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Coronavirus live: England’s health secretary recovers from Covid; Italy records further 5,000 cases Coronavirus live: England’s health secretary recovers from Covid; Italy records further 5,000 cases
(32 minutes later)
UK health secretary Sajid Javid has announced the he’s made a full recovery from Covid-19 after contracting the virus last week.UK health secretary Sajid Javid has announced the he’s made a full recovery from Covid-19 after contracting the virus last week.
Greek police used teargas and water cannon to disperse people who had gathered in central Athens on Saturday to protest against mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations.
More than 4,000 people rallied outside the Greek parliament for a third time this month to oppose mandatory inoculations for some workers, such as healthcare and nursing staff.
A police official, who asked not to be named, said some protesters had thrown petrol bombs, prompting the police to respond with tear gas.
Nearly 2,500 Covid-19 cases in Greece were reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of infected people to 474,366.
Libyan authorities on Saturday stepped up their vaccination campaign around the capital Tripoli, as coronavirus cases rise across the country.
The health ministry has set up temporary centres in six districts of the capital.
“The campaign will continue until all the available doses are used,” doctor Rawad Behelille told AFP in central Tripoli.
Algeria will manufacture the Chinese coronavirus vaccine Sinovac locally, the government announced.Algeria will manufacture the Chinese coronavirus vaccine Sinovac locally, the government announced.
Chinese experts arrived Friday to inspect equipment destined for a factory in Constantine, in eastern Algeria, a statement from the pharmaceutical industry ministry said.Chinese experts arrived Friday to inspect equipment destined for a factory in Constantine, in eastern Algeria, a statement from the pharmaceutical industry ministry said.
Sinovac will be the second coronavirus vaccine to be produced in Algeria, with the Russian vaccine Sputnik V to be produced locally from September, according to authorities.Sinovac will be the second coronavirus vaccine to be produced in Algeria, with the Russian vaccine Sputnik V to be produced locally from September, according to authorities.
The Pasteur Institute of Algeria said it had received 2.4 million doses of Sinovac, bringing the total number of doses of all vaccines received so far by the country to nearly six million, AFP reports.The Pasteur Institute of Algeria said it had received 2.4 million doses of Sinovac, bringing the total number of doses of all vaccines received so far by the country to nearly six million, AFP reports.
Russia has sent a shipment of coronavirus-related humanitarian assistance to Cuba, including 1 million medical masks, the defence ministry said, adding President Vladimir Putin had given instructions for the aid.Russia has sent a shipment of coronavirus-related humanitarian assistance to Cuba, including 1 million medical masks, the defence ministry said, adding President Vladimir Putin had given instructions for the aid.
Cuba, which kept coronavirus infections low last year, earlier this week reported the highest rate of contagion per capita in Latin America. That has strained its healthcare sector and helped stoke rare anti-government protests earlier this month on the Communist-run island.Cuba, which kept coronavirus infections low last year, earlier this week reported the highest rate of contagion per capita in Latin America. That has strained its healthcare sector and helped stoke rare anti-government protests earlier this month on the Communist-run island.
Two military planes carrying 88 tonnes of aid – including food and personal protective equipment, amongst it over 1 million medical masks – departed from an airfield near Moscow on Saturday, the defence ministry said.Two military planes carrying 88 tonnes of aid – including food and personal protective equipment, amongst it over 1 million medical masks – departed from an airfield near Moscow on Saturday, the defence ministry said.
“On the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, military transport aircraft are delivering humanitarian aid to the Republic of Cuba,” the ministry said.“On the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, military transport aircraft are delivering humanitarian aid to the Republic of Cuba,” the ministry said.
Thousands of people protested in cities across Italy against the government’s introduction of restrictions on unvaccinated people as Rome tries to slow an upturn in Covid-19 infections, AFP reports.Thousands of people protested in cities across Italy against the government’s introduction of restrictions on unvaccinated people as Rome tries to slow an upturn in Covid-19 infections, AFP reports.
“Freedom!” and “Down with the dictatorship!” chanted Italian flag-waving demonstrators from Naples in the south to Turin in the north, while rain-soaked protesters in Milan shouted: “No Green Pass!”“Freedom!” and “Down with the dictatorship!” chanted Italian flag-waving demonstrators from Naples in the south to Turin in the north, while rain-soaked protesters in Milan shouted: “No Green Pass!”
The vast majority were not wearing masks.The vast majority were not wearing masks.
The Green Pass, which is an extension of the EU’s digital Covid certificate, will be required from 6 August to enter cinemas, museums, indoor swimming pools or sports stadiums, or eat indoors at restaurants.The Green Pass, which is an extension of the EU’s digital Covid certificate, will be required from 6 August to enter cinemas, museums, indoor swimming pools or sports stadiums, or eat indoors at restaurants.
It will serve as proof bearers have either been vaccinated, undergone a recent negative Covid-19 test, or recovered from a coronavirus infection.It will serve as proof bearers have either been vaccinated, undergone a recent negative Covid-19 test, or recovered from a coronavirus infection.
An official with France’s interior ministry said 161,000 people had demonstrated across the country on Saturday against Covid-19 restrictions and a vaccination campaign, up from 114,000 a week earlier, Reuters reports.An official with France’s interior ministry said 161,000 people had demonstrated across the country on Saturday against Covid-19 restrictions and a vaccination campaign, up from 114,000 a week earlier, Reuters reports.
Since the vaccine rollout began in England last year, the journey has been relatively smooth. The few bumps that the jab juggernaut has encountered, mostly hiccups in the supply chain, have been successfully navigated.Since the vaccine rollout began in England last year, the journey has been relatively smooth. The few bumps that the jab juggernaut has encountered, mostly hiccups in the supply chain, have been successfully navigated.
Yet there are now concerns about the final stages, with under-30s showing markedly more reluctance to get their first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines than older people.Yet there are now concerns about the final stages, with under-30s showing markedly more reluctance to get their first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines than older people.
So far, 58.4% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 58.9% of 25- to 29-year-olds in England have received a first dose since they became eligible on 18 June according to Public Health England, but that number is now rising slowly enough to alarm NHS trusts.So far, 58.4% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 58.9% of 25- to 29-year-olds in England have received a first dose since they became eligible on 18 June according to Public Health England, but that number is now rising slowly enough to alarm NHS trusts.
During protests in Paris against Covid-19 restrictions and a vaccination campaign, police sought to push back demonstrators near the capital’s Gare Saint-Lazare railway station after protesters had knocked over a police motorbike ridden by two officers, television pictures showed.During protests in Paris against Covid-19 restrictions and a vaccination campaign, police sought to push back demonstrators near the capital’s Gare Saint-Lazare railway station after protesters had knocked over a police motorbike ridden by two officers, television pictures showed.
Images showed a heavy police presence on the capital’s streets. Scuffles between police and demonstrators also broke out the Champs-Elysees thoroughfare, where teargas was fired and traffic was halted, Reuters reports.Images showed a heavy police presence on the capital’s streets. Scuffles between police and demonstrators also broke out the Champs-Elysees thoroughfare, where teargas was fired and traffic was halted, Reuters reports.
At another protest called by far-right politicians in west Paris, demonstrators opposed to anti-coronavirus measures carried banners reading “Stop the dictatorship”.At another protest called by far-right politicians in west Paris, demonstrators opposed to anti-coronavirus measures carried banners reading “Stop the dictatorship”.
Protests were also planned in cities including Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes and Toulouse.Protests were also planned in cities including Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes and Toulouse.
French lawmakers are due to vote this weekend on a bill drafted by the government aimed at setting up a health pass and mandatory vaccination for health workers.French lawmakers are due to vote this weekend on a bill drafted by the government aimed at setting up a health pass and mandatory vaccination for health workers.
Turkey’s new coronavirus cases jumped to 12,381 on Saturday, the highest level since mid-May.Turkey’s new coronavirus cases jumped to 12,381 on Saturday, the highest level since mid-May.
Health ministry data also showed that 58 people died due to Covid-19, Reuters reports.Health ministry data also showed that 58 people died due to Covid-19, Reuters reports.
Tanzania received its first batch of 1 million Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines donated by the U.S. government, Associated Press reports.
It had been among the few countries in Africa yet to receive vaccines or start inoculating its population, mainly because its former leader had claimed prayer had defeated the virus in the country.
The vaccines were received by Tanzania’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Liberata Mulamula, and the U.S. ambassador to Tanzania, Donald Wright, at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in the country’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania’s former president John Magufuli, who died in March, had refused to accept vaccines after he claimed three days of prayer had healed the country of the virus in June 2020.
More data from Italy. Patients in hospital with Covid-19 – not including those in intensive care – stood at 1,340 on Saturday, up from 1,304 a day earlier.
There were 21 new admissions to intensive care units, up from 10 on Friday.
The total number of intensive care patients rose to 172 from a previous 155, Reuters reports.
Some 258,929 tests for Covid-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 237,635, the health ministry said.
Uganda this week provided 25 million euros to MPs to buy new cars, sparking outrage in a country where the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc.
Each of the 529 lawmakers was handed 200 million shillings (48,000 euros, $56,500) to get new vehicles at a time when Covid-19 cases are surging, AFP reports.
Moses Isooba, leader of the National NGO Forum, said: “This act is shameful at a time the government is appealing to private citizens to contribute money to buy the Covid-19 vaccine.”
Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo defended the decision as being in line with a time-honoured tradition.
“It is to facilitate their engagement with the electorate. In any case, the civil society organisations have been part of the budgeting processes and knew [a] long time the MPs were to get money to buy cars,” he said.
China has supplied over 10,000 Covid vaccines to a Myanmar rebel group operating near its southern border, its spokesman said.
The Kachin Independence Army, which has waged a decades-long insurgency in Myanmar’s far north, has received 10,000 vaccines from Yunnan authorities, Col Naw Bu, a spokesperson for KIA, told AFP.
“KIA asked help from China, and China gave us help for vaccines,” he said, without specifying which shot the group had been given or when the first batch had arrived.
Some of the jabs had been paid for and others were donated, he added.
Italy reported 5,140 daily infections on Saturday compared to 5,143 on Friday.
It also recorded five coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday against 17 the day before, the country’s health ministry said.
Italy has registered 127,942 deaths linked to Covid-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, Reuters reports.
The country has reported more than 4.3 million cases to date.
Here’s a summary of the latest developments:
The UK health secretary has said he had made a full recovery after contracting Covid-19 last week. Sajid Javid said his symptoms were mild and called upon people to get vaccinated.
Tunisia suffered its worst daily toll, recording 317 deaths in 24 hours. Its health ministry also reported 5,624 new cases.
A further case of Covid was identified among the athletes at the Tokyo Olympics. There were also 17 Olympics-related cases, taking the total to 123.
Several people were arrested in Sydney as thousands attended anti-lockdown protests. Unmasked demonstrators marched through the city carrying signs calling for “freedom” and what they believe to be “the truth”.
Malaysia recorded the highest number of daily infections since the beginning of the pandemic. The health ministry reported 15,902 new cases, bringing the cumulative number of cases in the country to 996,393.
Vietnam posted its greatest daily caseload of the pandemic for the second day in a row. The health ministry said it had identified 7,968 new cases.
Anti-vaccination protesters and other demonstrators against Covid restrictions in France clashed with the police in central Paris on Saturday, leading anti-riot forces to use teargas, BTM Television reports.
Beyond Paris, protests were expected to take place in cities such as Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes and Toulouse as French lawmakers are due to vote this weekend on a bill drafted by the government aimed at setting up a health pass and mandatory vaccination for health workers.
Jordan will start vaccinating children aged 12 years and older from Sunday, the state news agency has said. Reuters reports: