22nd Sep 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=100 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK As the United States approaches the miserable mark of 200000 deaths from the coronavirus the pandemic is no longer focused on one or two epicenters. Instead it is smoldering across all states raising fears that when colder weather forces more people inside it could surpass the surge seen in the summer. The United States is losing on average over 800 people a day to the virus compared with fewer than 15 a day on average in Australia Canada Germany Israel Italy and the United Kingdom. Although new cases are down about 50 from the peak in July the United States is still reporting on average nearly 40000 new infections a day the highest number in the developed world. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-outlook-idUKKCN26C11L 21st Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Times A thousand fans will be allowed into Italian football stadiums for topflight games this month marking a cautious return to normality in Europes first coronavirus hotspot. The move is significant given that a Champions League match hosted by Atalanta in Bergamo in February was blamed for helping to trigger northern Italys devastating outbreak. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/coronavirus-cautious-italians-return-to-football-stadiums-vrhzpbbx7 21st Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Olive Press ANDALUCIA has registered 812 COVID19 cases in the past 24 hours and 14 deaths. It is the seconddeadliest 24 hours in the postlockdown period after last Thursday which counted 25 deaths. According to the Junta the majority of the deaths have been in Malaga where nine were counted on Monday then Cordoba with two and Almeria Cadiz and Sevilla registering one each https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2020/09/21/spains-andalucia-sees-second-deadliest-covid-19-figures-since-end-of-lockdown/ 21st Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Independent India reopened the Taj Mahal after six months on Monday with the first visitors trickling into the famous monument as authorities reported 86961 new coronavirus infections across the country with no signs of a peak yet. The white marble tomb in the city of Agra built by a 17thcentury Mughal emperor for his wife was opened to the public at sunrise and a Chinese national and a visitor from Delhi were among the first to enter. Daily visitor numbers have been capped at 5000 versus an average of 20000 before the pandemic. Tickets are only being sold online with fewer than 300 bought on the first day. Visitors will have their temperatures taken and must adhere to advice to keep a safe distance from each other. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-india-taj-mahal-open-new-cases-infections-agra-delhi-tourists-b511857.html 21st Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK Schools in the South Korean capital Seoul and nearby areas resumed inperson classes for the first time in almost a month on Monday after daily coronavirus cases dropped to the lowest levels since midAugust. Students returned to schools under a hybrid schedule of inperson and online classes to limit the number of people at schools at any given time. Students will attend inperson classes once or twice a week. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-southkorea/seoul-schools-resume-in-person-classes-as-south-korea-coronavirus-cases-dip-idUKKCN26C0AI?il=0 21st Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Ardern eases NZ coronavirus lockdown as new mystery case investigatedSydney Morning HeraldNew Zealand lockdown Jacinda Ardern announces lifting of all restrictions outside AucklandThe IndependentJacinda Ardern announces New Zealand to ease coronavirus restrictions againABC NewsMystery COVID cases have New Zealand contact tracers stumpedThe New DailyView Full coverage on Google News https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/21/relief-as-much-of-new-zealand-eases-out-of-coronavirus-restrictions 21st Sep 2020

Lockdown Exit

swissinfo.ch India reopened its famed monument to love the Taj Mahal with the first visitors trickling in on Monday as authorities reported 86961 new coronavirus infections with no signs of a peak yet. A Chinese national and a visitor from Delhi were among the first to step into the white marble tomb built by a 17thcentury Mughal emperor for his wife when it opened at sunrise ending six months of closure. Daily visitor numbers have been capped at 5000 versus an average of 20000 before the pandemic. Tickets are only being sold online with fewer than 300 bought on the first day. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/india-s-taj-mahal-gets-first-visitors-even-as-coronavirus-infections-climb/46046632 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Greece extended by two weeks until Oct. 5 a rule requiring visitors from Russia to provide a negative COVID19 test before entering the country its civil aviation authority said on Monday. The previous rule which came into effect on Sept. 7 was due to expire at midnight on Monday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-greece-russia/greece-extends-negative-covid-19-test-rule-for-russians-until-oct-5-idUKL5N2GI41Q 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Deutsche Welle Winter is coming and with it the possibility of the next wave of corona infections. But Germanys schools ready for another lockdown a return to stayathome learning and onlineclasses Deutsche Welle visits one Berlin school to find out. https://www.dw.com/en/are-german-schools-prepared-for-a-winter-lockdown/av-55007158 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Nasdaq Italian biotech ReiThera is in early talks with the European Union about supplying the bloc with its potential COVID19 vaccine a source close to the company said the latest attempt by Brussels to secure shots as the fight against the pandemic intensifies. The discussions come as Brussels seeks to raise more money to shore up supplies of potential inoculations amid concerns demand next year might exceed supply. The talks with ReiThera which is developing a vaccine together with Germanys Leukocare and Belgiums Univercells means the European Commission is now speaking with seven vaccine makers including Johnson Johnson JNJ.N Moderna MRNA.O Pfizer PFE.N and CureVac CVAC.O about possible supply deals. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/exclusive-eu-in-early-talks-with-italys-reithera-over-potential-vaccine-supply-deal-source 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Bangkok Post China is keeping its guard up ahead of the biggest holiday season since it largely brought the coronavirus outbreak under control. China has asked its 1.4 billion residents to avoid unnecessary travel abroad during the weeklong national holiday starting on Oct 1 which will be a major test of the countrys ability to prevent a renewed outbreak of Covid19. Large parts of the country went into lockdown during the Lunar New Year holiday but weak domestic consumption is expected to rebound during the socalled Golden Week usually the peak season for tourism and entertainment industries. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1989183/china-keeps-guard-up-with-travel-warning 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Sydney Morning Herald New Zealand authorities have announced coronavirus lockdown measures will be wound back though health authorities are scrambling to investigate the source of three new mystery cases in Auckland. Auckland will move to level two restrictions which requires physical distancing face masks on public transport and no more than 100 people at social gatherings from 11.59pm on Wednesday. The rest of the country will move to level 1 restrictions which impose no limits on domestic travel or social gatherings from 11.59pm on Monday night. https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/ardern-eases-nz-coronavirus-lockdown-as-new-mystery-case-investigated-20200921-p55xlb.html 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Daily Mail New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday lifted all coronavirus restrictions across the country except in secondwave hotspot Auckland as the number of new infections slowed to a trickle. Some restrictions were also eased in Auckland to allow gatherings of up to 100 people but the countrys biggest city needed more time before all curbs could be lifted Ardern said. Our actions collectively have managed to get the virus under control she told reporters in Auckland. This was the centre of the outbreak and thats why that caution is needed here. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8754405/New-Zealand-ends-pandemic-restrictions-outside-main-city-Auckland.html 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Independent New Zealand s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the lifting of all coronavirus restrictions except in its largest city Auckland. Residents in much of the country will be allowed to meet and move freely from Tuesday after no new infections were confirmed over the last 24 hours. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/new-zealand-lockdown-coronavirus-restrictions-jacinda-ardern-auckland-b511204.html 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

The Times Most of New Zealand will be free of coronavirus restrictions from midnight local time Jacinda Ardern the prime minister confirmed today. Auckland will move to a level two lockdown from Thursday allowing public gatherings of up to 100 people. The move puts New Zealand on target for elimination of the virus rather than suppression. Analysis completed for the Ministry of Health suggests that by the end of this month there is still a 5050 chance of having eliminated Covid once again the prime minister said. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/coronavirus-new-zealand-lifts-restrictions-as-cases-peter-out-c9rwvrmgc 21st Sep 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday lifted all coronavirus restrictions across the country except in secondwave hotspot Auckland as the number of new infections slowed to a trickle. Some restrictions were also eased in Auckland to allow gatherings of up to 100 people but the countrys biggest city needed more time before all curbs could be lifted Ardern said. Our actions collectively have managed to get the virus under control she told reporters in Auckland. This was the centre of the outbreak and thats why that caution is needed here. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-newzealand/new-zealand-ends-all-pandemic-restrictions-outside-main-city-of-auckland-idUSKCN26C02F 21st Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

POLITICO As governments are putting their hopes on a vaccine to stop the coronavirus and restart the economy one country might face more difficulties than others. France has one of the lowest vaccine confidence rates in the world according to a Lancet study published earlier this month. French people who are hesitant about vaccines shouldnt be dismissed as kooky conspiracy theorists who rant about Bill Gates and 5G all day experts say at least not all of them. But vaccine skeptics represent a sizable chunk of the French public big enough to hinder a vaccination campaign when a vaccine against the coronavirus will be on the market. https://www.politico.eu/article/france-vaccine-hesitancy-hangs-over-coronavirus-response/ 22nd Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Sky News Protesters have taken to the streets of Madrid to demonstrate against strict new lockdown measures which have come into force. Thousands of men women and children rallied in the southern districts of the Spanish capital. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-demonstrations-in-madrid-ahead-of-mondays-tough-new-lockdown-measures-12077307 21st Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

YAHOO! The government could face resistance from its own backbenchers if it tries to force through a second lockdown a senior Tory has warned. Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady indicated ministers could have a revolt on their hands if they try to introduce new lockdown measures without proper scrutiny in Parliament. Boris Johnson spent the weekend considering whether to introduce a second coronavirus lockdown in England. He is reportedly considering a twoweek mini lockdown according to the BBC. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/government-backbench-second-lockdown-074727481.html 21st Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Backlash against a new Chinese television drama about its fight against Covid19 underscores the challenges facing Beijing as it attempts to steer the narrative about its handling of the pandemic. Eight episodes of the propaganda series Heroes in Harms Way have aired since Thursday on state broadcaster China Central Television and were criticized on Chinese social media. That included calls for the 14episode series to be pulled from the air with people saying it minimized womens contributions to containing the virus and failed to reflect the hardship endured by medical workers. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-21/china-tried-to-dramatize-its-handling-of-the-virus-it-backfired 21st Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

NEWS.com.au John Farnhams longtime manager has lashed the offensive use of one of the music legends bestknown anthems during an antilockdown flash mob demonstration on Sunday afternoon. Protests against Victorias ongoing coronavirus restrictions were held for the third consecutive weekend on Saturday and Sunday with organisers vowing the big one would be held at a secret location on Sunday at 1pm. The location which ended up being Chadstone shopping centre in Melbournes southeast was only revealed half an hour beforehand in a bid to dodge police following a string of arrests at Saturdays rally at Elsternwick Park. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-australia-john-farnham-slams-antilockdown-protesters/news-story/d3d0b9fb4786e0fbd7d983c767194647 21st Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters UK Protesters in some poorer areas of Madrid that are facing lockdown to stem a soaring COVID19 infection rate took to the streets on Sunday to call for better health provisions complaining of discrimination by the authorities. Madrids regional government on Friday ordered a lockdown from Monday in some of the poorer areas of the city and its outskirts that are home to about 850000 people after a surge in coronavirus cases there. The lockdown measures predominantly apply to areas of lower income and with higher immigrant populations. Peaceful protests were held in 12 of the 37 districts affected on Sunday. About 600 people demonstrated in the southern district of Vallecas which has one of the highest infection rates in the Spanish capital about six times higher than that of Chamberi a wealthy area in the north of the city according to regional government figures. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-spain-protests/protesters-say-localised-lockdowns-in-madrid-discriminate-against-poor-idUKKCN26B0FS 21st Sep 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters More than a thousand people gathered in central London on Saturday to protest against lockdown measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus before the event was broken up by police. The protest which led to 32 arrests came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering whether to reimpose some lockdown restrictions across England. Demonstrators carried banners saying Covid is a hoax and My body my choice No to mandatory masks as well as chanting at police Choose your side. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-britain-protest/police-clash-with-protesters-at-anti-lockdown-demonstration-in-london-idUSKCN26B01Q 21st Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

Sky News Australia appears to be heading for its lowest daily increase in coronavirus cases in three months as a state leader said infection spikes in Europe served as a warning about the dangers of exiting lockdown too soon. In the countrys virus epicentre Victoria some of the toughest lockdown restrictions in the world were imposed in the city of Melbourne after a spike in cases last month. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-australia-set-for-lowest-daily-infections-in-months-as-it-says-europe-serves-as-a-warning-12076771 21st Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

Daily Mail Daniel Andrews is being urged to relax lockdown restrictions ahead of schedule after Victoria recorded only 11 new cases of coronavirus on Monday. Its the lowest number of new daily cases since midJune but the premiers road map plans to keep Melbourne shut down until at least 26 October. Asked if the timeline would be brought forward Mr Andrews said he would be guided by common sense but insisted that it is too early for us to open up. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8754295/Daniel-Andrews-urged-end-Victorias-lockdown.html 21st Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

9News Just 13 weeks out from Christmas Australians are planning family holidays not just domestically but without leaving their own state borders. And some of Australias most popular destinations could become even more crowded this summer as Aussies close out their year from hell with muchneeded local breaks. https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-australians-are-changing-2020-summer-holiday-plans-because-of-coronavirus/ca3e3da0-6f4c-4b8a-9be3-0bc2d3a39870 21st Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

ABC News It has been a pileon for the past few months as Team Australia has splintered right down the political divide. Border closures in Western Australia and Queensland have been called out as unnecessary while the Victorian lockdown has been labelled an overreaction that has angered business leaders and drawn the ire of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The restrictions we are constantly told are costing the nation dearly delaying a return to normal activity and pushing out the timetable for an economic recovery. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-21/why-harsh-covid-19-lockdowns-are-good-for-the-economy/12683486 21st Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters Surging activity in Britains housing market nudged up asking prices for homes in September as buyers sought larger properties following the coronavirus lockdown a survey showed on Monday. Property website Rightmove estimated there were almost 40 more sales moving through the pipeline than a year ago chiming with other surveys that show a postlockdown surge in the market helped by a temporary cut in property tax. Rightmove said asking prices rose 0.2 in September reversing Augusts decline. The national average asking price now stands at 319996 pounds 415642 up 5.0 on a year ago. https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-economy-housing/dash-for-bigger-homes-pushes-up-september-asking-prices-rightmove-says-idUSL4N2GF2HD 21st Sep 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters Australia Australia reported on Monday its smallest daily increase in new coronavirus infections in more than three months but authorities in the nations virus hotspot of Victoria said they could not hasten the easing of curbs. The 16 new infections are Australias smallest daily jump since June 14 while two additional deaths were reported. This light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer every day Nick Coatsworth the chief deputy medical officer told reporters in Canberra the capital. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-australia-int/australia-heads-for-lowest-virus-count-in-three-months-idUSKCN26B0PO 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

WMBF Receiving a coronavirus and flu test may soon be a onestopshop. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC has developed and approved a swab that will test for influenza A influenza B and the coronavirus all at the same time. The question now is supply and whether or not testing sites will be able to use on a large scale. Dr. William Epperson Tidelands Health director of primary care says when they usually test for influenza they swab the nose to get the sample to determine if its A or B. Epperson notes its uncomfortable and a bother to do the swab again for a COVID19 so the CDC came up with the multiplex test to have one sample for everything. https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/09/21/cdc-develops-new-nasal-swab-test-coronavirus-flu/ 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance have outlined four ways to beat coronavirus as we head into winter. The pair reiterated some key public health messages amid fears the virus could spiral out of control and result in 49000 cases a day by midOctober. The four ways include limiting the spread limiting social contact and following selfisolation guidelines. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-medical-and-science-experts-outline-four-ways-we-can-help-beat-covid-19-12077885 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Atlantic Last Monday when I called the cardiologist Amy Kontorovich in the late morning she apologized for sounding tired. Ive been in my lab infecting heart cells with SARSCoV2 since 6 a.m. this morning she said. That might seem like an odd experiment for a virus that spreads through the air and primarily infects the lungs and airways. But SARSCoV2 the new coronavirus behind the COVID19 pandemic can also damage the heart. That much was clear in the early months of the pandemic when some COVID19 patients would be hospitalized with respiratory problems and die from heart failure. Cardiologists have been thinking about this since March said Kontorovich who is based at Mount Sinai. Data have been trickling in. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/09/covid-19-heart-pandemic-coronavirus-myocarditis/616420/ 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian When Lily Gardiners sister took her own life at the end of July Gardiner was left feeling as though her sisters mental health struggles and death had gone unnoticed during the pandemic. The loss is even harder for Gardiner not her real name to bear given that in February her sisters life seemed back on track. After she experienced paranoid delusions and was sectioned in 2019 she had been discharged was on medication and had regular support from mental health services. That disappeared when lockdown set in. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/21/left-no-one-uk-mental-health-deteriorated-covid 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Yahoo Finance UK Another Germanywide coronavirus lockdown is unlikely to happen according to countrys most prominent virologist. Christian Drosten the professor who spearheaded coronavirustest development at Berlins Charit Hospital told the German Press Agency even if the coronavirus situation in Germany worsens another lockdown like the strict one in spring this year is not inevitable. You dont always need a Germanywide or regional lockdown because we already know some things better said Drosten. However he believes that some areas of work and personal life could face new restrictions adding that Germany should not think it will escape a rise in infections like other EU countries. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-germany-top-virologist-no-second-national-lockdown-095823268.html 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian As a scientist Im often asked what to do and what not to do and how to cope in this new uncertain world. Here is my advice on how best to enjoy life and get as much normality back while being a responsible citizen. My main advice is to get outside as much as possible when seeing other people. Research has shown that 97 of superspreading events occur indoors and that outdoor transmission is minimal. If an indoor setting is poorly ventilated crowded and no one is wearing face coverings it is best to avoid it. The upshot is that nonessential shops outdoor hospitality and public transport look relatively safe with the use of face coverings. Now is the time to avoid nonessential travel and to visit nearby parks and support your local businesses. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/21/local-lockdowns-begin-no-normal-advice-live-with-covid 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Britain is at a critical point in the COVID19 pandemic and faces a very challenging winter one of the governments top medical advisers will warn at a public briefing on Monday. Cases in Britain are on the increase in what Prime Minister Boris Johnson has labelled a second wave of the virus with large areas of the country subject to restrictions on social freedom and London expected to be next in line. The trend in the UK is heading in the wrong direction and we are at a critical point in the pandemic Englands Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty is expected to say in an address set for 1000 GMT on Monday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-britain-briefing/uk-at-critical-point-in-covid-pandemic-top-medical-adviser-says-idUSL5N2GH0JL 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian A coalition of 156 countries has agreed a landmark deal to enable the rapid and equitable global distribution of any new coronavirus vaccines to 3 of participating countries populations to protect vulnerable healthcare systems frontline health workers and those in social care settings. The Covid19 vaccine allocation plan coled by the World Health Organization and known as Covax has been set up to ensure that the research purchase and distribution of any new vaccine is shared equally between the worlds richest countries and those in the developing world. Sixtyfour higher income economies have already joined Covax which includes commitments from 35 economies as well as the European commission which will procure doses on behalf of the 27 EU member states plus Norway and Iceland with 38 more expected to join in the coming days. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/sep/21/landmark-moment-156-countries-agree-to-covid-vaccine-allocation-deal 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian A few doses of an effective Covid vaccine may be available for use before the end of the year Sir Patrick Vallance the UK governments chief scientific adviser has said but it is far more likely that any such breakthrough will happen during the first six months of 2021. Vallance charged with delivering the good news at the end of the dire warnings from himself and Prof Chris Whitty the chief medical officer said the UK was in a good position with orders for vaccines from a range of companies. Whichever approach to a vaccine succeeds there are four main technologies being employed in prototypes around the world the government will be able to access one that works. But he was not able to say which one it would be or exactly when. There is good progress being made Vallance said. Many vaccines now have shown they generate an immune response of a type that ought to be protective and several vaccines are in very late stage clinical testing aiming to show that they are both effective and safe. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/21/patrick-vallance-covid-vaccine-doses-may-be-available-end-year 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Conversation UK Some researchers conducting clinical trials on a COVID19 vaccine have not revealed to the public what the placebo contains but they should. This is because the placebo ingredients influence how effective or harmful the active treatment with which the placebo is compared appears. Our new guideline published in PLOS Medicine remedies this problem by providing a template for reporting whats in placebo controls. In some COVID19 vaccine trials participants in the control group the group receiving a placebo are injected with a saline solution. In other trials they receive an actual treatment. For example in the COVID19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford the control group receives a meningitis and septicaemia vaccine as a placebo. https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-vaccine-why-its-important-to-know-whats-in-the-placebo-146365 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Bill Gates says he believes the FDA will approve a coronavirus vaccine for emergency use authorization by early 2021. Because of the level of collaboration between drugmakers Gates says between two and four candidates might prove to be safe and effective. He says how many people get vaccinate and how many people wear masks will determine how quickly the pandemic ends. Gates adds that the crisis has caused other setbacks including rising routine immunization rates and increasing rates of extreme poverty https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8756421/Bill-Gates-predicts-COVID-19-vaccine-early-2021.html 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Northern Echo A drugs giant has signed an agreement with the European Commission EC for the supply of up to 300 million doses of a Covid vaccine once the drug is approved. The vaccine candidate is based on technology used by pharmaceutical company Sanofi to produce an influenza vaccine and adjuvant technology used by GlaxoSmithKline GSK which has a factory on Harmire Road in Barnard Castle. This final agreement confirms the announcement made on July 31 by both companies and marks a key milestone in protecting European populations against Covid19. https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18734456.gsk-supply-300m-doses-covid-vaccine/ 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Slate I think there will be a vaccine that will initially be available sometime between November and December Robert Redfield the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. There were some caveatsthere would be a very limited supply which would have to be prioritized for health care workers and highrisk folks. The public said Redfield might get this vaccine sometime next year. But still a vaccine available in November. https://slate.com/technology/2020/09/coronavirus-vaccine-timeline-safety-efficacy.html 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Benzinga AstraZeneca plcs prospects at being the first mover in the competition to develop a coronavirus vaccine have dimmed according to an analyst at SVB Leerink. The AstraZeneca Analyst Andrew Berens has an Outperform rating on AstraZeneca with a 65 price target. The AstraZeneca Takeaways The clinical trial hold on AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine candidate AZD1222 which remains in place other than in the U.K. and the relatively higher number of COVID19 cases needed for an interim analysis suggest the British drug maker may have ceded the lead Berens said in a Monday note. This means AstraZenecas vaccine candidate may not be the first to receive emergency use authorization the analyst said. https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/20/09/17583095/astrazeneca-has-lost-the-lead-in-race-for-coronavirus-vaccine-says-svb-leerink 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Washington Post The World Health Organization on Monday urged more wealthy countries to join its vaccine agreement and provided details about how a vaccine when it is developed will be doled out. More than 150 countries representing 64 percent of the worlds population have agreed to participate in the Covid19 Vaccines Global Access Facility or Covax which aims to develop and distribute 2 billion in doses of a vaccine by the end of next year. Under the plan rich and poor countries pool money to provide manufacturers with volume guarantees for a slate of vaccine candidates. The idea is to discourage hoarding and focus on vaccinating highrisk people in every participating country first. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/coronavirus-vaccine-covax-who/2020/09/21/d21c7b4a-f9d3-11ea-a510-f57d8ce76e11_story.html 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg An 18 billion initiative to deploy future Covid19 vaccines around the world is moving into the next phase with 156 countries and regions taking part in the program but China joining the U.S. on the sidelines at least for now. While China wasnt on the list 38 governments are expected to sign up in the coming days according to a statement Monday from Gavi the Vaccine Alliance. The group is leading the effort Covax along with the World Health Organization and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. The U.S. has said it wont participate. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-21/global-covid-vaccine-effort-to-include-156-countries-regions 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

South China Morning Post Trump administration has already secured supplies through bilateral deals prompting accusations of selfish behaviour to the detriment of poor countries Vaccine alliance officials say dialogue continues with Beijing on scheme to deliver 2 billion doses around the world by end of 2021 https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3102441/more-150-nations-join-global-coronavirus-vaccine-plan-us-and 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Bangkok Post The Philippines purchase and distribution of Covid19 vaccines can only be made starting the second quarter of 2021 as delays hit the review of possible candidates an official said. This is a practical and realistic timeline as vaccines will go through registration then clinical trials for a number of months Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire says in a virtual briefing. The nations Food and Drug Administration has committed to cut the approval process by almost two weeks she said. The government is still waiting for Russias Sputnik V clinical trial data for review while the trial for potential Covid treatment Avigan previously set to start Aug. 17 is also pending approval. https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1989175/philippines-expects-to-approve-covid-vaccine-q2-2021 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail President Trump said in Moonday Fox interview that Pfizers vaccine is doing really well. His vaccine czar Dr Moncef Slaoui said that the most susceptible Americans could get COVID19 shots by December. Pfizer has said it expects to know whether its vaccine works safely by October and President Trump is gunning for a shot to be approved before Election Day https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8757913/Trump-hints-PFIZERs-coronavirus-vaccine-approved.html 21st Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News Just one in 10 of the worlds population is likely to be protected against COVID19 in the first year of a vaccine being made available experts have told Sky News. Analysis of global manufacturing capacity shows just two billion doses could be made in 2021 even if a vaccine was given the green light by safety regulators at the start of the year. But with seven of the nine prototype vaccines in latestage clinical trials requiring two doses thats likely to be enough to immunise only a little over 12 of the 7.8 billion people who need it. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-only-one-in-10-to-be-protected-from-covid-19-in-first-year-of-vaccine-use-12072473 20th Sep 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News Care homes are still widely exposed to coronavirus as it starts spreading within them again a trade association boss has said. Nadra Ahmed chair of the National Care Association said many of her members are extremely concerned at government guidance on how care homes should prepare for winter amid warnings of a COVID19 second spike. She told Sky News the challenge they faced at the start of the pandemic continues. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-care-homes-widely-exposed-as-covid-19-begins-to-move-in-12076966 20th Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC Following warnings from the governments chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance the public express concern about a potential further lockdown. In an announcement on Monday he said the UK could see 50000 new coronavirus cases a day by midOctober without further action. It comes as the PM prepares to chair a Cobra emergency committee meeting on Tuesday morning then make a statement in the House of Commons. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-54236271 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC The UK could see 50000 new coronavirus cases a day by midOctober without further action the governments chief scientific adviser has warned. Sir Patrick Vallance said that would be expected to lead to about 200plus deaths per day a month after that. It comes as the PM prepares to chair a Cobra emergency committee meeting on Tuesday morning then make a statement in the House of Commons. On Monday a further 4368 daily cases were reported in the UK up from 3899. A further 11 people have also died within 28 days of a positive test although these figures tend to be lower over the weekend and on Mondays due to reporting delays. Speaking at Downing Street alongside chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty Sir Patrick stressed the figures given were not a prediction but added At the moment we think the epidemic is doubling roughly every seven days. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54234084 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNN The number of coronavirus cases in the UK is doubling roughly every seven days according to the countrys chief scientific advisor Patrick Vallance. If that rate continues to grow unabated by midOctober you would end up with something like 50000 per day which could lead to 200 deaths a day by November Vallance warned at a Monday press briefing. If we dont act the virus will take off Vallances colleague Chris Whitty the UKs chief medical officer told the same briefing in Downing Street. That is the path we are on and if we do not change course we will find ourselves in a difficult problem. The advisors comments have fueled speculation that the government is preparing the ground for a second national lockdown or other hard measures in order to get cases back to a sustainable level. In ... the next six months I think we have to realize that we have to take this collectively very seriously Whitty said adding that the country had turned a corner in a bad sense. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/uk/uk-coronavirus-second-lockdown-boris-johnson-intl-gbr/index.html 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Britain will face an exponentially growing death rate from COVID19 within weeks unless urgent action is taken to halt a rapidly spreading second wave of the outbreak the countrys senior medics said on Monday. The United Kingdom already has the biggest official COVID19 death toll in Europe and the fifth largest in the world while it is borrowing record amounts in an attempt to pump emergency money through the damaged economy. But new COVID19 cases are rising by at least 6000 per day in Britain according to weekold data hospital admissions are doubling every eight days and the testing system is buckling. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain/uk-ponders-second-covid-19-lockdown-as-outbreak-accelerates-idUKKCN26C0JJ 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Evening Standard The UK is said to be in the last chance saloon to avoid new coronavirus lockdown restrictions amid warnings the measures could last up to six months. Boris Johnson is expected to give the UK one final chance to prove it can follow the existing rules and avoid a second lockdown the Telegraph reports. The Prime Minister is expected to set out new measures in a press conference as early as Tuesday after a sharp rise in Covid19 cases across the UK. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/uk-final-warning-second-lockdown-restrictions-six-months-a4551871.html 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Wall Street Journal Croatia was a rare European country to bring daily new Covid19 cases to zero back in May. Now it has become an example of how summer tourism triggered a second wave of infections sweeping much of the continent. The fall from poster boy to hot spot came after the government motivated by economic concerns decided to open the coastal nations borders early this summer and woo the foreign tourists who have been a pillar of its economy. After becoming infected the tourists returned home taking the virus with them. Croatia has now become a case study in how international travel is acting as an accelerant in the pandemic. Like in Croatia travel to and within other traditional tourist destinations has pushed the number of infections up across Europe according to healthcare officials. In France domestic vacationers were linked to a surge in cases in the countrys south and along its Atlantic coast. Spain is experiencing record new infections concentrated in Madrid and tourism hot spots after a large influx of domestic and foreign visitors. https://www.wsj.com/articles/tourists-in-croatia-help-feed-covid-19-surge-across-europe-11600684208 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Madrids regional government chief requested the armys help on Monday in fighting the coronavirus surge in the Spanish capital where local authorities ordered a partial lockdown of some poorer districts prompting protests. At the height of the first wave of the pandemic in MarchApril Spain deployed thousands of troops to help civilian authorities contain the outbreak. A recent spike in infections peaking at over 10000 per day took cumulative cases above 670000 as of Monday the highest in Western Europe while the number of deaths from the COVID19 respiratory disease in Spain stood at 30663. We need help from the army for disinfection...and to strengthen local police and law enforcement Isabel Diaz Ayuso told a news briefing after meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in an attempt to reduce contagion in Spains worsthit region. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-spain-madrid/madrid-asks-for-spanish-armys-help-in-battling-coronavirus-surge-idUKKCN26C1TO 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail French hospital cases have risen by 28 per cent in a month while Spain admitted more patients in the last four weeks than in the previous three months combined Hospitals in some areas such as Madrid and Marseille are reaching crisis levels Madrid called in the army as some parts of the city went into lockdown today But both countries have far greater hospital and ICU capacity than in the spring https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8754957/Hospitals-France-Spain-just-three-weeks-saturation.html 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Local Switzerland As some regions of France and Spain impose new coronavirus restrictions Swiss authorities say that such drastic measures are not planned for the time being. Even though the number of cases has been rising in certain cantons at the moment it is calm in Switzerland in terms of hospitalisations and deaths national councilor Jrg Mder said in an interview. According to Mder the country will be able to react better than it did in March thanks to new knowledge about the virus. Some early measures were excessive because we didnt know where the virus was transmitted. Hospitals are also better prepared today. So we are not inevitably heading towards a second confinement he said. https://www.thelocal.ch/20200921/covid-19-why-switzerland-doesnt-envisage-another-disastrous-lockdown 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Edinburgh Live Nicola Sturgeon has announced in her daily coronavirus briefing that the Scottish Government is preparing to introduce a package of new lockdown restrictions in the coming days. The First Minister stated that coronavirus is spreading again in Scotland and said that doing nothing is not an option. She stated that she hopes to announce these measures either tomorrow or Wednesday at a Scottish Parliament address with final details still being worked out between Holyrood ministers and health experts. https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/scotland-lockdown-nicola-sturgeon-introduce-18970330 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Forbes Englands chief medical official warned the country is currently on track to hit 50000 Covid19 cases per day by midOctober if the spread of coronavirus continues at its current pace as countries across Europe reckon with an alarming surge in coronavirus cases and move toward imposing new restrictions to stave off a likely second wave. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2020/09/21/uk-europe-considers-another-lockdown-as-cases-projected-to-hit-50000-per-day/ 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNBC European countries are likely to impose more restrictions on public life in the coming days analysts said. France reported 10569 new cases Sunday while the U.K. reported almost 4000 new cases. Italy saw close to 1000 new infections and Germany reported 1345 new cases Sunday and a further 922 cases Monday. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/21/europe-coronavirus-latest-more-restrictions-likely-in-the-coming-days.html 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Independent On Thursday the countrys Covid19 alert level was increased from level 3 to level 4 meaning transmission of the virus is high or rising exponentially. Health secretary Matt Hancock said this reflected the significant shift in the current threat posed by coronavirus and warned the UK now faces a tipping point in its response. Sir Patrick Vallance the governments chief scientific adviser told a televised Downing Street briefing the epidemic was doubling roughly every seven days and that there was no doubt numbers were increasing among all age groups. Appearing alongside Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty Sir Patrick warned of a very serious threat from Covid19 over the next six months. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/second-lockdown-coronavirus-wave-new-rules-restrictions-boris-johnson-update-b512048.html 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Metro Ministers are reportedly concerned that Chris Witty could quit and speak out if his advice on a second lockdown is ignored. The Government is facing crisis talks over how to control a surge in cases while minimising the wider effect on the economy. But some ministers have been accused of being in the grip of the Chief Medical Officer. One source told the Daily Mail Whitty only has a medical brief so he doesnt really consider economic factors. He is very well regarded and there is a fear that if the Government defied his instructions or advice he would make that known. https://metro.co.uk/2020/09/20/ministers-worried-chris-whitty-will-resign-if-his-lockdown-plan-is-ignored-13297825/ 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

iNews London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said the capital is catching up with the coronavirus hotspots in the north of England. Cases are on the rise throughout the country with daily numbers now at their highest since May. So far the majority of local restrictions have been imposed in the North with Bolton and Preston among the worst affected areas. https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/london-lockdown-going-into-new-covid-rules-coroanvirus-cases-restrictions-curfew-announcement-654675 21st Sep 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Sterling touched a oneweek low on Monday as headwinds in the banking sector dented investors risk appetite while rising COVID19 cases prompted Britain to consider a second national lockdown. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-sterling/sterling-edges-lower-amid-second-national-lockdown-threat-idUKKCN26C0WB 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Covid19 restrictions are to be extended to all of Northern Ireland from 1800 BST on Tuesday the Stormont Executive has announced. There will be no mixing of households indoors with some exceptions and no more than six people from two households can meet in a garden. The move followed an urgent meeting of the Executive on Monday afternoon. In the last seven days more than 1000 people have tested positive for Covid19 in Northern Ireland. First Minister Arlene Foster said this is not a return to lockdown but doing nothing is not an option. She added The restrictions are limited and we are in a better place than at the height of the pandemic. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-54228579 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

New Statesman The United Kingdom is on the brink of a second serious outbreak of the novel coronavirus with the country heading towards 50000 new cases a day by the middle of October if the current trajectory is not halted the governments chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance have warned. Calls to the nonemergency services and steadily increasing hospitalisations point to a second wave of infections just in time for the autumn and winter the exact scenario that the government wanted to avoid back in March. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2020/09/threat-second-lockdown-shows-why-government-must-not-end-financial-support 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

Mirror Online Nicola Sturgeon has said that the Scottish Government is poised to bring in toughened lockdown restrictions within days and has hinted that the rest of the UK is going to follow suit. Scotlands First Minister said that doing nothing in the face of this rapid spread is not an option. It cames as the all four leaders of the UKs devolved nations Scotland England Northern Ireland and Wales spoke by phone about the spike in cases. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/sturgeon-says-scottish-lockdown-tighten-22717313 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

BBC Four more counties in south Wales will go into lockdown from 1800 BST on Tuesday meaning more than a quarter of the Welsh population will be under tighter restrictions. Merthyr Tydfil Bridgend Blaenau Gwent and Newport follow Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly county into lockdown. People will not be able to enter or leave those areas except for a limited number of exemptions such as work. Licensed premises such as pubs and bars will need to shut by 2300 every night. People will only be able to mix with those not in their own household outdoors meeting people from their extended households indoors will be banned in the four areas. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54234993 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

The Scotsman Reports suggest that the government may introduce a circuit breaker lockdown as soon as Tuesday in an effort to control the spread of coronavirus. Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted last week that the UK is now seeing a second wave of coronavirus coming in with localised lockdown measures now affecting around 13.5 million people over one in five of the UKs population. https://www.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/what-circuit-breaker-lockdown-could-look-and-its-chances-success-2978379 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

FRANCE 24 A million people in and around the Spanish capital on Monday were under new stayathome orders to contain another coronavirus surge as the US death toll neared 200000. But unlike other nations that are tightening curbs to battle outbreaks India pressed ahead with its measures to kickstart its battered economy reopening the Taj Mahal and some schools on Monday despite having the secondhighest caseload in the world. The restrictions in Madrid will last for two weeks starting Monday affecting people living mainly in densely populated lowincome neighbourhoods who will be allowed only to travel for essential reasons such as work medical care or taking children to school. https://www.france24.com/en/20200921-partial-virus-lockdown-in-madrid-as-us-deaths-near-200-000 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

FRANCE 24 Fresh lockdown restrictions came into force Monday in parts of Madrid and surrounding areas drawing outrage despite a surge in Covid19 infections. The curbs which will be in place for two weeks affect 850000 people in mainly denselypopulated lowincome neighbourhoods. Residents are now only allowed to leave their zone for going to work school or to seek medical care. https://www.france24.com/en/20200921-resignation-and-anger-greet-new-madrid-lockdown 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

Hindustan Times Several state and local administrations have reimposed restrictions in the view of the increasing number of Covid19 cases even as the country is in the last leg on Unlock 4 which began from September 1. Here is a complete list of citiesdistricts which are under restrictions in September. Some restrictions have been freshly imposed while some have been just extended. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/unlock-4-fresh-covid-19-restrictions-imposed-in-these-cities/story-I1OlQHkcGW8FLjQaQGMtoN.html 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

The Indian Express On criticism of the government over a sudden lockdown and mismanagement of the situation the minister said If the lockdown was not used properly and things were not monitored the dedicated 17000 covid facilities would not have come up. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-prepared-the-nation-for-lockdown-through-janata-curfew-health-minister-6604151/ 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

Evening Standard on MSN.com Bridgend Merthyr Tydfil Newport and Blaenau Gwent will be placed under a local lockdown from 6pm on Tuesday following an increase in coronavirus cases the Welsh Government has announced. Wales health minister Vaughan Gething said many of the coronavirus cases had been linked to people socialising indoors without physical distancing. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/coronavirus/parts-of-south-wales-put-under-local-lockdown-after-surge-in-coronavirus-cases/ar-BB19g9V7 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

CNN When Daniel Andrews premier of the Australian state of Victoria declared a lockdown over the coronavirus some detractors on the right labeled him a dictator and said he was trying to build a gulag. But Andrews a Labor Party politician who has run Australias secondlargest state since 2014 has remained popular with Victorians throughout the lockdown local polls show. And this week his hardline approach was thoroughly vindicated. On Sunday Victoria recorded just 11 new coronavirus cases down from over 670 at the height of the most recent outbreak last month. Next week Melbourne will begin lifting some restrictions if new cases remain below a fortnightly average of 50 per day. A nightly curfew is slated to remain in effect until October 26. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/australia/australia-coronavirus-lockdown-intl-hnk/index.html 21st Sep 2020

New Lockdown

RTE.ie Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has admitted that his government had made a mistake when it eased restrictions aimed at containing Covid19 over the summer. His comments came as governments across Europe struggle with a second wave of Covid19 infections following the holiday months in which the number of cases began rising sharply. Even I got carried away by the coming summer and the general mood. That was a mistake I dont want to make again the billionaire populist said in a televised speech. https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0921/1166444-coronavirus-global/ 21st Sep 2020