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Coronavirus live news: global death toll passes milestone as Emirates cancels Australian flights Coronavirus live news: global death toll passes milestone as Emirates cancels Australian flights
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Death toll reaches 2 million people; UK shuts travel corridors and requires negative tests to enter; German vaccine officials forced to guess who is eligible from namesDeath toll reaches 2 million people; UK shuts travel corridors and requires negative tests to enter; German vaccine officials forced to guess who is eligible from names
India begins one of the world’s biggest coronavirus vaccine programmes on Saturday, a colossal and complex task compounded by safety worries, shaky infrastructure and public scepticism. Victorian premier Daniel Andrews will hold a press conference at 10.15am, local time.
AFP reports the world’s second-most populous nation hopes to inoculate around 300 million of its 1.3 billion people by July - a number equal to almost the entire US population. India begins one of the world’s biggest coronavirus vaccine programs on Saturday, a colossal and complex task compounded by safety worries, shaky infrastructure and public scepticism.
Health workers, people over 50 and those deemed at high-risk are prioritised to receive one of two approved vaccines, although one has yet to complete clinical trials. AFP reports the world’s second-most populous nation hopes to inoculate around 300 million of its 1.3 billion people by July – a number equal to almost the entire US population.
On day one around 300,000 people will receive the first of two doses, with prime minister Narendra Modi set to launch the programme virtually in New Delhi. Health workers, people over 50 and those deemed at high risk are prioritised to receive one of two approved vaccines, although one has yet to complete clinical trials.
On day one around 300,000 people will receive the first of two doses, with prime minister Narendra Modi set to launch the program virtually in New Delhi.
Authorities say they are drawing on their experience with elections and child immunisation programmes for polio and tuberculosis in rolling out the vaccine.Authorities say they are drawing on their experience with elections and child immunisation programmes for polio and tuberculosis in rolling out the vaccine.
About 150,000 staff in 700 districts have been specially trained, and India has held several national dry runs involving mock transportation of vaccines.About 150,000 staff in 700 districts have been specially trained, and India has held several national dry runs involving mock transportation of vaccines.
But in an enormous, impoverished nation with often shoddy transport networks and one of the world’s worst-funded healthcare systems, it is still a daunting undertaking.But in an enormous, impoverished nation with often shoddy transport networks and one of the world’s worst-funded healthcare systems, it is still a daunting undertaking.
Regular child inoculations are a “much smaller game” and vaccinating against Covid-19 will be “deeply challenging”, said Satyajit Rath from the National Institute of Immunology Regular child inoculations are a “much smaller game” and vaccinating against Covid-19 will be “deeply challenging”, said Satyajit Rath from the National Institute of Immunology.
In the US, governors have accused the Trump administration of deceiving the states about the amount of Covid-19 vaccine they can expect to receive, as the country’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention warns the new more infectious strain of the virus will probably become the dominant infection in the country by March.In the US, governors have accused the Trump administration of deceiving the states about the amount of Covid-19 vaccine they can expect to receive, as the country’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention warns the new more infectious strain of the virus will probably become the dominant infection in the country by March.
The CDC said it is about 50% more contagious than the virus that is causing the bulk of cases in this country so far.The CDC said it is about 50% more contagious than the virus that is causing the bulk of cases in this country so far.
“We want to sound the alarm,” said Dr Jay Butler, CDC deputy director for infectious diseases.“We want to sound the alarm,” said Dr Jay Butler, CDC deputy director for infectious diseases.
AP reports the clash over the pace of the government’s Covid-19 vaccine allotments threatens to escalate tensions between the outgoing Trump administration and some states over who is responsible for the relatively slow start to the vaccination drive against the scourge that has killed over 390,000 Americans.AP reports the clash over the pace of the government’s Covid-19 vaccine allotments threatens to escalate tensions between the outgoing Trump administration and some states over who is responsible for the relatively slow start to the vaccination drive against the scourge that has killed over 390,000 Americans.
Oregon had announced earlier this week that it would expand vaccine eligibility to roughly 760,000 residents 65 and older, as well teachers and child care providers, because of what it said were promises that the state’s vaccine allotment would be increased.Oregon had announced earlier this week that it would expand vaccine eligibility to roughly 760,000 residents 65 and older, as well teachers and child care providers, because of what it said were promises that the state’s vaccine allotment would be increased.
But Democratic governor Kate Brown said those plans are now in disarray because of “deception on a national scale” by the administration.But Democratic governor Kate Brown said those plans are now in disarray because of “deception on a national scale” by the administration.
Via Twitter, Brown said she was told by General Gustave F Perna, who leads Operation Warp Speed, that states will not be receiving increased shipments of vaccine from the national stockpile next week “because there is no federal reserve of doses.”Via Twitter, Brown said she was told by General Gustave F Perna, who leads Operation Warp Speed, that states will not be receiving increased shipments of vaccine from the national stockpile next week “because there is no federal reserve of doses.”
Minnesota governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, said he was among several governors deceived by federal officials about availability of a strategic supply of doses.Minnesota governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, said he was among several governors deceived by federal officials about availability of a strategic supply of doses.
“This one is so far beyond the pale to be almost unimaginable,” he said. “Who’s going to be prosecuted for this? What are the states to do when they’ve been lied to and made all their plans around this?”“This one is so far beyond the pale to be almost unimaginable,” he said. “Who’s going to be prosecuted for this? What are the states to do when they’ve been lied to and made all their plans around this?”
Alena Yarmosky, a spokeswoman for Virginia governor Ralph Northam, said governors were “told explicitly” on Tuesday that they would be provided additional doses. Northam, a Democrat and a doctor, had moved quickly as a result to announce that the state would expand vaccine eligibilityAlena Yarmosky, a spokeswoman for Virginia governor Ralph Northam, said governors were “told explicitly” on Tuesday that they would be provided additional doses. Northam, a Democrat and a doctor, had moved quickly as a result to announce that the state would expand vaccine eligibility
Now, Northam’s administration is trying to determine whether those additional supplies don’t exist, Yarmosky said.Now, Northam’s administration is trying to determine whether those additional supplies don’t exist, Yarmosky said.
“What we’re seeing is fully in line with the dysfunction that has characterised the Trump administration’s entire response to Covid-19. President-elect Biden cannot be sworn in fast enough,” she said.“What we’re seeing is fully in line with the dysfunction that has characterised the Trump administration’s entire response to Covid-19. President-elect Biden cannot be sworn in fast enough,” she said.
Overnight the West Australian premier Mark McGowan said his government would move Victoria to a “low risk” coronavirus category from next week, meaning some restrictions will be loosened on travellers from the state.Overnight the West Australian premier Mark McGowan said his government would move Victoria to a “low risk” coronavirus category from next week, meaning some restrictions will be loosened on travellers from the state.
While Victorian travellers will still need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in WA, from Monday they will be allowed into the state without needing a special exemption. They will also be required to present for a coronavirus test on day 11 of their quarantine.While Victorian travellers will still need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in WA, from Monday they will be allowed into the state without needing a special exemption. They will also be required to present for a coronavirus test on day 11 of their quarantine.
Both the New South Wales and Victorian governments have identified 15 February as the launch date for the Pfizer vaccine in Australia.Both the New South Wales and Victorian governments have identified 15 February as the launch date for the Pfizer vaccine in Australia.
The Age today reports that while the federal government is yet to confirm a date for the beginning of the rollout of the vaccine, officials in both states have identified 15 February, a month from now, as the start of the rollout of the vaccine.The Age today reports that while the federal government is yet to confirm a date for the beginning of the rollout of the vaccine, officials in both states have identified 15 February, a month from now, as the start of the rollout of the vaccine.
The date was reportedly listed in an internal briefing to a major hospital group obtained by the Age, and has since been confirmed by officials in both states.The date was reportedly listed in an internal briefing to a major hospital group obtained by the Age, and has since been confirmed by officials in both states.
Victoria is aiming for phase one of the roll-out to deliver 15,000 doses a week of the Pfizer vaccine to frontline workers including staff at hospitals and aged care homes, as well as those working on hotel quarantine operations.Victoria is aiming for phase one of the roll-out to deliver 15,000 doses a week of the Pfizer vaccine to frontline workers including staff at hospitals and aged care homes, as well as those working on hotel quarantine operations.
Victoria has recorded its 10th consecutive day with no new cases of community transmission of the virus, while three new cases were reported through its hotel quarantine system. The zero cases came from almost 15,000 tests.Victoria has recorded its 10th consecutive day with no new cases of community transmission of the virus, while three new cases were reported through its hotel quarantine system. The zero cases came from almost 15,000 tests.
Hello, and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.Hello, and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
The thousands of Australians still stranded overseas have been dealt another blow after Emirates announced late on Friday night that all flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane would be suspended until further notice.The thousands of Australians still stranded overseas have been dealt another blow after Emirates announced late on Friday night that all flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane would be suspended until further notice.
The airline’s decision comes a little over a week after the national cabinet announced it would cut the number of international passengers allowed into New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia by 50% in response to new variants of the virus emerging overseas.The airline’s decision comes a little over a week after the national cabinet announced it would cut the number of international passengers allowed into New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia by 50% in response to new variants of the virus emerging overseas.
In a statement, Emirates said the decision was “due to operational reasons”. The decision will remove 19 flights per week that the United Arab Emirates carrier had been running.In a statement, Emirates said the decision was “due to operational reasons”. The decision will remove 19 flights per week that the United Arab Emirates carrier had been running.
In other news across the world:In other news across the world:
The number of people who have lost their life after having Covid now exceeds 2 million as another grim pandemic milestone was passed. Johns Hopkins University data shows that the US remains the worst affected country by the virus – followed by Brazil, India, Mexico and the UK – across the world in which more than 7.5 billion people reside.The number of people who have lost their life after having Covid now exceeds 2 million as another grim pandemic milestone was passed. Johns Hopkins University data shows that the US remains the worst affected country by the virus – followed by Brazil, India, Mexico and the UK – across the world in which more than 7.5 billion people reside.
Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, said a plane would be sent to India to pick up Covid-19 vaccines in two or three days at most, after the government had announced the flight would leave on Friday. Bolsonaro added there was little he could do about the pandemic in Brazil as a second wave tears through the country and that he “should be at the beach”.Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, said a plane would be sent to India to pick up Covid-19 vaccines in two or three days at most, after the government had announced the flight would leave on Friday. Bolsonaro added there was little he could do about the pandemic in Brazil as a second wave tears through the country and that he “should be at the beach”.
US president-elect Joe Biden’s incoming chief of staff, Ron Klain, has said he expects the country to hit 500,000 Covid deaths next month. In an online interview with the Washington Post, Klain added that he was confident that law enforcement would ensure a safe inauguration for Biden on 20 January.US president-elect Joe Biden’s incoming chief of staff, Ron Klain, has said he expects the country to hit 500,000 Covid deaths next month. In an online interview with the Washington Post, Klain added that he was confident that law enforcement would ensure a safe inauguration for Biden on 20 January.
Spain has logged a record 40,197 new Covid cases over the past 24 hours, bringing its total number of confirmed cases to 2,252,164. The health ministry said 235 people had died between Thursday and Friday, taking the country’s death toll to 53,314.Spain has logged a record 40,197 new Covid cases over the past 24 hours, bringing its total number of confirmed cases to 2,252,164. The health ministry said 235 people had died between Thursday and Friday, taking the country’s death toll to 53,314.
Tunisia said on Friday it recorded 4,170 new confirmed coronavirus cases, a record since the start of the pandemic. Tunisia on Thursday imposed a four-day national lockdown and closed schools until 24 January to combat a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases.Tunisia said on Friday it recorded 4,170 new confirmed coronavirus cases, a record since the start of the pandemic. Tunisia on Thursday imposed a four-day national lockdown and closed schools until 24 January to combat a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases.
In Australia, health experts have cautiously given their support for the Victorian government’s decision to go ahead with the Australian Open tennis grand slam. But the government’s decision to push ahead with unique quarantine restrictions for the roughly 1,200 players and support staff arriving for the tournament while thousands of Victorians remain stranded in NSW thanks to border closures has drawn an angry response in some quarters.In Australia, health experts have cautiously given their support for the Victorian government’s decision to go ahead with the Australian Open tennis grand slam. But the government’s decision to push ahead with unique quarantine restrictions for the roughly 1,200 players and support staff arriving for the tournament while thousands of Victorians remain stranded in NSW thanks to border closures has drawn an angry response in some quarters.