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Covid news live: up to 100,000 NHS England staff unvaccinated; thousands protest over New Zealand’s vaccine mandates Covid news live: up to 100,000 NHS England staff unvaccinated; thousands protest over New Zealand’s vaccine mandates
(32 minutes later)
Speculation mounts UK government will announce NHS vaccine mandate today; anti-vaccination mandate protesters descend on WellingtonSpeculation mounts UK government will announce NHS vaccine mandate today; anti-vaccination mandate protesters descend on Wellington
A group of hospitals in the southern Dutch province of Limburg has 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.
Covid infections in the Netherlands, as in other parts of Europe, are approaching all-time highs despite adult vaccination levels around 85%.
Last week, the prime minister Mark Rutte’s government announced new measures to slow the spread of the virus, two months after scrapping social distancing rules.
The new steps included the reintroduction of face masks in stores and broader use of the country’s proof-of-vaccination “corona pass”.
However, cases have continued to rise and the Netherlands’ Institute for Health (RIVM) is due to release new infection figures later on Tuesday that may pass the previous all-time high of 12,997 cases reported on 20 December.
In a letter to Rutte’s government, the five hospitals in Limburg said:
They urged fresh measures including beginning immediately with booster vaccination shots for elderly and vulnerable patients.
Rutte’s government has said it will offer booster shots to patients over the age of 60 once six months has passed since they were fully vaccinated.
His government is due to announce whether it will take fresh measures at a news conference scheduled for Friday.
Leo fled his hometown in southern Mexico after his uncle was murdered by gang members and he received death threats. Earlier this year, he, his wife and their two children headed to the US-Mexico border hoping to claim asylum.
After months of waiting, he hoped he would finally get his chance on Monday. But even as US borders opened, they remained closed to asylum seekers.
When Leo, 23, and his family approached the port of entry in Nogales, Mexico with his and his wife’s vaccination cards in hand, they were told by a border official they could not enter and seek asylum.
“I feel dispirited and sad,” Leo, who asked his last name not be published for fear of reprisals from the gang he fled, told Reuters. President Joe Biden “is just continuing the same policies of Donald Trump”, he said.
Biden has kept in place a controversial US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order, first implemented by his predecessor in March 2020, that allows migrants to be immediately expelled without an opportunity to seek asylum.
The Biden administration has said the CDC’s order, known as Title 42, remains necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19, as asylum seekers are processed in crowded settings at the border.
Any foreign national attempting to enter the United States without proper documentation will be subject to expulsion regardless of vaccination status, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Advocates have criticised the Biden administration’s continuation of the expulsion policy as borders reopen.
The idea that a vaccinated asylum seeker is more of a risk than a vaccinated tourist is laughable, said Noah Gottschalk, global policy lead with Oxfam America, one of the advocacy groups suing the Biden administration to overturn the Title 42 order.
Gottschalk said the exclusion of vaccinated asylum seekers strengthens the group’s argument that the policy isn’t about public health.
In September, a federal judge ordered the Biden administration to stop expelling family units - parents or legal guardians arriving with their children - under the Title 42 order.
The administration appealed, and a higher court put the judge’s ruling on hold as the case moves forward.
Last month, more than 1,300 medical professionals signed letters to the CDC urging it to end the border expulsions order, saying it lacked epidemiological evidence to justify it and put migrants at risk.
New York-based nonprofit Human Rights First has documented more than 7,600 kidnappings and other attacks on migrants stuck in Mexico who were blocked from entering the US since Biden took office in January.
Leo has been working in construction to pay rent in Nogales, but he says his earnings are not enough to support his family. “They abuse you because they know you are not from here, they pay you what they want,” he said.
He is also worried about his children getting hit by a stray bullet when gunshots ring out at night. The US State Department recommends Americans reconsider travel to the Mexican state of Sonora, where Nogales is located, due to crime and kidnapping.
“We were fleeing a place that was dangerous,” said Leo. “And here it is the same.”
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_
Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said he was expecting a UK government announcement on a deadline for mandatory vaccination for NHS staff today. He said there are between 80,000 and 100,000 NHS workers in England who are unvaccinated against coronavirus. Unison head of health Sara Gorton said it is wrong to “leap to the law” by bringing in mandatory vaccination instead of trying to persuade NHS workers to get jabbed.
More than four in ten adults in England who were hesitant about getting a coronavirus vaccine have since been vaccinated, figures suggest. Some 44% of people previously hesitant have since been jabbed, while 55% remained unvaccinated, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Dominic Raab, the deputy prime minister, has defended UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s appearance at a hospital yesterday at times without a face mask, which was the subject of much criticism on social media. Raab said “In any clinical setting, you follow the rules that are applied there.” The website of the hospital Johnson visited states that visitors must wear masks at all time.
In New Zealand an unusually large protest gathered steam in central Wellington today when about 2,000 people, some threatening violence, rallied against vaccine mandates and lockdowns. Protests took place across the country with some participants waving large Trump flags. Attacks on both police and reporters were also documented.
Ukraine registered a record 833 coronavirus-related deaths over the past 24 hours
Thailand plans to reopen its borders to workers from neighbouring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, a government official said today, in a bid to ease a labour shortage that is hurting its export and tourism-dependent economy.
Covid-19 patients in Singapore who remain unvaccinated by choice will have to pay for their hospitalisation bills from 8 December, the government has ruled.
India could resume deliveries of Covid-19 shots to global vaccine-sharing platform Covax in a few weeks for the first time since April. It would end a suspension of supplies that has hurt the vaccination efforts of poorer countries.
Residents of a city in China that borders Russia have been offered major cash rewards for tips on the continuing Delta outbreak, with local officials declaring a “people’s war” on the virus.
China has broadened its definition of close contact in the latest drive to control the further spread of the virus during winter. The new methodology says that people who happen to be in the same area at the same time as an infected person for a short period of time may be asked to get a test or quarantine
In the United States, there is a renewed campaign to vaccinate rural Americans due to the stark difference in Covid-19 cases and deaths among those living in less-populated areas compared with towns and cities.
In Australia a Carlton AFL player is refusing to have his Covid-19 vaccinations before the club’s pre-season training.
That is it from me, Martin Belam, today. Lucy Campbell will be here to pick up the baton shortly.
More than four in 10 adults in England who were hesitant about getting a coronavirus vaccine have since been vaccinated, figures suggest. Some 44% of people previously hesitant have since been jabbed, while 55% remained unvaccinated, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.More than four in 10 adults in England who were hesitant about getting a coronavirus vaccine have since been vaccinated, figures suggest. Some 44% of people previously hesitant have since been jabbed, while 55% remained unvaccinated, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
It found that hesitancy was highest in younger people, but this group was more likely than hesitant older adults to have since taken up an offered vaccine. Two thirds of those now vaccinated said they had been motivated by wanting restrictions to ease and life to return to normal.It found that hesitancy was highest in younger people, but this group was more likely than hesitant older adults to have since taken up an offered vaccine. Two thirds of those now vaccinated said they had been motivated by wanting restrictions to ease and life to return to normal.
Jemma Crew, PA’s social affairs correspondent write that more than half of those who remained unvaccinated said they were worried about potential side effects.Jemma Crew, PA’s social affairs correspondent write that more than half of those who remained unvaccinated said they were worried about potential side effects.
For its Covid-19 Vaccine Opinions Study, the ONS followed up with 2,482 adults who had reported vaccine hesitancy when originally surveyed between 13 January and 8 August.For its Covid-19 Vaccine Opinions Study, the ONS followed up with 2,482 adults who had reported vaccine hesitancy when originally surveyed between 13 January and 8 August.
While there were higher rates of hesitancy among black adults compared with white adults, uptake in these groups was similar.While there were higher rates of hesitancy among black adults compared with white adults, uptake in these groups was similar.
Overall, out of those who remained unvaccinated, 58% were worried about potential side effects, long-term effects of the vaccine (54%) and not thinking that the jab was safe (32%). Some 55% said they thought the vaccine had been developed too quickly.Overall, out of those who remained unvaccinated, 58% were worried about potential side effects, long-term effects of the vaccine (54%) and not thinking that the jab was safe (32%). Some 55% said they thought the vaccine had been developed too quickly.
A Carlton Australian Football League player is refusing to have his Covid-19 vaccinations before the club’s pre-season training. It is understood the unnamed player is the only Blue who hasn’t agreed to be vaccinated. He would be the first AFL player to refuse his jabs.A Carlton Australian Football League player is refusing to have his Covid-19 vaccinations before the club’s pre-season training. It is understood the unnamed player is the only Blue who hasn’t agreed to be vaccinated. He would be the first AFL player to refuse his jabs.
The news comes after Adelaide announced last Friday their dual AFLW premiership defender Deni Varnhagen would go on to their inactive list because she will not have her Covid-19 jabs.The news comes after Adelaide announced last Friday their dual AFLW premiership defender Deni Varnhagen would go on to their inactive list because she will not have her Covid-19 jabs.
The Blues and the AFL would not comment, with Carlton’s AFL players officially starting their pre-season under new coach Michael Voss later this month.The Blues and the AFL would not comment, with Carlton’s AFL players officially starting their pre-season under new coach Michael Voss later this month.
Read more here: Carlton AFL player refusing to get Covid vaccine ahead of pre-season trainingRead more here: Carlton AFL player refusing to get Covid vaccine ahead of pre-season training
A total of 859 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending 29 October mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is up 8% on the previous week and is the highest number since the week to September 24.A total of 859 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending 29 October mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is up 8% on the previous week and is the highest number since the week to September 24.
PA Media note that a total of 167,367 deaths have occurred in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, according to the ONS. The highest number on a single day was 1,484 on 19 January.PA Media note that a total of 167,367 deaths have occurred in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, according to the ONS. The highest number on a single day was 1,484 on 19 January.
In the United States, there is a renewed campaign to vaccinate rural Americans due to the stark difference in Covid-19 cases and deaths among those living in less-populated areas compared with towns and cities.In the United States, there is a renewed campaign to vaccinate rural Americans due to the stark difference in Covid-19 cases and deaths among those living in less-populated areas compared with towns and cities.
Rural residents are now twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as Americans in metropolitan areas. Yet rural areas tend to lag at least 10% behind metropolitan areas when it comes to vaccination – and this hesitancy is exacerbating already existing health issues.Rural residents are now twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as Americans in metropolitan areas. Yet rural areas tend to lag at least 10% behind metropolitan areas when it comes to vaccination – and this hesitancy is exacerbating already existing health issues.
“Rural populations are older, they’re sicker and they’re poorer,” said Fred Ullrich, research analyst at the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis and co-author of a report on Covid’s disproportionate burden on rural communities.“Rural populations are older, they’re sicker and they’re poorer,” said Fred Ullrich, research analyst at the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis and co-author of a report on Covid’s disproportionate burden on rural communities.
Residents of rural areas also tend to have lower rates of insurance, or the insurance they have doesn’t cover as much, which means they may put off seeking care until it’s too late. And they have worse access to healthcare itself – all of which can lead to worse Covid outcomes.Residents of rural areas also tend to have lower rates of insurance, or the insurance they have doesn’t cover as much, which means they may put off seeking care until it’s too late. And they have worse access to healthcare itself – all of which can lead to worse Covid outcomes.
As of early October, 42.6% of rural residents were fully vaccinated, compared with 54.5% in metropolitan areas, according to an analysis by the rural-news publication the Daily Yonder. In September, rural areas saw their biggest leap in vaccinations since June before declining again in recent weeks. Even as new cases of Covid have begun falling, rural areas still have an infection rate that is 80% higher than metropolitan areas – and the death rate is still twice as high.As of early October, 42.6% of rural residents were fully vaccinated, compared with 54.5% in metropolitan areas, according to an analysis by the rural-news publication the Daily Yonder. In September, rural areas saw their biggest leap in vaccinations since June before declining again in recent weeks. Even as new cases of Covid have begun falling, rural areas still have an infection rate that is 80% higher than metropolitan areas – and the death rate is still twice as high.
Read more of Melody Schreiber’s report here: New vaccine campaigns target rural Americans to address disparitiesRead more of Melody Schreiber’s report here: New vaccine campaigns target rural Americans to address disparities
Andrew Sparrow has just gone live with our UK politics blog for the day. I expect he will have enough on his plate with MP’s second jobs and “Tory sleaze” to keep him busy, so I’ll continue to bring you any major UK Covid lines here, as well as coronavirus developments from around the world.Andrew Sparrow has just gone live with our UK politics blog for the day. I expect he will have enough on his plate with MP’s second jobs and “Tory sleaze” to keep him busy, so I’ll continue to bring you any major UK Covid lines here, as well as coronavirus developments from around the world.
Dominic Raab has been pressed again during his media appearances in the UK on when the UK government might introduce a vaccine mandate for NHS staff. On ITV’s Good Morning Britain the deputy prime minister said:Dominic Raab has been pressed again during his media appearances in the UK on when the UK government might introduce a vaccine mandate for NHS staff. On ITV’s Good Morning Britain the deputy prime minister said:
Thailand plans to reopen its borders to workers from neighbouring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, a government official said today, in a bid to ease a labour shortage that is hurting its export and tourism-dependent economy.Thailand plans to reopen its borders to workers from neighbouring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, a government official said today, in a bid to ease a labour shortage that is hurting its export and tourism-dependent economy.
Pairote Chotikasathien, from the Ministry of Labor, said the rules relating to vaccination status for the migrant workers, quarantine procedures and Covid-19 testing will be decided on Wednesday.Pairote Chotikasathien, from the Ministry of Labor, said the rules relating to vaccination status for the migrant workers, quarantine procedures and Covid-19 testing will be decided on Wednesday.
Reuters report that Thailand’s big exporting industries such as food and rubber production rely heavily on migrant labour. But strict border controls and quarantine rules have virtually halted all labour migration.Reuters report that Thailand’s big exporting industries such as food and rubber production rely heavily on migrant labour. But strict border controls and quarantine rules have virtually halted all labour migration.
Pairote estimated the country needed 420,000 foreign workers at this time, mostly in the construction, manufacturing and seafood industries. Many workers left the country as it battled its worst Covid-19 outbreak earlier this year and have not returned.Pairote estimated the country needed 420,000 foreign workers at this time, mostly in the construction, manufacturing and seafood industries. Many workers left the country as it battled its worst Covid-19 outbreak earlier this year and have not returned.
Unison head of health Sara Gorton said it is wrong to “leap to the law” by bringing in mandatory vaccination instead of trying to persuade NHS workers to get jabbed.Unison head of health Sara Gorton said it is wrong to “leap to the law” by bringing in mandatory vaccination instead of trying to persuade NHS workers to get jabbed.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’ve been keen to ensure that what our role is, understanding what people are telling us about the reasons why they have fears, about why they are not convinced by the arguments, and making sure that those people can get access to up-to-date information and access to experts who may be able to help them change their mind.”She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’ve been keen to ensure that what our role is, understanding what people are telling us about the reasons why they have fears, about why they are not convinced by the arguments, and making sure that those people can get access to up-to-date information and access to experts who may be able to help them change their mind.”
PA Media quotes her saying: “And we’ve been really keen to be part of that process. So this isn’t about saying that it’s wrong, the vaccination programme is wrong, it’s saying that it is wrong to leap to the law, rather than stick with persuasion, conversation, peer group support to try and increase those rates beyond what is, let’s face it, a really, really high existing level of vaccination amongst NHS staff.”PA Media quotes her saying: “And we’ve been really keen to be part of that process. So this isn’t about saying that it’s wrong, the vaccination programme is wrong, it’s saying that it is wrong to leap to the law, rather than stick with persuasion, conversation, peer group support to try and increase those rates beyond what is, let’s face it, a really, really high existing level of vaccination amongst NHS staff.”
She described any move to bring in mandatory vaccinations as “really risky”, saying that it could have “really, really difficult consequences for the NHS in what we know is going to be a really difficult winter”.She described any move to bring in mandatory vaccinations as “really risky”, saying that it could have “really, really difficult consequences for the NHS in what we know is going to be a really difficult winter”.
China has broadened its definition of close contact in the latest drive to control the further spread of the virus during winter.China has broadened its definition of close contact in the latest drive to control the further spread of the virus during winter.
The new methodology says that people who happen to be in the same area at the same time as an infected person for a short period of time may be asked to get a test or quarantine, according to notices circulating in Chinese press and on social media in recent years.The new methodology says that people who happen to be in the same area at the same time as an infected person for a short period of time may be asked to get a test or quarantine, according to notices circulating in Chinese press and on social media in recent years.
Officials call this method of reducing infection “spacial-temporal overlap”, but the exact definition of it appears to be varying among provinces. In recent days, explainers are being produced by local media outlets to inform the public of how it works in practice.Officials call this method of reducing infection “spacial-temporal overlap”, but the exact definition of it appears to be varying among provinces. In recent days, explainers are being produced by local media outlets to inform the public of how it works in practice.
In Chengdu, for example, a “spacial-temporal overlap” contact has to meet two criteria: 1) someone’s phone appeared to be within the same 800-metre spacial-temporal grid as the phone of an infected person for more than 10 minutes; 2) either of the party’s phone has lingered there for over 30 hours in the last 14 days.In Chengdu, for example, a “spacial-temporal overlap” contact has to meet two criteria: 1) someone’s phone appeared to be within the same 800-metre spacial-temporal grid as the phone of an infected person for more than 10 minutes; 2) either of the party’s phone has lingered there for over 30 hours in the last 14 days.
Chinese media said that Chengdu police had found 82,000 people at the risk of being identified as “spacial-temporal overlap” having deployed this method. These people have now been alerted by the local CDC, reports said.Chinese media said that Chengdu police had found 82,000 people at the risk of being identified as “spacial-temporal overlap” having deployed this method. These people have now been alerted by the local CDC, reports said.
On Tuesday, 62 new cases were reported in the country, making the total number of Covid cases to at least 941 since 17 October.On Tuesday, 62 new cases were reported in the country, making the total number of Covid cases to at least 941 since 17 October.
The seven-day average for new cases in Bulgaria has been trending downwards since the beginning of November, suggesting the country’s wave of Covid infections may have peaked.The seven-day average for new cases in Bulgaria has been trending downwards since the beginning of November, suggesting the country’s wave of Covid infections may have peaked.
Official figures today show Bulgaria recorded 5,286 positive cases in the last 24 hours. That’s up slightly on the seven-day average, and will no doubt have authorities monitoring the next couple of days very closely. The test positivity rate was 11%.Official figures today show Bulgaria recorded 5,286 positive cases in the last 24 hours. That’s up slightly on the seven-day average, and will no doubt have authorities monitoring the next couple of days very closely. The test positivity rate was 11%.
Bulgarian media reported that of 8,516 patients in hospital in total, 723 are in intensive care. Bulgaria, which has a population of 6.9, has the lowest vaccination rate in the EU, with 29.7% of adults having received at least one dose.Bulgarian media reported that of 8,516 patients in hospital in total, 723 are in intensive care. Bulgaria, which has a population of 6.9, has the lowest vaccination rate in the EU, with 29.7% of adults having received at least one dose.