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Covid live: UK records 34,460 new cases; Germany quarantine pay to end for unvaccinated Covid live: UK records 34,460 new cases; Germany quarantine pay to end for unvaccinated
(32 minutes later)
UK records 166 new Covid deaths; draft suggests Germany rules would come into force in OctoberUK records 166 new Covid deaths; draft suggests Germany rules would come into force in October
The rapid spread of Covid makes it “inevitable” that children will be infected and have their education disrupted, making a strong case for vaccinating those aged 12 and over, the UK government’s leading medical advisers told MPs.
Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, rejected suggestions from one Conservative MP that “white boys” who have previously contracted Covid should be exempt from vaccination, saying that discrimination on that basis wasn’t practical or desirable.
Whitty and Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer, appeared before the Commons education committee over the decision to offer Covid vaccines to 12- to 15-year-olds, after the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) had said the benefits were too small.
Italy plans to give other countries 45 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines before the end of the year, three times its original pledge, prime minister Mario Draghi said.
In a video message to a U.S.-hosted global Covid-19 Summit, Draghi said his government had previously promised to donate 15 million doses of vaccine by the end of the year, Reuters reports.
“Nearly half of these have already been delivered and today I am glad to announce that we will triple our efforts. We will donate another 30 million additional doses by the end of the year to reach 45 million,” he said.
U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said he would personally convene world foreign ministers before the end of the year to follow up on commitments made toward fighting the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reports.U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said he would personally convene world foreign ministers before the end of the year to follow up on commitments made toward fighting the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reports.
At a virtual Covid-19 summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, President Joe Biden earlier promised to buy 500 million more vaccine doses to donate to other countries as the US comes under increasing pressure to share its supply with the rest of the world.At a virtual Covid-19 summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, President Joe Biden earlier promised to buy 500 million more vaccine doses to donate to other countries as the US comes under increasing pressure to share its supply with the rest of the world.
Blinken said he would convene foreign ministers to follow up on commitments made at the virtual summit and at an upcoming G20 meeting, ahead of a meeting of heads of state led by Biden to be held in the first quarter of 2022.Blinken said he would convene foreign ministers to follow up on commitments made at the virtual summit and at an upcoming G20 meeting, ahead of a meeting of heads of state led by Biden to be held in the first quarter of 2022.
“We have to have the sustained engagement, continuing to hold ourselves accountable, for real progress,” Blinken said.“We have to have the sustained engagement, continuing to hold ourselves accountable, for real progress,” Blinken said.
The Reverend Jesse Jackson was released on Wednesday from a US hospital, a month after he was admitted for a Covid-19 infection and to receive physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease.The Reverend Jesse Jackson was released on Wednesday from a US hospital, a month after he was admitted for a Covid-19 infection and to receive physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
The civil rights leader and his wife, Jacqueline, were first hospitalised at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago last month, Associated Press reports.The civil rights leader and his wife, Jacqueline, were first hospitalised at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago last month, Associated Press reports.
Jesse Jackson, 79, was vaccinated for Covid-19, but his 77-year-old wife was not.Jesse Jackson, 79, was vaccinated for Covid-19, but his 77-year-old wife was not.
She required oxygen and a brief intensive care unit stay before she was released earlier this month.She required oxygen and a brief intensive care unit stay before she was released earlier this month.
The shutdown of traveling and socialising during the Covid-19 pandemic last year brought severe dislocation to many people, but if you were a bird during this time it was highly appealing, new research has found.The shutdown of traveling and socialising during the Covid-19 pandemic last year brought severe dislocation to many people, but if you were a bird during this time it was highly appealing, new research has found.
The distribution of 80% of studied bird species in North America changed during pandemic lockdowns last year, the study found, with most of these species increasing in abundance in and around urban areas that fell unusually quiet due to a sudden drop in traffic.The distribution of 80% of studied bird species in North America changed during pandemic lockdowns last year, the study found, with most of these species increasing in abundance in and around urban areas that fell unusually quiet due to a sudden drop in traffic.
Here is a round-up of the main Covid news stories from around the world today:Here is a round-up of the main Covid news stories from around the world today:
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.
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.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.
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.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.
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.
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.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.
Ukraine is planning to make coronavirus vaccinations mandatory for certain professions, including teachers and employees of state institutions and local governments.Ukraine is planning to make coronavirus vaccinations mandatory for certain professions, including teachers and employees of state institutions and local governments.
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.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.
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.
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.
France has no plans at this stage to relax its health pass restrictions set up to deal with a fourth wave of Covid infections.France has no plans at this stage to relax its health pass restrictions set up to deal with a fourth wave of Covid infections.
That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose, as I hand over to my colleague Nadeem Badshah, who will keep you up-to-date with all the breaking coronavirus news throughout the evening. Goodbye.That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose, as I hand over to my colleague Nadeem Badshah, who will keep you up-to-date with all the breaking coronavirus news throughout the evening. Goodbye.
As mentioned earlier this afternoon, Joe Biden has announced that the US will donate an additional 500m Covid vaccines to low- and middle-income countries around the world, bringing America’s total global donation to more than 1.1bn doses.As mentioned earlier this afternoon, Joe Biden has announced that the US will donate an additional 500m Covid vaccines to low- and middle-income countries around the world, bringing America’s total global donation to more than 1.1bn doses.
The US president outlined the plan on Wednesday at a virtual coronavirus summit where he urged world leaders to “go big” in tackling the pandemic and closing the vaccination gap with poorer nations.The US president outlined the plan on Wednesday at a virtual coronavirus summit where he urged world leaders to “go big” in tackling the pandemic and closing the vaccination gap with poorer nations.
For the full story, see below.For the full story, see below.
Spain will donate 7.5 million doses of Covid vaccine to Latin America and the Caribbean, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.“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.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.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 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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.