Nov 5th 2021
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid-19, has a single objective: to survive by finding new hosts to infect. As cold weather in the northern hemisphere causes more people to stay indoors, and daily life gets closer to normalcy, the virus is once again threatening to run amok in Europe.
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On November 4th the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that in the 53 countries of Europe and Central Asiatwo regions where the disease has so far claimed 1.4m lives, according to official figures, although our estimate of excess deaths suggests the figure is about 70% highercovid could yet kill another 500,000 people by February 1st. Cases are rising rapidly in much of the continent. In Germany daily infections surpassed their all-time high on November 4th; the Dutch government tightened restrictions in the same week in an attempt to suppress a rising number of cases.
The situation is worse in Eastern Europe. Cases in Romania are 15% above their peak of last year. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are also suffering: cases are up by 70% over the past month. Over the past 28 days the European Union has accounted for 21% of the global caseload, up from 9% two months ago.
Deaths from covid are now rising rapidly, too. Over the past 14 days 49,000 people have died from the virus across Europe, up by 59% from a month ago, and just one-third below the peak reached in January. About two-thirds of the deaths over the past fortnight have been in eastern Europe, where vaccination rates are much lower than in Western Europe. Thanks to higher vaccination rates, case-fatality rates in western Europe remain half their rate in January. Yet the concern among policymakers is that waning vaccine efficacy, particularly among the old, along with exponentially rising cases, will lead to more deaths this winter, unless booster shots can be given to the most vulnerable people.
Some countries remain relaxed. Even though deaths are at an eight-month high in Britain, its government says it does not need to implement its winter "Plan B"which will involve mask mandates and asking people to work from homebecause hospitals are still coping. Some would disagree with that judgment. The WHO reckons that if mask-wearing were to rise to 95% of the population across Europe and central Asia, up from about 50% now, it would save 188,000 lives by February 1st.
Over two dozen stateshave filed lawsuits aimed at dismantling the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate that affects nearly two-thirds of the workforce.
Nearly 100 million workers will be required to get the vaccine by Jan. 4, with some allowed to test weekly instead, under federal rules released Thursday.
Since then, five lawsuitsinvolving 26 Republican-led states combined have been filed in federal court seeking to overturn what they claim is an unlawful mandate.
Seven states -- Idaho,Kansas,Kentucky,Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia -- fileda lawsuitagainst OSHA in the 6th Circuit.
Eleven others-- Alaska,Arizona,Arkansas,Iowa,Missouri, Montana,Nebraska,New Hampshire,North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming --joined together to filea lawsuit against Biden and OSHA in the 8th Circuit.
Five states -- Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina,Texasand Utah -- filed a lawsuit against OSHAin the 5th Circuit, and three more -- Alabama,Florida and Georgia -- filedin the 11th Circuit.
The Biden administration has said lawsuits were expected but that the federal government should win in court.
The administration clearly has the authority to protect workers, and actions announced by the president are designed to save lives and stop the spread of COVID,White HousespokeswomanKarine Jean-Pierresaid Thursday.
-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett
A vial and sryinge are seen in front of a displayed Novavax logo in this illustration taken January 11, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Nov 1 (Reuters) - Novavax Inc (NVAX.O) expects regulators in India, the Philippines and elsewhere to make a decision on its COVID-19 vaccine within "weeks," its chief executive told Reuters, after the shot on Monday received its first emergency use authorization (EUA) from Indonesia.
Novavax shares were up about 13% after the company also said it had filed an application for emergency use of the vaccine to Canada and the European Medicines Agency.
For Indonesia, the shot will be manufactured by the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute in India (SII), and sold under the Indian company's brand name, Covovax. Novavax said initial shipments into Indonesia are expected to begin imminently.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is also reviewing Novavax's regulatory filing and the U.S. drugmaker expects that review to be resolved in the coming weeks, Chief Executive Stanley Erck told Reuters in a phone interview on Monday.
A green light from the WHO would set the stage for Novavax to begin shipping doses to the COVAX program that supplies shots to low-income countries. Novavax and SII have together committed to provide more than 1.1 billion doses to COVAX, which is co-led by the WHO.
I think we'll get some doses to COVAX this year," Erck said. "But I think (Novavax is) going to really start being able to ship large quantity to COVAX in the first quarter" of 2022.
Erck said Novavax has resolved all of its manufacturing challenges and does not expect regulators to have any further concerns about its production processes.
He said Novavax is in dialogue with the U.S. FDA and ... we expect a full submission within the next several weeks.
Novavax had delayed filing for U.S. approval, and Politico reported last month that the company faced production and quality problems.
SII is authorized to make the Novavax vaccine and the U.S. company said it will apply for regulatory authorization for other facilities, such as its plant in the Czech republic, in the coming weeks.
Indonesia is slated to receive 20 million doses of the protein-based vaccine this year, according to the government.
Penny Lukito, chief of the National Agency for Drug and Food Control of Indonesia, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Novavax has so far applied for EUA in various countries, including the UK, Australia, India and the Philippines.
It will be weeks, not months, for them to review Novavaxs regulatory submissions and potentially clear the shot for use, Erck said.
The company, along with Japanese partner Takeda Pharmaceutical Co (4502.T), said on Friday it was preparing to seek regulatory approval for a rollout in Japan early next year. read more
The Novavax shot was shown to be more than 90% effective, including against a variety of concerning variants of the coronavirus in a large, late-stage U.S.-based trial.
Reporting by Dania Nadeem in Bengaluru and Carl O'Donnell in New York; additional reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru and Stanley Widianto in Jakarta; Editing by Maju Samuel and Bill Berkrot
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
PARIS (AP) French drugmaker Sanofi said Tuesday it was shelving plans for a COVID-19 vaccine based on messenger RNA despite positive results from early stage testing.
The Paris-based company said it will continue to develop another vaccine candidate that is already undergoing late stage human trials. That vaccine, developed jointly with Britains GlaxoSmithKline, is based on the characteristic spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Messenger RNA vaccines use a different technology that uses genetic information from the virus to trigger an immune response. This technology is already being used in the vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna.
From a public health perspective, mRNA COVID vaccines are widely available today, and starting a placebo-controlled study in countries where vaccines are available would be extremely challenging, so it does not make sense for us to further advance our mRNA Covid vaccine into Phase 3, Sanofi said in response to questions from The Associated Press.
Sanofi recently expanded trials of its recombinant protein vaccine to test its effectiveness as a booster dose to extend immunity for people inoculated with a variety of other vaccines. Results from that study are expected later this year.
While Sanofi has decided not to pursue a COVID-19 vaccine base on messenger RNA technology, the company said early testing showed promising results. As a result, Sanofi said it plans to use the technology to develop a new flu vaccine, with clinical studies expected to start next year.
Today, we have a promising mRNA platform, which were taking to the next level in development, including moving to modified mRNA, and against other diseases, including flu, Jean-Francois Toussaint, global head of research and development at Sanofis vaccine unit, said in a statement.
COVID-19 Vaccinations in Maryland COVID-19 Vaccinations in Maryland The Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval for the Pfizer vaccine for individuals ages 16 and older. Emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine also remains in effect for individuals ages 5-15. Marylanders 18+ who meet specific criteria and received their second Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 dose at least ...
Getting the COVID vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus and to help stop the spread.
Get vaccinated as soon as possible wherever you can. Visit the Cecil County Health Department websiteto learn where to get the vaccine. Patients of ChristianaCares primary care practices may also call their doctors office or send a message via theirpatient portal to request a vaccination appointment.
Thursday, October 28, 2021, 10:00a 12:00pModernaMedical Professional Building111 West High Street, Suite 112https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/0013262899
Friday, October 29, 2021, 6:30a 9:30aPfizerMobile Units across from the Emergency Departmenthttps://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/0633621319
Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 6:30a 9:30aModernaMobile Units across from the Emergency Departmenthttps://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/1360724903
Friday, November 5, 2021, 6:30a 9:30aModernaMobile Units across from the Emergency Departmenthttps://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/9969330221
Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 6:30a 9:30aModernaMobile Units across from the Emergency Departmenthttps://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/9326809129
Friday, November 12, 2021, 6:30a 9:30aModernaMobile Units across from the Emergency Departmenthttps://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/0966231997
Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 6:30a 9:30aPfizerMobile Units across from the Emergency Departmenthttps://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/6023129779
Friday, November 19, 2020, 6:30 9:30aModernaMobile Units across from the Emergency Departmenthttps://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/3614229099
Wednesday, November 24, 2o21, 6:30a 9:30aModernaMobile Units across from the Emergency Department https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/9263179099
CDC recommends that the following groupsshouldreceive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTechs COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine):
CDC also recommends that the following groupsmayreceive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTechs COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks:
These recommendations only apply to people who previously received a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine).
What you need to know:
You can find additional vaccination sites for the State-approved population at covidvax.maryland.com.
Vaccine events now available for businesses, community groups, churches, and other organizations.
Free mobile vaccination events are now available to increase convenience and access. These events can be held at your preferred location. We encourage you to request a vaccine event and help Utah end the pandemic.
In the most recent WUPHD COVID-19 report, the region counted 340 positive cases of the virus. Houghton County had the most 227, 17 more than the previous report. Gogebic County had the biggest difference between the most recent and previous reports. Jumping from 20 cases on October 27th. Doubling to 40 this week. Ontonagon County was the only one to have fewer cases, dropping from 18 to 10 positive cases. Across the five counties there were 3 deaths, one in each Gogebic, Houghton and Keweenaw counties. The total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic for the western UP is up to 183.
Vaccinations continue to rise at a steady pace. In the previous three reports vaccination rates rose by 0.3%, bringing the total to 57.1% of the population receiving the first initial dose. The August 18th report was the last time any of the five counties were below the substantial transmission rate. And since the October 6th report, all five counties have been considered high transmission for the corona virus.
Link to WUPHD November 3rd Report
Boris Johnson called out for not wearing mask next to David Attenborough
The UKs Covid-19 R rate has fallen to 0.9 to 1.1 in the last week, the latest figures have shown.
Last weeks R rate, which measures the average number of secondary infections caused by a single case, was estimated to be between 1.1 to 1.3.
Meanwhile, a second antiviral pill for Covid-19 cuts rates of hospitalisation and death by nearly 90 per cent among at-risk patients with mild to moderate infections, according to early trial results.
The drug, if taken early enough, prevents the escalation of disease to keep newly-infected people out of hospital. Manufactured by Pfizer, the at-home pill is targeted at the elderly and those with underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to Covid.
It comes after the UK became the first country to approve Molnupiravir. The antiviral drug, which is consumed orally as a pill, will be given twice a day to people who have recently tested positive for Covid and have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, such as obesity, being over the age of 60, diabetes or heart disease.
It comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) warns Europe is once again at the epicentre of the pandemic amid soaring cases.
Blaming insufficient vaccine take-up for the rise, WHO Europe head Hans Kluge said the continent could see half a million more deaths by February.
Good morning and welcome to The Independents live coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic. Well be bringing you all the latest updates and statistics throughout the day.
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 10:31
The UK has become the first country in the world to approve a Covid antiviral drug that significantly reduces risk of hospitalisation and death for public use.
Molnupiravir, which is consumed orally as a pill, will be given twice a day to people who have recently tested positive for Covid and have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, such as obesity, being over the age of 60, diabetes or heart disease.
Our science correspondent Samuel Lovett has the full details:
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 10:33
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned Europe is once again the epicentre of the Covid pandemic.
Top officials said an insufficient take-up of Covid vaccines was to blame for a more than 50 per cent rise in cases across the continent in the last month.
WHOs Europe director Dr Hans Kluge said: "Europe is back at the epicentre of the pandemic, where we were one year ago.
Describing the spike in cases as being of grave concern, the expert said coronavirus hospitalisation rates more than doubled in the last week and predicted Europe could see another 500,000 pandemic deaths by February.
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 10:53
A second antiviral pill for Covid-19 has been found to cut rates of hospitalisation and death by nearly 90 per cent among patients with mild to moderate infections, according to new trial results.
The drug, manufactured by Pfizer, can be taken at home to prevent the escalation of disease and keep newly-infected people from ending up in hospital.
Our science correspondent Samuel Lovett has more on this breaking story:
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 11:22
A government-back campaign is urging people to regularly open windows while socialising with others at home in order to prevent the spread of Covid.
The public will be told opening a window for 10 minutes every hour when socialising indoors can help tackle the spread of Covid as the pandemic enters its second winter.
Zoe Tidman has the full details:
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 11:44
Tens of thousands of care home staff in England have not been fully vaccinated against coronavirus and could lose their jobs next week, the latest figures suggest.
Around 89.4 per cent of staff working in older age care homes had received two vaccine doses as of 31 October, according to data from NHS England.
The remaining 49,040 staff - around one in 10 of the total - had not been recorded as having received two doses at this point.
The equivalent figure for staff in care homes for under-65s is 13.6 per cent - 11,924 staff.
This suggests a total of 60,964 staff have not had a second jab or their second jab has not been reported as of the end of October.
The total includes staff who cannot be vaccinated for valid medical reasons and those whose vaccination status is unknown, while there may also be a time lag in some vaccinations being reported.
The government has made it mandatory for staff in registered care homes in England to have both jabs as a condition of deployment, unless they are exempt for valid medical reasons.
From next Thursday, it will be a legal requirement for staff who are not exempt to be doubly vaccinated if they are to continue in their role.
Sector leaders fear an exodus of care staff which they warn will threaten safe care.
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 12:00
About one in 50 people in private households in England had Covid-19 in the week to 30 October, unchanged from the previous week, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
One in 50 is the equivalent of about 1.1 million people, and is the same proportion of people who were estimated to have coronavirus at the peak of the second wave in early January.
The latest figure is one in 40 for Wales, one in 65 for Northern Ireland and one in 80 for Scotland.
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 12:17
When modelling the level of Covid-19 infections among different age ranges in England, the ONS said rates have increased in the latest week for those from school year 12 to age 24 and for those aged 50 to 69.
Rates have decreased for those in school years 7 to 11, though the percentage of people testing positive in this age group remains high, at 7.5 per cent.
In all other age groups the trend is uncertain.
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 12:30
Scientists at Oxford University have uncovered a gene that can double the risk of fatal respiratory failure in those who contract Covid-19.
The high-risk genetic signal is carried in sixty per cent of people with south Asian heritage, which could help to explain the excess deaths seen in some south Asian communities across the UK as well as the impact that Covid has had in India.
Eleanor Sly has the full story:
Chiara Giordano5 November 2021 12:45
The Department of Health and Social Care has revealed their new video campaign to encourage people to regularly open windows at home in order to prevent the spread of Covid.
The advert, produced with the University of Cambridge, show researchers carrying out an experiment into how Covid particles spread indoors.
A voiceover says: Covid-19 particles disperse much faster when we let fresh air into the room so that chance of breathing them in is greatly reduced.
It continues: Opening your windows for just a few minutes at a time can make a big difference.
Holly Bancroft5 November 2021 13:00
DAVID KOENIG (AP) Tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested for the virus weekly under government rules that took effect Thursday.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said companies that fail to comply could face penalties of nearly $14,000 per violation.
The new requirements, which were first previewed by President Joe Biden in September, will apply to about 84 million workers at medium and large businesses, although it is not clear how many of those employees are unvaccinated.
Tougher rules will apply to another 17 million people who work in nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities that receive money from Medicare and Medicaid. Those workers will not have an option for testing and will need to be vaccinated.
It was unclear how OSHA planned to enforce the rules. A senior administration official said the agency would target companies if it gets complaints.
Workers will be able to ask for exemptions on medical or religious grounds.
The release of the rules followed weeks of regulatory review and meetings with business groups, labor unions and others. The regulations form the cornerstone of Bidens most aggressive effort yet to combat the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 740,000 people in the U.S.
OSHA drafted the rules under emergency authority meant to protect workers from an imminent health hazard. Senior administration officials said the rules preempt conflicting state laws or orders, including those that ban employers from requiring vaccinations, testing or the wearing of face masks.
The administration will face an immediate challenge from Republican state officials who are eager to fight Biden in court. More than two dozen Republicans serving as state attorneys general have indicated they plan to sue, arguing that only Congress can enact such sweeping requirements under emergency authority.
Last week, 19 states sued to stop Bidens narrower mandate that employees of federal contractors be vaccinated. That requirement was scheduled to take effect Dec. 8, but the administration said Thursday it will be delayed until Jan. 4 to match the requirements on other large employers and health care providers.
Workers will need to receive either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by Jan. 4. Unvaccinated employees must submit a verified negative test to the company at least once a week and wear face masks on the job.
Employees who test positive must be removed from the workplace.
OSHA will require businesses to provide paid time off for employees to get vaccines and sick leave to recover from side effects that prevent them from working. The requirements for masks and paid time off for shots will take effect Dec. 5.
Because vaccines are free, OSHA said, companies do not have to provide or pay for tests.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a rule requiring vaccination for workers in 76,000 health facilities and home health care providers that get funding from the government health programs. A senior administration official said that several large private health care organizations imposed their own mandates and achieved high vaccination rates 96% or higher without widespread resignations.The White House sees the new requirements as a potent tool to winnow down the ranks of the tens of millions of Americans who have thus far refused to get a shot.
For weeks, Biden has encouraged businesses not to wait for the OSHA rule to take effect. He has touted businesses that have already announced their own vaccine mandates and urged other companies to follow their lead.
Administration officials say those efforts are paying off, with about 70% of the nations adults now fully vaccinated.
However, some companies have expressed fear that some vaccine-hesitant workers might quit, leaving their workforces even thinner in what is already a tight labor market.
Several large business groups complained about the timing of the mandate. Retail groups worried that the requirement could disrupt their operations during the critical Christmas shopping period. Retailers and others also said it could worsen supply chain disruptions.
The mandate on federal contractors led to demonstrations by opponents, including workers at a NASA rocket engine test site in Mississippi. Some said they are immune because they contracted COVID-19. Others said vaccines violated their religious beliefs and constitutional rights.
No one should be forced to take a medical treatment just to keep their job, said Nyla Trumbach, an engineer at the site. Theres years and years of experience and skill out here, and I just want anyone whos watching to see what we stand to lose here if these people dont keep their jobs.
Dozens of groups sought meetings with administration officials to air their concerns and objections to likely provisions of the OSHA rule, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the AFL-CIO and anti-vaccine organizations.
