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Coronavirus live: Oxford scientists to modify vaccine to combat new variants; Brazil records 1,340 deaths Coronavirus live: Oxford scientists to modify vaccine to combat new variants; Brazil records 1,340 deaths
(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
Here’s a quick recap of the latest coronavirus developments across the globe over the last few hours:
Joe Biden marks start of presidency with executive orders to tackle Covid-19. The president signed orders to mandate mask wearing and social distancing in federal buildings and lands, and to create a position of a Covid-19 response coordinator.
UK reports 1,820 more Covid deaths, the most recorded in one day. The number of new cases also rose sharply to 38,905, after a fall earlier in the week which inspired optimism that lockdown restrictions were working.
France may follow Germany in making clinical masks mandatory. 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.
Dubai cancels non-essential surgery as Covid-19 cases surge. 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.
Indian hesitancy sets back world’s biggest Covid vaccination drive. India’s Covid-19 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.
Spain logs record number of new Covid infections. Spain recorded 41,576 new cases in the preceding 24 hours, bringing the country’s total caseload to 2,412,318. It also recorded 464 deaths.
Italy considers legal action over Pfizer vaccine delivery delays. 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.
Record 343,00 people in UK receive first dose of Covid vaccine in one day. The NHS is scaling up its push to vaccinate 15 million people by mid-February, although with 25 days to go it will require about 400,000 immunisations a day to remain on track.
Syria’s White Helmets awarded £920,000 to make PPE. 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.
Oxford scientists are preparing to rapidly produce new versions of their vaccine to combat emerging more contagious Covid-19 variants discovered in the UK, South Africa and Brazil, The Telegraph has reported.Oxford scientists are preparing to rapidly produce new versions of their vaccine to combat emerging more contagious Covid-19 variants discovered in the UK, South Africa and Brazil, The Telegraph has reported.
The team behind the vaccine from Oxford and AstraZeneca is undertaking feasibility studies to reconfigure the technology, the newspaper said, citing a confirmation from the Oxford University.The team behind the vaccine from Oxford and AstraZeneca is undertaking feasibility studies to reconfigure the technology, the newspaper said, citing a confirmation from the Oxford University.
A university spokesman told the newspaper that Oxford is carefully assessing the impact of new variants on vaccine immunity and evaluating the processes needed for rapid development of adjusted Covid-19 vaccines.A university spokesman told the newspaper that Oxford is carefully assessing the impact of new variants on vaccine immunity and evaluating the processes needed for rapid development of adjusted Covid-19 vaccines.
Separately, British prime minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that the nation’s medicines regulator will be ready and able to give approval to new versions of Covid-19 vaccines designed to counter new variants of the coronavirus that may appear.Separately, British prime minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that the nation’s medicines regulator will be ready and able to give approval to new versions of Covid-19 vaccines designed to counter new variants of the coronavirus that may appear.
Brazil has registered 1,340 new coronavirus deaths, bringing the country’s total to 212,831.Brazil has registered 1,340 new coronavirus deaths, bringing the country’s total to 212,831.
It has also registered 64,385 new cases of the disease, which now total 8,638,249.It has also registered 64,385 new cases of the disease, which now total 8,638,249.
Brazil’s foreign minister, Ernesto Araujo, said he still could not provide a timeline of when new coronavirus vaccine doses would arrive from India and China, raising concern in a country that is lagging behind others in vaccinating its people, Reuters reports.Brazil’s foreign minister, Ernesto Araujo, said he still could not provide a timeline of when new coronavirus vaccine doses would arrive from India and China, raising concern in a country that is lagging behind others in vaccinating its people, Reuters reports.
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.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 2bn Covid-19 doses across the world this year, with at least 1.3bn going to poorer countries.Covax, a global scheme co-led by the WHO, wants to deliver at least 2bn 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.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.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 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 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.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.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.