19th Nov 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=143 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Michael Ryan the head of the World Health Organizations emergencies programme has said that while vaccines are effective tools they are not the lone solution to ending the coronavirus pandemic. Some people think that vaccines will be in a sense the solution the unicorn weve all been chasing he said during a virtual briefing in Geneva on Wednesday warning other measures such as social distancing needed to be maintained. It comes after positive efficacy results from latestage trials of two potential Covid19 vaccines https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/nov/18/covid-vaccines-should-not-be-seen-as-unicorn-solution-says-who-chief-video 19th Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

New Zealand Herald In New Zealand there are three new cases of Covid19 all detected in recent returnees in managed isolation. There are no new community cases today. Of the recent returnees who have tested positive for Covid19 One person arrived from the United Kingdom via Dubai on November 14 two people arrived from Dubai on November 14. All three people tested positive during routine testing around day 3 of their time in managed isolation. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-three-new-cases-in-managed-isolation/ZFNEZAYQPAKLYIANGRLFQSPDU4/ 18th Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK English doctors are grappling with the prospect of sevenday service 75 degree Celsius freezers and vaccines known as Talent and Courageous as they prepare for an unprecedented logistical challenge the rollout of COVID19 vaccinations. Health minister Matt Hancock has set a target for Englands National Health Service that it should be ready to administer vaccines by Dec. 1 although he has said his central expectation is for the bulk of the rollout to happen next year. Any distribution of vaccines would also require approval from the countrys medical watchdog the MHRA. On Wednesday NHS England medical director Stephen Powis confirmed that general practitioners GPs pharmacies and largescale inoculation centres could all be involved in the vaccine rollout adding more details would be given in the coming days https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-vaccines/where-theres-a-will-theres-a-way-as-english-doctors-prepare-covid-vaccine-roll-out-idUKKBN27Y27V 18th Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK England will need five extra days of lockdown measures to stop COVID19 infections spreading for each day they are relaxed over the Christmas period to allow people to see their families a senior government health adviser has warned. Susan Hopkins deputy director of the national infections service at Public Health England told reporters on Wednesday that the advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies would mean two days of tighter restrictions. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-christmas/england-will-need-five-days-of-lockdown-for-each-day-relaxed-at-christmas-adviser-idUKKBN27Y2NT 18th Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Japan will not immediately declare a health emergency following a record rise in coronavirus cases and will continue to monitor infection rates and the capacity of hospitals to cope the governments chief spokesman said on Thursday. We will respond appropriately based on conditions Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a regular press briefing. Coronavirus infections in Japan hit a record daily high of 2201 cases on Wednesday public broadcaster NHK reported. Almost a quarter of those were in Tokyo which is expected to raise its pandemic alert level on Thursday according to local media reports. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-japan/japan-to-monitor-virus-cases-hospitals-before-any-emergency-declaration-decision-idUKKBN27Z0BW 18th Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Pfizer Inc PFE.N and BioNTech 22UAy.DE could secure emergency U.S. and European authorization for their COVID19 vaccine next month after final trial results showed it had a 95 success rate and no serious side effects the drugmakers said on Wednesday. The vaccines efficacy was found to be consistent across different ages and ethnicities a promising sign given the disease has disproportionately hurt the elderly and certain groups including Black people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could grant emergencyuse by the middle of December BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin told Reuters TV. Conditional approval in the European Union could be secured in the second half of December he added. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-vaccines-pfizer/pfizer-biontech-vaccine-deliveries-could-start-before-christmas-idUSKBN27Y1LH 18th Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

NBC News The United States has recorded a quartermillion Covid19 deaths the latest NBC News numbers showed Wednesday and the death rate has been accelerating in recent weeks as cases have been surging across the country. The 250000th death was logged Wednesday morning the data revealed. In the last four weeks there has been a 42 percent increase in the number of fatalities from a weekly average of 821 per day in early October to last weeks average of 1167 per day according to an NBC News analysis of the available data. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-surpasses-250-000-coronavirus-deaths-virus-mortality-rate-n1248109 18th Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC People selfisolating in Covid hotspots should be given a toppedup grant of 800 Plaid Cymru has said. It wants a package of extra support for exindustrial areas with high infection rates such as Merthyr Tydfil Blaenau Gwent and Rhondda Cynon Taf. These areas the party said should be prioritised for mass testing with more resources for test and trace teams. Ministers said they had put national support measures in place and provided an extra 15.7m for contact tracing. Anyone in Wales is able to claim 500 if they have to stay off work due to coronavirus. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-54973391 18th Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian Mixing between more than two households and travel between tiers should be banned in England until a vaccine is rolled out to prevent the NHS being swamped after lockdown the main doctors organisation has warned. With ministers due to announce next week a return to regional tiers of coronavirus restrictions from 2 December the British Medical Association BMA said that without tough action hospitals and GPs will become overwhelmed. A BMA report argues that robust measures will be needed until an effective vaccine is widely available and that ministers must learn from what it called the overlax exit from the last lockdown. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/nov/17/prepare-for-a-low-key-christmas-england-covid-experts-warn 18th Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC In England lifting lockdown must be handled better this time round to avoid a surge in Covid that could overwhelm the NHS doctors say. The British Medical Association has published a blueprint for how it thinks England should proceed with any easing. It includes replacing the rule of six with a twohouseholds restriction to reduce social mixing and banning travel between different local lockdown tiers. Government has yet to say if or exactly how England will exit on 2 December. It will decide next week based on whether cases have fallen enough and how much strain hospitals are under. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54973530 18th Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Evening Standard In England lockdown is starting to work in the battle against Covid19 a Cabinet minister claimed today as business chiefs appealed for London to be given a chance to recover when restrictions are lifted. Official data is understood to show that the number of coronavirus infections in the community in England is still growing but less quickly in recent weeks. Business chiefs warned that London must be put into a tier which will allow the city to reopen. Jace Tyrrell who is chief executive of New West End Company said Our hope is that the Government will recognise that the capital can be safely and sustainably reopened for business from December 3. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/lockdown-working-london-businesses-b73190.html 18th Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Evening Standard In England families may be able to mix in bubbles at Christmas under plans for a brief relaxation of coronavirus restrictions over the festive period according to reports. Britons could get up to five days of loosened measures starting from December 24 under the new proposals reportedly being considered by ministers. Government chiefs are also considering allowing families made up of up to two or three households to meet for Christmas. It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wanted to ensure people can spend time with close family over Christmas. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/hope-for-christmas-gettogethers-as-ministers-plan-brief-relaxation-of-coronavirus-restrictions-over-festive-period-b72890.html 18th Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK British households will be banned from mixing when the lockdown ends under governments plans to rescue Christmas the Telegraph reported here on Tuesday. Ministers are planning to announce an end of lockdown package next week according to the report. The package will also include a schedule for UKs vaccination programme and an expansion of mass testing which is expected to soften the blow of further restrictions the report added. Under current social distancing guidance meetings of larger groups are against the law though people from different households can gather in groups. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-lockdown-idUKKBN27X33C 18th Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK Care farms nestled in the British countryside are providing a lifeline for people struggling with mental health during the pandemic allowing them to swap therapy sessions on Zoom for the joys of fresh air mucking out cow sheds and cuddling donkeys. With vital public services for vulnerable people shut down or reduced to video calls because of social distancing measures care farms have been able to stay open as activities take place in wide open spaces. At Future Roots in the southern county of Dorset 14yearold Liam Holt has found that spending time outdoors working with animals and other people has had a transformational effect on his state of mind. https://uk.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUKKBN27Z0AV 18th Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK One of Australias strictest lockdowns began on Thursday with outdoor gatherings weddings funerals takeaway food all coming to a standstill as authorities try to stifle the latest flareup of the novel coronavirus. Images on social media showed empty streets in Adelaide the capital of South Australia state on day one of the statewide lockdown. Residents flocked to supermarkets to load up with supplies until late on Wednesday. The state home to about 1.8 million people has recorded 23 cases from the latest cluster. There were no new infections to report on Thursday while 3200 close contacts of the infected were in quarantine the states chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier told a news conference. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-australia/south-australia-virus-lockdown-begins-amid-hopes-to-curb-outbreak-idUKKBN27Z01A?il=0 18th Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

CNN Business In just a matter of months the coronavirus pandemic dramatically changed the landscape of the housing market especially in big cities. But now news of a promising vaccine could turn the market on its head again. Nationally home prices have never been higher driven up as surging demand due to record low mortgage rates comes up against historically low inventory of homes for sale. But the most expensive urban areas have been experiencing the opposite problem. Cities like New York and San Francisco have seen higher vacancy rates and lower rents and sale prices as many people untethered from office jobs retreated to the suburbs and less densely populated areas. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/18/success/vaccine-real-estate-new-york-city/index.html?utm_term=link&amputm_content=2020-11-18T16%3A17%3A09&amputm_source=twCNN&amputm_medium=social 18th Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Sky News Companies recommended by MPs peers and advisers were given priority to win government contracts as it scrambled to respond to the coronavirus outbreak the public spending watchdog has found. A National Audit Office NAO investigation into pandemic procurement concludes that normal standards of transparency were waived as departments awarded 8600 contracts worth 18bn to tackle COVID19. Deals worth 10.5bn were granted without competitive tender. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-high-priority-procurement-for-firms-recommended-by-mps-and-advisers-12135051 18th Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

The Independent German police have deployed water cannon to disperse a mass antilockdown protest outside Berlins Brandenburg Gate. Scores of protestors gathered to oppose the governments coronavirus restrictions as German MPs debated a bill to provide the legal underpinning for the government to issue social distancing rules require masks in public and close stores and other venues. In scenes replicated across the continent and the world those opposed to the measures took to the streets despite popular support for measures to quell the spread of the virus. Officers said the crowd refused to listen to their requests to wear masks and keep their distance from one another in line with regulations. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-lockdown-protest-berlin-police-b1724879.html 18th Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Daily Mail Thousands gathered at Brandenburg Gate to protest covid restrictions in Germany as case numbers rose. Police used water cannons to break up the huge crowds with some protesters throwing flares. Demonstration came as government debated a bill that would make mask wearing social distancing and shop closures enforceable by law https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8961759/amp/German-police-fire-water-cannons-protesters-thousands-gather-Berlin-anti-lockdown-rally.html 18th Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Quint A documentary questioning the purpose of coronavirus vaccines has gone viral in France after endorsements from politicians and celebrities some of whom later withdrew their support. Hold Up got more than 4 million views on Googles YouTube and other platforms over a couple of days last week helped along on social media by public figures including lawmakers former First Lady Carla BruniSarkozy and actor Sophie Marceau. Suspicions over the safety and effectiveness of vaccines are widespread in France. In a study released this week by the liberal think tank Fondation JeanJaures 43 of respondents said they would refuse to get a shot 7 percentage points more than in the U.S. and twice as many as in the U.K. https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/conspiracy-video-goes-viral-in-threat-to-france-s-vaccine-push 18th Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian From selfisolation with flatmates they barely know and halls of residences emptying out over lockdown to struggles to get the wifi to work for Zoom lectures the start to the 2020 term has been riddled with uncertainty for most university students. Just one things for sure its been a strange few weeks. Its perhaps unsurprising that students across campuses have been grappling with loneliness anxiety and depression as a result of their experiences. Students arent just disappointed that their university experience looks different in terms of teaching and learning theyre also asking What does it mean for all the other things I wanted out of uni The people I could have met The sports and societies I could have joined said Hillary GyebiAbabio vicepresident for higher education at the National Union of Students. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/18/students-feel-vulnerable-how-covid-19-has-put-a-strain-on-mental-health 18th Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC The week after the clocks went back saw Britains highest levels of acute loneliness in the pandemic Office for National Statistics figures suggest. The start of November with darker evenings saw 8 of adults who were always or often lonely representing 4.2 million people. This was the peak in this measure of loneliness since the lockdown in March. Loneliness Minister Baroness Barran says the next few months will be incredibly challenging https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-54973709 18th Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian Some of Englands poorest areas face being trapped in coronavirus restrictions permanently unless the government tackles deeprooted inequalities that are driving high transmission according to a public health chief. Prof Dominic Harrison the director of public health at Blackburn with Darwen council said the governments pointlessly punishing approach would keep areas such as his under strict measures up to next summer. He told the Guardian We do need the restrictions but what we need is something that is going to be more effective more helpful less pointlessly punishing than continued controls that arent going to be effective or that are unlikely to be effective in the medium term and cause continued and further economic damage. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/18/poor-areas-of-england-face-permanent-lockdown-says-blackburn-public-health-chief 18th Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters UK French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday that the unwinding of lockdown was not for the near future. Attal also told reporters that President Emmanuel Macron would address the nation next week regarding the coronavirus situation in France. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-france/french-government-spokesman-says-unwinding-lockdown-not-for-now-idUKKBN27Y1PD 18th Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters UK Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Tuesday said most of the countrys current coronavirus lockdown measures must remain in place through midDecember despite a recent decline in the number of new cases. Its nice what weve achieved together Rutte said at a press conference after health officials reported that new cases had declined 15 percent in the past week. But if you look around in Europe the picture is pretty sombre he said with most countries strengthening rather than loosening measures. Earlier on Tuesday the National Institute for Health RIVM said in its weekly update there were 37706 new cases in the week to Nov. 17 the smallest number since early October. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-netherlands/dutch-pm-rutte-coronavirus-lockdown-to-continue-into-december-idUKKBN27X2P5?feedType=mktg&ampfeedName=worldNews&ampWT.mc_id=Partner-Google 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

PR Newswire.com Cipla Limited today announced that it signed a licensing agreement with a Belgiumbased firm Multi G for the distribution of their COVID19 Rapid Antibody test kit across most Emerging markets and Europe. This licencing agreement is part of Ciplas efforts to enhance global access to life saving treatments and diagnostic infrastructure for patients in need. As part of this agreement Cipla will be responsible for distribution of the COVID19 rapid antibody kit that will be manufactured by MultiG. It is marketed under the brand name CoviGthis was among the earliest Antibody kits to declare CEcompliance and is awaiting approval by ICH country regulators. It has been commercialised in 20 countries already with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 92. It tests for both IgM and IgG antibodies using a singleprick blood test using of the test result indicator visual interpretation. The kit gives results within 10 minutes. https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/cipla-launches-covi-g-for-covid-19-rapid-antibody-detection-809446057.html 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Wall Street Journal Pfizer Inc. said it will ask health regulators to authorize its experimental Covid19 vaccine within days after reporting the shot was 95 effective in its pivotal study and showed signs of being safe. The companys plans announced Wednesday mean the shot is on track to go into distribution by the end of the year if the regulators permit. https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-95-effective-in-final-results-company-to-seek-approval-within-days-11605699996?mod=hp_lead_pos1 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Pfizer Inc PFE.N and BioNTech 22UAy.DE could secure emergency U.S. and European authorization for their COVID19 vaccine next month after final trial results showed it had a 95 success rate and no serious side effects the drugmakers said on Wednesday. The vaccines efficacy was found to be consistent across different ages and ethnicities a promising sign given the disease has disproportionately hurt the elderly and certain groups including Black people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could grant emergencyuse by the middle of December BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin told Reuters TV. Conditional approval in the European Union could be secured in the second half of December he added. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-vaccines-pfizer-idUKKBN27Y1HK 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian The PfizerBioNTech vaccine against Covid19 performs even better than previously thought with 95 efficacy equalling the early results from Moderna on Monday according to an analysis of the final data from their trials which paves the way for regulators to grant an emergency licence and vaccination campaigns to begin. The news will excite scientists public health experts and politicians. PfizerBioNTech say they also have the necessary safety data that regulatory bodies require and will submit the vaccine for emergency approval within days to the US Food and Drug Administration and other regulators around the world. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/18/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-95-effective-and-safe-further-tests-show 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Hope that the first effective vaccines against Covid19 could begin being distributed late this year or early in 2021 has led countries including the UK to announce who will be vaccinated first. While the World Health Organization has set out general guidelines for vaccination priority different countries have set their own criteria. That includes the United States where the Centers for Disease Controls Vaccination Program interim playbook issued at the end of last month identified minority ethnic groups who have been shown to be more susceptible as a potential critical population for priority consideration along with care homes prisons and psychiatric facilities residents and workers health workers and the over65s and those with preexisting conditions. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/18/covid-19-vaccine-who-are-countries-prioritising-for-first-doses 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC A Covid19 vaccine developed in China has shown success in midstage trials researchers say. There are several vaccines being developed in China some of which are already being administered. According to the researchers the Sinovac Biotech vaccine led to a quick immune response during trials with around 700 people. The announcement comes after European and US vaccines reported successful data from large latestage trials. Three vaccines developed in the US Germany and Russia have all released data suggesting efficiency of more than 90 after trials with tens of thousands of people. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-54982910 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC Country star Dolly Parton has said she feels very honoured and proud to have given money to research into one of the most promising Covid19 vaccines. In April she announced she was giving 1m 750000 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. That was one of the trial sites for the Moderna vaccine which is nearly 95 effective according to early data. Speaking on BBC Ones The One Show on Tuesday Parton said she was so excited to hear the news. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54974987 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Science Magazine As opposed to the vague initial report last week that their vaccine had greater than 90 efficacy Pfizer and BioNTech are providing more specific data now that the study has reached enough COVID19 cases to end. In all the trial had 162 confirmed cases of symptomatic COVID19 in the placebo group versus eight among those who received the two scheduled doses of the vaccine. The efficacy which was measured 7 days after the second dose of the vaccine was the same in different races and ethnicities the companies sayalthough subgroup analyses always have more uncertainty. Nine of the 10 people who had severe cases of COVID19 during the trial received the placebo which indicates that even if the vaccine fails to prevent symptomatic disease it still offers powerful protection from serious harm. No serious side effects surfaced the companies report although 3.7 of the vaccinated reported fatigue after the injections. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/covid-19-vaccine-trial-complete-pfizer-and-biontech-update-their-promising-result 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

National Herald Results from an earlyphase clinical trial of a Chinese vaccine candidate CoronaVac revealed that the formulation appears safe and induces an antibody response in healthy volunteers aged 18 to 59 years. According to the findings of the phase 12 randomised clinical trial published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal the vaccine candidate could induce an antibody response in participants within 28 days of the first immunisation by giving two doses 14 days apart. The researchers including those from the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China also found the optimum dose to generate the highest antibody responses while taking account of side effects and production capacity. https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/chinese-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-appears-safe-induces-immune-response-preliminary-study-finds 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Otago Daily Times Parenting can be a demanding and stressful job at any time but a pandemic can pile additional pressure on parents new Canterbury University research shows. UCs Dr Cara Swit surveyed parents in New Zealand as part of a global study conducted in 15 countries to assess levels of parental burnout during Covid19 lockdowns. She found that 10.5 per cent of parents in this country experienced high levels of parental burnout which is defined as a combination of chronic stress exhaustion feeling like their parenting is not as good as it was loss of pleasure or fulfilment in parenting and emotional distancing from their children. Any levels of parental burnout are concerning so we need to understand the influences behind these figures and what can be done to support parents who are struggling Swit said. https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/one-10-parents-experienced-severe-burnout-lockdown-canterbury-university 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Health24 People worldwide have been experiencing high levels of distress during the Covid19 pandemic. A New Zealand survey shows that despite eliminating the virus peoples mental health took a knock. Researchers are encouraging governments to prioritise mental wellbeing during this time https://m.health24.com/Medical/Infectious-diseases/Coronavirus/new-zealand-had-great-success-in-containing-covid-19-but-public-wellbeing-paid-the-price-20201118 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

AlJazeera Sinovac Biotechs experimental COVID19 vaccine CoronaVac triggered a quick immune response but the level of antibodies produced was lower than in people who had recovered from the disease early trial results showed on Wednesday. While the early to midstage trials were not designed to assess the efficacy of CoronaVac researchers said it could provide sufficient protection based on their experience with other vaccines and data from preclinical studies with macaques. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/18/early-trial-results-show-sinovac-vaccine-triggers-immune-response 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail UCLA researchers created models of human airways from donor stem cells Exposed some to smoke and compared impact of SARSCoV2 infection Found those exposed to cigarettes had three times as many cells infected Also discovered the smoke inhibits function of interferons which help the body fight the virus https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8961541/Smoking-causes-THREE-times-cells-infected-coronavirus.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters A Danish study released on Wednesday found face masks provide the wearer with only limited protection against COVID19 infection but said this should not be used to argue against their widespread use to prevent people infecting others. In the study which was carried out in April and May when Danish authorities did not recommend wearing face masks 6024 adults were divided into two groups one wearing face masks and one control group. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-facemasks-idUKKBN27Y1YW?taid=5fb54782169ccd0001d2ab05&amputm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amputm_medium=trueAnthem&amputm_source=twitter 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News People are being encouraged to open their windows this winter to decrease the risk of catching coronavirus. The Department for Health has released a video showing how virus particles linger in enclosed spaces. It also shows how letting fresh air in can reduce the risk of infection by more than 70. Coronavirus is spread through the air by droplets and smaller particles known as aerosols when they are exhaled from the nose and mouth of an infected person as they breathe speak or cough. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-people-told-to-open-windows-this-winter-to-decrease-coronavirus-risk-12135381?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Washington Post People who think they were exposed to the coronavirus face a number of logistical obstacles in the United States to get tested Many tests take days to produce results require leaving quarantine to visit a medical professional or most likely both. That could change with Lucira Healths AllInOne test kit which on Tuesday became the first rapid athome test authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/11/18/home-test-coronavirus-covid-fda/ 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Belfast Telegraph Experts have welcomed the news that the promising Covid vaccine candidate developed by Pfizer is effective among the elderly. Data from Pfizer and BioNTechs phase 3 trial show their vaccine is 94 effective in those aged 65 and older. Scientists have welcomed the news that older people will achieve a good level of protection with those over 65 years deemed to be at higher risk of severe illness from Covid19 or death. One expert said that the findings among the elderly surpass expectations. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/hope-for-elderly-as-vaccine-shows-94-protection-39763118.html 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

AlJazeera The results are in for a frontrunner in the race for a COVID19 vaccine. United States pharma giant Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech said on Wednesday that final results from the Phase 3 trial of their COVID19 vaccine showed it to be 95 percent effective the highest success rate for any pandemic candidate in latestage trials so far. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2020/11/18/pfizer-ends-covid-19-vaccine-trial-with-95-success-rate 18th Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

AlJazeera The United Statess top infectious disease scientist has hailed early trial results from Modernas COVID19 vaccine as stunningly impressive and says the findings are an emphatic validation of experimental mRNA technology that some had doubted. In an interview with AFP news agency on Monday Anthony Fauci said he would have settled for injections that protected 7075 percent of people from falling sick. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/17/moderna-vaccine-results-stunningly-impressive-fauci 17th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters In July the Canadian province of Manitoba went two weeks without a single new case of COVID19. Theaters and casinos reopened and children soon returned to school. By October the 1.4 million people living in a province only slightly smaller geographically than Texas had Canadas highest rate of active cases now 512 per 100000 people or nearly quadruple the national rate. In a couple of weeks were going to be in a catastrophic situation said Dr. Anand Kumar a Manitoba intensive care physician. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-canada-hospitals-idUSKBN27Y1IH 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Putin said the rising death rate was alarming after record 456 fatalities today Russia has stopped short of imposing strict new measures like much of Europe In a further blow smoke was seen billowing from a major hospital in Russia today https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8962655/Putin-admits-alarmed-Russias-Covid-19-spike.html 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Texas Tribune The last time case numbers were this high Abbott closed bars and urged Texans to avoid summer holiday gatherings. This time hes staying the course relying on a 2monthold blueprint to claw back reopenings regionally based on hospitalizations. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/11/18/texas-coronavirus-lockdown/ 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Independent Patients some wrapped in blankets that look like they came from home moan in their beds. What appears to be medical tubing and a wad of gauze or paper towels litter the floor of San Giuliano public hospital which treats coronavirus patients in a bleak town in Italys Neapolitan hinterland. In another surreptitiously filmed scene 15 kilometers 9 miles away in Naples an elderly man suspected of having COVID19 takes his last labored breaths in a bathroom at the emergency room of Cardarelli Hospital his undignified end memorialized on a phone camera by a fellow patient and posted online. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/as-virus-hits-italys-south-some-flee-troubled-health-care-naples-italy-ap-hospital-blankets-b1724735.html 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Italy has registered 34283 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours the health ministry said on Wednesday up from 32191 the day before. The ministry also reported 753 COVID 19related deaths up from 731 on Tuesday and the highest daily tally since April 3 when the country was in full national lockdown. There were 234834 coronavirus swabs carried out in the past day the ministry said against a previous 208458. Italy was the first Western country to be hit by the virus and has seen 47217 COVID19 fatalities since its outbreak emerged in February the second highest toll in Europe after Britains and 1.27 million cases. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy-tally-idUSKBN27Y2FY 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Italian hospitals are struggling with a shortage of intensive care specialists as the country battles a severe coronavirus second wave while some citizens are also turning against health workers. Covidrelated deaths rose by 731 on Tuesday the highest daily toll since early April when Italy was in complete lockdown and by 753 on Wednesday as weaknesses in the healthcare system across the country become more exposed. According to a study by Johns Hopkins University in the US Italy has recorded four deaths per 100 infections the third highest rate in the world. Tuesdays count equated to one death every two minutes. Admissions to intensive care units have almost doubled to 3612 since 1 November and the number of people in hospital with coronavirus 33074 has eclipsed that reached during the first wave. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/18/brutal-second-wave-of-covid-exposes-italys-healthcare-weaknesses 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Italy and Spain have both recorded their highest daily coronavirus death tolls of the second wave reporting 731 and 435 deaths respectively over the past 24 hours. Italy the first western country hit by the virus has logged 46464 Covid deaths while Spain has logged 41688. Such high Italian daily death figures have not been seen since 3 April when the country was still in lockdown. The Spanish toll is well up on last weeks previous secondwave record of 411 deaths. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/17/italy-spain-report-highest-daily-covid-deaths-second-wave 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

ABC News The sun had barely risen over Paris and already pepper spray filled the air. Students protesting against an alleged lack of COVID19 protections inside schools were the target of last weeks protest but anyone nearby could feel the acrid substance in their nostrils. They tried to form a barricade of wheelie bins to block the entrance to their high school General Lyce Colbert in northern Paris. But police had prior warning of their plan and tried to snuff out the protest before it had even begun. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-18/france-is-the-worst-hit-in-europe-with-covid-19-heres-why/12891230 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Deccan Herald South Korea has recorded its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections in nearly three months as it gets set to tighten social distancing rules in the greater Seoul area. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 313 new cases on Wednesday raising the countrys total to 29311 including 496 deaths. Its the first time the countrys daily caseload exceeded 300 since late August. https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/south-korea-sees-biggest-rise-in-covid-19-cases-since-august-917058.html 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

bnnbloomberg COVID19 cases rose to a record of more than 2000 according to local media tallies as the nation that had previously shown success in containing the virus now faces a rapid spread of the pathogen. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/tokyo-to-lift-virus-alert-level-to-highest-as-cases-rise-nikkei-1.1523929 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Japan Times Japan set a daily record with more than 2000 new COVID19 cases including a new high of 493 in the capital on Wednesday following reports Tokyo was expected to raise its virus alert to the highest level Thursday amid an ongoing surge of infections. Prior to Wednesday record nationwide tallies had been reported for three consecutive days through Saturday with the figure hitting 1737 on that day. While the final figure for Wednesday was yet to be confirmed local media tallies showed the figure had risen above the 2000 threshold. But much of the focus has been on the capital and the surge in cases there. While raising the virus alert level the Tokyo Metropolitan Government may also call on businesses to close early according to local media reports. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/18/national/tokyo-coronavirus-alert-level/ 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Irish Times The whole of Europe is in a disastrous second wave of Covid19 and a second lockdown. On past experience it is likely to head into a third wave and third lockdown in January which will bring further and unimaginable damage to us all and a collapse of confidence in our medical advisers and governments. Vaccines and antivirals will not arrive in time to avoid this catastrophe and any talk of significant relaxation of guidelines for Christmas is highly irresponsible. We must go further and face the fact that the European policy of living with Covid19 is wrong. https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/ireland-has-only-one-way-to-avoid-entering-third-lockdown-1.4411776 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Turkey said on Wednesday new coronavirus measures limiting the working hours of restaurants and cafes and introducing a partial lockdown on weekends will take effect from the evening of Nov. 20 according to an interior ministry statement. Restaurants cafes shopping malls and hairdressers will only be allowed to operate from 0700 GMT to 1700 GMT the statement said while restaurants and cafes will only be open for takeaway and delivery services. Under the new curbs which will take effect from 1700 GMT on Friday cinemas will be closed for the rest of the year. The government said on Tuesday it would impose tighter coronavirus measures as cases surged in recent weeks. Ankara reported 3819 new symptomatic cases on Tuesday and 103 COVID19 deaths in the country taking the total death toll to 11704. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-turkey/turkey-says-additional-coronavirus-measures-will-take-effect-from-nov-20-idUSL8N2I40FA 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Frances cumulative number of COVID19 cases now exceeds two million but efforts to rein in the pandemic are starting to bear fruit its top health official said on Tuesday. Authorities have reported a total of 2036755 confirmed coronavirus infections with the number of deaths in hospitals and nursing homes now at 46273 including 437 over the past 24 hours Director General of Health Jerome Salomon said. Our collective efforts are starting to bear fruit the number of new cases has been going down over a few days...We must double down our efforts to regain control of the epidemic Salomon told a news conference. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-france-salomon/confirmed-coronavirus-infections-in-france-surpass-two-million-idUKKBN27X2ML 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg The tip of the coronavirus spear is piercing the countrys longterm care facilities again in a surge that underscores the nations repeated failure to protect its most vulnerable. States reported over 29000 new infections last week in places such as nursing homes and assistedliving facilities the steepest uptick since at least May according to Covid Tracking Project data. They come as national daily case counts were higher than ever in November with a record of more than 170000 new cases reported Nov. 13. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-19/covid-stalks-u-s-nursing-homes-again-with-pandemic-redoubling 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

ABC News A wedding in Washington state attended by over 300 people has been linked to nearly 40 COVID19 cases so far health officials said. The massive party was held near Ritzville in rural Adams County on Nov. 7 officials said. By Monday neighboring Grant County had traced 17 cases of COVID19 to the event with more being added daily local health officials said in a news release. On Tuesday the number of cases connected to the wedding was approaching 40 the Grant County Health District confirmed to ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wedding-300-guests-washington-state-linked-covid-19/story?id=74253436&ampcid=social_twitter_abcn 18th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC New York City has been ordered to close its schools from Thursday amid a Covid19 spike. The decision to close the USs largest public school system comes as positive test rates for the virus surpassed the 3 threshold officials say. It will affect some 300000 children. New York where 35000 residents have died with coronavirus was the epicentre of the outbreak in the US in the spring. It now appears to be facing a new wave. The US has more infections and more deaths from the virus than any other nation and has reported record levels of cases in recent days. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54995655 17th Nov 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian The South Australian government has announced an immediate sixday lockdown followed by a further week of tough restrictions as the state scrambles to avoid a second wave of coronavirus infections. The lockdown will take effect from midnight on Wednesday after the Parafield cluster which started from a hotel quarantine breach grew by two overnight to reach 22 confirmed cases. The premier Steven Marshall said the state needed a circuit breaker to allow for a contacttracing blitz so South Australia didnt face a crisis as Victoria experienced. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/nov/18/south-australia-announces-six-day-covid-lockdown-as-circuit-breaker-to-avoid-second-wave 18th Nov 2020

New Lockdown

SBS News The South Australian government has announced comprehensive restrictions under a sixday lockdown as it fights to stamp out a coronavirus cluster. Universities pubs cafes and food courts will be at a standstill and schools will be closed to everyone but vulnerable children and children of essential workers as of midnight Wednesday local time. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/south-australia-introduces-6-day-lockdown-as-covid-19-circuit-breaker 18th Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Daily Mail Adelaide residents have started panicbuying in supermarkets after Premier Steven Marshall announced a sixday coronavirus lockdown. South Australia is battling a cluster of 22 cases in the citys northern suburbs and will introduce the harshest restrictions the country has seen to slow the spread from midnight. The lockdown described as extreme by state chief health officer Nicola Spurrier bans residents from leaving home for exercise and allows one shopping trip per household a day. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8960383/Panic-buying-South-Australia-state-goes-lockdown.html 18th Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters UK South Australia on Wednesday declared a sixday lockdown to stamp out what the state premier described as a highly contagious outbreak of the coronavirus disease that officials linked to a returned traveller from the UK. Most businesses will close except for some food outlets and people will be largely confined to their homes as the state tries to avoid a more severe breakout like the one that all but shuttered neighbouring Victoria for more than 100 days. We need this circuit breaker this community pause South Australian Premier Steven Marshall told media https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-australia/south-australia-orders-six-day-statewide-lockdown-against-fresh-virus-outbreak-idUKKBN27Y0F2 18th Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters UK Beiruts popular Sabra market teemed with shoppers this week some of them unmasked in apparent defiance of a full national lockdown imposed on Saturday to stem a resurgence of coronavirus infections. The Lebanese government ordered the twoweek restrictions including a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on Sundays as new daily infections rose above 1000. Lebanon reported 1016 new infections on Monday bringing its total to 106446 cases and 827 deaths since Feb. 21. After city streets and roads emptied on Sunday pedestrians were back on Monday and some motorists could be seen flouting a reimposed oddeven licence plate alternate day driving rule. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-lebanon-lockdown/crisis-weary-beirut-residents-defy-new-lockdown-despite-covid-surge-idUKKBN27X1S9 18th Nov 2020