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| Covid live news: Belgium to accelerate plan for tighter measures; concern over rising Irish cases | Covid live news: Belgium to accelerate plan for tighter measures; concern over rising Irish cases |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Belgium to act amid rising cases and hospital admissions; Irish cabinet ‘extremely concerned’ by rise in cases after lockdown ended | Belgium to act amid rising cases and hospital admissions; Irish cabinet ‘extremely concerned’ by rise in cases after lockdown ended |
| Germany’s prospective coalition government is pondering lockdown restrictions for the unvaccinated, as infections in the country keep soaring. | |
| Measures could include requiring the unvaccinated to show proof of a negative test before travelling by bus or train. | |
| “The possibility of being able to order contact restrictions in private and in public spaces is to be added to the catalog of measures,” agreed the possible partners of the so-called traffic light coalition, which is expected to be formed. | |
| The leader of the Green Party Robert Habeck told ARD: “Contact prohibition or 2G regulation [a rule stipulating people must either be vaccinated or recovered from the virus] means in large parts: Lockdown for unvaccinated people. That is the vulgar translation.” | |
| The federal states should also get legislative tools that would enable them to prohibit or restrict leisure, cultural and sporting events as well as gatherings, and to prohibit entry to health facilities, prohibit the sale and public consumption of alcohol and close universities. | |
| Green parliamentary party leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt announced Monday afternoon that a vaccine mandate for certain professional groups such as nurses would also be introduced. “We will get this off the ground,” she said, adding that her party was in agreement with the SPD and FDP, the other two parties hoping to make up the next government. | |
| On Monday, the Roland Koch Institute (RKI) said public health authorities had reported a record 303 new infections per 100,000 people over the past seven days - the first rise above 300 since the beginning of the pandemic. | |
| Hello, I’m Jedidajah Otte and I’ll be taking over for the next few hours. Feel free to get in touch with updates, tips and pointers relevant to our coronavirus coverage, I’m on Twitter @JedySays or you can email me. | Hello, I’m Jedidajah Otte and I’ll be taking over for the next few hours. Feel free to get in touch with updates, tips and pointers relevant to our coronavirus coverage, I’m on Twitter @JedySays or you can email me. |
| UK TV presenter Craig Revel Horwood has tested positive for Covid, meaning he will not take part in the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. | UK TV presenter Craig Revel Horwood has tested positive for Covid, meaning he will not take part in the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. |
| The judge is the first member of the show’s broadcast team to test positive for the virus and is having to self isolate. | The judge is the first member of the show’s broadcast team to test positive for the virus and is having to self isolate. |
| A Strictly spokesperson said: “Craig Revel Horwood has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines. While Craig will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, all being well he will return the following week.” | A Strictly spokesperson said: “Craig Revel Horwood has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines. While Craig will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, all being well he will return the following week.” |
| Below is a rundown of the latest Coronavirus news from around the world: | Below is a rundown of the latest Coronavirus news from around the world: |
| • Britain’s booster vaccine rollout is to be extended to people aged between 40 and 49, officials said, in a bid to boost waning immunity in the population ahead of the colder winter months. | • Britain’s booster vaccine rollout is to be extended to people aged between 40 and 49, officials said, in a bid to boost waning immunity in the population ahead of the colder winter months. |
| • France has reported 1,257 people in intensive care units for Covid, a rise of 47 on the previous days figures. It reported 91,298 deaths now that have taken place in hospital, up by 70. | • France has reported 1,257 people in intensive care units for Covid, a rise of 47 on the previous days figures. It reported 91,298 deaths now that have taken place in hospital, up by 70. |
| • Italy reported 44 Coronavirus deaths on Monday, up from 36 on Sunday, the health ministry said. The country also reported 5,144 infection cases, down from 7,569 a day earlier. | • Italy reported 44 Coronavirus deaths on Monday, up from 36 on Sunday, the health ministry said. The country also reported 5,144 infection cases, down from 7,569 a day earlier. |
| • UK prime minister Boris Johnson warned people not to be complacent, saying that a new wave of Covid has “steadily swept through central Europe” and is now affecting the nation’s closest neighbours. | • UK prime minister Boris Johnson warned people not to be complacent, saying that a new wave of Covid has “steadily swept through central Europe” and is now affecting the nation’s closest neighbours. |
| • The coronavirus has killed at least 5,098,386 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Monday. | • The coronavirus has killed at least 5,098,386 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Monday. |
| • On the day its lockdown of unvaccinated people begins, Austria has become the first European country to take radical action in a bid to increase take-up of jabs as new cases surge. | • On the day its lockdown of unvaccinated people begins, Austria has become the first European country to take radical action in a bid to increase take-up of jabs as new cases surge. |
| A doctor was suspended by a Houston hospital for spreading misinformation about Covid-19. | A doctor was suspended by a Houston hospital for spreading misinformation about Covid-19. |
| Houston Methodist hospital said Dr Mary Bowden, an ear, throat, and nose specialist, spread “dangerous misinformation” about Covid and shared personal and professional opinions the hospital deemed “harmful to the community”. | Houston Methodist hospital said Dr Mary Bowden, an ear, throat, and nose specialist, spread “dangerous misinformation” about Covid and shared personal and professional opinions the hospital deemed “harmful to the community”. |
| Bowden, a recent hire, posted several tweets stating that she was against Covid-19 vaccine mandates. | Bowden, a recent hire, posted several tweets stating that she was against Covid-19 vaccine mandates. |
| She also used Twitter to promote Ivermectin as a treatment for Covid-19, despite several public health officials having warned the public not to use the anti-parasitic drug, which has uses in humans and animals, as a coronavirus treatment. | She also used Twitter to promote Ivermectin as a treatment for Covid-19, despite several public health officials having warned the public not to use the anti-parasitic drug, which has uses in humans and animals, as a coronavirus treatment. |
| Battling a surge in Covid-19 cases, Switzerland’s week-long immunisation drive nudged up its vaccination rate, figures showed Monday, as the president accepted that few more people may come forward for jabs. | Battling a surge in Covid-19 cases, Switzerland’s week-long immunisation drive nudged up its vaccination rate, figures showed Monday, as the president accepted that few more people may come forward for jabs. |
| The wealthy Alpine nation launched a “vaccination week” to address the drop-off in uptake of the jab in recent months. | The wealthy Alpine nation launched a “vaccination week” to address the drop-off in uptake of the jab in recent months. |
| The number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered during last week’s nationwide push was up 38 percent on the week before, Monday’s health ministry figures showed, according to the ATS national news agency. | The number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered during last week’s nationwide push was up 38 percent on the week before, Monday’s health ministry figures showed, according to the ATS national news agency. |
| Switzerland had just 10% of the population fully vaccinated by April 23, racing to 50% three months later on July 29. But in the subsequent months that swift progress has tailed off drastically. | Switzerland had just 10% of the population fully vaccinated by April 23, racing to 50% three months later on July 29. But in the subsequent months that swift progress has tailed off drastically. |
| Halfway through November, 65% of the Swiss population are now fully vaccinated, with a further two percent having had their first dose of a two-jab course. | Halfway through November, 65% of the Swiss population are now fully vaccinated, with a further two percent having had their first dose of a two-jab course. |
| Employers in Latvia are allowed to dismiss employees who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 from Monday, under new rules aimed at taming the pandemic in the EU member state. | Employers in Latvia are allowed to dismiss employees who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 from Monday, under new rules aimed at taming the pandemic in the EU member state. |
| Elected politicians without a vaccination certificate or evidence of having recovered from Covid-19 will also be barred from their duties and receive no salary until they get vaccinated. | Elected politicians without a vaccination certificate or evidence of having recovered from Covid-19 will also be barred from their duties and receive no salary until they get vaccinated. |
| The ban could include two parliamentarians who are refusing to get inoculated. | The ban could include two parliamentarians who are refusing to get inoculated. |
| Below is a summary of the latest developments: | Below is a summary of the latest developments: |
| Europe | Europe |
| • Britain’s booster vaccine rollout is to be extended to people aged between 40 and 49, officials said, in a bid to boost waning immunity in the population ahead of the colder winter months. | • Britain’s booster vaccine rollout is to be extended to people aged between 40 and 49, officials said, in a bid to boost waning immunity in the population ahead of the colder winter months. |
| • Dutch hospitals are feeling the strain from a surge in Covid-19 patients but the worst has yet to come, the head of the country’s hospital association said. | • Dutch hospitals are feeling the strain from a surge in Covid-19 patients but the worst has yet to come, the head of the country’s hospital association said. |
| • Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel said that the world needs to be better prepared to probe the origins of diseases and welcomed the creation of a new World Health Organization advisory group on dangerous pathogens. | • Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel said that the world needs to be better prepared to probe the origins of diseases and welcomed the creation of a new World Health Organization advisory group on dangerous pathogens. |
| • International travel to Spain will likely recover some two thirds of its pre-pandemic levels in the fourth quarter of this year, the tourism minister Reyes Maroto said. | • International travel to Spain will likely recover some two thirds of its pre-pandemic levels in the fourth quarter of this year, the tourism minister Reyes Maroto said. |
| • Russia reported 1,211 deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, close to an all-time high of 1,241 reported last week, as well as 38,420 new cases. | • Russia reported 1,211 deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, close to an all-time high of 1,241 reported last week, as well as 38,420 new cases. |
| Americas | Americas |
| • Florida lawmakers will meet in a special legislative session, called by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis with the goal of thwarting coronavirus vaccine mandates. | • Florida lawmakers will meet in a special legislative session, called by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis with the goal of thwarting coronavirus vaccine mandates. |
| • US president Joe Biden’s vaccine requirements are prompting more Americans to get Covid shots, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday. | • US president Joe Biden’s vaccine requirements are prompting more Americans to get Covid shots, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday. |
| Asia-pacific | Asia-pacific |
| • Singapore will allow vaccinated arrivals from five more countries, including Indonesia and India, to access the country without quarantine via its travel lanes from Nov. 29, its transport minister said. | • Singapore will allow vaccinated arrivals from five more countries, including Indonesia and India, to access the country without quarantine via its travel lanes from Nov. 29, its transport minister said. |
| • Japan will promote the establishment of production bases for semiconductors, Covid vaccines and drugs as part of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s economic stimulus, a draft plan seen by Reuters showed. | • Japan will promote the establishment of production bases for semiconductors, Covid vaccines and drugs as part of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s economic stimulus, a draft plan seen by Reuters showed. |
| • A Maori tribe that claims New Zealand’s most famous haka as its heritage told anti-vaccine protesters to stop using the traditional performance to promote their message. | • A Maori tribe that claims New Zealand’s most famous haka as its heritage told anti-vaccine protesters to stop using the traditional performance to promote their message. |
| • China is battling the spread of its biggest outbreak, according to the latest numbers, with travellers from a city where infections have grown faster than elsewhere in the country subject to tough quarantine rules in nearby areas. | • China is battling the spread of its biggest outbreak, according to the latest numbers, with travellers from a city where infections have grown faster than elsewhere in the country subject to tough quarantine rules in nearby areas. |
| Middle-east and Africa | Middle-east and Africa |
| • A ban on public sector employees entering their offices if they are unvaccinated and untested for Covid-19 took effect in Egypt on Monday as the government pushes to accelerate vaccination rates in the final weeks of the year. | • A ban on public sector employees entering their offices if they are unvaccinated and untested for Covid-19 took effect in Egypt on Monday as the government pushes to accelerate vaccination rates in the final weeks of the year. |
| • Israel’s economy is expected to grow 7.1% in 2021 and 4.7% in 2022, the finance ministry said following a rapid recovery. The country also said on Sunday children aged five to 11 would be eligible for vaccination. | • Israel’s economy is expected to grow 7.1% in 2021 and 4.7% in 2022, the finance ministry said following a rapid recovery. The country also said on Sunday children aged five to 11 would be eligible for vaccination. |
| France has reported 1,257 people in intensive care units for Covid, a rise of 47 on the previous days figures. It reported 91,298 deaths now that have taken place in hospital, up by 70. | France has reported 1,257 people in intensive care units for Covid, a rise of 47 on the previous days figures. It reported 91,298 deaths now that have taken place in hospital, up by 70. |
| In Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill said her party was prepared to take “whatever steps are necessary” to avoid another lockdown. | In Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill said her party was prepared to take “whatever steps are necessary” to avoid another lockdown. |
| “The executive will meet again on Wednesday with a focus on the huge pressures in the health service,” she tweeted.“We will continue to be guided by the health advice to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the public and avoid another lock down scenario.” | “The executive will meet again on Wednesday with a focus on the huge pressures in the health service,” she tweeted.“We will continue to be guided by the health advice to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the public and avoid another lock down scenario.” |
| In Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, there have been double the number of cremations as deaths from Coronavirus soar. | In Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, there have been double the number of cremations as deaths from Coronavirus soar. |
| The numbers are up vastly compared to the summer months, its spokesman told AFP, as the country battles a devastating new wave of coronavirus infections and low vaccination rates. | The numbers are up vastly compared to the summer months, its spokesman told AFP, as the country battles a devastating new wave of coronavirus infections and low vaccination rates. |
| One of Europe’s poorest countries, Ukraine recently reported record numbers of daily Covid-19 deaths and cases, resulting in a significant increase in burials and, in particular, cremations. | One of Europe’s poorest countries, Ukraine recently reported record numbers of daily Covid-19 deaths and cases, resulting in a significant increase in burials and, in particular, cremations. |
| “To date, compared to the summer period, the number of processions has doubled,” Andriy Yashchenko, a spokesman for the Kiev crematorium, told AFP. | “To date, compared to the summer period, the number of processions has doubled,” Andriy Yashchenko, a spokesman for the Kiev crematorium, told AFP. |
| “If during the summer there was on average 60 processions per day, now there are between 100 and 120,” he said. | “If during the summer there was on average 60 processions per day, now there are between 100 and 120,” he said. |
| Ukraine reported 442 daily coronavirus fatalities on Monday, the second-highest number in the world after Russia. | Ukraine reported 442 daily coronavirus fatalities on Monday, the second-highest number in the world after Russia. |
| Ukrainian authorities initially struggled to source vaccine doses and have since fought to convince vaccine-sceptic Ukrainians to get inoculated. | Ukrainian authorities initially struggled to source vaccine doses and have since fought to convince vaccine-sceptic Ukrainians to get inoculated. |
| But new restrictions requiring vaccinations have seen people across the country flock to vaccine centres. | But new restrictions requiring vaccinations have seen people across the country flock to vaccine centres. |
| The crematorium – one of three such facilities in the ex-Soviet country – is part of one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Kiev. | The crematorium – one of three such facilities in the ex-Soviet country – is part of one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Kiev. |
| Yashchenko said the facility has stayed open for hours more than usual in recent weeks, and has sometimes been operating until midnight. | Yashchenko said the facility has stayed open for hours more than usual in recent weeks, and has sometimes been operating until midnight. |
| He added that the cremation of coronavirus victims is different as indoor services and open caskets are prohibited. | He added that the cremation of coronavirus victims is different as indoor services and open caskets are prohibited. |
| On Monday, an AFP correspondent saw two processions that followed the cremations of coronavirus victims. | On Monday, an AFP correspondent saw two processions that followed the cremations of coronavirus victims. |
| Relatives of the victims distributed candles outside the building, and a priest read a prayer before the closed coffins were taken away for cremation. | Relatives of the victims distributed candles outside the building, and a priest read a prayer before the closed coffins were taken away for cremation. |
| Yashchenko said that in October the facility cremated over 2,800 people, compared to 1,400 in August. | Yashchenko said that in October the facility cremated over 2,800 people, compared to 1,400 in August. |
| Since the start of the pandemic, Ukraine has recorded more than three million coronavirus cases and 77,000 deaths. | Since the start of the pandemic, Ukraine has recorded more than three million coronavirus cases and 77,000 deaths. |
| Italy reported 44 Coronavirus deaths on Monday, up from 36 on Sunday, the health ministry said. The country also reported 5,144 infection cases, down from 7,569 a day earlier. | Italy reported 44 Coronavirus deaths on Monday, up from 36 on Sunday, the health ministry said. The country also reported 5,144 infection cases, down from 7,569 a day earlier. |