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Coronavirus live news: China launches virus passport; Pfizer vaccine works on Brazil variant Coronavirus live news: China launches virus passport; Pfizer vaccine works on Brazil variant
(32 minutes later)
China launches digital certificate showing vaccination status and virus test results; Biden urged to establish temporary Covid health credentials; Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine ‘neutralises’ new variantChina launches digital certificate showing vaccination status and virus test results; Biden urged to establish temporary Covid health credentials; Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine ‘neutralises’ new variant
Seventeen European countries received doses from a batch of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine that authorities in Austria have stopped using while investigating a death and an illness, a senior health official has told Reuters.
The warning came after a 49-year-old nurse in Zwettl, a town northwest of Vienna, died as a result of severe coagulation disorders after receiving the vaccine. Another nurse from Zwettl who is 35 and received a dose from the same batch, ABV 5300, developed a pulmonary embolism and is recovering.
Christa Wirthumer-Hoche, the head of Austrian public health agency AGES’ medicines market supervisory body, was quoted by Reuters as saying:
The European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), which monitors the safety of medicines, discussed the case on Monday, said Wirthumer-Hoche, who also heads EMA’s management board.
AstraZeneca has said all batches of its coronavirus vaccine are subject to strict and rigorous quality controls and that there have been “no confirmed serious adverse events associated with the vaccine”.
Meanwhile, an autopsy of the nurse is being carried out and Wirthumer-Hoche said she expected the results next week.
India’s federal government has denied any shortage of coronavirus vaccine doses after a northwestern state became the first to publicly request supplies to be urgently restocked.
The country, which is the world’s biggest vaccine maker, has given 23m doses to 17m people. As has risen after a slow start and initial hesitation among people, Rajasthan publicly requested more stock.
But the federal health ministry said there was no shortage in Rajasthan or anywhere in the country. It said Rajasthan, a state of about 70m people, still had 1.4m doses left on Monday night.
The ministry said in a statement:
The prime ministers of Hungary and the Czech Republic, both of which are high on the scale of coronavirus death rates, will meet the prime minister of Israel to discuss policies to counter the pandemic.The prime ministers of Hungary and the Czech Republic, both of which are high on the scale of coronavirus death rates, will meet the prime minister of Israel to discuss policies to counter the pandemic.
The meeting to be held on Thursday comes as central Europe deals with a third wave of Covid-19 that has made it a global pandemic hotspot. “The main topic of the meeting will be the effort to curb the pandemic,” the office of Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister, said in a statement seen by Reuters.The meeting to be held on Thursday comes as central Europe deals with a third wave of Covid-19 that has made it a global pandemic hotspot. “The main topic of the meeting will be the effort to curb the pandemic,” the office of Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister, said in a statement seen by Reuters.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has made Israel’s vaccination programme a showcase of his campaign for re-election on 23 March. He has said 90% of eligible Israelis have either received at least one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or recovered from the virus.Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has made Israel’s vaccination programme a showcase of his campaign for re-election on 23 March. He has said 90% of eligible Israelis have either received at least one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or recovered from the virus.
Hungary imposed tough new lockdown measures on Monday to curb a rise in Covid-19 infections and has accelerated its vaccination campaign. Orban’s government has closed all schools and most shops.Hungary imposed tough new lockdown measures on Monday to curb a rise in Covid-19 infections and has accelerated its vaccination campaign. Orban’s government has closed all schools and most shops.
The Czech Republic, with hospitals reaching capacity due to the pandemic, has asked Germany, Poland and Switzerland to take in some Covid patients. Prague has sought to turn the tide with a strict lockdown restricting travel around the country and has boosted testing at industrial companies that have been untouched by restrictions.The Czech Republic, with hospitals reaching capacity due to the pandemic, has asked Germany, Poland and Switzerland to take in some Covid patients. Prague has sought to turn the tide with a strict lockdown restricting travel around the country and has boosted testing at industrial companies that have been untouched by restrictions.
The developers of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine have questioned the neutrality of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) after an EMA official urged EU members to hold off approving the vaccine.The developers of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine have questioned the neutrality of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) after an EMA official urged EU members to hold off approving the vaccine.
On Sunday, the head of the EMA’s management board, Christa Wirthumer-Hoche, told a talkshow on Austrian broadcaster ORF she “would urgently advise against giving a national emergency authorisation” to the Sputnik V shot.On Sunday, the head of the EMA’s management board, Christa Wirthumer-Hoche, told a talkshow on Austrian broadcaster ORF she “would urgently advise against giving a national emergency authorisation” to the Sputnik V shot.
The Sputnik developers wrote a statement in response to Wirthumer-Hoche on the vaccine Twitter account:The Sputnik developers wrote a statement in response to Wirthumer-Hoche on the vaccine Twitter account:
According to Reuters, Sputnik V has already been approved or is being assessed for approval in three EU member states - Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.According to Reuters, Sputnik V has already been approved or is being assessed for approval in three EU member states - Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
EU officials have said Brussels could start negotiations with a vaccine maker if at least four member countries request it.EU officials have said Brussels could start negotiations with a vaccine maker if at least four member countries request it.
Jerome Salomon, France’s director of health, has said that authorities are not considering a regional lockdown around Paris, despite strain on hospitals in and around the city due to the spread of coronavirus variants.Jerome Salomon, France’s director of health, has said that authorities are not considering a regional lockdown around Paris, despite strain on hospitals in and around the city due to the spread of coronavirus variants.
On Monday medical directors in the region had ordered hospitals to cancel 40% of their regular procedures to make space for Covid patients. In spite of that, Salomon was quoted by Reuters as telling French radio station RTL:On Monday medical directors in the region had ordered hospitals to cancel 40% of their regular procedures to make space for Covid patients. In spite of that, Salomon was quoted by Reuters as telling French radio station RTL:
The Paris region accounts for about one-sixth of France’s populationThe Paris region accounts for about one-sixth of France’s population
According to Reuters the number of people treated in French intensive care units for Covid-19 reached a 14-1/2-week-high on Monday, at 3,849. That figure is close to 1,000 in the Paris region.According to Reuters the number of people treated in French intensive care units for Covid-19 reached a 14-1/2-week-high on Monday, at 3,849. That figure is close to 1,000 in the Paris region.
Russia reported 9,445 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the first time since early October that the daily tally has dropped below 10,000, Reuters reports.Russia reported 9,445 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the first time since early October that the daily tally has dropped below 10,000, Reuters reports.
Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary, has described the closure of England’s Nightingale hospitals as an “important moment in our national recovery”.Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary, has described the closure of England’s Nightingale hospitals as an “important moment in our national recovery”.
In a video posted to Twitter, Hancock said the hospitals were a “monument to this country’s ability to get things done fast when it really matters” and played a “critical role” in the UK’s response to the Covid outbreak.In a video posted to Twitter, Hancock said the hospitals were a “monument to this country’s ability to get things done fast when it really matters” and played a “critical role” in the UK’s response to the Covid outbreak.
Speaking in a somewhat strained, awkward and hesitant manner, apparently reading the words out from an autocue, Hancock said:Speaking in a somewhat strained, awkward and hesitant manner, apparently reading the words out from an autocue, Hancock said:
In replies beneath his tweet, Hancock was criticised for dishonesty. As my colleague Nadeem Badshah reported last night, the network of seven hospitals was barely used.In replies beneath his tweet, Hancock was criticised for dishonesty. As my colleague Nadeem Badshah reported last night, the network of seven hospitals was barely used.
Of all the countries to post coronavirus numbers so far today, the Czech Republic reports the highest numbers of infections, with 10,466 new cases and 110 new deaths.Of all the countries to post coronavirus numbers so far today, the Czech Republic reports the highest numbers of infections, with 10,466 new cases and 110 new deaths.
So far the country has reported a total 1,335,815 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the fourth highest rate of infection in the world per million people, according to figures collated by the Worldometers website. Its 22,147 deaths gives the country the world’s third highest per capita death rate from the virus.So far the country has reported a total 1,335,815 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the fourth highest rate of infection in the world per million people, according to figures collated by the Worldometers website. Its 22,147 deaths gives the country the world’s third highest per capita death rate from the virus.
Public health authorities in Germany this morning report the country’s smallest rise in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases since last October.Public health authorities in Germany this morning report the country’s smallest rise in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases since last October.
The number of confirmed cases in Germany by 4,252 to 2,509,445, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed. According to the tally kept by the Worldometers website that is the lowest daily number since 11 October.The number of confirmed cases in Germany by 4,252 to 2,509,445, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed. According to the tally kept by the Worldometers website that is the lowest daily number since 11 October.
The reported death toll rose by 255 to 72,189, the tally showed.The reported death toll rose by 255 to 72,189, the tally showed.
Ministers must start war-gaming the next pandemic and their plans should be independently audited to prove the UK is prepared for global health threats to come, the Labour party has said, writes our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot, this morning.Ministers must start war-gaming the next pandemic and their plans should be independently audited to prove the UK is prepared for global health threats to come, the Labour party has said, writes our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot, this morning.
The shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, will give a speech on Tuesday attempting to refocus the blame for the catastrophic UK death toll on government failings, after polls showed support for Boris Johnson surging on the back of the the vaccine programme.The shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, will give a speech on Tuesday attempting to refocus the blame for the catastrophic UK death toll on government failings, after polls showed support for Boris Johnson surging on the back of the the vaccine programme.
Ashworth said Labour would introduce statutory duties to plan, audit and invest in pandemic response, alongside obligatory training for ministers in “germ-gaming”, imitating how the military prepares for conflict scenarios.Ashworth said Labour would introduce statutory duties to plan, audit and invest in pandemic response, alongside obligatory training for ministers in “germ-gaming”, imitating how the military prepares for conflict scenarios.
Speaking to the Guardian, Ashworth said Labour needed to highlight not only that the UK was “ill-prepared and ignored the warnings” about the Covid-19 pandemic but that there was more it could be doing now to prepare for future threats.Speaking to the Guardian, Ashworth said Labour needed to highlight not only that the UK was “ill-prepared and ignored the warnings” about the Covid-19 pandemic but that there was more it could be doing now to prepare for future threats.
Hello world, this is Damien Gayle picking up the live blog from London, where for the next few hours I’ll be updating you with the latest coronavirus-related news and updates from these shores and beyond.Hello world, this is Damien Gayle picking up the live blog from London, where for the next few hours I’ll be updating you with the latest coronavirus-related news and updates from these shores and beyond.
If you have any comments, tips or suggestions for what we could be covering, please feel free to drop me a line, either via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via Twitter direct message to @damiengayle.If you have any comments, tips or suggestions for what we could be covering, please feel free to drop me a line, either via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via Twitter direct message to @damiengayle.
According to the most recent data made available by the French health ministry, for the end of February, France was using 24% of its AstraZeneca doses, compared with 82% for vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech, and 37% for the Moderna shot.Reuters reports that this is partly due to logistical bottlenecks, but also because some French people don’t trust the AstraZeneca shot - despite multiple scientific studies that indicate it is safe and effective - according to interviews Reuters conducted with eight people involved in France’s vaccine rollout.According to the most recent data made available by the French health ministry, for the end of February, France was using 24% of its AstraZeneca doses, compared with 82% for vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech, and 37% for the Moderna shot.Reuters reports that this is partly due to logistical bottlenecks, but also because some French people don’t trust the AstraZeneca shot - despite multiple scientific studies that indicate it is safe and effective - according to interviews Reuters conducted with eight people involved in France’s vaccine rollout.
That’s it from me, your faithful blogger, for today.That’s it from me, your faithful blogger, for today.
May I suggest reading this brilliant column (that I wrote):May I suggest reading this brilliant column (that I wrote):
China has launched a health certificate programme for domestic travellers, leading the world in plans for so-called virus passports, AFP reports.China has launched a health certificate programme for domestic travellers, leading the world in plans for so-called virus passports, AFP reports.
The digital certificate, which shows a user’s vaccination status and virus test results, is available for Chinese citizens via a programme on Chinese social media platform WeChat that was launched on Monday.The digital certificate, which shows a user’s vaccination status and virus test results, is available for Chinese citizens via a programme on Chinese social media platform WeChat that was launched on Monday.
The certificate is being rolled out “to help promote world economic recovery and facilitate cross-border travel,” a foreign ministry spokesman said.The certificate is being rolled out “to help promote world economic recovery and facilitate cross-border travel,” a foreign ministry spokesman said.
However, the international health certificate is available only for use by Chinese citizens and it is not yet mandatory.However, the international health certificate is available only for use by Chinese citizens and it is not yet mandatory.
The certificate, which is also available in paper form, is thought to be the world’s first known “virus passport”. The US and Britain are among countries considering implementing similar permits. The European Union is also working on a vaccine “green pass” that would allow citizens to travel between member countries and abroad.The certificate, which is also available in paper form, is thought to be the world’s first known “virus passport”. The US and Britain are among countries considering implementing similar permits. The European Union is also working on a vaccine “green pass” that would allow citizens to travel between member countries and abroad.
China’s programme includes an encrypted QR code that allows each country to obtain a travellers’ health information, state media agency Xinhua reported Monday.China’s programme includes an encrypted QR code that allows each country to obtain a travellers’ health information, state media agency Xinhua reported Monday.
“QR health codes” within WeChat and other Chinese smartphone apps are already required to gain entry to domestic transport and many public spaces in China.“QR health codes” within WeChat and other Chinese smartphone apps are already required to gain entry to domestic transport and many public spaces in China.
The apps track a user’s location and produce a “green” code – synonymous with good health – if a user has not been in close contact with a confirmed case or has not travelled to a virus hotspot.The apps track a user’s location and produce a “green” code – synonymous with good health – if a user has not been in close contact with a confirmed case or has not travelled to a virus hotspot.
The system has sparked privacy concerns and fears it marks an expansion of government surveillance.The system has sparked privacy concerns and fears it marks an expansion of government surveillance.