6th Aug 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=438 lockdown_exit

Covid-19 vaccines work 'exceptionally well' against severe illness and death but no longer prevent transmission, CDC chief says

CNN Covid19 vaccines no longer prevent transmission US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Thursday. Our vaccines are working exceptionally well Walensky told CNNs Wolf Blitzer. They continue to work well for Delta with regard to severe illness and death they prevent it. But what they cant do anymore is prevent transmission. Thats why the CDC changed its guidance last week and is now recommending even vaccinated people wear masks indoors again Walensky said. https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/05/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/index.html 5th Aug 2021

Xi says China aims to provide 2 bln COVID-19 vaccine doses to world in 2021

Reuters Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said China will strive to provide 2 billion doses of COVID19 vaccines to other countries in 2021 state broadcaster CCTV reported. In his written message to an international COVID19 vaccine cooperation forum Xi also said China would donate 100 million to the COVAX global vaccine distribution scheme according to the CCTV report https://www.reuters.com/world/china/xi-says-china-aims-provide-2-bln-covid-19-vaccine-doses-world-2021-cctv-2021-08-05/ 5th Aug 2021

Festivals for Britain as events get $1 bln COVID reinsurance cover

Reuters UK Britain launched a governmentbacked reinsurance scheme totalling more than 750 million pounds 1 billion on Thursday to cover live events against cancellation risk due to the COVID19 pandemic after intense industry lobbying. Insurers stripped coronavirus cover from event cancellation policies after the pandemic took hold last year prompting top entertainment industry figures such as Andrew LloydWebber to demand a governmentbacked scheme to enable events to go ahead. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/festivals-britain-events-get-1-bln-covid-reinsurance-cover-2021-08-05/ 5th Aug 2021

'There are only so many beds': COVID-19 surge hits hospitals

The Associated Press Florida hospitals slammed with COVID19 patients are suspending elective surgeries and putting beds in conference rooms an auditorium and a cafeteria. As of midweek Mississippi had just six open intensive care beds in the entire state. Georgia medical centers are turning people away. And in Louisiana an organ transplant had to be postponed along with other procedures. We are seeing a surge like weve not seen before in terms of the patients coming Dr. Marc Napp chief medical officer for Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood Florida said Wednesday. Its the sheer number coming in at the same time. There are only so many beds so many doctors only so many nurses. https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-38917e4fd073c8142df15de2d8102a24 5th Aug 2021

Seven states make up half of COVID cases in the US: White House

Al Jazeera English Seven United States states with the lowest COVID19 vaccination rates account for half of the countrys new cases and hospitalisations in the last week despite making up less than 25 percent of the nations population the White House said on Thursday. The states are Florida Texas Missouri Arkansas Louisiana Alabama and Mississippi according to President Joe Bidens COVID19 coordinator Jeff Zients who spoke during a press briefing. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/5/seven-states-make-up-half-of-covid-19-cases-in-the-uswhite-house 5th Aug 2021

Cambodia’s nightlife scene tests COVID success

Al Jazeera English In March 2020 Cambodian authorities made it clear they would take no chances with COVID19. Tourism visas were suspended. Land borders were closed leaving citizens stranded. Curfews and domestic travel restrictions emptied the kingdoms worldrenowned archaeological sites of visitors and shut down oncebustling nightlife spots. For nearly a year such vigilance made Cambodia a COVID19 success story. As of January this year the country had recorded no deaths from the coronavirus and just 463 positive cases 86 percent of which were imported cases that were contained by what was described as a watertight quarantineonarrival system. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/5/the-house-always-wins-cambodias-casinos-roll-the-dice-on-covid 5th Aug 2021

Coronavirus Covid-19 jabs to be offered to teenagers aged 16-17 in Scotland

RossShire Journal Everyone in the 1617 age group will be offered the Covid19 vaccination in Scotland. In line with the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation JCVI they will be offered a first dose of the PfizerBioNTech jab. From Friday August 6 people who are 16 or 17 in mainland Scotland will be invited to register their interest through the online portal at NHS Inform and will then be sent an appointment via text or email. Eligible young people in Shetland Orkney and Western Isles will be contacted by their health board and invited to attend clinics. https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19-jabs-to-be-offered-to-teenagers-aged-16-246820/ 5th Aug 2021

Ignoring WHO call, Germany, France to give COVID-19 vaccine boosters

Reuters Global body disapproves of boosters until more people vaccinated. Some rich nations going ahead anyway to fend off Delta variant. Elderly and vulnerable to benefit first from booster shots. Lowincome nations suffer from lack of vaccine supplies https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-president-macron-third-covid-vaccine-doses-likely-elderly-vulnerable-2021-08-05/ 5th Aug 2021

Russia has administered COVID-19 vaccines to 39 million people

Reuters Russia has administered COVID19 vaccines to 38.9 million people about 27 of its population health minister Mikhail Murashko said on Thursday. He did not say whether the figure referred to those who have received at least one dose or those who were fully inoculated. Last month the government said 33.6 million people had received at least one dose and 22.6 million both doses https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-has-administered-covid-19-vaccines-37-million-people-report-2021-08-05/ 5th Aug 2021

Covid-19: Huge batches of extra Pfizer doses are sent to NSW and Queensland

Daily Mail Queensland and New South Wales will get thousands of Pfizer doses from next week in a bid to control Covid19 outbreaks ravaging both states. From Monday NSW will be given an extra 183690 doses of the indemand vaccine and Queensland will have an extra 112320 jabs. The supplies have been not been taken from other states but have been brought forward from September allocations. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9862671/Covid-19-Huge-batches-extra-Pfizer-doses-sent-NSW-Queensland.html 5th Aug 2021

Businesses face ‘horrible’ abuse amid UK’s coronavirus vaccine checks dilemma

POLITICO.eu Hospitality is back in business postlockdown but staff face the prospect of abuse as they grapple with confused government guidance on checking customers coronavirus status. Companies who have opted to put in place checks say they have faced a social media backlash from antivaccine and freedom campaigners. The U.K. has so far tried to encourage businesses with a higher risk of COVID transmission to voluntarily adopt its NHS COVID Pass allowing customers to prove they are free of the virus. Users can show they have either had two doses of an approved vaccine a negative PCR or lateral flow test result within 48 hours of entry or have natural immunity. Business owners making use of the scheme so far say they have been on the receiving end of abuse amid confusion from customers about the scale of the checks. https://www.politico.eu/article/businesses-face-abuse-amid-confused-uk-policy-on-vaccine-checks/ 5th Aug 2021

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wants to require U.S. troops to get coronavirus vaccine

Daily Mail Following a directive by President Joe Biden to explore the matter Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is leaning toward requiring all U.S. troops to get vaccinated for the coronavirus. The Pentagon chief has been examining the issue as the Biden administration looks for ways to boost vaccination nationwide while protecting military personnel who must content with viral variants even as they carry out their duties of providing for the national defense. Austins inclination is towards making the COVID19 vaccine mandatory for activeduty troops CNN citing a Defense official. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9862689/Defense-Secretary-Lloyd-Austin-wants-require-U-S-troops-coronavirus-vaccine.html 5th Aug 2021

Florida governor feuds with White House as COVID cases rise

Associated Press It didnt take much for the White House to set Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis off. As coronavirus cases rise across the Sun Belt President Joe Biden asked GOP governors to get out of the way of efforts to contain the virus. DeSantis fired back that he did not want to hear a blip about COVID from you thank you adding Why dont you do your job The exchange was unusually direct and bitter particularly for politicians dealing with a crisis that is killing Americans in rising numbers. But it was a sign that the nowfamiliar cudgels of virus politics debates pitting freedoms against masks and restrictions remain potent weapons. And DeSantis in particular appears eager to carry that fight into next years midterms election and beyond. https://apnews.com/article/andrew-cuomo-joe-biden-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-2c3d1a9180671ddf0db0481f28520841 5th Aug 2021

Graham says he's told Trump to 'speak up' on COVID vaccines

The Associated Press As he recovers from a breakthrough infection of the coronavirus Sen. Lindsey Graham said Thursday that he has urged former President Donald Trump to press his supporters to get the COVID19 vaccine which the South Carolina Republican called the antidote to the virus thats wreaking havoc on our hospitals. Ive urged him to be aggressive and say Take the vaccine Graham said in an extensive interview with The Associated Press his first since disclosing this week that he had tested positive for the virus months after being vaccinated. On Monday Graham said he had tested positive days after gathering with a handful of Senate colleagues on Sen. Joe Manchins houseboat. That same night Saturday Graham said he began experiencing flulike symptoms. https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-coronavirus-pandemic-8ca204ef24006ac1f5c8ed2d6070056f 5th Aug 2021

Around 14% of US population is still opposed to the vaccine and most believe it is more dangerous than Covid-19 itself

Daily Mail Around 14 per cent of US population is still opposed to the Covid19 vaccine. More than half of unvaccinated adults said vaccine is bigger risk to their health than getting infected with the virus itself. Some three quarters said they are not worried about getting seriously sick from the virus https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9864429/Around-14-population-opposed-vaccine.html 5th Aug 2021

Covid-19 vaccine programme should extend to 12-year-olds to reduce virus spread, scientists say

i on MSN.com The Government should consider extending the vaccination programme to children as young as 12 according to scientists who said it would reduce the spread of Covid19 further. The call comes as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation JCVI advised that the rollout should be extended to include 16 and 17yearolds after reviewing the latest data. Ministers have accepted the recommendation and the NHS is making preparations to start giving first doses to around 1.4 million children who will not need to obtain parental consent. The teenagers are expected to receive the Pfizer vaccine which has been approved for use in the UK for people aged 12 and over. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/familyhealth/covid-19-vaccine-programme-should-extend-to-12-year-olds-to-reduce-virus-spread-scientists-say/ar-AAMXDpR 5th Aug 2021

Almost 400,000 Brits have had 'long Covid' for over a year, official figures suggest

Daily Mail 945000 Brits were suffering from longCovid last month the ONS estimates. And 40 per cent of them had the condition for more than a year it found. Experts warn figures could be exaggerated but still expect there are high levels https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9864229/Almost-400-000-Brits-long-Covid-year-official-figures-suggest.html?ito=social-twitter_dailymailUK 5th Aug 2021

Novavax Delays Seeking U.S. Regulatory Approval for Covid-19 Vaccine

The Wall Street Journal Novavax Inc.said it would delay seeking U.S. emergency authorization for its Covid19 vaccine until the fourth quarter as it works to complete the manufacturing portion of its application. The manufacturing part has been the most work that we have to do Stanley Erck Novavax chief executive said in an interview Thursday. Hopefully October for the FDA but we dont have a date picked. He said Novavax plans to apply for approval with U.K. regulators in September and would follow shortly after in Canada and Australia. https://www.wsj.com/articles/novavax-delays-seeking-u-s-regulatory-approval-for-covid-19-vaccine-11628201917 5th Aug 2021

Moderna says its COVID-19 shot 93% effective six months after second dose

Reuters Moderna Inc said on Thursday its COVID19 shot was about 93 effective through six months after the second dose showing hardly any change from the 94 efficacy reported in its original clinical trial. However it said it still expects booster shots to be necessary ahead of the winter season as antibody levels are expected to wane. It and rival Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE have been advocating a third shot to maintain a high level of protection against COVID19. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-says-its-covid-19-shot-remains-93-effective-4-6-months-after-second-dose-2021-08-05/ 5th Aug 2021

S.Korea pledges nearly $2 bln to become major COVID-19 vaccine producer

Reuters S.Korea aims to be one of top five vaccine producers Moon. 1.92 billion to expedite local vaccines nurture talent. SK Bioscience to begin thirdphase clinical trial in August. S.Korea grapples with new COVID19 wave vaccine shortages https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/skoreas-moon-vows-invest-192-bln-by-2025-boost-vaccine-capacity-blue-house-2021-08-05/ 5th Aug 2021

Coronavirus vaccine does protect against spread: RIVM research

DutchNews.nl Coronavirus vaccines are extremely effective at preventing the spread of the Alpha variant of the disease but the impact may be less on the more infectious Delta variant according to researchers at Dutch public health institute RIVM. The researchers studied how often people who have been fully vaccinated infected others in their household between February and May when the Alpha variant was dominant in the Netherlands. The study showed that people living in the same household as people who were fully vaccinated but picked up coronavirus were 71 less likely to be infected than household members of unvaccinated people. https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2021/08/coronavirus-vaccine-does-protect-against-spread-rivm-research/ 5th Aug 2021

Monoclonal antibody could inform development of pan-coronavirus vaccines

News-Medical.Net Researchers in the United States have demonstrated the potential of a monoclonal antibody to inform the design of pancoronavirus vaccines that could prevent the outbreak of future pandemics such as coronavirus disease 2019 COVID19. The team from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle Washington and The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla California had already shown that the antibody called CV325 neutralizes the B.1.351 beta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2. Furthermore the antibody cross neutralized SARSCoV1 and displayed crossreactive binding to recombinant proteins derived from the human coronaviruses OC43 and HKU. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210804/Monoclonal-antibody-could-inform-development-of-pan-coronavirus-vaccines.aspx 5th Aug 2021

COVID: In Florida hospitals, ‘there are only so many beds’

The Associated Press Florida hospitals slammed with COVID19 patients are suspending elective surgeries and putting beds in conference rooms an auditorium and a cafeteria. In Georgia medical centers are turning people away for lack of space. And in Louisiana the sick are left waiting and waiting some more in the emergency room before being airlifted elsewhere. We are seeing a surge like weve not seen before in terms of the patients coming Dr. Marc Napp chief medical officer for Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood Florida said Wednesday. Its the sheer number coming in at the same time. There are only so many beds so many doctors only so many nurses. https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-38917e4fd073c8142df15de2d8102a24 5th Aug 2021

Tokyo logs record 5,042 cases as infections surge amid Games

The Associated Press Tokyo reported 5042 new coronavirus cases on Thursday its most since the pandemic began as infections surge in the Japanese capital hosting the Olympics. Tokyo has been under a state of emergency since midJuly and four other areas of the country have since been added. But the measures basically shorter opening hours and a ban on alcohol for restaurants and bars are increasingly ignored by the public which has become tired of restrictions. We need to tackle the situation now that we have a stronger sense of urgency Prime Minister Yosihide Suga told reporters referring to Tokyo exceeding 5000 new daily cases for the first time. The infections are expanding at a pace we have never experienced before. https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-lifestyle-sports-coronavirus-pandemic-business-0b250f40128b0892863bc55067a4ba39 5th Aug 2021

Delta variant challenges China’s costly lockdown strategy

The Associated Press The delta variant is challenging Chinas costly strategy of isolating cities prompting warnings that Chinese leaders who were confident they could keep the coronavirus out of the country need a less disruptive approach. As the highly contagious variant pushes leaders in the United States Australia and elsewhere to renew restrictions President Xi Jinpings government is fighting the most serious outbreak since last years peak in Wuhan. The ruling Communist Party is reviving tactics that shut down China Access to a city of 1.5 million people has been cut off flights canceled and mass testing ordered in some areas. https://apnews.com/article/business-health-china-coronavirus-pandemic-292b84b26eb41888c579a6460c2647c3 5th Aug 2021

Covid: Fifth of England hospital admissions aged 18-34

BBC News One in five people being admitted to hospital in England with Covid is aged between 18 and 34 the new chief executive of NHS England has said. In her first major interview Amanda Pritchard told the BBC that about 1000 young adults were currently really unwell in hospital. She said it was so important people came forward to get vaccinated. She added the level of young adults being admitted to hospital was four times higher than the peak last winter. About 5.5 of those in hospital during the winter surge were young adults. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58095503 5th Aug 2021

Australia's New South Wales reports 262 local COVID-19 cases, five deaths

Reuters Australias New South Wales state reported on Thursday five deaths and 262 locallyacquired cases of COVID19 up from 233 a day earlier as numbers continued to climb despite state capital Sydney nearing six weeks in a hard lockdown. Of the new cases at least 43 have spent time in the community while infectious the states health department said https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-australia/australias-new-south-wales-reports-262-local-covid-19-cases-five-deaths-idUSS9N2NY02O 5th Aug 2021

Coronavirus Australia: Tasmania records its first case of Covid-19 in eight months

Daily Mail Positive case travelled from Melbourne to Launceston Airport on August 2. Man aged in his 30s was taken to hotel quarantine and tested for Covid19. He decided to fly back to NSW without waiting for the results of the test. Man began experiencing symptoms on Thursday and returned a positive test. Blockbuster AFL match between Collingwood and Hawthorn has been cancelled https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9863341/Coronavirus-Australia-Tasmania-records-case-Covid-19-eight-months.html 5th Aug 2021

WHO says COVID-19 related deaths in Africa reach record peak

Reuters Coronavirus related deaths in Africa reached record peak in the week that ended on Aug. 1 the World Health Organization WHO said on Thursday. Over 6400 deaths were recorded a 2 rise compared with the previous week with South Africa and Tunisia accounting for over 55 of the fatalities the WHO said in a statement adding that death trends are on the rise in 15 countries. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/who-says-covid-19-related-deaths-africa-reach-record-peak-2021-08-05/ 5th Aug 2021

Israelis told to 'stop embracing', elderly urged to get booster as Covid-19 cases spike

CNN on MSN.com Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is warning that Israelis over 60 are at risk unless they go get their third booster shot immediately. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israelis-told-to-stop-embracing-elderly-urged-to-get-booster-as-covid-19-cases-spike/ar-AAMYp7X 5th Aug 2021

Delta variant is ravaging the world but it's pushing Southeast Asia to breaking point

CNN Countries across Asia are grappling with their worst coronavirus outbreaks of the pandemic spurred by low vaccine rates and the highlycontagious Delta variant. While nations such as China Japan and South Korea are seeing growing outbreaks the sharp edge of the Delta wave is being keenly felt in Southeast Asia with countries seeing rapid rises in case numbers and deaths. https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/04/asia/southeast-asia-delta-covid-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html 5th Aug 2021

Japan to expand COVID curbs amid ‘unprecedented’ surge in cases

AlJazeera Japan is preparing to expand emergency restrictions to eight more prefectures to fight a surge in COVID19 cases as worries grow about strains on the medical system in Tokyo as it hosts the Olympics. The planned move comes on Thursday as coronavirus infections surged at an unprecedented pace overshadowing the Summer Games and driving doubts about Prime Minister Yoshihide Sugas handling of the pandemic. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/5/japan-to-expand-covid-curbs-amid-unprecedented-surge-in-cases 5th Aug 2021

Chaos in Manila as thousands rush to get vaccine before lockdown

Reuters Chaos overtook several COVID19 vaccination sites in Manila on Thursday as thousands showed up hoping to receive a shot before the Philippines capital heads back into lockdown for two weeks. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chaos-manila-vaccine-sites-thousands-rush-get-shots-before-lockdown-2021-08-05/ 5th Aug 2021