This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/aug/11/coronavirus-live-news-south-korea-reports-record-new-cases-who-calls-for-end-to-disgraceful-vaccine-inequality

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Coronavirus live news: South Korea reports record new cases; WHO calls for end to ‘disgraceful’ vaccine inequality Coronavirus live news: UK booster jabs for over-50s ‘uncertain’; WHO calls for end to ‘disgraceful’ vaccine inequity
(about 1 hour later)
South Korea confirms 2,200 new cases in one day; WHO calls on 20 most powerful world leaders to end vaccine inequality UK expert says jabs likely for vulnerable but situation uncertain for over-50s in general; WHO calls on 20 world leaders to end unfair vaccine distribution
Sri Lanka reported 2,904 new coronavirus cases and 118 deaths on Tuesday, reports the Colombo Page.
Citing Epidemiology Unit figures, it said that so far 11,260,795 people have had a first dose of the vaccine and 2,249,678 have had a second.
It came as Sri Lanka’s government on Tuesday rejected calls for a lockdown to tackle a Covid “bomb”.
Government spokesman and media minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, said the country had not reached a critical stage, reported AFP.
“Curfews or a lockdown is the last resort, but we are not there yet,” he said. “Our target is to get everyone over the age of 18 vaccinated by September and thereafter it is in the hands of the gods.”
But the Sri Lanka Medical Association issued a “final warning” to the government to implement a lockdown for at least two weeks or face a bigger crisis.
Russia’s health minister, Mikhail Murashko, has said the Sputnik V vaccine is “around 83%” effective against the Delta variant – less than was previously thought.
In June, vaccine developers said it was about 90% effective against Delta.
Russia has recorded nearly 6.5 million infections since the beginning of the pandemic, reports Reuters.
A UK government scientific adviser has said a third jab will be “quite likely” for people with a weak immune system, but it’s still uncertain that over-50s will be offered one.
Prof Adam Finn, who is on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advising the government on vaccination, said he expects people who are immunosuppressed to be offered a third dose. But, he said, plans for a “broader booster programme is still uncertain”.
He said the JCVI has been asked to advise the government on who might be given a booster “if it proves necessary”.
He told BBC Breakfast:
Iran is experiencing its worst coronavirus surge yet, with anger growing as other countries get vaccinated and no longer have to wear face masks.Iran is experiencing its worst coronavirus surge yet, with anger growing as other countries get vaccinated and no longer have to wear face masks.
Here’s the latest from Jon Gambrell at the Associated Press:Here’s the latest from Jon Gambrell at the Associated Press:
Hi, I’m looking after the blog for the next few hours. Please get in touch with any questions or tips: miranda.bryant@guardian.co.ukHi, I’m looking after the blog for the next few hours. Please get in touch with any questions or tips: miranda.bryant@guardian.co.uk
The World Health Organization has urged the 20 most powerful world leaders to overturn the “disgraceful” global imbalance in access to Covid-19 vaccines to reverse the tide before October, AFP reports.The World Health Organization has urged the 20 most powerful world leaders to overturn the “disgraceful” global imbalance in access to Covid-19 vaccines to reverse the tide before October, AFP reports.
The WHO’s Bruce Aylward said the world should be “disgusted” - and asked whether the situation could have been any worse had there been an active effort to block the planet’s poor from getting vaccinated.The WHO’s Bruce Aylward said the world should be “disgusted” - and asked whether the situation could have been any worse had there been an active effort to block the planet’s poor from getting vaccinated.
The UN health agency has been increasingly infuriated by what it sees as the moral outrage of rich countries hogging vaccine supply while developing nations struggle to immunise their most vulnerable populations.The UN health agency has been increasingly infuriated by what it sees as the moral outrage of rich countries hogging vaccine supply while developing nations struggle to immunise their most vulnerable populations.
Aylward, the WHO’s frontman on accessing the tools to fight the coronavirus pandemic, urged people to tell politicians and business tycoons that it was electorally and financially safe to increase vaccine coverage in poorer nations.Aylward, the WHO’s frontman on accessing the tools to fight the coronavirus pandemic, urged people to tell politicians and business tycoons that it was electorally and financially safe to increase vaccine coverage in poorer nations.
South Korea reported more than 2,200 new daily Covid cases, a record since the pandemic began last January, health minister Kwon Deok-cheol said on Wednesday, as the country grapples with its most severe coronavirus outbreak.Despite having distancing measures in place for over a month, infections have spiked due to the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant and a rise in domestic travel over summer, Kwon told a Covid response meeting.He also noted a rise in so-called “silent spreaders” within communities such as workplaces, indoor gyms, churches and nursing homes, leading to an increase in infections of unknown origin.South Korea has been struggling since July to tame sporadic outbreaks of Covid that were at first centred largely on metropolitan Seoul but have since spread nationwide.South Korea reported more than 2,200 new daily Covid cases, a record since the pandemic began last January, health minister Kwon Deok-cheol said on Wednesday, as the country grapples with its most severe coronavirus outbreak.Despite having distancing measures in place for over a month, infections have spiked due to the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant and a rise in domestic travel over summer, Kwon told a Covid response meeting.He also noted a rise in so-called “silent spreaders” within communities such as workplaces, indoor gyms, churches and nursing homes, leading to an increase in infections of unknown origin.South Korea has been struggling since July to tame sporadic outbreaks of Covid that were at first centred largely on metropolitan Seoul but have since spread nationwide.
Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
South Korea reported more than 2,200 new daily cases, a record since the pandemic began last January, health minister Kwon Deok-cheol said on Wednesday, as the country grapples with its most severe coronavirus outbreak.South Korea reported more than 2,200 new daily cases, a record since the pandemic began last January, health minister Kwon Deok-cheol said on Wednesday, as the country grapples with its most severe coronavirus outbreak.
The World Health Organization has urged the 20 most powerful world leaders to overturn the “disgraceful” global imbalance in access to Covid-19 vaccines to reverse the tide before October.The World Health Organization has urged the 20 most powerful world leaders to overturn the “disgraceful” global imbalance in access to Covid-19 vaccines to reverse the tide before October.
The World Health Organization has urged the 20 most powerful world leaders to overturn the “disgraceful” global imbalance in access to Covid-19 vaccines in order to reverse the tide before October.The World Health Organization has urged the 20 most powerful world leaders to overturn the “disgraceful” global imbalance in access to Covid-19 vaccines in order to reverse the tide before October.
The UK health secretary, Sajid Javid, said preparations are being made to offer Covid booster jabs in the UK from next month, but a leading expert suggested that such a move would not be supported by the science and that it was likely to be unnecessary.The UK health secretary, Sajid Javid, said preparations are being made to offer Covid booster jabs in the UK from next month, but a leading expert suggested that such a move would not be supported by the science and that it was likely to be unnecessary.
Reaching herd immunity is “not a possibility” with the current Delta variant, Pollard told MPs, since the vaccines do not stop the spread of Covid. Therefore reaching the threshold for overall immunity in the population is “mythical”, although the existing vaccines are very effective at preventing serious Covid illness and death, he said.Reaching herd immunity is “not a possibility” with the current Delta variant, Pollard told MPs, since the vaccines do not stop the spread of Covid. Therefore reaching the threshold for overall immunity in the population is “mythical”, although the existing vaccines are very effective at preventing serious Covid illness and death, he said.
Germany’s leaders are expected to set out new coronavirus regulations for the coming months, including abolishing free testing to incentivise people to get vaccinated. The unvaccinated will be expected to undergo tests which they must pay for themselves as a condition for attending all manner of events, from indoor gatherings to restaurant visits to church services.Germany’s leaders are expected to set out new coronavirus regulations for the coming months, including abolishing free testing to incentivise people to get vaccinated. The unvaccinated will be expected to undergo tests which they must pay for themselves as a condition for attending all manner of events, from indoor gatherings to restaurant visits to church services.
Thailand’s government backed down from widely criticised regulations that would enable it to prosecute people for distributing “news that may cause public fear”.Thailand’s government backed down from widely criticised regulations that would enable it to prosecute people for distributing “news that may cause public fear”.
Also in the south-east Asian country today, police fired teargas and rubber bullets at protesters calling for the government to resign over its handing of the pandemic. Lines of police, backed by trucks spraying jets from water cannons, fired teargas and rubber bullets at scores of demonstrators in Bangkok, as they threw rocks and fireworks and set fire to a traffic police booth.Also in the south-east Asian country today, police fired teargas and rubber bullets at protesters calling for the government to resign over its handing of the pandemic. Lines of police, backed by trucks spraying jets from water cannons, fired teargas and rubber bullets at scores of demonstrators in Bangkok, as they threw rocks and fireworks and set fire to a traffic police booth.
Myanmar’s army has carried out at least 252 attacks and threats against health workers since the February coup, killing at least 25 medics and hampering the response to a resurgent outbreak of Covid-19, rights groups have said.Myanmar’s army has carried out at least 252 attacks and threats against health workers since the February coup, killing at least 25 medics and hampering the response to a resurgent outbreak of Covid-19, rights groups have said.
Donald Trump was “afraid” when he put on a display of bravado at the White House after being treated for a severe coronavirus infection, his estranged niece Mary Trump has claimed.Donald Trump was “afraid” when he put on a display of bravado at the White House after being treated for a severe coronavirus infection, his estranged niece Mary Trump has claimed.