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/nov/03/coronavirus-news-live-china-covid-cases-surge-to-three-month-high-netherlands-brings-back-masks

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Covid live: UK records 217 deaths and 41,299 new infections; US to begin vaccinating children aged 5-11 Covid live: UK records 217 deaths and 41,299 new infections; US to begin vaccinating children aged 5-11
(32 minutes later)
UK reports latest Covid data; US to begin giving Pfizer vaccines to children aged five to 11UK reports latest Covid data; US to begin giving Pfizer vaccines to children aged five to 11
The virus that causes Covid-19 does not infect human brain cells, according to a new study published in the journal Cell.
The findings will raise hopes that the damage caused by Sars-CoV-2 might be more superficial and reversible than previously feared.
Read the full story here:
The UK has recorded another 41,299 Covid cases, and a further 217 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, in the latest 24-hour period, the latest government data shows.The UK has recorded another 41,299 Covid cases, and a further 217 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, in the latest 24-hour period, the latest government data shows.
This is compared to 293 deaths and 33,865 positive infections reported a day prior.This is compared to 293 deaths and 33,865 positive infections reported a day prior.
Russia’s one-dose Sputnik Light vaccine had a good safety profile and induced strong immune responses especially in people who had already encountered Covid, according to the results of phase I and II trials published in The Lancet medical journal.Russia’s one-dose Sputnik Light vaccine had a good safety profile and induced strong immune responses especially in people who had already encountered Covid, according to the results of phase I and II trials published in The Lancet medical journal.
The vaccine, a single-dose version of the two-dose Sputnik V vaccine unveiled last year, has already entered later phases of studies and is widely used in Russia, but the publication of the early research in a top Western journal is a milestone as Russia moves towards making Sputnik Light its main vaccine for export.The vaccine, a single-dose version of the two-dose Sputnik V vaccine unveiled last year, has already entered later phases of studies and is widely used in Russia, but the publication of the early research in a top Western journal is a milestone as Russia moves towards making Sputnik Light its main vaccine for export.
Scientists from the vaccine’s developer, the Gamaleya Institute, oversaw 110 volunteers aged 18-59 in St Petersburg, who were inoculated in January 2021, looking at the response of the immune system and the main side effects.Scientists from the vaccine’s developer, the Gamaleya Institute, oversaw 110 volunteers aged 18-59 in St Petersburg, who were inoculated in January 2021, looking at the response of the immune system and the main side effects.
The results analysed virus neutralisation against the original variant and showed a slight but statistically significant decrease in the antibody response for the Alpha and Beta strains. Russia’s dominant strain is now the Delta variant.The results analysed virus neutralisation against the original variant and showed a slight but statistically significant decrease in the antibody response for the Alpha and Beta strains. Russia’s dominant strain is now the Delta variant.
Russia has already said that subsequent research showed Sputnik Light demonstrated 70% effectiveness against the Delta variant three months after injection.Russia has already said that subsequent research showed Sputnik Light demonstrated 70% effectiveness against the Delta variant three months after injection.
“Sputnik Light might be considered not only for primary vaccination, but also could be useful as an efficient tool for further revaccination or vaccination after previous Covid-19 infection,” the study said.“Sputnik Light might be considered not only for primary vaccination, but also could be useful as an efficient tool for further revaccination or vaccination after previous Covid-19 infection,” the study said.
Last week, the health minister Mikhail Murashko said that with the spread of the Delta variant, the ministry recommended the usage of Sputnik Light for re-vaccination only.Last week, the health minister Mikhail Murashko said that with the spread of the Delta variant, the ministry recommended the usage of Sputnik Light for re-vaccination only.
The Kremlin later said Sputnik Light was a standalone Covid vaccine, but some Russian regions reported that they had begun to administer it only to people with antibodies.The Kremlin later said Sputnik Light was a standalone Covid vaccine, but some Russian regions reported that they had begun to administer it only to people with antibodies.
Sputnik Light was approved for clinical use in Russia on 6 May based on the results of trials published in The Lancet and Gamaleya has started an international and placebo-controlled phase III study with 6,000 participants.Sputnik Light was approved for clinical use in Russia on 6 May based on the results of trials published in The Lancet and Gamaleya has started an international and placebo-controlled phase III study with 6,000 participants.
“We believe Sputnik Light vaccine could contribute towards accelerating the pace of vaccination in Russia as well as in other countries that are lacking sufficient vaccine supply,” the scientists wrote.“We believe Sputnik Light vaccine could contribute towards accelerating the pace of vaccination in Russia as well as in other countries that are lacking sufficient vaccine supply,” the scientists wrote.
Face masks will again become compulsory from next week for French school kids in 39 regional departments where the Covid virus has been ramping up, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday.Face masks will again become compulsory from next week for French school kids in 39 regional departments where the Covid virus has been ramping up, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday.
French health authorities reported 7,360 daily new Covid infections on 30 October, the first time the tally has topped 7,000 since 21 September.French health authorities reported 7,360 daily new Covid infections on 30 October, the first time the tally has topped 7,000 since 21 September.
France’s cumulative total of new cases stood at 7,170,782 as of 2 November, with the number of patients with Covid in intensive care units reaching 1,091, a rise of 22 over 24 hours.France’s cumulative total of new cases stood at 7,170,782 as of 2 November, with the number of patients with Covid in intensive care units reaching 1,091, a rise of 22 over 24 hours.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority said on Wednesday it had given its approval to use Pfizer’s Covid vaccine for those between five and eleven years of age.The Saudi Food and Drug Authority said on Wednesday it had given its approval to use Pfizer’s Covid vaccine for those between five and eleven years of age.
The authority added in a statement its decision was “based on data provided by the company, which showed the vaccine met the special regulatory requirements”.The authority added in a statement its decision was “based on data provided by the company, which showed the vaccine met the special regulatory requirements”.
The World Economic Forum said on Wednesday that it is postponing its event planned for later this month in the Chinese city of Tianjin due to the outbreak of Covid cases in the country, where new locally transmitted cases hit a near three-month high.The World Economic Forum said on Wednesday that it is postponing its event planned for later this month in the Chinese city of Tianjin due to the outbreak of Covid cases in the country, where new locally transmitted cases hit a near three-month high.
“Regretfully, due to the circumstances around the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and recent cases in major cities and provinces in China, the Annual Meeting of the New Champions will be rescheduled,” the WEF said in an email to participants.“Regretfully, due to the circumstances around the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and recent cases in major cities and provinces in China, the Annual Meeting of the New Champions will be rescheduled,” the WEF said in an email to participants.
Covid-19 deaths and infections have declined across the Americas for the 8th consecutive week, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday, warning that a very high percentage of hospitalised cases now are unvaccinated people.Covid-19 deaths and infections have declined across the Americas for the 8th consecutive week, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday, warning that a very high percentage of hospitalised cases now are unvaccinated people.
In North America, all three countries reported drops in weekly cases and deaths, and there has been a notable decline in hospitalisations in the United States and Canada, PAHO said, with similar declines in South and Central America.In North America, all three countries reported drops in weekly cases and deaths, and there has been a notable decline in hospitalisations in the United States and Canada, PAHO said, with similar declines in South and Central America.
The regional health branch of the World Health Organization said 46% of the Latin American and Caribbean population have been fully vaccinated, and a majority of countries have already reached the WHO’s 40% vaccination coverage target set for the end of the year.The regional health branch of the World Health Organization said 46% of the Latin American and Caribbean population have been fully vaccinated, and a majority of countries have already reached the WHO’s 40% vaccination coverage target set for the end of the year.
“Vaccine inequity remains the biggest barrier to reaching our coverage targets,” PAHO assistant director Jarbas Barbosa said in a briefing.“Vaccine inequity remains the biggest barrier to reaching our coverage targets,” PAHO assistant director Jarbas Barbosa said in a briefing.
Given the limited supply of vaccines, he urged authorities to prioritise the elderly, frontline workers, and people with pre-existing conditions, to protect them and also to prevent health systems from becoming overburdened with severe cases.Given the limited supply of vaccines, he urged authorities to prioritise the elderly, frontline workers, and people with pre-existing conditions, to protect them and also to prevent health systems from becoming overburdened with severe cases.
PAHO recommends providing booster doses to people who are immunocompromised, including cancer patients, HIV positive individuals, patients on corticoids and transplant recipients.PAHO recommends providing booster doses to people who are immunocompromised, including cancer patients, HIV positive individuals, patients on corticoids and transplant recipients.
PAHO said people over the age of 60 who received inactivated virus vaccines made by China’s Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm should also get booster shots.PAHO said people over the age of 60 who received inactivated virus vaccines made by China’s Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm should also get booster shots.
Four Russian regions said on Wednesday they would extend a one-week workplace shutdown that took effect nationwide on 30 October in response to a surge in Covid cases, Reuters reports.Four Russian regions said on Wednesday they would extend a one-week workplace shutdown that took effect nationwide on 30 October in response to a surge in Covid cases, Reuters reports.
It comes as the daily Covid death toll from the country’s epidemic hit a record high. A further 1,189 deaths were reported on Wednesday, and the government coronavirus task force also reported 40,443 new infections in the last 24 hours.It comes as the daily Covid death toll from the country’s epidemic hit a record high. A further 1,189 deaths were reported on Wednesday, and the government coronavirus task force also reported 40,443 new infections in the last 24 hours.
The president Vladimir Putin ordered the shutdown last month, giving regional authorities the option of extending it.The president Vladimir Putin ordered the shutdown last month, giving regional authorities the option of extending it.
Authorities in the Kursk and Bryansk regions, which border Ukraine, the Chelyabinsk region near the Ural mountains and Tomsk in Siberia said their shutdowns would be prolonged.Authorities in the Kursk and Bryansk regions, which border Ukraine, the Chelyabinsk region near the Ural mountains and Tomsk in Siberia said their shutdowns would be prolonged.
“The tense epidemiological situation forces us to extend the period of non-working days by another week,” the Tomsk governor Sergei Zhvachkin said in a statement. “One non-working week is not enough to stop the chain of infection.”“The tense epidemiological situation forces us to extend the period of non-working days by another week,” the Tomsk governor Sergei Zhvachkin said in a statement. “One non-working week is not enough to stop the chain of infection.”
Moscow authorities, meanwhile, said businesses there would reopen on Monday.Moscow authorities, meanwhile, said businesses there would reopen on Monday.
“The spread of the disease has stabilised in terms of its detection and its severe forms requiring hospitalisation,” RIA news agency quoted the capital’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, as saying.“The spread of the disease has stabilised in terms of its detection and its severe forms requiring hospitalisation,” RIA news agency quoted the capital’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, as saying.
Other measures, including a requirement that companies have at least 30% of their staff work from home, would remain in place, Sobyanin said.Other measures, including a requirement that companies have at least 30% of their staff work from home, would remain in place, Sobyanin said.
The health consumer watchdog in Moscow said it had recorded violations of Covid regulations at more than a quarter of the businesses it inspected last week.The health consumer watchdog in Moscow said it had recorded violations of Covid regulations at more than a quarter of the businesses it inspected last week.
The Moscow region, which includes the small cities and towns surrounding the city, also said it would not prolong the shutdown.The Moscow region, which includes the small cities and towns surrounding the city, also said it would not prolong the shutdown.
The Novgorod region announced on Monday it was extending its shutdown by a week.The Novgorod region announced on Monday it was extending its shutdown by a week.
Italy’s medicines agency AIFA on Wednesday recommended a booster of the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine to those inoculated with the Johnson & Johnson shot, a source close to the agency has told Reuters.Italy’s medicines agency AIFA on Wednesday recommended a booster of the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine to those inoculated with the Johnson & Johnson shot, a source close to the agency has told Reuters.
All those who have had a single shot of the J&J vaccine, regardless of age, about 1.6 million people in Italy, will be eligible to receive the booster, the source added.All those who have had a single shot of the J&J vaccine, regardless of age, about 1.6 million people in Italy, will be eligible to receive the booster, the source added.
Italy started to inoculate vulnerable groups and the over 60s with a third vaccine dose in September.Italy started to inoculate vulnerable groups and the over 60s with a third vaccine dose in September.
More than 44.8 million Italians, or 83% of the population over the age of 12, are fully vaccinated against Covid.More than 44.8 million Italians, or 83% of the population over the age of 12, are fully vaccinated against Covid.
Italy has registered 132,161 deaths linked to Covid since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after the UK and the ninth-highest in the world. The country has reported 4.78 million cases to date.Italy has registered 132,161 deaths linked to Covid since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after the UK and the ninth-highest in the world. The country has reported 4.78 million cases to date.
The weekly incidence of cases, after months of decline, has been rising rapidly since last week, the National Health Institute said in a report on Friday.The weekly incidence of cases, after months of decline, has been rising rapidly since last week, the National Health Institute said in a report on Friday.
In Europe, Spain and Germany have already authorised boosters for those who have had the J&J vaccine.In Europe, Spain and Germany have already authorised boosters for those who have had the J&J vaccine.
The US Food and Drug Administration on 20 October authorised booster doses of Covid vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, and said Americans can choose a different shot from their original inoculation as a booster.The US Food and Drug Administration on 20 October authorised booster doses of Covid vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, and said Americans can choose a different shot from their original inoculation as a booster.
Children as young as seven were held for hours in a Beijing school before being sent to centralised quarantine for two weeks after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.Children as young as seven were held for hours in a Beijing school before being sent to centralised quarantine for two weeks after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
The incident, which drew alarm from parents and observers, came amid a rush of extreme measures imposed on the city over about 40 cases of the Delta variant, part of a national outbreak affecting at least 16 of China’s 31 provinces.The incident, which drew alarm from parents and observers, came amid a rush of extreme measures imposed on the city over about 40 cases of the Delta variant, part of a national outbreak affecting at least 16 of China’s 31 provinces.
Tighter curbs are expected after the National Health Commission reported a near three-month high on Tuesday, with 93 new local symptomatic cases, up from 54 a day earlier.Tighter curbs are expected after the National Health Commission reported a near three-month high on Tuesday, with 93 new local symptomatic cases, up from 54 a day earlier.
The Huajiadi Experimental primary school in Chaoyang district was quickly sealed off on Monday afternoon after it emerged a teacher had been diagnosed with coronavirus, local media reported.The Huajiadi Experimental primary school in Chaoyang district was quickly sealed off on Monday afternoon after it emerged a teacher had been diagnosed with coronavirus, local media reported.
Parents were called to the school but spent hours gathered outside the gate waiting for information on their children caught inside by the lockdown. According to reports, school authorities said the children were all being tested and some would have to remain there overnight.Parents were called to the school but spent hours gathered outside the gate waiting for information on their children caught inside by the lockdown. According to reports, school authorities said the children were all being tested and some would have to remain there overnight.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
The first trial of a drug to target the fatigue and muscle weakness experienced by more than half of people with long Covid has been launched in the UK.The first trial of a drug to target the fatigue and muscle weakness experienced by more than half of people with long Covid has been launched in the UK.
It is also the first drug trial in patients with long Covid who were not hospitalised during their initial infection.It is also the first drug trial in patients with long Covid who were not hospitalised during their initial infection.
The drug, called AXA1125, targets cellular power plants called mitochondria, which it is thought could be dysfunctional in the subset of long Covid patients with severe fatigue.The drug, called AXA1125, targets cellular power plants called mitochondria, which it is thought could be dysfunctional in the subset of long Covid patients with severe fatigue.
If successful, it could pave the way for similar trials in patients with other forms of post-viral fatigue, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).If successful, it could pave the way for similar trials in patients with other forms of post-viral fatigue, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
The risk of reinfection with the dominant Delta variant of coronavirus is 74% greater than with the previous Alpha variant that was first spotted in Kent last year, official figures from the UK show.The risk of reinfection with the dominant Delta variant of coronavirus is 74% greater than with the previous Alpha variant that was first spotted in Kent last year, official figures from the UK show.
A report published by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday recorded 358 Covid reinfections in 20,757 people between July 2020 and October 2021. While overall rates of reinfection were low, they climbed significantly after May 2021 when the Delta variant became dominant, reflecting the variant’s increased transmissibility.A report published by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday recorded 358 Covid reinfections in 20,757 people between July 2020 and October 2021. While overall rates of reinfection were low, they climbed significantly after May 2021 when the Delta variant became dominant, reflecting the variant’s increased transmissibility.
The ONS estimates that the rate for all Covid reinfections in the UK was 11.9 per 100,000 participant days at risk, meaning that once the participants had accrued 100,000 days at risk of reinfection between them, statisticians would expect to see about 12 cases. Most reinfections were seen seven to eight months after the initial infection.The ONS estimates that the rate for all Covid reinfections in the UK was 11.9 per 100,000 participant days at risk, meaning that once the participants had accrued 100,000 days at risk of reinfection between them, statisticians would expect to see about 12 cases. Most reinfections were seen seven to eight months after the initial infection.
People who had the lowest amount of virus in their system during their earlier Covid infection were at greater risk of contracting the virus again, as were people living in multiple-occupancy houses. Teachers and others working in education were also at higher risk of reinfection, probably because of the high levels of infection in schools, the ONS found.People who had the lowest amount of virus in their system during their earlier Covid infection were at greater risk of contracting the virus again, as were people living in multiple-occupancy houses. Teachers and others working in education were also at higher risk of reinfection, probably because of the high levels of infection in schools, the ONS found.