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Coronavirus live: UK reports 30,838 new infections; 5bn Covid jabs administered worldwide Coronavirus live: UK reports 30,838 new infections; 5bn Covid jabs administered worldwide
(32 minutes later)
UK also reports 174 more people have died; nearly 40% of vaccine doses have been administered in ChinaUK also reports 174 more people have died; nearly 40% of vaccine doses have been administered in China
Reuter reports:
Mexico’s health ministry reported 18,262 new cases of Covid-19 and 940 more deaths on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the country since the pandemic began to 3,249,878 and the death toll to 254,466.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc has told employees that from Tuesday anyone entering its offices in the United States must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.Goldman Sachs Group Inc has told employees that from Tuesday anyone entering its offices in the United States must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.
The bank will also require that masks be worn in offices regardless of vaccination status from Wednesday, while fully vaccinated employees will receive weekly Covid-19 tests starting on 7 September, the memo said.The bank will also require that masks be worn in offices regardless of vaccination status from Wednesday, while fully vaccinated employees will receive weekly Covid-19 tests starting on 7 September, the memo said.
A Goldman Sachs spokesperson confirmed the contents of the memo.A Goldman Sachs spokesperson confirmed the contents of the memo.
Indigenous Covid vaccination rates have risen rapidly in the past month, but new data shows the gap is widening between First Nations people and overall vaccination rates in almost every state and territory.Indigenous Covid vaccination rates have risen rapidly in the past month, but new data shows the gap is widening between First Nations people and overall vaccination rates in almost every state and territory.
In Western Australia, the Indigenous vaccination rate is just 8% for fully vaccinated people, which is more than three times smaller than the total vaccination rate for WA of 27%.In Western Australia, the Indigenous vaccination rate is just 8% for fully vaccinated people, which is more than three times smaller than the total vaccination rate for WA of 27%.
More than 1,000 people who attended the Latitude Festival in the UK last month have tested positive for coronavirus, PA reports.More than 1,000 people who attended the Latitude Festival in the UK last month have tested positive for coronavirus, PA reports.
The festival, which ran from 22 to 25 July, was part of the government’s Events Research Programme attended by around 40,000 people.The festival, which ran from 22 to 25 July, was part of the government’s Events Research Programme attended by around 40,000 people.
Festival-goers had to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test or be double vaccinated to gain access to the site at Henham Park in Suffolk.Festival-goers had to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test or be double vaccinated to gain access to the site at Henham Park in Suffolk.
Data released by Suffolk County Council reportedly shows 1,051 people tested positive for Covid in the days after the event.Data released by Suffolk County Council reportedly shows 1,051 people tested positive for Covid in the days after the event.
It also shows that 619 people got infected at Latitude, while 432 would have been infectious at the time of the event.It also shows that 619 people got infected at Latitude, while 432 would have been infectious at the time of the event.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has launched a £7.5m emergency appeal after it lost millions of pounds during the Covid pandemic.The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has launched a £7.5m emergency appeal after it lost millions of pounds during the Covid pandemic.
The festival’s directors said the crisis had had a devastating impact on the event, which until last year was the world’s largest annual arts festival. It was entirely shut down in 2020 and this year has operated at a fifth of its normal size.The festival’s directors said the crisis had had a devastating impact on the event, which until last year was the world’s largest annual arts festival. It was entirely shut down in 2020 and this year has operated at a fifth of its normal size.
The new governor of New York has said she will immediately make masks mandatory for anyone entering schools, AP reports.The new governor of New York has said she will immediately make masks mandatory for anyone entering schools, AP reports.
In an address after taking up her post today, Kathy Hochul added she would also be working to introduce a requirement that all school staff are either vaccinated or undergo weekly Covid-19 testing.In an address after taking up her post today, Kathy Hochul added she would also be working to introduce a requirement that all school staff are either vaccinated or undergo weekly Covid-19 testing.
A back-to-school testing programme would be launched to make testing for students and staff more convenient, she added.A back-to-school testing programme would be launched to make testing for students and staff more convenient, she added.
She also promised to get the state ready to distribute vaccine booster shots - when they became widely available - and reopen mass vaccination sites that had been closed.She also promised to get the state ready to distribute vaccine booster shots - when they became widely available - and reopen mass vaccination sites that had been closed.
Hochul said: “None of us wants a re-run of last year’s horrors with Covid-19. Therefore we will take proactive steps to prevent that from happening.”Hochul said: “None of us wants a re-run of last year’s horrors with Covid-19. Therefore we will take proactive steps to prevent that from happening.”
Her announcements were tackling some of the problems that had been left unaddressed during Andrew Cuomo’s turbulent final months in office.Her announcements were tackling some of the problems that had been left unaddressed during Andrew Cuomo’s turbulent final months in office.
The United States has administered 363,915,792 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in the country as of Tuesday morning, Reuters reports.The United States has administered 363,915,792 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in the country as of Tuesday morning, Reuters reports.
Those figures are up from the 363,267,789 vaccine doses the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said had gone into arms by 23 August out of 428,528,965 doses delivered.Those figures are up from the 363,267,789 vaccine doses the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said had gone into arms by 23 August out of 428,528,965 doses delivered.
It added that 202,041,893 people had received at least one dose while 171,367,657 people are now fully vaccinated (as of Tuesday).It added that 202,041,893 people had received at least one dose while 171,367,657 people are now fully vaccinated (as of Tuesday).
Premier League clubs have united in defiance of Fifa and refused to release players for international duty in countries on the UK’s red list.Premier League clubs have united in defiance of Fifa and refused to release players for international duty in countries on the UK’s red list.
The escalating row over quarantine restrictions, and the lack of exemptions for players returning from red zone countries, led to Premier League clubs “reluctantly but unanimously” deciding to take action at a meeting on Tuesday. The Premier League, which has backed the clubs’ stance, has also registered its concern at Fifa’s decision to allow Conmebol teams to play three fixtures in the next two international breaks.The escalating row over quarantine restrictions, and the lack of exemptions for players returning from red zone countries, led to Premier League clubs “reluctantly but unanimously” deciding to take action at a meeting on Tuesday. The Premier League, which has backed the clubs’ stance, has also registered its concern at Fifa’s decision to allow Conmebol teams to play three fixtures in the next two international breaks.
More than 80 school districts or charter networks have closed or delayed in-person classes for at least one entire school in more than a dozen states because of an increase in Covid cases.More than 80 school districts or charter networks have closed or delayed in-person classes for at least one entire school in more than a dozen states because of an increase in Covid cases.
Other schools have sent home whole year groups or requested students to stay at home on a hybrid teaching system, Associated Press reports.Other schools have sent home whole year groups or requested students to stay at home on a hybrid teaching system, Associated Press reports.
The setbacks are mostly in small, rural districts.The setbacks are mostly in small, rural districts.
It has come as a blow to hopes for a full return to classrooms after two years of disrupted schooling because of the pandemic.It has come as a blow to hopes for a full return to classrooms after two years of disrupted schooling because of the pandemic.
In Georgia in-person classes are on hold in more than 20 districts. With 40% of students in quarantine or isolation, last week the district shifted to online lessons until 13 September.In Georgia in-person classes are on hold in more than 20 districts. With 40% of students in quarantine or isolation, last week the district shifted to online lessons until 13 September.
Meanwhile, around the country, some schools are starting the year later than planned.Meanwhile, around the country, some schools are starting the year later than planned.
However, epidemiologists say they still believe that in-person schooling can be conducted safely, highlighting the academic, social and emotional damage to students caused by the pandemic.However, epidemiologists say they still believe that in-person schooling can be conducted safely, highlighting the academic, social and emotional damage to students caused by the pandemic.
The UK government, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations must “show some leadership” and ensure that statutory coronavirus inquiries start before the year is out, campaigners have said.The UK government, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations must “show some leadership” and ensure that statutory coronavirus inquiries start before the year is out, campaigners have said.
The Covid-19 Bereaved Families For Justice group is calling on the devolved nations to follow Scotland’s example after first minister Nicola Sturgeon said an independent inquiry would begin by the end of 2021.The Covid-19 Bereaved Families For Justice group is calling on the devolved nations to follow Scotland’s example after first minister Nicola Sturgeon said an independent inquiry would begin by the end of 2021.
Lobby Akinnola, a member of the campaign group, said those who had lost loved ones in Wales and Northern Ireland would be wondering why no inquiry had been announced for their countries, according to PA Media.Lobby Akinnola, a member of the campaign group, said those who had lost loved ones in Wales and Northern Ireland would be wondering why no inquiry had been announced for their countries, according to PA Media.
And he said that the UK-wide inquiry, which Boris Johnson has said will start next spring, must commence before the end of this year.And he said that the UK-wide inquiry, which Boris Johnson has said will start next spring, must commence before the end of this year.
Akinnola’s father, Olufemi Akinnola, died with coronavirus in April 2020, aged 60.Akinnola’s father, Olufemi Akinnola, died with coronavirus in April 2020, aged 60.
The 30-year-old from Norwood, south-east London, said: “Today’s announcement will rightly leave bereaved families across the rest of the United Kingdom wondering why this has been announced for Scotland but not in the other devolved regions.The 30-year-old from Norwood, south-east London, said: “Today’s announcement will rightly leave bereaved families across the rest of the United Kingdom wondering why this has been announced for Scotland but not in the other devolved regions.
“It’s not just the prime minister kicking the UK-wide inquiry continually into the long grass, but the Welsh Assembly and Northern Irish executive who are yet to even commit to holding a statutory inquiry into their own handling of the pandemic.“It’s not just the prime minister kicking the UK-wide inquiry continually into the long grass, but the Welsh Assembly and Northern Irish executive who are yet to even commit to holding a statutory inquiry into their own handling of the pandemic.
“This simply isn’t good enough and it’s time for the UK government, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Irish executive to show some leadership and rise to the occasion and ensure statutory inquiries commence before the end of the year within the devolved administrations and for the UK.”“This simply isn’t good enough and it’s time for the UK government, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Irish executive to show some leadership and rise to the occasion and ensure statutory inquiries commence before the end of the year within the devolved administrations and for the UK.”
The group has told the government it should have core participant status in the forthcoming UK inquiry and that work must start immediately now restrictions have lifted.The group has told the government it should have core participant status in the forthcoming UK inquiry and that work must start immediately now restrictions have lifted.
Official statistics show Covid is claiming 100 lives a day on average across the UK.
But the figures tell only a fraction of the story.
Scientists and academics are looking at the profiles of those who are dying to see how they compare to previous waves.
The Greek government has announced that, as of next month, all indoor eateries, bars, clubs and entertainment venues will be off limits for citizens who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19.
The blanket ban was among a slew of draconian measures unveiled by the health minister as the country – ensnared in a fourth wave of the pandemic – battles a steep rise in coronavirus cases and deaths.
The vaccine supply contract between Brazil and Pfizer has been made public, in what is believed to be the first such time in history between a state and a pharmaceutical company.
Reportedly, the price paid for some 100m jabs, at US$10 each, was 2.3 times lower than the rate the EU is estimated to have paid, and it comes after tough negotiating by the government of Jair Bolsonaro amid a row with Pfizer over its “abusive” demands to be shielded from lawsuits, including in the event of adverse vaccine effects.
The dispute led to a three-month delay in a deal being agreed, hampering the vaccine rollout in Brazil, after the pharmaceutical giant’s request for sovereign assets to be put up as a guarantee against any future legal costs from civil claims by citizens if they experienced harms after being inoculated was refused.
Brazil reportedly leaked the document on its health ministry website in violation of the confidentiality rules established in the contract.
Earlier this year, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported that one official who was present in an unnamed South American country’s negotiations described Pfizer’s demands as “high-level bullying” and said the government felt like it was being “held to ransom” in order to access life-saving vaccines.
Amid the dispute, the Brazilian ministry of health in January published a statement along with passages of the proposed contract:
However, while I haven’t had the time to completely scour the contract which was agreed in March, there have seemingly been some concessions by Brazil – including that they will abide by New York laws in the event of any conflict. The contract also appears to provide Pfizer with indemnity:
Prominent lawyer Juan Branco, who posted the contract on Twitter, told the Guardian:
More than five billion anti-Covid jabs have been delivered globally, an AFP tally of official sources shows. While it took around 140 days to administer the 1bn shots, the third, fourth and fifth billions each took between 26 and 30 days, the data show.
Nearly 40% (1.96 billion) of the 5bn shots have been administered in China. India (589m) and the US (363m) make up the trio of countries that have given the most jabs.
AFP reports that per capita among countries with more than 1m people, the UAE is the leader. It has administered 179 doses per 100 inhabitants, meaning it has fully vaccinated nearly 75% of its population.
Uruguay follows with 154 per 100 inhabitants, Israel (149), Qatar (148), Singapore (147), Bahrain (144), Denmark (143), Chile (140), Canada (139), Portugal and Belgium (138 each), China (136), Spain (134), Ireland (133) and the UK (132).
Most of these countries have fully vaccinated between 65-70% of their populations. Some, like the UAE, Bahrain, Israel, Uruguay and Chile have started giving out booster shots in an attempt to prolong the protection of the fully vaccinated.
France, which will start giving booster shots from mid-September, is not far behind, with 126 doses injected per 100 people and 62% of the population completely vaccinated. It has bypassed the United States which has given 110 doses per 100 inhabitants, with 52% completely vaccinated.
Most poor countries have now started to vaccinate, mainly thanks to the Covax scheme, but the coverage remains very unequal.
Nigeria has recently approved China’s Sinopharm vaccine against Covid-19, the head of the country’s primary healthcare agency has said.
It has been allocated 7.7m doses of the vaccine through the Covax scheme aimed at providing vaccines to developing countries. Dr Faisal Shuaib, head of Nigeria’s national primary healthcare development agency, did not say when the Sinopharm doses would arrive or be administered.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with some 200m people, has vaccinated only a small fraction of them, largely due to lack of supply. So far, some 2m people, or 1% of the population, have received one dose of vaccine while fewer than 1m have received two.
The rollout of vaccines, which had been halted on July 9 because supplies had run out after a first phase, resumed on 16 August.
During the first phase, Nigeria used doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine received through Covax. It has since received supplies of Moderna’s vaccine donated by the US, which are being used for the second phase.
Johnson & Johnson shots purchased by Nigeria via an African Union scheme are also expected to be used.
Nigeria has recorded 187,588 cases of Covid-19 and 2,276 related deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to official data, although the figures could be higher given that only 2.7m samples have been tested.
An army of volunteers could be needed this winter to tackle rising staff shortages in care homes fuelled by the looming requirement for all care home workers to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus, providers have said.
As the health secretary, Sajid Javid, urged care workers to book their jabs in time to meet the 11 November deadline for all staff in registered care homes in England to be fully vaccinated, the Independent Care Group said operators could be forced to hand back contracts to councils or close care homes and relocate residents because of a staffing crisis, exacerbated by ongoing vaccine hesitancy among a minority of staff.
It is leading calls for retired nurses, doctors, carers, to be trained and DBS-checked to fill vacancies in case of a feared “winter meltdown” in staff numbers.
One in five workers on the books of a care worker agency in Sheffield are declining the vaccine, according to Nicola Richards, director of Palms Row Healthcare. She also reported an “alarming” drop in the number of workers signing up, with many put off by the “no jab, no job” policy. She has been unable to provide temporary staff to some clients in recent weeks.
Covid booster shots may only be needed for about 40% of immunosuppressed people, preliminary UK data suggests.
Researchers looked at immune responses after two shots of either the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines in people with compromised immune systems, due to underlying disease or the medicines they are taking for their underlying disease.
Participants in the “Octave” study – led by the University of Glasgow – included those with cancer, end-stage kidney disease, and chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
The findings – which come from the first 600 immunocompromised participants recruited in the study – showed that about 60% of the participants mounted an antibody response similar to healthy people about four weeks after their second dose.
Overweight or obese adults should be screened for pre-diabetes and type-2 diabetes starting from aged 35, a US government-backed panel of experts in disease prevention has recommended, lowering the age by five years.
Reuters reports that the US Preventive Services Task Force’s new guidance follows a worsening in the nation’s diabetes crisis during the pandemic, with the US experiencing a 29% jump in diabetes deaths last year among people ages 25 to 44.
The recommendation, published in the medical journal JAMA, was based on data suggesting that type 2 diabetes risk increases significantly at age 35. Type 2 diabetes, by far the most common form of the metabolic disease associated with high blood sugar levels, is largely diet-related and develops over time.
The task force found evidence further established that lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise reduce progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes, which often intersects with obesity, have been found to be at much greater risk of Covid.
It comes after two UK experts this month said the evidence linking obesity to the worst Covid-19 outcomes is “overwhelmingly clear” and should warrant aggressive obesity prevention and management efforts.
Jonathan Valabhji, national clinical director for obesity and diabetes at NHS England, suggested that pandemic restrictions are actually worsening obesity levels.
Lowering the age for type 2 diabetes screening “is a recognition that [it] has crept into young adulthood progressively, and in an important way,” said Edward Gregg of Imperial College London, co-author of an editorial published with the recommendation.
The task force, updating recommendations made in 2015, urged overweight or obese adults ages 35 to 70 get screened for high blood sugar levels.
In type 2 diabetes, the body either does not produce enough of the blood glucose-regulating hormone insulin or does not use it well. Diabetes complications can include heart disease, vision loss and kidney disease.
About one in three Americans has prediabetes - a higher-than-normal blood sugar level that increases their risk of type 2 diabetes, according to national data. Just over 10% of Americans have diabetes, and most of those have type 2 diabetes.
Italy has reported 60 coronavirus-related deaths and 6,076 new infections.
Tuesday’s latest figures compared with 44 deaths reported the day before while Monday’s cases numbered 4,168.
Italy has registered 128,855 deaths linked to Covid since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the eighth-highest in the world. The country has reported 4.49m cases to date.
In the UK, 30,838 people have tested positive for Covid in the last 24 hours.
A further 174 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus, according to the latest update to the government’s coronavirus dashboard on Tuesday.
Official figures showed another 46,401 people had their first dose of a Covid vaccine, with 131,283 getting their second jab.
The latest figures came amid a warning in Scotland about a sharp rise in new infections.
And there is concern among scientists that case rates will jump when millions of pupils return to school next week.