7th Aug 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=69 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The Economist DUE TO BE completed in 2022 Boston Universitys 141m datasciences centre will tower over the city like an uneven Jenga tower providing 350000 square feet of space. The University of Reading in Britain has nearly finished a 50m 65m lifesciences building designed to make more space for subjects that are attracting lots of students. The University of New South Wales in Australia has pumped more than A500m into new facilities as part of a project intended to push it into the top 50 of global rankings. Now thanks to the virus this is all in question https://www.economist.com/briefing/2020/08/08/covid-19-could-push-some-universities-over-the-brink 8th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Channel NewsAsia Economic recovery around the world could come faster if any COVID19 vaccine is made available to all as a public good World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday Aug 6. He was speaking in an online panel discussion with members of the Aspen Security Forum in the United States moderated by the NBC network. Sharing vaccines or sharing other tools actually helps the world to recover together. The economic recovery can be faster and the damage from COVID19 could be less Tedros said. Vaccine nationalism is not good it will not help us he said in an allusion to the competitive scramble of nations and pharmaceutical researchers to come up with an effective vaccine and order as many doses as possible in advance. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/covid-19-global-recovery-faster-vaccine-available-to-all-tedros-12997402 7th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Pharmafield A new briefing by the NHS Confederations PCN Network and Mental Health Network sets out where such opportunities may lie and possible approaches mental health providers and PCNs could take to improve partnership working. It says better partnership working will not only help to meet rising demand in the shortterm but also ultimately improve care for patients with a mental health condition in the longterm. The briefing which comes off the back of a meeting between senior leaders from the two networks memberships in June shines a light on where partnership working has been successful including how Mosaic Healthcare PCN in Hampshire used data and stakeholder workshops to identify the physical and mental health needs of their population which lead to a clear focus on social prescribing and closer relationships with social services and voluntary organisations. https://pharmafield.co.uk/healthcare/primary-care-networks-and-mental-health-services-post-covid-19/ 6th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Personnel Today Office workers in the UK have been comparatively slow to return to their desks in relation to employees in Europe now lockdown has eased. According to analysis from US bank Morgan Stanleys research unit AlphaWise only onethird 34 of UK whitecollar employees are commuting again well off the pace of their European counterparts where almost threequarters of staff 68 have done so. In France the leading European country among returnees 83 of office staff have returned whereas in Spain Italy and Germany threequarters around 75 are now heading back in. Office workers in Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland are still advised to work from home as much as possible but the prime minister has urged staff in England to return to their workplaces a request that has not been taken up by many so far. https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-lags-behind-europe-on-returning-to-office/ 6th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Shoppers continued to stay away from UK high streets last month despite the reopening of nonessential shops pubs and restaurants following the lifting of lockdown measures. The number of visitors to UK retail destinations dropped by 39.4 in July compared with the same month a year ago according to figures from Springboard a data company that tracks footfall at consumer hotspots. Despite an improvement of almost a fifth from June in the best month for visitor numbers since February the figures suggest intense pressure remains for the high street as people continued to stay away from town and city centres amid the ongoing health risks from Covid19. Nonessential shops began reopening in England and Northern Ireland in midJune and in Wales and Scotland later that month. Hotels pub and restaurants in England Scotland and Northern Ireland followed suit in July though customers were only allowed back inside Welsh pubs and cafes this week. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/06/shoppers-steer-clear-of-high-streets-despite-lockdown-lifting 6th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Spain reported 1772 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday marking the biggest jump since a national lockdown was lifted in June and beating the previous days record rise. The rate of increase in new cases which does not include data from two regions sharply rose from the previous day while one more death was registered bringing the total to 28499. Cumulative cases which include results from antibody tests on people who may have recovered increased to 305767 from 302814 the health ministry said in a statement. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-spain-data/spain-diagnoses-1772-new-coronavirus-cases-in-post-lockdown-record-idUKKCN2512ED 6th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg More than half of Canadians are afraid to go back to their workplaces and 77 are worried their colleagues might show up infected with the coronavirus according to research from consulting firm KPMG. About six in 10 say theyll will refuse to go back if they believe their place of work is not safe enough and 57 are concerned about sharing meeting rooms and other common areas. The survey polled more than 1000 Canadians online and was conducted July 22 to 24 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-06/more-than-half-of-canada-s-workers-fear-returning-to-the-office 6th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters White House health experts are warning of a slow rise in the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus in U.S. cities such as Boston Chicago Detroit and Washington and urged local leaders to remain vigilant to avoid a surge. https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRCV008KGQ 6th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

AlJazeera Parents are banding together to form education pods for children to learn in groups but not everyone can afford them. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/learning-pods-solution-coronavirus-education-crisis-200805202410546.html 6th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Turkish women did four times as much household and care work as men during lockdowns aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus research supported by the United Nations Development Programme showed on Thursday. A survey conducted in May of more than 2400 people showed women shouldered most of the unpaid work during lockdown even though men spent substantially more time working in the home. The gender gap in paid work narrowed under lockdown as a result of changes in work patterns and a fall in mens paid work hours the research found. But gender gaps in unpaid work and total work time widened on average womens workload including both paid and unpaid work increased while that of men decreased the findings said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-turkey-women/lockdown-sees-turkish-women-bear-brunt-of-unpaid-work-research-idUSKCN2521JV 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

POLITICO Face masks will become mandatory in public spaces in Brussels if the current trend of rising COVID19 infections continues Rudi Vervoort the citys minister president announced Thursday. Following a meeting of the Regional Security Council Vervoort said that the threshold level for the tougher rules to kick in is set at 50 cases per 100000 inhabitants over 7 days. Currently the capital is at 38 cases per 100000 he noted. https://www.politico.eu/article/city-of-brussels-tougher-mask-rules-needed-if-covid-19-cases-keep-rising/ 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

YAHOO! U.S. lawmakers will resolve their differences over the next batch of COVID19 aid and reach a deal Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday but assistance must go to those who need it the most amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Will we find a solution We will. Will we have an agreement We will Pelosi told CNBC in an interview. If were going to juggle some of this money lets focus it where its going to do the most good she added saying aid must help people who are the most needy. They will spend it. It will be a stimulus or at least a stabilization. https://news.yahoo.com/pelosi-says-congress-resolve-covid-142051427.html 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Digital Health Northern Ireland has released its contacttracing app the first country in the UK to rollout the technology. The app StopCOVID NI uses Bluetooth technology to notify users if they have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Those who test positive will be sent a code by SMS which can then be put into the app. Users will then be asked to share the random IDs their phone has been swapping with other app users over the last 14 days. Once a user agrees these diagnosis keys will allow the app to tell those people that they have been exposed to Covid19. Northern Ireland health minister Robin Swann urged the public to download the app which uses the exposure notification APIs developed by Apple and Google. Deploying this world leading technology can prove a major factor in helping our efforts to curb Covid19 and prevent its spread. Its potential to be a game changer will however be totally dependent on the support of the Northern Ireland public he said. https://www.digitalhealth.net/2020/08/northern-ireland-launches-uks-first-covid-19-contact-tracing-app/ 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian Italys aviation regulator has threatened to ban Ryanair from its skies alleging that the airline has not complied with rules brought in to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. The Italian civil aviation authority Enac accused the Dublinbased airline of repeated violation of antiCovid19 health measures drafted by the Italian government and in force to protect passengers health. Continued violation of the rules by the airline could mean it is banned from flying to or from Italy or the regulator could impose a limit of 50 capacity on Ryanair flights to give passengers more space. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/06/italy-threatens-to-ban-ryanair-alleging-covid-19-guideline-violations 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

IBTimes UK Five months after confirming its first case of the new coronavirus Brazil is fast approaching the bleak milestone of 100000 deaths from COVID19 a tragedy experts blame on the countrys lack of coherent response. It will be just the second country to cross that grim threshold after the United States where the death toll is now over 150000. Its a tragedy one of the worst Brazil has ever seen said sociologist Celso Rocha de Barros as the number of infections in the sprawling South American country approached three million also the secondhighest in the world after the US. https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/brazil-adrift-virus-toll-approaches-100000-1681630 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

The Straits Times Germany announced mandatory tests for travellers returning from highrisk regions after new coronavirus cases breached the 1000aday threshold for the first time since May fuelling fears of a return to an economically disruptive lockdown. Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Thursday Aug 6 that free compulsory testing would be in force from Saturday after the Robert Koch Institute Germanys public health agency reported 1045 new cases in a single day. Part of the increase was due to more tests taking place he said but the impact of holidaymakers returning to Germany and of flagging social distancing discipline was also significant. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/germany-wants-mandatory-testing-for-travellers-as-daily-cases-exceed-1000-for-first 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK Germany announced mandatory tests for travellers returning from highrisk regions after new coronavirus cases breached the 1000aday threshold for the first time since May fuelling fears of a return to an economically disruptive lockdown. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-germany-cases/germanys-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-rise-by-1045-to-213067-rki-idUKKCN25207N 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

City A.M. The local Brussels government is preparing to force people to wear face masks in public spaces and in private places accessible by the public should the recent surge in coronavirus infections continue. According to Rudi Vervoor the ministerpresident of the Brussels region the order will be imposed as soon as the daily number of cases rises above 50 in every 100000. Last week the regional average for cases per day was 38.4 prompting officials to impose swift curbs on social engagements. The announcement came with UK ministers reportedly set to announce that incoming travellers from Belgium would have to quarantine for 14 days due to the spike in cases. A number of other countries including Estonia Ireland Latvia and Norway have already introduced similar restrictions. https://www.cityam.com/brussels-set-to-make-face-masks-compulsory-in-public-places/ 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Germany announced mandatory tests for travellers returning from highrisk regions after new coronavirus cases breached the 1000aday threshold for the first time since May fuelling fears of a return to an economically disruptive lockdown. Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Thursday free compulsory testing would be in force from Saturday after the Robert Koch Institute Germanys public health agency reported 1045 new cases in a single day. Part of the increase was due to more tests taking place he said but the impact of holidaymakers returning to Germany and of flagging social distancing discipline was also significant. Germany classifies almost all the world outside the European Union as high risk as well as some regions within the bloc including Aragon Catalonia and Navarre in Spain and Belgiums Antwerp province. The compulsory tests mean travellers will not have to quarantine for two weeks. Anyone who refuses to take the test could face a fine of up to 25000 euros 22485 pounds. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-germany-cases/germany-fights-virus-uptick-with-mandatory-testing-for-travellers-idUKKCN25207N 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC The Governor of the Bank of England has backed the governments decision to end its furlough scheme in October. Andrew Bailey told the BBC it was important that policymakers helped workers move forward and not keep them in unproductive jobs. He said coronavirus would inevitably mean that some jobs became redundant. The Bank also predicted the economic slump caused by Covid19 will be less severe than expected but warned the recovery will also take longer. More than nine million jobs have been furloughed under the governments job retention scheme but the Bank expects most people to go back to work as the economy recovers. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53675467 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC A second attempt at a Covid19 contacttracing app for England will soon be tested by members of the public. Officials hope to confirm the date for the limited rollout within a few days. It could be as soon as next week. The app will let people scan barcodelike QR codes to log venue visits as well as implementing Apple and Googles method of detecting other smartphones. But efforts are still ongoing to deliver medical test results within the product. Users will get alerts if others they have recently been close to declare that they have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. The software will provide information about the prevalence of the disease in the local area to encourage people to be more cautious if levels rise. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53678508 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

CNN The coronavirus pandemic has turned life upside down around the world with many workers losing their jobs economies plummeting and parents worried about reopening schools. But the US is being hit harder in more than one way. Not only does the US have the highest number of cases and deaths the US population is also suffering more mental health consequences than people in other countries according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund released on Thursday. As our country struggles with the surging number of cases and the economic havoc that the pandemic is wreaking people in other countries are living a different better reality Dr. David Blumenthal president of the Commonwealth Fund said in a news release alongside the report. Americans should realize that our country can do better too. https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/health/us-coronavirus-mental-health-problems-wellness/index.html 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

CNN Former First Lady Michelle Obama says shes suffering from a lowgrade depression. The reasons The pandemic race relations in the US and the political strife surrounding it all she says. Im waking up in the middle of the night because Im worrying about something or theres a heaviness Obama said in her The Michelle Obama Podcast on Wednesday. I try to make sure I get a workout in although there have been periods throughout this quarantine where I just have felt too low. Its a familiar feeling for many Americans. https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/us/michelle-obama-coronavirus-depression-trnd/index.html 6th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Evening Standard British office workers have returned to their desks at a far slower rate than their European counterparts new research has revealed. A study conducted by research unit AlphaWise at US bank Morgan Stanley found around 34 per cent of British whitecollar workers are back in the office compared to 83 per cent of French office staff. Britain also lagged behind the other major European economies on office returns with around threequarters of German Italian and Spanish workers having returned to the prepandemic commuting routine according to the study. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/british-staff-reluctant-return-work-coronavirus-a4518006.html 6th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Donald Trump on Wednesday repeated that he believes coronavirus will go away despite his top public health expert warning that it could take most of 2021 or longer to get the pandemic under control and that it is unlikely the virus can ever be eradicated. At a White House briefing the US president said of Covid19 Its going away it will go away things go away absolutely. No question in my mind sooner rather than later. Trump has made numerous versions of this assertion over the more than six months that the US has been battling the outbreak despite vast evidence otherwise and frequent contradictions from public health leaders. On Wednesday the US had 4.8m recorded cases of coronavirus and has witnessed 157690 deaths from the disease according to Johns Hopkins University data. Public health experts in the last few days have praised a gradual decline in new cases in some states that were badly hit while warning that nationwide the pandemic was in a worrying new phase. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/05/donald-trump-covid-19-go-away 6th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Facebook has removed a post from Donald Trumps page for spreading false information about the coronavirus a first for the social media company that has been harshly criticized for repeatedly allowing the president to break its content rules. The post included video of Trump falsely asserting that children were almost immune from Covid19 during an appearance on Fox News. There is evidence to suggest that children who contract Covid19 generally experience milder symptoms than adults do. However they are not immune and some children have become severely ill or died from the disease. This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from Covid19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful Covid misinformation a Facebook spokesperson said. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/05/facebook-donald-trump-post-removed-covid-19 6th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian The US Census Bureau has suspended a weekly survey that painted a bleak picture of American life during the Covid19 pandemic with no sign of when or if it will resume publishing the report. The household pulse survey tracked various qualityoflife measures such as food sufficiency internet access and mental health and was first conducted by the Census Bureau on 23 April to quickly and efficiently deploy data collected on how peoples lives have been impacted by the Covid19 pandemic according to the agencys website. While data such as weekly unemployment claims released by the Department of Labor has shown how many people have lost their jobs the survey provided a window into the effect the economic downturn is having on the lives of Americans. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/06/census-bureau-americans-unemployment-economy-coronavirus 6th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

DW (English) It was a curious sight to behold. On August 1 a motley crowd of protesters from across Germany ranging from farright extremists and conspiracy theorists to supporters of the antivaccination movement and followers of esotericism flocked to Berlin to vent their anger at governmentimposed restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus. In front of the citys iconic Brandenburg Gate people shouted were the second wave and resistance. According to the police some 20000 protesters converged on the capital that Saturday. The event had been organized by a controversial Stuttgartbased organization known to have staged the countrys largest anticoronavirus lockdown protests so far. That days theme Tag der Freiheit or Day of Freedom was eerily reminiscent of the title of a 1935 Nazi propaganda film by Leni Riefenstahl. https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-germanys-growing-anti-lockdown-movement/a-54456654 6th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has set up a ministerial committee to investigate alleged corruption in state tenders in the fight against COVID19 his office said on Thursday including with businesses supplying protective gear. Reports of suspect deals between government officials and businesses providing medical equipment as well as food aid parcels to the poor have sparked outrage in South Africa where more than half a million cases of the coronavirus that causes COVID19 make it the fifth largest outbreak in the world. South Africas anticorruption watchdog said on Monday it was investigating irregularities in these contracts the latest in a series of highprofile graft scandals involving politicallyconnected individuals. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africas-ramaphosa-sets-up-body-to-probe-covid-19-corruption-idUSKCN2522IY 6th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

Buenos Aires Times In the Colombian capital of Bogot the mayors office reports that suicide attempts are up 21 since the start of quarantine with psychologists also reporting a rise in new patients. https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/latin-america/colombias-long-virus-lockdown-fuels-anxiety-and-depression.phtml 6th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC Digital technology has helped South Koreans cope with the pandemic. But the elderly have been left behind in the new contactfree era. Like many people around the world Lee Yerin has spent most of the last few months alone at home. Due to the coronavirus pandemic the 32yearold office worker now works remotely from her apartment in Seoul she avoids going to the gym by training at home and streams films on her TV rather than going to the cinema. She reads ebooks instead of going to the library which has been closed during the pandemic anyway. I have rarely eaten out since the outbreak Lee says. Instead I order a variety of takeaway meals and even icecream for dessert on a delivery app. When I am fed up with that I order ingredients from the grocery store and cook at home. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200803-south-korea-contact-free-untact-society-after-coronavirus 6th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Associated Press North Korea is quarantining thousands of people and shipping food and other aid to a southern city locked down over coronavirus worries officials said as the countrys response to a suspected case reinforces doubt about its longstanding claim to be virusfree. But amid the outside skepticism and a stream of North Korean propaganda glorifying its virus efforts an exchange between the country and the United Nations is providing new clarity and actual numbers about what might be happening in North Korea which has closed its borders and cut travel never a freeflowing stream by outsider monitors and journalists. https://apnews.com/9c2695c6a79fb1fea3f774b9ca0b8c6b 6th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

The New Indian Express North Korean leader Kim Jong Un directed his government agencies to act immediately to stabilise the livelihoods of residents in a city locked down over coronavirus concerns state media reported Thursday. North Korea declared an emergency and locked down Kaesong near the interKorean border in late July after finding a suspected virus case there. It hasnt confirmed yet if the person tested positive and still says the country hasnt had a single case of COVID19 a claim questioned by outside experts. https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2020/aug/06/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-directs-aid-to-town-under-lockdown-over-virus-concerns-2179937.html 6th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Asian Age North Korea is quarantining thousands of people and shipping food and other aid to a southern city locked down over coronavirus worries officials said as the countrys response to a suspected case reinforces doubt about its longstanding claim to be virusfree. But amid the outside scepticism and a stream of North Korean propaganda glorifying its virus efforts an exchange between the country and the United Nations is providing new clarity and actual numbers about what might be happening in North Korea which has closed its borders and cut travel never a freeflowing stream by outsider monitors and journalists. https://www.asianage.com/world/asia/060820/strict-lockdown-measures-raise-suspicions-of-virus-outbreak-in-north-korea.html 6th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters UK The proportion of the contacts of positive COVID19 cases reached by Englands test and trace system fell in its latest week the health ministry said adding that the decline was partly due to local health protection teams handling outbreaks. The Department of Health said 4642 positive cases were transferred to the system in the week to 29 July of whom 79.4 were reached and asked to provide their contacts. Some 19150 people were identified as coming into close contact with someone who had tested positive and of these 72.4 were reached and asked to selfisolate it said a decrease from 76.2 in the previous week https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-trace/proportion-of-covid-19-contacts-reached-by-english-tracing-scheme-falls-idUKKCN2521GV 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products will produce AstraZeneca Plcs potential COVID19 vaccine in mainland China the British drugmaker said on Thursday its first deal to supply one of the worlds most populous countries. The deal underscores Astras frontrunner position in a global race to deliver an effective vaccine given that Chinese ventures are leading at least eight of the 26 global vaccine development projects currently testing on humans. Under the agreement Shenzhen Kangtai one of Chinas top vaccine makers will ensure it has annual production capacity of at least 100 million doses of the experimental shot AZD1222 which AstraZeneca codeveloped with researchers at Oxford University by the end of this year AstraZeneca said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-kangta/astrazeneca-in-first-covid-19-vaccine-deal-with-chinese-company-idUKKCN2520Y1 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Leeds Live Leeds researchers have found that some Covid19 patients suffer with breathlessness fatigue and posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD for months after they leave hospital. Researchers from the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust assessed 100 people who are recovering from the virus after being treated in hospital and identified several longerterm symptoms. Patients were found to have suffered from fatigue which was the most common symptom as well as breathlessness and issues with concentration and memory. The researchers also found that almost half of the Covid19 survivors who had been in intensive care had some of the symptoms of PTSD. More than two thirds 68.8 percent of the intensive care patients and just under half 45.6 percent of the people who were treated in other hospital wards told researchers their overall quality of life had deteriorated. https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/leeds-researchers-find-covid-19-18724968 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian A report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC into an outbreak at a summer camp in Georgia suggests children even asymptomatic cases may play an important role in community transmission of Covid19. The claim contradicts a number of earlier studies where the consensus appeared to be that children rarely transmit the virus between themselves or to other people. This week 260 employees in one of Georgias biggest school districts were barred from entering their schools to plan for reopening because they either had the virus or had been in contact with an infected individual. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/covid-19-may-spread-more-easily-schools-than-thought-report-warns 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Press and Journal Robert Gordon University RGU and the NHS are working with Scottish farmers to improve mental wellbeing across the industry. The study was launched last year after studies showed that on average one farmer commits suicide every week in the UK. Those behind the project now fear farmers are facing additional hardship due to Covid19 and are calling for them to take part in a survey to determine the best ways of offering help. Regional manager at NFU Scotland Lorna Paterson urged people to come forward and participate. She said Our farmers mental health generally is under severe pressure and this has been escalated due to Covid19. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/2387266/mental-health-study-ramped-up-as-covid-19-struggles-take-toll-on-farmers/ 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Imperial College A large Imperialled study has revealed valuable insights into the impact and risk factors for cancer patients with COVID19. The findings from almost 900 cancer patients diagnosed with SARSCoV2 infection in the UK Spain Italy and Germany highlight a number of key clinical insights including The average mortality rate among cancer patients with SARSCoV2 was 33.6 Patients who were male older aged and had preexisting conditions were more likely to have worse outcomes from COVID19 Continued chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment had little impact on the severity of COVID19 or survival rates https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/201413/covid-19-cancer-insights-revealed-european-study 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Medical Xpress With Brazil poised to register 100000 coronavirus deaths AFP spoke to medical statistician Domingos Alves about what went wrong in the giant South American country and where its outbreak is headed. Alves coordinator of the Health Intelligence Lab at the University of Sao Paulos Ribeirao Preto medical school was scathing in his criticism of President Jair Bolsonaros government which he accused of sacrificing the Brazilian people in the name of keeping the economy afloat. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-08-brazil-virus-deaths-october-expert.html 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Atlantic To focus solely on the U.S. however would be to miss the even more alarming situation occurring in much of the developing world. Brazil second only to the U.S. in confirmed cases and deaths has recorded more than 2 million infections. India the worlds secondmost populous country with the thirdhighest number of cases is approaching the same grim milestone. Similar increases are occurring in South Africa Mexico Peru Chile and Colombia. Taken collectively these countries account for more than a third of the worlds confirmed infections. And such figures only reflect the cases we know about. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/08/coronavirus-pandemic-developing-world/614578/ 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News Coronavirus infection rates continued to drop despite some lockdown restrictions being lifted a report from the UKs largest testing study has found. The rate of infection throughout the country was halving every eight to nine days during May according to an initial report released last month by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI. A second report has now revealed the rate of infection continued to fall in late June and early July with the virus still halving every eight to nine days. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-infection-rates-continued-to-fall-in-early-stages-of-lockdown-easing-study-finds-12043347 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian New Zealand has attained the status of one of the worlds safest countries when it comes to the coronavirus there is no known community transmission in the country and life has largely returned to normal. But with one eye on nations where the virus was once quashed before spiralling out of control again officials and the government have changed their language in recent days in order to fight a new battle this time against complacency. We have to be absolutely on our toes Ashley Bloomfield New Zealands top health official said in a Radio New Zealand interview on Wednesday. Thats not just the health system its everybody. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/a-matter-of-when-not-if-new-zealand-begins-battle-against-covid-fatigue 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

U.S. News & World Report Human trials on a potential coronavirus vaccine are due to start in Indonesia next week as part of a collaboration between stateowned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma and Chinas Sinovac Biotech Ltd a senior researcher said. The launch of the vaccine trial comes as Indonesia has struggled to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus with a consistently escalating number of cases. The phase 3 clinical trial is set to begin on Aug. 11 and will involve 1620 volunteers aged between 18 and 59 Professor Kusnandi Rusmil head researcher at Bandungs Padjadjaran University told reporters. Half of the participants will receive the vaccine over a sixmonth period while the rest will receive a placebo he said noting 800 volunteers had been signed up so far. We want to have our vaccines so we can use it for our people Rusmil told reporters. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-08-06/human-trials-of-coronavirus-vaccine-set-to-begin-in-indonesia 6th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Previous studies have found that vaccines for the fu and hepatitis B are less effective in obese adults than nonobese adults. Some theorize this is because those who are obese have an impaired Tcell response a type of immune system cell to immunizations. Researchers fear that a similar event could occur when a coronavirus vaccine finally becomes available. This puts 42.4 of the US adult population who are obese at risk of severe infection or complications such as death. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8601341/Experts-say-coronavirus-vaccine-effective-obese-adults.html 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN Coronavirus conspiracy theorists have spread baseless rumors online frequently targeting minorities since the beginning of the pandemic. In England the latest wave of vitriol criticizes Muslims blaming them for spreading Covid19. Muslims were caught off guard last week when the UK government suddenly announced local lockdowns in a slew of areas in northern England where cases have spiked. The announcement came just hours before Eid alAdha one of the holiest festivals in Islam. The affected areas included Greater Manchester Burnley Blackburn with Darwen Bradford and Leicester all places with a significant Islamic population according to the Muslim Council of Britain MCB. https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/europe/muslims-coronavirus-england-islamophobia-gbr-intl/index.html 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Press and Journal The Scottish Government yesterday took the decision to shut down all bars and restaurants in the Granite City following reports of a coronavirus outbreak at the Hawthorn Bar last week. But many of the bars now on a list of venues where Covid19positive customers have wined and dined in Aberdeen have received no contact from either Environmental Health or NHS Grampian. Nearly 30 pubs bars and restaurants were named on a list circulated by NHS Grampian yesterday. Mandy Davidson owner of The Cock and Bull said The only reason we knew a customer that dined with us had since tested positive was a call from the guest in question. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/2388685/aberdeen-bars-angered-by-lack-of-contact-from-authorities-over-covid-19-cluster/ 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Northampton Chronicle and Echo Covid19 cases are rising faster than at any time in the last month in Northampton despite health chiefs bid to ward off the danger of a local lockdown. Wednesdays government bulletin revealed 25 more positive tests across the county 14 of them in Northampton seven in nearby Wellingborough and three in Corby. Public Health England is due to publish its latest weekly surveillance report later today Thursday with Northampton likely to be on a par with some areas of Greater Manchester where extra measures were imposed last week in a bid to slow down the transmission of the virus. https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/health/coronavirus/fresh-concern-over-potential-local-lockdown-covid-19-cases-are-still-rise-northampton-2934764 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Evening Standard France has recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus infections in more than two months amid growing concerns of a second wave of the virus in Europe. Figures showed 1695 new cases within 24 hours the highest daily increase since May 30 when they were up by 1828. French authorities have strengthened public hygiene rules with cities such as Lille Nice and Toulouse ordering the public to wear masks in busy streets. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/france-coronavirus-second-wave-a4518081.html 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Wales Online France Spain Greece and Germany have all been reporting new spikes in infections prompting fears of a second surge in cases. The three countries recorded marked increases in new coronavirus cases on Wednesday fuelling fears of a second spike in infections during the holiday season. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/coronavirus-second-wave-spike-europe-18726424 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC France has recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus infections in more than two months. Figures released on Wednesday showed 1695 new cases within 24 hours. With more than 30000 deaths France has the thirdhighest death toll in Europe behind the UK and Italy. The city of Toulouse has introduced new rules requiring face masks in its busiest streets with Paris and a number of other cities expected to follow suit. France is not the only European nation to witness a resurgence in cases since lockdown measures were eased. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53672991 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

India.com The surge in COVID19 cases continued in Telangana with 2092 new cases being reported the highest singleday spike so far while the death toll mounted to 589 after 13 more people succumbed to the virus. https://www.india.com/news/india/telangana-lockdown-traders-begin-voluntary-10-day-lockdown-as-cases-rise-4103975/ 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

ABC News A governor in central Japan announced a state of emergency Thursday because of rising virus cases and asked businesses and people to curb activities especially during an upcoming holiday. Aichi prefecture has been seeing more than 100 new infections a day since midJuly after an extended period with zero new cases. The prefecture includes Nagoya and the headquarters of Toyota Motor Corp. Japans top automaker. Gov. Hideaki Ohmura said businesses are being asked to close altogether or close early and people are requested to stay home at night to prevent infections from spreading. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/asia-today-central-japan-region-put-virus-emergency-72205077 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail The head of Germanys doctors union has said that the country is already in the midst of its second wave because people have flouted social distancing rules France says it stands on precipice and could at any moment tip out of control Two towns north of Madrid Spain have been put under strict lockdown Greece recorded 121 new cases Tuesday the highest daily tally since April 22 Italy has quarantined two infected cruise ships at Civitavecchia port in Rome https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8595293/France-lose-control-coronavirus-moment-fears-second-wave-spread.html 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK The Philippines on Thursday recorded another jump in coronavirus cases to overtake neighbouring Indonesia as the country with the highest number of confirmed COVID19 infections in East Asia. A recent surge in cases of the virus in and around the capital Manila has pushed authorities to reimpose a lockdown affecting around a quarter of the countrys 107 million people. The Philippines recorded 3561 new infections on Thursday taking its total confirmed cases to 119460. That is higher than Indonesias 118753 infection cases. The death toll rose by 28 to 2150 which is less than half of Indonesias 5521 fatalities but is expected to grow after the recent spike in cases. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-philippines-cases/philippines-reports-3561-new-coronavirus-cases-28-more-deaths-idUKKCN2520Z6 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Germany announced mandatory tests for travellers returning from highrisk regions after new coronavirus cases breached the 1000aday threshold for the first time since May fuelling fears of a return to an economically disruptive lockdown. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-germany-cases/uptick-in-german-coronavirus-cases-raises-fresh-lockdown-fears-idUKKCN25207N 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The National Another 67 people have tested positive for Covid19 in Scotland the First Minister has confirmed. No deaths were recorded in todays figures. It is not yet clear how many of the new cases are connected to an outbreak in Aberdeen. Based on provisional information 39 of them are in the NHS Grampian area. A further 17 are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. Speaking at the Scottish Governments coronavirus briefing Nicola Sturgeon said the latter cases were being monitored closely for signs of a pattern or cluster. https://www.thenational.scot/news/18632964.coronavirus-scotland-another-67-people-test-positive-covid-19/ 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Vietnam is close to completing the conversion of a sports stadium into a 1000bed field hospital in its new coronavirus epicentre Danang the health ministry said on Thursday as it battles an outbreak that has spread to at least 11 locations. Aggressive contacttracing targeted testing and strict quarantining had helped Vietnam halt an earlier contagion but it is now racing to control infections in the central city and beyond after a new outbreak ended a run of more than three months without domestic transmission. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vietnam-fieldhospi/vietnam-turns-danang-stadium-into-field-hospital-amid-virus-outbreak-idUSKCN2521B0 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The Netherlands Prime Minister on Thursday called on tourists to avoid busy parts of Amsterdam following a sharp acceleration in the number of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands. Prime Minister Mark Rutte cut short his summer vacation after the National Institute for Health RIVM reported 601 new cases on Thursday from 426 a day earlier following weeks of gradual increases. Very specifically for the city of Amsterdam I say to tourists foreign and domestic and partly on behalf of the mayor avoid the busy parts of the city Rutte told reporters in The Hague. Amsterdams mayor Femke Halsema on Wednesday began mandating masks in areas including the central Red Light prostitution district which is a magnet for foreign tourists. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-netherlands/dutch-pm-urges-tourists-to-avoid-busy-parts-of-amsterdam-idUKKCN2522PP 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters A rise in the COVID19 infection rate in Ireland is a serious concern but the country has not yet seen a significant resurgence in infections outside of identified clusters a leading health official said on Thursday. Ireland which for several weeks had one of the lowest infection rates in Europe has seen a spike since last Thursday and has identified a number of clusters of infections in meat plants and accommodation for asylum seekers. The reproduction rate or the number of people who become infected from each positive case has increased to 1.8 from 1.3 a week ago Professor Philip Nolan the chairman of the countrys Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group told a news briefing. A reproduction number of almost 2 is a serious concern and although we have not yet seen a significant increase in community transmission there is a significant risk this could develop over the coming days and weeks Nolan said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ireland/ireland-says-rise-in-covid-19-reproduction-rate-a-serious-concern-idUKKCN2522SY 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The New York Times Denmark will not raise a limit on public gatherings originally planned for this month after seeing a spike in COVID19 infections the Danish health ministry said late on Thursday. As part of the Denmarks gradual reopening following a lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus the government had planned to raise the limit on public gatherings to 200 people on August 8 up from the current limit of 100 people. It is crucial that we maintain the good position Denmark is in where we have the epidemic under control health minister Magnus Heunicke said. https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/08/06/world/europe/06reuters-health-coronavirus-denmark.html 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Channel NewsAsia Singapore A coronavirus outbreak has forced the closure of a major Papua New Guinea mine its operator said on Thursday Aug 6 as the virus spreads to a remote corner of one of the Pacifics poorest nations. Ok Tedi Mining said it had decided to immediately suspend operations for at least 14 days after seven cases were detected at the facility near the Indonesian border. The copper and gold mine sits in the remote Papua New Guinea highlands employs thousands of people and accounts for around seven per cent of the countrys GDP according to company figures. It is believed the virus was brought to the area by a mine worker arriving from the now lockeddown capital Port Moresby more than 800km away where authorities are struggling to contain several rapidly growing clusters https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/covid-19-outbreak-shutters-huge-papua-new-guinea-mine-12995208 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

NBC Sports - NFL The NFL Players Association says that 56 players have tested positive for COVID19 since players began reporting to training camps last week. That represents approximately 2 percent of the players currently on NFL rosters. The league would obviously love to see zero players testing positive something the NBA and NHL have both managed by putting all their players into bubbles. But the NFL is not going to use a bubble and so a 0 percent rate of infection is all but impossible. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/08/06/56-nfl-players-have-tested-positive-for-covid-19-since-reporting-to-camp/ 6th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Evening Standard Luton has been identified as a potential hotspot of coronavirus infections that experts fear could pose a threat to London. Data collected by Kingss College Covid19 Symptom tracker app suggests the Bedfordshire town has seen an increased prevalence of the virus since last week. According to the researchers watch list over seven days 0.2 per cent Lutons population were suffering from coronavirus symptoms compared to 0.33 per cent in Blackburn with Darwen which is subject to local lockdown measures. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/luton-local-lockdown-threat-london-a4518391.html 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

Wales Online Another UK city fears it could have a Government imposed lockdown. Preston City Councils chief executive said the Lancashire city could be the next area to face Government intervention after a rise in coronavirus rates. The authority has advised residents to avoid having visitors to their homes although there are no official restrictions such as the laws brought in for other parts of the county as well as Greater Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire. Speaking on BBC Breakfast Preston City Council chief executive Adrian Phillips said We are not waiting for some Government announcement. We know our rates are increasing and they have increased over the last week to a level now where we are concerned that we could face Government intervention. Weve been working with our communities to make sure we get those key messages out. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/another-uk-city-fears-government-18725210 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Leicester became the first city in the UK to be put in local lockdown meaning a delay to the easing of some restrictions that had been in place throughout the coronavirus pandemic and the reintroduction of others. But other places have followed so what can their residents learn from Leicester Restaurants pubs and hairdressers in Leicester were able to reopen for the first time since March on Monday weeks later than in other areas of England and people have once again been allowed to make nonessential journeys and travel in and out of the city. However leisure centres gyms and pools must remain closed and like in some other areas of England there is a ban on visiting peoples homes either indoors or in private gardens. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-53648618 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Nicola Sturgeon has told people living in Aberdeen they should not leave the city for any holidays as confirmed cases in the coronavirus outbreak rose overnight to at least 79. The first minister said the citys 229000 residents had to observe the emergency lockdown rules that forbid nonessential journeys more than five miles from home. That included not taking holidays in Scotland the UK or overseas she said. Our advice to the people of Aberdeen is that you should not be going on holiday right now either to other parts of Scotland or to other parts of the UK. We advise against overseas holiday in general for people right across Scotland she said. Were also advising people outside of Aberdeen not to travel to the city for leisure purposes or to visit friends and family. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/06/scotland-plays-down-expanding-aberdeen-coronavirus-lockdown 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

India.com Amid a rise in Coronavirus cases a complete lockdown will come into force in some places of Nadia district for a week starting Friday midnight. A comprehensive lockdown will be imposed in areas of Sadar and Tehatta subdivisions of Krishnanagar Police District at Kalyani and Ranaghat subdivisions of Ranaghat Police Districts Nadia District Magistrate Vibhu Goel said https://www.india.com/news/india/west-bengal-lockdown-news-these-areas-in-nadia-district-to-be-under-complete-lockdown-from-tomorrow-midnight-check-details-4103541/ 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

The Associated Press Authorities enforced security restrictions in many parts of Indiancontrolled Kashmir on Wednesday a year after New Delhi revoked the disputed regions semiautonomy in a decision that set off anger and economic ruin amid a harsh security clampdown. Officials lifted a curfew in the restive regions main city of Srinagar late Tuesday but said restrictions on public movement transport and commercial activities would continue because of the coronavirus pandemic. Government forces placed steel barricades and razor wire across many roads bridges and intersections. Shops and businesses remained shut and police and soldiers stopped residents at checkpoints only letting an occasional vehicle or pedestrian pass. https://apnews.com/5a6ba99c09a72d8d01f59ec3988947ab 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

ABC A bright side for plant nurseries of Melbournes first pandemic stayathome order was that many householders took the time to garden. But the latest lockdown in Australias secondlargest city is far tougher. More than 250000 people were thrown out of work on Thursday. Those whose jobs are deemed essential need governmentissued permits to travel the nearempty streets of a virtual ghost town to get to their jobs. The rolling restrictions have created confusion and uncertainly in a population navigating Australias toughestever lockdown that makes masks compulsory and imposes an 8 p.m.to5 a.m. curfew. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/lockdown-ratchets-economic-pain-australian-city-72207916 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

RFI Australias secondlargest city entered the countrys toughest lockdown yet on Thursday sparking a fresh wave of anxiety and confusion over evertougher regulations. Melbournes streets were visibly quieter as nonessential businesses were forced to shutter under new coronavirus rules expected to be in place for six weeks. A second lockdown for the state capital of Victoria began in early July but additional regulations came into force overnight requiring hundreds of thousands more people to stay at home. https://www.rfi.fr/en/wires/20200806-melbourne-enters-australias-toughest-virus-lockdown 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

The Canberra Times Queenslanders are waiting anxiously to find out if efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus have been successful as the state counts down to another border closure. It has been 16 days since two COVID19infected teens dodged quarantine and spent days moving about the community before police tracked them down. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says there were no new cases diagnosed overnight but health officials remain on high alert following the breach. The next four days is still very crucial she told reporters on Thursday. If you are sick stay at home and get tested.The premier urged people to be vigilant to stop the spread of the virus saying it only takes one or two cases for this virus to take hold. https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6866370/health-minster-defends-qld-border-lockdown/ 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

ABC News Victorias health authorities hope Melbournes stage four lockdown will help drive COVID19 infection numbers down and say they arent thinking about a stage five. But a New Zealand infectious diseases expert says her countrys strict lockdown could provide some important lessons. https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/what-happens-if-melbournes-stage-four-lockdown-doesnt-work/12530546 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

Hindustan Times The Nadia district administration in West Bengal on Wednesday announced a complete lockdown at some places for a week starting Friday midnight to contain the spread of Covid19 a senior official said. Comprehensive lockdown will be imposed in some areas of Sadar and Tehatta subdivisions of Krishnanagar Police District at Kalyani and Ranaghat subdivisions of Ranaghat Police Districts Nadia District Magistrate Vibhu Goel said. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/complete-lockdown-in-some-areas-in-west-bengal-s-nadia-from-friday-midnight/story-WbiZVkfbuAkPrd1RiRxI9N.html 6th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

Center for Science in the Public Interest COVID19 vaccines should be made widely available only after the Food and Drug Administration has been able to evaluate safety and efficacy data from completed Phase 3 clinical trials according to the nations leading vaccine authorities. Nearly 400 experts in virology epidemiology vaccinology clinical care and public health are calling on FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn to ensure a thorough transparent process that will give experts and the general public alike reassurance that the candidate vaccines are safe and effective. https://cspinet.org/news/nation%E2%80%99s-leading-vaccine-authorities-urge-thorough-review-safety-and-efficacy-covid-19-vaccines 5th Aug 2020