Photographer: Octavio Jones / Getty Images
Photographer: Octavio Jones / Getty Images
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The AstraZeneca Plc-Oxford University vaccine showed limited efficacy against mild disease caused by the South African variant of Covid-19, according to early data in a small phase trial.
New cases in the US continued to signal a downward trend. While the number of deaths remains high, the average daily increase in the number of infections has decreased by 20% from the previous week. New cases in Brazil have fallen for the third week in a row.
China contained a northern eruption, with just one new infection in Jilin province. Australia has expanded testing for quarantined travelers to prevent the virus from entering the community. Zimbabwe is in talks with Russia to buy a stockpile of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, state media reported Sunday.
Main Developments:
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Zimbabwe in talks with Russia about vaccination: (6:35 PM HK)
Zimbabwe is in talks with Russia to buy a stockpile of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, state media reported Sunday. “We are working on the modalities,” Anastasia Samoylenko, an official from the Russian embassy, told the Sunday Mail. No further details were provided on the quantities of vaccines and when delivery can begin for the South African nation.
On Thursday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the country, which has been under strict exclusion since January 5, would now introduce vaccines as “a second preventive measure.”
Hong Kong worries about Chinese New Year (6:10 pm HK)
Hong Kong health officials expressed concern over large family gatherings and festive public markets ahead of the Lunar New Year festival in the coming days, as it reported 27 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday. “It’s a concern for us because with all the festivities we know people want to get together, meet with relatives or spend time at New Year’s fairs,” said Chuang Shuk-kwan, the head of the communicable diseases division of the health department. told reporters.
UK government is considering vaccinating some at work (17:45 HK)
British ministers are considering proposals to vaccinate millions of people on the front lines – including teachers and emergency services – under 50 at work from the spring, the Telegraph reported, citing unidentified government sources.
Under the plan, delivery drivers, workers at supermarkets and food processing factories would jump forward in the queue for jobs, the paper said. Prison staff, police officers, and even jurors can also be prioritized.
French Industry Minister ‘Agnostic’ on Russian vaccine (16:45 HK)
French Industry Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said she is “agnostic” about the Russian shot, adding that any jab “that is ready and presents the safety and efficacy conditions is welcome in Europe.” During an interview on France Info TV on Sunday, Pannier-Runacher also said that the virus circulation in France is relatively low compared to other European countries.
“We have some cases that have stabilized, on a high plateau, but it has stabilized, so we’re lucky we don’t have to go into a lockdown again.” France also plans to stick to its goal of vaccinating its “vulnerable” population, which represents about 15 million, by June, she added.
Indonesia approves Sinovac vaccine for the elderly (12:50 hrs HK)
According to the Ministry of Health, Indonesia has the Covid-19 vaccine from China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd. approved for use in the elderly and can begin vaccinations between March and April.
Indonesia began its massive inoculation campaign on January 13 with a Sinovac vaccine. More than 777,000 people have received their first shot, and about 137,000 have a second, official data shows. The government plans to vaccinate 181.5 million people by March 2022.
Malaysia to house migrant workers in hotels (11:45 am HK)
The Malaysian government has launched a plan to temporarily house migrant workers in near-empty hotels across the country to address the worsening spread of Covid-19 cases due to workplace clusters.
The program will indirectly help hotel operators affected by the pandemic, the tourism ministry said. Overcrowded conditions in worker dormitories have been a major source of infection, fueled record cases and strained the Malaysian health system. According to the Ministry of Human Resources, the country has more than 1.5 million documented migrant workers, 91% of whom live in accommodation that does not meet minimum housing standards.
Thailand’s Covax Reluctance (9:35 am HK)
The Thai Government will not purchase Covid-19 vaccines through the World Health Organization-sponsored Covax program for the time being because the conditions are too strict. The move could put the country in danger of getting delayed vaccines at higher prices.
According to the program, Thailand would be charged extra for booking and would have restrictions on producers and delivery time. Covax also requires a minimum purchase of 10% of a country’s population for a quick order with terms and costs, said Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute in Thailand.
China Outbreak Reined In (8:42 am HK)
China reported just one new local case in Jilin province as the country is controlling the resurgence of the coronavirus in the northern regions. The number of open cases in the country totaled 1,176 yesterday, the National Health Commission said.
Australian state tightens quarantine tests (7:48 AM HK)
Australia’s most densely populated state has tightened quarantine testing rules for Covid-19 to prevent the virus from entering the community. Returning foreign travelers in New South Wales should now be tested two days after completing 14-day hotel quarantines, NSW Health said in a statement.
Kentucky passes 4,000 dead (7:02 am HK)
Kentucky reported 49 new deaths, more than 4,000 since the start of the pandemic. “Despite falling cases, we are still losing our people at an alarming rate,” tweeted Governor Andy Beshear. “That is why we mask ourselves and we follow the guidance. We must protect ourselves from the loss of those we love. Cases and hospital admissions have been steadily declining in Kentucky over the past month, while the number of deaths has fallen only slightly.
Astra vaccine shows less effect against variant in South Africa (17:46 NY)
AstraZeneca Plc’s Covid-19 vaccine has shown limited efficacy against mild disease caused by the variant first identified in South Africa, according to early data in a small phase trial.
Efficacy against severe Covid-19 cases, hospitalization and deaths had not yet been established, “as the subjects were mainly young healthy adults,” an AstraZeneca spokesperson said in a statement.
None of the study participants died or was hospitalized, according to the Financial Times, which first reported on the study’s findings.
First UK Vaccination Goal May Be Reached Early (5:42 PM NY)
The UK vaccine introduction plan, which aims to vaccinate nine priority groups by early May, is progressing so well that the target could be reached by April, the Sunday Telegraph reported, citing unidentified government sources.
Ministers are also discussing a plan for roaming teams to go to workplaces to help vaccinate people deprecated under 50, the report said. The government is still assessing whether to give the most at-risk people a shot or to put emergency workers and teachers at the head of the line.
Australians have vaccination evidence on phones, says SMH (17:24 NY)
Australians will be able to access their Covid-19 vaccination certificates on their cell phones, allowing them to access hospitals and high-risk areas and potentially cross state lines, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The plans are being considered by federal cabinet ministers before Australians start receiving recordings later this month, the paper reported.
Brazil Weekly Cases, Deaths Slow (5:20 NY)
The new cases in Brazil are down for the third consecutive week, with 50,630 reports on Saturday, the Ministry of Health show data. While the reductions show a slowdown in the country’s second wave, the cases remain as high as they were during last summer’s wave. The total number of cases is nearly 9.5 million, the highest after the US and India.
The death rate remains roughly at the same level as last summer, although the weekly number has decreased. Another 978 fatalities were reported on Saturday, out of a total of 231,012, the highest after the US.
London Mosque Tries To Overcome Vaccine Mistrust (16:43 NY)
A mosque in London has become a vaccination center to overcome Muslims’ mistrust of vaccination, according to the Press Association reported. A London Muslim Center official said only three of the 200 people who recently contacted to receive the vaccine showed up for the AstraZeneca injection.
“We tell people that it is wise for you to take the vaccine because you are not only helping yourself, but you are helping the community and beyond,” said mosque official, Asad Jaman.
Advice for Covid-Year Super Bowl (3:18 p.m. NY)
The Super Bowl may not be a real holiday, but public health experts are treating it like others from the past year: a time when Covid-19 could be spreading, now at a time when infections are finally on the decline.
“Enjoy the Super Bowl, but don’t do it with a large crowd of people in your house,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci Friday on MSNBC. “It’s a perfect setup to have a mini superspreader event at home. Do not do that. “
US Weekly Case Pace Up 20%; Deaths Steady (8:18 am NY)
The US added 131,747 new cases on Friday, up from the previous day, but in line with the overall downward trend of new infections, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg. This number brings the daily average, measured over a week, to 126,283. This is a decrease of 20% from the average of the previous week.
The nation added 3,625 new deaths on Friday, a substantial drop from the previous day’s 5,054, one of the highest ever recorded. The number is higher than the weekly average of 3,247. Mean daily deaths remained essentially unchanged this week, the data shows.
– With help from Helen Robertson and Iain Marlow