What you need to know about coronavirus vaccines
Hospitals in southern England have seen a “real surge in pressure” as the number of coronavirus patients receiving treatment approaches its peak in April.
Paramedics in the capital receive nearly 8,000 phone calls per day, with Boxing Day being described as one of the “busiest days ever” for the London Ambulance Service.
The increase in the number of patients comes as hopes for approval of the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine rise in the coming days, as volunteers prepare to help launch the vaccine across the country, according to reports.
Saffron Cordieri, executive vice president of National Health Service Providers, told the BBC that “ambulance funds in particular are under severe pressure, and so are community and mental health services” as “more people” come out the door with Covid and other cases.
The 7,918 calls the London Ambulance Service received on December 26 reached more than 2,500 calls on the same day last year, and the 5,217 calls, and doctors are receiving support from other ambulance services in the south.
A new type of corona virus has been found in Finland
The new coronavirus variant spread across the United Kingdom was found in two people in Finland, according to health officials.
It comes despite restrictions on travelers from Britain.
John SharmanDecember 28, 2020 13:05
The mayor of the Conservative Party calls for a major increase in government support for companies
The conservative West Midlands mayor has called on the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to double the monthly grant of 3,000 pounds to companies forced to close due to the Coronavirus to an average of 10,000 pounds, as the new alternative to Covid-19 threatens an extension. The lockdown period is in depth 2021.
Chiara GiordanoDecember 28, 2020 12:57
The high number of Covid patients in hospital is extremely worrying
Dr Nick Scriven, former president of the Acute Medicine Association, said the growing number of coronavirus patients in hospital is “extremely worrying”.
He added: “With the numbers approaching the peak from April, the systems will again be expanded to the maximum extent.”
“It’s not just about using Nightingale as they don’t have staff to work as they were originally supposed to (the small ICUs).
“They could play a role perhaps if they were used as rehab units for those in recovery but, again, where do we find the specialist staff – the NHS simply doesn’t have the power to spare anyone.”
Chiara GiordanoDecember 28, 2020 12:43
Pfizer will complete the supply of vaccines to the European Union by September
A spokesperson for the European Union Commission said the distribution of 200 million initial doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine across the European Union will be completed by September.
The lengthy schedule, which was previously unknown, confirms that the block, which has a population of 450 million, will need vaccines from other suppliers to speed up vaccinations against the new Corona virus.
Most of the European Union countries began vaccinating healthcare workers and people at risk on Sunday with the Pfizer vaccine, the only vaccine so far authorized in the 27-nation bloc, which requires a two-dose regimen.
Chiara GiordanoDecember 28, 2020 12:21
The British economy could be 6% smaller than expected
A think tank said the UK economy could be 6 per cent smaller if tighter lockdowns are implemented in the new year to contain the new Covid-19 variable.
Joe Middleton More details here:
Chiara GiordanoDecember 28, 2020 12:08
Global cases exceed 80 million
More than 80.64 million people have been reported to have been infected with the Covid-19 virus globally and 1,763,456 people have died, according to a Reuters tally.
Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.
Chiara Giordano28 December 2020 11:48
The Indian Serum Institute expects to approve the Oxford vaccine within days
The Serum Institute of India, the local manufacturer of the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine for Coronavirus, said it expects the government to approve the vaccine for emergency use within a few days.
The CEO of the vaccine, Adar Poonawala, told reporters that the company had already delivered 40 million to 50 million doses of the vaccine.
Chiara GiordanoDecember 28, 2020 11:36
Labour says a clear strategy is needed for schools and colleges
Kate Green, Labor’s shadow education minister, responded to today’s news that the government is hoping to reopen schools in England in January as planned.
“The work has been clear that keeping pupils learning should be a national priority,” she said, “but a series of government failures, from a lack of funding for safety measures to the late and chaotic announcement of group tests, are putting youth education ahead of the curve.”
It is time for the prime minister to take control of the situation and show some leadership.
“The country needs to hear from him today, along with its chief medical officer and chief scientific advisor, about the evidence on the spread of the virus, how he plans to reduce education disruption, and a clear strategy for schools and colleges asking for support from parents, students, and staff.”
Chiara GiordanoDecember 28, 2020 11:30
Indonesia bans international visitors for two weeks
The Indonesian foreign minister said that international visitors will be banned from entering Indonesia for two weeks in an attempt to stop the spread of a new type potentially more contagious than the Coronavirus.
The new law, which will take effect on January 1, comes days after Indonesia banned travelers from the United Kingdom and tightened rules on those coming from Europe and Australia to limit the spread of the new strain.
Earlier this year, Indonesia banned all tourists but some exemptions were granted to business travelers.
Retno Marsudi said the new rule applies to all foreign visitors, except for high-ranking government officials.
Chiara GiordanoDecember 28, 2020 11:21
China jails a citizen journalist who reported on the Covid campaign
A Chinese journalist has been imprisoned for four years for reporting on the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan.
Zhang Zhan, a former lawyer, was convicted of “sowing controversy and causing trouble” for covering the early stages of the epidemic.
Chiara GiordanoDecember 28, 2020 11:08
“Subtly charming bacon junkie. Infuriatingly humble beer trailblazer. Introvert. Evil reader. Hipster-friendly creator.”