COVID Catharsis Corner - Reports from around the world from today, Monday 30th of March:
- World: 127,818,432 confirmed cases and 2,794,820 confirmed deaths.
- World: 24 world leaders including those from France, Germany and UK call for global treaty to ensure preparedness for the next "not if, but when" pandemic so we do not have a repeat of unequal responses seen this time.
- World: Scientists indicate new variant vaccines needed within one year.
- Germany: Regulator advises not to use Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in the under 60's. "...the Stiko recommends using the Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca for people over the age of 60. Their use below this age limit, however, remains possible at the medical discretion and with individual risk acceptance after careful explanation."
- Canada: Suspends use of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for those under 55 years of age amid blood clot concerns.
- US: Head of CDC warns of uptick in virus transmission as cases and hospital admissions begin to rise again. "I'm going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom, we have so much reason for hope, but right now I'm scared".
- WHO: Head of the World Health Organization says of one theory of how the pandemic started: "Although the team has concluded that a laboratory leak is the least likely hypothesis, this requires further investigation, potentially with additional missions involving specialist experts, which I am ready to deploy,"
- UK: Deaths for the week ending 19th March reportedly sit 8% below the 5 year expected average.
- Iran: Sees 10,000 new cases in a day, the highest for them in 2021 so far (not including 2020).
- Greece: Sees record high new daily cases.
- UK: Agrees deal to produce up to 60 million doses of Novavax vaccine domestically.
- Italy: As third wave makes itself felt Italy introduces 5 day quarantine for EU travelers, widening restrictions which were previously reserved only for those traveling in from outside the Bloc.
- UK: Nottingham, and hundreds descend on a park for public drinking and brawling, the current group maximum number permitted is 6.
- Netherlands: Cases rise for a 7th week in a row.
- Sweden: Number of patients in Intensive Care rising.
- Russia: A third wave appears to be gathering pace.
- India: Official states the following of the situation: “The current rise in cases... has the potential of overwhelming healthcare systems unless checked right now,”