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Covid news live: Germany and Switzerland set to ease restrictions Covid news live: Germany and Switzerland set to ease restrictions
(32 minutes later)
German chancellor warns pandemic not over but says Omicron past its peak; Swiss shops and restaurants will not require Covid certificate from ThursdayGerman chancellor warns pandemic not over but says Omicron past its peak; Swiss shops and restaurants will not require Covid certificate from Thursday
Germany will ease Covid-19 restrictions as a wave of infections from the Omicron coronavirus variant seems to have passed its peak, the chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said on Wednesday, but he warned that the pandemic was not over yet.Germany will ease Covid-19 restrictions as a wave of infections from the Omicron coronavirus variant seems to have passed its peak, the chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said on Wednesday, but he warned that the pandemic was not over yet.
After a meeting with the heads of the federal states earlier on Wednesday, Scholz said Germany was ready to look forward with more confidence over coronavirus, Reuters reports.After a meeting with the heads of the federal states earlier on Wednesday, Scholz said Germany was ready to look forward with more confidence over coronavirus, Reuters reports.
“After these long two years, we deserve that things somehow improve again and it looks a bit like that’s exactly what we have in front of us,” Scholz told reporters after the meeting.“After these long two years, we deserve that things somehow improve again and it looks a bit like that’s exactly what we have in front of us,” Scholz told reporters after the meeting.
On Wednesday, Germany reported 219,972 new daily coronavirus cases, down 6% compared to the same day last week.On Wednesday, Germany reported 219,972 new daily coronavirus cases, down 6% compared to the same day last week.
The seven-day infection incidence per 100,000 people also dropped to 1,401 from 1,438 on Tuesday.The seven-day infection incidence per 100,000 people also dropped to 1,401 from 1,438 on Tuesday.
Brazil had 147,734 new cases of coronavirus reported in the past 24 hours and 1,085 deaths, the country health ministry said on Wednesday. Brazil had 147,734 new cases of coronavirus reported in the past 24 hours and 1,085 deaths, its health ministry said on Wednesday.
The South American country has now registered 27,806,786 cases since the pandemic began while the official death toll has risen to 640,774, Reuters reports.The South American country has now registered 27,806,786 cases since the pandemic began while the official death toll has risen to 640,774, Reuters reports.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued president Joe Biden’s administration on Wednesday over a government mandate requiring that masks be worn at US airports and on airplanes and other transit modes.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued president Joe Biden’s administration on Wednesday over a government mandate requiring that masks be worn at US airports and on airplanes and other transit modes.
Paxton and US Representative Beth Van Duyne jointly filed a lawsuit challenging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention transit mask rules, which have been in place since February 2021, Reuters reports.Paxton and US Representative Beth Van Duyne jointly filed a lawsuit challenging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention transit mask rules, which have been in place since February 2021, Reuters reports.
The current mask requirements are set to expire on 18 March, though they previously have been extended several times.The current mask requirements are set to expire on 18 March, though they previously have been extended several times.
Children aged five to 11 in England, Wales and Scotland will be offered protection against Covid, meaning millions more will be eligible for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.Children aged five to 11 in England, Wales and Scotland will be offered protection against Covid, meaning millions more will be eligible for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
The Pfizer vaccine, given at one-third the dose of adults, was approved as safe and effective for children by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in December. But the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation previously recommended the vaccine only for vulnerable five- to 11-year-olds.The Pfizer vaccine, given at one-third the dose of adults, was approved as safe and effective for children by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in December. But the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation previously recommended the vaccine only for vulnerable five- to 11-year-olds.
Millions of children aged five to 11 have been vaccinated in other countries, such as the US and countries in Europe.Millions of children aged five to 11 have been vaccinated in other countries, such as the US and countries in Europe.
Five parents share their reactions:Five parents share their reactions:
Spanish sports grounds will be able to return to 100% capacity for the first time since the pandemic next month, health chiefs said.Spanish sports grounds will be able to return to 100% capacity for the first time since the pandemic next month, health chiefs said.
“From the weekend of March 4, sporting events, both outdoors and indoors, will see their capacities raised to 100%, given the satisfactory evolution of all the epidemiological indicators,” said health minister Carolina Darias.“From the weekend of March 4, sporting events, both outdoors and indoors, will see their capacities raised to 100%, given the satisfactory evolution of all the epidemiological indicators,” said health minister Carolina Darias.
However, she warned that wearing masks will remain compulsory and that it will still be forbidden to smoke, drink or eat during sporting events.However, she warned that wearing masks will remain compulsory and that it will still be forbidden to smoke, drink or eat during sporting events.
At the end of December, Spanish authorities reduced crowd limits to 75% and 50% indoors to combat rising cases of Covid-19, AFP reports.At the end of December, Spanish authorities reduced crowd limits to 75% and 50% indoors to combat rising cases of Covid-19, AFP reports.
Police in the Canadian capital Ottawa started warning truck drivers blockading the downtown core that they should depart or face arrest, part of a promised crackdown to end a three-week-old protest over Covid restrictions.Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said: “We need to be clear eyed about the seriousness of these incidents ... several of the individuals at Coutts have strong ties to a far-right extreme organization with leaders who are in Ottawa,” Mendicino told reporters. “We’re talking about a group that is organized, agile, knowledgeable and driven by an extremist ideology.”Police in the Canadian capital Ottawa started warning truck drivers blockading the downtown core that they should depart or face arrest, part of a promised crackdown to end a three-week-old protest over Covid restrictions.Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said: “We need to be clear eyed about the seriousness of these incidents ... several of the individuals at Coutts have strong ties to a far-right extreme organization with leaders who are in Ottawa,” Mendicino told reporters. “We’re talking about a group that is organized, agile, knowledgeable and driven by an extremist ideology.”
Police in the province of Alberta this week arrested 13 people linked to a border blockade at the town of Coutts and seized guns. Four members of the group have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.Police in the province of Alberta this week arrested 13 people linked to a border blockade at the town of Coutts and seized guns. Four members of the group have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Sir Keir Starmer has said ending free coronavirus testing in England “is a mistake” which would increase the risk of Covid transmissions.Sir Keir Starmer has said ending free coronavirus testing in England “is a mistake” which would increase the risk of Covid transmissions.
The Labour leader was commenting after reports first emerged on Tuesday that free lateral flow (LFT) and PCR tests are set to be scrapped next week.The Labour leader was commenting after reports first emerged on Tuesday that free lateral flow (LFT) and PCR tests are set to be scrapped next week.
The change would mean everyone - including vulnerable people, children and health and care workers - would have to pay to access tests for the virus, PA reports.The change would mean everyone - including vulnerable people, children and health and care workers - would have to pay to access tests for the virus, PA reports.
Sir Keir said: “I think ending free testing is a mistake. Covid isn’t going away.Sir Keir said: “I think ending free testing is a mistake. Covid isn’t going away.
“And if you take away free tests then that will diminish the likelihood of that and make it worse in the long run.”“And if you take away free tests then that will diminish the likelihood of that and make it worse in the long run.”
France has reported 98,735 new coronavirus cases, Reuters reports. The country also reported that 3,126 people are in intensive care units for Covid-19, down by 109. France also reported 107,913 coronavirus deaths up by 243.France has reported 98,735 new coronavirus cases, Reuters reports. The country also reported that 3,126 people are in intensive care units for Covid-19, down by 109. France also reported 107,913 coronavirus deaths up by 243.
School leaders in England welcomed the announcement on vaccinations for five to 11-year-olds but would have liked to see greater urgency to try to reduce disruption to education in primary schools.School leaders in England welcomed the announcement on vaccinations for five to 11-year-olds but would have liked to see greater urgency to try to reduce disruption to education in primary schools.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We are pleased that the health secretary has accepted the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that Covid vaccinations can be offered to all children aged five to 11 in England.Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We are pleased that the health secretary has accepted the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that Covid vaccinations can be offered to all children aged five to 11 in England.
“Coronavirus infection rates among this age group have been very high in recent months, with a knock-on serious impact on both pupil and staff absence at primary schools.“Coronavirus infection rates among this age group have been very high in recent months, with a knock-on serious impact on both pupil and staff absence at primary schools.
“It’s also currently unclear as to whether or not primary schools will be expected to play a role in this vaccination programmes. We await further details on that.”“It’s also currently unclear as to whether or not primary schools will be expected to play a role in this vaccination programmes. We await further details on that.”
Germany will ease Covid-19 restrictions as a wave of infections from the Omicron coronavirus variant seems to have passed its peak, the chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said on Wednesday, but he warned that the pandemic was not over yet.Germany will ease Covid-19 restrictions as a wave of infections from the Omicron coronavirus variant seems to have passed its peak, the chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said on Wednesday, but he warned that the pandemic was not over yet.
After a meeting with the heads of the federal states earlier on Wednesday, Scholz said Germany was ready to look forward with more confidence over coronavirus, Reuters reports.After a meeting with the heads of the federal states earlier on Wednesday, Scholz said Germany was ready to look forward with more confidence over coronavirus, Reuters reports.
“After these long two years, we deserve that things somehow improve again and it looks a bit like that’s exactly what we have in front of us,” Scholz told reporters after the meeting.“After these long two years, we deserve that things somehow improve again and it looks a bit like that’s exactly what we have in front of us,” Scholz told reporters after the meeting.
On Wednesday, Germany reported 219,972 new daily coronavirus cases, down 6% compared to the same day last week.On Wednesday, Germany reported 219,972 new daily coronavirus cases, down 6% compared to the same day last week.
The seven-day infection incidence per 100,000 people also dropped to 1,401 from 1,438 on Tuesday.The seven-day infection incidence per 100,000 people also dropped to 1,401 from 1,438 on Tuesday.
In a reversal of its previous policy, the Coachella music festival in the US will not require Covid-19 vaccination, testing or masking when it resumes this April in southern California, the organisers said.In a reversal of its previous policy, the Coachella music festival in the US will not require Covid-19 vaccination, testing or masking when it resumes this April in southern California, the organisers said.
The hugely popular festival saw up to 125,000 attendees leading up to the start of pandemic, during which it was cancelled three times.The hugely popular festival saw up to 125,000 attendees leading up to the start of pandemic, during which it was cancelled three times.
New Covid-19 infections across the Americas region fell by 31% in the last week, marking a sixth successive week of declines, but deaths are still on the rise, up 5.6%, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said.New Covid-19 infections across the Americas region fell by 31% in the last week, marking a sixth successive week of declines, but deaths are still on the rise, up 5.6%, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said.
Half of the region’s 34,000 deaths were reported in the United States, as countries across the region saw deaths surge after a rise in hospitalisations and intensive care admissions driven by the easily spread Omicron variant of the virus.Half of the region’s 34,000 deaths were reported in the United States, as countries across the region saw deaths surge after a rise in hospitalisations and intensive care admissions driven by the easily spread Omicron variant of the virus.
Covid deaths tend to lag new infections and hospitalisations by a few weeks, which is why they continue to rise as cases fall, Reuters reports.Covid deaths tend to lag new infections and hospitalisations by a few weeks, which is why they continue to rise as cases fall, Reuters reports.
In South America, Brazil registered the highest numbers of deaths, setting a record for the current wave.In South America, Brazil registered the highest numbers of deaths, setting a record for the current wave.
“Undoubtedly, Omicron overtook us,” the PAHO director, Carissa Etienne, said in a briefing, noting that the tools developed to fight the pandemic are not working as well to stop transmission of the more contagious variant.“Undoubtedly, Omicron overtook us,” the PAHO director, Carissa Etienne, said in a briefing, noting that the tools developed to fight the pandemic are not working as well to stop transmission of the more contagious variant.
A drop in Covid-19 testing rates is likely contributing to a decline in reported cases even as deaths are rising, the World Health Organization said.A drop in Covid-19 testing rates is likely contributing to a decline in reported cases even as deaths are rising, the World Health Organization said.
“The bigger concern right now, I think, is the still increasing number of deaths,” the technical lead on Covid-19, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, said.“The bigger concern right now, I think, is the still increasing number of deaths,” the technical lead on Covid-19, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, said.
“In the last week alone, almost 75,000 people died reported to us and we know that that is an underestimate,” she said.“In the last week alone, almost 75,000 people died reported to us and we know that that is an underestimate,” she said.
The countries claiming that their transmission has dropped from two to six weeks ago have likely seen a drop in testing rates, according to the WHO’s emergencies chief, Mike Ryan, Reuters reports.The countries claiming that their transmission has dropped from two to six weeks ago have likely seen a drop in testing rates, according to the WHO’s emergencies chief, Mike Ryan, Reuters reports.
The Welsh health minister, Eluned Morgan, has accused the UK government of delaying an announcement on giving vaccinations for five- to 11-year-olds to make maximum political capital out of it.The Welsh health minister, Eluned Morgan, has accused the UK government of delaying an announcement on giving vaccinations for five- to 11-year-olds to make maximum political capital out of it.
Morgan announced on Tuesday that Wales would press ahead with vaccinating younger children after the JCVI recommended the move.Morgan announced on Tuesday that Wales would press ahead with vaccinating younger children after the JCVI recommended the move.
Asked by the Guardian why Boris Johnson’s administration had delayed, she said: “The guess is the UK government wanted to pleat this into their long-term plan for living with Covid and wanted a significant announcement in that plan.Asked by the Guardian why Boris Johnson’s administration had delayed, she said: “The guess is the UK government wanted to pleat this into their long-term plan for living with Covid and wanted a significant announcement in that plan.
“That’s not a good enough reason for us to postpone. We didn’t want to dance to the timetable being set by what worked for the UK government.“That’s not a good enough reason for us to postpone. We didn’t want to dance to the timetable being set by what worked for the UK government.
“Our job is public protection, it’s not to march in step with whatever the UK government decides is their political priorities.“Our job is public protection, it’s not to march in step with whatever the UK government decides is their political priorities.
“There’s definitely a frustration with the UK government … and a sense that the response to the pandemic in England is being driven by politics and not by public health and safety.”“There’s definitely a frustration with the UK government … and a sense that the response to the pandemic in England is being driven by politics and not by public health and safety.”
Morgan also expressed concern at the prospect of the UK government ending free Covid tests, insisting such a move would be “premature”.Morgan also expressed concern at the prospect of the UK government ending free Covid tests, insisting such a move would be “premature”.
Morgan said: “There’s an air in England that it [Covid] is all over; that is not our understanding.”Morgan said: “There’s an air in England that it [Covid] is all over; that is not our understanding.”