- The government coronavirus task force also reported 38,058 new infections, including 3,927 in Moscow, in the past 24 hours.
- India could ship vaccines to COVAX in a few weeks India could resume deliveries of COVID-19 shots to global vaccine-sharing platform COVAX in a few weeks for the first time since April, two health industry sources said, ending a suspension of supplies that has hurt poor countries.
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said the city will move into a new “traffic-light” system to manage outbreaks rather than lockdowns once 90% of Aucklanders have been fully vaccinated.
The world is on a hiatus right now given the COVID situation. Some countries seem to have the situation under control while others need to put up restrictions as reported by Reuters.
Russia hits a new record
Russia recorded a total of 1,239 deaths from COVID-19 in the preceding 24 hours on Wednesday, just days after most of the country’s regions resumed work after a week-long lockdown to combat the virus’s spread.
In the last 24 hours, the federal coronavirus task force reported 38,058 new cases, including 3,927 in Moscow.
Mikhail Murashko, Russia’s health minister, informed parliament that unless oxygen reserves were restored, hospitals in 12 Russian regions will run out of oxygen in two days or less.
Since the start of the epidemic, Germany has had the highest incidence rate. For the third day in a row, Germany’s Robert Koch Institute public health authority recorded 39,676 new COVID-19 cases, a new high.
The overall death toll increased by 236 to 96,963.
EU to supply vaccine
Signs of the European Union Valneva, a French company, has agreed to supply the COVID-19 vaccine. Valneva’s (VLS.PA) stock soared more than 20% after the European Commission approved an agreement in which the firm will supply up to 60 million doses of VLA2001, an inactivated vaccine candidate, over two years.
Valneva hopes that its candidate, which employs more traditional technology than mRNA vaccines, will provide a more reassuring option for Europeans who are still wary of vaccination.
“Once the Valneva vaccine is confirmed to be safe and effective by the European Medicines Agency, it will add another choice to our vast portfolio,” EU health commissioner Stella Kyri said.
Thailand offers vaccines to migrant workers
According to a government minister, Thailand will set aside up to 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign workers as it prepares to welcome them back to help alleviate a labour shortage.
Beginning next month, the government wants to allow workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos to re-enter the nation to help address shortages in major exporting industries like food and rubber manufacturing.
Workers will be quarantined for two weeks, during which time immunizations will be delivered, according to Labor Minister Suchart Conklin.
India Delivering Globally
In a few weeks, India might transfer vaccines to COVAX. For the first time since April, India could resume deliveries of COVID-19 shots to global vaccine-sharing platform COVAX in a few weeks, according to two health sector insiders, ending a supply halt that has harmed poor countries.
The World Health Organization, which co-leads COVAX, has urged India to resume supply, particularly after it supplied nearly 4 million tablets to its neighbours and partners in October.
New Zealand eases lockdown
On Wednesday, shops and malls in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, reopened for the first time in three months, as the epicentre of the country’s outbreak progressively reopens. Libraries, museums, and zoos have also been allowed to reopen, but the hospitality industry has remained closed.
Once 90% of Aucklanders have been completely vaccinated, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has stated that the city will switch to a new “traffic-light” approach to control outbreaks rather than lockdowns. Approximately 84% of Auckland residents have received a second dose.
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Source: Reuters
