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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
Iran’s supreme leader has said the pandemic is the country’s “number-one problem” and must urgently be curbed, calling for greater efforts to import and produce vaccines.
“The pandemic is Iran’s number-one problem today ... The number of infected people and the fatalities are truly tragic. ... It is an urgent matter that must be curbed,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.
“Part of the problem is lack of observance of health protocols by the people,” Khamenei said, describing overburdened health centres as of “truly great concern”.
Iran’s health ministry today reported 42,541 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing total cases to 4,281,217. Deaths rose by 536 to 95,647, which the ministry blamed on the more infectious Delta variant, Reuters reports.
Khamenei, who in January banned imports of “untrustworthy” French, US and British made vaccines, said the government should “increase efforts to both import and to produce homegrown vaccines”. Iran has blamed US sanctions for hampering purchases and deliveries of vaccines from other nations.
The authorities have approved the emergency use of two locally produced vaccines, with the only mass-produced one, COVIran Barekat, still in short supply. The other vaccines used in Iran include Russia’s Sputnik V, China’s Sinopharm, India’s Bharat and AstraZeneca/Oxford, according to the health ministry.
More than 13.8m people in the country of 83m have been given a first vaccine dose, but only 3.7m have received the necessary two jabs, the ministry said.
Iranian state media carried pictures of hospitals in several cities that have run out of beds for new patients.
Iran has avoided imposing a full lockdown on the population, and instead resorted to piecemeal measures such as temporary travel bans and business closures, AFP reports.
The Australian Olympic Committee has condemned the South Australian government over its “cruel and uncaring” decision to force athletes who have already quarantined in Sydney to complete an additional 14-day home quarantine on return to the state.
Sixteen athletes are due to return home to SA after returning from the Tokyo Olympics and finishing their hotel quarantine in Sydney. The SA government has rejected AOC appeals to grant exemptions for the returning Olympians, who will isolate at their homes rather than at quarantine hotels.
In a strongly worded statement, the AOC chief executive, Matt Carroll, said the move was contrary to expert medical advice and posed a significant mental health risk.
Authorities in northern Germany have appealed to thousands of people to get another shot of Covid vaccine after a police investigation found a Red Cross nurse may have injected them with a saline solution.
The nurse is suspected of injecting salt solution into people’s arms instead of genuine doses at a vaccination centre in Friesland – a rural district near the North Sea coast – in the early spring, Reuters reports. Local authorities have issued a call to about 8,600 residents who may have been affected.
While saline solution is harmless, most people who got vaccinated in Germany in March and April when the suspected switch took place are elderly and at high risk of catching Covid.
The motive of the nurse, who was not named, was not clear but she had aired sceptical views about vaccines in social media posts, police investigators said.
Spain’s medicines agency has authorised the first round of clinical trials for the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Spanish company Hipra, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has said.
The early stage clinical trial will recruit dozens of participants from Spanish hospitals to test the drug’s safety and tolerability, as well as its immunogenicity and efficacy, the medicines agency said.
Hipra, which has manufacturing bases in Spain and Brazil, said it could produce up to 400m doses in 2022 and 1.2bn in 2023, Reuters reports.
“Spain’s medicines and health products agency has just authorised clinical tests of the Spanish Covid vaccine on humans,” Sánchez said in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.
Hipra, a pharmaceutical lab that mainly researches and manufactures veterinary vaccines, has been working on two Covid shots. One is based on the same RNA messenger technology used in Pfizer and Moderna’s shots, while the second, which has just received approval for trial, uses a recombinant protein like US-based drugmaker Novavax.
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.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.“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.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.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.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.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.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.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.”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.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.”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.”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.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.