28th Jul 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=423 lockdown_exit

We cannot escape the threat of COVID-19 until we vaccinate the world

New Statesman Its not possible to stop everybody getting it you cant do that and its also not desirable because you want immunity in the population to protect ourselves in the future. Not long after Patrick Vallance the UKs chief scientific adviser spoke these words on 12 March 2020 East Asian countries showed that epidemics could be crushed through strong public health measures. Our Scientific Advisory Group of Experts Sage was unanimous however that these countries would inevitably face a huge second wave. The impact of the UKs living with the virus policies has included 153000 excess deaths and 372bn of additional government spending owing to the economic crisis GDP collapsed by 9.9 per cent in 2020. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2021/07/we-cannot-escape-threat-covid-19-until-we-vaccinate-world 26th Jul 2021

White House considering requiring federal employees to get Covid vaccines or submit to regular testing

The Independent President Joe Biden has confirmed to reporters that the White House is considering a requirement that all federal workers receive a Covid19 vaccine or submit to regular mandatory testing. The president made the remarks on Tuesday when asked if a requirement that all federal employees a number that tops 4.2 million when including the armed forces and Postal Service according to a recent report using data from federal agencies would be required to get the vaccine. Thats under consideration right now the president said. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/white-house-covid-vaccine-testing-b1891783.html 27th Jul 2021

Can Tasmania continue on its coronavirus-free trajectory?

ABC.Net.au Tasmania hasnt had an active case of COVID19 in the community since May 6 last year. While the virus runs rampant through the countrys biggest population centres Tasmanias coronavirusfree count has quietly ticked over the 400day mark. But how has the island state achieved this Has Tasmania remained coronavirusfree for so long due to good luck or good management https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-27/tasmania-records-447-days-since-last-coronavirus-case/100323142 27th Jul 2021

CDC reverses course on indoor masks in some parts of US

The Associated Press The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course Tuesday on some masking guidelines recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging. Citing new information about the ability of the delta variant to spread among vaccinated people the CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers staff students and visitors to schools regardless of vaccination status. The new guidance follows recent decisions in Los Angeles and St. Louis to revert to indoor mask mandates amid a spike in COVID19 cases and hospitalizations that have been especially bad in the South. The country is averaging more than 57000 cases a day and 24000 COVID19 hospitalizations. https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-79959d313428d98ab8aa905bbe287ba0 27th Jul 2021

Bhutan fully vaccinates 90% of eligible adults within a week

Associated Press The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has fully vaccinated 90 of its eligible adult population within just seven days its health ministry said Tuesday. The tiny country wedged between India and China and home to nearly 800000 people began giving out second doses on July 20 in a mass drive that has been hailed by UNICEF as arguably the fastest vaccination campaign to be executed during a pandemic. In April Bhutan grabbed headlines when its government said it had inoculated around the same percentage of eligible adults with the first dose in under two weeks after India donated 550000 shots of AstraZeneca vaccine. But the country faced a shortage for months after India a major supplier of the AstraZeneca shot halted exports as it scrambled to meet a rising demand at home as infections surged. https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-bhutan-596528eca3535b5c2ee79e275ec5e7e0 27th Jul 2021

Moderna says COVID-19 vaccine supply outside United States to slow down

Reuters Moderna said on Tuesday its COVID19 vaccine manufacturing partners outside the United States are facing delays due to laboratory testing operations that have occurred in the past few days slowing the supply of the shot to these markets. The vaccine makers comments come after South Korean health officials said earlier in the day that Moderna has delayed its lateJuly vaccine shipment schedule for the country to August due to supply problems. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/supply-issues-delay-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-shipments-skorean-official-2021-07-27/ 27th Jul 2021

IMF warns of growing poverty, unrest and geopolitical tensions

Al Jazeera English The IMF warns of a global economic recovery where poor get poorer and social unrest and geopolitical tensions grow. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/7/27/imf-warns-of-growing-poverty-unrest-and-geopolitical-tensions 27th Jul 2021

White House reporters to wear masks in briefing room again

The Hill White House reporters will be wearing masks in the briefing room again the White House Correspondents Association WHCA told members on Tuesday. The mask requirement for the White House press pool is reimposed for all indoor spaces at the White House. It follows guidance that White House staff will also be wearing masks again indoors. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/565126-white-house-reporters-to-wear-masks-in-briefing-room-again 27th Jul 2021

A solution to the murky legal status of vaccine mandates: rewrite vaccine EUAs

STAT News Vaccination is the key weapon in our nations battle against Covid19. Either we quickly get closer to full immunity as a nation or we are doomed to another fall and winter of school shutdowns business closures fewer recreational opportunities and more masking and social distancing with all the likely deaths that new strains of SARSCoV2 the virus that causes Covid19 entail. Despite this grim reality vaccine uptake is inadequate. Leaders have tried begging pleading and cajoling but full vaccination in many states and counties hovers around 30. Some states and cities have tried incentives such as free meals drinks lottery tickets hunting licenses vacations cookies and even marijuana but to little avail. We believe that the solution to this public health crisis is to institute vaccine mandates set by government or by private businesses and institutions. https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/27/rewriting-eua-pave-way-covid-19-vaccine-mandates/ 27th Jul 2021

Uzbekistan to receive 3 million doses of coronavirus vaccine from U.S.

AKIpress Some 3 million doses of Moderna coronavirus vaccine will be airlifted to Uzbekistan on July 29 in the framework of COVAX program. These doses of the Moderna vaccine were donated by the United States the Embassy of Uzbekistan said. According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention Moderna vaccine may prevent contraction of COVID19. Its efficacy rate is more than 94. Vaccine is administered in persons above 18 years in 2 doses with onemonth interval. Moderna vaccine is stored at regular fridge temperature making it easy to distribute it across all regions of Uzbekistan. https://akipress.com/news:660938:Uzbekistan_to_receive_3_million_doses_of_coronavirus_vaccine_from_U_S_/ 27th Jul 2021

EU needs more than 70% vaccination coverage to stop variants, warns Belgian virologist

Euronews The European Union needs a vaccination coverage higher than 70 of adult population to stop the spread of new and highly transmissible COVID19 variants says Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst warning the virus can happily circulate among the unvaccinated. We have to reach a vaccination level that is higher than 70 that is clear Ranst told Euronews. Against the original variant the one that came from Wuhan probably 70 would cut it. But then the British variant came and then the Indian variant came and they were much more infectious which means you need a higher vaccination coverage to sort of counter this. https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/27/eu-needs-more-than-70-vaccination-coverage-to-stop-variants-warns-belgian-virologist 27th Jul 2021

COVID-19: Michael Gove drops strong hint that vaccine passports will be needed for football matches

Sky News Michael Gove says it is his view that some form of certification is the right way to go and that selfish individuals who refuse to get a COVID19 jab face being denied entry to some events. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-michael-gove-drops-strong-hint-that-vaccine-passports-will-be-needed-for-football-matches-12365542 27th Jul 2021

Nearly 60 medical groups including American Medical Association sign joint statement calling on employers to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for healthcare workers

Daily Mail In a joint statement on Monday 57 medical groups called on employers to make COVID19 vaccines mandatory for all health care workers. The groups say that requiring health workers to get vaccinated will protect patients as well as vulnerable groups like the immunocompromised. Houston Methodist was the first health system to make vaccines mandatory earlier this year and has since been joined by dozens of others. Daily vaccinations have fallen to less than 500000 per day while daily cases have increased by 291 in three weeks from 13305 to 52116 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-9827291/Medical-groups-call-COVID-19-vaccines-mandatory-healthcare-workers.html?ito=social-twitter_dailymailus 27th Jul 2021

Australia's vaccine rollout 'a colossal failure', ex-PM Turnbull says

Reuters Australias vaccine rollout has been a colossal failure because the government failed to buy enough vaccines so its borders are therefore likely to remain closed until at least early 2022 former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the BBC. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australias-vaccine-rollout-a-colossal-failure-ex-pm-turnbull-says-2021-07-27/ 27th Jul 2021

‘Reckless’ to let Covid-19 spread through young people, says Scottish Government adviser

The Scotsman Writing for The Guardian Professor Devi Sridhar criticised the position in the UK of letting teenagers get on with it and see what happens once theyre infected. Criticising the approach in England where all major legal Covid19 restrictions have been lifted the chair of global public health and Edinburgh University said such a move would result in an uncontrolled epidemic among younger age groups. https://www.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/reckless-to-let-covid-19-spread-through-young-people-says-scottish-government-adviser-3324998 27th Jul 2021

Workers exempted from Covid-19 self-isolation to include binmen, vets and tax collectors

The Times The list of professions that no longer have to follow selfisolation rules has been expanded to include rubbish collectors vets and tax collectors in an attempt to limit disruption caused by the pingdemic. A pilot study has suggested that only one in 145 workers who come into contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus go on to contract it themselves. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/workers-exempted-from-covid-19-self-isolation-to-include-binmen-vets-and-tax-collectors-pdrj2w8nr 27th Jul 2021

Vaccine advisory group urged Australian health department in 2020 ‘to get as much as you can’

The Guardian Pushback from members comes after department secretary Brendan Murphy says all government vaccine purchases were on the advice of advisory group https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/28/vaccine-advisory-group-urged-australian-health-department-in-2020-to-get-as-much-as-you-can 27th Jul 2021

Ireland lowers COVID-19 vaccine age to 12 to boost strong takeup

Reuters Ireland became the latest European Union member state to commit to offering COVID19 vaccines to children aged 1215 as it opened its strongly subscribed programme to 16 and 17year olds on Tuesday. Irelands vaccine programme is currently running at one of the fastest rates in Europe with almost 70 of its adult population fully vaccinated and more than 84 partially protected with the first of two doses greatly reducing the rate of serious illness and death from COVID19. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ireland-lower-covid-19-vaccine-age-12-boost-strong-takeup-2021-07-27/ 27th Jul 2021

Why Isn't the Military Mandating COVID-19 Vaccines?

The Atlantic COVID19 vaccination has become yet another front in the war by elected officials and media figures to draw the military into politics. Representative Thomas Massie a Kentucky Republican has introduced legislation to prohibit vaccinations being made mandatory in the armed forces and has been scaremongering on Twitter about potential dangers that vaccine mandates pose to military readiness. A group of seven Democratic lawmakers led by Representative Jimmy Panetta of California recently wrote to President Joe Biden urging that his administration make vaccinations mandatory for everyone in the military. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/07/why-isnt-military-mandating-covid-vaccines/619554/ 27th Jul 2021

Greece recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 12-15

Reuters Greece said on Monday children aged 1215 could be vaccinated against COVID19 with PfizerBioNTech and Moderna shots extending the inoculations of adolescents that was begun this month as infections continue to rise. The head of Greeces vaccination committee Maria Theodoridou said including younger teenagers in the programme would help protect vulnerable youngsters and relatives and prepare the way for a return to school in September. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greece-recommends-covid-19-vaccination-children-aged-12-15-2021-07-26/ 27th Jul 2021

Argentina signs deal with Pfizer for 20 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses, minister says

Reuters Argentinas government has signed a deal with U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc to acquire 20 million doses of COVID19 vaccines to be delivered this year Health Minister Carla Vizzotti told reporters on Tuesday. The agreement comes after Argentina modified at the beginning of the month the law regulating purchases of vaccines against COVID19 to be able to access the doses of U.S. companies. Those companies had been reluctant to sign with the South American country under previous regulations. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-signs-deal-with-pfizer-20-mln-covid-19-vaccine-doses-minister-says-2021-07-27/ 27th Jul 2021

Federal law doesn't prohibit Covid-19 vaccine requirements, Justice Department says

CNN Justice Department lawyers have determined that federal law doesnt prohibit public agencies and private businesses from requiring Covid19 vaccines even if the vaccines have only emergency use authorization according to an opinion posted online Monday. The opinion from the departments Office of Legal Counsel paves the way for more federal agencies and businesses to require vaccinations. https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/26/politics/doj-covid-19-vaccine-requirements-olc-opinion/index.html 27th Jul 2021

COVID-19 curbs to end in Australian state, continue in Sydney

Reuters New South Wales records 172 new cases most since March 2020. Victoria will ease curbs on Weds after 10 new cases. NSW to decide soon whether to extend fiveweek lockdown. South Australia to lift restrictions after no new cases https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/covid-19-cases-ease-australias-victoria-lockdown-decisions-loom-2021-07-26/ 27th Jul 2021

Africa wants to produce a coronavirus vaccine — and Big Pharma’s not happy

POLITICO Europe Africa is poised to make a bold move that could turn around its fortunes in coronavirus vaccine manufacturing taking the continent from import dependence to selfsufficient production of lifesaving jabs for coronavirus TB and maybe even one day for HIV. Two manufacturers are establishing an mRNA vaccine technologytransfer hub at the tip of the continent that could let it produce its own vaccines on its own terms. Its a way to address just how exposed countries are if they dont have their own vaccine manufacturing capacity. Africa imports about 99 percent of routine immunizations and is the least vaccinated against coronavirus in the world. https://www.politico.eu/article/as-africa-tries-to-tap-promise-of-mrna-vaccines-coronavirus-covid19-pharma-pushes-back/ 27th Jul 2021

Devi Sridhar: Failing to vaccinate children ‘raises risk of deadly Covid mutations’

The Times British politicians defying international guidance to vaccinate children risk turning them into a breeding ground for coronavirus mutations that can make them seriously ill and kill those around them public health experts have warned. Devi Sridhar chairwoman of global public health at Edinburgh University said she was baffled by the decision to withhold vaccines from children aged 12 to 17. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation JCVI which advises UK politicians said adolescents should not get the vaccine amid concerns about rare cases of heart inflammation in young people who have received a jab. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/31f11ce4-ee23-11eb-a2a3-afea84050239?shareToken=c40c2808e19319ab0bf3efc000f38354 26th Jul 2021

India says it will meet July target for domestic vaccine supply

AlJazeera India will meet its target of supplying more than half a billion COVID19 vaccine doses to states by the end of this month the health ministry says but added that not all doses may be administered by then. The government told the countrys highest court last month that 516 million doses would be made available by the end of July an important milestone for its goal of inoculating all of Indias estimated adult population of 944 million this year. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/27/india-july-target-covid-vaccine-supply 26th Jul 2021

People told to shield eight times more likely to get Covid-19, study suggests

The Scotsman Researchers also said people deemed at moderate risk from the virus due to health conditions like diabetes were four times more likely to have confirmed infections than the lowrisk group and five times more likely to die following confirmed infection. The study led by the University of Glasgow and published in the journal Scientific Reports also showed that people aged 70 and over accounted for almost half 49.55 of deaths in a Scottish health board. https://www.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/people-told-to-shield-eight-times-more-likely-to-get-covid-19-study-suggests-3325130 27th Jul 2021

Transplant patients' higher rate of COVID-19 breakthroughs boosts case for booster vaccines

Science Magazine Transplant physicians have worried for months that their patients might not be getting the protection they need from COVID19 vaccines. Studies have already shown that many organ recipients dont produce coronavirusfighting antibodies even after two doses of the highly effective messenger RNA mRNA vaccinesan indication their bodies are unable to mount a strong defense against SARSCoV2. A study out today indicates this lack of antibodies is indeed translating to a much higher risk of breakthrough cases of COVID19 among vaccinated transplant recipients. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/07/transplant-patients-higher-rate-covid-19-breakthroughs-boosts-case-booster-vaccines 26th Jul 2021

Vietnam companies agree COVID-19 vaccine tech transfer with Japan's Shionogi - media

Reuters Vietnamese firms AIC and Vabiotech have signed a deal with Japans Shionogi Co to produce COVID19 vaccines based on recombinant DNA protein technology a health ministry official told local media outlet VnExpress on Tuesday. After successfully containing the virus for much of the pandemic Vietnam has been facing record daily surges of infections since an outbreak which emerged in late April. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-firms-agree-covid-19-vaccine-tech-transfer-with-japans-shionogi-media-2021-07-27/ 27th Jul 2021

Antibodies from Sinovac's COVID-19 shot fade after about 6 months, booster helps - study

Reuters Antibodies triggered by Sinovac Biotechs SVA.O COVID19 vaccine declined below a key threshold from around six months after a second dose for most recipients but a third shot had a strong booster effect a lab study showed. Chinese researchers reported the findings from a study of blood samples from healthy adults aged between 1859 in a paper published on Sunday which has not been peer reviewed https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/antibodies-sinovacs-covid-19-shot-fade-after-about-6-months-booster-helps-study-2021-07-26/ 27th Jul 2021

Covid-19 could cause lower intelligence in those who have had it, says study

Wales Online Scientists say Covid19 could have a negative effect on the intelligence of people admitted to hospital with the virus according to a new study. Researchers found that people who had been hospitalised with Covid were more likely to get a lower score on the Great British Intelligence Test. The dropoff was even greater among those who had recovered from the virus after being put on a ventilator according to the study published in The Lancet that analysed the results of 81337 people who took the test between January and December 2020. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/covid-19-could-cause-lower-21151717 27th Jul 2021

Supply issues to delay Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shipments, S.Korea says

Reuters Moderna said on Tuesday its COVID19 vaccine manufacturing partners outside the United States are facing delays due to laboratory testing operations that have occurred in the past few days slowing the supply of the shot to these markets. The vaccine makers comments come after South Korean health officials said earlier in the day that Moderna has delayed its lateJuly vaccine shipment schedule for the country to August due to supply problems https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/supply-issues-delay-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-shipments-skorean-official-2021-07-27/ 27th Jul 2021

Myanmar reports 4,964 new COVID-19 cases, 338 more deaths

Xinhua Myanmar reported 4964 new cases of COVID19 with 338 more deaths in the past 24 hours according to a release from the Ministry of Health and Sports on Tuesday. The number of COVID19 cases has increased to 279119 with the death toll being at 7845 as of Tuesday. The release said a total of 194410 patients have been discharged from hospitals so far. The ministry has imposed a stayathome order in 98 townships in total after five townships in Bago Mandalay and Ayeyarwady regions were added to the list on Tuesday. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/asiapacific/2021-07/27/c_1310090300.htm 27th Jul 2021

Thousands of foreigners leave Indonesia amid COVID-19 crisis

The Independent Thousands of foreigners have left Indonesia in recent weeks airport records released Tuesday showed apparently spurred by a brutal pandemic wave and a general shortage of vaccines which have gone to highpriority groups first. Indonesia now has the most confirmed daily cases in Asia as infections and deaths have surged over the past month and Indias massive outbreak has waned. Infections peaked in midJuly with the highest daily average reported at more than 50000 new cases each day. Until midJune daily cases had been running at about 8000. Since early this month nearly 19000 foreign nationals have left through SoekarnoHatta International Airport in the capital Jakarta https://www.independent.co.uk/news/thousands-of-foreigners-leave-indonesia-amid-covid19-crisis-indonesia-covid-jakarta-asia-infections-b1891304.html 27th Jul 2021

US COVID prevalence likely 60% higher than reported, experts say

CIDRAP University of Washington at Seattle researchers estimate that 60 of US COVID19 cases have gone unreported due to biases in test data and delayed reporting according to a modeling study yesterday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers used multiple data sources including likely unbiased representative random testing surveys from Indiana and Ohio to estimate the true number of coronavirus infections in both the country and in each state for 1 year starting in March 2020. Their model included likelihood components that combine data on COVID19 deaths confirmed cases and the number of tests administered each day. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/07/us-covid-prevalence-likely-60-higher-reported-experts-say 27th Jul 2021

As Virus Cases Rise, Another Contagion Spreads Among the Vaccinated: Anger

The New York Times As coronavirus cases resurge across the country many inoculated Americans are losing patience with vaccine holdouts who they say are neglecting a civic duty or clinging to conspiracy theories and misinformation even as new patients arrive in emergency rooms and the nation renews mask advisories. The country seemed to be exiting the pandemic barely a month ago a sense of celebration was palpable. Now many of the vaccinated fear for their unvaccinated children and worry that they are at risk themselves for breakthrough infections. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/health/coronavirus-vaccination-hesitancy-delta.html 27th Jul 2021

Bangladesh logs single-day records for COVID cases, deaths

AlJazeera Bangladesh has registered the highest number of new coronavirus cases and deaths within a single day amid a strict lockdown imposed to contain the surge in infections. The governments Directorate General of Health Services on Monday said 15192 infections and 247 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours taking the total caseload to 1179827 and death toll to 19521 since the pandemic began in March last year. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/27/bangladesh-record-coronavirus-cases-deaths 27th Jul 2021

Tokyo’s daily Covid cases on track to hit all time high of more than 3,000 cases

Evening Standard Olympic host city Tokyo is on track to a record high of more than 3000 coronavirus cases after the number of infections almost doubled in a day. Daily infections in the city which has seen an influx of overseas visitors for the Games reached 2848 on Tuesday official figures showed. The figure on Monday was 1429. Now Tokyo is asking hospitals to raise the number of Covid beds to 6406 by early next month from the current capacity of 5967 to avoid people having to sleep on the floor or outside. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/tokyo-daily-covid-cases-surge-olympics-2021-b947806.html?utm_medium=Social&amputm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1627375663-1 27th Jul 2021

CDC tightens mask recommendations; South Africa registers 7,773 new cases

Daily Maverick South Africa registered 7773 new Covid19 cases bringing the cumulative total to 2391223. A further 370 Covid19related deaths were reported taking total official deaths to 70388. A total of 6854667 people have been vaccinated. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-07-27-cdc-tightens-mask-recommendations-south-africa-registers-7773-new-cases/ 27th Jul 2021

Record 1.13 million children in England absent for Covid-19 related reasons

Evening Standard Q record 1.13 million children in England were out of school for Covid19 related reasons towards the end of term Government figures show. Around 1126000 pupils missed class on Friday July 16 compared with 859000 on Friday July 9 according to Department for Education DfE statistics. The figures include 994000 children selfisolating due to a possible contact with a Covid19 case 48000 pupils with a confirmed case of coronavirus and 33300 with a suspected case. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/school-bubble-covid-absences-record-one-million-b947873.html 27th Jul 2021

'Severe' Covid-19 cases surge in Tokyo during Olympics

NBC News Japans prime minister on Tuesday said there were no plans to shut down the ongoing Olympics Games after a record number of new Covid19 cases were recorded in the countrys capital. First of all thanks to the restrictions on vehicles and through measures such as remoteworking with the cooperation of the public the flow of people has been decreasing Yoshihide Suga said during a press conference. Because the flow of people is decreasing were not worried. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/severe-covid-19-cases-surge-tokyo-during-olympics-n1275109 27th Jul 2021

Covid-19 UK: SAGE expert says group left 'scratching head' over falling infections

Daily Mail Warwick Universitys modelling suggested Britain would be seeing around 60000 cases a day at the moment. Covid cases fell for the sixth day in a row yesterday down to 24950 boosting hope the third wave has peaked. Professor Sir Mark Walport a member of SAGE said the sharp drop off in Covid infections is quite surprising https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9829681/Covid-19-UK-SAGE-expert-says-group-left-scratching-head-falling-infections.html 27th Jul 2021

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan report record daily COVID-19 infections

Reuters Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reported record numbers of fresh COVID19 infections on Tuesday standing at 6797 and 789 respectively signalling that Central Asia has yet to overcome the latest pandemic wave driven by new variants. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kazakhstan-uzbekistan-report-record-daily-covid-19-infections-2021-07-27/ 27th Jul 2021

Canada has enough COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate everyone eligible - Trudeau

Reuters on MSN.com Canada has obtained enough COVID19 vaccines to inoculate everyone who is eligible and managed to do so ahead of schedule Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday. Aides say Trudeau is set to trigger a snap election in the months ahead where one of the main campaigning points will be the Liberal governments record on fighting the pandemic. Trudeau said Canada had bought more than 66 million doses. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/canada-has-enough-covid-19-vaccines-to-inoculate-everyone-eligible-trudeau/ar-AAMBWQp 27th Jul 2021

Covid-19: Irish vaccine programme to include 12-15-year-olds

BBC News The Covid19 vaccination programme in the Republic of Ireland is to be extended to include 12 to 15 yearolds. The recommendation was made to the Irish government by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee NIAC. Earlier Taoiseach Irish PM Michel Martin said there would be further advice from the NIAC on the matter. He said it represented a significant opening up of the vaccination programme to younger people. Mr Martin said it had been a very effective programme to date and the government wanted to encourage heightened participation among the remaining age groups. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57984314 27th Jul 2021