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Coronavirus live news: Fauci says political divide added to 'stunning' US deaths; Italy 'misled' WHO Coronavirus live news: Greek health workers strike over conditions; Fauci says political divide added to US deaths
(32 minutes later)
Syria approves Sputnik vaccine; UK government eyes return to normal by end of June; Fauci says political divide contributed to ‘stunning’ US deaths Greek doctors marched in Athens over ‘suffocating’ conditions at hospitals; Fauci says large US death toll ‘should not have happened’
Ten orangutans have been airlifted back to their natural habitat on Indonesia’s Borneo island, in the first release of the apes into the wild for a year due to the dangers of coronavirus infection, AFP reports.
The UN has warned that hunger levels are soaring across much of Central America as countries battle economic crises sparked by responses to the pandemic and extreme climate events, AFP reports.
Greek hospital doctors have gone on strike today and dozens marched in Athens to protest “suffocating” conditions at hospitals during the pandemic.
Reuters reports:
The World Bank has threatened to suspend financing for Lebanon’s Covid-19 vaccination drive in its second week after it emerged that some lawmakers would get their shots in parliament today.The World Bank has threatened to suspend financing for Lebanon’s Covid-19 vaccination drive in its second week after it emerged that some lawmakers would get their shots in parliament today.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
First in the EU, Hungary is to start vaccinations tomorrow with jabs purchased from Chinese company Sinopharm, the Hungarian government has said.First in the EU, Hungary is to start vaccinations tomorrow with jabs purchased from Chinese company Sinopharm, the Hungarian government has said.
Hungary’s right-wing government, a strong critic of sluggish EU vaccine rollout, has been the first of the 27 member states to buy and authorise Russian and Chinese vaccines not yet approved by Brussels, Reuters reports.Hungary’s right-wing government, a strong critic of sluggish EU vaccine rollout, has been the first of the 27 member states to buy and authorise Russian and Chinese vaccines not yet approved by Brussels, Reuters reports.
Hungary announced last month that it had reached a deal with Sinopharm to buy 5 million doses of its vaccine.Hungary announced last month that it had reached a deal with Sinopharm to buy 5 million doses of its vaccine.
Senegal has begun its coronavirus vaccination campaign with 200,000 doses that it purchased from China’s Sinopharm, which it received last week.Senegal has begun its coronavirus vaccination campaign with 200,000 doses that it purchased from China’s Sinopharm, which it received last week.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
French health minister Olivier Veran will head to Dunkirk in northern France tomorrow as the government eyes new measures to limit the spread of Covid in the region, the prime minister’s office has said.French health minister Olivier Veran will head to Dunkirk in northern France tomorrow as the government eyes new measures to limit the spread of Covid in the region, the prime minister’s office has said.
Prime minister Jean Castex discussed the local health situation with the Dunkirk mayor earlier today, Reuters reports. “They agreed that in view of the sharp deterioration in health indicators in recent hours, additional measures to limit the epidemic must be taken,” the statement said.Prime minister Jean Castex discussed the local health situation with the Dunkirk mayor earlier today, Reuters reports. “They agreed that in view of the sharp deterioration in health indicators in recent hours, additional measures to limit the epidemic must be taken,” the statement said.
The UN children’s fund Unicef has said it has sent an initial 100,000 syringes for Covid vaccines to the Maldives in preparation for first deliveries of Pfizer and AstraZeneca shots under the Covax vaccine-sharing plan.The UN children’s fund Unicef has said it has sent an initial 100,000 syringes for Covid vaccines to the Maldives in preparation for first deliveries of Pfizer and AstraZeneca shots under the Covax vaccine-sharing plan.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
The Maldives, which has a population of more than 500,000 has had 18,930 confirmed Covid cases and 60 deaths.The Maldives, which has a population of more than 500,000 has had 18,930 confirmed Covid cases and 60 deaths.
California, the largest state in the US, has administered more than 7.3m vaccine doses but is lagging behind other states in vaccine administration. Eligibility is due to dramatically expand in March, but with supplies limited and many doses being used for second shots, essential workers could likely be waiting weeks or longer to get appointments.California, the largest state in the US, has administered more than 7.3m vaccine doses but is lagging behind other states in vaccine administration. Eligibility is due to dramatically expand in March, but with supplies limited and many doses being used for second shots, essential workers could likely be waiting weeks or longer to get appointments.
The lack of access is particularly frustrating for workers who have faced increasing risks over the last month, as California has moved to reopen parts of the economy and remove restrictions.The lack of access is particularly frustrating for workers who have faced increasing risks over the last month, as California has moved to reopen parts of the economy and remove restrictions.
Facing severe economic strain eleven months into the pandemic, low-wage workers across the state say they can’t afford to stay home from dangerous jobs – and can’t afford to lose income if they get infected.Facing severe economic strain eleven months into the pandemic, low-wage workers across the state say they can’t afford to stay home from dangerous jobs – and can’t afford to lose income if they get infected.
Kyrgyzstan has registered Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine for use against Covid, becoming the 32nd country to do so, Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund has said.Kyrgyzstan has registered Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine for use against Covid, becoming the 32nd country to do so, Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund has said.
Chinese officials did “little” in terms of epidemiological investigations into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan in the first eight months after the outbreak, according to an internal World Health Organization document seen by the Guardian.Chinese officials did “little” in terms of epidemiological investigations into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan in the first eight months after the outbreak, according to an internal World Health Organization document seen by the Guardian.
The internal WHO travel report summary, dated 10 August 2020, also said the team who met Chinese counterparts as part of a mission to help find the origins of the virus received scant new information at that time, and were not given any documents or written data during extensive discussions with Chinese officials.The internal WHO travel report summary, dated 10 August 2020, also said the team who met Chinese counterparts as part of a mission to help find the origins of the virus received scant new information at that time, and were not given any documents or written data during extensive discussions with Chinese officials.
The report from last summer, which was written as global infection rates reached 20m, offers new insights into how WHO scientists appear to have been stymied in their early efforts to study the outbreak in China.The report from last summer, which was written as global infection rates reached 20m, offers new insights into how WHO scientists appear to have been stymied in their early efforts to study the outbreak in China.
The revelation comes after the Biden administration recently issued a pointed statement about its concerns over Chinese cooperation in studying the disease and the need for the WHO to be held to a high standard and protect its credibility.The revelation comes after the Biden administration recently issued a pointed statement about its concerns over Chinese cooperation in studying the disease and the need for the WHO to be held to a high standard and protect its credibility.
More than one in five people living in the state of Lagos in Nigeria had Covid-19 antibodies at the end of October, according to a study that suggests infection rates were much higher across the country than previously thought.More than one in five people living in the state of Lagos in Nigeria had Covid-19 antibodies at the end of October, according to a study that suggests infection rates were much higher across the country than previously thought.
Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (NDCD) and the Institute for Medical Research collected blood samples from more than 10,000 individuals living in a representative sample of households in four states in September and October.Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (NDCD) and the Institute for Medical Research collected blood samples from more than 10,000 individuals living in a representative sample of households in four states in September and October.
According to findings released yesterday, the prevalence of antibodies was 23% in the states of Lagos – which is home to more than 16 million people – and Enugu, 19% in Nasarawa state, and 9% in Gombe state. Confirmed infections stood in the tens of thousands at the time.According to findings released yesterday, the prevalence of antibodies was 23% in the states of Lagos – which is home to more than 16 million people – and Enugu, 19% in Nasarawa state, and 9% in Gombe state. Confirmed infections stood in the tens of thousands at the time.
Up to now the country has recorded just 1,800 deaths from Covid, but the head of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the study findings meant it was “even more important” that Nigeria secured vaccines.Up to now the country has recorded just 1,800 deaths from Covid, but the head of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the study findings meant it was “even more important” that Nigeria secured vaccines.
There are serious questions over a corporate legal immunity provision that has given for-profit nursing homes and hospitals in New York state get-out-of-jail-free cards over Covid deaths, writes New York state Assemblymember Ron Kim.There are serious questions over a corporate legal immunity provision that has given for-profit nursing homes and hospitals in New York state get-out-of-jail-free cards over Covid deaths, writes New York state Assemblymember Ron Kim.
France’s chance of avoiding a postponement of their Six Nations clash with Scotland on Sunday have improved after the latest round of coronavirus testing returned no further positives, PA reports.France’s chance of avoiding a postponement of their Six Nations clash with Scotland on Sunday have improved after the latest round of coronavirus testing returned no further positives, PA reports.
An outbreak amongst the tournament favourites’ squad has produced 10 Covid-19 cases, including star scrum-half and 2020 player of the Championship Antoine Dupont and captain Charles Ollivon. The head coach, Fabien Galthié, and three members of his staff have also tested positive.An outbreak amongst the tournament favourites’ squad has produced 10 Covid-19 cases, including star scrum-half and 2020 player of the Championship Antoine Dupont and captain Charles Ollivon. The head coach, Fabien Galthié, and three members of his staff have also tested positive.
Six Nations organisers are to decide on Wednesday if the Stade de France showdown can go ahead, but the results of Monday night’s testing points to an easing of the crisis.Six Nations organisers are to decide on Wednesday if the Stade de France showdown can go ahead, but the results of Monday night’s testing points to an easing of the crisis.
Ukraine has received its first shipment of Covid-19 vaccine doses after several delays, AFP reports.Ukraine has received its first shipment of Covid-19 vaccine doses after several delays, AFP reports.
A plane carrying 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, marketed under the name Covishield and produced at the Serum Institute in India today landed at Kiev’s Boryspil airport.A plane carrying 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, marketed under the name Covishield and produced at the Serum Institute in India today landed at Kiev’s Boryspil airport.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had faced criticism for failing to obtain vaccines earlier for Ukraine, which suffers from an ageing healthcare system. He has blamed the delay on wealthier Western countries that reserved the Pfizer and Moderna jabs in bulk, and has urged the EU to help eastern European countries source vaccines.President Volodymyr Zelensky had faced criticism for failing to obtain vaccines earlier for Ukraine, which suffers from an ageing healthcare system. He has blamed the delay on wealthier Western countries that reserved the Pfizer and Moderna jabs in bulk, and has urged the EU to help eastern European countries source vaccines.
The country of 40 million people is one of the poorest in Europe and one of the last in the region to begin inoculating its population. The government originally announced that it would begin its vaccination campaign in mid-February, but the shipment of the first vaccine doses was delayed. Ukraine is also awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the World Health Organization’s Covax programme.The country of 40 million people is one of the poorest in Europe and one of the last in the region to begin inoculating its population. The government originally announced that it would begin its vaccination campaign in mid-February, but the shipment of the first vaccine doses was delayed. Ukraine is also awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the World Health Organization’s Covax programme.
Kiev has said it has also secured 17 million doses of vaccines developed by Novavax and AstraZeneca, including the 500,000 that arrived today. It has also said it signed a contract to receive 1.9 million doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine.Kiev has said it has also secured 17 million doses of vaccines developed by Novavax and AstraZeneca, including the 500,000 that arrived today. It has also said it signed a contract to receive 1.9 million doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine.
Breakaway regions in the east controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists began a vaccine drive with Russia’s Sputnik V jab in early February. Ukraine earlier this month banned vaccines developed by “aggressor states”, a designation Kiev has applied to Russia since 2015. Ukraine has recorded over 1.3 million cases and more than 25,000 deaths from the virus.Breakaway regions in the east controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists began a vaccine drive with Russia’s Sputnik V jab in early February. Ukraine earlier this month banned vaccines developed by “aggressor states”, a designation Kiev has applied to Russia since 2015. Ukraine has recorded over 1.3 million cases and more than 25,000 deaths from the virus.
Mattha Busby here, taking over from my colleague Caroline Davies. Do get in touch on Twitter or via email on mattha.busby.freelance@guardian.co.uk with any tips or thoughts. Thanks!Mattha Busby here, taking over from my colleague Caroline Davies. Do get in touch on Twitter or via email on mattha.busby.freelance@guardian.co.uk with any tips or thoughts. Thanks!
That’s it from me, Caroline Davies. Handing over to my colleague Mattha Busby now who will guide you through the next few hours. Thank you for your time.That’s it from me, Caroline Davies. Handing over to my colleague Mattha Busby now who will guide you through the next few hours. Thank you for your time.