Coronavirus Global Updates, Feb 01: Astra Boosts EU Shots; Italy to Ease Restrictions

[Bulls n Bears]

Zimbabwe COVID19 Update


 


COVID-19 update: As at 31 January 2021, Zimbabwe had 33 388 confirmed cases, including 26 044 recoveries and 1 217 deaths.


 






Astra Boosts EU Shots; Italy to Ease Restrictions: Virus Update


Coronavirus infections continued to show a slowing trend across many regions of the globe, including the U.S., though concerns remain about new variants.

AstraZeneca Plc will deliver 9 million additional vaccine doses to the European Union in the first quarter as the bloc tries to get its  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-31/eu-says-astrazeneca-to-deliver-9-million-more-vaccine-doses> chaotic inoculation drive on track.  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-01/u-k-meets-vaccine-milestone-amid-assurances-supplies-secure> Official data Monday will show that residents at every eligible care home in England have been offered a vaccine, despite the supply concerns.

Italy will ease restrictions for most of the country starting Monday. Japan looks set to extend a  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-01/japan-mulls-extension-of-covid-emergency-as-economy-sputters> state of emergency this week, even as Tokyo reported the lowest number of new cases since December. U.S. President Joe Biden  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-31/ten-gop-senators-ask-for-biden-meeting-on-stimulus-compromise> invited Republican senators to meet with him to discuss their alternative plan for Covid-19 economic stimulus.

 


Singapore Seeks Law to Allow Tracing Data for Crime Probes 


Singapore tabled a  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/QNU7AYT1UM0Y> bill on Monday in parliament to formalize the use of contact tracing data in criminal investigations for serious offenses, after it was revealed that such information was used for that purpose in a murder case.

The law will specify that public sector agencies can use personal contact tracing data recorded in digital contact tracing systems only for the purpose of contact tracing, except where there is a need for police officers and law enforcement officers to use the data for criminal investigations and proceedings in respect of serious offenses, according to the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office in a statement on Monday. Such offenses include murder, terrorism, kidnapping and serious sexual offenses.


Tokyo Reports Fewest New Cases Since December 


Tokyo reported 393 new infections as an easing trend in the Japanese capital continues. While Mondays typically bring lower tallies, the number is the smallest reported for a Monday since Dec. 21, and represents a significant drop from a Monday peak of 1,219 cases on Jan. 11. The seven-day moving average of new cases has declined to about 850 from 1,812 three weeks ago.

Despite the improving situation, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga looks set to extend a state of emergency this week for major metropolitan areas. Also, parliament is expected to vote as early as Monday on measures to add teeth to the emergency orders, including fines for bars and restaurants that defy the current voluntary guidelines to close by 8 p.m.




Singapore Says Migrant Workers to Be Among Priority Group 


Singapore said migrant workers will be among the priority groups for vaccinations, as their communal living and working conditions put them at higher risk of infections and formation of large clusters, Tan See Leng, second minister for manpower, said in Parliament on Monday. Tan said those in higher-risk dorm accommodations will be among those vaccinated first.


Astra Boosts Dose Deliveries Amid Chaotic EU Rollout 


AstraZeneca Plc will deliver 9 million additional  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-31/eu-says-astrazeneca-to-deliver-9-million-more-vaccine-doses> vaccine doses to the European Union in the first quarter of this year as the bloc tries to get its chaotic inoculation drive on track.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Twitter Sunday that the drugmaker would start deliveries one week earlier than scheduled and expand its manufacturing.

AstraZeneca triggered a crisis Jan. 22 when it said problems at a plant in Belgium meant deliveries to the EU this quarter would be significantly curtailed. As a result, the bloc, which came under fire due to the slow rollout of national vaccination programs, said it would begin restricting the export of vaccines if drugmakers fail to meet delivery targets.


Thailand Reports 836 New Cases 


Thailand reported 836 new Covid-19 cases, of which 832 were local infections, according to Apisamai Srirangsan, the country’s Covid-19 spokeswoman. “There will be more active case-finding efforts this week, so daily reports may still show high numbers,” she said.

Thailand’s Covid-19 task force last week approved loosening restrictions across the country to allow businesses and schools to resume operations. The country is facing its biggest wave of infections since the pandemic started.


China Police Seize Over 3,000 Doses of Fake Vaccines


Chinese police detained more than 80 suspects involved in fake Covid vaccine manufacturing and selling in a special campaign against vaccine-related crimes, Xinhua reported. Suspects have been using saline to make fake coronavirus vaccines and have been selling them to the public since September, the report said. The case was exposed by police in provinces and cities including Jiangsu, Beijing and Shandong.


Biden Invites GOP Senators to Meet on Stimulus Offer 


President Joe Biden has invited a group of 10 Republican senators to meet with him in the coming days to discuss their alternative plan for Covid-19  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-31/ten-gop-senators-ask-for-biden-meeting-on-stimulus-compromise> economic stimulus, the White House said Sunday evening.

The GOP lawmakers offered a $600 billion proposal early Sunday in a letter to Biden, responding to the $1.9 trillion plan he laid out more than two weeks ago and which Republicans have rejected.


South Korea Sees Smallest Rise of Cases in 10 Weeks 


South Korea reported 305 new cases over the last 24 hours, the lowest number in 10 weeks. Still, South Korea on Sunday said it will extend social-distancing restrictions for another two weeks, as new infections resurged last week and reversed a downward trend.


U.K. Meets Vaccine Milestone 


The U.K. is set to  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-01/u-k-meets-vaccine-milestone-amid-assurances-supplies-secure> confirm that residents at every eligible care home in England have been offered a Covid-19 vaccine, even as a dispute over exports from Europe raises concern over supplies.

Jabs have been offered to eligible residents of more than 10,000 homes where possible, official figures are set to show later Monday. The announcement comes after reassurances yesterday by International Trade Secretary Liz Truss that the nation’s supply of vaccines is secure and the country will stick to its rollout timetable.


Brazil Cases, Deaths Slow 


Brazil reported 27,756 new cases, fewer than the previous day as the nation’s second-wave outbreak slows. Total cases are 9,204,731, according to data from the Health Ministry. Another 559 people died, also fewer than the day before, for a total of 224,504 fatalities. Brazil has the most deaths after the U.S.


U.K.’s Captain Tom Hospitalized With Covid-19 


Captain Sir Tom Moore, the 100-year-old veteran who raised almost 40 million pounds ($55 million) for the U.K. health service since the start of the pandemic, was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. Hannah Ingram Moore said her father was diagnosed last week and had been hospitalized for “additional help” breathing, the AP reported.


Biden Health Adviser Warns of Virus Variants 


A top health adviser to President Joe Biden warned Sunday that a new variant of the coronavirus circulating in the U.K. will likely become the dominant strain in the U.S. and may lead to future restrictions on in-person gatherings.

 

Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the nation’s health care system must prepare for a surge in serious cases such as the one experienced recently in England.


NYC Vaccine Data Show Race Disparity 


New York City broke down its Covid-19 vaccination data by ethnicity for the first time, with the mayor underscoring a “profound problem” with racial inequality.

White residents made up nearly half of the people who have received at least one dose, despite consisting of only a third of the population. Latinos, 29% of the city, only accounted for 15% of those vaccinated. The lowest ratio was among Blacks -- even though they make up almost a quarter of the city’s population, they only accounted for 11% of those vaccinated.

New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo said Black New Yorkers are most hesitant to take vaccines, partly out of distrust.


U.K. Vaccinates Almost 600,000 in Day 


The U.K. gave almost 600,000 people the first dose of a vaccine in a day, the highest number so far. Some 598,389 shots were administered on Saturday, bringing the total to 8.98 million. New cases continue to drop, with 21,088 reported Sunday, and another 587 people died. Figures are often lower on weekends due to reporting delays.


Italy to Ease Restrictions 


Italy reported 11,252 new cases and 237 deaths Sunday, as it gets ready to ease restrictions for most of the country starting Monday. The positivity rate remained even at around 5.2%. Italy’s cases have remained stable in recent weeks, and the country has so far avoided the sharp increases suffered by some neighboring countries.

Both the Milan and Rome regions will fall in the so-called “yellow zone” starting Monday, the lower tier of restrictions which allows bars and restaurants to remain open during the day.

 

 

 

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