11th Oct 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=514 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The New York Times When Turkey was taken off Britains red list for travel last month Sally Morrow an English expatriate living in the Turkish capital of Ankara rushed to her computer and booked flights to London so that she could reunite with her ailing parents after more than six months apart. But soon after her ticket confirmation came through Ms. Morrow 47 read that the certificate she received when she was vaccinated in Turkey with the PfizerBioNTech coronavirus vaccine would not be accepted in Britain. As a result Ms. Morrow would be required to quarantine for 10 days and take at least three negative coronavirus tests before being permitted to leave isolation there. I had the Pfizer jab the RollsRoyce of vaccines the exact same one as millions of Brits yet Im considered unvaccinated simply because I got my vaccine abroad Ms. Morrow said. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/08/travel/travel-vaccine.html 9th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

Deutsche Welle Brazilian President Bolsonaro called it a little flu. Now his country has the highest coronavirus death toll after the United States. Infection and death rates are slowly easing but thats little consolation for the bereaved. https://www.dw.com/en/covid-19-special-bolsonaros-pandemic-failure/av-59451511 9th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

DW (English) The goal for all countries is to make it to the blue section of the chart and stay there. Countries and territories in this section have reported no new cases for four weeks in a row. Currently that is the case for five out of 188 countries and territories. How has the COVID19 trend evolved over the past weeks The situation has deteriorated slightly 65 countries have reported more cases in the past two weeks compared with the previous 14 days. What is the current COVID19 trend in my country Based on the newly reported case numbers which can reflect local outbreaks as well as the countrywide spread in the past 28 days countries and territories classify as follows https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-global-pandemic-trend/a-53954594 9th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

Associated Press Straining under a pandemic workload and battered by a string of public controversies one of the leading agencies in the governments fight against COVID19 is finally on the verge of getting a new commissioner. After nearly nine months of searching President Joe Biden says hes close to naming his choice to lead the Food and Drug Administration which oversees vaccines drugs and tests. Former FDA officials and other experts say the decision cannot come soon enough for the agencys beleaguered regulators. Thousands of FDA staffers are exhausted after racing for more than a year and a half to review products to battle the coronavirus and the agencys reputation for rigorous sciencebased regulation has been threatened by contentious disputes over COVID19 booster shots and an unproven new Alzheimers drug. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-science-business-health-62291dd94de2ec922bd9a76cbf389d66 9th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

The Wall Street Journal For all the change brought on by the pandemic women in whitecollar roles still made strides at nearly every level of U.S. companies last year a comprehensive new study shows. The proportion of women in the corporate workforce didnt decline significantly last year and the number of women holding some senior roles increased according to data from the 2021 Women in the Workplace report by McKinsey Co. and LeanIn.Org. But the report also found that women are experiencing higher rates of burnout than men and are questioning whether they want to remain with their companies and on their existing career paths. Lareina Yee a senior partner at McKinsey who previously served as the firms chief diversity and inclusion officer and Rachel Thomas Lean Ins cofounder and CEO spoke separately with the Journal about some of the takeaways from this years report. Here are edited excerpts of the conversations. https://www.wsj.com/articles/womens-careers-pandemic-toll-11632520837 9th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg The Latvian government declared a threemonth state of emergency after coronavirus infections hit a record and hospitalizations rose the countrys public broadcaster reported. The state of emergency will start on Oct. 11 and will mandate vaccinations for public sector workers restrictions on retail and bars and push more people to work from home. Latvia recorded a record 1752 new Covid cases on Thursday with more than 700 in the hospital. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-08/latvia-declares-three-month-covid-state-of-emergency-lsm 9th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters The United States will accept the use by international visitors of COVID19 vaccines authorized by U.S. regulators or the World Health Organization the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said late on Friday. On Sept. 20 the White House announced the United States in November would lift travel restrictions on air travelers from 33 countries including China India Brazil and most of Europe who are fully vaccinated against COVID19. It did not specify then which vaccines would be accepted. A CDC spokeswoman told Reuters Friday Six vaccines that are FDA authorizedapproved or listed for emergency use by WHO will meet the criteria for travel to the U.S. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-will-accept-who-approved-covid-19-vaccines-international-visitors-2021-10-08/ 9th Oct 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters The COVID19 pandemic led to a surge in anxiety and major depressive disorders across the world particularly among women and young people a study published in the Lancet on Friday found. Young people suffered as school closures kept them away from friends and many women found themselves bearing the brunt of household work and facing an increased risk of domestic violence the researchers said. The study led by academics at the University of Queensland Australia recorded 76 million additional cases of anxiety disorders and 53 million of major depressive disorder as COVID19 spread in 2020. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/anxiety-surged-during-pandemic-particularly-among-women-study-2021-10-08/ 8th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Italy has decided to provide a booster shot of Pfizer and BioNTechs COVID19 vaccine to frail people regardless of their age as well as people aged 60 and over the health ministry said on Friday. The booster dose would be available on condition that at least six months have passed since people completed their primary vaccination cycle the ministry said in a statement. The European Unions drugs regulator said on Monday people with weakened immune systems should get a third dose of a COVID19 vaccine from PfizerBioNTech or Moderna but left it to member states to decide if the wider population should have a booster https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-widens-covid-19-vaccine-booster-campaign-frail-over-60s-2021-10-08/ 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

The Associated Press Louisianas problem of wasted COVID19 vaccine shots continues to balloon with about 224000 doses thrown out across the state as health providers cant find enough residents willing to roll up their sleeves. The number of trashed doses has nearly tripled since the end of July even as Louisiana grappled with a fourth deadly surge of the coronavirus pandemic during that time that led to increased interest in the vaccines. The latest data provided to The Associated Press by the Louisiana Department of Health showed 223918 doses of the twoshot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the oneshot Johnson Johnson vaccine have been thrown out. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-louisiana-united-states-immunizations-coronavirus-vaccine-da4de8571cda90a94bab2abd5f8ac402 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Brazils Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said on Friday the country has already acquired or is in advanced talks to secure around 350 million vaccine doses for 2022. Queiroga said that although Sinovacs Coronavac vaccine was not currently part of plans for the national campaign next year it could be incorporated if it receives full approval from Brazils health regulator. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-has-lined-up-350-million-covid-19-vaccine-doses-2022-health-minster-says-2021-10-08/ 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Singapore is opening its borders to more countries for quarantinefree travel as the citystate seeks to rebuild its status as an international aviation hub and prepares to reach a new normal to live with COVID19. From Oct. 19 fully vaccinated people from eight countries including Britain France Spain and the United States will be able to enter the island without quarantining if they pass their COVID19 tests the government said on Saturday. The announcement marks a major step in Singapores strategy to resume international links. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-pm-says-covid-19-new-normal-could-take-up-6-months-2021-10-09/ 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

The Independent When Russian regulators approved the countrys own coronavirus vaccine it was a moment of national pride and the Pavlov family was among those who rushed to take the injection. But international health authorities have not yet given their blessing to the Sputnik V shot. So when the family from RostovonDon wanted to visit the West they looked for a vaccine that would allow them to travel freely a quest that brought them to Serbia where hundreds of Russian citizens have flocked in recent weeks to receive Westernapproved COVID19 shots. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/serbia-world-health-organization-covid-belgrade-pfizer-b1935295.html 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Ontario is lifting capacity limits on concert venues theaters and spectator facilities at sports games as of Saturday at midnight the government of Canadas most populous province said on Friday while continuing to require proof of vaccination and masks. Limited numbers of outbreaks in those settings have been reported a statement from the provincial government said. Meeting and event spaces as well as horse racing facilities will be included although indoor meeting and event spaces must be able to maintain physical distancing between people. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadian-province-ontario-further-ease-pandemic-restrictions-2021-10-08/ 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Australia was bracing for more COVID19 infections and hospitalisations officials said on Saturday even as it moves toward gradually easing pandemic restrictions with the vast majority of its people getting vaccinated against the virus. Sydney in a lockdown for more than 100 days is to ease some key restrictions for the fully vaccinated from Monday. More than 70 of people across New South Wales state of which Sydney is the capital have been fully vaccinated. We know that as we open up case numbers will increase said New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet. But what has been key to keeping people safe is our high vaccination rate. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-braces-more-covid-19-infections-country-moves-towards-re-opening-2021-10-09/ 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Australian doctors warned a toorapid easing of COVID19 curbs in Sydney could put pressure on health systems and risk lives as the city prepares for key restrictions to be relaxed next week after more than 100 days in lockdown. Stayathome orders are due to be lifted on Monday after New South Wales state this week hit its 70 target of full vaccination for its adult population and owners of restaurants and other public venues are now scrambling to arrange supplies and staffing. While an easing of restrictions on travel for Sydneysiders outside of their local government areas had previously been flagged authorities on Thursday also decided to bump up permitted limits for home gatherings weddings and funerals earning the ire of the Australian Medical Association AMA. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/sydney-readies-exit-lockdown-amid-concerns-over-faster-reopening-plans-2021-10-07/ 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Travel Daily Media India will reopen to tourism from October 15 the government said after more than a year of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Foreign nationals will be able to apply for a visa for the first time since March 2020 when Prime Minister Narendra Modis government imposed a strict lockdown in response to the pandemic. After considering various inputs the MHA home ministry has decided to begin granting fresh Tourist Visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from 15 October 2021 the home ministry said in a statement on 7 October. It added that foreigners traveling to India via commercial flights will be able to enter on fresh tourist visas starting November 15 2021. The home ministry has said all COVID19 protocols should be adhered to https://www.traveldailymedia.com/news-alert-india-set-to-reopen-for-foreign-travellers-from-15-october/ 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Perth Now Almost 90 per cent of eligible NSW residents have received at least one dose of the Covid19 vaccine. The state is expected to reach the milestone within the next two days. Premier Dominic Perrottet applauded NSW residents coming forward for their jabs. However he said some Sydney postcodes were languishing at less than 50 per cent doubledose rates. Vaccination is incredibly important. We know it keeps people safe particularly those in vulnerable communities Mr Perrottet said. To be in a position as we come close to a 90 per cent firstdose vaccination rate is impressive. https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/nsw-hits-impressive-vaccination-target-as-580-new-covid-cases-recorded-c-4189672 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Sydney Morning Herald Britain announced that it will offer new vaccinations to thousands of people who volunteered for trials of the Novavax coronavirus vaccine which hasnt yet been approved for use in any country. About 15000 people in Britain got Novavax shots as part of a clinical trial. While Britain recognises them as vaccinated most countries dont meaning they cant travel. Britains health department said on Friday that more than 15000 participants would be given two doses of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine. The government says it plans to expand the offer to about 6000 British participants in trials of other vaccines that also havent been approved for use. Britain has appealed to other members of the Group of 20 nations to classify clinical trial volunteers as vaccinated but most havent done so. https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/pfizer-shots-offered-to-novavax-trial-volunteers-so-they-can-travel-20211009-p58yls.html 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Bangkok Post Bangkoks reopening for inoculated tourists will be delayed by two weeks as most of the citys residents are still waiting for their second jabs while the tourism ministry has pledged to open the city to bring at least 1 million international tourists this year. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn the tourism and sports minister said the appropriate timeline for Bangkok should be postponed from Oct 1 to Oct 15 as the capital city is expected to have administered Covid19 vaccines to 70 of its residents by then. At present 37 of population is fully vaccinated while another 33 are in the 812 week interval following their first AstraZeneca shot. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2182455/bangkoks-reopening-to-be-postponed 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Bangkok Post The government has condemned a claim that the Pfizer mRNA Covid19 vaccine being offered to students aged 1217 as part of the plan to reopen schools in November will have fatal consequences for all recipients within two years. In a message spread via the Line app by several teenage groups campaigning against the Pfizer vaccination programme for young people it was claimed the vaccine was a tool for committing genocide against young people as they would eventually die within two years if injected with the vaccine said Dr Chawetsan Namwat director of the Emergency Health Hazard and Disease Control Division. This claim is believed to have fuelled fears among the parents of many students who appear reluctant to give their consent to have their children vaccinated he said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2194923/govt-slams-pfizer-jab-is-a-killer-claim 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

The Associated Press Cruise ships are returning to San Francisco after a 19month hiatus brought on by the pandemic in whats sure to be a boost to the citys economy the mayor announced Friday. The Majestic Princess will sail into the port of San Francisco Monday the first cruise ship to dock in the San Francisco Bay Area since March 2020 when the Grand Princess captured the worlds attention and made the coronavirus real to millions in the United States. The ship was carrying people infected with the coronavirus and thousands of passengers aboard were quarantined as the ship idled off the California coast. The port of San Francisco home to the Bay Areas only passenger cruise terminal expects to welcome 21 cruise ships through the remainder of the year. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-states-california-san-francisco-620a4625e8fcf273b5a4773b9019928a 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Daily Mail As many as 2million people over the age of 50 in England still havent had a single Covid vaccine official figures suggest. MailOnlines analysis of NHS vaccination data means about one in 10 of those who were prioritised in the jab rollout still havent come forward. Up to 127288 over80s remain unvaccinated despite the programme opening to them as the very first age group last December. Age is the one of the biggest single risk factors for Covid. Yet the analysis shows there are as many as 249727 unjabbed people in their 70s in England. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10072099/Nearly-2million-50s-Covid-vaccine-despite-booster-drive-kicking-already.html 9th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Associated Press on MSN.com The number of Americans getting COVID19 vaccines has steadily increased to a threemonth high as seniors and people with medical conditions seek boosters and government and employer mandates push more workers to take their first doses. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/boosters-employer-mandates-drive-increase-in-us-vaccines/ar-AAPhPKh 8th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

Al Jazeera English on MSN.com In his first policy speech Japans new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged to do his utmost to lead the country out of the COVID19 crisis while protecting its territory and people in an increasingly tough security environment. Kishida took the top job in the worlds thirdlargest economy on Monday replacing Yoshihide Suga who had seen his support undermined by surging COVID19 infections. Daily cases have recently fallen and a long state of emergency was lifted this month. Im determined to devote bodyandsoul to overcome this national crisis with the people carve out a new era and pass on to the next generation a country whose citizens are rich at heart Kishida said in the speech to the lower house of parliament on Friday. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/japan-e2-80-99s-new-pm-promises-to-do-his-utmost-to-end-covid-19-crisis/ar-AAPgzL5 8th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

South China Morning Post Like many of her generation Pauline Mandrilla a 23yearold civil engineer from Manila suddenly found herself jobless when the Covid19 pandemic hit. Mandrilla felt like a statistic as she joined the ranks of some 22 per cent of unemployed Philippine youth affected by the pandemics economic fallout. During the onset of the pandemic we were placed in a nowork nopay situation Mandrilla recalled. My previous job heavily relied on my being physically present on a construction site but because of the quarantine restrictions which halted public transportation in my region I couldnt go to work. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3151527/asian-youth-hard-hit-covid-19-pandemic-should-have-voice-decide 8th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

South China Morning Post Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged to ease strict controls on overseas citizens returning home within weeks and to cut quarantine for those who have been vaccinated to seven days at home rather than 14 at a hotel But with promises of being able to return home for Christmas 2020 still ringing in their ears many stranded Australians dare not hope the ordeal is over https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3151525/coronavirus-australia-plans-border-reopening-stranded 8th Oct 2021

Exit Strategies

South China Morning Post The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said six vaccines approved by the FDA or listed by the world health body for emergency use will meet the criteria The US is preparing to lift restrictions on fully vaccinated air travellers from 33 countries including China India Brazil and most of Europe in November https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3151746/us-will-accept-who-approved-coronavirus-vaccines 8th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

Belfast Telegraph A further four deaths linked to Covid and a further 1274 positive cases in Northern Ireland the Department of Health has recorded. The departments figures published on Saturday now means the death toll stands at 2585. To date 2548548 vaccines have been administered here. The statistics come as Health Minister Robin Swann warned that those spreading misinformation and lies about Covid vaccines are putting lives at risk. Speaking at the Ulster Unionist Party conference in Belfast its first gathering since 2018 Mr Swann praised the health service response to the Covid pandemic but also criticised those sceptical about vaccines. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/coronavirus-northern-ireland-robin-swann-issues-fresh-plea-against-vaccine-lies-as-four-further-deaths-recorded-40932656.html 9th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

Yahoo News Brooklyn Nets say Kyrie Irving is ineligible to play in a home preseason game and people speculate it may be over his COVID vaccination status Outkick founder Clay Travis provides insight on Fox Friends Weekend. https://news.yahoo.com/nba-stars-speak-against-coronavirus-132601202.html 9th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

Deutsche Welle The COVID19 situation in Indonesia has improved but the pandemic is still claiming victims. And where there are victims there are funerals. Heres where tireless volunteers have stepped up to provide muchneeded help. https://www.dw.com/en/indonesian-volunteers-help-to-bury-covid-victims/av-59441874 9th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

Al Jazeera English Jason Hargrove should be alive. For years the 50yearold married father of six children drove a city bus in Detroit Michigan to make an honest living. Every weekday he went to work to provide for his family. The local union president called Hargrove a professional who was dedicated to his job. Driving a bus can be risky. But I suspect Hargrove did not think that contracting a lethal virus was among the hazards. That was until late March 2020 when COVID19 began to infect the United States and much of the world with the swiftness of a jet stream. It prompted Hargrove to record a brief video and post it on his Facebook account. For several minutes Hargrove vented his anger frustration and dread about the invisible threat boarding his bus. One news story described his short urgent soliloquy as profanitylaced. So what He had every right and reason to use blunt words to call out the dunces who put him in danger on and off a bus. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/10/8/the-callous-cretins-who-kill 9th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

The Associated Press The flashy postcard covered with images of syringes beckoned people to attend VaxCon 21 to learn the uncensored truth about COVID19 vaccines. Participants traveled from around the country to a Wisconsin Dells resort for a soldout convention that was in fact a sea of misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines and the pandemic. The featured speaker was the antivaccine activist who appeared in the 2020 movie Plandemic which pushed false COVID19 stories into the mainstream. One session after another discussed bogus claims about the health dangers of mask wearing and vaccines. The convention was organized by members of a profession that has become a major purveyor of vaccine misinformation during the pandemic chiropractors. https://apnews.com/article/anti-virus-chiropractors-rising-force-misinformation-02b347767b45cab1d6d532be03c57529 9th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

CNN A Colorado kidney transplant candidate who was bumped to inactive status for failing to get a covid19 vaccine has become the most public example of an argument roiling the nations more than 250 organ transplant centers. Across the country growing numbers of transplant programs have chosen to either bar patients who refuse to take the widely available covid vaccines from receiving transplants or give them lower priority on crowded organ waitlists. Other programs however say they plan no such restrictions for now. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/08/health/organ-transplant-vaccine-khn-partner/index.html 9th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg A Justice Department lawyer pushed back on military personnel claims that kicking them out of the service for refusing to get vaccinated will result in harm that can never be compensated by a court. The service members sued this week to vacate a Pentagon vaccine mandate for all those in the military arguing they face imminent harm if a court order isnt issued temporarily blocking the requirement. They say they face dishonorable discharge or even two years in jail. There is case law out there that says separation from the military is not irreparable harm Justice Department lawyer Andrew Carmichael said during a phone hearing Friday. He also said the U.S. should be given time to verify the claims by the anonymous service members. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-08/u-s-pushes-back-against-military-vaccine-mandate-lawsuit 9th Oct 2021

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg on MSN.com A snow leopard died after displaying symptoms similar to Covid19 at a U.S. zoo housing a confirmed case of the virus officials announced Friday. Baya age 2 12 exhibited signs of a cough followed by inappetence and lethargy and died Thursday according to the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls South Dakota. A necropsy is planned. One of the zoos Amur tigers tested positive for the virus that causes Covid19 this week the zoo said. Other big cats have exhibited symptoms. https://www.msn.com/en-us/finance/news/snow-leopard-dies-at-us-zoo-after-exhibiting-signs-of-covid-19/ar-AAPi5zr 9th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Jerusalem Post Some 7 of Israels serious and critical COVID19 cases were vaccinated with three shots of the coronavirus vaccine according to data released Friday morning by the Health Ministry. However the number of new daily cases is declining and the government voted to roll out the Green Class outline in several green cities on Sunday to help keep children out of isolation. I cannot say that 7 is a lot Health Minister DirectorGeneral Prof. Nachman Ash told The Jerusalem Post. The vaccine even the third shot does not work at 100. It is 95 effective. https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/coronavirus/7-percent-of-israels-serious-covid-cases-had-three-vaccine-shots-681455 9th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The New York Times Moderna whose coronavirus vaccine appears to be the worlds best defense against Covid19 has been supplying its shots almost exclusively to wealthy nations keeping poorer countries waiting and earning billions in profit. After developing a breakthrough vaccine with the financial and scientific support of the U.S. government Moderna has shipped a greater share of its doses to wealthy countries than any other vaccine manufacturer according to Airfinity a data firm that tracks vaccine shipments. About one million doses of Modernas vaccine have gone to countries that the World Bank classifies as low income. By contrast 8.4 million Pfizer doses and about 25 million singleshot Johnson Johnson doses have gone to those countries. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/09/business/moderna-covid-vaccine.html 9th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

FierceBiotech The three marketed COVID19 shots have validated the effectiveness of two vaccination technologies mRNA and viral vector delivery. But the vaccinesfrom PfizerBioNTech Moderna and Johnson Johnsononly protect against SARSCoV2 the coronavirus that sparked the pandemic. So a team of researchers in Japan set out to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine in the hopes of preventing future pandemics. Scientists at Osaka University engineered antibodies that prevented SARSCoV2 from infecting healthy cells in mice they reported in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. They were also effective against SARSCoV1 which caused a small outbreak in the early 2000s and three coronaviruses found in pangolins and bats they said. The experimental vaccination approach exploits the biology of the SARSCoV2 spike protein which shuttles the virus into human cells by binding to a cell surface receptor called ACE2. The spike proteins receptorbinding domain has a head region that facilitates that binding as well as a core region. While the head of each type of coronavirus is distinctive the core regions are virtually identical. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/research/novel-vaccine-strategy-protects-mice-from-covid-19-and-4-related-coronaviruses 9th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail on MSN.com Pregnant women who contract symptomatic cases of COVID19 are much more likely to suffer emergency complications or have babies who need intensive care a new study suggests. Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Texas looked at more than 100 motherstobe who were diagnosed with the virus. More than half of pregnant women who developed symptoms had emergency deliveries compared to about four in 10 women without symptoms. Additionally babies born to symptomatic mothers were more likely to need respiratory support or be admitted to neonatal intensive care units NICUs. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/familyhealth/pregnant-women-with-symptomatic-covid-at-greater-risk-of-complications/ar-AAPjBab 9th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

CNN Amid the growing prospect of more Covid19 booster shots becoming available an expert has suggested that some people could receive a dose of a different vaccine from the one they initially received. I hope that when the FDA and CDC review data around Moderna and Johnson Johnson that they will allow a mixandmatch approach CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen said Friday. Vaccine advisers for the US Food and Drug Administration will meet October 14 and 15 to discuss applications for booster doses from Moderna and JJs vaccine arm Janssen. And on October 20 and 21 vaccine experts with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are slated to discuss the same course of action. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/09/health/us-coronavirus-saturday/index.html 9th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Merck Cos experimental antiviral drug molnupiravir has not shown significant efficacy against moderate COVID19 a source with the Drug Controller General of India said. Aurobindo Pharma Ltd wants to discontinue a latestage trial of molnupiravir in moderate COVID19 patients the regulators expert committee said on Friday. There is no significant efficacy against moderate COVID and the effective efficacy is towards mild cases the source said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/merck-drug-less-effective-against-moderate-covid-india-regulatory-source-2021-10-08/ 9th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Iceland is joining its Nordic peers in halting inoculations with Moderna Inc.s Spikevax shot on concern over side effects. The Moderna jab which has mostly been used in Iceland for second doses wont be used until more information over its safety has been collected the chief epidemiologist said on Friday. Sweden Denmark and Finland have this week suspended the jabs for younger people because of the risk of heart inflammation as a potential side effect. Norway said men under 30 should consider choosing the Pfizer Inc.s and BioNTech SEs rival vaccine and the other Nordic nations also recommended that as an alternative. Both vaccinations use messenger RNA technology to prompt an immune reaction. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-08/iceland-joins-nordic-peers-in-halting-moderna-covid-vaccinations 9th Oct 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Two Indian drugmakers have requested permission to end latestage trials of their generic versions of Merck Cos promising experimental oral antiviral drug molnupiravir to treat moderate COVID19 a week after Merck said its own trial had succeeded for mildtomoderate patients. Merck earlier this year suspended its own development of molnupiravir as a treatment for hospitalized COVID19 patients since many of them have reached a phase of the disease that is too late for an antiviral drug to provide much help. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/aurobindo-pharma-stop-molnupiravir-trial-moderate-covid-19-patients-2021-10-08/ 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail New South Wales has recorded 580 new Covid19 cases overnight. State poised to hit 90 per cent single dose vaccination as soon as Saturday. Dr Kerry Chant revealed source of new variant of Delta strain came from traveller https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10074319/Covid-19-Australia-NSW-records-580-new-cases.html 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN Brazil on Friday surpassed the grim milestone of 600000 Covid19 deaths the secondhighest number of fatalities in the world after the United States according to John Hopkins University data. The South American nation which holds half the continents population has now suffered 600425 coronavirus deaths. It is only the second country to pass the 600000 mark after the US which has registered 712695 deaths. Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro has been heavily criticized for his handling of the pandemic. The conservative populist leader has repeatedly downplayed the gravity of the outbreak declared he would not get vaccinated because he had already had Covid19 and championed the unproven malaria medicine hydroxychloroquine as a treatment. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/09/americas/brazil-passes-60000-covid-deaths-intl/index.html 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Russia reported 968 coronavirusrelated deaths on Saturday its highest singleday death toll since the start of the pandemic. There were 29362 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours the government coronavirus task force said. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/russias-daily-covid-19-death-toll-hits-record-high-968-2021-10-09/ 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Sky News Education unions have called for the reintroduction of extra safety measures in schools after official estimates showed around 270000 secondary pupils had COVID19 last week. The demand for action came as an expert warned about the level of coronavirus circulating among older children. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics ONS show that around one in 15 children in school years 7 to 11 in England are estimated to have had COVID19 in the week to 2 October. This was the highest positivity rate for any age group and up from one in 20 during the previous sevenday period. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-calls-for-stronger-safety-measures-in-schools-amid-pupil-infection-surge-12429836 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Britain on Saturday recorded 133 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID19 test a slight increase on a day earlier when 127 people died government data showed. The figures also showed 34950 new COVID cases lower than a day earlier when 36060 were recorded. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-records-133-covid-19-deaths-34950-new-cases-2021-10-09/ 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Hospitals in Papua New Guinea are being pushed to the brink and morgues are overflowing as the country suffers what health authorities say is the worst surge in Covid19 cases since the pandemic began. The countrys health care system has long been plagued by shortages of drugs funding an ailing infrastructure and a severe lack of health workers. Now major hospitals around Papua New Guinea have been forced to scale down vital medical services while at least one says it may be forced to close altogether. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/08/crisis-unfolding-as-papua-new-guinea-hospitals-hit-by-worst-covid-wave-yet 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Times of India Indias total Covid cases have remained around 20000 for the past four days. Friday saw 19503 cases and 241 deaths reported from across the country. The numbers from Assam Jharkhand UP and Uttarakhand were yet to come at the time of filing this story and are likely to push todays tally past the 20000 mark. The reduction in cases can be primarily attributed to the steady decline in positive cases from Kerala. In the past two weeks the states tally has gone through a rapid decline. Compared to 16671 cases reported on September 25 the state reported 10944 cases today. Maharashtra Tamil Nadu and Mizoram were the only other states to report over a thousand cases. Kerala logged 120 deaths today. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-reports-over-19000-cases-and-241-deaths/articleshow/86880583.cms 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press The Navajo Nation on Friday reported 51 more COVID19 cases and one additional death. It was the third consecutive day that the tribe reported at least one coronavirusrelated death after going six days in a row with no additional deaths. The latest numbers pushed the tribes totals to 34350 confirmed COVID19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll now is 1454. Navajo officials still are urging people to get vaccinated wear masks while in public and minimize their travel. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-stress-8972fa59093ddac9f44e497aac7c6c55 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg Covid19 hospitalizations are rising again in Colorado even with more than 70 of those eligible in the state vaccinated health officials said Friday. The recent daily average has been around 900 hospitalizations one of the highest readings since the pandemic started in March 2020 according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Two weeks ago the average was running around 875. An estimated 40 of intensive care unit patients in Colorado are infected with Covid19 and ICU capacity is running at roughly 86 data show. The delta variant and its relatives account for 100 of known cases in the state demonstrating deltas staying power Rachel Herlihy state epidemiologist said during an online news briefing. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-08/colorado-covid-hospitalizations-rising-even-with-high-jab-rate 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Singapores health ministry reported 3703 new cases of COVID19 on Saturday the highest since the beginning of the pandemic while it recorded 11 new deaths from the disease. A recent spike in infections after the relaxation of some restrictions has prompted Singapore to pause further reopening. It also tightened curbs from last week that limited social gatherings to two people and made work from home a default. More than 80 of Singapores population has been vaccinated against the virus. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-reports-highest-single-day-rise-covid-19-cases-2021-10-09/ 9th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press Russias daily coronavirus death toll hit a new record on Friday amid the countrys sluggish vaccination rate and the governments reluctance to tighten restrictions. Russias state coronavirus task force reported 936 new deaths on Friday the highest daily number since the start of the pandemic. It was a third straight day when daily COVID19 deaths topped 900. Russia already has Europes highest death toll in the pandemic more than 214000 and the authorities conservative way of recording COVID19 fatalities suggests the actual number could be even higher. On Friday the governments task force reported 27246 new confirmed cases just slightly less than Thursdays number of 27550 which was the highest so far this year. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-europe-russia-moscow-health-cccaf25be7a25c1403f269724c9af5b0 8th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press Bars in Brazils biggest metropolis Sao Paulo are full again for Friday happy hours and lawmakers in the capital have nearly done away with video sessions via Zoom. Rio de Janeiros beaches are packed and calls for strict social distancing seem but a memory. These developments are part of Brazils bid to return to prepandemic normalcy even as its death toll tops 600000 according to official data on Friday from the health ministry. Relief in both COVID19 cases and deaths have been particularly welcome given experts warnings that the delta variant would produce another wave of destruction in the country with the secondmost victims. So far that hasnt materialized. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-sao-paulo-brazil-pandemics-health-a3b942b05aa1ce3df5a1a53cbdacc3c6 8th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Perth Now Victoria has recorded 1965 new local cases of Covid19 on Saturday as the state again breaks a national record for the highest number of daily infections. The Department of Health also confirmed five Victorians died from the virus in the past 24 hours. More than 84 per cent of the states population is now singledose vaccinated and 56.6 per cent are fullydosed. Saturdays case total is a national high and comes just a day after Victoria broke that record on Friday with 1838 cases. There were 41177 vaccine doses administered in the past 24 hours and 73443 Covid19 test results received. Mildura in northwest Victoria last night entered a snap sevenday lockdown from 11.59pm on Friday. https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/victoria-records-1965-new-local-cases-of-coronavirus-c-4189016 8th Oct 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Geo News Pakistan records cases below the 1000mark for the first time since July 6. Another 26 people meanwhile lost their lives to the virus in the last 24 hours pushing the death toll to 28058. The current positivity rate is 1.99. https://www.geo.tv/latest/374623-pakistans-daily-coronavirus-case-count-under-1000-for-first-time-in-three-months 8th Oct 2021