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    Coronavirus - 13th May 2021

    Kitkat
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 09:19

    Summary for Thursday, 13th May

    • The Indian variant is being carefully watched amid concerns over its spread in the UK, Prof Adam Finn, of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, says
    • Hospitals in the UK are facing a huge backlog, putting lives at risk, patient groups and staff are warning
    • Some hospitals are struggling to treat half of their cancer patients within the target time of two months
    • Adults are more likely to have mild and moderate side-effects after mixing AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine doses, a study finds
    • Chills, headaches and muscle pain were reported more frequently when different vaccine doses were combined
    • Ohio will award cash prizes of $1m (£710,000) to five recipients of Covid-19 vaccines to boost up-take of jabs
    • Australia has secured 25 million doses of the Moderna jab as it seeks to boost its delayed vaccination drive


    Good morning and welcome to today’s live coverage.
    Here’s a quick look at some of the main headlines to bring you up to speed:

    • An Indian variant of coronavirus, which has been detected in a number of parts of the UK, is “being watched really carefully now”, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has said
    • The coronavirus crisis has left a legacy of huge waiting lists and disruption to services, putting lives at risk, according to patient groups and staff. A BBC analysis found some hospitals were struggling to treat half of cancer patients within the two-month target time, while concerns grow for 45,000 “missing” cancer patient after drops in referrals and screening
    • A study into mixing doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines has shown it increased mild to moderate side effects such as chills, headaches and muscle pain. But these effects were short-lived and there were no other safety concerns, researchers said
    • Ministers in Northern Ireland are meeting to discuss the next easing of lockdown restrictions, with recommendations on hugging loved ones and resuming international travel on the agenda
    • Scotland’s Western Isles have become the first part of the UK to say it has offered a vaccine appointment to everyone eligible. So far 86.7% have had their first dose, while almost 50% have had both jabs
    • Ohio will award cash prizes of $1m (£710,000) to five recipients of Covid-19 vaccines to boost up-take of jabs
    • Australia has secured 25 million doses of the Moderna jab as the government seeks to boost its delayed vaccination drive

    Here are the other key recent developments around the world:
    The Guardian

    • The Netherlands expects to further relax coronavirus restrictions next week, giving the green light to sex workers and zoos so long as cases keep falling, prime minister Mark Rutte said Tuesday.
    • Major US airlines have weighed in alongside UK carriers to urge the reopening of transatlantic travel, calling on governments in Washington and London to arrange a summit as soon as possible.
    • Burger chain McDonald’s has announced it is partnering with the White House to promote vaccination information on its coffee cups. Separately, Joe Biden announced on Tuesday a new program with Lyft and Uber which will offer free rides to anyone going to a vaccination site to get vaccinated.
    • Pfizer has asked the UK medical regulator for permission to use its Covid-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds in Britain, the Telegraph has reported.
    • Teachers in Buenos Aires are demanding a return to virtual learning due to the increase in cases of coronavirus since the return of students.
    • Brazil recorded 72,715 additional confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 2,311 deaths from Covid-19, the health ministry said on Tuesday.
    • The Canadian provinces of Alberta and Ontario said on Tuesday they would stop offering first doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, with Ontario citing evidence that the risk of rare blood clots is somewhat higher than previously estimated.
    • Brazil’s federal government on Tuesday nationally suspended the vaccination of pregnant women with the AstraZeneca shot, after an expectant mother in Rio de Janeiro died from a stroke possibly related to the inoculation.


    What's the latest in Europe?


    • Hungary starts giving Covid vaccinations to 16-18-year-olds this morning, with a warning that unless they have the jabs they won't be able to go to bars or music festivals this summer. So far 90,000 teenagers have registered for the Pfizer vaccine. They need parental consent to have it.
    • Meanwhile, demand in Germany for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been so high since the government opened up to everyone that supplies are reportedly running out. Doctors have had to cancel appointments.
    • The Spanish government has announced that fans will be allowed to return to stadiums in limited numbers for the last days of the season – both in La Liga football games and the top basketball league. A maximum of 5,000 local fans wearing masks can return, with a limit of 30% per stadium in areas with the lowest alert level, such as Valencia, Galicia and the Balearic Islands. In principle that means Valencia's and Villareal's home games in La Liga next Sunday. Fans will also be allowed into Portuguese football stadiums for the last day of the season on 19 May, as long as they pass a negative test.
    • Public health experts in Portugal fear a spike in cases in Lisbon after celebrations by Sporting Lisbon fans got out of control in the capital after their team were crowned champions. Thousands of supporters abandoned masks and bottles and smoke bombs were thrown at police and journalists. There were disturbances in the Dutch town of Doetinchem last night too, involving fans who had gathered outside De Graafschap’s stadium, after their team missed out on promotion to the top league.
    • The head of Germany’s BDK police union, Sebastian Fiedler, has warned that forged vaccination passports could become a big problem as Covid restrictions are relaxed. He says the problem already exists – and will attract people who refuse to get vaccinated or those who want to avoid quarantine requirements.
    • Some 7,500 pilgrims have been taking part in an outdoor prayers at the Fátima sanctuary in Portugal, a year after it was halted by the pandemic. A candlelit procession took place last night at the shrine with limited numbers, and it will continue today.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 09:25

    Indian variant in UK 'a country-wide problem'

    Prof James Naismith, director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, says that the Indian coronavirus variant should not be seen as an issue just affecting a few hotspots, such as Bolton or Glasgow.
    “We should view it as a country-wide problem,” he tells BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
    He says localised restrictions are unlikely to work, as they previously failed to prevent variants spreading.
    “We tried that before in the tiered system, it didn’t really work against the Kent strain so I’m not sure why it would work against the Indian strain,” he said.
    “The big difference now is the vaccine campaign. We may not need to have the localised restrictions simply because the vaccine campaign takes care of this in time.”
    Asked if the variant could frustrate the vaccination programme, Prof Naismith said vaccines do not 100% prevent infection, but they do almost entirely prevent hospitalisation and serious illness.
    He said not enough was known about the Indian variant to see if it would behave differently to this.
    Asked if the lockdown should still be lifted or if he was more worried than this, Prof Naismith said a lot would depend on the confidence Sage has on the effectiveness of the vaccine against the Indian strain.
    “My gut feeling is that we will see a pressure to perhaps just wait and see a bit longer until we’re a bit more certain - but maybe Sage already have that data - before we continue to unlock."

    Indian variant 'being watched really carefully' in UK

    The Indian variant of coronavirus is “being watched really carefully now”, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, has said.
    Prof Adam Finn told BBC Breakfast the variant was “popping up in a number of places”, having "presumably" been imported from India.
    Scientists are looking at whether it is more infectious than the dominant strain in the UK, the B117 “Kent” variant, he says.
    “The numbers are still relatively small, so it’s hard to be sure about that, but it’s definitely an area for close observation so we can see what’s happening,” he adds.

    Mixing vaccines increases reports of mild side-effects, study suggests

    Adults are more likely to report mild and moderate side-effects after mixing doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer Covid vaccines, a study indicates.
    Chills, headaches and muscle pain were reported more frequently when different vaccine doses were combined.
    Any adverse reactions were short lived, with no other safety concerns.
    "It's a really intriguing finding and not something we were necessarily expecting," Prof Matthew Snape, from the Oxford Vaccine Group said.
    Read more.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 09:48

    India reports 362,727 new infections, 4,120 deaths

    India had 362,727 new Covid-19 infections over the last 24 hours while deaths climbed by 4,120, taking the toll to 258,317, health ministry data showed.
    The South Asian nation’s total caseload now stands at 23.7 million.

    Nepal engulfed in political turmoil amid Covid surge

    “The leaders have failed us again while people are dying in their homes, street and hospital parking lots while the politicians are fighting on who gets to be the prime minister,” said Hari Sah, a plumber who was trying to buy rice and lentils for his family in the two hours people are allowed to shop during an ongoing virus lockdown.
    “These politicians are monsters who come to us for votes but when we really need their help they are busy hatching plans to grab power and indifferent to our sufferings,” said Narayan Magar, a driver who has been without work for months.
    These quotes are from the latest Kathmandu despatch from Binaj Gurubacharya at Associated Press. He reports that political turmoil has returned to Nepal, which has had eight different governments in a decade and is experiencing its worst Covid-19 surge with acute shortages of health facilities and oxygen for patients.
    The Himalayan nation has seen its highest new cases and deaths for the past few days, on Tuesday recording 9,483 new cases and 225 deaths, a near-30-fold increase in infections in one month.
    Several hospitals in Kathmandu have stopped taking in new patients, declaring they have run out of beds and oxygen for patients.
    Grande Hospital posted a notice that it wouldn’t accept new Covid-19 patients because the 100 oxygen cylinders per day the government provided was barely enough. Government hospitals are treating patients on corridor floors, in beds on verandas and in waiting rooms while relatives line up to get oxygen.
    But the caretaker government isn’t in a position to make major decisions to bring the country through the crisis.
    “At the moment, all the political forces should have been working together putting aside all past differences to work to end the coronavirus crisis, but it is unfortunate for the nation and the people that they are focused entirely on who gets to be in power,” said Bhojraj Pokharel, former chief of the election commission in Nepal.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 10:03

    Thousands of Cambodians go hungry in strict Covid lockdown zones

    Sarah Johnson and Vutha Srey - The Guardian
    Tens of thousands of Cambodians are going hungry under the country’s strict lockdown as Covid cases continue to rise amid criticism from human rights groups that the government and the UN are being too slow to act.
    The south-east Asian country had recorded one of the world’s smallest coronavirus caseloads, but infections have climbed from about 500 in late February to 20,695 this week, with 136 deaths.
    A three-week blanket lockdown in the capital, Phnom Penh, was lifted last week but more than 150,000 people are still living in designated red zones in cities across Cambodia, forbidden from leaving their homes other than for specific medical reasons. Many have been living under the country’s most restrictive lockdown measures since mid-April and have not been able to work or get food, medicine and other necessities for weeks.
    “This is a humanitarian crisis for the people involved,” said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. “For those stuck at home without enough food or medical support, this is a government-created crisis. There’s a way to deal with public health concerns that does not require people to go hungry.”
    Read more

    Waits to start hospital treatment in England at record high

    The number of people in England waiting to start hospital treatment has risen to a new record high.
    A total of 4.95 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of March 2021, according to figures from NHS England.
    This is the highest number since records began in August 2007.
    And the number of people having to wait more than 52 weeks to start hospital treatment stood at 436,127 in March 2021 - the highest number for any calendar month since August 2007, when the figure stood at 578,682.
    In March 2020 the number having to wait more than 52 weeks to start treatment stood at just 3,097.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 11:13

    Do India reinfections pose a challenge to vaccines?

    Soutik Biswas - India Correspondent
    Coronavirus - 13th May 2021 92876910
    Pallava Bagla (right) was infected and hospitalised weeks after he was fully vaccinated

    Three weeks after he had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, a science journalist in Delhi developed high fever, a sore throat and a general feeling of discomfort.
    On 22 April, Pallava Bagla tested positive for the coronavirus. Four days later, a chest scan showed his clear lungs turning white, a sign of infection.
    As the fever persisted, he was admitted to hospital - eight days after his first symptoms.
    Before he left the hospital after eight days, doctors showed him a scan of the lungs of an unvaccinated, diabetic, male Covid-19 patient of his age, and compared it to his scan.
    "The difference was clear. The doctors told me that if I had not taken the vaccine I would have probably landed up on the ventilator in critical care. Timely and full vaccination saved my life," Mr Bagla says.
    Although India has fully vaccinated a paltry 3% of its 1.3 billion people, breakthrough cases - people contracting the infections two weeks after being fully vaccinated - appear to be rising.
    Scientists are now grappling with the question of whether existing vaccine protect people enough from newer, often more transmissible variants of coronavirus.
    Read more.

    British Airways to trial a 25 second Covid test

    British Airways has announced it will be the world's first airline to trial a coronavirus test which produces results within 25 seconds.
    The pilot scheme will see flight and cabin crew taking a Pelican Covid-19 antigen test from medical tech company Canary Global.
    Results will be compared against their standard test results.
    British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle described the test as a "gamechanger" and said the airline would explore what role it could play in customer testing after the trial with flight and cabin crew.
    "As we start to see the opening up of travel we remain committed to exploring easy and affordable testing solutions to help our customers travel again, whether it's for business, to reunite with family and friends or take a much-needed break abroad," he said.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:09

    Rising cases in Glasgow 'may involve Indian variant'

    A rise in coronavirus cases in Glasgow may involve the Indian variant, a public health expert says.
    Prof Linda Bauld, from Edinburgh University, says the B16172 variant, first identified in India, "may be some of the cases" in the south side of the city, where there has been a "big rise".
    She tells BBC Radio Scotland the Indian variant may be more transmissible than the variant first identified in Kent, which is now dominant in the UK.
    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the situation in Glasgow is being monitored "very closely" amid concern about the Indian variant.
    It comes as most of Scotland is due to move down to level two Covid restrictions on Monday, allowing up to six people from no more than three households to socialise indoors.
    The case rate in Glasgow is currently above the threshold for moving to level two - but so far ministers have said only Moray will remain in level three.

    Coronavirus cases in England fall to lowest level since last September

    The number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in England has fallen to the lowest level since the beginning of September.
    A total of 14,313 people tested positive for the virus at least once in the week to 5 May, according to the latest Test and Trace figures.
    This is down 9% on the previous week and the lowest number since the week to 2 September 2020.

    Theatres in Northern Ireland could reopen on 21 June

    An indicative date of 21 June has been proposed for theatres in Northern Ireland to reopen, BBC News NI has been told.
    It is not clear if the move will be discussed when ministers meet later to review lockdown restrictions.
    Theatres have effectively been closed since the pandemic began last March.
    Hugging of loved ones and the resumption of international travel are also expected to be discussed by ministers.
    Read more.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:14

    More Indian variant cases found in NI

    There has been an increase in the number of cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
    BBC News NI has been told there are now at least 12 cases of the variant first identified in India.
    Last week, the authorities confirmed seven people had tested positive.
    It is unclear whether the additional cases are linked and the Public Health Agency would not confirm where they were found or how many were linked to travel.
    While there has been a small increase in the overall number of positive Covid-19 cases in NI, it is understood health officials at this stage are not overly concerned.
    Elsewhere in the UK, the number of cases of the Indian variant is rising at worrying rates including in Bolton, north-west England.

    Breaking News 

    Champions League final moved to Portugal due to Covid restrictions

    The Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City will take place in Portugal with 6,000 fans from each club permitted to attend.
    The game on 29 May has been moved from Turkey to the Portuguese city of Porto because of coronavirus restrictions.
    Portugal is on England's green list so players and fans can attend without having to quarantine on their return home. Turkey is on the red list, meaning arrivals to the UK have quarantine for 10 days in a hotel.
    It is the second successive year the final has been held in Portugal.
    Read more.

    Surge testing not stopping spread of Indian variant, sources say

    Matt Cole - Senior Political Reporter
    Surge testing in areas where the Indian variant has been found is not working, sources have told the BBC.
    The strategy is identifying lots of cases but is not stopping the spread of the variant, according to sources.
    The variant is now being seen in lots of places, with few cases linked to travel, and case numbers have been "grossly underestimated", they said.
    Extra meetings of government scientific advisers - including the health secretary and chief medical officer - are taking place to consider the growing number of cases of the Indian variant, the BBC has been told.
    It is believed stage three of the roadmap for easing lockdown in England will go ahead on Monday but consideration is being given to the question of whether social distancing rules could be relaxed.
    The BBC understands that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already signed off on a reduction of social distancing measures – but a politically difficult rethink may now be under consideration.
    There are now also questions being raised about the possible need to delay stage four of the easing - planned for 21 June - which would see all legal limits on social contact lifted.
    One of the key tests for unlocking is the emergence of variants - and the increasing number of cases of the Indian variant could have an impact.
    It is believed an announcement of a greater focus on outbreaks of the Indian variant could be made some time after 14:00 BST.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:18

    Concern in town with second-highest case rates in England

    Bolton has the second highest rate of Covid-19 infections in England, prompting a roll-out of surge testing in the town.
    On Tuesday, the mayor of Greater Manchester asked the government for everyone over the age of 16 in the region to get a Covid vaccine to curb the spread of the Indian variant.
    Andy Burnham said it came after a "worrying" spike in Bolton among the under-25s, with cases doubling in a week.
    The prime minister's official spokesman has said surge vaccinations have not been ruled out to deal with rising cases in areas with variants.
    Labour councillor Mohammed Ayub said the council had been doing "everything possible" to suppress the virus and he believed the main cause of the surge was the Indian variant coming in from abroad.
    The BBC has spoken to local residents, who are nervous about what rising cases could mean for lockdown restrictions.

    Case rates increase slightly in most regions of England

    Covid-19 case rates have increased slightly across most regions of England, according to the latest weekly surveillance report from Public Health England.
    In the North West the rate was 32.6 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 9 May, up from 25.5 the previous week, while in the East Midlands it increased from 23.1 to 29.8.
    Slight increases were also recorded in the East of England, London and the North East.
    The South West had the lowest rate at 13.1, up from 12.2.
    Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the highest rate at 40.5 cases per 100,000 people, down slightly from 42.5 in the previous week.
    You can see how many cases there are in your area here.

    'World could be vaccinated by end of March next year'

    The world could be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of March next year, according to the body that represents the biggest pharmaceutical companies.
    Thomas Cueni, who is director general of the Swiss-based International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) estimates global Covid vaccine manufacturing capacity will be 10 billion by the end of this year and that the world will have more vaccines than it needs by next year.
    Separately, he says waiving patent protection - as suggested by the US - would not lead to a short-term increase in global vaccine production because there are bottlenecks when it comes to securing the necessary raw materials such as glass vials.
    Too many new manufacturers coming on stream would simply lead to an even greater shortage of raw materials, he says.
    You can use our Covid vaccine tracker to compare the roll-out of jabs around the world.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:23

    Indian states try to buy vaccines on international market

    State governments in India are trying to buy coronavirus vaccines worth billions of dollars on the international market as locally-manufactured supplies run short.
    The most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, said it had been talking to firms including Pfizer.
    State authorities have had to curtail their ambitious vaccination plans amid the record surge in infections.
    It is not clear how soon manufacturers could supply India, with demand for vaccines remaining high.
    India has been vaccinating its population with the AstraZeneca jab, produced under licence in the country, and the domestically made Covaxin - but their current rate of production is well below demand.
    The country has only fully vaccinated 3% of its 1.3 billion people.

    Why is the India variant causing concern in the UK?

    Anxiety is growing about a coronavirus variant, first identified in India, that appears to be spreading in the UK.
    The concern is that certain new variants of the virus, like this one, may be able to spread more easily, make people sicker, or overpower vaccines.
    There are a few "India" variants, but one called B.1.617.2 appears to be spreading more quickly than the other two in the UK.
    There is currently insufficient evidence to indicate it causes more severe disease or might make current vaccines less effective, say UK officials.
    But the UK government has a deal with biopharmaceutical company CureVac to develop vaccines against future variants, and has pre-ordered 50 million doses.
    Depending on how variants continue to develop, these could potentially be used to offer a booster vaccine to older or clinically vulnerable people later in the year.
    Here's what we know about coronavirus variants so far.

    Where is the Indian variant spreading in the UK?

    Surge testing has already been introduced in some parts of the UK to help curb the spread of the variant first found in India.
    Cases have been detected in a number of areas of England including:

    There are also at least 12 cases of the Indian variant in Northern Ireland, although officials have not confirmed exactly where they are.
    In Scotland, there are around 20-30 cases and the variant is suspected to be spreading in Glasgow, although this has yet to be confirmed.
    Cases have also been found in Wales.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:27

    Breaking News

    UK records 11 Covid deaths

    There have been a further 11 coronavirus-related deaths in the UK, according to the government's daily figures.
    This brings the total number of people who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test to 127,651.
    There were also 2,657 new infections recorded in the last 24 hours.

    Fans allowed back to outdoor sports events in NI from 24 May

    Spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor sports events in Northern Ireland from 24 May, the BBC has been told.
    The Northern Ireland Executive has been meeting to agree which lockdown restrictions can be lifted.
    It is understood ministers have agreed up to 500 fans can attend outdoor sport events from 24 May.
    However, up to 1,000 spectators will be allowed to attend the Irish Cup final on 21 May.
    From 24 May, schools will also be allowed to play sports fixtures against each other and libraries and museums can reopen, while the stay local message will end.
    Indoor hospitality will be permitted to resume from 24 May - with mitigations - and indoor sports training will be allowed to restart for sports squads.
    Plans to ease restrictions on 24 May will be subject to final approval on 21 May.
    Read more.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:29

    Nearly two thirds of people in Wales have Covid antibodies

    Nearly two thirds of people in Wales are estimated to have antibodies to help protect them against Covid-19.
    The latest survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which took blood samples from nearly 1,000 people in Wales, estimated that 63.2% have antibodies present.
    The graphic below shows how this figure rises for older age groups up to an estimated 90% of those over 80.
    Presence of antibodies suggest people have either had the virus already or, in most cases, had a vaccine.
    You can find more detail on the survey here.
    Coronavirus - 13th May 2021 C1c0c210
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:32

    Could India variant threaten England's roadmap out of lockdown?

    James Gallagher - Health and science correspondent, BBC News
    The variant that was first detected in India, which may spread more quickly, is causing mounting concern.
    Numbers are relatively low, but they are rising and the planned unlocking from Monday in England would accelerate that spread.
    Meanwhile the hugely successful vaccination campaign is not yet complete.
    So the worry is there is still the possibility of a surge in cases and, because the vaccines are not perfect, a rise in the numbers in hospital. This would be much smaller than it would have been without vaccination.
    The other issue is the number of confirmed cases tells us what happened one-to-two weeks ago - due to the delay between someone catching the virus, it causing symptoms and then being confirmed as B.1.617.2.
    One of the four tests for the roadmap out of lockdown has always been the role of new variants.
    The key question is whether local approaches in variant hotspots – such as expanded testing and vaccination – would be enough, or if there needs to be a change to the overall plan.

    Minister cannot give 'full assurance' that venues will reopen fully on 21 June

    The culture secretary has said that he is more confident “with every passing day” that arts and sports venues in England will be able to fully reopen on the 21 June.
    However, Oliver Dowden told the Commons Culture Committee he could not yet give “full assurance” that the last stage in the roadmap for easing lockdown would be met.
    He also dismissed calls for a taxpayer-backed indemnity scheme, but suggested that if events have to be cancelled due to a lack of insurance, the government would look at intervening.
    Under the plans for easing restrictions in England, all legal limits on social contact are due to be lifted on 21 June.
    But some large events that had been planned for the summer, such as festivals, have already cancelled their events, saying they were unable to get coronavirus insurance and they could not continue to spend money without this safety net.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:37

    Today so far…


    • China’s commerce ministry spokesman, Gao Feng, has said Beijing supports a proposal by the World Trade Organization for an intellectual property protection waiver on Covid-19 vaccines to enter the consultation stage.
    • Russia has recorded its first cases of the variant of Covid-19 first found in India – there are 16 cases in the Ulyanovsk region, some 700km (435 miles) east of Moscow.
    • India had 362,727 new Covid-19 infections over the last 24 hours, while deaths climbed by 4,120, taking the toll to 258,317, health ministry data showed.
    • At least two Indian states have said they plan to dose their populations with the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin to protect against severe Covid infections, which goes against World Health Organization guidelines.
    • Dozens of towns in Japan have abandoned plans to accept overseas athletes competing in the Olympics from July due to concerns about inadequate resources amid a fourth wave of coronavirus infections
    • Japan’s Covid-19 vaccine chief has blamed a rigid drug approval system for a slow inoculation campaign that is relying on only one approved shot. Taro Kono, the minister in charge of vaccines, took responsibility for the public frustration with the vaccine system but also said the approval process was a disadvantage in an emergency.
    • A new survey has found that more than a quarter of adults in the EU would be unlikely to take the Covid-19 vaccine. Scepticism is higher in eastern Europe than in western and Nordic countries within the bloc.
    • Egypt has received a batch of more than 1.7m doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the Covax initiative.
    • Tens of thousands of people in Cambodia are going hungry under the country’s strict lockdown as Covid cases continue to rise amid criticism from human rights groups.
    • Coronavirus infections in England halved in recent months, according to a study, but concerns remain about the threat from new variants. The foreign office minister, James Cleverly, has said the spread of the Covid variant found in India may delay the lifting of restrictions in England.
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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:42

    Malaysia's new coronavirus cases highest in 3 months

    Malaysia has reported its highest number of new coronavirus cases in more than three months, with the latest rise partly fuelled by highly infectious variants found in recent weeks.
    The health ministry reported 4,855 new cases – the highest since 31 January – and 27 deaths. It has seen a total of 458,077 coronavirus cases and 1,788 fatalities, Reuters reports.
    Malaysia declared a nationwide lockdown on Monday, prohibiting inter-district travel and shutting down schools.
    The southeast Asian country has been under a state of emergency since January to curb the spread of the virus.
    Earlier this week, the health ministry warned new daily cases could hit 5,000 by mid-May, a number not seen since late January.

    Thai prisons holding democracy activists drive record Covid figures

    Thailand reported its largest one-day rise in coronavirus infections on Thursday, with more than half coming from two Bangkok prisons where prominent democracy activists are being detained.
    The kingdom is battling a third wave of the virus that has forced the government to impose restrictions on movement, rules on mask-wearing and close public spaces.
    There was alarm this week when an activist at the forefront of Thailand’s democracy movement announced she had tested positive for Covid-19 five days after she was released on bail from a Bangkok jail.
    Read full story here.

    Oman to end nightly curfew from Saturday

    On Saturday, Oman will end a nightly curfew designed to curb the spread of Covid-19, but shops and commercial activities will be banned from 8pm until 4am, the supreme committee for combating coronavirus has said.
    The Gulf state had banned the movement of people and vehicles between 7pm and 4am on 8 May.
    It had also prohibited commercial activity during the day, which will now be permitted, Reuters reports.
    New daily cases of the virus have risen in Oman since the start of the year, but in recent weeks have begun to fall
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    • Post n°15

    Coronavirus - 13th May 2021 Empty Re: Coronavirus - 13th May 2021

    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:50

    Italy reports 201 coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday

    Italy has recorded 201 coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday against 262 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 8,085 from 7,852.
    Reuters reports:
    Italy has registered 123,745 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the seventh-highest in the world. The country has reported 4.14 million cases to date.
    Patients in hospital with COVID-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 13,608 on Thursday, down from 14,280 a day earlier.
    There were 81 new admissions to intensive care units, down from 91 on Wednesday. The total number of intensive care patients fell to 1,893 from a previous 1,992.
    Some 287,026 tests for COVID-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 306,744, the health ministry said.

    Philippines to ease Covid curbs in capital as daily cases decline

    Reuters reports:
    Philippine’s President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday approved the easing of some coronavirus restrictions in the capital and nearby provinces, with daily Covid-19 infections well down from a peak six weeks ago.
    Religious gatherings and dining in restaurants will be allowed in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite for two weeks beginning on Saturday, but non-essential travels will remain prohibited.
    Outdoor tourist attractions may be opened but only at 30% capacity.
    The quarantine status of Metro Manila and the adjacent provinces will be reviewed before 31 May.
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    • Post n°16

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    Post by Kitkat Thu 13 May 2021, 18:55

    The day's coronavirus news in brief

    We are going to be winding down our coronavirus live page so here's a reminder of the stories of the day:


    Thanks and goodbye

    That's all from the live page team - Alex Therrien, Becky Morton, James Clarke, Jennifer Meierhans and Vanessa Barford.
    Thanks for joining us, have a good evening and we will have more updates for you tomorrow.
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