8th Oct 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=112 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Newsweek o new community cases of COVID19 have been diagnosed in New Zealand except for those in hotel quarantine the countrys health ministry has announced providing a boost to prime minister Jacinda Ardern ahead of a general election this month that she is expected to win. Those entering New Zealand have to stay in isolation in a hotel for 14 days. On Wednesday three people who had arrived from overseas and were already in managed isolation tested positive for COVID19 but all patients with the virus in the community have now recovered The New Zealand Herald reported. https://www.newsweek.com/new-zealeand-coronavirus-curve-1536989 7th Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

UPI.com New Zealand on Wednesday announced it has eliminated local transmission of the coronavirus for a second time as cases surge in Europe. New Zealands Health Minister Chris Hipkins said there were no more active community cases of COVID19 in the country after the last patients had recovered from a recent outbreak of the virus. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/10/07/New-Zealand-eliminates-COVID-19-for-a-2nd-time-cases-surge-in-Europe/9051602043908/ 7th Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

Daily Mail Auckland has gone ten days without any new cases recorded in the community. NZ declared they were COVIDfree in April before a second wave in August. Auckland will ease restrictions to alert level 1 as of midnight on Wednesday https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8813985/New-Zealand-eliminates-COVID-19-second-time-restrictions-Auckland-ease.html 7th Oct 2020

Lockdown Exit

CNN The scene at the Great Wall of China this past week would have been unthinkable just months ago. Photos of the tourist attraction in Beijing last weekend show massive crowds crammed along the winding wall pressed together in close quarters and squeezing past each other through narrow doorways. Most are wearing face masks but a number of people including young children pulled their masks down to their chin and a few seem to have foregone masks entirely. Its Golden Week an eightday national holiday one of Chinas busiest annual travel periods and a major test for the country as it emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/great-wall-golden-weekend-crowds-intl-hnk-scli/index.html 7th Oct 2020

Exit Strategies

The Independent In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic the harried health officials of Peru faced a quandary. They knew molecular tests for COVID19 were the best option to detect the virus yet they didnt have the labs the supplies or the technicians to make them work. But there was a cheaper alternative antibody tests mostly from China that were flooding the market at a fraction of the price and could deliver a positive or negative result within minutes of a simple fingerstick. In March President Martin Vizcarra took the airwaves to announce hed signed off on a massive purchase of 1.6 million tests almost all of them for antibodies. Now interviews with experts public purchase orders import records government resolutions patients and COVID19 health reports show that the countrys bet on rapid antibody tests went dangerously off course. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/hardhit-perus-costly-bet-cheap-covid19-antibody-tests-peru-tests-antibody-tests-covid-cases-b863042.html 7th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian The ousted director of the office involved in developing a coronavirus vaccine has quit his post at the National Institutes of Health charging that the Trump administration ignores scientific expertise overrules public health guidance and disrespects career scientists. Dr Rick Bright a whistleblower who crossed swords with the Trump administration over claims his warnings over both coronavirus and the utility of hydroxychloroquine were ignored left his role complaining that his plan to develop a national testing infrastructure had also been sidelined. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/07/top-us-immunologist-quits-health-role-over-trump-covid-response-rick-bright?CMP=share_btn_tw 7th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

BBC After three nights in hospital for Covid treatment US President Donald Trump is back in the White House and back on Twitter. In a video posted on Monday shortly after his return the president implored Americans not to let the virus dominate their lives. Dont be afraid of it. Youre going to beat it he said. Dont let it take over your lives. Dont let that happen. But with nearly 7.5 million Covid19 cases and more than 210000 deaths nationwide is this a message of strength or an insult to those still suffering We ask voters. https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54443147 7th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

ABC News South Dakotas governor is doubling down on her controversial stance against statewide lockdown measures even as the local positivity rate continues to soar. Gov. Kristi Noem defended her handsoff approach to managing the deadly COVID19 pandemic while addressing lawmakers earlier this week and called mandatory stayat home orders useless in helping lower the spread. Amid criticism over her tactics for fighting the novel coronavirus Noem used her speaking time to read a portion of a letter she said she received from a reporter who praised her for sticking to her beliefs. https://abcnews.go.com/US/south-dakota-gov-kristi-noem-lockdowns-useless-states/story?id=73451385 7th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

BBC Thousands of scientists and health experts have joined a global movement warning of grave concerns about Covid19 lockdown policies. Nearly 6000 experts including dozens from the UK say the approach is having a devastating impact on physical and mental health as well as society. They are calling for protection to be focused on the vulnerable while healthy people get on with their lives. The declaration has prompted warnings by others in the scientific community. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54442386 7th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

YAHOO! Along the lines of countries like the US UK Australia Italy and Canada now India is also encountering protests against precautionary measures adopted to curb COVID19 being imposed upon the public as strict rules. The importance of precautionary measures like face masks gloves social distancing hand washing etc. has not only pervaded India but the whole world ever since we came to terms with coronavirus. In India almost the entire population decently cooperated with the lockdown decisions of government and abided by all the set norms. But recently a spate of protests was seen arising across India where people were spotted echoing their contradicting thoughts on the compulsion to wear a face mask in public places. https://in.news.yahoo.com/america-india-witnessing-protests-against-124413521.html 7th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Scott Morrison has warned that the national economy will take another hit from the extended Victorian lockdown as he took aim at the states roadmap for easing restrictions saying leaders cannot create a burden that is too great to bear. The prime minister refused to specify on Monday whether the federal government would rethink its plan to reduce the rate of the jobkeeper and jobseeker programs this month calling on the Victorian government to spell out its own economic support package before Canberra considered taking action. But Morrison raised questions about Victorias contacttracing capabilities and said he hoped the plan unveiled by the premier Daniel Andrews was the worstcase scenario and only a starting point for managing the virus in the weeks ahead. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/07/morrison-takes-aim-at-victorias-lockdown-warning-of-very-severe-impact-on-national-economy 7th Oct 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian A senior cabinet minister has said further lockdown measures would set us back hugely amid signs that additional coronavirus restrictions may be imminent for parts of northwest England. Liz Truss the international trade secretary indicated that the government remained strongly opposed to measures such as closing pubs bars and restaurants despite rising hospital admissions and a sharp increase in infections. Truss said ministers were attempting to strike a delicate balance of protecting the economy while stopping the spread of the virus telling Sky News If we end up locking down further or having a national lockdown that would set us back hugely so were constantly balancing those two priorities. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/07/liz-truss-more-covid-lockdown-measures-in-england-would-set-us-back 7th Oct 2020

Continued Lockdown

The Wire Science The national lockdown in AprilMay 2020 had devastating effects on peoples employment and earnings. About half of urban workers for instance did not earn any income during that period according to a recent survey by the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics. For good measure many public services were also reduced or discontinued. This includes routine health services. https://science.thewire.in/health/uneven-decline-health-services-india-states-covid-19-lockdown/ 7th Oct 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters UK Australias city of Melbourne capital of the coronavirus hotspot state of Victoria on Wednesday reported the lowest twoweek average of new cases after a second contagion wave that led to one of the worlds toughest lockdowns. For the first time since the second coronavirus outbreak caused more than 800 deaths in the state more than 90 of the countrys 897 virusrelated deaths the twoweek average has fallen below 10. The metric is key as officials in the secondmostpopulous state are reluctant to ease mobility restrictions until the rolling average in the twoweek window falls below five. The strategy is working premier Daniel Andrews told reporters at his daily briefing. Its success is pinned ultimately to whether symptomatic people come forward and get tested. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-australia/australias-victoria-state-reaches-lower-infection-milestone-idUKL4N2GY0BI 7th Oct 2020

Continued Lockdown

Daily Mail Coronavirus lockdown triggered a surge in domestic violence across Australia. About 13.2 per cent of women living with partners experienced a form of abuse. Poverty and financial stress often limit women from fleeing violent situations. Experts have warned reduced welfare payments may force women to stay. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8812831/How-virus-lockdowns-triggered-surge-domestic-violence-Australia.html 7th Oct 2020

Continued Lockdown

Stuff.co.nz Family violence reports soared as New Zealand reeled from the news it was going into level 4 lockdown new figures show. On March 24 the day after the announcement 645 reports of family violence were made to police second only to New Years Day typically a peak for family violence incidents. The report draws together data from the Family Court in Auckland police and Oranga Tamariki and shows that while family violence increased the reporting of harm to other agencies went down. Oranga Tamariki nationally saw a 24 per cent decrease in reports of concern during Levels 3 and 4 a similar trend to what is seen during the school holidays. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300126009/covid19-family-violence-spiked-after-news-of-level-4-lockdown-new-data-shows 7th Oct 2020

Continued Lockdown

Scoop.co.nz Shocking data released today reveal the dramatic impact the Covid19 lockdowns had on vulnerable children and families in New Zealand. For the first time statistics from the Family Court in Auckland and the Police and Oranga Tamariki nationwide have been brought together to give a true picture of what happened while the country was in lockdown. The information has been compiled by K3 Legal Director and specialist family law practitioner Toni Brown who has more than 20 years experience working with children and families and wellknown QC Kate Davenport the former president of the NZ Bar Association. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2010/S00134/shocking-impact-of-lockdown-on-vulnerable-children-and-families-revealed.htm 7th Oct 2020

Continued Lockdown

Bloomberg Asias fastgrowing economies for decades have offered millions of young people the chance to do better than their parents a path to upward mobility now at risk as youth unemployment soars in a region home to a majority of the worlds 15 to 24yearolds. These young people just at the start of their working lives are losing jobs at a faster rate than older generations because almost half are clustered in the four economic sectors hurt most by the Covid19 pandemic including wholesale and retail trade manufacturing business services and accommodations and food service. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-06/covid-has-wiped-out-the-economic-dreams-of-an-asian-generation?srnd=wealth&ampsref=xuVirdpv&ampcmpid=socialflow-twitter-businessweek&amputm_content=businessweek&amputm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amputm_medium=social&amputm_source=twitter 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mirror The hotly anticipated University of Oxford vaccine faces knockon delays with its trials. A monthlong pause in the jabs development could mean volunteers who had already been given one shot may not be able to get the planned second. The delay is due to American regulators investigating potential side effects the Times reports. A previous delay on September 6 was triggered by AstraZenaca which is developing the vaccine with Oxford after a trial participant in the UK fell ill. Other people who had received the first shot were due for a second one next week which has now been cancelled. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-blow-trial-22810498 8th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News The worlds richest countries could be back close to normal by late 2021 if a coronavirus vaccine is found Bill Gates has said. But the Microsoft cofounder warned that this is the best case scenario as it still remains uncertain whether any vaccines will work. The 64yearold who in April stepped down from the board of the Redmondbased tech giant he founded in 1975 told The Wall Street Journal there were still some hurdles to clear in the race for a vaccine for COVID19. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-bill-gates-says-richest-countries-could-be-close-to-normal-by-late-next-year-if-vaccine-found-12098229 8th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard Virus experts today warned that a Covid vaccine would not be a universally available oneshot wonder that would swiftly allow millions to return to normal life. Ministers hope the first vaccine will be ready for rollout early next year and will lead the cavalry charge alongside mass testing and improved hospital care to bring the pandemic to heel. But today The Government was warned that overblowing the impact of a vaccine and speed at which it would come into action risked further undermining public trust in its handling of the crisis and the rollout of millions of antiCovid jabs. The Standard was told that it could be 18 months before a vaccine is widely available. An expert said that a vaccine might work for only half the population. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/scientists-warning-coronavirus-vaccine-a4565466.html 8th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Abbott Laboratories on Wednesday released early data from a study on the accuracy of its ID NOW COVID19 test which is used in the White House that could help alleviate concerns the diagnostic frequently fails to detect the virus. Interim data from Abbotts 1003participant study shows that its test which can deliver results in under 15 minutes correctly identified positive COVID19 cases 95 of the time when used within seven days of symptom onset. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-abbott-testing/abbott-says-fast-covid-19-test-correctly-identifies-positive-cases-95-of-the-time-idUKKBN26S1YB 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent A drug company says it has asked the U.S. government to allow emergency use of an experimental antibody therapy based on early results from a study that suggested the drug reduced symptoms the amount of virus hospitalizations and ER visits for patients with mild or moderate COVID19. Eli Lilly and Company announced the partial results Wednesday in a news release they have not yet been published or reviewed by independent scientists. Its drug is similar to one that President Donald Trump received on Friday from Regeneron https://www.independent.co.uk/news/lilly-seeks-emergency-use-its-antibody-drug-covid19-study-symptoms-results-government-covid-b861670.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Further proof that vitamin D could protect people from coronavirus emerged today after another study found adults deficient in the nutrient are more at risk of catching the disease. Seventytwo per cent of NHS workers who were lacking in the sunshine vitamin also tested positive for Covid19 antibodies a sign of previous infection. This compared to just 51 per cent for those who had a sufficient amount. The difference was even greater among those of a Black Asian or ethnic minority who may be more likely to have a deficiency because people with darker skin find it harder to obtain it from the sun. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8814521/amp/Having-vitamin-D-deficiency-make-likely-catch-Covid-19-study-claims.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The New York Times As a buoyant President Trump emerged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center this week appeared on a balcony at the White House and proclaimed on Twitter that the public should have no fear of the coronavirus many Americans saw few parallels between Mr. Trumps experience with the virus and their own. Some Covid19 survivors even those who support Mr. Trump found what they consider his lack of compassion offputting. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/06/us/trump-coronavirus-care-treatment.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

BBC Focus Magazine A new study will map the spread of coronavirus in hospitals in a bid to break the chain of transmission. The clinical trial led by scientists at University College London UCL will evaluate the use of realtime viral genomic data to reduce the spread of COVID19 within hospitals. The findings could help the NHS reduce further transmission by determining if an individual caught the virus from someone else within the same hospital researchers say. Spread of COVID19 infections in hospitals is now recognised to be a major problem for both healthcare workers and patients and breaking the chain of these transmissions is critical said Professor Judith Breuer director of UCLUCLHGOSH biomedical research centres funded pathogen genomics unit and trial lead. https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/covid-19-spread-in-hospitals-to-be-mapped-to-break-the-chain/ 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Sperm production dropped to half its normal levels in male patients study said More than oneinten sperm were also shown to be infected with the virus Covid19 is able to infect the testes as they have ACE2 receptors like the lungs But to do this it must travel in the bloodstream which scientists say is unlikely https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8813795/Covid-19-cause-male-infertility-harming-testicular-cells-produce-sperm-study-claims.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

University of Birmingham Setting up COVID19 free hospital areas for surgical patients could save lives during the second wave of the pandemic reducing the risk of death from lung infections associated with coronavirus a new global study reveals. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2020/10/covid-19-free-hospital-areas.aspx 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Scotsman Mainstream scientific opinion still considers Covid19 to be a major threat to global public health Scotlands national clinical director Jason Leitch has said. https://www.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/jason-leitch-coronavirus-still-considered-major-threat-mainstream-science-2995830 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The BMJ Thousands of medical practitioners and public health scientists have signed a declaration arguing for an alternative public health approach to dealing with covid19. The Great Barrington Declaration1 published on Monday 5 October was drawn up by three epidemiologists and public health experts from Harvard Oxford and Stanford universities who describe their approach as focused protection of the people most at risk. As of Wednesday 7 October almost 6300 medical practitioners and public health scientists from the US the UK and other nations had signed the declaration. The authorsMartin Kulldorff professor of medicine at Harvard Sunetra Gupta professor of theoretical epidemiology at Oxford and Jay Bhattacharya professor of medicine and economics at Stanfordsaid that because older people were 1000 times more likely to die of covid19 than younger people an age stratified approach could allow resources to be focused on older and high risk patients while allowing younger and healthier people to attend school and keep businesses open. https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3908 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Pharmaceutical Technology France struggled to control the surge of new cases during the first wave of Covid19 resulting in a high rate of fatalities from cases. There was no meaningful testing capacity and it was offered only for serious cases. The country was placed under one of the harshest lockdowns in Europe in an attempt to flatten the curve. Similar to other countries in Europe Frances Covid19 daily confirmed cases started to decline in May and the country seemed to have regained control of the situation. France was also able to ramp up the testing capacity and it was available for a wider population in the community. However the daily confirmed cases have started increasing again giving rise to the concern that France is experiencing a second wave of Covid19. This increase in cases cannot be fully explained by increase in testing capacity as the percentage of cases tested positive continues to rise steadily. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/comment/france-covid-19-resurgence/ 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News The risk of coronavirus spreading on public transport has remained substantially low through the pandemic several international studies have shown. Safety measures imposed on public transport around the world since COVID19 hit have made them the safest places on earth Dr Julian Tang a professor of respiratory sciences at Leicester University told Sky News. He said if people took the same precautions in other highrisk areas such as crowded streets and pubs the number of cases would reduce there. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-why-public-transport-could-be-safer-than-we-thought-12091657 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

RACGP The University of Sydneyled research published by the Medical Journal of Australia MJA is based on modelling that used the UKs COVID19 response as a template. Led by Dr Fiona Stanaway a clinical epidemiologist at the University of Sydney researchers used data on allcause mortality from England and Wales over the peak of the COVID19 outbreak from March to May to directly estimate the number of excess deaths that may have occurred if the outbreak in Australia had been of a similar extent. This resulted in an estimated additional 16313 deaths in Australia 9295 men and 7018 women Dr Stanaway and her colleagues wrote. https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/australia-s-covid-19-response-may-have-saved-more 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

YAHOO! With COVID19 rates in England continuing to rise a government adviser is pushing for a second national lockdown to bring them under control. Professor John Edmunds who sits on the scientific advisory group for emergencies Sage said local measures such as those introduced in some northern cities last week had failed. As a result Edmunds said more stringent lockdown restrictions are now needed to bring the pandemic under control. Speaking on the day it was revealed that the UKwide sevenday COVID19 rate had increased to 125.7 cases per 100000 people from 63.8 a week ago Edmunds told the BBCs Newsnight We need to take much more stringent measures not just in the north of England we need to do it countrywide and bring the epidemic back under control. https://news.yahoo.com/national-lockdown-john-edmunds-sage-084726273.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

New York Times President Trump spent three days in the hospital. He arrived and left by helicopter. And he received multiple coronavirus tests oxygen steroids and an experimental antibody treatment. For someone who isnt president that would cost more than 100000 in the American health system. Patients could face significant surprise bills and medical debt even after health insurance paid its share. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/upshot/trump-hospital-costs-coronavirus.html?smid=tw-nytimes&ampsmtyp=cur 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent Recruiting black volunteers for vaccine trials during a period of severe mistrust of the federal government and heightened awareness of racial injustice is a formidable task. So far only about 3 per cent of the people who have signed up nationally are black. Yet never has their inclusion in a medical study been more urgent. The economic and health effects of the coronavirus are falling disproportionately hard on communities of colour. It is essential public health experts say that research reflect diverse participation not only as a matter of social justice and sound practice but when the vaccine becomes available to help persuade black Latino and Native American people to actually get it. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-vaccine-trial-black-americans-healthcare-government-distrust-b857335.html?utm_content=Echobox&amputm_medium=Social&amputm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1602078197 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Al Arabiya A Chinese experimental coronavirus vaccine being developed by the Institute of Medical Biology under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was shown to be safe in an early stage clinical trial researchers said. In a Phase 1 trial of 191 healthy participants aged between 18 and 59 vaccination with the groups experimental shot showed no severe adverse reactions its researchers said in a paper posted on medRxiv preprint server ahead of peer review. https://english.alarabiya.net/en/coronavirus/2020/10/07/Coronavirus-China-s-experimental-COVID-19-vaccine-appears-safe-study-shows 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Washington Post Theres a way for the White House to prove exactly how the outbreak traveled among its ranks through genebased contact tracing. But it doesnt appear interested in doing so even as the circle of President Trumps associates infected with the virus expands by the hour.The Trump administration could if it chose search samples taken from dozens of White House staff members and visitors for tiny genetic variants. Because the virus undergoes slight changes as it moves from person to person its possible to map where it has moved by looking for similarities in mutations. White House spokesman Judd Deere said tracing has been done for people who had contact with Trump. But its the kind recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which involves merely tracking people who were nearby those known to be infected. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/10/07/health-202-genetic-tracing-could-show-how-coronavirus-spread-through-white-house/?utm_medium=social&amputm_source=twitter&amputm_campaign=wp_main 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

India TV Researchers have demonstrated that RNA terminated by hepatitisC drug Sofosbuvir may be more effective against the Covid19 virus. The results published in the journal Scientific Reports support the use of the USFDAapproved hepatitisC drug EPCLUSA SofosbuvirVelpatasvir in combination with other antiviral drugs in Covid19 clinical trials. The SARSCoV2 exonucleasebased proof reader maintains the accuracy of viral RNA genome replication to sustain virulence. Any effective antiviral targeting the SARSCoV2 polymerase must therefore display a certain level of resistance to this proof reading activity according to the researchers https://www.indiatvnews.com/science/sofosbuvir-hepatitis-c-drug-in-combination-with-other-antivirals-safe-for-coronavirus-655166 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Forbes To help treat the effects of Covid19 President Donald Trump has reportedly received dexamethasone. Corticosteroids can have significant side effects including mood behavioral and cognitive effects. The rationale for dexamethasone as a possible treatment for Covid19 is that the virus can trigger inflammation and an uncontrolled immune response from your body. The strongest evidence for dexamethasones use for Covid19 comes from RECOVERY an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/10/07/dexamethasone-here-are-the-side-effects-of-the-covid-19-coronavirus-treatment-that-trump-received/#6d77b89511f0 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News The worlds richest countries could be back close to normal by late 2021 if a coronavirus vaccine is found Bill Gates has said. But the Microsoft cofounder warned that this is the best case scenario as it still remains uncertain whether any vaccines will work. The head of the World Health Organisation WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday a vaccine may be ready by the end of the year earlier than suggested by the UKs chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-bill-gates-says-richest-countries-could-be-close-to-normal-by-late-next-year-if-vaccine-found-12098229 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard The Governments vaccines advisory panel last week set out a priority list of who should be first in line for the Covid vaccine. This sets 11 categories with top priority given to care home residents and staff. Those under 50 without known health problems come last. The guidance makes clear the pecking order could change if the first available vaccines were not considered suitable for or effective in older adults. Q Will the vaccines work in everybody Probably not. However according to Dr Nuria MartinezAlier a consultant in childrens infectious disease and immunology at Guys and St Thomas NHS trust the efficacy of any vaccine or how well it works should be at least 50 per cent before it is rolled out. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-vaccine-date-priority-qa-a4565396.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Motley Fool Vaxart is gearing up for a potential rollout of its experimental COVID19 vaccine. The clinicalstage biotechnology company is expanding its partnership with Kindred Biosciences to manufacture its oral vaccine candidate for the novel coronavirus. Under the terms of the deal Kindreds plants will produce bioreactors for Vaxarts clinical trials. https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/10/07/vaxart-ramps-up-coronavirus-vaccine-production/ 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The New York Times Dr. Moncef Slaoui is the chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed and arguably the most powerful force in the mission to vaccinate America from the coronavirus. The scientist a 30year pharmaceutical industry veteran and registered Democrat says he doesnt want to get into the politics even though everything about the United States coronavirus response from maskwearing to President Trumps illness seems to have been politicized. Dr. Slaoui says hes an adviser with significant influence not a decision maker. And while he makes no guarantee about vaccine timelines he does stand by a commitment to quit if politics interferes with science saying I can guarantee that I will say what I think and I am saying what I think. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/05/opinion/sway-kara-swisher-moncef-slaoui.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

YAHOO! People will have to learn to live with coronavirus because a pandemicending vaccine is quite a way away the first minister of Wales has warned. As the world races to come up with a vaccine to stop the pandemic Mark Drakeford said the public will have to live with restrictions for quite a while yet and suggested the first immunisations may only protect a person for a matter of weeks. He made his comments during a Welsh government online QA session with members of the public on Tuesday. Drakeford said The early vaccines will be vaccines that will give you some protection for a relatively short period of time. Months sometimes maybe weeks and then youll have to have it again. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-vaccine-when-available-103207718.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Wales Online A small number of vaccines could be available for the most vulnerable in Wales by March according to the Welsh Governments top health official. Wales chief medical officer CMO Dr Frank Atherton has said there is hope for a vaccine coming in by March 2021. I want to say a few words about the ongoing search for a vaccine he told the Welsh Governments press conference today. There are a number of promising candidates which are rapidly progressing through research trials but we are still some way off having a vaccination against this virus ready to be rolled out throughout the population. Small quantities of a vaccine could be available for those at the highest risk within the next six months if trials continue to progress well. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/coronavirus-covid-vaccine-vaccination-atherton-19064613 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Independent Australia considered a rollout of a coronavirus vaccine no sooner than mid2021 a bestcase scenario in its pandemic planning that would save the economy tens of billions of dollars the treasurer said on Wednesday. The Treasury and Health Departments developed economic modelling based on an assumption that a vaccine would be widely available in Australia toward the end of next year Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said. These are very uncertain times and as a government we have taken every step possible to give Australia the best possible chance of getting a vaccine Frydenberg told the National Press Club. Treasury modelling doesnt contemplate a vaccine becoming available in Australia early next year. An early vaccine is regarded as one that is rolled out from July 1 providing certainty to households and businesses while promoting consumption and investment. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/coronavirus-australia-vaccine-covid-cases-deaths-treasurer-b855728.html 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Record Experts are seeking healthy Scots to participate in vaccine trials as the search for a coronavirus cure continues. The Oxford Covid19 Vaccine Trial is looking for Scots in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Edinburgh and Lothian health board areas to take part. Volunteers will be split into two groups one will be vaccinated with ChAdOx1 nCoV19 and the other will be given a dose of Men ACWY. Patients will be asked to visit between six and 12 times over a course of 12 to 15 months as part of the trial. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/experts-seeking-healthy-scots-trial-22808656 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Indias drug regulator has knocked back a proposal from Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd to conduct a large study in the country to evaluate Russias SputnikV COVID19 vaccine and has asked it to first test the vaccine in a smaller trial. The recommendations here by an expert panel of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO noted that safety and immunogenicity data from earlystage studies being conducted overseas is small with no inputs available on Indian participants. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-russia-india/india-declines-proposal-to-test-sputnik-v-covid-19-vaccine-in-large-study-idUKL4N2GY329 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

News Medical A researcher in Penn States College of Agricultural Sciences is part of a team of scientists working to develop a unique COVID19 vaccine that uses a bovine adenovirus as a safe and effective delivery vehicle. With support from a nearly 3.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health the team aims to create a vaccine that will protect all segments of the population especially older adults. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201007/Researchers-hope-to-develop-an-effective-COVID-19-vaccine-using-bovine-adenovirus.aspx 7th Oct 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

NBC News Argentina has the worlds highest rate of positive COVID19 tests according to Oxfordlinked tracker Our World In Data with nearly six out of 10 yielding an infection a reflection of low testing levels and loose enforcement of lockdown rules. Argentina hit 809728 confirmed cases on Monday with an sevenday rolling average of around 12500 new daily infections. The country which started strongly against the virus passed 20000 fatalities last week. Medical professionals said lowlevels of testing and lax restrictions had propelled the high positive rate that climbed from around 40 in August to just shy of 60 in the last week a Reuters calculation using health ministry data shows. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/argentina-has-world-s-highest-covid-19-positive-rate-n1242262 6th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Evening Standard Boris Johnson today flatly rejected the idea of letting Covid19 sweep through Britain while protecting the vulnerable. Downing Street made clear that such a policy advocated by a group of academics scientists and medics could lead to young people infecting older generations who are at greater risk of being killed by coronavirus. No10 said the idea being promoted under the banner of the Great Barrington Declaration was based on an unproven assumption that it was possible to stop the virus being passed between generations to more vulnerable people. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-rejects-coronavirus-sweep-uk-protecting-vulnerable-a4565656.html 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters New coronavirus infections in the Czech Republic reached a daily record of 4457 on Tuesday the health ministry said as separate data showed the country now has the highest number of cases per 100000 in Europe surpassing Spain. Data published by the health ministry on Wednesday showed the rise in new cases during the previous 24 hours had exceeded the previous oneday record of 3794 to bring the total number of cases in the country since March to 90022. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-czech/czech-covid-19-cases-rising-at-fastest-rate-in-europe-idUKKBN26S0KL 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Coronavirus cases are compared to two weeks ago due to a serious counting error at Public Health England. Officials failed to announce the correct number of new cases meaning 16000 were missed last week. Although figures are heading in the wrong direction they are a farcry from the height of the pandemic https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8814997/Britain-records-59-Covid-19-deaths-early-count.html 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Italy is considering making the use of masks outdoors mandatory nationwide to fight the coronavirus. Infections in Italy the first European country to be hit by the virus have risen steadily over the past two months. The regions of Lazio around Rome and Campania around Naples have already made mask wearing mandatory outside. And authorities are working on a proposal to make it a compulsary rule nationwide Health Minister Roberto Speranza told the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8812907/Italy-expected-make-mask-wearing-compulsory-OUTDOORS.html 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNBC Major European economies are warning of worse growth rates to come downgrading already dire forecasts on the back of a second wave of coronavirus infections sweeping through the continent. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/07/coronavirus-in-europe-major-economies-predict-more-dire-growth-to-come.html 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail 143 cases per million people on October 5 in UK compared to US rate of 130 First time Britain recorded more infections per capita than the US since March US is still recording almost three times the raw number of infections as the UK https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8814349/Britain-recording-Covid-19-cases-capita-day-US.html 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Times of India Resurgence in Covid19 cases is the main headwind for the gl obal economy and in India the steady rise in coronavirus caseloads will have an adverse impact on the countrys economic growth says a report. According to Dun Bradstreets Country Risk and theGlobal Outlook Report the pandemic will induce long term structural changes in the global economy https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/steady-rise-in-covid-cases-spillover-effects-of-lockdown-to-hit-economic-growth-report/articleshow/78536325.cms 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Straits Times Malaysias Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that he expects a rise in the number of Covid19 cases in the country in the short term as a record 691 new cases were reported on Tuesday Oct 6. It was the second consecutive day of a record high number after 432 cases were confirmed on Monday. Four new deaths were reported on Tuesday including that of a oneyearold the countrys first child fatality. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-reports-691-new-covid-19-cases-record-high-for-second-consecutive-day 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Poland said it would enforce restrictions more strictly as it reported a daily record of 58 coronavirusrelated deaths on Tuesday as well as sharp increases in the number of ventilators and hospital beds being used by COVID19 patients. The country reported 2236 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday close to Saturdays record of 2367. Poland which has a population of 38 million has reported 104316 cases overall and 2717 deaths much lower than many other European countries. Only those with a medical certificate from a doctor can choose not to wear a mask where it is mandatory ... any person who doesnt wear a mask and doesnt have a certificate will face the harshest of punishments Health Minister Adam Niedzielski told a news conference. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-poland/poland-reports-new-record-of-daily-coronavirus-related-deaths-idUSKBN26R1E7 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters UK Germanys capital decided on Tuesday to impose a latenight curfew on restaurants and bars to contain surging numbers of new coronavirus cases in Berlin. City mayor Michael Mueller a Social Democrat said experts had pointed to two problem areas that had to be addressed large groups of people who were not sticking to social distancing rules and gatherings in closed rooms. The advice showed we have to act quickly Mueller told reporters adding action was needed to avoid a full lockdown in the German capital famous for its club scene which has already come to a standstill due to corona restrictions. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-germany-berlin/party-city-berlin-slaps-corona-curfew-on-bars-restaurants-idUKKBN26R37Q?il=0 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Sky News Three of the UKs biggest universities have moved to online teaching due to coronavirus outbreaks. More than 1000 students have tested positive for COVID19 at the University of Manchester UM since the autumn term started last month. The university has now joined with Manchester Metropolitan University MMU and the University of Sheffield in announcing a move to online learning to protect the health of students and staff. It comes amid renewed calls for all universities to halt facetoface teaching and for the government to stop pretending campuses are able to control the spread of the virus. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-three-universities-move-to-online-teaching-amid-rising-cases-12098108?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The number of new coronavirus infections rose by 1077 in a day data here from Switzerlands public health agency showed on Wednesday the first daily increase of more than 1000 since early April. The agency reported a total of 57709 confirmed cases up from 56632 on Tuesday. The death toll rose by two to 1789. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-swiss-cases-idUSKBN26S1NB?taid=5f7dc7c87a8d1200013b7e9a&amputm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amputm_medium=trueAnthem&amputm_source=twitter 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Deutsche Welle Germany set a new postpeak record for new daily coronavirus cases on Wednesday with 2828 new cases. The number of people requiring treatment in intensive care and on ventilators also increased. In late March and early April Germany was counting more than 6000 new cases per day before they decreased. However numbers began to slowly rise again since July. Lockdown rules have been gradually lifted since May but the capital of Berlinannounced a partial curfew on Tuesday. https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-digest-germany-sees-new-spike-in-daily-cases/a-55182001 7th Oct 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Irish Examiner The rise in coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes is of significant concern and correlates with rising infection rates in the community Nursing Homes Ireland NHI has warned. NHI Chief Executive Tadgh Daly said there is growing concern among nursing home operators over the recent rise in new Covid19 outbreaks following weeks where the number was tapering off. At the end of August there were 38 active outbreaks in nursing homes but this number fell to 26 by the end of September. By October 3 the number of active outbreaks in nursing homes had increased to 31 as highlighted by the National Public Health Emergency Team Nphet when it recommended moving to Level 5 restrictions. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40061087.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&amputm_medium=twitter 7th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

BBC New lockdown restrictions will be announced on Wednesday the first minister has said. It is possible this could be in the form of a circuitbreaker lockdown for a relatively short period. Nicola Sturgeon says it wont be the same as the lockdown introduced in March so what might it look like https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-54432006 7th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Euro Weekly News SAGE experts say tighter lockdown inevitable as coronavirus rates continue to soar in the UK. The governments scientific advisors have warned that much tighter national lockdown rules are looming. Boris Johnson now faces an agonising choice over whether to bring in new restrictions for swathes of northern England or even the whole country. The governments advisors raised the alarm after the UKs infection rate almost doubled in a week. There are now 125.7 cases per 100000 people across the UK with 14542 positive results confirmed yesterday up more than 2000 on the day before. https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/10/07/uk-governments-scientific-advisors-warn-of-looming-national-lockdown/ 7th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Daily Mail Brussels cafes and bars will be closed and drinking alcohol in public banned. The latest round of measures will be in place until November 8 then reassessed. Belgium recorded an average of 2500 new COVID19 cases per day in past week This represents a 57 per cent increase on the previous seven day period. Paris enforced similar measures yesterday Madrid entered lockdown on Friday https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8814423/Brussels-closes-caf-s-bars-new-virus-lockdown.html 7th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

The Times Surging coronavirus infection rates have put Britain on the brink of tougher lockdown measures overshadowing Boris Johnsons attempt yesterday to focus on life after the pandemic. The governments scientific advisers called for urgent and drastic action after cases doubled in 11 days to 14542 and deaths doubled to 76 in the same period. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/soaring-coronavirus-rate-leaves-britain-on-lockdown-alert-3pp3p5kkz?shareToken=0043a482b5503de320da37f318602f15 7th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

Business Insider Boris Johnsons scientific advisers have urged him to introduce tighter lockdown measures as coronavirus cases surge across much of the country. The UKwide infection rate rose from 63.8 a week ago to 125.7 as of Tuesday meaning cases are now doubling every seven days. The prime minister appears to be resisting calls for a national lockdown. Professor John Edmunds a scientific adviser to the government said Boris Johnson should introduce further national restrictions to replace the patchwork of local measures currently in place across the UK. Professor Stephen Reicher another scientific adviser to the government said the prime minister should take action now to avoid a Marchstyle lockdown by the end of October. https://www.businessinsider.com/england-faces-new-lockdown-as-coronavirus-cases-surge-2020-10 7th Oct 2020

New Lockdown

India.com As the virus cases kept going down many countries started with the unlocking process. But many countries are now back to imposing lockdown measures to counter the spread of virus which is threatening to plague the world yet again. https://www.india.com/news/world/second-wave-of-virus-as-covid-threatens-to-plague-world-again-many-countries-go-back-to-imposing-lockdown-check-here-4165492/ 7th Oct 2020