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| Covid live: Boris Johnson warns ‘storm clouds gathering over Europe’; Dutch PM to announce partial lockdown | Covid live: Boris Johnson warns ‘storm clouds gathering over Europe’; Dutch PM to announce partial lockdown |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| UK prime minister says European cases should act as incentive for Britons to get booster; caretaker PM Mark Rutte expected to reintroduce restrictions | UK prime minister says European cases should act as incentive for Britons to get booster; caretaker PM Mark Rutte expected to reintroduce restrictions |
| The UK has reported 40,375 more cases of Covid-19 and 145 further deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to official data. On a seven-day basis, cases are down 6.5% on the week before, while deaths are down 8.9%. | |
| Boris Johnson has said that the rising Covid cases in Europe could be seen in the UK if people do not get their booster jabs fast enough. | Boris Johnson has said that the rising Covid cases in Europe could be seen in the UK if people do not get their booster jabs fast enough. |
| The prime minister said: | The prime minister said: |
| Sky News has the story. | Sky News has the story. |
| Rates of infection, hospital admissions and deaths in the UK from Covid could remain high for many weeks or months even if a natural peak has been reached, a leading coronavirus expert has said, as data suggests the decline in cases may have stalled. | Rates of infection, hospital admissions and deaths in the UK from Covid could remain high for many weeks or months even if a natural peak has been reached, a leading coronavirus expert has said, as data suggests the decline in cases may have stalled. |
| According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics an estimated one in 60 people in the community in England had Covid in the week ending 6 November – about 925,400 people. | According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics an estimated one in 60 people in the community in England had Covid in the week ending 6 November – about 925,400 people. |
| That’s a decline since late October, when one in 50 people in England were thought to have a Covid infection. A drop has also been recorded in Wales, although in Scotland the rate of people testing positive has remained level and the trend is unclear in Northern Ireland. | That’s a decline since late October, when one in 50 people in England were thought to have a Covid infection. A drop has also been recorded in Wales, although in Scotland the rate of people testing positive has remained level and the trend is unclear in Northern Ireland. |
| While the decline in England was across all age groups and in most regions of the country, it appears the trend is strongest among older children. | While the decline in England was across all age groups and in most regions of the country, it appears the trend is strongest among older children. |
| However, the question remains whether infection levels will rise once more now schools have returned from recent half-terms, or whether – as some have argued – growing levels of immunity in children could mean a peak has been reached. | However, the question remains whether infection levels will rise once more now schools have returned from recent half-terms, or whether – as some have argued – growing levels of immunity in children could mean a peak has been reached. |
| “With a marked decrease in infections among secondary schoolchildren in England, the half-term break may have played a part, though infections were decreasing prior to this time,” said Sarah Crofts, the head of analytical outputs for the Covid-19 infection survey. “Over the next few weeks we will see if this decline continues.” | “With a marked decrease in infections among secondary schoolchildren in England, the half-term break may have played a part, though infections were decreasing prior to this time,” said Sarah Crofts, the head of analytical outputs for the Covid-19 infection survey. “Over the next few weeks we will see if this decline continues.” |
| More on this story here: | More on this story here: |
| Enrico Rossi was among the protesters in Bardonecchia when the Italian government decided in February to maintain a Covid shutdown on ski resorts just hours before the slopes were due to reopen. | Enrico Rossi was among the protesters in Bardonecchia when the Italian government decided in February to maintain a Covid shutdown on ski resorts just hours before the slopes were due to reopen. |
| Rossi described the loss of the ski season as a tragedy for the small town and others in Susa valley, Piedmont, especially after the 2020 season had also been cut short. | Rossi described the loss of the ski season as a tragedy for the small town and others in Susa valley, Piedmont, especially after the 2020 season had also been cut short. |
| But as the resort prepares to reopen in early December, he is cautiously optimistic. “Three times during last year’s season we were ready to start – we prepared the slopes, hired staff – only for it all to get cancelled,” said Rossi, who is vice-president of Bardonecchia’s tourism consortium. “It was very disappointing. But the prospects for this year are looking good. Bookings are coming in, mainly from Italy, and the pandemic situation is different; let’s hope nothing changes.” | But as the resort prepares to reopen in early December, he is cautiously optimistic. “Three times during last year’s season we were ready to start – we prepared the slopes, hired staff – only for it all to get cancelled,” said Rossi, who is vice-president of Bardonecchia’s tourism consortium. “It was very disappointing. But the prospects for this year are looking good. Bookings are coming in, mainly from Italy, and the pandemic situation is different; let’s hope nothing changes.” |
| Some Italian ski slopes have already opened, albeit with the requirement to present the Covid-19 health pass when using ski lifts, reduced capacity in cabins and social-distancing measures at ticket offices. Masks must be worn on ski lifts and in “common areas” as part of the protocols agreed by the Italian ski industry. | Some Italian ski slopes have already opened, albeit with the requirement to present the Covid-19 health pass when using ski lifts, reduced capacity in cabins and social-distancing measures at ticket offices. Masks must be worn on ski lifts and in “common areas” as part of the protocols agreed by the Italian ski industry. |
| “Customers aren’t complaining – the desire to ski is much greater than the annoyance of having to abide by the rules,” said Herbert Tovagliari, the president and chief executive of Cervinia Spa, a travel and tourism company in Aosta valley. | “Customers aren’t complaining – the desire to ski is much greater than the annoyance of having to abide by the rules,” said Herbert Tovagliari, the president and chief executive of Cervinia Spa, a travel and tourism company in Aosta valley. |
| Read the full story here: | Read the full story here: |
| Latvia’s parliament voted on Friday to ban lawmakers who refuse to get a Covid vaccine from voting on legislature and participating in discussions, Reuters reports. | Latvia’s parliament voted on Friday to ban lawmakers who refuse to get a Covid vaccine from voting on legislature and participating in discussions, Reuters reports. |
| The country, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in European Union, was the first in the bloc to reimpose a lockdown this autumn as a surge in Covid cases threatens to overwhelm its health system. | The country, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in European Union, was the first in the bloc to reimpose a lockdown this autumn as a surge in Covid cases threatens to overwhelm its health system. |
| The restrictions on vaccine-rejecting lawmakers, which includes docking their pay, was supported by 62 of its 100 lawmakers, and will last from Monday until mid-2022. | The restrictions on vaccine-rejecting lawmakers, which includes docking their pay, was supported by 62 of its 100 lawmakers, and will last from Monday until mid-2022. |
| State television reported that nine MPs have rejected the vaccine. | State television reported that nine MPs have rejected the vaccine. |
| The ban on unvaccinated MPs in parliament was necessary to promote public confidence in the government’s policies to control Covid infections, the legislation’s sponsor, the lawmaker Janis Rancans, was cited as saying by the parliamentary press service. | The ban on unvaccinated MPs in parliament was necessary to promote public confidence in the government’s policies to control Covid infections, the legislation’s sponsor, the lawmaker Janis Rancans, was cited as saying by the parliamentary press service. |
| The country of 1.9 million people has reported 236,765 infections and 3,646 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began. | The country of 1.9 million people has reported 236,765 infections and 3,646 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began. |
| Britain’s GSK and its partner, Vir, said on Friday their antibody-based Covid drug was shown in trial to work as well when given as a shot in the arm as via the standard infusion, potentially offering more convenience, Reuters reports. | Britain’s GSK and its partner, Vir, said on Friday their antibody-based Covid drug was shown in trial to work as well when given as a shot in the arm as via the standard infusion, potentially offering more convenience, Reuters reports. |
| GSK said it would now speak to global regulators, including the US Food and Drug Administration, about potential approval for the new method of administration, known as intramuscular injection, which can be carried out by family doctors and spare patients a trip to hospital. | GSK said it would now speak to global regulators, including the US Food and Drug Administration, about potential approval for the new method of administration, known as intramuscular injection, which can be carried out by family doctors and spare patients a trip to hospital. |
| Sotrovimab is authorised for emergency use in the US to prevent mild or moderate cases of Covid from worsening. The European Medicines Agency has given its go-ahead for use by member states, though EU-wide approval is still outstanding. | Sotrovimab is authorised for emergency use in the US to prevent mild or moderate cases of Covid from worsening. The European Medicines Agency has given its go-ahead for use by member states, though EU-wide approval is still outstanding. |
| Similar products are offered or being developed by Eli Lilly, Regeneron and AstraZeneca. | Similar products are offered or being developed by Eli Lilly, Regeneron and AstraZeneca. |
| Eli Lilly’s therapy is so far given only by infusion, or drip. AstraZeneca’s antibody drug, under review to possibly prevent infections, is delivered by intramuscular shot only. | Eli Lilly’s therapy is so far given only by infusion, or drip. AstraZeneca’s antibody drug, under review to possibly prevent infections, is delivered by intramuscular shot only. |
| Regeneron and Roche’s product can be given as an infusion or injection under the skin, typically in the abdomen. | Regeneron and Roche’s product can be given as an infusion or injection under the skin, typically in the abdomen. |
| Germany’s outgoing health minister, Jens Spahn, has said the country faces a “bitter December” if immediate measures are not taken to try to control the spread of coronavirus. | Germany’s outgoing health minister, Jens Spahn, has said the country faces a “bitter December” if immediate measures are not taken to try to control the spread of coronavirus. |
| Spahn announced a return to free testing from Saturday and plans to introduce a so-called 2G Plus rule, according to which people would have to be vaccinated or recovered in addition to producing a negative test in order to attend cultural, sporting and other gatherings. | Spahn announced a return to free testing from Saturday and plans to introduce a so-called 2G Plus rule, according to which people would have to be vaccinated or recovered in addition to producing a negative test in order to attend cultural, sporting and other gatherings. |
| The government declared neighbouring Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary to be high-risk areas, recommending Germans avoid travelling there. | The government declared neighbouring Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary to be high-risk areas, recommending Germans avoid travelling there. |
| Germany recorded a record infection rate for three days in a row this week. On Friday a further almost 49,000 cases were registered, slightly down on the previous day. But numbers are doubling every week and some hospitals are reporting being on the verge of not being able to cope. | Germany recorded a record infection rate for three days in a row this week. On Friday a further almost 49,000 cases were registered, slightly down on the previous day. But numbers are doubling every week and some hospitals are reporting being on the verge of not being able to cope. |
| The government’s disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, called for the cancellation of major events, just as the carnival season gets under way and the Christmas markets are about to open. | The government’s disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, called for the cancellation of major events, just as the carnival season gets under way and the Christmas markets are about to open. |
| Its head, Prof Lothar Wieler, speaking at a joint press conference this morning in Berlin with Spahn, said the fourth wave “is rolling on full power” describing the situation as “five minutes past 12”. | Its head, Prof Lothar Wieler, speaking at a joint press conference this morning in Berlin with Spahn, said the fourth wave “is rolling on full power” describing the situation as “five minutes past 12”. |
| He added: “I for one will not be going to any New Years Eve party.” | He added: “I for one will not be going to any New Years Eve party.” |
| In an effort to boost a flagging vaccine campaign, including encouraging top-up jabs, Spahn said doctors would receive €28 instead of €20 per jab, and a further bonus of €8 for jabs given at the weekend. | In an effort to boost a flagging vaccine campaign, including encouraging top-up jabs, Spahn said doctors would receive €28 instead of €20 per jab, and a further bonus of €8 for jabs given at the weekend. |
| In the Netherlands, the government was expected to announce new lockdown measures on Friday after a record number of daily infections there – 16,364 – were registered. | In the Netherlands, the government was expected to announce new lockdown measures on Friday after a record number of daily infections there – 16,364 – were registered. |
| According to media reports, there are plans for a three-week raft of restrictions including a 7pm closing time for restaurants, pubs and non-essential shops and a restriction on the size of private gatherings in households to just four additional people. | According to media reports, there are plans for a three-week raft of restrictions including a 7pm closing time for restaurants, pubs and non-essential shops and a restriction on the size of private gatherings in households to just four additional people. |
| In Saxony, eastern Germany, where some of the highest numbers are being registered and the state with the lowest number of vaccinated people, similar to Thuringia and Bavaria, most unvaccinated there was anger on Friday after the state leader, Michael Kretschmer, called for the cancellation of Christmas markets for the second year in a row, which were due to open from next week. | In Saxony, eastern Germany, where some of the highest numbers are being registered and the state with the lowest number of vaccinated people, similar to Thuringia and Bavaria, most unvaccinated there was anger on Friday after the state leader, Michael Kretschmer, called for the cancellation of Christmas markets for the second year in a row, which were due to open from next week. |
| This is recognised as potentially politically disastrous as the markets have a symbolic value in Germany as high as foreign holidays and a huge economic clout. | This is recognised as potentially politically disastrous as the markets have a symbolic value in Germany as high as foreign holidays and a huge economic clout. |
| Meanwhile, in Cologne, the mayor has defended her decision to allow the carnival season to begin. Carnival-related events were seen as mass spreader opportunities at the start of the pandemic.As more focus turns to administering a booster campaign - public messaging on which has been virtually non-existent so far, the Max Planck Institute said a rollout could help to break this fourth wave, which, owing to the spread of the Delta variant, is more aggressive than any previous wave. | Meanwhile, in Cologne, the mayor has defended her decision to allow the carnival season to begin. Carnival-related events were seen as mass spreader opportunities at the start of the pandemic.As more focus turns to administering a booster campaign - public messaging on which has been virtually non-existent so far, the Max Planck Institute said a rollout could help to break this fourth wave, which, owing to the spread of the Delta variant, is more aggressive than any previous wave. |
| Meanwhile, the Marburger Bund, the association representing a large number of German doctors has reported that its members are facing increasing aggression from patients in hospitals, particularly from those who have chosen not to be vaccinated. | Meanwhile, the Marburger Bund, the association representing a large number of German doctors has reported that its members are facing increasing aggression from patients in hospitals, particularly from those who have chosen not to be vaccinated. |
| There are growing reports of patients attacking doctors verbally and physically and of some demanding a range of alternative therapies that are not usually available under the public healthcare system. | There are growing reports of patients attacking doctors verbally and physically and of some demanding a range of alternative therapies that are not usually available under the public healthcare system. |
| Germans should avoid large gatherings amid a record surge in coronavirus infections, the country’s health agency chief said on Friday, adding that he would be skipping next month’s new year’s parties. | Germans should avoid large gatherings amid a record surge in coronavirus infections, the country’s health agency chief said on Friday, adding that he would be skipping next month’s new year’s parties. |
| “It’s five minutes past midnight,” said Prof Lothar Wieler, the head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), as the country was braced for new restrictions to contain a ferocious fourth Covid wave. | “It’s five minutes past midnight,” said Prof Lothar Wieler, the head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), as the country was braced for new restrictions to contain a ferocious fourth Covid wave. |
| Related: Scholz pushes new measures to tackle Germany’s rising Covid cases | Related: Scholz pushes new measures to tackle Germany’s rising Covid cases |
| Germany registered more than 48,000 new cases over the past 24 hours, RKI data showed, a day after breaching the 50,000 mark for the first time since the start of the pandemic. | Germany registered more than 48,000 new cases over the past 24 hours, RKI data showed, a day after breaching the 50,000 mark for the first time since the start of the pandemic. |
| The weekly infection rate has soared to an all-time high of 263.7 per 100,000 people, and intensive care beds are filling up rapidly. | The weekly infection rate has soared to an all-time high of 263.7 per 100,000 people, and intensive care beds are filling up rapidly. |
| Several German cities kicked off months-long carnival celebrations on Thursday, with revellers required to prove they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid before entering the party zones. | Several German cities kicked off months-long carnival celebrations on Thursday, with revellers required to prove they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid before entering the party zones. |
| The country’s much-loved Christmas market season is also on its way. | The country’s much-loved Christmas market season is also on its way. |
| Related: German Christmas markets face second year of closures as Covid rates soar | Related: German Christmas markets face second year of closures as Covid rates soar |
| But Wieler said large gatherings “must be viewed very critically” and in some situations “clearly should be cancelled”. | But Wieler said large gatherings “must be viewed very critically” and in some situations “clearly should be cancelled”. |
| Indoor celebrations especially can act as super-spreader events “and everyone must really think about whether they want to expose themselves to that risk,” he told reporters in Berlin. | Indoor celebrations especially can act as super-spreader events “and everyone must really think about whether they want to expose themselves to that risk,” he told reporters in Berlin. |
| Germany’s Covid surge has been blamed on a relatively low vaccination rate, with just over 67% of the population of 83 million people fully inoculated. | Germany’s Covid surge has been blamed on a relatively low vaccination rate, with just over 67% of the population of 83 million people fully inoculated. |
| Related: Covid: Germany enveloped in ‘massive’ pandemic of the unvaccinated | Related: Covid: Germany enveloped in ‘massive’ pandemic of the unvaccinated |
| Other European countries are battling similar Covid resurgences. | Other European countries are battling similar Covid resurgences. |
| Austria has introduced rules that bar unvaccinated people from certain events and indoor venues. The Netherlands is planning a renewed “partial lockdown” as cases hit record levels. | Austria has introduced rules that bar unvaccinated people from certain events and indoor venues. The Netherlands is planning a renewed “partial lockdown” as cases hit record levels. |
| The German health minister, Jens Spahn, speaking alongside Wieler, said the situation in the country “is serious”. | The German health minister, Jens Spahn, speaking alongside Wieler, said the situation in the country “is serious”. |
| He recommended that large gatherings be made safer by requiring the vaccinated and recovered to test negative before taking part, while barring the unvaccinated altogether - a system known as 2G Plus in Germany. | He recommended that large gatherings be made safer by requiring the vaccinated and recovered to test negative before taking part, while barring the unvaccinated altogether - a system known as 2G Plus in Germany. |
| Germany would re-introduce free rapid coronavirus testing for all in coming days, he added [see 10.07.am.]. | Germany would re-introduce free rapid coronavirus testing for all in coming days, he added [see 10.07.am.]. |
| The federal government and leaders of Germany’s 16 regional states are meeting next Thursday to discuss joint measures to combat the pandemic, after criticism of a confusing patchwork of different restrictions emerging. | The federal government and leaders of Germany’s 16 regional states are meeting next Thursday to discuss joint measures to combat the pandemic, after criticism of a confusing patchwork of different restrictions emerging. |
| Among the proposed measures are stricter curbs on the unvaccinated, for instance by excluding them from indoor dining or venues such as cinemas, gyms and theatres , which some states are already doing. | Among the proposed measures are stricter curbs on the unvaccinated, for instance by excluding them from indoor dining or venues such as cinemas, gyms and theatres , which some states are already doing. |
| “We must do everything needed to break the current trend,” Spahn said, adding: | “We must do everything needed to break the current trend,” Spahn said, adding: |
| AstraZeneca has 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 has 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 it said low-income countries 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. | AstraZeneca made a commitment to sell the shot developed with Oxford University at cost during the pandemic, and in a press conference on Friday it said low-income countries 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 $1bn. | 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 $1bn. |
| “We started this project to help ... but we also said that at some stage in the future, we will transition to commercial orders,” the chief executive, Pascal Soriot, told journalists. | “We started this project to help ... but we also said that at some stage in the future, we will transition to commercial orders,” the 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. | 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 under way, mainly for delivery next year, with some prospective customers focusing on booster shots, he said. | Talks about new orders with undisclosed countries were under way, mainly for delivery next year, with some prospective customers focusing on booster shots, he said. |
| AstraZeneca announced 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. | AstraZeneca announced 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 1209 GMT as overall third-quarter profit fell short of analysts’ expectations. | Shares of the FTSE 100 drugmaker were down 3.4% at about £91.22 at 1209 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 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. | 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 1.5bn vaccine doses as of the end of September, compared with more than 2 billion from the rival alliance of Pfizer/BioNTech. | The drugmaker and its Indian manufacturing partner, Serum Institute, have supplied more than 1.5bn 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 $65bn overall, topping estimates. However, Moderna slashed its 2021 sales outlook for its shot by as much as $5bn owing to production hiccups. | Pfizer this month forecast 2021 and 2022 sales from its Covid vaccine of at least $65bn overall, topping estimates. However, Moderna slashed its 2021 sales outlook for its shot by as much as $5bn owing to production hiccups. |
| Including sales from the vaccine in the fourth quarter, AstraZeneca expects 2021 revenues to grow by a mid-to-high 20s percentage. It previously expected sales to grow by a low-20s percentage excluding the shot. | Including sales from the vaccine in the fourth quarter, AstraZeneca expects 2021 revenues to grow by a mid-to-high 20s percentage. It previously expected sales to grow by a low-20s percentage excluding the shot. |
| Analysts, on average, were expecting third-quarter profit of $1.28 per share on sales of $9.4bn, according to Refinitiv IBES data. | Analysts, on average, were expecting third-quarter profit of $1.28 per share on sales of $9.4bn, according to Refinitiv IBES data. |