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Covid live news: 90% of young adults in UK likely to have antibodies; China has vaccinated 1bn people Covid live news: 90% of young adults in UK likely to have antibodies; China has vaccinated 1bn people
(32 minutes later)
Figures for people aged 16 to 24 in UK take in those who have been infected or vaccinated; more than 70% of China’s population now fully vaccinatedFigures for people aged 16 to 24 in UK take in those who have been infected or vaccinated; more than 70% of China’s population now fully vaccinated
France has suspended 3,000 health workers without pay for refusing the Covid vaccine.
The health minister, Olivier Véran, said the staff had been notified in writing before the government-imposed deadline to have at least one dose.
Véran said “several dozen” had resigned rather than have the vaccine, but with an estimated 2.7 million health workers in France, “continued healthcare is assured”, he said.
In July the president, Emmanuel Macron, told staff at hospitals, retirement and care homes as well as those in the fire service they had until 15 September to be partially or fully vaccinated.
The French health authority, Santé Publique, estimates fewer than 12% of hospital staff and about 6% of doctors in private practice have not been vaccinated.
Currently just under 47 million French people aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated, representing 81.4% of the population; 86.1% have received at least one jab.
Véran told RTL radio:
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The UK faces “two backlogs” after the Covid pandemic, the health secretary has said.The UK faces “two backlogs” after the Covid pandemic, the health secretary has said.
Sajid Javid told an event in Blackpool that one backlog was the NHS waiting lists, which have risen to a record 5.5 million people, but the second is “a social backlog in mental health and public health”.Sajid Javid told an event in Blackpool that one backlog was the NHS waiting lists, which have risen to a record 5.5 million people, but the second is “a social backlog in mental health and public health”.
He said:He said:
Spain will give a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to nursing home residents, organ transplant recipients and other vulnerable groups, the health ministry said on Thursday.Spain will give a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to nursing home residents, organ transplant recipients and other vulnerable groups, the health ministry said on Thursday.
Cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiotherapy and people with health conditions that require immunosuppressive treatment would also be eligible for a booster dose, the ministry said.Cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiotherapy and people with health conditions that require immunosuppressive treatment would also be eligible for a booster dose, the ministry said.
Sweden will offer a vaccine to children aged 12 to 15 years later this autumn, Sweden’s prime minister, Stefan Löfven, said on Thursday.Sweden will offer a vaccine to children aged 12 to 15 years later this autumn, Sweden’s prime minister, Stefan Löfven, said on Thursday.
Löfven told a news conference:Löfven told a news conference:
More than 80% of Swedes aged 16 and above – the group eligible for Covid vaccines – have had one shot and almost 75% are fully vaccinated.More than 80% of Swedes aged 16 and above – the group eligible for Covid vaccines – have had one shot and almost 75% are fully vaccinated.
Care homes in England may be forced to close and thousands of staff risk losing their jobs if they decline to receive their first Covid-19 vaccine by the end of Thursday, ministers have been warned.Care homes in England may be forced to close and thousands of staff risk losing their jobs if they decline to receive their first Covid-19 vaccine by the end of Thursday, ministers have been warned.
Providers and unions have warned of an exodus of staff due to the government’s requirement for them to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus by 11 November. Thursday has been set as their last opportunity for a first dose unless they are medically exempt.Providers and unions have warned of an exodus of staff due to the government’s requirement for them to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus by 11 November. Thursday has been set as their last opportunity for a first dose unless they are medically exempt.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said the mandatory vaccination policy was “very unfair” and that about 2,000 of the region’s care home workers faced losing their jobs overnight unless they received their first jab within hours.Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said the mandatory vaccination policy was “very unfair” and that about 2,000 of the region’s care home workers faced losing their jobs overnight unless they received their first jab within hours.
Burnham said carers were being “singled out” by the government, although the health and social care secretary, Sajid Javid, has said that the policy was “highly likely” to be extended to frontline NHS staff after a consultation.Burnham said carers were being “singled out” by the government, although the health and social care secretary, Sajid Javid, has said that the policy was “highly likely” to be extended to frontline NHS staff after a consultation.
Ministers have previously said they estimate that about 7% of the 570,000 CQC-registered care home staff in England – about 40,000 people – will refuse the vaccine and therefore no longer be able to care for elderly residents after 11 November.Ministers have previously said they estimate that about 7% of the 570,000 CQC-registered care home staff in England – about 40,000 people – will refuse the vaccine and therefore no longer be able to care for elderly residents after 11 November.
Prof Martin Green, the chief executive of Care England, the biggest provider of private care homes in the country, said the policy would deepen the sector’s staffing crisis and could force some homes to close.Prof Martin Green, the chief executive of Care England, the biggest provider of private care homes in the country, said the policy would deepen the sector’s staffing crisis and could force some homes to close.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday:He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday:
He added: “There’s the inevitability that in some areas, if you can’t get the staff, then there will be care homes that close.”He added: “There’s the inevitability that in some areas, if you can’t get the staff, then there will be care homes that close.”
Read more here:Read more here:
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has said dozens of people in his inner circle at the Kremlin have tested positive for coronavirus, which has affected more than 7 million people in the badly hit country.The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has said dozens of people in his inner circle at the Kremlin have tested positive for coronavirus, which has affected more than 7 million people in the badly hit country.
Earlier this week, Putin, 68, said he was self-isolating after announcing an outbreak among members of his entourage.Earlier this week, Putin, 68, said he was self-isolating after announcing an outbreak among members of his entourage.
Speaking via video link at a meeting of a Moscow-led security alliance, he said:Speaking via video link at a meeting of a Moscow-led security alliance, he said:
Putin had been due to attend the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, in person, but instead joined remotely.Putin had been due to attend the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, in person, but instead joined remotely.
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Nearly nine in 10 young adults in the UK are now likely to have Covid-19 antibodies, new figures suggest.Nearly nine in 10 young adults in the UK are now likely to have Covid-19 antibodies, new figures suggest.
The estimates, which are for people aged 16 to 24, range from 86.9% in Wales to 88.7% in England and Scotland, with 87.2% in Northern Ireland, PA news reports.The estimates, which are for people aged 16 to 24, range from 86.9% in Wales to 88.7% in England and Scotland, with 87.2% in Northern Ireland, PA news reports.
The presence of coronavirus antibodies suggests someone has had the infection in the past or has been vaccinated. It takes between two and three weeks after infection or vaccination for the body to make enough antibodies to fight the virus.The presence of coronavirus antibodies suggests someone has had the infection in the past or has been vaccinated. It takes between two and three weeks after infection or vaccination for the body to make enough antibodies to fight the virus.
They then remain in the blood at low levels, although these can decline over time to the point that tests can no longer detect them.They then remain in the blood at low levels, although these can decline over time to the point that tests can no longer detect them.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are based on a sample of blood test results for the week beginning 23 August. The estimates are for people in private households and do not include settings such as hospitals and care homes.The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are based on a sample of blood test results for the week beginning 23 August. The estimates are for people in private households and do not include settings such as hospitals and care homes.
Antibody positivity among 16- to 24-year-olds is “increasing steadily across all four UK countries”, the ONS said.Antibody positivity among 16- to 24-year-olds is “increasing steadily across all four UK countries”, the ONS said.
A spokesperson said:A spokesperson said:
Many people in the oldest age groups, such as 75 to 79 or 80 and over, are likely to have received both doses of vaccine earlier this year, possibly more than six months ago.Levels of antibody positivity are defined by a fixed amount of antibodies in the blood.Many people in the oldest age groups, such as 75 to 79 or 80 and over, are likely to have received both doses of vaccine earlier this year, possibly more than six months ago.Levels of antibody positivity are defined by a fixed amount of antibodies in the blood.
“Most older people who are vaccinated will retain higher antibody levels than prior to vaccination but may have a lower number of antibodies in the blood at the time of testing,” the ONS added.“Most older people who are vaccinated will retain higher antibody levels than prior to vaccination but may have a lower number of antibodies in the blood at the time of testing,” the ONS added.
More than 1 billion people in China – 71% of the world’s most populous country – have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, official figures showed on Thursday.More than 1 billion people in China – 71% of the world’s most populous country – have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, official figures showed on Thursday.
“As of 1September 15, 2.16bn vaccine doses have been administered nationwide,” said Mi Feng, spokesman for the national health commission, at a press conference.“As of 1September 15, 2.16bn vaccine doses have been administered nationwide,” said Mi Feng, spokesman for the national health commission, at a press conference.
The government has not publicly announced a target for vaccination coverage, but one senior virologist, Zhong Nanshan, said last month that China is likely to have 80% of its population vaccinated by the end of the year, according to the French state-backed news agency AFP.The government has not publicly announced a target for vaccination coverage, but one senior virologist, Zhong Nanshan, said last month that China is likely to have 80% of its population vaccinated by the end of the year, according to the French state-backed news agency AFP.
The milestone comes as an outbreak of the Delta variant in the south-eastern province of Fujian has infected almost 200 people so far in three cities.The milestone comes as an outbreak of the Delta variant in the south-eastern province of Fujian has infected almost 200 people so far in three cities.
The Fujian cluster is the biggest rebound in weeks and comes after the country declared the Delta variant under control, in a test of China’s “zero-case” approach to the pandemic.The Fujian cluster is the biggest rebound in weeks and comes after the country declared the Delta variant under control, in a test of China’s “zero-case” approach to the pandemic.
China reported 80 new cases on Thursday, of which 49 were domestic transmissions.China reported 80 new cases on Thursday, of which 49 were domestic transmissions.
Italy is set to pass a law making its anti-Covid “green pass” obligatory for all workers. The law, which would penalise workers who are unvaccinated or do not have proof of a recent negative coronavirus test, is expected to come into effect on 15 October.Italy is set to pass a law making its anti-Covid “green pass” obligatory for all workers. The law, which would penalise workers who are unvaccinated or do not have proof of a recent negative coronavirus test, is expected to come into effect on 15 October.
“The government is ready to speed up on the ‘green pass’... (for) not just the public sector, but private too,” the regional affairs minister, Mariastella Gelmini, said on Wednesday, according to AFP.“The government is ready to speed up on the ‘green pass’... (for) not just the public sector, but private too,” the regional affairs minister, Mariastella Gelmini, said on Wednesday, according to AFP.
The pass is a certificate that shows if someone is vaccinated against Covid-19, has tested negative in the previous 48 hours, or has recently recovered from the virus.The pass is a certificate that shows if someone is vaccinated against Covid-19, has tested negative in the previous 48 hours, or has recently recovered from the virus.
It is currently required by everyone in Italy who wants to eat inside restaurants, go to the cinema and sports stadiums, take intercity trains and buses or domestic flights, and for teachers.It is currently required by everyone in Italy who wants to eat inside restaurants, go to the cinema and sports stadiums, take intercity trains and buses or domestic flights, and for teachers.
Under the new law, workers failing to produce a pass will face fines of up to €1,000, according to media reports. Unjustified absences due to failures to secure a pass could lead to the employee being suspended, they said.Under the new law, workers failing to produce a pass will face fines of up to €1,000, according to media reports. Unjustified absences due to failures to secure a pass could lead to the employee being suspended, they said.
Italy is not the first European country to make workers have either the vaccine or regular tests. Since 13 September, unvaccinated employees in the private and public sectors in Greece have had to be tested at their own expense once or twice a week, depending on their profession.Italy is not the first European country to make workers have either the vaccine or regular tests. Since 13 September, unvaccinated employees in the private and public sectors in Greece have had to be tested at their own expense once or twice a week, depending on their profession.
Thousands of health workers in France who did not get vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of a deadline this week have been suspended without pay, the health minister has said.Thousands of health workers in France who did not get vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of a deadline this week have been suspended without pay, the health minister has said.
“Some 3,000 suspensions were notified yesterday to employees at health centres and clinics who have not yet been vaccinated,” Olivier Veran told RTL radio. “Several dozens” had turned in their resignations rather than take vaccines, he added.“Some 3,000 suspensions were notified yesterday to employees at health centres and clinics who have not yet been vaccinated,” Olivier Veran told RTL radio. “Several dozens” had turned in their resignations rather than take vaccines, he added.
That compares with 2.7 million health workers overall, Veran said, adding that “continued healthcare is assured”.That compares with 2.7 million health workers overall, Veran said, adding that “continued healthcare is assured”.
France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, in July gave staff at hospitals, retirement home workers and the fire service an ultimatum to get at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine by 15 September, or face unpaid suspension.France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, in July gave staff at hospitals, retirement home workers and the fire service an ultimatum to get at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine by 15 September, or face unpaid suspension.
Many nurses in particular have been reluctant to get vaccinated, citing safety or efficacy concerns, posing the risk that France’s vaccination drive could stall, according to AFP.Many nurses in particular have been reluctant to get vaccinated, citing safety or efficacy concerns, posing the risk that France’s vaccination drive could stall, according to AFP.
France’s national public health agency estimated last week that roughly 12% of hospital staff and about 6% of doctors in private practices have yet to be vaccinated.France’s national public health agency estimated last week that roughly 12% of hospital staff and about 6% of doctors in private practices have yet to be vaccinated.
The head of the representative body for the social care industry in England has said that care homes may be forced to close because workers refusing to get vaccinated will leave them short of staff.The head of the representative body for the social care industry in England has said that care homes may be forced to close because workers refusing to get vaccinated will leave them short of staff.
Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
Green said that the government had introduced compulsory vaccines for care workers without understanding the implications, and without any plans to deal with staff shortages. He went on:Green said that the government had introduced compulsory vaccines for care workers without understanding the implications, and without any plans to deal with staff shortages. He went on:
Virgin Australia said on Thursday it will require all its staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19.Virgin Australia said on Thursday it will require all its staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Pilots, cabin crew and airport workers will need to be fully vaccinated by 15 November, while other staff will have until 31 March 2022, Virgin said.Pilots, cabin crew and airport workers will need to be fully vaccinated by 15 November, while other staff will have until 31 March 2022, Virgin said.
The move brings it in line with domestic rival Qantas Airways and a growing number of airlines in the Asia-Pacific region.The move brings it in line with domestic rival Qantas Airways and a growing number of airlines in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We also remain supportive of any government-led measures to ensure travellers are vaccinated,” Virgin’s chief executive, Jayne Hrdlicka, said.“We also remain supportive of any government-led measures to ensure travellers are vaccinated,” Virgin’s chief executive, Jayne Hrdlicka, said.
In Australia, lockdowns in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra due to coronavirus cases have led to state border closures, hampering domestic travel. The country has not mandated vaccines for travel, but some states require them for entry in certain cases.In Australia, lockdowns in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra due to coronavirus cases have led to state border closures, hampering domestic travel. The country has not mandated vaccines for travel, but some states require them for entry in certain cases.
Asian airlines have reported high vaccination take-up rates among pilots and cabin crew as they wait for the region’s tight pandemic-related border controls to be relaxed.Asian airlines have reported high vaccination take-up rates among pilots and cabin crew as they wait for the region’s tight pandemic-related border controls to be relaxed.
Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways are among those that have mandated crew vaccinations.Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways are among those that have mandated crew vaccinations.