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Coronavirus live news: China builds quarantine centre for 4,000 people; Germany extends lockdown Coronavirus live news: China builds quarantine centre for 4,000 people; Germany extends lockdown
(32 minutes later)
China builds Covid-19 quarantine centre for Shijiazhuang; Germany extending lockdown until mid-February, with new rules on masksChina builds Covid-19 quarantine centre for Shijiazhuang; Germany extending lockdown until mid-February, with new rules on masks
Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of Germany’s 16 states are expected Tuesday to extend and tighten a partial lockdown beyond January, as fears grow over virus variant strains believed to be more contagious.
Draft measures seen by AFP ahead of the emergency talks include prolonging current restrictions until at least mid-February, requiring medical masks on public transport and in shops, and increasing pressure on employers to allow staff to work from home where possible.
Germany shuttered restaurants, leisure and sporting facilities in November, then expanded the shutdown in mid-December to include schools and most shops to halt runaway growth in new coronavirus infections.
The measures ordered until the end of January have brought about a “flattening of the infections curve”, Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said, noting also that the number of patients in intensive care had also fallen slightly.
“This trend is cautiously positive, he said, and an achievement of the restrictions of the last weeks.
“But it only brings us to the point where we still have a long way to go before we can say we have the infections under control.”
Emirates and Etihad, two of the middle east’s biggest airlines, said Tuesday they would be among the first companies to test an application that allows pre-travel verification of coronavirus tests and vaccinations.Emirates and Etihad, two of the middle east’s biggest airlines, said Tuesday they would be among the first companies to test an application that allows pre-travel verification of coronavirus tests and vaccinations.
The United Arab Emirates carriers have partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to be among “the first airlines” worldwide to trial the IATA Travel Pass, both airlines said in separate statements.The United Arab Emirates carriers have partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to be among “the first airlines” worldwide to trial the IATA Travel Pass, both airlines said in separate statements.
The IATA said the mobile app would enable passengers to “create a ‘digital passport’ to verify their pre-travel test or vaccination meets the requirements of the destination”.The IATA said the mobile app would enable passengers to “create a ‘digital passport’ to verify their pre-travel test or vaccination meets the requirements of the destination”.
“They will also be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel,” it said in a statement.“They will also be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel,” it said in a statement.
In November, the association warned that “the Covid-19 crisis threatens the survival of the air transport industry”, with 2020 likely to go down in history as its “worst” year ever.In November, the association warned that “the Covid-19 crisis threatens the survival of the air transport industry”, with 2020 likely to go down in history as its “worst” year ever.
Serbia launched on Tuesday a mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign and became the first European country to use the Chinese-made Sinopharm jab.Serbia launched on Tuesday a mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign and became the first European country to use the Chinese-made Sinopharm jab.
“It is the only way to return to normal life,” said Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar, the first who received the vaccine.“It is the only way to return to normal life,” said Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar, the first who received the vaccine.
“These are all very safe vaccines,” Loncar said as the state-run RTS television carried his vaccination live at the virology institute in Belgrade.“These are all very safe vaccines,” Loncar said as the state-run RTS television carried his vaccination live at the virology institute in Belgrade.
There is no reason for concern regarding their safety, he stressed.There is no reason for concern regarding their safety, he stressed.
Serbia received on Saturday one million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.Serbia received on Saturday one million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.
It is the third coronavirus jab used by the Balkan nation, after Pfizer-BioNTech and Russia’s Sputnik V.It is the third coronavirus jab used by the Balkan nation, after Pfizer-BioNTech and Russia’s Sputnik V.
The Amazonian city of Manaus in Brazil began administering vaccines against the coronavirus, providing a ray of hope for the rainforest’s biggest city whose health system is collapsing amid an increase in infections and dwindling oxygen supplies.Amazonas state governor Wilson Lima led a ceremony that kicked off the vaccination campaign Monday night in Manaus, an isolated riverside city of 2.2 million people.The Amazonian city of Manaus in Brazil began administering vaccines against the coronavirus, providing a ray of hope for the rainforest’s biggest city whose health system is collapsing amid an increase in infections and dwindling oxygen supplies.Amazonas state governor Wilson Lima led a ceremony that kicked off the vaccination campaign Monday night in Manaus, an isolated riverside city of 2.2 million people.
Vanda Ortega, 33, a member of the Witoto ethnicity and a nurse technician, received the first dose of CoronaVac, a vaccine developed by Beijing-based biopharmaceutical company Sinovac.Vanda Ortega, 33, a member of the Witoto ethnicity and a nurse technician, received the first dose of CoronaVac, a vaccine developed by Beijing-based biopharmaceutical company Sinovac.
“I want to thank God and our ancestors,” said Ortega, who is also a volunteer nurse in her Indigenous community.“I want to thank God and our ancestors,” said Ortega, who is also a volunteer nurse in her Indigenous community.
Brazil on Monday began rolling out its national immunization program with 6 million doses of CoronaVac in almost a dozen states and hopes to receive 46 million doses up to April to distribute among states. Amazonas received 256,000 doses.Brazil on Monday began rolling out its national immunization program with 6 million doses of CoronaVac in almost a dozen states and hopes to receive 46 million doses up to April to distribute among states. Amazonas received 256,000 doses.
The state government on Tuesday started distributing the doses to municipalities. The priority in the first vaccination phase will be health workers, elderly people above 80 years old, and Indigenous people in about 265 villages.The state government on Tuesday started distributing the doses to municipalities. The priority in the first vaccination phase will be health workers, elderly people above 80 years old, and Indigenous people in about 265 villages.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed how underfunded and powerless the World Health Organization is to carry out the tasks the world expects of it, an independent expert panel said Tuesday.The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed how underfunded and powerless the World Health Organization is to carry out the tasks the world expects of it, an independent expert panel said Tuesday.
The heads of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response presented a report to the WHO’s executive board which said that the UN health body could have acted faster and more decisively at the start of the pandemic to avert catastrophe.The heads of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response presented a report to the WHO’s executive board which said that the UN health body could have acted faster and more decisively at the start of the pandemic to avert catastrophe.
But they stressed that the delays and failures could largely be attributed to the weak position of the UN agency, and said more funding and reforms were desperately needed.But they stressed that the delays and failures could largely be attributed to the weak position of the UN agency, and said more funding and reforms were desperately needed.
“The world is more reliant on an effective WHO than ever before,” said former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who co-chairs the panel with former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark.“The world is more reliant on an effective WHO than ever before,” said former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who co-chairs the panel with former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark.
Hello everyone. I am taking over the coronavirus live blog while my colleague takes a lunch break. Please get in touch to share your thoughts, comments and news tips with me.Hello everyone. I am taking over the coronavirus live blog while my colleague takes a lunch break. Please get in touch to share your thoughts, comments and news tips with me.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
Germany is extending its national lockdown until 14 February, with new rules making it mandatory to wear medical masks in shops and on public transport.Germany is extending its national lockdown until 14 February, with new rules making it mandatory to wear medical masks in shops and on public transport.
In a digital summit this afternoon, Angela Merkel and the heads of Germany’s 16 federal states agreed to carry over current restrictions on social gatherings and closures of nurseries, schools, restaurants and non-essential shops into the middle of next month.In a digital summit this afternoon, Angela Merkel and the heads of Germany’s 16 federal states agreed to carry over current restrictions on social gatherings and closures of nurseries, schools, restaurants and non-essential shops into the middle of next month.
A new rule will ban people from wearing homemade cloth masks or scarves as face-coverings in shops and on trains and busses, instead mandating the use of “clinical masks”. This includes single-use surgical masks as well as filtering facepiece respirators, known as FFP2 masks in Europe or N95 respirators in the US.A new rule will ban people from wearing homemade cloth masks or scarves as face-coverings in shops and on trains and busses, instead mandating the use of “clinical masks”. This includes single-use surgical masks as well as filtering facepiece respirators, known as FFP2 masks in Europe or N95 respirators in the US.
The southern German state of Bavaria and Austria introduced mandatory FFP2 rules this week, though several virologists warn that respirator masks need to be professionally fitted to guarantee effective protection.The southern German state of Bavaria and Austria introduced mandatory FFP2 rules this week, though several virologists warn that respirator masks need to be professionally fitted to guarantee effective protection.
Merkel and the federal heads of state also agreed to aim to further reduce contacts on public transport, though without a complete halt to inner-city bus and metro traffic, as previously mooted.Merkel and the federal heads of state also agreed to aim to further reduce contacts on public transport, though without a complete halt to inner-city bus and metro traffic, as previously mooted.
Instead, public transport companies could offer additional carriages or buses to rush-hour crushes, and companies will be further encouraged to let their employees work from home.Instead, public transport companies could offer additional carriages or buses to rush-hour crushes, and companies will be further encouraged to let their employees work from home.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo has asked Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla if the state could buy Covid vaccine doses directly from the US drugmaker, a move that prompted the US health department to raise ethical questions.New York governor Andrew Cuomo has asked Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla if the state could buy Covid vaccine doses directly from the US drugmaker, a move that prompted the US health department to raise ethical questions.
Pfizer told Reuters that such a proposal would first require approval by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A HHS spokesman said that Cuomo was trying to circumvent the system in which the federal government, which has paid Pfizer for the US’s allotment of vaccines already, allocates doses to each state.Pfizer told Reuters that such a proposal would first require approval by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A HHS spokesman said that Cuomo was trying to circumvent the system in which the federal government, which has paid Pfizer for the US’s allotment of vaccines already, allocates doses to each state.
New York is asking to “cut to the front of the line at the expense of fellow jurisdictions,” the spokesman said via email.New York is asking to “cut to the front of the line at the expense of fellow jurisdictions,” the spokesman said via email.
“After myself and seven other governors called on the Trump Administration to release more doses, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said that relief was on the way. To date, however, the federal government has not acted on that promise,” Cuomo wrote.“After myself and seven other governors called on the Trump Administration to release more doses, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said that relief was on the way. To date, however, the federal government has not acted on that promise,” Cuomo wrote.
Cuomo said he was appealing to Pfizer directly as the company was “not bound by commitments” that Moderna made as part of Operation Warp Speed, the US government’s programme to distribute vaccines.Cuomo said he was appealing to Pfizer directly as the company was “not bound by commitments” that Moderna made as part of Operation Warp Speed, the US government’s programme to distribute vaccines.
No state has purchased vaccines directly from the producer and Cuomo’s letter did not state how many doses he was seeking or how he would pay for it.Pfizer said it was open to collaborating with the US HSS in a way that would ensure quick vaccine distribution to as many Americans as possible, Reuters reports.No state has purchased vaccines directly from the producer and Cuomo’s letter did not state how many doses he was seeking or how he would pay for it.Pfizer said it was open to collaborating with the US HSS in a way that would ensure quick vaccine distribution to as many Americans as possible, Reuters reports.
The eastern Spanish region of Valencia is to shut down all bars and restaurants “for a limited time” in a bid to slow the third wave of the coronavirus.The eastern Spanish region of Valencia is to shut down all bars and restaurants “for a limited time” in a bid to slow the third wave of the coronavirus.
Like the rest of Spain, Valencia has been under a state of emergency since the end of October and subject to an overnight curfew. But a surge in new Covid cases – and the fact that 52.8% of the region’s intensive care unit beds are currently occupied by coronavirus patients – has prompted the regional government to take tougher action.Like the rest of Spain, Valencia has been under a state of emergency since the end of October and subject to an overnight curfew. But a surge in new Covid cases – and the fact that 52.8% of the region’s intensive care unit beds are currently occupied by coronavirus patients – has prompted the regional government to take tougher action.
The regional president, Ximo Puig, is due to outline the measures later this afternoon. Although the central government declared the national state of emergency, regional governments are responsible for responding to the virus in their own territories.The regional president, Ximo Puig, is due to outline the measures later this afternoon. Although the central government declared the national state of emergency, regional governments are responsible for responding to the virus in their own territories.
Last week, Galicia banned all non-essential travel in the seven largest cities, ordered bars and restaurants to close at 4pm, and brought forward a curfew to 10pm, while La Rioja closed non-essential businesses at 5pm and limited group meetings to four people. Shops in Cantabria were banned from opening at weekends.Last week, Galicia banned all non-essential travel in the seven largest cities, ordered bars and restaurants to close at 4pm, and brought forward a curfew to 10pm, while La Rioja closed non-essential businesses at 5pm and limited group meetings to four people. Shops in Cantabria were banned from opening at weekends.
Spain recorded a record rise in new infections over the weekend, logging 84,300 new infections and bringing the country’s total caseload to 2,336,451. The number of new cases over the past 14 days rose to 689 per 100,000 people on Monday, up from 575 last Friday.Spain recorded a record rise in new infections over the weekend, logging 84,300 new infections and bringing the country’s total caseload to 2,336,451. The number of new cases over the past 14 days rose to 689 per 100,000 people on Monday, up from 575 last Friday.
As of Monday, 1,143,300 doses of the vaccine had been distributed by the central government, of which 897,942 administered to Spain’s population of almost 47 million people.As of Monday, 1,143,300 doses of the vaccine had been distributed by the central government, of which 897,942 administered to Spain’s population of almost 47 million people.
The response to the virus has been complicated in Madrid and many other areas by Stom Filomena, which brought the heaviest snows in decades.The response to the virus has been complicated in Madrid and many other areas by Stom Filomena, which brought the heaviest snows in decades.
On Tuesday, the central government declared Madrid and seven other affected areas disaster zones, making them eligible for emergency funds and support.On Tuesday, the central government declared Madrid and seven other affected areas disaster zones, making them eligible for emergency funds and support.
Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has warned that his government would prosecute anyone who shares false information about coronavirus vaccines in social or mass media.Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has warned that his government would prosecute anyone who shares false information about coronavirus vaccines in social or mass media.
The government already has the power to impose punishments under a state of emergency that was declared last March to deal with the pandemic. Prayuth’s warning was an apparent reaction to charges that his government has done too little to acquire adequate supplies of vaccines, the Associated Press reports.The government already has the power to impose punishments under a state of emergency that was declared last March to deal with the pandemic. Prayuth’s warning was an apparent reaction to charges that his government has done too little to acquire adequate supplies of vaccines, the Associated Press reports.
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, former leader of the banned Future Forward Party who has already been disqualified as an MP amid criticism of the state, last night accused the government of acting too slowly to inoculate the country’s population (see 11:59am) and criticised the country’s coronavirus vaccine strategy as being too reliant on a company owned by the Thai king.Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, former leader of the banned Future Forward Party who has already been disqualified as an MP amid criticism of the state, last night accused the government of acting too slowly to inoculate the country’s population (see 11:59am) and criticised the country’s coronavirus vaccine strategy as being too reliant on a company owned by the Thai king.
“Do not blame me for threatening legal action,” Prayuth said. “I need to keep people’s confidence and trust in government.”“Do not blame me for threatening legal action,” Prayuth said. “I need to keep people’s confidence and trust in government.”
Health officials at a news conference today defended the effort to procure vaccines.Supakit Sirilak, director general of the Medical Science Department, said the health ministry has been working to obtain vaccine supplies since last February, but has taken time to evaluate which are appropriate.Health officials at a news conference today defended the effort to procure vaccines.Supakit Sirilak, director general of the Medical Science Department, said the health ministry has been working to obtain vaccine supplies since last February, but has taken time to evaluate which are appropriate.
A first batch of 200,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine from China is scheduled to arrive next month. After that, 26 million doses of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical company, to be manufactured in Thailand will start being distributed in May.A first batch of 200,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine from China is scheduled to arrive next month. After that, 26 million doses of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical company, to be manufactured in Thailand will start being distributed in May.
Thailand has suffered less than most countries its size from the pandemic, but a second wave of infections began in December. It has had 12,594 cases and 70 deaths.Thailand has suffered less than most countries its size from the pandemic, but a second wave of infections began in December. It has had 12,594 cases and 70 deaths.
A candidate Covid vaccine known as EpiVacCorona, Russia’s second to be registered, proved “100% effective” in early-stage Phase I and II trials, Russian consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has told local media.A candidate Covid vaccine known as EpiVacCorona, Russia’s second to be registered, proved “100% effective” in early-stage Phase I and II trials, Russian consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has told local media.
“The effectiveness of the vaccine is made up of its immunological effectiveness and preventative effectiveness,” the TASS news agency reported, citing Rospotrebnadzor. “According to results of the first and second phases of clinical trials, the immunological effectiveness of the EpiVacCorona vaccine is 100%.”“The effectiveness of the vaccine is made up of its immunological effectiveness and preventative effectiveness,” the TASS news agency reported, citing Rospotrebnadzor. “According to results of the first and second phases of clinical trials, the immunological effectiveness of the EpiVacCorona vaccine is 100%.”
Russia began testing EpiVacCorona, which is being developed by Siberia’s Vector Institute, in November. Earlier that month, Moscow said its other approved vaccine, Sputnik V, was 92% effective at protecting people from Covid based on interim results, Reuters reports.Russia began testing EpiVacCorona, which is being developed by Siberia’s Vector Institute, in November. Earlier that month, Moscow said its other approved vaccine, Sputnik V, was 92% effective at protecting people from Covid based on interim results, Reuters reports.
Russia has said it can inoculate 60% of its population against Covid this year, but although the Sputnik V vaccine has been readily available in Moscow, the rollout across the country has been slow. Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered mass vaccinations to start this week.Russia has said it can inoculate 60% of its population against Covid this year, but although the Sputnik V vaccine has been readily available in Moscow, the rollout across the country has been slow. Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered mass vaccinations to start this week.
EpiVacCorona will be used in mass vaccinations from March, deputy prime minister Tatiana Golikova told the Interfax news agency.EpiVacCorona will be used in mass vaccinations from March, deputy prime minister Tatiana Golikova told the Interfax news agency.
Russia, a country of 144 million people, has reported 3,612,800 coronavirus cases, the world’s fourth-highest total. Its death toll from the virus stands at 66,623.Russia, a country of 144 million people, has reported 3,612,800 coronavirus cases, the world’s fourth-highest total. Its death toll from the virus stands at 66,623.