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Coronavirus live news: Hawaii governor wants to curb travel; Israel boosters ‘beating Delta’ Coronavirus live news: Hawaii governor wants to curb travel; Israel boosters ‘beating Delta’
(32 minutes later)
US state asks people to reduce movement to tackle spread of Delta strain; Israeli sees cases dip in wake of third shots; New Zealand heads for record outbreakUS state asks people to reduce movement to tackle spread of Delta strain; Israeli sees cases dip in wake of third shots; New Zealand heads for record outbreak
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 task force said 794 more 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 task force 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.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.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.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 virusNine 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.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:He told the BBC:
It came during an initiative to boost numbers of those vaccinated called the Big Jab Weekend.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 reports, both in high footfall locations and in areas where accessibility issues and other barriers may have impacted on take-up.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 reports, both in high footfall locations and in areas where accessibility issues and other barriers may have impacted on 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.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 CadilaOn 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
As the number of recorded coronavirus infections in the UK rises again, The Guardian spoke to three people about their experiences of catching Covid despite having been fully vaccinated, and how it affected their daily lives.As the number of recorded coronavirus infections in the UK rises again, The Guardian spoke to three people about their experiences of catching Covid despite having been fully vaccinated, and how it affected their daily lives.
This opinion piece on anti-vaxx athletes by Jonathan Liew is absolutely fascinating, about how he’s seen sportsmen be especially susceptible to misinformation and how not every person who falls for it fits the stereotype of a village idiot or a political extremist.This opinion piece on anti-vaxx athletes by Jonathan Liew is absolutely fascinating, about how he’s seen sportsmen be especially susceptible to misinformation and how not every person who falls for it fits the stereotype of a village idiot or a political extremist.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan has been posting entertaining videos from his hotel quarantine in Australia, including one minute of back-to-back Aussie slang.Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan has been posting entertaining videos from his hotel quarantine in Australia, including one minute of back-to-back Aussie slang.
Nearly 40% of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland have now had one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, BBC News is reporting. Two weeks after the vaccine was rolled out to that age group, 44,000 16 and 17-year-olds have had one jab.Nearly 40% of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland have now had one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, BBC News is reporting. Two weeks after the vaccine was rolled out to that age group, 44,000 16 and 17-year-olds have had one jab.
This is a bit of light relief from Alyx Gorman in Australia, featuring readers’ terrible lockdown purchases.This is a bit of light relief from Alyx Gorman in Australia, featuring readers’ terrible lockdown purchases.
In case you missed it yesterday, here’s the footage of anti-vaccine protestors occupying the headquarters of ITV News and Channel 4 News in London.In case you missed it yesterday, here’s the footage of anti-vaccine protestors occupying the headquarters of ITV News and Channel 4 News in London.
After marching from King’s Cross station to ITN’s headquarters on Gray’s Inn Road, protesters were met by two uniformed police officers guarding the building’s revolving doors. However, they were immediately let in through an emergency exit, apparently by a supporter who was already inside the building.After marching from King’s Cross station to ITN’s headquarters on Gray’s Inn Road, protesters were met by two uniformed police officers guarding the building’s revolving doors. However, they were immediately let in through an emergency exit, apparently by a supporter who was already inside the building.
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.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.
The supply of vaccines is said to be close to exhausted in Isfahan and Tabriz, as well as provinces including Gilan, Khuzestan and Mazandaran.The supply of vaccines is said to be close to exhausted in Isfahan and Tabriz, as well as provinces including Gilan, Khuzestan and Mazandaran.
Bahram Einollahi, the proposed minister of health in the Raisi administration, said he did not expect Iran to be fully vaccinated until next February, a slower timetable than once predicted by Raisi. He told the confirmation hearings in front of the Iranian parliament that this would require 120 million doses of vaccine.Bahram Einollahi, the proposed minister of health in the Raisi administration, said he did not expect Iran to be fully vaccinated until next February, a slower timetable than once predicted by Raisi. He told the confirmation hearings in front of the Iranian parliament that this would require 120 million doses of vaccine.
Equities and oil prices rose again in Asia today, extending a global rally fuelled by renewed optimism over the recovery outlook after Washington gave full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine and an increase in US Covid infections appeared to be peaking.Equities and oil prices rose again in Asia today, extending a global rally fuelled by renewed optimism over the recovery outlook after Washington gave full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine and an increase in US Covid infections appeared to be peaking.
Markets have enjoyed a strong start to the week, further helped by bargain-hunting following a recent sell-off caused by worries including the fast-spreading Delta variant and expectations the Fed will soon begin tapering financial support.Markets have enjoyed a strong start to the week, further helped by bargain-hunting following a recent sell-off caused by worries including the fast-spreading Delta variant and expectations the Fed will soon begin tapering financial support.
New York’s three main indexes shot higher Monday – with the Nasdaq hitting a new record – as traders cheered news that the Food and Drug Administration had fully approved the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, which is expected to help push up vaccinations.New York’s three main indexes shot higher Monday – with the Nasdaq hitting a new record – as traders cheered news that the Food and Drug Administration had fully approved the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, which is expected to help push up vaccinations.
About 52% of the population has been double-jabbed but the rate has slowed owing to hesitancy among many people.About 52% of the population has been double-jabbed but the rate has slowed owing to hesitancy among many people.
The FDA move “now paves the way for many companies and government agencies to enforce vaccine mandates”, said OANDA’s Edward Moya, adding that making them mandatory “could move the needle here in getting the US closer to herd immunity”.The FDA move “now paves the way for many companies and government agencies to enforce vaccine mandates”, said OANDA’s Edward Moya, adding that making them mandatory “could move the needle here in getting the US closer to herd immunity”.
Analysts said data suggesting that a recent spike in infections in the United States was tailing off was also lifting spirits as figures dropped in the original hotspots and new cases slowed in Florida and Louisiana.Analysts said data suggesting that a recent spike in infections in the United States was tailing off was also lifting spirits as figures dropped in the original hotspots and new cases slowed in Florida and Louisiana.
Max Rashbrooke makes a fabulous case here for the strict lockdown measures chosen by the “mysterious socialist hermit kingdom” of New Zealand. Twenty-six people in New Zealand have died of Covid-19, which is striking when compared with the UK’s 130,000.Max Rashbrooke makes a fabulous case here for the strict lockdown measures chosen by the “mysterious socialist hermit kingdom” of New Zealand. Twenty-six people in New Zealand have died of Covid-19, which is striking when compared with the UK’s 130,000.
Samsung Group will invest 240tn won ($206bn) in the next three years to expand its footprint in biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and robotics in the post-pandemic era, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said.Samsung Group will invest 240tn won ($206bn) in the next three years to expand its footprint in biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and robotics in the post-pandemic era, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said.
The jewel of South Korea’s biggest conglomerate said the investment through 2023 will help strengthen the group’s global standing in key industries such as chip-making, while allowing it to seek growth opportunities in new areas such as robotics and next-generation telecommunications, reports Reuters.The jewel of South Korea’s biggest conglomerate said the investment through 2023 will help strengthen the group’s global standing in key industries such as chip-making, while allowing it to seek growth opportunities in new areas such as robotics and next-generation telecommunications, reports Reuters.
Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chip maker, said the group plans to solidify technology and market leadership through mergers and acquisitions. It did not provide a breakdown of the investment figures.Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chip maker, said the group plans to solidify technology and market leadership through mergers and acquisitions. It did not provide a breakdown of the investment figures.
The firm did not say whether the latest investment figure includes the $17bn it was reportedly spending on a new US chip contract chip factory.The firm did not say whether the latest investment figure includes the $17bn it was reportedly spending on a new US chip contract chip factory.