14th Jul 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=403 lockdown_exit

COVID-19: PM's easing of England's restrictions is 'irresponsible', BMA says

Sky News Boris Johnsons decision to press ahead with easing coronavirus restrictions in England is irresponsible senior doctors have said although a government minister has admitted COVID rules could return this winter. The prime minister announced on Monday that most of the last remaining restrictions in England would be axed from 19 July. This was despite modelling showing that there could be 1000 to 2000 hospital admissions per day with deaths reaching between 100 and 200 per day by midAugust when the peak of the current wave is expected. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-pms-easing-of-englands-restrictions-is-irresponsible-bma-says-12354633 13th Jul 2021

New Zealand scientists say UK’s ‘awful experiment’ on Covid will threaten the country

The Independent Scientists in New Zealand have expressed concern at Britains unlocking of Covid restrictions describing it as an awful experiment. On Monday Boris Johnson announced plans to scrap a number of coronavirus lockdown measures on July 19 including ditching social distancing and dropping the legal requirement to wear a face mask. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/nz-lockdown-easing-uk-covid-b1883324.html 13th Jul 2021

Immunized but banned: EU says not all COVID vaccines equal

The Associated Press After Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor and his wife received two doses of AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine in Nigeria they assumed they would be free to travel this summer to a European destination of their choice. They were wrong. The couple and millions of other people vaccinated through a U.N.backed effort could find themselves barred from entering many European and other countries because those nations dont recognize the Indianmade version of the vaccine for travel. Although AstraZeneca vaccine produced in Europe has been authorized by the continents drug regulatory agency the same shot manufactured in India hasnt been given the green light. https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-lifestyle-health-travel-f678a53270470d9b35ce6259e48548bf 13th Jul 2021

Analysis: Ministers shift responsibility for fighting coronavirus to the public

The Independent The government today passed the baton for fighting coronavirus to the public as Boris Johnson confirmed that the last of the emergency Covid restrictions would be lifted from next week. After 16 months of governmentimposed curbs on our everyday life it appears the government has decided that enough is enough and that its time for it to depart the pitch midgame as a summer wave of infection builds. Johnsons message was simple. It is up to each and every one of us to look out not just for ourselves but for each other because the government has now returned to the idea of herd immunity as the only way out of the pandemic. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-restrictions-summer-wave-deaths-b1882740.html 13th Jul 2021

Experts warn Jersey Covid cases could reach 500 per day by next week

ITV News Stage 7 of Jerseys reconnection plan will not go ahead as scheduled for 15 July working from home is to return and masks are advised once again. The announcement has been made following a sharp rise in the number of Covid cases in the island. Experts are warning case numbers could reach 500 per day by this time next week. At a press conference this afternoon 13 July officials announced their objective is to slow the rate of infection and reduce levels of isolation which is impacting on individuals and consequently businesses are having to close. https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2021-07-13/experts-warn-jersey-covid-cases-could-reach-500-per-day-by-next-week 13th Jul 2021

Germany won't make COVID-19 vaccination compulsory - Merkel

Reuters Germany will not make vaccination against COVID19 compulsory Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday adding that ensuring more Germans get vaccinated sticking to distancing rules and testing should help prevent a fourth wave. We have no intention of going down this road Merkel said during a news conference. There will be no compulsory vaccination. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-wont-make-covid-19-vaccination-compulsory-merkel-2021-07-13/ 13th Jul 2021

UK megalab opens to process hundreds of thousands of Covid tests and identify new variants

The Independent The UKs first testing megalab which will process hundreds of thousands of Covid19 samples every day has opened as the centrepiece of the countrys future test and trace infrastructure the government has said. The new Rosalind Franklin laboratory in Royal Leamington Spa will play a role in responding to new Covid variants of concern and future disease threats as part of plans to prevent another national lockdown. The facility is named after the British scientist who played a key role in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA and in pioneering the use of Xray diffraction. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/covid-tests-rosalind-franklin-laboratory-b1882922.html 13th Jul 2021

Lack of COVID awareness at Euro final 'devastating' - WHO

Reuters A WHO epidemiologist said she had been devastated to watch unmasked crowds singing and shouting at the Euro 2020 soccer final in London on Sunday expressing concerns that it would spur COVID19 transmission including of the Delta variant. Britain is facing a new wave of COVID19 driven by the more transmissible variant despite having one of the worlds highest vaccination rates. It plans to scrap most remaining anticoronavirus restrictions on July 19 in a move that worries some scientists https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/lack-covid-awareness-euro-final-devastating-who-2021-07-12/ 13th Jul 2021

Masks to remain mandatory on London transport after national rule easing

Reuters Masks will remain mandatory on Londons public transport network after July 19 the citys mayor said on Wednesday as Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government plans to lift most COVID19 restrictions from that date in England despite rising cases. The public will be expected rather than compelled by law to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces across the country from next week as rules decided upon by the Conservative administration are eased https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/masks-remain-mandatory-london-transport-after-national-rule-easing-2021-07-13/ 13th Jul 2021

UAE sends 500,000 coronavirus vaccine doses to Tunisia

The National A plane carrying 500000 Covid19 vaccine doses donated by the UAE to help curb the spread of the virus has arrived in Tunisia. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces ordered the donation of half a million Covid19 vaccine doses to Tunisia. The country is battling to contain a second wave of infections with several countries in the region pledging aid. https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2021/07/13/uae-sends-500000-coronavirus-vaccine-doses-to-tunisia/ 13th Jul 2021

Long Lines Form for Russia's Third Coronavirus Vaccine in Moscow

The Moscow Times Long lines formed outside Moscow vaccination sites over the weekend as demand for Russias third registered coronavirus jab outstripped supply and caused yet another shortage of the jab. Videos published to social media showed Muscovites lining up outside a dozen vaccination sites where authorities had shipped around 850 doses of CoviVac each. Moscow City Hall which had previously suspended CoviVac vaccinations due to shortages on June 22 and June 28 announced that it ran out of doses on Sunday. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/07/13/long-lines-form-for-russias-third-coronavirus-vaccine-in-moscow-a74508 13th Jul 2021

Moldova gets 500,000 doses of J&J's COVID-19 vaccine from U.S. - State Dept

Yahoo The United States has sent 500000 doses of Johnson Johnsons COVID19 vaccine to Moldova as part of Washingtons coronavirus diplomacy to send surplus shots overseas to help fight the global pandemic the U.S. Department of State said on Tuesday. Im pleased to announce the donation of 500000 doses of the Johnson Johnson vaccine to Moldova. This delivery furthers the U.S. commitment to defeating the global COVID19 pandemic and helping Moldova U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a post on Twitter alongside pictures of the shipments. The COVID19 pandemic has battered the economy of tiny exSoviet republic which has 3.5 million people and is one of Europes poorest nations. https://www.yahoo.com/news/moldova-gets-500-000-doses-135337850.html 13th Jul 2021

Greece and France join Italy in making Covid-19 shots mandatory for health workers, telling the unvaccinated they won't get paid

CNN As Europe struggles with a rising number of coronavirus cases caused by the Delta variant several countries are making vaccinations compulsory for health care workers and some leaders are even considering making shots mandatory for all. France and Greece both announced new vaccine requirements on Monday following in the footsteps of Italy which made vaccinations compulsory for health employees in April. The UK government which is pushing ahead with its unlocking plan despite strong warnings from experts has previously said it will mandate shots for care home staff from October. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/13/europe/france-greece-coronavirus-vaccine-health-workers-intl/index.html 13th Jul 2021

COVID-19: Train and bus operators will no longer enforce mask wearing in England from 19 July

Sky News Train and bus operators will not require passengers to wear face masks on services in England from 19 July industry bodies have confirmed. The government has left it up to transport companies to decide whether they wish to enforce the wearing of face coverings giving them the power to turn customers away for not wearing a mask. But only airlines such as Ryanair British Airways and easyJet and the Eurostar service will continue to require face masks from Monday. Train bus and coach operators have said that in the absence of government legislation enforcing masks they will not require travellers to continue wearing face coverings. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-train-and-bus-operators-will-no-longer-enforce-mask-wearing-in-england-from-19-july-12354954 13th Jul 2021

France insists health workers get COVID-19 shots as infections rise

Reuters All health workers in France must get COVID19 jabs and anyone wanting to get into a cinema or board a train will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test under new rules announced by President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. Unveiling sweeping measures to combat a surge in infections Macron said vaccination would not be compulsory for the general public for now but stressed that restrictions would focus on those who are not vaccinated. We must go towards vaccination of all French people it is the only way towards a normal life Macron said in a televised address to the nation. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-make-covid-19-shot-mandatory-health-workers-bfm-tv-2021-07-12/ 13th Jul 2021

Germany won't make COVID-19 vaccination compulsory - Merkel

Reuters Germany will not make vaccination against COVID19 compulsory Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday adding that ensuring more Germans get vaccinated sticking to distancing rules and testing should help prevent a fourth wave. We have no intention of going down this road Merkel said during a news conference. There will be no compulsory vaccination. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-wont-make-covid-19-vaccination-compulsory-merkel-2021-07-13/ 13th Jul 2021

French rush to get vaccinated after president’s warning

Associated Press More than 1 million people in France made vaccine appointments in less than a day according to figures released Tuesday after the president cranked up pressure on everyone to get vaccinated to save the summer vacation season and the French economy. Some bristled at President Emmanuel Macrons admonition to get vaccinated immediately but many people signed up for shots accepting that getting injected was the only way to return to some semblance of prepandemic life. https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-lifestyle-health-travel-1d10271c4f1617521892d49d83b773ad 13th Jul 2021

WHO director-general slams notion of Covid-19 vaccine booster doses given global health needs

STAT News The directorgeneral of the World Health Organization issued a stinging rebuke to Pfizer and other vaccine manufacturers focused on developing and selling Covid19 vaccine booster shots to highincome countries saying they should focus instead on providing vaccine to nations that have had little access to first doses. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus statement came four days after Pfizer said it has data to support its repeated claim that a third dose of its vaccine will be needed to keep protection levels high. He also singled out Moderna which like Pfizer is developing updated vaccines targeted at variants. Were making conscious choices right now not to protect those in most need Tedros said in Geneva. https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/12/who-director-general-slams-notion-of-covid-19-vaccine-booster-doses-given-global-health-needs/ 13th Jul 2021

India sees 2,000 COVID deaths as Modi warns against overcrowding

AlJazeera Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned against overcrowding at tourist sites and has called for faster vaccinations against the coronavirus even as official figures indicated a slower spread of new infections. The countrys top doctors body the Indian Medical Association IMA said on Monday it feared gathering of tourists and pilgrims could become superspreader events that fuel a deadly third wave of infections and it warned against complacency. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/13/india-reports-over-2000-new-covid-deaths-amid-third-wave-warning 13th Jul 2021

WHO criticises Boris Johnson’s mixed messages on Covid Freedom Day

Evening Standard It is too early to be talking about massive relaxation or freedom a World Health Organisation special envoy on Covid19 has said. Dr David Nabarro told Radio 4s Today programme the pandemic is advancing ferociously around the world and that we havent got through the worst of it despite the vaccine rollout. He said Yes relax but dont have these mixed messages about whats going on. This dangerous virus hasnt gone away its variants are coming back and are threatening those who have already been vaccinated we have to take it seriously. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/covid-latest-updates-deaths-200-day-scientists-freedom-day-july-19-rules-news-b945433.html 13th Jul 2021

Tennessee fires official Michelle Fiscus because of coronavirus vaccination guidance

The Washington Post Tennessee fired its top immunization official Monday the official said in retaliation for her attempts to let teenagers choose whether to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. Michelle Fiscus said she was fired from her job as director of immunization programs at the Tennessee Department of Health on Monday afternoon as retaliation for the departments efforts to vaccinate teenagers against the coronavirus a plan that angered several state lawmakers. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/07/12/tennessee-fires-vaccination-official/ 12th Jul 2021

Philippine vaccine hesitancy drops as safety concerns ebb, poll shows

Reuters The number of Filipinos willing to get inoculated against the coronavirus rose to 43 in June from just 16 in February an opinion poll showed on Monday as concerns over the safety of vaccines eased. The Pulse Asia survey of 2400 respondents took place from June 7 to 16 more than three months after the Philippines began its vaccination drive on March 1. So far nearly 9.7 million people have been given at least one dose of a COVID19 vaccine while 3.5 million have been fully vaccinated about 3.2 of the 110 population. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-vaccine-hesitancy-drops-safety-concerns-ebb-poll-shows-2021-07-12/ 12th Jul 2021

Politics, health collided in Taiwan's tortured BioNTech vaccine talks

Reuters As talks for Taiwan to access BioNTech SEs COVID19 vaccine via two major Taiwanese companies reached a head last week the German firms Chinese sales agent put forward a template contract seeking access to Taiwanese medical records. The clause sparked alarm as such a requirement would be anathema for Taiwans government long wary of Beijings attempts at influence over the democratic island a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/politics-health-collided-taiwans-tortured-biontech-vaccine-talks-2021-07-12/ 12th Jul 2021

Thailand approves $1.3 bln measures to ease impact of COVID-19 lockdown

Reuters Thailands cabinet on Tuesday approved 42 billion baht 1.29 billion of relief measures to help businesses and workers affected by the latest coronavirus restrictions as the country deals with its biggest outbreak so far. The measures included compensation for businesses and utility subsidies government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said in a statement. The lockdown began on Monday in the capital Bangkok and nine provinces. https://www.reuters.com/article/thailand-economy-measures-idUSL4N2OP1R8 13th Jul 2021

Period between two Pfizer coronavirus shots shortened to three weeks again

The Brussels Times Starting from Tuesday anyone who is invited to get the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in Flanders will have to wait just three weeks rather than five weeks between receiving both doses. The period between both shots was originally just three weeks but in March this was extended to five to allow more people to receive the first shot more quickly however it will once again be shortened according to Flemish Health Minister Wouter Beke. https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/belgium-all-news/health/177228/period-between-two-pfizer-coronavirus-shots-shortened-to-three-weeks-again/ 13th Jul 2021

Chinese COVID-19 vaccine makers in supply deal with COVAX

biopharma-reporter Gavi which manages COVAX the global COVID19 vaccine sharing scheme says it has secured muchneeded vaccines from Chinese producers Sinovac and Sinopharm. https://www.biopharma-reporter.com/Article/2021/07/13/Chinese-COVID-19-vaccine-makers-in-deal-with-COVAX 13th Jul 2021

Serbia to become first country in Europe to produce China-developed COVID-19 vaccine

Global Times Serbia will become the first country in Europe to produce Chinadeveloped inactivated COVID19 vaccines as the country has reached an agreement with Sinopharm the Chinese company announced Tuesday. The production line in Serbia will be able to deliver about three million doses of vaccines per month and is set to produce 10 million doses of Sinopharms inactivated vaccine according to the announcement. The first batch of the doses will be provided to the local Serbian market to help the country fight against the epidemic according to the announcement. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202107/1228583.shtml 13th Jul 2021

COVAX signs deal for 550 million Chinese Covid-19 vaccines amid questions over efficacy

CNN COVAX has signed agreements with two Chinese pharmaceutical companies to buy more than half a billion of their Covid19 vaccines by the first half of next year Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization Gavi announced Monday. Under the agreements Chinese vaccine makers Sinopharm and Sinovac will begin to make 110 million doses immediately available according to a news release from Gavi a publicprivate global health partnership that is coleading COVAX a worldwide initiative aimed at distributing vaccines to countries regardless of wealth. The agreements came at a time when the Delta variant is posing a rising risk to health systems Gavi said in the statement. https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/13/asia/covax-china-vaccines-intl-hnk/index.html 13th Jul 2021

J&J, AstraZeneca Explore Covid-19 Vaccine Modification in Response to Rare Blood Clots

The Wall Street Journal Johnson Johnson AstraZeneca PLC and the University of Oxford along with outside scientists are conducting earlystage research into whether potential modifications of their Covid19 vaccines could reduce or eliminate the risk of rare but serious blood clots associated with the shots according to people close to the process. Fastdeveloping clues into how the clots formdriven in part by independent scientists in Europe the U.S. and Canadaare boosting hopes of identifying the cause and possibly reengineering AstraZenecas shot by next year according to some of these people. It is too early to know whether either shot can be modified or whether doing so would make commercial sense these people say. https://www.wsj.com/articles/j-j-astrazeneca-explore-covid-19-vaccine-modification-in-response-to-rare-blood-clots-11626173015 13th Jul 2021

Guillain-Barre syndrome: FDA flags ‘small’ risk with J&J jab

AlJazeera United States regulators have added a new warning to Johnson Johnsons COVID19 vaccine about links to a rare and potentially dangerous neurological reaction. The Food and Drug Administration FDA announced the new warning on Monday flagging reports of GuillainBarre syndrome an immune system disorder that can cause muscle weakness and occasionally paralysis. Health officials described the side effect as a small possible risk for those getting the shot. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/13/us-regulators-warn-of-rare-nerve-disorder-after-jj-covid-vaccine 13th Jul 2021

Pfizer COVID vaccine shows 78% efficacy in pregnancy

CIDRAP Two doses of the PfizerBioNTech COVID19 vaccine were safe and 78 effective in preventing infection in pregnant women in a realworld study in Israel. Led by researchers at Maccabi Healthcare Services in Tel Aviv the retrospective observational study was published yesterday in JAMA. It involved analyzing data on 15060 women in a pregnancy registry of a large statemandated healthcare system who were vaccinated with a first dose from Dec 19 2020 to Feb 28 2021. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/07/pfizer-covid-vaccine-shows-78-efficacy-pregnancy 13th Jul 2021

FDA adds J&J COVID-19 vaccine warning

CIDRAP A Food and Drug Administration fact sheet distributed with the Johnson Johnson vaccine will now contain warning language about a small increased risk that vaccine recipients have of developing GuillainBarr syndrome a neurologic disorder that can cause progressive but usually reversible paralysis. So far the FDA has said there have been 100 cases identified in 12.8 million US JJ recipients mostly in men over the age of 50. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/07/fda-adds-jj-covid-19-vaccine-warning 13th Jul 2021

The world will not exit Covid-19 pandemic without booster shots, vaccine developer says

STAT News The world will not get the Covid19 pandemic under control without using booster shots for messenger RNA vaccines one of the key figures involved in the development of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine said Tuesday. Ugur Sahin cofounder and CEO of BioNTech insisted booster shots are going to be necessary despite caution from some experts. At the end of the day it really matters that we get this pandemic under control. And we will not get it under control without boosting. Thats my strong opinion Sahin said. https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/13/the-world-will-not-exit-covid-19-pandemic-without-booster-shots-vaccine-developer-says/ 13th Jul 2021

The decline in Covid-19 preceded vaccines. But we need jabs to finish the job

STAT News Following patterns from previous pandemics the precipitous decline in new cases of Covid19 started well before a meaningful number of people had been vaccinated. To be sure coronavirus vaccines are a remarkable accomplishment. But even a vaccine thats 95 effective cant take full credit if it is introduced on the back of a naturally receding epidemic. Timing is everything. There are two ways to develop immunity natural infection and vaccination. The best explanation for declining rates of Covid19 appears to be previous infections which vary considerably from state to state. Individuals with confirmed Covid19 diagnoses are only the tip of the iceberg. Although estimates vary the most recent study from the National Institutes of Health suggests that about five people were infected with SARSCoV2 the virus that causes Covid19 for each person with a confirmed case https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/12/covid-19-decline-preceded-vaccines-still-need-jabs-finish-the-job/ 13th Jul 2021

Delta surge ‘could leave hundreds of thousands with long Covid’

The Guardian The decision to lift Englands remaining Covid restrictions next Monday even as cases of the Delta variant surge around the country is expected to turbocharge the epidemic and push the nation into what one leading scientist called uncharted territory in terms of the numbers of people left suffering from long Covid. Ministers have been told to expect at least one to two million coronavirus infections in the coming weeks. And while the mass rollout of vaccines which started with elderly and vulnerable people will dramatically reduce the proportion who are hospitalised and die the wave may leave hundreds of thousands of younger people with longterm health problems researchers have said. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/13/delta-surge-could-leave-hundreds-of-thousands-with-long-covid 13th Jul 2021

Ministers 'are told to brace for up to 2MILLION Covid cases over the next few weeks' after July 19

Daily Mail Ministers are preparing to relax all remaining legal restrictions next week with the move to be unveiled today. But the public will still be urged to work from home and wear masks in crowded places and on transport. Downing Street has shifted its tone in recent days following a surge in cases due to the Indian Delta variant. But there are already promising hints Britains outbreak may be slowing although infections are still rising https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9779651/Ministers-told-brace-2MILLION-Covid-cases-weeks-July-19.html 12th Jul 2021

In first, Thailand to mix Sinovac, AstraZeneca vaccine doses

Reuters Thailand used Sinovac vaccine for frontliners. AstraZeneca vaccine available since June. Delta variant on increase in Thailand. New curbs imposed around capital https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-starts-tighter-coronavirus-lockdown-around-capital-2021-07-12/ 12th Jul 2021

COVID-19: Why no one should feel especially comfortable with this genuine new wave of infections

Sky News Every other time COVID19 infection rates were as high as this and heading up at the rate they are now this government tried to put the epidemiological brakes on but this time its different as lockdown easing will go ahead as planned. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-why-no-one-should-feel-especially-comfortable-with-this-genuine-new-wave-of-infections-12354578 13th Jul 2021

In South African COVID-19 ward, medics battle worst infection wave yet

Reuters At an emergency COVID19 ward run by a charity in southern Johannesburg medics wheel gasping patients to their beds rush from room to room with oxygen cylinders and pat the back of someone in the grip of a coughing fit. The scenes in the converted community hall are a reminder of how badly South Africa has been hit by its third and most debilitating COVID19 wave yet as the infectious Delta variant surges through a mostly unvaccinated population. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-covid-19-ward-medics-battle-worst-infection-wave-yet-2021-07-13/ 13th Jul 2021

S.Korea COVID-19 vaccine rollout grinds to halt as new cases hit record high

Reuters Shot bookings for 1.67 mln people aged 5559 on hold for week. Govt website crashes available supplies now booked up. Vaccination pace slows sharply in recent weeks due to shortage. South Korea records highest ever daily COVID cases on Tuesday https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/skorea-reports-new-coronavirus-cases-top-1000-7th-straight-day-2021-07-13/ 13th Jul 2021

Dutch coronavirus reproduction rate jumps, mostly young adults infected

Reuters New coronavirus cases in the Netherlands have jumped more than sixfold in the past week mainly among young adults following a decision to largely scrap restrictions. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/dutch-coronavirus-reproduction-rate-jumps-mostly-young-adults-infected-2021-07-13/ 13th Jul 2021

Delta variant behind all COVID-19 cases in Portugal's Lisbon, Algarve

Reuters All COVID19 cases in the Lisbon area and the popular southern Algarve region are of the more contagious Delta variant data showed on Tuesday as Portuguese authorities scramble to bring under control a worrying surge in infections. Portugals new daily case numbers have been rising steadily in recent weeks returning to levels last seen in February when the country was under a strict lockdown battling what was then the worlds worst coronavirus surge. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/delta-variant-behind-all-covid-19-cases-portugals-lisbon-algarve-2021-07-13/ 13th Jul 2021

Living with COVID-19: Israel changes strategy as Delta variant hits

Reuters Masks back on indoors in Israel. Delta variant has driven up infections Israel following soft suppression strategy. Aims for minimum disruption to daily life https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/living-with-covid-19-israel-changes-strategy-delta-variant-hits-2021-07-13/ 13th Jul 2021

Indonesia's surge intensifies; other Asian nations set daily COVID records

CIDRAP Indonesias daily COVID19 cases today topped 47000 as the government unveiled new plans to boost the oxygen supply and as other countries in Asia logged more record highs fueled by the expanding Delta 1617.2 variant spread. Elsewhere in the world Africas COVID 19 deaths rose sharply and countries in Europe took more steps to counter rising illness numbers. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/07/indonesias-surge-intensifies-other-asian-nations-set-daily-covid-records 13th Jul 2021

New COVID-19 cases up 94 percent in two weeks

The Hill The average number of new daily COVID19 cases has increased 94 percent over the past two weeks according to data from The New York Times as worries over outbreaks climb nationwide. The U.S. recorded a sevenday average of more than 23000 daily cases on Monday almost doubling from the average two weeks ago as less than half of the total population is fully vaccinated. Mondays count of 32105 newly confirmed cases pushed the sevenday average up from its Sunday level of more than 19000 new cases a 60 percent increase from two weeks prior. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/562753-new-covid-19-cases-up-94-percent-in-two-weeks-nyt 13th Jul 2021

State of emergency begins in host city Tokyo as Games near

Reuters Olympic host city Tokyo entered a new state of emergency on Monday less than two weeks before the Games begin amid worries about whether the measures can stem a rise in COVID19 cases. Organisers last week announced that spectators would be banned from nearly all venues. Spectators from abroad were already banned months ago and officials are now asking residents to watch the Games on TV to keep the movement of people which could spread contagion to a minimum. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/host-city-tokyo-enters-fresh-coronavirus-emergency-games-near-2021-07-12/ 13th Jul 2021

Nigeria's Lagos state faces

Reuters Nigerias Lagos state faces a potential third wave of coronovirus infections its governor said in a statement. He warned of fines or even imprisonment for those who break rules to contain the virus and said Lagos state would step up its vaccination campaign following the detection of the highly infectious Delta variant in an incoming traveller. Nigeria Africas most populous nation has not been as hard hit by the COVID19 pandemic as other parts of the continent with just over 168000 cases and 2124 deaths confirmed since the outbreak began. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerias-lagos-state-faces-potential-third-wave-covid-19-2021-07-12/ 12th Jul 2021

Thailand starts tighter coronavirus lockdown around capital

Reuters Thailand used Sinovac vaccine for frontliners. AstraZeneca vaccine available since June. Delta variant on increase in Thailand. New curbs imposed around capital https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-thailand/thailand-starts-tighter-coronavirus-lockdown-around-capital-idUSL4N2OO137 13th Jul 2021