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Coronavirus live: cases rising in Europe after 10 weeks of decline; 400,000 in UK have had long Covid for at least a year Coronavirus live: cases rising in Europe after 10 weeks of decline; 400,000 in UK have had long Covid for at least a year
(32 minutes later)
Health clinics in Moscow to begin offering booster vaccines amid Delta surge; US President fails to deliver 80m doses by end of June; Thailand toll comes as Phuket reopens for tourism Figures show day-to-day activity of 634,000 people in UK affected by long Covid; WHO: 10-week decline in Covid cases in Europe has come to an end; Health clinics in Moscow to begin offering booster vaccines
The World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, has said that a 10-week decline in the number of Covid infections in Europe has come to an end. Infections rose 10% last week, which Kluge ascribes to relaxed restrictions and increased travel.
Russia reported 672 coronavirus-related deaths today, the highest official death toll in a single day since the pandemic began. The government coronavirus taskforce also confirmed 23,543 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, the most since 17 January. Health clinics in Moscow will begin offering booster vaccine shots against Covid today.
US president Joe Biden came up well short on his goal of delivering 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to the rest of the world by the end of June as a host of logistical and regulatory hurdles slowed the pace of vaccine diplomacy
ONS figures in the UK suggest that nearly one million people have suffered from “long Covid”, and that 634,000 people report it adversely affecting their day-to-day activities
Indonesia has reported 24,836 new coronavirus infections and 504 deaths, both record daily highs. The government said it will tighten quarantine and boost testing and vaccinations for Covid and would extend emergency measures if infections do not decline within three weeks.
The Thai island of Phuket has reopened to some foreign tourists, more than one year after the pandemic forced the country’s borders to close. About 400 international tourists were expected to arrive today, through a scheme that officials hope could help to revive the country’s tourism sector. Thailand on Thursday reported a daily record of 57 deaths from the coronavirus, the second day in a row of record-high fatalities as the Southeast Asian country.
Scientists in the Netherlands have found coronavirus is common in pet cats and dogs where their owners have the disease. While cases of owners passing on Covid-19 to their pets are considered to be of negligible risk to public health, the scientists say there is a potential risk that domestic animals could act as a “reservoir” for coronavirus and reintroduce it to humans.
Fewer than than 40% of Australia’s oldest and most vulnerable citizens have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 more than four months into the rollout, new data shows.
Police in Uganda have arrested two nurses and were hunting for a man who had posed as a doctor to sell and administer fake coronavirus vaccines to hundreds of people.
India’s version of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine is not authorised in the EU due to the possibility of “differences” with the original, Europe’s drug regulator said. The African Union yesterday criticised as “inequitable” the decision not to include Covishield, the Indian-made vaccine used by the global Covax programme, on a list of approved vaccines for a digital certificate for travellers in the bloc.
The prime minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, went into isolation despite being fully vaccinated, after one of his aides tested positive amid a high in a new wave of infections blamed on the Delta variant.
A very quick Reuters snap here that Indonesia has reported 24,836 new coronavirus infections and 504 deaths, both record daily highs.
Elias Biryabarema reports from Kampala for Reuters that police in Uganda have arrested two nurses and were hunting for a man who had posed as a doctor to sell and administer fake coronavirus vaccines to hundreds of people.Elias Biryabarema reports from Kampala for Reuters that police in Uganda have arrested two nurses and were hunting for a man who had posed as a doctor to sell and administer fake coronavirus vaccines to hundreds of people.
The phoney doctor had persuaded several companies to pay for their employees to receive vaccines, charging £20-£40 ($28-$56) per shot, according to the head of a public health monitoring unit within the president’s office.The phoney doctor had persuaded several companies to pay for their employees to receive vaccines, charging £20-£40 ($28-$56) per shot, according to the head of a public health monitoring unit within the president’s office.
“This was a clear scam, this fellow was looking for money, just a common criminal. We suspect he was injecting people with water because it’s colourless, odourless and not dangerous,” Dr. Warren Naamara told Reuters. “He is still on the run but we’re hunting for him. We have arrested two nurses whom he was employing.” “This was a clear scam, this fellow was looking for money, just a common criminal. We suspect he was injecting people with water because it’s colourless, odourless and not dangerous,” Dr Warren Naamara told Reuters. “He is still on the run but we’re hunting for him. We have arrested two nurses whom he was employing.”
Documents seized in a raid of the premises used by the suspects showed at least 812 people had been vaccinated but Naamara said the number of victims could be more.Documents seized in a raid of the premises used by the suspects showed at least 812 people had been vaccinated but Naamara said the number of victims could be more.
During a raid on the premises used by the suspects, investigators found vials whose seals had been tampered with, and had bogus vaccine labelling and false shipping information, Naamara said. During a raid on the premises used by the suspects, investigators found vials whose seals had been tampered with and had bogus vaccine labelling and false shipping information, Naamara said.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data around coronavirus in the UK has been released, and the most striking headline figure is that “Long Covid” was estimated to be adversely affecting the day-to-day activities of 634,000 people - around two-thirds of those with self-reported long Covid - with 178,000 reporting that their ability to undertake day-to-day activities had been “limited a lot”. The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data around coronavirus in the UK has been released, and the most striking headline figure is that long Covid was estimated to be adversely affecting the day-to-day activities of 634,000 people - around two-thirds of those with self-reported long Covid - with 178,000 reporting that their ability to undertake day-to-day activities had been “limited a lot”.
PA media report that fatigue was the most common symptom reported as part of an individual’s experience of long Covid (535,000 people), followed by shortness of breath (397,000), muscle ache (309,000) and difficulty concentrating (295,000).PA media report that fatigue was the most common symptom reported as part of an individual’s experience of long Covid (535,000 people), followed by shortness of breath (397,000), muscle ache (309,000) and difficulty concentrating (295,000).
An estimated 385,000 people in private households in the UK have experienced self-reported “long Covid” that has lasted for at least a year, new figures suggest. An estimated 385,000 people in private households in the UK have experienced self-reported long Covid that has lasted for at least a year, new figures suggest. This is up from 376,000 in a similar survey carried out one month earlier.
This is up from 376,000 in a similar survey carried out one month earlier.The figures, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), are based on responses collected in the four weeks to 6 June. The figures, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), are based on responses collected in the four weeks to 6 June.
They also suggest a total of 962,000 people in the UK experienced long Covid in the period of the survey, defined as symptoms persisting for more than four weeks after their first suspected coronavirus infection.They also suggest a total of 962,000 people in the UK experienced long Covid in the period of the survey, defined as symptoms persisting for more than four weeks after their first suspected coronavirus infection.
Just to note that there is a press conference at the moment by Hans Kluge, who is the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe. My colleague Jon Henley will be bringing us a fuller report in due course, but the key lines to emerge so far:Just to note that there is a press conference at the moment by Hans Kluge, who is the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe. My colleague Jon Henley will be bringing us a fuller report in due course, but the key lines to emerge so far:
A 10-week decline in the number of Covid infections in Europe has come to an end.A 10-week decline in the number of Covid infections in Europe has come to an end.
Infections rose 10% last week, which Kluge ascribes to relaxed restrictions and increased travel.Infections rose 10% last week, which Kluge ascribes to relaxed restrictions and increased travel.
Kluge says there will be a new wave in Europe unless discipline is maintained.Kluge says there will be a new wave in Europe unless discipline is maintained.
Just in from Reuters, Russia reported 672 coronavirus-related deaths today, the highest official death toll in a single day since the pandemic began.Just in from Reuters, Russia reported 672 coronavirus-related deaths today, the highest official death toll in a single day since the pandemic began.
The government coronavirus taskforce also confirmed 23,543 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, the most since 17 January. That figure includes 7,597 in Moscow.The government coronavirus taskforce also confirmed 23,543 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, the most since 17 January. That figure includes 7,597 in Moscow.
Russia has announced an immediate vaccination booster programme (see 8.41am). Reuters report that scientists recommended booster doses to keep the number of protective antibodies in the body at a high level considering the rapid spread of the Delta variant.Russia has announced an immediate vaccination booster programme (see 8.41am). Reuters report that scientists recommended booster doses to keep the number of protective antibodies in the body at a high level considering the rapid spread of the Delta variant.
“We need to keep an eye on the strain, keeping antibody levels high through more frequent re-vaccination,” said Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Institute, which developed the Sputnik V vaccine.“We need to keep an eye on the strain, keeping antibody levels high through more frequent re-vaccination,” said Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Institute, which developed the Sputnik V vaccine.
“This is because memory cells are late to get to work ... they start to build up the right level of antibodies around the third or fourth day,” he was cited as saying by the Interfax news agency last week.“This is because memory cells are late to get to work ... they start to build up the right level of antibodies around the third or fourth day,” he was cited as saying by the Interfax news agency last week.
Andrew Sparrow has launched our UK live blog for today. There’s liable to be a big focus on the Batley and Spen by-election, but he’ll also be covering the top UK Covid lines. I’ll be carrying on here with the latest coronavirus developments from around the world.Andrew Sparrow has launched our UK live blog for today. There’s liable to be a big focus on the Batley and Spen by-election, but he’ll also be covering the top UK Covid lines. I’ll be carrying on here with the latest coronavirus developments from around the world.
Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of Independent Sage, said he does not believe that annual coronavirus vaccinations will be given to people in the future.Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of Independent Sage, said he does not believe that annual coronavirus vaccinations will be given to people in the future.
PA media report he told Times Radio: “I suspect what we will find is that, over the next few years, we’ll have a couple of different variants of the vaccine and then that will probably be adequate. Then obviously younger people will have to be vaccinated as they come through the population.”PA media report he told Times Radio: “I suspect what we will find is that, over the next few years, we’ll have a couple of different variants of the vaccine and then that will probably be adequate. Then obviously younger people will have to be vaccinated as they come through the population.”
Prof McKee added that he feels it is important to vaccinate children from a “population perspective” due to the need for 87% of people to be vaccinated so that there is “population immunity” against the virus.Prof McKee added that he feels it is important to vaccinate children from a “population perspective” due to the need for 87% of people to be vaccinated so that there is “population immunity” against the virus.
“Twenty percent of the population are under 18 and there’s a higher proportion in some communities so, therefore, it seems obvious from a population perspective,” he said.“Twenty percent of the population are under 18 and there’s a higher proportion in some communities so, therefore, it seems obvious from a population perspective,” he said.
“I think people in the JCVI, who are looking at this from the perspective of the individual child and looking at the risk/benefit balance, are less enthusiastic about vaccinating children, but I’m a public health physician. From a population perspective, it’s very clear that we have to vaccinate children.”“I think people in the JCVI, who are looking at this from the perspective of the individual child and looking at the risk/benefit balance, are less enthusiastic about vaccinating children, but I’m a public health physician. From a population perspective, it’s very clear that we have to vaccinate children.”
Indonesia will tighten quarantine and boost testing and vaccinations for Covid and would extend emergency measures if infections do not decline within three weeks, Reuters report its government said.Indonesia will tighten quarantine and boost testing and vaccinations for Covid and would extend emergency measures if infections do not decline within three weeks, Reuters report its government said.
Authorities were working hard to boost oxygen supplies across Java island and aimed to test half a million people daily, health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told a joint news conference.Authorities were working hard to boost oxygen supplies across Java island and aimed to test half a million people daily, health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told a joint news conference.
In the UK, on Sky News the opposition Labour financial spokesperson Bridget Phillipson has been scathing of how the UK government has failed to extend additional support to businesses having pushed back the date for reopening the economy. She said:In the UK, on Sky News the opposition Labour financial spokesperson Bridget Phillipson has been scathing of how the UK government has failed to extend additional support to businesses having pushed back the date for reopening the economy. She said:
Asked about the fact that furlough support was tapered rather then ending abruptly – from today businesses have to contribute 10% of the cost – she said:Asked about the fact that furlough support was tapered rather then ending abruptly – from today businesses have to contribute 10% of the cost – she said:
Health clinics in Moscow will begin offering booster vaccine shots against Covid today, the city’s mayor said, as Russian officials scramble to contain a surge in cases blamed on the highly infectious Delta variant.Health clinics in Moscow will begin offering booster vaccine shots against Covid today, the city’s mayor said, as Russian officials scramble to contain a surge in cases blamed on the highly infectious Delta variant.
The health ministry on Wednesday said revaccination would begin on 1 July, news agencies including Reuters reported, making Russia one of the first countries in the world to officially launch a booster shot programme for people already fully vaccinated.The health ministry on Wednesday said revaccination would begin on 1 July, news agencies including Reuters reported, making Russia one of the first countries in the world to officially launch a booster shot programme for people already fully vaccinated.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said revaccination was available with any of Russia’s four registered vaccines, but that Sputnik V and the one-component Sputnik-Light would initially be used at eight clinics across the city.Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said revaccination was available with any of Russia’s four registered vaccines, but that Sputnik V and the one-component Sputnik-Light would initially be used at eight clinics across the city.
The health ministry issued new regulations that officially recommended revaccination yesterday.The health ministry issued new regulations that officially recommended revaccination yesterday.
Official figures in Russia had for months shown between 7,000 and 9,500 new Covid cases a day, but in recent weeks they have shot above 20,000 new cases a day, setting new records.Official figures in Russia had for months shown between 7,000 and 9,500 new Covid cases a day, but in recent weeks they have shot above 20,000 new cases a day, setting new records.
The Thai island of Phuket has reopened to some foreign tourists, more than one year after the pandemic forced the country’s borders to close, devastating the economy.The Thai island of Phuket has reopened to some foreign tourists, more than one year after the pandemic forced the country’s borders to close, devastating the economy.
About 400 international tourists were expected to arrive in Phuket on Thursday, through a scheme that officials hope could help to revive the country’s tourism sector.About 400 international tourists were expected to arrive in Phuket on Thursday, through a scheme that officials hope could help to revive the country’s tourism sector.
The programme, known as Phuket Sandbox, aims to minimise the risk of transmission by requiring tourists to stay on the island for 14 days if they wish to travel elsewhere in Thailand.The programme, known as Phuket Sandbox, aims to minimise the risk of transmission by requiring tourists to stay on the island for 14 days if they wish to travel elsewhere in Thailand.
Phuket residents have been prioritised for vaccination before the reopening, and at least 70% of the population have received one dose of either Sinovac or AstraZeneca – far more than the rest of the country, which is struggling with its most severe outbreak yet.Phuket residents have been prioritised for vaccination before the reopening, and at least 70% of the population have received one dose of either Sinovac or AstraZeneca – far more than the rest of the country, which is struggling with its most severe outbreak yet.
The scheme has been hampered by last-minute rules changes, with the final regulations approved days ago. Only fully vaccinated tourists from countries deemed to be low- and medium-risk will be allowed to travel to Phuket, and they will need to provide a negative Covid test as well as other documentation.The scheme has been hampered by last-minute rules changes, with the final regulations approved days ago. Only fully vaccinated tourists from countries deemed to be low- and medium-risk will be allowed to travel to Phuket, and they will need to provide a negative Covid test as well as other documentation.
Travellers will be required to comply with various disease measures on arrival, including wearing a mask at all times when outdoors. They will also need to stay at special, certified hotels where 70% of staff have been vaccinated, and download a tracking app on their phone.Travellers will be required to comply with various disease measures on arrival, including wearing a mask at all times when outdoors. They will also need to stay at special, certified hotels where 70% of staff have been vaccinated, and download a tracking app on their phone.
Read more of Helen Davidson’s report here: Phuket reopens to tourists one year after Covid forced Thai borders to closeRead more of Helen Davidson’s report here: Phuket reopens to tourists one year after Covid forced Thai borders to close
Adrienne Matei wonders for us this morning, even as things begin to get back to something approaching normal in some countries, is this the end for casual hugging?Adrienne Matei wonders for us this morning, even as things begin to get back to something approaching normal in some countries, is this the end for casual hugging?
For teenage me, physical boundaries were an unfamiliar concept – partly because I was the product of a time and place where casual touch was the norm. But different people grow up with different norms, depending on where they come from and what they’ve experienced. And what’s considered ‘normal’ is always subject to change.For teenage me, physical boundaries were an unfamiliar concept – partly because I was the product of a time and place where casual touch was the norm. But different people grow up with different norms, depending on where they come from and what they’ve experienced. And what’s considered ‘normal’ is always subject to change.
Like most norms involving close physical contact, hugging quickly stopped for safety reasons as Covid-19 took hold last year. In an instant, the pandemic offered a crash course in how to navigate each other’s comfort zones and personal space bubbles (at least, among those who gave a damn about following the rules). But the seeds of a hug-reckoning had already been planted, well before social distancing became a part of daily life.Like most norms involving close physical contact, hugging quickly stopped for safety reasons as Covid-19 took hold last year. In an instant, the pandemic offered a crash course in how to navigate each other’s comfort zones and personal space bubbles (at least, among those who gave a damn about following the rules). But the seeds of a hug-reckoning had already been planted, well before social distancing became a part of daily life.
Covid-19 arrived as conversations about touch and consent hit a tipping point. Millennials who remembered being expected to hug everyone at their childhood family reunions had begun reconciling their politics with their parenting, and introduced the semi-controversial idea that nobody – not even grandma and grandpa – is entitled to hug their kids without the children’s permission.Covid-19 arrived as conversations about touch and consent hit a tipping point. Millennials who remembered being expected to hug everyone at their childhood family reunions had begun reconciling their politics with their parenting, and introduced the semi-controversial idea that nobody – not even grandma and grandpa – is entitled to hug their kids without the children’s permission.
Taken altogether, we’re looking at a very different era for hugs than the night of my fateful fireside chat, so many years ago. In the time since, and especially during Covid, we’ve had an opportunity to reflect on our collective norms and social patterns. Now is the time to actually decide how we want to move forward with hugging as our communities reopen – and if we want to continue hugging at all.Taken altogether, we’re looking at a very different era for hugs than the night of my fateful fireside chat, so many years ago. In the time since, and especially during Covid, we’ve had an opportunity to reflect on our collective norms and social patterns. Now is the time to actually decide how we want to move forward with hugging as our communities reopen – and if we want to continue hugging at all.
Read more here: Is the age of casual hugging over?Read more here: Is the age of casual hugging over?
[Please note: this live blogger has always been inclined to respond to any uninvited casual hug with a Hulksmash. *shudders*][Please note: this live blogger has always been inclined to respond to any uninvited casual hug with a Hulksmash. *shudders*]
PA media report that Professor Adam Finn, from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said experts were “very concerned” there will be a very large flu epidemic this winter and people needed to be able to get their Covid and flu jabs in the same visit, if the Covid jab was deemed ultimately necessary.PA media report that Professor Adam Finn, from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said experts were “very concerned” there will be a very large flu epidemic this winter and people needed to be able to get their Covid and flu jabs in the same visit, if the Covid jab was deemed ultimately necessary.
He told BBC Breakfast that regular, annual Covid vaccines could happen “but possibly not for everybody”.He told BBC Breakfast that regular, annual Covid vaccines could happen “but possibly not for everybody”.
He added: “And of course, uncertainty will reduce as time goes by and we’ll really see how much of an ongoing problem we have with this virus and how it behaves and evolves.He added: “And of course, uncertainty will reduce as time goes by and we’ll really see how much of an ongoing problem we have with this virus and how it behaves and evolves.
“But I think it’s highly likely that we’ll go on seeing people getting infection with this virus in the future, and the need to immunise people, particularly people who are vulnerable, to getting seriously ill with that, yes.”“But I think it’s highly likely that we’ll go on seeing people getting infection with this virus in the future, and the need to immunise people, particularly people who are vulnerable, to getting seriously ill with that, yes.”