Coronavirus Global Updates 28 August ::: Covid cases on the rise across all four UK nations; Half of US teenagers aged 12 to 17 have had first vaccine dose

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Coronavirus Global Updates 28 August  ::: Covid cases on the rise across all four UK nations; Half of US teenagers aged 12 to 17 have had first vaccine dose

 




 



Zimbabwe COVID19 Update


COVID-19 update: As at 27 August 2021, Zimbabwe had 124 236 confirmed cases, including 110 549 recoveries and 4 374 deaths To date, a total of 2 491 980 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.





 


Covid cases on the rise across all four UK nations


*         Covid infections have risen across all four UK nations, with ONS figures showing one in 70 people in England had the virus in the week to August 20.

*         Nicola Sturgeon insisted she is not considering a circuit breaker lockdown despite cases almost doubling in a  week - and said the return of schools was "possibly or at least in part" responsible.

*         Additional support will be deployed to parts of the South West, including Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, amid high case numbers that have been linked to staycations and festivals.

*         The White House announced half of American teenagers have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

*         Denmark said it will lift all remaining Covid restrictions by September 10 as the virus no longer poses "a threat to society" 


 


Exclusive: GPs’ pay to be increased for online consultations


GPs will receive pay boosts for carrying out online consultations under an NHS deal, as new data show the number of face-to-face consultations is falling.

On Thursday night, campaigners for the elderly urged the Government to “get a grip” on the situation, saying the system was preventing the most vulnerable from getting the care they need.

In May, health officials promised to abandon a system of “total triage”, introduced during the Covid pandemic, which meant patients seeking appointments had to first undergo an online or phone assessment.

New guidance promised patients the right to see a GP in person, with doctors told to respect their preferences.

Last week The Telegraph revealed that since then – despite the easing of lockdown restrictions – access to practices has remained unchanged. Now new monthly figures show the situation has deteriorated, with 420,000 fewer face to face appointments in July.



Half of US teenagers aged 12 to 17 have had first vaccine dose


Half of American children aged 12 to 17 have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and the age group is seeing the fastest growth rate in vaccinations, the White House has said.

Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, said: "We have now hit a major milestone in our effort to vaccinate adolescents. 50 per cent of 12 to 17-year-olds now have at least their first shot.

"And, in fact, the vaccination rate among adolescents is growing faster than any other age group."

The announcement comes as children across the US return to school and vaccinations hit an eight-week high, with the highest single-day total since 3 July of 1.1 million doses administered on Thursday. 



'Everyone is eager to get back to live music', says festival boss


The head of east London's All Points East festival has said "you can feel the joy from music fans" as the event returns this weekend.

The festival, based in Victoria Park, was cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic, but it returns this bank holiday weekend from August 27 to August 30.

Jim King, the CEO of European festivals at AEG Presents, said: "It's incredible to be back and you can feel the joy from music fans gathering to watch listen and discover music again, 817 days since Bon Iver played his last note at All Points East in 2019.

"It is so important for fans and also all the people who work in the live music industry.

"They are some of the most hard working and skilled people and to see them return to what they do best again, is wonderful.

"And for artists who have been on the rise through a pandemic, this is essential."



Extra Covid support deployed to parts of the South West


>From today, additional Covid support will be deployed to some local authorities in the South West of England, and will be in place for five weeks.

After a spike in cases in the area, believed to be linked to high levels of tourism and large events, extra support will be deployed to Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

The decision has been made in partnership with local authorities and is formed of a targeted support package, including:

*         Logistical support to maximise vaccine and testing uptake

*         Further help for local public health campaigns

*         Temporary use of face coverings in communal areas outside classrooms in secondary schools and colleges

*         Increased surveillance using multiple methods to monitor the situation


 


Sturgeon: Sharp rise in Covid cases due 'in part' to schools return


Nicola Sturgeon has insisted she is not considering a circuit breaker lockdown despite Covid cases almost doubling in the space of a week. 

The First Minister said the "sharp rise" was "possibly or at least in part" due to the return of schools.

Speaking at a press conference, Ms Sturgeon said: "The rise here [in Scotland] is particularly sharp at the moment. That is possibly, at least in part, a reflection of the fact our schools return earlier, and the increased interactions that come with that.

"Although vaccination has significantly weakened the link between a high volume of new cases and serious harm to health, it hasn't completely broken that link."



EU set to reinstate travel restrictions on US and five others   


EU nations are set to remove the US and five other countries from the list of countries whose citizens can travel to the bloc without additional Covid restrictions and quarantine requirements. 

The list currently has 23 countries on it, including Japan, Qatar and Ukraine, but some of the 27 EU countries already have their own limits on US travellers in place.

A diplomat told Reuters that Kosovo, Israel, Montenegro, Lebanon and North Macedonia were also set to be removed from the safe travel list. 

The decision on new EU travel restrictions for foreigners would become final on Monday should no EU country object, the sources, as well as two more EU officials added.



Fully-vaccinated Chileans attend Covid trial concert  


Chileans who are fully-vaccinated against Covid-19 attended the first concert held as part of a clinical trial to determine how mass events could be safely held without increasing the spread of coronavirus transmission.

A total of 200 seats will be available for each of three concerts given by local rock band Chancho En Piedra over the next three months in a ventilated venue in the capital Santiago.

Attendees must show proof of vaccination, wear masks and submit to PCR tests prior to the event and again eight days after. Preliminary results will be issued in September.


 


UK records 38,046 new Covid cases and a further 100 deaths  


The UK has recorded 38,046 new cases of Covid-19 and a further 100 deaths within 28 days of testing positive for the virus, official Government figures show.

The number of deaths has risen by almost 10 per cent over the past seven days, taking the total to 132,243 since the start of the pandemic. 



Pfizer recipients seven times more likely to get symptomatic delta than those who have recovered from Covid


Bloomberg reports that early data from Israel shows that people who have recovered from Covid may face a significantly lower risk from the delta Covid variant than those who are fully-vaccinated with the Pfizer jab.

The data, from medRxiv, has not yet been peer reviewed. The results contrast with earlier studies suggesting immunisation offered better protection than prior infection.

Results found that people given both doses of the Pfizer jab were almost six times more likely to contract the delta strain and seven times more likely to have symptomatic disease than those who had previously recovered. 

“This analysis demonstrated that natural immunity affords longer lasting and stronger protection against infection, symptomatic disease and hospitalisation due to the delta variant,” the researchers said. 

Protection from an earlier infection also wanes significantly with time, the analysis suggested.



Batch of Moderna vaccine delivered to Japan contaminated with metallic particle


A batch of Moderna Covid-19 vaccines delivered to Japan was contaminated with what is believed to be a metallic particle, the country's public broadcaster NHK said.

Japan suspended the use of 1.63 million doses shipped to 863 vaccination centres nationwide on Thursday, more than a week after the domestic distributor, Takeda Pharmaceutical, received reports of contaminants in some vials.

NHK cited ministry sources as saying the particle reacted to magnets and was therefore suspected to be a metal.

Moderna has described it as "particulate matter" that did not pose a safety or efficacy issue.

A health ministry official said the composition of the contaminant has not been confirmed.



Global policymakers urge more sharing of Covid-19 vaccine


A group of global policymakers tasked with responding to the Covid-19 health crisis has urged nations with large vaccine stocks to share them with programs that distribute them to lower income counties.

In a joint statement made on Friday, the Multilateral Leaders Taskforce - which includes the heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization and World Trade Organization - also urged nations to eliminate export restrictions on Covid-19 vaccines.



Poland to offer Covid booster shots to people with reduced immunity


Poland will give third doses of Covid-19 vaccine to people with weak immune systems, the health minister said on Friday, as the European Union's biggest eastern member braces for a fourth wave that is already hitting its western neigbours.

At around 200 a day, Poland's daily Covid-19 case numbers are a fraction of what they were during the third wave in spring.

But with the highly contagious Delta variant already contributing to a rise in infections the country expects the situation to deteriorate in autumn.

"(The Medical Council) accepts the use of a third dose for people with reduced immunity and for now we will dedicate third doses to people who have reduced immunity," Adam Niedzielski told a news conference.

He said that the third doses would be made available from September 1.



Hundreds test positive for Covid after attending Bloodstock Festival


Hundreds of people have tested positive for Covid-19 after attending heavy metal music festival Bloodstock.

Public health officials confirmed around 500 people from across the country had "attended the festival prior to testing positive".

The festival was held in Derbyshire between 11 and 15 August.

It comes as thousands of revellers prepare for British music festivals across this bank holiday weekend, amid ever-rising cases, at events like Reading and Leeds festivals and All Points East.



Tube travel at 50pc of pre-pandemic levels


Tube travel is regularly reaching at least half of pre-pandemic levels, Transport for London (TfL) said.

Demand for London Underground services on weekdays is often at 50 per cent of what it was before the pandemic, while it is hitting more than 60 per cent at weekends.

This is up from around 40 per cent across the entire week in early May.

An average of more than 1.8 million journeys are being made on the Tube every weekday.

Vernon Everitt, TfL's managing director for customers, communication and technology, said: "Ridership on our services continues to recover as more and more people head out to enjoy London's vibrant shops, leisure and entertainment.

"We remain focused on providing safe, clean and convenient services for everyone.

"And beyond the bank holiday weekend we'll be ready to support a further increase in ridership as the holiday season draws to a close and more Londoners return to their workplaces."



Denmark to lift all Covid restrictions in September


Denmark will lift all of its Covid-19 restrictions by September 10, health officials said Friday, saying the virus no longer posed "a threat to society" due to the country's broad vaccination coverage.

More than 70 per cent of Danes are fully vaccinated.

"The epidemic is under control, we have record vaccination levels. That is why, on September 10, we can lift the special rules we had to introduce in the fight against Covid-19," Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said in a statement.

However, he stressed that "the epidemic is not over" and said the government "will not hesitate to act quickly if the pandemic once again threatens the essential functioning of society."

In April, the country introduced a "corona passport" granting holders access to businesses like restaurants, cinemas, gyms and hair salons.

That requirement, already lifted in some places such as museums on August 1, will end in more places on September 1, though it will still be required to enter nightclubs and other large events until September 10.

Masks have not been mandatory on public transport since August 14.


 


Exam results partying caused spike in cases among young, says public health director


Partying among 16 to 21-year-olds after receiving their GCSE and A-Level exam results has led to a spike in Covid cases in the age group, a public health director has revealed.

Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire, said that a mixture of exam results partying and various summer festivals has resulted in "high case rates" in the 16 to 25s in Leicestershire. 

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "The issue for me is then stopping the spread from younger people, where the risk is pretty minimal, into their parents and older age groups."

He said the area had been "disproportionately" affected by the wave of cases among young people, but that he doesn’t "blame the teenagers for celebrating their GCSE and A-Level results success".

Mr Sandys added that he is "less worried" about a rise in cases as a result of students going back to school,  as we have "been there before" and schools are now "battle-hardened" with dealing with outbreaks.



Half of India's population vaccinated with at least one dose


Half of India’s adult population has now received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, showing the country is making crucial progress ahead of festival season beginning next month.

On Thursday, India announced it had administered over 470 million first doses — just over 50 per cent of the 944-million adult population.

However, only 15 per cent have been fully inoculated with two jabs.

The upcoming festival season in September and October will be crucial for the country's battle to contain Covid-19 and the Health Ministry has warned that celebrations should aim to include social distancing and mask wearing where possible.

Dr Balram Bhargava, the head of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said India was still experiencing a second wave of infections and needed to be careful. 

“In some states, an upsurge is being observed in a few districts. We have 41 districts with a weekly positivity rate of 10 per cent; and 27 districts with a weekly positivity rate between 5 percent and 10 per cent,” he said.

India on Friday recorded 44,658 new coronavirus cases, pushing the cumulative count of infections in the country to 3,26,03,188. With 496 new deaths, India’s toll rose to 4,36,861. 



Sturgeon: Scotland currently in 'fragile' situation


Nicola Sturgeon is delivering a Covid-19 update on the situation in Scotland as cases and hospitalisations increase.

The First Minister said schools returning have possibly contributed to cases rising across Scotland, and acknowledged that people did not want to see a return to restrictions.

However, she said the Scottish government is "watching closely" to see if there is an increase in serious illness and hospitalisations.

She said media reports of a 'circuit breaker lockdown' are false and are not being considered.

She added that businesses should continue to comply with Covid-safe practices such as enforcing the wearing of face masks and allowing home working.



Queen to celebrate pandemic 'local heroes' at Holyrood opening


The Queen will address MSPs at the Scottish Parliament's official opening as part of a special ceremony to celebrate the tireless efforts of "local heroes" throughout the pandemic.

Her Majesty will be joined by the Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland.

Alison Johnstone, the Holyrood Presiding Officer, said: "We are honoured that Her Majesty the Queen and Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay will join us in marking the beginning of this new chapter.

"The past year and a half has been immensely challenging, but we look forward to recognising and celebrating local heroes from across Scotland for their contributions to their communities during this pandemic."



Rock band Kiss cancel show due to positive Covid case


Rock band Kiss have cancelled a US gig after lead singer Paul Stanley tested positive for Covid-19.

They were supposed to perform in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania on Thursday.

Stanley, 69, has received both vaccines, as has "everyone on the entire tour, both band and crew", Kiss said in a statement.



Uzbekistan researchers develop tomato-based Covid vaccine


Scientists in the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan, renowned across the former Soviet Union for its excellent fruit and vegetables, are using tomatoes to make what they hope will be the world’s first edible coronavirus vaccine.

Local TV channel Sevimli on Friday showed footage from the Centre of Genomics and Bioinfromatics at the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, showing potted tomatoes growing in a lab.

“We introduced coronavirus into the plant’s cell by cloning,” one of the researchers said.

“Coronavirus is delivered into the patient’s body as soon as they eat the ‘vaccinated tomato’ as it begins to produce antibodies.”

The Uzbek researchers, who have been working on the project since January, expect the first harvest of the “vaccinated” tomatoes in two months.

Scientists have for years looked into plant molecular farming as a way to produce proteins for a pharmaceutical and biotechnological use but it was the Covid-19 pandemic that gave this field of research a much-needed boost.


 


Myanmar to offer Covid vaccine to Rohingya minority


Myanmar will offer minority Muslim Rohingya a Covid-19 vaccine, a spokesman for its ruling military said, as they insisted that no one would be left behind in the country's vaccination campaign.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh during military operations in 2017 and those who remain complain of discrimination and mistreatment in a country that does not recognise them as citizens.

Spokesman Zaw Min Tun said authorities were making progress in reducing coronavirus infections and increasing vaccinations and aimed to inoculate half of the country's population by the end of this year.


 


No changes to Covid-19 rules in Wales


There are to be no changes to the coronavirus restrictions in Wales, the Welsh Government has announced.

First Minister Mark Drakeford urged people in Wales to get vaccinated and keep taking familiar steps to help address rising levels of Covid-19 as the case rate earlier this week passed 320 cases per 100,000 people.

Nearly 10,000 alerts were sent to users of the NHS Covid-19 app in Wales in the latest recorded week - the highest number since mid-July - and up 63pc on the previous week.

Three weeks ago, all restrictions on meeting others were lifted and all businesses, including nightclubs, reopened when Wales moved to Alert Level Zero.

Face masks continue to be required on public transport, in health and social care settings, and in shops.


 


Primark changing rooms become pop-up jab clinics at two London stores


Primark changing rooms at two London stores will become vaccination clinics this bank holiday weekend.

Shoppers can turn up without an appointment and get a first or second dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, NHS England said.

The popular clothing chain store has partnered with the NHS, Haringey Council and Westminster City Council to host its first Covid-19 vaccination clinics in the capital.

The jabs will be on offer to anyone aged 16 and over at the Oxford Street East and Wood Green Primark stores on Saturday.

Health professionals will be on hand to talk to anyone with concerns, and people are reminded that second doses will only be given a minimum of eight weeks after the first.

The move comes as efforts continue to get more young people vaccinated.



Parents demand final say over whether children get Covid jab


Ministers were on Thursday night embroiled in a furious row with family campaign groups over whether parents can refuse consent for their children to be vaccinated, report Laura Donnelly and Camilla Turner.

Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, said that if Covid jabs for children aged 12 to 15 go ahead, parents would always be asked for consent. But officials admitted that if consent was not given children could still be vaccinated, claiming such a situation would be rare. 

On Thursday night, parents' groups said this did not go far enough and suggested parents must be given the final say. 

Mr Williamson was interviewed by ITV News about NHS preparations – revealed by The Telegraph – to enable the rollout of vaccines in schools from Sep 6.

The Government's scientific advisers, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have not so far backed such a rollout, with ministers insisting no decision to provide jabs to 12 to 15-year-olds had been taken.


Large-scale study shows risk of clots after vaccine far lower than with Covid

The vast majority of people will be "absolutely fine" after their coronavirus vaccine, one of the lead authors of research showing the increased risk of blood clots after a jab is much lower than with Covid-19 has said.

The findings of what is believed to be the largest study on vaccine side effects to date came a day after an inquest heard that an award-winning BBC radio presenter died due to complications of the AstraZeneca vaccination.

But University of Oxford professor Julia Hippisley-Cox said while such a death is "very sad", any potential risks of the vaccine compared with Covid-19 infection must be put into context.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's very sad, and condolences to the family of Lisa.

"But to put it in context, these are very rare cases, and the vast majority of patients will be absolutely fine with these vaccines."

The new research looked at more than 29 million people aged 16 or older who had a first dose of either vaccine in England between December and April.

Their findings suggest the risk of thrombocytopenia, a condition where the patient has a low count of cells, known as platelets, that help the blood clot, in someone with coronavirus is almost nine times higher than in someone who has had one dose of the AstraZeneca jab.



'So much more risky to catch Covid' than to get blood clots from vaccine


There will always be some "tragic cases" when it comes to risks around blood clots and vaccines, but it is "so much more risky to catch Covid", an expert has said.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M) which advises the Government, said he hoped a new large-scale study showing that risks of clots shortly after jabs are much lower compared to in people who get coronavirus "maintains the trust in the vaccines going forward".

The research findings were published a day after an inquest heard that BBC radio presenter Lisa Shaw, 44, died due to complications of the AstraZeneca vaccination.

Dr Tildesley told BBC Breakfast: "I think it is about putting those risks into context. There are always going to be the tragic cases like Lisa unfortunately, but it still doesn't mean that actually the risks of taking the vaccine are high - it is still so much more risky to catch Covid and develop a blood clot via that route."


 


Vaccine side effects 'mild or moderate' in at-risk 12 to 15-year-olds


Side effects from the Pfizer vaccine in children aged between 12 and 15 and considered vulnerable to Covid-19 infection were mostly mild or moderate, a small study has suggested.

Researchers in Bristol looked at 27 children whose parents recorded any side effects after the jab.

Adverse reactions were either mild or moderate in all of the young people, except one who had "severe fatigue and severe discomfort combined with increased agitation".

But experts said the small size and scope of the study does not allow for conclusions on rare side effects or inform the debate on vaccinating healthy younger teens.

Currently, children aged between 12 and 15 who are clinically vulnerable to Covid or live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus are eligible for a coronavirus vaccine.

There have been calls from some quarters to extend the rollout to all healthy 12 to 15-year-olds, especially as the return of schools is expected to lead to a rise in infections.

All of the participants in the study were children with severe neurodisabilities who tend to get recurrent respiratory infections and spend time in residential care.



'Vast majority of patients will be absolutely fine', insists lead scientist on safety of vaccine


Professor Julia Hippisley-Cox, professor of clinical epidemiology and general practice at the University of Oxford, stressed the "vast majority of patients will be absolutely fine" following their coronavirus vaccination.

It comes after a coroner concluded that award-winning BBC radio presenter Lisa Shaw died due to complications from her first AstraZeneca dose.

"It's very sad, and condolences to the family of Lisa," Prof Hippisley-Cox told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"But to put it in context, these are very rare cases, and the vast majority of patients will be absolutely fine with these vaccines."


 


India asks two states to consider night curfew as Covid-19 cases rise


India has asked the states of Kerala and Maharashtra to consider night curfews in areas with high Covid-19 case numbers as the country reported more than 40,000 new infections for two days in a row on Friday.

Cases fell to a five-month-low of 25,166 in the middle of the month but have risen sharply in the last three days, mainly in Kerala that recently celebrated a big festival during which families typically come together.

India reported 44,658 new Covid-19 infections on Friday, taking the total to 32.6 million, the most in the world after the United States. Deaths rose by 496 to 436,861.


 


Pandemic sees proportion of people in households receiving benefits increase


A decades-long fall in the proportion of people in households receiving benefits was partially reversed during the coronavirus pandemic, driven by a sharp rise in young adults needing help, research shows.

The proportion of adults aged 16-24 receiving benefits rose by two-thirds from nine to 15pc between February 2020-21, according to analysis of Government figures by the Resolution Foundation.

The share of 25 to 29-year-olds receiving welfare payments rose from 17 to 24pc, while 27pc of the 30-59 age group were claiming benefits in February 2021, up from 22pc.

The number of families on working-age income-related benefits rose by 1.4 million in 12 months to 7.5 million in February 2021.


 


Gareth Southgate: Anti-vaxxers have made my life hell


Gareth Southgate has revealed he suffered abuse after joining a campaign to encourage people to have the coronavirus vaccine. 

The England manager admitted the attacks made him more inclined “to keep out of that argument for the time being” after he supported a government initiative, which was particularly targeted at younger people getting the jab. 

Vaccination of footballers has also become a big issue for clubs – and Southgate said the “take-up is very varied” – but he added it remained an “individual” choice, despite players such as goalkeepers Dean Henderson and Karl Darlow testing positive and suffering illness. 


 


Mexican researchers say they have created a mask that neutralises Covid


Researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have created a mask using silver and copper nanolayers that neutralises SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, the university said in its official gazette on Thursday.

UNAM said that if the viral concentration was high, the virus disappeared by more than 80 per cent in about eight hours and if the viral load was low, in two hours none of the virus RNA was detected.

UNAM is calling the triple-layered antimicrobial mask SakCu; Sak means silver in Mayan and Cu is the chemical symbol for copper.

"Upon contact with the silver-copper nanolayer, the SARS-CoV-2 membrane breaks and its RNA is damaged," the university said. "Thus, even if SakCu is disposed of improperly, it will not be a problem as it does not remain contaminated, like many of the masks that are thrown away."

The mask is reusable and can be washed up to 10 times without losing its biocide properties.

 


Sydney cases dip as Australia debates reopening plans


Sydney's Covid-19 cases slightly eased on Friday but still hovered near record levels as the Australian federal government looks to press states to stick to a national reopening plan once the country reaches a 70 per cent-80 per cent vaccination rate.

The national cabinet, a group of federal and state leaders, will meet later in the day against a backdrop of concerns by some states given the persistently high daily infections in Sydney even after two months under lockdown.

New South Wales recorded 882 new cases, most of them in state capital Sydney, down from the record 1,029 on Thursday.

Two new deaths were reported, while 117 people are in intensive care, 103 of them unvaccinated.


 



New Zealand eases nationwide lockdown but Auckland shut off


New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern eased the tough nationwide lockdown measures on Friday, although businesses and schools will still be closed and its biggest city Auckland will remain shut for longer.

Ms Ardern said all of New Zealand, except Auckland and Northland, will move one step lower to alert level 3 from Tuesday, Aug. 31.

"This is a wait and watch level," Ms Ardern said.

Auckland and neighbouring Northland will remain in full level 4 lockdown, possibly for another 2 weeks, Ms Ardern said.

The country reported 70 new cases on Friday, all in Auckland, taking the total number of cases in the latest outbreak to 347.


 


Supreme Court allows evictions to resume during pandemic


The Supreme Court's conservative majority is allowing evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Roughly 3.5 million people in the US said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to Census Bureau data from early August.

The court said in an unsigned opinion on Thursday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reimposed the moratorium Aug. 3, lacked the authority to do so under federal law without explicit congressional authorisation. The justices rejected the administration's arguments in support of the CDC's authority. The three liberal justices dissented.


 


Contaminant in Moderna vaccines suspected to be metallic powder


The contaminant found in a Japan-bound lot of Moderna Covid-19 vaccines is suspected to be a metallic powder, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, citing sources at the health ministry.

The report late on Thursday cited the ministry as telling NHK that the particulate matter reacted to magnet and was therefore suspected to be a metal.

Japan on Thursday suspended the use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna's vaccine, more than a week after the domestic distributor received reports of contaminants in some vials.



Argentine president in trouble over partner's party


Argentine prosecutors have charged President Alberto Fernandez with allegedly breaking a mandatory quarantine, local media reported on Thursday, when he and his partner hosted a birthday party last year with friends.

Dailies Clarin and La Nacion reported the news, citing prosecutors, who did not immediately respond to a comment request from Reuters.

The case against Mr Fernandez has grabbed headlines in past weeks as Argentina imposed stricter lockdowns than most countries to deal with the pandemic. In July of last year, Mr Fernandez himself had banned all social gatherings before hosting one for the birthday of Fabiola Yanez, his partner.

Earlier on Thursday, Fernandez participated in a hearing in the case and offered to pay a fine to settle the case.

Opposition lawmakers have tried to start a political trial against Mr Fernandez due to the party, although they have a slim chance of succeeding because most lawmakers are aligned with the government party.

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

 


 

INVESTORS DIARY 2021

 


Company

Event

Venue

Date & Time

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


Companies under Cautionary

 

 

 


 

 

 

 


ART

PPC

Dairibord

 


Starafrica

Fidelity

Turnall

 


Medtech

Zimre

Nampak Zimbabwe

 


 

 


DISCLAIMER: This report has been prepared by Bulls ‘n Bears, a division of Faith Capital (Pvt) Ltd for general information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities. The information contained in this report has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made or guarantee given as to its accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed and recommendations made are subject to change without notice. Securities or financial instruments mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors. Securities of emerging and mid-size growth companies typically involve a higher degree of risk and more volatility than the securities of more established companies. Neither Faith Capital nor any other member of Bulls ‘n Bears nor any other person, accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this report or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Recipients of this report shall be solely responsible for making their own independent investigation into the business, financial condition and future prospects of any companies referred to in this report. Other  Indices quoted herein are for guideline purposes only and sourced from third parties.

 


 

 


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