11th Nov 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=537 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters France is at the beginning of a fifth wave of the coronavirus epidemic Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Wednesday. Several neighboring countries are already in a fifth wave of the COVID epidemic what we are experiencing in France clearly looks like the beginning of a fifth wave Veran said on TF1 television adding the circulation of the virus was accelerating. The health ministry registered 11883 new cases on Wednesday the second day in a row with a new case tally over 10000. New cases have seen doubledigit percentage increases weekonweek since around midOctober. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-experiencing-start-fifth-wave-covid-epidemic-minister-2021-11-10/ 11th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Denmarks government on Monday proposed reinstating the use of a digital corona pass to be presented when Danes visit indoor bars and restaurants as the country is entering a third wave of the COVID19 pandemic. Denmark was one of few countries to lift almost all remaining restrictions in September after having avoided a third wave of infections over spring and summer due to broad lockdown measures imposed since Christmas. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/denmark-reinstate-corona-passport-after-rise-infections-tv-2-2021-11-08/ 10th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

Evening Standard Denmark is to reintroduce its coronavirus passport amid rising case numbers in the Nordic country. Parliament is preparing to designate the virus a critical threat to society just two months after almost all of Covid19 restrictions were dropped on September 10. It comes amid growing concerns about the pandemics resurgence in Europe as winter arrives. The Covid passport will be reintroduced in indoor bars and restaurants as well as nightclubs. The digital corona pass indicates whether a person has been vaccinated has had a recent negative test or has recently recovered from Covid. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/covid-denmark-reintroduce-coronavirus-passport-restrictions-rising-cases-b965341.html 10th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

CNN In September when the White House announced its longawaited plan to welcome vaccinated European travelers the United States was consumed by a Covid19 surge that far outpaced Europes. At that point the US rate of new cases per capita dwarfed Europes by nearly three to one. While European governments were plotting their roadmaps towards normality America was battling a rise in infections and warning of pressure on hospitals. But by Monday when the new rules came into effect and thousands of tourists jetted across the Atlantic to American cities the two regions had experienced a dramatic reversal in fortunes. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/10/europe/us-europe-covid-winter-comparisons-intl-cmd/index.html 10th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Article reports that sShops and malls in New Zealands biggest city Auckland flung their doors open for the first time in three months on Wednesday as the city which is at the epicentre of the countrys coronavirus outbreak gradually reopened. Retail stores filled up within hours of reopening due to pent up demand while some shoppers reportedly queued up outside malls overnight to take advantage of early bird offers at some stores. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/aucklanders-return-malls-new-zealand-eases-lockdown-biggest-city-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal Europe is divided as it enters another Covid19 winter. In some countries people are dying from the virus at record rates. Elsewhere infections are risingbut from low levels that policy makers say are the result of a suite of restrictive policies. Winter is the time of greatest peril in the fight against Covid19 as people move indoors often into poorly ventilated spaces helping the virus to spread. Health systems are also often strained by other seasonal ailments such as flu. In Italy Spain and much of the rest of Southern Europe and France deaths hospitalizations and confirmed infections from the virus are rising but still relatively subdued. https://www.wsj.com/articles/another-covid-winter-threatens-europes-more-vulnerable-nations-11636555455 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Germanys vaccine commission recommended that people under 30 and pregnant women should get the Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE Covid shot rather than one from Moderna Inc. Rare heartinflammation side effects appear more common with Modernas shot in younger patients the commission said. While theres no comparable safety data for pregnant women the group advised the PfizerBioNTech shot out of caution. The recommendation applies for early vaccine rounds as well as boosters. There appears to be no heightened risk for people over 30 the commission said. The German call follows a similar recent move in France where health officials recommended using the PfizerBioNTech shot whenever possible in the under30 population. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-10/germany-favors-pfizer-shot-over-moderna-for-young-and-pregnant 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Waning immunity is the bigger threat and highlyinoculated countries like Spain or Denmark where nearly 100 of over60s have been fully vaccinated are focused on zapping complacency with booster shots. Even controversial measures like health passes and mandatory shots for medical staff have paid off and lifted takeup despite protests. On Tuesday French President Emmanuel Macron said Frances Covid pass would require third doses for the elderly. These countries have some of the worlds highest vaccination rates and as Lone Simonsen a professor at Roskilde University puts it they have the luxury of making minor adjustments such as bringing back maskwearing to avoid a return to the fullscale lockdowns of 2020. Look further East though and there are signs of a pandemic of the unvaccinated to borrow a U.S. term. Vaccination rates in eastern European countries are far far lower often fatally so. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-11-10/covid-in-europe-france-spain-bulgaria-romania-see-different-pandemics 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

The Independent Older people will face restrictions on their freedoms in future if they choose not to have a Covid booster jab the health secretary has suggested. Sajid Javid hinted the government is considering adopting a crackdown similar to that in France which will require a third dose in order to be classed as fully vaccinated on the countrys health pass. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/covid-pass-booster-jab-sajid-javid-b1954946.html 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

POLITICO Europe Belgium intends to roll out COVID19 vaccine third jabs for all citizens a government minister said Wednesday. During an interministerial conference on public health minsters agreed to develop a global vision on third shots tweeted Wouter Beke minister of health and family. Details of the booster program will be ironed out at a meeting on November 27 he said to give vaccination centers the clarity they demand. https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-to-extend-coronavirus-vaccine-boosters-to-all/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

New Scientist French people aged over 65 will have to have a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine to prove they have been fully vaccinated on their health passes from midDecember. The passes show if a person has been immunised has recently recovered from infection or has recently had a negative test. In France they are needed for many common activities including going to restaurants and bars libraries the gym and for longdistance train and plane journeys. President Emmanuel Macron also said yesterday that boosters would be available for people between the ages of 50 and 65 from next month and that use of health passes would increase. Although infection rates in France are lower than in some other European countries such as Germany they are rising. Macron said a fifth wave of covid19 had arrived in Europe. We are not yet finished with the pandemic. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237475-covid-19-news-booster-shots-now-mandatory-for-french-vaccine-passes/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters French President Emmanuel Macron called for an acceleration of COVID19 booster shots for elderly and vulnerable citizens and said a third injection would be made available to those aged 5064 from early December. Macron warning of the emergence of a fifth wave of infections in Europe also urged the small minority of French citizens who are not vaccinated to do so. Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated to protect yourselves. Get vaccinated to live normally Macron said during a televised address. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-macron-demands-acceleration-covid-19-booster-shots-2021-11-09/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Thailand will set aside up to 500000 doses of COVID19 vaccines for foreign workers as it prepares to welcome them back to the country to help ease a labour shortage a government minister said on Wednesday. The government plans to allow workers from neighbouring Myanmar Cambodia and Laos to reenter the country beginning next month and fill up shortages in big exporting industries such as food and rubber production. Workers will be placed in a twoweek quarantine and during that time the vaccines will be administered Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said. They will also be tested for COVID19. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-offers-covid-19-vaccines-migrant-workers-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Vietnam will by the end of this month have sufficient vaccines to cover its population against COVID19 a deputy prime minister said on Wednesday. The fight against the pandemic however will continue Vu Duc Dam told the national assembly adding people must maintain health protocols. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/vietnam-have-enough-covid-19-vaccines-population-by-end-nov-minister-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters South Korea encouraged its citizens to take COVID19 booster shots on Wednesday as more of the elderly fell ill and reported vaccine breakthrough infections driving serious and critical cases to a record. Severe coronavirus cases jumped from the mid300s in October to 460 on Wednesday official data showed. Of the severely ill patients more than 82 were aged 60 and older. Son Youngrae a senior health ministry official told a news conference that the increase is not posing a threat to the countrys healthcare system yet as there are nearly 500 ICU beds available. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/skorea-urges-covid-19-booster-shots-severe-cases-hit-record-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Health workers in England will have to be vaccinated against COVID19 by April 1 health minister Sajid Javid said on Tuesday making it a mandatory condition of employment for those on the frontline of the National Health Service NHS. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seeking to navigate a difficult winter for the health system without further economically damaging lockdowns to help protect against COVID19 contagion. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/health-workers-england-required-get-covid-vaccine-minister-2021-11-09/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Guinea will begin vaccinating children aged 1217 against COVID19 with a consignment of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on Wednesday the health ministry said. Most African countries have been reliant on the COVAX vaccine sharing initiative for doses and have inoculated only a small fraction of their populations. Guinea received a quantity of the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna vaccines in late October and early November the National Agency for Health Security said in a statement. It did not say how many doses were received or from where. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/guinea-starts-vaccinating-children-against-covid-19-with-pfizer-moderna-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

STAT News Health care like politics is local. The performance of certain procedures or the prevalence of particular conditions vary from community to community. So do individuals preferences on how they choose to obtain care. One thing that doesnt vary as much is the trust people have in their providers. Thats why throughout the Covid19 pandemic apart from mandates frontline clinicians broadly have had the greatest impact on influencing the adoption of Covid19 vaccines. Understanding the impact physicians have is particularly important as the country continues to drive vaccine uptake among adults approach expanding eligibility to those under age 12 and begin the booster phase of Covid19 vaccines. https://www.statnews.com/2021/11/10/health-care-consumer-preferences-effective-covid-19-vaccination-messaging/ 10th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

The Washington Post Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Tuesday that people who spread disinformation about coronavirus vaccines are criminals. Bourla in an interview with the Atlantic Council think tank said a very small group has been responsible for spreading vaccine disinformation to the millions who remain hesitant about getting vaccinated. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/11/09/pfizer-ceo-bourla-vaccine-disinformation/ 10th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Emmanuelle Pinault Director of City Diplomacy C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Marvin Rees Mayor of Bristol and C40MMC Task Force Member and Raphaela Schweiger Program Director Migration Global Issues Robert Bosch Stiftung explore how city governments can deliver inclusive climate action with Bloombergs Mallika Kapur. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2021-11-09/c40-cities-leaders-on-climate-migration-video 10th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

NPR Singapores government has been covering the medical bills of COVID19 patients throughout the pandemic. But it says unvaccinated people will soon be on their own. Those who are unvaccinated by choice will have to start paying for their own COVID19 treatment starting Dec. 8 the Ministry of Health announced on Monday citing the strain they are putting on the nations health care system. Currently unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our healthcare resources it said in a statement. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/11/09/1053889069/singapore-medical-bills-covid-19-patients-unvaccinated-by-choice 10th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Sky News Cancer survivor Andy Watts 40 fell seriously ill with COVID in December and spent 10 months in hospital. He tells Sky News that some visitors in his ward believed the virus was a hoax despite his ordeal. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-one-of-uks-longest-suffering-coronavirus-patients-confronted-by-conspiracy-theorist-in-hospital-12464778 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail A vaccine targeting Covids replication proteins could knock all coronaviruses. Study found some NHS staff who tested negative had T cells against the virus. Current vaccines mainly target the spike protein to trigger antibody response https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10186397/Next-generation-Covid-vaccines-target-different-virus-study-says.html 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Wall Street Journal Pfizer Inc. and partner BioNTech asked U.S. health regulators to expand the authorization of their Covid19 booster to people as young as 18 years old as the government explores expanding access to extra doses. The application opens the door for authorization of the extra dose potentially before the end of the year which could provide millions of people with another layer of security as winter drives many indoors where the risk of transmission is higher. The Food and Drug Administration in September cleared a third dose of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine for adults who are 65 years and older or are at risk of severe disease and death including because of their jobs or where they live. https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-biontech-ask-fda-to-expand-covid-19-booster-use-to-all-adults-11636489789 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Ellume Ltd. is recalling 2.2 million athome Covid19 tests because they risk returning false positives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. The regulator classified the action on Wednesday as a class I recall the most serious kind saying it has received 35 reports of false positives from the test made by the Australian company. Incorrect results could lead a person to wrongly receive Covid19 treatments or isolate when they dont need to the FDA said. The Ellume team offers its sincere apologies for the stress or difficulties people may have experienced due to a false positive result a company spokesperson said in an email. We have and will continue to work diligently to ensure test accuracy in all cases. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-10/two-million-ellume-covid-tests-recalled-on-false-positive-risk 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg The U.S. will spend 650 million to increase production and access to rapid diagnostic tests that can confirm the results of athome screening part of an effort to quickly identify and treat people with Covid19. Peope who buy overthecounter rapid antigen tests at pharmacies may need confirmatory testing to verify the accuracy of the result the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday in a statement. The funds will help ensure such tests are readily available across the country and can provide results quickly the agency said. The investment follows the Biden administrations commitment of more than 3 billion for rapid home tests that may need confirmation. The earlier funding aimed to quadruple the amount of rapid home tests available in the U.S. by December to about 200 million a month. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-10/u-s-spending-650-million-to-expand-rapid-confirmatory-testing 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters French vaccines company Valnevas share price jumped more than 20 on Wednesday after it won European Commission approval for a deal under which it would supply up to 60 million doses of its COVID19 vaccine candidate over two years. The eighth such deal by the European Unions executive body in the fight against rising infections is a welcome boost for Valneva as it negotiates what has been a bumpy road for its COVID19 vaccine. The Valneva vaccine adds another option to our broad portfolio once it is proven to be safe and effective by the European Medicines Agency EMA EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/french-company-valneva-wins-deal-with-european-commission-over-covid-19-vaccines-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Times of Israel A study conducted by Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva using a detailed scanning technique to examine patients with symptoms of a heart muscle condition after receiving a COVID19 vaccine found that damage was rare mild and expected to heal. The study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging on patients diagnosed with myocarditis a weakening of the heart muscles that has been found in a few patients after they were inoculated. A link has been seen in recent months between coronavirus vaccines using mRNA technology and very rare cases of myocarditis inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis inflammation of the lining around the heart. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-mri-study-finds-heart-damage-from-covid-19-vaccine-is-rare-and-mild/ 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Washington Post Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Tuesday asked the Food and Drug Administration to authorize a booster dose of its coronavirus vaccine for people 18 and older. The FDA could clear the request by the end of the month according to health officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue. The officials are concerned about studies showing waning vaccine protection as well as increased infections in parts of the United States. Currently the government recommends the PfizerBioNTech booster vaccine for people 65 and older and those 18 to 64 who are at high risk of covid19 the disease caused by the virus because of underlying medical conditions or potential exposures at work or in their living situation. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/09/covid-delta-variant-live-updates/ 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Medical News Today A new study finds that the accuracy of reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction RTPCR COVID19 tests follows a daily pattern. The highest number of accurate positive results occur with midafternoon tests while evening tests increase the number of false positives. The study also suggests that midafternoon is the time of day at which both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals are most likely to pass on the SARSCoV2 virus to others. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-tests-does-accuracy-vary-throughout-the-day 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Panel recommends only BiontechPfizer for under30s. Makes similar recommendation for pregnant women. More heart inflammation cases with Moderna jabdata. Germany sees record number of COVID cases for third day https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-recommends-only-biontechpfizer-vaccine-people-under-30-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Vietnam has approved Indias Covaxin vaccine for emergency use the ninth to be endorsed in the country the countrys health ministry said on Wednesday. The government said in July it was seeking to secure 15 million doses of the Covaxin vaccine made by Bharat Biotech. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/vietnam-approves-indias-covid-19-vaccine-covaxin-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The Chief Executive of COVID19 vaccine pioneer BioNTech said he does not expect for now that new oral treatments against the viral infection would considerably reduce demand for vaccines. Oral antiviral pills from Merck Co and Pfizer Inc have been shown to significantly blunt the worst outcomes of COVID19. I really dont believe that it will have a huge impact on the vaccination rate in future but we have to monitor the field BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin told an analyst call https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/biontech-ceo-says-new-covid-pills-unlikely-dent-vaccination-uptake-2021-11-09/ 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Pfizer Inc and BioNTech on Tuesday requested the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA to authorize booster doses of their COVID19 vaccine in all adults presenting recent data showing the shot would help prevent disease across ages. Over the past several months the FDA has authorized Pfizers boosters for people who are immunocompromised those who are aged 65 and above all people at high risk of severe disease and people who are regularly exposed to the virus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-biontech-again-seek-us-nod-covid-19-vaccine-boosters-all-adults-2021-11-09/ 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The European Unions drug regulator expects to decide in about two months on whether to allow the use of Modernas COVID19 vaccine in children aged six to 11 years it said on Wednesday after the U.S. drugmaker sought approval. The current timeline for evaluation foresees an opinion in approximately 2 months unless supplementary information or analysis is needed the European Medicines Agency EMA said in a statement. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-decide-modernas-covid-19-shot-younger-kids-two-months-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

CIDRAP A French study finds that of 20 persistent physical symptoms reported by adults who said they had recovered from COVID19 only 1 was linked to SARSCoV2 infection as indicated by the presence of antibodies to the virus. The researchers however said that the results dont discount the presence of symptoms but rather underscore the importance of considering all possible causes in addition to COVID19 such as other diseases anxiety or deconditioning related to the pandemic but not the virus itself. The study published yesterday in JAMA Internal Medicine involved analysis of blood samples from 26823 adult participants who reported recovering from COVID19. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/11/long-covid-symptoms-may-have-causes-other-sars-cov-2 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Fierce Pharma The publicprivate partnership between the U.S. government and Moderna to quickly develop a COVID19 vaccine has been lauded as a feelgood success storyand a blueprint for future health crises. But less than a year after Moderna gained FDA authorization for its vaccine its marriage with the feds is on the rocks. The company has done little appease the Biden administrations call to make the vaccine available to poor countries and now a much bigger battle over patent rights is brewing The New York Times reports. The issue surrounds a July filing by Moderna with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office which claims that it invented the vaccine. Meanwhile the NIH says that three of its scientists created key elements of the shot. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/moderna-u-s-clash-patent-dispute-over-development-covid-19-vaccine-report 10th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

FiercePharma As AstraZeneca suffered a series of missteps in the development manufacture and distribution of its COVID19 vaccine other companies surged ahead in the race to provide shots to the world. Was AstraZeneca ill equipped for the monumental task With the creation of a new unit responsible for COVID19 treatments including vaccines and antibodies the company is attempting to better manage its response to the pandemic. Iskra Reic a senior executive who heads up the companys operations in Europe and Canada will take control of the division allowing CEO Pascal Soriot to manage the companys breadandbutter business. The new unit will have RD manufacturing commercial and medical branches. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/astrazeneca-creates-unit-to-handle-its-covid-19-vaccines-and-antibody-treatments 10th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

MarketWatch The World Health Organization highlighted Wednesday that Europe was the only region showing rising cases and deaths from the coronavirusborne illness COVID19 in the latest week led by Russia where low vaccine takeup is believed to be responsible for about 1200 deaths a day. Russia counted 281305 new cases in the week to Nov. 7 according to the agencys weekly epidemiological update or 371.4 new cases per 100000 residents. There were 8276 new fatalities in Russia in the week or 5.7 new deaths per 100000 residents little changed from the prior week. Russia set yet another oneday record death toll on Wednesday of 1239 and is now leading the world by weekly deaths for the first time since the start of the pandemic the Moscow Times reported. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/who-highlights-that-europe-is-only-region-with-rising-covid-cases-and-deaths-as-russia-overtakes-u-s-for-most-fatalities-in-a-week-11636558256 10th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC News One of Germanys top virologists has warned that a further 100000 people will die from Covid if nothings done to halt an aggressive fourth wave. Case numbers have soared and Germany on Wednesday registered its highest rate of infection since the pandemic began with almost 40000 cases in a day. We have to act right now said Christian Drosten who described a real emergency situation. Doctors in the intensive care Covid ward at Leipzig University Hospital warn this fourth wave could be the worst yet. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59234443 10th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Chinas southwestern city of Chengdu said on Wednesday it had conducted 30000 COVID19 tests on visitors at a mega entertainment centre and roundedup those who tried to flee the site in the second mass screening at a large venue in days. All COVID19 tests returned negative results reported the official China Central Television CCTV on Tuesday. Those present were required to return home to await their results and not venture outdoors until advised local authorities in Chengdu said in a notice https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/chinese-city-says-it-mass-tested-30000-covid-19-mega-centre-rounded-up-runaways-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Russia said last weeks nationwide workplace shutdown had helped turn the tide of surging COVID19 cases even as officials on Tuesday reported the largest oneday death toll of the pandemic so far. All but a handful of Russias 80plus regions on Monday ended a nonworking period from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7 that was ordered by President Vladimir Putin the toughest nationwide restriction since the early months of the pandemic. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-daily-covid-19-death-toll-hits-new-record-high-2021-11-09/ 10th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The Czech Republicand Slovakia reported fresh surges in coronavirus infections on Wednesday and again had to start limiting nonurgent hospital care to cater for admissions of COVID19 patients. Slovakia a country of 5.5 million reported a record high 7055 new cases for Tuesday and the Czech Republic twice the size reported 14539 cases not far from an alltime peak seen in January. Both countries have been tightening restrictions but they have been far more lax than in previous waves thanks to partial shielding from vaccination and infections affecting younger people. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/czechs-record-highest-daily-tally-covid-19-cases-since-march-2021-11-10/ 10th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Britain reported 262 new deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID19 test on Tuesday up from 57 a day earlier while the total death toll for the past seven days was 1160 up 2.6 on the previous seven days official data showed. A new 33117 confirmed cases of the virus were also reported up from 32322 on Monday. The total for the past seven days was 239034 down by 14.8 on the previous sevenday period. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-reports-262-covid-19-deaths-seven-day-total-up-26-2021-11-09/ 10th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press Article reports that Wang Lijie planned to spend three days in the Gobi Desert last month to take in the areas famous poplar forest as its trees turned a golden yellow. Instead the Beijing resident has been stuck for more than three weeks much of it in quarantine after authorities discovered a cluster of COVID19 cases in a nearby city. He was among more than 9000 tourists who became trapped in Ejin Banner a remote part of Chinas Inner Mongolia region that is in the Gobi. As vaccination rates rise in many parts of the world and even countries that previously had strict COVIDcontainment strategies gingerly ease restrictions China is doubling down on its zerotolerance policy. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-immigration-business-taiwan-wuhan-a5bf3ccccf435a5adf45faa57758c9f7 10th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

CIDRAP At least three countries all with low vaccination rates reported new daily record highs for deaths Russia Ukraine and Bulgaria according to media reports. Russia recently ended a weeklong nonworking period and federal officials said its too soon to tell if the step helped cut transmission according to the Washington Post which said less than 40 of the country is fully vaccinated. Cases are on the rise however even in countries with robust vaccine uptake. In the Netherlands where cases have been rising since early October the adult vaccination level is about 85. A hospital group in the southern province of Limburg today urged the government to take stronger measures warning that they are out of space and staff and that other areas may soon face similar situations according to Reuters. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/11/covid-19-surges-expand-europe 10th Nov 2021