21st Jul 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=56 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters From Monday shoppers entering the bakery in Paris where Kalil Gaci works are required by law to wear a mask but his customers are taking the new rule in their stride. Theres no problem in wearing one Im completely for it said Elina Outh a 22yearold business student who called in to buy some of Gacis pastries. Whats happening makes sense and I think it should have happened a long time ago. Government edicts about wearing face coverings to curb the spread of COVID19 have touched off fierce debate in the United States and elsewhere about civil liberties. On France most people accept them as a necessary tool to fight the epidemic. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-masks/it-makes-sense-french-shoppers-take-compulsory-masks-in-their-stride-idUSKCN24L19I 20th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Thinking of everything weve been through since coronavirus began until bringing things back and putting them away in storage feels very heavy ... the psychological impact has been intense Galal added. In midMarch Egypt imposed lockdown measures including a night curfew bans on large public gatherings and the closure of restaurants and theatres. Restrictions were eventually lifted in June with theatres allowed to operate at 25 capacity. But with several hundred new COVID19 cases being reported daily the Sitara decided to stay closed. We actually closed before the government closed everything because it just felt wrong having children come in and then a whole load of new children come in and also schools were panicking and parents were panicking said Emma Davies the artistic director of the theatre. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-egypt-jobs/egyptians-struggle-to-return-to-work-even-as-lockdown-lifts-idUKKCN24L1X7 20th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

FRANCE 24 Tourists are back on Tunisias beaches after charter flights resumed to the North African country following a break of more than three months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some 155 maskclad holiday makers from France Germany and Luxembourg were greeted late last week on the resort island of Djerba with temperature checks but also by hostesses offering them bouquets of jasmine. We cant save the whole season but we will do everything we can to save part of it said Tourism Minister Mohamed Ali Toumi who was at the airport to welcome the Luxair flight. https://www.france24.com/en/20200720-tunisia-welcomes-back-tourists-after-pandemic-lockdown 20th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Medical News Today After months of imposing strict restrictions or lockdown rules many countries across the world have started easing these control measures. What has this meant at a global level https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-does-life-in-a-post-lockdown-world-look-like 20th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Stuff.co.nz Covid19 fasttracked plans for health workers to do virtual home visits by telephone or video link and is speedingup initiatives to help people stay well in the community such as an app to help slow the decline into frailty among elderly. A key learning from the Covid situation is that we can successfully do remotely a lot of consultations we thought we should do facetoface says Dr Ben Hudson head of general practice at Te Papa Hauora partner the University of Otago Christchurch. Phone consulting will become a more wellestablished way of accessing care and video consults to a lesser extent he says. There are potentially significant benefits in this more flexible way of working because patients wont have to always travel to the practice or take time off work or find childcare. https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/300057913/coronavirus-fasttracked-plans-to-reform-nz-healthcare 20th Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Russia reported 5940 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday pushing its total infection tally to 777486 the fourth largest in the world. In a daily readout officials said 85 people had died in the last 24 hours bringing the official death toll to 12427. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-russia-cases/russia-reports-almost-6000-new-coronavirus-cases-idUKKCN24L0S9 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

UPI.com New York City which was at one time the epicenter of the COVID19 outbreak in the United States entered the fourth and final phase of the states reopening plan on Monday. The city entering the last stage means lowrisk outdoor facilities like zoos and botanical gardens can open at 33 capacity. The rest of New York state has already begun the fourth phase of Gov. Andrew Cuomos reopening plan. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2020/07/20/NYC-enters-final-reopening-stage-LA-on-brink-of-new-lockdown/2911595244496/ 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Bristol Post People in Bristol have been told they must act now to prevent a local coronavirus lockdown. Bristol City Council shared a video on social media forum Nextdoor on Friday July 17 giving residents instructions to help avoid tougher restrictions coming back in. The post read Were asking everyone in Bristol to help keep the city safe and prevent a local lockdown by following these guidelines. And the video told residents People in Bristol are testing positive for Covid19. There is no vaccine and no cure. We must act now to prevent a local lockdown. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/people-bristol-must-act-now-4341706 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Italian photographer Stefano Sbrulli documented the difficulties of blind and visually impaired people as they adapt to a world of social distancing. Italy faced one of the strictest and longestrunning Covid19 lockdowns in Europe. Those with visual disabilities often need companions or assistance services to go about their daytoday lives which can make social distancing a challenge. Here are some of Sbrullis portraits and stories gathered between March and June. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-53403780 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

The Scotsman The Spanish Government updated its rules to allow British visitors to enter the country in June. Meanwhile in the UK tourism resumed in July as holiday parks campsites and hotels in the country reopened. But with the Foreign Office still advising Britons against all but essential travel to many countries is it likely that UK tourists will be going on holiday to Spain this summer Heres what you need to know. https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/can-i-travel-spain-latest-foreign-office-guidance-uk-visitors-holidays-flights-travel-corridors-quarantine-and-barcelona-lockdown-1995876 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC France has made face masks compulsory in all enclosed public spaces amid a fresh bout of Covid19 outbreaks. Masks were already mandatory on public transport but from Monday they must also be worn in places like shops. Health Minister Oliver Vran warned that France had between 400 and 500 active clusters of the virus. President Emmanuel Macron declared a first victory over the virus in June and has ended the national state of emergency but local outbreaks remain. There are a rising number of cases in the northwest and in eastern regions in particular in the northwestern department of Mayenne. France one of Europes hardesthit countries has recorded more than 200000 infections and over 30000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53471497 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal When Western European countries began phasing out their lockdowns this spring a surge of coronavirus cases was widely expected to follow. Months oneven as Europeans mingle in bars restaurants and crowded beachesthat still hasnt happened. As a surge in cases forces a number of U.S. states to reimpose restrictions Europes reopening is for the most part going according to plan. That is largely because of marked changes in social behavior across much of Europe following widespread efforts by policy makers to drill the public to follow a simple threepronged approach Keep a distance when possible enhance hygiene and wear a mask when necessary. Older people who are more vulnerable are especially careful. People in Europe understood what they need to do. They take it seriously says Ilaria Capua an Italian virologist at the University of Florida. The crisis has been handled differently in different countries but nobody in Europe is saying this is a nothing crisis. https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-europe-slowed-its-coronavirus-cases-from-a-torrent-to-a-trickle-11595240731 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

FRANCE 24 People in France must now wear masks in public spaces or risk a 135 euro fine. Christian Blasberg professor in contemporary history at LUISS Guido Carli University says wearing masks are necessary to prevent people catching as well as spreading the virus and could prevent a return to lockdown. https://www.france24.com/en/video/20200720-mask-wearing-could-prevent-a-return-to-lockdown 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Manila Bulletin The city government of Davao lifted the hard lockdown imposed on a densely populated barangay here effective 12 noon Monday July 20 or 16 days after the entire area was placed under the most restrictive quarantine measure to cut the transmission of the coronavirus disease COVID19. But the local government said hard lockdown will continue to be imposed in some puroks and households in Barangay 23C after the results of a series of reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction RTPCR tests conducted from July 15 to July 17 showed that these were the areas where most of positive cases were found. The results of the threeday RTPCR tests have yet to be released as of 10 a.m. on Monday. The city government has yet to announce the number of households and puroks in the barangay that would remain under hard lockdown. The Barangay 23C is composed of seven puroks with an estimated population of 18000. https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/20/davao-city-govt-lifts-lockdown-on-brgy-with-18000-residents/ 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

ITV News The Welsh Government Health Minister Vaughan Gething has said. Speaking to ITV Wales he said I certainly wouldnt be afraid to make a decision with the first minister and the Welsh Government to lockdown if we thought that was the right thing to do to save lives. https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2020-07-19/the-welsh-government-would-not-be-afraid-to-issue-another-coronavirus-lockdown-health-minister-vaughan-gething-says 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters People sunbathed and played in the sea along Barcelonas beaches on Sunday ignoring pleas from Catalan authorities for area residents to stay at home as coronavirus cases continued to rise in one of Spains worsthit regions. As police patrolled in masks to ensure social distancing Barceloneta beach a favourite with tourists reached capacity and had to be closed to new bathers on Sunday afternoon. People were queueing to access the beach. Earlier in the day authorities urged the more than 96000 residents of three Catalan towns to stay home as part of a toughened response to the crisis. On Friday some four million people including in Barcelona were advised to leave their home only for essential trips. Staying at home in the summer is stifling and stressful said Felipe when asked why he had come to the beach despite the advice. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-spain-catalonia/catalonia-urges-thousands-of-people-to-stay-home-as-coronavirus-cases-rise-idUSKCN24K0G8 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK Chilean government officials presented a plan on Sunday to gradually relax lockdown restrictions after the coronavirus infection rate improved in some regions of the country. The plan called Step by Step includes five stages that range from total quarantine to advanced opening and will be applied according to epidemiological criteria the capacity of the healthcare system and the ability to trace cases officials said. These five weeks of improvement allow us to start a new stage today ... This plan which will be step by step cautiously prudently will be applied gradually and flexibly said President Sebastian Pinera in the announcement adding that 12 regions in the country had improved in recent weeks. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-chile/chile-eyes-gradual-reopening-after-coronavirus-infections-slow-in-some-areas-idUKKCN24K0U2 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK People sunbathed and played in the sea along Barcelonas beaches on Sunday ignoring pleas from Catalan authorities for area residents to stay at home as coronavirus cases continued to rise in one of Spains worsthit regions. As police patrolled in masks to ensure social distancing Barceloneta beach a favourite with tourists reached capacity and had to be closed to new bathers on Sunday afternoon. People were queueing to access the beach. Earlier in the day authorities urged the more than 96000 residents of three Catalan towns to stay home as part of a toughened response to the crisis. On Friday some four million people including in Barcelona were advised to leave their home only for essential trips https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-spain-catalonia/sun-seekers-crowd-barcelona-beaches-defying-coronavirus-stay-at-home-advice-idUKKCN24K0GN 20th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

FRANCE 24 EU leaders battled to save a beleaguered 750 million euro 860 million virus recovery package at a summit on Sunday as global deaths soared past 600000 and Hong Kong raised the alarm about its growing outbreak. The United States the worstaffected country by far ended a week in which it registered its highest figures for new cases for three days running taking its total towards 3.7 million infections and 14000 deaths. The virus has now infected more than 14 million people worldwide. https://www.france24.com/en/20200719-eu-struggles-to-agree-virus-recovery-deal-as-global-deaths-surge 19th Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Deutsche Welle Germanys federal and regional governments have agreed to pursue stricter and more targeted lockdown measures to contain localized outbreaks of the novel coronavirus https://www.dw.com/en/germany-coronavirus-lockdowns/a-54198328 16th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

The Jakarta Post Bolsonaro insists that the virus lockdown measures kill and have suffocated the economyMercoPressBrazils Bolsonaro Says Lockdown Kills and Suffocated the EconomyNewsweekBrazils Bolsonaro slams lockdown says it kills countrys economyWIONWhats Common to Three Covid Kings India US BrazilNewsClickView Full coverage on Google News https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/07/20/brazils-bolsonaro-says-coronavirus-restrictions-kill-economy.html 20th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

Newsweek Brazils president Jair Bolsonaro said that lockdowns implemented by some states and cities across the country during the pandemic have suffocated the countrys economy. The president also said on Saturday that Lockdown kills Reuters reported. Without salaries and jobs people die. Brazil is suffering the secondworst coronavirus outbreak in the world after the United States with more than 2 million confirmed cases and over 78000 deaths. https://www.newsweek.com/brazil-bolsonaro-lockdown-kill-suffocated-economy-1518913 20th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Englands chief nurse has confirmed she was dropped from the Downing Street daily coronavirus briefing after refusing to back Dominic Cummings. Ruth May said that in a trial run for the 1 June briefing she was asked about Boris Johnsons chief advisers decision to drive his family from London to Durham during lockdown while his wife had suspected Covid19. After she failed to back Cummings she said she was told she was no longer needed for the televised press conference taking place later that day and she was never given an explanation why. Ministers and No 10 have denied reports that May was stood down over Cummings. Aides to the prime minister briefed journalists at the time that she may not have made it to the briefing because she could have been stuck in traffic. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jul/20/englands-chief-nurse-dropped-from-covid-19-briefing-after-refusing-to-back-cummings-ruth-may 20th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

Manchester Evening News Two thirds of people think the coronavirus lockdown in England is being eased too soon according to the M.E.Ns Lockdown survey. We asked our readers how they feel about the changes set to happen in the coming weeks and months after the Prime Ministers announcement on Friday. Speaking from Downing Street Boris Johnson revealed a fourmonth plan for a significant return to normality from as early as November. On August 1 most remaining leisure venues including casinos bowling alleys and skating rinks will be allowed to reopen and closecontact beauty services permitted. Indoor performances with live audiences will also resume with trials beginning for larger events at sports and football stadiums with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn. And its good news for engaged couples as wedding receptions of up to 30 guests can also resume next month. But how do the people of Greater Manchester really feel about the easing of measures More than 2200 readers responded to our lockdown changes survey this is what they think https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/two-thirds-readers-think-lockdown-18629261 20th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Boris Johnson has insisted he can avoid imposing another Englandwide lockdown this winter describing it as a nuclear deterrent that he hopes never to use. Despite chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance saying national measures might be necessary if there are fresh waves of the virus in the coming months the prime minister said he certainly did not want to have to order the public to stay at home again. I cant abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent. But it is like a nuclear deterrent I certainly dont want to use it. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/19/coronavirus-boris-johnson-insists-he-can-avoid-second-england-wide-lockdown 19th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

Huffington Post UK The UK will ensure the world knows the nature of the reprehensible behaviour that Russia is engaged in according Dominic Raab. It follows accusations that Russias intelligence services tried to steal details of research into coronavirus vaccines. Russias ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin rejected the claims and said there was no sense in the allegations made by Britain the United States and Canada. Speaking on Sky News Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme Raab said it was outrageous and reprehensible that the Russian government is engaged in such activity. The foreign secretary said Were absolutely confident that the Russian intelligence agencies were engaged in a cyber attack on research and development efforts and organisations in this country and internationally with a view either to sabotage or to profit from the RD that was taking place. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/dominic-raab-russia-coronavirus_uk_5f142d88c5b6d14c33684d14 20th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Scores of Russias business and political elite have been given early access to an experimental vaccine against Covid19 according to people familiar with the effort as the country races to be among the first to develop an inoculation. Top executives at companies including aluminum giant United Co. Rusal as well as billionaire tycoons and government officials began getting shots developed by the staterun Gamaleya Institute in Moscow as early as April the people said. They declined to be identified as the information isnt public. https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-07-20/russian-elite-got-experimental-covid-19-vaccine-from-april?__twitter_impression=true&amps=09 20th Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

The Independent Boris Johnson has said the UK will not need another nationwide lockdown despite expert warnings of up to 120000 extra deaths during a second wave this winter. The prime minister described the coronavirus restrictions he imposed on 23 March as a nuclear deterrent that he did not think he would ever have to use again. However his attempt to rule out a further UK lockdown in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph is likely to bring him into conflict with the governments scientific advisors. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-lockdown-uk-boris-johnson-winter-second-wave-a9626656.html 19th Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Independent Women who have sought asylum in the UK have been forced to go without food and sleep outside or on buses during the coronavirus crisis a report has found. The study carried out by a coalition of womens organisations warned that the public health emergency has made asylumseeking women more at risk of hunger and ill health. The coalition Sisters Not Strangers which includes organisations working with refugee women around the UK found that threequarters of women seeking asylum went hungry during the Covid19 crisis including mothers who found it difficult to find food to give their children. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-impact-women-asylum-seekers-a9624576.html 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

MedTech Dive A Quest Diagnostics coronavirus test is the first authorized by FDA for sample pooling a method meant to screen more people using fewer resources the agency announced Saturday. The product OKd for use with the technique Quests SARSCoV2 rRTPCR test first got emergency use authorization by FDA on March 17. The company said it will begin leveraging the method at labs near Washington D.C. and Boston by the end of this week planning to expand it to other sites later. Although the pooling technique may help stretch testing resources it is not a magic bullet Quests chief medical officer Jay Wohlgemuth said in a statement Saturday adding that testing times will continue to be strained as long as soaring COVID19 test demand outpaces capacity. https://www.medtechdive.com/news/quest-coronavirus-test-becomes-1st-with-fda-ok-for-sample-pooling/581898/ 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Pharmaceutical Journal The government is exploring the possibility of coadministering the flu vaccination with a COVID19 vaccine during the 20202021 flu season. https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/flu-vaccines-could-be-delivered-at-the-same-time-as-a-covid-19-vaccine-government-says/20208194.article 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

ITV News The Covid19 vaccine being developed at the University of Oxford is safe and induces an immune reaction findings of the first phases of the study suggest. Scientists and medical researchers across the UK have welcomed the results with tests revealing the jab could provide double protection against Covid19. The tests have shown the vaccine induces strong immune responses in both parts of the immune system provoking a T cell response within 14 days of vaccination and an antibody response within 28 days. It did cause minor side effects more frequently compared with the control group of those given a meningitis vaccine according to the study but researchers added that there were no serious adverse events from the vaccine. Professor Andrew Pollard director of the Oxford vaccine group said the results were very encouraging but cautioned that much work lies ahead. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-20/covid-19-vaccine-being-developed-oxford-safe-and-induces-an-immune-reaction-coronavirus 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Financial Times An initial trial showing that an immunosuppressant drug can significantly increase the likelihood of recovery among patients hospitalised by Covid19 sent the share price of biotech company Synairgen soaring on Monday. In a study involving 101 patients from nine UK hospitals those who were given interferon beta which is commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis and thyroid dysfunction were more than twice as likely to recover and were 79 per cent less likely to develop a more severe version of the disease. Their breathlessness was also markedly reduced the company said. https://www.ft.com/content/5e54141a-dd6f-4e1d-a322-ddbc2ac93db2 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard A groundbreaking new coronavirus treatment dramatically reduces the number of patients suffering severe symptoms according to preliminary trial results. The treatment developed by Southamptonbased biotech Synairgen uses a protein called interferon beta which the body produces when it contracts a viral infection. Covid19 patients inhale the protein into the lungs using a nebuliser with the aim of stimulating an immune response. Initial findings published on Monday suggest the treatment cuts the chances of a hospitalised coronavirus patient developing severe symptoms of the disease by 79 per cent. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/coronavirus-treatment-protein-trial-synairgen-a4503076.html 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Early estimates of the production a million doses of the University of Oxfords experimental COVID19 vaccine by September could be an underestimate depending on how quickly latestage trials can be completed a researcher said on Monday. There might be a million doses manufactured by September that now seems like a remarkable underestimate given the scale of whats going on Adrian Hill of University of Oxford said referring to the manufacturing capability of partner AstraZeneca. Certainly therell be a million doses around in September. Whats less predictable than the manufacturing scaleup is the incidence of disease so when therell be an endpoint. He added it was possible that there would be vaccines available by the end of the year https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-oxford-vaccine-res/over-a-million-doses-of-oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-possible-by-september-researcher-idUKKCN24L1TW 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Atlantic A new study from Kings College London inspired a raft of headlines suggesting that immunity might vanish in months. The truth is a lot more complicatedand thankfully less dire. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/could-covid-19-immunity-really-disappear-months/614377/ 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Diabetes.co.uk Herd immunity is not feasible to control the spread of COVID19 according to a study thought to be the largest in Europe. The Spanish trial involved more than 60000 people and it is thought only 5 per cent of the countrys population has developed the coronavirus antibodies. Herd immunity occurs when enough people become infected and so the spread is stopped. In order to protect the uninfected between 70 to 90 per cent of the population must be immune. The authors wrote Despite the high impact of COVID19 in Spain prevalence estimates remain low and are clearly insufficient to provide herd immunity.This cannot be achieved without accepting the collateral damage of many deaths in the susceptible population and overburdening of health systems. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2020/jul/spanish-study-concludes-herd-immunity-is-not-feasible-to-stop-covid-19.html 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian The severe impact of Covid19 on people from minority ethnic groups has been linked to air pollution and overcrowded and poorstandard homes by a study of 400 hospital patients. It found patients from ethnic minorities were twice as likely as white patients to live in areas of environmental and housing deprivation and that people from these areas were twice as likely to arrive at hospital with more severe coronavirus symptoms and to be admitted to intensive care units ITU. Minority ethnic groups were known to be disproportionately affected by Covid19 they account for 34 of critically ill Covid19 patients in the UK despite constituting 14 of the population. But the reasons for the disparity remain unclear. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/19/covid-19-impact-on-ethnic-minorities-linked-to-housing-and-air-pollution 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Maxx Cheng from Claremont California began feeling unwell on July 4. Maxx tested negative for coronavirus but selfisolated in his bedroom. His family found him passed out in his bedroom on Thursday night https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8540223/Healthy-13-year-old-boy-dies-experiencing-Covid-19-symptoms.html 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

National Geographic UK A July 17 analysis of more than 50000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S. found that 80 percent were people 65 or older. Second the ageing thymus may also complicate vaccine development for the pandemic. Vaccines provide instructions for our immune system which Tcells help pass along. By age 40 or 50 the thymus has exhausted most of its reserve of the kind of Tcells that can learn to recognise unfamiliar pathogensand train other immune cells to fight them. Many vaccines rely on such Tcells. Because of COVID19 researchers are having to pay more attention than ever to how vaccines perform in older people. Moderna Therapeutics for example which published the first results this week from the phaseone trial of its novel mRNA vaccine is running a phase two trial specifically for adults aged 55 and older. https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/science-and-technology/2020/07/why-those-most-at-risk-of-covid-19-are-least-likely-to-respond-to-a 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC Focus Magazine Academics at the University of Leicester found that COVID19 cases continued to rise in BAME groups in certain parts of Leicester in the three weeks after the announcement was made while rates in white groups dropped off very sharply. They said the findings published recently in the journal EClinicalMedicine by The Lancet raise serious questions on whether lockdown on its own is effective for a diverse population. https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/covid-19-bame-communities-need-targeted-health-messaging-scientists-warn/ 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Optimists had hoped Covid19 might not withstand the blistering heat of a British summer. However those hopes have faded the virus staged a recent resurgence in Iran amid actual blistering temperatures and has had no trouble persisting in sultry Singapore. But what happens to Covid19 and us when the rain and chill and flu and sniffles of autumn set in Especially how will the annual winter flu epidemic play out amid a Covid19 pandemic One thing is a given. We can expect waves of Covid in the fall says virologist Ab Osterhaus of the Research Centre for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses in Hanover. By then he hopes we might be better at treating severe cases and more countries might be able to test trace and quarantine all cases and their contacts and contain the virus better than they can now. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/19/what-happens-when-flu-meets-covid-19 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters UK Britain has signed deals to secure 90 million doses of two possible COVID19 vaccines from an alliance of Pfizer Inc and BioNTech and French group Valneva the business ministry said on Monday. Britain secured 30 million doses of the experimental BioNTechPfizer vaccine and a deal in principle for 60 million doses of the Valneva vaccine with an option of 40 million more doses if it was proven to be safe effective and suitable the ministry said. With no working vaccine against COVID19 yet developed Britain now has three different types of vaccine under order and a total of 230 million doses potentially available. This new partnership with some of the worlds foremost pharmaceutical and vaccine companies will ensure the UK has the best chance possible of securing a vaccine that protects those most at risk business minister Alok Sharma said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-vaccines/britain-secures-90-million-possible-covid-19-vaccine-doses-from-pfizer-biontech-valneva-idUKKCN24L0GN 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian This spring I wrote an essay for the New York Times about my experience as a young apparently healthy person hospitalized by a brutal attack of Covid19. After my essay came out I was contacted by media outlets all over the world. In many ways I was the perfect person to raise awareness about the virus my initial symptoms neatly fit the CDC description I was young and lacked preexisting conditions and I could prove my diagnosis via a positive Covid19 test. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/20/some-covid-19-patients-are-struggling-to-get-doctors-to-listen-heres-why 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC The preliminary results of a clinical trial suggest a new treatment for Covid19 reduces the number of patients needing intensive care according to the UK company that developed it. The treatment from Southamptonbased biotech Synairgen uses a protein called interferon beta which the body produces when it gets a viral infection. The protein is inhaled directly into the lungs of patients with coronavirus using a nebuliser in the hope that it will stimulate an immune response. The initial findings suggest the treatment cut the odds of a Covid19 patient in hospital developing severe disease such as requiring ventilation by 79. Patients were two to three times more likely to recover to the point where everyday activities were not compromised by their illness Synairgen claims. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53467022 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Mirror Online Coronavirus lockdown could kill more than 200000 Brits due to delays to healthcare and an impending recession a government report shows. Experts from the Department of Health the Office for National Statistics the Actuarys Department and the Home Office fear one million years of life lost in the long term. They calculated up to 25000 could die from delays to treatment in the first six months since March 23 and another 185000 in the medium to longterm. Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance revealed the existence of the report published in April at a science and technology select committee last week. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/impact-uk-coronavirus-lockdown-cause-22382184 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Economist This may seem a foolish time to stage a gigantic volleyball tournament in Florida a covid19 hotspot. Yet this week several thousand young athletes turned up in Orlando to smash balls back and forth over a net. At least they will get some exercise. Many of their peers will not. The pandemic is harming childrens health. Not that they are dying in large numbers of the virus itself which seems to affect them only mildly. And not only because of a growing body of evidence suggesting that lockdowns harm their mental health. It is also because life under confinement in rich countries has been making children fatter and more sedentary. These effects may well last much longer than the restrictions designed to curb the disease. https://www.economist.com/international/2020/07/19/lockdowns-could-have-long-term-effects-on-childrens-health 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Jakarta Post The new coronavirus has directly caused the death of 9 out of 10 of Italian COVID19 victims a study released on Thursday said shedding new light on the epidemic which mainly struck the countrys northern regions. Since discovering its first infections in February Italy has reported some 35000 COVID19 fatalities. However health authorities said many of those who died were also affected by other ailments and this provoked a fierce debate on whether the virus was the actual cause of death. https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/07/17/virus-was-direct-cause-of-death-for-89-of-italian-covid-19-victims.html 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Health24 New research from the Universities of Oxford and Edinburgh suggests that in the absence of a vaccine early strict government measures and nonpharmaceutical interventions may have resulted in significantly fewer Covid19 deaths. The aim of this study published on medRxiv as a preprint version was to create a comprehensive database to track the response of 170 governments to the coronavirus stretching from the period 1 January to 27 May 2020. https://m.health24.com/Medical/Infectious-diseases/Coronavirus/large-analysis-of-170-countries-shows-that-lockdown-measures-did-reduce-covid-19-mortality-20200720-5 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The New York Times Held in high esteem for its scientific expertise Europe especially Britain has long educated many of the best medical students from Asia Africa and Latin America. On a visit to South Korea after a 2015 outbreak of the coronavirus MERS Dame Sally Davies then Englands chief medical officer was revered as an expert. Upon her return home she assured colleagues that such an outbreak could not happen in Britains public health system. Now South Korea with a death toll below 300 is a paragon of success against the pandemic. Many epidemiologists there are dumbfounded at the mess made by their mentors. It has come as a bit of a shock to a number of Koreans said Prof. Seo Yongseok of Seoul National University suggesting that perhaps British policymakers thought that an epidemic is a disease that only occurs in developing countries. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/20/world/europe/coronavirus-mistakes-france-uk-italy.html 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters For about a month John was woken by bad dreams a side effect of missing his antiretroviral medication from late May when he was unable to collect his prescription drugs due to COVID19. John 32 works in the liquor industry and has lived with HIV for 14 years. This has compromised his immune system so he went into selfisolation after the coronavirus emerged in Jamaica in March. During the nights it makes you jump out of your sleep with nightmares ... but you have to isolate yourself said John not his real name who ran out of medicine because he could not afford private transport to take him to the pharmacy. Clarence did not miss any treatment but sometimes struggled to get the medication that he has used for many years after contracting HIV 25 years ago. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-jamaica-aids-featu/fears-of-hiv-spike-in-jamaica-as-pandemic-hits-prevention-efforts-idUSKCN24L0ND 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Washington Post A University of Oxford group and the BritishSwedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca reported Monday that their coronavirus vaccine candidate on which the U.S. and European governments have placed substantial bets was shown in earlystage human trials to be safe and to stimulate a strong immune response. The study published in the British medical journal the Lancet and involving 1077 volunteers was described as promising. A second report in the same publication on a Chinese vaccine showed what researchers not involved in the study described as modest positive results. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-phase-1-lancet/2020/07/20/12fbbc92-c857-11ea-a825-8722004e4150_story.html 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC A coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford appears safe and triggers an immune response. Trials involving 1077 people showed the injection led to them making antibodies and Tcells that can fight coronavirus. The findings are hugely promising but it is still too soon to know if this is enough to offer protection and larger trials are under way. The UK has already ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53469839 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Deccan Chronicle The AIIMS Ethics Committee on Saturday gave its nod for a human clinical trial of the indigenously developed COVID19 vaccine candidate Covaxin following which the premier hospital to begin the exercise by enrolling healthy volunteers from Monday. AIIMSDelhi is among the 12 sites selected by the Indian Council for Medical Research ICMR for conducting phase I and II human trials of Covaxin. In phase I the vaccine would be tested on 375 volunteers and the maximum of 100 of them would be from AIIMS. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/business/in-other-news/200720/aiims-to-start-human-trials-of-covaxin-today.html 20th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Hindu At least seven Indian pharma companies are working to develop a vaccine against coronavirus as they join global efforts to find a preventive to check the spread of the virus that has already infected more than 14 million globally. Bharat Biotech Serum Institute Zydus Cadila Panacea Biotec Indian Immunologicals Mynvax and Biological E are among the domestic pharma firms working on the coronavirus vaccines in India. Vaccines normally require years of testing and additional time to produce at scale but scientists are hoping to develop a coronavirus vaccine within months because of the pandemic. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/seven-indian-pharma-players-race-to-develop-covid-19-vaccine/article32130198.ece 19th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

ClinicialTrials.gov This is a phase 23 multicenter randomized doubleblind parallel arm placebo controlled study with an adaptive design that will utilize a futility assessment. The study is planned be performed in Italy other EU countries Russia Brazil Mexico and the US in up to approximately 40 clinical sites. After informed consent is obtained patients will enter a screening phase for no more than 3 days to determine eligibility. Approximately 270 eligible patients will be randomized and receive either opaganib added to standard of care or matching placebo added to standard of care in a randomization ratio of 11. Treatment assignments will remain blinded to the patient investigator and hospital staff as well as the sponsor. As the approval andor guidance for treating COVID19 are evolving for this protocol standard of care will be defined by the recommended schemes of treatment according to the severity of the disease based on local diagnostic and guideline documents such as the Temporary Methodic Recommendations Prophylactic Diagnostics and Treatment of New Corona Virus Infection COVID19 Appendix 10 the EU Commission the European Medicines Agency EMA the Heads of Medicines Agency HMA and FDA and as updated to the most current version of the recommendations. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04467840?term=Opaganib&ampdraw=2&amprank=1 15th Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

ClinicalTrials.gov Novel Corona Virus SARSCoV2 is known to cause Respiratory Failure which is the hallmark of Acute COVID19 as defined by the new NIHFDA classification. Approximately 50 of those who develop Critical COVID19 die despite intensive care and mechanical ventilation. Patients with Critical COVID19 and respiratory failure currently treated with high flow nasal oxygen noninvasive ventilation or mechanical ventilation will be treated with Aviptadil a synthetic form of Human Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide VIP plus maximal intensive care vs. placebo maximal intensive care. Patients will be randomized to intravenous Aviptadil will receive escalating doses from 50 150 pmolkghr over 12 hours. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04311697?term=aviptadil&ampdraw=2 9th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The prevalence of the novel coronavirus in Spain has risen threefold over the last three weeks as authorities struggle to contain a rash of fresh clusters mainly in the Catalonia and Aragon regions Health Ministry data showed on Monday. After registering thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths per day during an early April peak Spain succeeded in slowing the number of new infections to a trickle. But since restrictions on movement were lifted and Spaniards relaxed back into daily life some 201 new clusters have appeared with heavy concentrations in and around the Catalan cities of Barcelona and Lleida. The occurrence of the novel coronavirus has jumped from eight cases per 100000 inhabitants at the end of June when the countrys state of emergency ended to 27 per 100000 deputy health emergency chief Maria Sierra told a news conference on Monday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-spain-idUSKCN24L2BE 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC More than 20 new cases of Covid19 have been detected in Scotland for the second day in a row. Saturday saw the biggest rise in nearly a month with 21 new cases the largest daily increase since 21 June. A further 23 confirmed cases were reported on Sunday. However First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was still a low number of cases and fluctuation was to be expected. The proportion of positive tests remains well below 1. No new deaths were registered in Scotland following a positive test for the virus meaning that only one death in the last 11 days has been recorded using this measure. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53463494 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Once named in the same breath as Taiwan and Singapore as an early example of successful virus control Hong Kong is now in the midst of a worsening outbreak of the coronavirus with no sign of it slowing down. Hong Kong residents had been living with reduced pandemicrelated restrictions in recent months. But in the past two weeks the region has recorded more than 500 new cases over 400 of them local. About 40 have an unknown source and the majority are not imported a stark inverse in the proportions seen the last time Hong Kong experienced a sudden rise in cases. On Monday more than a third of the 73 new cases reported came from an unknown source. It followed a record 108 new cases 83 local transmissions reported by the centre for health protection on Saturday. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/20/hong-kong-lockdown-coronavirus-outbreak 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Department of Health posted 580 more cases taking the rolling sevenday mean of infections to 628. The last time the average rose for at least four days in a row was on April 11 according to government data. And hospital admissions another indicator tracking the crisis have yet to spike despite fears of a surge. Number 10s scientific advisory panel last week admitted the outbreak is shrinking at a slightly slower speed. Despite the concerning data released today just 11 laboratoryconfirmed coronavirus deaths were recorded. No new victims were recorded in several parts of England or the whole of Scotland Wales or Northern Ireland https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8540551/UK-records-six-Covid-19-deaths-preliminary-toll.html 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC A local lockdown in Blackburn with Darwen is the very last resort in tackling the areas rise in coronavirus cases its public health boss has said. The Lancashire borough is overtaking Leicester as Englands coronavirus hotspot according to official figures. It recorded the highest infection rate with 82.6 cases per 100000 people in the week to 17 July Public Health England data showed. Prof Dominic Harrison said he would be reluctant to impose a local lockdown. The number of cases in the borough nearly doubled to 123 in the past week compared with 63 the week before. The latest figures are subject to daily revision but they reflect the position reported on Monday afternoon. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-53470600 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Scotsman As lockdown restrictions ease across the UK concerns amongst experts are growing in regards to the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus cases if social distancing guidelines are not adhered to https://www.scotsman.com/health/will-there-be-second-wave-coronavirus-if-cases-covid-19-could-surge-again-uk-leicester-lockdown-extended-2872312 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Euro Weekly News The Italian region of Lazio which includes the capital Rome has warned residents that local lockdowns may have to be reimposed if there continue to be new clusters of coronavirus cases. Lazios Health Commissioner Alessio DAmato reported 17 new COVID19 cases on Sunday 10 of which were foreign residents who had returned to Italy from abroad. Rome has recently seen clusters of coronavirus infections among its Bangladeshi residents who have been returning from working in Bangladesh. Italy has banned arrivals from 13 atrisk countries including Bangladesh after the rise in cases. https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/07/20/italys-capital-rome-facing-possibility-of-return-to-lockdown-as-covid-cases-rise/ 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

EL PAS in English Tourists from the Catalan capital filled the coastal town of Platja dAro over the weekend despite recommendations to avoid travel due to the rising number of coronavirus cases https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-07-20/fearing-mandatory-lockdown-barcelona-residents-head-for-costa-brava.html 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Yahoo News UK A Spanish tourist hotspot has shut down its nightclubs after a surge in coronavirus cases. The city of Gandia near Valencia on the Costa Blanca has closed its clubs following an outbreak El Pais reported. The number of COVID19 cases in the coastal city increased to 70 on Saturday a rise of 21 from Friday. Regional health chief Ana Barcelo said most of the 20 outbreaks in the region are linked to nightclubs bars parties and young people. She said We are enormously worried that more cases could continue appearing due to nightlife activities. Nightclubs in Gandia must remain closed until at least August authorities said while bars must shut at 10pm. Separately an endofschool event on 10 July at a nightclub in Cordoba in the southern region of Andalusia has been blamed for a rise in infections. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/beaches-barcelona-coronavirus-lockdown-100736910.html 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Connexion Plans for possible future localised reconfinements are being developed as Prime Minister Jean Castex says the current rate of Covid19 circulation in France is not serious but does require more vigilance. The Prime Minister was speaking on TV channel France 2 on Friday evening July 17. Mr Castex was also questioned on how numbers in France compare to those in Barcelona Spain which has recently gone back into lockdown after Covid19 cases almost tripled in a week.He said the situation in the Spanish city was much further deteriorated than in France but also acknowledged that we dont know where we will be in three weeks. https://www.connexionfrance.com/index.php/French-news/French-plans-for-local-re-confinements-are-practically-finished 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Globe Post The southern French cities of Nice and Marseille have higher rates of COVID19 spread than other parts of the country. The spread of infection is measured by the scientific R0 pronounced R not. R0 measures on average how many new people one person carrying the virus will infect. We must remain vigilant Veran said. On Monday France also made masks mandatory in all public spaces including restaurants shops and other businesses. Previously business owners could decide whether their patrons were required to wear face coverings. https://theglobepost.com/2020/07/20/france-second-wave/ 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail New South Wales recorded 20 new coronavirus cases after a spike on Sunday Experts have warned harsher restrictions including lockdown may be needed Premier Gladys Berejiklian previously said she would avoid a second lockdown https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8539547/New-South-Wales-records-20-new-cases-coronavirus.html 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC Hong Kong has recorded its highest oneday increase in cases since the pandemic began the territorys Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said. At a Sunday press conference Ms Lam said there had been more than 100 new infections and announced new restrictions to contain the spread. She described the situation as really critical and said there was no sign it was coming under control. Nonessential civil servants must work from home and testing will increase. The chief executive promised that authorities would carry out 10000 tests a day and also made wearing face masks compulsory in indoor public spaces. Face coverings were already mandatory on public transport. There were 108 new cases 83 of them local and 25 imported the health authorities said. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53462362 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail NSW on Sunday recorded 18 new cases of coronavirus most since April 29. Doherty Institute estimates the diseases reproduction number in NSW is 1.28. Experts have warned harsher restrictions including lockdown may be needed https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8539369/New-South-Wales-bracing-lockdown.html 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Sydney Morning Herald On Monday NSW recorded 20 new cases while Victoria registered 275. There were 296 new cases nationwide. Were not alone and its definitely a sign in some countries that they shouldnt have taken their foot off the brake if you look at Israel you can readily identify an easing of restrictions before the decks were cleared emeritus professor of public health at the University of Sydney Stephen Leeder said. https://www.smh.com.au/national/victim-of-our-success-australia-s-unique-second-covid-19-wave-20200716-p55cr7.html 20th Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK A surge in COVID19 cases in Australias secondbiggest city could take weeks to subside despite a lockdown and orders to wear masks Australias acting chief medical officer said on Monday as the country braces for a second wave of infection. Authorities in the state of Victoria whose capital Melbourne is in partial lockdown amid a new outbreak reported 275 new COVID19 cases on Monday down from a daily record of 438 three days earlier. Australias Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said it would take weeks to slow the outbreak to levels seen as recently as June when Victoria and the rest of Australia reported single or doubledigit daily infections. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-australia/australia-warns-coronavirus-outbreak-will-take-weeks-to-tame-idUKKCN24L013 20th Jul 2020

New Lockdown

CNN A wartime state has been declared in the capital of Xinjiang home to Chinas persecuted Muslimmajority Uyghur ethnic group as authorities implement strict and sweeping measures to stem a spike in coronavirus cases. The city of Urumqi reported 17 local infections Sunday meaning that 47 cases have been identified since last Wednesday. Before that it had not recorded a single case in nearly five months according to the Xinjiang health authorities. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/20/asia/coronavirus-xinjiang-urumqi-intl-hnk/index.html 20th Jul 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Panic spreads after more than 500 new cases recorded in past two weeks most of them local. Once named in the same breath as Taiwan and Singapore as an early example of successful virus control Hong Kong is now in the midst of a worsening outbreak of the coronavirus with no sign of it slowing down. Hong Kong residents had been living with reduced pandemicrelated restrictions in recent months. But in the past two weeks the region has recorded more than 500 new cases over 400 of them local. About 40 have an unknown source and the majority are not imported a stark inverse in the proportions seen the last time Hong Kong experienced a sudden rise in cases. On Monday more than a third of the 73 new cases reported came from an unknown source. It followed a record 108 new cases 83 local transmissions reported by the centre for health protection on Saturday. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/20/hong-kong-lockdown-coronavirus-outbreak?utm_term=Autofeed&ampCMP=twt_b-gdnnews&amputm_medium=Social&amputm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1595286952 20th Jul 2020