18th Aug 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=454 lockdown_exit

More protection: US likely to authorize COVID booster shots

The Associated Press After struggling for months to persuade Americans to get the COVID19 vaccine U.S. health officials could soon face a fresh challenge talking vaccinated people into getting booster shots to gain longerlasting protection as the delta variant sends infections soaring again. As early as Wednesday U.S. health authorities are expected to recommend an extra dose of the vaccine for all Americans eight months after they get their second shot according to two people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. That means the biggest vaccination drive in U.S. history is about to get even more extensive. https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-21cd829d358e9b50b16515025dab2008 17th Aug 2021

South African activists slam J&J for exporting vaccines

Associated Press Health activists in Africa have slammed Johnson Johnson for exporting vaccines produced in South Africa to countries in Europe which have already immunized large numbers of their people and have even donated vaccines to more needy countries. The onedose JJ vaccines were exported from South Africa where they had been assembled despite the pressing need for vaccines across Africa where less than 3 of the continents 1.3 billion people have been fully vaccinated. https://apnews.com/article/europe-africa-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-9996bb1487e1197580070eaa44f3f420 17th Aug 2021

New Zealand reports first community COVID case in six months

Al Jazeera English New Zealand reported its first case of COVID19 in the community in six months after a person tested positive in its largest city of Auckland. The link between the case and the border or managed isolation has yet to be established the Health Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday adding the case is now being investigated. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/17/new-zealand-reports-first-community-covid-cases-in-six-months 17th Aug 2021

What’s safe to do during summer’s Covid surge? STAT asked public health experts about their own plans

STAT News With Covid19 cases and hospitalizations spiking around the country dreams of a summer like those many us had in mind just a short time ago have faded. The fully vaccinated have been told to resume wearing masks indoors. Companies and institutions are leveling vaccine mandates. And some municipalities are requiring people to show proof of vaccination to get into restaurants bars and gyms. Confusion abounds about what is safe to do. For the unvaccinated theres no confusion about whats most important to do Get immunized. https://www.statnews.com/2021/08/17/whats-safe-to-do-during-summers-covid-surge-stat-asked-public-health-experts-about-their-own-plans/ 17th Aug 2021

Among France’s poorest, once-lagging vaccine rates jump

The Associated Press The poorest region in mainland France has managed to dramatically speed up its COVID19 vaccination campaign in recent weeks notably by opening walkin popup centers to reach out to people where they live and work. The multicultural workingclass region of SeineSaintDenis north of Paris initially struggled in getting the word out about vaccines to a population where many are immigrants who dont speak French or lack access to regular medical care. But offering vaccinations at a highly visible location wth easy access seems to be doing the trick. https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-france-immigration-migration-608b50ade0bdfda242c1fe897f56397d 17th Aug 2021

West Virginia University requiring masks indoors

ABC West Virginia University is requiring masks to be worn in classrooms and labs for the next 30 days saying not enough students and employees have submitted proof of vaccination against the coronavirus https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/latest-sources-us-recommend-vaccine-boosters-79496809 17th Aug 2021

U.S. to world leaders: Stop U.N. becoming COVID 'super-spreader'

Reuters The United States is urging world leaders to send videos instead of traveling to New York next month for an annual highlevel gathering at the United Nations saying it would help prevent it from being a superspreader event amid the COVID19 pandemic. The meeting of world leaders for the 76th U.N. General Assembly starting Sept. 21 is shaping up to be a hybrid event of inperson speeches and video statements as global vaccination rates vary and the spread of COVID19 variants sparks concern. https://www.reuters.com/world/us-world-leaders-stop-un-becoming-covid-super-spreader-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

Cuba struggles to get oxygen to the sick, vaccines to the healthy

Reuters Cuba has turned to the military to provide oxygen amid a surge of the coronavirus even as doctors rush to administer locally developed vaccines to the population. The government announced on Sunday that the Caribbean islands main oxygen plant had broken down in the midst of a Delta variantdriven coronavirus surge that has resulted in record numbers of cases and deaths swamping some provincial health systems. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuba-struggles-get-oxygen-sick-vaccines-healthy-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

Ontario to offer third COVID-19 vaccine doses to high-risk people

Reuters The Canadian province of Ontario will begin offering third COVID19 vaccine doses to vulnerable people as early as this week its chief medical officer said on Tuesday. Eligible populations will include transplant patients along with residents in highrisk settings including longterm care homes and indigenous elder care lodges. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ontario-offer-third-covid-19-vaccine-doses-high-risk-people-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

Chinese ports choke over 'zero tolerance' COVID-19 policy

Reuters Several Chinese ports are facing congestion as vessels due to call at Ningbo are bing diverted and cargo processing is slowed partly due to stricter disinfection measures under Chinas zerotolerance coronavirus policy. On Tuesday more than 50 container vessels were queuing at Ningbo port Chinas second largest marine centre Refinitiv data showed up from 28 on Aug. 10 when a COVID19 case was reported at one of its terminals. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-ports-choke-over-zero-tolerance-covid-19-policy-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

Coronavirus vaccine will soon be mandatory: Presidential adviser

Egypt Independent The Egyptian state will ensure that vaccinations against the coronavirus will be mandatory soon advisor to the President of the Republic for Health Affairs Mohamed Awad Tag Eddin announced. After a short period vaccination will be compulsory and not optional in all government and private institutions he said. He added that there is now much less hesitancy amongst civilians in getting the vaccine with requests rising daily. https://www.egyptindependent.com/coronavirus-vaccine-will-soon-be-mandatory-presidential-adviser/ 17th Aug 2021

Booster shots might become available, but those not vaccinated at all are helping prolong the pandemic, doctor says

CNN Those unvaccinated against Covid19 arent just risking their own health theyre also jeopardizing medical care for others and fueling a surge thats forcing more students to quarantine doctors say. Covid19 hospitalizations have doubled over the past three weeks with 83693 people hospitalized this week according to data from the US Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/17/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html 17th Aug 2021

GP urges Covid-19 vaccine cert for those hit by acute first-dose reaction

The Irish Times A GP who started getting seizures within days of receiving her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine is urging the Government to grant digital Covid19 vaccination certificates to people like her for whom a second dose is contraindicated. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/gp-urges-covid-19-vaccine-cert-for-those-hit-by-acute-first-dose-reaction-1.4648633 17th Aug 2021

White House to recommend 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose

CIDRAP Several media outlets are reporting that the White House intends to announce next week that recipients of both the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna mRNA COVID19 vaccines should receive a third dose of vaccine 8 months after their second dose in order to boost protection against the Delta B1617.2 variant. The proposed third doses could be administered as soon as midSeptember sources told The New York Times with nursing home residents and healthcare workers poised to get the first shots followed by elderly Americans who were vaccinated last winter. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/08/white-house-recommend-3rd-covid-19-vaccine-dose 17th Aug 2021

Singapore prepares for long term life - and death - with COVID-19

Reuters With just a few dozen COVID19 deaths and one of the worlds highest vaccination rates Singapore wants to reopen for business and is laying the groundwork to live with the coronavirus as it does other common diseases such as influenza. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-prepares-long-term-life-death-with-covid-19-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

Vaccinate Kids Under 12 to Protect Us All From COVID-19

The Atlantic Its easy to argue for vaccinating adults and teenagers against COVID19. Some think its harder to make the case for kids under 12 years of age and for understandable reasons. Much of the world remains unvaccinated kids have generally been much less affected by the coronavirus and we dont yet have a thorough understanding of the risks versus the benefits. Still if we weigh all the pros and cons the argument for immunizing young children is much stronger than the argument against. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/08/vaccinate-kids-under-12-delta-covid/619752/ 17th Aug 2021

Federal agents seize thousands of fake covid vaccination cards destined for locations across U.S.

The Washington Post Bundles of counterfeit coronavirus vaccination cards printed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logo have been shipped from Shenzhen China to recipients all around the United States as some unvaccinated people try to evade restrictions that require proof of the shot to enter certain bars schools and public spaces. U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP officials said in a Friday statement that agents have seized thousands of fake vaccination cards passing through Memphis a shipping hub. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/16/border-patrol-fake-vaccine-cards/ 17th Aug 2021

Amid new virus surge, Florida skeptics reconsider vaccines

The Associated Press In a rural stretch of northeastern Florida where barely half the people have gotten a coronavirus shot Roger West had no problem telling others he was adamantly antivaccination. The coowner of the Westside Journal weekly newspaper used his voice as a columnist to widely share his doubts about the vaccine and his mistrust of the health experts in the U.S. who have been urging everyone to get it. I do not trust the Federal Government West wrote recently. I do not trust Dr. Fauci I do not trust the medical profession nor the pharmaceutical giants. But something happened to change his mind Two of Wests close friends became ill with the virus and a third died. Rattled and stressed he prayed for guidance. Then when his mother and another relative both urged him to get vaccinated he took it as a sign from God. West drove to the Winn Dixie supermarket and rolled up his sleeve for the first of two injections of the Moderna vaccine. https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-7d2010935c177ccf5b479bf372553604 17th Aug 2021

Texas governor tests positive for COVID-19, in 'good health'

The Associated Press Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tested positive for COVID19 on Tuesday according to his office who said the Republican is in good health and experiencing no symptoms. Abbott who was vaccinated in 2020 was isolating in the governors mansion in Austin and receiving monoclonal antibody treatment spokesman Mark Miner said in a statement. The governors positive test came as cases of the virus soar with the highly contagious delta variant and hospitals around the state are stretched thin. More than 11500 patients were hospitalized with the virus as of Monday the highest levels since January. The positive test comes a day after Abbott tweeted a picture of himself not wearing a mask while speaking indoors near Dallas to a group of GOP supporters most of whom were unmasked. https://apnews.com/article/texas-governor-greg-abbott-coronavirus-positive-a6c98b7a9c59c2df38328100cd8c75b1 17th Aug 2021

Japan to extend COVID-19 emergency lockdown

Reuters Japan was set on Tuesday to extend its state of emergency in Tokyo and other regions to Sept. 12 and widen curbs to seven more prefectures as COVID19 cases spike in the capital and nationwide burdening the medical system. https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRCV00A3VU 17th Aug 2021

Vaccine firms working on combined Covid-19 and flu jab which could protect against both viruses in one dose

iNews A new vaccines megafactory could make a combined jab for Covid19 and flu to be given to vulnerable Britons on a regular basis in the future according to its boss. The Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre VMIC in Oxfordshire is due to open later this year and will start making doses to be used in a revaccination campaign if needed from 2022. Its chief executive Matthew Duchars said one project manufacturers were working on would see the vaccines against coronavirus and influenza combined in a single injection. https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/vaccine-firms-combined-covid-19-flu-jab-one-dose-1153325 16th Aug 2021

Gritstone secures funding for COVID-19 vaccine against variants

Reuters Gritstone bio said on Tuesday it had entered into a funding agreement of up to 20.6 million with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations CEPI to advance its vaccine program against COVID19 variants sending its shares up 2.6 before the bell. Gritstones vaccine is based on selfamplifying mRNA technology which uses the bodys own machinery to make antigenic protein rather than injecting the antigen into the body. Under the agreement CEPI which coleads the COVAX vaccine sharing facility will fund an early stage study evaluating the programs vaccine in convalescent and HIV positive patients. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/gritstone-secures-funding-covid-19-vaccine-against-variants-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

COVID-19: UK regulator approves Moderna coronavirus vaccine for 12 to 17-year-olds

Sky News The UK health regulator has approved the Moderna coronavirus vaccine for 12 to 17yearolds. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MHRA said it is now up to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation JCVI to advise the government on whether children in this age group should be given the jab. The MHRA said that the jab also known as the Spikevax vaccine is safe and effective in this age group. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-uk-regulator-approves-moderna-coronavirus-vaccine-for-12-to-17-year-olds-12383760 17th Aug 2021

Judge considers evidence in case of woman left brain damaged by Covid-19

London Evening Standard A judge has been asked to decide whether a woman left brain damaged and paralysed from the neck down after contracting Covid19 should be allowed to die. Mr Justice Hayden is considering evidence at an online trial due to end later this week in the Court of Protection where judges oversee hearings centred on adults who lack the mental capacity to make decisions. Specialists treating the woman who is in her 50s at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge say lifesupport treatment should end. The womans children and sister disagree. A lawyer representing hospital bosses told Mr Justice Hayden on Tuesday that the womans case appeared to be unique. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/court-of-protection-justice-cambridge-hospital-high-court-b951033.html 17th Aug 2021

Russia about to approve fifth coronavirus vaccine, watchdog chief says

TASS The fifth coronavirus vaccine developed by Russian researchers is about to be approved head of the national sanitary watchdog Anna Popova announced at a strategic session dubbed National Sanitary Shield. Combating New Challenges arranged by the United Russia party on Tuesday. Four coronavirus vaccines have already been approved in Russia and the fifth one is on its way. This will help stop the virus from spreading she pointed out. https://tass.com/society/1327013 17th Aug 2021

‘Masks work’: experts on how to navigate Delta when you’re vaccinated

The Guardian The Covid19 vaccine was supposed to bring life back to normal. Then came the Delta variant. Realworld data collection continues but its clear that the vaccines do offer significant protection against becoming infected by Delta. They offer even greater protection against severe illness Among states that are reporting breakthrough cases of Covid19 fully vaccinated people made up no more than 5 of overall hospitalizations. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/17/vaccines-delta-covid-coronavirus-safety-questions 17th Aug 2021

Higher risk of Bell's Palsy after Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine - study

Reuters The risk of Bells Palsy a type of facial paralysis is higher after Sinovac Biotech Ltds COVID19 vaccine CoronaVac but should not be a deterrent to vaccination according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/higher-risk-bells-palsy-after-sinovacs-covid-19-vaccine-study-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

No evidence Covid vaccines can raise the risk of miscarriage or affect fertility, drug watchdog insists

Daily Mail No evidence Covid vaccines raise miscarriage or stillbirth risk MHRA says. There are also no signals that the jabs affect peoples ability to have children. Around 55000 pregnant women in the UK have been vaccinated https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9900413/No-evidence-Covid-jabs-raise-miscarriage-risk-MHRA-says.html 17th Aug 2021

Football with few fans not tied to county COVID spread

CIDRAP We surmise that the NFL and NCAA policies regarding limited inperson attendance mask use and social and physical distancing measures in stadiums was not associated with substantially higher community spread of COVID19 the study authors wrote. Additionally an important number of NFL and NCAA football stadiums are outdoors or have a retractable roof which could have had an impact on mitigating spread. The authors say the study results may help sports leagues decide how to best proceed with future games although research into potential coronavirus spread to adjacent counties is needed. Our study provides evidence suggesting that inperson attendance of football games with social distancing and mask use could be resumed in the 2021 to 2022 season they wrote. However it is worth noting that newly emerging variants of SARSCoV2 have less predictable implications at this point and might lead to more disruptive interruptions in the future. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/08/football-few-fans-not-tied-county-covid-spread 17th Aug 2021

Post Covid-19, patient input may play a greater role in drug development

STAT News A lasting memorial may be emerging for the millions of people who will have tragically died of Covid19 by the time the pandemic ends the demonstration that breakthroughs can happen fast when drug companies and regulators listen to and communicate openly with patients. The concept of patient engagement across the health care ecosystem emerged more than a decade ago. Its core idea incorporating patients actual experiences perspectives needs and priorities into treatment efforts and drugdevelopment decisions rather than taking them for granted started a fundamental change of thinking in the drug development world. https://www.statnews.com/2021/08/17/listening-to-patients-could-be-a-powerful-pandemic-legacy/ 17th Aug 2021

WHO concerned about COVID-19 in Afghanistan as jabs slow

Reuters The World Health Organization WHO is worried about the spread of the coronavirus in Afghanistan as the upheaval caused by the Taliban advance and seizure of power has slowed vaccinations a spokesperson said on Tuesday. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/who-concerned-about-covid-19-afghanistan-jabs-slow-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

New Zealand reports first Covid-19 case in community since February

The Guardian New Zealand has a new case of Covid19 transmission in the community Ministry of Health officials have confirmed. The news will be greeted with dismay in the country which has not had a case of transmission in the community since February and has so far avoided incursions into the community from the moretransmissible Delta variant. The case was detected in Auckland and health officials have not yet established a link between the case and the border or managed isolation facilities. The government advised New Zealanders to follow basic public health measures mask wearing hand washing and continuing to scan QR codes to assist with content tracing. People should stay home if sick and call a doctor or healthline about getting tested. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/17/new-zealand-reports-first-covid-19-case-in-community-since-february 17th Aug 2021

One in 20 deaths in England and Wales now involve Covid-19, figures show

Evening Standard One in 20 deaths registered in the most recent week in England and Wales mentioned coronavirus on the death certificate the highest proportion for more than four months new figures show. A total of 10187 deaths were registered in the week ending August 6 of which 527 5.2 involved Covid19. This is the highest percentage of deaths to involve coronavirus since the week to March 26 according to the Office for National Statistics ONS. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/england-wales-office-for-national-statistics-ian-jones-b950999.html 17th Aug 2021

New Zealand's Ardern orders nationwide lockdown over one COVID-19 case

Reuters New Zealand Thrown Into Lockdown Over Single Suspected Delta CaseU.S. News World ReportNew Zealands Ardern Orders Nationwide Lockdown over One COVID19 Case ... Latest Tweet by LatestLYCovid New Zealand to go under lockdown after one case of infectionScroll.inNew Zealands Ardern locks down nation over single COVID19 ...Thomson FoundationView Full coverage on Google News https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealands-ardern-orders-nationwide-lockdown-over-one-covid-19-case-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

China reports 42 new COVID-19 cases on Aug 16 vs 51 a day earlier

Reuters China on Tuesday reported 42 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the mainland for Aug. 16 compared with 51 a day earlier according to the National Health Commission. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-reports-42-new-covid-19-cases-aug-16-vs-51-day-earlier-2021-08-17/ 17th Aug 2021

India’s Covid-19 Numbers Have Fallen. A Third Wave Still Looms.

The New York Times Scientists are looking for signs that another variant could emerge in Deltas wake but limited sampling capabilities are hindering the search. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/world/asia/india-covid-19.html 17th Aug 2021