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Coronavirus live news: Greece to allow tourists with vaccines, antibodies or negative tests; Johnson & Johnson reportedly tells EU of vaccine supply issues Coronavirus live news: Greece to allow tourists with vaccines, antibodies or negative tests; Johnson & Johnson reportedly tells EU of vaccine supply issues
(32 minutes later)
Greece aim to reopen to holidaymakers from mid-May; Johnson & Johnson issues may complicate plans to deliver 55 million doses in second quarterGreece aim to reopen to holidaymakers from mid-May; Johnson & Johnson issues may complicate plans to deliver 55 million doses in second quarter
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has acquired the vial that contained the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine administered in the US, as part of its plans to document the global pandemic and “this extraordinary period we were going through”.
One in four women and girls around the world have been physically or sexually assaulted by a husband or male partner, according to the largest study yet of the prevalence of violence against women.
The report, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN partners, found that domestic violence started young, with a quarter of 15- to 19-year-old girls and young women estimated to have been abused at least once in their lives. The highest rates were found to be among 30- to 39-year-olds.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, has announced some limited relaxations to outdoor mixing in Scotland, in particular for teenagers, as she told the public that “we cannot afford to take our foot off the brake too soon” if the country is to enjoy a “much more normal summer”.
The president of the European council has warned the EU should not allow itself to be misled by regimes with “less desirable values than ours” and that the bloc would not use vaccines “for propaganda purposes”.
In comments that, paradoxically, meet the definition of propaganda – using information to promote a political point of view – Charles Michel criticised Russia and China’s values and defended Europe’s much-criticised Covid-19 inoculation strategy by stressing Brussels was also sharing jabs with the world.
“We should not let ourselves be misled by China and Russia, both regimes with less desirable values than ours, as they organise highly limited but widely publicised operations to supply vaccines to others,” the European Council president said.
“Without Europe, it would not have been possible to develop and produce several types of vaccines in less than one year.”
He said the EU was “actively promoting its values” by investing early in Covid-19 vaccine development and being the prime driver of the also Covax facility, which has faced criticism for a sluggish rollout that only began recently, to deliver doses to poorer countries.
EU officials believe Russia and China are trying to score political points and expand influence by rushing to deliver their vaccines before they were rigorously vetted by regulators, AFP reports.
Michel’s blunt comments came as the EU’s 27 member states struggle to achieve lift-off with a plan to immunise 70 percent of adults by mid-September. Much of the initial delivery shortfall was down to AstraZeneca failing to meet its supply schedule to the bloc.
Some member states, among them Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, are increasingly looking to vaccines not authorised by the EU’s medicine regulator, the EMA, to fill the gap, in particular Russia’s Sputnik V jab and ones from China.
But the EU executive has indicated it is unwilling to add it to its vaccines portfolio, which is projected to deliver 2.6 billion doses over this year and next.
Bosnia has reported a record number of daily deaths from Covid today with the capital Sarajevo going into lockdown next weekend for the first time since last May in an attempt to combat spiking infections.Bosnia has reported a record number of daily deaths from Covid today with the capital Sarajevo going into lockdown next weekend for the first time since last May in an attempt to combat spiking infections.
It comes as the Balkan country said it was “justifiably unhappy” after failing to yet to receive any of the promised vaccines from the EU-backed Covax scheme (see 12:18pm).It comes as the Balkan country said it was “justifiably unhappy” after failing to yet to receive any of the promised vaccines from the EU-backed Covax scheme (see 12:18pm).
The Balkan country of 3.3 million, where inoculations using the Russian Sputnik V vaccine have begun only in its Serb autonomous region, reported 1,251 new cases and 48 deaths from Covid today, health authorities said.The Balkan country of 3.3 million, where inoculations using the Russian Sputnik V vaccine have begun only in its Serb autonomous region, reported 1,251 new cases and 48 deaths from Covid today, health authorities said.
Sarajevo, which has seen a daily average of 456 new coronavirus cases over the past week, will be partially shut down next weekend for the first time in almost 10 months as hospital capacities have been overstretched, authorities said. Only food shops, pharmacies and gas stations will stay open.Sarajevo, which has seen a daily average of 456 new coronavirus cases over the past week, will be partially shut down next weekend for the first time in almost 10 months as hospital capacities have been overstretched, authorities said. Only food shops, pharmacies and gas stations will stay open.
Italy has recorded 100,000 coronavirus deaths, a year after it became the first western country to impose a total lockdown and as it braces for a third wave of the pandemic.Italy has recorded 100,000 coronavirus deaths, a year after it became the first western country to impose a total lockdown and as it braces for a third wave of the pandemic.
Among those who have died in recent days are Monique Forciniti, a 55-year-old school cook from Pistoia in Tuscany and Stefano Limongi, the 34-year-old owner of a sushi bar in Rome.Among those who have died in recent days are Monique Forciniti, a 55-year-old school cook from Pistoia in Tuscany and Stefano Limongi, the 34-year-old owner of a sushi bar in Rome.
Italy’s recently appointed prime minister, Mario Draghi, said that passing the “terrible threshold” of 100,000 deaths was something “we would never have imagined a year ago”.Italy’s recently appointed prime minister, Mario Draghi, said that passing the “terrible threshold” of 100,000 deaths was something “we would never have imagined a year ago”.
On 9 March 2020, his predecessor, Giuseppe Conte, imposed unprecedented national restrictions as the pandemic took hold. At the time, Italy had registered 463 Covid-19 deaths and 9,172 infections.On 9 March 2020, his predecessor, Giuseppe Conte, imposed unprecedented national restrictions as the pandemic took hold. At the time, Italy had registered 463 Covid-19 deaths and 9,172 infections.
One year on, the number of deaths on Monday rose to 100,103 – the highest in Europe after the UK – while the total number of infections since the onset of the pandemic last week eclipsed 3 million.One year on, the number of deaths on Monday rose to 100,103 – the highest in Europe after the UK – while the total number of infections since the onset of the pandemic last week eclipsed 3 million.
“A year ago, this was something that none of us doctors had ever experienced and of course, we hoped and imagined, like everyone else, that it would end quickly,” said Saverio Chiaravalle, the vice-president of the doctors’ order in the Lombardy province of Varese and a close friend of Roberto Stella, the president of the order who was the first medic in Italy to die from the virus.“A year ago, this was something that none of us doctors had ever experienced and of course, we hoped and imagined, like everyone else, that it would end quickly,” said Saverio Chiaravalle, the vice-president of the doctors’ order in the Lombardy province of Varese and a close friend of Roberto Stella, the president of the order who was the first medic in Italy to die from the virus.
Sudan has launched a coronavirus vaccination rollout, giving priority to medical workers, state news agency Suna said.Sudan has launched a coronavirus vaccination rollout, giving priority to medical workers, state news agency Suna said.
Healthcare workers at Jabra isolation hospital in the capital. Khartoum. started to get their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the agency said, adding that the first phase of the rollout will be expanded from 15 March to 15 May to include people aged 45 or older with chronic conditions.Healthcare workers at Jabra isolation hospital in the capital. Khartoum. started to get their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the agency said, adding that the first phase of the rollout will be expanded from 15 March to 15 May to include people aged 45 or older with chronic conditions.
The first phase will cover 3.5% of the country’s population. Sudan became the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to benefit from Covax facility vaccines when it received 828,000 doses of the AstraZeneca shot on 3 March.The first phase will cover 3.5% of the country’s population. Sudan became the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to benefit from Covax facility vaccines when it received 828,000 doses of the AstraZeneca shot on 3 March.
Sudan says it expects to receive the remainder of a total 3.4m doses through Covax, a vaccine-sharing programme co-led by the World Health Organization, in the second quarter of this year.Sudan says it expects to receive the remainder of a total 3.4m doses through Covax, a vaccine-sharing programme co-led by the World Health Organization, in the second quarter of this year.
It aims to cover 20% of its population of 44 million through Covax by September, health ministry officials said.It aims to cover 20% of its population of 44 million through Covax by September, health ministry officials said.
Here is footage of Thailand’s prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, finishing his weekly news conference by spraying alcohol disinfectant on the front row of journalists.Here is footage of Thailand’s prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, finishing his weekly news conference by spraying alcohol disinfectant on the front row of journalists.
He walked away from lectern after evading a question about a possible cabinet reshuffle.He walked away from lectern after evading a question about a possible cabinet reshuffle.
Japan has decided to stage this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics without overseas spectators due to public concern about Covid-19, the Kyodo news agency has said, citing officials with knowledge of the matter.Japan has decided to stage this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics without overseas spectators due to public concern about Covid-19, the Kyodo news agency has said, citing officials with knowledge of the matter.
The Tokyo 2020 games organising committee said a decision would be made by the end of March.The Tokyo 2020 games organising committee said a decision would be made by the end of March.
The Olympics, postponed by a year because of the pandemic, are scheduled to take place from 23 July to 8 August and the Paralympics from 24 August to 5 September.The Olympics, postponed by a year because of the pandemic, are scheduled to take place from 23 July to 8 August and the Paralympics from 24 August to 5 September.
Kyodo said the government had concluded that welcoming fans from abroad would not be possible given public concern about the coronavirus and the detection of more contagious variants in many countries, Kyodo cited the officials as saying.Kyodo said the government had concluded that welcoming fans from abroad would not be possible given public concern about the coronavirus and the detection of more contagious variants in many countries, Kyodo cited the officials as saying.
After yet more bad news this today for the EU in the form of Johnson & Johnson’s statement about supplies of its vaccine, Ireland’s taoiseach has also been voicing disappointment “with some of the issues” with vaccine supply.After yet more bad news this today for the EU in the form of Johnson & Johnson’s statement about supplies of its vaccine, Ireland’s taoiseach has also been voicing disappointment “with some of the issues” with vaccine supply.
The comments of Michael Martin followed reports of a shortfall in the expected supply of vaccines to Ireland by the end of March.The comments of Michael Martin followed reports of a shortfall in the expected supply of vaccines to Ireland by the end of March.
The impact of the vaccines had been very positive in terms of protecting the most vulnerable, Martin told reporters on the way into a cabinet meeting in Dublin.The impact of the vaccines had been very positive in terms of protecting the most vulnerable, Martin told reporters on the way into a cabinet meeting in Dublin.
Those who are most vulnerable are getting vaccinated and that will have an impact, RTE quoted him as saying.Those who are most vulnerable are getting vaccinated and that will have an impact, RTE quoted him as saying.
“So, when we come to the week before the fifth of April, we will examine the situation,” he added.“So, when we come to the week before the fifth of April, we will examine the situation,” he added.
People who are vaccinated against Covid-19, have antibodies or test negative can travel to Greece this summer, tourism minister Harry Theocharis has said.People who are vaccinated against Covid-19, have antibodies or test negative can travel to Greece this summer, tourism minister Harry Theocharis has said.
Tourism is a major income earner for Greece, which has led calls for an EU-wide vaccination certificate to help unlock travel.Tourism is a major income earner for Greece, which has led calls for an EU-wide vaccination certificate to help unlock travel.
The industry accounts for about a fifth of the Greek economy and employs one in five workers, but arrivals collapsed last year because of the pandemic.The industry accounts for about a fifth of the Greek economy and employs one in five workers, but arrivals collapsed last year because of the pandemic.
Greece is aiming to kick off its vital summer season by mid-May, said Theocharis as he addressed the ITB Berlin trade show from the Athens Acropolis Museum, home to sculptures from Greek antiquity.Greece is aiming to kick off its vital summer season by mid-May, said Theocharis as he addressed the ITB Berlin trade show from the Athens Acropolis Museum, home to sculptures from Greek antiquity.
“Greece is ready with a complete protocol for summer 2021,” he said. “Tourists will be welcome if before travel they are either vaccinated, or have antibodies, or test negative. All tourists will be subject to random testing.”“Greece is ready with a complete protocol for summer 2021,” he said. “Tourists will be welcome if before travel they are either vaccinated, or have antibodies, or test negative. All tourists will be subject to random testing.”
He said the authorities would prioritise the vaccination of people working in the hospitality sector once the most vulnerable were vaccinated, and were mandating the frequent testing of employees.He said the authorities would prioritise the vaccination of people working in the hospitality sector once the most vulnerable were vaccinated, and were mandating the frequent testing of employees.
Instagram’s recommendations were pushing users toward Covid misinformation, anti-vaccination content and antisemitic material during the peak of the pandemic, according to a report from a social media watchdog.
Misinformation was most frequently shown to new users who followed a mix of accounts on the platform that included leading anti-vaccination personalities or wellness influencers, according to the report, Malgorithm.
Volunteers who followed 10 accounts with anti-vaccine links, for instance, received recommendations for posts promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories. Numerous posts claimed there was “no pandemic”, and others called on people to “stop getting tested” and “stop wearing your mask”.
Wall Street Journal editors working from home in Connecticut, US, fell under suspicion yesterday, when the paper published an unusual correction. “The stray word ‘Yay!’ was inadvertently inserted,” it said, “during editing of an article on Friday about Connecticut’s Covid-19 restrictions.”
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”.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
“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”.
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.
“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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.