26th Feb 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=209 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Sky News So while its clear that age is a major factor driving the different pace of vaccination locally it isnt the only one. The reason for the difference is made more difficult to determine in affluent areas of central London which may be skewed by nonresidents. Ethnicity and deprivation appear to be key in determining uptake and could mean some parts of England have less protection from COVID19 than others. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-why-cities-are-falling-behind-in-the-uks-vaccination-race-12228718 26th Feb 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters South Korean politicians wont be the first in line when the county kicks off its coronavirus vaccination drive on Friday despite calls from the opposition party for the president to roll up his sleeve and take a shot to reassure vaccine sceptics. Leading political figures spent the week trading rhetorical shots over who should be the first to take a literal jab but in the end health authorities said widespread acceptance of vaccines in South Korea means they would stick to plans to vaccinate healthcare workers and other atrisk individuals first. On Thursday the first doses of AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine were distributed to clinics in preparation for the initial inoculations. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-southkorea/south-korea-preps-coronavirus-vaccines-after-political-scuffle-over-first-shots-idUSKBN2AP0HU 25th Feb 2021

Lockdown Exit

Sky News Senior hospital staff have admitted the prime ministers roadmap out of lockdown is making them a bit anxious and nervous. Doctors and nurses at Warrington Hospital have weathered the first and second wave of the pandemic and are now bracing themselves for the cold wave. This is the winter surge of patients coming into their emergency department with seasonal respiratory illnesses. This year the cold wave came late but the sharp spike in AE attendances means it is here now. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-hospital-staff-nervous-over-pms-lockdown-plan-as-cold-wave-adds-to-pandemic-pressures-12228159 25th Feb 2021

Lockdown Exit

Stuff.co.nz New Zealand remains a contender for the title of Covid19 best responder but this countrys slow rate of vaccination is a cause for concern according to an article in Time magazine. A year into the Covid19 pandemic the group took a second look at several countries it had considered to be standouts for their handling of the initial stages of the pandemic. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has explained the timing of New Zealands vaccination rollout pointing out this country did not have the Covid19 public health emergencies being experienced by some other countries where vaccine emergency use authorisations had been granted. The Government wanted to ensure vaccines being used in New Zealand were safe for New Zealanders and were approved by regulator Medsafe Ardern said. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/124357134/new-zealand-still-candidate-for-covid19-best-responder-but-slow-vaccination-a-concern-time-magazine-says 25th Feb 2021

Lockdown Exit

New Zealand Herald Exactly one year ago tomorrow the first confirmed case of Covid19 arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand. What are some of the lessons we have learned about this pandemic And what are the implications for improving our response in future Arguably New Zealands greatest lesson is that an elimination strategy is the optimal response for a moderate to severe pandemic like Covid19. The strategy provides a vivid example of how protecting public health also protects the economy when compared with mitigation or suppression strategies. This successful approach has required decisive sciencebacked government action and outstanding communication to create the social licence needed for an effective response. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-in-nz-one-year-into-the-pandemic-five-lessons-for-2021-and-beyond/7OMSQORNGBOW3APVOVHEJZAOCM/ 25th Feb 2021

Lockdown Exit

Sky News European Union leaders are divided over developing vaccine passports to open the continent up to tourism this summer. Some countries want an EUwide approach instead of individual nations having their own certificates while others are concerned such documentation could result in discrimination. Leaders of the EUs 27 countries met online on Thursday to start a twoday summit to discuss the pandemic and while they agreed to work on vaccine certificates they could not come up with a unified plan. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-eu-leaders-divided-over-vaccine-passports-to-allow-european-travel-this-summer-12229094 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

NBC San Diego CVS Pharmacies will continue its rollout of the coronavirus vaccine Thursday as it makes doses available at 40 more select CVS locations across California including several in San Diego County. The company said approximately 49140 doses of the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine are being made available to distribute at these locations in California through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/cvs-pharmacies-adds-coronavirus-vaccines-at-40-california-locations-including-in-san-diego-county/2531938/ 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

The Washington Post For tens of millions of Americans still unsure about taking coronavirus vaccine shots advertising industry experts and government scientists have a new message Its Up to You. That message and accompanying ad campaign shaped by months of consumer research and backed by more than 50 million in donated funds is to be unveiled Thursday across TV and digital video social media and audio platforms like Pandora and Spotify. It also will include messaging tailored toward Black and Hispanic communities where studies have found a lack of trust about the coronavirus vaccines and their longterm effects. The ads and related events will feature celebrities scientists and members of the faith community. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/02/25/covid-vaccine-ad-council/ 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

The Guardian One of the UKs largest care home operators has instituted a no jab no job policy for new staff amid ongoing concern about vaccine takeup among care workers. A spokesperson for Care UK which runs 120 homes and has seen more than twothirds of its staff vaccinated said Everyone applying for a role which requires them to go into a home will be expected to have been vaccinated before they start work. The move comes after Barchester which operates more than 220 private care homes said it would insist that current staff are vaccinated warning that if they refuse on nonmedical grounds they will by reason of their own decision make themselves unavailable for work. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/25/one-of-uks-largest-care-home-firms-introduces-no-jab-no-job-policy 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

MSN.com Kenya will receive its initial batch of Covid19 vaccines in the first week on March according to President Uhuru Kenyattas office. Healthcare workers and frontline personnel including security officers teachers vulnerable persons and those in the hospitality sector will be the first priority for inoculation the presidency said in a statement https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/kenya-to-receive-first-batch-of-covid-19-vaccines-next-week/ar-BB1e18xM 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

Los Angeles Times After setbacks and shipment delays tied to winter weather the supply of COVID19 vaccines in Los Angeles is ramping up again officials said. Tuesday was the secondbusiest day at cityrun vaccination sites Mayor Eric Garcetti said with 17572 doses administered. And while some scarcity remains the numbers are expected to improve in the days and weeks to come. While we still dont have clarity on the supply chain in the next week or two simple math indicates we should only see more and more supply in the weeks ahead Garcetti said. So get ready. The city is still primarily providing seconddose appointments but hopes to be able to accelerate once again firstdose appointments starting next week the mayor said https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-25/covid-19-vaccine-tiers-may-disappear-as-supply-chain-ramps-up-garcetti-says 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

Aberdeen Evening Express A third of Scotlands adult population have been given a coronavirus vaccine with more than 1.5 million jabs administered Nicola Sturgeon has said. Speaking to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament the First Minister said 1515980 people in Scotland have received their first dose. The fact that more than one and a half million people have now received the first dose of vaccination is I think a really significant milestone she said. https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/scotland/one-third-of-scotlands-adult-population-given-a-covid-19-vaccine-sturgeon-says/ 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

The New York Times The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hoping to make it easier for Americans to find Covid19 vaccines is backing the test of a centralized online portal where the public can search for nearby vaccination locations with doses on hand. The website called VaccineFinder is run by Boston Childrens Hospital with the help of several collaborators. It grew out of the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009 and has been used for years to coordinate the distribution of flu and childhood vaccines. It expanded on Wednesday to include the availability of coronavirus vaccines at more than 20000 locations concentrated in several states. If the program goes well the websites developers plan to expand it nationwide in coming weeks to include nearly all vaccine providers that agree to be featured. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/24/business/vaccine-finder-org.html 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

CNN German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that her country could be caught in a third wave of Covid19 if it lifts its lockdown too quickly. Her comments come as daycare centers and elementary schools were reopened in 10 of the Germanys 16 states this week and as the nation mulls ways to lift the heavy restrictions that have shuttered the countrys nonessential businesses for more than 10 weeks. Because of variants we are entering a new phase of the pandemic from which a third wave may emerge Merkel told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in an interview published on Wednesday. So we must proceed wisely and carefully so that a third wave does not necessitate a new complete shutdown throughout Germany. https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/25/europe/germany-merkel-third-wave-warning-europe-intl/index.html 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

CNBC Looking to holiday in Greece or Spain You could be waiting some time. European leaders are expected to say on Thursday that all nonessential travel needs to remain restricted as the Covid health situation remains serious across the continent according to a document seen by CNBC. The European Unions 27 heads of state will gather virtually on Thursday afternoon to discuss the current state of the pandemic in the region. The EU is still one of the worst hit parts of the world by the coronavirus with a number of nations still in lockdown or with strict social restrictions in place. At the same time vaccination efforts have faced a bumpy start and some question whether the EU will reach its target of vaccinating 70 of its adult population by the summer. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/25/travel-restrictions-continue-in-europe-leaders-worry-about-covid-variants-.html 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

FRANCE 24 Cyprus on Thursday announced that more children will return to school while tentatively opening gyms as it gradually exits a national lockdown to contain Covid19 infections. Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said the government was determined to allow a return to normal life slowly carefully and in a controlled manner. The number of new Covid19 infections has been stabilising and hospital admissions are down he said. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210225-more-schools-gyms-to-open-as-cyprus-eases-lockdown 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

The Age COVID19 restrictions similar to those that were in place at Christmas are set to return with the government expected to relax rules that have lingered since the end of the fiveday lockdown. Nine senior Victorian ministers will meet on Friday morning to finalise a plan to ease mask restrictions and allow more people inside homes provided there are no new locallyacquired cases. Thursday was the sixth day in a row with no new local cases.The intention according to two government sources familiar with the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the details are subject to change is to revert to a set of rules resembling the COVIDsafe summer restrictions that were in place before an outbreak in late December that was traced to a Thai restaurant in Black Rock. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/covid-rules-set-to-flip-back-to-the-ones-in-place-at-christmas-20210225-p575v1.html 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Britain has confidence in its supply of COVID19 vaccines and has good visibility on future supplies thanks to regular contacts with manufacturers over timetables for deliveries the minister responsible for rolling out shots said on Wednesday. The country has accelerated its vaccine rollout plans with a view to easing lockdown although Monday saw the lowest number of first doses given since daily figures were first reported. We have real confidence in our supply and our visibility of supply Nadhim Zahawi told lawmakers. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-vaccine/british-vaccine-minister-says-confident-in-supply-from-manufacturers-idUSKBN2AO1DA 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Switzerlands young people will be able to sing again from March 1 the government on Wednesday as it announced the first phase in a cautious easing from COVID19 restrictions. The cabinet conscious of the impact the lockdown and social distancing is having on the psychological health of youngsters said it was allowing sports and cultural activities for under20s to resume raising the age limit from 16. Childrens and youth choirs will be able to practise and hold events albeit without audiences. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-swiss/update-1-youngsters-can-sing-again-as-swiss-start-lockdown-exit-idUSL8N2KU68V 25th Feb 2021

Exit Strategies

AlJazeera India is struggling to convince its healthcare and frontline workers to take a homegrown COVID19 vaccine controversially approved without latestage efficacy data government data showed on Thursday days ahead of a wider rollout. The country has the worlds secondhighest number of COVID19 infections after the United States with cases recently surging as maskwearing declines and states have eased social distancing measures. A lack of confidence in a homegrown vaccine could prevent India from meeting its target of vaccinating 300 million of its 1.35 billion people by August. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/25/indias-health-workers-balk-at-taking-homegrown-covid-vaccine 25th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Oxford University said on Thursday it was investigating a digital intrusion after a researcher said he had seen evidence that a laboratory researching COVID19 had been hacked. The breach took place in midFebruary and occurred at the Division of Structural Biology known as Strubi which has been carrying out research into COVID19 according to Alex Holden founder of Wisconsinbased Hold Security. Forbes first reported the breach. Strubi is distinct from the Jenner Institute which develops the Oxford COVID19 vaccine in partnership with AstraZeneca. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-cyber-idUSKBN2AP2RP 26th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

Sky News Fraudsters are trying to cash in on mistakes made by the EUs coronavirus vaccination campaign by offering millions of scam jabs to member states. The blocs antifraud agency OLAF said around 900 million vaccines have been pitched to several countries for 12.7bn 11bn. These offers were said to be made by alleged intermediaries prompting OLAF to investigate. Pharmaceutical companies involved in making vaccines against COVID19 say they sell to governments direct only. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-anti-fraud-probe-as-eu-nations-are-offered-900-million-covid-ghost-jabs-worth-total-of-eur12-7bn-12228695 25th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

Sky News Police have handed out nearly 70000 fines to people for breaching COVID19 lockdown rules since they came into force with more than 6000 issued in a single week new data shows. Figures published by the National Police Chiefs Council NPCC on Thursday show that a total of 68952 Fixed Penalty Notices FPNs were issues by forces. Of this figure 63201 fines were handed out in England and 5751 in Wales between 27 March last year and 14 February. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-almost-70-000-fines-handed-out-for-coronavirus-lockdown-breaches-12228548 25th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

The New Yorker The pandemic has been both a bad and an embarrassing time to be an American. Bad in an actuarial sense because percapita death rates here have been among the highest in the world. Embarrassing at the level of national identity. In Washington last year the President promised that the virus would be gone by Easter and when it wasnt he mused that Americans might selftreat with bleach. In Michigan armed men guarded a barbershop that had defied publichealth orders to close. On South Padre Island in Texas spring break proceeded as usualpacked and unmaskedeven as cases were climbing. The states lieutenant governor Dan Patrick insisted that there were more important things than living later he urged Texans to keep the economy open even if it meant more deaths. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/the-good-the-bad-and-the-embarrassing-in-americas-covid-19-response 25th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Rightwing extremist groups have exploited anger at Covid19 lockdowns to radicalise Australians in wellness and alternative medical circles into adopting white supremacist ideologies Victoria police have warned a parliamentary inquiry into extremism. The inquiry into extremist movements and radicalism has separately been warned by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation that Australians as young as 13 are involved in onshore terrorism both in Islamist and rightwing extremist circles and that encrypted online communication channels are preventing authorities from intervening before lone actors become radicalised and carry out attacks. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/25/far-right-exploiting-anger-at-lockdowns-to-radicalise-wellness-community-police-say 25th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

The Times An adviser to Nicola Sturgeon has challenged the first ministers claim that coronavirus was reseeded into Scotland from other parts of the UK and claimed her elimination strategy was unattainable. The first minister has claimed that coronavirus was almost eliminated in Scotland last summer but was brought back into the country from travellers coming in from outside. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mark-woolhouse-denies-sturgeons-claim-covid-19-was-reseeded-into-scotland-from-other-parts-of-uk-qn9bqv3m9 25th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that the EU was allowing exports of COVID19 vaccines mostly from BionTechPfizer and Moderna while the United States and Britain had mechanism to block them. Von der Leyen told a news conference that approximately 95 of EUmade vaccines that had been exported since Jan. 30 were manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech and the remainder by Moderna. She said that both were honouring their supply contracts with the EU and therefore there was no limitation on their export while on AstraZenecas exports the EU was keeping a very close eye because of the companys shortfalls in deliveries to the 27nation bloc. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-vonderleyen-idUSKBN2AP2RS 25th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

The Times Teachers police and other key workers should not get priority for Covid jabs but prisoners can be vaccinated en masse the governments advisory body has concluded. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation JCVI handed final recommendations to ministers on Sunday advising that under50s be vaccinated by age rather than occupation and that people from ethnic minorities should not get priority The Times understands. At least 150000 more people with learning disabilities have been added to the present vaccine priority list after concerns that too many with severe problems were being missed. Ministers are due to sign off the next phase of the vaccine programme imminently and are expected to follow the committees advice. On Monday Nadhim Zahawi the vaccines deployment minister said We will absolutely follow what they recommend. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/vaccinate-prisoners-en-masse-not-police-or-teachers-jcvi-tells-ministers-mwfj29kql 25th Feb 2021

Partisan Exits

Metro.co.uk Israel has passed a law allowing the identities of people who have not been vaccinated to be shared with other authorities. The decision on Wednesday raises concerns over privacy for those who may opt against getting the jab. It passed by 30 votes to 13 and gives local governments the director general of the education ministry and some in the welfare ministry the right to receive the names addresses and phone numbers of everyone who has not had the vaccine. The objective of the measure which remains valid for three months or until the Covid19 pandemic is declared over is to enable these bodies to encourage people to vaccinate by personally addressing them according to a statement issued by parliament. Read more httpsmetro.co.uk20210225israelpasseslawtonameandshamepeoplewhohaventhadcovidjab14143058itocbshare Twitter httpstwitter.comMetroUK Facebook httpswww.facebook.comMetroUK https://metro.co.uk/2021/02/25/israel-passes-law-to-name-and-shame-people-who-havent-had-covid-jab-14143058/ 25th Feb 2021

Continued Lockdown

Sky News An advertising blitz has been launched to encourage people to keep staying at home until COVID19 restrictions can be lifted. The campaign also urges them to continue with mask wearing social distancing and hand washing. And it appeals to people to understand the importance of remaining in lockdown despite declining coronavirus transmission rates the success of the vaccine rollout and the launch of the roadmap out of lockdown. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-new-ad-campaign-urges-people-to-keep-staying-at-home-despite-declining-coronavirus-transmission-rates-12227892 25th Feb 2021

Continued Lockdown

BBC News An advertising campaign has been launched to encourage people across the UK to keep going and remain at home. The government adverts come amid falling infection rates the success of the vaccine rollout and the launch of the roadmap out of lockdown. People are also being urged to continue behavioural changes including social distancing hand washing and wearing face masks. The TV advert is being shown for the first time on Wednesday night on ITV. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56187666 25th Feb 2021

Continued Lockdown

FRANCE 24 Only a little jazz tune disturbs the studious atmosphere. In a downtown caf young Viennese residents enjoy the calm space and comfort of the red benches escaping from the closed doors to which the Covid19 lockdown is forcing them. The city has launched an initiative to allow students to reserve time slots to study at cafes. Drinks are not allowed but bottled water small snacks and internet access are available. https://www.france24.com/en/video/20210225-coronavirus-in-austria-viennese-caf%C3%A9s-open-their-doors-to-students-despite-lockdown 25th Feb 2021

Continued Lockdown

9News Thousands of Australians have lined up this week as the coronavirus vaccine rollout finally commenced. But half a world away many Australians have already rolled up their sleeves to be some of the first in the world fully vaccinated against COVID19. In the UK almost 18 million people have been inoculated since its vaccine drive began in midDecember which includes many Australian expats. Englands Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan VanTam said on Wednesday the government didnt expect the vaccine uptake to be as high as it has been though it is pushing to stay as close to the 90 per cent or higher it has already achieved in priority groups. https://www.9news.com.au/world/australian-expats-on-what-its-like-living-in-covid-riddled-uk-and-share-their-vaccine-experience/d98735df-5c35-499e-87e3-211cedfafdf4 25th Feb 2021

Continued Lockdown

Reuters on MSN.com Hungary is entering its toughest period since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and over the next two weeks hospitals will come under strain like never before Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday. I have only bad news Orban said in a Facebook video. We are facing the hardest two weeks since the start of the pandemic. The number of infections is rising sharply and will continue to rise due to the new mutations. On Thursday Hungary reported 4385 new infections the highest number this year. https://www.msn.com/en-au/lifestyle/wellbeing/hungary-extends-lockdown-sees-exceptionally-difficult-two-weeks-ahead-as-infections-rise/ar-BB1e0uXD 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent China approved two more COVID19 vaccines for wider use Thursday adding to its growing arsenal of shots. The National Medical Products Administration gave conditional approval to a vaccine from CanSino Biologics and a second one from stateowned Sinopharm. Both are already being used among select groups of people under an emergency use authorization. China now has four vaccines to immunize its population. CanSino said its oneshot vaccine candidate is 65.28 effective 28 days after the dose is given. It can be stored at 2 degrees to 8 degrees Celsius making it more accessible especially to the regions with underserved public health it said in a statement. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/china-approves-two-more-covid19-vaccines-for-wider-use-china-vaccines-vaccines-shots-vaccine-b1807346.html 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News One person in seven has antibodies against COVID19 with the vaccine starting to add to the populations immunity according to new research. Blood tests on more than 154000 people across England showed that between 26 January and 8 February https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-one-in-seven-people-now-have-coronavirus-antibodies-as-vaccine-rollout-continues-12228223 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Times Ninetytwo per cent of recipients of the Pfizer vaccine have been protected from developing severe symptoms of Covid19 the most comprehensive study of the jab has found. The study published in The New England Journal of Medicine was based on data from 1.2 million patients of Israels largest healthcare provider half of whom had received the PfizerBioNTech vaccine. It was conducted by doctors and researchers led by Professor Ran Balicer of Israels Clalit Health Services along with a team of senior researchers from Harvard University and is the largest study of its kind. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pfizer-s-covid-19-vaccine-is-92-effective-at-preventing-serious-illness-q927mfwcm 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

San Francisco Chronicle Early studies show the coronavirus variant thats spreading widely across California is somewhat resistant to antibodies that fight off infection but the vaccines still should offer plenty of protection infectious disease experts say. Antibodies generated by the vaccines or by previous coronavirus infection were two to four times stronger against earlier versions of the virus compared to the new variant scientists at UCSF found in laboratory studies. They released preliminary results this week. https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/California-coronavirus-variant-is-resistant-to-15976713.php 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

New Scientist The coronavirus sweeping around the world isnt the first to make the leap into humans and it wont be the last. Vaccines against SARSCoV2 were developed in record time and are performing well. But now we urgently need a different kind of vaccine say scientists one that will protect us against other coronaviruses even those we havent met yet. https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24933233-500-first-universal-coronavirus-vaccine-will-start-human-trials-this-year/ 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent How would COVID19 vaccine makers adapt to variants By tweaking their vaccines a process that should be easier than coming up with the original shots. Viruses constantly mutate as they spread and most changes arent significant. Firstgeneration COVID19 vaccines appear to be working against todays variants but makers already are taking steps to update their recipes if health authorities decide thats needed. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/how-would-covid19-vaccine-makers-adapt-to-variants-viruses-process-covid-vaccines-technology-b1807115.html 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Wall Street Journal Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE have begun a study testing in people whether the companies Covid19 shot can provide protection against emerging strains of the coronavirus. The companies said Thursday they have started the small study to see whether a third dose of their authorized Covid19 vaccine would increase its effectiveness against new variants such as the strain first identified in South Africa. The approach differs from that of Moderna Inc. which said Wednesday it had made a new vaccine targeting the strain found in South Africa and shipped doses to U.S. government researchers for human testing. https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-and-biontech-studying-third-covid-19-vaccine-dose-to-fight-new-strains-11614253507 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters GlaxoSmithKline will extend a trial testing an experimental rheumatoid arthritis drug on patients suffering from pneumonia related to COVID19 to focus on the elderly as it seeks to firm up encouraging findings so far. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-gsk-otilimab-idUSL8N2KT6D6 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Moderna Inc said on Thursday it was expecting sales of 18.4 billion from its coronavirus vaccine this year putting it on the path to post a profit for the first time since its formation in 2010. Moderna and Pfizer Inc are the only drugmakers whose vaccines have been cleared for emergency use against COVID19 in the United States so far. Pfizer earlier this month forecast 15 billion in its share of sales from the COVID19 vaccine it developed jointly with partner BioNTech. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-moderna/moderna-sees-18-4-billion-in-sales-from-covid-19-vaccine-in-2021-idUSKBN2AP1JG 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent Englands ethnic minority communities have higher levels of COVID19 infections and lower levels of vaccine acceptance than other groups according to a new study that highlights how the pandemic is worsening health inequalities. The study found that 92 of people across England either have received or would accept a vaccine. But that figure dropped to 87.6 for Asians and 72.5 for Blacks according to the study released Thursday by Imperial College London. Researchers also found that most people of all age groups produced diseasefighting antibodies after two doses of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/england-minorities-higher-covid19-cases-fewer-vaccinated-vaccine-study-minorities-health-inequalities-communities-b1807392.html 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

pharmaphorum AstraZeneca has said it will be able to meet a target to deliver 180 million COVID19 vaccines to the EU in the second quarter by topping up the supply from its global production network. The company released a statement saying it will meet the EUs targets by using its global supply chain to make up for any shortfall in Europe where it is struggling to get production up to speed. It released the statement following a Reuters report citing a European official directly involved with talks over vaccine supply stating less than half of the 180 million doses ordered will be delivered in the second quarter. https://pharmaphorum.com/news/az-to-miss-q2-covid-19-vaccine/ 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Wales Online An experimental drug usually used to treat arthritis could help prevent severe coronavirus symptoms in those most at risk from the disease a study has suggested. Otilimab was found to have a potential clinical benefit in treating the severe lung disease associated with Covid19. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/experimental-arthritis-drug-could-prevent-19913286 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

CBC.ca Drug manufacturer Moderna says it will begin testing a variantspecific version of its COVID19 vaccine that would target the B1351 variant first detected in South Africa. The company has previously reported that its original twodose vaccine already approved for use in Canada appears to provide protection against the B117 variant first detected in the U.K. as well as the B1351 variant though its own research suggests it may be less effective against the latter. The company says it will study the B1351 variantspecific vaccine both as a potential booster to the original COVID19 vaccine and as a standalone for people who have not yet received a vaccine at all. https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/moderna-vaccine-b1351-variant-south-africa-1.5926894 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Financial Times One explanation for the stubbornly high number of infections in Brazil is the role played by new variants which can spread quickly across the population without a strict lockdown in place to contain them. Similarly in the UK the B.1.1.7 variant spread rapidly before the current lockdown. Despite recent success in tackling the virus scientists emphasised that all countries remained vulnerable to surges in new cases. Any rapid relaxation of protective measures could produce spikes in infection rates said Ted Cohen professor of infectious disease epidemiology at Yale University. There are large pools of susceptible individuals still at risk. https://www.ft.com/content/f671f030-1b09-4c1e-ade6-111c2cd22622 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters on MSN.com Chinas medical products regulator said on Thursday that it had approved two more COVID19 vaccines for public use raising the number of domestically produced vaccines that can be used in China to four. The two newly cleared vaccines are made by CanSino Biologics Inc CanSinoBIO and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products an affiliate of China National Pharmaceutical Group Sinopharm. They join a vaccine from Sinovac Biotech approved earlier this month and another from Sinopharms Beijing unit approved last year. Prior to formal approval for wider public use by the National Medical Products Administration millions of doses of the two Sinopharm vaccines and Sinovac shot had been administered in Chinas vaccination program. https://www.msn.com/en-au/lifestyle/wellbeing/china-approves-two-covid-19-vaccines-from-sinopharm-s-affiliate-cansino/ar-BB1e0vLn?pfr=1&ampc=1926525302346318136%2c15658142127634877230&ampmkt=en-us%2cen-us 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

South China Morning Post In the first three months of 2020 mortality rates in Wuhan were 56 per cent higher than estimates based on average in previous years. But elsewhere they were lower than expected which researchers said may be related to behavioural changes during lockdown https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3122993/coronavirus-apart-wuhan-chinas-death-rates-didnt-rise-start 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

EURACTIV The first big realworld study of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine to be independently reviewed shows the shot is highly effective at preventing COVID19 in a potentially landmark moment for countries desperate to end lockdowns and reopen economies. Up until now most data on the efficacy of COVID19 vaccines has come under controlled conditions in clinical trials leaving an element of uncertainty over how results would translate into the real world with its unpredictable variables. The research in Israel two months into one of the worlds fastest rollouts providing a rich source of data showed two doses of the Pfizer shot cut symptomatic COVID19 cases by 94 across all age groups and severe illnesses by nearly as much. https://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/in-boost-for-covid-19-battle-pfizer-vaccine-found-94-effective-in-real-world/ 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

FiercePharma As Pfizer and BioNTech start testing whether a third dose of their COVID19 shot can help fend off new coronavirus variants a massive realworld study has confirmed that its first twodose regimen is 94 effective. The thirddose study now underway will gauge the effects of that followup dose on circulating and new COVID19 virus variants. At the same time the companies are in talks with the FDA and EMA about studying a new booster specifically designed to tackle new variants. Theyre hoping to validate future modified mRNA vaccines with a regulatory pathway similar to what is currently in place for flu vaccines according to a press release. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/three-shots-pfizer-and-biontech-rolls-third-dose-vaccine-trial-as-real-world-data-verifies 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

CNN Two separate teams of researchers said this week they have found a worrying new coronavirus variant in New York City and elsewhere in the Northeast that carries mutations that help it evade the bodys natural immune response as well as the effects of monoclonal antibody treatments. Genomics researchers have named the variant B.1.526. It appears in people affected in diverse neighborhoods of New York City they said and is scattered in the Northeast. One of the mutations in this variant is the same concerning change found in the variant first seen in South Africa and known as B.1.351. It appears to evade somewhat the bodys response to vaccines as well. And its becoming more common. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/25/health/variants-coronavirus-new-york-city/index.html 25th Feb 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

nejm.org All persons who were newly vaccinated during the period from December 20 2020 to February 1 2021 were matched to unvaccinated controls in a 11 ratio according to demographic and clinical characteristics. Study outcomes included documented infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2 symptomatic Covid19 Covid19related hospitalization severe illness and death. We estimated vaccine effectiveness for each outcome as one minus the risk ratio using the KaplanMeier estimator. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2101765 24th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Californias Covid19 death toll rose above 50000 on Wednesday after Los Angeles county reported another 806 deaths during the winter surge. The county which has a quarter of the states 40 million residents said the deaths mainly occurred between 3 December and 3 February. The department of public health identified them after going through death records that were backlogged by the sheer volume of the surges toll. Johns Hopkins University put Californias overall Covid19 death toll at 50890 about onetenth of the US total from the pandemic. The grim figure comes days after the US recorded a halfmillion deaths. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/25/california-coronavirus-death-toll-covid-19-50000 25th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

MSN.com The four UK chief medical officers and NHS Englands national medical director agreed the change following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre. The alert level has been at level five since early January when Scotland and England began their latest lockdowns. The top medics urged people to remain vigilant by following lockdown rules. A change in alert system does not automatically mean restrictions can ease but it helps to inform government decisions on lockdown rules. https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/uk-covid-alert-level-drops-as-nhs-threat-reduced/ar-BB1e0UEY 25th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Mirror Online The UKs coronavirus hospital death rate has risen by 311. England has recorded 254 further deaths Wales 21 Scotland 31 and Northern Ireland five. It marks a 75 drop on last weeks figures when 386 hospital deaths were recorded across the UK. Confirmed cases of coronavirus have plunged by more than 78 since the start of Englands lockdown new figures show today. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-uk-covid-hospital-deaths-23564855 25th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters France said on Thursday it would bring in new COVID19 restrictions for the area around its common border with Germany as President Emmanuel Macrons government tries to contain a surge of coronavirus variants in the French region of Moselle. Crossborder workers who had exemptions until now will need to present negative PCR tests to get through if travelling for reasons unrelated to their jobs Frances European affairs and health ministers said in a joint statement. Home working in the area will also be reinforced they said after France and Germany said earlier this week they were trying to find ways to prevent a closure of their common border. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-france/france-germany-to-beef-up-covid-19-controls-at-common-border-idUSL1N2KV0IK 25th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

EL PAS in English Spain has finally left a situation of extreme risk due to the coronavirus. According to the latest report from the Health Ministry released Tuesday evening the epidemiological curve in the country continues to fall and the 14day cumulative number of coronavirus cases per 100000 inhabitants is now at 235. This is below the limit of 250 that the ministry had set as a situation of maximum alert and that indicated that the pandemic was not under control. https://english.elpais.com/society/2021-02-24/spain-leaves-extreme-risk-coronavirus-situation-with-incidence-rate-falling-to-235-cases-per-100000.html 25th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Ukraine has registered an almost 40 jump in new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said just as the country starts its COVID19 inoculation. A total of 8147 cases were registered on Wednesday the highest figure since midJanuary when the number of new cases stood at 8199 Stepanov said on Facebook. There were 5850 new cases as of Feb. 24. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-ukraine/ukraine-faces-almost-40-jump-in-new-daily-covid-19-cases-idUSL1N2KV0F8 25th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Sweden is preparing new measures to try to curb a resurgence in COVID19 cases as the coronavirus strain first detected in Britain spreads rapidly the architect of Swedens pandemic strategy said on Tuesday. Sweden has avoided lockdowns throughout the pandemic. But health statistics agency figures on Tuesday showed 10933 new coronavirus cases had been registered since Friday a rise from 9458 in the corresponding period the previous week. The British variant is increasing very fast Chief Epidemiologist Anders Tegnell told a news conference. This variant will with fairly high probability be the dominant one within a few weeks or a month. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-sweden-cases/sweden-readies-new-measures-as-covid-19-cases-accelerate-idUSKBN2AN1L7 25th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The Czech government will meet on Thursday to decide on tougher lockdown restrictions to rein in one of the worlds fastest spreads of COVID19. Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Wednesday hospitals faced catastrophe if no action is taken. His minority government met late into the evening on Wednesday and will reconvene on Thursday evening after talks with opposition parties to shore up support. The central European country of 10.7 million has struggled with a renewed surge in COVID19 cases straining hospitals as the number of patients in serious condition hits records. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-czech/czech-government-seeks-tougher-covid-measures-to-tame-virus-surge-idUSL8N2KV3DT 25th Feb 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

CIDRAP A handful of European countries are grappling with new spikes in COVID19 activity such as the Czech Republic where intensive care units are nearly overrun. Meanwhile as groups look ahead to the future the World Health Organization WHO yesterday published its strategic operations plan to target the pandemic in 2021 and European officials eyed a vaccine passport system with hopes that it could preserve this years tourist season. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/02/european-countries-battle-more-covid-19-flare-ups 25th Feb 2021

New Lockdown

The Brussels Times The French region of Dunkirk right next to the border with Belgium will be placed under a weekendlong lockdown after an alarming rise in the number of coronavirus cases was reported French Health Minister Olivier Vran announced on Wednesday. In the vicinity of the coastal town the rate of infection was around nine times higher than the national average reportedly as a result of a breakout of the British variant which is believed to be the cause of around 75 of all regional cases. https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/156881/france-imposes-weekend-lockdown-near-belgian-border-after-corona-outbreak/ 25th Feb 2021

New Lockdown

RTE Online Finland will go into a threeweek lockdown starting on 8 March and is prepared to declare a state of emergency Prime Minister Sanna Marin has said as the country faces a rising number of coronavirus cases. The lockdown will not include a curfew but will involve the closure of restaurants and ordering school students who are 13 or older to move to remote learning the government said. Ms Marin said she is ready to declare a state of emergency next week having discussed this with the president. https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0225/1199234-covid-world/ 25th Feb 2021

New Lockdown

Reuters Frances government on Wednesday ordered a weekend lockdown in the Dunkirk area to arrest an alarming rise in COVID19 cases signalling extra curbs might also be needed elsewhere as daily cases nationwide hit their highest since November. Unlike some of its neighbours France has resisted a new national lockdown to control more contagious coronavirus variants hoping a curfew in place since Dec. 15 can contain the pandemic. But it reported 31519 new infections on Wednesday up from 25018 a week ago and the most since midNovember. Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the national situation was deteriorating and a source of worry in about 10 regional departments. Some required rapid and strong containment measures. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-france-attal/update-1-covid-19-situation-worrying-in-10-french-departments-government-says-idUSL1N2KU117 25th Feb 2021