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Coronavirus live: Russia defends Sputnik V vaccine after Namibia halts rollout; Britain’s weekly cases at highest since July Coronavirus live: Russia defends Sputnik V vaccine after Namibia halts rollout; Britain’s weekly cases at highest since July
(31 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
Brazil registered 318 new deaths due to Covid-19 and 11,716 confirmed cases of the virus, according to data released on Saturday by the country’s health ministry. Brazil has now reported 605,457 Covid-19 deaths, the second highest in the world after the US.
Mexico’s health ministry on Saturday reported 306 more deaths due to Covid-19 in the country, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 286,259.
It has previously said the numbers are likely significantly higher than those reported, Reuters reports.
You can follow the latest Covid developments in Australia here -You can follow the latest Covid developments in Australia here -
New evidence has emerged that the government is paving the way to implement “plan B” measures in England to combat the spread of Covid-19, amid warnings from health chiefs that a “vortex of pressures” is encircling the NHS.New evidence has emerged that the government is paving the way to implement “plan B” measures in England to combat the spread of Covid-19, amid warnings from health chiefs that a “vortex of pressures” is encircling the NHS.
In the clearest sign to date that Whitehall is actively considering additional measures, the Observer has learnt that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) contacted local authorities on Friday to canvass their level of support for the “immediate rollout of the winter plan – plan B”.In the clearest sign to date that Whitehall is actively considering additional measures, the Observer has learnt that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) contacted local authorities on Friday to canvass their level of support for the “immediate rollout of the winter plan – plan B”.
The disclosure comes as senior doctors warn that operations are already being cancelled due to NHS staffing shortages and scientists warn of “a triple whammy” of respiratory illnesses this winter, with Covid, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes cold-like symptoms but can be serious for children and older adults.The disclosure comes as senior doctors warn that operations are already being cancelled due to NHS staffing shortages and scientists warn of “a triple whammy” of respiratory illnesses this winter, with Covid, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes cold-like symptoms but can be serious for children and older adults.
People should get booster Covid jabs when they are offered during what will be a “tough winter”, NHS national medical director in England Professor Stephen Powis has warned.People should get booster Covid jabs when they are offered during what will be a “tough winter”, NHS national medical director in England Professor Stephen Powis has warned.
He wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: “To maximise the impact of the vaccination programme we must all continue to act responsibly. The more of us that come forward for our booster jab, and the more we keep our resolve in helping to limit the spread of infection, then the greater chance we all have of staying well.”He wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: “To maximise the impact of the vaccination programme we must all continue to act responsibly. The more of us that come forward for our booster jab, and the more we keep our resolve in helping to limit the spread of infection, then the greater chance we all have of staying well.”
Prof Powis said this time last year there were more than 6,800 people in hospital with Covid, and this weekend the figure is 6,405, but in 2020 the nation was still six weeks away from the world’s first vaccination.Prof Powis said this time last year there were more than 6,800 people in hospital with Covid, and this weekend the figure is 6,405, but in 2020 the nation was still six weeks away from the world’s first vaccination.
“So, when your time comes, take up the offer, book your booster and protect the freedom and Christmas that we have all earned and deserve to enjoy,” he said.“So, when your time comes, take up the offer, book your booster and protect the freedom and Christmas that we have all earned and deserve to enjoy,” he said.
The front page of Saturday’s Observer newspaper:The front page of Saturday’s Observer newspaper:
After Namibia suspended its rollout of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, the Gamaleya Research Institute, which developed Sputnik V, has claimed the decision was not based on any scientific evidence or research.After Namibia suspended its rollout of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, the Gamaleya Research Institute, which developed Sputnik V, has claimed the decision was not based on any scientific evidence or research.
Sputnik V remains one of the safest and most efficient vaccines against Covid-19 in use globally, the Gamaleya institute told Reuters.Sputnik V remains one of the safest and most efficient vaccines against Covid-19 in use globally, the Gamaleya institute told Reuters.
It said more than 250 clinical trials and 75 international publications confirmed the safety of vaccines and medicines based on human adenovirus vectors.It said more than 250 clinical trials and 75 international publications confirmed the safety of vaccines and medicines based on human adenovirus vectors.
“While adenoviruses, including ad-5, are one of the most frequent causes of light common flu ..., there is no evidence of increased risk of HIV infection among human population after (the) common cold,” the institute added.“While adenoviruses, including ad-5, are one of the most frequent causes of light common flu ..., there is no evidence of increased risk of HIV infection among human population after (the) common cold,” the institute added.
“These inaccurate speculations that have since been refuted relate to unsuccessful clinical trials of another HIV vaccine by another manufacturer that simply did not seem effective enough.”“These inaccurate speculations that have since been refuted relate to unsuccessful clinical trials of another HIV vaccine by another manufacturer that simply did not seem effective enough.”
The US administered 412,856,169 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in the country as of Saturday morning and distributed 503,521,625 doses, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.The US administered 412,856,169 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in the country as of Saturday morning and distributed 503,521,625 doses, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Those figures are up from the 411,963,025 vaccine doses the CDC said had gone into arms by Friday out of 501,613,665 doses delivered.Those figures are up from the 411,963,025 vaccine doses the CDC said had gone into arms by Friday out of 501,613,665 doses delivered.
The agency said 220,145,796 people had received at least one dose, while 190,402,262 people are fully vaccinated as of 6am ET on Saturday, Reuters reports.The agency said 220,145,796 people had received at least one dose, while 190,402,262 people are fully vaccinated as of 6am ET on Saturday, Reuters reports.
More than 300 schools across New South Wales and Victoria in Australia have closed down in the last three weeks due to Covid outbreaks, with the majority of students still due to return to classrooms.More than 300 schools across New South Wales and Victoria in Australia have closed down in the last three weeks due to Covid outbreaks, with the majority of students still due to return to classrooms.
Between the start of term four on 4 October and 22 October, there were 234 closures at government schools in Victoria, figures from the Department of Education show.Between the start of term four on 4 October and 22 October, there were 234 closures at government schools in Victoria, figures from the Department of Education show.
At least 20 private schools in Victoria were forced to shut in the same period, but the exact number is unknown because a list is not kept by either the department or Independent Schools Victoria.At least 20 private schools in Victoria were forced to shut in the same period, but the exact number is unknown because a list is not kept by either the department or Independent Schools Victoria.
In the same period 67 schools in NSW were forced to shut. Of those, 48 were public schools and 19 were nongovernment schools, the NSW education department said.In the same period 67 schools in NSW were forced to shut. Of those, 48 were public schools and 19 were nongovernment schools, the NSW education department said.
France has reported 6,291 new coronavirus cases, Reuters reports. The country has had over 7.12m cases overall.
Britain recorded the highest number of new cases of Covid-19 since July over the past week, government figures showed on Saturday.
Some 333,465 people tested positive over the past seven days, up 15% on the previous week and the highest total since the seven days to July 21.Deaths have risen by 12% over the past week, and the total since the start of the pandemic now stands at 139,461, the second highest in Europe after Russia, Reuters reports.
Six Romanian Covid-19 patients have been transported to the central Polish city of Lodz for treatment, Polish authorities said.
“They are all in a serious condition on ventilators,” said Dagmara Zalewska, spokesperson for the Lodzkie region.
Romania has reported record numbers of daily coronavirus deaths and infections this month and the hospital system is stretched to breaking point.
The country has the second-lowest coronavirus vaccination rate in the European Union, Reuters reports.
France has reported that 1,007 people are in intensive care units for Covid-19, down by three, Reuters reports.
France has reported 90,560 coronavirus deaths in hospital overall, an increase of 23 today.
People are pretending that dogs they acquired during lockdown are strays so that rescue centres take them in, after failing to sell them online, animal rescue charities and shelters have warned.
Figures from March revealed that more than 3.2m pets were bought by UK households during lockdown.
Since Covid restrictions were lifted and people have started to return to the office, charities have reported a growing trend of people abandoning their pandemic pets as they no longer have as much time for them.
More data from Italy. Patients in hospital with Covid-19 - not including those in intensive care – stood at 2,455 on Saturday, from 2,443 a day earlier.
There were 20 new admissions to intensive care units, down from 22 on Friday. The total number of intensive care patients decreased to 338 from a previous 343.
Some 491,574 tests for Covid were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 487,218, the health ministry said.
Singapore has reported 3,598 Covid-19 cases, compared with 3,637 the previous day, and a further six deaths, Reuters reports.
Italy reported 39 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, the same number as the day before, the health ministry said.
The daily tally of new infections rose to 3,908 from 3,882, Reuters reports.
Italy has registered 131,802 deaths linked to Covid-19 and has reported 4.74 million cases to date.