6th Jul 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=390 lockdown_exit

Lambda lineage of SARS-CoV-2 has potential to become variant of concern

News-Medical.Net Researchers have described the first reported infection with the C.37 Lambda lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2 in Southern Brazil. The SARSCoV2 virus is the agent responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 COVID19 pandemic. The Lambda lineage was classified as a variant of interest VOI by the World Health Organization on June 15th 2021. The C.37 variant which lies within the B.1.1.1 lineage has already been reported as highly prevalent in Peru and has also been identified in many countries across the Americas Europe and Oceania says Priscila Wink from the Hospital de Clnicas de Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul and colleagues. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210627/Lambda-lineage-of-SARS-CoV-2-has-potential-to-become-variant-of-concern.aspx 27th Jun 2021

Johnson makes masks voluntary in landmark shift from ‘government diktat to personal responsibility’

Sydney Morning Herald All social distancing and maskwearing rules will be abolished in England as Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambles that his worldleading vaccine rollout will blunt the impact of an impending surge of new infections. Announcing a landmark shift from government diktat to relying on peoples personal responsibility Johnson said vaccines offered Britain the chance to fundamentally alter how it treats the pandemic. https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/johnson-makes-masks-voluntary-in-landmark-shift-from-government-diktat-to-personal-responsibility-20210705-p5873n.html 6th Jul 2021

Test and trace check-in no longer required under new proposals for businesses

The Independent Bars and pubs will no longer need customers to sign into venues using the Test and Trace app and restrictions on how many people can meet will end the Government has announced. New guidance published by the Government due to come into effect from July 19 will also see all settings allowed to reopen including nightclubs and karaoke bars. Limits on social contact of six people or two households indoors along with 30 people outdoors will also be scrapped and Covidsecure restrictions including table service can end. https://www.independent.co.uk/business/test-and-trace-checkin-no-longer-required-under-new-proposals-for-businesses-b1878561.html 5th Jul 2021

Nightclubs and mass events to reopen on July 19 with no cap on attendance

The Mirror Organisers of highly anticipated large events including festivals and the Premier League will be left to decide their Covid policy themselves including whether to ask for certification https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-nightclubs-mass-events-reopen-24464799 5th Jul 2021

Spain restricts nightlife as virus surges among the young

The Associated Press Faced with soaring numbers of new coronavirus infections among unvaccinated young people some Spanish regions are reinstating curbs on nightlife only weeks after dropping them. Fearing that the surging contagion could strain health care services as stressed employees try to go on summer holidays health officials in several parts of the country are also rushing to get COVID19 vaccine shots to people under 30. Spains strict vaccination rollout has so far focused on older more vulnerable groups leaving the vaccination of teenagers and people in their 20s for the summer. https://apnews.com/article/europe-spain-coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-c03dead9ceedeb6f1e3e563d8cea2a68 5th Jul 2021

Indonesia seeks more oxygen for COVID-19 sick amid shortage

The Associated Press Parts of Indonesia lack oxygen supplies as the number of critically ill COVID19 patients who need it increases the nations pandemic response leader said Monday after dozens of sick people died at a public hospital that ran out of its central supply. Due to an increase of three to four times in the amount of oxygen needed the distribution has been hampered said Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan the coordinating maritime affairs and investment minister. The government is asking oxygen producers to dedicate their full supply to medical needs and will import it if needed Pandjaitan said at a virtual news conference. The statement comes after Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikit said the government guaranteed oxygen supply for COVID19 patients on June 25. https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-coronavirus-pandemic-health-b8d4f8e18a9b1569551b0ba12d385037 5th Jul 2021

Ghana plans to issue Africa’s first social bonds with $2B sale

Aljazeera.com Ghana would be pioneering social bonds in Africa seizing on an instrument thats boomed since the COVID19 pandemic. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/7/5/ghana-plans-to-issue-africas-first-social-bonds-with-2b-sale 5th Jul 2021

Ivory Coast sends mobile clinics to speed up COVID vaccinations

Reuters Ivory Coast began sending mobile clinics on Monday to markets and other busy areas in its main city Abidjan in an effort to turbocharge the vaccination campaign against COVID19. After administering fewer than 800000 doses since vaccinations began in March enough for a single dose for just 3 of the population Ivorian health authorities are now aiming to inoculate a million people in Abidjan over the next 10 days. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ivory-coast-sends-mobile-clinics-speed-up-covid-vaccinations-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

Local lockdowns could still be imposed after Covid 'freedom day' if new variants emerge

iNews Local lockdowns could still be imposed in England after the socalled Covid freedom day Sajid Javid has revealed. Ministers will retain laws that allow local authorities to shut down businesses prohibit certain events or close outdoor public spaces in case of a local breakout or in case a new dangerous variant emerges the Health Secretary told MPs. We will be keeping in place contingency measures particularly for local authorities the socalled No.3 regulations at least until the end of September in case those powers are needed in the case of a local breakout Mr Javid told the Commons. https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/local-lockdowns-imposed-covid-freedom-day-new-variants-emerge-sajid-javid-reveals-1087611 5th Jul 2021

U.S. Ready to Deploy Booster Shots If Needed, Biden Aide Says

Bloomberg The U.S. government is ready to deploy booster shots if scientists and health officials determine theyre needed in the fight against Covid19 White House pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients said. With increases in cases in parts of the U.S. linked to low vaccination rates and the morecontagious delta variant thats spreading throughout the nation Zients said President Joe Bidens administration will push ahead with encouraging young people and others to get shots. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-04/u-s-ready-to-deploy-booster-shots-if-needed-biden-aide-says?cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amputm_medium=social&amputm_content=business&amputm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amputm_source=twitter 4th Jul 2021

Vaccination for people aged 18-34 opens at more than 800 pharmacies

Irish Times Vaccinations against Covid19 for people aged between 18 and 34 begin on Monday in Ireland as more than 800 pharmacies across the country begin administering the oneshot JanssenJohnson Johnson jab. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee Niac recently changed its advice to allow people aged under 40 to receive the JJ and AstraZeneca shots as the State seeks to widen the vaccine rollout amid concern about the spread of the Delta variant. The news comes as the limit is removed on the number of people who can visit a private home together if they are all fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid19 in the previous 9 months. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/vaccination-for-people-aged-18-34-opens-at-more-than-800-pharmacies-1.4611785?utm_source=dlvr.it&amputm_medium=twitter 5th Jul 2021

India's Panacea Biotec jumps 9% on manufacturing licence for Sputnik V vaccine

Reuters India Shares of Indias Panacea Biotec Ltd climbed as much as 9 in early trade on Monday a day after the biotech company said it had received a manufacturing licence for the Sputnik V vaccine. India has shifted its focus to mass immunisations as experts warn of a looming third wave of the coronavirus pandemic as the country slowly reopens and a new variant locally called the Delta Plus emerges. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-panacea-biotec-jumps-9-manufacturing-licence-sputnik-v-vaccine-2021-07-05/ 4th Jul 2021

Morocco's Sothema to produce China's Sinopharm vaccine

Reuters Moroccan pharmaceutical firm Sothema will soon start production of 5 million doses a month of Chinas Sinopharm COVID19 vaccine in the North African country state news agency MAP reported on Monday. The announcement was made at a ceremony chaired by King Mohammed VI during which the Moroccan government Sinopharm and Sothema whose formal name is Socit Thrapeutique Marocaine also signed deals to produce the vaccine in Morocco which has a population of about 36 million. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moroccos-sothema-produce-chinas-sinopharm-vaccine-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

Covid-19: Head teacher 'nervous' about lifting restrictions

BBC News The head of a school in Worcestershire has said she fears what will happen in schools when Covid measures are lifted. Government ministers have called for the system where groups of pupils have to selfisolate if one tests positive to be scrapped by autumn. Hanley Castle High School head Lindsey Cooke said those systems had served schools really well in the pandemic. But Birmingham father Thomas Kirby said school bubbles meant pupils faced stricter restrictions than adults. The British Medical Association is also calling for the continued use of face masks and new ventilation standards beyond 19 July when all legal restrictions are due to be lifted. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-57712411 5th Jul 2021

Australia is paying hundreds of millions to AstraZeneca for COVID-19 vaccines. But the deal is a 'national security' secret

ABC.Net.au The Australian governments entire vaccine supply agreement with AstraZeneca is being withheld from public release on the grounds it poses a real and substantial risk to national security if it were released. Gavin Hayman the executive director of global advocacy group Open Contracting said Australias blanket suppression of the deal was striking and at odds with other nations. There is no merit in using a national security argument for keeping the vaccine contract hidden from public sight he said. In fact national security is best served by building public trust in the entire vaccination program. We think publishing the contract with a clear explanation of its key terms can contribute to that. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-05/australia-covid-astrazeneca-deal-withheld-national-security/100261920 5th Jul 2021

Fewer than half of US states have reached the White House's July 4th vaccine goal as the Delta variant threatens the nation's progress

CNN Twenty states have reached the Biden administrations goal to partially vaccinate 70 of American adults by the Fourth of July as the Delta variant spreads and people gather for holiday celebrations across the country. White House officials acknowledged last month that they would fall short of their goal which was set in early May when the US was vaccinating people at a much faster pace than it is now. The US reached its highest vaccination rate in midApril when the sevenday average of doses administered daily topped 3.3 million. At that time 1.8 million new people became fully vaccinated each day. https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/04/health/us-coronavirus-sunday/index.html 5th Jul 2021

How the Covid-19 unlocking could further divide the UK

New Statesman The government will today announce the end to almost all restrictions in England on 19 July meaning table service testandtrace doohickeys at every establishment and social distancing will be scrapped along with the legal obligation to wear masks in enclosed spaces including public transport. Is it too early to unlock Scientists are divided. Some believe that we should wait until everyone has been given the opportunity to have both Covid jabs to minimise the risk to the young posed by the Delta variant and of new vaccineresistant variants. Others think that with the elderly and vulnerable vaccinated and the reality that Covid19 will be with us forever now is the time to begin returning to normality. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2021/07/how-covid-19-unlocking-could-further-divide-uk 5th Jul 2021

Thousands thought they were getting the Covid vaccine. They were injected with salt water instead

CNN Thousands of people have fallen prey to an elaborate wideranging scam selling fake coronavirus vaccines in India with doctors and medical workers among those arrested for their involvement authorities say. At least 12 fake vaccination drives were held in or near the financial hub Mumbai in the countrys western Maharashtra state said Vishal Thakur a senior official of the Mumbai police department. They were using saline water and injecting it Thakur said. Every fake vaccination camp that they held they were doing this. https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/05/india/india-fake-covid-vaccine-scam-intl-hnk/index.html 5th Jul 2021

Bangladesh extends lockdown to combat COVID-19 surge

Reuters Bangladesh on Monday extended its strictest lockdown to July 14 to combat a surge in coronavirus cases led by the highly contagious Delta variant with areas bordering India taking the brunt of infections. The south Asian country reported 164 new coronavirus deaths on Monday its biggest daily rise since the pandemic began taking the death toll to 15229. It also reported the highestever number of new daily infections at 9964 with the total standing at 954881. Hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients particularly in districts bordering India where the Delta variant was first identified. Bangladesh sealed its border with India in April but trade continues. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-extends-lockdown-combat-covid-19-surge-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

Norway delays full reopening over Delta COVID-19 variant

Reuters Norway announced the easing of some COVID19 restrictions on Monday but delayed the final phase of reopening the economy until the end of this month at the earliest because of concerns about the Delta coronavirus variant. Measures that will remain include bars and restaurants being limited to table service limits of 20 people on gatherings in private homes and restrictions on adult recreational sports. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/norway-delays-reopening-delta-variant-threat-looms-pm-says-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

Scientists identify natural SARS-CoV-2 super immunity against 23 variants

News-Medical.net A team of international scientists has recently identified ultrapotent antisevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2 antibodies from convalescent donors. The antibodies are capable of neutralizing a wide range of SARSCoV2 variants even at subnanomolar concentrations. In addition the combinations of these antibodies reduce the risk of generating escape mutants in vitro. The study is published in the journal Science. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210705/Scientists-identify-natural-SARS-CoV-2-super-immunity-against-23-variants.aspx 5th Jul 2021

Lambda variant: What is the new strain of Covid detected in the UK?

The Independent The Lambda variant known to scientists as C.37 was first identified in Peru and has been detected in samples dating back to as early as December 2020. Since then it has become the dominant variant in the South American country where it accounts for more than 80 per cent of new infections. It has now been detected in at least 26 countries including the UK. So should we be concerned The World Health Organisation designated the Lambda variant as a variant of interest on 14 June. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-uk-lambda-variant-peru-b1878416.html 5th Jul 2021

Ministry data said to show Pfizer shot blocks majority of serious Delta cases

The Times of Israel Figures reportedly indicate vaccine less effective against contagion from variant but hospitalizations remain low officials said weighing use of Moderna for 2nd dose for over 18s New Health Ministry figures reported by the Ynet news site indicated that over the past month the vaccine which has been the one used for almost all vaccinated Israelis has been just 64 percent effective in preventing coronavirus infection. The data reportedly shows that during May when the strain was less prevalent the vaccine was 94.3 effective. https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministry-data-said-to-show-pfizer-shot-blocks-majority-of-serious-delta-cases/ 5th Jul 2021

Israel sees drop in Pfizer vaccine protection against infections

Reuters Israel reported on Monday a decrease in the effectiveness of the PfizerBioNTech COVID19 vaccine in preventing infections and symptomatic illness but said it remained highly effective in preventing serious illness. The decline coincided with the spread of the Delta variant and the end of social distancing restrictions in Israel. Vaccine effectiveness in preventing both infection and symptomatic disease fell to 64 since June 6 the Health Ministry said. At the same time the vaccine was 93 effective in preventing hospitalizations and serious illness from the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-sees-drop-pfizer-vaccine-protection-against-infections-still-strong-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

COVID-19: UK seeing 'COVID Mexican wave' as virus spreads from west to east, says expert

Sky News The UK is seeing its own form of a COVID Mexican wave as infections move from the west of the country to the east a leading symptoms researcher has said. Professor Tim Spector cofounder of the ZOE COVID symptom study said areas in the west which have been worst affected are now seeing lower rates suggesting they have reached the peak of infections. However London the South East East Anglia and eastern parts of the country are seeing cases increase according to data from his study. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-uk-seeing-mexican-wave-effect-as-infections-move-west-to-east-says-expert-12346989 5th Jul 2021

Will UK’s rising Covid cases increase risk of vaccine-evasive variants?

The Guardian Covid cases in the UK are rising exponentially largely in younger age groups who are more likely to be partially or completely unvaccinated. What does this mean for the risk of new variants popping up https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/05/will-uk-rising-covid-cases-increase-risk-of-vaccine-evasive-variants 5th Jul 2021

CDC launches investigation after healthy boy dies three days after receiving second Covid vaccine

Daily Mail Jacob Clynick received his second dose of the vaccine in Milwaukee on June 13. Two days later he complained of stomach ache and went to bed where he died. An autopsy was performed but cause of death has yet to be determined. CDC has launched an investigation into any link between his death and vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been found to cause myocarditis an inflammation of the heart in extremely rare cases most of which are not severe https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9756975/CDC-launches-investigation-healthy-boy-dies-three-days-receiving-second-Covid-vaccine.html 5th Jul 2021

Leaked memo raises Thai concern about Sinovac vaccine's efficacy

Reuters A leaked health ministry document has prompted calls in Thailand for medical staff inoculated against COVID19 to be given a booster of an mRNA vaccine after it included a comment that such a move could dent public confidence in Sinovac Biotechs vaccine. The internal memo which included various opinions was reported by local media and shared widely on social media. It was confirmed by Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as being authentic. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/leaked-memo-raises-thai-concern-about-sinovac-vaccines-efficacy-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

Ukraine approves Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Reuters Ukraine has approved the COVID19 vaccine developed by Johnson Johnson the health ministry said on Monday. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ukraine-approves-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

Staging Euro 2020 semis and final in London is 'recipe for disaster.' Is football -- and Covid-19 spike -- coming home?

CNN International Coronavirus cases in Europe Central Asia and the Middle East rose by 10 last week World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge told a press briefing in Copenhagen on Thursday. A 10week decline in the number of Covid19 cases in the 53country region has come to an end Kluge said with rising cases driven by increased socializing travel gatherings and easing of restrictions. Kluge said the situation and was rapidly evolving and warned that the Delta variant first identified in India is spreading at a fast pace resulting in increased hospitalizations and deaths. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/04/football/euro-2020-semifinal-final-covid-19-uk-cmd-spt-intl/index.html 5th Jul 2021

Vaccinate or repent, Russian church says amid hundreds of daily COVID-19 deaths

Reuters Russias powerful Orthodox Church admonished people refusing to be vaccinated against COVID19 calling them sinners who would have to atone for the rest of their lives as the country reported another jump in new infections and deaths. The church urged all its faithful to be inoculated as another 24353 new COVID19 cases were registered on Monday including 6557 in Moscow taking the official national tally since the pandemic began to 5635294. The government coronavirus task force said 654 people had died of coronaviruslinked causes in the past 24 hours pushing the national death toll to 138579. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/vaccinate-or-repent-russian-church-says-amid-hundreds-daily-covid-19-deaths-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

'Call of duty': Indonesian bikers brave COVID-19 surge to escort ambulances

Reuters Indonesian volunteer biker Sebastian Dwiyantoro and his team have been particularly busy helping ambulances navigate heavy traffic in Jakartas satellite city of Depok to get COVID19 patients to hospital as infections soar in the country. The volunteers ride motorbikes in front of the ambulances the deafening noise of the sirens behind them freeing up space and stopping other cars to make way for ambulances carrying the sick to medical facilities or corpses to graveyards. Indonesia has been reporting more than 20000 new cases and over 400 deaths per day over the past week as the spread of the more contagious Delta variant accelerated infections and strained the countrys healthcare sector https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/call-duty-indonesian-bikers-brave-covid-19-surge-escort-ambulances-2021-07-05/ 5th Jul 2021

Indonesia seeks more oxygen for COVID-19 sick amid shortage

The Associated Press Parts of Indonesia lack oxygen supplies as the number of critically ill COVID19 patients who need it increases the nations pandemic response leader said Monday after dozens of sick people died at a public hospital that ran out of its central supply. Due to an increase of three to four times in the amount of oxygen needed the distribution has been hampered said Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan the coordinating maritime affairs and investment minister. The government is asking oxygen producers to dedicate their full supply to medical needs and will import it if needed Pandjaitan said at a virtual news conference. The statement comes after Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikit said the government guaranteed oxygen supply for COVID19 patients on June 25. https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-coronavirus-pandemic-health-b8d4f8e18a9b1569551b0ba12d385037 5th Jul 2021

Iran, facing another virus surge, reimposes restrictions and focuses on homegrown vaccines

The Washington Post Iran on Sunday reimposed coronavirus restrictions amid fears that a fifth wave of the virus driven by the delta variant could overrun the countrys healthcare system already battered by U.S. sanctions and the regions worst cycle of outbreaks. The latest surge comes as Iran has struggled to import vaccines prompting the countrys leaders to double down on researching and developing its homegrown vaccines. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/07/04/iran-coronavirus-surge-vaccines/ 5th Jul 2021

The link between Covid-19 and hospitalisation has been 'weakened' in Wales, says health minister

Wales Online Wales vaccination rollout has weakened the link between contracting coronavirus and hospitalisation the health minister has confirmed. Eluned Morgan speaking at the Welsh Governments press conference on Monday afternoon said even the threat of the more transmissible Delta variant is not having a significant impact on hospital admission rates. Across Wales the sevenday Covid infection rate has now risen to 95.6 cases per 100000 people in Wales with more people are coming forward for testing every day. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/covid-vaccine-third-wave-delta-20971877 5th Jul 2021

Majority of Russians Still Not Ready for Covid-19 Vaccination – Poll

The Moscow Times A majority of Russian 54 are still not ready to get vaccinated against the coronavirus despite a mounting surge driven by the highly contagious Delta variant according to an independent poll published Monday. Russia set new records for coronavirus deaths for five consecutive days from June 29July 3 as infections reached levels not seen since the peak of the countrys second wave in early January. The spread of the Delta variant which Moscow officials say accounts for 90 of the citys cases has prompted several Russian regions to order compulsory vaccination for certain workers. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/07/05/majority-of-russians-still-not-ready-for-covid-19-vaccination-poll-a74426 5th Jul 2021