17th Aug 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=452 lockdown_exit

WHO: $7.7 billion needed for COVID variant detection, oxygen

CIDRAP As many parts of the world battle the more transmissible Delta B1617.2 variant the World Health Organization WHO today said 7.7 billion is needed to track new variants and boost the supply of oxygen. Meanwhile countries such as Iran Japan and Australia expanded their COVID19 measures to slow their latest COVID19 surges. In a statement the WHO said the Delta variants transmissibility ramps up vaccination urgency and that rising infection rates are overwhelming health systems. The agency added that low testing levels especially in low and middleincome countries is leaving the world blind to how the virus is evolving leaving it vulnerable to new variants. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/08/who-77-billion-needed-covid-variant-detection-oxygen 16th Aug 2021

Emergency vaccine summit needed to help Africa, says UK's ex-PM Brown

Reuters U.S. British and Italian leaders must hold an emergency summit before the U.N. General Assembly to end vaccine inequality and send more shots to Africa and other lowincome nations former British prime minister Gordon Brown said. Brown prime minister between 2007 and 2010 has been leading a push for richer countries to share more of the cost of vaccinating people in developing countries many of which have low inoculation rates and rising cases. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/emergency-vaccine-summit-needed-help-africa-says-uks-ex-pm-brown-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

More companies to offer Covid-19 jab-linked incentives

Evening Standard More of the countrys best known businesses will offer rewards to customers who are vaccinated against Covid19. Asda lastminute.com National Express Free Now taxis and Better leisure centres are among those offering incentives to encourage younger people to get vaccinated. Uber Bolt and Deliveroo have already said they will offer discounted rides and meals for customers who get a Covid19 jab to help boost vaccine uptake. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/uber-asda-sajid-javid-national-express-bolt-b950787.html 16th Aug 2021

Many Bible Belt preachers silent on shots as COVID-19 surges

The Associated Press Dr. Danny Avula the head of Virginias COVID19 vaccination effort suspected he might have a problem getting pastors to publicly advocate for the shots when some members of his own church referred to them as the mark of the beast a biblical reference to allegiance to the devil and the minister wasnt sure how to respond. A lot of pastors based on where their congregations are at are pretty hesitant to do so because this is so charged and it immediately invites criticism and furor by the segment of your community thats not on board with that Avula said. https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-coronavirus-pandemic-7a03fed8e7548797487f2b7a20161e4e 16th Aug 2021

Scientists unlock clues to determining how safe vaccinated people are from Covid-19

STAT News Imagine peering into peoples blood and being able to pick up a simple marker of exactly how well protected they are from Covid19. Its a pressing goal for scientists who are still trying to understand what immunity to the coronavirus looks like how robustly vaccines protect us over time and how protected people are whove had and recovered from Covid19. Now a year and a half into the pandemic researchers are starting to flesh out exactly what these correlates of protection look like a step that could help track the durability of immunity and speed the development of additional vaccines. In a preprint paper last week a group of researchers from both academia and U.S. health agencies reported their findings of the immune correlates for Modernas Covid19 vaccine. https://www.statnews.com/2021/08/16/scientists-clues-how-safe-vaccinated-people-are-from-covid-19/ 16th Aug 2021

New Yorkers largely back mayor's vaccine mandate to dine out

Reuters New Yorkers interviewed by Reuters on Monday were largely backing the push by the citys mayor Bill de Blasio to require proof of COVID19 vaccination to enter restaurants gyms and other businesses. The policy is set to launch Tuesday as the delta variant continues to make progress. With vaccines widely available political leaders were combating the latest surge in infections with shots and masks rather than ordering businesses to close and Americans to stay home as they did last year. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-yorkers-largely-back-mayors-vaccine-mandate-dine-out-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

As Delta spreads, some travelers double up on COVID-19 vaccine in U.S.

Reuters Alison Toni felt lucky to get Sinovacs COVID19 vaccine in Chile earlier this year. A month later she was in Minnesota getting vaccinated again. Toni an American living in Chile was visiting her parents in Minneapolis in April when she got her first Pfizer shot at a CVS pharmacy. She traveled back for the second dose in June. She did not disclose being previously vaccinated. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/delta-spreads-some-travelers-double-up-covid-19-vaccine-us-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

Hong Kong reclassifies 15 countries as 'high risk' for COVID-19

Reuters Hong Kongs government said it would upgrade 15 overseas places including the United States Spain and France to high risk from medium risk by Aug. 20 meaning international arrivals from those countries will face lengthened quarantine due to a resurgence of the coronavirus. The government said arrivals from Bangladesh Cambodia France Greece Iran Malaysia the Netherlands Spain Sri Lanka Switzerland Tanzania Thailand Turkey the United Arab Emirates and the United States would all face the new restrictions according to a statement released on Monday. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-reclassifies-15-countries-high-risk-covid-19-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

Vaccine patents battle intensifies as poor nations struggle in war on coronavirus

Financial Times Pfizer and its partner BioNTech plan to fill and finish vaccines at a manufacturing hub in South Africa from next year. The two companies have pledged to make 500m doses available to 100 lowincome countries but few other companies have promised substantial supplies. Top global health officials have become increasingly exasperated with the industrys inability to boost access and clashed with pharmaceutical executives at a WTO meeting last month according to two people familiar with what was said. https://www.ft.com/content/cf12e1ba-ee25-4a0a-870d-53f5b66b0996 16th Aug 2021

Brazil races to get the coronavirus vaccine despite president Bolsonaro's skepticism

The Washington Post Rodrigo Lucas thinks of himself as a Bolsonaro man. He has supported Jair Bolsonaros demands that the coronavirus be treated with unproven and ineffective medications. He has condemned the Brazilian presidents critics on social media. His background image on Twitter is of Bolsonaro. And he describes himself as right wing to the root. But theres one place where Lucas 37 has refused to follow Bolsonaro vaccine skepticism. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/16/coronavirus-brazil-bolsonaro-vaccine/ 16th Aug 2021

Businesses tempt Covid vaccine shy with vouchers and discounts

The Times Asda National Express and lastminute.com are among companies that will offer incentives to customers who get vaccinated against coronavirus. The group of businesses join Uber and Bolt the taxi companies and the takeaway service Deliveroo which have said they will give discounted rides and meals to customers who have had a jab. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/businesses-tempt-covid-vaccine-shy-with-vouchers-and-discounts-s9qk363gt 16th Aug 2021

Australia purchases Pfizer vaccines from Poland as COVID-19 infections spike

Reuters Australia has purchased about 1 million doses of Pfizer Incs COVID19 vaccine from Poland to add to its inoculation efforts in Sydney and its home state which on Saturday entered a snap lockdown amid record new infections. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday the extra vaccines would start arriving immediately and over half will be directed to 20 to 39yearolds in New South Wales as the state reported its second largest increase in locally transmitted infections https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-purchases-pfizer-vaccines-poland-covid-19-infections-spike-2021-08-14/ 16th Aug 2021

Indian state brings COVID vaccines to migrant workers’ doorstep

Al Jazeera English As a health worker swabs the skin on his arm with an alcohol wipe and prepares the syringe Kartik Biswas feels an overwhelming sense of relief. He is finally about to receive his first dose of the COVID19 vaccine as part of a drive by the southern Indian state of Kerala to inoculate some of the countrys most marginalised people migrant workers. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/16/india-kerala-covid-vaccines-migrant-workers 16th Aug 2021

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Steps Down Amid Covid-19 Criticism

The Wall Street Journal Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resigned amid criticism over his Covid19 policies bringing renewed uncertainty to a government that has been marked by political infighting since Malaysias longtime ruling party lost in the wake of one of the worlds largest financial scandals. In a speech Monday Mr. Muhyiddin said his last ditch effort to shore up political support so he could see through the pandemic recovery had failed. There were those who were greedy for power instead of prioritizing the lives and livelihoods of the people he said of political rivals. https://www.wsj.com/articles/malaysias-prime-minister-steps-down-amid-covid-19-criticism-11629113868 16th Aug 2021

Outspoken COVID vaccine critic Cardinal Burke is on a ventilator after catching coronavirus

Daily Mail Raymond L. Burke 73 has criticized the safety and rollout of COVID vaccines. The cardinal is on a ventilator in Wisconsin where he caught the virus. He was often seen walking maskless with rosary beads in Rome. In May he decried totalitarian vaccine mandates and said they could lead to microchips so that people can be controlled by the State. He has not said if hes been vaccinated In a tweet over the weekend his team urged people to pray the Rosary for him https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9898003/Outspoken-COVID-vaccine-critic-Cardinal-Burke-ventilator-catching-coronavirus.html 16th Aug 2021

Sri Lanka replaces health minister as COVID outbreak worsens

AlJazeera Sri Lankas president has demoted his health minister who publicly endorsed sorcery and magic potions to battle COVID19 as infections and deaths hit record highs. President Gotabaya Rajapaksas office on Monday said Pavithra Wanniarachchis health portfolio had been given to Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is also the government spokesman. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/16/sri-lanka-health-minister-covid-cases 16th Aug 2021

Protesters in France denounce COVID health pass rules for fifth weekend

Reuters Protesters have marched in cities across France for a fifth consecutive weekend against rules compelling them to show a COVID19 health pass for daily activities but in lesser numbers than a week ago. Crowds rallied through the streets of Paris Marseille Nice Montpellier and other towns waving placards reading PassApartheid and chanting Freedom freedom. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/protesters-france-denounce-covid-health-pass-rules-fifth-weekend-2021-08-14/ 16th Aug 2021

Japan extends, expands coronavirus emergency as cases surge

The Associated Press Japans coronavirus state of emergency will continue through Sept. 12 rather than finishing at the end of this month as initially planned the government decided Monday. With the virus continuing to spread in the country the state of emergency for Tokyo Osaka Okinawa and three other regions which began in July will be extended and expanded. The measures were enforced throughout the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics which took place with no spectators from the general public at many events. With the latest extension the emergency will remain in force during the Tokyo Paralympics which open Aug. 24 and close on Sept. 5. The surge in infections is reaching alarming record highs Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said after meeting with other ministers about the move. https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-health-japan-coronavirus-pandemic-1ab89c99878c9fb7fe4dba923bd6f329 16th Aug 2021

Sydney records deadliest day of COVID-19 pandemic, Melbourne lockdown extended

Reuters Sydney lockdown extended statewide as Australia faces worst COVID episode Sydney lockdown fines raised as Australia faces worst COVID19 situation https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/roadblocks-erected-sydney-australia-battles-delta-outbreak-2021-08-15/ 16th Aug 2021

Research sheds light on how safe vaccinated people are from Covid-19

STAT In a preprint paper last week a group of researchers from both academia and U.S. health agencies reported their findings of the immune correlates for Modernas Covid19 vaccine. The study demonstrated the link between the level of antibodies in a persons system and how protected they are against Covid19 validating the hypothesis that antibodies could be used as a measure that signifies overall protection. https://www.statnews.com/2021/08/16/scientists-clues-how-safe-vaccinated-people-are-from-covid-19/ 16th Aug 2021

GSK, CureVac say their COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in monkey trial

Reuters GlaxoSmithKline and CureVac said a study on macaque monkeys showed their jointlydeveloped mRNA COVID19 vaccine candidate to be strongly improved in protecting against the virus compared with CureVacs first attempt. The encouraging news on its secondgeneration vaccine gave CureVacs Germanlisted shares an 8 lift as the stock gradually recovers from a slump in June when the German biotech companys first vaccine candidate recorded a disappointing 48 efficacy in mass testing on humans. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/gsk-curevac-say-their-covid-19-vaccine-shows-promise-monkey-trial-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

German panel recommends all 12-17-year-olds get COVID-19 shot

Reuters Germanys vaccine advisory committee updated its guidance on Monday to recommend that all children and adolescents aged 1217 be given a COVID19 vaccine citing further safety data and increased risks posed by the more infectious Delta variant. The committee known as STIKO had previously recommended that only children and adolescents with preexisting conditions be given a coronavirus vaccine https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-panel-recommends-all-12-17-year-olds-get-covid-19-shot-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

Coronavirus and flu vaccines could be COMBINED this winter

Daily Mail One shot of a Covid jab and flu vaccine would save time and be more convenient Making one jab is obviously preferable head of vaccine facility VMIC said It comes as a decision on whether boosters are needed is yet to be announced https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9897349/Coronavirus-flu-vaccines-COMBINED-winter.html 16th Aug 2021

Young kids more likely than older kids to spread COVID-19 to household

CIDRAP A Canadian study in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that while younger children are less likely than older children to be the index COVID19 patient in their home they are more likely to spread it to household members. The study involved 6280 households with COVID19 index patients 17 years and younger from Jun 1 to Dec 31 2020. Of the 6280 households 1717 27.3 experienced SARSCoV2 transmission to a median of two siblings or caregivers in the household 1 to 14 days after index patient diagnosis. Children aged 0 to 8 had higher odds of transmitting the virus but those 3 years and younger had the greatest infectivity https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/08/young-kids-more-likely-older-kids-spread-covid-19-household 16th Aug 2021

Updated: Pfizer, Eli Lilly and J&J roll out COVID-19 vaccination rules as delta makes case for mandates

Fierce Pharma Right as several countries seemed to be getting a handle on the COVID19 pandemic the delta variant crashed onto the scene sending case counts soaring again and throwing reopening plans into limbo. With cases expected to continue ticking up before Labor Day the argument for vaccine mandates is growing. For many drugmakers several of whom led the charge on the therapeutics and vaccines taking aim at the pandemic vaccination requirements are becoming the norm. That now includes two of the leading vaccine developers Pfizer and Johnson Johnson as well as antibody maker Eli Lilly. Over the past few days Fierce Pharma asked a range of biopharmas big and small about their evolving vaccination policies. While some companies have already gone public with their plans others are deliberating how to approach the issue. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/novartis-pfizer-and-gilead-roll-out-covid-19-vaccination-rules-as-delta-makes-case-for 16th Aug 2021

Scientists unlock clues to determining how safe vaccinated people are from Covid-19

STAT News Imagine peering into peoples blood and being able to pick up a simple marker of exactly how well protected they are from Covid19. Its a pressing goal for scientists who are still trying to understand what immunity to the coronavirus looks like how robustly vaccines protect us over time and how protected people are whove had and recovered from Covid19. Now a year and a half into the pandemic researchers are starting to flesh out exactly what these correlates of protection look like a step that could help track the durability of immunity and speed the development of additional vaccines. In a preprint paper last week a group of researchers from both academia and U.S. health agencies reported their findings of the immune correlates for Modernas Covid19 vaccine. https://www.statnews.com/2021/08/16/scientists-clues-how-safe-vaccinated-people-are-from-covid-19/ 16th Aug 2021

Surgeon general worries about complacency on Covid-19 as cases surge and vaccinations lag

CNN Pfizer and BioNTech said Monday they have submitted initial data to the US Food and Drug Administration to support the use of a booster dose of Covid19 vaccine. The booster dose elicited a significantly higher antibody response against the initial strain of coronavirus and the Delta and Beta variants compared to what was seen among people who got two doses. The booster dose seemed to be equally protective against the Delta and Beta variants as against the original coronavirus. https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html 16th Aug 2021

Devastated Indonesian parents mourn children lost to COVID-19

Al Jazeera English At a hospital in Indonesias Sikka regency funeral workers have come to collect a small coffin left outside the emergency ward. It is light enough for the two workers to carry with ease. Inside is the body of a twomonthold baby. Her name was Maria. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/16/devastated-indonesian-parents-mourn-children-lost-to-covid-19 16th Aug 2021

China's new local COVID-19 infections fall for sixth day

Reuters New local COVID19 infections in China declined for a sixth day official data showed on Monday as most regions pulled the latest outbreak under control while others kept up vigilance by adding mass testing or delaying school reopenings. In its lowest daily tally since July 24 China reported 13 new domestically transmitted COVID19 cases for Sunday the data from the National Health Commission NHC showed. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-new-local-covid-19-infections-fall-sixth-day-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

COVID-19 hospitalization rates for adults in their 30s hit record highs amid Delta variant surge

Daily Mail Dr. James Lawler addressed the alarming hospitalization rate among the young So this is not only the pandemic of the unvaccinated in the U.S. its a pandemic of the young now he said. He called it a myth that young people dont get very sick from the coronavirus. New COVID19 hospital admissions for patients in their 30s reached an average of 1113 per day for the week that ended Wednesday That average daily hospitalization rate had jumped 22.6 percent from 908 in the previous seven days. The data shows that thirtysomethings made up 170852 out of more than 2.5 million new hospital admissions for COVID19 since August 2020 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9894497/COVID-19-hospitalization-rates-adults-30s-hit-record-highs-amid-Delta-variant-surge.html 16th Aug 2021

With millions unvaccinated, Palestinians fear school year coronavirus surge

The Times of Israel Recorded cases in West Bank Gaza are on the rise but still low health official in the Strip speculates it has seen enough infected to reach herd immunity https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-millions-unvaccinated-palestinians-fear-school-year-coronavirus-surge/ 15th Aug 2021

US COVID-19 cases back to pre-vaccination levels

CIDRAP For the first time since February the United States reported more than 900000 COVID19 cases last weekwith the country represented 20 of global casesa sign the pandemic surge caused by the Delta B1617.2 variant has stalled the progress made by an aggressive vaccine rollout that dampened cases this spring and summer. Cases are on the rise in 46 states according to USA Today. Hot spots continue in Florida Louisiana Texas Oregon Hawaii and Mississippi. Oregon reported 11564 cases in the week ending Friday the paper said topping its December pandemic peak by more than 7.2. The United States reported 38482 new COVID19 cases yesterday and 382 deaths according to the Johns Hopkins COVID19 tracker. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/08/us-covid-19-cases-back-pre-vaccination-levels 16th Aug 2021

Workers try to flee Vietnam's biggest city as coronavirus crisis worsens

Reuters Thousands of jobless workers in Vietnams biggest city are trying to flee to their hometowns many on motorcycles piled high with belongings following an extension of restrictions in the epicentre of the countrys worst coronavirus outbreak yet. But authorities are anxious to prevent them leaving Ho Chi Minh City and potentially spreading the virus to other parts of the country. Waves of motorbikes could be seen being halted at roadblocks around the city since Sunday. Television footage from nearby industrialised provinces showed factory workers on Monday dressed headtotoe in protective clothing and rushing to board trains and buses in a similar attempt to flee the most affected areas. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/workers-try-flee-vietnams-biggest-city-coronavirus-crisis-worsens-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

North Macedonia reimposes restrictions as COVID-19 resurges

Reuters North Macedonia has reimposed restrictions on access to cafes restaurants and public events in a bid to subdue a fresh spike in COVID19 infections and nudge citizens to get vaccinated prompting public anger and protests. From Monday those who want to go to restaurants concerts or any public events will have to show a certificate of at least one COVID19 vaccination or of recovery from the disease within the past 45 days. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/north-macedonia-reimposes-restrictions-covid-19-resurges-2021-08-16/ 16th Aug 2021

Covid-19: Isle of Man care homes begin phased reopening

BBC News Residential homes ran by Manx Care are beginning a phased reopening after they were shut amid rising cases of coronavirus. Eight care homes on the Isle of Man were closed to visitors and new admissions after increased levels of community transmission. ReayrtnyBaie in Douglas will stay shut due to the continued outbreak of Covid19 in the home. It was the first care home to close in July after Covid cases emerged there. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-58229675 16th Aug 2021

Philippine health ministry says no corruption in $1.3 bln pandemic funds

Reuters Sri Lankas president has demoted his health minister who publicly endorsed sorcery and magic potions to battle COVID19 as infections and deaths hit record highs. President Gotabaya Rajapaksas office on Monday said Pavithra Wanniarachchis health portfolio had been given to Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is also the government spokesman. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-health-ministry-says-no-corruption-13-bln-pandemic-funds-2021-08-14/ 16th Aug 2021