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Coronavirus live news: Russia says first batch of vaccine ready in two weeks; Germany cases at three-month high Coronavirus live news: Russia says first batch of vaccine ready in two weeks; Germany cases at three-month high
(32 minutes later)
Moscow rejects concerns over safety; Beirut blast destroyed or damaged hospitals; Germans told to keep guard up against virusMoscow rejects concerns over safety; Beirut blast destroyed or damaged hospitals; Germans told to keep guard up against virus
English authorities have reassured school pupils they would be graded fairly for exams missed because of the coronavirus, after the Scottish government was forced into a major U-turn on the issue.
As in many countries, British pupils were unable to sit exams as planned in April, May and June due to the Covid-19 lockdown, and instead will receive a moderated grade based on an assessment by their school or teacher.
But the publication of key results in Scotland last week caused uproar and demands for its education minister John Swinney to resign, amid complaints that the moderation process had caused the downgrading of grades for the poorest pupils.
Swinney on Tuesday bowed to pressure and announced that more than 70,000 Scottish pupils would have their results restored to their teachers’ original assessments.
In a bid to head off a similar row in England, which has a different school system, education minister Gavin Williamson announced a new policy.
Pupils aged 18 receiving A-Level results on Thursday will be able to accept their result, challenge it based on the preparatory mock exam results or sit new tests in the autumn.
“This triple lock system will help provide reassurance to students and ensure they are able to progress with the next stage of their lives,” he said.
Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer called the idea “deeply flawed”. He said:
Students in Scotland had complained that the moderation process gave unfair weighting to the historical performance of the school and local area, disproportionately affecting poor students.
Pass rates for pupils in the most deprived areas were reduced by 15.2%, compared with 6.9% in more affluent areas.
The row rocked the devolved government of Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has otherwise been riding high in the polls, including over her handling of coronavirus.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will self-isolate until he tests negative for Covid-19 after breaching a bio-security protocol by posing for a photograph with a member of the public in England.
The photo, posted on Twitter by the 39-year-old all-rounder, was taken on a golf course next to the hotel where Pakistan are staying, which is part of a bio-secure bubble.
Hafeez is not part of Pakistan’s 20-man test squad playing in England but is on the tour for the three-match Twenty20 international series starting 28 August.
“As it was evident from the photograph that Hafeez had breached the two-metre social distancing protocol...the team management has decided to isolate him until he returns a negative Covid-19 test,” PCB said in a statement.
The PCB said Hafeez was tested for the virus on Wednesday afternoon with the results expected on Thursday.
Earlier in June, Hafeez was among the 10 Pakistan players who tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of their England tour but he returned a negative result a day later following a subsequent examination at a private laboratory in Lahore.
The coronavirus pandemic has pushed most of the world’s major economies into unprecedented contractions in the second quarter, except for China which escaped a recession.
Here are the second quarter changes in gross domestic product (GDP) compared to the previous quarter for the world’s top economies, as reported by AFP.
Unless stated otherwise, the figures are from the national statistics institutes.
Germany
Europe’s top economy was hit less hard by the coronavirus than its neighbours, but still saw its GDP fall by 10.1% in the second quarter.
As GDP had already declined by 2% in the first quarter, Germany’s economy met the definition of a recession: two consecutive quarters of contracting GDP.
Germany’s previous record for a quarterly GDP drop: 4.7% in the first quarter of 2009.
France
The eurozone’s number two economy was in a longer and stricter lockdown than its eastern neighbour, and second quarter GDP fell more steeply, by 13.8%, after a drop of 5.9% in the previous three months.
Previously the worst quarterly GDP growth in France happened in 1968 because of a general strike in May of that year.
Italy
Italy’s growth was impacted very early on by the coronavirus which hit its richest region, Lombardy, particularly hard.
Italian GDP fell by 5.4% in the first quarter and then by 12.4% in the second, pushing the country into recession.
Spain
After a 5.2% drop in the first quarter, Spain’s economy contracted a further 18.5% in the second, notably because of a 60% drop in tourism income and a fall by one third in exports.
Eurozone
The eurozone’s overall GDP plunged 12.1% in the three months to June, after 3.6% in the first quarter, making the second quarter downturn “by far” the worst since statistics agency Eurostat started compiling growth data for the area in 1995.
United Kingdom
The UK suffered the worst recession in Europe in the first two quarters of the year, also recording the highest number of coronavirus deaths in Europe.
GDP fell 20.4% in the second quarter after a 2.2% drop in the first.
United States
The United States, the world’s top economy, suffered a 9.5% slump in the second quarter following a 1.3% drop in the first, according to figures published by the OECD.
The US government publishes annualised figures (-32.9% in the second quarter), a method that is not comparable with most other countries.
China
China, the world’s second-largest economy, may have been where Covid-19 originated, but thanks to strict lockdown measures it was able to largely halt the spread of the virus and reopen factories, thus avoiding a recession.
In the second quarter its economy rebounded by 11.5%, having fallen by 10% in the first quarter. Still, growth for this year will be much below what China has become accustomed to for decades.
Japan
Japan announced in mid-May it was already in recession when first quarter GDP slid by 0.6% after a 1.9% drop in the final quarter of 2019. The world’s number three economy has yet to publish second quarter GDP figures.
A federal judge in Missouri said a group of hair salons and restaurants can sue their insurance carrier for business interruption losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which they say caused a “direct physical loss” to their premises.A federal judge in Missouri said a group of hair salons and restaurants can sue their insurance carrier for business interruption losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which they say caused a “direct physical loss” to their premises.
The decision against Cincinnati Insurance by US District Judge Stephen Bough in Kansas City appears to be the first victory for policyholders suing insurers for improperly denying claims related to shutdowns caused by Covid-19.The decision against Cincinnati Insurance by US District Judge Stephen Bough in Kansas City appears to be the first victory for policyholders suing insurers for improperly denying claims related to shutdowns caused by Covid-19.
Insurers had won similar earlier cases in a Michigan state court and a Washington DC, court, successfully arguing that coverage was not warranted because the virus travels through the air and does not cause physical damage.Insurers had won similar earlier cases in a Michigan state court and a Washington DC, court, successfully arguing that coverage was not warranted because the virus travels through the air and does not cause physical damage.
While not ruling on the merits, Bough rejected Cincinnati Insurance’s bid to dismiss the Missouri case.While not ruling on the merits, Bough rejected Cincinnati Insurance’s bid to dismiss the Missouri case.
He said the presence of Covid-19 was not a “benign condition,” and the plaintiffs plausibly alleged that particles were a “physical substance” that attached to and damaged their property, rendering them unsafe and unusable.Business owners have filed hundreds of lawsuits claiming that their business interruption insurance, which typically offers coverage for losses from calamities such as fires or floods, should also cover a pandemic.He said the presence of Covid-19 was not a “benign condition,” and the plaintiffs plausibly alleged that particles were a “physical substance” that attached to and damaged their property, rendering them unsafe and unusable.Business owners have filed hundreds of lawsuits claiming that their business interruption insurance, which typically offers coverage for losses from calamities such as fires or floods, should also cover a pandemic.
Insurers have countered that applying such coverage to Covid-19 losses would result in crippling payouts and deplete their capital.Insurers have countered that applying such coverage to Covid-19 losses would result in crippling payouts and deplete their capital.
Analysts have said the industry’s coronavirus-related losses have so far been modest.Analysts have said the industry’s coronavirus-related losses have so far been modest.
Russia said on Wednesday the first batch of its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine would be ready within two weeks and rejected safety concerns over its rapid approval as ‘groundless’.Russia said on Wednesday the first batch of its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine would be ready within two weeks and rejected safety concerns over its rapid approval as ‘groundless’.
The health minister, Mikhail Murashko, said the vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Institute, would be administered on a voluntary basis.The health minister, Mikhail Murashko, said the vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Institute, would be administered on a voluntary basis.
The vaccine has not yet completed its final trials.The vaccine has not yet completed its final trials.
Only about 10% of clinical trials are successful and some scientists fear Moscow may be putting national prestige before safety.Only about 10% of clinical trials are successful and some scientists fear Moscow may be putting national prestige before safety.
“It seems our foreign colleagues are sensing the specific competitive advantages of the Russian drug and are trying to express opinions that in our opinion are completely groundless,” Murashko said, the day after president Vladimir Putin announced it had won regulatory approval.“It seems our foreign colleagues are sensing the specific competitive advantages of the Russian drug and are trying to express opinions that in our opinion are completely groundless,” Murashko said, the day after president Vladimir Putin announced it had won regulatory approval.
Scientists from Germany, the United States and Britain have queried the wisdom of approving the vaccine before testing is complete.Scientists from Germany, the United States and Britain have queried the wisdom of approving the vaccine before testing is complete.
US house speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Democrats and the Trump administration remain far apart regarding any agreement over further economic aid amid the coronavirus pandemic, adding that Republicans also seemed divided amongst themselves over relief efforts.US house speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Democrats and the Trump administration remain far apart regarding any agreement over further economic aid amid the coronavirus pandemic, adding that Republicans also seemed divided amongst themselves over relief efforts.
“We’re miles apart,” the US House of Representatives’ top Democrat told MSNBC, citing education funding in particular, among other needs.“We’re miles apart,” the US House of Representatives’ top Democrat told MSNBC, citing education funding in particular, among other needs.
“It’s a chasm ... but as a practical matter, they’re going to have to come to the table.”“It’s a chasm ... but as a practical matter, they’re going to have to come to the table.”
A total of 1,009 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the United Kingdom, taking the country’s total to 313,798, government data showed.A total of 1,009 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the United Kingdom, taking the country’s total to 313,798, government data showed.
The daily figure was down from 1,148 on Tuesday.The daily figure was down from 1,148 on Tuesday.
It was the third time the daily number of cases has surpassed 1,000 this month. Previously, it had last topped 1,000 in June.It was the third time the daily number of cases has surpassed 1,000 this month. Previously, it had last topped 1,000 in June.
Switzerland is extending its ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 by one month until 1 October, with Covid-19 cases back on the rise.Switzerland is extending its ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 by one month until 1 October, with Covid-19 cases back on the rise.
The Swiss government “intends to ensure that the epidemiological situation in Switzerland does not deteriorate”, it said in a statement.The Swiss government “intends to ensure that the epidemiological situation in Switzerland does not deteriorate”, it said in a statement.
“This careful reopening step takes into account the needs of society and the economic interests of sports clubs and cultural venues.”“This careful reopening step takes into account the needs of society and the economic interests of sports clubs and cultural venues.”
Unlike some of its European neighbours, Switzerland stopped short of imposing strict confinement when it introduced measures in mid-March aimed at stopping the spread of the new coronavirus.Unlike some of its European neighbours, Switzerland stopped short of imposing strict confinement when it introduced measures in mid-March aimed at stopping the spread of the new coronavirus.
It began gradually easing its restrictions in stages, from 27 April.It began gradually easing its restrictions in stages, from 27 April.
The ban on events for more than 1,000 people was due to expire on 31 August but has been extended for another month, with the government spelling out the conditions in which they could return - measures which will have implications for the country’s ice hockey and football championships.The ban on events for more than 1,000 people was due to expire on 31 August but has been extended for another month, with the government spelling out the conditions in which they could return - measures which will have implications for the country’s ice hockey and football championships.
“Strict protective measures will apply and the events will have to be authorised by the cantons, taking into account the local epidemiological situation and their contact tracing capacity.“Strict protective measures will apply and the events will have to be authorised by the cantons, taking into account the local epidemiological situation and their contact tracing capacity.
“These should apply across the board, such as for sporting, cultural and religious events.”“These should apply across the board, such as for sporting, cultural and religious events.”
Some 37,079 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Switzerland, a country of 8.5 million people, while 1,713 have lost their lives.Some 37,079 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Switzerland, a country of 8.5 million people, while 1,713 have lost their lives.
Daily infection rates spiked at over 1,000 in March but plunged to a few dozen between mid-May and mid-June.Daily infection rates spiked at over 1,000 in March but plunged to a few dozen between mid-May and mid-June.
They have since risen, with 273 new cases announced on Wednesday - a level not seen since mid-April.They have since risen, with 273 new cases announced on Wednesday - a level not seen since mid-April.
While face masks have been mandatory on trains, trams and buses since 6 July, the government decided they must be worn on all flights from Saturday.While face masks have been mandatory on trains, trams and buses since 6 July, the government decided they must be worn on all flights from Saturday.
“The measure concerns all scheduled and charter flights taking off from or landing in Switzerland, regardless of airline,” the government said.“The measure concerns all scheduled and charter flights taking off from or landing in Switzerland, regardless of airline,” the government said.
Announcing the new changes at a press conference in the capital Bern, president Simonetta Sommaruga said: “We must face this situation together. The virus is still here.”Announcing the new changes at a press conference in the capital Bern, president Simonetta Sommaruga said: “We must face this situation together. The virus is still here.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) said has appealed for $76m in aid for Lebanon after last week’s massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals, clinics and medical supplies.The World Health Organization (WHO) said has appealed for $76m in aid for Lebanon after last week’s massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals, clinics and medical supplies.
Lebanon was already struggling with a financial crisis and a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases before the 4 August explosion in the capital’s port area that left at least 171 dead and injured some 6,000.Lebanon was already struggling with a financial crisis and a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases before the 4 August explosion in the capital’s port area that left at least 171 dead and injured some 6,000.
The blast put three hospitals out of operation and has left three others working at partial capacity, reducing the number of beds in public and private hospitals by 500-600, WHO officials said.The blast put three hospitals out of operation and has left three others working at partial capacity, reducing the number of beds in public and private hospitals by 500-600, WHO officials said.
Rana Hajjeh, WHO’s regional programme director, said:Rana Hajjeh, WHO’s regional programme director, said:
The loss of hospital beds had “clear implications for the management of Covid as well as other medical conditions”, said Richard Brennan, WHO’s regional emergency director.The loss of hospital beds had “clear implications for the management of Covid as well as other medical conditions”, said Richard Brennan, WHO’s regional emergency director.
Initial results from an assessment of 55 primary healthcare clinics and centres across Beirut showed just over half are not functioning, with the remainder functioning at varying levels, Brennan said.Initial results from an assessment of 55 primary healthcare clinics and centres across Beirut showed just over half are not functioning, with the remainder functioning at varying levels, Brennan said.
The WHO has so far brought in 25 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE), distributed trauma and surgical supplies to 2,000 patients at 10 hospitals, and is working with at least 11 emergency medical teams that have arrived from overseas, officials said.The WHO has so far brought in 25 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE), distributed trauma and surgical supplies to 2,000 patients at 10 hospitals, and is working with at least 11 emergency medical teams that have arrived from overseas, officials said.
Three of 10 Americans who lost work during the coronavirus pandemic said they may have trouble paying for food or housing after a $600-per-week enhanced unemployment payment expired last month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.Three of 10 Americans who lost work during the coronavirus pandemic said they may have trouble paying for food or housing after a $600-per-week enhanced unemployment payment expired last month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The poll found that Americans divide blame for its expiration - and the weeks-long standoff in Congress over how to replace it - pretty evenly between Democrats and Republicans.The poll found that Americans divide blame for its expiration - and the weeks-long standoff in Congress over how to replace it - pretty evenly between Democrats and Republicans.
The $600 weekly payments, approved as part of a $3tn package that Congress approved early in the crisis, became a lifeline for the tens of millions of Americans thrown out of work in a pandemic that has prompted widespread business closures.The $600 weekly payments, approved as part of a $3tn package that Congress approved early in the crisis, became a lifeline for the tens of millions of Americans thrown out of work in a pandemic that has prompted widespread business closures.
It expired on 31 July, and weeks of talks between top congressional Democrats and the White House failed to produce agreement on a new round of funding.It expired on 31 July, and weeks of talks between top congressional Democrats and the White House failed to produce agreement on a new round of funding.
Republican president Donald Trump on Saturday signed a memorandum aimed at restoring half that federal payment, though economists warned that even if the maneuver overcomes possible legal challenges, it will likely have little impact.Republican president Donald Trump on Saturday signed a memorandum aimed at restoring half that federal payment, though economists warned that even if the maneuver overcomes possible legal challenges, it will likely have little impact.
Three out of 10 people surveyed by Reuters/Ipsos reported that they will have “a very difficult time meeting basic needs,” which includes paying for rent or buying groceries.Three out of 10 people surveyed by Reuters/Ipsos reported that they will have “a very difficult time meeting basic needs,” which includes paying for rent or buying groceries.
Half said they are under some stress “but we will be able to meet our basic needs.”Half said they are under some stress “but we will be able to meet our basic needs.”
Twenty-eight percent of American adults said congressional Democrats should receive most of the blame, while 15% said they blame congressional Republicans and another 14% said Trump was most at fault.Twenty-eight percent of American adults said congressional Democrats should receive most of the blame, while 15% said they blame congressional Republicans and another 14% said Trump was most at fault.
Thirty-two percent said all share the blame equally.Thirty-two percent said all share the blame equally.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses from 1,215 US adults, including 139 who said they had received the weekly coronavirus unemployment benefit.The Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses from 1,215 US adults, including 139 who said they had received the weekly coronavirus unemployment benefit.
The poll has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 3 percentage points.The poll has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 3 percentage points.
Uzbekistan will lift its second lockdown starting from Saturday, the government said, promising to restore most services in the central Asian country within days in order to revive the economy.
The government reintroduced a lockdown last month, after lifting restrictions in June led to a surge in new Covid-19 cases, leaving hospitals struggling to cope.
On Saturday, people will be allowed to drive their cars again and hold ceremonies such as weddings for up to 30 guests at their homes.
Businesses such as hotels, barbershops and outdoor cafes will also be able to reopen and air and rail traffic will resume, president Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s office said in a statement.
On Monday the former Soviet republic plans to restart bus services and on 20 August large shops, markets and gyms will be able to reopen.
Uzbekistan, a country of 34 million, has reported 32,215 Covid-19 cases and 208 deaths from the disease.
It has yet to announce its plans with regards to schools which usually open on 2 September.
However, the government has said university and college entrance exams will be held at stadiums across the country.
Vaping may be associated with a five to seven times increased risk of Covid-19 among US teenagers and young adults, a study published on Tuesday suggests.
Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine analysed nationally representative survey data collected in May from 4,351 participants aged 13-24 years.
The findings were published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
“Young people may believe their age protects them from contracting the virus or that they will not experience symptoms of Covid-19, but the data show this isn’t true among those who vape,” study leader Shivani Mathur Gaiha said.
Participants were asked if they had ever used vaping devices or combustible cigarettes, whether they had vaped or smoked in the past 30 days, and if they had experienced Covid-19 symptoms, been tested for Covid-19 or been diagnosed with the infectious disease.
Participants who had used both cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the previous 30 days were 4.7 times more likely to experience Covid-19 symptoms compared with those who never smoked or vaped.
Among people tested for Covid-19, those who used just e-cigarettes were five times more likely to get a positive Covid-19 test result.
Those who had ever used both e-cigarettes and cigarettes were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with Covid-19, the study found.
The study cannot prove that vaping causes Covid-19. The researchers note, however, that vaping involves the repeated touching of hands to the mouth and face, which is associated with the spread of Covid-19.
Further, exposure to nicotine and other chemicals in e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes causes lung damage.
The researchers hope their findings will prompt the US Food and Drug Administration to effectively regulate e-cigarettes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sicilian holidaymakers returning from Greece, Spain and Malta will be tested for coronavirus, regional authorities said on Wednesday.
On Tuesday Sicily registered its highest number of new Covid-19 cases, 89, followed by Lombardy (68) and Veneto (65).
“We have serious concerns about what is happening in Malta, Greece and Spain,” said Sicily’s president Nello Musumeci.
Romanian prime minister Ludovic Orban has pledged schools will re-open in September under strict hygiene rules, as the country continues to fight a spike in the number of coronavirus cases.
“Our decision is clear, schools will start on 14 September”, Orban said during a speech in parliament.
He mentioned that students, teachers and other school staff will have to wear masks and that disinfectants should be available at all times.
Romania closed schools, kindergartens and universities in March to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and subsequently decided to keep them shut for the rest of the academic year.
Since then, Romania has faced a jump in the number of infections, which on Wednesday reached a new daily record with 1,415 cases reported in the last 24 hours.
So far a total of 65,177 people have been infected in Romania and 2,807 have died, according to government data.
Orban clarified that local authorities could decide to keep some schools shut if there were more then three new infections per 1,000 inhabitants in a particular area.
In that scenario students would then have to attend lessons online from home.
However, Orban himself admitted that hundreds of thousands of Romanian children do not have access to a computer and 20% of schools don’t have an internet connection.
The government has promised to buy 250,000 tablets for students who can’t afford one and need it for online lessons, but according to NGOs several times that number would be needed in order to match demand.
Meanwhile, the opposition Social Democrats (PSD) says they plan to bring a vote of no-confidence in Orban’s government next week over what it says are failures in the response to the pandemic.
Germany’s government has urged citizens to keep their guard up and stick to public health guidelines, as new Covid-19 infections hit a three-month high and schools reopened in the country’s most populous state.
Germany’s response so far has widely been seen as successful in slowing the spread of the virus efficiently and quickly, but the country’s disease control authority on Wednesday reported 1,226 new infections.
That was the highest number since early May, although the figure has topped 1,000 on several days recently.
Health minister Jens Spahn said smaller and mid-sized outbreaks have occurred in almost all regions, largely driven by travellers returning from abroad and people partying or having family gatherings.
“This is worrying, without doubt,” Spahn told Deutschlandfunk radio. “And it can naturally lead to a new dynamic, if we don’t all now exercise caution.”
In the early days of the pandemic the average age of people infected was 50; it is now 34.
Germany has recorded 218,519 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 9,207 deaths, according to the Robert Koch Institute, the national disease control center.
At the height of the pandemic in early April, there were about 6,000 new cases each day.
Many of the current new infections were people who contracted the virus during visits to the western Balkans, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Spain, the Robert Koch Institute said.
The uptick comes as students are returning to school across the country, adding to concerns.
Some 2.5 million children were returning to school on Wednesday in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, which has the strictest rules in the country including that students above elementary school age must wear masks at all times, including in class.
The eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which has seen the country’s lowest number of coronavirus infections, took a different approach when it became the first state to send children back to school on 3 August, with no mask regulations or social distancing rules.
It was forced to temporarily close two schools four days later after a student from one and teacher from the other tested positive for Covid-19.
In Brandenburg, where school resumed Monday, a child and a worker at an after-school programme tested positive on Wednesday and authorities were awaiting test results for 68 people who had been in contact with them.
And in Schleswig-Holstein in the country’s north, where students also went back to class on Monday, a primary school was almost immediately shut down after a teacher tested positive, though it was expected to soon reopen.
Two grades at a second school were also sent home on Wednesday as a precaution after a student’s sibling tested positive.
Tourism giant TUI and the German government have agreed to a second massive aid package, in a sign of how the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are still battering the industry.
The Hanover-based company agreed to a €1.2bn ($1.4bn) package with German public lender KfW, intended to bolster the firm through its winter 2020/21 season.
The new funds add to the €1.8bn government loan that the company agreed to in April.
The company previously announced that it would cut 8,000 jobs worldwide to reduce costs.
TUI’s hotels, flights and cruise ships were empty at the height of worldwide lockdowns and have struggled to reopen as major destinations such as Spain have seen virus infections spike and been subjected to further quarantines.
CEO Fritz Joussen said the group had already introduced “massive cost reductions in good time and implemented them quickly and consistently”.
“However, no one knows at present when a vaccine or medication will be available and what effects the pandemic will have in individual markets in the coming months,” Joussen added.
“Therefore it is right and important to take further precautions together with the German government.”
The grandmother of Brazil’s first lady, Michelle Bolsonaro, has reportedly died of Covid-19.Maria Aparecida Firmo Ferreira, 81, died in a hospital in the capital Brasília in the early hours of Wednesday, according to Brazilian media.“We’re all very shaken,” the first lady’s aunt told the news website Metrópoles.Ferreira was admitted to hospital at the start of July after collapsing in the street on the outskirts of the capital.Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has drawn international condemnation for his chaotic handling of the epidemic, which has now killed more than 103,000 Brazilians, as well as his wife’s grandmother.
Despite the huge number of deaths - the second highest toll after the US - Bolsonaro has been criticised for failing to offer words of comfort to the families of victims.“We’re sorry about all the deaths but that’s everyone’s destiny,” Brazil’s far-right leader told reporters in June.
School leaving exams were cancelled, postponed or adapted because of the coronavirus crisis in countries across Europe, but most have avoided the rows, recriminations and abrupt about-turns experienced in the UK.
In 1977 Scott Halstead, a virologist at the University of Hawaii, was studying dengue fever when he noticed a now well-known but then unexpected feature of the disease.
Animals that had already been exposed to one of the four closely-related viruses that cause dengue and produced antibodies to it, far from being protected against other versions became sicker when infected a second time, and it was the antibodies already produced by the first infection that were responsible, allowing the second infection to hitchhike into the body.
The effect was called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). The reason it matters today, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, is because unexpected glitches like ADE are the kind of problems vaccine developers look for in phase 3 testing of vaccines – testing which has yet to be carried out on Russia’s newly-approved Sputnik V vaccine.
In recent weeks, as announcements on development of scores of vaccines around the world have come in rapid succession, the still poorly understood mechanisms of ADE have been thrust into the spotlight as scientists speculate whether vaccine-produced antibodies could trigger this effect.
ADE “is a genuine concern”, virologist Kevin Gilligan, a senior consultant with Biologics Consulting, told Nature Biotechnology in June. “Because if the gun is jumped, and a vaccine is widely distributed that is disease enhancing, that would be worse than actually not doing any vaccination at all.”
This week, following Russia’s announcement that it is pushing ahead with mass production of Sputnik V and mass inoculation, the fears expressed by the likes of Gilligan became a chorus, underlining the genuine concerns among scientists that Russian researchers had jumped the gun.