29th Dec 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=568 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Demand for free COVID19 testing kits provided by Madrids regional government far outstripped supply on Tuesday with long queues forming outside pharmacies as nationwide infections continued to climb amid the Omicron variants rapid expansion. Spains coronavirus infection rate hit a new record rising to 1360 cases per 100000 people measured over the preceding 14 days from 1206 cases reported on Monday a fivefold rise since the beginning of December according to health ministry data. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/madrids-free-covid-tests-struggle-keep-up-with-demand-2021-12-28/ 28th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Japanese drugmaker Shionogi Co. sealed a deal to conduct a placebocontrolled trial of its Covid19 vaccine in Vietnam and will be expanding it in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries even as criticism of such tests mounts in the scientific community. The Osakabased company began testing the efficacy of its shot in Vietnam from Dec. 25 a spokesman at Shionogi said Monday. Participants of the trial which will eventually total 50000 volunteers need to be unvaccinated the spokesman said with twothirds of them receiving the inoculation and others getting a placebo. The company is also planning to analyze whether its effective against the omicon strain the spokesman added. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-27/tardy-vaccine-makers-under-fire-for-trials-in-developing-nations 27th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Greece on Monday announced further restrictions effective from Jan. 316 to contain a further upsurge in COVID19 infections including the Omicron variant targeting mainly nighttime entertainment venues. As confirmed new COVID19 cases surged to a record of 9284 on Monday resulting in 66 deaths the health minister said that under the new measures highprotection masks would be compulsory at supermarkets public transport and eating establishments. Bars and restaurants will have to close at midnight and no standing customers at entertainment venues will be allowed. There will also be a maximum limit of six people per table. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greece-expands-restrictions-contain-omicron-variant-surge-2021-12-27/ 27th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Health experts urged the Italian government on Monday to relax COVID19 quarantine rules saying that the country otherwise risked paralysis as the highly infectious Omicron variant spreads. Under current rules people who have come into close contact with a COVID19 sufferer have to selfisolate for seven days if they are vaccinated and for 10 days if they have not had a shot. Nino Cartabellotta head of the Gimbe health foundation said each positive person had on average five to 10 close contacts and predicted that within two weeks some one million people in Italy might have come down with COVID19. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/health-experts-say-italy-faces-paralysis-under-quarantine-rules-2021-12-27/ 27th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Britain reported another day of record COVID19 cases on Friday with new estimates showing swathes of Londons population are carrying the virus underlining the relentless advance of the Omicron variant. Omicrons rapid spread has driven a surge in cases over the last seven days especially in the capital. Around 1 in 20 Londoners likely had COVID19 on Dec. 16 and early estimates which could yet be revised suggest this may have risen to 1 in 10 on Sunday models from the Office for National Statistics ONS showed on Friday. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/one-10-londoners-likely-infected-with-covid-ons-models-2021-12-24/ 25th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg France reported a daily record of more than 100000 new coronavirus cases as President Emmanuel Macron weighs measures to contain the fastspreading omicron variant. Covid19 cases totaled 104611 on Saturday according to data from the public health office topping the 94124 infections logged the previous day. The country reported 84 deaths. Macron who is widely expected to seek a second term in Aprils election will convene his health defense council on Monday to discuss the coronavirus. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-25/france-reports-record-100-000-new-covid-cases-as-omicron-rages 25th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Indias government faces a growing clamor from business leaders and public health experts to launch a Covid19 booster drive and begin vaccinating children as the nation braces for a surge of omicronfueled infections. With ample vaccine supplies India could begin inoculating those under 18 as well as administer third doses to frontline health care workers the elderly and those at high risk since they got their first shots in early 2021 Kiran Mazumdar Shaw the founder and chair of Biocon Ltd. one of Indias largest drugmakers told Bloomberg on Thursday. We need a booster policy for sure she said. I really dont know whats holding it up its got nothing to do with vaccine availability. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-24/pressure-mounts-on-india-to-begin-boosters-as-omicron-spreads 24th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Israels plan to administer a fourth coronavirus vaccine dose to older adults and medical personnel may be delayed or abandoned if the countrys top health official fails to sign off on the program. The plan which would have made the country the first in the world to offer a fourth dose on such a widespread basis was announced on Tuesday by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett following a recommendation from a panel of experts. The decision was based on a forecast showing that fastpaced spread of omicron would leave the population largely unprotected from infection. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-24/israel-plan-to-push-ahead-with-fourth-covid-jab-may-be-scuttled 24th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

The Associated Press Universal Orlando is reinstating its mask requirements beginning Christmas Eve as COVID19 cases are surging as a result of the omicron variant. Daily cases of coronavirus have quadrupled in the past week in the state of Florida https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-travel-lifestyle-arts-and-entertainment-d8c1e7b7c1e3b4e5b2cb5d15e9775383 24th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Al Jazeera English China has put a city of 13 million people into lockdown over an increase in coronavirus infections just weeks before it is set to host the Winter Olympics. The restrictions in the city of Xian in the northeastern Shaanxi province took effect on Thursday with no word on when they might be lifted. They are some of the harshest since China imposed a strict lockdown last year on more than 11 million people in and around the city of Wuhan where the coronavirus was first detected in late 2019. One person from each household will be allowed out every two days to buy household necessities a government order said. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/23/china-puts-city-of-13-million-in-covid-lockdown-before-olympics 24th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg Germanys head of state had little good cheer in his annual Christmas address to the nation warning that the coronavirus will remain a challenge for Europes largest economy. The pandemic wont suddenly be gone one day President FrankWalter Steinmeier said in the text of a speech to be delivered on Saturday. It will occupy us for a long time to come. The countrys largely ceremonial head of state whos likely to secure a new fiveyear mandate in February reinforced a public call to get inoculated against Covid19. He also exhorted Germans to rein in festivities and limit social contact to curb an expected exponential rise in new infections from the fastspreading omicron variant. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-23/german-president-issues-pandemic-warning-as-omicron-spreads 24th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on Thursday that elderly people who get a COVID19 shot will be eligible for a cash reward as part of his governments drive to boost the vaccination rates the lowest in the European Union. Petkov who took office this month said every retired Bulgarian will get a oneoff payment of 75 levs 43.40 in addition to their pension in the next six months when vaccinated with a first or second dose. Pensioners who have already received three shots will also be eligible for the addon. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/bulgaria-offers-cash-reward-boost-vaccination-rates-among-pensioners-2021-12-23/ 24th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Ecuadors government said on Thursday it has made it obligatory for eligible people to be vaccinated against COVID19 amid an increase in cases and the circulation of new variants of the disease. About 12.4 million Ecuadoreans or 77.2 of those aged 5 and over have been fully vaccinated against the disease the health ministry said in a statement. Indonesia Micronesia Turkmenistan and Tajikistan require vaccination for adults and German and Austria will next year. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ecuador-makes-covid-19-vaccination-obligatory-2021-12-23/ 24th Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

The Associated Press Christmas concerts and other events have been canceled in Greece under new restrictions announced Thursday that include a general mask mandate for outdoors and all public areas. Incoming travelers will also be required to have followup tests for COVID19 on the second and fourth days after their arrival. The restrictions will take effect Friday as the country braces for the expected impact of the omicron variant of the coronavirus with the public health service already under pressure and intensive care space at more than 90 capacity. Due to the large amount of Christmas activity and crowded conditions that it creates the mandatory use of masks is fully justified Health Minister Thanos Plevris said during a livestreamed presentation of the measures which will remain in effect at least through Jan. 3. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-health-europe-greece-8de2c9a777cd60be71c34350c2f122dc 23rd Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Britain recorded a record number of new coronavirus cases on Thursday as the Omicron variant swept across the country with the daily tally reaching 119789 from 106122 a day earlier. Many industries and transport networks are struggling with staff shortages as sick workers selfisolate while hospitals in Britain have warned of the risk of an impact on patient safety. Omicrons rapid advance has driven a surge in cases in Britain over the last seven days with the total rising by 678165 government data showed. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-reports-record-119789-new-covid-19-cases-2021-12-23/ 23rd Dec 2021

Lockdown Exit

The Associated Press French schoolchildren clung nervously to their parents as they entered a vast vaccine center west of Paris on Wednesday then walked excitedly away with a decorated vaccination diploma as France kicked off mass COVID19 inoculations for children age 5 to 11. Its not a moment too soon for the French government which is facing the highest recorded infection rates since the pandemic began but trying to avoid a new lockdown. The health minister said Wednesday that the swiftlyspreading omicron variant is expected to be dominant in France by next week but ruled out additional restrictions on public life for now. Officials are hoping that a surge in vaccinations will be enough to limit the mounting pressure on hospitals where COVID19 patients occupy more than 60 of beds. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-france-d07f70cdb9d7046b0cfffa55d0a11a94 22nd Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Associated Press on MSN.com In Germany Lutheran pastors are offering COVID19 shots inside churches. In Israels scienceskeptical ultraOrthodox community trusted rabbis are trying to change minds. And in South Africa undertakers are taking to the streets to spread the word. The funeral directors message Were burying too many people. A year after the COVID19 vaccine became available traditional public health campaigns promoting vaccination are often going unheeded. So an unconventional cadre of people has joined the effort. They are opening sanctuaries and going door to door and village to village touting the benefits of the vaccines and sometimes offering shots on the spot. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/undertakers-rabbis-join-global-fight-promoting-covid-shots/ar-AASc95c 28th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday it was investigating nearly 70 cruise ships after reports of COVID19 cases on board as the Omicron variant upended holiday travel over the Christmas weekend. The CDC said COVID19 cases on 68 ships had met its threshold for an investigation. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-cdc-investigating-nearly-70-cruise-ships-hit-by-covid-19-cases-2021-12-27/ 27th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

The Guardian Ministers have been urged to retain a facility that can swiftly create and test new vaccines amid concerns over the sale of a leading centre originally designed to prepare Britain for future pandemics. Some senior medical figures have privately raised concerns that government officials are examining bids for the Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre VMIC near Oxford which has benefited from millions in public funding during its development. John Bell who has held a series of influential roles in the governments Covid19 response said that the centres vaccine manufacturing capabilities might be best placed in the hands of a large pharmaceutical company. However he added that a facility looking at vaccine innovation and trialling the original vision for VMIC should be maintained. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/26/plans-to-sell-off-uk-vaccine-development-centre-criticised-by-scientists 26th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg A new lockdown in the Netherlands has had an unexpected consequence packed roads and shopping streets in neighboring Belgium and Germany. Faced with the spread of the omicron variant across Europe the Dutch government introduced new restrictions on social contact on Dec. 19 closing nonessential stores and shuttering hospitality businesses at 5 p.m. But some Dutch people havent stopped shopping and celebrating. Instead they simply moved these activities to countries where stores restaurants and bars remain open. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-23/dutch-travel-to-germany-belgium-to-avoid-lockdown 26th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Pope Francis prayed Saturday for an end to the coronavirus pandemic using his Christmas Day address to urge health care for all vaccines for the poor and for dialogue to prevail in resolving the worlds conflicts. Amid a recordsetting rise in COVID19 cases in Italy this week only a few thousand people flocked to a rainsoaked St. Peters Square for Francis annual Urbi et Orbi To the city and the world Christmas address. Normally the square would be packed with tens of thousands of holiday wellwishers. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-25/on-christmas-pope-prays-for-pandemic-s-end-peace-dialogues 25th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Al Jazeera English on MSN.com Italy has reintroduced mandatory masks outdoors and Ecuador made vaccines compulsory for nearly all to combat coronavirus infections surging globally led by the Omicron variant days before the Christmas holidays. More stringent than most China shut down a city of 13 million people to extinguish a tiny Delta variant outbreak pursuing its zero COVID19 goal while Spain will require masks in some outdoor settings. Meanwhile France and the United Kingdom announced record highs of COVID19 daily infections. Vaccination has also been made mandatory in Tajikistan Turkmenistan Indonesia Micronesia and New Caledonia for adults while Greece said people must wear face masks both indoors and outdoors during Christmas and New Years gatherings. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ecuador-mandates-vaccines-italy-masks-outdoors-as-omicron-rages/ar-AAS6syq 24th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Biodegradable masks will be a big market with a lot of demand from governments who are seeing what a big problem mask pollution is becoming says Francois Dalibard chief executive officer of Groupe Lemoine a French company that manufactured 500 million face masks this year. The first ones to offer it will have a big advantage. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-22/making-green-disposable-face-masks-that-won-t-become-ocean-plastic 24th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Merck Co.s Covid19 pill was cleared by U.S. regulators Thursday giving highrisk patients a second athome treatment just as the omicron variant is causing cases to surge around the country. The drug molnupiravir received emergency authorization on the heels of Pfizer Inc.s Covid pill being cleared Wednesday. The FDA said Mercks drug is not recommended for use in pregnant people. The two treatments hold the potential to keep a sharp rise in infections from overwhelming U.S. hospitals. Molnupiravir developed by Merck with partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP is intended to be used at home to treat Covid in people 18 and older at risk of developing severe illness. A study showed it reduced the risk of hospitalization or death among adults with mild to moderate disease by 30. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-23/merck-covid-pill-gains-u-s-clearance-for-high-risk-adults 24th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

BBC on MSN.com People catching Omicron are 50 to 70 less likely to need hospital care compared with previous variants a major analysis says. The UK Health Security Agency says its early findings are encouraging but the variant could still lead to large numbers of people in hospital. It also shows the vaccines ability to stop you catching Omicron starts to wane 10 weeks after a booster dose. Protection against severe disease is likely to be far more robust. The report comes hot on the heels of data from South Africa Denmark England and Scotland which all pointed to reduced severity. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/omicron-up-to-70-25-less-likely-to-need-hospital-care/ar-AAS5XAH 24th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters on MSN.com United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have canceled hundreds of Christmas Eve flights as the spreading COVID19 Omicron variant takes a toll on its flight crews and other workers. Chicagobased United on Thursday canceled 120 flights for Friday while Atlantabased Delta said it had canceled about 90. Both said they were working to contact passengers so they would not be stranded at airports. FlightAware on Friday said United has now canceled 169 flights on Christmas Eve and Delta has canceled 127 along with another 50 canceled flights for United on Christmas and 89 for Delta. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/united-delta-cancel-more-than-200-us-christmas-eve-flights-amid-covid-surge/ar-AAS6qfz 24th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal AstraZeneca PLCs Covid19 vaccine isnt authorized in the U.S. and governments in Canada Australia and across Western Europe have shunned it after production problems and rare but sometimesdeadly side effects. In much of the rest of the world though it is a crucial workhorse vaccine reaching more people in lower and lowermiddleincome countries than any other Westernmade shot. It also has run neck and neck with a shot by Chinas Sinovac Biotech Ltd. and one developed by Pfizer Inc. and Germanys BioNTech for overall doses distributed globally. AstraZeneca delivered nearly 2.3 billion doses globally as of midDecember according to the company. Sinovac said it delivered more than 2.4 billion doses compared with nearly 2.5 billion by Pfizer according to the company. https://www.wsj.com/articles/astrazenecas-vaccine-dumped-by-the-west-helps-fill-gaping-need-in-rest-of-world-11640361603 24th Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters The rapid spread of Omicron infections has hospitals in the U.S. Midwest preparing for the worst with their intensive care units and medical personnel already severely strained from a wave of the potent Delta variant of COVID19. Indiana Ohio and Michigan have been hit harder in recent weeks by the virus than any other states. About one in four of their hospital beds are occupied by COVID19 patients according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data. The impact is even greater in their intensive care units where COVID19 patients now account for onethird or more of the beds according to HHS. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/overwhelmed-us-midwest-hospitals-prepare-worst-with-omicron-2021-12-23/ 23rd Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Imagine this You test positive for Covid19 and begin selfisolating at home. Its Day Two of quarantine and youre happier than Kevin McCallister in Home Alone. Youve already completed a 500piece jigsaw puzzle and binged the entire second season of Emily in Paris on Netflix. Everything is just peachy until some authorities in hazmat suits barge in on you halfnaked with a pint of Ben Jerrys in your hands. You barely have time to grab your belongings before they whisk you into a van thats hotter than the Totinos pizza rolls you burned your mouth on earlier that day. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-12-23/omicron-in-singapore-travel-and-quarantine-policies-are-self-defeating 23rd Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg French Covid19 infections hit a record as the spread of the more easily transmissible omicron variant gathered pace across much of Europe. New daily cases totaled 91608 in France on Thursday public health office data show. That surpassed the previous high of almost 87000 from November of last year. Health Minister Olivier Veran said earlier this week that the omicron strain will become dominant in France during the period between Christmas and New Years and that infections will likely reach 100000 a day by the end of December. On Thursday he said the threshold will probably be crossed closer to Dec. 25 than Dec. 31 BFM TV reported https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-23/france-has-record-new-covid-19-cases-as-omicron-spreads 23rd Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal More health experts business people and government officials are questioning how long people infected with Covid19 should quarantine if they are vaccinated and no longer testing positive. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that people with Covid19 should isolate for 10 days from the first day symptoms develop or from a positive test to prevent spreading the virus. On Thursday the agency issued new guidelines for healthcare workers reducing their recommended isolation time. The move comes as some researchers and business leaders have started calling for a shorter timetable for all fully vaccinated people who have cleared their infections saying it is supported by a growing body of research and rising numbers of vaccinations and rapid tests. https://www.wsj.com/articles/calls-mount-to-cut-covid-19-quarantine-period-for-fully-vaccinated-who-test-negative-11640283882 23rd Dec 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Zambia will introduce COVID19 booster vaccines as it battles the respiratory disease which has infected over 200000 people and killed more than 3000 Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said on Thursday. The southern African nation also plans to start vaccinating children agred 1217 who until now have not been elegible for the COVID19 jab Masebo said at a media briefing. Zambia will begin to administer the booster vaccines for COVID19 commencing on 27th December 2021 Masebo said. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zambia-introduce-covid-19-booster-jabs-next-week-2021-12-23/ 23rd Dec 2021

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Hong Kong has detected a suspected omicron case in an airport cleaner marking the first time the more infectious variant has jumped through the citys fortresslike border controls and infected a person living in the community who hasnt recently traveled. The 64yearold man who cleaned toilets designated for use by new arrivals thought to be infected with Covid19 has himself tested preliminarily positive according to the government statement. Initial tests suggest he is carrying the omicron variant though whole genome sequencing is needed to confirm the findings. He appears to be the first person in Hong Kong who hasnt recently traveled and yet contracted the highly infectious omicron variant. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-24/hong-kong-finds-suspected-local-omicron-case-in-airport-cleaner 24th Dec 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters The White House is grateful that former U.S. President Donald Trump received and promoted getting the COVID19 vaccine booster shot press secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday. The Republican former president recently said in an interview that he received a booster shot and called the COVID19 vaccines one of the greatest achievements of mankind. The ones that get very sick and go to the hospital are the ones that dont take the vaccine Trump said in an interview with conservative commentator Candace Owens. If you take the vaccine youre protected. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-says-still-working-finalize-contracts-us-orders-covid-19-tests-2021-12-23/ 24th Dec 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Italy has tightened restrictions to curb surging COVID19 infections including banning all public New Years Eve celebrations as daily infections hit a record high the government said on Thursday. Health Minister Roberto Speranza said mask wearing would be compulsory outdoors again and ordered people to use the more protective Ffp2 face masks on public transport and in public places such as theatres cinemas and at sports events. In addition concerts and openair events will be banned until Jan. 31 and discos and dance clubs will have to shut their doors until that date in an effort to prevent mass socialising during the holiday period. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-set-tighten-covid-curbs-rein-infections-statement-2021-12-23/ 24th Dec 2021

Continued Lockdown

Reuters South Africa has recalled rules that no longer required people without symptoms of COVID19 to isolate or test if they have been in contact with a positive case the government announced on Tuesday saying an amended circular will be reissued. Last week the health ministry said that asymptomatic individuals who had been in contact with a case of COVID19 no longer had to isolate but should monitor for symptoms for 57 days and avoid attending large gatherings. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-recalls-new-isolation-quarantine-rules-2021-12-28/ 28th Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Australia reported its first confirmed death from the new Omicron variant of COVID19 on Monday amid its biggest daily surge in infections but the authorities refrained from imposing new restrictions saying hospitalisation rates remained low. The death a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions marked a grim milestone for the country which has had to reverse some parts of a staged reopening after nearly two years of stopstart lockdowns due to the fresh outbreak. Omicron which health experts say appears more contagious but less virulent than previous strains began to spread in the country just as it lifted restrictions on most domestic borders and allowed Australians to return from overseas without quarantine driving case numbers to the highest of the pandemic. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/australia-records-first-omicron-death-authorities-stick-reopening-plan-2021-12-27/ 27th Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Mirror Unjabbed people who catch Covid are up to 60 times more likely to end up in an intensive care ward than those who have been vaccinated figures reveal. The startling data also shows the difference between the jabbed and unjabbed needing intensive care is starkest among older people who are more likely to suffer more seriously from Covid. Figures from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre ICNARC which covers hospital units in England Wales and Northern Ireland show that between May and November the rate of admission for doublejabbed Covid sufferers in their 60s was just 0.6 cases per 100000 people per week. But among unjabbed people of the same age the rate was 37.3 per 100000 per week equating to a relative risk about 60 times higher https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/unvaccinated-60-times-more-likely-25790825 27th Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Wall Street Journal Latin America once a hot spot of Covid19 deaths now leads the U.S. and much of the world in vaccinations as supply concerns have eased and health policy makers rush to shield their countries from new variants roiling other regions. Applying a mix of Chinese European and American vaccines about 62 of South Americas population has received two shots or the single dose by Johnson Johnson. That is more than the 60 of Europeans inoculated with two doses the 56 of people in North America and the 54 in Asia according to Our World in Data a pandemic research project at the University of Oxford. Only Australia has fully vaccinated a bigger percentage of its people. https://www.wsj.com/articles/latin-america-is-now-a-world-leader-in-vaccinations-11640428207 26th Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg India will begin vaccinating teenagers from the ages of 15 to 18 from Jan. 3 and also administer booster vaccine doses for healthcare workers a week later as omicronfueled Covid19 cases spike Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. Citizens who are older than 60 years and suffer from comorbidities can also get booster shots of Covid vaccines in January Modi said in a televised national address. India needs to be vigilant about the spread of the coronavirus Modi said adding that people should not pay attention to rumors nor panic about rising infection numbers. India has so far reported 415 cases of omicron infections from across 17 states according to the latest data from the federal Health Ministry Saturday. The South Asian nations confirmed Covid cases so far total nearly 34.8 million. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-25/india-to-start-vaccinating-teenagers-booster-for-health-workers 26th Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian The UK governments chief scientific adviser has hit back at accusations from Conservative MPs that epidemiological modellers had spread gloom about the Omicron variant. Sir Patrick Vallance said it was not the responsibility of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies Sage to take a particular policy stance or to either spread gloom or give Panglossian optimism. He used an article in the Times to respond to criticism that was widely circulated among Tory MPs and ministers that suggested Sages Omicron modelling had been an exercise in fearmongering. The Spectators editor Fraser Nelson had a Twitter exchange with the Sage member Graham Medley over the weekend suggesting ministers asked Sage to model worstcase scenarios. The exchange was reportedly widely shared in the WhatsApp groups of Tory MPs. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/24/vallance-hits-back-at-tory-accusations-of-omicron-fear-mongering 24th Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Data from South Africa which suggests the Omicron coronavirus variant is 70 to 80 less severe than Delta should not be extrapolated to all countries the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control CDC said on Thursday. A South African study published on Wednesday found that people diagnosed with Omicron in the country in October and November were 80 less likely to be admitted to hospital than those diagnosed with another variant in the same period. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-data-suggests-omicron-mild-should-not-be-extrapolated-africa-cdc-2021-12-23/ 24th Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Healthcare workers in the United States who test positive for COVID19 but are asymptomatic can return to work after seven days in isolation provided they test negative the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday. The new guidance cuts the quarantine time from a previously recommended 10 days which the CDC said was in preparation for an anticipated increase in Omicron cases. Omicron now accounts for 73 of coronavirus infections in the United States the CDC said on Monday. The CDC said the quarantine time can be cut further if there are staffing shortages due to COVID19 adding that healthcare workers who have been fully vaccinated including a booster do not need to quarantine at home following highrisk exposures. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/cdc-cuts-quarantine-time-7-days-healthcare-workers-amid-omicron-surge-2021-12-23/ 24th Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Three doses of Sinovacs CoronaVac COVID19 vaccine do not produce adequate levels of antibodies to fight the Omicron variant of the coronavirus researchers from Hong Kong said in a statement. Their analysis revealed PfizerBioNTech vaccine was more effective as a third dose of the shot administered after two doses of the same or Chinas Sinovac vaccine provided protective levels of antibody against Omicron. Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have said their threeshot course was able to neutralise the new Omicron variant in a laboratory test. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-sinovac-covid-19-booster-weaker-against-omicron-hong-kong-study-2021-12-23/ 23rd Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Omicron appears to be less severe but more contagious than any other Covid19 strain to date a U.K. government study concluded bolstering research that has shown a lower risk of hospitalization from the fastspreading variant. People infected with omicron are 50 to 70 less likely than those with delta to be admitted to hospitals the U.K. Health Security Agency said Thursday. Omicron patients are also 31 to 45 less likely to arrive at emergency departments than those with delta. The agencys data came with an important caveat While a booster shot improves protection against omicron its effectiveness starts to wane more rapidly than with delta and is 15 to 25 lower starting 10 weeks after the third dose. The agency also cautioned that the new variant is so infectious that it could still produce significant numbers of severe cases. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-23/omicron-study-in-u-k-bolsters-evidence-of-lower-hospital-risks 23rd Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The U.S. government has paused the distribution of COVID19 antibody treatments from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly saying the therapies were unlikely to be effective against the Omicron coronavirus variant. The variant has become the dominant strain in the United States with lightning speed resurrecting restrictions and stretching the countrys testing infrastructure. The halt on the allocation of the therapies will continue until new data emerges on their efficacy the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response said in a joint statement on Thursday https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-pauses-allocation-regeneron-lilly-covid-19-antibodies-2021-12-23/ 23rd Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Australia has brought forward implementing thirddose booster shots for Covid19 as the nation battles outbreaks of the omicron variant. From Jan. 4 Australians will be be able to get their booster shot four months after receiving their second dose narrowing the current fivemonths wait time Health Minister Greg Hunt said in Canberra. From Jan. 31 the gap will be cut again to three months. These dates have been set out of an abundance of caution to give Australians early continued protection Hunt said. About 91 of Australians aged 16 and over have had two jabs he said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-23/australia-brings-forward-booster-shots-amid-omicron-outbreaks 23rd Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Wall Street Journal People infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus are between 50 to 70 less likely to be admitted to the hospital than those who caught earlier strains according to a new U.K. study that adds to a growing body of evidence of Omicrons reduced severity in populations with high levels of immunity. The analysis from England published Thursday by the U.K.s Health Security Agency follows studies in Scotland and South Africa that also pointed to a substantially lower risk of hospitalization with Omicron than with more established variants including Delta. Scientists are still unsure how these encouraging findings around hospitalizations will stack up against Omicrons much increased transmissibility and ability to partially evade the protection of vaccines. The risk they say is the variant could still cause a big wave of hospital admissions simply by infecting many more people. https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-study-finds-risk-of-hospitalization-with-omicron-50-to-70-lower-than-with-delta-11640281553 23rd Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Wall Street Journal U.S. regulators cleared use of a Covid19 pill from Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP the latest easytouse therapy that infected people can take to keep out of the hospital. The authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration permits doctors to prescribe the drug called molnupiravir to adults at high risk of severe disease shortly after they develop mild to moderate symptoms. The FDA recommended using the Merck drug only if other authorized drugs arent available and medically appropriate. Health experts have raised safety concerns about the Merck drug which also was less effective in testing than an antiviral from Pfizer Inc. On Wednesday the FDA cleared the Pfizer pill Paxlovid also for people to take at home to try to stay out of the hospital. The authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration permits doctors to prescribe the drug called molnupiravir to adults at high risk of severe disease shortly after they develop mild to moderate symptoms. The FDA recommended using the Merck drug only if other authorized drugs arent available and medically appropriate. Health experts have raised safety concerns about the Merck drug which also was less effective in testing than an antiviral from Pfizer Inc. On Wednesday the FDA cleared the Pfizer pill Paxlovid also for people to take at home to try to stay out of the hospital. https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-authorizes-mercks-covid-19-pill-for-at-home-treatment-11640270142 23rd Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Al Jazeera English AstraZeneca has said that a third dose of its COVID19 vaccine significantly lifted antibody levels against the Omicron coronavirus variant citing data from a new laboratory study. Findings from the study yet to be published in a peerreviewed medical journal match those from rivals PfizerBioNTech and Moderna which have also found a third dose of their shots works against Omicron. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/23/astrazeneca-says-booster-jab-works-against-omicron-study-finds 23rd Dec 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters South Africas health regulator on Thursday approved the use of Johnson Johnson vaccine for a second dose or booster paving the way for the shot widely used in South Africa to shore up protection against the Omicron variant. The country already announced in December that it was preparing to offer people booster doses of both the Pfizer and JJ shots but it did not specify when JJ boosters would be available. The South African Health Products Authority SAPHRA said in a statement on Thursday that it had approved JJ shots for use as a second dose or booster at least two months after the completion of the persons primary vaccination with either JJs singleshot course or another approved mRNA COVID19 vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-health-regulator-approves-jj-covid-19-boosters-2021-12-23/ 23rd Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Spains coronavirus infection rate exceeded 1000 cases per 100000 people for the first time on Monday stoked by the fastspreading Omicron variant although hospitals were under much less strain than in previous waves of the pandemic. The rate measured over the preceding 14 days rose to 1206 cases following the Christmas weekend according to health ministry data. That compares with 911 reported on Thursday when it first topped the previous record of 900 cases set in late January. The tally had not been updated since Thursday and has added 214619 new cases to the 5932626 recorded since the start of the pandemic. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-covid-19-infections-soar-after-christmas-2021-12-27/ 27th Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg The probable local case was reported in the Borneo state of Sarawak on Dec. 24 in a 38year old Chinese national Khairy said in a briefing on Saturday. The individual has been working with a local engineering company for three years and hasnt traveled abroad during that period he has also been fully vaccinated The cause of the infection is not known and investigations are still ongoing Khairy said. New cases may climb in the coming weeks in view of the suspected local omicron case and the government will next week announce the shortening of the booster shot interval to curb the spread of the new variant he added. About half of the 61 imported cases are from Saudi Arabia followed by five from the U.K four from Qatar and three from the U.S. The U.K U.S Saudi Arabia Denmark Australia France Norway India Canada and Nigeria have high risk omicron and travelers coming from these countries must wear a digital tracker Malaysias local cases have plunged from a daily high of more than 22000 in late August to about 3500 this week. Still imported cases most of them omicron have risen rapidly to about 100 daily since Wednesday according to data from the health ministry The governments attempts at managing the pandemic hit a speed bump after parts of peninsular Malaysia suffered the worst flooding in years last weekend on Thursday 15 positive cases were found among the victims seeking shelter at evacuation centers taking the total to 405 the health ministry said https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-25/malaysia-suspects-first-local-omicron-case-as-variant-spreads 26th Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Bloomberg Singapore confirmed a new cluster of Covid19 cases linked to the omicron variant warning that it expects to see the highlytransmissible strain spread in the community. The primary case in the confirmed cluster at The Vinyl Bar in the city was a passenger who flew in using Singapores quarantinefree vaccinated travel lane on Dec. 14. He tested negative upon arrival but received a positive result in a further governmentmandated test four days later. Nine more people are linked to the cluster. All are fully vaccinated and have mild or no symptoms the ministry of health said. The confirmed cases and their close contacts will be placed in quarantine. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-25/singapore-finds-new-omicron-cluster-braces-for-community-spread 25th Dec 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The Dominican Republic has identified its first case of the Omicron variant of COVID19 the health ministry of the Caribbean country said on Saturday. In a statement on Twitter the ministry said Omicron had been identified in a person with mild symptoms who had arrived in the country from South Africa. The ministry also said it had later been informed by Chilean authorities that a person who traveled to Chile from the Dominican Republic had tested positive for Omicron. Other potential cases of Omicron are under investigation the ministry added. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dominican-republic-reports-first-case-covid-19-omicron-variant-2021-12-26/ 25th Dec 2021

New Lockdown

Reuters Rising COVID19 infections in Chinas city of Xian have spurred a lockdown of its 13 million residents with stretches of highway eerily bare on Thursday as many people queued in the cold to get their noses swabbed at testing sites. The daily count of domestically transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms in the northwestern city famed for its terracotta warriors buried with Chinas first emperor has increased for six straight days since Dec. 17. That takes the tally of local cases to more than 200 over the period from Dec. 9 to 22 smaller than many outbreaks outside China. No Omicron infection has yet been found in Xian capital of the northwestern province of Shaanxi. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-reports-100-new-covid-19-cases-dec-22-vs-77-day-earlier-2021-12-23/ 24th Dec 2021