This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/sep/22/coronavirus-live-news-brazil-health-minister-tests-positive-at-un-india-urges-uk-to-resolve-quarantine-dispute

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Covid live: Germany to end quarantine pay for unvaccinated workers; no plans to relax France health pass restrictions Covid live: transmission in England highest among 12- to 15-year-olds; Germany quarantine pay to end for unvaccinated
(about 1 hour later)
Draft document suggests new Germany rules would come into force from 11 October; French government says coronavirus situation improving England’s chief medical officer says most 12-15 year olds in country could catch Covid; draft suggests Germany rules would come into force in October
Spain will donate 7.5 million doses of Covid vaccine to Latin America and the Caribbean, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday.
It will provide a further 7.5 million to sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Europe, the Spanish government confirmed.
The latest pledge increases Spain’s overall commitment to the COVAX vaccine sharing programme to 30 million dose.
In Scotland, the industry body representing Scottish nightclubs has launched a legal challenge to the Holyrood government’s plans for vaccine passports.
The requirement for people over the age of 18 to show proof of vaccination to gain entry to nightclubs and large-scale events comes into force in Scotland on 1 October.
But the Night Time Industries Association Scotland (NTIA) describes the plans as “deeply flawed and incoherent”, and has now instructed lawyers to seek a judicial review of the proposals.
The group said the scheme has been drafted without meaningful industry consultation and that the definition of “nightclub” set out by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, is likely to impact thousands of other bars and pubs.
Police in the Canadian province of Quebec are searching for a man they suspect of punching a nurse in the face for giving his wife a Covid vaccine without his consent, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.
The man confronted the female nurse on Monday morning in the office of a pharmacy in the city of Sherbrooke, about 155 kilometres (96 miles) south-east of Montreal, where she was assigned to administer vaccines, a police spokesman, Martin Carrier, said by phone.
“Our suspect went directly into the office and began to yell at the nurse,” Carrier said.
The man appeared to be very shocked that his wife was vaccinated at the pharmacy “without his authorization”, and hit the nurse in the face, Carrier added.
Sherbrooke police are asking for the public’s help in finding the assailant, who they say has short dark hair, dark eyes, thick eyebrows and a tattoo resembling a cross on his hand.
Russian travel agencies are selling package tours for Russians to receive foreign Covid vaccines abroad.
It is amid frustration among some Russians that their domestically produced vaccines have not been approved internationally.
Russia has not registered any foreign-made vaccines for use. It has approved four domestically produced vaccines including the two-dose Sputnik V. None of Russia’s shots are approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or European Union.
The Reuters news agency reports:
The youngest primary school children and those in the most deprived areas suffered the greatest loss of learning during the pandemic lockdowns that closed schools to most pupils in England, according to the Office for National Statistics.The youngest primary school children and those in the most deprived areas suffered the greatest loss of learning during the pandemic lockdowns that closed schools to most pupils in England, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The ONS analysis found that schools with the highest proportion of children eligible for free school meals faced the biggest struggles in teaching remotely during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, which the agency attributed to lower levels of pupil engagement and communication with teachers, lack of internet access and “social problems” associated with deprivation.The ONS analysis found that schools with the highest proportion of children eligible for free school meals faced the biggest struggles in teaching remotely during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, which the agency attributed to lower levels of pupil engagement and communication with teachers, lack of internet access and “social problems” associated with deprivation.
Children aged five to seven, in key stage one, covered the least classroom material, compared with older children who were less reliant on their parents. The ONS said:Children aged five to seven, in key stage one, covered the least classroom material, compared with older children who were less reliant on their parents. The ONS said:
Italy confirmed 67 deaths from Covid on Wednesday, the same number as the day before, its health ministry said.Italy confirmed 67 deaths from Covid on Wednesday, the same number as the day before, its health ministry said.
It came as the daily tally of new infections rose to 3,970 from 3,377, according to the Reuters news agency.It came as the daily tally of new infections rose to 3,970 from 3,377, according to the Reuters news agency.
Italy has registered 130,488 deaths linked to Covid since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after the UK and the ninth-highest in the world. The country has reported 4.65 million cases to date.Italy has registered 130,488 deaths linked to Covid since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after the UK and the ninth-highest in the world. The country has reported 4.65 million cases to date.
Patients in hospital with Covid - not including those in intensive care - stood at 3,796 on Wednesday, down from 3,937 a day earlier.Patients in hospital with Covid - not including those in intensive care - stood at 3,796 on Wednesday, down from 3,937 a day earlier.
There were 40 new admissions to intensive care units, up from 38 on Tuesday. The total number of intensive care patients edged down to 513 from a previous 516.There were 40 new admissions to intensive care units, up from 38 on Tuesday. The total number of intensive care patients edged down to 513 from a previous 516.
Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who led the development of the UK’s Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, has warned governments and medical funding agencies have not learned the importance of pandemic preparedness.Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who led the development of the UK’s Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, has warned governments and medical funding agencies have not learned the importance of pandemic preparedness.
Prof Gilbert said that while her team was generously funded to carry out further Covid vaccine research, she is struggling to obtain funding for studies on MERS, Lassa fever and Nipah viruses, which pose future threats.Prof Gilbert said that while her team was generously funded to carry out further Covid vaccine research, she is struggling to obtain funding for studies on MERS, Lassa fever and Nipah viruses, which pose future threats.
She told an online meeting of the Royal Society of Medicine on Wednesday:She told an online meeting of the Royal Society of Medicine on Wednesday:
Her team is still seeking funding for research aimed at developing vaccines that could target new strains of existing viruses. She added:Her team is still seeking funding for research aimed at developing vaccines that could target new strains of existing viruses. She added:
The United States will buy 500 million more coronavirus vaccine shots to donate to other countries, president Joe Biden has confirmed today.The United States will buy 500 million more coronavirus vaccine shots to donate to other countries, president Joe Biden has confirmed today.
It comes as the US have been facing increasing pressure to share its supply with the rest of the world.It comes as the US have been facing increasing pressure to share its supply with the rest of the world.
The White House is hosting a four-hour virtual summit aimed at boosting global vaccination rates and the administration of President Joe Biden wants to show it is leading by example, reports Reuters.The White House is hosting a four-hour virtual summit aimed at boosting global vaccination rates and the administration of President Joe Biden wants to show it is leading by example, reports Reuters.
President Biden told the summit, which includes the leaders of Canada, Indonesia, South Africa and the UK, as well as World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus:President Biden told the summit, which includes the leaders of Canada, Indonesia, South Africa and the UK, as well as World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus:
The extra vaccines will bring US donations to the rest of the world to more than 1.1 billion doses, far short of the 5 billion to 6 billion doses global health experts say is needed by poorer countries.The extra vaccines will bring US donations to the rest of the world to more than 1.1 billion doses, far short of the 5 billion to 6 billion doses global health experts say is needed by poorer countries.
In Singapore, the country’s health ministry has reported 1,457 new Covid cases today, the highest since April last year.In Singapore, the country’s health ministry has reported 1,457 new Covid cases today, the highest since April last year.
A recent rise in cases after the relaxation of some Covid measures has prompted Singapore to pause further reopening.A recent rise in cases after the relaxation of some Covid measures has prompted Singapore to pause further reopening.
More than 80% of its population has been vaccinated against the virus.More than 80% of its population has been vaccinated against the virus.
Staying with the UK for a moment, the latest daily Covid statistics have just been released by the government.Staying with the UK for a moment, the latest daily Covid statistics have just been released by the government.
While deaths have gone down from 203 on Tuesday to 166 in the past 24 hours, the number of new coronavirus cases has risen.While deaths have gone down from 203 on Tuesday to 166 in the past 24 hours, the number of new coronavirus cases has risen.
There were 34,460 new infections in the UK on Wednesday, compared to 31,564 yesterday.There were 34,460 new infections in the UK on Wednesday, compared to 31,564 yesterday.
England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has told MPs this afternoon that the Covid transmission rate is currently highest among children compared to all age groups.England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has told MPs this afternoon that the Covid transmission rate is currently highest among children compared to all age groups.
He also said almost all 12- to 15-year-olds would get infected at some point. He said:He also said almost all 12- to 15-year-olds would get infected at some point. He said:
All children in that age group will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine after Whitty and his colleagues said last week that children would benefit from reduced disruption to their education.All children in that age group will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine after Whitty and his colleagues said last week that children would benefit from reduced disruption to their education.
Whitty said that the recommendation focused purely on the benefit to children aged between 12 and 15, and had not been made for political reasons or for the benefit of more vulnerable adults.Whitty said that the recommendation focused purely on the benefit to children aged between 12 and 15, and had not been made for political reasons or for the benefit of more vulnerable adults.
In Spain, the tourism group Globalia will speak to its unions to reach an alternative furlough agreement if the government fails to extend its Covid furlough programme.In Spain, the tourism group Globalia will speak to its unions to reach an alternative furlough agreement if the government fails to extend its Covid furlough programme.
Spain’s furlough scheme is set to end at the end of September and Globalia, which owns airline Air Europa, will propose furloughs “for organisational and productive reasons” to around 9,000 employees across the group.Spain’s furlough scheme is set to end at the end of September and Globalia, which owns airline Air Europa, will propose furloughs “for organisational and productive reasons” to around 9,000 employees across the group.
It owns various companies, including Be Live Hotels and handling firm Groundforce, reports Reuters.It owns various companies, including Be Live Hotels and handling firm Groundforce, reports Reuters.
Earlier this week, airline Iberia - which recently bought Air Europa in a cut-price deal - also announced that it would propose a furlough to its employees, under similar conditions, should Spain’s force majeure government scheme not be prolonged.Earlier this week, airline Iberia - which recently bought Air Europa in a cut-price deal - also announced that it would propose a furlough to its employees, under similar conditions, should Spain’s force majeure government scheme not be prolonged.
Air travel to Spain has slowly begun to recover in recent months with 5 million international passengers arriving in August, according to official data released on Monday, soaring by 172% from a year ago, but less than half compared with pre-pandemic levels.Air travel to Spain has slowly begun to recover in recent months with 5 million international passengers arriving in August, according to official data released on Monday, soaring by 172% from a year ago, but less than half compared with pre-pandemic levels.
Earlier we brought you the news that Brazil’s health minister Marcelo Queiroga tested positive for the coronavirus in New York after president Jair Bolsonaro spoke at the UN general assembly on Tuesday.Earlier we brought you the news that Brazil’s health minister Marcelo Queiroga tested positive for the coronavirus in New York after president Jair Bolsonaro spoke at the UN general assembly on Tuesday.
Queiroga shook hands with UK prime minister Boris Johnson as part of a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the assembly. Here is the video of said handshake...Queiroga shook hands with UK prime minister Boris Johnson as part of a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the assembly. Here is the video of said handshake...
Other members of Brazil’s government in New York tested negative for the virus, a statement said.Other members of Brazil’s government in New York tested negative for the virus, a statement said.
Ukraine is planning to make coronavirus vaccinations mandatory for certain professions, including teachers and employees of state institutions and local governments,
The country’s health minister Oleh Lyashko said on Wednesday that the new requirements would be brought in after a final decision by the ministry in coming days. He said:
It came as Ukraine begins tightening its lockdown restrictions from Thursday after a significant increase in the number of new Covid cases.
It has imposed a nationwide “yellow” code which restricts mass spectator events and imposes restrictions on venues such as gyms and cinemas.
Schools, universities and companies with fully vaccinated staff are allowed to work without restrictions.
Meanwhile, in the United States, a medical professor who is opposed to mask and vaccine mandates and attacked concern over the pandemic as “Covid mania” has been named as Florida’s new surgeon general.
Dr Joseph Ladapo, who likened the eating of fruit and vegetables to the benefits of vaccination, has been appointed to the role by Ron DeSantis, Florida’s Republican governor.
Mr DeSantis himself has railed against restrictions placed upon day-to-day life to dampen the Covid pandemic and has sought to block funding for schools in the state that have attempted to make students wear masks to stop the spread of the virus that has killed more than 675,000 people in the US since the pandemic began.
Ladapo is a Harvard-trained doctor who was until recently a researcher at UCLA. His new position for the state government will come alongside a new position he has accepted at the University of Florida College of Medicine.
At a press conference on Tuesday to mark his appointment, Lapado said he would “reject fear” in his dealing with the pandemic. He added:
Global Covid cases have fallen in the past week, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed.
There were 3.6 million new cases reported around the world last week, down from 4 million new infections the previous week.
The drop marks the first significant fall in cases for more than two months. Most pertinently, cases fell across every world region, the Associated Press reported.
In the WHO’s latest update on the pandemic released on Tuesday, it said there were major decreases in cases in two regions, specifically a 22% fall in the Middle East and a 16% drop in Southeast Asia.
The UN health agency said there were just under 60,000 deaths in the past week, marking 7% decline, while Southeast Asia reported a 30% decrease in Covid deaths.
The most coronavirus cases were seen in renowned hotspots US, India, Britain, Turkey and the Philippines.
WHO also said the faster-spreading Delta variant has now been seen in 185 countries and exists in every part of the world.
Health authorities in Germany are planning new rules under which unvaccinated workers would not receive compensation for lost pay if coronavirus measures forced them to quarantine.
In a draft document seen by the Reuters news agency, it showed the rules would come into force from October 11 at the latest.
While the rules would affect people who test positive for the virus, they would also include those returning from trips to countries designated “high risk” for Covid, including Britain, Turkey and parts of France.
In Germany, critics have claimed the rules would be equivalent to a mandate for Covid vaccinations because many workers cannot afford to stay at home without pay.
Laws regulating data privacy are especially tough in Germany because of its history of Nazi and Communist state surveillance of citizens. Employers usually have no right to ask staff for information about their health issues.
Like many other European countries, vaccinations are not compulsory in Germany but authorities have been taking measures that make it increasingly inconvenient to be unvaccinated. But the country’s health minister Jens Spahn said the proposed rules were a matter of fairness, adding:
The number of cycling trips made by women in England rose by more than 50% in 2020, official statistics have shown, as the quieter roads of lockdown seemingly helped to tempt a demographic known to be more wary of traffic danger on to their bikes.
While for men there was a 12% overall rise in the average number of cycle “stages” – rides that formed part of a greater journey – made by each person in 2020 compared with the year before, for women the increase was 56%, Department for Transport (DfT) statistics show.
Overall, men still cycled more on average over the year, as has long been the case. However, while in 2019 men cycled almost three times as many stages as women, in 2020 this fell to twice as many.
A DfT report introducing the figures notes that studies have shown women are consistently more likely than men to believe that roads are too dangerous to cycle on, and that amid the lockdown of 2020, motor vehicle traffic was 21% lower across England compared with the year before.
In Australia, police in Melbourne have again fired non-lethal rounds and teargas at anti-Covid lockdown protesters to end an almost three-hour standoff at the city’s war memorial during a third straight day of demonstrations.
More than 200 people were arrested. Two officers were injured by bottles thrown at them and one was hospitalised with chest pains, Victoria police said. Earlier, up to 400 protesters had camped on the steps of the Shrine of Remembrance, lighting flares and throwing bottles, batteries, tap handles and golf balls at police.
The protests that have seized Australia’s second-largest city for days had their genesis with members of the powerful Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), who were resisting a government mandate for compulsory coronavirus vaccinations for workers on building sites.
But the initial rally appears to have since been hijacked by far-right extremists, allegedly including neo-Nazis and anti-vaccination groups, who have organised via Telegram, Facebook and WhatsApp. Comments circulating on social media channels, seen by the Guardian, are explicitly racist, antisemitic, and include conspiracy theorist tropes.
France has no plans at this stage to relax its health pass restrictions set up to deal with a fourth wave of Covid infections.
The remarks were made by French government spokesman Gabriel Attal on Wednesday, the Reuters news agency reported.
Attal also told a news conference after a cabinet meeting that the coronavirus health situation was improving in France.
Amnesty International has accused six pharmaceutical companies that have developed Covid vaccines of fuelling a global human rights crisis, citing their refusal to sufficiently waive intellectual property rights, share vaccine technology and boost global vaccine supply.
After assessing the performance of six Covid vaccine developers – Pfizer and BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca and Novavax – Amnesty International claims that all are failing to uphold their own human rights commitments and warns they should not be putting profit before the lives of people in the world’s poorest countries.
Less than 1% of the almost 6bn doses of Covid vaccine administered worldwide have gone to low-income countries, with almost 80% delivered to wealthy countries. Despite calls to ensure a fair global vaccine supply, some companies have continued to disproportionally distribute vaccines to wealthy countries, according to Amnesty’s report, published today.
Agnès Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, said:
Hello, I’m Tom Ambrose and will be keeping you updated on the day’s breaking Covid headlines throughout the afternoon.
We start with the news that the Joe Biden is reportedly set to announce that the US is doubling its purchase of Pfizer’s coronavirus shots.
It is to share with the world up to 1bn doses as he works towards vaccinating 70% of the global population within the next year. The Associated Press reports:
At least 160m shots supplied by the US have been distributed to more than 100 countries, representing more donations than the rest of the world combined.
The UK has announced plans for a “vaccine swap” with South Korea. The UK will send over 1m doses of its Pfizer/BioNTech stockpile to South Korea in the coming weeks as the country attempts to fully vaccinate 70% of its population by the end of October.
Brazil’s health minister Marcelo Queiroga shook hands with maskless British prime minister Boris Johnson at the UN before testing positive for Covid. Marcelo Queiroga, who sat close to Johnson and the UK foreign secretary Liz Truss on Monday during their meeting with Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro, confirmed his positive test on Twitter alongside a picture of himself wearing a mask. He was also filmed shaking hands with Johnson.
A no-fly zone has been declared over Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, amid a third day of anti-lockdown protests. Police asked the aviation authority to declare the no-fly zone for operational and safety reasons.
Australia’s tourism minister said the country is on track to reopen its borders “by Christmas at the latest”. Dan Tehan said on Wednesday during a National Press Club of Australia talk: “I do empathise with the Australians who have been denied the opportunity to travel overseas this year.”
The UK environment secretary George Eustice says the UK will pay “tens of millions” to support a CO2 producer as the country struggles with the ongoing energy crisis. He said it is going to cost the UK “many millions, possibly tens of millions” over the next three weeks.
That’s it from me for today. Handing over now to my colleague Tom Ambrose. Thanks for reading!