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Coronavirus live: UK expert fears lockdown Christmas; vaccines alone not enough to curb variants – WHO Coronavirus live: UK records a further 44,985 Covid cases; vaccines alone not enough to curb variants – WHO
(32 minutes later)
News comes after Pfizer said jab showed 90.7% efficacy against virus in trial of five- to 11-year-olds; UK chancellor says hospitality must not shut againNews comes after Pfizer said jab showed 90.7% efficacy against virus in trial of five- to 11-year-olds; UK chancellor says hospitality must not shut again
The UK has recorded 44,985 new coronavirus cases and a further 135 deaths in the last 24-hour period, government figures show.
It brings the total number of cases to 8,734,934 and the death toll to 139,461.
Here is a round-up of the day’s top Covid stories so far:Here is a round-up of the day’s top Covid stories so far:
A prominent Covid adviser to the UK government has said he is “very fearful” there will be another Christmas lockdown as he urged the public to do everything possible to reduce transmission of the virus.A prominent Covid adviser to the UK government has said he is “very fearful” there will be another Christmas lockdown as he urged the public to do everything possible to reduce transmission of the virus.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Times newspaper, the UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has said shops, pubs and restaurants must not shut again as the vaccine rollout meant there could be “no more lockdowns”.In a wide-ranging interview with The Times newspaper, the UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has said shops, pubs and restaurants must not shut again as the vaccine rollout meant there could be “no more lockdowns”.
Russia reported a further 1,075 Covid deaths on Saturday, its fifth straight daily record, as authorities prepare to shut workplaces across the country and lock down Moscow.Russia reported a further 1,075 Covid deaths on Saturday, its fifth straight daily record, as authorities prepare to shut workplaces across the country and lock down Moscow.
The whole world must be vaccinated to stop new Covid variants from developing, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.The whole world must be vaccinated to stop new Covid variants from developing, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
Local public health chiefs in England have broken from the government’s official guidance to recommend plan B measures to combat a surge in coronavirus cases.Local public health chiefs in England have broken from the government’s official guidance to recommend plan B measures to combat a surge in coronavirus cases.
Unvaccinated people in Austria could face new lockdown restrictions if coronavirus case numbers continue to rise, the country’s chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg, has said.Unvaccinated people in Austria could face new lockdown restrictions if coronavirus case numbers continue to rise, the country’s chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg, has said.
Health officials should have known about major failings at a private UK Covid testing lab within days of the problem arising, rather than taking weeks to shut down operations at the site, senior scientists say.Health officials should have known about major failings at a private UK Covid testing lab within days of the problem arising, rather than taking weeks to shut down operations at the site, senior scientists say.
The Romanian government is to re-introduce a night curfew and make health passes mandatory for entry to most public venues from Monday.The Romanian government is to re-introduce a night curfew and make health passes mandatory for entry to most public venues from Monday.
The senior official credited with the early success of the Covid vaccine rollout in England is returning to the NHS to resume her role overseeing the programme, months after leaving to become the head of Boris Johnson’s Downing Street delivery unit.The senior official credited with the early success of the Covid vaccine rollout in England is returning to the NHS to resume her role overseeing the programme, months after leaving to become the head of Boris Johnson’s Downing Street delivery unit.
New Zealand reported 104 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, including the first community case of the virus in the country’s South Island in nearly a year, health officials said.New Zealand reported 104 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, including the first community case of the virus in the country’s South Island in nearly a year, health officials said.
Namibia will suspend the use of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid vaccine, its health ministry said on Saturday. The decision comes days after the drugs regulator in neighbouring South Africa raised concerns about its safety for people at risk of HIV.Namibia will suspend the use of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid vaccine, its health ministry said on Saturday. The decision comes days after the drugs regulator in neighbouring South Africa raised concerns about its safety for people at risk of HIV.
Sri Lanka has announced plans to offer booster shots to frontline workers followed by the elderly as it prepares to further ease Covid restrictions.Sri Lanka has announced plans to offer booster shots to frontline workers followed by the elderly as it prepares to further ease Covid restrictions.
Melbourne, Australia’s second-biggest city, began its first weekend out of the world’s longest string of Covid lockdowns with spontaneous street parties, live music and packed pubs, bars and restaurants.Melbourne, Australia’s second-biggest city, began its first weekend out of the world’s longest string of Covid lockdowns with spontaneous street parties, live music and packed pubs, bars and restaurants.
China reported 50 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday compared with 43 on Friday, according to the country’s health authority.China reported 50 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday compared with 43 on Friday, according to the country’s health authority.
That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose. I’ll be back next week. but for now my colleague Nadeem Badshah will continue to bring you all the latest Covid news from the UK and around the world as it happens. Goodbye.That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose. I’ll be back next week. but for now my colleague Nadeem Badshah will continue to bring you all the latest Covid news from the UK and around the world as it happens. Goodbye.
People in public-facing jobs have experienced rising hostility and verbal abuse since the end of the Covid lockdowns, according to organisations that represent them.People in public-facing jobs have experienced rising hostility and verbal abuse since the end of the Covid lockdowns, according to organisations that represent them.
Half of all shop, transport, restaurant and hotel workers and others dealing regularly with the public have experienced abuse in the past six months, figures from the Institute for Customer Service (ICS) show. This is a 6% rise over May’s 44%. Of those who had been abused, 27% had been physically attacked, it found.Half of all shop, transport, restaurant and hotel workers and others dealing regularly with the public have experienced abuse in the past six months, figures from the Institute for Customer Service (ICS) show. This is a 6% rise over May’s 44%. Of those who had been abused, 27% had been physically attacked, it found.
The research comes as trade unions and industry bodies warned of growing public hostility towards workers since the second Covid wave.The research comes as trade unions and industry bodies warned of growing public hostility towards workers since the second Covid wave.
Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, said 88% of its members had been verbally abused in the past year, up from 68% in 2019, and that 9% had been physically assaulted. RMT said 58% of workers on trains, buses and ferries had been threatened, assaulted or spat at since the pandemic began, and 88% had been verbally abused.Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, said 88% of its members had been verbally abused in the past year, up from 68% in 2019, and that 9% had been physically assaulted. RMT said 58% of workers on trains, buses and ferries had been threatened, assaulted or spat at since the pandemic began, and 88% had been verbally abused.
The British Retail Consortium said incidents of violence and abuse had risen to 455 a day in 2020-21 compared with 350 a day in 2017-18.The British Retail Consortium said incidents of violence and abuse had risen to 455 a day in 2020-21 compared with 350 a day in 2017-18.
“Hostility towards customer-facing staff has continued even though we’re out of lockdown,” said ICS’s chief executive Jo Causon. “Around half of employees don’t report hostility because they don’t think it will make any difference. They don’t think the police will act, and they feel it is part of their job to receive abuse.”“Hostility towards customer-facing staff has continued even though we’re out of lockdown,” said ICS’s chief executive Jo Causon. “Around half of employees don’t report hostility because they don’t think it will make any difference. They don’t think the police will act, and they feel it is part of their job to receive abuse.”
The impact on their mental health and wellbeing was severe and many had left their jobs as a result, Causon said, with many leaving their jobs as a result. With 61% of the workforce in public-facing roles, there is also an economic cost in staff turnover and sick days, which the ICS puts at £33bn a year.The impact on their mental health and wellbeing was severe and many had left their jobs as a result, Causon said, with many leaving their jobs as a result. With 61% of the workforce in public-facing roles, there is also an economic cost in staff turnover and sick days, which the ICS puts at £33bn a year.
Namibia will suspend the use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, its health ministry said on Saturday.Namibia will suspend the use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, its health ministry said on Saturday.
It comes days after the drugs regulator in neighbouring South Africa raised concerns about its safety for people at risk of HIV.It comes days after the drugs regulator in neighbouring South Africa raised concerns about its safety for people at risk of HIV.
Namibia’s regulator, SAHPRA, decided not to approve an emergency use application for Sputnik V because some studies suggested vaccines using the Adenovirus Type 5 vector, as Sputnik V does, can lead to higher likelihood to HIV in men.Namibia’s regulator, SAHPRA, decided not to approve an emergency use application for Sputnik V because some studies suggested vaccines using the Adenovirus Type 5 vector, as Sputnik V does, can lead to higher likelihood to HIV in men.
South Africa and Namibia have high HIV prevalence rates, Reuters reported.South Africa and Namibia have high HIV prevalence rates, Reuters reported.
Namibia’s health ministry said in a statement that the decision to discontinue use of the Russian vaccine was out of an “abundance of caution that men who received Sputnik V may be at higher risk of contracting HIV,” adding that it had taken SAHPRA’s decision into account.Namibia’s health ministry said in a statement that the decision to discontinue use of the Russian vaccine was out of an “abundance of caution that men who received Sputnik V may be at higher risk of contracting HIV,” adding that it had taken SAHPRA’s decision into account.
The Gamaleya Research Institute, which developed Sputnik V, said Namibia’s decision was not based on scientific evidence or research.The Gamaleya Research Institute, which developed Sputnik V, said Namibia’s decision was not based on scientific evidence or research.
“Sputnik V remains one of the safest and most efficient vaccines against Covid-19 in use globally,” the institute told Reuters. More than 250 clinical trials and 75 international publications confirmed the safety of vaccines and medicines based on human adenovirus vectors, it said.“Sputnik V remains one of the safest and most efficient vaccines against Covid-19 in use globally,” the institute told Reuters. More than 250 clinical trials and 75 international publications confirmed the safety of vaccines and medicines based on human adenovirus vectors, it said.
Namibia said the suspension would take effect immediately and last until Sputnik V receives a World Health Organization emergency use listing. It received 30,000 doses of Sputnik V as a donation from the Serbian government, but only 115 had been administered as of 20 October.Namibia said the suspension would take effect immediately and last until Sputnik V receives a World Health Organization emergency use listing. It received 30,000 doses of Sputnik V as a donation from the Serbian government, but only 115 had been administered as of 20 October.
Hello, Tom Ambrose back here to bring you the latest Covid news from the UK and abroad for the next couple of hours.Hello, Tom Ambrose back here to bring you the latest Covid news from the UK and abroad for the next couple of hours.
A bit of breaking news for you from the past couple of minutes. Scotland has recorded 2,403 cases in the past 24 hours, latest Scottish government figures show.A bit of breaking news for you from the past couple of minutes. Scotland has recorded 2,403 cases in the past 24 hours, latest Scottish government figures show.
A “data issue” means the it is unable to report the number of deaths on Friday. The daily test positivity rate was 8.7%, down from 8.8% on Thursday, according to PA Media.A “data issue” means the it is unable to report the number of deaths on Friday. The daily test positivity rate was 8.7%, down from 8.8% on Thursday, according to PA Media.
There were 896 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid, up two on the previous day, and 61 in intensive care, up one.There were 896 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid, up two on the previous day, and 61 in intensive care, up one.
So far, 4,302,382 people have received their first dose of a Covid vaccination and 3,890,477 have received a second dose.So far, 4,302,382 people have received their first dose of a Covid vaccination and 3,890,477 have received a second dose.
As Covid cases in Russia continue to soar, today hitting a fifth consecutive daily record (see also 09:45), a hospital in Siberia is seeing an unprecedented surge in patients – many of whom are unvaccinated.As Covid cases in Russia continue to soar, today hitting a fifth consecutive daily record (see also 09:45), a hospital in Siberia is seeing an unprecedented surge in patients – many of whom are unvaccinated.
Doctors at Hospital No 2, in Biysk, work up to three 24-hour shifts in a row, reports Reuters.Doctors at Hospital No 2, in Biysk, work up to three 24-hour shifts in a row, reports Reuters.
“Last year we kept the numbers at 23-24 people. Today we have 65 people in intensive care,” deputy chief doctor Olga Kaurova told Tolk Channel. “Most of our patients in the ICU are not vaccinated.”“Last year we kept the numbers at 23-24 people. Today we have 65 people in intensive care,” deputy chief doctor Olga Kaurova told Tolk Channel. “Most of our patients in the ICU are not vaccinated.”
She said they are also seeing more younger patients.She said they are also seeing more younger patients.
Biysk, which has a population of around 200,000, has become a coronavirus hotspot in the Altai Krai region.Biysk, which has a population of around 200,000, has become a coronavirus hotspot in the Altai Krai region.
The impact of the pandemic on schoolchildren in the US is falling hardest on the poorest and those least equipped to handle it.The impact of the pandemic on schoolchildren in the US is falling hardest on the poorest and those least equipped to handle it.
When Covid breaks out in schools, for many families it is “gamble” as to whether they will be able to attend and many families do not know where to go for information, reports the Associated Press.When Covid breaks out in schools, for many families it is “gamble” as to whether they will be able to attend and many families do not know where to go for information, reports the Associated Press.
Driver shortages have also led to school buses not turning up when they’re supposed to.Driver shortages have also led to school buses not turning up when they’re supposed to.
AP reports:AP reports:
The leader of the World Health Organization has urged G20 countries to follow the lead of the US by sharing vaccine doses.The leader of the World Health Organization has urged G20 countries to follow the lead of the US by sharing vaccine doses.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he had met with ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles, a US department of state official, and thanked America for its “leadership in sharing vaccine doses”.Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he had met with ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles, a US department of state official, and thanked America for its “leadership in sharing vaccine doses”.
He tweeted: “We hope other G20 leaders will build on this and ensure all countries have enough supply to reach 40% coverage by the end of 2021.”He tweeted: “We hope other G20 leaders will build on this and ensure all countries have enough supply to reach 40% coverage by the end of 2021.”
Hi, I’m covering for Tom on the global Covid blog for a while. Please get in touch with any tips or suggestions: miranda.bryant@guardian.co.ukHi, I’m covering for Tom on the global Covid blog for a while. Please get in touch with any tips or suggestions: miranda.bryant@guardian.co.uk
In case you missed it earlier on, a prominent adviser to the UK government on Covid-19 has said he is very fearful of another “Christmas lockdown”, as he urged the public to do everything possible to reduce the spread of the virus.
Prof Peter Openshaw, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said current case numbers and death rates were unacceptable, and re-emphasised the importance of measures such as working from home and mask wearing as part of efforts to control the spread of Covid.
His intervention comes after the prime minister resisted calls from health leaders, including the head of the NHS Confederation and the council chair of the British Medical Association, who urged “categorically” that the “time is now” for tighter restrictions.
Asked on Friday about the possibility of a winter lockdown, Boris Johnson claimed there was “absolutely nothing to indicate that that is on the cards at all”. The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, also said the vaccine rollout and booster jabs made a lockdown or “very significant economic restrictions” unlikely.
My colleague Lucy Campbell has rounded up all the main points from this morning, so please click the full article below.
People in Beijing queued to get Covid vaccine booster shots on Saturday.
Some local governments have begun offering the jabs to people aged 18 and over who have already been vaccinated.
It comes as more than 2.2bn doses of Covid vaccine had reportedly been administered on the Chinese mainland as of 17 October.
South Korea has announced that it has achieved its goal of vaccinating 70% of its population of 52 million.
The country set the target when it began its inoculation campaign in late February, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said it was reached by 2pm (5am GMT) on Saturday. The health minister, Kwon Deok-cheol, said last week that the government would begin a phased return to “normal activities” from 1 November. The KDCA said in a statement:
South Korea has been largely successful in coping with the pandemic without imposing lockdowns thanks to intensive testing and tracing.
Unvaccinated people in Austria could face new lockdown restrictions if coronavirus case numbers continue to rise, the country’s chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg, said on Friday night.
The news came after a meeting between Schallenberg and state leaders to discuss their response to rapidly increasing case numbers, according to the Associated Press.
“The pandemic is not yet in the rearview mirror,” Schallenberg said. “We are about to stumble into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”
He said that if the number of Covid patients in intensive-care units were to reach 500, or 25% of the country’s capacity, entrance into businesses such as restaurants and hotels would be limited to those who were vaccinated or had recovered from the virus.
If the number were to reach 600, the government would impose restrictions on unvaccinated people, only allowing them to leave home for specific reasons.
The number of Covid patients in ICUs currently stands at 220.
A prominent Covid adviser to the UK government has said he is “very fearful” there will be another Christmas lockdown as he urged the public to do everything possible to reduce transmission of the virus.
Prof Peter Openshaw, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said the current number of cases and deathwas unacceptable.
He said measures such as working from home and mask wearing were “so important” as part of efforts to control the spread of Covid, PA Media reports.
His warning comes after Boris Johnson resisted health leaders’ calls for tighter restrictions.
Speaking in a personal capacity, Openshaw, of Imperial College London, told BBC Breakfast:
He said it is “unacceptable to be letting this run at the moment”:
Here is an image of a major Covid vaccination drive underway in Chennai, India.
China reported 50 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday compared with 43 on Friday, according to the country’s health authority.
Thirty-eight were locally transmitted cases, compared with 28 on Friday, the National Health Commission said in a statement.
The new local cases were reported in Beijing, the provinces of Gansu and Yunnan and the autonomous regions of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia.
China also reported 17 new asymptomatic patients, which it classifies separately from confirmed cases, compared with 26 on Friday.
There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll unchanged at 4,636.
Sri Lanka has announced plans to offer booster shots to frontline workers followed by the elderly as it prepares to further ease Covid restrictions.
Workers in the health, security, airport and tourism sectors will start receiving a third dose of vaccine from 1 November, said Channa Jayasumana, the state minister of pharmaceutical production, supply and regulation.
The Pfizer booster shots will then be rolled out to the over-60s, he said.
So far, 59% of the population of 22 million have been vaccinated, and the health ministry expects the rate to rise to 70% within three weeks, Reuters reported.
The booster rollout comes before government’s plans to lift travel restrictions between provinces in November. The government has also announced that train services, which have been suspended for nearly two months, would restart next week.
Sri Lanka lifted a six-week lockdown on 1 October. Life has since begun returning to normal with the reopening of cinemas, restaurants and wedding parties as Covid daily cases fell to below 1,000 with less than 50 deaths.
A ban on public gatherings continues, however, along with some restrictions on public transport.
The Romanian government is to re-introduce a night curfew and make health passes mandatory for entry to most public venues from Monday.
Other measures include sending schoolchildren on holiday for two weeks, as the country seeks to stem a surge in Covid cases and deaths.
The country’s interim government approved the measures late on Friday.
Romania has reported record numbers of daily coronavirus infections and deaths this month and the hospital system is stretched to breaking point.
The country has the second-lowest coronavirus vaccination rate in the EU.
Russia reported a further 1,075 Covid deaths on Saturday, its fifth straight daily record, as authorities prepare to shut workplaces across the country and lock down Moscow.
A record 37,678 new cases were also reported, according to Reuters.
Despite developing one of the world’s first vaccines against Covid, Russia has immunised only about a third of its population, one of the lowest rates in Europe.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, this week approved a nationwide workplace shutdown in the first week of November, and Moscow will reimpose a partial lockdown from 28 October under which only essential shops such as pharmacies and supermarkets will be allowed to open.