13th Aug 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=73 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The Straits Times A revamped coronavirus contacttracing app for England will begin its public trials on Thursday Aug 13 BBC News reported on Wednesday. The software will be modelled after Apple and Googles privacycentric method of one smartphone detecting another the BBC said. Engineers were still trying to resolve issues with the Bluetoothbased tech wrongly flagging people as being within 2 metres of each other. 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 the BBC reported. The testandtrace programme is key to reopening the economy but has been dogged by problems. A smartphone app developed by the National Health Service NHS was initially expected to be rolled out in May but did not materialise. In June the government pivoted away from a homegrown model for the app to use the Apple and Google system. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/englands-revamped-contact-tracing-app-to-begin-public-trials-on-aug-13 13th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Russias confirmed coronavirus case tally the fourth largest in the world rose to 902701 on Wednesday after officials reported 5102 new infections. Authorities said 129 people had died in the last 24 hours pushing the official death toll to 15260. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-russia-cases/russias-coronavirus-case-tally-passes-900000-idUKKCN2580T1 12th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Irish Independent Germanys government has urged citizens to keep their guard up and stick to public health guidelines as new Covid19 infections hit a threemonth high and schools reopened in the countrys most populous state. Germanys response so far has widely been seen as successful in slowing the spread of the pandemic efficiently and quickly but the countrys disease control authority today reported 1226 new infections the highest number since early May although the figure has topped 1000 on several days recently. Health minister Jens Spahn said smaller and midsized outbreaks have occurred in almost all regions largely driven by travellers returning from abroad and people partying or having family gatherings. This is worrying without doubt he told Deutschlandfunk radio. And it can naturally lead to a new dynamic if we dont all now exercise caution. In the early days of the pandemic the average age of people infected was 50 it is now 34. http://www.irishnews.com/news/worldnews/2020/08/12/news/germany-s-coronavirus-infection-rate-reaches-three-month-high-2034061/ 12th Aug 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Walt Disney World actors who argued that the Florida theme parks proposed coronavirus safeguards were inadequate to protect them have resolved a dispute over COVID19 testing a union statement said on Wednesday. The Actors Equity Association had called on Walt Disney Co to provide regular coronavirus testing for its members who cannot wear protective masks while performing as other park employees do. Disney said on Wednesday it would provide space just outside Walt Disney World in Orlando for a testing site run by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The site will be open to Disney employees known as cast members and the public. Our actions support all cast and our community at large Disney said in a statement. Walt Disney World reopened on July 11 with several safety measures including limited attendance social distancing in lines and on rides and mask requirements for guests and staff. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-walt-disney/disney-world-actors-ready-to-work-after-covid-testing-dispute-resolved-idUKKCN2582X4 11th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

The Independent NHS staff will be given Covid19 passports to help hospitals redeploy workers during a feared second wave of infection. Bosses at NHS England say the digital passports which are stored on workers phones have been successful in pilots across the country and are being rolled out to support the Covid19 response. The Covid19 crisis has triggered a major reorganisation of NHS care with hospitals now having to plan to restart routine services while at the same time maintain their readiness for any increase in coronavirus cases. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-nhs-passports-covid-nurses-doctors-second-wave-a9666556.html 12th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

YAHOO! Economist and author Dr Linda Yueh assesses the UK entering into the largest recession on record after figures showed the pandemic sent the economy plunging by 20.4 between April and June. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/economist-warns-significant-impact-second-100352730.html 12th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

New Europe The Italian government has given permission to its cruise industry to start sailing again in Mediterranean waters after several months of lockdown in a bid to boost its economy. The announcement was made on Friday by the countrys Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte who said that Italy will reopen its borders for cruise ships as of August 15. Over the weekend the Mediterranean Shipping Company MSC a privately owned company based in Geneva said it will have two departures from Italian ports this month starting from August 16. The company which was the first global operator to announce the resumption of its operations after the Coronavirus outbreak paralysed all travelling is planning to conduct a swab test of every passenger just before boarding and those found positive or show symptoms of illness will be denied boarding. https://www.neweurope.eu/article/italy-will-allow-some-cruise-ships-to-return-later-this-month/ 12th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Yahoo Finance UK In research of 36 countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD including the UK US and New Zealand Swedish researchers examined when world leaders made decisions on issues like school closures and restrictions on internal travel. They found that despite differences in the spread of the virus countries mimicked each other in a short space of time with around 80 of OECD nations implementing multiple measures within a twoweek period in March. The researchers said this was striking given the differences in the scale of the pandemic in each country the preparedness of their healthcare systems and the makeup of their populations. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-lockdown-measures-world-leaders-084530275.html 12th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Now at the height of the summer tourism season with people moving around more and Covid19 cases rising to levels reminiscent of the early stages of the pandemic albeit with a fraction of the hospitalizations and deaths the bureaucratic impulse is back. Prime Minister Jean Castex pledged new measures on Tuesday from broader adoption of facemasks to more testing and information campaigns saying the infection curve was going the wrong way. You could hardly call it a second wave with confirmed daily deaths averaging at 7 compared with almost 1000 during the peak but politicians have understandably thinner skins these days. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-08-12/france-s-emmanuel-macron-scrambles-to-avoid-new-virus-wave 12th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

RTE.ie South Korea has opened a hightech new front in the battle against coronavirus fortifying bus shelters with temperaturechecking doors and ultraviolet disinfection lamps. Ten advanced facilities have been installed in a northeastern district of Seoul offering protection from monsoon rains summer heat and the novel coronavirus. To enter passengers must stand in front of an automated thermalimaging camera and the door will only slide open if their temperature is below 37.5C. A separate camera is installed lower down to test children. https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0812/1158722-coronavirus-south-korea/ 12th Aug 2020

Exit Strategies

AlJazeera Chile will lift one of the worlds longest quarantines on Monday moving the capital Santiagos central business district and adjoining Central Station to a transitional stage under a Step by Step reopening. This is a very important announcement for us and one that gives us great satisfaction Health Minister Enrique Paris told a news conference in Santiago on Wednesday. Chile has faced one of Latin Americas fiercest coronavirus outbreaks at one stage ranking only behind Qatar globally in cases per head of population but case and fatality rates have declined steadily during the last two months. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/chile-cautiously-lifts-lockdown-lid-capital-center-200812185423298.html 12th Aug 2020

Partisan Exits

New Zealand Herald Destiny Church bishop Brian Tamaki has told his followers they should take to the streets if the New Zealand Government announces an extension to the current threeday lockdown in effect in Auckland. Speaking outside his church in South Auckland across the road from a Covid19 testing station Tamaki said theres another virus just as bad as Covid19 its called fear. At one point during the video the bishop draws attention to a plane up in the sky saying he thinks its coming from China probably filled with nonEnglish speaking people coming into our borders. He pointed the finger at the Government who he says is telling New Zealanders to close their front doors while keeping the borders open to immigrants refugees still and people from countries where this Covid19 pandemic has been very active. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&ampobjectid=12356058 12th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

iNews The UKs economy has fallen into the worst recession on record with coronavirus pushing down spending and output. Between April and June the size of the economy reduced by 20.4 per cent according to data released by the ONS. https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/uk-recession-gdp-numbers-2020-lockdown-slump-577108 12th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters When the police knocked on the door as 15yearold Muskaan prepared to head to the temple in their village in northern India the bridetobe was distraught. With a sick father and unemployed brother Muskaan believed that getting married to a distant relatives son would alleviate the financial burden on her family and offer a better future. Yet a tipoff to the authorities in June by local activists concerned about a spike in early marriages during Indias coronavirus lockdown led to Muskaans wedding being called off while her parents were charged under child marriage legislation. When my father fixed my marriage I agreed Muskaan whose name has been changed to protect her identity said by phone from her village in Jaunpur district in Uttar Pradesh. Yet she said she would have preferred to go to school if possible. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-children/indias-covid-19-lockdown-threatens-efforts-to-stop-spikes-in-child-marriage-idUSKCN258005 12th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

Irish Independent The Dutch health minister plans to introduce mandatory home quarantine for people identified by local authorities as having been in close contact with somebody infected with coronavirus and for travellers returning from highrisk countries. Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said in a letter to politicians that mandatory quarantine could be imposed if people refuse to isolate voluntarily. The move comes amid rising infection rates in the Netherlands and an unwillingness among some people to adhere to socialdistancing measures and cooperate with contact tracing. Mandatory quarantine is a tough measure but justified. Quarantine stops the spread of the virus so sticking to the rules is crucial Mr de Jonge wrote. https://www.irishnews.com/news/worldnews/2020/08/12/news/dutch-government-plans-to-tighten-coronavirus-quarantine-measures-2033928/ 12th Aug 2020

Continued Lockdown

Andina - Agencia Peruana de Noticias President Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday announced the return of mandatory social immobilization curfew on Sundays due to a rebound in COVID19 infections in Peru. In this sense the Head of State affirmed that the corresponding Supreme Decree will be published in the official gazette El Peruano on Thursday. It will prohibit family and friends meetings that usually take place on the seventh day of the week. Starting this Sunday we are going to return to mandatory immobilization on Sundays. We think that it is preferable to take a step back only on Sundays in order to generate a sense of responsibility for all and then regain the conditions that we all would like to have he expressed. https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-perus-president-nationwide-curfew-on-sundays-to-prevent-covid19-contagion-809671.aspx 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

New Statesman We also now have a clearer idea of how Covid19 affects young people. The first major study to address this involving 82 paediatric centres in 25 European countries and published in the Lancet in late June found that more than half with proven Covid19 display standard cold symptoms. Only a quarter have a cough and at least a third have no fever at all. This study involved only the sickest children most of whom had been referred to hospital. The picture among paediatric cases in the wider community is even more nebulous. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2020/08/why-we-fear-reopening-schools-will-create-second-wave-covid-19-infections 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Vaping may be associated with a five to seven times increased risk of COVID19 among U.S. teenagers and young adults a study published on Tuesday suggests. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine analyzed nationally representative survey data collected in May from 4351 participants aged 1324 years. The findings were published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Young people may believe their age protects them from contracting the virus or that they will not experience symptoms of COVID19 but the data show this isnt true among those who vape study leader Shivani Mathur Gaiha said in a press statement. Participants were asked if they had ever used vaping devices or combustible cigarettes whether they had vaped or smoked in the past 30 days and if they had experienced COVID19 symptoms been tested for COVID19 or been diagnosed with the infectious disease. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-vaping/vaping-linked-to-risk-of-covid-19-in-teens-young-adults-idUKKCN2581V3 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

STAT Even people who were never sick enough to go to a hospital much less lie in an ICU bed with a ventilator report feeling something as illdefined as Covid fog or as frightening as numbed limbs. Theyre unable to carry on with their lives exhausted by crossing the street fumbling for words or laid low by depression anxiety or PTSD. As many as 1 in 3 patients recovering from Covid19 could experience neurological or psychological aftereffects of their infections experts told STAT reflecting a growing consensus that the disease can have lasting impact on the brain. Beyond the fatigue felt by long haulers as they heal postCovid these neuropsychological problems range from headache dizziness and lingering loss of smell or taste to mood disorders and deeper cognitive impairment. Dating to early reports from China and Europe clinicians have seen people suffer from depression and anxiety. Muscle weakness and nerve damage sometimes mean they cant walk. https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/12/after-covid19-mental-neurological-effects-smolder/ 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Researchers analysed data from more than 300000 people in England. They found extra weight is linked with higher odds of admission to hospital. Even being only overweight BMI of 25 to 30 raised the risk by 40. It came after a report by Public Health England last month warning of the risks https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8619147/Being-overweight-increases-risk-severe-Covid-19-40-study-finds.html 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC At least 800 people died around the world because of coronavirusrelated misinformation in the first three months of this year researchers say. A study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene says about 5800 people were admitted to hospital as a result of false information on social media. Many died from drinking methanol or alcoholbased cleaning products. They wrongly believed the products to be a cure for the virus. The World Health Organization WHO has previously said that the infodemic surrounding Covid19 spread just as quickly as the virus itself with conspiracy theories rumours and cultural stigma all contributing to deaths and injuries. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-53755067 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

National Geographic UK Amid the pandemic once normal activities are now peppered with questions and concerns. Can kids go back to crowded schools Is it safe to eat dinner with friends Should we worry about going for a run A recent modelling effort may help provide some clues. Led by JoseLuis Jimenez at the University of Colorado Boulder the charts below estimate the riskiness of different activities based on one potential route of coronavirus spread ittybitty particles known as aerosols. Coughing singing talking or even breathing sends spittle flying in a range of sizes. The closer you are to the spewer the greater the chance of exposure to large virusladen droplets that can be inhaled or land in your eyes. But many scientists have also grown concerned about the potential risks of aerosolsthe smallest of these particleswhich may float across rooms and cause infections. Its a worry thats greatest where ventilation is poor and airborne particulates could build. While the World Health Organisation recently acknowledged that aerosol transmission cannot be ruled out for some situations they emphasised more research is needed to conclusively demonstrate its role in the spread of the virus. https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/science-and-technology/2020/08/measure-the-risk-of-airborne-covid-19-in-your-office-classroom-or 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian ADE is a genuine concern Kevin Gilligan a virologist and senior consultant with Biologics Consulting told Nature Biotechnology in June. Because if the gun is jumped and a vaccine is widely distributed that is diseaseenhancing that would be worse than actually not doing any vaccination at all. This week following Russias announcement that it is pushing ahead with mass production of Sputnik V and mass inoculation the fears expressed by the likes of Gilligan became a chorus underlining the concerns among scientists that Russian researchers have jumped the gun. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/12/a-poor-vaccine-is-worse-than-no-vaccine-the-challenges-faced-by-scientists 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Financial Times The US has committed to buy 100m doses of the Covid19 vaccine being developed by Moderna Donald Trump has announced even while the vaccine remains in an experimental stage. The US president on Tuesday said his administration had agreed to buy 100m doses from the US biotech group with an option to buy another 400m for which the company said it would be paid just over 1.5bn. The deal comes after the US struck a similar agreement with Modernas rival Pfizer to purchase 100m doses for a price of almost 2bn. Mr Trump said We are investing in the development and manufacture of the top six vaccine candidates to ensure rapid delivery. The military is ready to go theyre ready to deliver a vaccine to Americans as soon as one is fully approved by the FDA Food and Drug Administration and were very close to that approval. https://www.ft.com/content/b2b05819-ea85-46aa-8e35-c5ebad8aa6dd 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent The same proportion of people in London were infected with coronavirus in April as in Stockholm where authorities opted for a herd immunity strategy according to a new study. Antibody testing regimes from both the UK and Swedish governments suggested that 17 per cent of the population in both cities had contracted Covid19 in April the paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine highlights. https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/uk-news/coronavirus-infection-rate-london-stockholm-sweden-herd-immunity-lockdown-a9665651.html 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

YAHOO! Germany has warned that Russias claim that it has developed the worlds first coronavirus vaccine could prove dangerous. Russian president Vladimir Putin said this week that a COVID19 vaccine developed in the country has been registered for use and one of his daughters has already been inoculated. But German health minister Jens Spahn said he was sceptical about the claims warning they could ultimately kill the acceptance of vaccination as a weapon against the pandemic. Spahn told Deutschlandfunk radio It can be dangerous to start vaccinating millions if not billions of people too early because it could pretty much kill the acceptance of vaccination if it goes wrong so Im very sceptical about whats going on in Russia. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/russia-coronavirus-vaccine-103731338.html 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

MSN Russian President Vladimir Putin announced earlier this week that the country approved of the worlds first coronavirus vaccine months before a vaccine is expected to be available globally. Russias health ministry intends on mass producing the vaccine this coming fall. However there is a lack of widespread testing to prove the vaccines safety and effectiveness. Fauci the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said while the US has a number of vaccines in development if we wanted to take the chance of hurting a lot of people or giving them something that doesnt work we could start doing this you know next week if we wanted to. But thats not the way it works the infectious disease expert said. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/fauci-says-he-seriously-doubts-that-russia-has-developed-a-safe-and-effective-covid-19-vaccine-after-putin-approved-of-the-worlds-first-vaccine/ar-BB17QS6H?li=BBnb7Kz 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Philippine scientists were set on Wednesday to meet representatives of the Russian state research facility that developed a coronavirus vaccine to discuss participation in clinical trials and access to its research data. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has lauded the Russian vaccine and offered to be injected in public to allay public fears about its safety. Russia on Tuesday became the worlds first country to grant regulatory approval for a COVID19 vaccine to be named Sputnik V in homage to the Soviet Unions launch of the worlds first satellite. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-vaccine-phi/philippines-talking-to-russian-vaccine-maker-on-trials-seeks-complete-dossier-idUKKCN258121 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

IBTimes UK Russia claimed Tuesday it has developed the worlds first vaccine offering sustainable immunity against the coronavirus despite mounting scepticism about its effectiveness as fears grow over a second wave of infections across the globe. President Vladimir Putin said the vaccine was safe and that one of his own daughters had received the inoculation dubbed Sputnik after the pioneering 1950s Soviet satellite. I know that it is quite effective that it gives sustainable immunity Putin said of the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya research institute in coordination with Moscows defence ministry. https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/russia-vaccine-claim-faces-scepticism-nations-renew-virus-battle-1681875 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

New Scientist A staggering 115 million children in India are at risk of malnutrition as the worlds largest school lunch programme has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. When India went under a strict lockdown on 24 March to reduce the spread of the virus 12yearold Kavis life changed. His mother a roadside tailor was no longer able to work and his father doesnt have a job due to health problems. With schools closed Kavi began selling fruit and vegetables from a sparsely stocked cart. The cart is now their primary source of income but isnt enough for a family of four. Some days we just eat rice or chapati with salt says Kavi. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251523-covid-19-lockdown-means-115-million-indian-children-risk-malnutrition/ 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Yahoo News An agreement signed between British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the biotechnology company mAbxience of the INSUD Group includes transfer of technology to initially produce 150 million doses of the vaccine to supply all of Latin America with the exception of Brazil the Argentine government said. Latin American production will be handled in Argentina and Mexico and that will allow timely and efficient access for all countries in the region Fernandez said. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said later on Twitter that the deal had been pushed by Fernandez and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He said output of the vaccine could extend to 250 million doses. https://news.yahoo.com/argentina-mexico-produce-astrazeneca-covid-011621853.html 12th Aug 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has lauded Russias efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine and is willing to personally participate in trials as he welcomed a supply offer from Moscow that he expects will be free of charge. Russia on Tuesday became the first country in the world to grant regulatory approval for a COVID19 vaccine paving the way for mass domestic inoculation even as the final stage of clinical trials continue. Russia has offered to supply or comanufacture the vaccine in the Philippines which said it was ready to work with Moscow on trials supply and production. The Philippines has among Asias highest case numbers which rose by 2987 to 139538 on Tuesday. I will tell President Vladimir Putin that I have huge trust in your studies in combating COVID and I believe that the vaccine that you have produced is really good for humanity Duterte said late on Monday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-philippines-russia/philippines-duterte-has-huge-trust-in-russia-vaccine-volunteers-for-trial-idUSKCN2570HS 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Germany recorded the biggest daily increase in new coronavirus cases in more than three months data showed on Wednesday with the health minister warning of outbreaks in nearly all parts of the country due to holiday returnees and partygoers. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 1226 to 218519 data from the Robert Koch Institute RKI showed. That was the biggest daily increase since May 9. The number of coronavirus deaths remained relatively low edging up by six to a total of 9207. This is no doubt very worrying Health Minister Jens Spahn told Deutschlandfunk radio adding that citizens had to remain cautious to prevent the virus from spreading further. Because we now have a lot of outbreaks all over the country Spahn said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-germany-cases/germany-records-biggest-jump-in-new-coronavirus-cases-since-early-may-idUKKCN25809X 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

City A.M. Germany today reported its largest daily spike in new cases of coronavirus in more than three months as authorities blamed people returning from holiday and boozy parties across the country. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose by 1226 to 218519 today data from the Robert Koch Institute RKI showed marking the biggest daily increase since 9 May. However the number of German coronavirus deaths edged up by six remaining low at a total of 9207. https://www.cityam.com/parties-lead-germany-to-biggest-spike-in-coronavirus-cases-in-three-months/ 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Spains health ministry reported 1418 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday below last weeks peaks. Cumulative cases which also include results from antibody tests on people who may have recovered increased further to reach a total of 326612. The disease claimed 64 lives over the past seven days the statistics showed. In total more than 28500 people have died from the disease in Spain one of Europes hardesthit countries by COVID19. Since lifting a nationwide lockdown Spain has struggled to contain a rise in new infections with heavy concentrations in the populous regions of Madrid and Catalonia. New infections recorded on Monday and Tuesday were however below last weeks peak of 1895 reported on Friday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-spain/spains-total-coronavirus-cases-rise-to-326612-idUKKCN25728F 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

iNews Greece will bring in an overnight curfew for restaurants and bars in some of its most popular tourist destinations after a new uptick in coronavirus infections. From 11 August restaurants and bars are closed from midnight until 7am in Mykonos Santorini Corfu Rhodes and Crete Aristotelia Peloni a government spokeswoman said in a televised address. Athens also announced new restrictions starting from 17 August on holidaymakers arriving from Belgium the Czech Republic the Netherlands Sweden and Spain. They now must provide proof they have tested negative for Covid19. https://inews.co.uk/news/world/greece-lockdown-overnight-curfew-restaurants-bars-mykonos-santorini-corfu-rhodes-crete-explained-577076 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

RNZ Authorities in French Polynesia now say 71 people have contracted Covid19 over the past four days. The tally increased by 21 over the past 24 hours. Despite the surge in the number of cases both the French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch and the French High Commissioner Dominique Sorain ruled out a new lockdown. Schools are reopening this week despite concern by some unions. However discos and nightclubs will now have to be shut and meetings of more than 50 people will need to get official approval. Masks are also to be worn in shops. Mr Fritch said the spread of the virus was due to poor discipline and irresponsible behaviour. https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/423395/new-wave-of-covid-19-continues-to-grow-in-french-polynesia 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC New coronavirus infections have nearly doubled in France in recent weeks as Prime Minister Jean Castex warned that the country had been going the wrong way for two weeks. The health ministry reported 1397 new infections of Covid19 since Monday. Fourteen people have died. A ban on meetings of more than 5000 people has been extended to 30 October. Mr Castex also asked local authorities to further extend the requirement to wear face masks in public. The epidemiological situation which we are following very closely is deteriorating 2000 new cases per day compared to 1000 three weeks ago Mr Castex said at a press conference in Montpellier. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53745481 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Melbourne bureau chief Melissa Davey discusses life under a second lockdown after a hotel security breach in Victoria caused a resurgence of coronavirus cases https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/audio/2020/aug/12/how-one-hotel-outbreak-of-covid-19-put-australian-state-victoria-lockdown-podcast 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg Australias Victora State has recorded a new daily record in coronavirus deaths with 21 fatalities in 24 hours. The nations secondmost populous state which is in the midst of a sixweek lockdown thats one of the strictest in the western world had 410 new cases in that period according to a health department statement on Wednesday. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-11/australia-s-victoria-has-deadliest-day-with-21-virus-fatalities 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

YAHOO! The discovery of four infected family members in Auckland led Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to swiftly reimpose tight restrictions in the city and social distancing measures across the entire country. The source of the outbreak has baffled health officials who said they were confident there was no local transmission of the virus in New Zealand for 102 days. We are working hard to put together pieces of the puzzle on how this family got infected said Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield. Investigations were zeroing in on the potential the virus was imported by freight. Bloomfield said surface testing was underway at an Auckland cool store where a man from the infected family worked. We know the virus can survive within refrigerated environments for quite some time Bloomfield said during a televised media conference. The New Zealand unit of Atlanta U.S.based Americold Realty Trust a refrigerated storage specialist with operations in the United States Canada Argentina and Australia as well as New Zealand identified itself as the owner of the cool store. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/zealand-delays-election-process-plunges-005012069.html 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Irish Independent Health authorities in New Zealand were scrambling today to trace the source of a new outbreak of the coronavirus as the nations largest city went back into lockdown. Authorities had confirmed four cases of the virus in one Auckland household from an unknown source and were awaiting the test results of four more people they suspect have infections two work colleagues and two relatives of those in the house. The cases this week were the first known local transmission of the virus in New Zealand in 102 days. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said more than 200 people with connections to those in the house were contacted today. http://www.irishnews.com/news/worldnews/2020/08/12/news/new-zealand-scrambles-to-find-source-of-new-coronavirus-infection-2033736/ 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

New Zealand Herald Auckland is back in level 3 lockdown with regionwide police checkpoints planned and a stronger presence at supermarkets. Super City residents were scrambling earlier today to prepare for the midday restrictions with lengthy queues forming outside supermarkets and Covid19 testing centres. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&ampobjectid=12355783 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

9News For the last hundredodd days weve been getting on with life as normal while the world was capitulating around us. Its kind of sent a real shockwave among everyone. News that New Zealand had detected at least four new cases also made headlines around the world overnight after it appeared the small Pacific nation had eradicated the virus and was lauded for its success. A mass national testing effort is now underway which will dictate what happens next. The New Zealand general election is scheduled for September 19. https://www.9news.com.au/national/nz-coronavirus-bubble-pops-leaving-auckland-in-shock-stage-three-lockdown/5163f1cb-f983-4f90-8a97-e5f35ecb2643 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Metro Two north west areas could be facing stricter lockdown measures as concern grows over an increase in coronavirus cases. Residents in Pendle Lancashire and Oldham Greater Manchester are already living under stricter rules than other parts of the country after additional measures were brought in stopping them from meeting others at home from the end of July. Despite this officials said Covid19 rates have continued to increase and both areas were placed on the governments watch list of 29 local authorities. Pendle is now recording the highest coronavirus rates in the country with Oldham following closely behind and Blackburn with Darwen in third place. https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/11/pendle-oldham-residents-warned-stricter-lockdown-within-days-13115907/ 12th Aug 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK The renewed spread of coronavirus in France could become harder to control without a collective effort to stop a rise in the infection rate its prime minister said on Tuesday. The public was becoming careless Jean Castex warned speaking shortly before health authorities said new daily infections were up by 1397 over 24 hours almost twice as much as Monday to reach 204172. If we dont act collectively we expose ourselves to the heightened risk that the rebound in the epidemic becomes hard to control Castex said during a visit to a hospital intensive care ward in southern France. A health ministry statement also reported 15 new deaths in hospital due the disease compared to an increase of 16 over a threeday period between Monday and Saturday with the total death toll standing at 30354. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-france/french-pm-coronavirus-spread-may-get-harder-to-control-idUKKCN25720A 12th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Stage four restrictions have been in effect across metropolitan Melbourne since Sunday 2 August and will last for six weeks. Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said the restrictions have been brought in to get community transmission cases where the source of the transmission cannot be determined under control. Andrews said government modelling showed that without these measures stage three restrictions would need to last six months. Here are some of the main things you need to know about the stage 4 restrictions for Melbourne. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/12/victoria-stage-4-restrictions-melbourne-lockdown-rules-covid-19-stage-four-metropolitan-metro-explained-what-you-need-to-know 12th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

RNZ Aged Care Association chief executive Simon Wallace told Nine to Noon no visits from family would be allowed. We have decided that we will go into full lockdown. So every rest home in New Zealand will go into full lockdown immediately we will be in that situation until midnight on Friday and then the situation will be reassessed at that point he told Nine to Noon. Full lockdown meant rest homes would be operating under level 4 restrictions he said. It means there will be no visits no family visits to their loved ones in rest homes and all the guidance and all the precautions that applied when we were at level 4 will apply for the next three days. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/423330/all-rest-homes-going-into-level-4-lockdown-for-three-days 12th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

BBC New Zealand has put its largest city back into lockdown after recording four new Covid19 cases ending a 102day streak without a local infection. A threeday lockdown was swiftly imposed in Auckland after the cases were confirmed. The four new cases are all members of a single family. None had travelled recently. The restrictions will come into effect on Wednesday as authorities scramble to trace contacts of the family. Auckland residents will be asked to stay at home large gatherings will be banned nonessential businesses will be shut and some socialdistancing restrictions will be reintroduced in the rest of the country. The countrys Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also on Wednesday deferred the dissolution of parliament following the latest Covid19 cases. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-53741091 12th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday delayed a key step toward next months general election as the country was plunged back into lockdown after the discovery of the first COVID19 cases in more than three months. https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idPVXz?now=true 12th Aug 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters UK New Zealanders on Wednesday scrambled to stock up on essentials as the countrys biggest city prepared to go into lockdown again following new cases of the coronavirus that ended a 102day record run without any new infections. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced overnight that she was shutting down Auckland after four new cases of COVID19 were discovered in the city from the same family despite the international borders being shut to foreigners and returning New Zealanders put in mandatory quarantine. The government has said the source of the new infections was unknown so far. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-newzealand/new-zealand-city-of-auckland-prepares-for-lockdown-as-mystery-covid-cases-emerge-idUKKCN2572RA 12th Aug 2020