18th Feb 2022 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=603 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The New York Times Millions of Americans with weakened immune systems disabilities or illnesses that make them especially vulnerable to the coronavirus have lived totally isolated since March 2020 sequestering at home keeping their children out of school and skipping medical care rather than risk exposure to the virus. And they have seethed over talk from politicians and public health experts that they perceive as minimizing the value of their lives. As Year 3 of the pandemic approaches with public support for precautions plummeting and governors of even the most liberal states moving to shed mask mandates they find themselves coping with exhaustion and grief rooted in the sense that their neighbors and leaders are willing to accept them as collateral damage in a return to normalcy. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/us/high-risk-covid-immunocompromised.html 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Frances nightclubs reopen for the first time in three months on Wednesday and the Netherlands returns to almost normal from next Friday as European countries continue to lift their coronavirus curbs despite relatively high infection numbers. Groups may also play to standing audiences in French concert venues customers in bars and cafes will be allowed to eat and drink while standing at the counter and cinemagoers and train passengers can snack during their film or journey. The skies seem finally to be clearing said the French governments official spokesperson Gabriel Attal adding that restrictions can be lifted according to schedule but urging people to continue to exercise caution and restraint. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/16/coronavirus-restrictions-ease-across-europe-despite-high-case-rates 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

CBC.ca Joel Bhikoo has multiple sclerosis needs an IV infusion of medication every six months and for the most part has been isolating himself since the COVID19 pandemic hit nearly two years ago. Bhikoo is just one of thousands of Canadians whose medical condition has put them more at risk for developing complications in case of infection from COVID19. And some of them are now facing a more anxious future as many provinces in an attempt to get things back to normal or learn to live with COVID19 announce the lifting of measures. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/immunocompromised-canadians-restrictions-covid-19-1.6347743 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

The Wall Street Journal Japan said Thursday that it would reopen its border to a limited number of overseas students workers and business travelers after a threemonth ban that left scars on the countrys relations with foreigners. The ban has been popular among voters and helped Prime Minister Fumio Kishida maintain healthy poll ratings during an Omicron infection wave. Opponents included Japanese business leaders and foreign students who said the severe steps harked back to the countrys centuries of isolation from the 1600s through the 1850s. https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-lifts-covid-19-ban-on-foreigners-entry-but-scars-remain-11645093890 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

abc News After months of unrelenting surges COVID19 infections and hospitalizations are falling rapidly across the US a welcome reprieve for many Americans who are hoping that the decline will herald the beginning of the end of a difficult two years and a return to a muchawaited normalcy. Although COVID19 infections remain at levels comparable to prior peaks with an average of 147000 new cases still reported each day politicians across the country sensing the public pandemic fatigue are eagerly moving to lift restrictions. Although health experts agree the COVID19 decline is encouraging many are urging caution not to declare victory prematurely out of fear of a potential viral resurgence. Many experts are also expressing concern over declining data availability. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/states-drop-covid-19-restrictions-experts-warn-premature/story?id=82835845 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

POLITICO Europe The Swiss government will lift nearly all pandemic restrictions from midnight Thursday amid confidence that COVID19 infection rates had been successfully uncoupled from hospitalizations. People in Switzerland will no longer have to show COVID certificates in restaurants bars or other venues like theaters and concert halls. But selfisolation for those infected with COVID19 will remain in force until the end of March as will the requirement to wear masks while visiting health care facilities and on public transport. https://www.politico.eu/article/switzerland-lifts-almost-all-covid-19-restrictions/ 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian The Omicron variant has caused an avalanche of Covid19 cases in Australia in the past months. While most people who catch the disease experience mild symptoms many report feeling short of breath and sluggish for weeks afterward. Its normal to feel tired after a viral infection and everyones recovery is different says Janet Bondarenko a senior respiratory physiotherapist at Alfred hospital in Melbourne. But the severity of your Covid illness doesnt necessarily predict whether you will have those lingering symptoms. The coronavirus can damage various organs causing ongoing fatigue says Dr Robert Newton professor of exercise medicine at Edith Cowan University. The cardiorespiratory system cant deliver oxygen to the working muscles efficiently. So what was a light to moderate intensity activity previously feels quite vigorous now. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/17/how-to-move-exercising-after-having-covid-19 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said that it is time for the United States to start inching back towards normality despite remaining risks from COVID19. Fauci said U.S. states are facing tough choices in their efforts to balance the need to protect their citizens from infections and the growing fatigue with a pandemic that has dragged into its third year. There is no perfect solution to this said Fauci President Joe Bidens top medical adviser and a member of the White House COVID19 Response Team. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fauci-says-time-start-inching-back-toward-normality-2022-02-16/ 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters As an Omicronfuelled wave of infections ebbs Portugal said on Thursday it would drop most of its remaining coronavirus rules including the requirement to show the COVID19 digital pass to stay at hotels or a negative test to enter nightclubs. This is a very important moment Cabinet Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva told a news conference. This is another a step towards a return to normal life. The new measures will come into force in the next few days Vieira da Silva said as they need still the final stamp of approval from the president. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/portugal-drops-most-covid-19-rules-omicron-ebbs-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Australias unemployment rate held at a 13year low in January as a surge in coronavirus cases took more of a toll on hours worked than on jobs and hiring still rising moderately in the month. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed employment rose 12900 in January pipping forecasts of a flat outcome and following two months of exceptional gains. The unemployment rate stayed at 4.2 matching the lowest reading since 2008 when it bottomed out at 4.0. The impact of the Omicron wave was felt most in hours worked which slid 8.8 as employees stayed home sick or were forced to isolate. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-jobs-growth-slows-jan-omicron-hits-hours-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022

Lockdown Exit

Associated Press The omicron wave that assaulted the United States this winter also bolstered its defenses leaving enough protection against the coronavirus that future spikes will likely require much less if any dramatic disruption to society. Millions of individual Americans immune systems now recognize the virus and are primed to fight it off if they encounter omicron or even another variant. About half of eligible Americans have received booster shots there have been nearly 80 million confirmed infections overall and many more infections have never been reported. One influential model uses those factors and others to estimate that 73 of Americans are for now immune to omicron the dominant variant and that could rise to 80 by midMarch. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-united-states-3e7ab3f74080bac8480aa6de3e65ecce 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

The Guardian The leading US health officials said on Wednesday that the nation is moving closer to the point that Covid19 is no longer a constant crisis as more cities businesses and sports venues began lifting pandemic restrictions around the country. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC director Rochelle Walensky said during a White House briefing that the government is contemplating a change to its mask guidance in the coming weeks. Noting recent declines in Covid19 cases hospital admissions and deaths she acknowledged people are so eager for health officials to ease masking rules and other measures designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. We all share the same goal to get to a point where Covid19 is no longer disrupting our daily lives a time when it wont be a constant crisis rather something we can prevent protect against and treat Walensky said. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/16/cdc-change-update-covid-mask-guidance 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

The Guardian When providers sign an agreement to provide Covid19 vaccine shots they also agree not to give the vaccine offlabel or use it for purposes other than what it was approved to do. In this case the Moderna vaccine is approved for adults aged 18 and up and the PfizerBioNTech vaccine is approved for those aged 16 and up. But the vaccines are still under emergency use authorizations for younger patients. Providers who give offlabel vaccinations in the US may not be protected by legislation that keeps them from being held liable in the case of a rare adverse event. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/under-five-covid-vaccine-parents-off-label-use 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

Sky News Hong Kong may test a million people each day local media has reported as the city struggles to contain its omicron wave. But an expert has told Sky News it would be ridiculous nonsense to conduct mass testing. The government will also aim to secure 10000 hotel rooms for COVID19 patients. Overwhelmed hospitals have been treating patients in stretchers on the streets due to a lack of capacity. The city confirmed 6116 confirmed cases today another record high and 24 deaths https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-mass-testing-and-lockdown-plans-in-hong-kong-criticised-as-ridiculous-nonsense-by-expert-12544076 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

New Scientist Children aged between five and 11 in England will be able to get a covid jab. All five to 11yearolds in England will be offered a lowdose PfizerBioNTech coronavirus vaccine. It follows months of deliberations by the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation JCVI. The JCVI reportedly decided that vaccinating children in this age group is beneficial but of less benefit than for older age groups. This is partly because children are less likely to become severely ill from covid19 and also because many children have already caught the virus. However vaccinating children soon should prevent a certain number from developing severe illness in future waves of infection. The JCVI estimates that vaccinating one million children will prevent 98 hospitalisations if the next covid wave is severe and about 17 hospitalisations if the next wave is relatively mild like omicron. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237475-covid-19-news-5-to-11-year-olds-in-england-to-get-vaccines-from-april/ 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Japan will ease border controls imposed to counter the pandemic Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday softening measures that have been among the strictest imposed by wealthy nations and have been slammed by business and educators. About 150000 foreign students have been kept out of Japan along with workers desperately needed by an ageing nation with a shrinking population prompting warnings of labour shortages and damage to its international reputation. From March authorities will raise the number of people allowed to enter to 5000 a day from 3500 now Kishida told a news conference. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-set-announce-easing-strict-border-measures-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters U.S. health officials said on Wednesday they are preparing for the next phase of the COVID19 pandemic as Omicronrelated cases decline including updating CDC guidance on maskwearing and shoring up U.S. testing capacity. The plans come as a growing number of U.S. states have begun to ease COVID19 restrictions as cases decline. The sevenday average of daily cases dropped 40 from the previous week while the daily hospital admission average dropped 28 and the average daily deaths dropped 9 according to CDC data. Were moving toward a time when COVID isnt a crisis but is something we can protect against and treat. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-cdc-weighs-new-guidance-masks-still-key-some-cases-chief-says-2022-02-16/ 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Hong Kongs coronavirus battle intensified on Thursday as authorities reported that new cases had multiplied by 60 times so far this month and the citys leader said citywide testing was being considered in the global financial hub. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with some patients including the elderly left lying on beds outside in chilly sometimes rainy weather in shocking scenes that prompted an apology from authorities in the Chinesecontrolled city. Schools gyms cinemas and most public venues are shut and many office employees are working from home. But many residents are fatigued by the harsh restrictions imposed to protect against the pandemic even as most other major cities in the world adjust to living with the virus. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-leader-asks-residents-remain-confident-support-covid-restrictions-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal Ever since China adopted its policy of stamping out every Covid19 infection outsiders have wondered whether it could last. With each new more infectious variant zero Covid has required more vigilant and frequent crackdowns on daily activity. And yet it has lasted. And seen from inside China the results are remarkable. Foreigners in Beijing for the Olympics may be confined to a dystopian bubble in constant fear of being quarantined. But outside the bubble life in the city looks close to normal with stores museums and offices operating and subway and road traffic in line with this time of year in 2019. Americans only now are moving on from the coronavirus. Most Chinese did so back in 2020. https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-zero-covid-policy-holds-lessons-for-other-nations-11645033130 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Children aged 5 to 11 in England will be offered Covid19 vaccinations to widen protection for the population as the government moves to scrap remaining pandemic restrictions. The National Health Service will make shots available to children across that age group starting in April so parents can if they want take up the offer to increase protection against potential future waves of Covid19 U.K. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement Wednesday. Javid said most young children are generally at very low risk of serious illness from Covid and the priority remains for the NHS to provide vaccines and boosters to adults and vulnerable young people and catchup with other childhood immunization programs delayed by the pandemic. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-16/u-k-to-offer-pfizer-s-covid-shot-to-all-children-aged-5-to-11 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Germany will reopen nightclubs and ease restrictions on stores and restaurants as part of a threestep plan to unwind pandemicrelated restrictions joining the wave of countries scaling back emergency measures. Europes largest economy aims to lift most curbs by March 20 taking a more cautious approach than many of its neighbors. The move was agreed on Wednesday after talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and state leaders and comes just days after Germany posted record infection levels. Germanys outbreak started to recede in recent days and the improving outlook prompted calls from across the political spectrum to follow countries like the U.K. Ireland and Denmark in easing restrictions. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-16/germany-moves-to-unwind-covid-curbs-as-pandemic-risks-subside 17th Feb 2022

Exit Strategies

Reuters Article reports that Japan will ease border controls imposed to counter the pandemic Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday softening measures that have been among the strictest imposed by wealthy nations and have been slammed by business and educators. About 150000 foreign students have been kept out of Japan along with workers desperately needed by an ageing nation with a shrinking population prompting warnings of labour shortages and damage to its international reputation https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-set-announce-easing-strict-border-measures-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022

Partisan Exits

9News Hundreds of BHP workers across Australia are being forced to quit or lose their jobs after the mining giant won a legal challenge to enforce its COVID19 vaccine mandate. The company expects up to 700 employees or 3 per cent of its staff will choose not to be vaccinated effectively leaving the business The Australian reports. The rule came into place from January 31 after unions lost a legal challenge fighting the mandate. Under BHP workplace rules anyone who does not show proof of vaccination will not be permitted on sites and their positions are currently under review. Unvaccinated contractors will also be unable to work with BHP. The mining giant has joined other major Australian companies such as Bunnings Qantas and Telstra to implement the measures. https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-update-hundreds-of-bhp-workers-to-lose-jabs-over-vaccine-mandate/5e1884b0-215b-418a-82c7-7aae69720ab4 17th Feb 2022

Partisan Exits

CNN A nearly threeweek protest in Ottawa over mandated Covid19 precautions in Canada may be approaching its end as police tell demonstrators to either leave immediately or face legal consequences. You must leave the area now the Ottawa Police Service said in a statement to protesters Wednesday. Anyone blocking streets or assisting others in the blocking of streets are committing a criminal offence and you may be arrested. Many demonstrators have vowed to hold out for as long as necessary and the federal government has moved to enact emergency powers to freeze financial support of the protests despite opposition in Parliament. Beginning with a group of truckers arriving in Ottawa in late January objecting to a vaccine mandate the protest has morphed into a general airing of grievances against all Covid19 safety protocols. https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/17/americas/canada-trucker-protests-covid-thursday/index.html 17th Feb 2022

Partisan Exits

ABC News Unvaccinated Australians are using fake certificates to gain entry to venues the government banned them from at the beginning of this month. The services were first identified late last year but they are gaining prominence in online forums among people opposed to vaccine mandates in Australia. The ABC has seen one such website hosted in Russia that generates highly convincing fakes. It includes an animation that mimics the green tick and a moving Australian coat of arms and a clock supposedly counting down the time from login. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-17/fake-covid-19-vaccination-certificates-used-to-beat-jab-mandates/100839824 17th Feb 2022

Partisan Exits

Reuters Canada Police in the Canadian capital Ottawa on Wednesday warned truck drivers blockading the downtown core to depart or face arrest in crackdown seeking to end a threeweekold protest over COVID restrictions. Interim Police Chief Steve Bell vowed to take back the entirety of the downtown core and every occupied space in coming days. Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino accused extremist groups of helping organize protests in Ottawa and at U.S. border crossings and repeated suggestions that some actors wanted to overthrow the Liberal government. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadian-government-wants-quickly-clear-covid-protest-blockades-ottawa-2022-02-16/ 17th Feb 2022

Partisan Exits

Bipartisan Report Hundreds of truckers clogging the streets of Canadas capital stood their ground and defiantly blasted their horns Thursday as police poured in threatening to break up the nearly threeweek protest against the countrys COVID19 restrictions. Busloads of police officers arrived near Ottawas Parliament Hill and workers put up extra fences around government buildings. The action is imminent said interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell. We absolutely are committed to end this unlawful demonstration. Police continued negotiating with the protesters and trying to to persuade them to go home Bell said. We want this demonstration to end peacefully he said but added If they do not peacefully leave we have plans. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-canada-ontario-ottawa-c9d1b0d9d29625eff62d4be8e8d3c259 17th Feb 2022

Continued Lockdown

Bloomberg Now even Hong Kongs top market regulator is warning the citys development as an international financial center is at risk. After years of political upheaval and a deepening isolation because of Hong Kongs zeroCovid strategy the Securities and Futures Commission is struggling to police the citys 6.3 trillion market. Grappling with a brain drain due to emigration and job switches the watchdog lost 12 of its employees last year including 25 of its junior professional staff forcing those remaining to work 12hour days to cover the workload according to former employees. In a budget statement submitted this month to the citys legislature where it asked for approval to boost pay after a oneyear salary freeze the SFC said Without the appropriate number and mix of staff the commission will not be able to deliver on the various initiatives underpinning Hong Kongs development as an IFC. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-16/hong-kong-market-watchdog-warns-on-exodus-threat-to-finance-hub?utm_source=google&amputm_medium=bd&ampcmpId=google 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Pharmaceutical Technology Moderna has reported that its Covid19 vaccine Spikevax mRNA1273 obtained provisional registration from the Therapeutic Goods Administration TGA in Australia for active immunisation to prevent Covid19 in children of the age six to 11 years. The authorised dosage of the messenger ribonucleic acid mRNA vaccine is a 50g dose to be administered as a twodose regimen. Spikevax was analysed in the ongoing observerblind randomised placebocontrolled expansion Phase II KidCOVE clinical trial. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/moderna-vaccine-australia-children/ 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

CNN PfizerBioNTechs Covid19 mRNA vaccine provides an added layer of protection against reinfection for people who have been previously infected with Covid19 as well as increased immune durability over time according to two studies published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The studies offer more insight into the concept of hybrid immunity when previously infected people who have natural immunity then get vaccineacquired immunity. One of the studies conducted out of Israel found that amongst people who had recovered from Covid19 infections reinfections were over four times more common in those who did not receive vaccines than in those who did after the primary infection. https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/16/health/hybrid-immunity-studies/index.html 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Delivery of Pfizer and BioNTech SEs vaccine to combat the Omicron COVID19 variant was delayed by several weeks due to a slowerthan expected data gathering process BionTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin told Germanys Bild on Thursday. Once the vaccine is ready the company would assess whether it was still needed Sahin said. If the wave ends that does not mean it cant begin again he told Bild in a video interview adding that BioNTech was in a position to continue creating new vaccines as variants emerged if needed. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-biontech-omicron-targeted-vaccine-delayed-biontech-ceo-2022-02-16/ 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Moderna Inc has applied for patents in South Africa relating to its COVID19 vaccine prompting fears the company could eventually seek to prevent a new African vaccine manufacturing hub from making its own version of the mRNA shot. Moderna spokesperson Colleen Hussey confirmed it had filed for patents related to both the COVID19 vaccine and Modernas platform technology in South Africa and elsewhere after a group of 60 Africabased charities raised concerns about them but said the move would not block vaccine distribution in Africa. She reiterated Modernas October 2020 pledge not to enforce its COVID19 related patents during the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-patent-application-raises-fears-africa-covid-vaccine-hub-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters South Africas government said it was not planning to buy Mercks COVID19 treatment pill molnupiravir on Thursday for cost reasons despite the drug gaining approval from the countrys health regulator. Molnupiravir and a rival antiviral pill from Pfizer called Paxlovid have demonstrated efficacy in trials of adults with COVID19 who are at high risk of serious illness and are now both in use. Countries around the world are negotiating prices with Merck and Pfizer. The U.S. government is paying 700 for each course of molnupiravir but generic drugmakers will make cheap versions in a deal aimed at giving access to poorer nations https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/south-africas-health-regulator-approves-merck-covid-treatment-pill-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Early Covid19 survivors were at higher risk of anxiety depression and a raft of other mental health problems up to a year after their infections according to a large U.S. study that widens the scope of the pandemics economic and societal impact. Even patients who were never sick enough to be hospitalized for Covid were still 68 more likely than their noninfected counterparts to be diagnosed with a sleep disorder 69 more likely to have an anxiety disorder and 77 more likely to have a depressive disorder. The relative risk of developing the conditions was significantly higher still in patients hospitalized for Covid and translates into dozens of additional mental health conditions for every 1000 coronavirus cases. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-16/mental-health-scars-stay-with-survivors-long-after-covid-battle 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg As the omicron wave peaked in the U.S. last month the firstline treatment for highrisk patients with early Covid dangled out of reach for most. Only a trickle of the new Paxlovid pill from Pfizer Inc. was reaching hospitals and pharmacies. Now as cases plummet nationwide and the company continues to deliver hundreds of thousands of doses ordered by the federal government to pharmacies Paxlovid is starting to look downright plentiful. Doctors and health officials in New York Boston Colorado and other areas where the omicron wave has receded report that supply seems to be meeting the softening demand. Weve seen such a rapid decline in Covid cases that its not as needed anymore said Asif Merchant who chairs the Massachusetts Medical Societys committee on geriatrics. Having the availability three or four weeks ago would have made a tremendous amount of difference. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-16/-game-changer-pfizer-pill-easier-to-get-as-omicron-fades-away 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg The rapidly spreading omicron BA.2 subvariant doesnt cause significantly more severe disease than the original version according to a South African study that appears to allay fears it causes harsher illness. Patients infected with the new subvariant suffered from similar rates of severe disease and hospitalization as those with the original omicron strain according to researchers from the countrys National Institute for Communicable Diseases that analyzed data from a large hospital group and the government laboratory service looking at almost 100000 cases. The emergence of BA.2 has caused widespread concern as it appears to be even more transmissible than the original omicron strain that was first identified in South Africa and has since spread around the world leading to waves of infections in the U.S. Europe and elsewhere. The study indicates that like the original version BA.2 is relatively mild in comparison with earlier dominant strains such as delta. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-16/study-shows-omicron-sub-variant-no-more-severe-than-first-strain 17th Feb 2022

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters An Omicronspecific booster could be ready by August the CEO of U.S. biotech firm Moderna MRNA.O told Reuters but the firm is still gathering clinical data to determine whether that vaccine would offer better protection than a new dose of the existing jab. Last month Moderna began clinical trials for a booster dose specifically designed to target Omicron but initial results from studies in monkeys show the Omicronspecific shot may not offer stronger protection than a new dose of the existing vaccine https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-eyes-covid-booster-by-august-not-clear-yet-if-omicron-specific-needed-2022-02-16/ 17th Feb 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Independent With the first community outbreak of the coronavirus in the Solomon Islands spreading rapidly through the largely unvaccinated population the Red Cross warned Thursday that the Pacific Island nations fragile health care system is at risk of becoming overwhelmed. The capital Honiara has only one small hospital and authorities have already turned a sports building into a field hospital and a football stadium into a vaccination center said Clement Manuri secretary general of the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society. Whats currently happening is they are trying to keep only people who are really sick with COVID19 with difficulty breathing in those facilities Manuri told The Associated Press in an interview from Honiara. Otherwise the advice is for people who have tested positive to selfisolate in their homes. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/solomon-islands-pacific-island-tonga-bangkok-red-cross-b2017187.html 17th Feb 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Independent On New Years Eve the Indian government wrote to states encouraging them to promote the use of COVID19 home tests especially for people who are experiencing symptoms in a bid to avoid straining local health systems. During last years deltadriven surge an explosion in cases overwhelmed hospitals and testing labs. But last month as new infections fueled by the omicron variant skyrocketed so did the number of people testing themselves at home across India. In the first 20 days of January around 200000 people shared their test results with Indias health agency a 66fold increase compared to all of 2021. The strategy apparently worked. Those testing positive with speedy though less accurate tests were told to selfisolate at home allowing hospital beds to remain available for the most vulnerable. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/india-new-delhi-covid-people-pcr-test-b2017010.html 17th Feb 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Evening Standard Covid19 infections have fallen slightly in England and Wales but the trend is uncertain in Scotland and Northern Ireland figures suggest. There is still a high prevalence of the virus across the country with infections remaining above preChristmas levels. Numbers are down overall for the UK however. Around one in 20 people in private households in England had Covid19 in the week to February 12 or 2.4 million people down from one in 19 or 2.8 million people in the week to February 5. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/ons-northern-ireland-scotland-wales-england-b982921.html 17th Feb 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Hong Kongs coronavirus battle intensified on Thursday as authorities reported that new cases had multiplied by 60 times so far this month and the citys leader said citywide testing was being considered in the global financial hub. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with some patients including the elderly left lying on beds outside in chilly sometimes rainy weather in shocking scenes that prompted an apology from authorities in the Chinesecontrolled city. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-leader-asks-residents-remain-confident-support-covid-restrictions-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters No new cases of COVID19 were reported inside the Beijing Olympics closed loop on Thursday for the first time a win for organisers who have gone to extreme measures to prevent the Games from seeding an outbreak that leaks into the public. The Beijing Games have taken place inside a bubble without paying spectators and with all participants athletes team officials media volunteers and staff tested daily. Some overseas analysts warned that the Winter Games would put further pressure on Chinas zeroCOVID stance especially as authorities battled the new and more infectious Omicron. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/beijing-2022-olympics-organiser-reports-zero-new-covid-19-cases-feb-16-2022-02-17/ 17th Feb 2022