a permanent scar on city centres. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-train-services-increase-after-push-for-people-to-return-to-work-12065617 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Rusian reported 5185 new coronavirus cases on Monday pushing its national tally to 1030690 the fourth largest in the world. Authorities confirmed 51 deaths in the last 24 hours bringing the official toll to 17871 https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-russia-cases/russia-reports-5185-new-coronavirus-cases-51-deaths-idUKKBN25Y0O9 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Independent India has overtaken Brazil to become the country with the second highest total number of coronavirus infections after the United States. Some 90802 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours on Monday pushing Indias total to 4204614 surpassing Brazil which has more than 4.1 million cases according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 6.2 million people in the US have been infected. India has recorded the worlds largest daily increases in cases for almost a month. However India has a relatively low per capita death rate which some observers have speculated could be due to the younger average age of the population. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-india-brazil-cases-death-toll-latest-us-b404814.html 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Daily Mail Another 90082 cases were recorded on Monday with 1016 new fatalities. Rising number of daily infections in the cities and is spreading into rural areas. India has recorded 4.2 million cases the US 6.2 million and Brazil 4.1 million. Indias death toll stands at 71642 compared to 193k in the US and 126k in Brazil https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8705247/India-second-highest-number-Covid-19-cases-US.html 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

RTL Today China is recasting Wuhan as a heroic coronavirus victim and trying to throw doubt on the pandemics origin story as it aims to seize the narrative at a time of growing global distrust of Beijing. China is recasting Wuhan as a heroic coronavirus victim and trying to throw doubt on the pandemics origin story as it aims to seize the narrative at a time of growing global distrust of Beijing. The PR blitz plays out daily in comments by Chinese officials and lavish state media coverage of a reborn Wuhan that trumpets Chinas epidemiccontrol efforts and economic recovery while the United States struggles. The drive peaked in the past week as Chinese primary schools welcomed back students with considerable fanfare and Wuhan hosted executives from dozens of multinationals from Panasonic to Dow and Nokia on a highly choreographed tour of the central Chinese city https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/1575654.html 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters South African consumers regained some confidence in the economy in the third quarter after consumer confidence hit a 35year low in the previous quarter a survey showed on Monday as the country reopened its borders and businesses from the lockdown. https://in.reuters.com/article/safrica-consumersentiment-idINL4N2G41OB 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Independent The group may have been boosted by a trend that has seen more people baking since lockdown began. Increased demand for yeast and bakery ingredients helped ABFs ingredients arm and profits from sugar sales are expected to increase this year. https://www.independent.co.uk/business%253A%252011981/primark-sales-after-lockdown-uk-high-streets-b404813.html 7th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK India overtook Brazil in coronavirus infection numbers on Monday making it second only to the United States after a record jump but the government resumed underground train services and announced plans to reopen the Taj Mahal this month https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-india-cases/indias-coronavirus-infections-overtake-brazil-as-some-rail-services-resume-idUKKBN25Y0BZ 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Aberdeen Evening Express Speaking at the Scottish Governments coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh on Monday Ms Sturgeon said her administration is in discussions with the UK Government about a rapid testing system. She said pilot work is under way. We are as keen as anybody to see these kinds of scientific developments give us more solutions to Covid than we have right now the First Minister said. But we have to be realistic we are still quite some way from that being a reality on a mass scale across the country. Discussing a vaccine she said We all hope there will be an effective vaccine as quickly as possible. But we cannot right now bank on it just as we cant bank on some of these other scientific developments. https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/scotland/rapid-covid-19-testing-system-quite-some-way-from-being-reality-says-sturgeon/ 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Financial Times Yvonne Doyle medical director for Public Health England echoed Mr Hancocks warnings to young people saying that the vast majority of new cases were in people in their late teens and early 20s. What we dont want to see is a continuing increase of cases in this age group because it could lead to them infecting their parents and grandparents who are much more at risk of poor outcomes from the virus added Dr Doyle. Separately Mr Hancock said the bestcase scenario for a Covid19 vaccine to be approved in the UK was later this year but it was most likely to happen in the first few months of next year. https://www.ft.com/content/57677b72-c09f-4ba5-ba0f-d594773f7575 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC The metro in the Indian capital Delhi has reopened more than five months after it was shut down to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Its Indias largest rapid transport system it carried 2.7 million passengers a day before the lockdown. Masks social distancing and temperature checks are mandatory according to the new rules. The move comes as case numbers continue to climb in India with daily tallies of more than 80000. The country has so far reported more than 4.1 million cases and 70000 deaths. Despite the risks India continues to reopen because the economy is still reeling from the effects of a prolonged lockdown. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-54023516 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Japan Today Indias increasing coronavirus caseload made the Asian giant the worlds secondworsthit country behind the United States on Monday as its efforts to head off economic disaster from the pandemic gain urgency. The 90802 cases added in the past 24 hours pushed Indias total past Brazil with more than 4.2 million cases. India is now behind only the United States where more than 6.2 million people have been infected according to Johns Hopkins University. Indias Health Ministry on Monday also reported 1016 new deaths for a total of 71642 the thirdhighest national toll. https://japantoday.com/category/world/india-passes-brazil-as-country-2nd-worst-hit-by-virus 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

News.com.au Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is facing mounting pressure over his controversial roadmap out of lockdown with politicians everyday Victorians and even medical experts slamming the plan. The backlash comes as new modelling shows the plan will see 260000 more Victorians lose their jobs with a staggering 432000 already out of work due to lockdown. Under the states roadmap some restrictions will begin to ease this Sunday although many will remain in place until at least late October. https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/coronavirus-australia-concerns-as-new-mystery-cases-emerge-in-nsw/live-coverage/3fffeff17375f45a58b586a42a8fd801 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Newshub Australias plan to grant Kiwis from COVID19free areas access to some states without spending time in quarantine upon arrival will not be reciprocated by New Zealand. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday every state and territory except Western Australia had agreed to a hotspot plan which would reduce the need for hard borders between them and New Zealand would be included. I spoke to Prime Minister Ardern this morning and what I advised her was that Australia will be looking to apply the same hotspot approach to New Zealand Morrison said in a news conference. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/09/coronavirus-jacinda-ardern-responds-to-australia-s-hotspot-plan-to-invite-kiwis-in-quarantine-free.html 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

New Zealand Herald Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has released a new road map out of stage 4 coronavirus restrictions and the news is grim for Melburnians. In a press conference on Sunday afternoon Andrews revealed the current strict Covid19 lockdown which was due to end in midSeptember would now be extended for an extra fortnight in metro Melbourne. It means Melbourne residents will only be permitted to leave their home to shop for food and essential goods or services to provide care for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment to exercise or for permitted work for two weeks more. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&ampobjectid=12362611 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Hindustan Times The countries have finally started lifting the nationwide lockdowns amid COVID19 pandemic to boost the tourism industry and the latest to join the bandwagon is Cuba as it now welcomes travellers. Rolling out its red carpet for tourists post the COVID19 lockdown the news came as a ray of hope not just for travel enthusiasts but also for several laidoff leisure industry employees residing in the Communistrun island. Similar to the rest of the world Cuba had too closed its airports in March courtesy COVID19 and decided to open from September 4. On Friday an Air Canada plane arrived at the CayoCoco airport on the northcentral coast and is now expected to fly weekly to Cuba and biweekly from next month. https://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/good-news-for-travel-enthusiasts-as-cuba-finally-welcomes-tourists-after-months-of-covid-19-lockdown/story-xA8aifrxhn35bJFJtdaC0L.html 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters The Philippines reported its lowest number of new daily coronavirus cases in nearly eight weeks on Monday but officials sought to temper optimism and warned of a prolonged battle as the pandemic rages on. Infections started soaring soon after authorities eased restrictions in a bid to revive the countrys troubled economy https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-philippines/philippines-urges-virus-vigilance-after-lowest-cases-in-eight-weeks-idUSKBN25Y10Z 7th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK Australias coronavirus hot spot state of Victoria on Sunday extended a hard lockdown in its capital Melbourne until Sept 28 as the infection rate has declined more slowly than hoped. We cannot open up at this time. If we were we would lose control very quickly State Premier Daniel Andres told a televised media conference on Sunday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-australia-idUKKBN25X00B 6th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

The Indian Express The use of haphazard localised lockdowns by states in July and August which badly impacted economic activity has had little effect on tempering the Covid case count in these locations. Statewise data for states which imposed localised lockdowns during July 10August 3 shows that the rise in new cases on a 7day moving average basis before and after the lockdown ranged between 37578 per cent in the seven regions which imposed localised lockdown during that period. These localised lockdowns end up disrupting the supply chains and increase the level of uncertainty in the system impacting the decisions by entrepreneurs to rehire workers or scale up operations. West Bengal Uttar Pradesh Punjab and Haryana announced lockdowns despite the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA directives to desist from imposition of these lockdowns and seek its clearance. https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/unplanned-localised-lockdowns-did-little-to-check-spread-of-covid-led-to-increased-economic-uncertainty-6585764/ 7th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Newstalk ZB Scott Morrison has issued his toughest criticism of the Victorian lockdown to date urging the state to reopen the economy faster by improving COVID19 contact tracing just as NSW has done across the border. Warning he will adopt a wait and see approach to further cash assistance for the state the Prime Minister has put the Victorian Premier on notice that he must step up to bear more of the financial burden for the decisions he is making to keep the economy in the deep freeze. Lockdowns and borders are not signs of success in dealing with COVID19. And so its important that we put ourselves in a position where they do not feature in how Australia is dealing with COVID19 on a sustainable basis the Prime Minister said. The most important thing is ensuring that we build an integrated tracing capability right across the country. https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/oliver-peterson-aussie-vaccination-and-victorian-lockdown/ 7th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Saturday 5 September was supposed to be the day Australian history was irreconcilably changed. It was to be Freedom Day the day when real Aussies took back control of the streets their airways and their collective destiny. Rather than changing it the protests amounted to what might constitute a footnote in an awfully specific history of Australia. Disparate groups gathered in separate events around the country. Dozens of protesters were arrested dozens more were fined with breaching Covid19 restrictions one protester jumped into Melbournes Albert Park Lake and all of it was livestreamed. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2020/sep/07/australias-conspiracy-theorists-are-increasingly-energised-but-police-crackdowns-may-be-counterproductive 7th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Sky News Australia A road to nowhere is how Victorias path out of lockdown is being described as it sparks fury from businesses. Prime Minister Scott Morrison labelled the restrictions as crushing and urged the state to strengthen its health response to the virus. https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6188193122001 7th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

New Zealand Herald Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is copping it from multiple directions this morning as the state comes to terms with his new roadmap out of lockdown. Andrews revealed the plan during a marathon media conference on Sunday. The current strict lockdown in Melbourne which was supposed to end in midSeptember will now be extended for another fortnight albeit with some tweaks. The Premier was clearly expecting his announcement to generate criticism. He did his best to head it off. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&ampobjectid=12362716 7th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian The slow return of UK workers to their normal place of work will come too late to save hardpressed city centre stores from going under the body that represents retailers has said. Despite a pickup in spending in August the British Retail Consortium BRC said sales were still below their prepandemic level and the lack of people was having a devastating impact on shops operating in places once thronged with workers. The latest health check of high street and online spending from the BRC warned that September would see more job losses a gloomy view backed up by the latest survey of employment trends from the consultancy group Manpower. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/08/return-to-work-is-too-late-to-save-city-centres-says-british-retail-consortium 8th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian Cancer treatments cancelled. Children deprived of schooling. More cases of domestic abuse. Continued restrictions on personal freedom. Over and above the direct damage caused to the economy the collateral damage from the Covid19 pandemic has been colossal. And the crisis is not over by any means. Travel restrictions come and go with mindboggling frequency. Local quarantining has replaced national lockdowns. Every leading policymaker in the UK from the chancellor Rishi Sunak downwards knows that the job losses to come threaten to leave permanent scars. An obvious question therefore is was it worth it Have the costs of shutting down a great chunk of Britain for three months and leaving many restrictions in place after six months been outweighed by the benefits https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/06/how-much-did-the-covid-19-lockdown-really-cost-the-uk 7th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

Financial Times Some of the largest emerging economies including India and Mexico have suffered the most from coronavirusrelated lockdowns highlighting their limited policy options as the pandemic continues and wealthier countries start to consider reimposing restrictions in the face of a second surge in infections. Indias economy the worlds fifthlargest shrank by about a quarter in the three months to June when Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed severe curbs on business activity and movement to contain the disease. In the same period Mexico lost 17 per cent of its output from the first quarter. Peru whose output contracted by 27 per cent was hardest hit. https://www.ft.com/content/62358c60-f3f4-4961-a33f-76ab4ef91350 7th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC A strict lockdown in the Australian city of Melbourne has been extended by two weeks with officials saying new Covid19 cases had not dropped enough. Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews said the restrictions would be in place until 28 September with a slight relaxation. A gradual easing of the measures will be implemented from October. The state has been the epicentre of the countrys second wave accounting for 90 of Australias 753 deaths. Australia has recorded a total of 26000 cases in a population of 25 million. The greater Melbourne area entered a second lockdown on 9 July after a rise in cases. A 5km 3 mile travel limit and night time curfew was imposed while shops and businesses were closed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-54045102 7th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian Public health experts have backed the Victorian governments decision to extend Melbournes stage four lockdown and only lift all restrictions once there is no community transmission of Covid19 but have questioned the effectiveness of the overnight curfew. The stage four lockdown has been extended for two weeks with some allowances made for single people living alone and a doubling of the time permitted for exercise. After that from 28 September the harshest measures of stage four will continue including the curfew but people will be able to meet in larger groups outdoors and some students will return to school. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/06/health-experts-welcome-melbourne-lockdown-extension-but-question-curfew 7th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

YAHOO! Australias coronavirus hot spot state of Victoria on Sunday extended a hard lockdown in its capital Melbourne until Sept. 28 as the infection rate has declined more slowly than hoped. We cannot open up at this time. If we were to we would lose control very quickly State Premier Daniel Andrews told a televised media conference on Sunday. The hard lockdown was ordered on Aug. 2 in response to a second wave of infections that erupted in Melbourne. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/australias-covid-19-epicentre-awaits-002537800.html 7th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Straits Times Australian officials on Sunday Sept 6 extended a strict virus lockdown of the countrys secondbiggest city by two weeks saying that new cases had not dropped enough to prevent another spike. Melbourne residents were due to exit a harsh sixweek lockdown next weekend but face continued restrictions for months to come with Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews saying that the current lockdown would remain in place until Sept 28. If we open up too fast then we have a very high likelihood that we are not really opening up at all we are just beginning a third wave he told a press conference. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/australias-covid-19-epicentre-awaits-lockdown-exit-plan-rates-dropping-slowly 6th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Up to 60000 people in the UK may have been suffering from long Covid for more than three months unable to get the care they need to recover from prolonged and debilitating symptoms. Tim Spector a professor of genetic epidemiology at Kings College London who runs the appbased Covid symptom study said around 300000 people had reported symptoms lasting for more than a month. A minority have been suffering for longer up to 60000 people have reported having symptoms for more than three months. Some cases are mild but others are seriously debilitating with breathlessness and fatigue. Some people have had to use wheelchairs. Others say attempting to carry out everyday tasks such as shopping or even climbing the stairs can leave them bedridden for days. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/08/60000-may-have-long-covid-for-more-than-three-months-uk-study 8th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC Two members of the UK governments Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies Sage have given stark warnings over the increase in coronavirus cases across the country. Prof John Edmunds said cases were now increasing exponentially. While Englands deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam said people had relaxed too much and must start taking the virus seriously again. Some 2948 UK cases were recorded on Monday according to government data. It follows 2988 new cases being announced on Sunday which was the highest figure since 22 May. Prof Edmunds from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine told ITVs Robert Peston that the R number which rates Covid19s ability to spread had risen above one so the UK was in a risky period. We can see the epidemic is taking off again. So I dont think weve hit that sweet spot where weve been able to control the epidemic and allow the economy to return to some sort of normality he said. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-54066831 8th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Fatigue headache and fever are the most common symptoms of coronavirus in children with few developing a cough or losing their sense of taste or smell researchers have found adding to calls for agespecific symptom checklists. The NHS lists three symptoms as signs of Covid19 in adults and children a high temperature a new continuous cough and a loss or change in the sense of smell or taste. However the team behind the Covid symptom study app say new data shows that the disease presents differently in children compared with adults. We need to start to telling people what are the key symptoms at different ages rather than this blanket obsession with fever cough and lack of smell said Prof Tim Spector of Kings College London who led the work. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/sep/07/fatigue-and-fever-most-common-covid-symptoms-in-children-study 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Urgency must not be misunderstood accelerating vaccine development must not mean compromising safety. Transparent rigorous assessment by independent regulatory bodies without political interference is nonnegotiable. Trust is our most important tool in public health and we must do everything we can to avoid putting that in doubt. It cannot be bought on shortterm promises. Already there are worrying signs of diminishing trust in potential Covid19 vaccines. Polls suggest that in countries with some of the highest global case numbers such as the United States there could be low uptake of any Covid19 vaccine no matter how effective. This must not become a polarised political issue public health is too important. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/06/lets-get-real-no-vaccine-will-work-as-if-by-magic-returning-us-to-normal 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Stool tests may be more effective than respiratory tests in identifying COVID19 infections in children and infants since they carry a higher viral load in their stool than adults researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong CUHK said. Sttol samples carry the virus even after it has cleared from a patients respiratory tract and that could lead to better identification of asymptomatic cases particularly in infants and others who have difficulty providing nasal or throat swabs CUHK researchers said in a press release https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-hongkong/hk-study-finds-covid-19-stool-tests-may-be-more-effective-for-infants-idUKKBN25Y145 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard The nations testandtrace system will be overwhelmed if there is a dramatic rise in Covid19 cases ministers were warned today after the biggest daily leap since May. Concerns are rising after some people were being asked to travel hundreds of miles to get tested because there were no slots available at their local testing centre. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/coronavirus-test-and-trace-overwhelmed-rise-in-cases-a4541711.html 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail As many as 115 trusts of 132 surveyed could be over capacity this winter. Figure was found by comparing winter demand and April Covid19 demand. Four out of five trusts that could be most overcapacity are based in the capital https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8705411/Large-winter-wave-Covid-19-overwhelm-87-NHS-hospitals.html 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail China showcased two potential coronavirus vaccines at a trade fair in Beijing. They are expected to be approved and ready to be produced as early as yearend. Nearly 10 COVID19 vaccine candidates worldwide have entered phase 3 trials. Russia is the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID19 vaccine https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8705541/China-shows-Covid-19-vaccines-time.html 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Wellcome Trust The first vaccine or even the first generation of vaccines will most likely not be perfect we need to be pragmatic and transparent on that front. The reality is that with these vaccines we will be taking small steps to return to a sense of normality. Plenty is attached to the word vaccine. When we hear it we think of one of the greatest advances in human health one that eliminates smallpox and saves millions every year from polio and tetanus from HPV and the flu. However the first generation of Covid19 vaccines will probably be only partially effective. They might not be completely effective in all ages or appropriate in all health systems. It is very possible that they might provide immunity only for a limited period even as short as 12 to 18 months. This might not be what we are used to from a vaccine but there is no doubt that the first effective vaccines even imperfect ones can have a major impact and be a precious commodity. https://wellcome.ac.uk/news/first-covid-19-vaccine-may-not-be-magic-bullet-returns-life-normal 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Hackers and spies from China Russia and Iran have targeted American biotech companies and research universities to steal vaccine research officials say Chinese intelligence hackers tried to steal information from the University of North Carolina and other schools according to two officials. Russian spies tried to steal data from universities and agencies in the US Canada and Britian but were detected by a British surveillance agency. Some of the targeted American biotech companies include Gilead Sciences Novavax and Moderna. So far no corporation or university has announced any data thefts from publicly identified hacking efforts but some hackers have penetrated network defenses https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8703843/China-Russia-Iran-deployed-spies-steal-vaccine-research-intelligence-war.html 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CNN My heartbeats are heavy. It becomes difficult to catch my breath. My hands shake and get sweaty said Aritri Paul of the terrifying panic attacks that strike more frequently since India went into coronavirus lockdown in March. Indias government started easing the most severe restrictions on daily life in June but the effects of the lockdown on residents mental health are still emerging as the country battles one of the most severe Covid19 outbreaks in the world. India now has over 4.2 million cases of the virus giving it the secondhighest tally of recorded cases globally only behind the Unites States. The worst are the headaches and the pain in my eyes said Paul who lives in Kolkata West Bengal. I have had more panic attacks this year than in my entire life combined. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/06/india/india-mental-health-dst-intl-hnk/index.html 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Japan Today Morrison said his government has struck a deal with CSL Ltd to manufacture two vaccines one developed by rival AstraZeneca and Oxford University and another developed in CSLs own labs with the University of Queensland. Australia needs some hope Morrison told reporters in Canberra. Today we take another significant step to protect the health of Australians against the coronavirus pandemic. Health Minister Greg Hunt said scientists leading the development of both vaccines have advised that recent evidence suggests both will offer multiyear protection. Morrison said CSL is expected to deliver 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine which is currently undergoing latestage clinical trials in Britain Brazil and South Africa in January and February next year. AstraZenecas candidate AZD1222 is viewed as a frontrunner in the global race to deliver an effective vaccine to combat the virus. https://japantoday.com/category/world/update-3-australia-expects-to-receive-astrazeneca%27s-covid-19-vaccine-within-months 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters UK Across the globe the Covid19 pandemic has accelerated changes in the way medicine is practised as medical care increasingly begins with an online consultation rather than a facetoface meeting. In this story the clinic run by Nigerian health technology firm eHealth Africa sent a patient a web browser link to hold a video chat with a doctor who diagnosed her son with a mild illness and prescribed medicine to avoid dehydration. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-tech-insigh-idUKKBN25Y0VG 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters UK Australia expects to receive its first batches of a potential COVID19 vaccine in January Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday as the number of new daily infections in the countrys virus hotspot fell to a 10week low https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-australia/australias-secures-access-to-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-within-months-idUKKBN25Y00X 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters UK Callard is one of thousands of people worldwide who are reporting a wide range of ongoing symptoms many months after being diagnosed with Covid19. Some call themselves Covid long haulers while others have adopted the term long Covid to describe their condition. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-long-fear-feature-idUKKBN25U0ET 7th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Scientific American Beyond its scientific backing the notion that a COVID19 patient might wind up with longterm lung scarring or breathing issues has the ring of truth. After all we hear the stories right The virus can leave survivors explaining how they struggled to breathe or how it can feel in the words of actress Alyssa Milano like an elephant is sitting on my chest. Weve also known for a while that some COVID19 patients hearts are taking a beating toobut over the past few weeks the evidence has strengthened that cardiac damage can happen even among people who have never displayed symptoms of coronavirus infection. And these frightening findings help explain why college and professional sports leagues are proceeding with special caution as they make decisions about whether or not to play. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-19-can-wreck-your-heart-even-if-you-havent-had-any-symptoms/ 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters on MSN.com Malaysias health authorities reported 62 new coronavirus cases on Monday the sharpest spike since early June just as the government began barring longterm immigration pass holders from countries with high infection numbers. From Monday Southeast Asias thirdlargest economy imposed a ban on pass holders from 23 countries that have reported more than 150000 COVID19 cases in a bid to clamp down on imported cases. Countries on the ban list include the United States Britain and France. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/malaysia-reports-sharpest-spike-in-new-coronavirus-cases-in-three-months/ar-BB18MKPS 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The number of new confirmed cases of Covid19 in France has risen by 4203 compared with the previous day to stand at a total of 328980 the French health ministry said on Monday. France has the seventh highest Covid19 death toll in the world. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france/french-covid-cases-and-death-toll-creeps-up-idUSKBN25Y1S0 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Doctors at one of the largest private COVID19 facilities in the Indian capital say they are exhausted and facing staff shortages after nearly six months of relentless work. Indias total cases of the novel coronavirus crossed 4.2 million on Monday overtaking Brazil as the second worsthit country after the United States. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-india/exhausted-indian-doctors-battle-surging-covid-19-cases-idUKL4N2G41OG 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Leeds Live One of Leedss most senior civil servants has claimed the city may have to face movement restrictions if the districts spread of Covid19 continues to worsen. A meeting of councillors and council officers heard how while clusters of infections in Kirkstall and Harehills were now under control there was still a problem of younger people mixing together and spreading the virus. Mariana Pexton the councils chief corporate support officer claimed that measures might have to be introduced to restrict individuals movements if infection rates continued to worsen. But she added such measures might have to be different to those from recent local lockdowns in areas such as Bradford and Kirklees. https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/movement-restriction-warning-leeds-covid-18893065 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Wales Online Older people appear to be voluntarily shielding from the spread of Covid19 with figures showing new infections are mainly confined to younger adults. Experts are now suggesting more mature citizens should be covered by any future restrictions while younger people continue to work avoiding the threat of strict new lockdown rules. There has been a steady rise in coronavirus infections but no significant rise in the number of patients hospitalised the Express reports. New data suggests the peak age range for new coronavirus cases covers people under 40. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/latest-covid-19-trend-suggests-18890175 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC A local lockdown could be put in place in Caerphilly county if necessary the leader of the council has warned. Philippa Marsden told BBC Radio Wales any decision would be made after advice was taken from Public Health Wales. She was speaking after a class of 21 pupils was told to selfisolate for two weeks after a member of staff tested positive for Covid19. There were 31 new cases in Caerphilly on Monday with a total of 98 reported in the last seven days. Its sevenday figure for cases per 100000 people now stands at 54.1 and total cases since reporting started stands at 905. One class at St Gwladys Primary School in Bargoed must stay at home although the school remains open. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54056200 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland may have to put the brakes on lockdown easing. Ms Sturgeon raised the prospect of having to close parts of our economy again. First Minister said releasing lockdown meant Scotland had released the virus https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8706163/Nicola-Sturgeon-issues-second-lockdown-warning-surge-cases.html 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Birmingham Mail The UK coronavirus death toll has risen once again on Monday with England the only country recording new deaths. A further four people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 29611 NHS England said on Monday. The patients were aged between 76 and 95 and all had known underlying health conditions. The dates of the deaths were all on September 5. No deaths were reported with no positive Covid19 test result. It comes as fears of a lockdown in Birmingham intensified with the rate of cases now lying around 50 per 100000. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/uk-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-18892377 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters France must stay vigilant as more people will be hospitalised in intensive care units in the next two weeks reflecting a flareup in COVID19 infections in recent days Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Saturday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-minister/france-expects-more-severe-covid-cases-in-next-15-days-idUKKBN25W0KU 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

NBC News Cases of the coronavirus are spiking in France Spain and the United Kingdom even as social distancing restrictions ease stoking concerns among doctors and policymakers about a second wave in countries still reeling from the pandemics first wave. France set a record Friday after health authorities reported 8975 new cases far higher than the previous record of 7578 which the was set March 31 at the height of the pandemic. In the U.K. new infections soared to nearly 3000 in one day the countrys biggest jump since May. And Spain had nearly 9000 new cases Thursday. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/coronavirus-spikes-spain-france-u-k-raise-specter-second-wave-n1239454 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC A rise in coronavirus cases could see the Scottish government put the brakes on further changes to lockdown restrictions Nicola Sturgeon has said. A total of 146 new cases of the virus were reported on Monday. The first minister said the continued rise must be taken really seriously. The restrictions will be reviewed on Thursday but Ms Sturgeon said it was unlikely Scotland would move to the next phase in her governments route map out of lockdown. And she said a resurgence of cases could see restrictions being reimposed. An average of 152 positive tests have been recorded each day over the past week compared to 14 per day six weeks ago. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-54058869 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Russia reported 5185 new coronavirus cases on Monday pushing its national tally to 1030 690 the fourth largest in the world. Authorities confirmed 51 deaths in the last 24 hours bringing the official death toll to 17871. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-cases/russia-reports-5185-new-coronavirus-cases-51-deaths-idUSKBN25Y0OA 7th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian It is a question that puzzles both those on the front line fighting Covid 19 and the experts developing strategies to combat its next move why has London not seen a second flareup when other parts of the UK are now having to introduce new lockdown restrictions Its a bit of an enigma given that London very definitely led during the initial peak said Professor David Alexander who is based at the Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction at University College London. Six months ago the capital was hit hard and hit first by the pandemic. Wards were converted to treat Covid19 patients and a temporary hospital was opened in Londons Docklands amid concerns that the capitals health system would collapse. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/06/as-other-cities-go-into-lockdown-why-isnt-london-having-a-second-wave 6th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian The restrictions brought in on Tuesday allow businesses to remain open but residents are discouraged from visiting other peoples homes. I think theres been a view in Scotland that were doing a better job of limiting the virus so it was a bit of a surprise to see another lockdown in Glasgow says Stark 29. I was a bit disappointed and frustrated and a few more weeks could be really tough for her emotionally being so cut off and isolated. But Id rather our government was more careful than less. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/06/glasgow-surprised-but-compliant-as-covid-19-restrictions-return 7th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

FRANCE 24 Once a role model in the fight against Covid19 Israel is set to lock down several cities to slow the fastspreading contagion as the government faces harsh criticism over the crisis. Israel passed the milestone of 1000 novel coronavirus deaths this weekend after the toll tripled over the summer fuelling regular protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus management of the health crisis and associated economic downturn. The dead were commemorated by Yediot Aharonot Israels topselling daily newspaper which covered its front page with the names of the pandemic victims and called out the shameful failure of the management of the crisis since May. https://www.france24.com/en/20200906-after-early-virus-success-israel-heads-for-partial-lockdown 7th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

Hindustan Times The Mamata Banerjee administration in West Bengal is enforcing the first lockdown day in September on Monday. The state administration has already declared that complete statewide lockdown would be enforced on three days in September 7 11 and 12. In August the government had imposed lockdown on six days. Nearly 5000 people were arrested for violating lockdown rules and around 2500 people were booked for not wearing masks on these six days. A few thousand people were arrested on other days. Since the morning the police have put up barricades on roads and naka checking was being done vehicle owners were being checked and people on roads were being questioned. They were either sent back home or arrested if they failed to provide valid reasons. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengal-s-first-lockdown-this-month-begins-today-says-centre-informed/story-uBIWGSv0BSrIJeLvX0kANI.html 7th Sep 2020