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| Coronavirus live: UK expert fears lockdown Christmas; vaccines alone not enough to curb variants – WHO | Coronavirus live: UK expert fears lockdown Christmas; 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 again | 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 again |
| 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Here is a good picture to start your weekend with as a zoo in Jakarta, Indonesia, reopens following a dramatic fall in Covid cases in the country. | Here is a good picture to start your weekend with as a zoo in Jakarta, Indonesia, reopens following a dramatic fall in Covid cases in the country. |
| In case you missed it last night, 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. | In case you missed it last night, 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. |
| Emily Lawson is ending her secondment at No 10 to return to NHS England amid concern that the rollout of booster jabs in England is flagging. | Emily Lawson is ending her secondment at No 10 to return to NHS England amid concern that the rollout of booster jabs in England is flagging. |
| Lawson had joined No 10 to head up the delivery unit the prime minister set up to try to ensure that government policy commitments in key areas were being turned into action. She said: | Lawson had joined No 10 to head up the delivery unit the prime minister set up to try to ensure that government policy commitments in key areas were being turned into action. She said: |
| The whole world must be vaccinated to stop new Covid variants from developing, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday. | The whole world must be vaccinated to stop new Covid variants from developing, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday. |
| In an interview with Times Radio, the WHO’s spokesperson Margaret Harris said: | In an interview with Times Radio, the WHO’s spokesperson Margaret Harris said: |
| She also said, however, that vaccines alone would not be able to lift the world out of the pandemic: | She also said, however, that vaccines alone would not be able to lift the world out of the pandemic: |
| As Melbourne continues to celebrate opening up, health officials in Australia have expressed concern about a growing proportion of Covid cases in young people, particularly in regional Victoria. | As Melbourne continues to celebrate opening up, health officials in Australia have expressed concern about a growing proportion of Covid cases in young people, particularly in regional Victoria. |
| Victoria recorded 1,750 new Covid cases and nine deaths in the 24 hours since Melbourne emerged from its sixth lockdown. The new infections were found from 72,858 test results processed on Friday. | Victoria recorded 1,750 new Covid cases and nine deaths in the 24 hours since Melbourne emerged from its sixth lockdown. The new infections were found from 72,858 test results processed on Friday. |
| But as the state entered its second day of newly relaxed freedoms, the Covid commander, Jeroen Weimar, said Victoria was “not out of the woods yet”. | But as the state entered its second day of newly relaxed freedoms, the Covid commander, Jeroen Weimar, said Victoria was “not out of the woods yet”. |
| He pointed to an increase in young people catching the virus in recent days, while about 14% of the cases recorded on Saturday were from regional Victoria. In metropolitan Melbourne 29% of all cases recorded were under the age of 19 and in regional Victoria the figure was 38%. | He pointed to an increase in young people catching the virus in recent days, while about 14% of the cases recorded on Saturday were from regional Victoria. In metropolitan Melbourne 29% of all cases recorded were under the age of 19 and in regional Victoria the figure was 38%. |
| “To all the young Victorians amongst us, you are particularly vulnerable at this time to running into friends and associates who are Covid-positive,” Weimar said. “These are our children and students who are clearly very active in the community.” | “To all the young Victorians amongst us, you are particularly vulnerable at this time to running into friends and associates who are Covid-positive,” Weimar said. “These are our children and students who are clearly very active in the community.” |
| It came as the 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. | It came as the 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. |
| Despite rain on Saturday morning, people queued for barbers and breakfast restaurants, all of which are open only to the fully vaccinated. | Despite rain on Saturday morning, people queued for barbers and breakfast restaurants, all of which are open only to the fully vaccinated. |
| Late on Friday, people broke into a spontaneous street party in Melbourne’s south-east and many rejoiced with their first drink in months in a pub with friends, social media footage showed. | Late on Friday, people broke into a spontaneous street party in Melbourne’s south-east and many rejoiced with their first drink in months in a pub with friends, social media footage showed. |
| New Zealand has reported 104 new coronavirus infections, including the first community case in the country’s South Island in nearly a year, health officials said. | New Zealand has reported 104 new coronavirus infections, including the first community case in the country’s South Island in nearly a year, health officials said. |
| Most of the new infections reported on Saturday were in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, which has been under a strict lockdown for more than two months. Looser restrictions are in place in most of the rest of the country of 5 million. | Most of the new infections reported on Saturday were in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, which has been under a strict lockdown for more than two months. Looser restrictions are in place in most of the rest of the country of 5 million. |
| The risks of a further spread from the case reported in Blenheim, in the north-east of South Island, was low, health officials said, because the person was likely to have been in the late stage of infection. | The risks of a further spread from the case reported in Blenheim, in the north-east of South Island, was low, health officials said, because the person was likely to have been in the late stage of infection. |
| “So far, initial case interviews have identified a small number of close contacts, who have been contacted and are currently isolating with tests arranged,” the health ministry said in a statement. | “So far, initial case interviews have identified a small number of close contacts, who have been contacted and are currently isolating with tests arranged,” the health ministry said in a statement. |
| The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said on Friday that the country would end its strict lockdown measures and restore more freedoms only when 90% of its eligible population was fully vaccinated. As of Saturday, the figure stood at 70%. | The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said on Friday that the country would end its strict lockdown measures and restore more freedoms only when 90% of its eligible population was fully vaccinated. As of Saturday, the figure stood at 70%. |
| Health officials should have known about major failings at a private 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 Covid testing lab within days of the problem arising, rather than taking weeks to shut down operations at the site, senior scientists say. |
| Immensa Health Clinic’s laboratory in Wolverhampton is believed to have wrongly told about 43,000 people, most of them in south-west England, that they did not have the virus in a debacle described as one of the worst scandals in the UK’s Covid crisis. | Immensa Health Clinic’s laboratory in Wolverhampton is believed to have wrongly told about 43,000 people, most of them in south-west England, that they did not have the virus in a debacle described as one of the worst scandals in the UK’s Covid crisis. |
| The affected swabs were processed from 2 September, but neither Immensa’s own quality control processes nor oversight from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) raised the alarm before concerned members of the public complained, triggering a formal investigation. | The affected swabs were processed from 2 September, but neither Immensa’s own quality control processes nor oversight from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) raised the alarm before concerned members of the public complained, triggering a formal investigation. |
| “In the long list of Covid disasters and scandals, this is pretty near the top,” said Alan McNally, a professor in microbial evolutionary genomics at the University of Birmingham, who helped set up the Lighthouse Covid testing lab at Milton Keynes. He said: | “In the long list of Covid disasters and scandals, this is pretty near the top,” said Alan McNally, a professor in microbial evolutionary genomics at the University of Birmingham, who helped set up the Lighthouse Covid testing lab at Milton Keynes. He said: |
| The UKHSA suspended work at the Immensa lab on 12 October, at least three weeks after academics and others raised concerns about discrepancies in regional Covid test data. | The UKHSA suspended work at the Immensa lab on 12 October, at least three weeks after academics and others raised concerns about discrepancies in regional Covid test data. |
| The failure has prompted calls for the government to publish its contract with Immensa, transfer as much testing as possible to NHS and university labs, and establish more stringent oversight of the hundreds of private companies that have rushed into the Covid testing business, often without any track record of delivering critical clinical tests. | The failure has prompted calls for the government to publish its contract with Immensa, transfer as much testing as possible to NHS and university labs, and establish more stringent oversight of the hundreds of private companies that have rushed into the Covid testing business, often without any track record of delivering critical clinical tests. |
| Local public health chiefs in England are breaking from the government’s official guidance and recommending so-called plan B protective measures to combat a surge in coronavirus cases. | Local public health chiefs in England are breaking from the government’s official guidance and recommending so-called plan B protective measures to combat a surge in coronavirus cases. |
| At least a dozen directors of public health (DPHs) have called on residents in their areas to readopt protective measures such as mask-wearing and working from home. | At least a dozen directors of public health (DPHs) have called on residents in their areas to readopt protective measures such as mask-wearing and working from home. |
| The government is likely to face questions over why local authority public health experts feel it necessary to break from the official national guidance. | The government is likely to face questions over why local authority public health experts feel it necessary to break from the official national guidance. |
| Alice Wiseman, the DPH for Gateshead who is among the health leaders to call for changes, said: | Alice Wiseman, the DPH for Gateshead who is among the health leaders to call for changes, said: |
| Wiseman has written to headteachers in the local authority area recommending they take additional measures at their schools when pupils return from the half-term break, including all adults and pupils wearing face coverings in secondary schools. | Wiseman has written to headteachers in the local authority area recommending they take additional measures at their schools when pupils return from the half-term break, including all adults and pupils wearing face coverings in secondary schools. |
| She also recommends reintroducing class bubbles in primary schools and year group bubbles in secondary schools. | She also recommends reintroducing class bubbles in primary schools and year group bubbles in secondary schools. |
| The success of the vaccine rollout means shops, pubs and nightclubs should remain open and there will be no more lockdowns in England, according to the country’s Chancellor of the Exchequer. | The success of the vaccine rollout means shops, pubs and nightclubs should remain open and there will be no more lockdowns in England, according to the country’s Chancellor of the Exchequer. |
| Rishi Sunak gave a wide-ranging interview with The Times this morning and although it leads on his ambitions to be the next Prime Minister, there are some interesting lines regarding his view on any potential further lockdown. | Rishi Sunak gave a wide-ranging interview with The Times this morning and although it leads on his ambitions to be the next Prime Minister, there are some interesting lines regarding his view on any potential further lockdown. |
| He said that there must not be a return to “significant economic restrictions” despite warnings from some health experts that the virus could overwhelm the NHS this winter. | He said that there must not be a return to “significant economic restrictions” despite warnings from some health experts that the virus could overwhelm the NHS this winter. |
| The chancellor added: | The chancellor added: |
| However, it came as polling for the same newspaper showed that 69 per cent of the British public would support a return to the work-from-home edict, while a further 76 per cent back compulsory masks. | However, it came as polling for the same newspaper showed that 69 per cent of the British public would support a return to the work-from-home edict, while a further 76 per cent back compulsory masks. |
| Another 22 per cent said they support closing pubs and restaurants to help fight another wave of Covid. | Another 22 per cent said they support closing pubs and restaurants to help fight another wave of Covid. |
| Federal health regulators in the United States have announced child-sized doses of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine appear highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in primary school age children. | Federal health regulators in the United States have announced child-sized doses of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine appear highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in primary school age children. |
| The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said late on Friday that the vaccine caused no unexpected safety issues, as the US considers beginning vaccinations in young people. | The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said late on Friday that the vaccine caused no unexpected safety issues, as the US considers beginning vaccinations in young people. |
| It posted its analysis of Pfizer’s data ahead of a public meeting next week to debate whether the jabs are ready for the nation’s roughly 28 million children aged between five and 11. The agency will ask a panel of outside vaccine experts to vote on the question. | It posted its analysis of Pfizer’s data ahead of a public meeting next week to debate whether the jabs are ready for the nation’s roughly 28 million children aged between five and 11. The agency will ask a panel of outside vaccine experts to vote on the question. |
| The Associated Press reported: | The Associated Press reported: |
| The FDA review backed up results from Pfizer posted earlier in the day showing the two-dose shot was nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in young children. | The FDA review backed up results from Pfizer posted earlier in the day showing the two-dose shot was nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in young children. |
| Most of the study data was collected in the US during August and September, when the Delta variant had become the dominant Covid strain. | Most of the study data was collected in the US during August and September, when the Delta variant had become the dominant Covid strain. |
| The FDA review found no new or unexpected side effects. Those that did occur mostly consisted of sore arms, fever or achiness. | The FDA review found no new or unexpected side effects. Those that did occur mostly consisted of sore arms, fever or achiness. |
| However, FDA scientists noted that the study wasn’t large enough to detect extremely rare side effects, including myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation that occasionally occurs after the second dose. | However, FDA scientists noted that the study wasn’t large enough to detect extremely rare side effects, including myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation that occasionally occurs after the second dose. |
| Good morning and welcome to today’s Covid blog, where we will be bringing you all the latest coronavirus news from the UK and around the world. | Good morning and welcome to today’s Covid blog, where we will be bringing you all the latest coronavirus news from the UK and around the world. |
| I’m Tom Ambrose, reporting live from London, and I will be with you from now until 4pm local time. | I’m Tom Ambrose, reporting live from London, and I will be with you from now until 4pm local time. |
| We start with the news that scientists at the United States’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have said that the likely benefits of giving the Pfizer vaccine to five- to 11-year-olds “clearly outweigh the risks of rare cases of heart inflammation”. | We start with the news that scientists at the United States’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have said that the likely benefits of giving the Pfizer vaccine to five- to 11-year-olds “clearly outweigh the risks of rare cases of heart inflammation”. |
| It comes as Pfizer said their Covid jab showed 90.7% efficacy against the virus in a clinical trial of primary school age children yesterday. | It comes as Pfizer said their Covid jab showed 90.7% efficacy against the virus in a clinical trial of primary school age children yesterday. |
| Other top stories from around the world this morning include: | Other top stories from around the world this morning include: |
| In a wide-ranging interview with The Times newspaper today, the UK’s 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 today, the UK’s chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has said shops, pubs and restaurants must not shut again as the vaccine rollout meant there could be “no more lockdowns”. |
| Local public health chiefs in England are breaking from the government’s official guidance and recommending so-called plan B protective measures to combat a surge in coronavirus cases. At least a dozen directors of public health have called on residents in their areas to readopt protective measures such as mask-wearing and working from home. | Local public health chiefs in England are breaking from the government’s official guidance and recommending so-called plan B protective measures to combat a surge in coronavirus cases. At least a dozen directors of public health have called on residents in their areas to readopt protective measures such as mask-wearing and working from home. |
| Health officials should have known about major failings at a private 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 Covid testing lab within days of the problem arising, rather than taking weeks to shut down operations at the site, senior scientists say. |
| 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. Emily Lawson is ending her secondment at No 10 to return to NHS England amid concern that the rollout of booster jabs in England is flagging. | 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. Emily Lawson is ending her secondment at No 10 to return to NHS England amid concern that the rollout of booster jabs in England is flagging. |
| 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. Most of the new infections were reported in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city that has been under a strict lockdown for more than two months. | 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. Most of the new infections were reported in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city that has been under a strict lockdown for more than two months. |
| 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. |
| As I say, I will bring you all the top headlines from at home and abroad as and when they happen. Tweet me @tomambrose89, or via direct messages if you want to keep things private, with any tips or stories throughout the day. | As I say, I will bring you all the top headlines from at home and abroad as and when they happen. Tweet me @tomambrose89, or via direct messages if you want to keep things private, with any tips or stories throughout the day. |