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Coronavirus live: Biden to be briefed on US Covid origins report; Delta variant has 300 times greater viral load Coronavirus live: Biden to be briefed on US Covid origins report; Delta variant has 300 times greater viral load
(32 minutes later)
US intelligence report set to come at time of rising US-China tensions; Delta viral load much greater than original Covid but gradually decreases over timeUS intelligence report set to come at time of rising US-China tensions; Delta viral load much greater than original Covid but gradually decreases over time
Meanwhile, former longtime military ruler of Myanmar, Than Shwe, and his wife have been released from hospital after both being successfully treated for Covid-19, a hospital official said.
The AP reports that 88-year-old and wife, Daw Kyaing Kyaing, were discharged from the Thaik Chaung military hospital in Naypyitaw on Friday, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak with the press.
Than Shwe was hospitalized earlier this month, and his wife a short time later, and both were treated in a VIP section of the hospital under tight security.
The government has not yet officially commented on their cases, and independent media in Myanmar initially reported that their hospitalisation was a precautionary measure.
But the hospital official confirmed they had both tested positive for Covid-19, though both ended up exhibiting only mild symptoms. He said, for example, neither needed oxygen to help them breathe while they were being treated.During his rule, Shwe led a feared junta that brutally crushed dissent and routinely jailed political opponents, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the face of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement.
He controlled a 400,000-strong military that turned its guns on myriad ethnic rebellions as well as on university students and Buddhist monks who launched an uprising in 2007.
Chad’s former dictator Hissene Habre, whose government was accused of killing tens of thousands, has died in a hospital in Senegal aged 79 after reportedly contracting Covid recently.
The Associated Press reports that the 79-year-old, who became the first former head of state to be convicted of crimes against humanity by an African court after spending decades in luxurious exile in Senegal, died at a Dakar hospital earlier today, Jean Bertrand Bocande, director of the penitentiary administration, has confirmed.
The former dictator had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016 but ultimately served about five years in prison following his trial on charges linked to his time in power from 1982 to 1990.
During his reign, he had received hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and arms, as well as substantial support from the US and France, because he was seen as a “bulwark” against former Libya dictator Moammar Gadhafi, according to Human Rights Watch.
Moving back to US news, a spokeswoman for Montana’s governor, Greg Gianforte, has maintained that vaccine mandates remain illegal in the state.
The New York Times reports that yesterday’s Food and Drug Administration full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine did not invalidate Montana’s law, which also prohibits discrimination based on whether a person has been inoculated.
Montana’s vaccine-mandate ban stipulates that “an individual may not be required to receive any vaccine whose use is allowed under an emergency use authorisation or any vaccine undergoing safety trials.”
At least two other states banned vaccine requirements by law or executive order. In Texas, governor Greg Abbott issued an order that took effect in July, which stated that “no governmental entity can compel any individual to receive a Covid-19 vaccine administered under an emergency use authorization.”
In Utah, where the Republican-led legislature in March barred government bodies from compelling Covid-19 vaccine shots that were authorised only for emergency use, a spokeswoman for the state health department told the NYT that the Pfizer jab should no longer be subject to the restrictions because it now had full approval.
However, experts have warned that the general authorisation was made behind closed doors based on six months worth of data from 12,000 people – making it an extremely unusual case for a mass use vaccine that could “set a precedent of lowered standards for future vaccine approvals.”
Therefore, states resistant to vaccine mandates may raise questions over the fast-tracking of the approval process and the circumventing of a number of usual prerequisites.
Despite the return of gigs and festivals, the UK live music industry is still full of uncertainty due to a lack of clarification from the government about vaccine passports and an events insurance scheme that’s been described by some major concert promoters as unfit for purpose.Despite the return of gigs and festivals, the UK live music industry is still full of uncertainty due to a lack of clarification from the government about vaccine passports and an events insurance scheme that’s been described by some major concert promoters as unfit for purpose.
In July, Boris Johnson said that by the end of September only those who have been double-vaccinated would be allowed entry to nightclubs and other venues “where large crowds gather”. However, those working in live music have not yet received confirmation of the plans. On Sunday, a letter leaked to the Telegraph written on behalf of health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed that “no final policy decision has yet been taken” on the issue.In July, Boris Johnson said that by the end of September only those who have been double-vaccinated would be allowed entry to nightclubs and other venues “where large crowds gather”. However, those working in live music have not yet received confirmation of the plans. On Sunday, a letter leaked to the Telegraph written on behalf of health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed that “no final policy decision has yet been taken” on the issue.
Nicola Sturgeon has warned some Covid controls could be reimposed in Scotland after the country saw a record spike in new cases, which have doubled in the past week.Nicola Sturgeon has warned some Covid controls could be reimposed in Scotland after the country saw a record spike in new cases, which have doubled in the past week.
The first minister said 4,324 new cases were detected in Scotland in the last 24 hours – the highest daily figure on record, with nearly half of those occurring amongst under-25 year olds.The first minister said 4,324 new cases were detected in Scotland in the last 24 hours – the highest daily figure on record, with nearly half of those occurring amongst under-25 year olds.
Sturgeon said that rise in cases had been expected after the country followed the rest of the UK by removing nearly all restrictions on travel, businesses, sports and socialising earlier this month.Sturgeon said that rise in cases had been expected after the country followed the rest of the UK by removing nearly all restrictions on travel, businesses, sports and socialising earlier this month.
The “exceptional” levels of vaccinations had greatly lessened the effects of the virus but even so, if that trajectory continued some controls could be needed again to suppress infections, Sturgeon said.The “exceptional” levels of vaccinations had greatly lessened the effects of the virus but even so, if that trajectory continued some controls could be needed again to suppress infections, Sturgeon said.
“This is yet another fragile and potentially pivotal moment in our journey through this pandemic,” she told a media briefing today.“This is yet another fragile and potentially pivotal moment in our journey through this pandemic,” she told a media briefing today.
She said that rise in cases would mean more hospitalisations and more deaths, including those who have had both Covid vaccination doses.She said that rise in cases would mean more hospitalisations and more deaths, including those who have had both Covid vaccination doses.
Some Scottish hospitals have already cancelled non-essential operations to relieve pressure on wards, with accident and emergency patients experiencing long delays in being seen. “The situation in our NHS is incredibly difficult,” she told reporters.Some Scottish hospitals have already cancelled non-essential operations to relieve pressure on wards, with accident and emergency patients experiencing long delays in being seen. “The situation in our NHS is incredibly difficult,” she told reporters.
There were 364 people in hospital today, an increase of eight overnight, and 43 people in intensive care, up two. Another 10 people with confirmed Covid infections had died in the last 24 hours, taking the total under that measure to 8,080 fatalities.There were 364 people in hospital today, an increase of eight overnight, and 43 people in intensive care, up two. Another 10 people with confirmed Covid infections had died in the last 24 hours, taking the total under that measure to 8,080 fatalities.
She urged younger adults and teenagers to be vaccinated. While 80% of all Scotland’s over-18s (3.6m people) had now had both doses, that figure declined sharply in under 40s. Only 41% of 18- to 29-year-olds have had both doses, with 71% having their first dose.She urged younger adults and teenagers to be vaccinated. While 80% of all Scotland’s over-18s (3.6m people) had now had both doses, that figure declined sharply in under 40s. Only 41% of 18- to 29-year-olds have had both doses, with 71% having their first dose.
Sturgeon said it was vital people continued physical distancing and basic hygiene rules: continue using masks indoors; avoid shaking hands; meet outdoors wherever possible and keep indoor spaces well-ventilated.Sturgeon said it was vital people continued physical distancing and basic hygiene rules: continue using masks indoors; avoid shaking hands; meet outdoors wherever possible and keep indoor spaces well-ventilated.
An athlete has tested positive for Covid-19 in the Paralympic village for the first time, it has been confirmed.An athlete has tested positive for Covid-19 in the Paralympic village for the first time, it has been confirmed.
On the day the Games begin, officials said that nine other new cases had also been detected among people working at the Games outside the village and that the athlete, whose identity has not been revealed, had been moved to an isolation facility.On the day the Games begin, officials said that nine other new cases had also been detected among people working at the Games outside the village and that the athlete, whose identity has not been revealed, had been moved to an isolation facility.
The Scottish government will hold its own public inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic by the end of the year, following pressure from relatives who lost loved ones to the virus.The Scottish government will hold its own public inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic by the end of the year, following pressure from relatives who lost loved ones to the virus.
The announcement came after the deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for Covid recovery, John Swinney, met representatives of the Scottish branch of the campaign group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice.The announcement came after the deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for Covid recovery, John Swinney, met representatives of the Scottish branch of the campaign group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice.
In April, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said she wanted a judge-led public inquiry into how Covid was handled to begin before the end of this year, telling BBC Scotland her preference was for an inquiry to be established on a UK-wide basis and take account of devolved decision-making, but adding she was prepared to go it alone.In April, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said she wanted a judge-led public inquiry into how Covid was handled to begin before the end of this year, telling BBC Scotland her preference was for an inquiry to be established on a UK-wide basis and take account of devolved decision-making, but adding she was prepared to go it alone.
In May, Boris Johnson committed to holding an independent public inquiry in spring 2022.In May, Boris Johnson committed to holding an independent public inquiry in spring 2022.
Sturgeon and former health minister Jeane Freeman have accepted that the way elderly people were discharged from hospital and into care homes in the early stages of the pandemic was a mistake.Sturgeon and former health minister Jeane Freeman have accepted that the way elderly people were discharged from hospital and into care homes in the early stages of the pandemic was a mistake.
US president Joe Biden is set to be briefed on an intelligence investigation into how Covid-19 began after he ordered a report on the competing origin theories.US president Joe Biden is set to be briefed on an intelligence investigation into how Covid-19 began after he ordered a report on the competing origin theories.
Reuters reports that people familiar with intelligence reporting have said that there has been little corroboration over recent months that the virus had spread widely and naturally amongst wild animals, thus raising the spectre of a lab leak.Reuters reports that people familiar with intelligence reporting have said that there has been little corroboration over recent months that the virus had spread widely and naturally amongst wild animals, thus raising the spectre of a lab leak.
In May, Biden ordered aides to work to resolve disputes among intelligence agencies examining the possibility of a laboratory accident in China, as well as that the virus originated naturally with animals, such as bats or birds.In May, Biden ordered aides to work to resolve disputes among intelligence agencies examining the possibility of a laboratory accident in China, as well as that the virus originated naturally with animals, such as bats or birds.
A 90-day intelligence review the president ordered is due later today, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, with the release of unclassified portions likely to take a few days longer.A 90-day intelligence review the president ordered is due later today, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, with the release of unclassified portions likely to take a few days longer.
One official told Reuters that the report would likely point to additional lines of inquiry that officials could pursue, including demands of China that are likely to further ratchet up tensions with Beijing at a time when the country’s ties with Washington are at their lowest point in decades.One official told Reuters that the report would likely point to additional lines of inquiry that officials could pursue, including demands of China that are likely to further ratchet up tensions with Beijing at a time when the country’s ties with Washington are at their lowest point in decades.
It comes after China stymied earlier international efforts to gather key information on the ground, and US funding of risky research in Wuhan to make viruses more transmissible receives growing scrutiny.It comes after China stymied earlier international efforts to gather key information on the ground, and US funding of risky research in Wuhan to make viruses more transmissible receives growing scrutiny.
The World Health Organization, in a joint report with Chinese officials, originally said a lab leak was “extremely unlikely” and not worthy of further investigation. But earlier this month the mission lead admitted the wording was grudgingly agreed with China and that a laboratory accident was plausible.The World Health Organization, in a joint report with Chinese officials, originally said a lab leak was “extremely unlikely” and not worthy of further investigation. But earlier this month the mission lead admitted the wording was grudgingly agreed with China and that a laboratory accident was plausible.
China has refused to give US researchers the kind of access to the Wuhan lab and officials there that American officials believe it would need to definitively try to determine the virus’ origins.China has refused to give US researchers the kind of access to the Wuhan lab and officials there that American officials believe it would need to definitively try to determine the virus’ origins.
A report by Republican house representatives earlier this month revealed that in July 2019 the Wuhan lab requested a $1.5m overhaul of its hazardous waste treatment system, even though it was less than two years old.A report by Republican house representatives earlier this month revealed that in July 2019 the Wuhan lab requested a $1.5m overhaul of its hazardous waste treatment system, even though it was less than two years old.
The Times reports that it included requests for maintenance on “environmental air disinfection system” and “hazardous waste treatment system”. Its virus database was also mysteriously taken offline amid significantly growing activity at the lab in September, surveillance showed.The Times reports that it included requests for maintenance on “environmental air disinfection system” and “hazardous waste treatment system”. Its virus database was also mysteriously taken offline amid significantly growing activity at the lab in September, surveillance showed.
Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the house foreign affairs committee, said:Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the house foreign affairs committee, said:
Greece has announced it will end free testing for unvaccinated people in an attempt to to boost inoculation rates.Greece has announced it will end free testing for unvaccinated people in an attempt to to boost inoculation rates.
Reuters reports that new measures to coax people into getting vaccinated will come into effect on 13 September, also obliging unvaccinated people to test either once or twice a week, depending on their profession.Reuters reports that new measures to coax people into getting vaccinated will come into effect on 13 September, also obliging unvaccinated people to test either once or twice a week, depending on their profession.
The costs of the rapid test at €10 will be significant for many people in the country. Authorities said 6 million people in the country of 11 million had already received one or two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.The costs of the rapid test at €10 will be significant for many people in the country. Authorities said 6 million people in the country of 11 million had already received one or two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
Free testing for vaccinated people would continue, said health minister Vassilis Kikilias said.Free testing for vaccinated people would continue, said health minister Vassilis Kikilias said.
“These measures are not punitive,” he claimed. “They are our duty to all those who went through 18 months of the pandemic carefully, those who lost their shops, jobs, had to work from home to protect themselves.”“These measures are not punitive,” he claimed. “They are our duty to all those who went through 18 months of the pandemic carefully, those who lost their shops, jobs, had to work from home to protect themselves.”
The country has recorded 13,422 Covid-related deaths since reporting its first outbreak in February 2020.The country has recorded 13,422 Covid-related deaths since reporting its first outbreak in February 2020.
In related news, the Australian federal government is paying a public relations firm $2.9m to help with its vaccine rollout for five months, including by copying vaccine data from its website and putting it in an email for journalists.In related news, the Australian federal government is paying a public relations firm $2.9m to help with its vaccine rollout for five months, including by copying vaccine data from its website and putting it in an email for journalists.
The health department has previously refused to say how much it was paying Cox Inall Change, a public relations company, for the simple task of attaching a pdf copy of its vaccine data to an email to media outlets every day.The health department has previously refused to say how much it was paying Cox Inall Change, a public relations company, for the simple task of attaching a pdf copy of its vaccine data to an email to media outlets every day.
Scott Morrison has rejected modelling that warns Australia could face 25,000 deaths and 270,000 cases of long Covid if lockdowns and public health restrictions end once 80% of the adult population is vaccinated.
Morrison told 3AW radio on Tuesday the modelling by researchers at three leading Australian universities was “not realistic” because public health measures would continue after lockdowns ended and vaccination rates would continue to climb.
A tense standoff in Slidell, Louisiana, over mask mandates is one of dozens that have unfolded at local school board meetings across the US in recent weeks as schools debate how to return to in-person instruction amid the resurgent threat of the Delta variant.
From Anchorage, Alaska, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, school board meetings have become the stage for the latest act in America’s culture wars over education, one with roots in the country’s deep racial and political divisions.
British tourists face difficulties in proving their vaccine status in Europe following a delay in linking the NHS Covid pass to the EU’s system due to gaps in the British government’s application to Brussels.
An IT tie-up would ensure automatic recognition across the 27 member states of the information held on the NHS app, facilitating both international travel and access to hospitality where proof of vaccine status is required.
The UK government made an application to link up to the EU’s digital certificate on 28 July but the European Commission has held off on giving its approval as it has sought extra technical information from Whitehall, the Guardian understands.
While at least 19 EU countries, including major tourist destinations such as France and Spain, have unilaterally accepted the NHS app as proof of vaccine status, difficulties remain for some British travellers due to the lack of pan-EU recognition.
It’s been a joy as always but it’s time for me to hand over to my colleague Mattha Busby. Before I go, here’s a quick summary of the day’s events:
People infected with the more transmissible Delta variant have a viral load 300 times higher than those with the original version of the Covid-19 virus, when symptoms are first observed, a South Korean study found.
The 2020 Paralympic Games will kick off in Tokyo with the opening ceremony on Tuesday as Japan struggles with its worst Covid-19 outbreak so far, record daily cases and an overwhelmed medical system.
Northern Ireland has the highest rate of Covid-19 infection in the UK, at 579.5 per 100,000 people, figures have shown. It is the highest infection rate in the region since 8 January.
The newly elected Iranian government led by President Ebrahim Raisi is facing demands to broaden its sources of vaccines as the country becomes engulfed by its fifth and most deadly wave of Covid-19.
US regulators have given full approval to the Pfizer vaccine in a decision likely to trigger a wave of formal vaccine requirements from government departments, businesses, schools and the military. Pfizer shares were up around 2.5% following the announcement.
Deaths from Covid-19 are now averaging 100 a day across the UK, and there are warnings that case rates will jump again when millions of pupils return to schools next week. The country racked up more than 31,000 new cases on Monday.
Almost 5,000 UK Covid-19 cases are linked to a music and surfing festival – Boardmasters – which took place in Cornwall this month.
New South Wales recorded another 753 cases on Tuesday but the Australian state has passed 6m vaccinations and will announce some relaxation of the tight lockdown curbs this week for people who have received two doses.
New Zealand is bracing for its biggest coronavirus outbreak yet as cases rose by a further 41 on Tuesday. The majority of people are Samoan and are linked to a cluster at a church.
Vietnam has deployed soldiers to enforce a lockdown in Ho Chi Minh City, after authorities claimed enforcement of recent curbs has not been sufficiently strict – with people from today people from today generally prohibited from leaving their homes.
The WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that Covid-19 booster shots should be delayed as priority ought be given to raising vaccination rates in countries where only 2% of the population has been inoculated.
In both weird and good news, llama antibodies could soon be playing a role in the global fight against Covid-19, if clinical trials being conducted by a Belgian biomedical start-up live up to their early promise.
Researchers from the VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology in Ghent say antibodies extracted from a llama called Winter have blunted the virulence of coronavirus infections, including variants, in laboratory testing, Reuters reports.
The technology, which would supplement rather than replace vaccines by protecting people with weaker immune systems and treating infected people in hospital, is a potential “game-changer”, said Dominique Tersago, chief medical officer of VIB-UGent spin-off ExeVir.
Unusually small, llama antibodies are able to bind to specific part of the virus’s protein spike and “at the moment we’re not seeing mutations of a high frequency anywhere near where the binding site is,” she said.
The antibodies also showed “strong neutralisation activity” against the highly infectious Delta variant, she added.
People infected with the more transmissible Delta variant have a viral load 300 times higher than those with the original version of the Covid-19 virus, when symptoms are first observed, a South Korean study found.
But the amount gradually decreased over time – to 30 times in four days and more than 10 times in nine days – and it matched levels seen in other variants after 10 days, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Tuesday.
The higher load means the virus spreads far more easily from person to person, increasing infections and hospitalisations, a health ministry official, Lee Sang-won, told a news conference, as reported by Reuters.
The Delta variant of the novel coronavirus was first identified in India and the Alpha variant in the UK.
To avoid the spread of the Delta variant, now the dominant strain worldwide, the KDCA urged people to immediately get tested when developing Covid-19 symptoms and avoid in-person meetings.
The rapid spread of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates have caught much of Asia off-guard, especially in emerging markets, even as economies in Europe and North America reopen.
Russia reported 18,833 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, including 1,105 in Moscow, which took the national tally to 6,785,374.
The Russian coronavirus taskforce said a further 794 deaths of coronavirus patients had been confirmed in the past 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 177,614.
Rosstat, the government statistics agency, keeps a separate count from the pandemic taskforce and says it has recorded about 315,000 deaths related to Covid-19 between last April and June this year.
The 2020 Paralympic Games will kick off in Tokyo with the opening ceremony on Tuesday as Japan struggles with its worst Covid-19 outbreak so far, record daily cases and an overwhelmed medical system.
The organisers admitted last week that the Paralympics will be held under “very difficult” circumstances as Japan’s health situation has worsened since the Olympic Games ended on 8 August and hospitals in the host city are filled to capacity.
The Japanese government and the Tokyo Metropolitan government appealed on Monday to hospitals in the capital to accept more Covid-19 patients as increasing infections have made access to care increasingly difficult, according to Reuters.
“I’m a little concerned about holding the Paralympic Games. Still, I hope the athletes will do their best,” said 52-year-old office worker Chika Sasagawa.
While the number of athletes and officials travelling from abroad is less than a third of that during the Olympics, Japan reported more than 25,000 daily cases on three days last week, up from less than 15,000 when the Olympics ended earlier this month.
Organisers of the Paralympics, which will take place between 24 August and 5 September, have said they plan to implement the same Covid-19 protocols or “playbook” as the ones used during the Olympics.
Frequent testing and other restrictions, such as limiting the movement of athletes and officials, proved to be effective in minimising infection risks during the Games, they have added.
Like the Olympics, the Paralympics will also take place generally without spectators and organisers have asked the domestic Games officials to avoid eating out or drinking in groups.
Olympic organisers reported 404 Games-related infections. They carried out close to 600,000 screening tests with an infection rate of 0.02%.
Japan has extended Covid-19 emergency measures in the capital and other regions that will run through the Games.
About 88% of thousands of athletes and officials attending the Games have been vaccinated, the International Paralympic Committee spokesperson Craig Spence has said, though a number of local volunteers are yet to be fully vaccinated.
Northern Ireland has the highest rate of Covid-19 infection in the UK, at 579.5 per 100,000 people, figures have shown.
It is the highest infection rate in the region since 8 January.
The district of Fermanagh and Omagh has the highest rate of any local authority in the UK, with a total of 1,003.9 cases per 100,000 people recorded in the seven days to 18 August.
Nine further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 were reported in Northern Ireland on Monday, along with another 1,320 confirmed cases of the virus
Stormont health minister Robin Swann appeared to rule out another lockdown being agreed at the next meeting of the Stormont executive, or cabinet, in September.
He told the BBC:
It came during an initiative to boost numbers of those vaccinated called the Big Jab Weekend.
Following the closure of the large-scale vaccination centre at the SSE Arena in Belfast, the next phase of the programme is set to focus on localised pop-up walk-in clinics, PA Media reports, both in high footfall locations and in areas where accessibility issues and other barriers may have affected take-up.
In the Indian state of West Bengal, an order issued by the local government means people no longer have to book in advance for their vaccine, as the country anticipates a third wave of Covid-19 starting in September or October.
On Friday, India approved the world’s first DNA coronavirus vaccine, despite a lack of transparency around the jab’s long-term effectiveness from manufacturer Zydus Cadila