8th Mar 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=223 lockdown_exit

This isn't done yet - Experts warn that no matter what our Covid end goal is, we have a ways to go

Stat News Experts stressed now was the time when the world was fully aware how damaging and disruptive a pandemic could be to take just a few of the billions of dollars that are being spent in recovery and dedicating them toward building up global surveillance networks for new pathogens expanding the existing testing infrastructure and bulking up global vaccine manufacturing capability. If were not doing it now were not going to do it Mina said. After all another pandemic could begin at any moment. We dont have to be taken off guard again Mina said. But if another pandemic starts today we will be taken off guard. https://www.statnews.com/2021/03/05/this-isnt-done-covid-end-goal/ 5th Mar 2021

This isn't done yet - Experts warn that no matter what our Covid end goal is, we have a ways to go

The Associated Press In an industrial neighborhood on the outskirts of Bangladeshs largest city lies a factory with gleaming new equipment imported from Germany its immaculate hallways lined with hermetically sealed rooms. It is operating at just a quarter of its capacity. It is one of three factories that The Associated Press found on three continents whose owners say they could start producing hundreds of millions of COVID19 vaccines on short notice if only they had the blueprints and technical knowhow. But that knowledge belongs to the large pharmaceutical companies who have produced the first three vaccines authorized by countries including Britain the European Union and the U.S. Pfizer Moderna and AstraZeneca. The factories are all still awaiting responses https://apnews.com/article/drug-companies-called-share-vaccine-info-22d92afbc3ea9ed519be007f8887bcf6 1st Mar 2021

This isn't done yet - Experts warn that no matter what our Covid end goal is, we have a ways to go

Sky News The UK should prepare for a difficult autumn due to the threat of new coronavirus variants emerging and a potential surge in other respiratory viruses a senior health official has warned. Dr Susan Hopkins Public Health Englands strategic response director for COVID19 said the population may have less immunity to respiratory viruses such as flu due to the coronavirus pandemic. She told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show that it was highly unlikely that a new COVID variant would derail the plan to start easing Englands lockdown for the next three to five weeks. But Dr Hopkins added Well need to monitor carefully as new strains come into the country from around the world. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-uk-should-prepare-for-difficult-autumn-warns-public-health-england-official-12238728 7th Mar 2021

This isn't done yet - Experts warn that no matter what our Covid end goal is, we have a ways to go

Reuters The emergence of new variants of the coronavirus should not derail a plan to start easing a nationwide lockdown in England over the coming weeks Public Health England PHE official Susan Hopkins said on Sunday. I think it wont change it for the next three to five weeks that would be highly unlikely Hopkins PHEs strategic response director told the BBCs Andrew Marr show. We will need to watch it carefully as new strains come into the country from around the world and we will need to be very ready for autumn. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-england-variants/coronavirus-variants-should-not-derail-english-lockdown-easing-says-health-official-idUSKBN2AZ08K 7th Mar 2021

This isn't done yet - Experts warn that no matter what our Covid end goal is, we have a ways to go

theconversation.com The COVID vaccines are working. Data from Israel and Scotland shows that they are protecting people and may also be decreasing the spread of the SARSCoV2 virus. If it all holds up people will be protected from severe disease the amount of virus will progressively decrease and we can truly plan for a way out of the pandemic. Evidence is also growing that once youve been infected there is a pretty good chance that you will be protected from further infections or at the very least have less severe disease. This makes sense as its why your immune system evolved in the first place. However an important question in immunology when it comes to infectious diseases and vaccines is how long protection might last There are several variables here from the type of pathogen infecting you to how bad the initial disease is to your overall health and your age. All of this makes predicting what might happen with COVID challenging. https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-will-immunity-rapidly-fade-or-last-a-lifetime-155905 5th Mar 2021

The vaccinations versus the virus variations - the race is on

BBC News Saving the summer depends on two Europewide problems getting people vaccinated and then agreeing rules about whether or not the right to travel should be linked to your vaccination status. The chief economist of the Bank of Spain Oscar Arce told the Spanish newspaper El Pas If the vaccination levels are high in June the tourist season will be saved. But if its delayed to the end of the summer the economy will suffer a great deal. In those three months of radical uncertainty we have a lot at stake. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56292087 6th Mar 2021

The vaccinations versus the virus variations - the race is on

Xinhua More than 3.5 million people have been vaccinated in Chile against COVID19 almost a month after the start of a mass inoculation campaign the Health Ministry said on Tuesday. It said in a communique that a total of 3512326 people have been vaccinated in the country with 2259013 over the age of 60. Vaccination is progressing according to plan Minister of Health Enrique Paris said Tuesday adding that we will continue this process in order to inoculate priority groups by the end of March. Chile began vaccinating health workers at the end of December and on Feb. 3 it started a mass vaccination of people aged 90 and above. The countrys total accumulated COVID19 cases was 832512 along with 20684 deaths according to the ministry. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-03/03/c_139779922.htm 3rd Mar 2021

The vaccinations versus the virus variations - the race is on

YAHOO!News Uruguay the last country in South America to receive delivery of coronavirus vaccines started its inoculation campaign Monday with a focus on teachers soldiers police and firefighters. Some 90 vaccination centers countrywide opened their doors to give a first dose of the Chinese CoronaVac shot to some 140000 essential workers almost a year to the day since the country recorded its first cases of Covid19 on March 13. Today we have the means to confront this scourge Health Minister Daniel Salinas told reporters adding that Uruguay had secured orders for all the vaccines necessary to immunize everyone 18 and older in the country of 3.4 million people. https://news.yahoo.com/uruguay-starts-vaccination-campaign-last-170052934.html 1st Mar 2021

The vaccinations versus the virus variations - the race is on

Associated Press Health experts in China say their country is lagging in its coronavirus vaccination rollout because it has the disease largely under control but plans to inoculate 40 of its population by June. Zhong Nanshan the leader of a group of experts attached to the National Health Commission said the country has delivered 52.52 million doses of COVID19 vaccines as of Feb. 28. He was speaking Monday at an online forum between U.S and Chinese medical experts hosted by the Brookings Institution and Tsinghua University. The target is the first China has offered publicly since it began its mass immunization campaign for key groups in midDecember. https://apnews.com/article/immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-china-asia-pacific-taiwan-d5f6cfea6060b2a66b2d68b133210cf2 5th Mar 2021

The vaccinations versus the virus variations - the race is on

Associated Press Austrian officials said Wednesday that they plan to offer vaccinations to most residents in a district that has seen significant numbers of infections with the South African coronavirus variant. Tyrol provinces Schwaz district east of the provincial capital of Innsbruck and home to about 84000 people has been a source of concern for weeks. Schwaz accounts for 66 of 88 currently active confirmed cases of the more transmissible variant in the province the Austria Press Agency reported. The plan announced Wednesday calls for a vaccination drive starting next week. Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said the rollout will see vaccinations offered to all aged 16 and over. https://apnews.com/article/health-austria-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-2853bebaf5cef7d0adb253c3618e1218 3rd Mar 2021

The vaccinations versus the virus variations - the race is on

Reuters Auckland New Zealands biggest city emerged on Sunday from a strict weeklong lockdown imposed after a community cluster of the more contagious British coronavirus variant. There were no new local COVID19 cases recorded on Sunday health officials said marking a full week of no community transmissions across the country. Footage on TVNZ New Zealands stateowned television network showed people lining up at coffee shops on Sunday morning with many saying they were feeling relieved. Auckland a city of nearly two million will continue to have limits on public gathering and masks are obligatory on public transport. Restrictions might be further eased on Friday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-newzealand/new-zealands-auckland-emerges-from-lockdown-australia-starts-astrazeneca-vaccinations-idUSKBN2AY0Q7 7th Mar 2021

Vaccines are starting to reach the developing world

China Daily China provided on Thursday a batch of Sinopharm COVID19 vaccines to the Arab League general secretariat in Cairo fulfilling its promise to share the vaccines with other countries. The leagues Assistant SecretaryGeneral Hossam Zaki expressed his appreciation for Chinas medical assistance to the panArab body. He said Chinas medical support will effectively enhance the antiepidemic capabilities of the Arab world. The Arab countries are willing to maintain longterm friendly cooperative relations with China and push the ArabChinese strategic partnership to a higher level the AL senior official said. http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202103/06/WS6042be2da31024ad0baad30b.html 6th Mar 2021

Vaccines are starting to reach the developing world

Yahoo News Uganda received 864000 doses of the AstraZenecaOxford COVID19 vaccine on March 5 shipped under the international COVAX initiative. The long awaited Covid Vaccines are here tweeted Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine. The vaccines are safe and efficacious. The Ministry of Health said that vaccinations would begin on March 10 and proceed in a phased rollout with the most at risk receiving doses first. https://www.yahoo.com/news/astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccines-arrive-034956793.html 7th Mar 2021

Vaccines are starting to reach the developing world

ReliefWeb Malawi received COVID19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility a partnership between CEPI Gavi UNICEF and WHO. This is a historic step towards the goal of COVAX to ensure equitable distribution of COVID19 vaccines globally in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. The delivery is part of a first wave of arrivals in Africa and the first tranche of allocations for Malawi that will take place in the coming months and year through the COVAX Facility. The COVAX Facility shipped 360000 doses of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine from Serum Institute of India from Mumbai India to Lilongwe Malawi arriving on the evening of 5 March. The arrival in Lilongwe marks a milestone for Malawi in the fight against the COVID19 pandemic which has claimed over 1000 lives and created a heavy burden on health facilities. https://reliefweb.int/report/malawi/malawi-receives-first-shipment-covid-19-vaccines-covax 6th Mar 2021

Vaccines are being tested against variants

Reuters Preliminary data from a study conducted at the University of Oxford indicates that the COVID19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca PLC is effective against the P1 or Brazilian variant a source with knowledge of the study told Reuters on Friday. The data indicates that the vaccine will not need to be modified in order to protect against the variant which is believed to have originated in the Amazonian city of Manaus said the source who requested anonymity as the results have not yet been made public. The source did not provide the exact efficacy of the vaccine against the variant. They said the full results of the study should be released soon possibly in March. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-variant-exc/exclusive-oxford-study-indicates-astrazeneca-effective-against-brazil-variant-source-says-idUSKBN2AX1NS 5th Mar 2021

Willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine is rising

Imperial College London A survey of 14 countries which ran between November 2020 and February 2021 found that almost 6 in 10 people 58 would take a vaccine if it was offered to them now and that willingness has risen in 9 of the countries. Led by Imperial College Londons Institute of Global Health Innovation IGHI in collaboration with YouGov more than 13500 people took part in each survey which has also highlighted major differences in attitudes towards vaccines around the globe. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/216493/covid-19-vaccine-confidence-growing-global-survey/ 5th Mar 2021

Steady rise in number seeking vaccine approvals

The New Indian Express The interim results from the vaccine manufacturers late stage trials shows its COVID19 vaccine to be about 81 per cent effective in preventing illness from the coronavirus. https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2021/mar/06/covid-19-vaccine-mexico-experts-recommend-approving-bharat-biotechs-covaxin-2273050.html 6th Mar 2021

Steady rise in number seeking vaccine approvals

Business Insider Shares of Moderna Inc. were down 0.9 in premarket trading on Friday after the company said it is pursuing approval for its COVID19 vaccine in Japan in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. . Takeda submitted the new drug application and will be tasked with importing and distributing the vaccine from the Cambridge Mass.based company. Takeda is also conducting the Phase 12 trial of the vaccine in adults who are at least 20 years old there enrollment ended in February. If approved Takeda will distribute 50 million doses of Modernas twodose vaccine in Japan in the first half of 2021. https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/moderna--via-takeda--seeks-authorization-for-covid-19-vaccine-in-japan-9884053 6th Mar 2021

Vaccine hesitancy numbers remain stubbornly resistant

Al Jazeera English Pakistans success at managing the coronavirus pandemic with relatively low rates of severe disease and death and distrust of governmentled and foreignfunded public health initiatives has driven vaccine hesitancy which could put the countrys fragile gains against COVID19 at risk say experts and officials. Since the pandemic began Pakistan a country of 220 million people has registered more than 586000 cases of the virus with 13128 deaths as per government data. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/5/in-pakistan-vaccine-hesitancy-heightens-risk-of-covid-19-resurge 5th Mar 2021

Vaccine hesitancy numbers remain stubbornly resistant

The Straits Times Polls show that about a third of Americans are sceptical about vaccines or do not want to get them highlighting the challenges of getting 70 to 85 per cent of Americas population vaccinated. Experts like Dr Anthony Fauci the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases cite that figure as the threshold needed to stamp out the spread of Covid19. The upshot is that after the initial crush of demand for vaccines exceeding limited supply there will eventually be more vaccines available in America than people who want to take them. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-a-speed-bump-to-americas-vaccine-roll-out 5th Mar 2021

Where the pandemic still rages

Firstpost Preliminary studies suggest that the variant that swept through the city of Manaus is not only more contagious but it also appears able to infect some people who have already recovered from other versions of the virus. And the variant has slipped Brazils borders showing up in two dozen other countries and in small numbers in the United States. Although trials of a number of vaccines indicate they can protect against severe illness even when they do not prevent infection with the variant most of the world has not been inoculated. That means even people who had recovered and thought they were safe for now might still be at risk and that world leaders might once again be lifting restrictions too soon. You need vaccines to get in the way of these things said William Hanage a public health researcher at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health speaking of variants that might cause reinfections. The immunity you get with your cemeteries running out of room even that will not be enough to protect you. https://www.firstpost.com/world/as-brazil-tackles-contagious-new-covid-19-variant-its-crisis-is-a-warning-to-the-world-say-scientists-9374611.html 4th Mar 2021

Where the pandemic still rages

Forbes India COVID19 has already left a trail of death and despair in Brazil one of the worst in the world. Now a year into the pandemic the country is setting another wrenching record. No other nation that experienced such a major outbreak is still grappling with recordsetting death tolls and a health care system on the brink of collapse. Many other hardhit nations are instead taking tentative steps toward a semblance of normalcy. But Brazil is battling a more contagious variant that has trampled one major city and is spreading to others even as Brazilians toss away precautionary measures that could keep them safe. On Tuesday Brazil recorded more than 1700 COVID19 deaths the highest singleday toll of the pandemic. https://www.forbesindia.com/article/global-news/brazils-covid19-crisis-is-a-warning-to-the-whole-world-scientists-say/66815/1 5th Mar 2021

Where the pandemic still rages

Bloomberg The three cities exemplify the wildly diverse experience that has been Covid in Brazil. Restrictions have varied from city to city and are often eased only to be reimposed weeks later a mishmash of policies that have little to no enforcement lowering their efficacy and prolonging the situation. Politicians setting the rules have been caught evading their own orders and often publicly bicker over whos to blame for the crisis. The glimmer of hope offered by vaccination remains elusive. The country has only a few doses at hand not enough to cover even the priority groups. Jonas Donizette a former mayor who heads a grouping of 400 municipal chiefs blames the federal government for not acquiring vaccines. Cities he says are going off on their own to try and buy them something that has never happened before. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-03-05/coronavirus-crisis-in-brazil-deepens-as-covid-variant-spreads-and-deaths-spike 6th Mar 2021

Where the pandemic still rages

The Moscow Times Russia recorded more than 55000 excess deaths in January data from the countrys official statistics agency Rosstat published Friday showed. Since the start of the pandemic until the end of January the latest such data is available Russia has now recorded 394000 more deaths than in the previous period. That represents a 24 increase in fatality and one of the highest excess death tolls in the world even after adjusting for population. Excess deaths are calculated by comparing fatalities during the pandemic with mortality rates in the same months of previous years. It is seen by demographers as the most reliable indicator of the human toll of the coronavirus. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/03/05/russias-excess-death-toll-approaches-400k-a73168 5th Mar 2021

Where restrictions are tightening

The Independent Authorities in Hungary are tightening pandemic restrictions in an effort to mitigate a rapid rise in deaths and hospitalizations caused by COVID19. Businesses will be required to close their doors for two weeks beginning Monday with only grocery stores pharmacies and gas stations permitted to remain open. Kindergartens and primary schools will also be closed until April 7. Sporting events may only be held without spectators and businesses are urged to allow employees to work from home. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/hungary-tightens-pandemic-restrictions-amid-rising-deaths-hungary-covid-budapest-ap-cases-b1812375.html 5th Mar 2021

Where restrictions are tightening

Reuters Norway will likely need stronger restrictions to combat the latest resurgence in coronavirus infections Minister Erna Solberg said on Sunday. Ahead of us is another hill to climb probably with tighter national measures before we can ease and then lift the restrictions Solberg said. The Nordic country has maintained one of Europes lowest rates of infection but a recent resurgence in cases has led to concerns that a third wave of the outbreak may be underway. In the capital region where the more contagious variant first identified in Britain as B.1.1.7 now dominates nonessential stores are already closed restaurants are only allowed to provide takeaway service and some schools are shut. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-norway-idUKKBN2AZ0L3?taid=60453c84d4aa3f00019192ae&amputm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amputm_medium=trueAnthem&amputm_source=twitter 7th Mar 2021

Where restrictions are tightening

The Associated Press With hospitals in some parts of the Czech Republic filled up the country has turned to Germany and other European countries with a request for help. The Czech Republic one of the hardesthit European Union countries has been facing a surge of new cases attributed to a highly infectious coronavirus variant that is believed to originate in Britain. Interior Minister Jan Hamacek said on Wednesday neighboring Germany has offered dozens of beds in its hospitals to treat Czech COVID19 patients. He said 19 of them were immediately ready. Hamacek said that Switzerland was another country ready to help with 20 beds in its hospitals while offering to take care of the transport of the patients. https://apnews.com/article/europe-prague-coronavirus-pandemic-czech-republic-germany-df230eaac5ede39903a81e956b4a9525 3rd Mar 2021

Vaccine nationalism

FRANCE 24 English Europes vaccine solidarity got a boost on Friday after France said it could emulate Italys move to block coronavirus vaccine exports outside the European Union if thats what is needed to enforce the blocs own contracts with drugs manufacturers. The European Union defended the Italian authorities decision to stop a large shipment of doses destined for Australia as part of a longstanding feud with drug manufacturer AstraZeneca and Germany. The EUs executive arm said the decision was not targeting Australia but that it had been taken to ensure that AstraZeneca delivers the number of doses it committed to dispatching to EU countries. https://www.france24.com/en/health/20210305-france-eu-back-italy-s-decision-to-block-covid-19-vaccine-shipment-to-australia 5th Mar 2021

Vaccine nationalism

France 24 Australias prime minister on Friday played down the impact of Italys landmark decision to block the export of 250000 Covid19 vaccine doses due to be delivered. Scott Morrison insisted the blocked shipment of the AstraZeneca jabs was understandable and would not affect Australias vaccine programme. This particular shipment was not one wed counted on for the rollout and so we will continue unabated Morrison said. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210305-australian-pm-plays-down-italy-vaccine-blockade 5th Mar 2021