24th Nov 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=146 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK England will introduce a new system on Dec. 15 allowing passengers arriving from highrisk countries to take a COVID19 test after five days of quarantine and to be released from any further selfisolation if they test negative. Airlines and other companies in the travel and tourism industries had been calling for such a scheme for months having suffered devastating consequences from a 14day quarantine rule that has deterred people from travelling. The move will give passengers the confidence to book international trips in the knowledge that they can return home and isolate for a shorter period if they have received a negative test the government said in a statement on Tuesday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-travel/england-to-use-testing-to-shorten-quarantine-for-incoming-passengers-idUKKBN28400O 24th Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

AlJazeera Indias Supreme Court has excoriated regional governments including Delhis over the surge in COVID19 cases and warned the situation could worsen further if authorities did not effectively deal with the pandemic. The court which took up the issue on its own is seeking status reports from New Delhi Gujarat Maharashtra and Assam which have recorded a spike in cases about the management of patients and steps taken to ease the situation. We are hearing of a huge spike in the current month. We want a latest status report from all states. Worse things may happen in December if states arent well prepared the threejudge bench said according to broadcaster NDTV. The judges were particularly concerned about Delhi which has been topping India in the number of infections and deaths. What extra efforts are you taking Delhi has to answer a lot of things the judges told Delhi government lawyers in court. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/23/indias-top-court-slams-states-for-coronavirus-surge 23rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC The Australian state of New South Wales NSW has reopened its border with neighbouring Victoria for the first time since July after coronavirus cases there fell to zero. Victoria which imposed a tough lockdown after a surge in cases has reported no new infections since the beginning of November. The state is also relaxing its rules on wearing face masks. Australia has recorded about 900 deaths and 28000 infections in total. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-55035950 23rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

1News Data released by Stats NZ today shows retail sales values have seen the highest jump yearonyear in the three months to September since at least 1995 when records began. But the rise didnt make up for the historic fall of 15 per cent 3.6 billion in the June 2020 quarter which was affected by the pandemic. While Auckland recorded the largest dollar value increase in percentage terms the increase was lower than that for other main regions partially due to a further lockdown period retail statistics manager Sue Chapman said. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/covid-19-lockdown-recovery-sees-record-increase-in-retail-sales-september-quarter-stats-nz 23rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Singapores economy contracted less than initially estimated in the third quarter due to gradual easing of COVID19 lockdown measures official data showed on Monday. Gross domestic product GDP fell 5.8 yearonyear in the third quarter the ministry of trade and industry said on Monday versus the 7 drop seen in the governments advance estimate. https://uk.reuters.com/article/singapore-economy-gdp/singapore-upgrades-q3-gdp-as-lockdown-measures-ease-idUKB8N2F200C 23rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

AlJazeera A rapid rise in coronavirus infections in the Gaza Strip has reached a catastrophic stage with the blockaded Palestinian enclaves medical system likely to collapse soon health officials warn. COVID is spreading exponentially in Gaza one of the most crowded places on Earth especially in refugee camps and the health ministry has warned of disastrous implications. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/23/gaza-declares-covid-19-disaster-with-health-system-near-collapse 23rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

CNBC The CDC must be transparent about the side effects people may experience after getting their first shot of a coronavirus vaccine doctors urged during a meeting Monday with CDC advisors. Dr. Sandra Fryhofer said that both Pfizers and Modernas Covid19 vaccines require two doses and she worries whether her patients will come back for a second dose because of potentially unpleasant side effects after the first shot. Both companies acknowledged that their vaccines could induce side effects that are similar to symptoms associated with mild Covid19 such as muscle pain chills and headache. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/23/covid-vaccine-cdc-should-warn-people-the-side-effects-from-shots-wont-be-walk-in-the-park-.html 23rd Nov 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK British Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out new measures on Monday to replace a COVID19 lockdown in England from Dec. 2 reinforcing a previous regional approach to try to reopen businesses in areas where infection rates are lower. Just over two weeks after Johnson introduced a national lockdown in England to try to tame a spiralling increase in new coronavirus cases he said the measures had reduced COVID infection rates and would be eased on Dec. 2 as promised. Johnson has been under pressure to scrap the lockdown from lawmakers in his Conservative Party where many have threatened to vote against any new restrictions without more evidence of their effect in stemming infections. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-newmeasures-tough/england-gets-new-set-of-restrictions-for-end-of-covid-19-lockdown-idUKKBN28324H 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

New York Times In the wake of a steady stream of positive results indicating the effectiveness of several coronavirus vaccines the official in charge of the federal coronavirus vaccine program explained on Sunday news shows how the vaccines might be distributed to Americans as early as next month. Dr. Moncef Slaoui head of the administrations Operation Warp Speed said that within 24 hours after the Food and Drug Administration approves a vaccine doses will be shipped to states to be distributed. Within 48 hours from approval the first people would likely receive injections Dr. Slaoui said on ABCs This Week With George Stephanopoulos. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/23/world/heres-how-the-us-government-plans-to-distribute-the-first-covid-19-vaccines.html 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Manchester Evening News An airline has revealed that it will demand proof of a Covid19 vaccination from international passengers. Head of Australian carrier Qantas has confirmed that having the jab and being able to prove it will be required by every passenger wanting to fly abroad on their services. CEO Alan Joyce said that as soon as a vaccine became available it will become a condition of travel deeming it a necessity for international travel. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/world-news/qantas-announces-covid-19-vaccination-19330341 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Most of Northern Irelands care homes have not implemented a visiting scheme eight weeks after it was announced by the health minister the chief nursing officer has said. Charlotte McArdle said a small number of homes had started up the socalled care partners scheme. Normal care home visits have been suspended due to Covid19. The care partner initiative allows a designated relative or carer to visit a resident. Guidance on the scheme was announced by Health Minister Robin Swann on 23 September. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-55042413 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters British Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out new measures on Monday to replace a COVID19 lockdown in England from Dec. 2 reinforcing a previous regional approach to try to reopen businesses in areas where infection rates are lower. Just over two weeks after Johnson introduced a national lockdown in England to try to tame a spiralling increase in new coronavirus cases he said the measures had reduced COVID infection rates and would be eased on Dec. 2 as promised. Johnson has been under pressure to scrap the lockdown from lawmakers in his Conservative Party where many have threatened to vote against any new restrictions without more evidence of their effect in stemming infections. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-newmeasures-tough-idUSKBN283249 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

BBC Boris Johnson has confirmed that the national lockdown in England will come to an end on 2 December and individual regions will return to tiered restrictions. Gyms and nonessential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen weddings funerals and group worship can take place and pubs will no longer have to close at 2200 where tier rules allow. However Boris Johnson warned that tier restrictions will have to be toughened to bring down the R rate. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55045910 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Associated Press In a signal of rebirth the Donizetti theater in the northern Italian city of Bergamo devastated by the coronavirus pandemic reopened this weekend after three years of renovations. But the planned gala celebration had to be postponed and new productions for an annual festival dedicated to the citys native composer Gaetano Donizetti had to be streamed online from an empty theater. Festival musical director Riccardo Frizza said the autumn festival was envisioned as a lifeaffirming moment for the city and province where 6000 people died in a single month last spring. https://apnews.com/article/italy-music-coronavirus-pandemic-milan-theater-4f03cb45391f6d06537a1484bf52ef1d 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian As G20 leaders pledged to ensure the equitable distribution of Covid19 vaccines drugs and tests so that poorer countries are not left out the US UK and Germany each announced plans to begin vaccinations in their countries in December while Spain said it would start administering the vaccine to its citizens in January. Britain could give regulatory approval to PfizerBioNTechs Covid19 vaccine as early as this week even before the US authorises it the UKs Telegraph newspaper reported on Sunday. Pfizer and BioNTech could secure emergency US and European authorisation for their Covid19 vaccine next month after final trial results showed a 95 success rate and no serious side effects. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/23/us-germany-and-uk-could-start-covid-vaccinations-as-early-as-december 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Financial Times Policymakers across Europe are preparing to relax Covid19 lockdowns for the second time this year as they look to save Christmas and enable family reunions for 500m across the continent except this time they are avoiding calling it a reopening. Restrictions implemented at the end of October throughout the continent are starting to yield results with a slowdown in new infections recorded in most countries according to data tracked by the Financial Times. This is fuelling calls from retailers to end the mandatory closures of shops deemed nonessential during the most lucrative trading month of the year. The UK France and Ireland are among the countries where lockdowns are due to expire in early December. https://www.ft.com/content/5068cfce-a2fa-4d85-9078-d1a1cd89c316 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Forbes While Europe is starting to see the first early signs that the coronavirus spike across the continent is beginning to ease World Health Organization officials warn that European countries need to take care to not lift lockdowns too early and repeat the mistakes governments made in the spring that could lead to another surge in cases. David Nabarro the WHOs special coronavirus envoy said to Swiss newspaper Solothurner Zeitung that European countries are in danger of setting themselves up for a third coronavirus wave in early 2021 before vaccines in the works could be widely administered to the general public according to Deutsche Welle. To prevent another large outbreak after current restrictions are pulled back he advised European governments to only ease lockdowns after coronavirus infection rates show a clear sustained decrease. https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/11/22/who-warns-europe-against-lifting-lockdowns-too-early-amid-slight-decline-in-coronavirus-cases/ 23rd Nov 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Gyms and nonessential shops in all areas of England are expected to be allowed to reopen when the countrys current lockdown ends on Dec. 2 the BBC reported on Monday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-gyms-idUSKBN2830HR 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Daily Mail Antilockdown protestors on Sunday burned face masks as they marched through Manhattan following similar demonstrations in California upstate New York and Minnesota. Skyrocketing COVID19 cases and hospitalizations have prompted state and city officials around the United States to issue new lockdown guidance. As a result demonstrators gathered in Washington Square Park New York City on Sunday afternoon for the No Lockdown in NYC event. They carried signs reading Stop Covid Tyranny No More Lockdowns and Medical Freedom Now. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8975893/Anti-lockdown-protestors-burn-masks-NYC-following-demonstrations-California.html 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

BBC Thirteen people have been arrested after an antilockdown protest in Liverpool on Saturday. Police originally held 15 people but said some had been dearrested and issued with fixed penalty notices. Hundreds of people have gathered for weekend rallies since the second national lockdown began on 5 November. At Saturdays protest a 36yearold man from Kirkby was held on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after an officer was pushed in the chest. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-55030622 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian German foreign minister Heiko Maas on Sunday lashed out at antimask protesters comparing themselves to Nazi victims accusing them of trivialising the Holocaust and making a mockery of the courage shown by resistance fighters. The harsh words came after a young woman took to the stage at a protest against coronavirus restrictions in Hanover on Saturday saying she felt just like Sophie Scholl the German student executed by the Nazis in 1943 for her role in the resistance. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/22/german-minister-condemns-lockdown-protesters-nazi-victim-comparisons 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

ABC News A country Liberal MP has lashed out at the South Australian Government over its handling of the latest coronavirus outbreak saying the hard lockdown was an overreaction which hung businesses out to dry. Backbencher Nick McBride whose electoral district MacKillop includes parts of SAs southeast said health authorities should not have taken the word of one person to impose a lockdown on the entire state. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-23/liberal-mp-nick-mcbride-says-coronavirus-lockdown-overreaction/12910244 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

The Independent New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday became the latest world leader to congratulate Presidentelect Joe Biden on his election victory saying she offered to share her nations expertise on dealing with the coronavirus. Ardern said the tone of the 20minute phone call was warm and that Biden spoke very favorably about how New Zealand was handling the pandemic. What has been really at the center of our response has been some fundamentals around testing contact tracing isolation Ardern said. Thats over and above what weve done at our borders. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/new-zealand-leader-ardern-offers-virus-knowhow-to-joe-biden-jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-joe-biden-virus-world-leader-b1760165.html 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

The Hill New Zealands prime minister said she has offered to help Presidentelect Joe Biden manage his response to the coronavirus pandemic once he is inaugurated. I offered to him and his team access to New Zealand health officials in order to share their experience on things weve learnt on our COVID19 journey Jacinda Ardern said on Monday according to Reuters. New Zealand has garnered international praise for its response to the pandemic with fewer than 100 current cases reported in the country as of this week. Ardern implemented strict nationwide lockdown measures twice this year a decision public health experts credit with being instrumental to slowing the spread of the virus. https://thehill.com/homenews/527133-new-zealand-offers-biden-tips-on-covid-19-after-successful-response 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

AlJazeera A majority of Croatians do not plan on taking a vaccine to immunise against the coronavirus once it becomes available a recent survey has found. According to the poll which was conducted by the Valicon market research company and published by Croatian news agency RTL last week 43 percent of respondents said they would definitely or would probably vaccinate mostly citing responsibility towards others and that a higher rate of vaccination will limit infections as reasons. But 57 percent said they definitely would not or probably would not vaccinate citing mistrust of the vaccine until it was proven to be safe while a large number of respondents also said they feared there could be side effects. Others said they would not vaccinate because they believed they were not at risk while a quarter of respondents said the virus constantly mutates and that vaccinating would not protect them. The survey gathering opinions from 523 people in Croatia comes as a global scientific race is under way to produce an effective vaccine for the coronavirus. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/23/majority-of-croatians-sceptical-of-coronavirus-vaccine 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that he hoped almost all Britons at high risk from COVID would be vaccinated against the disease by Easter. We should be able to inoculate I believe on the evidence Im seeing the vast majority of the people who need the most protection by Easter Johnson told a news conference. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-easter/uk-aims-to-inoculate-those-most-at-risk-from-covid-by-easter-johnson-idUKKBN2832Q9 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters Britains government will not force people to have vaccinations against COVID19 Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday. There will be no compulsory vaccination. Thats not the way we do things in this country Johnson told a news conference. We think it vaccination is a good idea and you know I totally reject the propaganda of the antivaxxers they are wrong he said. Everybody should get a vaccine as soon as it is available. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-johnson-va/johnson-says-there-will-be-no-compulsory-covid-vaccination-idUKKBN2832QK 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters UK Up to 4000 spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor elite sports events in the lowestrisk tier one areas of England when a monthlong national lockdown to contain the spread of COVID19 is lifted on Dec. 2 the British government said on Monday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-england-sport/england-to-allow-4000-fans-at-elite-events-in-lowest-risk-areas-idUKKBN28323T 23rd Nov 2020

Partisan Exits

AlJazeera Nurses from the professions largest union in the United States have warned of dire stresses on the healthcare system as the country sees a new surge in COVID19 cases and hospitalisations. In a news conference on Monday members of the National Nurses United which represents 170000 registered nurses across the US detailed harrowing accounts of hospital understaffing a lack of personal protective equipment PPE and an inadequate response from local and federal authorities. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/23/us-nurses-union-warn-of-hospital-stresses-amid-covid-19-surge 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Times Germany Germany plans to extend its current lockdown restrictions until at least December 20 according to a draft agreement among the 16 state governors due to be discussed with Chancellor Merkel on https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/germany-set-to-extend-coronavirus-restrictions-to-december-20-v9g752ffw 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

Bloomberg A Covid19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc prevented a majority of people from getting the disease but fell short of the bar set by Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. The virus is forecast to claim another 30000 American lives by midDecember. New York state will reopen an emergency facility on Staten Island where hospital capacity is strained. New York City will be in dire dire shape without federal aid its mayor said. And in neighboring New Jersey the number of patients in intensive care jumped 13 in one day. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/germany-moves-toward-tightening-partial-lockdown-until-dec-20?srnd=politics-vp 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

DW (English) To tighten the screws in a bid to salvage some semblance of normalcy at Christmas. That seems the essence of a new COVID strategy for December and January being hammered out by Germanys regional leaders. https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-germany-lockdown-covid/a-55699925 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

CNBC Germany could be preparing to extend its current lockdown into December as the number of coronavirus infections remains high across the country. Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to meet state leaders on Wednesday. Berlin is hopeful a coronavirus vaccine can soon be rolled out. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/23/germany-looks-set-to-extend-lockdown-into-december.html 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

WION on MSN.com As Europe is battling the second wave of the novel coronavirus and has initiated a second lockdown Spain is one country where the government is satisfied with the plan. Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday appreciated the progress the country has made in the last few weeks and said the plan of containing the virus through lockdown is working. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/lockdown-is-working-says-spains-prime-minister-pedro-sanchez-on-covid-19-plan/ar-BB1bgxmi 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

FRANCE 24 On a darkened residential street in Paris a gate left partly open signals the entrance to an abandoned train tunnel and an illegal rave party for 300 people looking for an escape from Frances Covid19 lockdown. We decided to mount a resistance and issue this call to hide together and party because theres no longer any place for young people to be together says the 27yearold organiser who declined to give his real name but asked to be called Alexandre. The sentiment is apparently widespread since French police have had to crack down on dozens of illegal parties since the partial lockdown was announced in October to combat a new surge in coronavirus cases. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201123-i-want-to-break-free-underground-paris-party-defies-lockdown 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Guardian French police have fined a man who left his home with a written lockdown declaration stating he was out to smash a guys face in. The man who has not been named had reportedly correctly filled in the legally required declaration known as an attestation with his name address and time he left his home in Lannion Brittany. However officers found that instead of ticking one of the boxes stating a legitimate reason to go outside during Frances national lockdown these include going shopping visiting the doctor travelling to work or exercising for up to one hour at a maximum distance of 1km the man had written aller pter la gueule un mec an activity not covered by the form. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/23/man-fined-for-breaking-french-covid-lockdown-to-smash-a-guys-face-in 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

Euronews French President Emmanuel Macron could announce a slight easing of lockdown measures on Tuesday when he addresses the nation in a primetime speech to update on the countrys COVID19 situation. The president is expected to announce an adaptation of restrictions which have been in place since the end of October. Many expect that nonessential commerces may be able to reopen in the month of December. The government has pushed Black Friday back to December 4 the economy minister announced in order to allow shops to reopen in the near future for instance. To be clear the lockdown will continue and so there will continue to be limits on travel said French government spokesman Gabriel Attal in an interview with the newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche. There will be three steps of relaxing restrictions starting in the beginning of December then before the Christmas holidays and finally in January 2021 Attal specified. https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/23/france-set-to-continue-coronavirus-lockdown-while-easing-some-restrictions 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

Japan Today No country has been spared the coronavirus epidemic nor the scourge of domestic violence which has surged during lockdowns as the day marking such violence approaches on Wednesday. From a spike in rapes in Nigeria and South Africa increased numbers of women missing in Peru higher rates of women being killed in Brazil and Mexico and overwhelmed associations in Europe the pandemic has aggravated the plague of sexual violence. According to U.N. data released in late September lockdowns have led to increases in complaints or calls to report domestic abuse of 25 percent in Argentina 30 percent in Cyprus and France and 33 percent in Singapore. In essentially all countries measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus have resulted in women and children being confined at home. https://japantoday.com/category/world/pandemic-inflames-violence-against-women 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters UK French business activity contracted this month at the fastest pace since May as the second coronavirus lockdown this year clobbered the dominant services sector a survey showed on Monday. Data compiler IHS Markit said that its preliminary purchasing managers index dropped to 39.9 from 47.5 last month falling much further below the 50point mark dividing expansions from contractions. While the lowest figure since France was emerging from its first lockdown in May the reading nonetheless was far better than Aprils alltime low in the depths of the first lockdown. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-economy-pmi/french-business-activity-at-six-month-low-after-second-lockdown-pmi-idUKKBN2830PK?il=0 23rd Nov 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters UK The number of shoppers across British retail destinations fell 55.4 in the week to Nov. 21 from a year earlier mainly reflecting the impact of a second full week of Englands COVID19 lockdown market researcher Springboard said on Monday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered England into a monthlong lockdown in early November after coronavirus infection cases and deaths started to rise again angering businesses and some of his own political party over the economic consequences. The lockdown closed all nonessential shops along with pubs cafes and restaurants except to offer takeaway food. People have also been encouraged to work from home if possible. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-britain-retail-springboard/uk-shopper-numbers-down-55-4-as-english-lockdown-bites-idUKKBN28312U 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

USA Today A recent case study details COVID19 transmission on a New Zealand longhaul flight even with negative predeparture testing results and social distancing requirements. The 12page report released by New Zealand health officials last weekFriday follows a cluster of coronavirus cases linked to one passenger traveling on an 18hour flight from Dubai to New Zealand in September. Though the traveler tested negative with a PCR test before the flight researchers concluded that at least four inflight transmission events of SARSCoV2 likely took place as the presymptomatic yet contagious person infected at least four others. SARSCoV2 is the virus that causes COVID19. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2020/11/23/covid-19-spread-new-zealand-study-details-long-haul-flight/6388833002/ 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Wall Street Journal AstraZeneca PLC and the University of Oxford added their vaccine candidate to a growing list of shots showing promising effectiveness against Covid19setting in motion disparate regulatory and distribution tracks that executives and researchers hope will result in the start of widespread vaccinations by the end of the year. AstraZeneca and Oxford said their vaccine was as much as 90 effective in preventing the infection without serious side effects in large clinical trials though they said the vaccines efficacy is up to 90 in late stage trials https://www.wsj.com/articles/astrazeneca-oxford-covid-19-vaccine-up-to-90-effective-in-late-stage-trials-11606116047 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

ABCNews.go Drugmaker AstraZeneca said Monday that latestage trials showed its COVID19 vaccine is highly effective buoying the prospects of a relatively cheap easytostore product that may become the vaccine of choice for the developing world. The results are based on an interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. No hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine. AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report latestage data for a potential COVID19 vaccine as the world waits for scientific breakthroughs that will end a pandemic that has pummeled the world economy and led to 1.4 million deaths. But unlike the others the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine doesnt have to be stored at freezer temperatures making it potentially easier to distribute especially in developing countries. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-highly-effective-prevention-74353624 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters AstraZeneca said on Monday its COVID19 vaccine was 70 effective in pivotal trials and could be up to 90 effective giving the worlds fight against the global pandemic a third new weapon that can be cheaper to make easier to distribute and faster to scaleup than rivals. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-int-idUSKBN2830HF 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail OxfordAstraZeneca has announced its COVID19 vaccine is up to 90 effective US already has a deal to purchase 300 million doses for 1.2 billion. The British drugmaker is the third major drug company to report latestage results for a potential COVID19 vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna last week reported preliminary results from latestage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95 effective. Unlike its rivals however the AstraZeneca vaccine doesnt have to be stored at ultracold temperatures which makes it easier to distribute https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8977715/Oxford-AstraZeneca-COVID-19-vaccine-90-effective.html 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Metro.co.uk Bill Gates has been a polarising figure during the coronavirus pandemic but now the billionaire philanthropist has reason to be hopeful. Speaking to CNN Gates explained how he felt almost all of the coronavirus vaccines in development will be ready by February next year. The first two vaccines expected to be granted FDA approval in the US are the ones developed by Pfizer and Moderna. But Gates says the others in development from the likes of AstraZeneca Johnson Johnson and Novavax will also be successful. Almost all the vaccines will work and with very high efficacy levels Gates told CNNs Fareed Zakaria. https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/23/bill-gates-almost-all-covid-19-vaccines-will-work-by-february-2021-13639194/ 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC Germanys chancellor has raised concerns about the worlds poorest securing access to Covid19 vaccines. Angela Merkel was speaking at a G20 summit which saw leaders promise a fair distribution of jabs. But Mrs Merkel warned progress was slow saying she would raise the matter with global vaccine alliance GAVI. We will now speak with GAVI about when these negotiations will begin because I am somewhat worried that nothing has been done on that yet she said. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55037760 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC Daily coronavirus tests will be offered to close contacts of people who have tested positive in England as a way to reduce the current 14day quarantine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people will be offered tests every day for a week and they will not need to isolate unless they test positive. He also said rapid tests will allow every care home resident to have up to two visitors tested twice a week. Labour welcomed increased testing but raised concerns over testandtrace. The chairman of the Independent Care Group which represents independent care homes Mike Padgham said the government was being rather ambitious. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55040992 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters UK AstraZeneca said on Monday its COVID19 vaccine was 70 effective in pivotal trials and could be up to 90 effective giving the worlds fight against the global pandemic a third new weapon that can be cheaper to make easier to distribute and faster to scaleup than rivals. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca/astrazeneca-says-covid-19-vaccine-for-the-world-can-be-90-effective-idUKKBN2830HC 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters UK It took Oxford Universitys brightest minds decades of work to give them the expertise to develop a COVID19 vaccine. In the end it was a momentary error and a dose of good fortune that carried them over the line. The Oxford vaccinologists were exhilarated on Monday when drugmaker AstraZeneca with whom they developed the shot announced that it could be around 90 effective citing data from latestage trials. It can only happen if extraordinary support is provided Adrian Hill director of Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute which developed the shot told Reuters. We had pretty well the whole institute in Oxford working on this vaccine. While skill and hard work drove development AstraZeneca said it was a minor mistake that made the team realise how they could significantly boost the shots success rate to as much as 90 from around 60 by administering a half dose followed by a full dose a month later. The Oxford vaccinologists were exhilarated on Monday when drugmaker AstraZeneca with whom they developed the shot announced that it could be around 90 effective citing data from latestage trials. It can only happen if extraordinary support is provided Adrian Hill director of Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute which developed the shot told Reuters. We had pretty well the whole institute in Oxford working on this vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-oxford/decades-of-work-and-half-a-dose-of-fortune-drove-oxford-vaccine-success-idUKKBN2832NG 23rd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CBC.ca Former Vancouverite Graham Barron can really appreciate what freedom feels like. Barron lives in Melbourne Australia with his wife and two young children. For nearly three months beginning in August they endured one of the worlds most severe lockdowns. It was really hard Barron said. It was difficult to be at home all the time. Overnight curfews were put in place. Residents could only leave home for an hour at a time and only within five kilometres. Masks had to be worn everywhere. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/covid-zero-lockdown-bc-1.5803185 22nd Nov 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News Three trials of vaccines that will be available to the UK have all reported they are around 90 effective in late stage trials. The University of OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine announced its phase three results on 23 November. It was the final of the three with PfizerBioNTech the first to announce its results followed a week later by Moderna but that vaccine is still in trials. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-vaccines-how-do-the-moderna-and-pfizer-coronavirus-jab-candidates-compare-12134062 20th Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Washington Post The sevenday average daily coronavirus case count in Delaware set an alltime high as the state tested a record number of people in the days before Thanksgiving. The News Journal reports that the state reported 486 new COVID19 cases on Sunday raising the sevenday average of new cases to a record 428.4. On Wednesday the state recorded nearly 11000 tests the most ever in one day. The numbers show more people in Delaware are seeking out a test and a significant portion of them are returning positive results. The daily average percent of tests that are positive is 5.9 the highest its been since early June. The average daily case count has grown by 90 over the past two weeks. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/delaware-covid-19-numbers-hit-high-mark-before-thanksgiving/2020/11/23/83d8a652-2da9-11eb-9dd6-2d0179981719_story.html 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Italy reported 630 COVID 19related deaths on Monday rising from 562 the day before and taking the official toll since its outbreak began in February to 50453 according to health ministry data. Italy the first Western country to be hit by the epidemic becomes the sixth nation in the world to surpass 50000 deaths and the second in Europe after Britain. The health ministry also reported 22930 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours down from 28337 the day before with the fall reflecting the usual drop in the number of swabs conducted on Sundays. There were 148945 coronavirus tests carried out in the past day the ministry said against a previous 188747. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy-tally/italys-covid-19-death-toll-passes-50000-with-630-new-fatalities-idUSKBN28328P 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Nevada Gov Steve Sisolak has ordered a statewide pause for three weeks Under Sisolaks latest public health orders restaurants and bars must reduce operations from 50 to 25 of capacity. There are also additional socialdistancing requirements including prohibitions on service without advance reservations according to the governor. Casinos which reopened in June after being ordered closed for more than two months following COVID19 outbreak will likewise be capped at 25 capacity. Nevada has set daily records for hospitalizations in the last week alone. On Friday the state reported the most hospitalizations since the pandemic hit the US in March with 1288 on Sunday the state reported 1273 hospitalizations https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8978231/Nevada-orders-statewide-pause-three-weeks.html 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Washington Post Enriqueta Aragonez reclined on a hospital bed in Arlington Tex. with plastic tubes snaking from her nose and pneumonia in both of her lungs. The 57yearold had a message for everyone doubting the need for covid19 restrictions. I went to my nephews house and loved seeing my family but now Im fighting against covid19 Aragonez said in a video message. Please protect yourself. Its real. Aragonez is one of 15 family members who contracted the coronavirus after a small indoor birthday celebration earlier this month where no one wore masks. Weeks later in an emotional video shared by the city of Arlington the family is begging others to avoid gathering with anyone outside their immediate household. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/11/23/texas-birthday-party-covid19-video/ 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN November isnt even over and the US has already seen more new Covid19 cases than any other month of this entire pandemic. More than 3 million new cases were reported between November 1 and 22 according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Thats about a quarter of all US cases since the beginning of this pandemic. Yes testing has increased. But it hasnt kept pace with the rate of new infections. As of late last week the number of daily new cases increased 25 compared to the previous week according to Johns Hopkins data. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/22/health/us-coronavirus-sunday/index.html 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN Shanghais biggest international airport momentarily descended into chaos Sunday night after authorities ordered a mass testing drive in response to a small outbreak of Covid19 linked to several cargo handlers. Since the beginning of November seven cargo workers and their close contacts at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport have been diagnosed as confirmed coronavirus cases including two reported on Sunday. In a bid to contain the cluster authorities ordered all cargo staff at the airport to undergo coronavirus tests overnight and set up a temporary testing site on the second floor of a parking garage according to a statement from the Shanghai government. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/asia/shanghai-airport-coronavirus-testing-intl-hnk-scli/index.html 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC On 14 October Farah Husain a critical care specialist in Delhis largest Covid19 hospital heaved a sigh of relief. After a gruelling four months for healthcare workers in dedicated Covid hospitals India records lowest daily rise in new cases she tweeted. Barely a month later Dr Husain sounds wistful. I really thought we were past it. Now we are facing the intensity of a winter surge of coronavirus she told me. Doctors fear that Delhi may well become the epicentre of Indias first wave of winter infections. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-54986615 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Ominous warnings came as Donald Trump appeared to admit that coronavirus is running wild across the US in contrast with his statements throughout the election campaign that the virus would simply go away or disappear and more recently that the country was rounding the turn on the pandemic. As new Covid19 infections in the US approached 200000 a day Trump tweeted on Saturday night to insist things were bad outside the United States as well posting The Fake News is not talking about the fact that Covid is running wild all over the world not just in the US. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/22/thanksgiving-travel-warnings-covid-coronavirus 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Hindustan Times The Maharashtra government will decide in the next eight days whether to impose curbs or a complete lockdown depending on the surge in Covid19 cases Vijay Wadettiwar relief and rehabilitation minister said Monday. He said that such measures will have to be taken if lives are to be saved. If needed in the next eight days after careful study we will decide whether there is a need for a complete lockdown or imposition of some curbs or add new conditions. Such measures will have to be taken because ultimately lives are important the minister said. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-considering-another-lockdown-to-cap-covid-19-surge/story-5IzVNnVvfDIKkZI2XtVOeN.html 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

India.com Looking at the rising cases of coronavirus across the country Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet the chief minister of states on Tuesday via videoconferencing. During the daylong meeting with the chief ministers PM Modi will review the CIVUD situation and as per their suggestions he will take possible decision. As a number of states have partially announced lockdown by imposing night curfews and Section 144 it is possible that PM Modi might announce another lockdown in states where the cases are rising in rapid rate. However the Centre would give states the power to decide on the announcement of lockdown https://www.india.com/news/india/pm-modi-meets-cms-review-covid-situation-coronavirus-lockdown-in-india-4219509/ 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Arab News Authorities in the South Korean capital on Monday announced a tightening of social distancing regulations including shutting nightclubs limiting service hours at restaurants and reducing public transportation. The measures going into effect on Tuesday also include a ban on public rallies or demonstrations of more than 10 people. Restaurants can provide only take out and delivery after 9 p.m. and public transportation will be limited after 10 p.m. Acting Seoul Mayor Seo Junghyup told reporters onethird of city employees will work from home. He recommended that churches convert to online worship services only. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1767071 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BNNBloomberg Having mocked him at first for his theories on how the coronavirus spread the world came to recognize the effectiveness of Japanese scientist Hitoshi Oshitanis Three Cs approach to the pandemic avoiding closed spaces crowded places and close contact situations where the virus thrives. Its a strategy thats helped Japan avoid thousands of deaths without a lockdown but one thats now being challenged with infections rapidly escalating as cold weather sets in. Oshitani fears the nation may not be ready. Peoples concern is decreasing Oshitani a virologist and infectious disease specialist said in an interview with Bloomberg News. We may see a sudden increase in severe cases and deaths. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/the-scientist-who-saved-japan-once-now-battles-a-new-virus-surge-1.1525111 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press Chinese authorities are testing millions of people imposing lockdowns and shutting down schools after multiple locally transmitted coronavirus cases were discovered in three cities across the country last week. As temperatures drop widescale measures are being enacted in Tianjin Shanghai and Manzhouli even though the number of new cases remains low compared to the United States and other countries that are seeing new waves of infections. Experts and government officials have warned that the chance of the virus spreading will be greater in cold weather. Recent flareups have shown that there is still a risk of the virus returning despite being largely controlled within China. https://apnews.com/article/tianjin-shanghai-china-coronavirus-pandemic-66cf06db318a7c2511e9b49c78788a2d 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Hungarys government on Monday limited retail store visits in an effort to separate elderly shoppers and contain the coronavirus pandemic in the most vulnerable over65 age group. This government decree serves the protection of the elderly Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a Facebook video. The pandemics statistics clearly show that the most endangered age group is that of our parents and grandparents. Lets take care of them. Hungary has tried for months to avoid a second lockdown and prevent further harm to the economy but was forced to close secondary schools and impose an 8 p.m.5 a.m curfew. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-hungary-idUSKBN2831OY 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Some flee on boats. Some hide in the stilts under their homes. Others run into the woods. All across Malaysias Sabah region on Borneo island stateless residents and undocumented migrants are fleeing public health officials conducting coronavirus screenings fearful of being detained or deported. The race to tackle COVID19 in Sabah Malaysias biggest palm oil producing state is being complicated by an estimated one million undocumented migrants and stateless residents who account for a third of the population. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-malaysia-sabah/in-malaysias-sabah-pandemic-rages-as-migrants-flee-testing-idUKKBN2830WV 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Lithuanias parliament goes into a weeklong hiatus from Tuesday to help contain the spread of COVID19 among its members. The Baltic countrys government is considering extending and tightening its COVID19 lockdown by closing shopping centres as the current level of restrictions had done little to curb a second wave of the disease among the population. The number of new COVID19 infections in Lithuania more than doubled over the the past two weeks despite the lockdown that took effect on Nov. 3 when 316 cases per 100000 people were registered over the preceding two weeks. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-lithuania/lithuanian-parliament-sets-week-long-recess-as-covid-19-cases-spike-idINL8N2I92SL 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

India.com Amid the sudden spurt in coronavirus cases the Himachal Pradesh government is planning to impose a few restrictions across the state. The development comes a day after Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over a meeting with the district level officers at Mandi to review the COVID19 situation in Mandi district. Keeping in view the upsurge in the COVID19 cases in the state the government would consider imposing a few restrictions to avoid social gatherings and ensure that people take all necessary precautionary measures. It is also important to regularly monitor the COVID19 positive cases kept in home isolation as that number is more than those admitted in hospitals the CM said. https://www.india.com/news/india/lockdown-restrictions-likely-to-return-in-this-state-amid-surge-in-covid-cases-4218771/ 23rd Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail South Korea had eased social distancing in October after months of few cases But infections are rising and experts fear they could see 1000 a day in weeks Japan has scrapped a government campaign to encourage eating out https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8973333/South-Korea-records-spike-Covid-infections-386-new-cases-Asia-battles-rising-cases.html 21st Nov 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Belfast Telegraph South Korea has reported 386 new cases of coronavirus in a resurgence that could force authorities to reimpose stronger social distancing restrictions after easing them in October to spur a faltering economy. The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency raised the countrys total number of confirmed cases to 30403 including 503 deaths. More than 270 of the new cases have come from the Seoul metropolitan area where health workers have struggled to track transmissions in schools private tutoring academies and religious facilities. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/coronavirus-cases-rise-in-south-korea-after-restrictions-were-eased-39773277.html 21st Nov 2020

New Lockdown

U.S. News & World Report Bulgaria plans to close schools restaurants and shops and ban all sports events private celebrations and excursions as it struggles to contain a coronavirus case surge. The Balkan countrys health minister Kostadin Angelov said on Monday that the measures to be debated by the centreright government on Wednesday were aimed at preventing a struggling health system from being overwhelmed. New coronavirus cases have doubled in the past week to 23569 Bulgarian health ministry data showed bringing the total number to 121820 in the country of 7 million. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-11-23/bulgaria-plans-lockdown-to-contain-coronavirus-infection-surge 23rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Medical Xpress Canadas biggest city entered lockdown on Monday in the latest bid to curb coronavirus infections with case numbers surging across North America even as US officials said vaccinations could be available within weeks. Toronto banned private indoor gatherings and capped the size of weddings and funerals for four weeks from midnight with officials warning that hospitals risked being overwhelmed without quick action. Ive been clear on this the situation is extremely serious and further action is required Ontario premier Doug Ford had told journalists ahead of the lockdown. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-11-toronto-virus-lockdown-vaccine-rollout.html 23rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian In Australia the Spanish national at the centre of a police investigation into his failure to disclose to contact tracers he worked shifts at the Woodville Pizza Bar is unaware of the growing public focus on him as he remains in hotel quarantine Guardian Australia has learned. The 36yearold man currently on a temporary graduate visa in Australia had his devices seized by South Australian police over the weekend after they issued a search warrant to obtain them from his quarantine hotel room. All the focus on the one man is causing concern among contact tracing experts who argue it might hinder people coming forward for testing. They say the best way to get the most accurate information from people during contact tracing interviews is to ensure their privacy and protect them from punishment. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/23/pizza-worker-at-centre-of-south-australia-lockdown-unaware-of-public-attention 23rd Nov 2020

New Lockdown

Reuters Englands tiered system of regional COVID restrictions will be toughened up when a national lockdown ends on Dec. 2 and some areas will move into a higher alert level than the one they were in before Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday. Im sorry to say we expect that more regions will fall at least temporarily into higher levels than before Johnson said in a statement to parliament. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-tiers/more-english-regions-to-face-tougher-covid-rules-after-lockdown-ends-idUKKBN28324P 23rd Nov 2020