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Coronavirus live news: new rules for travel in England; New Zealand to phase out elimination strategy Coronavirus live news: new rules for travel in England; New Zealand to phase out elimination strategy
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England’s traffic light system for international travel replaced by one red list; Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will ‘transition’ towards new policyEngland’s traffic light system for international travel replaced by one red list; Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will ‘transition’ towards new policy
The United States has seen a dramatic drop in the number of Covid cases and hospitalisations in recent weeks, a trend that epidemiologists see as an encouraging sign that the Delta wave of the virus has peaked nationally. A resurgence of global economic activity has lifted merchandise trade above its pre-pandemic peak, the World Trade Organization said on Monday as it upgraded its 2021 and 2022 trade forecasts, AFP reports.
The seven-day average of daily new cases in America dropped from about 151,000 on 14 September to about 106,000 on 29 September, a 29% decrease, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The WTO is now predicting global merchandise trade volume growth of 10.8 percent in 2021- up from 8.0 percent forecasted in March - followed by a 4.7 percent rise in 2022,” up from 4% previously, the global trade body said.
The number of people admitted to the hospital with Covid, who at the peak of the Delta surge filled some intensive care units to capacity, has followed a similar downward trajectory in recent weeks. The strong annual growth rate for merchandise trade in 2021 is mainly due to the collapse in 2020, when trade bottomed out in the second quarter.
However, while those experts said they do not expect another surge as big as previous ones during the pandemic, they emphasised the virus remains a significant threat due to the large number of people who have not been vaccinated and the risk of a new variant, possibly even emerging from the unvaccinated population. The rate of growth is expected to moderate as merchandise trade returns to the long-term trend it was on before the Covid-19 crisis struck.
Supply-side issues such as semiconductor scarcity and port backlogs may strain supply chains, but are unlikely to have large impacts on global aggregates, WTO experts said.
They said the biggest downside risks came from the pandemic itself.
“Trade has been a critical tool in combatting the pandemic, and this strong growth underscores how important trade will be in underpinning the global economic recovery,” said the WTO director-general, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
While regions with access to Covid jabs and sufficient fiscal space were recovering strongly, poorer regions with mostly unvaccinated populations are lagging behind, she said.
The WTO’s 12th ministerial conference is to be held in Geneva from 30 November to 3 December.
Okonjo-Iweala has said that one of her main objectives is to push long-blocked trade talks on fishery subsidies across the finish line.
The former Nigerian finance and foreign minister started her four-year term at the WTO helm in March. She dismissed as “fake news” reports that she was threatening to resign if no progress is made on major logjams at the global trade body.
The US has seen a dramatic drop in the number of Covid cases and hospitalisations in recent weeks, a trend that epidemiologists see as an encouraging sign that the country’s wave of the Delta variant has peaked.
The seven-day average of daily new cases in the US dropped from about 151,000 on 14 September to about 106,000 on 29 September, a 29% fall, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The number of people admitted to hospital with Covid, after some intensive care units were filled to capacity at the peak of the Delta surge, has followed a similar downward trajectory in recent weeks.
However, while those experts said they did not expect another surge as big as previous ones during the pandemic, they emphasised that the virus remained a significant threat because of the large number of people who have not been vaccinated and the risk of a new variant, possibly even emerging from the unvaccinated population.
“Will the next surges be as big as this current one? It’s not likely, but it’s possible,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.“Will the next surges be as big as this current one? It’s not likely, but it’s possible,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
America’s vaccination rate has slowed at a rate below many of its industrialised peers where the vaccine is widely available. Reasons vary, but are a mix of rightwing and religious opposition and skepticism, fears over safety, and concerns from communities of color wary of previous racist treatment by American healthcare institutions. The number of vaccinations in the US has slowed at a rate below many of its industrialised peers where the vaccine is widely available. Reasons vary, but include a mix of rightwing and religious opposition and scepticism, fears over safety, and concerns from communities of colour wary of previous racist treatment by American healthcare institutions.
The downward trend can be attributed to increased immunity in the US population because of vaccination or natural infection and because of behaviour change, such as people again wearing masks and avoiding travel or the large gatherings that they participated in before the recent surge, said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University. The downward trend in the number of cases can be attributed to increased immunity in the US population because of vaccination or natural infection and because of behaviour change, such as people again wearing masks and avoiding travel or the large gatherings that they participated in before the recent surge, said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University.
The full story is here:The full story is here:
Johnson & Johnson is planning to ask US federal regulators this week to authorise a booster shot of its Covid vaccine, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing officials familiar with the company’s plans.Johnson & Johnson is planning to ask US federal regulators this week to authorise a booster shot of its Covid vaccine, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing officials familiar with the company’s plans.
While scientists are divided over the need for booster shots when so many people in the US and other countries remain unvaccinated, the Biden administration announced the push for an extra dose in August as part of an effort to shore up protection against the highly transmissible Delta variant.While scientists are divided over the need for booster shots when so many people in the US and other countries remain unvaccinated, the Biden administration announced the push for an extra dose in August as part of an effort to shore up protection against the highly transmissible Delta variant.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week scheduled a 15 October meeting of its expert advisory committee to discuss whether to grant emergency use authorisation for a booster shot of J&J’s vaccine.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week scheduled a 15 October meeting of its expert advisory committee to discuss whether to grant emergency use authorisation for a booster shot of J&J’s vaccine.
More than 15 million Americans have received J&J’s vaccine, which is administered as a single dose, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.More than 15 million Americans have received J&J’s vaccine, which is administered as a single dose, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The healthcare conglomerate last month said an additional second shot of its vaccine given about two months after the first increased its effectiveness to 94%, compared with 70% protection after the single dose.The healthcare conglomerate last month said an additional second shot of its vaccine given about two months after the first increased its effectiveness to 94%, compared with 70% protection after the single dose.
J&J declined to comment on the New York Times report and pointed to its press release dated 21 September, saying the company had submitted available data to the US health regulator and intended to submit the data to other regulators.J&J declined to comment on the New York Times report and pointed to its press release dated 21 September, saying the company had submitted available data to the US health regulator and intended to submit the data to other regulators.
The FDA has already authorised a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab for those aged 65 and over, people at high risk of severe disease, and others who are regularly exposed to the virus.The FDA has already authorised a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab for those aged 65 and over, people at high risk of severe disease, and others who are regularly exposed to the virus.
Moderna also submitted its application seeking authorisation for a booster shot of its two-dose vaccine last month, and the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee panel will hold a meeting on 14 October to discuss the additional dose.Moderna also submitted its application seeking authorisation for a booster shot of its two-dose vaccine last month, and the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee panel will hold a meeting on 14 October to discuss the additional dose.
More detail on the overhaul of England’s Covid-19 rules governing international travel, which came into force at 4am on Monday, replacing the traffic-light system, from my colleague Nazia Parveen.More detail on the overhaul of England’s Covid-19 rules governing international travel, which came into force at 4am on Monday, replacing the traffic-light system, from my colleague Nazia Parveen.
A single red list of countries remains, with the previous green and amber countries now classified as the “rest of the world” or “non-red list”. There have also been changes to the testing requirements when returning from a non-red-list country, if fully vaccinated.A single red list of countries remains, with the previous green and amber countries now classified as the “rest of the world” or “non-red list”. There have also been changes to the testing requirements when returning from a non-red-list country, if fully vaccinated.
There is no longer a requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to take a test in the three days before their return from a non-red-list country.There is no longer a requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to take a test in the three days before their return from a non-red-list country.
In addition, from the end of October, they will no longer be required to take a PCR test on day two of their arrival in England or Scotland; instead they will need to take a lateral flow test. If the lateral flow test is positive, they will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test at no additional cost.In addition, from the end of October, they will no longer be required to take a PCR test on day two of their arrival in England or Scotland; instead they will need to take a lateral flow test. If the lateral flow test is positive, they will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test at no additional cost.
For those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, there are currently no changes to the testing or quarantine requirements. This means if they arrive in the UK from any non-red-list country, they will still need to take a pre-departure test, a PCR test on day two and day eight, and quarantine at home for 10 days. If they are arriving in England, they still have the option to use the test-to-release scheme on day five.For those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, there are currently no changes to the testing or quarantine requirements. This means if they arrive in the UK from any non-red-list country, they will still need to take a pre-departure test, a PCR test on day two and day eight, and quarantine at home for 10 days. If they are arriving in England, they still have the option to use the test-to-release scheme on day five.
Requirements for arrivals in the UK from red-list countries remain the same: a pre-departure test and the pre-booking of a mandatory 11-night quarantine hotel package, which will include two PCR tests, taken on day two and day eight, whatever the traveller’s vaccination status.Requirements for arrivals in the UK from red-list countries remain the same: a pre-departure test and the pre-booking of a mandatory 11-night quarantine hotel package, which will include two PCR tests, taken on day two and day eight, whatever the traveller’s vaccination status.
All travellers, regardless of their vaccination status and the country they are travelling from, will still need to complete a passenger locator form any time in the 48 hours before they arrive in the UK.All travellers, regardless of their vaccination status and the country they are travelling from, will still need to complete a passenger locator form any time in the 48 hours before they arrive in the UK.
More changes to travel rules are expected to be announced on Thursday.More changes to travel rules are expected to be announced on Thursday.
Vaccinations have made people more confident to sit in enclosed spaces without masks, the UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has said, prompting scientists to warn that such messages risk complacency, and that mask use is vital in limiting the spread of Covid.Vaccinations have made people more confident to sit in enclosed spaces without masks, the UK transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has said, prompting scientists to warn that such messages risk complacency, and that mask use is vital in limiting the spread of Covid.
Some scientists said it was important that the messaging on masks was not undermined. Dr Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London, said it was clearly established that people who were vaccinated could get infected and transmit Covid, and should wear masks in crowded places.Some scientists said it was important that the messaging on masks was not undermined. Dr Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London, said it was clearly established that people who were vaccinated could get infected and transmit Covid, and should wear masks in crowded places.
Trish Greenhalgh, a GP and professor of primary care health at the University of Oxford, said that while Covid vaccines had been a “game-changer” for the pandemic, vaccinated people should still wear masks at indoor events.Trish Greenhalgh, a GP and professor of primary care health at the University of Oxford, said that while Covid vaccines had been a “game-changer” for the pandemic, vaccinated people should still wear masks at indoor events.
She urged people to take a “belt and braces” approach, adding:She urged people to take a “belt and braces” approach, adding:
Here’s a summary of the Covid news from this morning:Here’s a summary of the Covid news from this morning:
More than half of the midwives currently working in the UK are considering leaving their jobs, according to a new survey of its members by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives say they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing linked in part to Covid stresses on the system.More than half of the midwives currently working in the UK are considering leaving their jobs, according to a new survey of its members by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives say they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing linked in part to Covid stresses on the system.
Parents in the UK think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic, a survey suggests.Parents in the UK think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic, a survey suggests.
From today, all British arrivals to India will have to spend 10 days in quarantine, even if they are double-jabbed. They will also have to take a test within 72 hours of travelling to India, along with another test on arrival and a third one eight days later.From today, all British arrivals to India will have to spend 10 days in quarantine, even if they are double-jabbed. They will also have to take a test within 72 hours of travelling to India, along with another test on arrival and a third one eight days later.
Israel is going a step further than most other countries in its mandatory vaccination campaign: citizens will now need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they want the “green pass” that will allow entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues.Israel is going a step further than most other countries in its mandatory vaccination campaign: citizens will now need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they want the “green pass” that will allow entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues.
All 12- to 15-year-olds in Wales will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the October half-term, the Welsh health minister has said.All 12- to 15-year-olds in Wales will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the October half-term, the Welsh health minister has said.
The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced more funding for job creation to boost the economy following the end of Covid furlough payments.The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced more funding for job creation to boost the economy following the end of Covid furlough payments.
European nations are diverging over plans for Covid booster shots, Reuters reports, with some moving ahead and giving the extra jabs even before the region’s drug watchdog rules on whether they are safe and effective.European nations are diverging over plans for Covid booster shots, Reuters reports, with some moving ahead and giving the extra jabs even before the region’s drug watchdog rules on whether they are safe and effective.
Teachers in New York are supposed to be fully vaccinated against Covid as of today, one of the first such mandates for educators in the US.Teachers in New York are supposed to be fully vaccinated against Covid as of today, one of the first such mandates for educators in the US.
Good morning from London. I’m Lucy Campbell and I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next eight hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.Good morning from London. I’m Lucy Campbell and I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next eight hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_
More than half of the midwives currently working in the UK are considering leaving their jobs, according to a new survey by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives say they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing linked in part to Covid stresses on the system. Many are worried that a lack of staff and support means they can’t deliver safe care to women.More than half of the midwives currently working in the UK are considering leaving their jobs, according to a new survey by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Midwives say they are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing linked in part to Covid stresses on the system. Many are worried that a lack of staff and support means they can’t deliver safe care to women.
The RCM is warning of a “midwife exodus” as it publishes the results of its annual member experiences of work survey. More than half of midwives surveyed said they were considering leaving their job as a midwife, with 57% saying they would leave the NHS in the next year.The RCM is warning of a “midwife exodus” as it publishes the results of its annual member experiences of work survey. More than half of midwives surveyed said they were considering leaving their job as a midwife, with 57% saying they would leave the NHS in the next year.
The RCM described as “alarming” the finding that the highest level of dissatisfaction among those surveyed came from midwives who had only worked for five years or less in the NHS.The RCM described as “alarming” the finding that the highest level of dissatisfaction among those surveyed came from midwives who had only worked for five years or less in the NHS.
They warned that burnout among midwives and all maternity staff was higher than ever, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen an increase in sickness absence adding to a pre-existing shortage of 2,000 midwives in England alone.They warned that burnout among midwives and all maternity staff was higher than ever, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen an increase in sickness absence adding to a pre-existing shortage of 2,000 midwives in England alone.
The RCM’s general secretary and chief executive, Gill Walton, said;The RCM’s general secretary and chief executive, Gill Walton, said;
“What these numbers suggest is a midwife exodus, which will leave already struggling services on their knees. Quite rightly, there is a strong focus on improving maternity safety, but there is a risk that the government is ignoring the essential ingredient to that: having the right staff, in the right place.”“What these numbers suggest is a midwife exodus, which will leave already struggling services on their knees. Quite rightly, there is a strong focus on improving maternity safety, but there is a risk that the government is ignoring the essential ingredient to that: having the right staff, in the right place.”
A report published by NHS Digital in July revealed the number of NHS midwives working in England in May had fallen by almost 300 in just two months. That was the fastest fall for those two months for any of the years listed in the NHS report, which goes back 20 years, says the RCM.A report published by NHS Digital in July revealed the number of NHS midwives working in England in May had fallen by almost 300 in just two months. That was the fastest fall for those two months for any of the years listed in the NHS report, which goes back 20 years, says the RCM.
Parents in the UK think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic, a survey suggests.Parents in the UK think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic, a survey suggests.
Parents were more likely to say their child was gaming excessively and refusing to do homework compared with before Covid-19, according to a report by the children’s mental health charity Place2Be.Parents were more likely to say their child was gaming excessively and refusing to do homework compared with before Covid-19, according to a report by the children’s mental health charity Place2Be.
About half of the 900 parents surveyed said they felt isolated during the pandemic and a similar number felt overwhelmed or anxious about parenting.About half of the 900 parents surveyed said they felt isolated during the pandemic and a similar number felt overwhelmed or anxious about parenting.
Overall, 18% of parents said they think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic.Overall, 18% of parents said they think their child’s behaviour is worse now than before the pandemic.
The most common concerning behaviours cited by parents included children spending too much time gaming (20%), feeling anxious (18%), having meltdowns (17%) and having trouble sleeping (17%).The most common concerning behaviours cited by parents included children spending too much time gaming (20%), feeling anxious (18%), having meltdowns (17%) and having trouble sleeping (17%).
Catherine Roche, the chief executive of Place2Be, said: “We all want the best for our children, but being a parent can be really tough, and this has been exacerbated over the past year and a half by the pandemic.Catherine Roche, the chief executive of Place2Be, said: “We all want the best for our children, but being a parent can be really tough, and this has been exacerbated over the past year and a half by the pandemic.
“Through our frontline work in schools, we’ve spoken with countless parents and carers who have seen changes in their children’s behaviour and are worried about the impact on them.”“Through our frontline work in schools, we’ve spoken with countless parents and carers who have seen changes in their children’s behaviour and are worried about the impact on them.”
The findings come as the charity is launching Parenting Smart, an online resource with practical advice for parents and carers of primary age children.The findings come as the charity is launching Parenting Smart, an online resource with practical advice for parents and carers of primary age children.
As the UK changes the rules on travel in and out of the country, some other nations are still wary of British visitors. From today, all British arrivals to India will have to spend 10 days in quarantine even if they are double-jabbed. They will also have to take a test within 72 hours of travelling to India, along with another test on arrival and a third one eight days later.As the UK changes the rules on travel in and out of the country, some other nations are still wary of British visitors. From today, all British arrivals to India will have to spend 10 days in quarantine even if they are double-jabbed. They will also have to take a test within 72 hours of travelling to India, along with another test on arrival and a third one eight days later.
The ministry of health and family welfare said it had been introduced “considering the trajectory of Covid-19 cases” in the UK and the “presence of all four variants of concern”.The ministry of health and family welfare said it had been introduced “considering the trajectory of Covid-19 cases” in the UK and the “presence of all four variants of concern”.
Israel is going a step further than most other countries in its mandatory vaccination campaign – citizens will now need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they want the “green pass” that will allow entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues.Israel is going a step further than most other countries in its mandatory vaccination campaign – citizens will now need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they want the “green pass” that will allow entry to restaurants, gyms and many other venues.
Reuters reports that from tomorrow, store owners or event organisers will have to scan a customer’s digital barcode before allowing entry. There will be some exemptions, such as museums and libraries.Reuters reports that from tomorrow, store owners or event organisers will have to scan a customer’s digital barcode before allowing entry. There will be some exemptions, such as museums and libraries.
The new green pass is being issued to those who received three shots or recently recovered from Covid-19, replacing a previous system that required just two shots. It raises the bar for what the government considers full immunisation.The new green pass is being issued to those who received three shots or recently recovered from Covid-19, replacing a previous system that required just two shots. It raises the bar for what the government considers full immunisation.
Israel was an early adopter of Pfizer/BioNtech booster shots – administering them to members of risk groups in July and by the end of August to anyone above the age of 12. Its campaign is being watched closely by other countries.Israel was an early adopter of Pfizer/BioNtech booster shots – administering them to members of risk groups in July and by the end of August to anyone above the age of 12. Its campaign is being watched closely by other countries.
About 37% of Israel’s 9.4 million population has received a booster shot. The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised in serious condition has been dropping in recent days, as has the number of confirmed daily cases, which fell to below 4,000 after topping 10,000 last month.About 37% of Israel’s 9.4 million population has received a booster shot. The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised in serious condition has been dropping in recent days, as has the number of confirmed daily cases, which fell to below 4,000 after topping 10,000 last month.
All 12- to 15-year-olds in Wales will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the October half-term, the Welsh health minister has said.All 12- to 15-year-olds in Wales will be offered a Covid vaccine by the end of the October half-term, the Welsh health minister has said.
The BBC reports that the rollout is due to gather pace this week with all health boards providing jabs, mostly at mass vaccination centres and others in schools.The BBC reports that the rollout is due to gather pace this week with all health boards providing jabs, mostly at mass vaccination centres and others in schools.
Some of the most vulnerable children have already received the vaccine.Some of the most vulnerable children have already received the vaccine.