Tag: Virus

WHO slams rich states for hogging vaccines

  by Robin MILLARD Agence France Presse GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The World Health Organization on Monday blasted wealthy countries for not only hogging Covid vaccines but in doing so, hindering the pathway for poorer nations to get them too. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said some rich countries’ direct deals with manufacturers had meant that previously-agreed vaccine allocations for poorer countries, via the Covax programme, were being reduced. The UN health agency chief said […]

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First vaccine dose cuts transmission and hospitalization: UK studies

EDINBURGH, United Kingdom (AFP) — Data from two separate studies published in the UK on Monday, one in England and another in Scotland, have shown vaccines against Covid-19 are effective in cutting disease transmission and hospitalizations from the first dose. Analysis from Public Health England has shown the vaccine manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech reduces the risk of catching infection by more than 70 percent after a first dose. That risk is reduced by 85 percent after […]

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UK’s PM eyes end to lockdown as vaccines reach one-third of adults

  by Jitendra JOSHI Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set Monday to start unwinding England’s third and potentially final coronavirus lockdown, as a quickening UK-wide inoculation drive relieves pressure on overstretched hospitals. In a statement to parliament, Johnson will confirm the reopening of all English schools on March 8 in the first big step towards restoring normal life, nearly a year after he imposed the first stay-at-home […]

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Pres. Duterte rejects proposal to place entire PHL under MGCQ

Says economy is important, but he gives “higher premium to public health, safety”   (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte rejected the recommendation to place the entire country under the more relaxed Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) protocols this March. The decision came amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, including the presence of more infectious variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that President Duterte gave his directive […]

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Russia starts giving Covid vaccine to homeless

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (AFP) — Forty homeless people in Saint Petersburg received coronavirus vaccine jabs on Sunday, under a charity initiative that has received the backing of local officials. “Here there are many people at risk. It is important for them to be vaccinated,” said Taysia Suvorova, of the Nochlezhka non-governmental that organisation provides aid to the homeless in Russia’s second city. The 40 people receiving the vaccine are currently housed by the charity. According […]

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Australia administers first Covid-19 vaccines

  SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout began Sunday, with top officials among a small group receiving the first jabs a day before the vaccination programme starts in earnest. Prime Minister Scott Morrison was injected with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at a medical centre in Sydney’s northwest, in what the government said was an effort to boost public confidence in the vaccinations. Jane Malysiak, an aged care resident and WWII survivor in her 80s, […]

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DOH reports 239 COVID deaths, highest daily toll this year; total fatalities reach 12,069

New confirmed cases rise to 2,240 bringing total to 559,288   (Eagle News) — The number of COVID-19 deaths in the country reached 12,069 after 239 fatalities were reported on Saturday, Feb. 20, the highest number of deaths reported in a day so far this year. New confirmed cases also increased to 2,240, the highest daily toll this February, and the second highest this year. This brought the total number of confirmed cases as of […]

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Argentina health minister out over vaccine line-jumping

  BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — Argentina’s health minister resigned late Friday after it emerged that friends of his had been able to skip the line for a Covid-19 vaccination. Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garci stepped down after President Alberto Fernandez called on him to quit in the wake of the scandal. “Responding to your express request, I present my resignation from the position of minister of health,” Gonzalez Garcia, a 75-year-old doctor, wrote in […]

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BioNTech/Pfizer say vaccine can stand warmer temperatures

  FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany (AFP) — Germany’s BioNTech and its US partner Pfizer on Friday said tests have shown that their coronavirus vaccine can stand warmer temperatures than initially thought, potentially simplifying the jab’s complex cold-chain logistics. The companies said they have asked the US Food and Drug Administration to allow for the vaccine to be stored for up to two weeks at minus 25 to minus 15 degrees Celsius (minus 13 to five […]

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Pres. Duterte should consider new variants in Cebu in decision whether to shift to MGCQ, says UP OCTA research

Says COVID-19 virus mutations in Cebu, a “real cause of concern” https://youtu.be/sejSGRVwIts   (Eagle News) – The presence of new virus mutations confirmed in Central Visayas, particularly in Cebu, is a “real cause of concern” for the entire country, especially in Metro Manila where there is more concentration of people, according to the UP-OCTA Research team. Dr. Guido David, head of the UP Octa-Research Team, also said that President Rodrigo Duterte should take into consideration […]

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Pres. Duterte signs memo allowing LGUs, DOH to pay over 15% of vaccine contract price as downpayment

Certifies as urgent pending bills that sought to establish vaccine indemnification fund   (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a memorandum order that will speed up the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines by allowing more than 15% downpayment for the purchase of these vaccines, and at the same time certified as urgent the bills that sought to establish a vaccine indemnity fund. Memorandum Order No. 51 which was signed by President Duterte […]

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Brazil passes 10 million coronavirus infections

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil, the country with the second-highest coronavirus death toll, passed the 10-million mark for reported infections Thursday, amid a deadly second wave and problems with its vaccination campaign. The country became the third to reach the grim mark — after the United States and India — with more than 51,900 new infections in 24 hours, according to official data. Over the same one-day period, 1,367 people died, bringing the […]

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