17th Jan 2022 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=579 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Daily Mail An Omicron case has been detected in Beijing officials in the Chinese capital said Saturday as the country battles multiple outbreaks of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant ahead of the Winter Olympics. Lab testing found mutations specific to the Omicron variant in the person Pang Xinghuo an official at the citys disease control authority told a news briefing. Officials have sealed up the infected persons residential compound and workplace and collected 2430 samples for testing from people linked to the two locations a Haidian district official said. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10405941/Omicron-hits-Beijing-City-records-local-case-highly-transmissible-variant.html 16th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC late on Friday revised its guidance for Americans on wearing masks recommending wearing the most protective mask you can although the agency stopped short of calling for nationwide N95 usage. https://www.reuters.com/reuters.com/world/us/us-cdc-recommends-americans-wear-most-protective-mask-you-can-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Two days before Christmas a cargo ship left Mumbai with a maskmaking machine bound for Illinoisbased OSF HealthCare which will use the equipment to make its own N95 masks. It isnt the hospital groups first foray into manufacturing. After COVID19 border closures in early 2020 choked shipments from Asia producer of about 80 of the worlds medical masks and protective gear OSF and some other hospital groups started investing in U.S. production of key supplies including masks gowns and critical pharmaceuticals. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/burned-by-covid-supply-crunch-hospitals-invest-us-mask-making-2022-01-14/ 14th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Polish scientists have discovered a gene that they say more than doubles the risk of falling severely ill with or even dying from Covid19. The Health Ministry in Warsaw expects the discovery to help identify people who are most at risk from the disease which has already killed more than 100000 people in Poland alone. It also plans to include genetic tests when it screens patients for potential Covid19 infections as soon as the end of June. The research from the Medical University of Bialystok estimates that the gene could be present in about 14 of the Polish population compared with around 9 in Europe and 27 in India. Its the fourth most important factor determining the severity of the illness after age weight and gender it said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-14/gene-linked-to-severe-covid-to-provide-clues-for-those-at-risk?utm_source=google&amputm_medium=bd&ampcmpId=google 14th Jan 2022

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg The Biden administration has assembled a group that will prepare new countermeasures for the emergence of future Covid19 variants and other pandemic threats after the arrival of the omicron strain led to tumult in the U.S. economy and healthcare system. The Pandemic Innovation Task Force formed by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy or OSTP will focus on developing vaccines treatments diagnostic tests and other tools said officials familiar with the matter who asked for anonymity as the details arent yet public. That will help prepare the country in case new versions of the virus surface and for future biological threats beyond Covid19 they said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-14/biden-forms-new-group-to-plan-for-future-coronavirus-variants 14th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Jennifer Pierre speaks for millions of American parents when she sums up how it feels to navigate a patchwork of school COVID19 policies as the pandemic enters a third year. Its so exhausting the Sacramento California mother said this week. She is happy to see her 13yearold daughter and 10yearold son back in their classrooms after the long months of remote learning that hindered their social development. But even with her school districts strict safety protocols she worries about whether the surging Omicron variant will lead to further closures and on what grounds those will be decided. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/exhausted-parents-navigate-patchwork-us-school-covid-19-policies-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Mexican health regulator COFEPRIS said on Friday it had approved U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizers antiviral oral treatment against COVID19 for emergency use in adults with light or moderate risk of complications. Paxlovid which combines nirmatrelvir and ritonavir in a tablet will require a prescription it said in a statement. The treatment was nearly 90 effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths and data suggested it retains its effectiveness against the Omicron variant Pfizer has said. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-approves-emergency-use-pfizers-covid-19-pills-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Uruguay has opened its borders to citizens and residents even if they are infected with COVID19 a rare move amid surging cases worldwide though passengers would need to travel in private vehicles across the border and be in a family bubble. The South American countrys government said the move was in solidarity with Uruguayans and residents who were infected with the virus abroad. All Uruguayan travelers and resident foreigners who have got Covid abroad may return to our country at any time Uruguayan Health Minister Daniel Salinas said on his Twitter account on Friday. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/rare-move-uruguay-opens-borders-residents-infected-with-covid-19-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Apple Inc will require retail and corporate employees to provide proof of a COVID19 booster shot The Verge reported on Saturday citing an internal email. Starting Jan. 24 unvaccinated employees or those who havent submitted proof of vaccination will need negative COVID19 tests to enter Apple workplaces the report said. The Verge said it was not immediately clear if the testing requirement applies to both corporate and retail employees. Due to waning efficacy of the primary series of COVID19 vaccines and the emergence of highly transmissible variants such as Omicron a booster shot is now part of staying up to date with your COVID19 vaccination to protect against severe disease the memo read according to The Verge. https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-require-employee-proof-covid-19-booster-the-verge-2022-01-15/ 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Friday announced the reopening of stores hairdressers and gyms partially lifting a lockdown despite record numbers of new COVIC19 cases. We are taking a big step and that also means were taking a big risk Rutte told a televised press conference. Nonessential stores hairdressers beauty salons and other service providers will be allowed to reopen under strict conditions until 5 p.m. local time 1600 GMT for the first time since midDecember. Rutte added that the uncertainties meant that bars restaurants and cultural venues would have to remain closed until at least Jan. 25. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/new-dutch-government-expected-ease-month-long-covid-19-lockdown-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal As Covid19 vaccine makers prepare Omicronspecific shots federal health authorities say there are signs they might not be necessary. Research is continuing however and industry and globalhealth officials say doses targeting the highly transmissible new variant might be needed longerterm especially if it winds up crowding out earlier strains globally. Differing opinions on the need for Omicrontargeted shots highlights the persisting uncertainty around current vaccines relative efficacy against the variant weeks after it began sweeping the U.S. Researchers designed the existing Covid19 shots to fight the original coronavirus strain that predominated in 2020. Since then the vaccines have remained effective against newer variants like Delta that have emerged and overtaken the initial strain. https://www.wsj.com/articles/vaccine-makers-pursue-omicron-targeted-shots-that-health-officials-say-might-not-be-needed-11642161601 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal The steep rise in new daily Covid19 cases fueled by the Omicron variant is starting to slow in some early U.S. hot spots including New York and Chicago sparking some optimism that a recordbreaking spike in cases may be plateauing. Public officials are viewing the data cautiously and arent yet declaring victory. Still some are noting that the trend is appearing to follow similar trajectories that have played out in South Africa and the U.K. where Omicron hit earlier. There seems to be a slowing down in the major cities that were most initially impacted by the Omicron variant said Enbal Shacham an epidemiologist and associate director of the Geospatial Institute at St. Louis University. This pattern is similar to what we saw in South Africa and what we were all kind of hoping to see. https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-slows-in-early-u-s-hot-spots-offering-first-hopes-of-a-peak-11642166670 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal Strained hospitals and nursing homes said they fear losing workers but would require Covid19 vaccinations for employees after the Supreme Court allowed federal officials to mandate the shots in healthcare. As the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads across the U.S. sickening patients and workers alike hospitals and nursing homes have struggled to maintain the staffing levels they need. The vaccination mandate could complicate those efforts if facilities are forced to let go of workers who dont comply said healthcare industry officials who asked for some enforcement leniency to prevent staffing losses during the crunch. Hospitals will now work to balance the vaccine mandate with their staffing needs said Rick Pollack chief executive of the American Hospital Association which is urging regulators to use enforcement discretion. https://www.wsj.com/articles/stretched-hospitals-nursing-homes-fear-losing-more-staff-over-vaccine-mandate-11642183926 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg The U.K. reported fewer than 100000 new coronavirus cases for the first time since late December raising hopes that the country is past the worst of its omicron wave. The 99652 infections recorded on Friday compare with almost 200000 a day at the peak of the outbreak. Hospitalizations in London the early center of the U.K. omicron onslaught are below the recent high reached on Jan. 5. and show signs of decline elsewhere in the country as well. While the average number of fatalities is creeping upward deaths have stayed relatively low compared with earlier waves. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-14/u-k-reports-fewest-new-covid-cases-in-more-than-three-weeks 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters About 99 of Citigroup Incs staff in the United States have complied with the companys COVID19 vaccine requirements the banks Head of Human Resources Sara Wechter said in a LinkedIn post on Thursday. Citi staff in the U.S. who have not been vaccinated against COVID19 by Jan. 14 will be placed on unpaid leave and fired at the end of the month unless they are granted an exemption Reuters reported last week citing a memo. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/citigroup-reaches-99-compliance-us-staff-vaccine-mandate-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Alphabet Incs Google is temporarily mandating weekly COVID19 tests for any person entering Google offices or facilities in the United States the tech giant said on Friday. Anyone who comes into Googles U.S. work sites will require a negative test and be required to wear surgicalgrade masks while at the office the company said. To help prevent the further spread of COVID19 during this period of heightened risk were implementing new temporary health and safety measures for anyone accessing our sites in the U.S. a Google spokesperson said. https://www.reuters.com/business/google-mandates-weekly-covid-19-tests-people-entering-us-offices-cnbc-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Hong Kong is following mainland Chinas zerotolerance approach to control COVID19 rankling many residents of the international financial hub as much of the world shifts towards living with the coronavirus. Hong Kong effectively closed its borders and imposed social restrictions this month to deal with a spurt in COVID19 infections due to the spread of the Omicron variant. Although the moves are less strict than those in parts of the mainland they come after months of relative normalcy and are battering a city dependent on business travellers and accustomed to frequent dining out. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/frustration-over-covid-19-restrictions-increasingly-isolated-hong-kong-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Citigroup Inc. said 99 of its U.S. employees have complied with its vaccine mandate one of the strictest on Wall Street. The firm expects more employees will comply with the order before the deadline on Friday Sara Wechter head of human resources said Thursday in a LinkedIn post. As part of the mandate staffers were able to receive exemptions. A huge thank you to everyone at Citi who took action to meet this requirement those who were already vaccinated those who made the decision to get vaccinated and those who requested and received approved religious and medical accommodations or statepermitted exemptions Wechter said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-14/citi-says-99-of-u-s-staffers-complied-with-vaccine-mandate 14th Jan 2022

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal We need to look at the Covid testing process break it down into component parts of the process and figure out how to make those more inclusively designed Ms. Fleet said in an interview. That can range from examining test prices to gauging the legibility of their instructions she added. Athome Covid19 tests have been in high demand since December as infections rose and people sought them ahead of holiday gatherings. Home test kits are particularly important for people who cannot stand in long lines for public testing sites or cannot reach them accessibility advocates say. wsj.com/articles/covid-19-home-tests-pose-accessibility-problems-for-people-with-disabilities-11642096771?mod=hp_minor_pos3 14th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Reuters Thirteen of the 17 members of Polands Medical Council advising the prime minister on COVID19 resigned on Friday condemning what they said was a lack of scientific influence on policy. Even with one of the worlds highest per capita death rates Poland has introduced much more limited measures than many European countries to curb the spread of the coronavirus during the latest wave of infections. The discrepancy between scientific and medical rationale and practice has become especially glaring in the context of the very limited efforts in the face of the autumn wave and then the threat of the Omicron variant despite the enormous number of deaths expected the 13 council members said in a statement to Reuters confirming a report by the PAP state news agency. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-covid-19-advisers-quit-protest-govt-limited-efforts-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Reuters Thousands of people took to the streets of Austrias capital on Saturday to protest against government plans to introduce mandatory COVID19 vaccinations for all next month. The government must go crowds chanted at one rally in central Vienna in what has become a routine Saturday event. Parliament is scheduled to vote next week on the issue which has polarised the country as coronavirus cases surge. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/thousands-protest-vienna-against-mandatory-vaccination-2022-01-15/ 15th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

The Wall Street Journal Australias decision to cancel tennis star Novak Djokovics visa for a second time was driven by fear that letting him stay could foster antivaccine sentiment during a surge in Covid19 cases court documents show. https://www.wsj.com/articles/australia-feared-letting-novak-djokovic-stay-would-fuel-antivaccine-sentiment-11642223036 15th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Workers in Singapore who refuse to be inoculated against Covid19 may risk losing their jobs as new restrictions on office access take effect. From Saturday a prior concession that allowed unvaccinated employees who test negative to go to workplaces will be removed according to a government advisory. Employers can redeploy those with no jabs to suitable jobs that can be done from home place them on nopay leave or as a last resort fire them if they cant perform their contracted work outside the office. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-14/singapore-workers-who-refuse-vaccination-risk-losing-their-jobs 15th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg A coalition of 270 scientists and medical professionals this week issued an open letter to Spotify Technology SA urging the streaming platform to establish a misinformation policy after an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience among its most listenedto podcasts promoted what they said were baseless conspiracy theories about the pandemic. The Dec. 31 program featured Robert Malone a doctor who has called himself the inventor of mRNA vaccines the type that serves as the basis for the Covid19 vaccine. Malone was banned from Twitter for circulating antivaccine misinformation. YouTube deleted a recording of the Rogan podcast shortly after it was uploaded to the website by a thirdparty. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-14/spotify-pressured-by-270-scientists-medical-professionals-over-joe-rogan-episode 15th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Immigration Minister Alex Hawke barred the world mens No. 1 tennis player despite saying Djokovic had entered Australia with a valid medical exemption from being vaccinated and presents a negligible health risk himself according to court documents released Saturday. His ongoing presence however may lead to an increase in antivaccination sentiment generated in the Australian community potentially leading to an increase in civil unrest of the kind previously experienced in Australia with rallies and protests which may themselves be a source of community transmission Hawke said in the filing. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-14/djokovic-to-be-detained-in-fight-to-stop-australia-deportation?srnd=premium-europe 14th Jan 2022

Partisan Exits

Reuters Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised for attending a bring your own booze gathering at his official residence during Britains first coronavirus lockdown and an internal inquiry is being carried out to establish the facts. British media have reported that at least 11 gatherings took place at Johnsons 10 Downing Street residence or in other government departments between May 2020 and April 2021 when COVID19 rules limited how many people could meet socially. Sue Gray a senior civil servant is leading an inquiry. She has not said when her findings will be published. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/lockdown-party-allegations-facing-uk-pm-johnson-2022-01-14/ 14th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Thailands health minister said on Friday the country planned to develop the antiviral pill molnupiravir to combat COVID19 infections amid rising infections driven by the Omicron variant. The molnupiravir COVID19 treatment pill for adult patients at risk of developing severe illness was jointly developed by U.S.based Merck Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. The Southeast Asian nation intends to join other countries in the region also planning to make versions of the drug including Bangladesh and India. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-indonesia-unveil-plans-develop-molnupiravir-covid-19-pill-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Unvaccinated people infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus may be less prone to severe illness and requiring hospital care or dying than was the case with previous variants a South African study showed on Friday. The study by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases NICD in the Western Cape region which has not yet been peerreviewed concluded.compared about 11600 patients from the first three COVID19 waves with about 5100 from the Omicrondriven wave that began in November. Omicron globally has tended to cause less severe disease and proportionally fewer hospital admissions and deaths than previous variants. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/safrican-study-suggests-omicron-less-severe-even-unvaccinated-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Italy will use the nations sewage to predict future coronavirus spreads and to alert authorities to rising cases and new variants before they appear in testing and hospitals a senior official said announcing a project to be launched in coming months. The new tool will be rolled out as governments look for new ways to track the virus to inform public health policy and to decide whether they have to take unpopular measures like restrictions that disrupt peoples lives and economies. It could also be useful amid concerns about shortages of testing kits and labs being overwhelmed as the more infectious Omicron variant sweeps the world. Like many other countries Italy is seeing surging cases. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italys-sewers-will-give-early-alert-future-covid-spikes-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters A safety panel of the European drug regulator on Friday recommended adding a rare spinal inflammation called transverse myelitis as a side effect of AstraZenecas COVID19 vaccine. The European Medicines Agencys EMA safety committee also recommended a similar warning be included for Johnson Johnsons JNJ.N oneshot vaccine in October and reiterated the decision on Friday. Transverse myelitis is an inflammation of one or both sides of the spinal cord and can cause weakness in the arms or legs sensory symptoms or problems with bladder or bowel function. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ema-lists-rare-spinal-condition-side-effect-astrazenecas-covid-19-shot-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Young children and babies are proportionally more likely to be hospitalised with Omicron compared to older children than with previous variants but the cases are still mild British researchers said adding the overall picture was reassuring. Omicron has spread rapidly in Britain and fuelled a spike in cases to record highs though the variant is less severe than previous ones and high vaccination levels among adults have also helped to limit the rise in hospitalisations. Children are less vulnerable than older adults to COVID19. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-study-finds-more-omicron-hospitalisations-youngest-children-cases-mild-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

ABC News Kids who have recovered from COVID19 may have an increased risk of developing diabetes according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study which looked at databases with information for over 2.5 million patients under 18 found that children diagnosed with COVID19 were about 2.5 times more likely to receive a new diabetes diagnosis a month or more after infection. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/study-finds-covid-19-increase-risk-diabetes-kids/story?id=82212416 14th Jan 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

The Hill New research found that after COVID19 becomes airborne the virus loses infectivity by 50 to 60 percent within seconds. By the first two minutes the infectivity rate of COVID19 dropped further by 90 percent. The new research was published out of the U.K. and has yet to be peerreviewed. https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/589262-new-study-says-air-knocks-down-covid-19 14th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The Chinese capital Beijing on Saturday reported its first locally transmitted infection of the highly transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant according to state media just weeks ahead of its staging of the Olympic Winter Games. State television reported on Saturday that the new infection had been identified as the Omicron strain. Lab testing found mutations specific to the Omicron variant in the person Pang Xinghuo an official at the citys disease control authority told a news briefing. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-reports-165-new-coronavirus-cases-jan-14-vs-201-day-earlier-2022-01-15/ 15th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Brazil is suffering a sharp rise in COVID19 cases as the Omicron variant spreads through the country putting pressure on health services and weighing on an already sputtering economy. Insufficient testing and a data blackout caused by hackers have made it harder for experts to track the spread of the highly contagious variant in Brazil but there are increasingly clear signs it is hitting Latin Americas largest nation hard. Confirmed cases have almost doubled since last week with the rolling average for the past seven days surging to 52500 from 27267 last Wednesday. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-reels-omicron-spreads-weighing-hospitals-economy-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Indias election commission extended its ban on political rallies and roadshows in five states on Saturday due to rising COVID19 cases in the country. The ban which runs to Jan. 22 excludes indoor political party events of less than 300 people or at 50 of a venues capacity the watchdog said in a statement. India reported 268833 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours taking its total tally to 36.84 million according to data from the federal health ministry. Deaths from COVID19 rose by 402 to 485752. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-reports-268833-new-covid-19-infections-402-deaths-past-24-hours-2022-01-15/ 15th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson tested positive for COVID19 her spokesperson said on Friday the latest of several highprofile Swedes to catch the virus as a fourth wave of Omicrondriven infections sweeps across the country. Social Democrat Andersson 54 attended a debate in parliament on Wednesday after which two other party leaders Annie Loof of the Centre Party and Per Bolund of the Greens also tested positive. Swedens king queen and crown princess were all hit with coronavirus infections in early January https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-pm-andersson-tests-positive-covid-19-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The number of COVID19 patients in intensive care units in France has fallen for the second day in a row despite a record infection rate health ministry data showed on Friday. France reported 3895 COVID19 patients were in intensive care units on Friday 44 fewer than Thursday and the second consecutive fall despite the sevenday moving average of new infections reaching a new high of nearly 294000 on Thursday. The number of people in hospital with COVID19 rose by 357 to 24511 but the weekonweek increase of 13.5 was the lowest since the start of the year. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/number-french-covid-19-icu-patients-falls-second-day-despite-record-infections-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters COVID19 hospitalisation rates in Australias most populous state of New South Wales could plateau next week a top health official said on Friday as the state suffered record deaths from the virus for a third day. Pressure on hospitals will likely remain for the next few weeks the states health deputy secretary Susan Pearce said though hospitalisation numbers were tracking better than the bestcase scenario in an official modelling a week ago. That is pleasing but that plateauing is obviously still at a relatively high level of COVID patients in our hospitals and in our intensive care Pearce told a media briefing in Sydney the state capital. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/australias-worst-hit-state-says-covid-19-hospitalisations-may-plateau-next-week-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The United Kingdom reported 81713 new cases of COVID19 on Saturday leaving the sevenday tally down by nearly 33 on the previous week. It reported 287 deaths of people who had tested positive for the disease within the previous 28 days. The sevenday total for deaths was up 45 on the week before following a record spike in infections in recent weeks. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-seven-day-covid-19-infections-down-33-week-before-2022-01-15/ 15th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Nearly 90 of processing plants owned by five big U.S. meat companies had COVID19 cases in 2020 and early 2021 a Reuters analysis of public data found as a congressional committee investigates how meatpackers handled the pandemic. The U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis began its probe last year amid evidence the plants were major spreaders of COVID19 and that workers suffered unusually severe outbreaks. It is unclear what the consequences of the investigation could be. https://www.reuters.com/business/nearly-90-big-us-meat-plants-had-covid-19-cases-pandemics-first-year-data-2022-01-14/ 15th Jan 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

South China Morning Post The southern Chinese city of Zhuhai reported seven cases of the Omicron variant of Covid19 on Friday as citywide mass screening of its 2.4 million people got under way. One of the cases was a 53yearold woman living in the township of Nanping and she was transferred to a designated hospital for treatment Zhuhai health authorities said. Authorities announced on Friday that all residents would be tested within the day at designated areas advising the public to not leave Zhuhai unless absolutely necessary. Those who travel will need to show a negative nucleic test result taken within the previous 24 hours. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3163374/chinese-city-zhuhai-coronavirus-mass-testing-mode-after 14th Jan 2022