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Covid live: UK sending poorer countries ‘to back of queue’ by ordering boosters; Russia reports record 799 deaths Covid live: UK sending poorer countries ‘to back of queue’ by ordering boosters; Russia reports record 799 deaths
(32 minutes later)
Campaigners accuse UK of sending countries who are struggling to access vaccines ‘to back of queue’; Russia reports record-breaking daily deathsCampaigners accuse UK of sending countries who are struggling to access vaccines ‘to back of queue’; Russia reports record-breaking daily deaths
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that a clinical trial in 52 countries would study three anti-inflammatory drugs as potential treatments for Covid-19 patients.
“These therapies – artesunate, imatinib and infliximab – were selected by an independent expert panel for their potential in reducing the risk of death in hospitalised Covid-19 patients,” it said in a statement on the Solidarity Plus trial.
Artesunate is already used for severe malaria, imatinib for certain cancers, and infliximab for diseases of the immune system such as Crohn’s Disease and rheumatoid arthritis, Reuters reports.
The original Solidarity trial last year found that all four treatments evaluated – remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon – had little or no effect in helping Covid patients. So far, the WHO has only deemed corticosteroids to be effective against severe and critical Covid-19.
In the trial, artesunate will be administered intravenously for seven days, using the standard dose recommended for the treatment of severe malaria.
Imatinib, produced by Novartis, is used to treat certain cancers. In the trial, it will be administered orally, once daily, for 14 days. Infliximab, produced by Johnson and Johnson, is used to treat diseases of the immune system. In the trial, it will be administered intravenously as a single dose, Reuters said.
A video of Republican senator Rand Paul disputing the effectiveness of wearing masks has been removed from YouTube, which suspended him for a week for violating its policy of Covid misinformation.
Its policy is to ban videos that “claim that masks do not play a role in preventing the contraction or transmission of Covid-19.” It is based on the guidance of the World Health Organization – which u-turned last year after initially refraining from recommending people wear face masks in public.
The New York Times reports that Paul said in the video: “Most of the masks you get over the counter don’t work. They don’t prevent infection ... Trying to shape human behaviour isn’t the same as following the actual science, which tells us that cloth masks don’t work.”
But public health experts are now almost unanimous in the recommendation of masks, the NYT reports.
Paul said of his suspension: “I think this kind of censorship is very dangerous, incredibly anti-free speech and truly anti-progress of science, which involves skepticism and argumentation to arrive at the truth.”
It comes after Twitter suspended Republican congresswoman Marjorie Green after she tweeted US authorities should not give the coronavirus vaccines full approval and that the vaccines were “failing.” She tweeted: “There are too many reports of infection and spread of Covid-19 among vaccinated people.”
The controversial Congresswoman has previously criticised the “borderline monopolistic stranglehold” of a few big tech companies over American political discourse, the NYT reports.
Chinese state media articles quoting a Swiss biologist accusing the US of politicising Covid origin investigations have been quietly deleted, after the Swiss government said no such person exists.Chinese state media articles quoting a Swiss biologist accusing the US of politicising Covid origin investigations have been quietly deleted, after the Swiss government said no such person exists.
On 24 July, a Facebook post by an account named Wilson Edwards claimed to have witnessed or learned of US efforts to politicise the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 investigations from within.On 24 July, a Facebook post by an account named Wilson Edwards claimed to have witnessed or learned of US efforts to politicise the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 investigations from within.
Edwards cited unnamed WHO sources and “fellow researchers” complaining of having endured “enormous pressure and even intimidation from the US side as well as certain media outlets … The WHO sources told me the US is so obsessed with attacking China on the origin-tracing issue that it is reluctant to open its eyes to the data and findings.”Edwards cited unnamed WHO sources and “fellow researchers” complaining of having endured “enormous pressure and even intimidation from the US side as well as certain media outlets … The WHO sources told me the US is so obsessed with attacking China on the origin-tracing issue that it is reluctant to open its eyes to the data and findings.”
The Facebook post was picked up widely by Chinese state media. China has consistently rejected theories and accusations that the virus may have come from a lab leak in Wuhan. An investigation in January by a joint China-WHO team – which was criticised for lacking transparency and access amid claims the investigators were not given the data they requested – determined that the lab leak theory was less likely than other scenarios but did not rule it out.The Facebook post was picked up widely by Chinese state media. China has consistently rejected theories and accusations that the virus may have come from a lab leak in Wuhan. An investigation in January by a joint China-WHO team – which was criticised for lacking transparency and access amid claims the investigators were not given the data they requested – determined that the lab leak theory was less likely than other scenarios but did not rule it out.
The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, later said the push to discount the theory had been “premature” but China seized on the finding. It has since refused to cooperate with a WHO proposal to further explore the possibility and to audit Chinese labs as part of the investigation’s next phase. Instead, foreign ministry officials and state media have heavily pushed unevidenced theories that the virus leaked from a US facility.The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, later said the push to discount the theory had been “premature” but China seized on the finding. It has since refused to cooperate with a WHO proposal to further explore the possibility and to audit Chinese labs as part of the investigation’s next phase. Instead, foreign ministry officials and state media have heavily pushed unevidenced theories that the virus leaked from a US facility.
In related news, the New York Times reports on a survey that suggests parents of American school-aged children are more supportive of school mask requirements than mandatory vaccinesIn related news, the New York Times reports on a survey that suggests parents of American school-aged children are more supportive of school mask requirements than mandatory vaccines
The ongoing Kaiser Family Foundation, based on a representative sample of 1,259 parents, found that nearly two-thirds would like schools to insist on masks for students, teachers and staff members for the unvaccinated.The ongoing Kaiser Family Foundation, based on a representative sample of 1,259 parents, found that nearly two-thirds would like schools to insist on masks for students, teachers and staff members for the unvaccinated.
It also found that one in five parents of children ages 12 to 17 said their child would “definitely not” get vaccinated, with 88% of parents whose children were not vaccinated saying they were “very” or “somewhat” concerned that not enough is known about the long-term effects of Covid-19 vaccines in children.It also found that one in five parents of children ages 12 to 17 said their child would “definitely not” get vaccinated, with 88% of parents whose children were not vaccinated saying they were “very” or “somewhat” concerned that not enough is known about the long-term effects of Covid-19 vaccines in children.
“Despite controversy around the country about masks in schools, most parents want their school to require masks of unvaccinated students and staff,” Drew Altman, the foundation’s chief executive, said, as quoted by the NYT. “At the same time, most parents don’t want their schools to require their kids get a Covid-19 vaccine despite their effectiveness in combating Covid-19.”“Despite controversy around the country about masks in schools, most parents want their school to require masks of unvaccinated students and staff,” Drew Altman, the foundation’s chief executive, said, as quoted by the NYT. “At the same time, most parents don’t want their schools to require their kids get a Covid-19 vaccine despite their effectiveness in combating Covid-19.”
School districts in Florida and Texas are bucking their Republican governors’ bans on requiring masks for children and teachers.School districts in Florida and Texas are bucking their Republican governors’ bans on requiring masks for children and teachers.
The Broward county school board in Florida has become the latest major district to flout an order by Republican governor Ron DeSantis outlawing mask requirements in that state, Reuters reports.The Broward county school board in Florida has become the latest major district to flout an order by Republican governor Ron DeSantis outlawing mask requirements in that state, Reuters reports.
It prompted the administration of Democratic US president Joe Biden to say it was considering supporting the school districts financially if DeSantis retaliates against them by withholding funds from officials’ salaries.It prompted the administration of Democratic US president Joe Biden to say it was considering supporting the school districts financially if DeSantis retaliates against them by withholding funds from officials’ salaries.
The Dallas Independent School District has also said that it would require masks, despite an order banning such mandates from Republican governor Greg Abbott. Some staff had threatened to quit if masks were not mandated to protect children, teachers and others, and school district officials said they did not believe the governor’s order should be applied to them. Schools in Austin also plan to require masks.The Dallas Independent School District has also said that it would require masks, despite an order banning such mandates from Republican governor Greg Abbott. Some staff had threatened to quit if masks were not mandated to protect children, teachers and others, and school district officials said they did not believe the governor’s order should be applied to them. Schools in Austin also plan to require masks.
In San Antonio, officials also ordered masks to be worn in public schools, after a judge granted a temporary injunction to allow the mandate in a blow to Abbott.In San Antonio, officials also ordered masks to be worn in public schools, after a judge granted a temporary injunction to allow the mandate in a blow to Abbott.
In Florida, where lawsuits have also been filed challenging the anti-mask order, DeSantis has threatened to withhold salaries from school district officials who flout his ban. “It’s about parental choice, not government mandate, and I think ultimately, parents will be able to exercise the choices that they deem appropriate for their kids,” he said.In Florida, where lawsuits have also been filed challenging the anti-mask order, DeSantis has threatened to withhold salaries from school district officials who flout his ban. “It’s about parental choice, not government mandate, and I think ultimately, parents will be able to exercise the choices that they deem appropriate for their kids,” he said.
In Arkansas, Republican governor Asa Hutchison said he regrets supporting a ban on mask mandates in his state.In Arkansas, Republican governor Asa Hutchison said he regrets supporting a ban on mask mandates in his state.
Stevie Nicks has cancelled her solo concerts for 2021, citing her fear of catching Covid-19. The Fleetwood Mac star said:Stevie Nicks has cancelled her solo concerts for 2021, citing her fear of catching Covid-19. The Fleetwood Mac star said:
Nicks had been due to perform at festivals in California, Colorado, Texas and Louisiana. The last of those events, New Orleans jazz and heritage festival, has been cancelled outright, with organisers citing the “current exponential growth of new Covid cases in New Orleans and the region and the ongoing public health emergency”.Nicks had been due to perform at festivals in California, Colorado, Texas and Louisiana. The last of those events, New Orleans jazz and heritage festival, has been cancelled outright, with organisers citing the “current exponential growth of new Covid cases in New Orleans and the region and the ongoing public health emergency”.
Meanwhile, weekly Covid deaths have increased by five in Scotland over the past week to 51, according to the latest date from the National Records of Scotland, with five more in the under 44 age group than the week before.Meanwhile, weekly Covid deaths have increased by five in Scotland over the past week to 51, according to the latest date from the National Records of Scotland, with five more in the under 44 age group than the week before.
In the week 2-8 August, 51 deaths were registered that mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate: 15 deaths were of people aged under 65, 13 were people aged 65-74 and there were 23 deaths of people aged 75 or over.In the week 2-8 August, 51 deaths were registered that mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate: 15 deaths were of people aged under 65, 13 were people aged 65-74 and there were 23 deaths of people aged 75 or over.
The majority of deaths took place in Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire and Dundee City council areas. The data is released after Scotland moved “beyond level zero” on Monday, with the majority of pandemic restrictions being lifted.The majority of deaths took place in Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire and Dundee City council areas. The data is released after Scotland moved “beyond level zero” on Monday, with the majority of pandemic restrictions being lifted.
Last week, both first minister Nicola Sturgeon and the health secretary, Humza Yousaf, emphasised that talk of “freedom day” was premature and “it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it before Covid struck”.Last week, both first minister Nicola Sturgeon and the health secretary, Humza Yousaf, emphasised that talk of “freedom day” was premature and “it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it before Covid struck”.
Sturgeon said the harm the virus could do, in particular through the impact of long Covid, should not be underestimated, while Covid’s ability to mutate “may yet pose us real challenges”.Sturgeon said the harm the virus could do, in particular through the impact of long Covid, should not be underestimated, while Covid’s ability to mutate “may yet pose us real challenges”.
Scottish pupils are returning to school from today, with the majority going back next week, and starting the new academic year with a number of Covid restrictions still in place.Scottish pupils are returning to school from today, with the majority going back next week, and starting the new academic year with a number of Covid restrictions still in place.
Whilst the majority of restrictions were lifted across Scotland on Monday, as the country moved beyond level zero, safety protocols in schools will remain in place for at least another six weeks. This includes all teachers and senior pupils wearing face coverings indoors, and one metre physical distancing between all staff, as well as staff and pupils.Whilst the majority of restrictions were lifted across Scotland on Monday, as the country moved beyond level zero, safety protocols in schools will remain in place for at least another six weeks. This includes all teachers and senior pupils wearing face coverings indoors, and one metre physical distancing between all staff, as well as staff and pupils.
But blanket self-isolation for school pupils has been scrapped in an attempt to avoid continued educational disruption: pupils will no longer be required to isolate for 10 days when someone in their bubble tests positive for Covid, as long as they test negative themselves.But blanket self-isolation for school pupils has been scrapped in an attempt to avoid continued educational disruption: pupils will no longer be required to isolate for 10 days when someone in their bubble tests positive for Covid, as long as they test negative themselves.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme this morning, education secretary Shirley Anne Somerville said she could “appreciate why people will be comparing different parts of education to wider society”.Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme this morning, education secretary Shirley Anne Somerville said she could “appreciate why people will be comparing different parts of education to wider society”.
She said the Scottish government had been “keen to look at what could be done to ensure young people don’t have as much disruption to their schools” and that the focus of that had been on changes to self isolation policy.She said the Scottish government had been “keen to look at what could be done to ensure young people don’t have as much disruption to their schools” and that the focus of that had been on changes to self isolation policy.
The UK is sending low and middle-income countries who are struggling to access vaccines “to the back of the queue” by ordering millions of “overpriced” booster jabs from Pfizer.The UK is sending low and middle-income countries who are struggling to access vaccines “to the back of the queue” by ordering millions of “overpriced” booster jabs from Pfizer.
Vaccine equity campaigners from Global Justice Now have criticised the pharmaceutical giant for “profiteering” during the pandemic as the company reportedly increases Covid-19 vaccine prices for the NHS by a fifth from £18 to £22 a dose.Vaccine equity campaigners from Global Justice Now have criticised the pharmaceutical giant for “profiteering” during the pandemic as the company reportedly increases Covid-19 vaccine prices for the NHS by a fifth from £18 to £22 a dose.
The UK will pay £1bn for 35m doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for booster jabs next year following the “jacking up” of the prices which the group criticised as “shamefully unsurprising” – with the price of Covid jabs already comparatively high with other vaccines.The UK will pay £1bn for 35m doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for booster jabs next year following the “jacking up” of the prices which the group criticised as “shamefully unsurprising” – with the price of Covid jabs already comparatively high with other vaccines.
Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, said:Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, said:
Yesterday, Prof Sir Andrew Pollard, the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group that developed the AstraZeneca jab, told MPs that for people in Britain to be getting three doses, while people in many parts of the world had not had one, would highlight “a moral failure”.Yesterday, Prof Sir Andrew Pollard, the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group that developed the AstraZeneca jab, told MPs that for people in Britain to be getting three doses, while people in many parts of the world had not had one, would highlight “a moral failure”.
This morning, Prof Adam Finn, who sits on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said it was still unclear whether all over-50s should be given a third shot. He said a Covid booster jab would probably be required to protect a small number of the most vulnerable people, but a mass rollout may not be needed.This morning, Prof Adam Finn, who sits on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said it was still unclear whether all over-50s should be given a third shot. He said a Covid booster jab would probably be required to protect a small number of the most vulnerable people, but a mass rollout may not be needed.
Meanwhile, Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London, said future variants could mean vaccine immunity may never overcome Covid completely.Meanwhile, Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London, said future variants could mean vaccine immunity may never overcome Covid completely.
Here’s the full story on the Thai government being forced by a court injunction to rescind an order banning news that “causes public fear”, as it faces growing protests over its handling of the Covid pandemic, from my colleagues Rebecca Ratcliffe and Navaon Siradapuvadol.Here’s the full story on the Thai government being forced by a court injunction to rescind an order banning news that “causes public fear”, as it faces growing protests over its handling of the Covid pandemic, from my colleagues Rebecca Ratcliffe and Navaon Siradapuvadol.
China’s drug regulator has approved the country’s first mixed-vaccine trial, a company involved in the study has said, amid concern about the efficacy of domestically produced jabs.
AFP reports that the trial will test the efficacy of combining an “inactivated” vaccine made by China’s Sinovac with a DNA-based one developed by US pharmaceutical company Inovio, Advaccine Biopharmaceuticals Suzhou, Inovio’s trial partner in China said.
Preclinical work has found that “two different vaccine applications … produce an even stronger and more balanced immune response”, Advaccine chairman Wang Bin said in the statement.
There are several types of Covid vaccines, including those using an inactivated or weakened virus to generate an immune response, and RNA- or DNA-based jabs that use engineered versions of the coronavirus’ genetic code to create a protein that safely prompts an immune response. Five out of the seven vaccines approved in China are two-shot inactivated vaccines.
The World Health Organization has said there is still not enough data to say whether using two different vaccines together is safe or can boost immunity.
Inovio has not published any efficacy data from its global clinical trials. It is the first DNA-based vaccine to be trialled in China, and it comes as the country battles its worst coronavirus outbreak in months, with officials saying many of those infected had already been vaccinated.
This has added to calls for China’s two biggest vaccine producers – state-run Sinopharm and privately owned Sinovac – to provide data proving their jabs work against the Delta variant, AFP reports. Beijing is yet to approve any foreign vaccines for domestic use.
Hello and greetings to everyone reading, wherever you are the in the world. Mattha Busby here to take you through the next few hours of global Covid developments. Thanks to my colleague Miranda Bryant for covering the blog up until now. Please feel free to drop me a line on Twitter or message me via email (mattha.busby.freelance@guardian.co.uk) with any tips or thoughts on our coverage.
French president Emmanuel Macron said that France’s overseas territories, especially the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, are being badly hit by the pandemic. “The situation is dramatic,” he said in opening comments at a virtual meeting with senior cabinet ministers.
Russia reported 799 Covid deaths on Wednesday – hitting an all-time high for the fourth time in the last month. Meanwhile, there were 21,571 new coronavirus cases, which are gradually declining after peaking last month.
The Philippines health ministry has reported 12,021 coronavirus cases on Wednesday – the largest single-day increase in four months – and 154 new deaths. Total confirmed cases have grown to more than 1.68 million and the death toll is 29,374.
Two coronavirus vaccines being developed in Thailand that are administered by nasal spray are to begin human trials by the end of the year. The government said the decision follows promising results from trials with mice.
From today, Australian citizens and permanent residents who live outside of the country will no longer be automatically exempt from outward travel restrictions and must apply for an exemption. They will have to apply and provide supporting evidence such as a foreign driver’s licence, foreign residency card or utility bills.
Facebook has said that it has removed hundreds of accounts from Russia that were linked to a marketing firm that tried to recruit social media influencers to push anti-vaccine disinformation about coronavirus. The social media company said on Tuesday that it had banned accounts connected to Fazze, a subsidiary of UK-registered company AdNow, for violating its policy against foreign interference.
A UK government scientific adviser has said it is unlikely coronavirus will be eradicated entirely and that it is likely to become a seasonal infection. Prof Andrew Hayward, of University College London’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, and the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, also said the virus would probably continue to mutate which would make herd immunity unlikely.
That’s it from me for now. Handing over to my colleague Mattha Busby. Thanks for reading!
Ambulance teams in Senegal are struggling with a wave of Covid cases, reports the Associated Press:
French president Emmanuel Macron has said that France’s overseas territories, especially the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, are being badly hit by the pandemic.
“The situation is dramatic,” he said in opening comments at a virtual meeting with senior cabinet ministers.
Authorities in Myanmar do not plan to include minority Rohingya Muslims living in closely packed camps in Rakhine State in their vaccination plan, reports Reuters.
The Junta-appointed local administrator Kyaw Lwin told the news agency that the rollout of 10,000 vaccinations for priority groups including elderly and healthcare workers had started in Sittwe township but that there were no plans to vaccinate Muslims living in camps in the state.
“We are only following orders,” he said. “It all depends on how many vaccines we receive and the instructions we get. So far we haven’t received any instructions regarding that.
Workers returning to offices in the UK are struggling to cope with noise, according to a study.
Research by the Institute of Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management, which spoke to 2,000 adults, were frustrated by the return to office life – including by background noise and inadequate video conferencing facilities.
It found that half believed they were more productive working from home, especially younger workers.
Nearly one in three said they no longer felt comfortable sharing a desk with another person.
Linda Hausmanis, the organisation’s chief executive, said:
Russia reported 799 Covid deaths on Wednesday – hitting an all-time high for the fourth time in the last month.
Meanwhile, there were 21,571 new coronavirus cases, which are gradually declining after peaking last month, reports Reuters.
Authorities have blamed the surge in infections on the Delta variant.
The Philippines health ministry has reported 12,021 coronavirus cases on Wednesday – the largest single-day increase in four months – and 154 new deaths.
Total confirmed cases have grown to more than 1.68 million and the death toll is 29,374.
Here’s a report from Rebecca Ratcliffe, the Guardian’s south-east Asia correspondent, from Monday on Manila’s lockdown:
Two coronavirus vaccines being developed in Thailand that are administered by nasal spray are to begin human trials by the end of the year.
The government said the decision follows promising results from trials with mice.
Developed by the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the vaccines are based on the adenovirus and influenza, reports Reuters.
If human trials, which will also test protection against Delta, are successful, production for wider use could could begin in mid-2022.
From today, Australian citizens and permanent residents who live outside of the country will no longer be automatically exempt from outward travel restrictions and must apply for an exemption.
They will have to apply and provide supporting evidence such as a foreign driver’s licence, foreign residency card or utility bills.
There will be a transitional period until 7 September when travellers who arrive without an exemption will be allowed to travel “if their status as ordinarily resident overseas can be confirmed by an ABF officer at departure”.