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Coronavirus live news: Japan reports record cases ahead of Paralympics, New Zealand cluster grows Coronavirus live news: Japan reports record cases ahead of Paralympics, New Zealand cluster grows
(32 minutes later)
Critical care beds are reaching capacity in Japan while Joe Biden says vaccine booster shot will be available to all Americans from 20 SeptemberCritical care beds are reaching capacity in Japan while Joe Biden says vaccine booster shot will be available to all Americans from 20 September
New Zealand’s coronavirus cases jumped on Thursday, as questions grew about the government’s response to the pandemic given the slowest vaccination rate among developed countries and the economic pressures of prolonged isolation.
Eleven new cases were reported on Thursday, taking the total to 21 in the latest outbreak that ended the country’s six-month virus-free run, Reuters reports.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, however, that the virus has not been in the community for long as authorities had linked its origin to a recent returnee from Sydney on 7 August.
She said at a news conference:
New Zealanders had been living without curbs until Ardern ordered a snap 3-day nationwide lockdown on Tuesday after a new case was found in the largest city Auckland, the first in the country since February.
Ardern, who shut the country’s borders in March 2020, had announced plans for a gradual reopening this month amid pressure from businesses and public sectors facing a worker shortage that policymakers fear will fuel inflation.
But the new cases, though still relatively small in number, may delay those plans and have caused significant concerns in the nation that has struggled to get its population vaccinated.
Only about 23% of its 5 million people have been fully vaccinated so far, the lowest rate among the 38 members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The Philippines is allotting 45.3 billion pesos ($899 million) for COVID-19 booster shots under its 2022 budget, an official said, even as health authorities have yet to conclude there is a need for a third dose.
“We have a budget entry for a booster shot for all Filipinos,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque told a regular news conference.
It is unclear how many doses of vaccine the budget can cover, but the Philippines has approved the emergency use of eight brands, including those of Pfizer and partner BioNTech and Moderna, which the United States will start offering as boosters in September.
In recent weeks, Israel, France and Germany have decided to offer booster shots to older adults and people with weak immune systems.
The Philippines, which is battling one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in Asia, has fully vaccinated nearly 13 million people, or 11.7% of the total population of 110 million.
That’s it from me, Helen Livingstone, I’m handing over to my UK colleague Robyn Vinter.
Here’s a brief round-up of what’s been happening around the world over the past 24 hours:
Japan has recorded a record number of coronavirus cases while critical care beds in Tokyo are nearing capacity less than a week before the city is due to host the Paralympic Games.
The outbreak in the New Zealand city of Auckland has grown to 21, with models predicting as many as 100 people could already be infected. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said genome sequencing has linked the cluster to a returnee from Australia.
US president Joe Biden says Covid-19 vaccine booster shots will be available to all Americans starting on 20 September as infections rise from the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
The Australian state of NSW has reported another record number of cases, 681, but premier Gladys Berejiklian has nevertheless promised there are “exciting things to look forward to” when she introduces freedoms for vaccinated people once targets are met in coming weeks.
Mexico has recorded a record 28,953 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 3,152,205. It also reported 940 more deaths and the total confirmed death toll now stands at 250,469 although health officials have said the real number is likely significantly higher.
Wealthy countries’ booster campaigns “leave poorer people to drown”, the World Health Organization said. Experts at the organisation insisted there was not enough scientific evidence that boosters were needed. Providing them while so many were still waiting to be immunised was immoral, they argued.
The medical journal Nature echoed WHO calls for a temporary suspension of Covid boosters, saying the scientific case for their efficacy has not yet been proved. “So far, there is little evidence that boosters are needed to protect the fully vaccinated,” it said.
The WHO said it was confident China would cooperate on investigating Covid’s origins, after one of its officials suggested patient zero could be lab worker – in a sudden escalation of pressure – and that their resistance to transparency could mean “that there is a human error” to conceal.
Almost 60% of hospitalised patients with Covid in Israel are fully vaccinated - Science Mag reports, despite 78% of those 12 and older in Israel being fully jabbed. The experience of Israel thus makes clear that so-called “breakthrough” cases are not such rare events as implied by the term.
Ireland has administered at least one dose to 90% of adults, the head of the vaccine rollout has announced. He said 83% of adults were fully vaccinated after 6.46m vaccine doses were administered to date.
People refusing to get Covid-19 vaccines in France are paying hundreds for fake health passes in an online black market that has flourished since the government imposed mandates for them to enter cafes, intercity trains and other public places.
A lack of exercise is linked to an increased risk of severe Covid-19 and associated complications, according to a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers found that, “consistently meeting physical activity guidelines was strongly associated with a reduced risk for severe Covid-19 outcomes among infected adults”.
A high-ranking US Catholic cardinal who has Covid-19 and is a vaccine sceptic, is in serious condition and has been sedated, according to officials at a Wisconsin shrine that he founded. He spoke out against mandatory vaccinations in May 2020, saying some in society want to implant microchips in people.
Mexico has posted a record 28,953 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, Reuters reports, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 3,152,205, health ministry data showed.
The figure is the highest daily total since the pandemic began, excluding statistical blips that heath authorities said were caused by one-off adjustments to back data.Mexico also reported 940 more deaths and the total confirmed death toll now stands at 250,469 although health officials have said the real number is likely significantly higher.
The figures came as the country’s foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, announced that Mexico was set to receive the first batch of 1.75 million doses of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine from the United States at the weekend, shortly after Mexico authorised its emergency use.
The Mexican government last week said that US vice president Kamala Harris had promised to send 3.5 million Moderna and 5 million AstraZeneca vaccines. Mexican health regulator Cofepris on Wednesday said it had authorized the two-shot vaccine from Moderna Inc for emergency use.
Ebrard wrote on Twitter that the doses would arrive at the weekend and “In a month, the second dose will arrive (another 1,750,000). Our sincere gratitude!”
Mexico has vaccinated at least 42% of its population of 126 million people with a first dose, official data shows. But the Delta variant is sweeping through the country and vaccine hesitancy is rising in younger people
Elsewhere in Australia, the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has sought to reassure Melburnians the state’s Covid response is working after 57 new cases of Covid-19 were reported, the highest daily figure since last year’s deadly second wave.Elsewhere in Australia, the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has sought to reassure Melburnians the state’s Covid response is working after 57 new cases of Covid-19 were reported, the highest daily figure since last year’s deadly second wave.
As Melbourne marked its 200th day in lockdown since the start of the pandemic, Thursday’s 57 cases were the highest figure since the 73 infections recorded on 9 September last year.As Melbourne marked its 200th day in lockdown since the start of the pandemic, Thursday’s 57 cases were the highest figure since the 73 infections recorded on 9 September last year.
Andrews said he knew 57 seemed like a “big number” but insisted Melbourne’s lockdown was working. “When the vast majority of those have been in isolation for their infectious period, that’s exactly what we want,” he said.Andrews said he knew 57 seemed like a “big number” but insisted Melbourne’s lockdown was working. “When the vast majority of those have been in isolation for their infectious period, that’s exactly what we want,” he said.
More on that from our reporter Luke Henriques-Gomes:More on that from our reporter Luke Henriques-Gomes:
Japan has recorded a record number of coronavirus cases while critical care beds in Tokyo are nearing capacity less than a week before the city is due to host the Paralympic Games, our correspondent Justin McCurry reports.Japan has recorded a record number of coronavirus cases while critical care beds in Tokyo are nearing capacity less than a week before the city is due to host the Paralympic Games, our correspondent Justin McCurry reports.
The latest wave of Covid-19 infections has spread well beyond Tokyo, the centre of previous outbreaks, with Osaka, neighbouring Hyogo and other prefectures all reporting record caseloads on Wednesday.The latest wave of Covid-19 infections has spread well beyond Tokyo, the centre of previous outbreaks, with Osaka, neighbouring Hyogo and other prefectures all reporting record caseloads on Wednesday.
Tokyo recorded 5,386 cases the same day – slightly lower than its all-time high of 5,773 last Friday – but medical experts said low rates of testing meant the actual number could be much higher.Tokyo recorded 5,386 cases the same day – slightly lower than its all-time high of 5,773 last Friday – but medical experts said low rates of testing meant the actual number could be much higher.
While government officials and scientists continue to disagree on whether the Olympics contributed to the latest surge, preparations for the Paralympics are continuing amid a state of emergency in Tokyo that will still be in place after the games have ended.While government officials and scientists continue to disagree on whether the Olympics contributed to the latest surge, preparations for the Paralympics are continuing amid a state of emergency in Tokyo that will still be in place after the games have ended.
Here’s the full report:Here’s the full report:
The Australian state of New South Wales has posted another record number of cases and one death, as it struggles to contain its Delta outbreak, Guardian Australia’s Elias Visontay reports.The Australian state of New South Wales has posted another record number of cases and one death, as it struggles to contain its Delta outbreak, Guardian Australia’s Elias Visontay reports.
But despite announcing 681 new cases, the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, told locked-down residents there were “exciting things to look forward to” when she introduces freedoms for vaccinated people once targets are met in coming weeks.But despite announcing 681 new cases, the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, told locked-down residents there were “exciting things to look forward to” when she introduces freedoms for vaccinated people once targets are met in coming weeks.
She also announced that the lockdown for all of regional NSW would be extended until at least 28 August, noting case numbers across the state “are not going where we want them to go”.She also announced that the lockdown for all of regional NSW would be extended until at least 28 August, noting case numbers across the state “are not going where we want them to go”.
Here’s more from Elias:Here’s more from Elias:
The coronavirus cluster in the New Zealand city of Auckland has grown to 21, our correspondent Eva Corlett reports, with a strong link discovered to a case at the border.The coronavirus cluster in the New Zealand city of Auckland has grown to 21, our correspondent Eva Corlett reports, with a strong link discovered to a case at the border.
The country was plunged into a country-wide lockdown on Wednesday, its first in over a year, after a 58-year-old man with no known link to the border was diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday.The country was plunged into a country-wide lockdown on Wednesday, its first in over a year, after a 58-year-old man with no known link to the border was diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday.
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said genome sequencing has now linked the cluster to a returnee from Australia. “Based on timelines, there are minimal, possibly only one, or maybe two, missing links between this returnee and cases in our current outbreak,” Ardern said.Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said genome sequencing has now linked the cluster to a returnee from Australia. “Based on timelines, there are minimal, possibly only one, or maybe two, missing links between this returnee and cases in our current outbreak,” Ardern said.
Here’s more on that:Here’s more on that:
Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Livingstone.Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Livingstone.
Japan has recorded a record number of coronavirus cases while critical care beds in Tokyo are nearing capacity less than a week before the city is due to host the Paralympic Games.Japan has recorded a record number of coronavirus cases while critical care beds in Tokyo are nearing capacity less than a week before the city is due to host the Paralympic Games.
The outbreak in the New Zealand city of Auckland has grown to 21, with models predicting as many as 100 people could already be infected. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said genome sequencing has linked the cluster to a returnee from Australia.The outbreak in the New Zealand city of Auckland has grown to 21, with models predicting as many as 100 people could already be infected. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said genome sequencing has linked the cluster to a returnee from Australia.
US president Joe Biden says Covid-19 vaccine booster shots will be available to all Americans starting on 20 September as infections rise from the Delta variant of the coronavirus.US president Joe Biden says Covid-19 vaccine booster shots will be available to all Americans starting on 20 September as infections rise from the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
Here’s a round-up of what’s been happening over the past 24 hoursHere’s a round-up of what’s been happening over the past 24 hours
Mexico has recorded a record 28,953 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 3,152,205. It also reported 940 more deaths and the total confirmed death toll now stands at 250,469 although health officials have said the real number is likely significantly higher.Mexico has recorded a record 28,953 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 3,152,205. It also reported 940 more deaths and the total confirmed death toll now stands at 250,469 although health officials have said the real number is likely significantly higher.
Wealthy countries’ booster campaigns “leave poorer people to drown”, the World Health Organization said. Experts at the organisation insisted there was not enough scientific evidence that boosters were needed. Providing them while so many were still waiting to be immunised was immoral, they argued.Wealthy countries’ booster campaigns “leave poorer people to drown”, the World Health Organization said. Experts at the organisation insisted there was not enough scientific evidence that boosters were needed. Providing them while so many were still waiting to be immunised was immoral, they argued.
The medical journal Nature echoed WHO calls for a temporary suspension of Covid boosters, saying the scientific case for their efficacy has not yet been proved. “So far, there is little evidence that boosters are needed to protect the fully vaccinated,” it said.The medical journal Nature echoed WHO calls for a temporary suspension of Covid boosters, saying the scientific case for their efficacy has not yet been proved. “So far, there is little evidence that boosters are needed to protect the fully vaccinated,” it said.
The WHO said it was confident China would cooperate on investigating Covid’s origins, after one of its officials suggested patient zero could be lab worker – in a sudden escalation of pressure – and that their resistance to transparency could mean “that there is a human error” to conceal.The WHO said it was confident China would cooperate on investigating Covid’s origins, after one of its officials suggested patient zero could be lab worker – in a sudden escalation of pressure – and that their resistance to transparency could mean “that there is a human error” to conceal.
China’s ambassador to Denmark said groundless accusations were being levelled against China amid suggestions that Covid may have originated from a laboratory leak or the collection of bat coronavirus samples.China’s ambassador to Denmark said groundless accusations were being levelled against China amid suggestions that Covid may have originated from a laboratory leak or the collection of bat coronavirus samples.
Almost 60% of hospitalised patients with Covid in Israel are fully vaccinated - Science Mag reports, despite 78% of those 12 and older in Israel being fully jabbed. The experience of Israel thus makes clear that so-called “breakthrough” cases are not such rare events as implied by the term.Almost 60% of hospitalised patients with Covid in Israel are fully vaccinated - Science Mag reports, despite 78% of those 12 and older in Israel being fully jabbed. The experience of Israel thus makes clear that so-called “breakthrough” cases are not such rare events as implied by the term.
Ireland has administered at least one dose to 90% of adults, the head of the vaccine rollout has announced. He said 83% of adults were fully vaccinated after 6.46m vaccine doses were administered to date.Ireland has administered at least one dose to 90% of adults, the head of the vaccine rollout has announced. He said 83% of adults were fully vaccinated after 6.46m vaccine doses were administered to date.
People refusing to get Covid-19 vaccines in France are paying hundreds for fake health passes in an online black market that has flourished since the government imposed mandates for them to enter cafes, intercity trains and other public places.People refusing to get Covid-19 vaccines in France are paying hundreds for fake health passes in an online black market that has flourished since the government imposed mandates for them to enter cafes, intercity trains and other public places.
A lack of exercise is linked to an increased risk of severe Covid-19 and associated complications, according to a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers found that, “consistently meeting physical activity guidelines was strongly associated with a reduced risk for severe Covid-19 outcomes among infected adults”.A lack of exercise is linked to an increased risk of severe Covid-19 and associated complications, according to a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers found that, “consistently meeting physical activity guidelines was strongly associated with a reduced risk for severe Covid-19 outcomes among infected adults”.
A high-ranking US Catholic cardinal who has Covid-19 and is a vaccine sceptic, is in serious condition and has been sedated, according to officials at a Wisconsin shrine that he founded. He spoke out against mandatory vaccinations in May 2020, saying some in society want to implant microchips in people.A high-ranking US Catholic cardinal who has Covid-19 and is a vaccine sceptic, is in serious condition and has been sedated, according to officials at a Wisconsin shrine that he founded. He spoke out against mandatory vaccinations in May 2020, saying some in society want to implant microchips in people.