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Coronavirus live news: virus spread in France showing signs of slowing; fears Africa may be at back of vaccine queue Coronavirus live news: virus spread in France showing signs of slowing; fears Africa may be at back of vaccine queue
(32 minutes later)
Daily cases continue to fall in France; health campaigners fear Africa will have to wait until mid-2021 for vaccine; weddings banned and cafes closed in CroatiaDaily cases continue to fall in France; health campaigners fear Africa will have to wait until mid-2021 for vaccine; weddings banned and cafes closed in Croatia
Donald Trump said he will leave the White House if the electoral college votes for Democratic president-elect Joe Biden.
In the nearest he has come to a concession, Republican Trump said if Biden is certified the election winner by the electoral college, he will depart the White House. The Electoral College is due to meet on 14 December.
Trump made the comments at the White House after speaking to US troops during the traditional Thanksgiving Day address to US servicemembers.
Biden won the 3 November presidential election with 306 Electoral College votes - many more than the 270 required - to Trump’s 232. Biden also leads Trump by more than 6 million in the popular vote tally.
Trump has so far refused to concede the election and continues to claim without evidence that the election was marred by widespread fraud, and that he and not Biden won it.
Biden is due to be inaugurated on 20 January.
US president Donald Trump said deliveries of a coronavirus vaccine would begin next week and the week after.US president Donald Trump said deliveries of a coronavirus vaccine would begin next week and the week after.
Speaking to US troops overseas via video link to mark the Thanksgiving holiday, Trump said the vaccine would initially be sent to frontline workers, medical personnel and senior citizens.Speaking to US troops overseas via video link to mark the Thanksgiving holiday, Trump said the vaccine would initially be sent to frontline workers, medical personnel and senior citizens.
Brazil registered 37,614 additional cases of Covid-19 over the last 24 hours and 691 related deaths, the health ministry said.Brazil registered 37,614 additional cases of Covid-19 over the last 24 hours and 691 related deaths, the health ministry said.
The South American country has now registered 6,204,220 total confirmed coronavirus cases and 171,460 deaths.The South American country has now registered 6,204,220 total confirmed coronavirus cases and 171,460 deaths.
AstraZeneca is working with regulators to investigate a lower dosage of its vaccine that performed better than a full dosage, a spokesman for the company said, after its chief executive was quoted as saying an additional global trial was likely.AstraZeneca is working with regulators to investigate a lower dosage of its vaccine that performed better than a full dosage, a spokesman for the company said, after its chief executive was quoted as saying an additional global trial was likely.
Asked about the Bloomberg report on the additional trial, a spokesman for AstraZeneca said: “As we communicated earlier this week, there is strong merit in continuing to further investigate the half-dose/full dose regimen.Asked about the Bloomberg report on the additional trial, a spokesman for AstraZeneca said: “As we communicated earlier this week, there is strong merit in continuing to further investigate the half-dose/full dose regimen.
“We are further evaluating the data and will work with regulators on the best approach for further evaluation. This would add to data from existing trials which are currently being prepared for regulatory submission.”“We are further evaluating the data and will work with regulators on the best approach for further evaluation. This would add to data from existing trials which are currently being prepared for regulatory submission.”
A gay nightclub in London said it is going to serve McDonald’s in order to stay open as a bar under restrictions being imposed on the capital when a national lockdown ends next week.A gay nightclub in London said it is going to serve McDonald’s in order to stay open as a bar under restrictions being imposed on the capital when a national lockdown ends next week.
In an event titled The Show Must Go On, G-A-Y said McDonald’s meals would be served at its Heaven nightclub allowing the venue to serve alcohol to attendees.In an event titled The Show Must Go On, G-A-Y said McDonald’s meals would be served at its Heaven nightclub allowing the venue to serve alcohol to attendees.
London is being placed under Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions when lockdown ends on 2 December, meaning hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals, and pubs and bars must close unless operating as restaurants.London is being placed under Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions when lockdown ends on 2 December, meaning hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals, and pubs and bars must close unless operating as restaurants.
The event, running from 6pm - 11pm in accordance with a hospitality curfew, will also feature performances from West End singers Lucie Jones and Shanay Holmes.The event, running from 6pm - 11pm in accordance with a hospitality curfew, will also feature performances from West End singers Lucie Jones and Shanay Holmes.
Other Tier 2 restrictions mean people will only be able to attend with members of their own household in groups of up to six.Other Tier 2 restrictions mean people will only be able to attend with members of their own household in groups of up to six.
The head of British drug manufacturer AstraZeneca said further research was needed on its Covid-19 vaccine after questions emerged over the protection it offers, but the additional testing is unlikely to affect regulatory approval in Europe.The head of British drug manufacturer AstraZeneca said further research was needed on its Covid-19 vaccine after questions emerged over the protection it offers, but the additional testing is unlikely to affect regulatory approval in Europe.
AstraZeneca and its partner, the University of Oxford, announced on Monday that it was seeking regulatory approval for the vaccine after it showed an average 70% effectiveness.AstraZeneca and its partner, the University of Oxford, announced on Monday that it was seeking regulatory approval for the vaccine after it showed an average 70% effectiveness.
That rate jumped to 90% when an initial half-dose then a full dose was given, similar to that of rival vaccines in development by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.That rate jumped to 90% when an initial half-dose then a full dose was given, similar to that of rival vaccines in development by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.
But it emerged the higher rate of effectiveness came during tests in people aged 55 and under, and was discovered by accident during the clinical trials.But it emerged the higher rate of effectiveness came during tests in people aged 55 and under, and was discovered by accident during the clinical trials.
The head of the Oxford Vaccine Group, Andrew Pollard, said this week that further evidence will be available next month, but the result was still “highly significant”.The head of the Oxford Vaccine Group, Andrew Pollard, said this week that further evidence will be available next month, but the result was still “highly significant”.
“Now that we’ve found what looks like a better efficacy, we have to validate this, so we need to do an additional study,” AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot told Bloomberg.“Now that we’ve found what looks like a better efficacy, we have to validate this, so we need to do an additional study,” AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot told Bloomberg.
He said he expected there would be another “international study but this one could be faster because we know the efficacy is high, so we need a smaller number of patients”.He said he expected there would be another “international study but this one could be faster because we know the efficacy is high, so we need a smaller number of patients”.
The additional trial was not likely to delay regulatory approval in Britain and the EU, Soriot said.The additional trial was not likely to delay regulatory approval in Britain and the EU, Soriot said.
There are high hopes for the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, which Pollard has hailed as a “vaccine for the world” given that it could be cheaper to make, and easier to store and distribute.There are high hopes for the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, which Pollard has hailed as a “vaccine for the world” given that it could be cheaper to make, and easier to store and distribute.
It can be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions of between two and eight degrees Celsius (36-46 Fahrenheit) for at least six months.It can be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions of between two and eight degrees Celsius (36-46 Fahrenheit) for at least six months.
Pfizer/BioNTech’s offering requires temperatures of -70C, driving up costs and potentially making it out of reach for lower and middle-income countries.Pfizer/BioNTech’s offering requires temperatures of -70C, driving up costs and potentially making it out of reach for lower and middle-income countries.
AstraZeneca/Oxford has also promised to provide its vaccine to the developing world on a non-profit basis.AstraZeneca/Oxford has also promised to provide its vaccine to the developing world on a non-profit basis.
Spain’s capital Madrid turned on its Christmas lights on Thursday, spending more than last year to illuminate 30 additional streets and squares despite a sharp economic downturn driven by the coronavirus pandemic.Spain’s capital Madrid turned on its Christmas lights on Thursday, spending more than last year to illuminate 30 additional streets and squares despite a sharp economic downturn driven by the coronavirus pandemic.
Banners of LED lights in the red and yellow of the Spanish flag appeared in parts of the city, including stretches of over a kilometre alongside the central boulevard that runs past the world-famous Prado museum.Banners of LED lights in the red and yellow of the Spanish flag appeared in parts of the city, including stretches of over a kilometre alongside the central boulevard that runs past the world-famous Prado museum.
The lights are usually an important tourist attraction, but this year there are far fewer people on the streets due to the pandemic.The lights are usually an important tourist attraction, but this year there are far fewer people on the streets due to the pandemic.
The cost of lighting the over 200 decorated streets is budgeted at €3.17m ($3.8m), slightly higher than the €3.08m a year ago. Plans to spend even more on the lights were scuppered by the Covid-19 crisis, the council said in a statement.The cost of lighting the over 200 decorated streets is budgeted at €3.17m ($3.8m), slightly higher than the €3.08m a year ago. Plans to spend even more on the lights were scuppered by the Covid-19 crisis, the council said in a statement.
Spain forecasts economic output will fall 11.2% this year, after 2% growth last year, due to the effects of the pandemic.Spain forecasts economic output will fall 11.2% this year, after 2% growth last year, due to the effects of the pandemic.
The World Health Organization’s top emergency expert said the introduction of a Covid-19 vaccine should allow the world to gain progressive control over the disease next year.The World Health Organization’s top emergency expert said the introduction of a Covid-19 vaccine should allow the world to gain progressive control over the disease next year.
Mike Ryan told RTE television in his native Ireland:Mike Ryan told RTE television in his native Ireland:
Hi everyone, this is Jessica Murray, I’ll be leading the blog for the next few hours, as always, please get in touch with any story tips or personal experience you would like to share.Hi everyone, this is Jessica Murray, I’ll be leading the blog for the next few hours, as always, please get in touch with any story tips or personal experience you would like to share.
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Below are some of the updates of the last few hours:Below are some of the updates of the last few hours:
France reported 13,563 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, compared with 16,282 on Wednesday and 21,150 a week ago, suggesting the spread of the virus continued to slow in the fourth week of a national lockdown.France reported 13,563 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, compared with 16,282 on Wednesday and 21,150 a week ago, suggesting the spread of the virus continued to slow in the fourth week of a national lockdown.
British stocks fell on Thursday amid heightened concerns over economic growth after the health minister, Matt Hancock, said more than a third of the population would remain under tough Covid-19 restrictions at the end of a national lockdown.British stocks fell on Thursday amid heightened concerns over economic growth after the health minister, Matt Hancock, said more than a third of the population would remain under tough Covid-19 restrictions at the end of a national lockdown.
Greece has broken the toll of 2,000 deaths as a result of Covid-19. The public health organisation, EODY, reported the country had crossed the grim threshold following a further 99 fatalities over the last 24 hours.Greece has broken the toll of 2,000 deaths as a result of Covid-19. The public health organisation, EODY, reported the country had crossed the grim threshold following a further 99 fatalities over the last 24 hours.
Italy reported 822 Covid 19-related deaths on Thursday, up from 722 the day before, and 29,003 new infections, up from 25,853 on Wednesday, the health ministry said. There were 232,711 swabs carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 230,007.Italy reported 822 Covid 19-related deaths on Thursday, up from 722 the day before, and 29,003 new infections, up from 25,853 on Wednesday, the health ministry said. There were 232,711 swabs carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 230,007.
Croatia will close cafes and restaurants and ban weddings until Christmas as the number of coronavirus cases hit a record high for the second day in a row, the government said. The country of 4 million reported 4,009 new cases and 51 deaths on Thursday, with 21,725 active cases.Croatia will close cafes and restaurants and ban weddings until Christmas as the number of coronavirus cases hit a record high for the second day in a row, the government said. The country of 4 million reported 4,009 new cases and 51 deaths on Thursday, with 21,725 active cases.
The second wave of Covid-19 infections that has hit Sweden could peak in mid-December, health officials said on Thursday, saying developments will depend on how well the public follows social distancing advice.The second wave of Covid-19 infections that has hit Sweden could peak in mid-December, health officials said on Thursday, saying developments will depend on how well the public follows social distancing advice.
Mass vaccination against Covid-19 is unlikely to start in Africa until midway through next year and keeping vaccines cold could be a big challenge, the continent’s disease control group said on Thursday.Mass vaccination against Covid-19 is unlikely to start in Africa until midway through next year and keeping vaccines cold could be a big challenge, the continent’s disease control group said on Thursday.
Hello everyone. I am moving into my last 30 minutes on the blog before I hand over to a colleague. Please do get in touch with any final thoughts, comments or news tips. ThanksHello everyone. I am moving into my last 30 minutes on the blog before I hand over to a colleague. Please do get in touch with any final thoughts, comments or news tips. Thanks
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France reported 13,563 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, compared with 16,282 on Wednesday and 21,150 a week ago, suggesting the spread of the virus continued to slow in the fourth week of a national lockdown. The number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 continued falling by a further 662 to 29,310, while the number of people in intensive care fell by 130 to 4,018, continuing a trend dating back two weeks, health ministry data showed.France reported 13,563 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, compared with 16,282 on Wednesday and 21,150 a week ago, suggesting the spread of the virus continued to slow in the fourth week of a national lockdown. The number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 continued falling by a further 662 to 29,310, while the number of people in intensive care fell by 130 to 4,018, continuing a trend dating back two weeks, health ministry data showed.
Millions of Americans took to the skies and the highways ahead of Thanksgiving at the risk of pouring gasoline on the coronavirus fire, disregarding increasingly dire warnings that they stay home and limit their holiday gatherings to members of their own household.Those who flew witnessed a distinctly 2020 landscape at the nation’s airports: plexiglass barriers in front of ID stations, rapid virus testing sites inside terminals, masks in check-in areas and onboard planes, and paperwork asking passengers to quarantine on arrival at their destination.While the number of Americans travelling by air over the past several days was down dramatically from the same time last year, many pressed ahead with their holiday plans amid skyrocketing deaths, hospitalisations and confirmed infections across the US.Millions of Americans took to the skies and the highways ahead of Thanksgiving at the risk of pouring gasoline on the coronavirus fire, disregarding increasingly dire warnings that they stay home and limit their holiday gatherings to members of their own household.Those who flew witnessed a distinctly 2020 landscape at the nation’s airports: plexiglass barriers in front of ID stations, rapid virus testing sites inside terminals, masks in check-in areas and onboard planes, and paperwork asking passengers to quarantine on arrival at their destination.While the number of Americans travelling by air over the past several days was down dramatically from the same time last year, many pressed ahead with their holiday plans amid skyrocketing deaths, hospitalisations and confirmed infections across the US.
British stocks fell on Thursday amid heightened concerns over economic growth after the health minister, Matt Hancock, said more than a third of the population would remain under tough Covid-19 restrictions at the end of a national lockdown. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index slipped 0.4%, with financial and material stocks weighing the most, while the domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 lost 0.9%, ending at a nine-day low. Hancock’s announcement followed the chancellor Rishi Sunak’s grim forecast on Wednesday that Britain was set for its worst annual economic contraction in more than 300 years due to the pandemic.British stocks fell on Thursday amid heightened concerns over economic growth after the health minister, Matt Hancock, said more than a third of the population would remain under tough Covid-19 restrictions at the end of a national lockdown. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index slipped 0.4%, with financial and material stocks weighing the most, while the domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 lost 0.9%, ending at a nine-day low. Hancock’s announcement followed the chancellor Rishi Sunak’s grim forecast on Wednesday that Britain was set for its worst annual economic contraction in more than 300 years due to the pandemic.
As EU countries debate a bloc-wide ban on ski holidays to curb coronavirus infections, downhill enthusiasts may be tempted to head to non-member Switzerland, where the winter season is well under way.As EU countries debate a bloc-wide ban on ski holidays to curb coronavirus infections, downhill enthusiasts may be tempted to head to non-member Switzerland, where the winter season is well under way.
Germany and Italy were on Thursday pushing for Europe to ban ski holidays as the number of worldwide infections reached a new peak of more than 60m.Germany and Italy were on Thursday pushing for Europe to ban ski holidays as the number of worldwide infections reached a new peak of more than 60m.
Paris has said the French are welcome to visit the country’s resorts, as long as they don’t ski, while Austria has warned that an EU-wide ban would be “disastrous” for the country’s tourism-reliant economy.Paris has said the French are welcome to visit the country’s resorts, as long as they don’t ski, while Austria has warned that an EU-wide ban would be “disastrous” for the country’s tourism-reliant economy.
In Switzerland meanwhile, which has been hard-hit by the second wave of Covid-19 infections, the authorities, ski and tourism sectors have stood united behind the decision to keep the winter season going, after the spring season was cut short by the first wave.In Switzerland meanwhile, which has been hard-hit by the second wave of Covid-19 infections, the authorities, ski and tourism sectors have stood united behind the decision to keep the winter season going, after the spring season was cut short by the first wave.
“In Switzerland, we can go skiing, with protection plans in place,” the Swiss health minister, Alain Berset, told reporters Thursday.“In Switzerland, we can go skiing, with protection plans in place,” the Swiss health minister, Alain Berset, told reporters Thursday.
He added, though, that the government would re-examine the situation before the Christmas holidays because even though decisions on what parts of the economy should shut down are generally left to the Swiss cantons or states, the federal government can step in if it deems the situation unsafe.He added, though, that the government would re-examine the situation before the Christmas holidays because even though decisions on what parts of the economy should shut down are generally left to the Swiss cantons or states, the federal government can step in if it deems the situation unsafe.
Greece has broken the toll of 2,000 deaths as a result of Covid-19. The public health organisation, EODY, reported the country had crossed the grim threshold following a further 99 fatalities over the last 24 hours.Greece has broken the toll of 2,000 deaths as a result of Covid-19. The public health organisation, EODY, reported the country had crossed the grim threshold following a further 99 fatalities over the last 24 hours.
An additional 2,018 cases of coronavirus were also confirmed, the majority (562) in Thessaloniki in northern Greece, and 408 in the Greater Athens region of Attica. A record 600 people are now in intensive care wards nationwide.An additional 2,018 cases of coronavirus were also confirmed, the majority (562) in Thessaloniki in northern Greece, and 408 in the Greater Athens region of Attica. A record 600 people are now in intensive care wards nationwide.