14th Jan 2022 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=578 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Entering the third year of the pandemic Chinas unbending approach to Covid19 has left the worlds secondlargest economy all but shut off from international travel with fewer than 500 inbound flights scheduled this week compared with about 10000 this time two years ago. Capacity cuts are intensifying as China tries to snuff out virus flareups with aggressive lockdowns. Since midDecember airlines have eliminated almost 1000 flights that would have arrived in the country between now and Feb. 1 the start of the Lunar New Year typically the busiest time for travel anywhere on the planet. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-13/china-s-covid-absolutism-is-making-it-a-no-go-zone-for-airlines 13th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Norway is scaling back some of its infection restrictions as it moves into a new phase of the pandemic. The omicron variant has pushed infection rates to records and the country now needs to ready itself to tolerate living with the virus Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told reporters on Thursday. It isnt possible to stop an omicrondriven wave but the likelihood of hospitalization is lower and vaccination provides good protection against serious sickness he said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-13/norway-eases-measures-as-it-prepares-to-live-with-omicron-wave 13th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Hundreds of millions of Covid19 vaccine doses purchased by wealthy countries are at risk of going to waste a new analysis shows while large parts of the world remain unprotected amid the spread of the omicron variant. About 240 million doses purchased by the U.S. U.K. Japan Canada and the European Union are expected to go unused and expire by March Londonbased analytics firm Airfinity Ltd. said Thursday in a report. The number of potentially wasted doses could climb to 500 million by that point if other countries receiving donated doses dont have enough time to administer them it said. Even after successful booster rollouts there are surplus doses available that risk going to waste if not shared very soon Rasmus Bech Hansen https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-13/hundreds-of-millions-of-covid-vaccine-doses-risk-going-to-waste 13th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters India has eased its COVID19 rules on testing quarantine and hospital admissions in a bid to free up resources for its neediest people a strategy hailed by experts even though it carries the risk of a heavy undercount of infections and deaths. The moves will offer a breathing space for healthcare facilities often overstretched in a farflung nation of 1.4 billion as they battle a 33fold surge in infections over the past month from the highly contagious Omicron variant. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-new-covid-19-rules-aim-free-up-resources-carry-risks-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Crowds at the main Australian Open tennis stadiums will be capped at 50 capacity under updated COVID19 restrictions organisers said on Thursday as authorities battle a surge of cases in Melbourne. Face masks will also be mandatory for all patrons except when eating or drinking and there will be density limits of one person per two square metres at indoor hospitality venues. Tennis Australia TA said the 50 cap only applied for ticket sales at the Rod Laver Arena centre court and the second show court Margaret Court Arena. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/australian-open-crowds-capped-50-capacity-due-covid-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters The organizer of CES the worlds largest technology show said on Thursday it was unable to confirm the number of COVID19 cases from its inperson event in Las Vegas last week after South Korean authorities said about 70 attendees from the country tested positive for the virus. The 70 South Korean nationals included representatives from Samsung Electronics and chipmaker SK Hynix sources told Reuters on Tuesday. Of the 40000 that attended CES 30 traveled from outside the United States. https://www.reuters.com/business/ces-unable-confirm-covid-19-cases-after-70-skorean-nationals-test-positive-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Volkswagen Groups China unit said on Thursday it has shut a plant it jointly runs with FAW Group in the city of Tianjin as well as a component factory due to recent COVID19 outbreaks there.Due to the recent COVID19 outbreaks both the FAWVW vehicle plant and VW Automatic Transmission Tianjin component factory have been shut down since Monday a spokesperson told Reuters. Both plants have conducted COVID 19 testing twice for all employees this week and are waiting for the results https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-china-shuts-two-plants-tianjin-due-covid-19-outbreaks-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Canadas urban exodus picked up steam into the second year of the COVID19 pandemic with tens of thousands of people leaving Toronto and Montreal for smaller cities or rural areas official data showed on Thursday. More than 64000 people left Toronto for other parts of Ontario from mid2020 to mid2021 up 14 from the previous 12month period according to Statistics Canada population estimates with another 6600 moving out of province. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/so-long-toronto-covid-19-pandemic-hastens-canadas-urban-exodus-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

The Guardian French teachers have held one of the biggest education strikes in recent years forcing the closure of hundreds of primary schools in protest at the governments handling of Covid19 measures in the education sector. Tens of thousands of teachers took part in the oneday strike. Trade unions said 75 of primary teachers walked out alongside 62 of secondary teachers. The education ministry gave much lower figures on Thursday morning saying there was an average of 38.5 of teachers on strike in primary schools and just under 24 in high schools. Teachers and education support staff joined a protest march through the centre of Paris to the education ministry and others demonstrated in towns across France. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/13/half-of-french-primary-schools-expected-to-close-teachers-strike-protest-covid-education 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Haaretz Palestinians who are married to Israeli citizens and are legal residents of Israel are unable to download the Health Ministrys Green Pass which certifies that they are vaccinated against the coronavirus or recovered from the virus. Many Palestinians reported difficulties in acquiring the Green Pass even if they were vaccinated in Israel. The Health Ministry said in response that the matter is being dealt with but affected Palestinians say the issue is persisting. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/palestinians-married-to-israeli-citizens-excluded-from-covid-vaccine-pass-program-1.10535762 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

CNBC Cubas prestigious biotech sector has developed five different Covid vaccines to date including Abdala Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus all of which Cuba has said provide upwards of 90 protection against symptomatic Covid when administered in three doses. The country of roughly 11 million remains the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean to have produced a homegrown shot for Covid. The WHOs potential approval of Cubas nationally produced Covid vaccines would carry enormous significance for lowincome nations John Kirk professor emeritus at the Latin America program of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia Canada said https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/13/why-cubas-extraordinary-covid-vaccine-success-could-provide-the-best-hope-for-the-global-south.html 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

The Independent The most senior nurses and midwives in England have called for the government to delay its deadline for all NHS staff to be vaccinated against Covid over fears it could backfire. From 1 April 2022 all NHS staff will be required by law to be fully vaccinated against Covid19 meaning all those who have yet to have a first dose will need to have it by February. The government has previously predicted the NHS could lose up to 73000 staff following the jab deadline and in an assessment published in December warned patient care could be impacted. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-vaccine-mandatory-nhs-delay-b1991855.html 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

The Independent South Korea on Thursday received its first supply of Pfizers antiviral COVID19 pills to treat patients with mild or moderate symptoms. Health officials have described the Paxlovid pills as a potentially important tool to suppress hospitalizations and deaths as the country braces for another possible surge in infections driven by the contagious omicron variant. South Koreas initial supply is enough to support the required fiveday treatment courses for 21000 people. Officials say another batch of pills enough to provide the required fiveday courses for 10000 people will come by the end of January. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/south-korea-pfizer-seoul-covid-experts-b1992112.html 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters U.S. schools should receive the first additional COVID19 rapid tests being made available by the federal government in about two weeks a White House official said as Washington races to keep classes open amid a recordsetting Omicron surge. The new tests must be ordered through state governments but the White House is also making available lab capacity to support five million monthly PCR tests that schools can order themselves if their states are not being helpful the official said. Those should arrive in seven to 10 days. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/first-new-covid-19-tests-arrive-schools-week-jan-24-white-house-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Coronavirus restrictions in the Netherlands will be eased from Saturday despite a wave of new infections due to the Omicron variant Dutch media reported on Thursday. Nonessential stores hairdressers and gyms will be allowed to reopen for a limited number of customers broadcasters NOS and RTL said citing government sources. Students will be welcomed back to their colleges and universities. Bars restaurants theatres museums and other public places will remain closed. The government will decide formally on the changes on Friday. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/netherlands-ease-covid-19-restrictions-report-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Africas top public health body said it was in talks with Pfizer about securing supplies of its antiviral COVID19 pills for the continent the latest to join the race for a drug seen as a potential game changer in fighting the virus. The Paxlovid medication was nearly 90 effective in preventing hospitalisations and deaths and data suggested it retains its effectiveness against the Omicron variant Pfizer has said https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/africa-cdc-talking-pfizer-about-importing-its-covid-treatment-pill-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Sweden will cut the recommended time interval between the second and third COVID vaccine shot to five months from six the health agency said on Wednesday. The decision will affect people between the age of 18 and 64. People above 65 were already eligible to get their booster shot five months after the second. Children aged 12 to 17 will still have to wait six months. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-cuts-recommended-gap-between-second-third-covid-shot-2022-01-12/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK The minimum COVID19 selfisolation period in England will be cut to five days from seven if someone tests negative twice Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Thursday a move that could reduce staffing disruption in businesses and infrastructure. The rapid spread of the Omicron variant has fuelled a spike in COVID19 cases to record highs in Britain and the surge has cause major disruption to the staffing of hospitals schools and transport as staff have to selfisolate. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-health-minister-address-lawmakers-amid-debate-over-covid-19-isolation-period-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Senegal has authorized COVID19 vaccines for children over 12 and booster shots for adults the health ministry said on Thursday as vaccine hesitancy complicates its fight against rising infections from the Omicron variant. The booster dose will initially be aimed at people identified as vulnerable to severe illness the health ministry said in a Twitter post on Thursday that included a ministry letter dated Jan. 11. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/senegal-authorizes-covid-19-booster-shots-vaccines-children-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Poorer nations last month rejected more than 100 million doses of COVID19 vaccines distributed by the global programme COVAX mainly due to their rapid expiry date a UNICEF official said on Thursday. The big figure shows the difficulties of vaccinating the world despite growing supplies of shots with COVAX getting closer to delivering 1 billion doses to a total of nearly 150 countries. More than a 100 million have been rejected just in December alone Etleva Kadilli director of Supply Division at U.N. agency UNICEF told lawmakers at the European Parliament. The main reason for rejection was the delivery of doses with a short shelflife she said. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/more-than-100-million-covid-19-vaccines-rejected-by-poorer-nations-dec-unicef-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters The French Senate approved on Thursday the governments latest measures to tackle the COVID19 virus including a vaccine pass which has encountered some opposition among the public after President Emmanuel Macrons harsh criticism of the unvaccinated. The Senate backed the COVID measures and legislation for a COVID vaccine pass by 249 in favour versus 63 against. The legislation had already been approved earlier this month by Frances lower house of parliament. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-senate-approves-latest-covid-measures-vaccine-pass-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Hungary is to make a fourth COVID19 shot available to people who ask for it after a consultation with a doctor Prime Minister Viktor Orbans chief of staff Gergely Gulyas told a news conference on Thursday. Gulyas made the announcement just as the Central European country of 10 million expects a substantial further increase in COVID19 cases over the coming weeks due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungary-govt-expects-covid-19-cases-surge-shortens-quarantine-period-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Reuters Tens of thousands of French teachers angry with the governments COVID19 rules walked off the job on Thursday and took to the streets to demand better protection for pupils and staff against infection. Stop your contempt and Were fed up with tests teachers proclaimed on banners in rallies across France calling for the government to provide them with FFP2 facemasks and to stop changing the rules so often. Teachers parents and school directors have struggled to cope with the many twists and turns in COVID rules on schools. New testing requirements announced a day before schools restarted after the Christmas holidays and changed twice since increased the anger. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-teachers-strike-over-chaotic-covid-19-strategy-schools-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Reuters British fashion retailer Next has cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff who must selfisolate due to exposure to COVID19 it said on Thursday. Its highly emotive but we have to balance the needs of the business with those of workers and shareholders said a spokesperson for the group. He said unvaccinated workers who test positive will still receive Nexts full rate of sick pay. Nexts move follows a similar one by furniture retailer Ikea. https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/britains-next-cuts-sick-pay-unvaccinated-staff-forced-self-isolate-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Reuters The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked President Joe Bidens COVID19 vaccinationortesting mandate for large businesses a policy the conservative justices deemed an improper imposition on the lives and health of many Americans while endorsing a separate federal vaccine requirement for healthcare facilities. Biden voiced disappointment with the conservativemajority courts decision to halt his administrations rule requiring vaccines or weekly COVID19 tests for employees at businesses with at least 100 employees. Biden said it now is up to states and employers to decide whether to require workers to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-blocks-biden-vaccine-or-test-policy-large-businesses-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Women who have Covid19 towards the end of their pregnancy are more vulnerable to stillbirths newborn deaths and birth related complications a new study suggests. The research also found that most complications occurred in women who were not vaccinated with the majority 98 of pregnant women with Covid19 who were admitted to critical care being unvaccinated. The study which included more than 87000 women in Scotland found that preterm births stillbirths and newborn deaths were more common among women who had the virus 28 days or less before their delivery date compared to background rates. All the women whose babies died had not been vaccinated against Covid19 at the time of infection though experts stressed that it is not possible to say if Covid19 contributed directly to the deaths or preterm births as they did not have access to detailed clinical records for individual women. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-13/covid-in-pregnancy-linked-to-stillbirths-and-newborn-deaths-study-suggests 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Coronavirus loses most of its ability to infect shortly after being exhaled and is less likely to be contagious at longer distances a study from the University of Bristols Aerosol Research Centre showed. Researchers found that the virus loses 90 of its contagion capacity 20 minutes after becoming airborne and that most of that loss happens in the first five minutes of it reaching the air according to the study that simulates how the virus behaves after exhaling. With some countries opening the debate in Europe about an endemic phase to the virus insights into the way the virus travels across the air will help guide containment measures. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-13/covid-loses-most-of-infection-capacity-after-20-minutes-in-air 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Yahoo Finance AstraZeneca said on Thursday preliminary data from a trial it conducted on its COVID19 shot Vaxzevria showed it generated a higher antibody response against the Omicron variant and others including Beta Delta Alpha and Gamma when given as a third booster dose. The increased response was seen in people who were previously vaccinated with either Vaxzevria or an mRNA vaccine the drugmaker said adding that it would submit this data to regulators worldwide given the urgent need for boosters. AstraZeneca has developed the vaccine with researchers from the University of Oxford and lab studies last month found a threedose course of Vaxzevria was effective against the rapidly spreading new variant. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/astrazeneca-says-higher-antibody-response-075212288.html 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters AstraZeneca said that preliminary data from a trial showed that its COVID19 shot Vaxzevria generated an increase in antibodies against the Omicron and other variants when given as a third booster dose. The increased response also against the Delta variant was seen in a blood analysis of people who were previously vaccinated with either Vaxzevria or an mRNA vaccine the drugmaker said adding that it would submit this data to regulators worldwide given the urgent need for boosters. read more https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/astrazeneca-says-higher-antibody-response-against-omicron-with-booster-dose-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Swiss drugs regulator Swissmedic said on Thursday it had granted temporary approval to Regkirona antibody medicine that can be used for the treatment of COVID19 in adults. Swissmedic said the applicant did not submit any information on its efficacy against the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Regkirona which contains the active substance regdanvimab can be used to treat adult COVID patients if oxygen therapy or hospitalisation is not required and there is a high risk of developing a severe form of COVID19. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/swissmedic-temporarily-approves-regkirona-covid-19-treatment-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Moderna Inc said on Wednesday it expects to report data from its COVID19 vaccine trial in children aged between 2 to 5 years in March. If the data is supportive and subject to regulatory consultation Moderna may proceed with regulatory filings for children 25 years of age thereafter the company said. Modernas vaccine based on the messenger RNA platform already has authorizations in Europe UK Australia and Canada for adolescents aged 1217 years and has submitted applications for children in 6 to 11 years. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-expects-covid-19-vaccine-trial-data-children-aged-2-5-march-2022-01-12/ 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The following is a summary of some recent studies on COVID19. They include research that warrants further study to corroborate the findings and that has yet to be certified by peer review. Long COVID brain fog shares features with chemo brain The brain fog reported by some people after COVID19 shows striking similarities to the condition known as chemo brain the mental cloudiness some people experience during and after cancer treatment according to new research. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/long-covid-brain-fog-found-similar-chemo-brain-clip-on-device-shows-promise-2022-01-12/ 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Scientific Viewpoint Two brandnew COVID19 pills that were supposed to be an important weapon against the pandemic in the U.S. are in short supply and have played little role in the fight against the omicron wave of infections. The problem in part is that production is still being ramped up and the medicines can take anywhere from five to eight months to manufacture. While the supply is expected to improve dramatically in the coming months doctors are clamoring for the pills now not just because omicron is causing an explosion of cases but because two antibody drugs that were once the goto treatments dont work as well against the variant. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-pandemics-b2d1051842df779dfa6122f824bd0377 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

The Associated Press The air conditioners hum constantly in the lab at the Wellcome Sanger Institute countering the heat thrown off by rows of hightech sequencing machines that work seven days a week analyzing the genetic material of COVID19 cases from throughout the U.K. The laboratory is one example of how British scientists have industrialized the process of genomic sequencing during the pandemic cutting the time and cost needed to generate a unique genetic fingerprint for each coronavirus case analyzed. That made the U.K. a world leader in COVID19 sequencing helping public health authorities track the spread of new variants develop vaccines and decide when to impose lockdowns. But now researchers at the Sanger Institute in Cambridge and labs around the U.K. have a new mission sharing what theyve learned with other scientists because COVID19 has no regard for national borders. https://apnews.com/article/genomic-sequencing-UK-COVID-Omicron-42ebbdfcab1821f0b099ae59a9c2fea4 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

STAT News Unvaccinated pregnant people who get Covid19 are at much higher risk for complications from the disease and death of their babies than their vaccinated counterparts according to a new study from Scotland. Authors of the populationlevel study published Thursday in Nature Medicine examined data from all pregnant people across Scotland between December 2020 and October 2021 that included information on Covid19 vaccination status and infection. Almost all of the pregnant people who needed critical care for Covid19 102 out of 104 overall were unvaccinated. There were over 450 total fetal and newborn deaths that coincided with Covid19 all among unvaccinated mothers. Vaccination in pregnancy is the safest and most effective way for pregnant women to protect themselves and their babies said Sarah Stock an author of the study who is an obstetrician and maternal and fetal medicine specialist at the University of Edinburgh. This advice needs to go out to partners and parents and grandparents and friends. https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/13/unvaccinated-pregnant-people-higher-risk-covid-complications-newborn-deaths/ 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Polish scientists have found a gene that they say more than doubles the risk of becoming severely ill with COVID19 a discovery they hope could help doctors identify people who are most at risk from the disease. With vaccine hesitancy a major factor behind high coronavirus death rates in central and eastern Europe researchers hope that identifying those at greatest risk will encourage them to get a shot and give them access to more intensive treatment options in case of an infection. After more than a year and a half of work it was possible to identify a gene responsible for a predisposition to becoming seriously ill with coronavirus said Health Minister Adam Niedzielski. reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/polish-scientists-find-gene-that-doubles-risk-serious-covid-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

CNN The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is causing Covid19 cases to spike with an average of more than 747000 new cases a day according to the latest numbers from Johns Hopkins University. Thats almost three times the average daily cases from a year ago when the country was going through its previous peak and its putting an incredible strain on hospitals and emergency rooms. The good news since the last peak is that the US Food and Drug Administration authorized new antiviral pills. Both Paxlovid and molnupiravir were given emergency use authorization in late December to treat mild to moderate Covid19. They interfere through different pathways with the virus ability to replicate and they can be taken at home before someone becomes seriously ill. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/12/health/paxlovid-pfizer-antiviral-scarce/index.html 13th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

CIDAP A 10country study of more than 3000 children who tested positive for COVID19 in emergency departments EDs finds that 3 went on to develop severe disease within 2 weeks with risk factors being older age having chronic conditions and experiencing symptoms longer. The study was published yesterday in JAMA Network Open. An international group of scientists report that among 3221 children 17 years and younger studied in Argentina Australia Canada Costa Rica Italy New Zealand Paraguay Singapore Spain and the United States 107 3.3 experienced severe outcomes within 2 weeks and 4 0.12 died. Among children discharged home from the ED the risk was much lower. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/01/global-study-notes-risk-factors-uncommon-severe-covid-19-kids 12th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

FiercePharma Order up. Shortly after topping off supplies of COVID19 drugs from Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline the U.S. has asked for a second helping of AstraZenecas antibody combo. The government has purchased an additional 500000 doses of AZs longacting antibody cocktail Evusheld or tixagevimab plus cilgavimab. That comes on top of 700000 doses the U.S. already ordered for a total supply of 1.2 million the British drugmaker said Wednesday. AstraZeneca plans to complete the entire delivery within the first quarter of 2022. Unlike the COVID19 antibody drugs from Eli Lilly Regeneron and GlaxoSmithKlineVir Biotechnology AstraZenecas therapeutic is authorized for prevention before exposure to the virus. Specifically the FDA in December authorized Evusheld in people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems either from a medical condition or the use of immunosuppressive medications. People with a history of severe reactions to COVID19 vaccines are also eligible to receive the therapeutic. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/astrazeneca-sells-half-a-million-more-doses-its-covid-19-antibody-combo-u-s 12th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Conversation Its estimated that there could be 3 billion new infections globally over the next three months thanks to the highly infectious omicron variant. Large outbreaks are ongoing across Europe and North America and cases are also rising in many other countries. https://theconversation.com/omicron-may-reach-millions-before-vaccines-do-but-that-doesnt-mean-race-to-vaccinate-the-world-is-over-174492 13th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

HealthDay News While COVID19 has taken the lives of many children and caused serious illness for many more it is generally agreed that the virus is much less likely to inflict severe damage in the young. But new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed a concerning trend The rate of COVID19linked hospitalizations among children younger than 5 grew substantially last week while the same rate for children between the ages of 5 and 17 remained relatively stable. The latest numbers have sparked concerns that the youngest members of society may be more vulnerable to the Omicron variant than their older peers. The affected children ages 4 and under are in the age group not yet eligible for a coronavirus vaccine. https://consumer.healthday.com/covid-in-young-children-2656256077.html 13th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Hungary is to make a fourth COVID19 shot available to people who ask for it after a consultation with a doctor Prime Minister Viktor Orbans chief of staff Gergely Gulyas told a news conference on Thursday. Gulyas made the announcement just as the Central European country of 10 million expects a substantial further increase in COVID19 cases over the coming weeks due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Anyone can get a fourth COVID19 shot based on a consultation with a doctor the government decree about this will be published this week Gulyas said. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungary-govt-expects-covid-19-cases-surge-shortens-quarantine-period-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters COVID19 hospitalizations in the United States have increased by about 33 and deaths are up by about 40 from a week earlier the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC said on Wednesday. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky speaking on a media call said U.S. COVID19 cases driven by the fast spreading Omicron variant are expected to peak in the coming weeks. The magnitude of this increase is largely related to the Omicron variant which now represents about 90 of the COVID19 cases in the country she told reporters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-covid-hospitalizations-up-about-33-deaths-up-about-40-over-past-week-cdc-2022-01-12/ 13th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters New COVID19 infections in Indian cities such as capital New Delhi and Mumbai could peak next week after rising rapidly experts said on Thursday as the country reported the highest number of daily cases since late May. The 247417 new infections were more than 30 times higher daily cases from a month ago rising as the more transmissible Omicron variant replaced Delta across the country. Total infections reached 36.32 million behind only the United States. Our modelling and those of others suggests that the big Indian cities should see their peaks in cases close to Jan. 20 while the overall peak in India may be shifted a bit later to early February said Gautam Menon professor of physics and biology at Ashoka University near the capital. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-daily-covid-19-cases-rise-by-247417-highest-since-may-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Australia on Thursday reported its biggest pandemic caseload with a runaway Omicron outbreak driving up hospitalisation rates as the surge put severe strain on supply chains forcing authorities to ease quarantine rules for more workers. After successfully containing the virus earlier in the pandemic Australia has reported nearly a million cases over the last two weeks as people slowly get adjusted to living with the coronavirus amid fewer restrictions. Total infections detected since the pandemic began neared 1.4 million. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/australia-covid-19-infections-hit-record-amid-runaway-omicron-outbreak-2022-01-13/ 13th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press Most access to a major city adjacent to Beijing was suspended Thursday as China tried to contain an outbreak of the highly contagious omicron variant which poses a test to its zerotolerance COVID19 policy and its ability to successfully host the Winter Olympics. Tianjin a port and manufacturing center with 14 million people is one of a halfdozen cities where the government is imposing lockdowns and other restrictions as part of a policy that aims to track down every virus case. But the outbreak in a city so close to the Olympic host is particularly worrying. Throughout the pandemic authorities have been especially protective of Beijing since it is the seat of government and home to senior politicians. With the Games opening there in just over three weeks and Chinas national pride on the line the stakes are even higher now. https://apnews.com/article/beijing-olympic-games-omicron-china-0e87de42d0d62fc3541d0732a6acd194 13th Jan 2022

New Lockdown

AlJazeera When authorities in Zhengzhou suddenly placed the central Chinese city under a COVID19 lockdown last week a woman known only by her surname Wang was having dinner at the house of her blind date. Just after I arrived in Zhengzhou there was an outbreak and his community was put under lockdown and I could not leave Wang told Shanghaibased outlet The Paper on Tuesday adding that she went there for a weeklong trip to meet potential suitors. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/13/woman-in-china-stuck-in-blind-dates-home-after-covid-lockdown 13th Jan 2022