Virus outbreak: news and analysis as of April 11

Photographer: Sarah Silbiger / Bloomberg

We follow the latest news about the coronavirus outbreak and the global response. Sign up here for our daily newsletter on what you need to know.

Increasing cases in the Midwest helped push the number of daily American infections to its highest level in more than two weeks as the country’s vaccination push got back on track.

There are fewer vaccines in India as the second most populous country in the world faces another viral wave. The governor of Osaka prefecture in western Japan warned that he may need to ask the central government to declare a state of emergency if current measures to stop the Covid-19 outbreak are deemed insufficient.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government coalition agreed on the proposal national rules for lockdowns and curfews in an effort to enforce compliance by some regional governments. European Union officials said the bloc is overcoming its problem with the supply of vaccines.

Main Developments:

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Osaka May Seek State of Emergency (9:22 AM HK)

The governor of Osaka prefecture in western Japan warned that he may need to ask the central government to declare a state of emergency if current measures to stop the coronavirus outbreak are deemed insufficient.

The effect of tougher measures imposed earlier this month could come to light in the week of April 19, and authorities will then decide whether an emergency declaration is needed, Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said in a television show late Saturday. If stated, measures stronger than those taken during one a state of emergency would be required earlier this year, he said.

Osaka, Japan’s third-largest prefecture with a population of 8.81 million, is seeing a surge in infections, ahead of that of the capital Tokyo. It registered a daily record of 918 new virus cases on Saturday, compared to 570 in Tokyo.

Brazil’s weekly deaths soar to record (7:22 am HK)

The number of fatalities in Brazil has risen to a record high for seven consecutive weeks, with deaths about three times the peak of last summer’s wave, according to Ministry of Health numbers. The country broke the daily record for fatalities twice in the past seven days as the pandemic continues to worsen.

Fiocruz health foundation has warned that the south and mid-west of the country will face a particularly critical phase of the outbreak in the coming weeks. The presence of coronavirus variants and a faster spread among young people will put pressure on the healthcare system. Meanwhile, President Jair Bolsonaro reiterated his opposition to lockdowns in one video posted on social networks on Saturday.

A total of 351,334 people have died from the virus, the most after US Weekly cases rallied again, following a week-long dip over the Easter holidays. The country has registered a total of 13,445,006 infections.

S. African Strain Could ‘Break Through’ Pfizer Shot, Study Suggests (17:37 NY)

The coronavirus variant first discovered in South Africa is more likely than other strains to ‘break through’ and reinfect people who received two doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, according to a Israeli study was released Saturday.

The study compared infected Israelis who had not been vaccinated with those who had received one or two doses of the vaccine. It found that the prevalence of the South African strain was eight times higher in those who received two doses of the vaccine compared to those who were not vaccinated – indicating reduced effectiveness against the strain.

The study, by Tel Aviv University and the country’s largest healthcare provider, Clalit, warned that the presence of the variant in Israel is very low. The study has not been peer-reviewed.

Canada speeds up vaccine target (5:20 p.m. NY)

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that any adult in the country who wants to be vaccinated can fully vaccinated by the end of the summer.

“We are on track to deliver on our promise that any Canadian who wants it will be fully vaccinated by the end of the summer,” he said in a speech. The government’s original goal was to vaccinate every citizen by the end of September.

US Stocks Approximately 54 Million Doses (4:00 p.m. NY)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly a quarter of the doses of Covid-19 vaccines distributed in the US have not been delivered.

While the CDC data does not specify reasons, health officials have expressed concerns about equality of distribution and hesitation about vaccines, particularly among rural and minority groups. Of the approximately 233 million doses delivered nationwide, 179 million, or about 76%, were delivered as of Friday.

The CDC says a particular vaccine will always be kept to maintain inventory, including for second injections. Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Mississippi, and Wyoming have the lowest first-dose delivery rates in their hands.

About 68 million people in the US, or 20.5% of the population, have been fully vaccinated and 34.5% have had at least one dose. Of those over 65, 59% have been fully vaccinated and 77% have had at least one dose.

Colorado Provider Reduces Use of J&J Shot (2:10 pm NY)

A Colorado health care provider will stop administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at its three mass vaccination sites after side effects.

Peter D. Banko, CEO of Centura Health, said in a statement Friday night that the decision was based on both reduced deliveries of the federal government’s J&J vaccine and 11 reported responses at one vaccination site. Governor Jared Polis and the U.S. Centers of Disease Control said they were investigating responses – including dizziness and nausea – and determined there was no cause for concern.

Centura Health said the J&J vaccine is “safe and effective” and will continue to use it in doctor’s offices and outpatient care clinics.

Minneapolis Spike Leads US Subway Areas (1:30 pm NY)

Weekly Covid-19 cases in 10 US metro parks rose fastest in Minneapolis, home to companies like 3M Co. and Target Corp., according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through Thursday.

The number of cases was up 27% in the Minneapolis area, followed by increases of more than 20% in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Detroit. Population adjusted, new cases increased the most in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Buffalo, New York over the seven-day period. Minneapolis was ranked sixth by that evaluation.

Merkel Presents German Lockdown Plan (10:43 am NY)

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government coalition agreed on the proposal national rules for lockdowns and curfews in an effort to enforce compliance by some regional governments. Hotspot designations would be based on infections per capita at the county level, according to the bill seen by Bloomberg on Saturday.

Merkel’s biggest hurdle is the upper house of parliament, where its governing parties do not have a majority. German hospitals have come under pressure after the number of Covid-19 infections started to rise in February, although vaccinations have increased this week and hit daily records.

US Top Court lit up worship turrets (10:24 am NY)

A divided US Supreme Court California eased the curbs of religious services in the home, adding to a series of warrants that have freed worshipers from state and local restrictions designed to stop the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an unsigned 5-4 warrant issued late Friday night, the court authorized two Northern Californians to resume weekly Bible studies and communal worship services for eight to 12 people.

Continuing to accelerate US business (8 p.m. NY)

The US added nearly 81,000 new cases on Friday as the virus is spreading rapidly in pockets across the country, especially in the Midwest, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg. The seven-day average has risen for five consecutive weeks.

Another 962 deaths were reported Friday, down for the second day, the data shows, amid an overall drop in the number of fatalities. According to the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker, the US registered 4 million vaccine doses on Friday, as the pace picked up after the Easter and Easter holidays.

Astra Uptake Linked to Blood Clots: Study (6:53 am NY)

A Norwegian study of blood clots and abnormally low platelets in five people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 found that their condition was a vaccination-induced syndrome, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“By linking thrombosis to the immune system, these results reinforce the view that vaccination caused the syndrome,” the article said.