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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
An overhaul of the rules for international travel to England is expected to be announced on Friday, the PA Media agency understands.
It has been reported that the green and amber lists will be merged to form one category of low-risk countries, while the number of destinations on the red list will be reduced.
There is also speculation that fully vaccinated arrivals will no longer need to take a pre-departure lateral flow test or a post-arrival PCR test. This would save travellers about £100 per trip.
Currently, travellers who have not had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine must take one PCR test and are not required to self-isolate after arriving from a green list destination.
According to reports, they could be required to quarantine at home and be required to take two tests when arriving from a low-risk location under the new system.
The changes would come into force ahead of the October half-term break.
The transport secretary Grant Shapps’ expected announcement on Friday will only apply to England, but recently the devolved administrations have implemented rule changes for travel announced in Westminster.
It is anticipated that people arriving from red list countries will continue to be required to spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel, at a cost of £2,285 for solo travellers.
There are currently 62 countries on that list, but this is expected to be reduced.
The travel sector has been desperate for the testing and quarantine rules for international travel to be relaxed. Heathrow said this week it had gone from being Europe’s busiest airport in 2019 to No 10 on the list, behind rivals in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt.
Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said his main rival in Monday’s election had adopted a lax approach to fighting Covid and shown weak leadership, Reuters reports.
Opinion polls show Trudeau’s Liberals are tied with the right-of-center Conservatives of Erin O’Toole and look set to fall well short in their bid to win a parliamentary majority.
Trudeau noted that O’Toole had praised Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s decision earlier in the year to quickly lift public health restrictions in his western province, prompting cases to soar.
Kenney on Wednesday apologised for mishandling the pandemic, saying he would introduce vaccine passports.
“The choices that leaders make in a crisis matter ... just a few days ago Mr O’Toole was still applauding Mr Kenney for his management of the pandemic,” Trudeau told reporters in Montreal.
“That’s not the leadership we need in Ottawa to end this pandemic for good,” added Trudeau, who backs mandatory Covid jabs.
How to handle coronavirus has become a political challenge for O’Toole. He favours inoculations but says he prefers rapid testing rather than vaccination mandates.
The Conservatives could also see support leak to the rightwing People’s party of Canada (PPC), which is feeding into public anger over vaccinations and lockdowns.
In a tweet, the PPC leader, Maxime Bernier, hit out at Kenney over his vaccine passport announcement. Bernier said he would go to the province “to join Albertans in their fight against this despot”.
Trudeau triggered the election two years ahead of time, seeking to benefit from his handling of the pandemic, but the Liberals could not shrug off voter fatigue.
Ireland is to donate 1m doses to Covax, the global vaccine-sharing scheme.
Announcing the move, Ireland’s minister for health, Stephen Donnelly, said:
Iran’s new government has approved a vaccine developed by US firm Johnson & Johnson, Reuters reports citing a senior official.
The announcement came eight months after the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, banned imports of vaccines made by the United States and Britain – though Iran has since accepted vaccines developed by western firms but manufactured elsewhere.
President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration is under public pressure to broaden its sources of vaccines as infections mount in the deadliest wave it has seen.
“The Johnson & Johnson single-dose corona vaccine has been approved,” the head of Iran’s food and drug administration, Mohammad Reza Shanehsaz, was quoted as saying by Iranian media.
He did not say where the vaccine would be produced or refer to the ban.
In January, Khamenei banned the government from importing Covid vaccines from the US and Britain, saying both countries were “untrustworthy”. He later said the ban was on vaccines made in those countries.
On Thursday, Shanehsaz said Russia’s single-component Sputnik Light vaccine had also been approved. “Fortunately, the basket of the corona vaccines registered in Iran has become very diverse and large,” he added.
Iran is trying to speed up vaccinations by using imported doses – including Sputnik V, India’s Covaxin made by Bharat Biotech, and the British-developed Oxford/AstraZeneca shot produced by Russia’s R-Pharm group and AstraZeneca-SKBio in South Korea. Iran also uses its own COVIran Barekat shot.
The health ministry says 13 million out of a population of 83 million have been fully inoculated.
The ministry on Thursday reported 18,021 new infections in the past 24 hours, bringing total cases to 5,378,408 in Iran, the worst-hit country in the Middle East. Deaths rose by 453 to 116,072.
Vaccinations are estimated to have directly averted about 230,800 hospital admissions in England, according to new figures.Vaccinations are estimated to have directly averted about 230,800 hospital admissions in England, according to new figures.
Some 178,900 admissions have been prevented among those aged 65 years and over, with a further 51,900 among people aged 45 to 64, PA Media reports.Some 178,900 admissions have been prevented among those aged 65 years and over, with a further 51,900 among people aged 45 to 64, PA Media reports.
The estimates, which have been calculated by Public Health England and Cambridge University, cover the period up to 5 September.The estimates, which have been calculated by Public Health England and Cambridge University, cover the period up to 5 September.
A total of 89% of all people aged 16 and over in England have now received one dose of vaccine, while 81% are fully vaccinated.Vaccine take-up continues to be lower among younger age groups, however.A total of 89% of all people aged 16 and over in England have now received one dose of vaccine, while 81% are fully vaccinated.Vaccine take-up continues to be lower among younger age groups, however.
Some 83% of 30 to 39-year-olds in England have now had one jab, along with just 73% of people aged 18 to 29. Estimates for the number of deaths prevented by vaccinations in England are unchanged at 112,300.Separate figures from Public Health England show the rate of new cases of Covid-19 is falling in all regions. Some 83% of 30 to 39-year-olds in England have now had one jab, along with just 73% of people aged 18 to 29. Estimates for the number of deaths prevented by vaccinations in England are unchanged at 112,300.
North-east England has the highest rate, with 369.6 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 12 September 12, down from 385.7. Separate figures from Public Health England show the rate of new cases of Covid-19 is falling in all regions.
North-east England has the highest rate, with 369.6 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 12 September, down from 385.7.
London has the lowest rate at 211.7, down from 250.9. Case rates are also falling in most age groups, except for five to nine-year-olds, where they have jumped from 347.1 to 382.0 cases per 100,000 people.London has the lowest rate at 211.7, down from 250.9. Case rates are also falling in most age groups, except for five to nine-year-olds, where they have jumped from 347.1 to 382.0 cases per 100,000 people.
The highest rate is among 10 to 19-year-olds, with a rate of 597.4 in the seven days to 12 September, down from 696.2. The lowest rate is among people aged 80 and over, at 105.1, down from 118.7.The highest rate is among 10 to 19-year-olds, with a rate of 597.4 in the seven days to 12 September, down from 696.2. The lowest rate is among people aged 80 and over, at 105.1, down from 118.7.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, said there are still high levels of infection in the community. Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, said there were still high levels of infection in the community.
The NHS officially launched its booster campaign on Thursday, in which millions of eligible people will be offered a Pfizer vaccine, or in some cases a half-dose of Moderna.
Scotland has reported a further 26 deaths from Covid. This is just below Wednesday’s total of 30, but above the previous seven-day average of 14.Scotland has reported a further 26 deaths from Covid. This is just below Wednesday’s total of 30, but above the previous seven-day average of 14.
Thursday’s figures for new cases in Scotland are not yet available.Thursday’s figures for new cases in Scotland are not yet available.
In Northern Ireland, 1,071 new cases and five new deaths were reported.In Northern Ireland, 1,071 new cases and five new deaths were reported.
In the US, the Biden administration has said vaccine boosters will be available starting next week, but there are still many hurdles to overcome before that becomes possible.In the US, the Biden administration has said vaccine boosters will be available starting next week, but there are still many hurdles to overcome before that becomes possible.
Last month, the president and his pandemic response team said booster shots would be made available to those who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines starting the week of 20 September. Health experts are recommending that Americans receive a booster shot eight months after their second vaccine dose.Last month, the president and his pandemic response team said booster shots would be made available to those who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines starting the week of 20 September. Health experts are recommending that Americans receive a booster shot eight months after their second vaccine dose.
However, now it seems that only Pfizer shots will be ready by the administration’s target date, and there has been international criticism of the proposal, given how many people in the world have not yet received their first dose.However, now it seems that only Pfizer shots will be ready by the administration’s target date, and there has been international criticism of the proposal, given how many people in the world have not yet received their first dose.
Our US politics live blog has more:Our US politics live blog has more:
France has suspended 3,000 health workers without pay for refusing the Covid vaccine.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.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.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.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.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.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:Véran told RTL radio:
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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:
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.
Read the full story here:
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 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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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 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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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”.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways are among those that have mandated crew vaccinations.