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Covid news live: UK awaits ‘partygate’ report; Paris hospitals chief sparks debate over care for unvaccinated Covid news live: UK awaits ‘partygate’ report; Paris hospitals chief sparks debate over care for unvaccinated
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson told it’s ‘time for the truth to be released’ as British MPs call on PM to publish long-awaited report; hospitals head questions whether treatment of unvaccinated should be covered by French public purseBoris Johnson told it’s ‘time for the truth to be released’ as British MPs call on PM to publish long-awaited report; hospitals head questions whether treatment of unvaccinated should be covered by French public purse
Australia’s medical regulator has sounded the alarm on companies allegedly trying to bring unapproved rapid antigen tests (RATs) into Australia, with federal police investigating claims one firm forged the authorisation of health minister Greg Hunt on forms.
Many millions of rapid tests are due to arrive in Australia in coming weeks to fulfil large orders placed by state and federal governments. But local supply in Australia is patchy at best, with chemists saying supply is not keeping up with the huge demand for rapid tests among citizens, businesses and community groups.
“The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police are investigating false documentation allegedly used to support the illegal importation and supply of unapproved rapid antigen tests for Covid-19,” the TGA said in a statement on Friday.
“The letter, claimed to have been issued by minister Hunt, appears to provide a NSW based company with an exemption from the requirement to include their product in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods prior to importation and supply in Australia.
“No special exemptions to import or supply unapproved rapid antigen tests have been granted by the TGA.”
It is unclear if any of the unapproved rapid tests have made it into Australia, or have been offered for sale. The TGA did not name the company it says is under investigation.
Read more of Josh Butler’s report here: Companies allegedly forged documents to bring unapproved rapid antigen tests into Australia, TGA says
I must confess that when I went into journalism I under-estimated the number of times I would end up typing out the words “ambushed by cake”, but Politico’s London Playbook this morning has a twist in that tale. They write:
Earlier this week in parliament, Conservative leader of the house Jacob Rees-Mogg tried to deflect from the whole story by dismissing it as a Labour and media obsession with cake
It is important to remember that the story isn’t really whether there was cake or not, it is about the prime minister being at the despatch box on 8 December and saying “I have been repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken. I repeat that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken.”
Boris Johnson then told Sky News on 13 December “I can tell you once again that I certainly broke no rules … all that is being looked into.”
All the evidence that has emerged since, including a photograph of Johnson in the Downing Street garden and the story of the cake ambush, suggest that those statements may have been knowingly untrue.
Technology minister Chris Philp is the person on the airwaves in the UK for the government today. He said on Sky News just now that he spoke to someone at Downing Street about half an hour ago, and at that point he was given no indication that they had yet received Sue Gray’s long-awaited reported into the allegations of lockdown parties at Downing Street.
The Philippines will grant entry to visitors vaccinated against Covid from 10 February, its government has said, in an effort to boost the tourism sector.The Philippines will grant entry to visitors vaccinated against Covid from 10 February, its government has said, in an effort to boost the tourism sector.
The archipelago nation of more than 7,000 islands had planned to reopen in December, but that was aborted over concerns about the Omicron variant. Citizens of 150 countries that have visa-free entry to the Philippines will be allowed to enter.The archipelago nation of more than 7,000 islands had planned to reopen in December, but that was aborted over concerns about the Omicron variant. Citizens of 150 countries that have visa-free entry to the Philippines will be allowed to enter.
Tourism secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in a statement that the move “will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down.”Tourism secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in a statement that the move “will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down.”
Reuters report Puyat also said the government will remove quarantine requirements for returning Filipinos from 1 February, and for foreign tourists from 10 February, but they must be vaccinated and test negative for Covid.Reuters report Puyat also said the government will remove quarantine requirements for returning Filipinos from 1 February, and for foreign tourists from 10 February, but they must be vaccinated and test negative for Covid.
Hello, it is Martin Belam here in London. I’m taking over from Samantha Lock for the next few hours, with all the Covid news from around the world and the UK. I’ll bring you the latest quotes from whoever has been sent out by the government to say “I can’t comment on that until the Sue Gray report is published” in due course.Hello, it is Martin Belam here in London. I’m taking over from Samantha Lock for the next few hours, with all the Covid news from around the world and the UK. I’ll bring you the latest quotes from whoever has been sent out by the government to say “I can’t comment on that until the Sue Gray report is published” in due course.
Australia has recorded its deadliest day ever of the Covid pandemic, with 98 deaths recorded, as the first cases of the BA.2 descendant of the Omicron variant have been recorded in NSW.Australia has recorded its deadliest day ever of the Covid pandemic, with 98 deaths recorded, as the first cases of the BA.2 descendant of the Omicron variant have been recorded in NSW.
There are now 35 cases of BA.2 in Australia overall including in Tasmania, ACT, Queensland, WA and Victoria.There are now 35 cases of BA.2 in Australia overall including in Tasmania, ACT, Queensland, WA and Victoria.
Of the new deaths, 39 were recorded in Victoria, 35 in NSW, 18 in Queensland, and one in the ACT. The previous one-day high was on 21 January, when 88 deaths were recorded.Of the new deaths, 39 were recorded in Victoria, 35 in NSW, 18 in Queensland, and one in the ACT. The previous one-day high was on 21 January, when 88 deaths were recorded.
While overall cases are plateauing, the country’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, Prof Alison McMillan, said death rates were set to remain high for some time:While overall cases are plateauing, the country’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, Prof Alison McMillan, said death rates were set to remain high for some time:
Read the full story here.Read the full story here.
The head of the Paris hospitals system has questioned whether people who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid should continue to have their treatment covered by public health insurance.The head of the Paris hospitals system has questioned whether people who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid should continue to have their treatment covered by public health insurance.
The remarks have set off a fierce debate in the country.The remarks have set off a fierce debate in the country.
Under France’s universal healthcare system, all Covid patients who end up in intensive care are fully covered for their treatment, which costs about 3,000 euros per day and typically lasts a week to 10 days.Under France’s universal healthcare system, all Covid patients who end up in intensive care are fully covered for their treatment, which costs about 3,000 euros per day and typically lasts a week to 10 days.
Paris AP-HP hospitals system chief Martin Hirsch said:Paris AP-HP hospitals system chief Martin Hirsch said:
Hirsch said he raised the issue because health costs are exploding and that the irresponsible behaviour of some should not jeopardise the availability of the system for everyone else.Hirsch said he raised the issue because health costs are exploding and that the irresponsible behaviour of some should not jeopardise the availability of the system for everyone else.
Hello it’s Samantha Lock back with you on the blog as we unpack all the latest international Covid developments.Hello it’s Samantha Lock back with you on the blog as we unpack all the latest international Covid developments.
Let’s begin with some news hitting the headlines in France where the head of the Paris hospitals system questioned whether people who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid should continue to have their treatment covered by public health insurance.Let’s begin with some news hitting the headlines in France where the head of the Paris hospitals system questioned whether people who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid should continue to have their treatment covered by public health insurance.
“When free and efficient drugs are available, should people be able to renounce it without consequences ... while we struggle to take care of other patients?” Paris AP-HP hospitals system chief Martin Hirsch said on French television on Wednesday.“When free and efficient drugs are available, should people be able to renounce it without consequences ... while we struggle to take care of other patients?” Paris AP-HP hospitals system chief Martin Hirsch said on French television on Wednesday.
The remarks have set off a fierce debate in the country. Hirsch said he raised the issue because health costs are exploding and that the irresponsible behaviour of some should not jeopardise the availability of the system for everyone else.The remarks have set off a fierce debate in the country. Hirsch said he raised the issue because health costs are exploding and that the irresponsible behaviour of some should not jeopardise the availability of the system for everyone else.
A group of scientists have warned the UK government that by allowing poorer countries to remain unvaccinated is a “reckless approach to public health”, meaning Covid variants are more likely to develop.A group of scientists have warned the UK government that by allowing poorer countries to remain unvaccinated is a “reckless approach to public health”, meaning Covid variants are more likely to develop.
A letter signed by more than 300 experts, including 13 members of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) in a personal capacity, says vaccinating most of the world’s population is “the best way” to prevent coronavirus mutations. It says vaccines will “not be effective” at stopping new variants unless the UK ensures more people in poorer countries are jabbed.A letter signed by more than 300 experts, including 13 members of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) in a personal capacity, says vaccinating most of the world’s population is “the best way” to prevent coronavirus mutations. It says vaccines will “not be effective” at stopping new variants unless the UK ensures more people in poorer countries are jabbed.
Here’s a quick recap of all the international Covid developments:Here’s a quick recap of all the international Covid developments:
Europe:Europe:
England is going back to its “Plan A” Covid strategy by lifting virus restrictions, with commuters back to the office, masks no longer required in enclosed places and vaccine passports shelved.England is going back to its “Plan A” Covid strategy by lifting virus restrictions, with commuters back to the office, masks no longer required in enclosed places and vaccine passports shelved.
The EU’s drug regulator gave the green light to Pfizer Inc’s antiviral Covid-19 pill for treating adults at risk of severe illness.The EU’s drug regulator gave the green light to Pfizer Inc’s antiviral Covid-19 pill for treating adults at risk of severe illness.
Booster shots could reduce future hospitalisations in Europe by at least half a million, the EU’s public health agency said.Booster shots could reduce future hospitalisations in Europe by at least half a million, the EU’s public health agency said.
Finland will begin gradually easing restrictions from 1 February instead of mid-February as initially planned.Finland will begin gradually easing restrictions from 1 February instead of mid-February as initially planned.
The head of the Paris hospitals system has set off a fierce debate by questioning whether people who refuse to be vaccinated should continue to have their treatment covered by public health insurance.The head of the Paris hospitals system has set off a fierce debate by questioning whether people who refuse to be vaccinated should continue to have their treatment covered by public health insurance.
Spain’s north-eastern Catalonia region drops the need for a Covid passport to enter restaurants, bars and gyms.Spain’s north-eastern Catalonia region drops the need for a Covid passport to enter restaurants, bars and gyms.
Sweden’s health authority says it will not recommend Covid-19 jabs for all five to 11 year olds, the country again choosing a different Covid policy to much of Europe.Sweden’s health authority says it will not recommend Covid-19 jabs for all five to 11 year olds, the country again choosing a different Covid policy to much of Europe.
Many more Covid restrictions are being lifted on Friday in Wales, allowing nightclubs to reopen and some rules on social distancing to be scrapped.Many more Covid restrictions are being lifted on Friday in Wales, allowing nightclubs to reopen and some rules on social distancing to be scrapped.
Asia:Asia:
Hong Kong will shorten its 21-day quarantine requirement to 14 days for incoming travellers starting from 5 February.Hong Kong will shorten its 21-day quarantine requirement to 14 days for incoming travellers starting from 5 February.
New Delhi ends a weekend curfew, reopens restaurants and allows markets to operate at full capacity, as the Omicron variant outbreak slows.New Delhi ends a weekend curfew, reopens restaurants and allows markets to operate at full capacity, as the Omicron variant outbreak slows.
Americas:Americas:
Canadian truck drivers are meeting in Ottawa to protest a federal government vaccine mandate.Canadian truck drivers are meeting in Ottawa to protest a federal government vaccine mandate.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau says he has been exposed to Covid-19 and will isolate for five days, in accordance with health rules for vaccinated people.Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau says he has been exposed to Covid-19 and will isolate for five days, in accordance with health rules for vaccinated people.
The US government’s main health agency is failing to meet its responsibilities for leading the national response to public health emergencies, including the coronavirus pandemic, a federal watchdog said Thursday.The US government’s main health agency is failing to meet its responsibilities for leading the national response to public health emergencies, including the coronavirus pandemic, a federal watchdog said Thursday.
Middle East:Middle East:
A United Arab Emirates medical convoy of one million Covid-19 vaccines reached the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing, state news agency WAM said.A United Arab Emirates medical convoy of one million Covid-19 vaccines reached the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing, state news agency WAM said.
Morocco will reopen its airspace for international flights starting Feb. 7, the state news agency (MAP) reported on Thursday.Morocco will reopen its airspace for international flights starting Feb. 7, the state news agency (MAP) reported on Thursday.
Covid-19 boosters increase protection against death from the Omicron variant to 95% in people aged 50 or over, the UK Health Security Agency said.Covid-19 boosters increase protection against death from the Omicron variant to 95% in people aged 50 or over, the UK Health Security Agency said.
China’s Walvax Biotechnology has recruited most of the 28,000 participants needed for a large clinical trial of its mRNA Covid-19 vaccine candidate, a senior company official said.China’s Walvax Biotechnology has recruited most of the 28,000 participants needed for a large clinical trial of its mRNA Covid-19 vaccine candidate, a senior company official said.