2nd Dec 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=552 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Sky News These graphs are showing a sustained increase in cases in recent days in most of South Africas provinces. Out in front is Gauteng province home to Johannesburg and South Africas capital Pretoria. This is where the Omicron was first documented. Ive been told that data being published later this week will shows that nearly all this increase is likely due to cases of the Omicron variant. Like labs here in the UK a PCR test for Omicron looks clearly different to the previously dominant Delta variant due to the Sgene dropout. This is now the typical feature of cases in South Africas fourth wave. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-emerging-picture-from-south-africa-suggests-omicron-variant-could-be-real-cause-for-concern-12484064 2nd Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

The Times of Israel Coronavirus czar Salman Zarka said Wednesday that Israel should weigh introducing a national vaccine mandate compelling all citizens to get themselves inoculated against the coronavirus a notion that mirrors legislation under consideration in several European countries. I think we need to examine all the options including the option of mandating vaccination in the State of Israel Zarka told Radio 103FM in an interview. Zarka stressed that the opinion was his alone and not that of the Health Ministry. This option of mandating a vaccine in the State of Israel similar to several countries in the world whether in the context of legislation or in the context of other means must be examined it must be considered he said. https://www.timesofisrael.com/coronavirus-czar-vaccine-mandate-must-be-examined-considered-in-israel/ 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

The Independent Japan on Wednesday started offering coronavirus vaccine booster shots to health care workers amid growing concerns over a new variant of the virus that has already been detected in the country. Japans initial vaccination drive kicked off in midFebruary and some medical workers who received jabs more than nine months ago are now eager to get additional protection ahead of a possible next wave of infections especially after the new variant known as omicron which was first reported in South Africa last week was found in Japan on Tuesday. At Tokyo Medical Center a group of nurses and doctors received booster shots. Its an important first step for our patients and their families to be treated with a sense of safety said hospital chief Kazuhiro Araki. https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/japan/japan-covid-vaccine-booster-omicron-b1967430.html 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

The Washington Post Even with the recent authorization of a coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 many parents and grandparents are still in limbo anxiously awaiting shots for younger children. Although children are less likely to suffer severe disease they can still contract and transmit the virus to others. Those who test positive must quarantine and children may even have to stay home from day care or preschool when their classmates become ill after exposure to the virus. This forces parents to find alternative child care or take time off from work to care for them which some families say has become common. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/11/30/covid-vaccine-children-under-5/ 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

PharmaTimes The UK government has aimed to expand their COVID19 vaccination programme in accordance with guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation JCVI. All eligible adults in England aged 18 and over will be offered a COVID19 booster vaccine by 31 January 2022. Everyone who is currently eligible including those aged 40 and over health and social care workers and those at increased risk from the virus due to preexisting health conditions will be able to book their jab from three months after their second dose. This means that an additional seven million people over 40 are now eligible. https://www.pharmatimes.com/news/all_adults_to_be_offered_covid-19_booster_jabs_by_end_of_january_2022_1384745 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

NPR For the first time people under the age of 18 may soon be eligible for a COVID19 booster shot in the U.S. On Tuesday Pfizer CEO and Chairman Albert Bourla said the vaccine maker had submitted its request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expand the emergency use authorization of a booster dose of the PfizerBioNTech COVID19 vaccine to include 16 and 17yearolds. Bourla made the announcement on Twitter saying that it is our hope to provide strong protection for as many people as possible particularly in light of the new variant a reference to omicron which has not yet been detected in the U.S. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/11/30/1060281550/pfizer-fda-covid-booster-16-and-17-year-olds 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

The Independent When Singapore embarked upon its strategy of living with COVID19 backed by one of the worlds leading vaccine programs the wealthy citystate saw a spike in its rate of infections leading many to question whether the time was right. But with the numbers now dropping as rapidly as they rose theres cautious optimism that the widely watched plan has helped Singapore turn the corner in the pandemic even with the discovery of the new worrisome omicron variant and provide a better understanding of what is effective and what isnt. I guess now COVID seems like its just a normal flu to everybody said Glacier Chong taking a break from shopping on Singapores popular Orchard Road to peoplewatch by a fountain and listen to the Christmas music being piped out of large speakers lining the street. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/singapore-malaysia-data-apple-bangkok-b1967437.html 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Sky News The worlds rich nations must help vaccinate the poorest nations or else they will face a continual cycle of economic shocks and restrictions in the face of new variants the OECDs chief economist has said. Laurence Boone told Sky News that the Omicron variant could cause the OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development to downgrade its outlook for economic growth and inflation but it is too early to say what damage it could cause. She said that the variant was a reminder that for the richest countries a group represented by the OECD funding vaccinations in the developing world would cost only a fraction of their outlay in the past 18 months yet would bring immeasurable benefits. https://news.sky.com/story/help-vaccinate-poor-countries-or-face-more-new-variant-shocks-rich-economies-told-12483692 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Countries should apply an evidenceinformed and riskbased approach with any travel measures related to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus including possible screening or quarantine of international passengers but blanket bans do not prevent its spread the World Health Organization WHO said on Tuesday. The WHO in its latest guidance to authorities and travellers said that people over 60 years of age who are not fully vaccinated or do not have proof of previous SARSCOV2 infection and those with underlying health conditions should be advised to postpone travel as they are at higher risk of disease and death. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-warns-against-blanket-travel-bans-over-omicron-coronavirus-variant-2021-11-30/ 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters The European Unionwide rollout of Pfizer PFE.N and BioNTechs 22UAy.DE COVID19 vaccine version for five to 11yearold children will begin Dec 13 one week earlier than previously planned Germanys health ministry said on Wednesday. Given the current pandemic situation this is good news for parents and children. Many are awaiting this eagerly acting health minister Jens Spahn said in the statement. Germany is due to receive 2.4 million doses for use as a twodose regimen the ministry said adding it has commitment on the new date from the manufacturer. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-launch-pfizerbiontech-covid-shot-younger-children-brought-forward-dec-13-2021-12-01/ 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

The Associated Press Juan Esteban Mario a healthy 29yearold has been part of the rare cohort in Spain who have resisted health authorities strong recommendations to get their vaccine shots. His position only changed when he planned an endoftheyear holiday in Portugal where authorities are cracking down on unvaccinated visitors as they confront a surge of infections and try to limit the spread of the omicron variant. I needed to get the jab to leave the country and return without any inconveniences Mario said Wednesday at a large vaccination center in Madrid as he pressed sterile gauze against his left arm and rolled down his sleeve. With the new variant and restrictions complicating life getting the vaccine has become unavoidable he added. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-health-europe-portugal-66ad07ae486a8c396cf8a8f72eb8e30f 1st Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

AlJazeera Indias health ministry says the states should ramp up COVID19 testing as the world battles the new coronavirus variant Omicron while some cities have delayed the reopening of schools as a precautionary measure. The ministry on Tuesday also said the Omicron variant doesnt escape RTPCR and RAT testing appeasing some concerns among domestic health workers that changes in the spike protein of the virus could lead to conventional tests failing to detect the mutation. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/1/india-states-covid-testing-omicron 1st Dec 2021

Partisan Exits

CNBC Failure to get a first dose of a coronavirus shot by Jan. 16 for anyone aged 60 and above will result in a monthly fine of 100 euros 114. As of Tuesday about 62 of the Greek population was fully vaccinated against the virus. This is below the EUs average of 66 according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Greeces announcement comes at a time when other European nations are also considering compulsory vaccination. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/01/greece-compulsory-covid-vaccination-for-those-aged-60-and-above.html 1st Dec 2021

Partisan Exits

Daily Mail Texasbased Daystar Television Network announced Lambs death on Tuesday. Conservative christian network has been a vocal opponent of Covid vaccines. The broadcaster becomes the latest antivaccine radio host to succumb to virus https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10262127/Anti-vaccine-Christian-broadcaster-Marcus-Lamb-dies-Covid-19.html 1st Dec 2021

Partisan Exits

Sky News Downing Street has denied claims that Boris Johnson broke coronavirus rules with parties at No 10 last Christmas. The Mirror claims the PM made a speech at a leaving do on 27 November when the country was in the second lockdown and allowed a festive party to proceed on 18 December when London was in the grips of Tier 3 restrictions. A No 10 spokesperson told Sky News COVID rules have been followed at all times. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-downing-street-deny-boris-johnson-broke-covid-lockdown-rules-with-no-10-parties-at-christmas-12483509 1st Dec 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters The Biden administration was blocked on Tuesday from enforcing two mandates requiring millions of American workers to get vaccinated against COVID19 a key part of its strategy for controlling the spread of the coronavirus. U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty in Monroe Louisiana temporarily blocked the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services CMS from enforcing its vaccine mandate for healthcare workers until the court can resolve legal challenges. Doughtys ruling applied nationwide except in 10 states where the CMS was already prevented from enforcing the rule due to a prior order from a federal judge in St. Louis. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-judge-blocks-vaccine-mandate-contractors-three-states-2021-11-30/ 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News Early indications suggest most Omicron coronavirus cases are mild an official at the World Health Organisation WHO has said. Speaking on behalf of the organisation the official said there is no evidence to suggest the efficacy of vaccines has been reduced by the new strain but did say some mutations of the virus indicate an increased risk of quicker transmission. They said more than 40 different mutations have been identified with the Omicron variant. The WHO official quoted by Reuters added there is still a lot unknown about the new strain. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-most-omicron-cases-are-mild-and-theres-no-evidence-to-suggest-vaccines-may-be-less-effective-against-the-variant-says-who-12483729 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News The Omicron variant could trigger a surge in COVID infections bigger than previous waves in the UK with a risk it may overwhelm the NHS a key group of scientists have warned. Experts on the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group NERVTAG which advises the government held an extraordinary meeting last week to consider the new COVID variant known scientifically as B.1.1.529 following its detection in South Africa. According to a note of their meeting which was observed by both a key Department of Health official and Englands deputy chief medical officer Jonathan VanTam the group concluded the introduction of Omicron to the UK might have very serious consequences. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-nervtag-scientists-cant-rule-out-omicron-causing-biggest-wave-of-infections-yet-that-may-overwhelm-nhs-12483709 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Patients who survive severe Covid are more than twice as likely to die over the following year than those who remain uninfected or experience milder virus symptoms a study says. The research published in Frontiers in Medicine suggests that serious coronavirus infections may significantly damage longterm health showing the importance of vaccination. The increased risk of dying was greater for patients under 65 and only 20 of the severe Covid19 patients who died did so because of typical Covid complications such as respiratory failure. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/01/severe-covid-infection-doubles-chances-of-dying-in-following-year-study 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters New coronavirus variants highlight the need for countries to do their own research and development on COVID19 vaccines said a senior Philippines trade official adding that people will only be safe once the whole world is vaccinated. The Philippines is looking to work with its trading partners on this as vaccine demand is unlikely to wane anytime soon said Allan Gepty assistant secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry in an interview at the Reuters Next conference. The new COVID19 variants highlight that we have to continue doing our respective research and development in this area because there is a truism that no one is safe unless everyone is safe said Gepty. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-says-covid-variants-highlight-need-local-vaccine-development-2021-12-01/ 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters BioNTech and Pfizers COVID19 vaccine will likely offer strong protection against any severe disease from the new Omicron virus variant BioNTechs Chief Executive told Reuters as the firm weighs the need to upgrade its commonly used shot. Lab tests are underway over the next two weeks to analyse the blood of people who had two or three doses of BioNTechs Comirnaty vaccine to see if antibodies found in that blood inactivate Omicron shedding light on whether new vaccines are needed. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/biontech-ceo-says-current-vaccine-likely-protect-against-severe-covid-omicron-2021-11-30/ 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incs COVID19 antibody drug could be less effective against Omicron it said on Tuesday adding to fears about the efficacy of existing treatments after Modernas top boss raised similar concerns about the companys vaccine. Global markets tumbled after comments from Modernas chief executive officer rekindled worries that the variant may weigh on a nascent global economic recovery. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/regeneron-says-covid-19-drug-could-be-less-effective-against-omicron-variant-2021-11-30/ 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters A panel of expert advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday narrowly voted to recommend the agency authorize Merck Cos MRK.N antiviral pill to treat COVID19. If the FDA authorizes the drug it would be the first athome treatment for the virus nearly two years into the pandemic. The authorization would likely be limited to patients at high risk of developing severe disease although the exact population would be defined by the agency. Merck published data last week suggesting the drug was significantly less effective than previously thought reducing hospitalizations and deaths in its clinical trial of highrisk individuals by around 30. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-fda-panel-weigh-mercks-covid-19-antiviral-drug-2021-11-30/ 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

AlJazeera Member states of the World Health Organization WHO have agreed to start drafting a global agreement to prevent and tackle the next global pandemic. Countries adopted a resolution on Wednesday at a special meeting in Geneva launching the process that it is hoped should result in a new agreement on pandemics. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/1/who-members-kick-off-process-to-draft-global-pandemic-convention 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

CIDRAP While COVID19 breakthrough infectionscases after vaccinationare rare fully vaccinated people with compromised immune systems have them three times more often than those with strong immune systems and have more severe illnesses according to a realworld US study involving nearly 1.3 million people. In the retrospective study published today in the Journal of Medical Economics a team led by researchers from Pfizer analyzed the health records of 1277747 people aged 16 or older who had received two doses of the PfizerBioNTech COVID19 vaccine from Dec 10 2020 to Jul 8 2021. The latter part of the study period included the emergence of the Delta B1617.2 variant in the United States. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/11/weak-immune-systems-tied-more-covid-19-breakthrough-infections 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

FiercePharma Merck and Ridgebacks recent report that its antiviral molnupiravir wasnt nearly as effective as previously indicated put a damper on enthusiasm that a gamechanging oral treatment for COVID19 was near. It also drew questions at the FDA on whether to approve the pill on an emergency use basis at all. On Tuesday an FDA advisory committee voted by the narrow margin of 1310 to endorse the use of molnupiravir. The recommendation comes despite a host of concerns including over the efficacy and safety of the antiviral medicine. In my many years of chairing this committee this is the first meeting that has gone over its time limit which I think speaks to the complexity of the issues said Lindsey Baden M.D. of the Brigham and Womens Hospital of Boston. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/by-narrow-vote-fda-advisory-committee-recommends-eua-merck-s-covid-19-oral-drug-molnupiravir 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

STAT News The emergence of a new Covid19 variant with a startlingly large constellation of mutations has countries around the world sounding alarms. While the concerns are understandable experts in immunology say people need to remember a critical fact Two years and 8 billion vaccine doses into the pandemic many immune systems are no longer blank slates when it comes to SARSCoV2. The new SARS2 variant known as Omicron may more easily sidestep some of the immunity of some vaccinated and previously infected people. But theres good reason to think people who already have some immune protections may avoid the worst of what Covid infections can do to immunologically nave people. https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/01/a-reason-for-optimism-on-omicron-our-immune-systems-are-not-blank-slates/ 1st Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

STAT News A top Pfizer executive says the company is hopeful that booster shots will provide sufficient protection against the Omicron variant but has already envisioned a timeline for the development of a new vaccine if thats not the case. Mikael Dolsten Pfizers chief scientific officer likened the companys researchers to firefighters They dont know how serious the blaze will be but need to prepare for the worst. And in this case the worst would mean the need to develop new vaccines. We do take the new variant of concern Omicron with seriousness Dolsten told STAT. It can indeed be a potential new threatening wave although we dont know that yet. But we always start with being prepared for the worst. https://www.statnews.com/2021/11/30/pfizer-research-head-envisions-a-sprint-to-develop-omicron-vaccine-if-its-needed/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN When South African officials sounded the alarm on the new Omicron variant last Thursday stocks around the world tumbled and up to 70 countries including the United States imposed travel bans and restrictions to southern African countries. The kneejerk response followed the news that the variant had an unusually high number of mutations which scientists feared could make it more transmissible and result in immune evasion. Much is still unknown about Omicron including its origin severity and its transmissibility. Researchers are also racing to discover if it could displace existing variants and become dominant as Delta has. Early indications show that people who have received the coronavirus vaccine booster are protected against the new variant Israeli Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said Tuesday. https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/01/world/coronavirus-newsletter-intl-01-12-21/index.html 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Euronews A hospital worker in Portugal tested positive for the new COVID19 variant called Omicron forcing the paediatric services unit to close. The worker had been in contact with members of a Portuguese football club where there were at least 13 cases of the new concerning variant of coronavirus that was first identified in South Africa. The hospital said it will close both emergency and outpatient paediatric services for two weeks even though staff in contact with the hospital worker tested negative for the virus. New virus restrictions entered into force in Portugal from midnight as the country works to contain a new surge in cases. A digital certificate proving vaccination or recovery from COVID19 must be shown to enter restaurants cinemas and hotels. Face masks will also be mandatory once again. https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/30/greece-will-fine-over-60s-100-a-month-for-refusing-covid-19-vaccine 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters China detected 91 domestically transmitted COVID19 cases with confirmed symptoms for Tuesday marking the highest daily count since Nov. 2 and a significant jump from 21 cases a day earlier as the country fights a fresh outbreak in the north. All of the 91 local symptomatic cases were reported in the northern Chinese region of Inner Mongolia data from the National Health Commission showed on Wednesday. Mainland China has not detected any infections caused by the Omicron variant Xu Wenbo an official at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday at a news briefing. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/china-reports-highest-daily-local-covid-19-cases-nearly-month-2021-12-01/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Heavily mutated Omicron is rapidly becoming the dominant variant of the coronavirus in South Africa less than four weeks after it was first detected there and the United States on Wednesday became the latest country to identify an Omicron case within its borders. The first known U.S. case was a fully vaccinated person in California who returned to the United States from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive seven days later. The person had mild symptoms and was in selfquarantine Dr. Anthony Fauci the top U.S. infectious disease official told reporters at the White House. https://www.reuters.com/world/us-tightens-covid-19-travel-rules-countries-race-quell-omicron-threat-2021-12-01/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters France has decided to extend until at least Saturday its suspension of flights from southern African countries which have been hit hard by the Omicron variant of the COVID19 virus said French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune. As of this morning we have extended the suspension of flights from seven southern African countries until Saturday Beaune told RTL radio. The Omicron COVID variant first reported in southern Africa and which the World Health Organization WHO said carries a very high risk of infection surges has triggered global alarm with border closures casting a shadow over a nascent economic recovery from a twoyear pandemic https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/covid-france-extends-suspension-flights-high-risk-southern-african-countries-2021-12-01/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters South Korea reported its first five cases of the Omicron variant on Wednesday officials said as daily coronavirus infections rose above 5000 for the first time stoking concern over a sharp rise in patients with severe symptoms. A fully vaccinated couple tested positive for the variant after arriving last week from Nigeria followed by two of their family members and a friend according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency KDCA. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/south-korea-reports-daily-record-over-5000-new-covid-19-infections-2021-12-01/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Munster reported 13 new COVID19 cases in their camp in South Africa taking the total count to 14 as the remainderof the squad departed Cape Town on Tuesday the Irish rugby team said. Both staff and players have tested positive and will quarantine in a hotel in Cape Town joining the first player who returned a positive test on Sunday. Welsh side Cardiff also said they had two positive cases over the weekend. Munster did not say if any of the positive tests were for the new Omicron variant of the virus which was first detected in southern Africa. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/nine-more-munster-test-positive-covid-19-south-africa-2021-11-30/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Germany is likely to reach a peak of its fourth wave of COVID19 infections by midDecember and this could mean 6000 intensive care beds occupied by Christmas the countrys association for intensive care medicine DIVI said on Wednesday. Andreas Schuppert a forecaster for the DIVI association told a news conference he was moderately optimistic the peak in new cases would come in the next two weeks but warned this would take time to have its full impact on hospitals. It is an ominous situation DIVI president Gernot Marx told reporters. We would be well advised to react immediately. We must get ahead of the situation. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/german-state-reports-four-fully-vaccinated-people-infected-with-omicron-2021-12-01/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Germanys federal and regional governments agreed on Tuesday to take action to counter a fourth wave of COVID19 including stepping up the vaccination campaign and restricting contact especially for unvaccinated people. Facing a surge in cases over the last few weeks and warnings from virologists that exponential growth rates would overload hospitals outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel held video talks with her successor Olaf Scholz and regional leaders. There is agreement that the fourth wave has led to an extremely serious in some regions dramatic situation in our healthcare system to which federal and state governments will respond jointly and decisively said government spokesman Steffen Seibert. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rise-german-covid-19-infections-flattens-2021-11-30/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Australian authorities on Wednesday flagged another probable case of the Omicron variant in Sydney as they braced for more infections after at least two international travellers visited several locations in the city while likely infectious. Officials in New South Wales NSW home to Sydney said initial testing strongly indicates a man in his 40s who arrived from southern Africa on Nov. 25 had been infected with the Omicron variant and had spent time in the community. We believe it is likely it will be confirmed later this afternoon as a definite Omicron case NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told reporters but he ruled out lockdowns to contain the newly identified variant. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/sydney-braces-more-omicron-cases-no-lockdowns-now-2021-12-01/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Germanys federal and regional governments agreed on Tuesday to take action to counter a fourth wave of COVID19 including stepping up the vaccination campaign and restricting contact especially for unvaccinated people. Facing a surge in cases over the last few weeks and warnings from virologists that exponential growth rates would overload hospitals outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel held video talks with her successor Olaf Scholz and regional leaders. There is agreement that the fourth wave has led to an extremely serious in some regions dramatic situation in our healthcare system to which federal and state governments will respond jointly and decisively said government spokesman Steffen Seibert. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rise-german-covid-19-infections-flattens-2021-11-30/ 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press The U.S. recorded its first confirmed case of the omicron variant Wednesday in a vaccinated traveler who returned to California after a trip to South Africa as scientists around the world race to establish whether the new mutant version of the coronavirus is more dangerous than previous ones. Dr. Anthony Fauci the United States top infectiousdisease expert announced the finding at the White House. We knew it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the United States he said. The infected person was identified as a traveler who had returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 developed mild symptoms and tested positive for COVID19 Monday. Researchers at the University of California San Francisco obtained a sample from the patient Tuesday evening and worked feverishly overnight to assemble the genetic sequence. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-japan-192d15ef14bb3dd478bc36ab4aa325f0 1st Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

CIDRAP In a statement today the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health RIVM said that the samples that yielded the Omicron variant were obtained on Nov 19 and 23 before South Africa announced its findings and before travel bans went into effect. The samples were taken during municipal health service testing and investigations and contact tracing are under way. RIVM also provided more details about the results of COVID19 testing of 624 people returning from South Africa who arrived at Schiphol airport on Nov 26. Of 61 who tested positive for COVID19 14 had the Omicron variant. Sequencing revealed different strains of the Omicron variant suggesting that people were probably infected from different sources and locations. Meanwhile more countries reported Omicron cases. Japan confirmed its first case which involves a Namibian diplomat who arrived in Japan on Nov 28 before the countrys travel ban went into effect. Officials said the man had been fully vaccinated and was asymptomatic upon his arrival in Japan but developed a fever the next day. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/11/netherlands-detections-hint-earlier-omicron-spread 1st Dec 2021