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Covid live: Germany infection rate highest since start of pandemic; UK rules out Austria-style lockdown of unvaccinated Covid live: over-40s in UK to be offered booster jabs and 16 and 17-year-olds advised to get second doses
(32 minutes later)
Germany’s coronavirus infection rate rises to its highest level since start of the pandemic; Oliver Dowden rules out locking down the unvaccinated in UK All over-40s in UK should be offered third dose of Covid vaccine, British government advises
England’s deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, has made the following comments at a Downing Street briefing on the coronavirus. He was delivering his comments remotely from a clinical setting. The key points he made included:
Prof Wei Shen Lim of the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) summed up his announcements like this.
I’ll have some quotes from England’s deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam in a moment, he is following the technical announcements with what he said were some “over-arching comments”.
Dr June Raine of the MHRA also spoke on the safety of vaccine delivery to younger people. She said:
There will be a difference with the dose of Moderna delivered as a booster, said Prof Wei Shen Lim of the JCVI. He said:
Chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Prof Wei Shen Lim has just made the following announcement at a Downing Street press briefing: the booster jab programme in the UK is extended to people aged 40 to 49. Either Pfizer or Moderna can be used, regardless of the type of vaccine received for the first two doses. The gap again will be six months from the second dose of vaccine.
Dr June Raine has just given an update in the UK from the perspective of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). She stated that the safety of vaccines is their top priority, and that they remain confident that the Covid vaccines available in the UK are “very effective and acceptably safe”. She said:
In the UK, we are expecting shortly a press briefing from England’s deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, alongside chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Prof Wei Shen Lim and chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Dr June Raine.
The assumption is they are going to announce that booster jabs will be made available for the under-50s in the UK.
The outsourcing company Serco said profits would be higher than expected in 2021 thanks to greater demand from the UK government for its Covid-19 services, including test and trace.
Serco raised its full-year revenue guidance from £4.3bn to £4.4bn on Monday, helping underlying profits rise to at least £225m, up from previous forecasts of £200m.
The Hampshire-based company said the uplift could be explained by the fact the volume of its Covid-related work in the UK and Australia “have been higher, and have continued for longer, than we anticipated”.
Serco runs large parts of the UK’s largely privatised test-and-trace service, which is labelled NHS test and trace. The firm runs a fifth of Covid-19 testing sites and half the tier 3 contact tracers, who are mostly required to phone the contacts of people who have tested positive.
That work was extended in June, when the company won a £322m contract to keep Covid-19 test centres running in England and Northern Ireland for another 12 months, with an option to add another six more.
Read more of Kalyeena Makortoff’s report here: Serco expects bigger profits thanks to Covid test-and-trace work
Andrew Sparrow has just gone live with our UK politics live blog for the day. I’ll be continuing here with the top Covid lines from the UK and around the world.
Russian authorities have issued the latest Covid numbers from the country which has been in the grip of a coronavirus wave that led to the government calling a national paid week off work to try and break the chain of transmission. They are now waiting to see if has had an effect.Russian authorities have issued the latest Covid numbers from the country which has been in the grip of a coronavirus wave that led to the government calling a national paid week off work to try and break the chain of transmission. They are now waiting to see if has had an effect.
Russia on Monday reported 1,211 deaths from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, close to the all-time high of 1,241 reported last week. There were 38,420 new coronavirus cases.Russia on Monday reported 1,211 deaths from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, close to the all-time high of 1,241 reported last week. There were 38,420 new coronavirus cases.
“My aim is very clear: to get the unvaccinated to get vaccinated, not to lock up the unvaccinated,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told ORF radio as he explained Austria’s lockdown on the unvaccinated.“My aim is very clear: to get the unvaccinated to get vaccinated, not to lock up the unvaccinated,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told ORF radio as he explained Austria’s lockdown on the unvaccinated.
Many Austrians are sceptical about vaccines, a view encouraged by the far-right Freedom Party, the third-biggest in parliament, which is planning a protest against the government’s coronavirus policies on Saturday. Many Austrians are sceptical about vaccines, a view encouraged by the far-right Freedom party, the third-biggest in parliament, which is planning a protest against the government’s coronavirus policies on Saturday.
There has been an uptick in first vaccinations since the unvaccinated were barred from places including restaurants, cafes, theatres and ski lifts last week. There has been a rise in first vaccinations since the unvaccinated were barred from places including restaurants, cafes, theatres and ski lifts last week.
Police are conducting extra checks and Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said on Sunday they would check the vaccination status of all members of the public they interact with. Police are conducting extra checks and interior minister Karl Nehammer said on Sunday they would check the vaccination status of all members of the public they interact with.
Francois Murphy reports for Reuters that there are widespread doubts including among Schallenberg’s conservatives and the police about whether this lockdown can be properly enforced.Francois Murphy reports for Reuters that there are widespread doubts including among Schallenberg’s conservatives and the police about whether this lockdown can be properly enforced.
It can be hard to verify, for example, whether an unvaccinated person is on their way to work, which is allowed, or going to shop for non-essential items, which is not.It can be hard to verify, for example, whether an unvaccinated person is on their way to work, which is allowed, or going to shop for non-essential items, which is not.
The UK’s vaccine advisers are understood to have approved the rollout of Covid booster jabs to people under 50, with a minister saying an announcement was due on Monday.The UK’s vaccine advisers are understood to have approved the rollout of Covid booster jabs to people under 50, with a minister saying an announcement was due on Monday.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) was scheduled to set out the next steps in the booster programme “later today”, Oliver Dowden, the Conservative party co-chair, told Sky News.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) was scheduled to set out the next steps in the booster programme “later today”, Oliver Dowden, the Conservative party co-chair, told Sky News.
Dowden said: “It’s up to them but I would hope that we would see a further expansion of the booster rollout. But we’ll wait for their announcement.”Dowden said: “It’s up to them but I would hope that we would see a further expansion of the booster rollout. But we’ll wait for their announcement.”
While Dowden did not set out what changes were expected, it is understood that the JCVI has already decided that the scheme for boosters – a third injection to top up potentially waning immunity – should be extended to younger age groups.While Dowden did not set out what changes were expected, it is understood that the JCVI has already decided that the scheme for boosters – a third injection to top up potentially waning immunity – should be extended to younger age groups.
Those currently eligible for a booster, which is usually given six months after the second dose, include those aged 50 or over, or anyone younger seen as clinically very vulnerable to Covid. Others who are eligible include frontline health and care workers, or those who care for someone at high risk from Covid.Those currently eligible for a booster, which is usually given six months after the second dose, include those aged 50 or over, or anyone younger seen as clinically very vulnerable to Covid. Others who are eligible include frontline health and care workers, or those who care for someone at high risk from Covid.
There is a separate programme of third injections for people who have a compromised immune system, for whom vaccines are often less effective.There is a separate programme of third injections for people who have a compromised immune system, for whom vaccines are often less effective.
Read more of Peter Walker’s report here: UK vaccine advisers ‘set to approve Covid booster jabs for under-50s’Read more of Peter Walker’s report here: UK vaccine advisers ‘set to approve Covid booster jabs for under-50s’
Germany’s coronavirus infection rate has risen to its highest level since the start of the pandemic, public health figures showed on Monday, as the three parties in talks to form a new government plan an expansion of measures to tackle the pandemic.Germany’s coronavirus infection rate has risen to its highest level since the start of the pandemic, public health figures showed on Monday, as the three parties in talks to form a new government plan an expansion of measures to tackle the pandemic.
The seven-day incidence rate – the number of people per 100,000 to be infected over the last week – rose to 303 from 289 the previous day, figures from the Robert Koch Institute showed on Monday.The seven-day incidence rate – the number of people per 100,000 to be infected over the last week – rose to 303 from 289 the previous day, figures from the Robert Koch Institute showed on Monday.
Paul Carrel notes for Reuters that the number of deaths increased by 43 to a total of 97,715.Paul Carrel notes for Reuters that the number of deaths increased by 43 to a total of 97,715.
The three parties in talks to form a coalition plan to tighten proposed measures to tackle the spread of the new wave of infections, Greens co-leader Robert Habeck said before their plans go to parliament on Thursday.The three parties in talks to form a coalition plan to tighten proposed measures to tackle the spread of the new wave of infections, Greens co-leader Robert Habeck said before their plans go to parliament on Thursday.
“We are expanding the toolbox compared to the proposals introduced in the first reading,” Habeck told broadcaster ARD. The measures will include contact restrictions, an amendment seen by Reuters showed.“We are expanding the toolbox compared to the proposals introduced in the first reading,” Habeck told broadcaster ARD. The measures will include contact restrictions, an amendment seen by Reuters showed.
Florida lawmakers will meet on Monday for a week-long special legislative session called by the Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, with the goal of thwarting coronavirus vaccine mandates imposed by businesses or government agencies.Florida lawmakers will meet on Monday for a week-long special legislative session called by the Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, with the goal of thwarting coronavirus vaccine mandates imposed by businesses or government agencies.
DeSantis recently announced he is running for re-election in 2022 but is seen by many as a potential presidential candidate in 2024 – particularly if Donald Trump decides not to run again.DeSantis recently announced he is running for re-election in 2022 but is seen by many as a potential presidential candidate in 2024 – particularly if Donald Trump decides not to run again.
The special legislative session will be about “a combination of policy and politics”, said Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, adding that DeSantis is following Trump’s lead in being staunchly against mask and vaccine mandates.The special legislative session will be about “a combination of policy and politics”, said Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, adding that DeSantis is following Trump’s lead in being staunchly against mask and vaccine mandates.
According to an agenda released by the governor’s office, a body of legislators dominated by Republicans will consider four bills to impose penalties on businesses and local governments that require workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19.According to an agenda released by the governor’s office, a body of legislators dominated by Republicans will consider four bills to impose penalties on businesses and local governments that require workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
“No cop, no firefighter, no nurse, nobody should be losing their job because of these jabs,” DeSantis said in a media release, echoing a previous plea for first responders from other states to relocate to Florida if they do not wish to be vaccinated by mandate.“No cop, no firefighter, no nurse, nobody should be losing their job because of these jabs,” DeSantis said in a media release, echoing a previous plea for first responders from other states to relocate to Florida if they do not wish to be vaccinated by mandate.
“We’re going to be striking a blow for freedom,” DeSantis said.“We’re going to be striking a blow for freedom,” DeSantis said.
Read more here: Florida lawmakers’ special session aims to thwart Covid vaccine mandatesRead more here: Florida lawmakers’ special session aims to thwart Covid vaccine mandates
In the UK, Conservative party chairman Oliver Dowden has backed AstraZeneca’s controversial announcement that it is moving to seek a profit from its Covid vaccine sales. Britain’s biggest pharma firm late last week said it expects the vaccine to move to “modest profitability” as new orders are received. This morning on Sky News, asked about it, Dowden said:
Mike Tildesley, the professor who specialises in infectious diseases at Warwick University and who has been a media regular during the pandemic in the UK has been on Sky News this morning. He was asked about his views on the outlook for Covid in the UK for the next few weeks and said he was “cautiously optimistic”:
Questioned on the situation with rising caseloads on the European continent overall, he said:
He was also asked about the vaccination of children, with the news that Israel is following the lead of the US and other countries like Austria in sanctioning jabs for the five- to 11-year-old age group. On this he said:
Prof Tildesley’s long-term prediction remains that “Covid is probably likely to become endemic and we probably are going to have to manage it with repeated vaccination campaigns for years to come.”
Agence France-Presse has an update from Cambodia, where prime minister Hun Sen made an unexpected announcement last night that all fully vaccinated international travellers, tourists and businesspeople could visit the whole of Cambodia freely without quarantine from today.
The decision overrode the previous reopening plan, under which popular beach spots Sihanoukville and the island of Koh Rong, as well as Dara Sakor – a Chinese-developed resort zone – were set to welcome visitors from 30 November.
And the reopening of Siem Reap – the gateway to the world heritage-listed Angkor Wat complex – is brought forward from January.
Hun Sen said travellers would have to show two negative Covid tests - one taken no less than 72 hours before travel and one on arrival in Cambodia.
“When they arrive and we see they have received two doses of vaccine, we will take swabs for rapid tests. After results show they are free of Covid-19, they are allowed to travel across Cambodia,” Hun Sen said in an audio message posted on his Facebook page.
“I order the ministry of health, the ministry of tourism and relevant sectors to implement these measures from 15 November 2021 onwards,” he said, adding that the move was a quick way to re-open the country.
During his interview with Sky News this morning, Conservative chairman Oliver Dowden ruled out the UK government following the example of Austria and imposing lockdown conditions on people who are unvaccinated. He told Sky News:
There were a couple of bits of Covid interest in Conservative chairmen Oliver Dowden’s first interview of the day in the UK, which was on Sky News. He – not quite definitively – ruled out any further Covid restrictions being imposed before Christmas. Although he did concede that this was the case last year, only for the government to change tack at the very last minute. He said this year the vaccine was the difference, and urged people to take booster jabs when called forward for them. He said:
Hello, it is Martin Belam here in London, taking over from Samantha Lock in Sydney. I’ll be bringing you any Covid lines that emerge from the UK media round this morning as well as coronavirus news from around the world. Oliver Dowden, chairman of the Conservative party is doing the interviews for the government in the UK. Here are the latest UK figures.
China is battling the spread of its biggest Covid-19 outbreak caused by the Delta variant as case numbers in the northeastern city of Dalian outpace anywhere else in the country,
Chinese authorities said 32 new domestically transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms were reported for 14 November, which is a drop from the 89 reported the day earlier.
However, most of the reported cases were in Dalian. That brings the tally of local cases since 17 October to 1,308, Reuters calculations based on official data showed, surpassing the 1,280 local cases from a summer Delta outbreak.
This marks China’s most widespread Delta outbreak, which has affected 21 provinces, regions and municipalities. While it is smaller than many outbreaks in other countries, Chinese authorities are anxious to block any further transmissions under the government’s zero-tolerance guidance.
Since Dalian’s first local symptomatic patients from the latest outbreak was reported on 4 November, the port city of 7.5 million people has detected an average of about 24 new local cases a day, more than any other Chinese cities, according to Reuters calculations.
The Dalian outbreak has prompted China to confine nearly 1,500 university students to their dormitories and hotels in the city.
The order was issued Sunday after several dozen cases were reported at Zhuanghe University City and hundreds of students were transferred to hotels for observation, the Associated Press reports.
Students have been attending class remotely and having their meals delivered to their rooms.
Israel gave the green light Sunday to start vaccinating children aged between five and 11 against Covid-19 using Pfizer/BioNTech jabs, following the example of the United States.
“The director general of the ministry of health... authorised the vaccination of children aged five to 11 years,” the health ministry said in a statement.
Israel was one of the first countries to launch a vaccination campaign last year using the jabs thanks to a deal with Pfizer that gave it access to millions of doses in exchange for data on the vaccine’s efficacy.
The vaccination campaign allowed the health authorities to fully vaccinate 5.7 million of the country’s 9 million population.
The authorities had already begun vaccinating minors aged 12 to 17 but decided to lower the age threshold in the wake of trials by Pfizer and recommendations from a panel of Israeli scientists.
The ministry will announce the date for the start of inoculations for young children in coming days.
Classrooms across the Philippines are filling up with students again for the first time in nearly 2 years.
Children have been allowed back for face-to-face learning from Monday as the country begins its pilot implementation of limited in-person classes.
This makes the Philippines one of the the last countries in the world to return to in-person classes after Venezuela reopened schools in late October.
President Rodrigo Duterte initially approved 120 basic education schools for the dry run, with 20 private schools scheduled to begin their limited in-person classes on 22 November, local publication ABS-CBN reported.
Students are checked for their body temperature, required to fill out a health declaration form, proceed to hand washing stations and sit in chairs with installed plastic barriers inside classrooms. During recess time, students are given meals that they eat on their respective seats. They were not allowed to leave their seats unless they needed to go to the restroom.
In September, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF urged education authorities to reopen schools as soon as possible in countries where millions of students were still not allowed to return to classrooms 18 months into the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hello and welcome back to our Covid blog this Monday as we start the week.
I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be with you to deliver all the latest headlines.
As Europe battles its fourth and fifth wave of the virus, Austria is the first nation in the region to place millions of people not fully vaccinated against coronavirus in lockdown as of Monday.
The drastic move is part of an effort to deal with a surge in infections, the country’s chancellor has said while describing the nation’s vaccination rate as “shamefully low”.
Anti-vaccination demonstrators protested against the annoucement at the Ballhausplatz in the capital of Vienna on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Israel will go ahead with a vaccination drive for children aged 5 to 11 against Covid-19.
The decision, announced by the health ministry on Sunday, followed approval by an expert panel last week after the US Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use of Pfizer’s and BioNTech’s vaccine for the age group at a 10-microgram dose.
Britain expected to extend Covid booster programme to under 50s.
Brazil reports lowest end of week Covid death toll in over a year.
Egypt’s national research body said on Sunday that it will start clinical trials for a domestically made coronavirus vaccine.
UK firm to trial T-cell Covid vaccine that could give longer immunity against Covid-19. An Oxfordshire-based company Emergex will soon start clinical trials of a second-generation vaccine against Covid-19, an easy-to-administer skin patch that uses T-cells to kill infected cells and could offer longer-lasting immunity than current vaccines.
UK officials have compiled a ‘Covid exit strategy’ from April called Operation Rampdown, leaked documents reveal. Under the plan, the government could wind down testing and people would no longer be forced to isolate if they are ill from April, leaked documents reveal.
Three snow leopards died of complications from Covid-19 at the Lincoln children’s zoo in Nebraska.
Germany to return to work from home amid rising infections. The measure is being reintroduced under draft legislation seen by AFP on Sunday, after the home working restriction was lifted at the beginning of July.
In the UK more than two million people received their Covid-19 booster in the past week, with health officials describing the numbers as record-breaking. NHS England said 2.1 million boosters were delivered between November 6-12, an increase on the 1.7 million boosters given out during the previous seven days.
China donated 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday to Syria, which has one of the world’s lowest inoculation rates and what the UN called an alarming rise in cases.
Japan’s economy has shrunk much faster than expected as supply shortages hit and global production bottlenecks pose increasing risks to the export-reliant nation.
Outcry in China after Covid health workers kill a pet dog while owner was in quarantine.
China reported 52 new confirmed coronavirus cases for 14 November compared with 89 a day earlier, its health authority said on Monday. There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll unchanged at 4,636.
Cambodia reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travellers on Monday, two weeks earlier than originally planned, as it emerges from a lengthy lockdown bolstered by one of the world’s highest rates of immunisation against Covid-19.