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/oct/04/coronavirus-live-news-new-rules-for-travel-in-england-new-zealand-to-phase-out-elimination-strategy
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 23 | Version 24 |
|---|---|
| Covid live: Kremlin pleads for people to get jab; EU regulator backs mRNA booster for those with weak immunity | Covid live: Kremlin pleads for people to get jab; EU regulator backs mRNA booster for those with weak immunity |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Russia’s daily cases at highest levels since January; EMA says people with weakened immune systems should get Pfizer or Moderna booster | Russia’s daily cases at highest levels since January; EMA says people with weakened immune systems should get Pfizer or Moderna booster |
| Thanks for following along – this blog is now closed. You can catch up with the latest coronavirus coverage here. | |
| The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has said the airline industry is now over the worst of the Covid pandemic, but urged governments to simplify travel rules and open borders to help the aviation sector operate within a now “endemic” phase of the virus. | The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has said the airline industry is now over the worst of the Covid pandemic, but urged governments to simplify travel rules and open borders to help the aviation sector operate within a now “endemic” phase of the virus. |
| Total industry losses are expected to fall to $11.6bn (£8.5bn) in 2022, according to Iata forecasts, which would mean a cumulative loss of just over $200bn in three years as a result of Covid. | Total industry losses are expected to fall to $11.6bn (£8.5bn) in 2022, according to Iata forecasts, which would mean a cumulative loss of just over $200bn in three years as a result of Covid. |
| Iata’s director general, Willie Walsh, said: | Iata’s director general, Willie Walsh, said: |
| Walsh called for harmonisation of travel restrictions. Given the improved data, knowledge, vaccines and testing, he said, “the idea that the measures we put in place in February 2020 are relevant today is a nonsense”. | Walsh called for harmonisation of travel restrictions. Given the improved data, knowledge, vaccines and testing, he said, “the idea that the measures we put in place in February 2020 are relevant today is a nonsense”. |
| My colleague Gwyn Topham reports: | My colleague Gwyn Topham reports: |
| Marc Pilcher, the Emmy-winning hairstylist and makeup designer known for his work on Bridgerton, has died of Covid-19 at the age of 53. | |
| News of Pilcher’s death comes just weeks after he won a Creative Emmy for his work on the Netflix hit. He was double-vaccinated and had no underlying health conditions, as confirmed to Variety by his agency, Curtis Brown. | News of Pilcher’s death comes just weeks after he won a Creative Emmy for his work on the Netflix hit. He was double-vaccinated and had no underlying health conditions, as confirmed to Variety by his agency, Curtis Brown. |
| “Glamorous and extravagant, he brought his flair and style to every design,” a statement read. “Never limited in his thought process for his creations, he pushed boundaries and created work never realised before.” | “Glamorous and extravagant, he brought his flair and style to every design,” a statement read. “Never limited in his thought process for his creations, he pushed boundaries and created work never realised before.” |
| Here is the full story: | Here is the full story: |
| As the end of my shift approaches, here is a recap of some of the main developments so far today: | As the end of my shift approaches, here is a recap of some of the main developments so far today: |
| An overhaul of England’s rules governing international travel came into force at 4am, replacing the traffic-light system. 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. All the details are here. | An overhaul of England’s rules governing international travel came into force at 4am, replacing the traffic-light system. 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. All the details are here. |
| A Covid vaccination mandate for teachers and other staff members took effect in New York City’s sprawling public school system in a key test of the employee vaccination rules now being rolled out across the US. A similar mandate is set to come into effect in Los Angeles on 15 October. | A Covid vaccination mandate for teachers and other staff members took effect in New York City’s sprawling public school system in a key test of the employee vaccination rules now being rolled out across the US. A similar mandate is set to come into effect in Los Angeles on 15 October. |
| The Kremlin implored people to get vaccinated against Covid, calling it the only way to stop the spread of the virus, as Russian authorities mulled reintroducing health restrictions to cope with daily cases rising to their highest level – 25,781 new infections – since January. | The Kremlin implored people to get vaccinated against Covid, calling it the only way to stop the spread of the virus, as Russian authorities mulled reintroducing health restrictions to cope with daily cases rising to their highest level – 25,781 new infections – since January. |
| The European Union’s drugs regulator said people with weakened immune systems should get a third dose of a Covid vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, but left it to member states to decide whether the wider population should get a booster. | The European Union’s drugs regulator said people with weakened immune systems should get a third dose of a Covid vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, but left it to member states to decide whether the wider population should get a booster. |
| Japan’s new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, called a parliamentary election for 31 October and vowed to bolster the country’s response to the pandemic. He said he would consider Covid relief payouts, adding that he had also instructed ministers overseeing the pandemic response to come up with policies on vaccinations, to strengthen the medical system, and to expand testing to help reopen the economy. | Japan’s new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, called a parliamentary election for 31 October and vowed to bolster the country’s response to the pandemic. He said he would consider Covid relief payouts, adding that he had also instructed ministers overseeing the pandemic response to come up with policies on vaccinations, to strengthen the medical system, and to expand testing to help reopen the economy. |
| Influential African figures called on G20 countries to urgently donate Covid vaccines to Africa. In an open letter published by Unicef, the group warned that only 4% of the continent’s population were fully vaccinated, while some wealthy countries have already met or exceeded 70%. The letter reads: “This inequity is unjust – and self-defeating. It leaves Africans – and the whole world – at the mercy of the virus. Unchecked, it can create new and more dangerous variants.” | Influential African figures called on G20 countries to urgently donate Covid vaccines to Africa. In an open letter published by Unicef, the group warned that only 4% of the continent’s population were fully vaccinated, while some wealthy countries have already met or exceeded 70%. The letter reads: “This inequity is unjust – and self-defeating. It leaves Africans – and the whole world – at the mercy of the virus. Unchecked, it can create new and more dangerous variants.” |
| Venezuelans are increasingly relying on friends and strangers to help pay for Covid treatment, as hyperinflation and soaring health care fees make social media pleas and crowdfunding campaigns the only way to cover costs while infection rates rise. | Venezuelans are increasingly relying on friends and strangers to help pay for Covid treatment, as hyperinflation and soaring health care fees make social media pleas and crowdfunding campaigns the only way to cover costs while infection rates rise. |
| Thailand rolled out Covid vaccines to high school students for the first time, as it sought to boost its immunisation rate ahead of a planned school reopening next month. | Thailand rolled out Covid vaccines to high school students for the first time, as it sought to boost its immunisation rate ahead of a planned school reopening next month. |
| As of 9am on Monday, there were a further 35,077 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, the government has said in its daily release of figures. | As of 9am on Monday, there were a further 35,077 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, the government has said in its daily release of figures. |
| A further 33 people died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, bringing the official tally to 136,986. | A further 33 people died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, bringing the official tally to 136,986. |
| Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 161,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. | Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 161,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. |
| You can view the UK government’s Covid dashboard here. | You can view the UK government’s Covid dashboard here. |
| The weekly number of coronavirus deaths worldwide has fallen to levels unseen for almost a year, according to an AFP count on Monday based on official national figures. | The weekly number of coronavirus deaths worldwide has fallen to levels unseen for almost a year, according to an AFP count on Monday based on official national figures. |
| The 53,245 deaths recorded worldwide between 27 September and 3 October, at an average of 7,606 each day, showed that the pandemic has continued the downward trend that began at the end of August, after a peak of about 10,000 deaths per day. | The 53,245 deaths recorded worldwide between 27 September and 3 October, at an average of 7,606 each day, showed that the pandemic has continued the downward trend that began at the end of August, after a peak of about 10,000 deaths per day. |
| The new weekly death toll figure is the lowest recorded since 31 October-6 November 2020. | The new weekly death toll figure is the lowest recorded since 31 October-6 November 2020. |
| Over the last month, the number of Covid-related deaths has fallen by almost a quarter, as vaccination campaigns make progress. | Over the last month, the number of Covid-related deaths has fallen by almost a quarter, as vaccination campaigns make progress. |
| After a year of coronavirus waves, linked in particular to the spread of variants including the more contagious Delta, the curve of new cases is also down, by almost a third compared with the end of August. | After a year of coronavirus waves, linked in particular to the spread of variants including the more contagious Delta, the curve of new cases is also down, by almost a third compared with the end of August. |
| With nearly 81 doses of Covid vaccine administered per 100 inhabitants worldwide, according to an AFP count, the authorities hope to see this decline continue, even if there are still major disparities between regions. | With nearly 81 doses of Covid vaccine administered per 100 inhabitants worldwide, according to an AFP count, the authorities hope to see this decline continue, even if there are still major disparities between regions. |
| For every 100 residents of North America, 123 vaccines doses have been administered. The figure for Africa is 11 doses per 100 people, with half the nations on the continent managing to fully vaccinate just two percent of their people, according to the World Health Organization’s Africa office. | For every 100 residents of North America, 123 vaccines doses have been administered. The figure for Africa is 11 doses per 100 people, with half the nations on the continent managing to fully vaccinate just two percent of their people, according to the World Health Organization’s Africa office. |
| Since the virus was first discovered in China in late 2019, about 4.8 million people have died of Covid-19 around the world. | Since the virus was first discovered in China in late 2019, about 4.8 million people have died of Covid-19 around the world. |
| The WHO has said that taking into account excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, the pandemic’s true overall toll could be two to three times higher than official records. | The WHO has said that taking into account excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, the pandemic’s true overall toll could be two to three times higher than official records. |
| A Covid vaccination mandate for teachers and other staff members took effect in New York City’s sprawling public school system on Monday in a key test of the employee vaccination rules now being rolled out across the country, AP reports. | A Covid vaccination mandate for teachers and other staff members took effect in New York City’s sprawling public school system on Monday in a key test of the employee vaccination rules now being rolled out across the country, AP reports. |
| The mayor, Bill de Blasio, said 95% of the city’s approximately 148,000 public school staff had received at least one vaccine dose as of Monday morning, including 96% of teachers and 99% of principals. | The mayor, Bill de Blasio, said 95% of the city’s approximately 148,000 public school staff had received at least one vaccine dose as of Monday morning, including 96% of teachers and 99% of principals. |
| Some 43,000 employees have received the jab since the mandate was announced on 23 August, De Blasio said. | Some 43,000 employees have received the jab since the mandate was announced on 23 August, De Blasio said. |
| “Our parents need to know their kids will be safe,” he said. “They entrust us with their children. That’s what this mandate is all about. Every adult in our schools is now vaccinated, and that’s going to be the rule going forward.” | “Our parents need to know their kids will be safe,” he said. “They entrust us with their children. That’s what this mandate is all about. Every adult in our schools is now vaccinated, and that’s going to be the rule going forward.” |
| The US secretary of education, Miguel Cardona, joined De Blasio’s virtual briefing and hailed the vaccine mandate. | The US secretary of education, Miguel Cardona, joined De Blasio’s virtual briefing and hailed the vaccine mandate. |
| “You’re doing it right,” Cardona said. “Students need to be in the classroom. They need to be safe and we need to make sure we’re doing everything possible to let our staff get vaccinated and make sure that our schools are as safe as possible.” | “You’re doing it right,” Cardona said. “Students need to be in the classroom. They need to be safe and we need to make sure we’re doing everything possible to let our staff get vaccinated and make sure that our schools are as safe as possible.” |
| The mayor had warned that unvaccinated school employees would be placed on unpaid leave and not be allowed to work this week. The city planned to bring in substitutes where needed. | The mayor had warned that unvaccinated school employees would be placed on unpaid leave and not be allowed to work this week. The city planned to bring in substitutes where needed. |
| The New York schools chancellor, Meisha Ross Porter, said she did not know exactly how many employees had declined the shots and been put on leave. | The New York schools chancellor, Meisha Ross Porter, said she did not know exactly how many employees had declined the shots and been put on leave. |
| Implementing the mandate smoothly will be a test for De Blasio, a Democrat who boasted of the city’s record of keeping school buildings open during most of the last school year when other districts went to all-remote instruction. New York City is not offering a remote option this year. | Implementing the mandate smoothly will be a test for De Blasio, a Democrat who boasted of the city’s record of keeping school buildings open during most of the last school year when other districts went to all-remote instruction. New York City is not offering a remote option this year. |
| The vaccination mandate in the nation’s largest school system does not include a test-out option, but does allow for medical and religious exemptions. It was supposed to go into effect last week but was delayed when a federal appeals court granted a temporary injunction. An appeals panel reversed that decision three days later. | The vaccination mandate in the nation’s largest school system does not include a test-out option, but does allow for medical and religious exemptions. It was supposed to go into effect last week but was delayed when a federal appeals court granted a temporary injunction. An appeals panel reversed that decision three days later. |
| The 96% teacher vaccination rate cited by the mayor was slightly different from the 97% figure provided earlier on Monday by the head of the United Federation of Teachers, Michael Mulgrew. | The 96% teacher vaccination rate cited by the mayor was slightly different from the 97% figure provided earlier on Monday by the head of the United Federation of Teachers, Michael Mulgrew. |
| New York City’s public school system, which has more than a million students, is one of the first in the nation to require inoculations for all staff members. A similar mandate is set to come into effect in Los Angeles on 15 October. | New York City’s public school system, which has more than a million students, is one of the first in the nation to require inoculations for all staff members. A similar mandate is set to come into effect in Los Angeles on 15 October. |
| A group of teachers and other school employees who had sued over New York’s school vaccine mandate asked the US supreme court on Thursday for an emergency injunction blocking its implementation. The request was denied on Friday. | A group of teachers and other school employees who had sued over New York’s school vaccine mandate asked the US supreme court on Thursday for an emergency injunction blocking its implementation. The request was denied on Friday. |
| Many students and parents support the vaccine mandate as the best way to keep schools open during the pandemic. | Many students and parents support the vaccine mandate as the best way to keep schools open during the pandemic. |
| “It’s safer for our kids,” said Joyce Ramirez, 28, who was picking her three children up from a Bronx elementary school last week. She hopes the requirement will lessen the chances of teachers contracting the virus and prompting classroom or school shutdowns. | “It’s safer for our kids,” said Joyce Ramirez, 28, who was picking her three children up from a Bronx elementary school last week. She hopes the requirement will lessen the chances of teachers contracting the virus and prompting classroom or school shutdowns. |
| Cody Miller, a 15-year-old sophomore at a high school in Manhattan, said teachers should all be vaccinated. “I think they should,” said the teen, who got vaccinated himself as soon as the Pfizer shot was approved for 12-year-olds and up. “It’s so many kids. It’s a big environment, you know?” | Cody Miller, a 15-year-old sophomore at a high school in Manhattan, said teachers should all be vaccinated. “I think they should,” said the teen, who got vaccinated himself as soon as the Pfizer shot was approved for 12-year-olds and up. “It’s so many kids. It’s a big environment, you know?” |
| But Mally Diroche, another Bronx parent, had mixed feelings. “I kind of feel like that’s a decision they should be able to make on their own,” said the mother of three boys between 3 and 12. Diroche, 29, said she felt that masks and other precautions could check the spread of the virus within schools. | But Mally Diroche, another Bronx parent, had mixed feelings. “I kind of feel like that’s a decision they should be able to make on their own,” said the mother of three boys between 3 and 12. Diroche, 29, said she felt that masks and other precautions could check the spread of the virus within schools. |
| Some educators have reservations about the mandate but are complying. | Some educators have reservations about the mandate but are complying. |
| Maurice Jones, 46, a support staff member at a Manhattan middle school, said he got vaccinated months ago but sympathises with co-workers who have not gotten the shots. “If they’ve got to get tested more, they’ve got to get tested more,” Jones said. “I don’t think they should lose their job.” | Maurice Jones, 46, a support staff member at a Manhattan middle school, said he got vaccinated months ago but sympathises with co-workers who have not gotten the shots. “If they’ve got to get tested more, they’ve got to get tested more,” Jones said. “I don’t think they should lose their job.” |
| Roxanne Rizzi, who teaches technology at an elementary school in Queens, waited until Friday to get her first coronavirus vaccine shot. “I had to do it for the finances of my family,” she said. Rizzi, 55, had resisted the vaccine because she contracted Covid in November and believed natural immunity would protect her. She said she would continue to protest against the mandate. | Roxanne Rizzi, who teaches technology at an elementary school in Queens, waited until Friday to get her first coronavirus vaccine shot. “I had to do it for the finances of my family,” she said. Rizzi, 55, had resisted the vaccine because she contracted Covid in November and believed natural immunity would protect her. She said she would continue to protest against the mandate. |
| According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people should get vaccinated even if they have already been infected by the virus. The agency says Covid vaccines offer better protection than natural immunity and help prevent getting infected again. | According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people should get vaccinated even if they have already been infected by the virus. The agency says Covid vaccines offer better protection than natural immunity and help prevent getting infected again. |
| Rising numbers of teachers across the US are quitting or retiring early, with schools reopening for the new academic year and Covid cases among children surging in recent weeks in the face of some states banning mask mandates, Michael Sainato reports. | Rising numbers of teachers across the US are quitting or retiring early, with schools reopening for the new academic year and Covid cases among children surging in recent weeks in the face of some states banning mask mandates, Michael Sainato reports. |
| There have been more than 200,000 reported weekly cases among children in the past five consecutive weeks, with most cases spreading in areas with no school mask mandates in place and low vaccination rates, as vaccines for children under the age of 12 continue to await federal approval. | There have been more than 200,000 reported weekly cases among children in the past five consecutive weeks, with most cases spreading in areas with no school mask mandates in place and low vaccination rates, as vaccines for children under the age of 12 continue to await federal approval. |
| Several schools and school districts have periodically been forced to close in-person learning because of Covid exposure or high infection rates, leaving teachers struggling to continue their lessons through the disruptions. | Several schools and school districts have periodically been forced to close in-person learning because of Covid exposure or high infection rates, leaving teachers struggling to continue their lessons through the disruptions. |
| A shortage of teachers in the US was already a growing problem before the pandemic, particularly in high-poverty schools and it has worsened during the pandemic. Some schools have closed when too many teaching positions could not be filled, while others have grappled with higher than normal teacher vacancies, leaving remaining teachers overworked. | A shortage of teachers in the US was already a growing problem before the pandemic, particularly in high-poverty schools and it has worsened during the pandemic. Some schools have closed when too many teaching positions could not be filled, while others have grappled with higher than normal teacher vacancies, leaving remaining teachers overworked. |
| Read the full report here: | Read the full report here: |
| Venezuelans are increasingly relying on friends and strangers to help pay for Covid treatment, as hyperinflation and soaring health care fees make social media pleas and crowdfunding campaigns the only way to cover costs while infection rates rise, Reuters reports. | Venezuelans are increasingly relying on friends and strangers to help pay for Covid treatment, as hyperinflation and soaring health care fees make social media pleas and crowdfunding campaigns the only way to cover costs while infection rates rise, Reuters reports. |
| Although Venezuelans have used such platforms for years to cover the cost of medical treatment and operations in the country, now in its seventh year of economic crisis, the onset of the Covid pandemic has dramatically increased the practice. | Although Venezuelans have used such platforms for years to cover the cost of medical treatment and operations in the country, now in its seventh year of economic crisis, the onset of the Covid pandemic has dramatically increased the practice. |
| The state of Venezuela’s already overloaded and crumbling public health system, in which hospitals often lack access even to water, has pushed many to use costly private centres. Meanwhile, vaccination campaigns have been slow while drug prices increase as the country consolidates an informal dollarisation. | The state of Venezuela’s already overloaded and crumbling public health system, in which hospitals often lack access even to water, has pushed many to use costly private centres. Meanwhile, vaccination campaigns have been slow while drug prices increase as the country consolidates an informal dollarisation. |
| As a result of voracious inflation, most Venezuelans have no savings. Now some families and friends of patients with Covid post weekly appeals for funds on Twitter and Facebook, often using an account loaned to them from someone abroad if asking in dollars. | As a result of voracious inflation, most Venezuelans have no savings. Now some families and friends of patients with Covid post weekly appeals for funds on Twitter and Facebook, often using an account loaned to them from someone abroad if asking in dollars. |
| In July, Miguelangel Borsegui, a 20-year-old engineering student, posted to Twitter in search of help towards getting medicine and oxygen for his 62-year-old mother, who had Covid and was receiving treatment at home. | In July, Miguelangel Borsegui, a 20-year-old engineering student, posted to Twitter in search of help towards getting medicine and oxygen for his 62-year-old mother, who had Covid and was receiving treatment at home. |
| Two weeks before his mother got sick, he lost his job, and by the time he posted on Twitter, he had contracted the virus himself. Meanwhile the bills had racked up to more than $700 (£515) and continued to rise. | Two weeks before his mother got sick, he lost his job, and by the time he posted on Twitter, he had contracted the virus himself. Meanwhile the bills had racked up to more than $700 (£515) and continued to rise. |
| “It was the hardest thing I’ve had to live through. But the crowdfunding had more reach than expected,” he said. | “It was the hardest thing I’ve had to live through. But the crowdfunding had more reach than expected,” he said. |
| Nearly 20% of Venezuelan households that have suffered from a health condition have not purchased medicines, largely for economic reasons, Caracas-based firm Anova Policy calculated in an April report. | Nearly 20% of Venezuelan households that have suffered from a health condition have not purchased medicines, largely for economic reasons, Caracas-based firm Anova Policy calculated in an April report. |
| In Venezuela, the average monthly salary of a worker in the private sector reaches just over $50 and in the public sector $4.70, according to an estimate from the Venezuelan Observatory of Finance. Antiviral medicines often cost $80 an injection, while an oxygen machine, without canisters, can cost $1,000. | In Venezuela, the average monthly salary of a worker in the private sector reaches just over $50 and in the public sector $4.70, according to an estimate from the Venezuelan Observatory of Finance. Antiviral medicines often cost $80 an injection, while an oxygen machine, without canisters, can cost $1,000. |
| Milfri Perez, a self-employed journalist whose 86-year-old father died of Covid at home in August, posted on social media as costs reached over $10,000 between medicines, tests, nurses’ fees and oxygen. The nearest private clinic cost a prohibitive $3,000 a day. | Milfri Perez, a self-employed journalist whose 86-year-old father died of Covid at home in August, posted on social media as costs reached over $10,000 between medicines, tests, nurses’ fees and oxygen. The nearest private clinic cost a prohibitive $3,000 a day. |
| Despite all eight siblings contributing, the cost was still well above what they could afford. About 40% was paid for with the help of friends and acquaintances. | Despite all eight siblings contributing, the cost was still well above what they could afford. About 40% was paid for with the help of friends and acquaintances. |
| In Venezuela, 95.2% of households do not have access to an effective health insurance system, estimates Anova. In March the government established a tab for local insurance for Covid care to cover a maximum of 14 days of intensive care and pay up to $23,600 per patient with coronavirus; after that, families scramble to pay, even after death. | In Venezuela, 95.2% of households do not have access to an effective health insurance system, estimates Anova. In March the government established a tab for local insurance for Covid care to cover a maximum of 14 days of intensive care and pay up to $23,600 per patient with coronavirus; after that, families scramble to pay, even after death. |
| Many of the social media crowdfunding efforts are to pay off debts of the deceased. | Many of the social media crowdfunding efforts are to pay off debts of the deceased. |
| German Cortez, president of Venezuela’s medical clinic association, said sometimes they just tell families what medicines to buy more cheaply elsewhere. | German Cortez, president of Venezuela’s medical clinic association, said sometimes they just tell families what medicines to buy more cheaply elsewhere. |
| Those with friends and family in public hospitals have to bring supplies because of the lack of medicines and equipment. | Those with friends and family in public hospitals have to bring supplies because of the lack of medicines and equipment. |
| Carlos Roque, a pharmacist, turned to social media to cobble together funds to hire an external service to provide his mother, who later died, with dialysis because the hospital’s machine was not working. Each dialysis cost $725. Part of the expense was covered from his posts on social media, but not all of it. | Carlos Roque, a pharmacist, turned to social media to cobble together funds to hire an external service to provide his mother, who later died, with dialysis because the hospital’s machine was not working. Each dialysis cost $725. Part of the expense was covered from his posts on social media, but not all of it. |
| Venezuela’s official Covid case count exceeds 372,000, while its death toll is more than 4,500, although doctors and medical academies say that the figures are higher. | Venezuela’s official Covid case count exceeds 372,000, while its death toll is more than 4,500, although doctors and medical academies say that the figures are higher. |
| The Kremlin on Monday implored people to get vaccinated against Covid, calling it the only way to stop the spread of the virus, as Russian authorities mulled reintroducing health restrictions to cope with daily cases rising to their highest levels since January (see 14.58). | The Kremlin on Monday implored people to get vaccinated against Covid, calling it the only way to stop the spread of the virus, as Russian authorities mulled reintroducing health restrictions to cope with daily cases rising to their highest levels since January (see 14.58). |
| Moscow may soon bring back incentives, such as prize draws, for people to get vaccinated, said the city’s mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, as authorities struggle to contain a wave of cases and deaths. The 25,781 new infections reported nationwide on Monday was the most since 2 January. | Moscow may soon bring back incentives, such as prize draws, for people to get vaccinated, said the city’s mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, as authorities struggle to contain a wave of cases and deaths. The 25,781 new infections reported nationwide on Monday was the most since 2 January. |
| “The vaccination rate, despite the complete preparedness of all infrastructure, leaves much to be desired,” the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Monday. | “The vaccination rate, despite the complete preparedness of all infrastructure, leaves much to be desired,” the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Monday. |
| Vaccine hesitancy has hampered Russia’s inoculation drive. Russians who have refused the vaccination have frequently cited a general fear of new medical products and distrust of the authorities as their reasons. | Vaccine hesitancy has hampered Russia’s inoculation drive. Russians who have refused the vaccination have frequently cited a general fear of new medical products and distrust of the authorities as their reasons. |
| Authorities relaxed many restrictions after Russia overcame the worst of a third wave of the virus in the summer, but the daily number of coronavirus-related deaths, which stood at 883 on Monday, has remained high and regularly reaches a record single-day rise. | Authorities relaxed many restrictions after Russia overcame the worst of a third wave of the virus in the summer, but the daily number of coronavirus-related deaths, which stood at 883 on Monday, has remained high and regularly reaches a record single-day rise. |
| Now, with cases also rising sharply, which Sobyanin said was a cause for concern, restrictions look set to return, although officials have said that lockdowns are not being considered. | Now, with cases also rising sharply, which Sobyanin said was a cause for concern, restrictions look set to return, although officials have said that lockdowns are not being considered. |
| Some regions are planning to force people to show proof of vaccination, a recent negative test, or evidence of immunity, before visiting venues like cinemas and gyms. | Some regions are planning to force people to show proof of vaccination, a recent negative test, or evidence of immunity, before visiting venues like cinemas and gyms. |
| The regional government in Kaliningrad said on Monday that measure would extend to restaurants and cafes from 8 October. | The regional government in Kaliningrad said on Monday that measure would extend to restaurants and cafes from 8 October. |
| Mass events of more than 3,000 people are banned across the country, said Anna Popova, head of consumer health regulator Rospotrebnadzor. Events of more than 1,000 people are permitted in just two of Russia’s more than 80 regions, she said. | Mass events of more than 3,000 people are banned across the country, said Anna Popova, head of consumer health regulator Rospotrebnadzor. Events of more than 1,000 people are permitted in just two of Russia’s more than 80 regions, she said. |
| Resident doctors in Nigerian public hospitals called off a nine-week strike on Monday, saying some of their grievances had been addressed but that others, including salary arrears, remained outstanding, Reuters reports. | Resident doctors in Nigerian public hospitals called off a nine-week strike on Monday, saying some of their grievances had been addressed but that others, including salary arrears, remained outstanding, Reuters reports. |
| The strike, which began on 2 August, was organised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to protest against the delayed payment of salaries and allowances – a recurrent problem in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. | The strike, which began on 2 August, was organised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to protest against the delayed payment of salaries and allowances – a recurrent problem in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. |
| The NARD said resident doctors – medical school graduates training as specialists who play a major role on emergency wards – would return to work on Wednesday after some of the payments had been made. | The NARD said resident doctors – medical school graduates training as specialists who play a major role on emergency wards – would return to work on Wednesday after some of the payments had been made. |
| However, it called on the federal and state governments to urgently address outstanding issues such as what it said was a failure to pay benefits to the relatives of doctors who had died of Covid-19 after caring for patients affected by the virus. | However, it called on the federal and state governments to urgently address outstanding issues such as what it said was a failure to pay benefits to the relatives of doctors who had died of Covid-19 after caring for patients affected by the virus. |
| The NARD said its executive committee would reconvene in six weeks to assess the progress made. | The NARD said its executive committee would reconvene in six weeks to assess the progress made. |
| The European Union’s drugs regulator said on Monday that people with weakened immune systems should get a third dose of a Covid vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, but left it to member states to decide if the wider population should get a booster. | The European Union’s drugs regulator said on Monday that people with weakened immune systems should get a third dose of a Covid vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, but left it to member states to decide if the wider population should get a booster. |
| The long-awaited guidance comes after several EU member states pre-empted the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) opinion and launched their own booster campaigns, although they vary widely over who is eligible. | The long-awaited guidance comes after several EU member states pre-empted the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) opinion and launched their own booster campaigns, although they vary widely over who is eligible. |
| The EU joins the US, UK and Israel, where regulators have approved the use of Pfizer boosters, although there is no consensus among scientists about how broadly they should be deployed. Israel is the outlier, using them across the whole population. | The EU joins the US, UK and Israel, where regulators have approved the use of Pfizer boosters, although there is no consensus among scientists about how broadly they should be deployed. Israel is the outlier, using them across the whole population. |
| Governments are under pressure to revive their ailing economies, fight the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant, and avoid further lockdowns in the winter. | Governments are under pressure to revive their ailing economies, fight the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant, and avoid further lockdowns in the winter. |
| The EMA’s ruling comes after the EU’s infectious diseases centre warned last week that the region’s coverage of vaccines was still too low and there was a risk of a significant surge in cases, hospitalisations and deaths over the next six weeks. | The EMA’s ruling comes after the EU’s infectious diseases centre warned last week that the region’s coverage of vaccines was still too low and there was a risk of a significant surge in cases, hospitalisations and deaths over the next six weeks. |
| The EMA said people with a severely weakened immune system should be given a third dose of the vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna – both based on mRNA technology – at least 28 days after their second one. | The EMA said people with a severely weakened immune system should be given a third dose of the vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna – both based on mRNA technology – at least 28 days after their second one. |
| It also said a booster shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine could be considered for adults with normal immune systems about six months after the second dose, but added that that was up to individual countries. | It also said a booster shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine could be considered for adults with normal immune systems about six months after the second dose, but added that that was up to individual countries. |
| “At national level, public health bodies may issue official recommendations on the use of booster doses, taking into account emerging effectiveness data and the limited safety data,” it said. | “At national level, public health bodies may issue official recommendations on the use of booster doses, taking into account emerging effectiveness data and the limited safety data,” it said. |
| The World Health Organization has criticised rich nations for hoarding Covid-19 vaccines for booster campaigns for larger population groups, while poorer countries are struggling even to roll out first doses. | The World Health Organization has criticised rich nations for hoarding Covid-19 vaccines for booster campaigns for larger population groups, while poorer countries are struggling even to roll out first doses. |
| Allowing EU countries to decide broader use of a booster is consistent with the EMA’s earlier decisions in the pandemic. For instance, it largely left it up to member states to decide whether to restrict vaccines in the face of potential side effects. | Allowing EU countries to decide broader use of a booster is consistent with the EMA’s earlier decisions in the pandemic. For instance, it largely left it up to member states to decide whether to restrict vaccines in the face of potential side effects. |