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Covid live: Dutch PM to announce partial lockdown; Germany to quarantine unvaccinated Austrian visitors Covid live: Dutch PM to announce partial lockdown; Germany to quarantine unvaccinated Austrian visitors
(33 minutes later)
Caretaker PM Mark Rutte expected to reintroduce restrictions amid rising cases; Germany adds Austria to list of high-risk countries as cases riseCaretaker PM Mark Rutte expected to reintroduce restrictions amid rising cases; Germany adds Austria to list of high-risk countries as cases rise
AstraZeneca said it would begin to earn a modest profit from its coronavirus vaccine as the world learns to live with the virus and the drugmaker is in talks with several countries about new orders for delivery next year, Reuters reports.
AstraZeneca made a commitment to sell the shot developed with Oxford University at cost during the pandemic and in a press conference on Friday said low-income nations would continue to receive the vaccine on a no-profit basis, while a post-pandemic commercial approach would apply to other new orders even as infections in Europe rise again.
The Anglo-Swedish company’s third-quarter results showed the vaccine contributed one cent to core earnings per share of $1.08, a rise of 14%. Total product sales jumped 49% to $9.74 billion, as its vaccine sales topped $1 billion.
“We started this project to help ... but we also said that at some stage in the future, we will transition to commercial orders,” chief executive Pascal Soriot told journalists.
Soriot said the virus was becoming endemic, a term for a background level of infections that is part of everyday life.
Talks about new orders with undisclosed countries were underway, mainly for delivery next year, with some prospective customers focusing on booster shots, he said.
AstraZeneca unveiled plans this week to set up a separate unit to focus on its coronavirus efforts and other respiratory infections. It said on Friday the unit would independently manage production and distribution.
Shares of the FTSE 100 drugmaker were down 3.4% at about £91.22 at 12.09 GMT as overall third-quarter profit fell short of analysts’ expectations.
AstraZeneca said a profit boost from the vaccine in the fourth quarter would make up for costs related to its antibody cocktail for preventing and treating Covid, as it stuck with its earnings forecast for the year.
AstraZeneca’s vaccine has had a tumultuous journey, with its not-for-profit strategy and challenges around efficacy data, supplies and links to rare blood clots, fuelling speculation on whether it would want to keep the business in the long term.
The drugmaker and its Indian manufacturing partner, Serum Institute, have supplied more than 1.5 billion vaccine doses as of the end of September, compared with more than 2 billion from the rival alliance of Pfizer/BioNTech.
Pfizer this month forecast 2021 and 2022 sales from its Covid vaccine of at least $65 billion overall, topping estimates. However, Moderna slashed its 2021 sales outlook for its shot by as much as $5 billion, on production hiccups.
Including sales from the vaccine in the fourth quarter, AstraZeneca now expects 2021 revenues to grow by a mid-to-high twenties percentage. It previously expected sales to grow by a low-twenties percentage excluding the shot.
Analysts on average were expecting third-quarter profit of $1.28 per share on sales of $9.4 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES data.
Austria’s government is likely to decide on Sunday to impose a lockdown on people not vaccinated against the coronavirus, the chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said on Friday.
The government will hold a video call with the governors of Austria’s nine provinces on Sunday at which the aim is to agree on the measure in response to a surge in infections, he told a news conference in the western province of Tyrol.
Around one in 60 people in private households in England had Covid in the week to 6 November, down from one in 50 the previous week, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.
That is the equivalent of around 925,400 people and is slightly below the proportion of people who were estimated to have coronavirus at the peak of the second wave in early January, PA reports.
Norway will offer a third Covid vaccine dose to everyone aged 18 or older and will give municipalities the option of using digital “corona passes” as a way to beat back an ongoing surge in infections, the government said on Friday.Norway will offer a third Covid vaccine dose to everyone aged 18 or older and will give municipalities the option of using digital “corona passes” as a way to beat back an ongoing surge in infections, the government said on Friday.
Norway has so far only given a third dose to those aged 65 and older.Norway has so far only given a third dose to those aged 65 and older.
“Everyone aged 18 and older will be offered a third dose next year,” the prime minister Jonas Gahr Støere told a news conference.“Everyone aged 18 and older will be offered a third dose next year,” the prime minister Jonas Gahr Støere told a news conference.
In late September, Norway ended the last of its domestic coronavirus lockdown measures, which for 18 months had restricted social interaction and hobbled many businesses.In late September, Norway ended the last of its domestic coronavirus lockdown measures, which for 18 months had restricted social interaction and hobbled many businesses.
The country is not going back into lockdown however, Støere added.The country is not going back into lockdown however, Støere added.
But while 87% of adults in Norway have received at least two vaccine doses against Covid-19, and 70% of the overall population has been inoculated, infections and hospitalisations are now rising rapidly.But while 87% of adults in Norway have received at least two vaccine doses against Covid-19, and 70% of the overall population has been inoculated, infections and hospitalisations are now rising rapidly.
Norway uses vaccines made by BioNTech, Pfizer and Moderna in its national rollout, which since September includes everyone aged 12 and over.Norway uses vaccines made by BioNTech, Pfizer and Moderna in its national rollout, which since September includes everyone aged 12 and over.
Mauritius has imposed a raft of Covid-19 curbs today as it confronts surge in cases despite a high vaccination rate, Agence France-Presse reports.Mauritius has imposed a raft of Covid-19 curbs today as it confronts surge in cases despite a high vaccination rate, Agence France-Presse reports.
The prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, announced the restrictions in a televised address to the country on Thursday, blaming people who were not abiding by health protocols for the increase in infections. He said:The prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, announced the restrictions in a televised address to the country on Thursday, blaming people who were not abiding by health protocols for the increase in infections. He said:
Mauritius had fully opened its doors to international visitors at the start of October, hoping to rebuild its vital tourism industry after months of isolation because of the pandemic.Mauritius had fully opened its doors to international visitors at the start of October, hoping to rebuild its vital tourism industry after months of isolation because of the pandemic.
But according to latest figures reported to the World Health Organization on Friday, Mauritius has registered 18,979 cases and 240 deaths compared with about 12,600 infections and 44 deaths on 1 October.But according to latest figures reported to the World Health Organization on Friday, Mauritius has registered 18,979 cases and 240 deaths compared with about 12,600 infections and 44 deaths on 1 October.
Many of the new cases are linked to the Delta variant, according to the health ministry.Many of the new cases are linked to the Delta variant, according to the health ministry.
Schools were closed this week, with all classes to be held online, while bars and discos have been ordered to shut and concerts and sporting competitions banned.Schools were closed this week, with all classes to be held online, while bars and discos have been ordered to shut and concerts and sporting competitions banned.
The government is also limiting numbers of people attending gatherings such as weddings, funerals and rallies, but said beaches would be open, although picnics are prohibited.The government is also limiting numbers of people attending gatherings such as weddings, funerals and rallies, but said beaches would be open, although picnics are prohibited.
In his address, Jugnauth highlighted the importance of the Covid jab and urged people to receive booster shots.In his address, Jugnauth highlighted the importance of the Covid jab and urged people to receive booster shots.
The health minister, Kailesh Jagutpal, said last week that more than 67% of the population had received two vaccine doses.The health minister, Kailesh Jagutpal, said last week that more than 67% of the population had received two vaccine doses.
But he told parliament on Tuesday that since the start of the year, 61 fully vaccinated people had died in hospital in Mauritius.But he told parliament on Tuesday that since the start of the year, 61 fully vaccinated people had died in hospital in Mauritius.
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.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_Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_
The Netherlands will become the first western European country to impose a partial lockdown since the summer, Dutch media have reported, introducing strict new measures from Saturday after record numbers of new Covid-19 infections.The Netherlands will become the first western European country to impose a partial lockdown since the summer, Dutch media have reported, introducing strict new measures from Saturday after record numbers of new Covid-19 infections.
The restrictions, to be announced by the prime minister, Mark Rutte, on Friday evening and to last at least three weeks, include the closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential shops from 7pm, the public broadcaster NOS said.The restrictions, to be announced by the prime minister, Mark Rutte, on Friday evening and to last at least three weeks, include the closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential shops from 7pm, the public broadcaster NOS said.
Austria is to place millions of people not fully vaccinated in lockdown within days as infections soar to record highs and intensive care units experience increasing strain. The worst-affected province of Upper Austria plans to introduce a lockdown for the unvaccinated from Monday after recommendations from medical experts.Austria is to place millions of people not fully vaccinated in lockdown within days as infections soar to record highs and intensive care units experience increasing strain. The worst-affected province of Upper Austria plans to introduce a lockdown for the unvaccinated from Monday after recommendations from medical experts.
Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, has made a series of announcements. Covid tests will become free again from Saturday, and from Tuesday doctors will be given greater financial incentive to administer vaccines. From Sunday visitors from Austria will be classed as “high-risk” and must enter quarantine upon arrival in Germany unless they have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, has made a series of announcements. Covid tests will become free again from Saturday, and from Tuesday doctors will be given greater financial incentive to administer vaccines. From Sunday visitors from Austria will be classed as “high-risk” and must enter quarantine upon arrival in Germany unless they have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.
The Czech Republic reported 10,395 new Covid-19 cases for 11 November, surpassing 10,000 for the third time this week.The Czech Republic reported 10,395 new Covid-19 cases for 11 November, surpassing 10,000 for the third time this week.
Denmark has reintroduced its digital Covid pass from today, after it declared coronavirus was once again “a socially critical disease” amid an increase in domestic cases.Denmark has reintroduced its digital Covid pass from today, after it declared coronavirus was once again “a socially critical disease” amid an increase in domestic cases.
Dr Bharat Pankhania, a senior clinical lecturer at Exeter University College of Medicine and Health, has said in western Europe the large pool of unvaccinated people combined with a widespread post-lockdown resumption of socialising and a slight decline in immunity for people who got their shots months ago is driving up the pace of infections.Dr Bharat Pankhania, a senior clinical lecturer at Exeter University College of Medicine and Health, has said in western Europe the large pool of unvaccinated people combined with a widespread post-lockdown resumption of socialising and a slight decline in immunity for people who got their shots months ago is driving up the pace of infections.
Russia’s case and death numbers remain at similar levels to yesterday with 40,123 new cases and 1,235 deaths. Media reports suggest a database of Russians who purchased fake coronavirus vaccine certificates has leaked online.Russia’s case and death numbers remain at similar levels to yesterday with 40,123 new cases and 1,235 deaths. Media reports suggest a database of Russians who purchased fake coronavirus vaccine certificates has leaked online.
China has reported the first Covid-19 cases among foreign athletes at preparatory events for the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, as stringent measures to control any outbreaks are put to the test.China has reported the first Covid-19 cases among foreign athletes at preparatory events for the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, as stringent measures to control any outbreaks are put to the test.
The port city of Dalian has recorded China’s highest daily Covid count as the country continues to battle a fresh outbreak. The growing Covid-19 cluster has spurred the north-eastern port city to limit outbound travel, cut offline school classes and close a few cultural venues after being told by national authorities to contain the outbreak more quickly.The port city of Dalian has recorded China’s highest daily Covid count as the country continues to battle a fresh outbreak. The growing Covid-19 cluster has spurred the north-eastern port city to limit outbound travel, cut offline school classes and close a few cultural venues after being told by national authorities to contain the outbreak more quickly.
Lucy Campbell will be here shortly to continue bringing you the latest Covid news from the UK and around the world. I will see you on Monday – have a good weekend, take care and stay safe.Lucy Campbell will be here shortly to continue bringing you the latest Covid news from the UK and around the world. I will see you on Monday – have a good weekend, take care and stay safe.
China has reported the first Covid-19 cases among foreign athletes at preparatory events for the upcoming Beijing 2022 Winter Games, as stringent measures being put in place to control any outbreaks are put to the test.China has reported the first Covid-19 cases among foreign athletes at preparatory events for the upcoming Beijing 2022 Winter Games, as stringent measures being put in place to control any outbreaks are put to the test.
Two lugers of the same nationality tested positive, said Huang Chun, an official of the Games organising committee. Both were transferred to quarantine hotels, he told a news briefing in the Chinese capital.Two lugers of the same nationality tested positive, said Huang Chun, an official of the Games organising committee. Both were transferred to quarantine hotels, he told a news briefing in the Chinese capital.
Reuters reports that Beijing’s vice-mayor previously said coronavirus would be one of the biggest challenges to the city’s hosting of the Games.Reuters reports that Beijing’s vice-mayor previously said coronavirus would be one of the biggest challenges to the city’s hosting of the Games.
The Games will run from 4-20 February, with all participants subject to daily Covid-19 tests, and no international spectators. The Winter Paralympics will follow in March. Athletes and other Games-related personnel will also be enveloped in a “closed loop” bubble.The Games will run from 4-20 February, with all participants subject to daily Covid-19 tests, and no international spectators. The Winter Paralympics will follow in March. Athletes and other Games-related personnel will also be enveloped in a “closed loop” bubble.
“We will still let the person take part in training and activities related to the games, but (the individual) needs to go though strict health monitoring and Covid-19 testing every day,” Huang said, referring to the first athlete who tested positive.“We will still let the person take part in training and activities related to the games, but (the individual) needs to go though strict health monitoring and Covid-19 testing every day,” Huang said, referring to the first athlete who tested positive.
There’s been another announcement from Germany’s acting health minister Jens Spahn, that from Sunday visitors from Austria will be classed as “high-risk”. People travelling from Austria must enter quarantine upon arrival in Germany unless they have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19There’s been another announcement from Germany’s acting health minister Jens Spahn, that from Sunday visitors from Austria will be classed as “high-risk”. People travelling from Austria must enter quarantine upon arrival in Germany unless they have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19
Denmark has reintroduced its digital Covid pass from today, after it declared the coronavirus once again “a socially critical disease” amid an increase in domestic cases.Denmark has reintroduced its digital Covid pass from today, after it declared the coronavirus once again “a socially critical disease” amid an increase in domestic cases.
The pass must be used for a month to enter nightclubs, cafes, party buses and to be seated indoor in restaurants. It was originally introduced on 1 July but was removed on 10 September, when the outbreak was apparently under control because of a high rate of vaccination.The pass must be used for a month to enter nightclubs, cafes, party buses and to be seated indoor in restaurants. It was originally introduced on 1 July but was removed on 10 September, when the outbreak was apparently under control because of a high rate of vaccination.
People aged 15 and over must also use the pass when attending outdoor events where the number of people exceeds 2,000.People aged 15 and over must also use the pass when attending outdoor events where the number of people exceeds 2,000.
Associated Press reports that Denmark, like many other countries, has recorded an increase in cases, with health authorities saying the number of infections and hospitalisations has risen faster than expected.Associated Press reports that Denmark, like many other countries, has recorded an increase in cases, with health authorities saying the number of infections and hospitalisations has risen faster than expected.
On Tuesday, the Danish parliament’s all-party epidemic committee unanimously approved a decision to once again call the outbreak “a socially critical disease” and approved the reintroduction of the pass.On Tuesday, the Danish parliament’s all-party epidemic committee unanimously approved a decision to once again call the outbreak “a socially critical disease” and approved the reintroduction of the pass.
In addition, the Danish broadcast DR has said the government, the confederations of trade unions and employers have reached a deal making it possible for employers to demand that employees show the digital pass at work. The deal must be approved by parliament, most likely next week.In addition, the Danish broadcast DR has said the government, the confederations of trade unions and employers have reached a deal making it possible for employers to demand that employees show the digital pass at work. The deal must be approved by parliament, most likely next week.
A very quick snap from Reuters here. Germany’s acting health minister, Jens Spahn, has made two announcements this morning at a news conference.A very quick snap from Reuters here. Germany’s acting health minister, Jens Spahn, has made two announcements this morning at a news conference.
Germany will reintroduce free Covid-19 tests from Saturday.Germany will reintroduce free Covid-19 tests from Saturday.
Doctors will get higher reimbursements for administering Covid-19 vaccinations from Tuesday.Doctors will get higher reimbursements for administering Covid-19 vaccinations from Tuesday.
In the Netherlands, the caretaker prime minister Mark Rutte’s cabinet will take a final decision on new Covid restrictions during a meeting today, and he will announce the measures during a televised news conference scheduled for 1800 GMT.
It is expected that bars and restaurants will be ordered to close early, and sporting events will be held without audiences under a three-week partial lockdown.
The move would mark a drastic turn in policy for the Dutch government, which until last month thought a relatively high vaccination rate would mean it could further ease measures towards the end of the year.
It is unclear whether the government will adopt a more politically sensitive recommendation by its leading pandemic advisory panel to limit access to public places to people who have been fully vaccinated or have had Covid-19 after the lockdown period.
Bart Meijer sums up the situation in the Netherlands for Reuters, where new coronavirus infections in the country of 17.5 million have increased rapidly after social distancing measures were dropped in late September and hit a record of about 16,300 in 24 hours on Thursday.
Russia’s case and death numbers remain at similar levels to yesterday, as authorities wait to see whether the enforced week’s holiday last week has made any impact on the chain of transmission within the country. In the last 24 hours there were 40,123 new cases and 1,235 deaths.
In another development, the Moscow Times reports that there has been a data breach of information on people who purchased fake vaccination QR codes. They write:
British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, which is selling its Covid vaccine at cost price, said it had fallen into a loss in the third quarter.
The company posted a net loss of $1.65bn (£1.23bn) compared with a profit after tax of about $650m (£486m) in the third quarter last year.
Agence France-Presse reports that AstraZeneca said it experienced higher costs in the latest July-September period after its takeover of the US biotech company Alexion, as well as increased research and development expenses across multiple programmes, including its Covid treatments.
The group added that revenue from its Covid vaccine totalled $2.22bn in the year to date after the delivery of about 580m doses worldwide.
A quick snap from Reuters that the Czech Republic reported 10,395 new Covid-19 cases for 11 November, surpassing 10,000 for the third time this week, Health Ministry data showed on Friday.
The number of patients hospitalised with the illness dropped slightly to 3,557, with 542 in serious condition, in the country of 10.7 million.
Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer at Exeter University College of Medicine and Health, has told Associated Press that in Western Europe the large pool of unvaccinated people combined with a widespread post-lockdown resumption of socializing and a slight decline in immunity for people who got their shots months ago is driving up the pace of infections.
Many European countries now use Covid passes — proof of full vaccination, recovery from the virus or a negative test result — to access venues like bars and restaurants. Pankhania warned that the passes can give a false sense of security since fully vaccinated people can still get infected — though their chances of dying or getting seriously sick are dramatically lower.
Thanks largely to vaccination, hospitals in Western Europe are not under the same pressure they were earlier in the pandemic, but many are still straining to handle rising numbers of Covid patients while also attempting to clear backlogs of tests and surgeries with exhausted or sick staff.
Mike Corder for Associated Press writes that the question now is if countries can tamp down this latest upswing without resorting to stringent shutdowns that devastated economies, disrupted education and weighed on mental health. Experts say probably — but authorities can’t avoid all restrictions and must boost vaccination rates.
“I think the era of locking people up in their homes is over because we now have tools to control Covid — the testing, vaccines and therapeutics,” said Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh. “So I hope people will do the things they have to do, like put on a mask.”
Spain, once one of Europe’s hardest hit nations, perhaps offers an example of how the risks can be managed.
It has vaccinated 80% of its population, and while face masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, many people still wear them.
While infections have ticked up slightly recently, Rafael Bengoa, one of Spain’s leading public health experts, said that given the high vaccination rate, “the virus won’t be able to dominate us again.”
Pankhania says that no single measure will control the pandemic. “To really control it, it has to be multi-layered ... avoid crowds, avoid poorly ventilated places, be immunized, wear your mask,” he said.
Here’s the map of the latest caseloads across Europe. You can see that what started as a new wave of Covid in the east of the continent has now spread to a darker band that runs through Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, with Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Slovakia now at the highest case level.
Hello, it is Martin Belam here in London, taking over from Samantha Lock in Sydney. Just a little bit more on the situation in the Netherlands, which looks set to announce a three-week partial lockdown at a televised press conference tonight. The DutchNews.nl website has this further detail this morning:
The Chinese port city of Dalian has reported China’s highest daily Covid count as the nation continues to battle the most recent outbreak since mid-October.
The growing Covid-19 cluster has spurred the northeastern port city to limit outbound travel, cut offline school classes and close a few cultural venues after being told by national authorities to contain the outbreak more quickly, Reuters reports.
Dalian reported 52 locally transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms on Thursday, more than doubling from 21 cases a day earlier, official data showed on Friday.
A total of 1,149 local cases were found in China between 17 October and 11 November. While the number is tiny compared with many outbreaks outside the country, local authorities have exerted resources to put out the flare-up with Beijing not expected to change its zero-tolerance policy any time soon.
“Various measures should be quickened and their quality should be improved, in order to get the outbreak under control in a shorter amount of time and to minimise the outbreak’s impact on manufacturing and life of the general public,” the National Health Commission said on Thursday, citing a meeting chaired by the commission’s director in Dalian.
The Dutch government is considering whether to impose a partial lockdown to curb a surge in Covid infections.
The Netherlands reported another 16,364 new cases and 26 deaths on Thursday, jumping to the highest level since the start of the pandemic. The surge follows the lifting of social distancing measures in late September.
The government’s pandemic advisory panel has recommended imposing a partial lockdown, shutting down theatres and cinemas, scrapping large events and closing cafes and restaurants earlier, broadcaster NOS reported. Schools would however remain open.
Hospitals in the southern province of Limburg — the hardest-hit Dutch region — sounded the alarm earlier this week in a letter to the health ministry, saying: “We are heading straight for a healthcare blockage and the entire system is grinding to a standstill.”
Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s cabinet will discuss the advice during an emergency meeting on Thursday night, and will announce its decisions during a televised press conference scheduled for Friday, Reuters reports.
Welcome back to our live Covid coverage.
I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be bringing you all the top headlines from around the world for the next few hours.
For the past few weeks, many European countries have been eyeing Covid case numbers with mounting trepidation and concerns over whether to reinstate lockdowns.
Austria and the Netherlands may be the first to do so in western Europe with the former set to place millions of people not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in lockdown in a matter of days as infections soar to record highs and intensive care units face an increasing strain.
The country’s worst-affected province of Upper Austria plans to introduce a lockdown for the unvaccinated from Monday next week
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said: “I don’t see why two-thirds should lose their freedom because one-third is dithering. For me, it is clear that there should be no lockdown for the vaccinated out of solidarity for the unvaccinated.”
A summary of recent developments:
The Netherlands recorded more than 16,364 new coronavirus infections in 24 hours, the highest number since the start of the pandemic. Dutch health experts have called on the government to impose a partial lockdown to fight the increase in cases.
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Olaf Scholz has pushed ahead with a plan to phase out a state of national emergency by the end of the month, despite the country recording a record-high number of 50,196 new daily coronavirus cases on Thursday.
Australia passes the 90% first dose vaccination milestone for those aged 16 and over.
Brazil reports 188 Covid deaths in past 24 hours and 15,300 new cases of the coronavirus.
Sweden has seen a sharp decline in Covid testing this month after its health agency said vaccinated Swedes no longer need to get tested, even if they have symptoms.
Russia reported 1,237 Covid deaths, close to a record one-day toll recorded the previous day, amid a nationwide surge in cases. Authorities said they are preparing new restrictions.
Protests continue in Zagreb, Croatia, for the fourth day against obligatory certificates for the public sector as the country’s Covid-19 cases hit a record high.
The UK reported another 42,408 Covid cases and a further 195 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
Morgues are filling up in Romania and Bulgaria as the countries record the EU’s highest daily death rates from Covid-19, after superstition, misinformation and entrenched mistrust in governments and institutions combined to leave them the least vaccinated countries in the bloc.
EU drug regulator lists rare spinal condition as side-effect of Johnson & Johnson Covid shot. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it was also assessing reports of a rare blood condition known as capillary leak syndrome (CLS) following inoculation with Moderna’s vaccine.
Moderna has offered to sell its vaccines to the African Union at $7 a shot, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control said.
Covaxin, the first Covid-19 vaccine developed in India, is “highly efficacious” and presents no safety concerns, according to a recent study published in the Lancet.
Austria saw a record high of daily infections as intensive-care units are increasingly strained. About 65% of Austria’s population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, the lowest rate of any western European country apart from Liechtenstein.
The UK government’s vaccine mandate for care home workers came into effect as about 50,000 care home staff have not been fully vaccinated in England and will not be allowed to work from Thursday.
Israel holds world’s first “war game drill” in case of an outbreak of a new lethal variant of Covid-19. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and senior aides holed up in a nuclear command bunker to simulate an outbreak, describing such an eventuality as “the next war”.