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Covid live: Russia says workplace shutdown helped turn tide on cases; UK reports 262 deaths and 33,117 cases Covid live: Russia says workplace shutdown helped turn tide on cases; UK reports 262 deaths and 33,117 cases
(32 minutes later)
Russian officials say cases still remain quite high; UK figures come on day government announces NHS vaccine mandateRussian officials say cases still remain quite high; UK figures come on day government announces NHS vaccine mandate
Pfizer asked US regulators to allow boosters of its Covid-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older, a step that comes amid concern about increased spread of the coronavirus with holiday travel and gatherings.
Older Americans and other groups particularly vulnerable to the virus have had access to a third dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine since September. But the Food and Drug Administration has said it would move quickly to expand boosters to younger ages if warranted.
Pfizer is submitting early results of a booster study in 10,000 people to make its case that it’s time to further expand the booster campaign, AP reports.
While all three vaccines used in the US continue to offer strong protection against severe Covid-19 illness and death, the shots’ effectiveness against milder infection can wane over time.
Pfizer’s new study concluded a booster could restore protection against symptomatic infection to about 95%, even as the extra-contagious delta variant was surging. Side effects were similar to those seen with the company’s first two shots.
Daily cases of coronavirus were on Tuesday at their highest since the pandemic began in Greece in February last year, as hospitals started to buckle under the pressure of rising infections.
Greece notched up a record of 8,613 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, the National Organisation of Public Health said, after cases more than doubled in less than a fortnight.
Forty-six people died of the disease on Tuesday, after 65 a day earlier.
The north of the country, where inoculation rates are lower than in other regions, has been worst hit in recent days.
In the second city Thessaloniki, management at a key hospital fighting Covid said it was overwhelmed with patients.
Nikos Kapravelos, head of the emergency department at the Papanikolaou Hospital, at the weekend warned against a new spike similar to during the second wave in November last year.
Health authorities on Friday made Covid passes mandatory for open-air restaurants and cafes, as well as indoor public spaces. Face masks are still mandatory indoors and at large outdoor gatherings.
A very good morning to you all from a rainy start over here in Sydney, Australia.A very good morning to you all from a rainy start over here in Sydney, Australia.
I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be bringing you all the Covid headlines from around the world for the next short while.I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be bringing you all the Covid headlines from around the world for the next short while.
First up, a few numbers out of Australia.First up, a few numbers out of Australia.
The state of NSW recorded 216 new local cases and three deaths over the past 24 hours.The state of NSW recorded 216 new local cases and three deaths over the past 24 hours.
Victoria has recorded 1,003 new Covid-19 cases today, with 14 people infected with the virus dying in the last reporting period.Victoria has recorded 1,003 new Covid-19 cases today, with 14 people infected with the virus dying in the last reporting period.
Country-wide, 81.09% of the population aged over 16 are fully vaccinated.Country-wide, 81.09% of the population aged over 16 are fully vaccinated.
Following up from our earlier post (21.09 GMT) on fears tens of thousands of UK medical staff quitting over April 2022’s vaccine mandate, my colleague Clea Skopeliti spoke to three NHS workers on the policy. (Some names have been changed.)Following up from our earlier post (21.09 GMT) on fears tens of thousands of UK medical staff quitting over April 2022’s vaccine mandate, my colleague Clea Skopeliti spoke to three NHS workers on the policy. (Some names have been changed.)
“We should be setting the example to patients”“We should be setting the example to patients”
“It’s good to encourage people to protect themselves”“It’s good to encourage people to protect themselves”
“We respect patients’ choices, why doesn’t that apply to us?”“We respect patients’ choices, why doesn’t that apply to us?”
The New York Times has published an illuminating report on the bitter dispute between Moderna and the US National Institutes of Health over Covid vaccine patent rights.The New York Times has published an illuminating report on the bitter dispute between Moderna and the US National Institutes of Health over Covid vaccine patent rights.
The NIS, a public biomedical research agency, says three of its scientists co-designed with Moderna scientists the genetic sequence for the Covid vaccine to produce an immune response.The NIS, a public biomedical research agency, says three of its scientists co-designed with Moderna scientists the genetic sequence for the Covid vaccine to produce an immune response.
Moderna says they did not.Moderna says they did not.
Talks to resolve the dispute have rumbled on for over a year. The US government may decide to take Moderna to court.Talks to resolve the dispute have rumbled on for over a year. The US government may decide to take Moderna to court.
The implications are potentially huge: If the agency scientists are co-named on the patent, “the federal government could have more of a say in which companies manufacture the vaccine, which in turn could influence which countries get access,” The Times reports.The implications are potentially huge: If the agency scientists are co-named on the patent, “the federal government could have more of a say in which companies manufacture the vaccine, which in turn could influence which countries get access,” The Times reports.
Read the full report here.Read the full report here.
Here’s a longer write-up from Angelique Chrisafis in Paris of our earlier live post (19.59 GMT) – on President Emmanuel Macron’s acceleration of France’s Covid booster jab roll-out.Here’s a longer write-up from Angelique Chrisafis in Paris of our earlier live post (19.59 GMT) – on President Emmanuel Macron’s acceleration of France’s Covid booster jab roll-out.
In the UK there are fears 32,000 care home staff and tens of thousands of NHS workers could quit after the health secretary said staff must be fully jabbed by April 2022 or risk dismissal.In the UK there are fears 32,000 care home staff and tens of thousands of NHS workers could quit after the health secretary said staff must be fully jabbed by April 2022 or risk dismissal.
While 90% of NHS staff have been inoculated with two shots of a Covid vaccine, about 103,000 have not.While 90% of NHS staff have been inoculated with two shots of a Covid vaccine, about 103,000 have not.
Read my colleague Denis Campbell’s full report here.Read my colleague Denis Campbell’s full report here.
A cargo of 793,900 Covid vaccine doses arrived in the Phillipines from the German government today, completing a 1.6 million dose donation through the Covax programme.A cargo of 793,900 Covid vaccine doses arrived in the Phillipines from the German government today, completing a 1.6 million dose donation through the Covax programme.
The World Health Organisation said over 28.77 million doses had been delivered to the Phillipines via its Covax programme so far.The World Health Organisation said over 28.77 million doses had been delivered to the Phillipines via its Covax programme so far.
The Philippines has jabbed at least 64,947,366 shots in arms. “Assuming every person needs two doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 30% of the country’s population,” Reuters’ Covid tracker estimates.The Philippines has jabbed at least 64,947,366 shots in arms. “Assuming every person needs two doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 30% of the country’s population,” Reuters’ Covid tracker estimates.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the donation on Twitter.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the donation on Twitter.
Poland reported 13,644 new Covid cases on Tuesday, reported by local media Polskie Radio.Poland reported 13,644 new Covid cases on Tuesday, reported by local media Polskie Radio.
Infections have ticked upwards for over a month. This time last week, the country has a seven-day average of 7,504 new infections a day.Infections have ticked upwards for over a month. This time last week, the country has a seven-day average of 7,504 new infections a day.
Poland also recorded 220 new Covid deaths in the last 24 hours. Last Tuesday the seven-day average was 81 deaths a day.Poland also recorded 220 new Covid deaths in the last 24 hours. Last Tuesday the seven-day average was 81 deaths a day.
New cases continue to be driven by Mazowieckie province, including the capital Warsaw, which saw 2,823 new positive results.New cases continue to be driven by Mazowieckie province, including the capital Warsaw, which saw 2,823 new positive results.
There are 11,019 people in Polish hospitals with Covid and a further 381,895 people are quarantining.There are 11,019 people in Polish hospitals with Covid and a further 381,895 people are quarantining.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that from 15 December, a valid Health Pass will require a Covid booster jab for the over-65s and vulnerable groups, in a move that seemed to signal a third shot will be required in future to fulfil vaccine mandates.French President Emmanuel Macron announced that from 15 December, a valid Health Pass will require a Covid booster jab for the over-65s and vulnerable groups, in a move that seemed to signal a third shot will be required in future to fulfil vaccine mandates.
Macron said in a televised speech that the rise in Covid cases and hospitalisations was alarming, calling on all citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible, Reuters reported.Macron said in a televised speech that the rise in Covid cases and hospitalisations was alarming, calling on all citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible, Reuters reported.
“Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated to protect yourselves. Get vaccinated to live normally,” he said.“Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated to protect yourselves. Get vaccinated to live normally,” he said.
Daily Covid-related deaths in the UK rose above 250 again today, with 262 reported. Here’s that rise in context.
As you can see, daily deaths have climbed gradually since July, and have regularly been above 100-a-day since late-August.
France registered 12,476 new confirmed Covid infections on Tuesday, the highest level since 8 September, health ministry data showed.
The total number of cases now stands at 7.23 million and the sliding seven-day average of new infections rose further to over 8,700.
The closely watched incidence rate - the number of new infections per week per 100,000 people - rose further to 91, the highest since mid-September and now nearly double the official alert level of 50.
The government uses the incidence rate to decide on regional and national lockdown measures. In dozens of French departments, children again have to put on masks in school as the incidence rate in their area is above the national average.
The president Emmanuel Macron is due to address the nation on the coronavirus situation around 7pm GMT (8pm Paris time).
Morocco will end a night curfew aimed at combating the spread Covid that it introduced in March 2020 starting from Wednesday, it said on Tuesday, after a fall in cases from the peak during the summer.
Morocco has administered more coronavirus vaccine doses than any other African country, inoculating 24 million people out of a population of 36 million, and has imposed a vaccine pass for travel and access to public places.
As we mentioned here earlier, AstraZeneca is to create a new vaccines unit as the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker plans for the future of its coronavirus shot beyond the pandemic.
The company said the reorganisation would bring together people who had previously been based in different parts of the business, and will be dedicated to the Covid-19 vaccine and tweaked versions to deal with new variants of Sars-CoV-2.
Here is my colleague Jasper Jolly’s story:
Here is a recap of some of the main developments from today:
Canada authorised the use of Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine as a booster shot for people 18 years of age and older.
The UK reported another 33,117 coronavirus cases and a further 262 deaths.
Northern Ireland’s health minister announced a public consultation on a proposal for compulsory Covid and flu vaccination for new health and social care workers. Robin Swann said requiring existing staff to get jabbed could be counterproductive and could further destabilise a workforce that is already severed depleted.
AstraZeneca is to create a new vaccines unit as the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker plans for the future of its coronavirus shot beyond the pandemic. The company said the reorganisation would bring together people who had previously been based in different parts of the business, and will be dedicated to the Covid-19 vaccine and tweaked versions to deal with new variants of Sars-CoV-2. Story here.
Russia said the nationwide workplace shutdown it ended this week had helped turn the tide on a wave of Covid cases, even as officials reported the largest one-day death toll of the pandemic so far. As all but a handful of Russia’s 80-plus regions ended a “non-working” period from 30 October to 7 November that was ordered by the president Vladimir Putin, the government coronavirus taskforce reported a record one-day death toll of 1,211. Many regions that have lifted the workplace shutdown will now require visitors to present a QR code on their mobile phones when visiting cafes, restaurants or shopping centres to prove they have been vaccinated or previously had the virus.
All 1.4 million NHS staff in England will have to be vaccinated against Covid by next spring if they want to keep their jobs, Sajid Javid confirmed to MPs. The health secretary has decided to press ahead with making jabs compulsory despite health unions and some doctors’ organisations voicing strong opposition. The move means that about 100,000 frontline personnel who have not yet had both doses of Covid vaccine will have to get jabbed or face dismissal. Story here + roundup of countries around the world that have brought in vaccine mandates here.
More than 75,000 excess deaths have taken place in private homes in England and Wales since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to analysis of Office for National Statistics data by PA. A total of 75,474 excess deaths in homes in England and Wales were registered between 7 March 2020 and 29 October 2021, according to the analysis. Of this number, just 8,824 - or 12% - were deaths that involved Covid-19.
France’s public health authority recommended people under 30 be given Pfizer’s Covid vaccine when available instead of Moderna’s jab, which carried comparatively higher risks of heart-related problems. The Haute Autorite de Sante (HAS), which does not have legal power to ban or license drugs but acts as an adviser to the French health sector, cited “very rare” risks linked to myocarditis, a heart disease, that had shown up in recent data on the Moderna vaccine and in a French study published on Monday.
A group of hospitals in the Netherlands called for the government to take new measures to stem rising Covid cases, saying they are “heading straight for a healthcare disaster” with neither space nor staff to handle more patients with coronavirus. In a letter to Mark Rutte’s government, the five hospitals in southern province of Limburg said: “We are heading straight for a healthcare disaster and the whole system is becoming jammed. We’re convinced the rest of the Netherlands will be following us shortly.”
As we’ve reported today, the UK has become the latest country to introduce Covid vaccine mandates after the government announced all NHS workers would need to be jabbed by next spring.
Here is a useful rundown of the vaccine mandates introduced around the world:
Canada has authorised the use of Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid vaccine as a booster shot for people 18 years of age and older, Health Canada said in a statement.
The clearance of the booster shot, which can be taken at least six months after the primary regimen, would help people get additional protection against the coronavirus at a time when the Delta variant has spurred a surge in cases and hospitalisations.
The US Food and Drug Administration has already authorized Covid-19 vaccine booster doses from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Inc for people aged 65 and older, those at risk of severe disease and those who are exposed to the virus through their work.
Johnson & Johnson’s booster shots have also been cleared in the United States for all individuals 18 years of age and older.
Just 0.1% of the coronavirus tests taken to enter the Cop26 climate summit have resulted in positive results, Scotland’s deputy first minister has said.
In a Covid-19 statement in the Scottish Parliament, John Swinney revealed the level of test positivity among Blue Zone pass holders as of 5 November.
All entrants to the central area of the climate conference must show proof of a negative lateral flow Covid-19 test, unless exempt, on each day they enter the site.
Swinney said the testing measures were part of a “comprehensive and exceptional package of mitigation measures” designed to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading among the approximately 30,000 people due to attend Cop26 and the wider community.
He added: “However, we are only just past the midpoint of the conference and we continuing to monitor the situation carefully. We will provide a further update following the conclusion of Cop26, unless there is a need to do so at an earlier opportunity.”
The latest figures for the whole of Scotland show a 12% positivity rate, with 2,233 new cases of Covid-19 reported on Tuesday.
You can follow live updates from Cop26 here:
The UK has reported another 33,117 coronavirus cases and a further 262 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the government’s dashboard.
This compares to 32,332 cases and 57 deaths reported in the 24 hour-period prior.