This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/20/coronavirus-live-news-germany-extends-partial-lockdown-as-uk-suffers-record-daily-covid-deaths

The article has changed 44 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 37 Version 38
Coronavirus live: Spain reports record new infections; highest number of daily cases since November in France Coronavirus live: Spain reports record new infections; highest number of daily cases since November in France
(32 minutes later)
Spain records 41,576 new cases; France reports 26,784 new Covid cases; Italy considers legal action over Pfizer vaccine delivery delaysSpain records 41,576 new cases; France reports 26,784 new Covid cases; Italy considers legal action over Pfizer vaccine delivery delays
The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to approve several Covid-19 vaccines from Western and Chinese manufacturers in the coming weeks and months, a document published on Wednesday shows, as it aims for rapid rollouts in poorer countries.
Covax, a global scheme co-led by the WHO, wants to deliver at least two billion Covid-19 doses across the world this year, with at least 1.3bn going to poorer countries.
But it has so far struggled to secure enough shots due to a shortage of funds, while wealthy nations have secured large volumes of vaccines for themselves.
In the race to deploy vaccinations, regulatory approvals are key to confirming the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, and to boosting output. But some poorer countries rely mostly on WHO authorisations as they have limited regulatory capacity.
The WHO is therefore “expediting” emergency approvals, according to a Covax internal document seen by Reuters.
The Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) could be authorised by the WHO in January or February, the document says.
The same vaccine produced in South Korea by SK Bioscience could be approved by the UN agency in the second half of February, at the earliest, a provisional calendar published by the WHO on Wednesday shows.
As well as vaccines, regulators usually authorise their manufacturing processes in different plants.Covax has supply contracts with AstraZeneca and SII for about 400m doses and an option for many more hundreds of millions, although the timing of deliveries is uncertain.
Nobody should panic about getting access to a Covid-19 vaccine because everyone who wants one will get one, the World Health Organization said.Nobody should panic about getting access to a Covid-19 vaccine because everyone who wants one will get one, the World Health Organization said.
AFP reports:AFP reports:
Amazon has offered to help with the Covid-19 vaccine efforts in the United States, according to a letter addressed to president Joe Biden, seen by Reuters.Amazon has offered to help with the Covid-19 vaccine efforts in the United States, according to a letter addressed to president Joe Biden, seen by Reuters.
The world’s largest online retailer has an agreement with a healthcare provider to administer vaccines at its facilities, Dave Clark, chief executive of Amazon’s worldwide consumer business, said in the letter.The world’s largest online retailer has an agreement with a healthcare provider to administer vaccines at its facilities, Dave Clark, chief executive of Amazon’s worldwide consumer business, said in the letter.
He added, “We are prepared to leverage our operations, information technology, and communications capabilities and expertise to assist your administration’s vaccination efforts.”He added, “We are prepared to leverage our operations, information technology, and communications capabilities and expertise to assist your administration’s vaccination efforts.”
Syria’s White Helmets, who rescue victims from the rubble of airstrikes, have added making personal protective equipment to their efforts saving lives in areas of the country outside Bashar al-Assad’s control.Syria’s White Helmets, who rescue victims from the rubble of airstrikes, have added making personal protective equipment to their efforts saving lives in areas of the country outside Bashar al-Assad’s control.
The civil defence service’s uniform-making unit has recently pivoted to manufacturing PPE with the help of a £920,000 award from a nonprofit organisation funded by the UK, US and Dutch governments.The civil defence service’s uniform-making unit has recently pivoted to manufacturing PPE with the help of a £920,000 award from a nonprofit organisation funded by the UK, US and Dutch governments.
The local facility has already produced more than 2m masks, as well as protective gowns and face shields, and is handling the safe disposal of used PPE for north-west Syria’s vulnerable population of more than 3 million people.The local facility has already produced more than 2m masks, as well as protective gowns and face shields, and is handling the safe disposal of used PPE for north-west Syria’s vulnerable population of more than 3 million people.
“The Covid-19 pandemic was the most difficult challenge the White Helmets faced in 2020. We witnessed the spread of the virus in north-western Syria among humanitarian workers and medical personnel while the global pandemic made cross-borders logistics almost impossible,” said Munir Mustafa, the White Helmets’ deputy general manager for humanitarian affairs.“The Covid-19 pandemic was the most difficult challenge the White Helmets faced in 2020. We witnessed the spread of the virus in north-western Syria among humanitarian workers and medical personnel while the global pandemic made cross-borders logistics almost impossible,” said Munir Mustafa, the White Helmets’ deputy general manager for humanitarian affairs.
While doctors and humanitarian workers in Syria are still working at great personal risk to respond to and treat the disease, with the help of Creating Hope in Conflict: a Humanitarian Grand Challenge, the White Helmets have been able to scale up community efforts to keep people safe from coronavirus.While doctors and humanitarian workers in Syria are still working at great personal risk to respond to and treat the disease, with the help of Creating Hope in Conflict: a Humanitarian Grand Challenge, the White Helmets have been able to scale up community efforts to keep people safe from coronavirus.
“Our volunteers and fellow humanitarians, healthcare providers, and other essential workers are safer now [thanks to the project] and can together continue caring for Syrian civilians and responding to the pandemic,” Mustafa added.“Our volunteers and fellow humanitarians, healthcare providers, and other essential workers are safer now [thanks to the project] and can together continue caring for Syrian civilians and responding to the pandemic,” Mustafa added.
Dubai has ordered hospitals to cancel non-essential surgery for the next month after a surge in coronavirus cases in the Middle East’s tourism and business hub, Reuters reports.Dubai has ordered hospitals to cancel non-essential surgery for the next month after a surge in coronavirus cases in the Middle East’s tourism and business hub, Reuters reports.
Guardian reporters Archie Bland and Matthew Weaver looked into the flock of UK social media influencers who have headed to Dubai in recent weeks while their home country remains in lockdown, with the writer Clive Martin describing the hotspot as “the Covid Casablanca”.Guardian reporters Archie Bland and Matthew Weaver looked into the flock of UK social media influencers who have headed to Dubai in recent weeks while their home country remains in lockdown, with the writer Clive Martin describing the hotspot as “the Covid Casablanca”.
Here is a quick re-cap of the key Covid-related events around the world:Here is a quick re-cap of the key Covid-related events around the world:
The French health ministry reported 26,784 new confirmed Covid cases over the past 24 hours, the highest since 18 November. Elsewhere, Spain logged another record number of new infections on Wednesday afternoon, recording 41,576 new cases in the preceding day.The French health ministry reported 26,784 new confirmed Covid cases over the past 24 hours, the highest since 18 November. Elsewhere, Spain logged another record number of new infections on Wednesday afternoon, recording 41,576 new cases in the preceding day.
The government said a further 1,820 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday, in a new record daily toll, bringing the UK total to 93,290.The government said a further 1,820 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday, in a new record daily toll, bringing the UK total to 93,290.
Italy, which has received 48,000 vaccines for this week out of an allocated 397,000, is preparing to take legal action against Pfizer over delays in delivery of pre-ordered coronavirus vaccines.Italy, which has received 48,000 vaccines for this week out of an allocated 397,000, is preparing to take legal action against Pfizer over delays in delivery of pre-ordered coronavirus vaccines.
Two Daxing (a district of Beijing) cases reported on 17 January were analysed and are now believed to be highly similar to the new, more transmissible strain of the virus that began spreading in Britain, officials said on Wednesday.Two Daxing (a district of Beijing) cases reported on 17 January were analysed and are now believed to be highly similar to the new, more transmissible strain of the virus that began spreading in Britain, officials said on Wednesday.
Mark Rutte, the Netherland’s prime minister, has said the Dutch parliament will be asked to agree a night-time curfew running from 8:30pm to 4:30am from this weekend, as he set out stringent curbs to halt the spread of new Covid variants.Mark Rutte, the Netherland’s prime minister, has said the Dutch parliament will be asked to agree a night-time curfew running from 8:30pm to 4:30am from this weekend, as he set out stringent curbs to halt the spread of new Covid variants.
Zimbabwe’s foreign minister, Sibusiso Moyo, a former army general, has died after contracting Covid-19, presidential spokesman George Charamba said.Zimbabwe’s foreign minister, Sibusiso Moyo, a former army general, has died after contracting Covid-19, presidential spokesman George Charamba said.
Some good news, as the Associated Press reports:Some good news, as the Associated Press reports:
The French health ministry reported 26,784 new confirmed Covid cases over the past 24 hours, up from 23,608 on Tuesday and 23,852 last Wednesday.The French health ministry reported 26,784 new confirmed Covid cases over the past 24 hours, up from 23,608 on Tuesday and 23,852 last Wednesday.
Wednesday’s tally was the highest since the 28,383 registered on 18 November, during France’s second lockdown, Reuters reports.Wednesday’s tally was the highest since the 28,383 registered on 18 November, during France’s second lockdown, Reuters reports.
Spain logged another record number of new infections on Wednesday afternoon, recording 41,576 new cases in the preceding 24 hours and bringing the country’s total caseload to 2,412,318. It also recorded 464 deaths.Spain logged another record number of new infections on Wednesday afternoon, recording 41,576 new cases in the preceding 24 hours and bringing the country’s total caseload to 2,412,318. It also recorded 464 deaths.
The new record came five days after the previous single-day high of 40,197 new cases.The new record came five days after the previous single-day high of 40,197 new cases.
The number of cases per 100,000 people also rose from 714 on Tuesday to 736 on Wednesday.The number of cases per 100,000 people also rose from 714 on Tuesday to 736 on Wednesday.
To date, the central government has distributed 1,346,100 doses of the vaccine to the country’s 17 self-governing regions, of which 1,025,937 have been administered, meaning that around 2% of the country’s 47 million people have been vaccinated.To date, the central government has distributed 1,346,100 doses of the vaccine to the country’s 17 self-governing regions, of which 1,025,937 have been administered, meaning that around 2% of the country’s 47 million people have been vaccinated.
On Wednesday, the regional health minister in Murcia, southeastern Spain, resigned after it emerged that he, his wife, and around 400 staff in the health department had been vaccinated despite the current round of vaccinations being intended for the staff and residents of care homes, and for frontline health workers.On Wednesday, the regional health minister in Murcia, southeastern Spain, resigned after it emerged that he, his wife, and around 400 staff in the health department had been vaccinated despite the current round of vaccinations being intended for the staff and residents of care homes, and for frontline health workers.
Health authorities in Madrid have started mass testing hundreds of young people for Covid-19 at universities in a bid to detect asymptomatic carriers.Health authorities in Madrid have started mass testing hundreds of young people for Covid-19 at universities in a bid to detect asymptomatic carriers.
With the country in the grip of a third wave of infection, authorities called on young people to attend makeshift medical centres at nine university campuses to take a rapid antigen test, Reuters reports.With the country in the grip of a third wave of infection, authorities called on young people to attend makeshift medical centres at nine university campuses to take a rapid antigen test, Reuters reports.
Argentina has approved use of Russia’s Sputnik Covid vaccination for the over-60s, its government announced in a statement on Wednesday.
The National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology, Argentina’s regulatory body, said the jab “is within an acceptable margin of safety and efficacy for the age group over 60 years,” according to Reuters.
Medical-grade face masks rather than cloth coverings could become mandatory in a number of European countries to help contain the rapid spread of highly contagious Covid variants first identified in the UK and South Africa.
Angela Merkel and the leaders of Germany’s 16 states agreed on Tuesday that either single-use surgical FFP1 masks or more protective FFP2 filtering facepiece respirators should be worn in the workplace, on public transport and in shops.
The French government is considering whether to adopt formal advice from its health advisory committee to make so-called clinical masks mandatory, because even multi-layer fabric masks do not offer enough protection against the new strains.
Merkel said the threat of the B117 coronavirus variant first discovered in Britain was a key factor behind the German government’s decision to extend and tighten lockdown measures, saying the country faced “British conditions” if it failed to stop its spread. Schools and nurseries as well as non-essential shops and hairdressers will remain closed in Germany until at least 14 February.
Read more here:
Students have protested across France over their conditions during the restrictions, saying they were being pushed to the brink of despair by solitude and financial uncertainty, AFP reports.
With president Emmanuel Macron due to speak with worried university students on Thursday, they demanded a return to full face-to-face teaching suspended due to the pandemic.
For the time being, only first-year students will be permitted to attend classroom tutorials, from January 25 but in half-groups.
Hundreds protested in Paris, brandishing slogans including “incompetent politicians, students in agony”.
Melanie Luce, president of France’s national student union UNEF, said classes should be opened for “all students” even if reduced numbers meant doing classes twice over and recruiting more teachers.
For the second day in a row a record number of deaths has been recorded in the UK.
Our UK live blog has more details and reaction.
Portugal’s number of daily coronavirus cases rose from 10,455 to 14,647 on as hospitals struggle to cope with a surge in infections and deaths, Reuters reports.
The country also hit a record of 219 new deaths one more than Tuesday’s total, the health authority DGS said.
Around 45% of new cases, which brought the total of infections to 581,605, were concentrated in the Lisbon region, where hospitals are quickly running out of beds for coronavirus patients.
Currently 681 coronavirus patients are in intensive care units, above the 672 maximum allocation of ICU beds out of a total of just over 1,000, health authorities said.
João Gouveia, head of the association representing Portuguese intensive care workers, said:
As part of the new lockdown imposed on Friday, all non-essential services shut and people were urged to stay home. But the government decided to keep schools open despite heavy criticism from all sides.
India’s vaccine drive has been hampered by turnout as low as 22% in some states, as fears over the safety of the vaccine and the spread of misinformation has fuelled widespread hesitancy.
On Saturday, India launched the world’s largest vaccination programme as it began the massive task of vaccinating its 1.3 billion citizens against coronavirus.
On the first day of India’s vaccine drive on Saturday, more than 200,000 vaccinations were given – the highest one-day total of any country – but nonetheless fell short of the nationwide government targets by over 100,000. By Tuesday evening, the government said 631,417 people had been vaccinated, far below the expected figure.
Read more here:
Members of the military are to be brought in to assist medical staff in Northern Ireland in the battle against Covid-19, BBC News NI reports.
The BBC added that it had approached the Department of Health for comment.
Kenya has identified two cases of the new Covid variant first seen in South Africa in two men who have since left the country, a senior health ministry official said on Wednesday.
Patrick Amoth, acting director general of health at the Ministry of Health, did not confirm where the infected men were tested or if they had been notified, Reuters reports.
“This was picked (up) because of our heightened surveillance system. These two gentlemen have since gone back to their country. At the point of picking them, they were all asymptomatic,” he told a news conference.
Italy is preparing to take legal action against Pfizer over delays in delivery of pre-ordered Covid-19 vaccines.
Italy received 48,000 vaccines for this week, out of an allocated 397,000, and was also left short by 165,000 last week.
The US pharmaceutical company angered several EU countries last week after announcing temporary delays in shipments due to a production upgrade aimed at boosting output.
Domenico Arcuri, Italy’s Covid-19 emergency commissioner, said he had the support of the country’s regional leaders to take legal action in the coming days.
“Protecting the health of Italian citizens is not a negotiable issue,” Arcuri said. “The vaccination programme cannot be slowed down, let alone for the many of Italians who have already received the first dose.”
Italy has so far administered over 1.2m Covid vaccine shots.
When contacted by Reuters, a spokesman for Pfizer refused to comment.
The Dutch parliament will be asked to agree to a night-time curfew running from 8.30pm to 4.30am from this weekend, the country’s prime minister, Mark Rutte, has said, as he laid out the latest measures to stop the spread of the new Covid variants.
The curfew will run until at least 9 February with flights from Britain, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela also banned from Saturday.
Rutte, whose government resigned last week over a scandal over child benefits in which more than 20,000 families were wrongly accused of fraud, said he would ask parliament to back the plan. Rutte is currently acting in a care-taker capacity.
He told a press conference on Wednesday:
Under the curfew, one of the most stringent seen in Europe during the pandemic, people will not be allowed on to the streets unless they can prove it is for childcare or if they are able to provide a document from an employer proving the necessity of their movement.
Dog owners may also take their pets for a walk but shops will have to close at 8.15pm.
In a letter to parliament, the Dutch health minister Hugo De Jonge, said households would also be asked to further limit visits from others. He wrote: ‘The cabinet urgently advises not to receive more than one guest from the age of 13 per day and to pay a maximum of one visit per day.”