28th Sep 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=104 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Daijiworld.com The number of Covid19 cases have surged to more than 32.4 million or 0.4 per cent of the Earths total population meaning nearly every 250th person has already contracted coronavirus. The current world population is 7.8 billion as of September 2020 according to the most recent United Nations estimates elaborated by Worldometer. The number of active cases continues to rise rapidly increasing by about 5 lakh this week. Active cases now account for 23.3 per cent of the overall case count. https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=755252 27th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The National Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged at the United Nations on Saturday that his countrys vaccine production capacity would be made available globally to fight the Covid19 crisis. As the largest vaccineproducing country of the world I want to give one more assurance to the global community today Mr Modi said in a prerecorded speech to the UN General Assembly. Indias vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis. Mr Modi said India was moving ahead with Phase 3 clinical trials the largescale trials considered the gold standard for determining safety and efficacy and would help all countries enhance their cold chain and storage capacities for the delivery of vaccines. https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/india-offers-covid-vaccine-production-facilities-to-the-world-1.1083851 26th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Houston Chronicle Minnesota recorded a grim milestone on Saturday as health officials reported that over 2000 people have died from COVID19. The state also posted an alltime high for cases reported in a day with 1478 people testing positive for the virus. The Minnesota Department of Health recorded 10 new deaths sending the statewide tally of COVID19 deaths to 2004 people. Despite the worrisome marker the rate of deaths has slowed in recent months after spikes in May and June. Roughly 72 of deaths in the state have been among residents of longterm care or assistedliving facilities. https://www.chron.com/news/article/Minnesota-marks-2-000-COVID-19-deaths-hits-daily-15599854.php 26th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Sky News Boris Johnson has urged the world to unite against coronavirus suggesting it had made nations seem selfish and apparently warning against the comparison of countries death rates. In a prerecorded speech to the United Nations General Assembly the prime minister said the very notion of the international community looks tattered nine months into the COVID19 pandemic. Unless we unite and turn our fire against our common foe we know that everyone will lose he said. The inevitable outcome will be to prolong this calamity and increase the risk of another. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-boris-johnson-urges-world-to-unite-against-covid-19-and-stop-comparing-death-rates-12082621 26th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Forbes The number of people filing for bankruptcy could set records next year. And while bankruptcy reform artificially spurred the 2005 record of nearly 2.1 million cases filed this peak will be all about the reality of a Covid19blasted economy. Thats a bankruptcy tidal wave of a different color. So far 2020 has avoided a surge of personal bankruptcies. In fact total bankruptcy filings year to date trail the 2019 figures. https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/09/23/after-the-covid-19-deluge-a-bankruptcy-tidal-wave/ 26th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Courier A Perth disability campaigner fears a lack of clarity over coronavirus restrictions in shops are making it extremely difficult for blind people to visit stores safely. Jon Attenborough who can only see shapes and colours feels he in no longer able to go shopping on the high street by himself due to the visual nature of the majority of restrictions implemented by stores. The campaigner has called for shops to adopt a uniform approach to the guidelines to help people with impaired visibility safely navigate stores on their own. Going into shops was difficult before the restrictions were put in place but with some shops theres now queues you dont know about or a oneway system and its very difficult to know which way to go. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/perth-kinross/1593529/perth-campaigner-says-lack-of-clarity-over-covid-19-measures-is-leaving-blind-people-unable-to-shop-safely/ 26th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy They apply to anyone with rehabilitation needs aged 18 or over who has or has had Covid19 and are relevant to people at all stages of their Covid19 recovery their families and carers. This is whether their care is managed in community settings throughout or if they were admitted to hospital at any stage. There are seven quality standards Needs assessment rehabilitation planning and review Personalised rehabilitation Selfmanagement Communication and information Coordinated rehabilitation and care pathways Evaluation audit and research Personal protective equipment and infection control https://www.csp.org.uk/news/2020-09-25-new-csp-covid-19-rehabilitation-standards-launched 26th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Sky News Boris Johnson will warn the coronavirus pandemic has divided the international community as he pledges hundreds of millions of pounds to the World Health Organisation to fight future viruses. In a speech at the UN General Assembly later the prime minister will warn that countries must work together and overcome the divisions created by the global health crisis or risk it spiralling out of control. Mr Johnson will also make a large financial commitment to the WHO making the UK the largest countrydonor to the organisation just months after Donald Trump froze US funding. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-world-leaders-must-overcome-differences-to-fight-covid-19-pm-to-warn-12081925 26th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

cgtn.com China delivered more COVID19 preventative materials to Zambia. Li Jie Chinese Ambassador to Zambia said on Friday the international community still needs to support Zambia as the country has continued to see a rise in both new cases and deaths. He said the two countries have been allweather friends for a long time and that the two sides have been united in fighting the pandemic since it broke out in the southern African nation. These supplies have just arrived in Zambia by air. I am handing over them to the Ministry of Health. I believe they will play a positive role in the treatment of critically ill patients and the protection of medical staff he said. https://africa.cgtn.com/2020/09/26/china-delivers-more-covid-19-preventive-supplies-to-zambia/ 25th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC The global coronavirus death toll could hit two million before an effective vaccine is widely used the World Health Organization WHO has warned. Dr Mike Ryan the WHOs emergencies head said the figure could be higher without concerted international action. Almost one million people have died with Covid19 worldwide since the disease first emerged in China late last year. Virus infections continue to rise with 32 million cases confirmed globally. The start of a second surge of coronavirus infections has been seen in many countries in the northern hemisphere as winter approaches. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-54303628 25th Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

POLITICO As soon as drugmakers began testing their coronavirus vaccine candidates rich countries moved aggressively to lock in deals guaranteeing millions doses for their populations. A global coalition of international organizations is trying to ensure that doesnt leave poor countries out in the cold. Weve mapped where 15 countries plus the European Union stand when it comes to their likelihood of having access to a vaccine once it proves safe and effective against the virus. Their position is based on the money they have invested in vaccine research and development the deals secured with pharmaceutical companies developing vaccines and their participation in the COVAX scheme ran by Gavi the vaccine alliance the World Health Organization and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations CEPI a partnership that provides earlystage investment in multiple vaccines candidates. https://www.politico.com/interactives/2020/ranking-countries-coronavirus-vaccine/ 24th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

NDTV Adar Poonawalla the CEO of the Serum Institute of India the worlds largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume and which is conducting trials of Covid vaccine candidates ahead of mass production took to Twitter today to highlight challenges in vaccine production and distribution in the country. Quick question will the Government of India have 80000 crores available over the next one year Because that is what the Ministry of Health needs to buy and distribute the vaccine to everyone in India. This is the next concerning challenge we need to tackle Mr Poonawalla said. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-vaccine-does-government-have-80-000-crore-for-covid-vaccines-adar-poonawalla-asks-2301453 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC The new 15guest limit would be out of the question for South Asian weddings according to an events manager who has lost all his bookings since March. Arum Javed said Monsoon Venue Group in Birmingham was on shaky ground. Before Covid19 British Asian weddings were traditionally lavish affairs with multiple events that would tend to have 300 guests as a minimum. On Tuesday it was announced the maximum number of people allowed at weddings was being cut from 30 to 15. The change came as the government outlined a new set of restrictions aimed at limiting another rise in cases of the coronavirus. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-54271395 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Newly released figures have revealed the 10 most overcrowded trains in England and Wales. Among them was the 0716 service from Kings Lynn in Norfolk into London Kings Cross. But has coronavirus changed things Spoiler alert. It has. The data released by the Department for Transport on Thursday suggested nearly one in five train passengers had to stand due to overcrowding during the morning rush hour. But these latest figures are for last autumn and seem to reflect a different world from todays Covid19 reality. Great Northern which runs the Kings Lynn to Kings Cross service had told us it had already been working hard to reduce crowding before the pandemic struck. The governments figures show the service was running at 165 capacity when it was measured last year. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-54291982 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC A night at the opera might summon up images of people in suits and ballgowns sitting in stalls and boxes overlooking a stage. But when she performs in Europes first drivein opera this weekend Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw will be singing to an audience sitting in their cars. Ms Romaniw from Swansea is starring in Puccinis La bohme in the grounds of Londons Alexandra Palace. The 32yearold said she felt lucky to be performing again. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic performances have been cancelled with many venues remaining closed due to socialdistancing measures. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54299008 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Four U.S. states in the Midwest reported record oneday increases in COVID19 cases on Saturday as infections rise nationally for a second week in a row according to a Reuters analysis. Minnesota reported 1418 new cases Montana 343 new cases South Dakota reported 579 and Wisconsin had 2902 new cases. In the last week seven mostly Midwest states have reported record oneday rises in new infections Minnesota Montana Oregon South Dakota Utah Wisconsin and Wyoming. Minnesota and Utah reported record increases two days in a row. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/u-s-midwest-sees-surge-in-covid-19-cases-as-four-states-report-record-increases-idUKKBN26H0XN 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC A sea swim before dawn to help those struggling with mental health issues has been attracting more than 100 people every week. Chris Reeves set up the Win the Morning Win the Day group on social media six weeks ago offering to meet up in Gosport with anyone wanting to get some exercise and talk about their problems. The group meets every Friday at 05.30 BST and Chris has imposed coronavirus safety measures such as splitting people into groups of six and enforcing staggered starts to the walk. The idea is now gaining popularity with groups also starting in Leeds Manchester and Bahrain. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-hampshire-54243762 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Daily Mail At least 50 proTrump supporters held a protest on Friday in Northbrook Illinois. The event was in response to a Coronavirus Death Scoreboard sign that had been installed by a liberal group Peaceful Communities last week Peaceful Communities said the sign was meant to be a reminder about the pandemic but Trump supporters have perceived it as an attack him. The sign was vandalized five times within six days after it debuted. The protest was organized by Peter C.a local high school student who is involved in local conservative politics https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8775841/amp/Pro-Trump-supporters-protest-against-Coronavirus-Death-Scoreboard-installed-Chicago-park.html 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

CNN Since the beginning of 2020 when we first started hearing about a new coronavirus eventually dubbed SARSCoV2 our understanding of what it is how it infects people who it infects and how we can protect ourselves have all evolved as our knowledge has grown. But that evolution and the changing information and recommendations that accompanied it has also sown confusion and in some cases deliberate disinformation. Just as Covid19 has spread around the world so too have rumors untruths and disinformation. And they can be just as dangerous Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus directorgeneral of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/26/health/coronavirus-myths-science-gupta/index.html 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Demand for coronavirus tests has almost trebled among young children in England this month but only 1 were found to have the virus figures show. In the first two weeks of September more than 200000 undernines were tested according to governments testandtrace programme. That is nearly three times as many as in the previous fortnight. A large study review has also confirmed that children are less likely to be infected than adults. But the role that children and adolescents play in transmitting the virus remains unclear it said. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54296567 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Local Italy The first Western country to be struck by the devastating coronavirus pandemic Italy is today an outlier in Europe with limited new cases compared with neighbours. The question is why and will it last. While France reported a record 16096 new Covid19 infections on Thursday and Spain over 10000 Italys number has for weeks remained below 2000. It has carried out fewer tests some 120000 per day versus Frances 180000 but not enough to explain the sharp difference in new infections. Experts largely point to the success of a severe and lengthy lockdown combined with a collective trauma. Horrific memories of coffins stacked up as cemeteries in the north overflowed and intensivecare beds ran out appear to have ensured Italians stick diligently to the rules many even wearing masks in situations where it is not obligatory. https://www.thelocal.it/20200926/italy-avoids-europes-dramatic-virus-uptick-but-for-how-long 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Local Italy The World Health Organization has paid tribute to Italys response to the coronavirus pandemic which it said had showed the world the outbreak could be contained. In a new video shared on Friday the WHO presented Italy as a successful case study for tackling Covid19 even as the country recorded its highest number of new cases since lockdown ended. Italy showed the epidemics trajectory could be turned around through commitment coordination and communication across government and communities a resilient public health system and by following a sciencebased response the UNs health agency said. https://www.thelocal.it/20200925/italy-showed-the-epidemic-could-be-turned-around-who 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian It started as a trickle when the pandemic first hit Argentina but now were getting over 20 calls a day she said from her office in Uruguays luxury beach resort of Punta Del Este. Valls runs a thriving business guiding welloff Argentinians through the red tape of acquiring Uruguayan residence a skill she learned arranging her own residency application after marrying a Uruguayan lawyer last October. The pandemic hit us like a sledgehammer we are suddenly drowning in people wanting to come here said her husband Diego Torres. About 15000 to 20000 Argentinians are estimated to have moved to Uruguay since the pandemic began in March a number equivalent to about 0.6 of Uruguays population of 3.5 million. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/20/uruguay-argentina-coronavirus-pandemic 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The BMJ Uruguay is Latin Americas positive outlier in a region ravaged by the pandemic. Luke Taylor explains how simple measures and following the science has put it head and shoulders above richer countries in fighting the novel coronavirus. Latin America continues to suffer some of the worst tolls of covid19 with over seven million recorded infections1 accounting for nearly half of all daily deaths.2 But in the regions Southern Cone there is a clear outlier wedged between Brazil to the west with over 3.5 million confirmed cases and Argentina to the east with half a million. Somehow Uruguay has a lid on the pandemic. Its relatively small population of 3.5 million made controlling the transmission of covid19 easier but never guaranteed its successPanama home to four million in Central America has recorded over 100000 cases and 2000 related deaths. https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3575 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal Back in July Chelsea Alexander Paul and her husband Evan sat down in their San Francisco apartment and made a spreadsheet of places where they could live and work for the same amount of money or less. The Pauls had lived in the city for four years and once lockdowns began they spent months working from their onebedroom home in the Mission District. As of now their offices wont reopen until August 2021 freeing them up to focus on a place with better work space and more outdoor activities. It felt like what we had in the city wasnt really there anymore and isnt going to be there for a little while said Ms. Paul who is 32 and senior marketing lead at the Sheryl Sandberg Dave Goldberg Family Foundation. https://www.wsj.com/articles/unhappy-with-your-old-life-pandemic-frees-formerly-office-bound-workers-to-experiment-with-new-ones-11601118000 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Global News A couple of years ago Renee HuartField and her husband packed up their lives in Bracebridge Ont. in pursuit of the retirees dream. And for a while they were living it. The couple loaded most of their worldly possessions into a trailer and with their two golden retrievers in tow started splitting their time between two picturesque destinations. https://globalnews.ca/news/7350146/canadian-snowbirds-head-south-coronavirus/ 26th Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Sky News Coronavirus vaccine Who will be first to get jab Draft list revealed https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-vaccine-who-will-be-first-to-get-jab-draft-list-revealed-12081391 25th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

The Times China gives Wuhan a hero city makeover pool parties to the fore and wet markets out of sight restaurants and bars are thronged people swim in the Yangtze river and jog along its banks. Life seems strikingly normal in Wuhan ground zero of the coronavirus pandemic. Four months after the central Chinese city recorded its last infection children have returned to school and the shopping centres are buzzing. Wuhan we can proclaimed stickers pressed onto the arms of passersby during a tightly orchestrated tour for foreign businessmen and media this month. The city once synonymous with Chinas pandemic failings is the focus of a Communist Party propaganda blitz hailing victory over the virus. The turnaround is dramatic. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wuhan-bounces-back-to-lead-fight-against-claims-coronavirus-is-chinas-fault-wdrnqdsmk 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Wales Online A fifth of people in the UK say they are unlikely to get a coronavirus vaccine if one is approved a study highlighting concerning levels of misinformation has found. Threequarters 78 of 17500 adults surveyed by University College London UCL researchers said they would be likely to get vaccinated with 49 saying they were very likely to do so. But 22 said this was unlikely and one in 10 said this was very unlikely with factors including worries about unforeseen effects preferences for natural immunity concerns about commercial profiteering and mistrust of vaccine benefits. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/one-five-refuse-covid-vaccine-18987832 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

BBC Fewer than 0.1 of people stopped by police for not wearing masks on trains received a fine figures have revealed. British Transport Police BTP said it stopped 14726 people from 15 July to 15 August for failing to comply resulting in 14 fixed penalty notices. The rules introduced in June state anyone travelling on public transport must wear a face covering. BTP said enforcement in the form of fixed penalty notices was only used as a last resort. It said from 30 July to 8 September officers recorded 50729 interventions with passengers not wearing face coverings with 3545 7 of those told to leave the train. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-54295612 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Sky News Remember those early days in the COVID journey where everyone talked about following the science Looking back it seems almost childishly nave. Back then we were only just learning about concepts like the R rate or T cell immunity and Zoom quizzes were a novel way to spend an evening rather than something to shudder about. Now six months after the first lockdown and facing rising infection levels again we are cynical COVID19 veterans. We now know that our scientists like our politicians are fallible. They disagree. We cant just blithely follow the science because there is no such thing as the science just different interpretations of incomplete evidence. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-even-scientists-cant-agree-on-how-society-should-fight-covid-19-12082007 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian It would help if the cabinet could agree. Yet for the past seven months it has remained deeply divided squabbling over the scientific advice and what Covid19 might mean for the nations health and jobs. Britons have become familiar with a bewildering almost weekly stream of tactical policies twisting this way and that many of them in direct opposition to each other. There was no better example than Rishis dinners the eat out to help out EOTHO subsidy that sent millions of people into pubs restaurants and cafes during August. With only a few rules in place dictating how businesses should conduct themselves it became a feeding frenzy. While many establishments invested in thermometer guns to test customers on entry and rejected people calling themselves Minnie Mouse for the purpose of track and trace many did not. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/26/tory-split-on-covid-and-economy-saw-off-joined-up-strategy 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Police have broken up a protest in central London after thousands of people defied their advice and demonstrated against lockdowns mass vaccinations mandatory wearing of face masks and other coronavirus restrictions. The protest organised by campaign groups including Save Our Rights UK was called to mark six months since the passage of the Coronavirus Act which gave the government wideranging powers to enact restrictions intended to curb the spread of the virus. Protesters began gathering from about midday with the first speaker saying the demonstration was meant to be peaceful and that it had been negotiated beforehand with the Metropolitan police with a full health and safety impact assessment filed in advance. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/26/london-lockdown-protesters-urged-to-follow-covid-rules 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Sky News Italys president has hit back at Boris Johnson after he suggested the UK had higher coronavirus infection rates because it was a more freedomloving country. In parliament this week the prime minister was quizzed about why Germany and Italy appeared to have lower COVID19 rates than Britain. https://news.sky.com/story/we-also-care-about-seriousness-italy-president-fires-back-at-boris-johnson-over-covid-remark-12080672 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Financial Times Spains response to the worst resurgence of coronavirus in Europe was plunged into chaos on Friday as Madrid regional authorities defied a national government call to put the whole capital city under new restrictions. The dispute highlights the governance crisis that has accompanied the pandemic in Spain and the lack of political consensus over how to handle it. It signals a more difficult phase of managing coronavirus around the world as winter looms and infections accelerate with efforts to build up locally differentiated responses and people more reluctant to comply with harsh restrictions on public life and business activity. https://www.ft.com/content/e64c4e37-e085-42f2-b2b0-b956129e83f8 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Daily Mail Insiders said new restrictions departed from advice given by PMs top scientists Sage increasingly frustrated they are being both overruled and scapegoated Measures announced Tuesday force pubs and restrautants to close at 10pm https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8775199/Boris-Johnsons-10pm-pubs-curfew-based-fag-packet-calculations.html 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Forbes Gee what should you do with 300 million during the ongoing Covid19 coronavirus pandemic that has already killed over 200000 Americans Support medical and public health research into better understanding the virus its spread and its control Improve testing and surveillance Deliver more masks and personal protective equipment to health care personnel and others How about start an advertisement campaign to defeat despair that features video interviews with Trump administration officials and celebrities After all why deal with a problem when instead you can make people believe that it is not a problem https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/09/26/trump-administration-took-300-million-from-cdc-for-covid-19-coronavirus-ad-campaign-report-says/ 26th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

BBC As the UK introduces fresh restrictions on social contact to curb the spread of coronavirus controversy continues to rage about whether the government had initially considered trying a very different approach. At the start of the pandemic the governments chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance spoke about herd immunity the idea that once enough of a population had been exposed to the virus they would build up natural immunity to it. Sir Patrick and the government have both insisted this was never official policy. The government also denies there was any delay in locking down the country as some critics have suggested. Emails obtained by the BBC reveal the alarm among the governments top scientific advisers at the reaction to Sir Patricks words. In one email from March Sir Patrick asks for help to calm down academics who have expressed anger at his repeated references to herd immunity and the delays in announcing a lockdown. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54252272 25th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg The pressure mounting on European leaders to contain the resurgent coronavirus pandemic boiled over in Spain as the region reemerges as a global hot spot. Tensions erupted into a public spat with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs government urging local Madrid officials to lock down the entire city. The proposal was promptly rebuffed by the capital regions administration which is controlled by the biggest opposition party to Sanchezs coalition. Europes biggest economies are experiencing a disquieting spike in infections adding to risks weighing on a slowing recovery. Officials in Italy and France are facing new questions about intensivecare capacity and U.K. daily cases remained at the highest level yet. Italy reported more than 1900 new infections the most since May 1. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-24/france-daily-coronavirus-cases-jump-to-record-16-096 24th Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Vox.com A controversial new study getting attention in US conservative media claims the coronavirus was created in a Chinese lab but the group behind the report is intimately linked to a prominent Trump ally and known China hawk Steve Bannon. And all I spoke to said the study is deeply flawed. The article popped up on September 14 on Zenodo a website for scientists and academics to upload their work before it has gone through any formal peerreview process. Rightwing media outlets like the New York Post quickly seized on the papers conclusion that the virus that causes Covid19 was potentially manmade at a Chinese facility. The studys lead author the 36yearold Yan LiMeng has already appeared on Tucker Carlsons Fox News show to say the Chinese government intentionally released the virus into the world. Thats an explosive allegation that if true would crack the unsolved mystery of the coronaviruss origins. But despite the boldness of the papers claims theres considerable evidence that Chinese researchers didnt bioengineer SARSCoV2 and that the government didnt deploy it as a bioweapon. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/18/21439865/coronavirus-china-study-bannon 18th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

Daily Mail App tells users to selfisolate if they alert it to any coronaviruslike symptoms But if they fail to book a test through the app they then cannot enter the results This means they are unable to turn off a warning advising them to selfisolate The Department of Health said that they had now fixed the problem https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8775527/NHS-Covid-19-app-bug-refuses-let-users-enter-negative-test-results.html 26th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC Military support is being brought in to help with the coronavirus testing programme in Birmingham. About 100 military personnel will aid Birmingham City Council with its drop and collect testing programme. At a weekly briefing the councils deputy leader said it would assist civilian efforts to maximise the numbers of tests able to be done. It comes as the number of cases in the city reached 107.6 per 100000 people the highest in the West Midlands. The drop and collect service sees tests dropped off at a residents door and then collected by staff and is aimed at areas with high rates of infection to provide a service to people who cant leave their homes and to encourage those who may not be proactive in getting tested. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-54307196 26th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC Israel has tightened restrictions on its population in the fight against coronavirus one week after a second lockdown came into effect. From Friday afternoon businesses not officially considered essential were ordered closed and travel restricted to 1km 0.6 miles from peoples homes. Other planned rules which would affect protesters and synagoguegoers have not yet been approved amid acrimony. Covid19 cases in Israel have continued to rise despite the latest lockdown. A new record of more than 8000 infections for a single day were recorded on Thursday in Israel which has one of the highest rates of infections per capita in the world. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-54278293 26th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC More than a quarter of the UK population is set to be under stricter coronavirus rules as new measures come into force this weekend. From Saturday in England households in Leeds Wigan Stockport and Blackpool are banned from mixing in each others homes or gardens. In Wales Llanelli became subject to new rules at 1800 BST with Cardiff and Swansea to follow 24 hours later. It comes as the rate at which the virus is spreading appears to be speeding up. There have been 6042 new coronavirus infections in the UK over the past 24 hours according to the latest government figures and 34 deaths among those who tested positive for Covid19 in the past 28 days. It marks the fourth consecutive day that new infections across the UK have topped 6000. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54304659 26th Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

GOV.UK A new walkthrough coronavirus testing centre has opened in Edinburgh. The new facility is being provided by the UK Government as part of a UKwide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities. The centre in the Usher Hall will offer prebooked tests for those with coronavirus symptoms. The new site is situated so as to be easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures including social distancing not travelling by taxi or public transport practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout including while travelling to and from the testing centre. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-local-coronavirus-testing-site-opens-in-edinburgh 26th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

ITV News A specialist in infectious diseases has warned that people could suffer from the impact of having coronavirus for years with many experiencing prolonged symptoms. Professor Sam McConkey associate professor and head of the Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland RCSI said some patients continue to have significant dysfunction of the lungs heart or brain up to three or six months later. Those recovering from Covid19 have reported feeling faster heart rates than usual others suffer panic attacks while some say they cannot walk as far and some have reported having brain fog and difficulty concentrating. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-09-27/long-covid-people-could-suffer-impact-of-having-coronavirus-for-years-professor-warns 27th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

London Evening Standard Johnson Johnson is starting a huge final study today to determine if a singledose coronavirus vaccine can provide protection against the disease. The vaccine candidate which was developed by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies a subsidiary of Johnson Johnson is the fourth US company to begin Phase 3 trials in the US following Moderna PfizerBioNTech and AstraZeneca. From Wednesday 60000 volunteers across the US South Africa Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Mexico and Peru will be involved with testing of the vaccine. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/coronavirus-vaccine-study-us-final-stages-a4554431.html 27th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The World Health Organization supported Chinas campaign to vaccinate certain people against coronavirus in July while clinical trials were still under way a Chinese health official said on Friday although some experts have expressed concern about the move. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-china-who/update-2-china-says-who-gave-blessing-for-coronavirus-vaccine-emergency-use-programme-idUKL3N2GM26U 26th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian It may take several tries to find the right vaccine for COVID19 the Pan American Health Organizations PAHO director Carissa Etienne said on Wednesday as she urged countries to begin preparing vaccination plans. Global reported infections of COVID19 the disease caused by the new coronavirus are climbing toward 32 million according to a Reuters tally while deaths approach 1 million. Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are reporting about a million new infections every two weeks. We hope scientists do uncover an effective vaccine that offers lasting protection against COVID but it may take a few tries before we find the right one Etienne said during PAHOs weekly virtual press conference. Early vaccines may only provide partial protection or may not work for everyone. We dont yet know which vaccine will be found safe and effective and how it will work she said. https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/world/it-may-take-several-tries-to-find-right-covid-19-vaccine-paho-director-says-500912/ 26th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard Hundreds of thousands of people in China have been given a coronavirus vaccine despite the fact it has not been finally approved by regulators. The move has prompted concerns among onlookers that China is pushing ahead to gain an edge in the race to develop a successful vaccine without following proper safety measures. Chinese companies Sinopharm and SinoVac have given vaccine shots to more than 350000 people in recent months and that number is likely set to rise. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/china-emergency-use-covid19-despite-safety-concerns-a4556976.html 26th Sep 2020

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Irish Post Donald Trumps top coronavirus expert still believes there is a chance a Covid19 vaccine could arrive this year. Dr Anthony Fauci the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the US offered the positive assessment during an appear on The Late Late Show in Ireland. Speaking to host Ryan Tubridy urged people to hang in there just a little longer. This is going to end he told the RTE presenter. We should know by the end of this calendar year lets say November December whether we have a safe and effective vaccine that can then be started to be deployed he added. Once we get vaccines distributed in the population we wont be completely avoiding and not adhering to public health measures but clearly they will be much less restrictive. https://www.irishpost.com/news/its-going-to-end-dr-anthony-fauci-tells-ireland-covid-vaccine-could-arrive-in-2020-193804 26th Sep 2020

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Nature.com Two weeks ago the UK trial of a leading vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca restarted after a sixday pause to investigate safety concerns. Halted trials of the same vaccine in South Africa and Brazil have also since resumed but the US Food and Drug Administration FDA has not yet given the green light for US studies to start again. The trials sponsors have so far released few details about what caused the pause and why the trial was allowed to resume. Some scientists say this lack of transparency could erode public trust in the vaccine. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02706-6 26th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Science Daily Researchers suggest that carriers of the genetic mutations PiZ and PiS are at high risk for severe illness and even death from COVID19. These mutations lead to deficiency in the alpha1antitrypsin protein which protects lung tissues from damage in case of severe infections. Other studies have already associated deficiency in this protein with inflammatory damage to lung function in other diseases. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200926145205.htm 26th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Huffington Post UK on MSN.com Tens of thousands of test results delivered each day by NHS or Public Health England PHE labs cant be linked with the official Covid19 app officials have admitted. An issue with the longawaited technology which arrived on Thursday months later than hoped means that Pillar 1 test results which are provided by the NHS and PHE cannot be connected to the app. On Friday 210375 tests were taken 61481 of which were handled by PHE and the NHS. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/medical/test-results-from-nhs-or-government-labs-cant-be-linked-with-covid-19-app-official-admits/ar-BB19rQTY 26th Sep 2020

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Evening Standard An issue preventing users of the NHS Covid19 app in England logging a positive test result has now been resolved. However people who book a test outside the app still cannot log negative results. Concerns were expressed when it emerged people tested in NHS hospitals or Public Health England PHE labs or those taking part in the Office for National Statistics infection survey could not enter their results on the newlylaunched app. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/coronavirus-tracing-app-outage-fixed-positive-results-a4557111.html 26th Sep 2020

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Evening Standard Patients who take a daily dose of vitamin D are less likely to experience complications and die from coronavirus according to a new study in the US. The vitamin was linked to higher levels of immune cells in the blood and much lower inflammatory markets scientists at Boston Universitys school of medicine found. This meant there were far fewer cytokine storms a potentially deadly overreaction of the immune system sparked by coronavirus that overloads the blood with proteins. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-treatment-vitamin-d-deficiency-risk-a4556891.html 25th Sep 2020

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BBC London has been added to the governments Covid19 watchlist following a rise in cases in the city officials have said. All boroughs have been classed as areas of concern but no additional restrictions have been announced. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the city was at a worrying tipping point with hospital admissions increasing. Councils in the city have urged residents to abide by current restrictions. The watchlist published each week categorises local councils seeing a higher infection rate as areas of concern areas of enhanced support or areas of intervention. Tighter restrictions are usually introduced for areas in the third category. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-54296597 25th Sep 2020

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Reuters UK Chinas annual production capacity of COVID19 vaccines is expected to reach 610 million doses by end2020 the countrys National Health Commission said on Friday. Production capacity of the vaccines is forecast to reach 1 billion doses per year by 2021 Zheng ZhongweiDirector General of the Development Centre for Medical Science and Technology of the commission told a news briefing. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-vaccine-idUKKCN26G10I 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

South China Morning Post Two men at Qingdao port test positive for Covid19 after working night shift unpacking frozen food Two ships put on temporary blacklist after coronavirus found on goods they were carrying https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3103171/coronavirus-178000-people-given-all-clear-mass-test-sparked 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Yahoo! News Sanofi SNY and its partner GlaxoSmithKline GSK announced an agreement with the government of Canada to supply up to 72 million doses of the adjuvanted COVID19 vaccine that the companies are developing together if approved. The vaccine will be produced at Glaxo and Sanofis manufacturing sites in Canada. Sanofis recombinant proteinbased technology is being combined with Glaxos pandemic adjuvant technology to develop an adjuvanted COVID19 vaccine. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/sanofi-glaxo-supply-70m-coronavirus-145602352.html 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News A problem that prevented tens of thousands of people from logging the result of their coronavirus tests on the new NHS contacttracing app has been fixed according to a Department of Health spokesman. In a statement they said Everyone who receives a positive test result can log their result on the app. A minority of people such as hospital patients who were unable to log their positive result can now request a code when contacted by NHS Test and Trace to input on their app. It came after the apps developers admitted it had not been able to link more than 60000 coronavirus tests carried out in England on Friday just under a third of the total to its systems https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-nhs-tracing-app-problem-that-left-tens-of-thousands-of-tests-unlogged-has-been-fixed-government-says-12082178?via=indexdotco 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC The government has fixed a problem with its new NHS coronavirus app in England and Wales which meant many positive test results were not being logged. Users were unable to record a positive test result if they had booked a test elsewhere and not via the app. But the Department of Health said everyone who tests positive can now log it however they booked the test. However people who test negative are still unable to share their result if they did not book it via the app. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-54307526 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

GOV.UK More than 250000 people in the UK have now volunteered to take part in COVID19 vaccine trials through the NHS Vaccines Registry tens of thousands of those volunteers will take part in the worlds first Phase 3 study to test the effectiveness of the new Novavax coronavirus vaccine more volunteers from black Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds as well as those with longterm health conditions are being encouraged to be part of vaccine research https://www.gov.uk/government/news/10000-uk-volunteers-to-take-part-in-new-covid-19-vaccine-trials 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Lancet Data for 1035 patients with COVID19 who received ECMO support were included in this study. Of these 67 6 remained hospitalised 311 30 were discharged home or to an acute rehabilitation centre 101 10 were discharged to a longterm acute care centre or unspecified location 176 17 were discharged to another hospital and 380 37 died. The estimated cumulative incidence of inhospital mortality 90 days after the initiation of ECMO was 374 95 CI 344404. Mortality was 39 380 of 968 in patients with a final disposition of death or hospital discharge. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32008-0/fulltext 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC After dangling the possibility of a minilockdown to break coronaviruss chain of transmission Boris Johnson has opted for a much softer strategy. The new Covid restrictions for England which allow pubs and restaurants to remain open and households to continue mixing have been met by scientists with responses ranging from praise to despair. Dame Anne Johnson a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University College London said it was essential to act quickly to stop the growth in the epidemic. She is pleased to see the government acting now and says the change in messaging may be enough to change the viruss course. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54267837 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Lancet Few effective therapeutic options are available for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2 infection. IL6 receptor blockade has been proposed as one potential therapeutic strategy and more than 40 clinical trials of antiIL6 receptor antibodies including tocilizumab and sarilumab in the setting of SARSCoV2 infection are underway appendix p 2. Early evidence from observational studies and openlabel uncontrolled trials has suggested that IL6 receptor blockers might confer benefit particularly in patients with severe COVID19.1 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(20)30345-3/fulltext 25th Sep 2020

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Anadolu Agency Amid the coronavirus pandemic there seems to be an increased demand for influenza vaccine in the northern hemisphere with some countries experiencing shortages a World Health Organization WHO expert said on Friday. Dr. Ann Moen WHO chief of the Influenza Preparedness and Response said at a news briefing that at the same time some parts of the southern hemisphere reported fewer influenza cases this year. Weve heard from specific countries saying that they were trying to get additional vaccines and they were trying to source it. And some countries are having trouble sourcing additional vaccines said Moen. She said WHO is helping countries manage prevention control and treatment of respiratory illnesses holistically including both influenza and COVID19. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/flu-vaccine-demand-seems-up-in-northern-hemisphere-who/1985680 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Science Magazine From the first months of the COVID19 pandemic scientists baffled by the diseases ferocity have wondered whether the bodys vanguard virus fighter a molecular messenger called type I interferon is missing in action in some severe cases. Two papers published online in Science this week confirm that suspicion. They reveal that in a significant minority of patients with serious COVID19 the interferon response has been crippled by genetic flaws or by rogue antibodies that attack interferon itself. Together these two papers explain nearly 14 of severe COVID19 cases. That is quite amazing says Qiang Pan Hammarstrm an immunologist at the Karolinska Institute https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/hidden-immune-weakness-found-14-gravely-ill-covid-19-patients 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent One of the numerous proposed coronavirus vaccines has produced a strong immune response in test subjects according to a report issued Friday. Johnson Johnsons JNJ.N Covid19 vaccine called Ad26.COV2.S was welltolerated by subjects at two dosing instances in earlytomid stage coronavirus clinical trials. It is the only Phase 3 Covid19 vaccine trial in the US that is testing a single dose vaccine. Researchers said 98 per cent of participants in the study whose data was available had neutralising antibodies which help the body fight off pathogens a month after they received the vaccine. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-vaccine-trials-covid-19-johnson-b624918.html 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Initial reports on Sputnik V vaccine were published in the Lancet earlier this month. International scientists have falgged up several apparent anomalies. Graphs show the level of immune response in different people after taking the vaccine seems to be different in nature https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8770233/Trials-Russia-coronavirus-vaccine-questionable-results-unlikely-coincidence.html 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

FiercePharma The U.S. governments Operation Warp Speed has already inked COVID19 vaccine research and manufacturing pacts with major vaccine playersexcluding Merck Co. that is. But the groups description of an asyetunnamed participant matches Mercks earlystage research Bloomberg reports indicating the drugmaker could still get in. Merck publicly entered COVID19 vaccine research later than its peers through a buyout of the biotech Themis and a partnership with nonprofit research group IAVI. The company started phase 12 testing earlier this month with technology acquired in the Themis buy. The IAVI partnership uses the same platform as Mercks Ebola vaccine which won FDA approval late last year. Mercks vaccines are live attenuated candidates meaning they use weakened viruses that replicate in the body to generate an immune response. Merck is testing a vaccine that could be given orally which would help lower the barrier to vaccination should it be effective Merck RD chief Roger Perlmutter said on a July conference call. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/merck-advancing-single-dose-and-oral-coronavirus-vaccines-could-still-make-warp-speed 25th Sep 2020

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bne IntelliNews Czech researchers have successfully completed the first phase of vaccine development against the novel coronavirus COVID19. The prototype tested on rodents is safe and elicited an immune response daily Lidove Noviny reported on September 23. The vaccine has been developed by the National Institute of Public Health SZU the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion UHKT with the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine IKEM. Further development will depend on the decision of the Ministry of Health. The ministry announced the start of the development of the COVID19 vaccine in early May. The news of the successful completion of the first stage was reported by the ministrys scientists on September 18. http://www.intellinews.com/czech-coronavirus-vaccine-successfully-passed-first-phase-of-testing-on-rodents-192697/ 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CNBC The whole world is watching including investors and public health specialists as more than 30 biotech and pharmaceutical companies race to develop a safe Covid19 vaccine. But theres a big question lingering over the process How do we balance safety with speed The process is moving quickly with several vaccine candidates entering late stage trials in a matter of months. Pfizer and biotech Moderna are two of the companies the White House has chosen to fast track through the FDAs regulatory process. Both companies are attempting to use messenger RNA or mRNA to produce their vaccines a technology that has never before received regulatory approval.... https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/25/race-for-coronavirus-vaccine-mrna-moderna-pfizer.html 25th Sep 2020

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CNBC We havent changed anything in the way we do things weve just accelerated Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson told CNBCs Jim Cramer. Hudson expressed confidence in the companys coronavirus vaccine candidates noting it produces about a billion doses of other vaccines each other. We feel pressure to get it right and maintain the standards and to play a big part in helping people get back to normal Hudson added on Mad Money. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/24/-sanofi-ceo-paul-hudson-on-coroanvirus-vaccine-development-timeline.html 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

NDTV Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday insisted that any nation that develops a Covid19 vaccine share it universally warning that history will be a severe judge if not. Morrison made the strongly worded appeal at the United Nations as the United States a historic ally of Australia resists global efforts to collaborate on a vaccine. When it comes to a vaccine Australias view is very clear whoever finds the vaccine must share it Morrison said in a message to the virtual UN General Assembly recorded in front of the iconic Sydney Opera House. This is a global responsibility and its a moral responsibility for a vaccine to be shared far and wide he said. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/australia-prime-minister-scott-morrison-on-not-sharing-coronavirus-vaccine-history-will-be-severe-judge-2301272 25th Sep 2020

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The Motley Fool AstraZeneca signed a large coronavirus vaccinedelivery deal with Canada on Friday. The big pharmaceutical company will deliver up to 20 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine candidate AZD1222. This isnt the first time AstraZeneca has signed a commitment to deliver enormous quantities of its coronavirus vaccine candidate before its had a chance to prove itself safe and effective in a phase 3 clinical trial. In June the company agreed to supply Europe with up to 400 million doses of AZD1222 with deliveries beginning by the end of the year. The company also has a deal with Brazil to provide around 30 million finished doses of the vaccine by December. https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/09/25/astrazeneca-signs-deal-with-canada-to-provide-20-m/ 25th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News Novavax has started its Phase 3 trial of an experimental COVID19 vaccine in the UK. The US biotechnology firm is to enrol 10000 people out of 250000 volunteers aged between 18 and 84 over the next four to six weeks. The company joins AstraZeneca Pfizer and Moderna as its coronavirus vaccine candidate enters the final step of the regulatory approvals process. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-second-covid-19-vaccine-to-begin-advanced-clinical-trials-in-the-uk-12080796 25th Sep 2020

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ITV News Hundreds of thousands of people in China have been given an emergency use coronavirus vaccine raising serious welfare concerns among experts. An emergency use vaccine means they have been given people to before final regulatory approval. It is unclear how many people have been given the vaccine but the stateowned Sinopharm subsidiary CNBG has given the vaccine to 350000 people outside its clinical trials which have about 40000 people enrolled a top CNBG executive said recently. It has also provided tens of thousands of rounds of its CoronaVac for the Beijing city government. Another candidate being jointly developed by the military and CanSino a biopharmaceutical company has been approved for emergency use in military personnel. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-09-26/coronavirus-hundreds-of-thousands-in-china-given-emergency-use-covid-vaccine 25th Sep 2020

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Benzinga.com Johnson Johnson today announced the launch of its largescale pivotal multicountry Phase 3 trial ENSEMBLE for its COVID19 vaccine candidate JNJ78436735 being developed by its Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies. The initiation of the ENSEMBLE trial follows positive interim results from the Companys Phase 12a clinical study which demonstrated that the safety profile and immunogenicity after a single vaccination were supportive of further development. These results have been submitted to medRxiv and are due to be published online imminently. Based on these results and following discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA ENSEMBLE will enroll up to 60000 volunteers across three continents and will study the safety and efficacy of a single vaccine dose versus placebo in preventing COVID19. https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/20/09/n17618577/johnson-johnson-initiates-pivotal-global-phase-3-clinical-trial-of-janssens-covid-19-vaccine-candi 25th Sep 2020

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Uruguay News The poor and weakest members of society should get preferential treatment when a vaccine for the coronavirus is ready Pope Francis told the United Nations on Friday. Speaking from the Vatican in a video address to the UN General Assembly Francis said the worldwide pandemic had highlighted the urgent need to promote public health and ensure access to vaccines. If anyone should be given preference let it be the poorest the most vulnerable those who so often experience discrimination because they have neither power nor economic resources he said. Francis has said rich countries should not hoard a coronavirus vaccine and the World Health Organization has warned against vaccine nationalism urging countries to join a global pact to share vaccine hopefuls with developing countries. https://en.mercopress.com/2020/09/26/pope-wants-covid-19-vaccine-preferential-treatment-for-the-poor-and-weakest 25th Sep 2020

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The Hill New preliminary research suggests a dominant strain of coronavirus may be more contagious than others. A virologist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIAID who reviewed the study said the findings suggest the virus may have become more contagious and could possibly be responding to health measures such as social distancing and maskwearing. Other experts questioned the study saying they have yet to identify a mutation that would change how infectious or deadly the virus is. https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/longevity/518336-coronavirus-mutation-emerges-that-may-outmaneuver-mask 24th Sep 2020

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STAT News The race is not always to the swift as the cocky hare learned in Aesops classic fable The Hare and the Tortoise. Those handicapping the socalled competition to develop Covid19 vaccines would do well to keep an eye on the slower runners in this pursuit. Corporate giants Sanofi and Merck which got a relatively late start in developing Covid19 vaccines may seem far behind the frontrunners. But experts say they also have such deep experience developing and testing vaccine candidates and producing vaccine at commercial scale that both could well close the gap considerably in the months ahead. Each is developing two vaccines in partnership with others. https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/24/here-come-the-tortoises-in-the-race-for-a-covid-19-vaccine-slow-starters-could-still-win-out/ 24th Sep 2020

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bnnbloomberg Canada will see a dramatic resurgence of COVID19 cases unless people limit contact with others in coming days the countrys chief public health officer warns. Dr. Theresa Tam said Tuesday the public has a vital role to play in helping health agencies limit the spread of the virus. The challenge we face now is to stay the course no matter how weary we may feel Tam told a news briefing in Ottawa. She made a special appeal to young Canadians saying COVID19 levels wont return to a slow burn without their help given the incidence has been highest among people age 20 to 39 since late June.. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/canada-secures-supply-of-covid-19-drug-remdesivir-more-vaccine-doses-1.1497615 22nd Sep 2020

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The New York Times The pandemic has many parents asking two burning questions. First when can I get a vaccine And second when can my kids get it It may come as a surprise that the answers are not the same. Adults may be able to get a vaccine by next summer. But their kids will have to wait longer. Perhaps a lot longer. Thanks to the U.S. governments Operation Warp Speed and other programs a number of Covid19 vaccines for adults are already in advanced clinical trials. But no trials have yet begun in the United States to determine whether these vaccines are safe and effective for children. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/parenting/kids-vaccine-coronavirus.html 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN The US could see an explosion of Covid19 cases as fall and winter set in one expert says joining a chorus of health officials who have warned about the challenges of the coming months. Two things will likely help drive that expected winter surge according to Dr. Chris Murray director of the University of Washingtons Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation IHME. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/26/health/us-coronavirus-saturday/index.html 26th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Independent More than 1000 New Yorkers have tested positive for Covid19 in a single day on Friday. It was the first time since 5 June that the state has reported a daily case number that high. Positive cases in the state have been rising steadily over the last few weeks according to ABC7. The rise may be attributed to the reopening of businesses and schools. The state was seeing an average of approximately 660 people test positive each day. The state reported it had averaged 817 positive tests per day in the sevenday period that ended Friday https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-new-york-cases-today-covid-19-andrew-cuomo-b628330.html 26th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC The rate at which the Covid19 virus is spreading appears to be speeding up. The R number indicating how fast the coronavirus epidemic is growing has risen from 1.11.4 to 1.21.5. An Office for National Statistics ONS survey estimated there were 9600 new cases a day in England in the week to 19 September up from 6000 the week before and three times that being picked up by general testing. It comes as more restrictions come into effect in parts of England and Wales. On Friday the daily number of positive cases in the UK picked up by coronavirus testing rose to a new high of 6874 government figures show. A further 34 deaths were announced although figures were not available for Scotland because of a power cut at the National Records of Scotland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/54296475 25th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC London has been added to the governments Covid19 watchlist following a rise in cases in the city officials have said. All boroughs have been classed as areas of concern but no additional restrictions have been announced. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the city was at a worrying tipping point with hospital admissions increasing. Councils in the city have urged residents to abide by current restrictions. The watchlist published each week categorises local councils seeing a higher infection rate as areas of concern areas of enhanced support or areas of intervention. Tighter restrictions are usually introduced for areas in the third category. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-54296597 25th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Icelands infection rate per 100000 people has risen from 7.3 to 89.7 in 10 days French tourists have been linked to at least 100 cases at two bars in Reykjavik Nordic country was praised for its successful testing and tracing in the first wave Only one person is in hospital with Covid19 and nobody has died of it since April https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8771765/Icelands-infection-rate-spikes-French-tourists-blamed.html 25th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Express Professor Graham Medley from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies SAGE said the high death toll was inevitable if the infection rate rises to 10000 new infections per day. The 100 deaths per day is based upon a fatality rate from coronavirus remaining at 1 percent. This death rate is disputed as the World Health Organisation suggests fatalities from coronavirus is estimated at 0.5 percent. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1340396/UK-coronavirus-100-deaths-per-day-second-wave-sage-scientist 25th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Derry Journal In total 295 positive coronavirus cases have been registered in Derry and Strabane between September 19 and September 25 according to the latest Department of Health data that was released this afternoon. Since the pandemic began there have been 700 confirmed cases in Derry and Strabane. More positive COVID19 cases were registered in the city and district in the past week than were recorded between the start of the pandemic and Sunday September 6. https://www.derryjournal.com/health/derry-and-strabane-covid-19-cases-double-ten-days-24-infections-among-people-over-60-past-week-2984672 25th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Belfast Telegraph More than 50 patients were infected with Covid19 in a Dublin hospital over six weeks and 14 of whom died according to a pioneering genome study by Irish scientists. The patients in most cases caught the virus from healthcare workers while an older patient who was agitated and wandered the corridors was identified as a potential super spreader. The study conducted at the height of the pandemic investigated the genome sequences of 52 cases of hospitalacquired Covid19 over March and April to track its transmission routes. The research sheds new light on how the virus spread across wards and between health workers and finds that in most cases the virus was spread to patients by healthcare workers not the other way around. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus/50-patients-infected-with-coronavirus-and-14-dead-how-covid-19-ripped-through-one-irish-hospital-39564258.html 25th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC The Spanish government has urged authorities in Madrid to tighten coronavirus restrictions across the city warning of a serious risk to residents if they do not. Madrid extended restrictions in Covid19 hotspots on Friday but rejected calls for a citywide lockdown. On Saturday Spains Health Minister Salvador Illa said current restrictions did not go far enough. He said it was time to act with determination to control the pandemic. There is a serious risk for inhabitants for the neighbouring regions Mr Illa said calling on the capitals regional authorities to put the health of citizens first and impose a partial lockdown on the entire city. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54309649 25th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Gulf Today Indias coronavirus case tally surged to 5.82 million after it recorded 86052 new infections in the last 24 hours data from the health ministry showed on Friday. A total of 1141 people died of COVID19 in the last 24 hours the ministry said taking mortalities to 92290 which is a relatively low 1.6 of all cases. Globally India has the secondhighest number of coronavirus cases behind the United States where infections crossed 7 million on Thursday. https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2020/09/25/indias-coronavirus-infections-surge-to-582-million 25th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Students have spoken of their worry and confusion at being locked down in their university halls in a situation described by unions as shambolic. Up to 1700 students at Manchester Metropolitan University and hundreds at other institutions including in Edinburgh and Glasgow are selfisolating following Covid19 outbreaks. In Manchester students are being prevented from leaving by security. Universities UK said the wellbeing of students was the first priority. Robert Halfon the conservative chairman of the Education Select Committee said 3000 students were in lockdown at universities from Dundee to Exeter. He called for the government and its scientific advisers to reassure students and families by setting out the policy for England and warned having students in lockdown at Christmas would cause huge anguish. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54308329 26th Sep 2020

New Lockdown

GOV.UK New restrictions on household mixing brought in for Wigan Stockport Blackpool and Leeds London added as an area of concern as hospital admissions rise Teesside added as an area of enhanced support In close discussions with local leaders the Health and Social Care Secretary NHS Test and Trace the Joint Biosecurity Centre JBC Public Health England PHE and the Chief Medical Officer for England have agreed to introduce local measures in parts of the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-restrictions-for-wigan-stockport-blackpool-and-leeds-as-coronavirus-cases-increase 25th Sep 2020