9th Apr 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=270 lockdown_exit

COVID variants have changed the game, and vaccines will not be enough. We need global ‘maximum suppression’

The Conversation AU ...Since then new variants of concern have emerged and spread worldwide putting current pandemic control efforts including vaccination at risk of being derailed. Put simply the game has changed and a successful global rollout of current vaccines by itself is no longer a guarantee of victory. No one is truly safe from COVID19 until everyone is safe. We are in a race against time to get global transmission rates low enough to prevent the emergence and spread of new variants. The danger is that variants will arise that can overcome the immunity conferred by vaccinations or prior infection. https://theconversation.com/new-covid-variants-have-changed-the-game-and-vaccines-will-not-be-enough-we-need-global-maximum-suppression-157870 5th Apr 2021

Concerns grow over Covid-19 variants, following a sharp increase in cases

iNews Concerns over the South African variant and a deadlier lesserknown strain first identified in Nigeria are rising among Government scientific advisers after an uptick in cases of both in the UK over the past week i has learned. The next stage in the roadmap for relaxing restrictions in England has been given the goahead for Monday after the threat from new variants and three other measures were deemed to be under control. However latest figures seen by i show there have now been more than 470 cases of the South African variant B1351 compared to around 400 a week ago and 150 at the start of February. https://inews.co.uk/news/health/concerns-grow-over-covid-19-variants-following-a-sharp-increase-in-cases-946525 8th Apr 2021

A year after pandemic hit, Haiti awaits vaccines amid apathy

The Associated Press Haiti does not have a single vaccine to offer its more than 11 million people over a year after the pandemic began raising concerns among health experts that the wellbeing of Haitians is being pushed aside as violence and political instability across the country deepen. So far Haiti is slated to receive only 756000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through a United Nations program aimed at ensuring the neediest countries get COVID19 shots. The free doses were scheduled to arrive in May at the latest but delays are expected because Haiti missed a deadline and the key Indian manufacturer is now prioritizing an increase in domestic demand. https://apnews.com/article/haiti-awaits-vaccines-1-year-after-coronavirus-pandemic-7bb41cd3e6f315264e5165335ac9c338 8th Apr 2021

African Union drops plans to buy Covid-19 vaccines from the Serum Institute of India

MSN The African Union AU has today dropped plans to secure Covid19 vaccines from the Serum Institute of India. Instead the AU is exploring purchasing jabs from US firm Johnson Johnson said the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/african-union-drops-plans-to-buy-covid-19-vaccines-from-the-serum-institute-of-india/ar-BB1fqTzP 8th Apr 2021

Bhutan vaccinates 60% of population against COVID in record time

AlJazeera Bhutan on Wednesday said it had given about 60 percent of its entire population a first jab against COVID19 since the Himalayan kingdom started an ambitious vaccination drive nine days ago. The tiny nation wedged between India and China told AFP news agency that 470000 people out of 770000 in total had been administered the first shot of a twodose regime of the AstraZenecaOxford vaccine donated by India. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/8/bhutan-vaccinates-60-of-population-against-covid-in-record-time 8th Apr 2021

Exclusive: CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky Unveils Initiative to Address Racism in Health

TIME The reason for that skewed impact doesnt have so much to do with biology or genetics as it does a myriad of other factors such as where people live how clean the air they breathe is what they eat whether they work and if they do what jobs they hold and whether they rely on public transportation to get around. Dr. Rochelle Wolensky the new director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control CDC knows this dynamic well. As division director for infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital her research and clinical work focused on HIV and she has served on Massachusetts governor Charlie Bakers COVID19 advisory board helping to shape pandemic policy in that state. I came from a place of taking care of patients with HIV and infectious diseases and those who work in public health have known forever that the diseases afflicting the poor and afflicting those with access to health care and afflicting racial and ethnic minorities are different than the diseases afflicting white Americans or more privileged Americans says Walensky. I came to the job with that reality every single day. https://time.com/5953200/exclusive-cdc-director-rochelle-walensky-racism-health-initiative/ 8th Apr 2021

New York to offer COVID aid to immigrants excluded earlier

The Associated Press In the largest program of its kind New York lawmakers have created a 2.1 billion fund to aid workers who lost jobs or income during the coronavirus pandemic but were excluded from other government relief programs because of their immigration status. The fund which passed this week as part of the state budget will give payments of up to 15600 to workers who were living in the country illegally and werent eligible for federal stimulus checks unemployment aid or other benefits. As many as 300000 workers might benefit according to some estimates. Other states have offered aid to unauthorized workers but nothing on this scale. Californias relief fund offers cash payments of up to 500. https://apnews.com/article/personal-taxes-new-york-andrew-cuomo-coronavirus-pandemic-immigration-e4a84850d6d9efcda4eff30792c0fb42 8th Apr 2021

Vaccine RollOut Success Stories

ABC News Just before Easter the United States passed another milestone as it tried to vaccinate the majority of its nearly 330 million people. In just 48 hours eight million COVID19 vaccine shots were delivered. As Australia struggles to ramp up our vaccine rollout the US is delivering enough shots every day that it could vaccinate our entire population in a little over a week. Heres a look at how they got there and why US President Joe Biden is still warning of a life or death race against the coronavirus. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-08/america-vaccinated-8-million-people-in-two-days/100052396 8th Apr 2021

Vaccine RollOut Success Stories

The Associated Press The U.K.s COVID19 vaccination program is beginning to break the link between infection and serious illness or death according to the latest results from an ongoing study of the pandemic in England. Researchers at Imperial College London found that COVID19 infections dropped about 60 in March as national lockdown measures slowed the spread of the virus. People 65 and older were the least likely to be infected as they benefited most from the vaccination program which initially focused on older people. The study also found that the relationship between infections and deaths is diverging suggesting that infections may have resulted in fewer hospitalizations and deaths since the start of widespread vaccination. https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-england-coronavirus-pandemic-london-coronavirus-vaccine-384f50d678bdcb355ecad77aa43b5da1 8th Apr 2021

Vaccine RollOut Success Stories

Evening Standard The UK is expected to pass the threshold for herd immunity by Monday according to experts at University College London. Dynamic modelling suggests that the number of people who are protected against Covid19 either because they are naturally immune or have received a vaccine will hit 73.4 per cent on April 12. Figures published by the Office for National Statistics last week based on antibody testing show that around 54 per cent had antibodies by March 14. Since then a further 7.1 million people have received a first jab while nearly 100000 more people have tested positive for Covid19. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/britain-herd-immunity-coronavirus-ucl-b928417.html 8th Apr 2021

Vaccine RollOut Success Stories

ABC News The Victorian government has set a goal of administering 300000 vaccines by May 16 and so far it says things are on track. The state government has even offered to expand its vaccination program and help administer jabs to people the federal government is currently responsible for vaccinating. So how does Victoria aim to meet this goal and what else is it offering to do https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-08/victoria-government-coronavirus-vaccine-plans-new-melbourne-site/100056026 8th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

AlJazeera Qatar has announced tighter COVID19related restrictions amidst a rising number of cases in the last few weeks. The measures announced in a cabinet statement on Wednesday will come into effect on Friday as the country battles a surge in new COVID19 infections. On Wednesday the country reported 940 new cases taking the total number of positive cases to more than 186000 since the start of the pandemic. The circulation of coronavirus variants first identified in the UK and South Africa has contributed to the spread of COVID19 according to Abdullatif Al Khal the deputy chief medical officer of Hamad Medical Corporation. In addition to keeping gyms swimming pools water parks and spas shut the new guidelines have now ordered the closure of museums cinemas libraries and nurseries. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/8/qatar-tightens-coronavirus-related-restrictions 8th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

AlJazeera Turkey recorded 54740 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours health ministry data showed late on Wednesday the highest daily cases since the start of the pandemic. The latest daily death toll was 276 also the highest since the start of the outbreak bringing the cumulative toll to 32943. Turkey has carried out nearly 17.97 million vaccine inoculations with some 10.55 million people receiving a first dose since it began the nationwide rollout of COVID19 shots on January 14 health ministry data showed. In late March President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a tightening of coronavirus restrictions including the return of full nationwide weekend lockdowns during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which starts on April 13. Out of the countrys 81 provinces 58 are marked as red or very highrisk zones including the cultural and economic hub of Istanbul and the national capital Ankara. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/8/turkeys-daily-covid-19-cases-hit-almost-55000 8th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

Reuters UK South Korea reported 700 new coronavirus cases on Thursday its highest daily tally since early January and the prime minister reiterated warnings that new social distancing rules would likely be needed. The new figure compares with an average of 477 cases a day last week according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and will fuel fears the country may be facing a fourth wave of infections. Prime Minister Chung Syekyun told a government meeting a new wave could disrupt South Koreas vaccination programme which has been suffering delays as the international vaccinesharing scheme COVAX struggles to provide promised doses on time. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-southkorea-cases/south-korea-reports-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-more-restrictions-expected-idUSKBN2BV05Q 9th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

Financial Times India is paying for its imprudence reeling from an alarming second wave of Covid19 that threatens to overwhelm a healthcare system yet to recover from a gruelling year. From around 11000 new infections daily in February the country recorded more than 126265 new cases on Wednesday. The virus is spreading at ferocious speed it took just six weeks for daily new infections to surge by a magnitude that took three months last year. The trajectory is very scary right now virologist Shahid Jameel of Ashoka University told me. This kind of surge is going to be catastrophic. Until this week India had few restrictions on commercial social or public activity and many Indians saw little cause for worry. But doctors on the front lines are now sounding the alarm. https://www.ft.com/content/6f6705ce-993f-405c-b36b-09ccc322e979 8th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

Reuters The French health ministry reported on Wednesday that the number of people in intensive care units ICU with COVID19 increased by 103 to a new 2021 record of 5729 people. Weekonweek the number of COVID19 patients in intensive care rose by 13.4 the biggest weekonweek increase since Nov. 13. The number of COVID19 patients in ICU beds a measure for how well a hospital system can deal with the pandemic is already above the peak of nearly 5000 set in midNovember during the second lockdown but still below the record of 7148 set on April 8 2020 during the first lockdown. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-casualties/france-reports-5729-people-in-intensive-care-with-covid-19-idUSKBN2BU2P1 8th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

The Associated Press Doctors in Hungary are questioning the governments decision to lift some lockdown restrictions amid peaking COVID19 infections and deaths saying that could lead to an even more dire situation in the Central European nation. Shops and services were allowed to reopen Wednesday after 2.5 million people received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine a benchmark the government set for when a gradual reopening could take place. Hungarian officials say the number of administered vaccines rather than trends in infections and deaths will determine the countrys strategy for lifting its lockdown. https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-europe-budapest-coronavirus-pandemic-hungary-015d6944566217073c341dcd59559582 8th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

The Guardian India is battling a deadly second wave of Covid19 with daily infections this week passing the peak of the first wave seen last September. The suspension will start on 11 April and will be in place until 28 April. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/08/new-zealand-suspends-travel-from-india-after-jump-in-covid-19-cases 8th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

STAT News Amid Michigans worstinthenation coronavirus surge scientists and public health officials are urging the Biden administration to flood the state with additional vaccine doses. So far though their plea has fallen on deaf ears. Instead the federal government is sticking to a vaccineallocation strategy that largely awards doses to states and territories based on their population. As a result most jurisdictions are still receiving similar percapita vaccine supplies regardless of how many people there are getting sick or how many excess vaccine doses they have. Experts have cast a surge in Michigans vaccine supply as a critical tool in combating the states most recent Covid19 crisis. The state is currently recording nearly 7000 new cases per day just shy of its alltime peak in December. Hospitalizations and deaths which tend to lag a few weeks behind increasing case counts are also on the rise. https://www.statnews.com/2021/04/08/michigan-covid-surge-biden-officials-no-additional-vaccine-doses/ 8th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

AlJazeera Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has reiterated that he has no plans to order a national lockdown a day after the nation saw its highest number of coronavirus deaths in 24 hours. Brazils Health Ministry registered 3829 deaths on Wednesday slightly lower than 4195 fatalities from the previous day a grim national record. Were not going to accept this politics of stay home and shut everything down said Bolsonaro during a speech in the city of Chapeco resisting mounting pressure on his government to account for its handling of the surging pandemic. There will be no national lockdown he said. Bolsonaro a COVID19 sceptic who has downplayed the threat of the virus has remained defiant in the face of public health experts who have increasingly voiced the need to implement strict coronavirus curbs to address the crisis. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/7/bolsonaro-again-refuses-lockdown-brazil-covid-crisis-drags-on 7th Apr 2021

COVID-19 rising across a number of countries

Reuters Argentina tightened movement restrictions on Wednesday including curtailing the leisure industry and blocking nonessential workers from using public transport after the country hit a record number of COVID19 infections as it struggles with a second wave of the virus. President Alberto Fernandez announced a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m. the closure of bars and restaurants at 11 p.m. and the suspension of operations for casinos bingo halls and nightclubs in areas of the country with the highest infection rates. Sports in enclosed spaces with the participation of more than 10 people were also banned and in the Buenos Aires area where cases have increased 53 in seven days all but essential workers along with teachers and those with special authorisation are prohibited from using public transport. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-argentina/argentina-curtails-leisure-public-transport-use-after-hitting-new-covid-19-record-idUSKBN2BU3KI?il=0 8th Apr 2021

Grim view of global future offered in intelligence report

The Associated Press U.S. intelligence officials are painting a dark picture of the worlds future writing in a report released Thursday that the coronavirus pandemic has deepened economic inequality strained government resources and fanned nationalist sentiments. Those assessments are included in a Global Trends report by the governments National Intelligence Council. The reports produced every four years are designed to help policymakers and citizens anticipate the economic environmental technological and demographic forces likely to shape the world through the next 20 years. This years report focuses heavily on the impact of the pandemic calling it the most significant singular global disruption since World War II with health economic political and security implications that will ripple for years to come. https://apnews.com/article/technology-environment-us-news-coronavirus-pandemic-health-cbcafe70b4724a7605d56d40fa294027 8th Apr 2021

Achieving human rights to water and sanitation amid COVID-19

Al Jazeera English Amid a pandemic huge sections of the global population are still being left behind in their access to water sanitation and hygiene. Before the pandemic hit 40 percent of the worlds population already lacked access to basic handwashing facilities at home and children at almost half of the worlds schools did not have water and soap. While many governments have increased the provision of public handwashing stations during the pandemic the economic fallout of COVID19 has only exacerbated what was already an urgent need in homes schools and healthcare facilities all over the world. In fact the COVID19 pandemic may contribute to the first increase in global poverty in more than 20 years and by 2021 an additional 150 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/4/8/achieving-human-rights-to-water-and-sanitation-amid-covid-19 8th Apr 2021

AstraZeneca story rumbles onwards

The Associated Press In Spain residents now have to be over 60 to get an AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. In Belgium over 55. In the United Kingdom authorities recommend the shot not be given to adults under 30 where possible and Australias government announced similar limits Thursday to AstraZeneca shots for those under 50. A patchwork of advice was emerging from governments across Europe and farther afield a day after the European Unions drug regulator said there was a possible link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and a rare clotting disorder while reiterating the vaccine is safe and effective. https://apnews.com/article/europe-united-kingdom-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-df114b8372aadc2e7c53ec2578b484f0 8th Apr 2021

AstraZeneca story rumbles onwards

Reuters Portugal will from now on recommend the AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine only for people aged over 60 the health authority DGS said on Thursday amid concerns over possible links between the shot and very rare cases of blood clots. The coordinator of the vaccination taskforce Henrique Melo said the decision would only have a small impact on the vaccination rollout. I want to highlight the goal of the vaccination campaign in Portugal is to save lives and prevent serious illness health authority head Graca Freitas told a news conference. This can be achieved with any vaccine approved in Portugal. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-portugal-astrazene/portugal-will-only-use-astrazenca-shots-for-over-60s-idUSKBN2BV2RF 8th Apr 2021

AstraZeneca story rumbles onwards

Reuters Australia and the Philippines limited use of AstraZenecas COVID19 vaccine on Thursday while the African Union dropped plans to buy the shot amid global shortages dealing further blows to the companys hopes to deliver a vaccine for the world. The vaccine developed with Oxford University and considered a frontrunner in the global vaccine race has been plagued by safety concerns and supply problems since Phase III trial results were published in December with Indonesia the latest country forced to seek doses from other drugmakers. The Philippines suspended the use of AstraZeneca shots for people under age 60 after Europes regulator said on Wednesday it found rare cases of blood clots among some adult recipients although it still believes that the vaccines benefits outweighed its risks. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-idUSKBN2BV2BA 8th Apr 2021

AstraZeneca story rumbles onwards

Reuters British officials and ministers sought to shore up confidence in AstraZenecas COVID19 vaccine on Thursday saying advice that most people under 30 should be offered alternative shots was not unusual and would not impact the pace of rollout. A pharmacist whose brother died from a brain blood clot linked to the AstraZeneca shot was among those calling for people to keep getting it saying the doses would save lives. Officials said the suggestion that under30s should be offered an alternative did not reflect any serious safety concerns just a vanishingly rare possible side effect. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-astrazenec/britain-reassures-on-astrazeneca-after-advising-under-30s-take-other-vaccines-idUSKBN2BV2QS 8th Apr 2021

Younger and younger COVID-19 patients scaring frontline hospital staff: nurses' union president

CTV News The person who died in northwestern New Brunswick is one of the youngest people to die from COVID19 in the Maritimes and the age of those becoming critically ill is a growing concern. CTV has confirmed the man who died of COVID19 in the Edmundston region is 38yearold Luc Belanger. His wife Julie posted about the loss on Facebook writing I tell myself that you fought until the end. I already miss you enormously. I love you with all my heart. I loved all the moments we spent together and shared I love you always and forever https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/younger-and-younger-covid-19-patients-scaring-frontline-hospital-staff-nurses-union-president-1.5378706 7th Apr 2021

Health workers report 'long COVID' after just mild illness

CIDRAP Fifteen percent of healthcare workers at a Swedish hospital who recovered from mild COVID19 at least 8 months before report at least one moderate to severe symptom disrupting their work home or social life according to a research letter published yesterday in JAMA. A team led by scientists at Danderyd Hospital part of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm conducted the study from April 2020 to January 2021. The research involved obtaining blood samples and administering questionnaires to healthcare workers participating in the ongoing COVID19 Biomarker and Immunity COMMUNITY study. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/04/health-workers-report-long-covid-after-just-mild-illness 8th Apr 2021

In the Covid-19 vaccine push, no one is speaking Gen Z’s language

STAT News Useful Covid19 information isnt reaching the Instagram generation. Theres almost no messaging specifically tailored to them from federal or state public health officials. Theres hardly anything official on Tik Tok. And even the limited efforts to reach them where they are like Instagrams links to its Covid19 information center arent working. Just ask Kymon Palau a 21yearold from Albuquerque N.M. who has over 18000 followers on the site. https://www.statnews.com/2021/04/08/gen-z-hesitant-covid-19-vaccine/ 8th Apr 2021