9th Jul 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=397 lockdown_exit

JPMorgan finds five emerging economies among most vulnerable to Delta variant

Reuters on MSN.com Economies of the Philippines Peru Colombia South Africa and Thailand are among the most vulnerable to the COVID19 Delta variant within emerging markets mostly due to low vaccination rates a JPMorgan analysis found on Thursday. https://www.msn.com/en-us/finance/markets/jpmorgan-finds-five-emerging-economies-among-most-vulnerable-to-delta-variant/ar-AALVQtL 8th Jul 2021

A Worrying Drift Towards Exceptionalism In the Covid Vax For Kids Debate - Absolutely Maybe

PLoS Blogs I think we are drifting perilously close to exceptionalism in the debate about the Covid19 vaccine for children and adolescents. The narrowed individualistic framing of antivax movement arguments against mandatory childhood immunization is too often applied in critics discussion about Covid vaccination for the under18s at all. Then people making the case for vaccination too often respond on the same limited discussion ground. I think its tilting this debate in damaging ways right now. We shouldnt let this become normal. https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2021/07/07/a-worrying-drift-towards-exceptionalism-in-the-covid-vax-for-kids-debate/ 7th Jul 2021

How Delta variant forced Israel to rethink its Covid strategy

Financial Times For much of this year Israel has been hailed as a resounding Covid19 success story. It rolled out one of the worlds fastest vaccination drives reopened its economy and jettisoned all remaining lockdown restrictions last month. Now rising infection rates driven by the more infectious Delta variant have forced the Israeli government to reintroduce restrictions for the first time since January. While hospitalisation rates remain low Israel has chosen a cautious approach. Israelis again have to wear masks inside and on public transport. Testing sites have been reopened. Multiple other curbs including stricter quarantine for travellers and greater testing of children are expected to be introduced. Israel may even bring back the green pass which allowed greater freedom for vaccinated people. https://www.ft.com/content/8c3ec364-e687-4daf-9442-e73065aa2649 8th Jul 2021

How Delta variant forced Israel to rethink its Covid strategy

Al Jazeera English Informal settlements have sprung up across the country amid Brazils ongoing COVID19 crisis and its economic fallout symbols of farright President Jair Bolsonaros failure to effectively soften the coronavirus pandemics blow. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/7/8/nowhere-to-go-brazils-covid-refugees-struggle-after-eviction 8th Jul 2021

Tunisia COVID-19 situation ‘catastrophic’

Al Jazeera English North African nation recorded 9823 coronavirus cases and 134 deaths on Tuesday its worst daily toll from the virus. Tunisias health system has collapsed under the weight of the COVID19 pandemic the health ministry said on Thursday describing the viruss affect on the country as catastrophic. On Tuesday alone Tunisia recorded 9823 cases and 134 deaths its worst daily toll from the virus. Hospitals in the North African country have seen a significant influx of patients over the past two weeks. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/8/catastrophic-tunisia-covid 8th Jul 2021

Pfizer to seek OK for 3rd vaccine dose; shots still protect

The Associated Press Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID19 vaccine saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant. Research from multiple countries shows the Pfizer shot and other widely used COVID19 vaccines offer strong protection against the highly contagious delta variant which is spreading rapidly around the world and now accounts for most new U.S. infections. https://apnews.com/article/europe-coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-34c3f2536747a7c08980d7359a8de70c 9th Jul 2021

Delta COVID variant surges in Asia, casts shadow on Olympics

CIDRAP Indonesias daily COVID19 cases jumped to a new record level today with Thailand and South Korea also reporting record highs. Rising virus activity has also forced Japanese officials to order a state of emergency for the Tokyo area and a spectator ban for Olympic events. Meanwhile the worlds death total from the virus topped 4 million today with just over onethird of all fatalities from three countries the United States Brazil and India. Global cases topped 185 million rising to 185350264 according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/07/delta-covid-variant-surges-asia-casts-shadow-olympics 8th Jul 2021

US COVID-19 cases jump amid increased Delta activity

CIDRAP Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Director Rochelle Walensky MD MPH said today that America has two current truths to face concerning its ongoing battle against the COVID19 pandemic. On one hand we have seen successes with cases hospitalizations and deaths she said during a White House press briefing. On the otherwe are now starting to see new and concerning trends in cases. In the past week the 7day average of new daily cases jumped 11 and hospitalizations increased 7 with daily averages settling around 13900 new cases per day and 2000 new hospital admissions per day Walensky said. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/07/us-covid-19-cases-jump-amid-increased-delta-activity 8th Jul 2021

Is COVID coming home? England at risk from Euro 2020 euphoria

Reuters UK England awaits first major soccer final for 55 years. Young mainly male adults spread COVID during Euro 2020. Issue extends outside stadiums to bars and pubs Politicians urge prudent celebrations as Italy eyes final https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/is-covid-coming-home-england-risk-euro-2020-euphoria-2021-07-08/ 8th Jul 2021

South Korea to raise COVID-19 curbs to highest level in Seoul, says PM

Reuters South Korea will raise coronavirus restrictions to the highest level in capital Seoul and some neighbouring regions from Monday Prime Minister Kim Bookyum said on Friday. The announcement comes after South Korea reported on Thursday its biggest daily rise in new COVID19 cases and a top health official warned the numbers may nearly double by the end of July https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-raise-covid-19-curbs-highest-level-seoul-says-pm-2021-07-08/ 8th Jul 2021

Japanese medics welcome bar on spectators but warn risks remain

Reuters Medical experts in Japan welcomed a decision to hold the Tokyo Olympics without spectators under coronavirus restrictions but cautioned that the ban will not completely eliminate the risk of a rebound in COVID19 cases. The ban was formalised on Thursday as Japan struggles to stem a new wave of infections with a state of emergency in Tokyo that will end after the July 23Aug. 8 event. I of course support no spectators but concerns will never disappear as long as we have a big event like the Games along with holidays and the vacation season said Yuki Furuse a Kyoto University medical professor working with the governments coronavirus experts group. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/japanese-medics-welcome-bar-spectators-warn-risks-remain-2021-07-08/ 8th Jul 2021

Covid-19: Scotland to ‘think carefully’ about loosening Coronavirus restrictions

BBC News Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotlands falling Covid rates are encouraging but added ministers will think carefully about what to do next. The Government in Edinburgh hopes to move the country down to Level 0 on 19 July but said a final decision wont be made until Tuesday 13 July. At Level 0 people in Scotland no longer need to distance from family and friends in private homes and can meet socially in much larger groups. It also means places like cafes all shops and all places of entertainment can fully open. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/57764145 8th Jul 2021

Amid fresh virus surge, Africa sets out to save itself on vaccines procurement

POLITICO.eu Let down by wealthy countries Africa is pinning its hopes on its own coronavirus vaccine deals. And for once the man who is usually delivering dire predictions about Africas fight against the pandemic actually seems optimistic. John Nkengasong director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention delivered some good news this week Africa is expecting the first vaccine doses from the sizable deal secured through the AUs African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team AVATT to start arriving in the next two to three weeks. But hes still cautious almost as if his optimism may jinx things. The delivery follows the June announcement by the AU and the World Bank of a partnership that would allow AVATT to deliver up to 400 million doses of the oneshot Johnson Johnson vaccine. https://www.politico.eu/article/africa-coronavirus-vaccine-procurement-covax-john-nkengasong/ 8th Jul 2021

Coronavirus vaccine to be made mandatory for disability support workers in Australia

SBS News In Australia disability support workers may soon be forced to get vaccinated against coronavirus if they want to keep their jobs. The compulsory jab policy has been recommended by a panel of health experts and will be debated at a national cabinet meeting on Friday. The proposed mandate follows a similar order imposed on aged care workers who must receive at least one dose by midSeptember to remain employed in the industry. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/coronavirus-vaccine-to-be-made-mandatory-for-disability-support-workers-in-australia 8th Jul 2021

U.S. to send 500,000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses to Uruguay

Reuters The United States will ship 500000 doses of Pfizers COVID19 vaccine to Uruguay on Thursday the White House said amid a wider distribution to Latin American nations this week. The shipments are part of President Joe Bidens commitment to share 80 million vaccines from the U.S. domestic supply with countries around the world. Today we ship 500000 doses of Pfizer to Uruguay White House spokesman Kevin Munoz said in a Twitter post. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-send-500000-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-doses-uruguay-2021-07-08/ 8th Jul 2021

Analysis: UK PM Johnson's new COVID gamble worries some scientists

Reuters UK Globally watched experiment pits shots against Delta variant. Johnson has set out plan for July 19 reopening in England. Modeller says a further delay would buy time Govt cites economic priorities https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-pm-johnsons-new-covid-gamble-worries-some-scientists-2021-07-08/ 8th Jul 2021

Mass infection is not an option: we must do more to protect our young

The Lancet As the third wave of the pandemic takes hold across England the UK Government plans to further reopen the nation. Implicit in this decision is the acceptance that infections will surge but that this does not matter because vaccines have broken the link between infection and mortality.1 On July 19 2021branded as Freedom Dayalmost all restrictions are set to end. We believe this decision is dangerous and premature. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01589-0/fulltext?utm_campaign=lancetcovid21&amputm_content=172221470&amputm_medium=social&amputm_source=twitter&amphss_channel=tw-27013292 7th Jul 2021

WHO warns of ‘epidemiological stupidity’ of early Covid reopening

The Guardian As England moves towards an anticipated big bang lifting of coronavirus restrictions on 19 July a senior World Health Organization official has warned countries to lift their Covid19 restrictions slowly so as not to lose the gains that they have made. The comments from the UN global health bodys head of emergencies Mike Ryan were not aimed directly at Boris Johnsons muchtrumpeted reopening. However they will be interpreted as grist to the mill of those health experts who have been arguing that England is moving too fast at a time when infections are surging. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/07/countries-should-not-relax-covid-rules-too-quickly-says-who-official-mike-ryan?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other 8th Jul 2021

Rural India sinks deeper into debt as COVID wipes out work

Al Jazeera English Interviews with 75 households in a cluster of villages in Uttar Pradesh state show household incomes have slumped nearly 75 percent on average. Heavy debt and low income in the countryside will hold back any economic recovery the government is trying to make and also dent private savings and investment for longer than expected economists say. It will have a huge impact and prolong the recovery process. Private consumption and investments both will be hurt. There is merit in finding ways to put money in the hands of the people said NR Bhanumurthy economist and vice chancellor at Bengalurubased BR Ambedkar School of Economics. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/8/rural-india-debt-covid-jobs-poverty 8th Jul 2021

Two weeks into lockdown, Sydney has its worst day for virus cases this year

Reuters NSW logs biggest daily rise in cases this year. Officials urge residents to remain home. State police to deploy more officers in citys south west https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australias-new-south-wales-reports-biggest-daily-rise-covid-19-cases-2021-2021-07-08/ 8th Jul 2021

Cuba says second COVID-19 vaccine Soberana 2 boasts 91.2% efficacy

Reuters Cuba said on Thursday its twoshot Soberana 2 vaccine delivered with a booster called Soberana Plus had proven 91.2 effective in late stage clinical trials against the coronavirus following similar news about its Abdala vaccine. The announcement came from staterun biopharmaceutical corporation BioCubaFarma which oversees the Finlay Institute the maker of Soberana 2 and the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology the producer of Abdala. Last month Abdala was found to have a 92.28 efficacy https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/cuba-says-second-covid-vaccine-soberana-2-boasts-912-efficacy-2021-07-09/ 8th Jul 2021

Oxford drugs firm gains $1.5m Gates grant for Covid-19 therapy

The Guardian Exscientia an Oxfordbased firm that uses artificial intelligence to develop medicines has won a 1.5m grant from the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation to create a Covid19 treatment that also works for new mutations or other Sars viruses. The company a spinoff from the University of Dundee is based at the Oxford Science Park. It counts Japans SoftBank the fund manager BlackRock and the US drug firm Bristol Myers Squibb among its financial backers. Exscientia aims to develop a drug within 12 months then recruit volunteers for clinical trials. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/08/oxford-drugs-firm-gains-15m-gates-grant-for-covid-19-therapy 8th Jul 2021

Sanofi, GSK get Indian approval for late-stage trial of COVID-19 vaccine

Reuters Sanofi SA and GlaxoSmithKline Plc have received an approval from Indian authorities for a latestage clinical trial of their proteinbased COVID19 vaccine candidate the drugmakers said on Thursday. Frances Sanofi and Britains GSK in May kicked off global trials to include more than 35000 adults to test the shot. They hope to get approvals by the end of 2021 after earlystage results showed the vaccine produces a robust immune response https://www.reuters.com/world/india/sanofi-gsk-get-indian-approval-late-stage-trial-covid-19-vaccine-2021-07-08/ 8th Jul 2021

Covid infection can lead to erectile dysfunction, scientists warn

City AM The inflammation of blood vessels that typically takes place during a Coronavirus infection may limit the blood flow to the penis leading to erectile disfunction scientists have said. According to Dr Ryan Berglund a urologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio warned she has seen a jump in patients with erectile problems only after they had contracted Covid19. The blood vessels that can become inflamed could cause an obstructive phenomenon and negatively impact the ability to get erections he told several US media outlets. I would suggests young people to get their vaccinations. If they want to have sex better get the vaccine Berglund added. https://www.cityam.com/covid-infection-can-lead-to-erectile-dysfunction-scientists-warn/?utm_source=dlvr.it&amputm_medium=twitter 8th Jul 2021

Sinovac’s Vaccine Found Inferior to Pfizer Shot in Chile Study

Bloomberg Sinovac Biotech Ltd.s vaccine was less potent than Pfizer Inc.s shot at stopping Covid19 in Chile where the two shots were used simultaneously the first realworld analysis comparing a Chinamade inoculation against an mRNA has found. Researchers found CoronaVac was 66 effective in preventing Covid19 among fully vaccinated adults versus 93 for the jab made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech SE. The inactivated inoculation given to more than 10 million Chileans was slightly less effective in preventing hospitalization and deaths than the mRNA vaccine which was administered to fewer than half a million people according to the study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-08/china-made-vaccine-found-inferior-to-pfizer-shot-in-chile-study?utm_medium=social&ampcmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amputm_source=twitter&amputm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amputm_content=business 8th Jul 2021

Roche, Sanofi arthritis drugs score WHO backing for severe COVID-19, but agency echoes calls for lower prices

FiercePharma The World Health Organization has recommended Roches Actemra and SanofiRegenerons Kevzara along with corticosteroids for use in patients with severe COVID19. The WHO also called on manufacturers of the drugs to cut prices and make them more accessible. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/who-okays-roche-s-actemra-sanofi-regeneron-s-kevzara-for-severely-ill-covid-19-patients 7th Jul 2021

Can we stretch existing Covid vaccines to inoculate more people?

STAT With the global supply of Covid19 vaccine still woefully inadequate vaccine makers are scouring the pharmaceutical landscape for partners to ramp up manufacturing and civil society groups are pressing politicians to waive intellectual property protections in a bid to spur still more production. But what if there was a simpler way What if current supplies could be stretched to vaccinate more people more quickly What if the world is using more vaccine than it needs to on each person immunized depriving people in the queue of a chance to be protected Reducing the size of a vaccine dose is an approach that has been used successfully before and ought to be explored some scientists argue. https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/08/stretch-existing-covid-vaccines-experts-divided/ 8th Jul 2021

Gene hunters turn up new clues about Covid-19

STAT On March 16 2020 five days after the World Health Organization declared Covid19 a global pandemic Andrea Ganna a geneticist at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland took to Twitter to make an announcement We are launching the COVID19 host genetics initiative he wrote. He asked other scientists to join him and institute director Mark Daly in probing the worlds stores of human DNA to help answer a complicated but pressing question Why do some unlucky people infected by the coronavirus end up gasping for air in an intensive care unit while many others catch and spread the disease without having so much as a cough Ganna wasnt quite prepared for how many would take him up on the offer. Over the last 15 months more than 3300 researchers from 25 countries have poured data from millions of people including more than 125000 Covid19 patients into the initiative making it one of the largest genehunting missions in history. https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/08/gene-hunters-turn-up-new-clues-to-help-explain-why-covid-19-hits-some-people-so-hard/ 8th Jul 2021

Study highlights need for full Covid vaccination to protect against Delta variant

STAT News A new study published Thursday in Nature adds new detail about the dominant variant analyzing how well Delta in a lab dish was able to evade monoclonal antibody drugs such as bamlamivimab and natural antibodies made in our bodies after infection or vaccination. Looking at both kinds of antibodies in blood drawn from 162 patients and how they reacted to Delta researchers from the Institut Pasteur in France found lower protection against the variant than against three other variants also notable for how easily they spread from person to person. This is an important study for confirming the immune evasiveness property of Delta which is a feature that adds to its enhanced transmissibility making it the most formidable version of the virus to date Eric Topol director and founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute told STAT. No surprises but further characterization of the variant which reinforces why it is so challenging. https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/08/study-highlights-need-for-full-covid-vaccination-to-protect-against-delta-variant/ 8th Jul 2021

Portugal posts over 3000 new COVID-19 infections

Reuters Portugal reported more than 3000 daily coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours for the first time since February data showed on Wednesday as authorities pondered further measures to bring under control a worrying surge in infections. Wednesdays 3285 new cases a nearly 40 jump from the same day last week brought the total number of infections in Portugal a country of just over 10000 million to 896026 since the pandemic started. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/portugal-posts-over-3000-new-covid-19-infections-2021-07-07/ 8th Jul 2021

Dutch COVID-19 cases spike, gov't reviews options

Reuters The Dutch government on Wednesday said it will consider whether it needs to take fresh action following a swift rise in new COVID19 cases after the countrys pandemic lockdown ended. I think the sharp rise in infection numbers are a reason to request urgent advice from the outbreak management team Health Minister Hugo de Jonge told reporters in The Hague. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dutch-covid-19-cases-spike-govt-reviews-options-2021-07-07/ 7th Jul 2021

COVID-19: Weekly coronavirus cases rise by 71% to highest level since early February, latest figures show

Sky News Despite the recent surge in new cases the government has announced its plans for Freedom Day on 19 July when all remaining restrictions will be lifted contingent on a final decision set to be made next Monday. https://news.sky.com/story/weekly-covid-cases-rise-by-71-to-highest-level-since-early-february-latest-figures-show-12351511 8th Jul 2021

Australia's slow vaccination, locked borders eclipse early virus success

Reuters Last year when much of the world was in coronavirus lockdown Australia was successfully hosting international cricket matches and tennis tournaments in front of packed crowds in a show of what postpandemic life could look like. But in recent weeks new virus outbreaks a chaotic vaccine rollout and a tightening of already strict curbs on international travel have rapidly reversed those fortunes. As crowds in London watch Wimbledon and the Euro Cup football finals Australians confront new disappointments with the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix cancelled and holiday plans scuppered. Unlike last year business and consumer tolerance for the restrictions and uncertainty is quickly evaporating as Australians witness other countries reopen https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-australia-borders/australias-slow-vaccination-locked-borders-eclipse-early-virus-success-idUSKCN2EE07J 8th Jul 2021

Delta variant is 'Covid-19 on steroids,' expert says, with cases increasing in nearly half of US states

CNN Twentyfour states have seen an uptick of at least 10 in Covid19 cases over the past week Johns Hopkins University data shows as health experts and the federal government keep pressing for more people to get vaccinated. The rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus has only ratcheted up the pressure. That variant first identified in India accounted for 51.7 of all new Covid19 infections in the country over the two weeks that ended Saturday the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated. https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/08/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/index.html 8th Jul 2021

Covid: Luxembourg’s Prime Minister in ‘Serious’ Condition With Low Blood-Oxygen Levels

The New York Times Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg who is suffering from Covid19 symptoms was in serious but stable condition on Tuesday at a hospital his press secretary in Luxembourg said. The prime minister had low oxygen levels in his blood an acute concern for people with Covid19. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/05/world/covid-19-vaccine-coronavirus-updates#a-fast-growing-covid-surge-is-flooding-fijis-health-facilities-with-patients-and-other-international-news 8th Jul 2021

More than half of global COVID-19 deaths in the Americas: PAHO

Al Jazeera English Despite a decline in overall COVID19 cases and deaths in the Americas last week the region accounted for more than half of global deaths from the disease according to the Pan American Health Organization PAHO. During a regular news briefing on Wednesday PAHO Director Carissa Etienne said inequity in access to healthcare and vaccines is largely to blame. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/7/over-half-of-global-covid-19-deaths-in-the-americas-paho 7th Jul 2021