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Coronavirus live news: Greece extends lockdown to more areas; Johnson & Johnson jab 'to get EU approval' Coronavirus live news: Greece extends lockdown to more areas; Johnson & Johnson jab 'to get EU approval'
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Greece announced tighter measures as pandemic showed no signs of waning in the country; EMA expected to approve vaccine on 11 MarchGreece announced tighter measures as pandemic showed no signs of waning in the country; EMA expected to approve vaccine on 11 March
A panel of expert advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday voted in favor of authorising Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, bringing it an important step closer to a US rollout.
The FDA is likely to authorise the one-shot vaccine within a day or so after receiving the recommendation of the panel, making it the third available in the United States, Reuters reports.
Israel’s drop in coronavirus infections has reversed and is rising again, as the country continues to reopen its economy after exiting a six-week lockdown.Israel’s drop in coronavirus infections has reversed and is rising again, as the country continues to reopen its economy after exiting a six-week lockdown.
The country’s R rate – expressing the average number of new infections caused by each carrier - is inching toward 1 again and currently at 0.97, while the number of seriously ill patients remains high, according to a report released on Friday the Military Intelligence’s national information center on coronavirus. The country’s R rate – expressing the average number of new infections caused by each carrier – is inching toward 1 again and currently is at 0.97, while the number of seriously ill patients remains high, according to a report released on Friday by the military intelligence’s national information centre on coronavirus.
Haaretz reports:Haaretz reports:
Police tried but failed to disperse thousands of people who gathered to celebrate the Purim holiday on the streets of Tel Aviv on Friday, despite the coronavirus curfew and regulations.Police tried but failed to disperse thousands of people who gathered to celebrate the Purim holiday on the streets of Tel Aviv on Friday, despite the coronavirus curfew and regulations.
According to Haaretz, the parties were not organised but rather spontaneous gatherings of people who had bought alcohol from local bars and celebrated in the streets, with many not wearing face masks. According to Haaretz, the parties were not organised but rather spontaneous gatherings of people who had bought alcohol from local bars and celebrated in the streets, with many not wearing masks.
Brazil on Friday registered 65,169 new coronavirus cases, as well as 1,337 further Covid-19 related deaths.Brazil on Friday registered 65,169 new coronavirus cases, as well as 1,337 further Covid-19 related deaths.
The daily infection tally a week ago, on 19 February, was 53,582.The daily infection tally a week ago, on 19 February, was 53,582.
On Thursday, Brazil recorded 1,541 deaths, the second highest daily toll since the pandemic began a year ago.On Thursday, Brazil recorded 1,541 deaths, the second highest daily toll since the pandemic began a year ago.
The country of 211 million people has recorded over 250,000 deaths so far, and well over 10 million infections, in the world’s third worst outbreak outside the US and India and its second-deadliest.The country of 211 million people has recorded over 250,000 deaths so far, and well over 10 million infections, in the world’s third worst outbreak outside the US and India and its second-deadliest.
The US House of Representatives is expected to approve president Joe Biden’s $1.9tn pandemic aid package on Friday evening, which includes direct aid to small businesses, $1,400 direct checks to Americans earning less than $75,000 (£62,000) per year, an increase in child tax credit, direct funding to state and local governments, funding for schools and more funds for vaccine distribution.The US House of Representatives is expected to approve president Joe Biden’s $1.9tn pandemic aid package on Friday evening, which includes direct aid to small businesses, $1,400 direct checks to Americans earning less than $75,000 (£62,000) per year, an increase in child tax credit, direct funding to state and local governments, funding for schools and more funds for vaccine distribution.
The stimulus package will come on top of about $4tn already approved under former US president Donald Trump.The stimulus package will come on top of about $4tn already approved under former US president Donald Trump.
CNN reports:CNN reports:
Honduras will begin receiving nearly 430,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine in March through the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global COVAX program for poor and middle-income countries, the Honduran health minister said on Friday. Honduras will begin receiving nearly 430,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine in March through the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global Covax programme for poor and middle-income countries, the Honduran health minister said on Friday.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
England’s deputy chief medical officer has told people “don’t wreck this now” as he warned there were “some worrying signs that people are relaxing” in the batlle against coronavirus at “exactly the wrong time”.England’s deputy chief medical officer has told people “don’t wreck this now” as he warned there were “some worrying signs that people are relaxing” in the batlle against coronavirus at “exactly the wrong time”.
PA reports:PA reports:
France reported 286 further deaths on Friday, as well as 25,207 new infections.France reported 286 further deaths on Friday, as well as 25,207 new infections.
A week ago, the country recorded 24,116 new cases, and 25,403 fresh cases were logged on Thursday.A week ago, the country recorded 24,116 new cases, and 25,403 fresh cases were logged on Thursday.
The seven-day moving average of new cases increased to 21,608, a new 2021 high, according to Reuters.The seven-day moving average of new cases increased to 21,608, a new 2021 high, according to Reuters.
French prime minister Jean Castex said on Thursday that the Covid-19 situation in the country was very “worrying” in 20 French departments and that stricter limits on movement will be enforced in those areas if infections numbers don’t improve.French prime minister Jean Castex said on Thursday that the Covid-19 situation in the country was very “worrying” in 20 French departments and that stricter limits on movement will be enforced in those areas if infections numbers don’t improve.
A shipment of 500,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and made by the Serum Institute of India is set to arrive in Canada on Wednesday, the chief executive of local partner Verity Pharmaceuticals said on Friday.A shipment of 500,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and made by the Serum Institute of India is set to arrive in Canada on Wednesday, the chief executive of local partner Verity Pharmaceuticals said on Friday.
Verity’s chief executive, Howard Glase, said the shipment is not part of Canada’s allocation from the COVAX system, meant to ensure equitable vaccine distribution.Verity’s chief executive, Howard Glase, said the shipment is not part of Canada’s allocation from the COVAX system, meant to ensure equitable vaccine distribution.
Canada has a separate procurement deal with AstraZeneca, which licensed the vaccine to Serum Institute, the world’s largest vaccine producer.Canada has a separate procurement deal with AstraZeneca, which licensed the vaccine to Serum Institute, the world’s largest vaccine producer.
CBC reports:CBC reports:
Mexico registered another 782 coronavirus fatalities on Friday, bringing the overall death toll in the country to 184,474, according to health ministry data.Mexico registered another 782 coronavirus fatalities on Friday, bringing the overall death toll in the country to 184,474, according to health ministry data.
The ministry’s data also showed an additional 7,512 confirmed cases, for a total of 2,076,882 cases.The ministry’s data also showed an additional 7,512 confirmed cases, for a total of 2,076,882 cases.
A week ago, the country recorded 7,829 new cases and 857 further deaths.A week ago, the country recorded 7,829 new cases and 857 further deaths.
The real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases, the government says.The real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases, the government says.
A UNESCO World Heritage site in Poland is being used to help people recover from Covid-19, with patients going deep underground in the Wieliczka salt mine to a therapeutic centre dealing with respiratory illness.A UNESCO World Heritage site in Poland is being used to help people recover from Covid-19, with patients going deep underground in the Wieliczka salt mine to a therapeutic centre dealing with respiratory illness.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
The Czech government has called a new state of emergency for 30 days starting from Sunday, gaining powers to curb people’s movement as it looks to sharply tighten Covid restrictions, the government office said on Twitter on Friday.The Czech government has called a new state of emergency for 30 days starting from Sunday, gaining powers to curb people’s movement as it looks to sharply tighten Covid restrictions, the government office said on Twitter on Friday.
The move was expected after parliament rejected extending a current state of emergency earlier on Friday. The government was meeting to finalise new tougher restrictions as it seeks to slow a Covid-19 infection rate among the highest in the world, Reuters reports.The move was expected after parliament rejected extending a current state of emergency earlier on Friday. The government was meeting to finalise new tougher restrictions as it seeks to slow a Covid-19 infection rate among the highest in the world, Reuters reports.
The government plans to ban movement between regions, with exceptions for travel to work or to look after a relative.The government plans to ban movement between regions, with exceptions for travel to work or to look after a relative.
Nurseries and schools and some of the shops that have hitherto been allowed to open will also be forced to shut, Czech Radio reports:Nurseries and schools and some of the shops that have hitherto been allowed to open will also be forced to shut, Czech Radio reports:
New York City schools chancellor Richard Carranza said on Friday he was stepping down as leader of the nation’s largest school district to grieve the loss of family members to coronavirus.New York City schools chancellor Richard Carranza said on Friday he was stepping down as leader of the nation’s largest school district to grieve the loss of family members to coronavirus.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports: