26th Jun 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=39 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Texas reported an alltime daily high of 5489 new Covid19 cases on Tuesday weeks after the state became one of the earliest in the US to ease its coronavirus lockdown measures. The significant increase in cases has left hospitals in Houston near capacity with some adult ICU patients treated at Texas Childrens hospital https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2020/jun/25/texas-covid-19-cases-soar-weeks-after-state-lifts-lockdown-restrictions-video 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

HuffPost UK Our COVID19 numbers are moving in the wrong direction Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote on Twitter. He told the city council Wednesday that Houstons intensivecare units were at 97 capacity with more than onequarter of patients infected with the coronavirus. Several states have considered imposing orders mandating that people wear masks outside. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee D did so this week saying the move was about saving lives and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper D followed suit delaying reopening measures for at least three weeks. The governors of New York New Jersey and Connecticut went a step further announcing a travel advisory for visitors from a handful of states that have significant community spread. Those travelers will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the tristate area. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-cases-peak-again_n_5ef3d5eac5b615e5cd38ace5 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Telegraph Health systems will be pushed to the brink if new outbreaks are not controlled https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/europe-sees-rise-number-covid-19-cases-first-time-months-warns/ 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Economist On june 23rd Boris Johnson declared an end to our great national hibernation. Pubs restaurants hotels heritage sites and hairdressers would be able to reopen from July 4th he announced albeit with dividing screens lots of protective kit and doors wedged open to reduce touchpoints. Two households would be able to meet indoors so long as they kept at a safe distance once there. Weddings would be allowed too so long as the guest list did not extend beyond 30 people. And the twometre rule would become the onemetreplus rule with people encouraged to cover their faces but allowed to get closer than they have in months https://www.economist.com/britain/2020/06/27/england-leaves-lockdown 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

City A.M. A further 149 coronavirus deaths have occurred in the UK the Department for Health and Social Care announced today. The new toll takes the total number of Covid19 deaths in Britain to 43081. The figure takes into account people who have died in hospitals care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm yesterday. It does not include all deaths involving coronavirus in the UK which are thought to have exceeded 54000. https://www.cityam.com/uk-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-by-149-as-lockdown-lifting-looms-ahead/ 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Wall Street Journal After lockdowns Europeans are cautiously optimistic that any second wave wont be as bad as the first. When the coronavirus first hit Europe the continent was illequipped to detect or contain it. Now many governments and health experts believe so much has changed that a crisis on the scale of this springs probably wont be repeated. More than a month since Europe began lifting its lockdowns new coronavirus infections are continuing to decline in most countries despite concern about some new clusters including among meatprocessing workers in Germany. https://www.wsj.com/articles/once-the-center-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-europe-now-looks-ahead-with-hope-11593095341 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Independent Europe has reported an increase in weekly coronavirus cases for the first time in months according to the World Health Organisation WHO. Hans Kluge the regional director of the WHO in Europe said the continent continues to report nearly 20 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/coronavirus-europe-cases-deaths-increase-latest-a9585406.html 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian In this first round of the Covid19 pandemic two countries vie for the gruesome title of having suffered the most deadly consequences Britain and Spain. Between them they currently share 107000 dead measured in terms of excess mortality. The comparisons end there. Spain had Europes strictest coronavirus lockdown with children housebound for weeks and army patrols to enforce it. That has produced a dramatic tailoff. Spains mortality rate returned to normal on 10 May after exactly two months of excess deaths compared with the same period over the previous five years. Britain continues to register excess deaths and in the downward race to be the worst has edged ahead. This is not just a matter of contrasting British failure with Spanish success. For as Spain opens its frontiers it threatens to become something else a clash of Covid19 cultures in which Spaniards can only lose. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/25/spain-coronavirus-british-tourists-tourism-covid-19 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

Medical Xpress French authorities have closed two schools in Paris as a precautionary measure after the discovery of coronavirus cases but they have not been classed as potentially dangerous clusters authorities said Wednesday. France unlike some other European countries which have taken a much more cautious approach on Monday resumed obligatory schooling for all pupils after the coronavirus shutdown. Some schools had already been open at least partially for several weeks after the initial easing of the lockdown. But a school in the 12th district of Paris with 180 pupils has been closed until the end of the week after three cases were discovered the local health authority told AFP. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-france-paris-schools-precaution-coronavirus.html 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

CNN To preserve the ambience Jgo was forced to rethink the layout of the restaurant hes helmed over the last 17 years. He quickly came up with a concept that takes the bistro back to its original roots when it sold coffee wine and sandwiches alongside newspapers and produce to the neighborhood locals nearly a century ago. The reinvented restaurant now features a small garden market in the front window that sells local produce cherries heirloom carrots and tomatoes along with housemade pat and terrines. To draw in the after work and apro crowd bar stools high tables and a tapas bar have been set up at the front of the bistro while a separate space inside sells a selection of the chefs favorite wines. In a bid to make Chez LAmi Jean more accessible only a few reservations will be accepted at a time according to the chef. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/what-its-like-to-visit-paris-now/index.html 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

YAHOO! Tourists and Parisians ready for a workout gathered at the Eiffel Tower on Thursday as the iron monument reopened after its longest closure since World War II a highly symbolic move as France emerges from its coronavirus lockdown. Journalists from around the world outnumbered about 50 people mainly French who began the steep climb by stairs to the first two levels as elevators and the top observation deck will remain closed because of social distancing concerns. Im tearing up but theyre tears of joy. Its an emotional moment after these difficult months said Therese visiting from the southern French city of Perpignan. https://sports.yahoo.com/tears-joy-eiffel-tower-opens-104-day-virus-093705861.html 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

CBS Sports For the first time since March professional tennis is returning to Australia. Competitors will play for prize money in a UTR pro series starting this weekend in Sydney. The series which will involve local competition for Australiabased men and women according to the Associated Press is set to probably run through August. Former U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur is going going to take part in it while topranked Ash Barty is opting out to focus on practicing instead. In Australia players have returned to practice at the national tennis academy and community tennis has returned in recent weeks. Those participating must adhere to social distancing guidelines but the moves have made way for tennis to return not just in the aforementioned Sydney but also in other hub cities across the country. https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/professional-tennis-set-to-return-to-australia-following-lockdown/ 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian Some Kiwis find a harsh homecoming amid concern about importing coronavirus after months of lockdown sacrifice by team of 5 million https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/25/stay-away-from-us-hostile-response-for-new-zealanders-returning-home-to-covid-lifeboat 25th Jun 2020

Lockdown Exit

The Guardian The Trump administration sent almost 1.4bn in coronavirus stimulus payments to dead people according to its own watchdogs report. In the report released on Thursday the US Government Accountability Office USGAO said almost 1.1 million dead people received payments of about 1200 each as of 30 April. The payments were part of about 3tn in economic relief approved by Congress in March and April. The need for help remains on Thursday it was revealed that another 1.48 million Americans filed for unemployment assistance last week bringing the total since the pandemic began to about 47 million. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/25/us-trump-administration-stimulus-payments-dead-people 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian Latin America has become the new centre of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic but two small countries Uruguay and Paraguay have bucked the regional trend and can claim a near total victory against the virus. Though they are strangely dissimilar Uruguay is a progressive enclave with the lowest poverty index in Latin America while Paraguay has poverty estimates of 3050 and is rife with corruption both nations have kept their coronavirus death rates surprisingly low. There have been just 13 deaths in Paraguay and only 25 in Uruguay so far despite the porous land borders both countries share with Brazil where the pandemic has claimed more than 50000 lives. Free of the endemic corruption and political strife that has plagued most other Latin American nations in recent decades Uruguay in March switched painlessly from 15 years of centreleft administration to the centreright administration of its new president Luis Lacalle Pou who has maintained the social advances of the previous administration. Uruguayans can point to their long history of progressive social policies including extensive public health coverage and almost 100 access to running water as a key factor in containing the virus. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/25/uruguay-and-paraguay-buck-latin-america-coronavirus-trend 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

CNBC Despite successfully containing its COVID19 outbreak Vietnam has no plans to open up to international tourists yet over fears that doing so could lead to a second wave of infections the Southeast Asian countrys prime minister said on Wednesday. Thanks to an aggressive targeted testing programme and a centralised quarantine system Vietnam has contained infections numbers to a relatively low 352 cases most imported. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2020/06/25/virus-free-vietnam-not-ready-to-open-doors-to-foreign-tourists-yet---pm#cxrecs_s 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Financial Times The US has suffered its biggest daily increase in new coronavirus cases since the start of the Covid19 pandemic prompting state governments and businesses to put the brakes on an easing of lockdown measures. Texas California and Florida reported record increases in confirmed infections on Wednesday lifting the nationwide tally by 38672 and bringing it close to 2.4m according to the Covid Tracking Project. The sudden rise prompted the governors of New York New Jersey and Connecticut states once at the heart of the US pandemic to impose a twoweek quarantine on visitors from states with elevated infection rates. https://www.ft.com/content/e3a23551-14a6-44cf-849b-11dd1f74020f 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Business News Wales Earlier this week the Prime Minister made a raft of announcements related to easing coronavirus restrictions in England. This included relaxing the 2 metre rule to 1 metre plus and announcing that hospitality tourism and some other businesses can reopen on 4th July alongside some other changes. Whilst the Prime Ministers announcement relates singularly to England it does raise questions about how we ease out of lockdown around the UK including here in Wales. This news will be welcomed by many businesses across the border and there will be inevitable pressure on Welsh Government to review how we can reopen more of Wales in a way that keeps Welsh businesses competitive with their English counterparts as well as ensures the safety of employees customers and business owners themselves. https://businessnewswales.com/easing-lockdown-in-england-raises-questions-for-welsh-government/ 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The Guardian As multiple lockdown measures are eased on 4 July England will enter uncanny valley territory life almost as we know it but with notable exceptions. Weddings can go ahead at religious venues but with a cap of 30 participants and no singing. Two households can meet indoors but must make an effort to stay physically distanced. Hugs will have to wait for now. Playgrounds and pubs can open but casinos and swimming pools will remain shut. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/24/life-almost-as-we-know-it-englands-lockdown-changes-on-4-july 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Irish Independent People deemed most vulnerable to Covid19 received shielding letters outlining restrictions which while protecting them from the coronavirus meant a more challenging lockdown. We spoke to two of them https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2020/06/25/news/new-shielding-advice-gives-vulnerable-people-hope-but-the-lockdown-has-been-hard--1982173/ 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters As the architect of Swedens unorthodox response to the coronavirus pandemic Anders Tegnell has got used to receiving death threats and being urged to resign. But he says he has no plans to step down or step back and remains convinced that over time the antilockdown strategy that has seen his country break ranks with much of the world will prove its worth. I think a number of countries should have thought twice before taking the very drastic measure of a lockdown he told Reuters in an interview. Thats whats experimental not the Swedish model. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-sweden-tegnell/loved-and-loathed-swedens-anti-lockdown-architect-is-unrepentant-idUKKBN23W235 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Business Insider India Turkey has witnessed an increase in the daily number of infections after the government authorised cafes restaurants gyms parks beaches and museums to reopen and eased stayathome orders for the elderly and young at the start of June. https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/turkey-not-considering-lockdowns-despite-rise-in-covid-19-cases/articleshow/76604933.cms 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK Spain is set to extend until Sept. 30 national furlough schemes aimed at mitigating the effect of the coronavirus lockdown under a government agreement with labour unions and the main employers association the labour ministry said on Thursday. Hardhit sectors like hospitality will receive the most support though other industries not yet able to return to normal activity will also be included. Originally due to expire on June 30 the current system of public aid known as known as ERTEs had been linked to Spains state of emergency which ended on June 21. Measures to protect workers and businesses will be adapted to the current context in order to continue supporting the most affected sectors the ministry said. The extension will be approved at a cabinet meeting on Friday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-spain-furlough/spain-to-extend-furlough-schemes-by-three-months-until-sept-30-idUKKBN23W27K 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Daily Mail Boris Johnson will give the green light to foreign holidays next Monday when the Government unveils its longawaited travel corridor plan. Ministers will say Britons can visit any one of around ten countries without having to quarantine reviving summer holidays after almost four months of travel restrictions. Air bridges to France Spain Italy Greece and Turkey have been all but confirmed sources disclosed with the first flights set to take off on July 4. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8457279/Britons-holiday-France-Spain-Italy-WEEK.html 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The New York Times More than two months after the United States recorded its worst day of new infections since the start of the coronavirus pandemic the nation reached another grim milestone on Wednesday as it reported 36880 new cases. The number of infections indicated that the country was not only failing to contain the coronavirus but also that the caseload was worsening a path at odds with many other nations that have seen steady declines after an earlier peak. Cases in the United States had been on a downward trajectory after the previous high of 36739 cases on April 24 but they have roared back in recent weeks. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/world/coronavirus-updates.html 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Daily Mail Try to imagine a world without your local theatre Christmas without panto for the children or trips to Londons West End. This joyless prospect came a step closer this week as the Prime Minister announced an easing of the lockdown that offered nothing to Britains oncebooming performing arts sector. The irony is that as thousands of workers face redundancy the Government is allowing theatres to reopen from July 4 providing it is not for the performance of live theatre At the Theatre Royal Plymouth one of Britains most successful regional theatres we have had to let go of our freelancers and this week we started consulting on laying off 110 people Onethird of our fulltime staff. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-8457285/This-easing-lockdown-offers-Britains-performing-arts-sector-writes-ADRIAN-VINKEN.html 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

The Star Online About 100 businesspeople per day from Japan the largest foreign investor in Thailand will be among the first foreigners allowed back into the country as the lockdown eases. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam made the announcement on Wednesday June 24 after talks with Japan External Trade Organisation Jetro president Atsushi Taketani. The number of hotels acting as alternatives to state quarantine accommodation will also be increased Wissanu added. The deputy PM said he was collaborating with the Foreign Ministry and related agencies to help foreign business operators in Thailand. Resolutions made would be proposed to the Centre for Covid19 Situation Administration CCSA he added. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/06/25/japan-business-travellers-first-foreigners-to-be-allowed-back-in-thailand 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Stuff.co.nz Queues at some testing centres have grown longer than during lockdown as people seek to be checked following news of new cases at the border. But the Ministry of Health on Thursday changed the rules for people seeking Covid19 tests. The suspect case definition has been removed meaning greater priority will be given to those considered to have a higher risk of having the virus. The ministry denied the change would make it more difficult for others to get a test saying instead that it allows those at higher risk to be managed better. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121926274/coronavirus-as-queues-grow--covid19-testing-priorities-change 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Anyone visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris when it reopens on Thursday will have to take the stairs all 674 of them because Frances iconic monument is keeping the lifts shut. After months of lockdown many Europeans are dreaming of a summer holiday but vacations will look a bit different this year breakfast buffets guided tours and club nights may well be out masks and temperature checks are definitely in. Tourist attractions from Romes Colosseum to Amsterdams Hermitage museum have introduced a slew of measures to minimise the risk of a new outbreak of coronavirus which has killed about 170000 people in western Europe. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-coronavirus-tourism-cities-trf/masks-and-bleach-europes-cities-gear-up-for-post-lockdown-tourism-idUSKBN23W0LD 25th Jun 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters UK Zaker Hussain Zaheri was a cook in Afghanistans capital who lost his job in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now he digs trenches to capture rainwater and snowmelt on a mountain on the outskirts of Kabul as the city grapples with both a water and health crisis. Lockdown measures to curb the spread of the disease have taken their toll on Afghanistans economy so the government is employing more than 40000 jobless workers to rehabilitate groundwater supplies for its fastgrowing capital. This is a tough job but I have to do it to earn enough for food and I have pride that I take part in the reconstruction of my country this is good for the future of our country Zaheri 28 said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-afghanistan-climate-c/afghanistan-uses-green-stimulus-to-hire-lockdown-jobless-boost-kabuls-water-supply-idUKL4N2E2128 25th Jun 2020

Partisan Exits

YAHOO! The UK has been badly hit by coronavirus and even Government insiders acknowledge it had been too slow to lock down Tony Blair said. The former prime minister said he sympathised with the challenge facing Boris Johnson as he decided how to respond at a time when there was a lot of uncertainty about the virus. But he said he would be less sympathetic if mistakes were made in the way the lockdown was eased. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tony-blair-uk-too-slow-152555556.html 25th Jun 2020

Partisan Exits

Voice of America Considering Johnsons announcement Tuesday that much of Britain would reopen effective July 4 Starmer said local leaders across the country do not have the proper guidance or powers to implement lockdowns should there be a spike in coronavirus cases. He asked Johnson to define what a local lockdown might look like and what guidance those leaders might expect to receive. Johnson dismissed Starmers criticism saying the government had a very effective clusterbusting operation in place and local governments understand how it works. Speaking about the National Health Services trackandtrace app Starmer said 33000 people are estimated to have COVID19 in England but only 10000 people with the virus were reached by contact tracers. The opposition leader noted This is a big gap and warned that if the app isnt running we cant open the economy. Johnson said the Labor leader was giving a false impression of what the NHS app is doing and said that it is a formidable achievement. He said no country currently has a functioning trackandtrace app. Starmer noted Germanys app which reports say has been downloaded 10 million times. Italy Singapore and South Korea also have tracing apps in use. https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/johnson-answers-questions-about-lockdowns-test-track-app 25th Jun 2020

Partisan Exits

Reuters UK British Prime Minister Boris Johnson dismissed criticism on Wednesday of his governments plans to implement local lockdowns if there are flareups of the novel coronavirus and of an app to trace the spread of the virus. At prime ministers questions in parliament the opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer suggested both systems were not yet ready before England eases its coronavirus lockdown from July 4. In response Johnson said We have a very effective clusterbusting operation which is designed to ensure that we keep those outbreaks under control. I am not going to pretend ... that this thing is beaten or that the virus has gone away ... We have to remain vigilant and local councils will be supported in doing their vital work in implementing local lockdowns he added challenging Starmer to find any other country that has a functioning tracing app. A spokesman for Starmer pointed to Germany which has had a large number of people downloading its app and a number of countries which are far ahead of us in terms of developing their apps such as Singapore and South Korea. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-johnson/british-pm-johnson-dismisses-criticism-on-local-lockdowns-coronavirus-app-idUKKBN23V1ML 25th Jun 2020

Partisan Exits

The New York Times Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touted a rare public opening between the two countries. Apparently the Emirates was not ready for it. Mr. Netanyahus ebullient description was contradicted a few hours later when the Emirates issued a much more muted statement announcing what it described as an agreement between two private Emirati companies and two Israeli companies to develop technology to fight the virus. The Emirati statement took the wind out of what Mr. Netanyahu had touted as a diplomatic coup suggesting that despite the deepening ties the two countries were still at odds over Mr. Netanyahus vow to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/world/middleeast/israel-united-arab-emirates-coronavirus.html 25th Jun 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC The number of young people experiencing anxiety has increased during the Covid19 pandemic a study has found. Bristolbased Children of the 90s asked 7000 people across two generations about their mental health and lifestyle before and during lockdown. The study found the number of 2729 year olds experiencing anxiety rose from 13 to 24 and they were more anxious then their parents. Underlying conditions and financial worries may be behind the increase. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-53150138 25th Jun 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC Lockdown parties hosted in properties booked via online sites including Airbnb and Booking.com are putting communities at risk the Bed and Breakfast Association has said. Hosts and residents have complained of groups of up to 30 breaking socialdistancing rules and taking drugs. BBC News has been told of several such parties in the past month. Airbnb said it had gone further than its rivals to protect public health during the pandemic. However last week a man was stabbed at a party in a south London property police believe had been rented out via the platform. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53171583 25th Jun 2020

Continued Lockdown

ABC News The coronavirus pandemic has seen lockdown restrictions applied across Australia forcing people to find new ways to interact work and travel. But barriers like this are nothing new for the thousands of people with disabilities across regional Australia who struggle with unreliable access to public transport. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-25/lifetime-lockdown-protest-in-regional-victoria/12390692 25th Jun 2020

Continued Lockdown

Reuters Roma communities across Europe have become a police target in lockdown a report found on Wednesday amid a sharpening global focus on racial equality and law enforcement. The report by Amnesty International a human rights organisation said Roma communities had faced tougher quarantines than citizens who posed a greater health risk. People returning from places with high rates of the new coronavirus such as Italy were not targeted by authorities with the same stringent measures as Roma communities who were quarantined en masse in whole apartment blocks or streets Amnesty researcher Barbora Cernusakova said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-race-inequality-trfn/roma-across-europe-seen-as-police-target-in-lockdown-idUSKBN23V2X6 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters French technology company Vogo said a salivabased product it was developing with partners to test for the coronavirus had won CE marking approval denoting it meets required health standards set out by regulators. Vogo and its partners SKILLCELL and the CNRS SYS2DIAG laboratory aim to place their EasyCov salivabased coronavirus testing product on the market. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-vogo/french-consortium-wins-further-approval-for-saliva-based-coronavirus-test-idUKKBN23W2P8 26th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Washington Post Agency expands list of people at risk of severe illness including pregnant women. The number of people in the United States who have been infected with the coronavirus is likely to be 10 times as high as the 2.4 million confirmed cases based on antibody tests the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. CDC Director Robert Redfields estimate shared with reporters in a conference call indicates that at least 24 million Americans have been infected so far. The antibody tests examine a persons blood for indicators that the immune system has mounted a response to an infection. The serological surveys are being done around the country as epidemiologists try to measure the reach of the virus to date. Redfield said he believes 5 to 8 percent of the population has been infected so far. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/06/25/coronavirus-cases-10-times-larger/ 26th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Jakarta Post Pregnant women have increased risk of severe COVID19 compared to women who are not pregnant the head of the US Centers for Disease Prevention Robert Redfield told reporters on Thursday warning that states with rising coronavirus cases need to take action. The CDC has found that pregnant women are more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit and to be put on mechanical ventilators than nonpregnant women he said. The agency said that pregnant women did not have a higher risk of death. The added it does not have data yet on how COVID19 affects the outcomes of those pregnancies. https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/06/26/cdc-head-warns-pregnant-women-with-covid-19-face-greater-risks.html 26th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

MSN The Federal University of Sao Paulo Unifesp is in talks to test a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by Italian researchers the dean of the Brazilian university told Reuters. With the worlds worst outbreak outside the United States Brazil has become a key front in the global race for a vaccine as vaccine clinical trials are likely to yield results faster in places where the virus is widespread. We are already in advanced discussions with Italys Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute Unifesp President Soraya Smaili said in an interview on Wednesday. We expect to bring it here the accord is already moving forward and well be able to do a lot of studies with this vaccine. https://www.msn.com/en-xl/latinamerica/top-stories/brazil-university-in-talks-to-test-italian-coronavirus-vaccine/ar-BB15Y9kG 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Medical Xpress More than 78000 people were diagnosed with COVID19 in the US and in Brazil alone Wednesday as the IMF laid out the unprecedented economic devastation caused by the global pandemic and the WHO warned the number of infections could reach 10 million worldwide within the next week. As many countries emerged from lockdown hoping to resurrect their economies US states were reimposing virus restrictions and Brazilian experts were warning the country was sending people to the slaughterhouse. The International Monetary Fund said that this crisis like no other would send the global GDP plunging by 4.9 percent this year and wipe out an astonishing 12 trillion over two years. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-virus-cases-surge-americas-imf.html 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CBS News Britains Prince William went to Oxford University on Wednesday to meet patients taking part in a human trial of a promising coronavirus vaccine. But with cases of COVID19 plummeting in England researchers fear the trial involving 10000 people may not yield results conclusive enough to prove the vaccine works. They needed to test the drug in a place where more people are being exposed to the deadly virus. So as the trial continues in England researchers in South Africa and Brazil where there are many more people contracting the coronavirus on a daily basis have launched parallel human trials on the same candidate vaccine. The Oxford formula is one of about 120 potential vaccines being worked on by teams around the globe. Based on drugs that have proven successful against similar viruses the Oxford teams vaccine has moved quickly into the largescale human trial phase. Already there has been huge investment including from the U.S. to ensure millions of doses can be available as soon as its proven safe and effective. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-vaccine-trial-oxford-expands-south-africa-brazil/ 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

PNAS.org The coronavirus disease 2019 COVID19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2 has already claimed more than 470000 deaths worldwide at the time of this writing 1 and is likely to claim many more. Models can help us determine how to stop the spread of the virus. But it is important to distinguish between what models can and cannot predict. All models assumptions fail to describe the details of most realworld systems. However these systems may possess largescale behaviors that do not depend on all these details 2. A simple model that correctly captures these largescale behaviors but gets some details wrong is useful a complicated model that gets some details correct but mischaracterizes the largescale behaviors is misleading at best. The accuracy and sophistication of a models details matter only if the models general assumptions correctly describe the realworld behaviors of interest. https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/06/23/2011542117 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Pulse This week many doctors including myself were rightly disturbed by the results of the latest BMA survey. It found that more than a third of BAME doctors in the UK are still not being given access to potentially lifesaving Covid19 risk assessments nearly two months after NHS England issued recommendations that risk assessments should be carried out for all staff as a precautionary measure. For white doctors 42 said they havent had risk assessments yet. Results also showed that BAME doctors are still less likely to feel fully protected from coronavirus compared to their white colleagues and far more likely to often feel pressured into treating patients without appropriate personal protective equipment which is incredibly worrying. http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/views/blogs/lockdown-might-be-easing-but-the-nhs-still-needs-protecting/20041062.article 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Air cooling systems used at abattoirs could be an overlooked risk factor accounting for Covid19 outbreaks according to scientists who have studied conditions at a meatprocessing plant at the heart of a cluster of infections in Germany. Martin Exner a hygiene and public health expert at the University of Bonn spent two days analysing the Tnnies plant in Gtersloh a western German city sent back into lockdown this week after around 1500 employees were infected with coronavirus. At a press conference Exner said the air filtration system in the slaughter area had contributed to the spread of aerosol droplets laden with the virus describing it as a newly recognised risk factor. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/25/abattoir-air-cooling-systems-could-pose-covid-19-risks-expert-warns 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Business Insider Germany faces a second coronavirus wave if the country does not act quickly to contain a series of new outbreaks across the country a top virologist has warned. Christian Drosten director of the Institute of Virology at Berlins Charit Hospital said In two months I think were going to have a problem if we dont turn on all the alarm sensors again now. Drosten said that there are already clear signs in several places including Berlin that Covid19 was returning to the population. Germany on Tuesday ordered a western region back into lockdown after a major outbreak of coronavirus infections linked to a slaughterhouse prompted fears of a second wave. https://www.businessinsider.com/germany-could-be-heading-for-2nd-wave-of-coronavirus-infections-2020-6 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

9News A breakdown in communication around proper quarantine methods could be behind the recent spike in coronavirus cases across Victoria according to a COVID19 expert. The recent outbreak in Victoria should mark as a warning to all Australians of the threat of a second wave hitting the nation COVID19 Coordination Commission board member Jane Halton said. The good news is this is a warning sign and I think now we have paid the right attention to it Im sure people will get that under control Ms Halton told Today. https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-second-wave-in-australia-jane-halton-warns-of-quarantine-method-breakdown/f538aa4e-e2a5-4a35-9c13-a1d5228a82b0 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

South China Morning Post Anders Tegnell has repeatedly made international headlines since advising against a full lockdown of the Scandinavian country. He has so far argued against the WHOs recommendation to use face masks saying theres very little scientific evidence that they work https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3090597/swedens-anti-lockdown-coronavirus-expert-says-hes-willing 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

New Straits Times Fewer than one in a hundred children who test positive for Covid19 end up dying although a small but significant percentage develop severe illness a new Europewide study showed on Friday. A team of researchers led by experts in Britain Austria and Spain looked at the outcomes of nearly 600 children under 18 infected with the novel coronavirus and found that only a quarter had preexisting medical conditions. This is in sharp contrast to adults among whom the vast majority of patients have underlying health problems. The team found that more than 60 per cent of Covid19 positive children required hospital treatment and that 8 per cent needed intensive care. Of the 582 children studied just four died. On the other hand more than 90 children or 16 per cent showed no symptoms at all. https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2020/06/603569/europe-wide-study-shows-child-covid-19-deaths-extremely-rare 25th Jun 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

HuffPost UK Boris Johnsons decision to ease the coronavirus lockdown is absolutely not risk free and strict measures could return in winter the top scientists advising government have warned. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty said if people believe this is all fine now and the disease has gone away then the UK will get an uptick in cases. It came as the PM announced cinemas galleries museums and pubs were all set to reopen their doors on July 4 provided social distancing measures were in place. The twometre rule will be replaced with onemetre plus regulation which means a metre distance is acceptable with another protection or mitigation such as a face covering or screen. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/lockdown-measures-could-return-in-winter-as-scientists-warn-of-long-haul_uk_5ef086bdc5b6fa2d0f9db2b3 23rd Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

ABC News German police have deployed hundreds of officers across two western regions that have been placed under renewed oneweek lockdown in an attempt to contain a coronavirus outbreak linked to a slaughterhouse https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/germany-slaughterhouse-outbreak-brings-police-mass-testing-71447517 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Ten countries currently facing serious increases in coronavirus infections are among those nations with less stringent approaches to managing their outbreaks. Guardian analysis of coronavirus data in combination with the University of Oxfords coronavirus government response tracker has identified that 10 of the 45 most badlyaffected countries are also among those rated as having a relaxed response to the pandemic underlining the mitigating impact of effective government public health policies. The countries include the US which is experiencing its largest increase in coronavirus cases since April Iran Germany and Switzerland two European countries where the R rate has risen above one this week. https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2020/jun/25/revealed-data-shows-10-countries-risking-coronavirus-second-wave-as-lockdown-relaxed 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CBC.ca The first wave of COVID19 is subsiding in Canada with daily case numbers and hospitalizations falling to rates not seen since the beginning of the pandemic. Predictions on when a second wave of COVID19 could hit have ranged from the fall and winter months of this year when flu season traditionally starts to early next year similar to the way the pandemic began. But experts say the likelihood of a second wave isnt set in stone and Canada could instead see several smaller waves in the coming months or avoid a second wave altogether especially if we keep our guard up. Theres actually nothing preordained about a second wave said Steven Hoffman director of the Global Strategy Lab and a global health law professor at York University in Toronto who studies pandemics. https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-canada-second-wave-1.5626124 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

CNBC The U.S. saw its highest number of cases in a single day on Wednesday and reported 45557 new cases at the end of the day according to NBC News count. In Asia South Korea said that its battling a second wave of coronavirus infections around Seoul. This second wave of virus is a concern for investors ... but I think the key difference is that unlike last time in March this time its highly unlikely that we would see a shutdown of the global economy said Suresh Tantia senior investment strategist at Credit Suisses APAC CIO office. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/25/countries-unlikely-to-impose-full-lockdowns-if-theres-second-wave-analysts-say.html 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Scotsman As lockdown restrictions begin to ease across the UK concerns are growing amongst experts about the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus cases if social distancing guidelines are not adhered to https://www.scotsman.com/health/will-there-be-second-wave-coronavirus-uk-cases-covid-19-could-rise-again-germany-sees-infection-rate-jump-2872312 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

BBC With the start this week of the first human vaccine trials in South Africa Africa has now officially joined the race to find a Covid19 vaccine. The largescale trial of the vaccine developed by Oxford University is being conducted in South Africa the UK and Brazil. Experts say a vaccine is the one thing that will help bring life back to normal but trials have to take place in many different settings before there is one which is safe to use. Scientists say that it is vital that Africans take part in these trials arguing that not doing so could jeopardise efforts to find a vaccine that works worldwide and not just for richer nations. But critics cite a history of Western exploitation of Africa and unethical drug trials in the past as a reason not to participate. BBC Africas Joice Etutu reports on why vaccine trials in Africa are such a sensitive topic and whether things have changed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-53169928/coronavirus-vaccine-trials-in-africa-what-you-need-to-know 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

YAHOO! Fears of a second wave stem from an upswing in new cases in Victoria Australias secondmost populous state where authorities are trying to contain outbreaks in half a dozen Melbourne suburbs. State Premier Daniel Andrews has asked for military personnel to help operate popup test centres and enforce a 14day quarantine requirement for anyone coming from overseas a spokeswoman said. After enforcing lockdown restrictions earlier in its coronavirus outbreak compared to most other countries Australia began to ease those curbs last month to revive its economy as infection rates has slowed significantly. The lockdown in Victoria was being lifted more slowly but authorities there believe the increase in new cases stemmed from family gettogethers attended by people with mild symptoms. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/australia-reports-first-covid-19-003930784.html 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Times The Australian government has called in soldiers amid a feared second wave of coronavirus in Melbourne as officials in the city step up testing and enforce measures to prevent a new round of panicbuying. The countrys confidence has been shaken over the past week as scores of fresh cases of Covid19 emerged in the outer suburbs of the countrys second biggest city prompting fears of the virus spreading through the community and beyond to other centres as Australia comes out of lockdown. Cases have been running at about 20 a day for a week a significant increase on previous weeks. Melbourne recorded Australias first death from coronavirus for a month a man in his 80s on Tuesday. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/australia-calls-in-the-army-as-second-wave-of-coronavirus-hits-melbourne-q20blnwkz 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

WION As some countries reopened their economy amid a sharp fall of coronavirus infections some countries saw return of the virus. While some of them are experiencing a second wave of the virus not every rise in infection can be termed as second wave. In order to label it as second wave the virus should have been brought under control and cases fallen substantially. Here are few countries who are facing a second wave and others that fear a second wave. https://www.wionews.com/photos/coronavirus-second-wave-hits-countries-as-lockdown-ends-308495 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters People in several parts of Greater Lisbon will have to go back to staying at home from next week as Portuguese authorities deal with a worrying wave of coronavirus on the citys outskirts the government announced on Thursday. Those living in the affected areas of the capital a total of 19 civil parishes that do not include downtown Lisbon will be allowed to leave home only to buy essential goods such as food or medication and to travel to and from work. The only effective way to control the pandemic is to stay home whenever possible keep physical distance at all times and always maintain protection and hygiene standards Prime Minister Antonio Costa told a news conference. The measure will be in place from June 29 until July 12 and it will then be reviewed according to a government document. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-portugal/portugal-brings-back-some-coronavirus-lockdown-measures-in-lisbon-idUKKBN23W2TN 25th Jun 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said he is temporarily halting the states phased economic reopening in response to a jump in COVID19 infections and hospitalisations. This temporary pause will help our state corral the spread until we can safely enter the next phase of opening our state for business Abbott said in a statement. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-texas/texas-temporarily-halts-phased-reopening-as-covid-19-infections-surge-idUSKBN23W2QW?il=0 25th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Germany puts two western districts on lockdownDW EnglishGermany resumes lockdown for 500000 people after COVID19 spikeBusiness InsiderSecond German district in lockdown because of local outbreakThe Brussels TimesThe giant meatpacking company at the heart of Germanys new coronavirus hotspotCNNView Full coverage on Google News https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/24/west-germany-district-re-enters-lockdown-after-new-covid-19-outbreak 25th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Bloomberg Germany Italy and Portugal are betting on smaller local shutdowns to prevent a new surge of coronavirus infections. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-06-25/local-covid-19-lockdowns-in-germany-italy-portugal-offer-hope 25th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Outlook India With India vulnerable to a second wave of the Covid pandemic All India Institute of Medical Sciences Director Randeep Guleria feels in order to contain a further surge a limited lockdown in hotspots and extensive contact tracing where volume of cases is high can be considered along with a microplan to prevent leakage into other noncontainment areas. In an exclusive chat with IANS Guleria said the wave of Covid cases may flatten by end July or early August. He urged not to compare India with European nations like Italy and Spain. He said focus should be on 10 key cities that continue to contribute extensively to the spike. People must continue to follow social distancing wearing mask and other precautions at least for a year even after cases begin to decline the AIIMS Director said as India reported close to 17000 cases in 24 hours and crossed 4.7 lakh in just five months. India which was steadily unlocking to return to new normal found a number of states issuing lockdown in parts most affected by the virus as cases mounted quickly. https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/vulnerable-to-2nd-wave-india-must-consider-limited-lockdown-in-hotspots-ld-ians-exclusive/1876704 25th Jun 2020

New Lockdown

Stuff.co.nz Palmerston North rest home was forced to lock down for 18 hours after one of its staff members displayed coronavirus symptoms after having contact with a person recently returned to New Zealand. The Masonic Court staff member had two symptoms of the virus although the person theyd had contact with had tested negative for Covid19 and completed a period of isolation. Rest home chief executive Warick Dunn said following advice from health authorities the home decided to close its doors to visitors until test results were returned. It was closed about 6pm on Wednesday and had reopened by midday on Thursday when the staff members test came back negative. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300042448/rest-home-locked-down-for-18-hours-over-coronavirus-threat 25th Jun 2020