7th Oct 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=512 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Britain is aiming early next year to be ready to start charging for some previously free COVID19 tests two sources close to the health service said a step one described as driven by the finance ministrys desire to rein in spending. The government and health officials have said that rapid testing via easytouse lateral flow tests is crucial for tracking the spread of COVID19 with regular testing of those without symptoms identifying around a quarter of all cases. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-readying-payment-systems-charge-rapid-covid-19-testing-sources-2021-10-06/ 7th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg For much of the pandemic a group of places in the AsiaPacific brought infections to zero becoming virusfree havens in a world ravaged by the pathogen. Now with the rise of the delta variant and the proliferation of vaccines only one is still holding fast to that goal of eliminating Covid19 China. With New Zealand preparing to shift away from the zerotolerance strategy Chinas isolation is complete raising the stakes on how long it can stick to a playbook that requires closed borders abrupt lockdowns and repeated disruption of social and economic activity. One by one Covid Zero places like Singapore and Australia have decided that the approach is unsustainable pivoting instead to vaccination to protect people from serious illness and death while easing off on attempts to control the number of infections. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-05/another-covid-zero-country-falls-making-china-the-last-holdout 6th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Bank of America Corp. is offering 200 awards to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management branch employees who return to the workplace and confirm theyre fully vaccinated against Covid19. The company will give the award to client associates administrative support and operations staff in recognition of the important work they are doing as the business has transitioned back into the office a Merrill spokesman said in a statement to Bloomberg News. While the new policy stops short of being a mandate like those put in place by United Airlines Holdings Inc. and Microsoft Corp. Bank of America is following other U.S. companies in providing a financial incentive to get the shots. Delta Air Lines Inc. is imposing a 200 monthly surcharge on employees who arent vaccinated. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-06/bofa-gives-200-to-merrill-staff-who-confirm-vaccination-status 6th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

AlJazeera Sweden and Denmark have said they will pause the use of Modernas COVID19 vaccine for younger age groups after reports of possible rare side effects such as myocarditis. The Swedish health agency said on Wednesday it would pause using the shot for people born in 1991 and after as data pointed to an increase of myocarditis and pericarditis among youths and young adults that had been vaccinated. Those conditions involve an inflammation of the heart or its lining. The connection is especially clear when it comes to Modernas vaccine Spikevax especially after the second dose the health agency said in a statement adding the risk of being affected was very small. Anders Tegnell Swedens chief epidemiologist said the health agency would continue to follow the situation closely and act quickly to ensure that vaccinations against COVID19 are always as safe as possible and at the same time provide effective protection against the disease. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/6/sweden-denmark-pause-moderna-covid-jabs-for-younger-age-groups 6th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

STAT News The first days of summer this year saw Americans jubilant as Covid19 cases plummeted across the country. The sentiment morphed to anger as the Delta variant exploded and as vaccine holdouts prolonged the pain of the pandemic and then to despair that even with remarkably protective shots some communities with low vaccine coverage endured their worst stretches of the crisis. Now with trend lines heading in the right direction were moving toward a kind of timid optimism. People are almost holding their breath said Columbia University epidemiologist Wafaa ElSadr. Theyre encouraged but at the same time theyre hypervigilant. Its really a result of prior experiences. There are reasons to allow at least partially for an exhale. The Southern states that witnessed horrific summertime waves have seen them subside after the Delta variant swept through so many of the people who remained susceptible. Nationally cases have fallen by a third in recent weeks and have been dropping for enough time that now deaths are coming down. Hospitalizations have declined to below 75000 for the first time in weeks. All those metrics got so high however that they have quite a ways to plunge to reach the levels of June. https://www.statnews.com/2021/10/06/pandemic-emotion-stages-anxious-optimism/ 6th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

The New York Times Los Angeles will require most people to provide proof of full coronavirus vaccination to enter a range of indoor businesses including restaurants gyms museums movie theaters and salons in one of the nations strictest vaccine rules. The new law which was approved by the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday will allow people with medical conditions that do not allow them to be vaccinated or who have a sincerely held religious objection to instead show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within the preceding 72 hours. It will take effect on Nov. 4 which city officials have said should give the city and businesses enough time to figure out how the rule should be enforced. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/06/world/americas/los-angeles-vaccine-requirements.html 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Al Jazeera English on MSN.com Canada will require federal employees to be vaccinated against COVID19 or be placed on unpaid administrative leave the government announced as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strengthened his governments efforts to combat the pandemic. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning Trudeau also announced that domestic travellers will need to show proof of vaccination to board aeroplanes trains or cruise ships operating within the country. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/canada-to-require-federal-workers-be-vaccinated-against-covid/ar-AAPcAYG 7th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

The New York Times The White House on Wednesday announced a billiondollar investment in athome rapid coronavirus tests that it said would help quadruple their availability by later this year. By December 200 million rapid tests will be available to Americans each month with tens of millions more arriving on the market in the coming weeks Jeffrey D. Zients the White Houses Covid19 coordinator said at a news conference. Mr. Zients also said the administration would double the number of sites in the federal governments free pharmacy testing program to 20000. The changes reflect the administrations growing emphasis on athome testing as a tool for slowing the spread of Covid19. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/06/us/politics/biden-rapid-covid-tests.html 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters The number of new COVID19 infections has been dropping over the past month throughout the Americas even though only 37 of the people in Latin America and the Caribbean are fully vaccinated the Pan American Health Organization PAHO said. PAHO also said it has closed vaccine supply agreements with Sinovac and AstraZeneca for the delivery of 8.5 million doses this year and with Chinas Sinopharm for next year. Jamaica Nicaragua and Haiti have yet to reach even 10 vaccination coverage PAHO said. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/covid-infections-dropping-throughout-americas-says-health-agency-2021-10-06/ 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Associated Press Los Angeles leaders approved one of the nations strictest vaccine mandates a sweeping measure that requires the shots for everyone entering bars restaurants nail salons gyms or even a Lakers game. The City Council voted 112 in favor of the ordinance that will require proof of full vaccination starting Nov. 4. The move came after the council postponed a vote last week to deal with concerns ranging from who could be fined for violations to whether employees could end up in fistfights when they have to serve as vaccine door monitors. Some critics charge that a mandate would amount to segregation of those who cannot or refuse to be vaccinated. Others call it unenforceable. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-los-angeles-health-57e9f1de7f9636f0567b00f7f551e41e 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

The Washington Post A Coloradobased health system says it is denying organ transplants to patients not vaccinated against the coronavirus in almost all situations citing studies that show these patients are much more likely to die if they get covid19. The policy illustrates the growing costs of being unvaccinated and wades into deeply controversial territory the use of immunization status to decide who gets limited medical care. The mere idea of prioritizing the vaccinated for rationed health resources has drawn intense backlash as overwhelmingly unvaccinated covid19 patients push some hospitals to adopt crisis standards of care in which health systems can prioritize patients for scarce resources based largely on their likelihood of survival. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/10/05/uchealth-transplant-unvaccinated/ 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

POLITICO Europe The worlds two leading medicines regulators have reached different decisions on a third dose of the BioNTechPfizer COVID19 vaccine and its partly because of the complexity of the EU according to the European Medicines Agency. On September 22 the U.S. FDA authorized the use of the vaccine as a third or booster dose for all over 65s and only those over 18 who are at greater risk from infection such as those with underlying illnesses or frequently exposed to the virus like health workers. By contrast the European Medicines Agency said on Monday that the third dose can be given to all healthy people over 18 at least six months after their second dose. https://www.politico.eu/article/complex-eu-leads-europe-to-diverge-from-us-on-coronavirus-vaccine-booster/ 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

The Guardian The distribution of Covid boosters for the most vulnerable people and second shots of vaccine for teenagers should be accelerated to help prevent a winter surge of coronavirus overburdening the NHS a senior scientist has said. Prof Neil Ferguson said Englands vaccine strategy had been cautious in recent months with many teenagers having only one jab and boosters for the most vulnerable people given no sooner than six months after their second dose. Ferguson said it was unclear whether the winter would bring another substantial wave of infections but with new cases already high at about 30000 a day even a moderate rise could put the NHS under pressure. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/05/england-urged-step-up-vaccinations-avoid-winter-covid-surge 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

The Atlantic Scientists dont agree on whether approving COVID19 boosters for certain nonelderly Americans as the CDC did recently was the right move. The president the CDC and the FDA have issued a series of conflicting statements on the issue. Some experts have indignantly resigned. Others have published frustrated opeds. President Joe Biden who got a booster shot this week and called on other eligible Americans to do the same remains enthusiastic. The split between Bidenadministration scientists such as Chief Medical Adviser Anthony Fauci and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and other scientists over boosters might seem confusing. One possible explanation for it has largely escaped notice Vaccinated Americans seem to really want boosters which means that the shots could have benefits that go well beyond extra protection against COVID. Those benefits could be psychological and economicand for the president political. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/10/psychological-benefits-covid-19-boosters/620259/ 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Kazakhstan has signed a deal to buy about 4 million doses of Pfizer COVID19 vaccine healthcare minister Alexei Tsoi said. The Central Asian nations government has said it will offer the Pfizer shots at least initially only to children aged 12 and older and to pregnant women. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kazakhstan-buy-4-mln-doses-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-2021-10-06/ 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

BBC News First Minister Paul Givan has said he hopes Northern Irelands government will not have to deploy contingency coronavirus plans to help manage health pressures this winter. The executive will meet on Thursday to look at the remaining Covid19 rules. Those include social distancing in hospitality venues and mandatory wearing of face coverings. Mr Givan said he hoped there would be the headspace to approve more relaxations. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-58807709 6th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Associated Press Online school disrupted kids educations and parents work. Then the return of inperson school this year brought rising exposures and community tension as parents fought over proper protocols. The politicization of masks vaccines and shutdowns have worn many parents out. Deciding whats OK for children to do and what isnt can feel fraught. Schools are for many a constant worry. Theres evidence that masks in schools help reduce virus spread and a majority of Americans support requiring masks for students and teachers. But that breaks down sharply along partisan lines. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-business-stress-education-6d8436b05d64cbd831c69801a1009ce4 5th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Canada will place unvaccinated federal employees on unpaid leave and require COVID19 shots for air train and ship passengers Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday as he unveiled one of the worlds strictest vaccine mandate policies. Federal employees will be required to declare their full vaccination status through an online portal by Oct. 29. Workers and passengers age 12 and older on trains planes and marine transport operating domestically which are federally regulated must show they have been inoculated by Oct. 30. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/unvaccinated-federal-workers-canada-will-be-put-unpaid-leave-globe-mail-2021-10-06/ 6th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

Yahoo News UK A New Hampshire lawmaker circulated the groundless and absurd claim that coronavirus vaccines contain a living organism with tentacles. Rep. Ken Weyler a Republican appears to support the claim made in a 52page report he emailed to other lawmakers prompting calls for his removal as the head of a government committee. State Rep. Mary Jane Wallner a Democrat on Monday released a statement describing the document she said was sent to her and other lawmakers. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/hampshire-lawmaker-made-absurd-claim-140321465.html 6th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

BBC News Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough and players Stuart Dallas and Niall McGinn give their opinions on whether footballers should be vaccinated against Covid19. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/58818922 6th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

The Independent Two antivaxx demonstrators attacked a Covid19 testing site on Monday during a protest against New York states vaccine mandate. A video caught the men in Union Square flipping over a table next to a mobile coronavirus testing van tearing down the tent erected next to it and tossing a chair before police intervened to stop them permanently destroying any property. Protesters at the rally shouted boo and shame on you at the staff member working at the Covid19 testing site as they went past followed by chants of no vaccine mandate. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/antivaxx-covid-testing-site-new-york-b1932588.html 6th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

The Associated Press The right of individuals to decline the coronavirus vaccine and the right of businesses to require it as a condition of employment are at the center of debate over proposed House Republican legislation limiting employers ability to mandate COVID19 vaccination. Lawmakers on Wednesday began additional hearings on the bill after a failed effort last week to fasttrack a full House vote on the legislation. All major business and health care organizations oppose the legislation that would allow public and private sector employees to seek exemptions from employermandated coronavirus vaccines. The hearing is meant to explore the line between personal freedom and company rights to mandate your vaccination in terms of employment said House Commerce and Labor Chairman Dick Stein a Norwalk Republican. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-ohio-bills-coronavirus-vaccine-b8de58f13b4341f71c99154afe0a9e9f 6th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

CNN A Texas man was sentenced to more than a year in federal prison for spreading a hoax related to Covid19 on social media prosecutors said. Evidence showed Christopher Charles Perez 40 posted two threatening messages on Facebook in April 2020 falsely claiming he paid someone infected with Covid19 to lick items at grocery stores in the San Antonio area to scare people away from the businesses the US Attorneys Office in the Western District of Texas said in a news release Monday. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/us/texas-man-sentenced-covid-hoax/index.html 6th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

iNews Children as young as two who develop coughing or a high temperature are having to endure invasive PCR tests by nurseries who are going further than Government guidelines state according to a leading public health expert. Allyson Pollock clinical professor of public health at Newcastle University said it is madness that children who develop common cold symptoms are not allowed to return to the setting until they have a negative swab test and that the issue should be challenged in court. Department for Education guidelines state that any child who develops symptoms however mild should be sent home where they should follow public health advice. Children aged under 5 years old who are identified as close contacts of someone with Covid will only be advised to take a PCR test if the positive case is in their own household. https://inews.co.uk/news/covid-nursery-pcr-test-children-1232465 6th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

NDTV The World Health Organizations Covid19 chief warned Tuesday Were not out of the woods in the fight against the pandemic even if many people thought it was nearly over. Maria Van Kerkhove the technical lead for WHOs Covid19 said last week 3.1 million known new cases were reported to the UN health agency and 54000 more deaths though the true numbers would be much higher. The situation is still incredibly dynamic. And its dynamic because we dont have control over this virus she said during a live presentation on the WHOs social media channels. Were not out of the woods. Were very much in the middle of this pandemic. But where in the middle... were not quite sure yet because frankly were not using the tools we have right now to get us closer to the end. She added What I really struggle with is in some cities we see ICUs intensive care units and hospitals full and people dying yet on the streets people are acting like its completely over. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/coronavirus-misinformation-on-covid-vaccines-resulting-in-people-dying-who-warns-2565266 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters A new study helps quantify the improved protection against COVID19 achieved with a third booster dose of the vaccine from Pfizer Inc PFE.N and BioNTech SE in cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can weaken the ability of cancer patients to fight off infections and to respond appropriately to vaccines said Deepta Bhattacharya of the University of Arizona College of Medicine coauthor of the study reported in Nature Medicine. Her team studied 53 patients receiving chemotherapy for solidtumor cancers who received two shots of the vaccine. Almost all of the subjects had an immune response after vaccination. But the magnitude of these responses was worse than in people without cancer in almost every metric that we measured Bhattacharya said. In all likelihood this leaves cancer patients more susceptible to infection and COVID19 than healthy vaccinated people. The researchers were able to bring back 20 of the study participants for a third vaccine dose to see if immune responses would improve. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/booster-shot-improves-immune-response-chemotherapy-patients-post-covid-2021-10-06/?taid=615e34ffa677770001900818&amputm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amputm_medium=trueAnthem&amputm_source=twitter 7th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg on MSN.com A study of adults who received booster doses of different Covid19 vaccines than their original shots has been completed Fauci said in an interview on Bloomberg Televisions Balance of Power with David Westin and the data have been presented to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The National Institutes of Health study looked at the safety immunogenicity and efficacy of mixing and matching of the three U.S. authorized vaccines for booster purposes. The vaccine from partners Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE has been cleared as a booster for vulnerable people such as the elderly and immunocompromised. Next up for the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is consideration of boosters from Moderna Inc. and Johnson Johnson. https://www.msn.com/en-us/finance/markets/fda-is-reviewing-data-on-mixing-and-matching-boosters-fauci-says/ar-AAPcYdF 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Sweden and Denmark decided to halt vaccinations with Moderna Inc.s Covid19 shot for younger people because of potential side effects. The Swedish health authority Wednesday cited new data on the increased risk of heart inflammation as a reason for the pause for those aged 30 and under. Denmark will stop giving the shot to those younger than 18. Moderna shares fell as much as 5.3 in New York trading. We are monitoring the situation closely and are acting rapidly to ensure that Covid19 vaccinations are constantly as safe as possible while also providing protection said Anders Tegnell Swedens chief epidemiologist. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-06/sweden-halts-moderna-s-covid-vaccine-for-people-aged-30-or-under 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Seven months after the second dose there is no reduction in the efficacy of COVID19 mRNA vaccines in the general population in Italy while a slight decline is seen for some specific groups the National Health Institute ISS said on Wednesday. The report led by ISS and the health ministry examined data up to Aug. 29 from more than 29 million people who had received two doses of an mRNA vaccine such as those produced by Pfizer and Moderna. It said that in the general population effectiveness against infection after seven months remained at 89 while against hospitalisation and death this time six months after the second dose it remained at 96 and 99 respectively. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/italy-says-mrna-covid-jab-effectiveness-stable-after-7-months-not-all-2021-10-06/ 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters on MSN.com Sweden will pause the use of Modernas COVID19 vaccine for people born 1991 and later after reports of possible rare side effects such as myocarditis the Swedish health agency said on Wednesday. The Swedish Public Health Agency has decided to suspend the use of Modernas vaccine Spikevax for everyone born 1991 and later for precautionary reasons it said in a statement. The cause is signals of an increased risk of side effects such as myocarditis and pericarditis. However the risk of being affected is very small it said. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/sweden-pauses-use-of-moderna-covid-vaccine-cites-rare-side-effects/ar-AAPcdpE 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

MarketWatch Scancell Holdings PLC said Tuesday that it has dosed its first subject in its clinical trial for its Scov1 and Scov2 vaccine candidates which aim to protect against all Covid19 variants of concern. The biopharmaceutical company said that the first patient was dosed in South Africa as part of the program dubbed Covidity and the candidate was administered using the PharmJet needlefree injection system. The objectives of the first part of the trial are to assess the safety and immunogenicity of Scov1 and Scov2 which target the original virus and variant viruses respectively in healthy nonvaccinated subjects. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/scancell-doses-first-subject-in-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-271633448357 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Merck announced on Wednesday a supply and purchase agreement that will provide Singapore with access to its experimental oral COVID19 antiviral drug the latest Asian country to try to snap up supplies. Molnupiravir is designed to introduce errors into the genetic code of the virus and would be the first oral antiviral medication for COVID19. Merck is seeking approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the pill.Singapores health ministry did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the Merck agreement. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/merck-says-deal-signed-with-singapore-covid-19-antiviral-pill-2021-10-06/ 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Medical News Today Individuals with long COVID exhibit lingering symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog that persist beyond the typical recovery period of 34 weeks after the symptom onset. A recent study assessed the incidence of long COVID symptoms using data extracted from deidentified electronic health records. The study found that more than one in three individuals experienced long COVID symptoms 36 months after receiving a COVID19 diagnosis. The study also reports that women older adults and individuals with severe illness during the initial phase of a SARSCoV2 infection had an increased likelihood of experiencing long COVID symptoms. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/more-than-one-third-of-covid-19-patients-may-experience-long-covid-symptoms 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Australian diagnostic test maker Ellume has recalled some lots of its COVID19 home test saying they may show falsepositive results due to a recently identified manufacturing issue. The company said of the 427000 tests that were affected it had recalled about 195000 tests as they were unused. Ellume has investigated the issue identified the root cause and implemented additional controls the company told Reuters on Wednesday. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/australias-ellume-recalls-some-covid-19-test-kits-over-false-positives-2021-10-05/ 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The United Arab Emirates has authorised the Russiadeveloped oneshot Sputnik Light as both a standalone COVID19 vaccine and a booster shot Russias sovereign fund RDIF said on Wednesday. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-authorises-sputnik-light-covid-19-vaccine-russias-rdif-2021-10-06/ 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC News Doses of the Pfizer Covid19 vaccine are to be made in Swindon Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced. It will be made at the Thermo Fisher Scientific site and production is expected to start in 2022. The firm already makes the vaccine at its facility in Monza Italy. A statement from Pfizer said that regulatory approval transfer of technology and onsite development work means production cannot immediately begin. It added The support from Thermo Fisher one of more than 20 contract manufacturers across four continents that are or will be helping manufacture the vaccine is an example of our efforts to deliver the vaccine to people around the world as quickly as possible. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-58817833 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard The rate of Covid19 reinfections remains low according to new analysis. When people do get infected for a second time the virus is much less likely to cause serious illness according to the Office for National Statistics ONS. Reinfections become more likely as time goes on the analysis suggested. It also highlighted how some people are more likely to be reinfected than others. Kara Steel senior statistician for the Covid19 Infection Survey said The analysis shows that the estimated number of Covid19 reinfections in the UK remains low. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/office-for-national-statistics-people-women-delta-b959064.html 6th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

AlJazeera Mask wearing has been a hotly debated topic but most scientists agree that face coverings do help reduce the spread of the coronavirus though the degree to which they do so depends on the quality of the masks themselves. Because about one in three people who have COVID19 display no symptoms at all widespread use of masks remains important. A study which reviewed the evidence on mask wearing found in favour of widespread mask use by infected people as a way to help reduce community transmission concluding that the available evidence suggests that nearuniversal adoption of any face covering at all in combination with complementary public health measures could successfully reduce the community spread of COVID. Models suggest that public mask wearing is most effective at reducing the spread of the virus when compliance is high. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/10/6/cloth-vs-n95-which-coronavirus-mask-should-you-wear 6th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to require patrons at indoor spaces such as restaurants gyms and movie theaters to show proof of full Covid19 vaccination starting November 4. The ordinance will also apply to personal care establishments such as spas and hair salons as well as city buildings. And while the measure doesnt go into effect until next month businesses must display advisory notice of the requirement by October 21. Individuals with medical or religious exemptions must provide a form declaring that. People who do not meet those requirements can use the outdoor spaces of a business and will be allowed in the covered spaces to use restrooms or pick up takeout orders. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/health/us-coronavirus-wednesday/index.html 6th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Polands daily COVID19 cases have risen by around 70 in the past week to over 2000 a government official said on Wednesday warning the country that a fourth wave of the outbreak is gathering pace. Polands health service was stretched to its limits in the spring by a third wave of the pandemic that saw daily cases exceed 35000 but authorities believe vaccinations will help control the number of infections this autumn. Todays data is a very fast flashing red light Waldemar Kraska a deputy health minister told public broadcaster Polskie Radio 1 adding that there were 2085 cases reported on Wednesday. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polands-daily-covid-19-cases-up-by-70-past-week-deputy-minister-2021-10-06/ 6th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Russia reported 929 coronavirusrelated deaths on Wednesday the largest singleday death toll it has recorded since the pandemic began. The government coronavirus task force also said it had recorded 25133 new cases in the last 24 hours a slight increase from a day earlier. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-reports-record-daily-death-toll-covid-19-2021-10-06/ 6th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Sky News The UK has recorded 33869 new COVID19 cases and a further 166 coronavirusrelated deaths in the latest 24hour period according to government data. The figures compare with 35077 COVID19 infections and 33 fatalities reported yesterday and 34526 cases and 167 deaths recorded this time last week. The number of people in hospital with the disease stands at 6747 the latest data shows slightly down from 7038 seven days earlier with 769 of those on ventilators. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-uk-records-33-869-new-cases-and-166-more-coronavirus-related-deaths-daily-figures-show-12426658 6th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Al Jazeera English Tens of thousands of Vietnamese who once made a living in Ho Chi Minh City the countrys COVID19 epicentre are returning to their home provinces in desperation after authorities lifted a strict stayathome order last week raising fears that the highly infectious Delta variant could spread in parts of the country where vaccination rates remain low. The mass exodus which began on Friday has left local officials in the Mekong Delta region and the Central Highlands scrambling to track and quarantine the returnees many of whom had weathered months of lockdown without work or sufficient food in Ho Chi Minh City and its surrounding provinces. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/6/fears-of-covid-surge-in-vietnam-as-workers-flee-ho-chi-minh-city 6th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters New daily COVID19 cases in Australias Victoria and New South Wales states the epicentres of the countrys worst virus outbreak fell on Wednesday as authorities look to start easing tough restrictions amid a rise in vaccination rates. A total of 1420 new locally acquired cases were reported in Victoria most of them in the state capital Melbourne down from a record 1763 on Tuesday. Eleven new deaths were registered the states highest daily number in the current outbreak. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-reports-easing-new-covid-19-infections-vaccinations-rise-2021-10-05/ 6th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The number of daily coronavirusrelated deaths in Ukraine topped 300 for the first time since midMay health ministry data showed on Tuesday. The ministry reported 317 deaths over the past 24 hours and 9846 new infections. The number of new COVID19 cases has been growing for several weeks and the government has tightened lockdown restrictions. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-daily-covid-19-deaths-top-300-first-time-since-may-2021-10-05/ 6th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Associated Press on MSN.com Wyomings COVID19 death toll has surpassed 1000. The deaths of 45 more people in recent weeks brought the states death toll from the virus to 1041 according to Wyoming Department of Health figures as of Wednesday. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/wyoming-covid-19-death-toll-tops-1000/ar-AAPd4Ps 6th Oct 2021