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Covid live: Van-Tam warns UK ‘too many people believe pandemic is over’; Hong Kong to roll out booster shots Covid live: Van-Tam warns UK ‘too many people believe pandemic is over’; Hong Kong to roll out booster shots
(32 minutes later)
England’s deputy CMO says ‘the caution people take or don’t take’ will determine winter severity; elderly can start booking jabs in Hong KongEngland’s deputy CMO says ‘the caution people take or don’t take’ will determine winter severity; elderly can start booking jabs in Hong Kong
This next block comes with an “awkward football analogy” health warning, as PA Media round up some of the things that England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said to the media this morning, including that he thinks we are “kind of half-time in extra time” of dealing with the pandemic, with the final whistle coming in spring. It is unclear if he thinks we then go to penalties. Germany is experiencing a “massive” pandemic of the unvaccinated, the health minister Jens Spahn has said, calling for tougher action to combat a resurgence in Covid cases.
“We are currently experiencing mainly a pandemic of the unvaccinated and it is massive,” Spahn told reporters on Wednesday. “In some regions in Germany intensive care beds are running out again.”
Germany, Europe’s most populous country with some 83 million people, has been grappling with a fourth wave of infections in recent weeks that has seen the seven-day incidence rate hit highs not seen since May.
The country added 20,398 cases over the past 24 hours, the Robert Koch health institute said Wednesday, while another 194 people died.
More than 66% of the population is fully vaccinated, but Spahn expressed frustration that the uptake of jabs has slowed and that a significant group of 18 to 59 year olds remain unvaccinated.
He also called for tougher checks at establishments or events where only those who can show they have been vaccinated, have recovered from Covid or have recently tested negative, are allowed to enter.
In some hard-hit regions, he said, access should be limited to those who are fully vaccinated or can show proof of recovery - a system knowns as 2G in Germany.
“It’s nothing to do with vaccine bullying,” he said, “but with avoiding an overloading of the health care system”.
His final recommendation was for a bigger push on booster jabs, saying the current pace “is insufficient”.
Good morning from London. I’m Lucy Campbell, I’ll be bringing you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic for the next eight hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_
England’s deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van-Tam had some strong words this morning, saying that “too many people believe that this pandemic is now over. I personally feel there are some hard months to come in the winter and it is not over.”
He warned the UK public that “the caution that people take or don’t take in terms of interacting with each other: that is going to be a big determinant in what happens between now and the darkest months of the winter.”
Prof Jeremy Brown of the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said it is “far too early” to be following the lead of the US by vaccinating children aged 11 and under against coronavirus – but added that there may be a case for some youngsters receiving a jab.
The UK has had its highest number of daily Covid deaths reported since late February, as another 293 people have died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test.
Health expert Prof Devi Sridhar in Scotland has described the scenes of delegates queuing at the Cop26 conference in Glasgow as “really concerning” during a pandemic.
The Netherlands is bringing back coronavirus measures including a requirement for face masks in many public spaces to combat a surge in cases. Neighbouring Belgium is also experiencing a sharp rise in the number of cases.
Hong Kong will roll out booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines from next week, health secretary Sophia Chan said today. “The elderly are the most fragile group and we have a responsibility to protect their health,” Chan said. About 1.86 million people are eligible for the booster, which they can start booking from 5 November, to receive it as soon as 11 November.
Tighter curbs are expected in China after the National Health Commission reported Covid cases surged to a near-three-month high with 93 new local symptomatic cases recorded for Tuesday, up from 54 a day earlier.
China has already urged its citizens to stockpile daily necessities, prompting panic-buying, amid surging vegetable prices linked to recent extreme weather, fears of supply shortages
South Korea has said it would ramp up Covid-19 testing at schools after a sharp rise of infections among children, weeks ahead of a plan to fully reopen schools nationwide.
Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that local government officials will be punished for falling behind their targets for Covid-19 vaccinations.
Russia today has confirmed 40,443 new Covid-19 infections and a new official pandemic record of 1,189 daily deaths. The country is in a week long enforced shutdown in order to try to stem the rising tide of infections.
There have been protests in Kyiv, Ukraine today against government moves to try and halt the current wave of the virus. Ukrainian health minister Viktor Lyashko told a televised news conference “Trust me, this anti-vaccination spirit quickly disappears in intensive care units.”
The number of daily Covid-19 cases reported in the Czech Republic neared 10,000 for the first time since March, health ministry data showed.
Poland reported more than 10,400 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, a 24% rise week on week, government spokesman Piotr Muller said.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Spain more than quadrupled in September from a year ago to nearly 4.7 million, official data showed as widespread vaccination and looser travel restrictions enticed back more visitors.
Seven gang leaders, representing four of New Zeland’s most well-known street gangs, joined forces in a video urging their communities to get vaccinated.
Alan Evans has got our live coverage of Cop26, while Andrew Sparrow has UK politics live. Lucy Campbell will be here shortly to lead you through the rest of the day’s coronavirus news from the UK and around the world. I’m Martin Belam signing off – I’ll see you here tomorrow.
This next block comes with an “awkward football analogy” health warning, as PA Media rounds up some of the things that England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said to the media this morning, including that he thinks we are “kind of half-time in extra time” of dealing with the pandemic, with the final whistle coming in spring. It is unclear if he thinks we then go to penalties.
More seriously, here are some more of his key quotes:More seriously, here are some more of his key quotes:
Last November, the WEAR-TV news station in northern Florida aired a segment on Dr Benjamin Marble, a local doctor who created a free telehealth website offering consultations for Covid-19. Marble, the reporter said, had made it so “patients don’t have to pay a cent” for coronavirus treatment and believed his site could replace Obamacare.Last November, the WEAR-TV news station in northern Florida aired a segment on Dr Benjamin Marble, a local doctor who created a free telehealth website offering consultations for Covid-19. Marble, the reporter said, had made it so “patients don’t have to pay a cent” for coronavirus treatment and believed his site could replace Obamacare.
To the average viewer, the segment on the ABC affiliate, which is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting, was a local news report touting a local service. What the report didn’t mention, however, is that Marble is a member of America’s Frontline Doctors, a rightwing political group that gained notoriety in summer 2020 after some of its members appeared in a viral video touting unproven Covid-19 treatments as miracle cures.To the average viewer, the segment on the ABC affiliate, which is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting, was a local news report touting a local service. What the report didn’t mention, however, is that Marble is a member of America’s Frontline Doctors, a rightwing political group that gained notoriety in summer 2020 after some of its members appeared in a viral video touting unproven Covid-19 treatments as miracle cures.
AFD’s founder, Dr Simone Gold, has headlined anti-vaccine rallies and is facing charges for storming the Capitol during the 6 January riot. Also visible in a photo included in the clip was Dr Stella Immanuel, an AFD member who has claimed masks don’t help curb the spread of Covid-19 and repeatedly said some real world illnesses were caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches. Marble’s telehealth page itself links to anti-vaccine information and websites promoting unproven Covid-19 treatments such as the anti-parasite drug ivermectin.AFD’s founder, Dr Simone Gold, has headlined anti-vaccine rallies and is facing charges for storming the Capitol during the 6 January riot. Also visible in a photo included in the clip was Dr Stella Immanuel, an AFD member who has claimed masks don’t help curb the spread of Covid-19 and repeatedly said some real world illnesses were caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches. Marble’s telehealth page itself links to anti-vaccine information and websites promoting unproven Covid-19 treatments such as the anti-parasite drug ivermectin.
Since the start of the pandemic, local newspapers, broadcast television and radio stations across the United States have been among the most popular sources for information about Covid-19. Many anti-vaccine activists as well as doctors and groups promoting unproven Covid-19 treatments have turned to those same channels to spread their message. Since the start of the pandemic, local newspapers, broadcast television and radio stations across the US have been among the most popular sources for information about Covid-19. Many anti-vaccine activists as well as doctors and groups promoting unproven Covid-19 treatments have turned to those same channels to spread their message.
Read more of Nick Robins-Early’s report here: How anti-vaxxers and ivermectin advocates have co-opted local news in the USRead more of Nick Robins-Early’s report here: How anti-vaxxers and ivermectin advocates have co-opted local news in the US
By the way, we’ve got two other live blogs running this morning. Andrew Sparrow has our UK politics live blog which I would expect to see dominated by the Tory sleaze row as they try and avoid Owen Paterson being suspended from parliament for thirty days by re-writing the way that the cross-party Commons standards committee works. There will also be PMQs. You can find that here:By the way, we’ve got two other live blogs running this morning. Andrew Sparrow has our UK politics live blog which I would expect to see dominated by the Tory sleaze row as they try and avoid Owen Paterson being suspended from parliament for thirty days by re-writing the way that the cross-party Commons standards committee works. There will also be PMQs. You can find that here:
Also blogging live at the moment is Alan Evans, who is covering Cop26 in Glasgow for us. You can follow the day’s progress in Scotland with him here.Also blogging live at the moment is Alan Evans, who is covering Cop26 in Glasgow for us. You can follow the day’s progress in Scotland with him here.
England’s deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van-Tam had some strong words appearing on the BBC this morning, saying that “Too many people believe that this pandemic is now over. I personally feel there are some hard months to come in the winter and it is not over.”England’s deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van-Tam had some strong words appearing on the BBC this morning, saying that “Too many people believe that this pandemic is now over. I personally feel there are some hard months to come in the winter and it is not over.”
Reuters quotes him warning the UK public that “the caution that people take or don’t take in terms of interacting with each other: that is going to be a big determinant in what happens between now and the darkest months of the winter.”Reuters quotes him warning the UK public that “the caution that people take or don’t take in terms of interacting with each other: that is going to be a big determinant in what happens between now and the darkest months of the winter.”
In other comments to the media this morning, he said the flu vaccine has “never been more important”.In other comments to the media this morning, he said the flu vaccine has “never been more important”.
PA Media quotes him saying: “Don’t forget flu. We have very few restrictions in society at the moment – this means all the other respiratory winter viruses will come back.PA Media quotes him saying: “Don’t forget flu. We have very few restrictions in society at the moment – this means all the other respiratory winter viruses will come back.
“We didn’t have any flu to speak of last winter because of the lockdowns and so forth, and that means we have a population who are more susceptible, less immune to flu at the moment.“We didn’t have any flu to speak of last winter because of the lockdowns and so forth, and that means we have a population who are more susceptible, less immune to flu at the moment.
“So, for the people who are at high risk who need a flu jab in the winter, it could never have been more important than right now that you come forward to get it.”“So, for the people who are at high risk who need a flu jab in the winter, it could never have been more important than right now that you come forward to get it.”
A member of the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said it is “far too early” to be following the lead of the US by vaccinating children aged 11 and under against coronavirus – but added that there may be a case for some youngsters receiving a jab.A member of the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said it is “far too early” to be following the lead of the US by vaccinating children aged 11 and under against coronavirus – but added that there may be a case for some youngsters receiving a jab.
Jeremy Brown, professor of respiratory medicine at University College London Hospitals, said it is not the right time as the British regulatory bodies have not yet looked at the data from the US.Jeremy Brown, professor of respiratory medicine at University College London Hospitals, said it is not the right time as the British regulatory bodies have not yet looked at the data from the US.
But he added that if the vaccines are approved for children aged 11 and under by regulators, they could be used for those who have underlying conditions.But he added that if the vaccines are approved for children aged 11 and under by regulators, they could be used for those who have underlying conditions.
PA Media quotes Prof Brown told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think there’s a case for using a vaccine on those children that have underlying diseases that make them more vulnerable to Covid, having severe side-effects from the Covid infection. That’s possible.”PA Media quotes Prof Brown told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think there’s a case for using a vaccine on those children that have underlying diseases that make them more vulnerable to Covid, having severe side-effects from the Covid infection. That’s possible.”
Hong Kong will roll out booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines from next week, health secretary Sophia Chan said today. “The elderly are the most fragile group and we have a responsibility to protect their health,” Chan said.Hong Kong will roll out booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines from next week, health secretary Sophia Chan said today. “The elderly are the most fragile group and we have a responsibility to protect their health,” Chan said.
The vaccination campaign in the global financial hub has lagged many other developed economies, with about 65% of the eligible population fully vaccinated with shots from either China’s Sinovac, or Germany’s BioNTech.The vaccination campaign in the global financial hub has lagged many other developed economies, with about 65% of the eligible population fully vaccinated with shots from either China’s Sinovac, or Germany’s BioNTech.
Reuters report that about 85% of those older than 80 in the Chinese-ruled city of 7.5 million have not been vaccinated. The elderly will get priority for the booster shots, along with health workers, cross-border truck drivers and others in categories deemed to be at higher risk of getting the disease.Reuters report that about 85% of those older than 80 in the Chinese-ruled city of 7.5 million have not been vaccinated. The elderly will get priority for the booster shots, along with health workers, cross-border truck drivers and others in categories deemed to be at higher risk of getting the disease.
About 1.86 million people are eligible for the booster, which they can start booking from 5 November, to receive it as soon as 11 November.About 1.86 million people are eligible for the booster, which they can start booking from 5 November, to receive it as soon as 11 November.
Russia today has confirmed 40,443 new Covid-19 infections and a new official pandemic record of 1,189 daily deaths. The country is in a week long enforced shutdown in order to try to stem the rising tide of infections.Russia today has confirmed 40,443 new Covid-19 infections and a new official pandemic record of 1,189 daily deaths. The country is in a week long enforced shutdown in order to try to stem the rising tide of infections.
South Korea has said it would ramp up Covid-19 testing at schools after a sharp rise of infections among children, weeks ahead of a plan to fully reopen schools nationwide.South Korea has said it would ramp up Covid-19 testing at schools after a sharp rise of infections among children, weeks ahead of a plan to fully reopen schools nationwide.
The surge comes as new social distancing rules aimed at a phased return to normal came into effect on Monday as a part of the country’s plan to gradually move toward living with Covid-19.The surge comes as new social distancing rules aimed at a phased return to normal came into effect on Monday as a part of the country’s plan to gradually move toward living with Covid-19.
South Korea has fully vaccinated nearly 90% of its adult population but only began inoculating children aged between 12 and 17 in recent weeks, administering just 0.6% of the age group with both doses so far.South Korea has fully vaccinated nearly 90% of its adult population but only began inoculating children aged between 12 and 17 in recent weeks, administering just 0.6% of the age group with both doses so far.
“There is a growing concern as the frequency of new cluster outbreaks has been increasing, centred on educational facilities such as private tuition centres and schools,” interior and safety minister Jeon Hae-cheol said, Reuters reports.“There is a growing concern as the frequency of new cluster outbreaks has been increasing, centred on educational facilities such as private tuition centres and schools,” interior and safety minister Jeon Hae-cheol said, Reuters reports.
The country recorded 2,667 new cases for Tuesday, an increase of more than 1,000 from the day earlier. Nearly a quarter of the new cases were found in teenagers, officials said.The country recorded 2,667 new cases for Tuesday, an increase of more than 1,000 from the day earlier. Nearly a quarter of the new cases were found in teenagers, officials said.
“The teenagers spend a lot of time in communal living such as schools and tuition centres and they are also active in social activities,” Son Young-rae, a senior health ministry official, told a briefing.“The teenagers spend a lot of time in communal living such as schools and tuition centres and they are also active in social activities,” Son Young-rae, a senior health ministry official, told a briefing.
“We believe that the risk of infection will inevitably rise and the confirmed cases will continue to surge stemming from these teenagers.”“We believe that the risk of infection will inevitably rise and the confirmed cases will continue to surge stemming from these teenagers.”
England’s deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, has said he is worried that increasing numbers of deaths show “the infection is now starting to penetrate into older age groups”.England’s deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, has said he is worried that increasing numbers of deaths show “the infection is now starting to penetrate into older age groups”.
“Deaths are increasing – there might be some artefacts in the very latest figure – but essentially deaths are increasing,” PA Media quotes him telling BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio 5 Live.“Deaths are increasing – there might be some artefacts in the very latest figure – but essentially deaths are increasing,” PA Media quotes him telling BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio 5 Live.
“If you then look at hospital admissions, those have plateaued in the last four days. And if you look at the total number of patients in hospital with Covid, those have gone down in the last two or three days, but only a small bit.“If you then look at hospital admissions, those have plateaued in the last four days. And if you look at the total number of patients in hospital with Covid, those have gone down in the last two or three days, but only a small bit.
“So what that tells me is that we have to just wait and see a bit longer – this could be a pause before things go up, it could be the very first signs that things are beginning to stabilise but at a high rate.“So what that tells me is that we have to just wait and see a bit longer – this could be a pause before things go up, it could be the very first signs that things are beginning to stabilise but at a high rate.
“On cases, they are now starting to fall, but that mainly reflects the fact that this big wave we’ve had in teenagers is now starting to slip away. But my worry is that the deaths are increasing and that shows that the infection is now starting to penetrate into those older age groups.“On cases, they are now starting to fall, but that mainly reflects the fact that this big wave we’ve had in teenagers is now starting to slip away. But my worry is that the deaths are increasing and that shows that the infection is now starting to penetrate into those older age groups.
Faced with rising case numbers, the Ukrainian government has enacted a series of anti-Covid measures. Teachers, government employees and other workers have been told to get fully vaccinated by 8 November or face having their salary payments suspended. In addition, proof of vaccination or a negative test is now required to board planes, trains and long-distance buses. That has led to protests in the street today in the capital Kyiv.Faced with rising case numbers, the Ukrainian government has enacted a series of anti-Covid measures. Teachers, government employees and other workers have been told to get fully vaccinated by 8 November or face having their salary payments suspended. In addition, proof of vaccination or a negative test is now required to board planes, trains and long-distance buses. That has led to protests in the street today in the capital Kyiv.
Reuters reports that Ukraine lagged behind other European countries in obtaining coronavirus vaccines earlier this year and is now struggling to persuade a sceptical public to take them.Reuters reports that Ukraine lagged behind other European countries in obtaining coronavirus vaccines earlier this year and is now struggling to persuade a sceptical public to take them.
“Such rallies of people that we see today, with calls not to get vaccinated, in my opinion, make a mockery of our doctors and families, who, unfortunately, have lost their relatives due to the coronavirus,” Ukrainian health minister Viktor Lyashko told a televised news conference.“Such rallies of people that we see today, with calls not to get vaccinated, in my opinion, make a mockery of our doctors and families, who, unfortunately, have lost their relatives due to the coronavirus,” Ukrainian health minister Viktor Lyashko told a televised news conference.
“Trust me, this anti-vaccination spirit quickly disappears in intensive care units, and fake certificates don’t work,” he said.“Trust me, this anti-vaccination spirit quickly disappears in intensive care units, and fake certificates don’t work,” he said.
A health expert in Scotland has described the scenes of delegates queuing at the Cop26 conference in Glasgow as “really concerning” during a pandemic.A health expert in Scotland has described the scenes of delegates queuing at the Cop26 conference in Glasgow as “really concerning” during a pandemic.
Prof Devi Sridhar, a professor of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, said seeing pictures of hundreds of people in close proximity has left her anxious knowing how “fragile” the situation has been.Prof Devi Sridhar, a professor of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, said seeing pictures of hundreds of people in close proximity has left her anxious knowing how “fragile” the situation has been.
PA Media reports that, asked about the queues, Prof Sridhar told BBC Good Morning Scotland: “It is really concerning, this week I have been quite anxious seeing all that and knowing how fragile the situation has been.PA Media reports that, asked about the queues, Prof Sridhar told BBC Good Morning Scotland: “It is really concerning, this week I have been quite anxious seeing all that and knowing how fragile the situation has been.
“We’ve controlled the situation for quite a long time. Can we control it even after this big gathering? That’s the question. Will it lead to a spike, will it lead to a wave, will actually the mitigation measures have been enough?“We’ve controlled the situation for quite a long time. Can we control it even after this big gathering? That’s the question. Will it lead to a spike, will it lead to a wave, will actually the mitigation measures have been enough?
“I know they thought a lot about making sure people were fully vaccinated, people were testing, it’s a really tricky one because obviously this is the worst timing ever during a pandemic, but at the same time I listened to those people who work in climate and they are saying now is the time, if not now we have an existential threat to humanity.”“I know they thought a lot about making sure people were fully vaccinated, people were testing, it’s a really tricky one because obviously this is the worst timing ever during a pandemic, but at the same time I listened to those people who work in climate and they are saying now is the time, if not now we have an existential threat to humanity.”
Yesterday, Scotland’s health secretary, Humza Yousaf, said “scale and worldwide draw” of the summit “poses a risk of spread of Covid-19 both within delegates and to or from the local population of Scotland and the UK”.Yesterday, Scotland’s health secretary, Humza Yousaf, said “scale and worldwide draw” of the summit “poses a risk of spread of Covid-19 both within delegates and to or from the local population of Scotland and the UK”.