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Coronavirus live news: China launches virus passport; Pfizer vaccine works on Brazil variant Coronavirus live news: Denmark has grounds to ease lockdown, says minister; Johnson & Johnson reportedly tells EU of vaccine supply issues
(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 variant Denmark’s health minister says epidemic is no longer worsening in the country; Johnson & Johnson issues may complicate plans to deliver 55 million doses in second quarter
The 160-bed hospital in the Po River Valley town of Chiari in Italy has no more room for patients stricken with the highly contagious variant of Covid first identified in Britain that has put hospitals in the country’s northern Brescia province on high alert.
AP reports:
Johnson & Johnson has told the EU it is facing supply issues that may complicate plans to deliver 55 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine to the bloc in the second quarter of the year, an EU official told Reuters.
Ukraine has approved the Sinovac Covid vaccine, country’s the health ministry has said. Ukrainian pharmaceutical company Lekhim - one of Sinovac’s partners - has an agreement with the manufacturer to deliver 5 million doses of the vaccine in Ukraine, including 1.9 million via a state procurement scheme.
Lekhim said last month it had submitted documents seeking approval for the shot, while a senior ministry official said last week that authorities would impose financial penalties on the company over delays in delivering it.
Ukraine, one of Europe’s poorer countries, has lagged behind many of its neighbours in securing vaccines for its 41 million people, asking EU states for help while refusing to buy Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.
Ukraine started Covid-19 vaccinations in late February but only 19,118 first shots had been given by 9 March.
Russia has denied Washington’s claims that it was spearheading a disinformation campaign against US-made coronavirus vaccines to boost its own homegrown jab as “absurd and groundless”.Russia has denied Washington’s claims that it was spearheading a disinformation campaign against US-made coronavirus vaccines to boost its own homegrown jab as “absurd and groundless”.
The comments come a day after Washington alleged Russian intelligence was behind four websites involved in a campaign to undermine US-made vaccines, accusing Russia of putting lives at risk.The comments come a day after Washington alleged Russian intelligence was behind four websites involved in a campaign to undermine US-made vaccines, accusing Russia of putting lives at risk.
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations “absurd and groundless”. “Russia has never taken part and is not going to take part in such information campaigns against other vaccines,” he told reporters.Russian president Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations “absurd and groundless”. “Russia has never taken part and is not going to take part in such information campaigns against other vaccines,” he told reporters.
On the contrary, he said, Russia was cooperating with foreign vaccine producers “to make a more effective product”.On the contrary, he said, Russia was cooperating with foreign vaccine producers “to make a more effective product”.
Putin has boasted that Russia has developed the world’s best vaccines against the coronavirus, insisting last week they were better than the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs.Putin has boasted that Russia has developed the world’s best vaccines against the coronavirus, insisting last week they were better than the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs.
Denmark’s health minister Magnus Heunicke has said there were grounds to ease restrictions further since the epidemic was not worsening in the Nordic country.Denmark’s health minister Magnus Heunicke has said there were grounds to ease restrictions further since the epidemic was not worsening in the Nordic country.
“The contact number is calculated at 1.0. That means that the epidemic in Denmark is not growing. Thus, we have the basis for further controlled reopening,” Magnus Heunicke said on Twitter.“The contact number is calculated at 1.0. That means that the epidemic in Denmark is not growing. Thus, we have the basis for further controlled reopening,” Magnus Heunicke said on Twitter.
The contact number, also known as the R-value, indicates how many people one infected person will pass the virus on to. Heunicke also said the more contagious B.1.1.7. variant, first identified in Britain, was found in around 80% of all positive cases.The contact number, also known as the R-value, indicates how many people one infected person will pass the virus on to. Heunicke also said the more contagious B.1.1.7. variant, first identified in Britain, was found in around 80% of all positive cases.
Denmark has already eased some of its tough lockdown measures introduced in December, as schools in some parts of the country have reopened, as well as shops, and outdoor leisure activities have resumed.Denmark has already eased some of its tough lockdown measures introduced in December, as schools in some parts of the country have reopened, as well as shops, and outdoor leisure activities have resumed.
Head of the state Serum Institute, Henrik Ullum, said late yesterday the partial reopening so far had not led the epidemic towards the worst-case scenario, where up to almost 900 hospitalisation could happen in April.Head of the state Serum Institute, Henrik Ullum, said late yesterday the partial reopening so far had not led the epidemic towards the worst-case scenario, where up to almost 900 hospitalisation could happen in April.
An Italian-Swiss pharmaceutical company has agreed to produce Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in Italy, the first such deal in the EU, a trade body has said.An Italian-Swiss pharmaceutical company has agreed to produce Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in Italy, the first such deal in the EU, a trade body has said.
“The vaccine will be produced from July 2021 in [pharmaceutical company] Adienne factories in Lombardy,” northern Italy, a spokesman for the Italian-Russian chamber of commerce, Stefano Maggi, told AFP.“The vaccine will be produced from July 2021 in [pharmaceutical company] Adienne factories in Lombardy,” northern Italy, a spokesman for the Italian-Russian chamber of commerce, Stefano Maggi, told AFP.
“Ten million doses will be produced between July 1 and January 1, 2022,” he added, describing it as the “first agreement on the European level for the production on EU territory of the Sputnik vaccine”.“Ten million doses will be produced between July 1 and January 1, 2022,” he added, describing it as the “first agreement on the European level for the production on EU territory of the Sputnik vaccine”.
Several EU countries have already begun distributing Sputnik V, but it has yet to be approved by the bloc’s medicines regulator.Several EU countries have already begun distributing Sputnik V, but it has yet to be approved by the bloc’s medicines regulator.
Last week the Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency launched a rolling review of the Sputnik V vaccine, a key step towards being approved as the first non-Western jab to be used against the coronavirus across the 27-nation bloc.Last week the Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency launched a rolling review of the Sputnik V vaccine, a key step towards being approved as the first non-Western jab to be used against the coronavirus across the 27-nation bloc.
“If the vaccine is not authorised in Europe by July 1, the doses produced [in Italy] will be bought by the Russian sovereign fund and distributed in countries where the Sputnik vaccine is authorised,” Maggi said.“If the vaccine is not authorised in Europe by July 1, the doses produced [in Italy] will be bought by the Russian sovereign fund and distributed in countries where the Sputnik vaccine is authorised,” Maggi said.
The government in Malawi announced a Covid emergency relief plan way back in April, but it is only now being disbursed, AFP reports.The government in Malawi announced a Covid emergency relief plan way back in April, but it is only now being disbursed, AFP reports.
The package was initially earmarked for one million vulnerable people and small businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic, over a three-month period.The package was initially earmarked for one million vulnerable people and small businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic, over a three-month period.
But in between, governments changed and a new administration narrowed down the number of beneficiaries for the 9.5-billion- kwacha ($25-million) package to around 200,000. The package and its late disbursement are rooted in the country’s poverty and a bout of political turmoil.But in between, governments changed and a new administration narrowed down the number of beneficiaries for the 9.5-billion- kwacha ($25-million) package to around 200,000. The package and its late disbursement are rooted in the country’s poverty and a bout of political turmoil.
A court last year barred government from imposing a lockdown on grounds there were insufficient measures to cushion loss of livelihood in one of the world’s poorest countries.A court last year barred government from imposing a lockdown on grounds there were insufficient measures to cushion loss of livelihood in one of the world’s poorest countries.
As a result, the president at the time, Peter Mutharika, vowed to pay the equivalent of $40 monthly to the most vulnerable workers, matching the country’s minimum wage.As a result, the president at the time, Peter Mutharika, vowed to pay the equivalent of $40 monthly to the most vulnerable workers, matching the country’s minimum wage.
But two months after the pledge, he was ousted through a court-sanctioned re-election and beaten by opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera.But two months after the pledge, he was ousted through a court-sanctioned re-election and beaten by opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera.
A separate state-funded Covid-19 package meant to buy protective gear for health workers and teachers, was recently hit by scandal when it emerged that most of the 6.5 billion kwacha went to pay personal allowances and hosting workshops for government officials.A separate state-funded Covid-19 package meant to buy protective gear for health workers and teachers, was recently hit by scandal when it emerged that most of the 6.5 billion kwacha went to pay personal allowances and hosting workshops for government officials.
Malawi has so far counted 32,469 Covid-19 cases, of which just over 1,000 have been fatalities.Malawi has so far counted 32,469 Covid-19 cases, of which just over 1,000 have been fatalities.
Bosnia’s foreign minister has said she and her compatriots were “justifiably unhappy” after failing to yet to receive any of the promised vaccines from the EU-backed Covax scheme.Bosnia’s foreign minister has said she and her compatriots were “justifiably unhappy” after failing to yet to receive any of the promised vaccines from the EU-backed Covax scheme.
Bisera Turkovic told a press conference during a visit to Berlin:Bisera Turkovic told a press conference during a visit to Berlin:
She said Bosnia had met its obligations and paid for more than 1.2 million doses through the international Covax scheme, a global vaccine-sharing effort, but “not a single dose” had arrived to date.She said Bosnia had met its obligations and paid for more than 1.2 million doses through the international Covax scheme, a global vaccine-sharing effort, but “not a single dose” had arrived to date.
The Balkan nation of 3.5 million people has recorded more than 5,000 deaths from Covid-19. Bosnian authorities have looked elsewhere for help, procuring some 22,000 doses of the Russian-made Sputnik V which is being doled out in the country’s Serb-dominated half, Republika Srpska.The Balkan nation of 3.5 million people has recorded more than 5,000 deaths from Covid-19. Bosnian authorities have looked elsewhere for help, procuring some 22,000 doses of the Russian-made Sputnik V which is being doled out in the country’s Serb-dominated half, Republika Srpska.
Neighbouring Serbia last week donated 10,000 AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines, which will be distributed in the country’s other post-war entity, the Croat-Muslim federation.Neighbouring Serbia last week donated 10,000 AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines, which will be distributed in the country’s other post-war entity, the Croat-Muslim federation.
Norway has recommended that AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine be used for people over the age of 65 in light of new studies amid hopes it would speed up vaccinations of the elderly.Norway has recommended that AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine be used for people over the age of 65 in light of new studies amid hopes it would speed up vaccinations of the elderly.
AFP reports:AFP reports:
Hungarian hospitals are under increasing strain as the number of coronavirus patients rose to 8,270 today, exceeding a peak in December reached during the second wave of the pandemic, the country’s surgeon general has told a briefing.Hungarian hospitals are under increasing strain as the number of coronavirus patients rose to 8,270 today, exceeding a peak in December reached during the second wave of the pandemic, the country’s surgeon general has told a briefing.
Cecilia Muller said infections were expected to rise further in coming days, Reuters reports. Hungary imposed strict new lockdown measures yesterday in an attempt to curb a rise in infections and has accelerated its vaccination campaign.Cecilia Muller said infections were expected to rise further in coming days, Reuters reports. Hungary imposed strict new lockdown measures yesterday in an attempt to curb a rise in infections and has accelerated its vaccination campaign.
The west’s leading economic thinktank has sharply upgraded its forecasts for global growth this year as a result of successful vaccine programmes and fresh stimulus packages to combat Covid-19.The west’s leading economic thinktank has sharply upgraded its forecasts for global growth this year as a result of successful vaccine programmes and fresh stimulus packages to combat Covid-19.
In an interim outlook, the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said it expected the world economy to expand by 5.6% this year – up from 4.2% three months ago – and to recover the ground lost since the start of the pandemic by the middle of the year.In an interim outlook, the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said it expected the world economy to expand by 5.6% this year – up from 4.2% three months ago – and to recover the ground lost since the start of the pandemic by the middle of the year.
Domino’s Pizza has reported higher year-on-year profits in the UK and unveiled plans for more outlets and drive-thru services, as the Covid-19 pandemic prompted more people to order meals, especially over the festive period and during televised government press conferences.Domino’s Pizza has reported higher year-on-year profits in the UK and unveiled plans for more outlets and drive-thru services, as the Covid-19 pandemic prompted more people to order meals, especially over the festive period and during televised government press conferences.
The profit figure includes £9m of Covid-19-related costs such as face masks and contact-free delivery boxes. The company designed a new platform box that pizzas and other food are placed on and left on customers’ doorsteps.The profit figure includes £9m of Covid-19-related costs such as face masks and contact-free delivery boxes. The company designed a new platform box that pizzas and other food are placed on and left on customers’ doorsteps.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the international financial talking shop, has increased its global growth forecast, citing the deployment of coronavirus vaccines and a huge economic stimulus programme in the US as reasons for greater optimism.The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the international financial talking shop, has increased its global growth forecast, citing the deployment of coronavirus vaccines and a huge economic stimulus programme in the US as reasons for greater optimism.
The Paris-based organisations said it expects the global economy to grow 5.6%, an increase of 1.4 percentage points from its December forecast. It said in its economic outlook report published on Tuesday:The Paris-based organisations said it expects the global economy to grow 5.6%, an increase of 1.4 percentage points from its December forecast. It said in its economic outlook report published on Tuesday:
The recovery will be largely led by the US thanks to Joe Biden’s $1.9tr stimulus programme, Laurence Boone, chief economist of the OECD, told AFP.The recovery will be largely led by the US thanks to Joe Biden’s $1.9tr stimulus programme, Laurence Boone, chief economist of the OECD, told AFP.
However, the report noted that the recovery would be uneven and that “sizeable risks remain”. It said:However, the report noted that the recovery would be uneven and that “sizeable risks remain”. It said:
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.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 north-west 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.The warning came after a 49-year-old nurse in Zwettl, a town north-west 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: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.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”.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.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 north-western state became the first to publicly request supplies to be urgently restocked.India’s federal government has denied any shortage of coronavirus vaccine doses after a north-western 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 17 million people. As has risen after a slow start and initial hesitation among people, Rajasthan publicly requested more stock.The country, which is the world’s biggest vaccine maker, has given 23m doses to 17 million 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.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 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.