23rd Jul 2020 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=58 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters UK When Bajirao Thengde voiced his fears about going to work after dozens of colleagues fell sick with coronavirus his boss at a motorbike factory in western India said he should learn to live with the virus. As Indias coronavirus cases exceeded one million last week unions say similar spikes in infections in reopened factories are putting workers at risk accusing companies of skimping on health and safety as they rush to get business back on track. It was only after several workers died and district authorities ordered a sevenday lockdown that Thengdes plant in Maharashtra state finally closed on July 10 weeks after calls for it to shut when the first cases appeared. We were demanding that the factory be temporarily closed but work carried on said Thengde a union leader who has worked for more than 30 years for Bajaj Auto Ltd Indias biggest motorbike exporter. https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-india-workers/coronavirus-cases-surge-among-factory-workers-in-post-lockdown-india-idUKL3N2EO2GU 22nd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Arab News Egypt has extended the operating hours of cafes and restaurants from 1000 PM to midnight while allowing them to operate at 50 percent capacity starting July 26 the cabinet said in a statement. The operating hours of stores including malls were also extended until 1000 PM the statement said. Egypt had reduced operating hours in its initial reopening phase to limit public gatherings and curb the spread of the coronavirus. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1708511/middle-east 22nd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Daily Mail A Covid19 vaccine could be rolled out for vulnerable Britons within months of one being found to work according to the UKs vaccine tsar. Normally it takes up to two years before a medication is given the green light by the European Medicines Agency EMA and the UKs drugs watchdog. But Kate Bingham chair of the UKs vaccine taskforce says a coronavirus jab could be fasttracked through the process. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8547825/Covid-vaccine-rolled-vulnerable-Britons-approved-regulators.html 22nd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

San Francisco Chronicle With coronavirus cases rising Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an executive order Wednesday making face masks mandatory outside homes an unprecedented step in the nations capital. Bowser said the order would include enforcement language detailing possible fines for violations. After saying they had successfully blunted the infection curve in the city earlier this summer health officials say the infection numbers have slowly crept upward reaching triple digits on Wednesday for the first time in weeks. Limited exceptions to the order according to material distributed by Bowsers office include children under age 3 people actively eating or drinking and people vigorously exercising outdoors while not close to anyone else. https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/DC-mayor-to-order-mandatory-masks-as-infections-15426272.php 22nd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

CTV News Female leaders are doing a better job handling the coronavirus crisis European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said in an online interview with The Washington Post praising them for their honest communication and for showing they cared. The differences in policies and communication were quite stunning in countries led by women she said. The female leaders of Germany Taiwan Belgium and New Zealand had also carried the water of bad news as well as the water of clear explanation and strong recommendations she added. https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/female-leaders-doing-better-job-in-virus-crisis-says-lagarde-1.5034635 22nd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

This is Money DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has lifted a health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak and ordered a reopening in three stages of business activities schools and borders. He said that from Wednesday all shops banks restaurants and bars would be allowed to reopen public transport could resume and large gatherings would be permitted. Schools and universities can reopen on August 3 and airports ports borders and places of worship on August 15. The vast country of more than 80 million people has recorded 8534 infections including 196 deaths since March 10. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/wires/afp/article-8548981/DR-Congo-ends-virus-health-emergency-borders-reopen.html 22nd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Switzerland has expanded to 42 the number of territories on its watchlist of coronavirus hot spots new arrivals from which must enter a 10day quarantine health authorities said. New entries as of Thursday include Bosnia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Eswatini Guatemala Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Luxembourg Maldives Mexico Montenegro the Palestinian territories Suriname and the United Arab Emirates UAE. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-swiss-quarantine/switzerland-expands-covid-19-quarantine-watchlist-idUKKCN24N1LN 22nd Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

iNews There is absolutely no reason whatsoever why we could not see the same phenomenon playing out in London or other UK cities in the weeks to come especially as restrictions continue to be eased. I may sound like a broken record but it really is crucial that we have a foolproof testandtrace system or else an outbreak will emerge and we will not be able to control its spread. https://inews.co.uk/opinion/barcelona-lockdown-uk-faces-second-wave-559110 21st Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

Politico Reports of massive electoral fraud havent stirred public anger and there have been no protests on the scale of last summers demonstrations. Theres ongoing unrest in the far east of the country over the arrest of a popular antiKremlin governor but theyve stayed local for now. Instead Putin is being thanked by Muscovites for having forced the mayor of Moscow to lift the lockdown earlier than planned and his popularity has spiked. Russians are mostly just relieved to be free again even though the country is still recording more than 6000 new cases daily. International borders may still be closed but most Russians have thrown caution to the wind and already embraced a postcorona future. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/21/putin-russia-coronavirus-377564 21st Jul 2020

Lockdown Exit

BBC A total of 19 positive cases of coronavirus have been linked to an outbreak that started at a Motherwell call centre NHS Lanarkshire has said. A statement released on Tuesday evening said 14 cases associated with the premises had been identified. There have been a further five cases involving other people linked to those at the call centre. Earlier on Tuesday Nicola Sturgeon said 22 new cases had been detected in Scotland with 14 in Lanarkshire. The first minister said at least some of them were linked to the call centre. She added that a Scottish government resilience meeting would consider the situation in Lanarkshire and whether any further action was required. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53485411 21st Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Evening Standard Care home visits are set to resume in England as the Government issues longawaited guidance on how loved ones can see residents. Visitors will be allowed in specific care homes in England once local directors of public health and local authorities decide it is safe to do so the Department of Health said. Despite the falling rate of community transmission of coronavirus the Government says visits should be limited to a single constant visitor per resident where possible to limit the risk of infection spread and keep footfall in and out of the home down. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/care-home-visits-resume-england-coronavirus-a4505721.html 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters Germany is introducing a new law compelling meatpackers to employ staff directly in industrial abattoirs rather than subcontracting to avert further coronavirus outbreaks exacerbated by poor working conditions a draft law showed on Wednesday. German slaughterhouses have faced criticism for the widespread use of subcontracted migrant workers from eastern Europe with cramped accommodation and poor oversight suspected of accelerating local coronavirus outbreaks in abattoirs. Labour Minister Hubertus Heil has condemned the system of subsubsubcontracting in abattoirs where subcontractors rely on other subcontractors to get staff. The draft law introduced by Heil and seen by Reuters bans subcontracting in the industrys core business areas of animal slaughtering and meat processing. Firms are only allowed to outsource work in noncore business areas such as cleaning. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-germany-meat/germany-cracks-down-on-slaughterhouse-sub-contracting-to-fight-coronavirus-idUKKCN24N1BF 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Metro.co.uk Spain is reportedly on the verge of being taken off the governments safe travel list after a surge of coronavirus cases. It means Brits who have booked a holiday could face quarantine for twoweeks on their return under the governments traffic light system. Spain has been hit with at least 200 coronavirus outbreaks since it lifted its lockdown a month ago. On Monday it saw a huge jump of 4581 new virus cases which experts warned was a massive test for the governments travel corridor policy. Whitehall sources reportedly told The Sun the situation is being closely monitored and that a decision to potentially remove some or all of Spain from the list could be made in a matter of days. https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/22/brits-may-have-quarantine-return-spain-sure-coronavirus-cases-13020943/ 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

The Himalayan Times As some changes in the present modality of lockdown was being expected with fall in official number of coronavirusinfection cases the government on Tuesday made a surprise move to lift the lockdown altogether. To begin with the Cabinet on Monday announced resumption of all flights from August 17 which was aided by the decision to resume tourist activities and longhaul transport services on Tuesday. Government Spokesperson Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada then informed the media that the lockdown will see an end starting midnight Tuesday. However despite the end of the lockdown the government has decided that a few activities will still face temporary ban while a few more activities will be added to the functional list. http://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/nepal-no-longer-under-lockdown-heres-what-will-run-now-and-what-still-wont/ 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

NHK WORLD Austria will again make face masks mandatory at supermarkets banks and post offices on Friday due to a resurgence of coronavirus infections. The country began requiring the use of masks in April but eased the rules in midJune except on public transport in hospitals and pharmacies and at hairdressers as infections dropped. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the return of tighter rules on Tuesday as the number of cases in Austria began rising in July with the daily toll surpassing 160. Austria was among the first countries in Europe to ease lockdown measures to fully reopen its economy. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200722_14/ 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Newshub There are no new cases of COVID19 in New Zealands managed isolation facilities the Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday. It has now been 82 days since the last case of COVID19 was acquired locally from an unknown source indicating there is no evidence of community transmission. The total number of active cases in New Zealand remains at 27. All positive results were obtained due to routine testing of new arrivals in managed isolation or quarantine facilities. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/07/coronavirus-no-new-covid-19-cases-in-new-zealand-s-managed-isolation-facilities.html 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

Reuters The Philippines said on Tuesday it would ramp up testing for the novel coronavirus amid a sharp rise in infections and deaths since a lockdown was eased in June while President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to arrest anyone not wearing a mask. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-philippines/philippines-to-ramp-up-coronavirus-testing-as-duterte-warns-of-arrests-idUSKCN24M0ET 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

The Wall Street Journal The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus pandemic topped 142000 as hospitals in some parts of the country where the virus is spreading rapidly face increasing numbers of patients. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz a Democrat and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine a Republican announced statewide mandates Wednesday requiring the wearing of face masks in stores public buildings and other indoor spaces where people gather. Mr. DeWine said the state recommends that individuals traveling from states with a 15 or above positivity rate selfquarantine for 14 days. Weve got to get this virus under controlwearing masks is going to make a difference he said at a press conference Wednesday. More than half the states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia have mandates for face coverings according to the National Governors Association and an order issued Wednesday by Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-07-22-2020-11595406312 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

The Jakarta Post Thailand will extend a state of emergency until the end of August a senior official said on Wednesday maintaining the security measure put in place to contain its coronavirus outbreak. The announcement comes after nearly two months without local transmission and with many people in Thailand questioning the need for an emergency decree. The decree first introduced in late March will be subject to cabinet approval next week. https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2020/07/22/thailand-to-extend-emergency-decree-until-end-of-august.html 22nd Jul 2020

Exit Strategies

NBC News NFL fans attending games assuming theres a 2020 season and spectators are allowed inside stadiums will have to wear facial coverings the league said Wednesday. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fans-will-have-wear-masks-nfl-games-season-if-there-n1234620 21st Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

The Guardian Donald Trump has admitted that the coronavirus pandemic is likely to get worse before it gets better at his first press briefing devoted to the issue since April. Facing dire poll numbers surging cases and sharp criticism for lack of leadership the US president returned to the White House podium attempting to show more discipline in both style and substance. In several notable reversals he urged people to wear face masks promised his administration was working on a strategy and wrapped up in less than half an hour avoiding his digressions in past briefings that culminated in a proposal to inject disinfectant in Covid19 patients. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/21/donald-trump-coronavirus-briefing-covid-19-masks 22nd Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

The Jerusalem Post The country is heading toward a complete lockdown Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said Tuesday. Hospital services could break down within the next three weeks senior health experts predicted. Nevertheless the Knesset voted to overturn the governments restrictions on restaurants. https://www.jpost.com/health-science/knessets-conduct-will-put-israel-under-lockdown-635797 22nd Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

Daily Record Nicola Sturgeon has been told to clear up confusing guidance on quarantine after lifting strict rules for Scottish holiday makers looking for some Spanish sun. The popular tourist country was kept off Scotlands first list air bridge destinations because of concerns with the rate of Covid19 infections. But the Scottish Government went on to remove the requirement earlier this week despite the infection rate tripling. Today Sturgeon defended the decision but also urged Scots to holiday at home unless its essential. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/doubts-over-nicola-sturgeons-spain-22396469 22nd Jul 2020

Partisan Exits

The Telegraph The Catalan health secretary has said young people should drink at home instead of gathering in town squares at night and the government ruled out a compulsory lockdown for now https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/22/catalonia-rules-compulsory-lockdown-spain-calls-keep-borders/ 22nd Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

BBC A majority of British children struggled to continue learning at home during the lockdown a report says. The Office for National Statistics research found that of the 52 who struggled threequarters of parents gave a lack of motivation as a reason. The research based on weekly household surveys between April and June also found womens wellbeing was being more adversely affected than that of men. It also showed wide disparities in what families were able to do. The ONS researchers carried out nationally representative surveys of more than 12000 people in Great Britain between 3 April and 7 June about their experiences of homeschooling during the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-53498523 22nd Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

FRANCE 24 The mayor of Bogota said she would expand a coronavirus lockdown from Thursday to cover five million residents of the Colombian capital after the government refused to authorize a total shutdown. Since July 13 with the health crisis worsening the city of eight million has been under a series of rotating lockdowns by groups of neighborhoods covering 2.5 million of the population at a time. Bogota mayor Claudia Lopez on Tuesday said she would extend the measure so the lockdowns overlap to cover more of the population from July 23 to August 14. https://www.france24.com/en/20200722-bogota-mayor-extends-virus-lockdown-after-govt-refuses 22nd Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

FRANCE 24 For highflying Russians used to spending summer holidays at Mediterranean resorts or in London penthouses coronavirus restrictions that closed borders and grounded flights have made international travel a distant dream. Yet many of Russias superrich who hold second passports or residence permits abroad have discovered an elegant way of bypassing antivirus measures to reach second homes in London Cyprus Monaco or Nice private jets. Privatelyoperated flights from Moscows airports more than doubled between April and midJune the RBK business news portal reported in late June citing sources at two of Moscows airports. https://www.france24.com/en/20200722-rich-russians-fuel-private-jet-demand-to-skirt-virus-lockdown 22nd Jul 2020

Continued Lockdown

NBC News What we saw after about two weeks was the older population starting to catch up again McDeavitt said though he pointed out that there is no scientific data yet to link younger partiers with older patients. Presumably younger people were going out and getting infected and then bringing that back to parents and grandparents he said. Young people are generally fine said Dr. Michael Wasserman a geriatrician and president of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine. Theyre not always but if they give it to grandma thats a problem. Indeed McDeavitt said more severe outcomes still tend to be among older people and people with underlying conditions such as obesity type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-19-deaths-are-rising-once-again-what-s-driving-n1234577 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian Scientists at Columbia University in New York screened antibodies from 40 Covid19 patients and identified 61 types from five individuals that effectively wiped out coronavirus. Among them were nine that displayed exquisite potency for neutralising the pathogen. Tests on cells showed that the antibodies killed off the virus while experiments with hamsters revealed that an infusion of one of the more potent antibodies protected the animals from disease. It shut off infectious virus completely in the lung tissue of the hamsters we treated said David Ho a professor of medicine at Columbia who led the research. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jul/22/antibody-mix-trialled-as-potential-coronavirus-treatment 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The U.S. government will pay nearly 2 billion to buy enough of a COVID19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer Inc and German biotech BioNTech SE to innoculate 50 million people if it proves to be safe and effective the companies said on Wednesday. The contract for 100 million doses of the vaccine amounts to a 39 price tag for what is likely to be a twodose course of treatment. The contract is the most the United States has agreed to spend on a vaccine although previous deals with other vaccine makers were intended to also help pay for development costs. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-pfizer-idUSKCN24N1I9 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Sky News The boss of a drugs company that has agreed to deliver up to 100 million doses of a potential COVID19 vaccine to the UK has told Sky News there is a more than 50 chance of it reaching patients. Thomas Lingelbach chief executive of Francebased Valneva also told Skys Ian King Live that he did not believe the drug would be widely available before the middle of next year. Valneva which has a manufacturing base at Livingston in Scotland is behind one of two coronavirus vaccine partnerships announced by the UK government earlier this week. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-potential-covid-19-vaccine-has-above-50-chance-of-success-12033797 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters A decision to focus its fiscal firepower on economic recovery has forced the EU to sharply scale back plans to address chronic shortages of drugs including COVID19 treatments by bringing back manufacturing capacity from Asia. As part of a budget deal to relaunch the economy that they agreed early on Tuesday after a marathon summit European Union leaders cut planned healthcare expenditure to 2027 by 80. The bloc has for years faced shortages of critical drugs including vaccines and antibiotics and now is struggling to buy medicines needed by COVID19 patients in intensive care units. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-eu-budget/eu-plan-to-tackle-covid-19-drug-shortages-hit-by-health-budget-cuts-idUKKCN24N1TP 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail An outbreak of several coronavirus cases was discovered at Swiss hotel Those who only worse plastic visors were infected but masks were protective Clear visors are recommended by the UK Government for many workers https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8548305/Face-shields-worn-hairdressers-DONT-protect-against-Covid-19-health-officials-say.html 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Guardian My colleagues in the Crick contacted Downing Street in March wrote to minister Matt Hancock in April emphasising two main things the importance of regular systematic testing of all healthcare workers including not only frontline doctors and nurses but support staff ambulance drivers and other healthcare providers such as the care homes GP surgeries community nurses and the like. These all need to be tested. At the height of the pandemic our own research and of course that only backs up whats been done elsewhere is that up to 45 of healthcare workers were infected. And they were infecting their colleagues reinfecting patients yet they werent being tested systematically. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/21/covid-19-test-all-health-and-care-workers-once-or-twice-a-week-says-top-uk-scientist 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

University of Birmingham Black Asian minority ethic patients with COVID19 are more likely to be admitted to hospital from regions with higher levels of air pollution lower quality housing and overcrowded living conditions and are more likely to be admitted to intensive care a new UK study has found. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2020/07/higher-risk-for-covid-patients-from-more-deprived-regions.aspx 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Pulse Today GPs will not be able to coadminister Covid19 and flu jabs due to safety concerns the deputy chief medical officer for England has said. http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/immunisation/flu-and-covid-19-vaccines-will-need-to-be-given-separately-says-deputy-cmo/20041195.article 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard Prof Sir Jeremy Farrar director of the Wellcome Trust told the Commons health and social care committee on Tuesday Things will not be done by Christmas. This infection is not going away its now a human endemic infection. The top scientist a member of the Governments Sage advisory committee added Even actually if we have a vaccine or very good treatments humanity will still be living with this virus for very many many years.... decades to come. The stark forecast is a blow for Prime Minister Boris Johnson who said last week that he hoped for a significant return to normality by Christmas. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-vaccine-cases-lockdown-jeremy-farrar-a4504696.html 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

CNBC Germany showed how scientific communication can be vital in fighting pandemics. Its health ministers status rose its chancellor Angela Merkel herself a scientist broke down complex scientific topics to the public and its top virologist Christian Drosten built a podcast following in the millions. But Germanys response to Covid19 wasnt perfect. We spoke to a dozen locals to find out what went well and what could have gone better. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/21/germanys-coronavirus-response-masterful-science-communication.html 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Evening Standard Italy is testing a coronavirus swab which gives a result in 12 minutes and costs only 11. The swab manufactured in South Korea has been tested 1000 times in the northern region of Veneto and may soon be used in Italian airports to screen tourists for the infection The Times reports. It looks reliable and we hope to get it into use in Veneto by the autumn Francesca Russo who runs the regions Covid19 response team told the newspaper. Officials have recorded only two false results while trialling the test which is called Standard Q Covid19. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/italy-coronavirus-test-minutes-accurate-result-a4504821.html 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

EL PAS in English Spain is detecting an increasing number of young people with Covid19 according to a new report by the Carlos III Health Institute. The study published Monday night showed that most new cases fall in the 15to29 age bracket. Two out of every 10 infections recorded since May 10 when Spain began to roll back its lockdown rules were adolescents or young adults. Indeed of the 25600 cases analyzed in the report 40 were under the age of 40. The average age of coronavirus patients has fallen from around 60 in April to 48 according to the epidemiological survey Covid19 Situation in Spain which is based on the information provided by regional authorities when a new case is detected. https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-07-22/coronavirus-cases-in-spain-40-under-the-age-of-40-and-more-than-half-asymptomatic.html 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Mainichi A book that recounts life in the central Chinese city of Wuhan while under a strict coronavirus lockdown has been effectively banned in China its author said in a recent written interview with Kyodo News. Chinese critics have been trying to thwart publication of the book titled Wuhan Diary whose English version has received international recognition although the countrys authorities have not officially prohibited it said the 65yearold local novelist known as Fang Fang. The book is a collection of 60 posts from her account on Weibo the Chinese equivalent of Twitter regarding daily life during the socalled worlds harshest coronavirus lockdown between Jan. 23 and April 7 in Wuhan as well as what she described as the dark side of the authorities. In her posts she expressed distrust in the Chinese authorities lambasting them for having concealed information about the humantohuman transmission of the virus in the early stages of the citys outbreak. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200722/p2g/00m/0in/031000c 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Sydney Morning Herald Australias politicians and top scientists are split over whether we should go all in on a hard elimination plan while Melbourne shuts down. If it works life could almost go back to normal. But what are the risks https://www.smh.com.au/national/could-we-eliminate-covid-19-in-australia-and-how-would-it-work-20200721-p55e0k.html 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Ecuadors indigenous groups in the Amazon have launched an information dashboard to monitor the coronavirus and identify contagion hotspots as the disease spreads through the rainforest and threatens ancient cultures a leading rights group said on Tuesday. The dashboard a collection of charts that aggregates coronavirus data shows COVID19 infection and death rates and suspected and recovered cases by area and tribe since early May said The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon CONFENIAE which gathered the information. About 250000 indigenous people live in Ecuadors Amazon region where they are facing a high risk of infection and death from the coronavirus due to malnutrition and a lack of drinking water health services and COVID19 tests. According to data on the dashboard COVID19 cases among the 10 indigenous nations tracked have increased to 1733 from 47 since May 15. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ecuador-indigenous/ecuadors-amazon-tribes-turn-to-tech-to-track-covid-19-cases-idUSKCN24M30Y 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Swedens top epidemiologist said on Tuesday a rapid decline in new critical COVID19 cases alongside slowing death rates indicated that Swedens strategy for slowing the epidemic which has been widely questioned abroad was working. Sweden has foregone a hard lockdown throughout the outbreak a strategy that set it apart from most of Europe. Chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell of the public health agency said a rapid slowdown in the spread of the virus indicated very strongly that Sweden had reached relatively widespread immunity. The epidemic is now being slowed down in a way that I think few of us would have believed a week or so ago he told a news conference. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-sweden-strategy/swedish-epidemiology-boss-says-questioned-covid-19-strategy-seems-to-be-working-idUSKCN24M25L 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

The Economic Times Recovering from Covid19 may not offer much lasting protection from future infections for those with only mild cases according to a report that suggests caution regarding socalled herd immunity as well as the durability of vaccines. The correspondence in the New England Journal of Medicine outlined research on antibodies taken from the blood of 34 patients who had recovered after suffering mainly mild symptoms that didnt require intensive care. Just two needed supplemental oxygen and received an HIV medication and none were on a ventilator or getting Gilead Sciences Inc.s remdesivir. The first analysis was done on antibodies taken an average of 37 days after symptoms began with a second after about 86 days or less than three months. The researchers found that antibody levels fell quickly with a halflife of about 73 days between the two time frames. The loss of antibodies occurred more quickly than with SARS an earlier type of coronavirus infection. https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/research-shows-that-covid-antibodies-fade-rapidly-raising-risk-of-lost-immunity/77104905 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters UK WHO is working to ensure fair vaccine distribution but in the meantime it is key to suppress the viruss spread said Mike Ryan head of WHOs emergencies programme as daily new cases around the globe are at nearrecord levels. Were making good progress Ryan said noting that several vaccines were now in phase 3 trials and none had failed so far in terms of safety or ability to generate an immune response. Realistically it is going to be the first part of next year before we start seeing people getting vaccinated he told a public event on social media https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-who/dont-expect-first-covid-19-vaccinations-until-early-2021-whos-ryan-idUKKCN24N2GB 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

AlJazeera Nearly two dozen potential vaccines for the novel coronavirus are under various stages of human testing worldwide and at least two are being conducted in Brazil the country with the worlds secondworst outbreak. One is a Chinesemade drug that is being tested on 9000 volunteers the other is developed by Oxford University. Testing is now under way and is expected to last for about three months. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/covid-19-vaccine-trials-underway-brazil-200722095525345.html 22nd Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Daily Mail Sweden has one of the highest per capita death tolls in the world but less than the UK and has recorded 5646 fatalities and 78166 cases of coronavirus Health officials today said they could see 5800 more deaths in a worst case But they believe it more likely they will see clusters and then a general subsiding https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8545963/Lockdown-free-Sweden-5-800-coronavirus-deaths-health-agency-warns.html 21st Jul 2020

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Mental health deteriorated substantially in the U.K. population during the Covid19 lockdown particularly among women and young people a survey suggests. More than a quarter of participants reported a level of mental distress that was potentially clinically significant after the first month of lockdown compared with one in five people before the pandemic according to the survey of 17452 people in late April published in The Lancet Psychiatry. The responses reveal that inequalities present before the crisis have widened the authors wrote. Lowincome households experienced a higher level of mental distress and women are suffering more than men according to the survey. Levels were also higher among younger age groups and those living with preschool children. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-21/mental-health-disparities-widen-in-u-k-during-covid-lockdown 21st Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

9News Victorian health authorities say they wont advise moving to a stricter lockdown despite another daily spike in cases because it might not make any difference. A stage four lockdown like seen in New Zealand and Italy earlier in the pandemic would limit peoples movements even more. But Victorias Chief Health officer Professor Brett Sutton said there could be little benefit in Melbourne because most cases appear to be coming from people spreading the illness before they get tested or while waiting for results. https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-victoria-melbourne-why-stage-four-restrictions-not-announced-dan-andrews/2cdbca5e-7829-4dd9-b828-fed70e195aca 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

YAHOO! The prevalence of the novel coronavirus in Spain has risen threefold over the last three weeks as authorities struggle to contain a rash of fresh clusters mainly in the Catalonia and Aragon regions Health Ministry data showed on Monday. After registering thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths per day during an early April peak Spain succeeded in slowing the number of new infections to a trickle. But since restrictions on movement were lifted and Spaniards relaxed back into daily life some 201 new clusters have appeared with heavy concentrations in and around the Catalan cities of Barcelona and Lleida. The occurrence of the novel coronavirus has jumped from eight cases per 100000 inhabitants at the end of June when the countrys state of emergency ended to 27 per 100000 deputy health emergency chief Maria Sierra told a news conference on Monday. Over the weekend 4581 new cases were recorded bringing the total to 264836 she added. More than 28000 people have died. Where measures have been relaxed is where these clusters appear Health Minister Salvador Illa said. Were talking about gatherings of extended family and spaces associated with nightlife. https://ca.news.yahoo.com/spains-coronavirus-rate-triples-three-175131731.html 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Spanish Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said on Wednesday a resurgence in coronavirus cases in Catalonia was coming under control and she hoped there would be no need for France to close the border. With the pandemic wreaking havoc on Spains tourism industry which accounts for about 12 of economic output Madrid has voiced concern after French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Sunday did not rule out closing the border. But Maroto told an event organised by Europa Press news agency she was optimstic after data showed infections in Catalonia had fallen over the past three days. Lets hope that with this better data we dont have to close a border that for us is very important for mobility with our European partners. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-spain/spain-hopes-no-need-to-close-french-border-over-coronavirus-idUKKCN24N0SR 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

RF International The French health ministry said Tuesday that coronavirus transmission is increasing during the summer holiday season with the total number of Covid19 deaths now standing at 30165. The ministrys DGS Direction gnrale de la sant health directorate said it had registered an increase in the number of emergency doctor calls emergency room visits the number of virus clusters and new hospitalisations for suspected cases across the country. The directorate said a total of 547 virus clusters had emerged since May 9 just before France began lifting the strict stayathome orders and business closures imposed in March to limit the viruss spread. https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20200722-french-health-ministry-says-covid-19-spread-is-increasing-as-people-head-on-holidays 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Asahi Shimbun Just days after South Korean officials hopefully declared the countrys COVID19 epidemic was coming under control health authorities reported 63 new cases following a dual rise in local transmissions and imported infections. South Koreas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said at least 36 of the new cases came from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area where about half of the countrys 51 million people live. The KCDC didnt immediately confirm whether the numbers included a new cluster of infections discovered at a frontline army unit in Pocheon north of Seoul where at least 13 troops have reportedly tested positive. The KCDC said 29 of the new cases were local transmissions and tied the other 34 to international arrivals as the virus continues to spread in Asia the United States and beyond. The government also plans to send to send two military planes to Iraq on Wednesday to evacuate around 300 South Korean construction workers amid the spread of the virus there. http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13568236 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Guardian Around the world certain environments have repeatedly proved to be hotbeds for Covid19 infection. Chief among these are aged care homes cruise ships prisons and abattoirs. As Victoria enters a second wave of Covid19 infections Australian meat processors have found themselves at the frontline of exposure and infection with multiple outbreaks in abattoirs across the state. In the US more than 16000 meat workers contracted the virus during April and May with up to 9 of the workforce infected in some states according to the Centers for Disease Control. While conditions in Australia are different in many respects the situation in Victoria still points to the potential for rapid spread. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/22/coronavirus-clusters-why-meatworks-are-at-the-frontline-of-australias-second-wave 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Most new cases were reported in Victoria despite the lockdown in Melbourne New South Wales is also on high alert because of community spread of the virus Infections previously peaked in March before lockdown restrictions were eased https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8547661/Australia-sees-record-number-new-coronavirus-cases-501.html 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

New Zealand Herald As lockdown looms over New South Wales and Victoria struggles to contain new outbreaks the Prime Minister of Australia warned nothing will change anytime soon. Speaking to the ABC on Tuesday night Scott Morrison said Australians should get used to life as it is right now restrictions included. He said the future under efforts to suppress the coronavirus means keeping the discipline. It means keeping health system support in place maintaining the testing regime. It will mean the wearing of masks. It means it hasnt gone anywhere and we cant live like it has. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&ampobjectid=12349896 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Daily Mail Victoria reportedly recorded 484 new cases of coronavirus biggest total yet That number would eclipse the states previous record of 428 on Friday Melbourne has been on lockdown since 8 July with residents told to stay at home New South Wales recorded 16 new cases on Wednesday as outbreak grew https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8547297/Victoria-considering-tough-New-Zealand-style-STAGE-FOUR-lockdown.html 22nd Jul 2020

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters India has cancelled a historic Hindu pilgrimage to a holy cave high in the snowcapped mountains of contested Kashmir for the first time as cases of the novel coronavirus continued to rise on Wednesday. There were 37724 new cases reported in the past 24 hours according to federal health data released on Wednesday. India has reported almost 1.2 million cases overall behind only the United States and Brazil. Organisers of the Amarnath Yatra where saffronclad Hindu ascetics walk 46 km 28 miles to the cave across glaciers and waterlogged trails said a very sharp spike in coronavirus cases had forced the cancellation. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india/india-cancels-historic-hindu-pilgrimage-as-coronavirus-cases-mount-idUSKCN24N14P 22nd Jul 2020

New Lockdown

Middle East Eye Gulf state will impose night curfew and ban travel between all its governorates from 25 July to 8 August to slow spread of Covid19 https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/coronavirus-oman-impose-curfew-over-eid-period-due-spike-cases 22nd Jul 2020

New Lockdown

The Guardian Nigeria New Delhi recorded fewer than 1000 coronavirus cases for the first time in seven weeks on Tuesday even as more Indian states imposed restrictions to halt the spread of the pandemic. India last week became the third country after the United States and Brazil to hit one million cases but many experts say that with testing rates low the true number could be much higher. More than 28000 people have died with the western state of Maharashtra home to Mumbai and its teeming slums suffering the highest death toll followed by the national capital Delhi and Tamil Nadu in the south. https://guardian.ng/news/world/delhi-virus-cases-dip-but-more-indian-states-lock-down/ 22nd Jul 2020

New Lockdown

Scroll.in Several states in India on Wednesday extended lockdowns in an effort to control the increasing spread of coronavirus cases as Indias tally neared the 12lakh mark. India on Wednesday recorded 37724 new cases taking the countrys tally to 1192915. The toll increased to 28732. In Manipur a complete lockdown would be imposed for 14 days from July 23. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced a sixday shutdown in the Valley except for Bandipora district from July 22 to July 27. Bhopal will also be under lockdown from July 24 to August 3. Meanwhile the World Health Organization praised India for responding to the coronavirus pandemic with utmost urgency. https://scroll.in/latest/968204/coronavirus-bengaluru-unlocks-from-today-even-as-karnatakas-tally-crosses-70000-mark 22nd Jul 2020

New Lockdown

The Conversation AU Fourteen days after Melbourne was put back into lockdown the latest daily tally of 484 new cases in Victoria makes for dispiriting reading. Why have the numbers stubbornly refused to go down despite Melburnians being confined to their homes for all but nonessential trips https://theconversation.com/two-weeks-into-melbournes-lockdown-why-arent-covid-19-case-numbers-going-down-142990 22nd Jul 2020