21st Sep 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=99 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Australia looked set to record its lowest daily increase in new coronavirus cases in three months on Sunday as a hard lockdown in the city of Melbourne brought the countrys virus epicentre down sharply. The secondmost populous state Victoria of which Melbourne is the capital reported 14 new infections in the 24 hours to Sunday morning down from 21 new cases the day prior and its lowest since June 19. That put Victoria which has spent months under lockdown to slow a second wave of infections on track to meet a target of keeping average daily increases below 50 by Sept. 28 when the authorities have said they may lift restrictions. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-australia/australia-heads-for-lowest-virus-count-in-three-months-idUKKCN26B00C 20th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The New York Times In one example of the limited scope of distribution the company financing the vaccine pointed to a shipment sent this past week to the Crimean Peninsula. The delivery contained doses for 21 people in a region with two million. The Russian Ministry of Health has not said how many people have been vaccinated in all of Russia. The minister Mikhail Murashko said last weekend that the first small shipments was being delivered this past week to the Russian provinces. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/19/world/europe/russia-coronavirus-vaccine.html 20th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters on MSN.com Indias coronavirus case tally surged to 5.4 million as it added 92605 new infections in the last 24 hours data from the federal health ministry showed on Sunday. The country has posted the highest singleday caseload in the world since early August and lags behind only the United States which has 6.7 million cases in terms of total infections. https://www.msn.com/en-au/lifestyle/wellbeing/indias-coronavirus-infections-surge-to-54-million/ar-BB19dEWf 20th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Independent Hailed as a project to help the world tackle coronavirus as one the global vaccine alliance has now secured the commitments of more than 170 countries. But behind the scenes some smaller nations are concerned by the initiatives shortfalls and lack of clarity fearing that they could be left behind as world powers take precedence. Coled by the Gavi The Vaccine Alliance the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations Cepi and the World Health Organisation the Covax Facility was established in April to secure access to safe and effective Covid19 vaccines through a portfolio of candidates. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-vaccine-covid-covax-facility-b483647.html 19th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

POLITICO The EU is willing to invest in some 88 million doses of coronavirus vaccines for poor countries as part of its participation in a global effort to secure and equitably distribute immunizations the Commission said Friday. The Commission and the EU 27 under the banner of Team Europe will contribute to the COVAX Facility with an initial 230 million in cash through a loan from the European Investment Bank. That sum amounts to reserves or options to buy 88 million doses and the EU would transfer these to eligible lowand middle income countries a press release said. https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-finance-88m-coronavirus-vaccine-doses-for-poor-countries/ 19th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Sky News Boris Johnson has said he does not want to put the country in another national lockdown but warned the government may need to intensify things to help bring the rate of infections down. He added Were now seeing a second wave coming in... clearly we are going to keep everything under review. Calling the second wave inevitable he said I dont want to get to a second national lockdown at all. But he also said As the disease progresses of course were going to have to take further measures. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-pm-does-not-want-another-lockdown-but-says-second-wave-inevitable-12075357 19th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Sun A hospital AE chief has said she fears being overwhelmed not just by a second wave of coronavirus but also by the knockon effects of the first. Dr AnnMarie Morris of the Royal Stoke University Hospital said she was seeing a rise in patients with alcoholrelated conditions as well as more victims of violent crime. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12717023/hospital-a-e-chief-overwhelmed-second-wave-coronavirus/ 19th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Mexicos health ministry on Saturday reported 5167 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the country bringing the total to 694121 cases and 455 new deaths for a cumulative death toll of 73258. Deputy Health Minister Hugo LopezGatell has said the real number of cases in the country is significantly higher. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-mexico/mexico-reports-5167-new-coronavirus-cases-455-new-deaths-idUKS0N2EA05H 19th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

CNA Italy will allow up to 1000 supporters to attend top flight Serie A soccer matches from Sunday Sep 20 following an agreement between the regions and various government departments sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said on Saturday. The regions of Emilia Romagna home to Parma Sassuolo and Bologna and Veneto where Verona are based had already announced that fans could watch matches in their jurisdiction but Spadafora said the measure had been extended to nationwide. Spectators have been barred from Serie A matches since March due to the COVID19 pandemic. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/football-italy-to-allow-1-000-fans-at-serie-a-games-from-sunday-13126492 19th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian The world is watching the Covid19 vaccine trials conducted by the University of Oxfords Jenner Institute closely. Australian Josh McGrane is an associate professor and educational researcher living in Oxford. He decided to take part in the trials when he saw the callout for volunteers on Facebook earlier this year. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/20/the-coronavirus-vaccine-volunteer-i-hope-this-is-a-kick-up-the-ass-to-do-things-better 20th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Times This is a big moment for Britain. One senior NHS official said yesterday that cases might be doubling every seven days with infection rates even worse in some areas of the country. If that is right the latest official figures showing 6000 people a day in England getting infected could soar past 100000 a day within five weeks. Yesterday the UK recorded 4422 new cases the first time it has exceeded 4000 for two successive days since early May. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/is-the-uk-better-prepared-for-a-second-wave-of-coronavirus-8375w038t?utm_medium=Social&amputm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1600561540 20th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Oxford Mail The Prime Minister was shown around by Professor Kate Ewer a senior immunologist at the labs. He was given a tour through the laboratory and met scientists who are leading the COVID19 vaccine research. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18732256.boris-johnson-visits-oxfords-coronavirus-research/ 19th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Irish Independent A vaccine for coronavirus could be ready by March or April next year but the impact of the virus will be felt throughout all of 2021 according to the Taoiseach. Michel Martin also said that a huge economic issue surrounding the pandemic cannot be ignored. Speaking with Brendan OConnor on RT Radio One this morning Mr Martin said that the full impacts of the virus will be felt throughout next year even if a vaccine is found. There is a huge economic issue here as well that we cant ignore. We have a deficit of 8pc we have 24bn maybe at the end of the year necessary. I think were looking at something similar right throughout 2021 https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/coronavirus-vaccine-could-be-ready-by-march-but-we-will-feel-impact-of-pandemic-throughout-2021-taoiseach-39544504.html 19th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Times Britains obesity crisis could prevent a vaccine from ending the pandemic experts have warned. Scientists are concerned that vaccines being developed to protect against Covid19 may be less effective in fat people leaving them more vulnerable to infection which could in turn put others at risk. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/obese-britons-putting-at-risk-hopes-of-widespread-vaccine-protection-nhw3c5z7z 19th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

YAHOO! Brazil and Argentina Latin American nations seeking more time to commit to the global COVID19 vaccine facility known as COVAX said they intend to so as soon as possible after missing Fridays deadline. Perus foreign ministry said on Saturday it managed to sign the binding agreement on Friday and will get access to 12 million doses of COVID19 vaccines through COVAX a scheme for pooled procurement and equitable distribution of eventual vaccines. Argentina asked for more time to prepare the required paperwork but expects to sign on Wednesday its commitment to the vaccine mechanism led by the World Health Organization a health ministry official told Reuters. The Brazilian government said in a statement late on Friday that it will sign up for COVAX after negotiations with the GAVI Alliance which is the COVAX secretariat. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/latin-american-nations-plan-join-224626613.html 19th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Parts of the Spanish capital Madrid are to be subject to lockdown restrictions to curb a rise in Covid19 as cases across Europe continue to spike. From Monday more than 850000 people in the Madrid region will face limits on travel and sizes of groups. Spain has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Europe and Madrid is once again the worsthit region. Many northern hemisphere countries are now bracing for a second wave of the pandemic as winter approaches. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54211361 19th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Popular breeds have seen even sharper price increases and puppies are often selling for 3000 or more according to a leading online marketplace. Animal welfare charities have warned high prices could encourage puppy farming smuggling or dog theft. They are also concerned that it could lead to a dog welfare crisis as people return to work away from the home. Interest in getting a pet rose hugely after lockdown in late March with high demand prompting many breeders to raise their prices. Figures from the Pets4Homes website based on about 150000 adverts showed the average price being asked from March to September was 1883. During the same period last year the average price was 888. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54115646 19th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC An arts charity which normally performs shows in theatres care homes and nurseries has started touring residents doorsteps because of coronavirus. City Arts is taking its familyfriendly puppet show The Search for Tedding Island outside the homes of Nottingham residents while many theatres remain closed due to the pandemic. The show which is aimed at children aged two to five is being performed with government social distancing guidelines in place. Creative development manager Alison Denholm said The Covid19 pandemic has created a lot of challenges for theatre and arts. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-54183927 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

The Independent Despite president Donald Trumps claims that a coronavirus vaccine will soon be available new polling shows that a majority of Americans have no confidence in him to confirm that it is safe. An ABC NewsIpsos poll released on Sunday shows that 69 per cent of Americans do not have confidence in the president vouching for the effectiveness of a vaccine 53 per cent saying they have no confidence at all in him doing so. Conversely just nine per cent of Americans have a great deal of confidence in the president to confirm the effectiveness of a vaccine and just 18 per cent have a good amount of confidence. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election/trump-coronavirus-vaccine-confidence-biden-poll-b507421.html 20th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Mirror Online The leader of an antivaccine protest in London is a suspended nurse who has previously compared lockdown restrictions to the Holocaust according to reports. Mumoffour Kate Shemirani calls the global Covid19 pandemic a scamdemic and says the disease which has killed thousands in the country doesnt exist it is claimed. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/anti-vaccine-protest-leader-mum-22713562 20th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Sky News In South Africa three of the most promising vaccines are being tested in cities throughout the country with 2000 participants trialling an inoculation developed by Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute. The study was recently paused after one person in the UK fell ill but the trial has resumed with participants at Johannesburgs giant Baragwanath Hospital receiving the second part of this twodose vaccine this week. Do you think this vaccine could work I asked Bonginkosi Ntombela who lives in the township of Soweto. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-covid-19-only-takes-white-people-researchers-battle-disease-myths-in-south-africa-12074905 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Evening Standard The Government is considering using emergency powers to allow the rollout of a vaccine to the public even if it is unlicensed. In an open consultation document the Department of Health and Social Care DHSC has floated the possibility of authorising the supply of an unlicensed vaccine if there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate the safety quality and efficacy of the vaccine. The DHSC adds that unlicensed does not mean untested and that any unlicensed vaccine will have gone through several safety trials before being used by the general public. The document first reported in the I newspaper says that the preferred route of deployment of a Covid19 vaccine is through the usual marketing authorisation product licensing process. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/emergency-unlicensed-vaccine-powers-coronavirus-uk-a4550411.html 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Engagement with antivaccine posts on a sample of UK Facebook pages trebled between July and August analysis by the Guardian has found triggering calls for a major new push to tackle conspiracy theories. Interactions on posts expressing scepticism or hostility towards vaccines on six UK Facebook pages increased from 12000 in July to 42000 in August according to the analysis conducted using the social media analytics tool CrowdTangle. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/sep/19/engagement-anti-vaccine-facebook-posts-trebles-one-month-coronavirus 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

ITV News Protesters and police have clashed during an antivaccination and antilockdown demonstration in central London. Hundreds of people gathered at Trafalgar Square for a Resist And Act For Freedom rally on Saturday afternoon before sections got into scuffles with Metropolitan officers. The force has said it made 32 arrests during the demonstration which was cleared by 6pm. Dozens of officers including some mounted on horseback tried to break up ranks of protesters who had formed human blockades to prevent them making arrests with loud cheering and chanting as they pushed back the police. Police said they had to take enforcement action to disperse the crowds after officers were met with hostility and violence from some. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-09-19/coronavirus-police-and-protesters-clash-at-anti-vaccine-demonstration 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

POLITICO Scientists around the world are racing to produce an effective vaccine and governments are throwing billions at drug companies to be first in line for access. But despite the severe disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic a significant minority of people say they dont want a jab even when one becomes available. Thats the message from the polling of nearly 20000 adults in 27 countries. It found that 74 percent would take a vaccine if it becomes available but 59 percent do not expect that to be an option before the end of the year. https://www.politico.eu/article/coronavirus-vaccine-skepticism-by-the-numbers/ 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Sky News Boris Johnsons interview this afternoon really ought to have carried more significance than it did given the undoubted gravity of the moment. Behind the scenes government sources confirm that the PM is weighing up whether he has to introduce national restrictions for a short period of time in the next few weeks. The idea they say a circuit break would see schools and work continuing but curbs on social lives. In a carefully worded statement Downing Street say merely they now want to avoid any extended lockdowns. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-prime-minister-at-centre-of-a-lockdown-pincer-movement-12075616 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

The Scottish Sun When the rest of the world blinked as coronavirus took hold icecool Swede Anders Tegnell refused to lock down his nation. As Swedens death count spiralled last spring at one of the highest global rates this once faceless scientist was accused of creating a pariah state. Yet when I met Tegnell 64 in the capital Stockholm he was being lauded as if he was the fifth member of Abba. Tshirts proclaiming in the style of the Carlsberg adverts Tegnell probably the best state epidemiologist in the world are bestsellers. For it appears his decision not to lock down may have paid off. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/6062487/coronavirus-sweden-lockdown-anders-tegnell-death-count/ 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

BBC Northern Irelands health minister has described three new songs by Sir Van Morrison that protest against coronavirus lockdowns as dangerous. In the lyrics Sir Van claims scientists are making up crooked facts to justify measures that enslave the population. The new normal is not normal he sings. We were born to be free. Health Minister Robin Swann said if Sir Van had scientific facts he should present them. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-54194408 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Daily Mail People suffering with coronavirus could be fined 10000 if they fail to selfisolate when told to do so. The Prime Minister announced he was creating a new legal duty for people to selfisolate if they test positive. Plans will offer 500 to up to four million people on low incomes who cannot work from home if selfisolating The news comes as the number of daily cases reached 4422 the highest level since early May. But large crowds were still seen around markets and bars on Saturday signalling little care for the rules https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8751339/Boris-Johnson-unveils-huge-penalty-breaking-self-isolation-rules.html 19th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

PoliticsHome Matt Hancock has refused to rule out putting the whole of the UK back into lockdown amid a spike in coronavirus cases saying it isnt something that we ever take off the table. The health secretary called the draconian measure the last line of defence in the battle against Covid19 adding the government is prepared to do what is necessary to keep people safe. Earlier this week Boris Johnson said a second fullscale lockdown would have disastrous financial consequences for the UK. https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/second-national-lockdown-coronavirus 19th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

Mirror Online Brits could face six months of restrictions with onoff lockdown measures to stop the spread of Covid19. Yesterday the Prime Minister warned the country is just six weeks behind France and Spain where the daily death toll rose to 239 this week and admitted a second wave was inevitable. He is now considering six months of circuit breaker lockdowns which would see strict restrictions introduced for around two weeks and then eased slightly. Ministers hope this approach can avoid a full UKwide lockdown like the one that was introduced on March 23. The onoff restrictions could see limits placed on social contact and hospitality venues such as bars and restaurants made to close. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-faces-six-months-coronavirus-22708181 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Straits Times Researchers from the National University of Singapore NUS and Monash University in Australia are developing a Covid19 vaccine that could be ready for clinical trials by the end of next year. The vaccine modified from a cancer drug has undergone animal studies and researchers are hoping to conduct clinical trials in Singapore and Australia. Called Clec9ARBD it is the third coronavirus vaccine that Singapore is involved in developing. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/nus-medical-school-developing-covid-19-vaccine-with-monash-university 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Some Australians could be forced to wait longer for a COVID19 vaccine jab. Federal Government has locked in deal to receive vaccine as early as January. Though only 3.8million doses will be available in the first two months next year Experts have warned the limited supply will lead to priority distribution system https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8745785/Limited-coronavirus-vaccine-supply-leave-Australians-waiting-longer-COVID-19-jab.html 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

South China Morning Post on MSN.com Some Australians could be forced to wait longer for a COVID19 vaccine jab Federal Government has locked in deal to receive vaccine as early as January Though only 3.8million doses will be available in the first two months next year Experts have warned the limited supply will lead to priority distribution system https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/a-hostile-covid-19-vaccine-race-and-testing-shambles-won-t-keep-the-world-safe/ar-BB19eAir 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian As the US closed in on 200000 deaths from Covid19 Donald Trumps health secretary and a key member of the White House coronavirus taskforce defended the administrations handling of the pandemic and insisted the president and a senior public health aide were both correct when they made contradictory statements about the imminency of an effective vaccine. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/20/us-nears-200000-covid-deaths-senior-trump-health-official-biology-independent-of-politics 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Wall Street Journal Russia has struck preliminary agreements to sell its Covid19 vaccine to more than 10 countries in Asia South America and the Middle East a development that could give Moscow valuable economic and political leverage internationally. Russian officials say they have secured preliminary deals for the vaccine to be delivered to countries such as Brazil Mexico Saudi Arabia and India. In addition Russia says it is in various stages of talks with roughly 10 other countries to buy the vaccine. All told it has received requests or expressions of interest in the vaccine for a total of 1.2 billion doses. The vaccines will be manufactured abroad and distributed worldwide from there as soon as November. The shot will require local regulatory approval before being distributed officials say. https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-strikes-deals-to-sell-its-coronavirus-vaccine-internationally-11600610554 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard Just one in 10 of the worlds 7.8 billion population is likely to be protected against coronavirus in the first year of a vaccine being made available it has been reported. Experts told Sky News that with seven of the nine prototype vaccines in latestage clinical trials requiring two doses there is likely to be enough doses to immunise just over 12 per cent of the global population. Ministers and experts working on vaccine trials have said a treatment could be given approval by Christmas. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/coronavirus-vaccine-one-in-10-protected-a4551506.html 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Al-Monitor Russian diplomats have been busy in Cairo meeting with Egyptian officials and the local media to promote the socalled Sputnik V a vaccine developed by Moscows Gamaleya Institute even though clinical trials have not been completed on the drug and the Chinese seem to be spreadheing the race for an greement with Egypt. Following only two months of testing Russias President Vladimir Putin approved the drug in midAugust and the country began to market the medication as Sputnik V the first registered vaccine against COVID19. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/09/egypt-russian-coronavirus-vaccine-promotion.html 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Moderna said Friday it can make 20 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine by the end of October. By the end of 2021 the company anticipates it can manufacture as many as 500 million doses. CEO Stephane Bancel said this week that the company will likely know if the shot works by November. President Trump has expressed optimism that coronavirus vaccines could be ready before the November 3 election https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8748169/Moderna-expects-make-20-mln-doses-COVID-19-vaccine-candidate-2020-end.html 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Nature.com The NASEM guidance goes a step further by ranking priority groups in order of who should get a vaccine first see A tiered approach. After healthcare workers medically vulnerable groups should be among the first to receive a vaccine according to the NASEM draft plan. These include older people living in crowded settings and individuals with multiple existing conditions such as serious heart disease or diabetes that put them at risk for moreserious COVID19 infection. The plan prioritizes workers in essential industries such as public transit because their jobs place them in contact with many people. Similarly people who live in certain crowded settings homeless shelters and prisons for example are called out as deserving early access. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02684-9 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Foreign Policy Immunization to COVID19 is supposed to solve our problemsbut its starting to trigger even bigger ones. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/19/the-world-is-losing-the-vaccine-race/ 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Anadolu Agency The global number of COVID19 patients passed 30 million this week and the virus is expected to pick up momentum with the arrival of the fall season as scientists including Russias are striving to develop an effective vaccine against the disease. On Aug. 11 Russia issued a temporary conditional registration to a coronavirus vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. This kind of registration is issued for medicines which are vital to protect the public health in an emergency such as the coronavirus pandemic. The Russian coronavirus vaccine named as GamCOVIDVac Gamaleya COVID Vaccine by the developers and with the trade name Sputnik V V for the vaccine has a valid registration until Jan. 1 2021 and suggests holding a third phase of trials involving up to 40000 people as well as postclinical research. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-coronavirus-outbreak/moscow-takes-part-in-3rd-phase-of-covid-vaccine-trials/1977640 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Conversation AU The World Health Organisation lists about 180 COVID19 vaccines being developed around the world. Each vaccine aims to use a slightly different approach to prepare your immune system to recognise and fight SARSCoV2 the virus that causes COVID19. However we can group these technologies into five main types. Some technology is tried and trusted. Some technology has never before been used in a commercial vaccine for humans. As we outline in our recent paper each technology has its pros and cons. https://theconversation.com/from-adenoviruses-to-rna-the-pros-and-cons-of-different-covid-vaccine-technologies-145454 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Times of India The phaseIII human clinical trial of the Covid19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India SII will begin at the Sassoon General Hospital in Pune next week Read more at httptimesofindia.indiatimes.comarticleshow78207558.cmsutmsourcecontentofinterestutmmediumtextutmcampaigncppst https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-phase-iii-trial-of-oxford-vaccine-to-begin-in-pune-next-week/articleshow/78207558.cms 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Indian Express The India trials of a vaccine candidate being developed by American company Novavax is likely to begin in late October the government said in Lok Sabha on Friday. The Novavax vaccine candidate is currently undergoing phase2 clinical trials in South Africa. Global phase3 trials are expected to begin next month. In India Novavax has entered into an agreement with Punebased Serum Institute of India for production of 100 million doses of the vaccine. It is expected that at least 50 per cent of this would be meant for supplies within India. ICMR and SII Serum Institute of India have partnered for clinical development of a glycolprotein subunit nanoparticle adjuvanted vaccine developed by Novavax from USA. The trial will be initiated in the second half of October after the vaccine is manufactured by Serum Institute. The trial is led by ICMRNational AIDS Research Institute Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in Parliament. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/september-19-coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-covid-19-latest-news-novavax-india-trials-6602114/ 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Telegraph An old school coronavirus vaccine to be manufactured in a small plant in Scotland could offer better longer and broader protection levels to high risk groups compared to its high tech rivals. The research team behind the jab which is to be made in a plant just outside Edinburgh signed a 1.4 billion contract with the government this week to provide 60 million doses of its Covid19 shot by the end of next year if it proves successful in trials. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/scotland-enters-race-coronavirus-vaccine-new-14-billion-contract/ 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Moderna said Friday it can make 20 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine by the end of October. By the end of 2021 the company anticipates it can manufacture as many as 500 million doses. CEO Stephane Bancel said this week that the company will likely know if the shot works by November. President Trump has expressed optimism that coronavirus vaccines could be ready before the November 3 election https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8748169/Moderna-expects-make-20-mln-doses-COVID-19-vaccine-candidate-2020-end.html 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent In front of baskets of tomatoes and peppers near a sizzling burrito grill the promotoras stop masked shoppers at a busy Latino farmers market Want to test a COVID19 vaccine Aided by Spanishspeaking health promoters and Black pastors a steppedup effort is underway around the U.S. to recruit minorities to ensure potential vaccines against the scourge are tested in the populations most ravaged by the virus. Many thousands of volunteers from minority groups are needed for huge clinical trials underway or about to begin. Scientists say a diverse group of test subjects is vital to determining whether a vaccine is safe and effective for everyone and instilling broad public confidence in the shots once they become available https://www.independent.co.uk/wires/us/push-underway-test-covid19-vaccines-diverse-groups-b484989.html 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian The epidemiologist whose modelling helped shape Britains coronavirus lockdown strategy has said new restrictions will be needed in England sooner rather than later if the government is to prevent infections surging again. Prof Neil Ferguson who resigned from the governments Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies Sage said the country was facing a perfect storm after controls were eased over summer. On Friday Boris Johnson admitted in a speech that Britain was entering a second wave of coronavirus. It is understood he is preparing to impose nationwide measures to curb the spread of Covid19. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/19/england-wide-covid-lockdown-needed-sooner-later-says-former-adviser-neil-ferguson 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Ministers were last night accused of being in the grip of Chief Medical Officer. There are fears that Chris Whitty could resign if his tough lockdown is ignored. Ministers are leaning towards tougher measures despite concerns for economy https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8751349/Coronavirus-Ministers-fear-Chris-Whitty-quit-doesnt-way-lockdown.html 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Yahoo Finance UK Scientists have warned a second coronavirus lockdown in the UK will only press pause on the spread of the pandemic. On Friday Boris Johnson warned a second lockdown was the last thing anybody wants but insisted the current measures would need to be kept under review. He said On Monday we brought in the measures that we did the rule of six to really try and restrict what people are doing and to bring in a new buffer and to make it absolutely clear the rule of six indoors six maximum six outdoors maximum. I dont want to get into a second national lockdown at all it is the last thing anybody wants. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-lockdown-pause-pandemic-164043271.html 19th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Horizon magazine Its very exciting and very motivational but there is a lot of pressure she said. Dr Oostvogels is steering the human trials of a coronavirus vaccine for German biopharmaceutical firm CureVac where she is head of their infectious diseases programme and leads its development of vaccines and therapies. Back in January after returning from Christmas holidays CureVacs infectious diseases team started to discuss the outbreak in Wuhan and whether they could work on a vaccine. https://horizon-magazine.eu/article/so-far-so-good-view-inside-coronavirus-vaccine-trial.html 18th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian The number of coronavirus cases worldwide passed 30 million on Friday according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker as the World Health Organization said daily case numbers were growing at an alarming rate in Europe. The global death toll stands at 943203 people and is expected to pass 1 million by 1 October. The US accounts for than 22 of global cases at 6.67m and nearly 200000 fatalities. The Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden again criticised the President Trumps handling of the pandemic as close to criminal in particular Trumps supposedly intentional downplaying of the severity of the virus. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/18/global-report-covid-cases-pass-30m-worldwide-as-biden-offers-vaccine-reality-check 18th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Washington Post China and Russia have begun a mass rollout of their coronavirus vaccines before clinical tests are complete in what is emerging as an unexpectedly complex geopolitical challenge for the United States. Chinas Sinopharm announced this week that it would provide emergency doses of one of its two trial vaccines to the United Arab Emirates prioritizing the U.S. ally over the vast majority of Chinese. China is now the sole supplier of coronavirus vaccine to the Middle East. Meanwhile Russias sovereign wealth fund signed a deal this week to supply India with 100 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-and-russia-are-ahead-in-the-global-coronavirus-vaccine-race-bending-long-standing-rules-as-they-go/2020/09/18/9bfd4438-e2d4-11ea-82d8-5e55d47e90ca_story.html 18th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Moderna and Pfizer revealed their complete blueprints for the late stages of clinical trials for a Covid19 vaccine on Thursday. The move added pressure for the other companies developing a vaccine to do the same. In its 135page document Moderna estimated they could find a successful vaccine by the end of the year The secret blueprints were released in the hopes that the companies will win the trust of the public. Concerns have been raised that the quick discovery of a vaccine has become too much of a political issue to be deemed safe https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8746467/Secret-blueprints-Covid-19-vaccine-trials-revealed-Moderna-Pfizer.html 18th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News The UKs top scientists have proposed a twoweek national lockdown in October to stem the recent increase in coronavirus cases according to a newspaper report. A second lockdown would coincide with the October halfterm to create minimal disruption to schools experts on the governments Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies SAGE and the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling Spim have proposed. One SAGE scientist said that if the R number continues at the same rate it would break the NHS the Financial Times reports. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-two-week-national-lockdown-in-october-proposed-by-top-scientists-report-12074645 18th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Belfast Telegraph The UK has joined Covax the international initiative to support discovery manufacture and fair distribution of Covid19 vaccines for one billion people by the end of 2021. Covax is the vaccines pillar of the Access to Covid19 Tools ACT Accelerator a global collaboration to speed up the development production and equitable access to coronavirus tests treatments and vaccines. It is coled by Gavi the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations CEPI and the World Health Organisation WHO. Covax is looking to invest six billion US dollars 4.56 billion to secure access to a diverse portfolio of vaccine candidates. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/uk-joins-initiative-for-covid-19-vaccine-discovery-manufacture-and-distribution-39542401.html 18th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CNN German pharmaceutical company BioNTech which is currently developing a possible vaccine against the novel coronavirus together with US drug giant Pfizer announced Thursday it was buying a new production plant in order drastically to increase its production capacities. BioNTech said the acquisition of the vaccine plant in Marburg Germany from the pharmaceutical firm Novartis would allow it to produce tens of millions more vaccine doses a month pending regulatory approval from next year. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/17/health/biontech-vaccine-production-plant-grm-intl/index.html 17th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Mirror Online Britain is hurtling towards a second allout lockdown as figures show the coronavirus epidemic now DOUBLING in size week on week. The Governments scientific advisers claim the national R rate could now be 1.4 meaning on average every 10 people infected are infecting 14 others. Nationally there were a further 4422 confirmed UK cases of coronavirus recorded on Saturday and 27 deaths up from 4322 confirmed cases on Friday the first time the daily total of positive tests had exceeded 4000 since May 8. The Governments original lockdown architect Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College London warned tougher restrictions were needed sooner rather than later. The epidemiologist who resigned from government scientific advisory group Sage in May for flouting his own lockdown rules said Right now were at about the levels of infections we were seeing in late February. If we leave it at another two to four weeks we will be back at levels we were seeing more like midMarch. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-hurtling-toward-circuit-break-22711083 19th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Mirror Online Dr Hilary Jones has addressed reports that the government are considering using emergency powers to allow the rolling out of an unlicensed coronavirus vaccine in the UK. The possible move has worried many over fears the vaccine may not be safe. Speaking on Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway shared her own concerns before asking Hilary for his take. She recalled Dr Sarah Jarvis recently being on the show and discussing reports that Russia had approved a Covid19 vaccine that hadnt been through all the testing processs. Kate feared this was what was happening in the UK too but Dr Hilary was quick suggest that the situations were in no way similar. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/gmbs-dr-hilary-would-have-22702945 19th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Sky News It is increasingly likely further lockdown restrictions will be required in London the citys mayor has warned and says he does not want to wait. Sadiq Khan said The prime minister has said that we are now seeing the start of a second wave of COVID19 across the UK. Londoners should also know that I am extremely concerned by the latest evidence Ive seen today from public health experts about the accelerating speed at which COVID19 is now spreading here in London. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-increasingly-likely-london-will-face-tougher-lockdown-restrictions-12075535 19th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Yahoo News Brazil recorded 33057 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 739 deaths from the disease the Health Ministry said on Saturday. South Americas largest country has registered more than 4.5 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began according to ministry data ranking it as the third worst outbreak in the world after the United States and India. More than 136000 people have died of the disease in Brazil which ranks second after the United States in coronavirus deaths. https://news.yahoo.com/brazil-reports-33-057-coronavirus-024525137.html 19th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Financial Times Boris Johnson on Friday warned that the UK was heading into a second wave of coronavirus as he put the country on notice that major new restrictions may be necessary to tackle the rising number of infections. The prime minister and chancellor Rishi Sunak have agreed that a second national lockdown would be a disaster for the economy and are determined to keep businesses and schools open. But ministers are considering socalled circuitbreaker measures across England involving restrictions on the hospitality industry if the latest rule banning gatherings of more than six people fails to control the virus. https://www.ft.com/content/32426394-6356-4697-ab80-a119175e4596 18th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

HeraldScotland An outbreak of coronavirus cases has been confirmed at a major Scottish hospital. A ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital has been forced into lockdown after positive cases of Covid19 were identified. No new patients will be admitted to the affected ward and visiting has been suspended whilst investigations are underway. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18732422.coronavirus-scotland-outbreak-forth-valley-royal-hospital-ward-forced-lockdown/ 18th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

Daily Mirror London Mayor Sadiq Khan has reportedly warned Boris Johnson that the capital needs new coronavirus restrictions as soon as possible to curb the spread of Covid19. The Mayor is also said to be preparing to urge people to work from home if possible despite the governments push to get people back to their offices. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/london-should-face-new-coronavirus-22711759 20th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

FRANCE 24 Nearly a million Madrid residents were bracing Sunday for a partial lockdown as Spanish authorities seek to put a brake on a second wave of Covid19. The restrictions which kick off Monday for two weeks affect 850000 people living mainly in denselypopulated lowincome neighbourhoods in the south or 13 percent of the population in and around the capital. Like many countries in Europe Spain is battling a coronavirus surge and once again Madrid is the worsthit region. https://www.france24.com/en/20200920-madrid-braces-for-partial-lockdown-as-virus-surges 20th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters The Czech government could declare a state of emergency if a recent spike in coronavirus cases continues in the coming days Health Minister Adam Vojtech said. The Czech Republics daily count of new coronavirus cases has reached record highs in recent days and the country of 10.7 million had reported a total of 48306 cases as of Saturday Health Ministry data showed. Should we need to have some deeper measures against the epidemic then the emergency state will be necessary Vojtech said in a televised debate on Sunday. The government should debate this step on Monday Vojtech said added that he would not yet propose declaration of a state of emergency. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-czech/czech-government-could-declare-coronavirus-state-of-emergency-says-minister-idUKKCN26B0G9 20th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

Sky News Parts of the North West West Yorkshire and the Midlands have been placed under further localised coronavirus restrictions. The new measures prompted by a fast rise in COVID19 cases have been confirmed by the Department for Health following consultation with local councils and MPs. Lancashire Merseyside Warrington and Halton are now being classed as areas of intervention and fresh restrictions will come into force in Wolverhampton Oadby Wigston and parts of Bradford Kirklees and Calderdale. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-new-local-lockdown-measures-in-parts-of-north-west-midlands-and-west-yorkshire-12074816 19th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

Sky News The latest local lockdown announcements mean 10 million people in Britain face extra coronavirus restrictions. Social gatherings of more than six people have been banned across Britain in an attempt to curb the rise in coronavirus cases but tougher measures are being imposed in the worsthit regions. Here we look at the rules that all of us currently have to follow how they differ in England Scotland and Wales and the specific restrictions being enforced in certain areas. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-lockdown-measures-in-your-area-12074111 19th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Israel is entering a second nationwide lockdown to curb surging coronavirus cases just as people begin to mark the start of Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is traditionally a time for big family gettogethers. But under the new threeweek lockdown Israelis must stay within 1km 0.6 miles of their homes with exceptions and the number of people allowed in synagogues has been greatly reduced. Israel currently has one of the highest Covid19 infection rates in the world. In the past week new cases have reached daily highs of more than 6000 and the countrys leaders have apologised for their failure to contain the pandemic. Israel has seen 1169 deaths from Covid19 and nearly 177000 confirmed infections according to a global tally kept by US university Johns Hopkins. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-54201834 19th Sep 2020