Daily COVID-19 cases in New Zealand fell on Wednesday after a record jump the day before, with most infections still in Auckland as the Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to affect the country's biggest city.

Authorities reported 60 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, of which 56 were in Auckland, taking the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 2,158. There have been 28 deaths in total since the pandemic began and 43 people are currently hospitalised because of the virus.

New Zealand had stayed largely virus-free for most of the pandemic until the Delta outbreak in mid-August that has spread across Auckland and neighbouring regions, prompting tight restrictions on some 1.7 million Aucklanders that were extended further this week.

Authorities have warned that infections are likely to trend higher until vaccination rates gather more pace. Some 67 per cent&nbsp;of the population is now fully vaccinated, while 85 per cent&nbsp;have received at least one dose.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/smoking-marijuana-may-increase-risk-of-breakthrough-covid-19-infection-study-420190">Smoking, marijuana may increase risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infection: Study</a>

Auckland has now been locked down for more than two months, though New Zealand's total cumulative load of 4,854 confirmed cases is far lower than many comparable countries.

The government has shifted to a strategy of living with COVID-19, and education minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday said senior secondary school students in some areas would return to classrooms from next Tuesday.

"This is a complex issue requiring difficult trade-offs between improving education and increasing potential health risks for children and young people," Hipkins said at a news conference.

Daily COVID-19 cases in New Zealand fell on Wednesday after a record jump the day before, with most infections still in Auckland as the Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to affect the country's biggest city.

Daily COVID-19 cases in New Zealand fell on Wednesday after a record jump the day before, with most infections still in Auckland as the Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to affect the country's biggest city. Authorities reported 60 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, of which 56 were in Auckland, taking the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 2,158. There have been 28 deaths in total since the pandemic began and 43 people are currently hospitalised because of the virus. New Zealand had stayed largely virus-free for most of the pandemic until the Delta outbreak in mid-August that has spread across Auckland and neighbouring regions, prompting tight restrictions on some 1.7 million Aucklanders that were extended further this week. Authorities have warned that infections are likely to trend higher until vaccination rates gather more pace. Some 67 per cent of the population is now fully vaccinated, while 85 per cent have received at least one dose. Also Read | Smoking, marijuana may increase risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infection: Study Auckland has now been locked down for more than two months, though New Zealand's total cumulative load of 4,854 confirmed cases is far lower than many comparable countries. The government has shifted to a strategy of living with COVID-19, and education minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday said senior secondary school students in some areas would return to classrooms from next Tuesday. "This is a complex issue requiring difficult trade-offs between improving education and increasing potential health risks for children and young people," Hipkins said at a news conference.

New Zealand's daily COVID-19 cases fall, some classrooms to reopen

New Zealand recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Tuesday as a Delta-variant outbreak that dashed the nation's "Covid Zero" hopes&nbsp;showed no signs of easing.

Health authorities announced 94 new virus cases, exceeding the previous daily record of 89 set in April last year during the first wave of Covid-19 infections.

While case numbers remain low by most international standards, they have been steadily growing since the highly transmissible Delta variant was first found in New Zealand in mid-August.

The outbreak, centred on Auckland, has forced Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to drop her core policy goal of eliminating the virus in favour of ramping up vaccination efforts.

The centre-left leader is set to unveil a new strategy on Friday that will allow for greater freedoms once vaccination targets have been reached.

Around two-thirds of the eligible population have now been fully inoculated.

"We know that vaccinations are already making a significant difference to the outbreak in Auckland, but so too are people following the rules," Ardern told reporters.

Before the arrival of Delta, New Zealand won widespread praise for its hardline approach, which involved strict lockdowns, rigorous contact tracing and tight border restrictions.

The measures paid off, with just 28 deaths in a population of five million and domestic life near normal for long periods.

But Ardern has conceded Delta was a "game-changer", spreading at a rate too fast for contract-tracers to keep up.

New Zealand recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Tuesday as a Delta-variant outbreak that dashed the nation's "Covid Zero" hopes showed no signs of easing.

New Zealand recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Tuesday as a Delta-variant outbreak that dashed the nation's "Covid Zero" hopes showed no signs of easing. Health authorities announced 94 new virus cases, exceeding the previous daily record of 89 set in April last year during the first wave of Covid-19 infections. While case numbers remain low by most international standards, they have been steadily growing since the highly transmissible Delta variant was first found in New Zealand in mid-August. The outbreak, centred on Auckland, has forced Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to drop her core policy goal of eliminating the virus in favour of ramping up vaccination efforts. The centre-left leader is set to unveil a new strategy on Friday that will allow for greater freedoms once vaccination targets have been reached. Around two-thirds of the eligible population have now been fully inoculated. "We know that vaccinations are already making a significant difference to the outbreak in Auckland, but so too are people following the rules," Ardern told reporters. Before the arrival of Delta, New Zealand won widespread praise for its hardline approach, which involved strict lockdowns, rigorous contact tracing and tight border restrictions. The measures paid off, with just 28 deaths in a population of five million and domestic life near normal for long periods. But Ardern has conceded Delta was a "game-changer", spreading at a rate too fast for contract-tracers to keep up.

New Zealand Covid cases hit record despite vaccination push

The vaccines were supposed to be the ticket out of the pandemic. But in Singapore, things did not go according to plan.

The Southeast Asian city-state was widely considered a success story in its initial handling of the coronavirus. It closed its borders, tested and traced aggressively and was one of the first countries in Asia to order vaccines.

A top politician told the public that an 80 per cent vaccination rate was the criterion for a phased reopening. Singapore has now fully inoculated 83 per cent of its population, but instead of opening up, it is doing quite the opposite.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-trials-patrol-robots-to-deter-bad-social-behaviour-411229">Singapore trials patrol robots to deter bad social behaviour</a>

In September, with cases doubling every eight to 10 days, the government reinstated restrictions on gatherings. The United States said its citizens should reconsider travel to the country. Long lines started forming at the emergency departments in several hospitals. People were told once again, they should work from home.

The country’s experience has become a sobering case study for other nations pursuing reopening strategies without having had to deal with large outbreaks in the pandemic. For the Singapore residents who believed the city-state would reopen once the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination</a> rate reached a certain level, there was a feeling of whiplash and nagging questions about what it would take to reopen if vaccines were not enough.

“In a way, we are a victim of our own success, because we’ve achieved as close to zero COVID as we can get and a very, very low death rate,” said Dr. Paul Tambyah, an infectious diseases specialist at National University Hospital. “So we want to keep the position at the top of the class, and it’s very hard to do.”

Singapore’s careful, some say overly cautious, approach to reopening contrasts with that of the United States and Europe, where vaccinated people are already gathering at concerts, festivals and other large events. But unlike Singapore, both of those places had to manage substantial outbreaks early in the pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-to-ease-virus-curbs-for-migrant-workers-411907">Singapore to ease virus curbs for migrant workers</a>

Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s finance minister and a chair of the country’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> task force, said the lesson for “COVID-naive societies” like Singapore, New Zealand and Australia is to be ready for large waves of infections, “regardless of the vaccine coverage.”

“Once you open up, more social interactions will happen,” he said. “And given the inherently highly transmissible nature of the delta variant, you will get big clusters emerging.”

The vaccines have worked to keep most of the population out of the hospital, with 98.3 per cent of cases presenting mild or no symptoms. The deaths have occurred mostly in seniors, usually with comorbidities, and account for 0.2 per cent of the cases over the past 28 days. But the shots cannot protect against infection, especially when up against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-delta-variant-increases-the-risk-of-death-by-133-per-cent-418711">delta variant</a>, Wong said.

“In Singapore, we think that you cannot just rely on vaccines alone during this intermediate phase,” he said. “And that’s why we do not plan an approach where we reopen in a big bang manner, and just declare freedom.”

In Wong’s vision of how the pandemic will play out in Singapore, people will continue to wear face masks. Travel is unlikely to be entirely free. Social distancing will remain, perhaps until 2024.

He stressed that Singapore was still on a path toward living with COVID and said he recognized that any form of tightening, no matter how small, would be met with anger and frustration because people are anxious to move on. “But we have to adjust based on the realities, based on the situation we are facing,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-patrol-robots-seeking-undesirable-social-behaviour-spark-privacy-concerns-418598">Singapore: Patrol robots seeking 'undesirable social behaviour' spark privacy concerns</a>

Last month, officials scrambled to set up community treatment facilities equipped with oxygen tanks and asked those with mild or no symptoms to recover at home. Many Singaporeans said there was confusion about what to do and that the government appeared ill-prepared.

“If the health care system gets overwhelmed, that’s when we know from experience everywhere that doctors are unable to cope and you have death rates start to go up,” Wong said. “So we are trying very hard to avoid that.”

Several doctors have disputed the government’s claim that the health care system is under immense strain. Tambyah, who is also chair of an opposition party that recently drew up an alternative strategy for dealing with the pandemic, said there was enough of a buffer in hospitals because Singapore had canceled all elective surgeries.

The problem for Singapore’s leaders, he said, is that they are “essentially doing a transition from zero COVID toward living with the virus.”

For many, the repeated tweaks to the restrictions have taken a toll. The number of suicides in 2020 was the highest since 2012, a trend that some mental health experts have attributed to the pandemic. People have called on the government to consider the mental health concerns caused by the restrictions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-pandemic-took-hold-suicide-rose-among-japanese-women-365653">As pandemic took hold, suicide rose among Japanese women</a>

“It’s just economically, sociologically, emotionally and mentally unsustainable,” said Devadas Krishnadas, CEO at Future-Moves Group, a consultancy in Singapore. Krishnadas said the decision to reintroduce restrictions after reaching such a high vaccination rate made the country a global outlier.

“And, importantly, it moves Singapore in a complete 180 degrees, opposite direction from where the rest of the world is headed,” he said. “That brings us to the strategic question of where will this leave Singapore — if we don’t get off what I call the hamster wheel of opening and closing.”

Sarah Chan, a deputy director at Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, said she had a fleeting taste of what normal life was like when she arrived in Italy last month to visit her husband’s family.

No masks were required outdoors, vaccinated people could gather in groups without any restrictions, and Chan and her son could bop their heads to music in restaurants. In Singapore, music inside restaurants has been banned based on the notion that it could encourage the spread of the virus.

Chan said she was so moved by her time in Italy that she cried.

“It’s almost normal. You forget what that’s like,” she said. “I really miss that.”

The vaccines were supposed to be the ticket out of the pandemic. But in Singapore, things did not go according to plan. The Southeast Asian city-state was widely considered a success story in its initial handling of the coronavirus.

The vaccines were supposed to be the ticket out of the pandemic. But in Singapore, things did not go according to plan. The Southeast Asian city-state was widely considered a success story in its initial handling of the coronavirus. It closed its borders, tested and traced aggressively and was one of the first countries in Asia to order vaccines. A top politician told the public that an 80 per cent vaccination rate was the criterion for a phased reopening. Singapore has now fully inoculated 83 per cent of its population, but instead of opening up, it is doing quite the opposite. Also read | Singapore trials patrol robots to deter bad social behaviour In September, with cases doubling every eight to 10 days, the government reinstated restrictions on gatherings. The United States said its citizens should reconsider travel to the country. Long lines started forming at the emergency departments in several hospitals. People were told once again, they should work from home. The country’s experience has become a sobering case study for other nations pursuing reopening strategies without having had to deal with large outbreaks in the pandemic. For the Singapore residents who believed the city-state would reopen once the vaccination rate reached a certain level, there was a feeling of whiplash and nagging questions about what it would take to reopen if vaccines were not enough. “In a way, we are a victim of our own success, because we’ve achieved as close to zero COVID as we can get and a very, very low death rate,” said Dr. Paul Tambyah, an infectious diseases specialist at National University Hospital. “So we want to keep the position at the top of the class, and it’s very hard to do.” Singapore’s careful, some say overly cautious, approach to reopening contrasts with that of the United States and Europe, where vaccinated people are already gathering at concerts, festivals and other large events. But unlike Singapore, both of those places had to manage substantial outbreaks early in the pandemic. Also read | Singapore to ease virus curbs for migrant workers Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s finance minister and a chair of the country’s COVID-19 task force, said the lesson for “COVID-naive societies” like Singapore, New Zealand and Australia is to be ready for large waves of infections, “regardless of the vaccine coverage.” “Once you open up, more social interactions will happen,” he said. “And given the inherently highly transmissible nature of the delta variant, you will get big clusters emerging.” The vaccines have worked to keep most of the population out of the hospital, with 98.3 per cent of cases presenting mild or no symptoms. The deaths have occurred mostly in seniors, usually with comorbidities, and account for 0.2 per cent of the cases over the past 28 days. But the shots cannot protect against infection, especially when up against the delta variant, Wong said. “In Singapore, we think that you cannot just rely on vaccines alone during this intermediate phase,” he said. “And that’s why we do not plan an approach where we reopen in a big bang manner, and just declare freedom.” In Wong’s vision of how the pandemic will play out in Singapore, people will continue to wear face masks. Travel is unlikely to be entirely free. Social distancing will remain, perhaps until 2024. He stressed that Singapore was still on a path toward living with COVID and said he recognized that any form of tightening, no matter how small, would be met with anger and frustration because people are anxious to move on. “But we have to adjust based on the realities, based on the situation we are facing,” he said. Also read | Singapore: Patrol robots seeking 'undesirable social behaviour' spark privacy concerns Last month, officials scrambled to set up community treatment facilities equipped with oxygen tanks and asked those with mild or no symptoms to recover at home. Many Singaporeans said there was confusion about what to do and that the government appeared ill-prepared. “If the health care system gets overwhelmed, that’s when we know from experience everywhere that doctors are unable to cope and you have death rates start to go up,” Wong said. “So we are trying very hard to avoid that.” Several doctors have disputed the government’s claim that the health care system is under immense strain. Tambyah, who is also chair of an opposition party that recently drew up an alternative strategy for dealing with the pandemic, said there was enough of a buffer in hospitals because Singapore had canceled all elective surgeries. The problem for Singapore’s leaders, he said, is that they are “essentially doing a transition from zero COVID toward living with the virus.” For many, the repeated tweaks to the restrictions have taken a toll. The number of suicides in 2020 was the highest since 2012, a trend that some mental health experts have attributed to the pandemic. People have called on the government to consider the mental health concerns caused by the restrictions. Also read | As pandemic took hold, suicide rose among Japanese women “It’s just economically, sociologically, emotionally and mentally unsustainable,” said Devadas Krishnadas, CEO at Future-Moves Group, a consultancy in Singapore. Krishnadas said the decision to reintroduce restrictions after reaching such a high vaccination rate made the country a global outlier. “And, importantly, it moves Singapore in a complete 180 degrees, opposite direction from where the rest of the world is headed,” he said. “That brings us to the strategic question of where will this leave Singapore — if we don’t get off what I call the hamster wheel of opening and closing.” Sarah Chan, a deputy director at Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, said she had a fleeting taste of what normal life was like when she arrived in Italy last month to visit her husband’s family. No masks were required outdoors, vaccinated people could gather in groups without any restrictions, and Chan and her son could bop their heads to music in restaurants. In Singapore, music inside restaurants has been banned based on the notion that it could encourage the spread of the virus. Chan said she was so moved by her time in Italy that she cried. “It’s almost normal. You forget what that’s like,” she said. “I really miss that.”

They had the vaccines and a plan to reopen. Instead they got cold feet.

Pfizer has asked the US government to approve the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years old, and if regulators agree, injections may start within weeks.

In a trial of children, Pfizer had previously declared that a lower dose of their vaccine worked and looked to be safe. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-stole-millions-of-covid-vaccines-from-uk-in-an-act-of-war-report-418646">Also read | France 'stole' millions of Covid vaccines from UK in an 'act of war': Report</a>

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech officially submitted their application to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday.

The data will be debated by FDA advisers later this month. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-vatican-swiss-guards-resign-over-covid-vaccination-mandate-says-report-418499">Three Vatican Swiss Guards resign over Covid vaccination mandate, says report</a>

Until now, the vaccination was only accessible to children as young as 12, and many parents and physicians are demanding that it be made available to children as young as six.&nbsp;

Last month, Pfizer submitted research to the US Food and Drug Administration on the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine in children. Pfizer says it will also submit the data to the European Medicines Agency and other regulators.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pfizer has asked the US government to approve the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years old, and if regulators agree, injections may start within weeks.

Pfizer has asked the US government to approve the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years old, and if regulators agree, injections may start within weeks. In a trial of children, Pfizer had previously declared that a lower dose of their vaccine worked and looked to be safe. Also read | France 'stole' millions of Covid vaccines from UK in an 'act of war': Report Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech officially submitted their application to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday. The data will be debated by FDA advisers later this month. Also read | Three Vatican Swiss Guards resign over Covid vaccination mandate, says report Until now, the vaccination was only accessible to children as young as 12, and many parents and physicians are demanding that it be made available to children as young as six. Last month, Pfizer submitted research to the US Food and Drug Administration on the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine in children. Pfizer says it will also submit the data to the European Medicines Agency and other regulators. (With inputs from agencies)

Pfizer asks US government to allow COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11

It was a hot morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the day that Peter Naughton woke up on the floor.

Sore, disoriented, he’d already grasped what his mother was now telling him: He’d had another seizure. But he also grasped a larger truth: He needed to pull it together and somehow go to work.

A cashier and self-checkout host at the nearby Walmart, Naughton dreaded depleting his limited paid time off in the midst of a pandemic. His mother, for her part, insisted that her epileptic son, then 44, stay home and rest. The hours after a seizure were difficult enough. Toss in the stress of COVID-19 and a customer base that largely — and often angrily — rejected mask use, and a day at work seemed anything but recuperative.

In the end, Naughton’s growing headache and general fogginess were intense enough that he conceded to his mother’s wishes. He dialled once, twice, three times. No answer. Given the penalty for missing work without giving notice — and the fear of risking his job during uncertain times — he saw what he had to do. Reeling, he made the trip to the store and clocked in.

That was the summer of 2020, and in the bewildering year since, the stakes and strain around low-wage frontline jobs like Naughton’s seem only to have multiplied.

As shuttered offices cautiously debate the merits and logistics of reopening, a parallel sphere of workers — retail employees, day labourers, emergency personnel, medical staff, and so on — seemingly inhabit another country entirely. In their case nothing ever shuttered. Often their jobs just got really, really hard.

“Every day is frightening,” Naughton said recently, now nearly two years into his employment at Walmart.

Naughton said this in the dark, his power still out days after Hurricane Ida had barreled through Louisiana. It was 93 degrees. Later he would take another cold shower, also in the dark, in hopes of cooling off before bed.

Naughton lives on a quiet, grassy street of low brick homes with his ageing parents, not far from where he attended high school some two decades prior. He had an apartment of his own for a while last year, but his $11.55 hourly wage wasn’t enough to pay the rent, even working full time. So he moved back in with his mother and father, and now lives in fear of bringing the highly contagious delta variant home to them. (Naughton is fully vaccinated. But at 78, his father has health issues that prevent him from getting the shots, Naughton said — health issues that make severe illness likelier should he contract the disease.)

Elsewhere in the country, the conversation has begun to move on, away from early Covid alarm and into something more guardedly speculative. What will post-pandemic life look like? How have our priorities shifted? But for vast swaths of the nation, largely untouched by doses from Pfizer and Moderna, it remains late 2020 in many ways.

“A lot of people here still don’t believe the virus is real — even when the hospitals are full, even when they have family dying,” Naughton said. “With the vaccines, one co-worker told me getting it would go against her faith. Another told me it contains baby fetuses and mercury. Someone else said it was created by Bill Gates to insert microchips to track you. I said, ‘Why would he want to track&nbsp;you?’”

The conversations Naughton describes may be epidemiologically out of step, but he and thousands of others seem trapped in an America-right-now vortex, a swirl of politics, belief, resentment and fear. At fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, warehouses, nursing homes and anywhere else frontline workers show up each day, a deep schism has taken hold. Workers nervous about the virus find themselves at the mercy of those who aren’t.

“If I ask people to wear a mask or socially distance at work, they get mad and tell the manager. Then I have to get coached. If you get coached too many times, you lose your job,” Naughton said, referring to the company’s system for managing worker infractions. (Charles Crowson, a Walmart spokesman, did not dispute that an accumulation of coachings could lead to termination.)

Draped over this dynamic are often the stark realities of poverty, and the stresses of navigating a low-paying job in a high-pressure situation. And so an already strained situation strains further. Bitterness over masking requests, job insecurity, a run on bottled water, vaccine politics — tensions routinely boil over in his store and beyond, Naughton said.

“It wasn’t always like this. It used to be more friendly here. It’s become hostile. People are really on edge. They fight with you in the store, or with each other,” he said. “The other day a woman wanted to fight over the price of potatoes. You can even see it in how people drive, like they have a death wish.”

These days Naughton passes a fair amount of time alone. He burns off stress at the gym, goes on hikes, reads books on politics. (By flashlight, in the days after Hurricane Ida.) The delta resurgence also dealt a blow to his social life — at one point, concerned about the alarming spread in Louisiana, he cancelled plans to see live comedy with a co-worker. She went on without him; “she wasn’t worried about it,” he said.

Over the last few months, Naughton has pinned his hopes on a transfer — there’s another nearby Walmart he believes to be less stressful. After extensive lobbying, he said the move was finally approved. Coincidentally, it’s to the same store where his father routinely shops, Covid&nbsp;risks and all.

“He’s stubborn. He goes there for pastries, for Coke. He spends hours there. We tell him not to, it’s not safe,” Naughton said.

With nearly 1.6 million workers, Walmart is the largest private employer in the country. It employs 35,954 people in Louisiana alone, working for one of the 137 Supercenters, discount stores, neighbourhood markets or Sam’s Clubs across the state. Covid appears to have been good for the bottom line: During fiscal 2020, the company generated $559 billion in revenue, up $35 billion from the previous year. But labour activists say too little of that money has gone toward workforce protections, which in turn has prolonged the pandemic.

According to United for Respect, a nonprofit labour advocacy group for Walmart and Amazon workers — Naughton is an outspoken member — safety measures remain deeply insufficient.

“Thousands of Walmart associates across the country like Peter have been forced to endure poverty wages and abysmal benefits while working through a deadly pandemic, managing panic-buying sprees and culture wars over mask mandates,” said Bianca Agustin, the accountability director for United for Respect.

In a survey the group conducted of Walmart associates — the term the company uses for all non-temporary employees — in May 2020, nearly half said they had come into work sick or would do so, fearing retaliation otherwise. This past April the group released a report with the public health nonprofit Human Impact Partners, finding that Walmart could have prevented at least 7,618 Covid&nbsp;cases and saved 133 lives with a more robust paid sick time policy. (Researchers have estimated that some 125,000 Walmart workers nationwide likely contracted Covid between February 2020 and February 2021.)

United for Respect is pushing for five measures in response: hazard pay of $5 per hour; access to adequate paid and unpaid leave; immediate notification of positive cases within a given store; the inclusion of workers in the creation of safety protocols; and protection from retaliation. In the meantime, it has created a Covid reporting tool for workers at Amazon and Walmart. So far almost 1,900 cases have been claimed at 360 stores and facilities.

“Walmart lets in people without masks all the time, and social distancing isn’t enforced,” Naughton said. “Our lives are constantly in danger. They have ‘health ambassadors,’ but all they do is sit at the door offering customers masks. I’ve had to fill in for them. A lot of people just ignore you, or else get angry.”

In response, Crowson, the Walmart spokesman, replied that the company “has worked hard to protect the health and safety of associates and customers. This includes administering no-cost vaccinations, enhanced cleaning practices, daily health screenings and temperature checks for our associates, special bonuses and an emergency leave policy.”

For his part, Naughton continues fearing work while also fearing the idea of missing any. That’s partly the work ethic he inherited from his father, who never once called in sick to the chemical plant where he spent his career. But it’s also basic survival in perilous economic times. Putting aside any medical implications for him or his loved ones, he worries that contracting Covid could cost him his job. At 45, reliant on Medicaid for health coverage and having no retirement plan to speak of, he continues to don his yellow “Proud Walmart Associate” vest each morning.

Over the years Naughton has worked at fast-food restaurants, grocery stores and an amusement park. The idea of finding a more COVID-safe work-from-home gig appeals to him, but his hours at Walmart leave little time for job hunting. Regardless, he says the positions he comes across are “the kind you can’t get without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job.”

Asked about the distant universe of office careers and mask-wars-free remote work, Naughton, he replied that it all feels “unfair.”

“They say we’re essential,” he said, “but they treat us like we’re disposable.”

It was a hot morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the day that Peter Naughton woke up on the floor. Sore, disoriented, he’d already grasped what his mother was now telling him: He’d had another seizure.

It was a hot morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the day that Peter Naughton woke up on the floor. Sore, disoriented, he’d already grasped what his mother was now telling him: He’d had another seizure. But he also grasped a larger truth: He needed to pull it together and somehow go to work. A cashier and self-checkout host at the nearby Walmart, Naughton dreaded depleting his limited paid time off in the midst of a pandemic. His mother, for her part, insisted that her epileptic son, then 44, stay home and rest. The hours after a seizure were difficult enough. Toss in the stress of COVID-19 and a customer base that largely — and often angrily — rejected mask use, and a day at work seemed anything but recuperative. In the end, Naughton’s growing headache and general fogginess were intense enough that he conceded to his mother’s wishes. He dialled once, twice, three times. No answer. Given the penalty for missing work without giving notice — and the fear of risking his job during uncertain times — he saw what he had to do. Reeling, he made the trip to the store and clocked in. That was the summer of 2020, and in the bewildering year since, the stakes and strain around low-wage frontline jobs like Naughton’s seem only to have multiplied. As shuttered offices cautiously debate the merits and logistics of reopening, a parallel sphere of workers — retail employees, day labourers, emergency personnel, medical staff, and so on — seemingly inhabit another country entirely. In their case nothing ever shuttered. Often their jobs just got really, really hard. “Every day is frightening,” Naughton said recently, now nearly two years into his employment at Walmart. Naughton said this in the dark, his power still out days after Hurricane Ida had barreled through Louisiana. It was 93 degrees. Later he would take another cold shower, also in the dark, in hopes of cooling off before bed. Naughton lives on a quiet, grassy street of low brick homes with his ageing parents, not far from where he attended high school some two decades prior. He had an apartment of his own for a while last year, but his $11.55 hourly wage wasn’t enough to pay the rent, even working full time. So he moved back in with his mother and father, and now lives in fear of bringing the highly contagious delta variant home to them. (Naughton is fully vaccinated. But at 78, his father has health issues that prevent him from getting the shots, Naughton said — health issues that make severe illness likelier should he contract the disease.) Elsewhere in the country, the conversation has begun to move on, away from early Covid alarm and into something more guardedly speculative. What will post-pandemic life look like? How have our priorities shifted? But for vast swaths of the nation, largely untouched by doses from Pfizer and Moderna, it remains late 2020 in many ways. “A lot of people here still don’t believe the virus is real — even when the hospitals are full, even when they have family dying,” Naughton said. “With the vaccines, one co-worker told me getting it would go against her faith. Another told me it contains baby fetuses and mercury. Someone else said it was created by Bill Gates to insert microchips to track you. I said, ‘Why would he want to track you?’” The conversations Naughton describes may be epidemiologically out of step, but he and thousands of others seem trapped in an America-right-now vortex, a swirl of politics, belief, resentment and fear. At fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, warehouses, nursing homes and anywhere else frontline workers show up each day, a deep schism has taken hold. Workers nervous about the virus find themselves at the mercy of those who aren’t. “If I ask people to wear a mask or socially distance at work, they get mad and tell the manager. Then I have to get coached. If you get coached too many times, you lose your job,” Naughton said, referring to the company’s system for managing worker infractions. (Charles Crowson, a Walmart spokesman, did not dispute that an accumulation of coachings could lead to termination.) Draped over this dynamic are often the stark realities of poverty, and the stresses of navigating a low-paying job in a high-pressure situation. And so an already strained situation strains further. Bitterness over masking requests, job insecurity, a run on bottled water, vaccine politics — tensions routinely boil over in his store and beyond, Naughton said. “It wasn’t always like this. It used to be more friendly here. It’s become hostile. People are really on edge. They fight with you in the store, or with each other,” he said. “The other day a woman wanted to fight over the price of potatoes. You can even see it in how people drive, like they have a death wish.” These days Naughton passes a fair amount of time alone. He burns off stress at the gym, goes on hikes, reads books on politics. (By flashlight, in the days after Hurricane Ida.) The delta resurgence also dealt a blow to his social life — at one point, concerned about the alarming spread in Louisiana, he cancelled plans to see live comedy with a co-worker. She went on without him; “she wasn’t worried about it,” he said. Over the last few months, Naughton has pinned his hopes on a transfer — there’s another nearby Walmart he believes to be less stressful. After extensive lobbying, he said the move was finally approved. Coincidentally, it’s to the same store where his father routinely shops, Covid risks and all. “He’s stubborn. He goes there for pastries, for Coke. He spends hours there. We tell him not to, it’s not safe,” Naughton said. With nearly 1.6 million workers, Walmart is the largest private employer in the country. It employs 35,954 people in Louisiana alone, working for one of the 137 Supercenters, discount stores, neighbourhood markets or Sam’s Clubs across the state. Covid appears to have been good for the bottom line: During fiscal 2020, the company generated $559 billion in revenue, up $35 billion from the previous year. But labour activists say too little of that money has gone toward workforce protections, which in turn has prolonged the pandemic. According to United for Respect, a nonprofit labour advocacy group for Walmart and Amazon workers — Naughton is an outspoken member — safety measures remain deeply insufficient. “Thousands of Walmart associates across the country like Peter have been forced to endure poverty wages and abysmal benefits while working through a deadly pandemic, managing panic-buying sprees and culture wars over mask mandates,” said Bianca Agustin, the accountability director for United for Respect. In a survey the group conducted of Walmart associates — the term the company uses for all non-temporary employees — in May 2020, nearly half said they had come into work sick or would do so, fearing retaliation otherwise. This past April the group released a report with the public health nonprofit Human Impact Partners, finding that Walmart could have prevented at least 7,618 Covid cases and saved 133 lives with a more robust paid sick time policy. (Researchers have estimated that some 125,000 Walmart workers nationwide likely contracted Covid between February 2020 and February 2021.) United for Respect is pushing for five measures in response: hazard pay of $5 per hour; access to adequate paid and unpaid leave; immediate notification of positive cases within a given store; the inclusion of workers in the creation of safety protocols; and protection from retaliation. In the meantime, it has created a Covid reporting tool for workers at Amazon and Walmart. So far almost 1,900 cases have been claimed at 360 stores and facilities. “Walmart lets in people without masks all the time, and social distancing isn’t enforced,” Naughton said. “Our lives are constantly in danger. They have ‘health ambassadors,’ but all they do is sit at the door offering customers masks. I’ve had to fill in for them. A lot of people just ignore you, or else get angry.” In response, Crowson, the Walmart spokesman, replied that the company “has worked hard to protect the health and safety of associates and customers. This includes administering no-cost vaccinations, enhanced cleaning practices, daily health screenings and temperature checks for our associates, special bonuses and an emergency leave policy.” For his part, Naughton continues fearing work while also fearing the idea of missing any. That’s partly the work ethic he inherited from his father, who never once called in sick to the chemical plant where he spent his career. But it’s also basic survival in perilous economic times. Putting aside any medical implications for him or his loved ones, he worries that contracting Covid could cost him his job. At 45, reliant on Medicaid for health coverage and having no retirement plan to speak of, he continues to don his yellow “Proud Walmart Associate” vest each morning. Over the years Naughton has worked at fast-food restaurants, grocery stores and an amusement park. The idea of finding a more COVID-safe work-from-home gig appeals to him, but his hours at Walmart leave little time for job hunting. Regardless, he says the positions he comes across are “the kind you can’t get without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job.” Asked about the distant universe of office careers and mask-wars-free remote work, Naughton, he replied that it all feels “unfair.” “They say we’re essential,” he said, “but they treat us like we’re disposable.”

‘Every day is frightening’: Working for the top US employer amid Covid

The number of fresh coronavirus cases was recorded at below 20,000 (18,795) in India after 201 days on Tuesday, taking the country's COVID-19 tally to 3,36,97,581, while the number of active cases declined to 2,92,206, the lowest in 192 days, according to the Union health ministry.

A total 18,795 fresh Covid cases were registered in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll due to the viral disease climbed to 4,47,373 with 179 more fatalities, the lowest in 193 days, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am.

The number of daily fatalities was recorded at 154 on March 19.

The number of active cases has declined to 2,92,206, accounting for 0.87 per cent of the total number of cases -- the lowest since March 2020 -- while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.81 per cent, the highest since March last year, the ministry said.

A decrease of 7,414 cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

Less than 50,000 daily cases are being reported in the country for 93 consecutive days now, the ministry said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-might-be-entering-endemic-stage-of-covid-19-who-chief-scientist-swaminathan-408296">India might be entering endemic stage of COVID-19: WHO chief scientist Swaminathan</a>

Also, 13,21,780 tests were conducted to detect the infection on Monday, taking the total number of such tests conducted so far in the country to 56,57,30,031.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.42 per cent. It has been less than three per cent for the last 29 days.

The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 1.88 per cent. It has been below three per cent for the last 95 days, according to the ministry.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone up to 3,29,58,002, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.33 per cent.

The cumulative number of vaccine doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 87 crore with more than one crore doses administered in a span of 24 hours.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-mocks-indias-covid-19-crisis-deletes-post-after-backlash-382517">China mocks India’s COVID-19 crisis, deletes post after backlash</a>

India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, the 30-lakh mark on August 23, the 40-lakh mark on September 5 and the 50-lakh mark on September 16.

It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and the one-crore mark on December 19 last year.

The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore Covid cases on May 4 this year and the three-crore mark on June 23.

The 179 new fatalities include 58 from Kerala and 32 from Maharashtra.

A total of 4,47,373 deaths due to the viral disease have so far been reported in the country, including 1,38,902 from Maharashtra, 37,746 from Karnataka, 35,509 from Tamil Nadu, 25,085 from Delhi, 24,661 from Kerala, 22,890 from Uttar Pradesh and 18,751 from West Bengal.

The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that a state-wise distribution of the figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.&nbsp;

The number of fresh coronavirus cases was recorded at below 20,000 (18,795) in India after 201 days on Tuesday, taking the country's COVID-19 tally to 3,36,97,581, while the number of active cases declined to 2,92,206, the lowest in 192 days, according to the Union health ministry.

The number of fresh coronavirus cases was recorded at below 20,000 (18,795) in India after 201 days on Tuesday, taking the country's COVID-19 tally to 3,36,97,581, while the number of active cases declined to 2,92,206, the lowest in 192 days, according to the Union health ministry. A total 18,795 fresh Covid cases were registered in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll due to the viral disease climbed to 4,47,373 with 179 more fatalities, the lowest in 193 days, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am. The number of daily fatalities was recorded at 154 on March 19. The number of active cases has declined to 2,92,206, accounting for 0.87 per cent of the total number of cases -- the lowest since March 2020 -- while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.81 per cent, the highest since March last year, the ministry said. A decrease of 7,414 cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Less than 50,000 daily cases are being reported in the country for 93 consecutive days now, the ministry said. Also read | India might be entering endemic stage of COVID-19: WHO chief scientist Swaminathan Also, 13,21,780 tests were conducted to detect the infection on Monday, taking the total number of such tests conducted so far in the country to 56,57,30,031. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.42 per cent. It has been less than three per cent for the last 29 days. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 1.88 per cent. It has been below three per cent for the last 95 days, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone up to 3,29,58,002, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.33 per cent. The cumulative number of vaccine doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 87 crore with more than one crore doses administered in a span of 24 hours. Also read | China mocks India’s COVID-19 crisis, deletes post after backlash India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, the 30-lakh mark on August 23, the 40-lakh mark on September 5 and the 50-lakh mark on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and the one-crore mark on December 19 last year. The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore Covid cases on May 4 this year and the three-crore mark on June 23. The 179 new fatalities include 58 from Kerala and 32 from Maharashtra. A total of 4,47,373 deaths due to the viral disease have so far been reported in the country, including 1,38,902 from Maharashtra, 37,746 from Karnataka, 35,509 from Tamil Nadu, 25,085 from Delhi, 24,661 from Kerala, 22,890 from Uttar Pradesh and 18,751 from West Bengal. The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that a state-wise distribution of the figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

India records 18,795 fresh COVID-19 cases, lowest in six months

Stressing that the Covid virus may continue to transmit for a very long time, senior WHO official Poonam Khetrapal Singh says the level of immunity in a community, through vaccination and previous infection, will determine whether it will become endemic in the long run.

WHO's South-East Asia region regional director added that there is need to get to a situation where "we are fully in control of the virus, and not the virus in control of us".

The endemic stage is when a population learns to live with a virus, very different from the epidemic stage when the virus overwhelms a population.

Populations where more people were previously infected and where vaccination coverage is high are expected to be less impacted by the virus in the future than other populations, Singh told PTI in an interview.

"The COVID-19 virus is expected to continue to transmit for a very long time. A multitude of factors will decide whether the virus will become endemic in the long run, chief among them is the level of immunity in a community, both through vaccination and previous infection, she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-records-18795-fresh-covid-19-cases-lowest-in-six-months-416546">India records 18,795 fresh COVID-19 cases, lowest in six months</a>

On the granting of emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the indigenously developed Covaxin, she said Bharat Biotech's dossier seeking WHO's Emergency Use Listing (EUL) is being reviewed by technical experts and "we can expect a decision when the process is complete".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-pandemic-ceos-of-pfizer-and-moderna-say-life-will-be-back-to-normal-in-a-year-416527">Covid pandemic: CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna say life will be back to normal in a year</a>

Discussing the role of booster doses to tackle waning immunity, Singh pointed out that cases and deaths in all countries are predominantly being driven by unvaccinated people. Using vaccines for booster doses constricts supply to countries where millions are still waiting for their first dose, she said.

"Hence, WHO has called for a time-limited moratorium on COVID-19 booster doses until the end of 2021. This is to allow for at least 40 per cent of the population of each country - including those most at risk and health workers - to be vaccinated. We must remember that no one is safe till everyone is safe."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cant-go-unvaccinated-president-biden-gets-vaccine-booster-shot-416490">'Can't go unvaccinated': President Biden gets vaccine booster shot</a>

She said there is currently no conclusive evidence that COVID-19 vaccine efficacy against severe disease and death wanes significantly over time. The vaccines, the expert emphasised, have remained effective in preventing severe disease and death.

"However, WHO has not ruled out that boosters for some population groups may be warranted in future. WHO's recommendations on boosters will be guided by the scientific evidence, which is still evolving," she said.

"To make a recommendation on the use of booster doses for the general population, more data is needed on optimal timing, safety and dosage of booster doses, which may differ between vaccine products. More extensive research is needed to study the effect of booster doses in the body." 
According to Singh, eradication is unlikely but what we can do is to prevent or minimise deaths, hospitalisations, tragedy and social, economic and health loss due to this pandemic.

Current evidence, she said, shows that protection levels around the world remain low and most people continue to be susceptible to the virus.

"WHO continues to recommend a strong public health response based on risk assessment, and for people to continue to protect themselves by getting vaccinated, maintaining physical distance, wearing a mask, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, cleaning hands and following respiratory hygiene." 
 
Referring to the probability of a third Covid wave, Singh said another surge and how intense it will be will depend on all of us.

"If we together continue to adhere to public health and social measures and continue to vaccinate people as fast as possible, it will be hard for the virus to infect enough people to cause another wave," she said.

"From experience globally, there is enough evidence that the public health and social measures work, even against the Variants of Concern that are spreading more rapidly, and these measures are critical to limiting transmission of COVID-19 and reducing deaths. For the public health and social measures to be effective, they must be implemented well and timely and must be tailored to local settings and conditions." 
 
On India's decision to restart exporting COVID-19 vaccines, Singh said there is need for equity of vaccination administration globally to ensure that the most vulnerable such as frontline workers and the elderly are fully vaccinated.

"At the moment, several low and lower-middle-income countries are lagging behind in vaccinating their vulnerable populations. An equitable vaccine distribution will also help check the emergence of variants by halting the spread of the virus." 
 
Singh also noted that the pandemic has given "once-in-a-century opportunity" to strengthen the health system to build back better.

"We must invest in strengthening health system resilience to ensure health security and achieve universal health coverage. It means allocation of more resources for health and its efficient governance," she said.

Now is also the time for countries to take lessons from the pandemic to strengthen health systems in her view.

"Strong health systems that are primary healthcare-oriented, and which leave no one behind, create populations that are healthier, more productive and financially secure. Resilient health systems are the bedrock of emergency preparedness and response, and ensure that when acute events occur, essential health services can be maintained," Singh said.

Stressing that the Covid virus may continue to transmit for a very long time, senior WHO official Poonam Khetrapal Singh says the level of immunity in a community, through vaccination and previous infection, will determine whether it will become endemic in the long run.

Stressing that the Covid virus may continue to transmit for a very long time, senior WHO official Poonam Khetrapal Singh says the level of immunity in a community, through vaccination and previous infection, will determine whether it will become endemic in the long run. WHO's South-East Asia region regional director added that there is need to get to a situation where "we are fully in control of the virus, and not the virus in control of us". The endemic stage is when a population learns to live with a virus, very different from the epidemic stage when the virus overwhelms a population. Populations where more people were previously infected and where vaccination coverage is high are expected to be less impacted by the virus in the future than other populations, Singh told PTI in an interview. "The COVID-19 virus is expected to continue to transmit for a very long time. A multitude of factors will decide whether the virus will become endemic in the long run, chief among them is the level of immunity in a community, both through vaccination and previous infection, she said. Also read | India records 18,795 fresh COVID-19 cases, lowest in six months On the granting of emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the indigenously developed Covaxin, she said Bharat Biotech's dossier seeking WHO's Emergency Use Listing (EUL) is being reviewed by technical experts and "we can expect a decision when the process is complete". Also read | Covid pandemic: CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna say life will be back to normal in a year Discussing the role of booster doses to tackle waning immunity, Singh pointed out that cases and deaths in all countries are predominantly being driven by unvaccinated people. Using vaccines for booster doses constricts supply to countries where millions are still waiting for their first dose, she said. "Hence, WHO has called for a time-limited moratorium on COVID-19 booster doses until the end of 2021. This is to allow for at least 40 per cent of the population of each country - including those most at risk and health workers - to be vaccinated. We must remember that no one is safe till everyone is safe." Also read | 'Can't go unvaccinated': President Biden gets vaccine booster shot She said there is currently no conclusive evidence that COVID-19 vaccine efficacy against severe disease and death wanes significantly over time. The vaccines, the expert emphasised, have remained effective in preventing severe disease and death. "However, WHO has not ruled out that boosters for some population groups may be warranted in future. WHO's recommendations on boosters will be guided by the scientific evidence, which is still evolving," she said. "To make a recommendation on the use of booster doses for the general population, more data is needed on optimal timing, safety and dosage of booster doses, which may differ between vaccine products. More extensive research is needed to study the effect of booster doses in the body." According to Singh, eradication is unlikely but what we can do is to prevent or minimise deaths, hospitalisations, tragedy and social, economic and health loss due to this pandemic. Current evidence, she said, shows that protection levels around the world remain low and most people continue to be susceptible to the virus. "WHO continues to recommend a strong public health response based on risk assessment, and for people to continue to protect themselves by getting vaccinated, maintaining physical distance, wearing a mask, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, cleaning hands and following respiratory hygiene." Referring to the probability of a third Covid wave, Singh said another surge and how intense it will be will depend on all of us. "If we together continue to adhere to public health and social measures and continue to vaccinate people as fast as possible, it will be hard for the virus to infect enough people to cause another wave," she said. "From experience globally, there is enough evidence that the public health and social measures work, even against the Variants of Concern that are spreading more rapidly, and these measures are critical to limiting transmission of COVID-19 and reducing deaths. For the public health and social measures to be effective, they must be implemented well and timely and must be tailored to local settings and conditions." On India's decision to restart exporting COVID-19 vaccines, Singh said there is need for equity of vaccination administration globally to ensure that the most vulnerable such as frontline workers and the elderly are fully vaccinated. "At the moment, several low and lower-middle-income countries are lagging behind in vaccinating their vulnerable populations. An equitable vaccine distribution will also help check the emergence of variants by halting the spread of the virus." Singh also noted that the pandemic has given "once-in-a-century opportunity" to strengthen the health system to build back better. "We must invest in strengthening health system resilience to ensure health security and achieve universal health coverage. It means allocation of more resources for health and its efficient governance," she said. Now is also the time for countries to take lessons from the pandemic to strengthen health systems in her view. "Strong health systems that are primary healthcare-oriented, and which leave no one behind, create populations that are healthier, more productive and financially secure. Resilient health systems are the bedrock of emergency preparedness and response, and ensure that when acute events occur, essential health services can be maintained," Singh said.

Covid virus expected to continue to transmit for a very long time, says WHO official

Doctors scale rockslides, invoke gods to vaccinate Himalayan villages

United States President Joe Biden has pledged to buy 500 million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines and donate it lower-income countries.

The announcement from Biden came during a COVID-19 summit of world leaders that was held virtually from the White House.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck crisis. America will become the arsenal for vaccines as we were the arsenal for democracy in World War II,” Biden said

“The US has already shipped 160 million of these doses to 100 countries. For every one shot we’ve put in an American arm to date, we are now donating three shots globally,” the White House said in a statement. "

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-engaged-in-new-cold-war-with-rivals-china-and-russia-say-most-europeans-in-poll-414905">US engaged in new cold war with rivals China and Russia, say most Europeans in poll &nbsp;</a>

The US and other wealthy countries have been criticized by the World Health Organization for their plans to roll out booster shots for elderly and high-risk populations, while much of the world faces a severe shortage in doses.

On Tuesday, in his first speech to the UN as president, Biden told delegates that the United States had put more than $15 billion towards the global Covid response and shipped more than 160 million doses to other countries.

The summit, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, saw Biden and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield hosting a wide variety of health and foreign leaders.

They included UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the heads of Britain, Canada, the European Union, Indonesia, and South Africa.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/changing-a-lot-of-nappies-uk-pm-boris-johnson-admits-he-has-6-children-414871">'Changing a lot of nappies': UK PM Boris Johnson admits he has 6 children</a>

Washington will seek to rally the world around three goals, the administration official said.

These are: increasing vaccine supply; saving lives now by resolving the oxygen crisis and access to testing, medicine and therapeutics; and lastly improving future preparedness.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Joe Biden has pledged to buy 500 million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines and donate it lower-income countries. The announcement from Biden came during a COVID-19 summit of world leaders that was held virtually from the White House.

United States President Joe Biden has pledged to buy 500 million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines and donate it lower-income countries. The announcement from Biden came during a COVID-19 summit of world leaders that was held virtually from the White House. “This is an all-hands-on-deck crisis. America will become the arsenal for vaccines as we were the arsenal for democracy in World War II,” Biden said “The US has already shipped 160 million of these doses to 100 countries. For every one shot we’ve put in an American arm to date, we are now donating three shots globally,” the White House said in a statement. " Also read | US engaged in new cold war with rivals China and Russia, say most Europeans in poll The US and other wealthy countries have been criticized by the World Health Organization for their plans to roll out booster shots for elderly and high-risk populations, while much of the world faces a severe shortage in doses. On Tuesday, in his first speech to the UN as president, Biden told delegates that the United States had put more than $15 billion towards the global Covid response and shipped more than 160 million doses to other countries. The summit, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, saw Biden and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield hosting a wide variety of health and foreign leaders. They included UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the heads of Britain, Canada, the European Union, Indonesia, and South Africa. Also read | 'Changing a lot of nappies': UK PM Boris Johnson admits he has 6 children Washington will seek to rally the world around three goals, the administration official said. These are: increasing vaccine supply; saving lives now by resolving the oxygen crisis and access to testing, medicine and therapeutics; and lastly improving future preparedness. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden pledges to donate 500 million vaccines to other nations

United States President Joe Biden has pledged to buy 500 million Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines and donate it lower-income countries.

The announcement from Biden came during a COVID-19 summit of world leaders that was held virtually from the White House.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck crisis. America will become the arsenal for vaccines as we were the arsenal for democracy in World War II,” Biden said

“The US has already shipped 160 million of these doses to 100 countries. For every one shot we’ve put in an American arm to date, we are now donating three shots globally,” the White House said in a statement. "

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-engaged-in-new-cold-war-with-rivals-china-and-russia-say-most-europeans-in-poll-414905">US engaged in new cold war with rivals China and Russia, say most Europeans in poll &nbsp;</a>

The US and other wealthy countries have been criticized by the World Health Organization for their plans to roll out booster shots for elderly and high-risk populations, while much of the world faces a severe shortage in doses.

On Tuesday, in his first speech to the UN as president, Biden told delegates that the United States had put more than $15 billion towards the global Covid response and shipped more than 160 million doses to other countries.

The summit, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, saw Biden and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield hosting a wide variety of health and foreign leaders.

They included UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the heads of Britain, Canada, the European Union, Indonesia, and South Africa.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/changing-a-lot-of-nappies-uk-pm-boris-johnson-admits-he-has-6-children-414871">'Changing a lot of nappies': UK PM Boris Johnson admits he has 6 children</a>

Washington will seek to rally the world around three goals, the administration official said.

These are: increasing vaccine supply; saving lives now by resolving the oxygen crisis and access to testing, medicine and therapeutics; and lastly improving future preparedness.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Joe Biden has pledged to buy 500 million Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines and donate it lower-income countries. The announcement from Biden came during a COVID-19 summit of world leaders that was held virtually from the White House.

United States President Joe Biden has pledged to buy 500 million Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines and donate it lower-income countries. The announcement from Biden came during a COVID-19 summit of world leaders that was held virtually from the White House. “This is an all-hands-on-deck crisis. America will become the arsenal for vaccines as we were the arsenal for democracy in World War II,” Biden said “The US has already shipped 160 million of these doses to 100 countries. For every one shot we’ve put in an American arm to date, we are now donating three shots globally,” the White House said in a statement. " Also read | US engaged in new cold war with rivals China and Russia, say most Europeans in poll The US and other wealthy countries have been criticized by the World Health Organization for their plans to roll out booster shots for elderly and high-risk populations, while much of the world faces a severe shortage in doses. On Tuesday, in his first speech to the UN as president, Biden told delegates that the United States had put more than $15 billion towards the global Covid response and shipped more than 160 million doses to other countries. The summit, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, saw Biden and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield hosting a wide variety of health and foreign leaders. They included UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the heads of Britain, Canada, the European Union, Indonesia, and South Africa. Also read | 'Changing a lot of nappies': UK PM Boris Johnson admits he has 6 children Washington will seek to rally the world around three goals, the administration official said. These are: increasing vaccine supply; saving lives now by resolving the oxygen crisis and access to testing, medicine and therapeutics; and lastly improving future preparedness. (With inputs from agencies)

US President Biden pledges to donate 500 million vaccines to 'low-income nations'

Pushed on the brink due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the tourism industry, the governments of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, are mulling to open their borders and public spaces for foreign tourists.

According to Reuters, Vietnam plans to reopen the resort island of Phu Quoc to foreign tourists starting next month. The tourism minister, Nguyen Van Hung, said the pandemic had “seriously hurt” the tourism industry.

The decision comes as only 6.3 per cent of Vietnam’s 98 million people have received at least two shots.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-downgrades-2021-outlook-as-covid-19-hampers-recovery-405958">Thailand downgrades 2021 outlook as COVID-19 hampers recovery</a>

Foreign arrivals to Vietnam slumped from 18 million in 2019, when tourism revenue was $31 billion, or nearly 12% of its gross domestic product, to 3.8 million last year.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conceded that Vietnam was facing a lengthy battle against the coronavirus, which has infected over 5,70,000 people and killed 14,400, so could not just rely on lockdowns and quarantine.

Neighbouring Thailand has also announced its intentions to reopen Bangkok and other major destinations to foreign tourists by October, while hoping to revive its tourism industry, which accounted for more than 11% of the country's GDP in 2019,&nbsp;according to Reuters.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spreads-through-air-vietnam-reports-new-variant-of-coronavirus-388243">'Spreads through air': Vietnam reports new variant of coronavirus</a>

So far, only 22% of the estimated 72 million people living in Thailand have been fully vaccinated, according to local media reports.

Indonesia, which has inoculated more than 16% of its population, has also eased its restrictions, allowing public spaces to reopen, and permitting factories to return to its full capacity.

Foreign tourists might be allowed into certain parts of the country, including the resort island Bali, by October, according to&nbsp;Reuters.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thailand-protesters-clash-with-riot-police-over-govts-pandemic-response-404768/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There are many Southeast Asian nations who have been planning to open their borders as Covid-induced lockdown continue to cripple their economies.

However, there have been concerns among the health activities as the island nations have been struggling to inoculate their population owing to short supply of Covid vaccines, and their over-reliance on Chinese-made vaccines—which showed lower efficacy than those made by Western and Indian companies.

Brazilian trials have shown that Sinovac has about 50% efficacy&nbsp;against symptomatic Covid-19, and 100% effectiveness against severe disease, according to trial data submitted to WHO.

Sinopharm, another vaccine from China, has an efficacy of about 79% for symptomatic and hospitalized disease,&nbsp;according to WHO.

According to&nbsp;Duke University,&nbsp;Thailand has bought more than 40 million doses of the Sinovac drug, while the Philippines and Malaysia have around 20 million each. Cambodia has bought another 16 million.

Meanwhile, Indonesia has bought 15 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, while Malaysia has got another 5 million.

Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the US-based Council on Foreign Relations think tank, told CNN that if vaccination rates aren’t high enough with high-efficacy vaccines before restrictions are lifted, health care systems in Southeast Asia could quickly become overwhelmed.

“You're going to see this spike of severe cases then it's going to overwhelm the ICU ... beds, ventilators, there's going to be a shortage capacity challenge,” he was said quoted as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pushed on the brink due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the tourism industry, the governments of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, are mulling to open their borders and public spaces for foreign tourists.

Pushed on the brink due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the tourism industry, the governments of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, are mulling to open their borders and public spaces for foreign tourists. According to Reuters, Vietnam plans to reopen the resort island of Phu Quoc to foreign tourists starting next month. The tourism minister, Nguyen Van Hung, said the pandemic had “seriously hurt” the tourism industry. The decision comes as only 6.3 per cent of Vietnam’s 98 million people have received at least two shots. Also read | Thailand downgrades 2021 outlook as COVID-19 hampers recovery Foreign arrivals to Vietnam slumped from 18 million in 2019, when tourism revenue was $31 billion, or nearly 12% of its gross domestic product, to 3.8 million last year. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conceded that Vietnam was facing a lengthy battle against the coronavirus, which has infected over 5,70,000 people and killed 14,400, so could not just rely on lockdowns and quarantine. Neighbouring Thailand has also announced its intentions to reopen Bangkok and other major destinations to foreign tourists by October, while hoping to revive its tourism industry, which accounted for more than 11% of the country's GDP in 2019, according to Reuters. Also read | 'Spreads through air': Vietnam reports new variant of coronavirus So far, only 22% of the estimated 72 million people living in Thailand have been fully vaccinated, according to local media reports. Indonesia, which has inoculated more than 16% of its population, has also eased its restrictions, allowing public spaces to reopen, and permitting factories to return to its full capacity. Foreign tourists might be allowed into certain parts of the country, including the resort island Bali, by October, according to Reuters. Watch There are many Southeast Asian nations who have been planning to open their borders as Covid-induced lockdown continue to cripple their economies. However, there have been concerns among the health activities as the island nations have been struggling to inoculate their population owing to short supply of Covid vaccines, and their over-reliance on Chinese-made vaccines—which showed lower efficacy than those made by Western and Indian companies. Brazilian trials have shown that Sinovac has about 50% efficacy against symptomatic Covid-19, and 100% effectiveness against severe disease, according to trial data submitted to WHO. Sinopharm, another vaccine from China, has an efficacy of about 79% for symptomatic and hospitalized disease, according to WHO. According to Duke University, Thailand has bought more than 40 million doses of the Sinovac drug, while the Philippines and Malaysia have around 20 million each. Cambodia has bought another 16 million. Meanwhile, Indonesia has bought 15 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, while Malaysia has got another 5 million. Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the US-based Council on Foreign Relations think tank, told CNN that if vaccination rates aren’t high enough with high-efficacy vaccines before restrictions are lifted, health care systems in Southeast Asia could quickly become overwhelmed. “You're going to see this spike of severe cases then it's going to overwhelm the ICU ... beds, ventilators, there's going to be a shortage capacity challenge,” he was said quoted as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

Economies on the brink due to Covid, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam mulling to reopen borders

An unconventional yet cryptic advertisement drew the attention of thousands who were thronging to the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina’s Charlotte city, US, to witness a football game.

“Don’t get vaccinated,” read the digital billboards on a black truck’s side and rear panels.

Below the message on the billboard was the name and website of Wilmore Funeral Home. However, the advertisement contained a hidden message.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-cases-in-us-16-times-too-high-to-end-pandemic-says-fauci-412124">Covid cases in US 16 times too high to end pandemic, says Fauci</a>

While visiting the website, people found that the funeral home mentioned on the truck did not exist and were instead greeted with this message: “Get vaccinated now. If not, see you soon.”

The whole idea was the brainchild of an advertising firm, BooneOakley, who decided to tackle the vaccine hesitancy and scepticism among the Americans with a novel approach.

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It was us. Get vaccinated. <a href="https://t.co/WFQ1h6sLwn">pic.twitter.com/WFQ1h6sLwn</a>
— BooneOakley (@booneoakley) <a href="https://twitter.com/booneoakley/status/1440308729413464064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Charlotte city has less than half its population is fully vaccinated. The ad agency director, David Oakley, said he needed something “out of the box” to persuade the people to get vaccinated.

“I just feel like conventional advertising is not working. Like, just regular messages that say 'Get the Shot' or 'Go Get Vaccinated' ... they just kind of blend in with everything else,” Oakley told CNN.

“We wanted to do something that saw it from a different perspective and kind of shocks people into thinking, ‘Holy moly, man’.”

“I believe even if just one person gets vaccinated because of that billboard, I give it a grand success. Just one person, it will be worth it to me,” Oakley added.

The advertisement received wide applause from the netizens in the US, with a Twitter user calling it “God-tier marketing”.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/CorpEccentric?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CorpEccentric</a> this is some God-tier marketing. Look at the website <a href="https://t.co/XhUI9Ia7X0">https://t.co/XhUI9Ia7X0</a>. <a href="https://t.co/qRkMbYmiLF">https://t.co/qRkMbYmiLF</a>
— Christopher J. Nurse (@ChrisJNurse) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisJNurse/status/1439726966752567296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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“Brilliant!,” one woman, Imelda March, wrote, while another said: “Nicely done, y’all.

(With inputs from agencies)

An unconventional yet cryptic advertisement drew the attention of thousands who were thronging to the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina’s Charlotte city, US, to witness a football game.

An unconventional yet cryptic advertisement drew the attention of thousands who were thronging to the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina’s Charlotte city, US, to witness a football game. “Don’t get vaccinated,” read the digital billboards on a black truck’s side and rear panels. Below the message on the billboard was the name and website of Wilmore Funeral Home. However, the advertisement contained a hidden message. Also read | Covid cases in US 16 times too high to end pandemic, says Fauci While visiting the website, people found that the funeral home mentioned on the truck did not exist and were instead greeted with this message: “Get vaccinated now. If not, see you soon.” The whole idea was the brainchild of an advertising firm, BooneOakley, who decided to tackle the vaccine hesitancy and scepticism among the Americans with a novel approach. It was us. Get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/WFQ1h6sLwn — BooneOakley (@booneoakley) September 21, 2021 × Charlotte city has less than half its population is fully vaccinated. The ad agency director, David Oakley, said he needed something “out of the box” to persuade the people to get vaccinated. “I just feel like conventional advertising is not working. Like, just regular messages that say 'Get the Shot' or 'Go Get Vaccinated' ... they just kind of blend in with everything else,” Oakley told CNN. “We wanted to do something that saw it from a different perspective and kind of shocks people into thinking, ‘Holy moly, man’.” “I believe even if just one person gets vaccinated because of that billboard, I give it a grand success. Just one person, it will be worth it to me,” Oakley added. The advertisement received wide applause from the netizens in the US, with a Twitter user calling it “God-tier marketing”. @CorpEccentric this is some God-tier marketing. Look at the website https://t.co/XhUI9Ia7X0. https://t.co/qRkMbYmiLF — Christopher J. Nurse (@ChrisJNurse) September 19, 2021 × “Brilliant!,” one woman, Imelda March, wrote, while another said: “Nicely done, y’all. (With inputs from agencies)

'Don’t get vaccinated': Ad agency comes up with cryptic message to boost vaccination in US city

An anti-Covid vaccine lockdown protest on the streets of Melbourne turned chaos on Tuesday after the police fired pepper balls and stinger grenades in a bid to disperse the agitators.

More than 1,000 demonstrators dressed as construction workers clashed with police for the second consecutive day and rampaged through the centre of Australia's second-largest city, lighting flares, throwing bottles, attacking police cars and chanting their opposition to vaccines and lockdown restrictions.

Police said 62 protesters were arrested and three police officers were injured along with one journalist.

Victoria’s police chief commissioner Shane Patton said officers used pepper balls, foam baton rounds, smoke bombs and stinger grenades which deploy rubber pellets.

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This is seriously out of control and someone is going to get hurt. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHome</a> now <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Melbourne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Melbourne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/protests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#protests</a> <a href="https://t.co/jgbpIKWMQx">pic.twitter.com/jgbpIKWMQx</a>
— Níal Ó Fionnagáin (@NialFinegan) <a href="https://twitter.com/NialFinegan/status/1440194156643557383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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“These crowd control equipment munitions were necessary … because we can’t allow this type of conduct to go on,” he told reporters later in the day.

Video footage on social media showed police cars trying to leave one area before a mob attacked the vehicles with bottles and smashed windows. A line of riot police, weapons raised, then drove the protesters back.

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Didn't catch the really big bang but this was when it started getting scary <a href="https://t.co/yA0ud17bXY">pic.twitter.com/yA0ud17bXY</a>
— Michael Irving (@MikeIrvo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeIrvo/status/1440183951063093255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asked-to-put-on-mask-angry-customer-shoots-petrol-station-worker-in-germany-414648">Asked to put on mask, angry customer shoots petrol station worker in Germany</a>

Patton said they had a tip-off that protests have been planned again for Wednesday and he implored people to stay at home.

“No one benefits from this type of conduct, we will be out in force again, I can assure you of that,” he told reporters.

“I won’t disclose what our tactics will be tomorrow, but they will be different. Please just stay home, we do not want a confrontation.”

Melbourne&nbsp;has been in strict lockdown for seven weeks, as the city struggles to curb an outbreak of the fast-spreading Delta variant.

Several clusters have been linked to construction sites, where Covid containment measures are said to be lax.

In response, authorities have introduced ever-tougher restrictions, closing work site tea rooms, announcing mandatory vaccination for labourers and, most recently, closing almost all construction sites for two weeks.

(WIth inputs from agencies)

An anti-Covid vaccine lockdown protest on the streets of Melbourne turned chaos on Tuesday after the police fired pepper balls and stinger grenades in a bid to disperse the agitators.

An anti-Covid vaccine lockdown protest on the streets of Melbourne turned chaos on Tuesday after the police fired pepper balls and stinger grenades in a bid to disperse the agitators. More than 1,000 demonstrators dressed as construction workers clashed with police for the second consecutive day and rampaged through the centre of Australia's second-largest city, lighting flares, throwing bottles, attacking police cars and chanting their opposition to vaccines and lockdown restrictions. Police said 62 protesters were arrested and three police officers were injured along with one journalist. Victoria’s police chief commissioner Shane Patton said officers used pepper balls, foam baton rounds, smoke bombs and stinger grenades which deploy rubber pellets. This is seriously out of control and someone is going to get hurt. #GoHome now #Melbourne #protests pic.twitter.com/jgbpIKWMQx — Níal Ó Fionnagáin (@NialFinegan) September 21, 2021 × “These crowd control equipment munitions were necessary … because we can’t allow this type of conduct to go on,” he told reporters later in the day. Video footage on social media showed police cars trying to leave one area before a mob attacked the vehicles with bottles and smashed windows. A line of riot police, weapons raised, then drove the protesters back. Didn't catch the really big bang but this was when it started getting scary pic.twitter.com/yA0ud17bXY — Michael Irving (@MikeIrvo) September 21, 2021 × Also read | Asked to put on mask, angry customer shoots petrol station worker in Germany Patton said they had a tip-off that protests have been planned again for Wednesday and he implored people to stay at home. “No one benefits from this type of conduct, we will be out in force again, I can assure you of that,” he told reporters. “I won’t disclose what our tactics will be tomorrow, but they will be different. Please just stay home, we do not want a confrontation.” Melbourne has been in strict lockdown for seven weeks, as the city struggles to curb an outbreak of the fast-spreading Delta variant. Several clusters have been linked to construction sites, where Covid containment measures are said to be lax. In response, authorities have introduced ever-tougher restrictions, closing work site tea rooms, announcing mandatory vaccination for labourers and, most recently, closing almost all construction sites for two weeks. (WIth inputs from agencies)

Melbourne anti-Covid vaccine protests turn violent as police fire pepper balls, smoke bombs

Airlines can now operate a maximum of 85 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic flights instead of the 72.5 per cent allowed till date, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated on Saturday.

The carriers have been operating 72.5 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic flights since August 12, according to the ministry's order.

Between July 5 and August 12, the cap stood at 65 per cent. Between June 1 and July 5, the cap was at 50 per cent.

The ministry issued a fresh order on Saturday, in which it modified the August 12 order stating that "72.5 per cent capacity may be read as 85 per cent capacity". 
Saturday's order also noted that the 72.5 per cent cap will remain in place "until further order".

When the government had resumed the scheduled domestic flights on May 25 last year after a two-month break, the ministry had allowed the carriers to operate not more than 33 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic services.

The cap was gradually increased to 80 per cent by December.

The 80 per cent cap remained in place till June 1.

The May 28 decision to bring down the cap from 80 to 50 per cent from June 1 onwards was taken "in view of the sudden surge in the number of active COVID-19 cases across the country, decrease in passenger traffic and the passenger load (occupancy rate) factor", the ministry had said.&nbsp;

Airlines can now operate a maximum of 85 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic flights instead of the 72.5 per cent allowed till date, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated on Saturday.

Airlines can now operate a maximum of 85 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic flights instead of the 72.5 per cent allowed till date, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated on Saturday. The carriers have been operating 72.5 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic flights since August 12, according to the ministry's order. Between July 5 and August 12, the cap stood at 65 per cent. Between June 1 and July 5, the cap was at 50 per cent. The ministry issued a fresh order on Saturday, in which it modified the August 12 order stating that "72.5 per cent capacity may be read as 85 per cent capacity". Saturday's order also noted that the 72.5 per cent cap will remain in place "until further order". When the government had resumed the scheduled domestic flights on May 25 last year after a two-month break, the ministry had allowed the carriers to operate not more than 33 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic services. The cap was gradually increased to 80 per cent by December. The 80 per cent cap remained in place till June 1. The May 28 decision to bring down the cap from 80 to 50 per cent from June 1 onwards was taken "in view of the sudden surge in the number of active COVID-19 cases across the country, decrease in passenger traffic and the passenger load (occupancy rate) factor", the ministry had said.

Indian airlines can now operate 85% of pre-Covid domestic flights: Aviation Ministry

Thousands of health professionals have been suspended without pay across France for failing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before a deadline this week, according to Health Minister Olivier Veran.

Last week, France's national public health ministry estimated that about 12% of hospital employees and 6% of private practise doctors had not yet been vaccinated.&nbsp;

"Some 3,000 suspensions were notified yesterday to employees at health centres and clinics who have not yet been vaccinated," Veran said.

In France, vaccinations are now required for medical, home care, and emergency professionals, and the deadline for receiving at least one shot was Wednesday.

If that fails, they risk having their salary suspended or being unable to work. However, a high court has ruled that employees cannot be sacked outright.

The mandate was authorised by the French parliament last summer to safeguard patients and the general public from further COVID-19 outbreaks.

In France, more than 113,000 people have died from the virus, with health officials claiming that the majority of those hospitalised during the most recent outbreak were not vaccinated.&nbsp;

Overall, 70 per cent of the French have received both doses required to be fully vaccinated, which are available to everyone over age 12 -- one of the highest rates in the world.

On Wednesday, the health ministry reported 79 Covid deaths over the previous 24 hours, bringing the French total to 115,829.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of health professionals have been suspended without pay across France for failing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before a deadline this week, according to Health Minister Olivier Veran.

Thousands of health professionals have been suspended without pay across France for failing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before a deadline this week, according to Health Minister Olivier Veran. Last week, France's national public health ministry estimated that about 12% of hospital employees and 6% of private practise doctors had not yet been vaccinated. "Some 3,000 suspensions were notified yesterday to employees at health centres and clinics who have not yet been vaccinated," Veran said. In France, vaccinations are now required for medical, home care, and emergency professionals, and the deadline for receiving at least one shot was Wednesday. If that fails, they risk having their salary suspended or being unable to work. However, a high court has ruled that employees cannot be sacked outright. The mandate was authorised by the French parliament last summer to safeguard patients and the general public from further COVID-19 outbreaks. In France, more than 113,000 people have died from the virus, with health officials claiming that the majority of those hospitalised during the most recent outbreak were not vaccinated. Overall, 70 per cent of the French have received both doses required to be fully vaccinated, which are available to everyone over age 12 -- one of the highest rates in the world. On Wednesday, the health ministry reported 79 Covid deaths over the previous 24 hours, bringing the French total to 115,829. (With inputs from agencies)

3,000 unvaccinated French health care workers face suspension

A 73-year-old man from Alabama, US, died due to cardiac arrest after he couldn’t secure an ICU bed in 43 hospitals across three states as they were already filled up by Covid patients.

Ray DeMonia, an antique dealer, died on September 1 in a Mississippi hospital, about 322 kilometres from his home because there were no cardiac ICU beds nearby, his daughter Raven DeMonia told The Washington Post.

DeMonia went to Cullman Regional Medical Center on August 23 because he was having heart problems, she said.

Raven said her mother got a call from the hospital staff about 12 hours after he was admitted, saying that the staff had called 43 hospitals and were unable to find a “specialized cardiac ICU bed.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Alabama has one of the highest rates of new cases, with 541 per 100,000 testing positive&nbsp;in the last week.

In DeMonia’s obituary, the family urged everyone to get vaccinated to prevent others from being denied facilities due to a lack of resources.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/5-us-states-nearly-out-of-icu-beds-as-fresh-surge-of-covid-19-cases-stretch-hospitals-409717">5 US states nearly out of ICU beds as fresh surge of COVID-19 cases stretch hospitals</a>

“In honour of Ray, please get vaccinated if you have not, in an effort to free up resources for non-Covid related emergencies,” the obituary read.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the ICU capacity in Alabama has been at maximum in recent weeks, with COVID-19 patients occupying about half of the intensive care beds.

Dr Scott Harris, the head of the Alabama Department of Public Health, last week said the state was continuing to experience “a real crisis” with ICU bed capacity.

“The numbers aren’t great. But the numbers at least have not continued to go up,” he was quoted as saying by local media.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 73-year-old man from Alabama, US, died due to cardiac arrest after he couldn’t secure an ICU bed in 43 hospitals across three states as they were already filled up by Covid patients.

A 73-year-old man from Alabama, US, died due to cardiac arrest after he couldn’t secure an ICU bed in 43 hospitals across three states as they were already filled up by Covid patients. Ray DeMonia, an antique dealer, died on September 1 in a Mississippi hospital, about 322 kilometres from his home because there were no cardiac ICU beds nearby, his daughter Raven DeMonia told The Washington Post. DeMonia went to Cullman Regional Medical Center on August 23 because he was having heart problems, she said. Raven said her mother got a call from the hospital staff about 12 hours after he was admitted, saying that the staff had called 43 hospitals and were unable to find a “specialized cardiac ICU bed.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Alabama has one of the highest rates of new cases, with 541 per 100,000 testing positive in the last week. In DeMonia’s obituary, the family urged everyone to get vaccinated to prevent others from being denied facilities due to a lack of resources. Also read | 5 US states nearly out of ICU beds as fresh surge of COVID-19 cases stretch hospitals “In honour of Ray, please get vaccinated if you have not, in an effort to free up resources for non-Covid related emergencies,” the obituary read. According to Johns Hopkins University, the ICU capacity in Alabama has been at maximum in recent weeks, with COVID-19 patients occupying about half of the intensive care beds. Dr Scott Harris, the head of the Alabama Department of Public Health, last week said the state was continuing to experience “a real crisis” with ICU bed capacity. “The numbers aren’t great. But the numbers at least have not continued to go up,” he was quoted as saying by local media. (With inputs from agencies)

Cardiac patient dies after failing to get ICU bed in 43 US hospitals occupied by COVID patients

Britain on Tuesday said it would push back its implementation of full post-Brexit&nbsp;borders checks on goods from the European Union, as the pandemic, red tape and new immigration rules fuel supply problems.

Plans to introduce full controls in areas such as the import of food and animal products had been due from next month but would now start from January next year under a "pragmatic new timetable", the government said.

Britain will still introduce full customs declarations and controls on January 1, 2022, as planned.

Certification and physical checks on food and animal goods designed to protect against diseases, pests and contaminants — due to be introduced on January 1 — will now be introduced in July 2022.

Requirements for safety and security declarations will be also be pushed back to July.

"We want businesses to focus on their recovery from the pandemic rather than have to deal with new requirements at the border, which is why we've set out a pragmatic new timetable for introducing full border controls," said minister David Frost.

"Businesses will now have more time to prepare for these controls which will be phased in throughout 2022.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shortage-of-lorry-drivers-covid-induced-supply-disruptions-driving-inflation-in-uk-410004">Shortage of lorry drivers, Covid-induced supply disruptions driving inflation in UK</a>

"We remain on track to deliver new systems, infrastructure and resourcing needed for these controls," he added.

The pandemic and&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;have left Britain short of some 90,000 truck drivers, many of whom returned to eastern Europe, causing supply chain problems, particularly in the food and drink sector.

The UK has similarly postponed the full implementation of post-Brexit&nbsp;rules governing trade from mainland Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) to Northern Ireland.

London is in talks with Brussels about how to put into practice the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is designed to prevent unchecked goods heading into the EU single market via the UK's only land border with the EU to Ireland.

But on Monday night, Frost warned ministers could unilaterally suspend the protocol unless progress is made, with opposition strong from pro-British parties in Northern Ireland.

That, however, could trigger countermeasures from the EU, which insists the protocol is not up for renegotiation.

<h2>Christmas pressure&nbsp;</h2>

Fears are growing that supply problems will hit Christmas. Fastfood outlets KFC and McDonald's have already reported shortages of some menu items, while the JD Wetherspoon chain of pubs, owned by&nbsp;Brexit-supporting Tim Martin, had run out of some beer brands

Trade Secretary Liz Truss said there was a need to be "as flexible as possible" given current problems.

"It's very important that we don't exacerbate disruptions by putting in extra controls at this stage," she told an online conference at the Policy Exchange think-tank.

"Now would be the wrong place to put those controls in," she added, blaming the pandemic rather than Britain's exit from the EU single market and customs union.

Employers group the CBI said the extra time would "relieve pressure in supply chains ahead of the traditionally busy Christmas period for retailers".

But the industry body's Europe director, Sean McGuire, said progress was still needed to eradicate most checks, particularly for agri-foods.

"And where supply bottlenecks are caused by labour shortages, the UK should use the immigration levers within its gift to alleviate short-term pressures," he added.

Britain is set for the strongest growth since official records began over 2021, with gross domestic product (GDP) set to expand by 7.1 percent, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.

But it said the acute driver shortage, global supply issues and recruitment troubles could hamper the recovery.

Recent data "point to a loss of momentum in the coming months as staff shortages, supply chain disruption and rising cost pressures limit output from many sectors," said Suren Thiru, head of economics at the BCC.

London's mayor Sadiq Khan on Tuesday called for a time-limited "Covid recovery visa" to help recruit and train EU workers to alleviate labour shortages after&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;and the pandemic.

Britain on Tuesday said it would push back its implementation of full post-Brexit borders checks on goods from the European Union, as the pandemic, red tape and new immigration rules fuel supply problems.

Britain on Tuesday said it would push back its implementation of full post-Brexit borders checks on goods from the European Union, as the pandemic, red tape and new immigration rules fuel supply problems. Plans to introduce full controls in areas such as the import of food and animal products had been due from next month but would now start from January next year under a "pragmatic new timetable", the government said. Britain will still introduce full customs declarations and controls on January 1, 2022, as planned. Certification and physical checks on food and animal goods designed to protect against diseases, pests and contaminants — due to be introduced on January 1 — will now be introduced in July 2022. Requirements for safety and security declarations will be also be pushed back to July. "We want businesses to focus on their recovery from the pandemic rather than have to deal with new requirements at the border, which is why we've set out a pragmatic new timetable for introducing full border controls," said minister David Frost. "Businesses will now have more time to prepare for these controls which will be phased in throughout 2022. Also read | Shortage of lorry drivers, Covid-induced supply disruptions driving inflation in UK "We remain on track to deliver new systems, infrastructure and resourcing needed for these controls," he added. The pandemic and Brexit have left Britain short of some 90,000 truck drivers, many of whom returned to eastern Europe, causing supply chain problems, particularly in the food and drink sector. The UK has similarly postponed the full implementation of post-Brexit rules governing trade from mainland Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) to Northern Ireland. London is in talks with Brussels about how to put into practice the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is designed to prevent unchecked goods heading into the EU single market via the UK's only land border with the EU to Ireland. But on Monday night, Frost warned ministers could unilaterally suspend the protocol unless progress is made, with opposition strong from pro-British parties in Northern Ireland. That, however, could trigger countermeasures from the EU, which insists the protocol is not up for renegotiation. Christmas pressure Fears are growing that supply problems will hit Christmas. Fastfood outlets KFC and McDonald's have already reported shortages of some menu items, while the JD Wetherspoon chain of pubs, owned by Brexit-supporting Tim Martin, had run out of some beer brands Trade Secretary Liz Truss said there was a need to be "as flexible as possible" given current problems. "It's very important that we don't exacerbate disruptions by putting in extra controls at this stage," she told an online conference at the Policy Exchange think-tank. "Now would be the wrong place to put those controls in," she added, blaming the pandemic rather than Britain's exit from the EU single market and customs union. Employers group the CBI said the extra time would "relieve pressure in supply chains ahead of the traditionally busy Christmas period for retailers". But the industry body's Europe director, Sean McGuire, said progress was still needed to eradicate most checks, particularly for agri-foods. "And where supply bottlenecks are caused by labour shortages, the UK should use the immigration levers within its gift to alleviate short-term pressures," he added. Britain is set for the strongest growth since official records began over 2021, with gross domestic product (GDP) set to expand by 7.1 percent, according to the British Chambers of Commerce. But it said the acute driver shortage, global supply issues and recruitment troubles could hamper the recovery. Recent data "point to a loss of momentum in the coming months as staff shortages, supply chain disruption and rising cost pressures limit output from many sectors," said Suren Thiru, head of economics at the BCC. London's mayor Sadiq Khan on Tuesday called for a time-limited "Covid recovery visa" to help recruit and train EU workers to alleviate labour shortages after Brexit and the pandemic.

UK delays full post-Brexit border checks from EU, citing COVID-19 impacts

New local COVID-19 infections more than doubled in China`s southeastern province of Fujian, health authorities said on Tuesday, prompting officials to quickly roll out measures including travel restrictions to halt the spread of the virus.

The National Health Commission said 59 new locally transmitted cases were reported for Sept. 13, up from 22 infections a day earlier. All of them were in Fujian, a province bordered by Zhejiang to the north and Guangdong to the south.

In just four days, a total of 102 community infections have been reported in three Fujian cities, including Xiamen, a tourist and transport hub with a population of 5 million.

The infections come ahead of the week-long National Day holiday starting on Oct. 1, a major tourist season. The last domestic outbreak in late July to August disrupted travel, hitting the tourism, hospitality and transportion sectors.

China`s air passenger traffic plunged 51.5% in August from a year earlier, data released on Tuesday showed, highlighting the vulnerability of Chinese airlines to repeated outbreaks even though

COVID-19 is largely under control in the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-faces-worst-covid-19-outbreak-since-wuhan-surge-of-delta-variant-in-15-cities-401972">China faces worst COVID-19 outbreak since Wuhan; surge of Delta variant in 15 cities</a>

Fujian`s outbreak began in Putian, a city of 3.2 million, with the first case reported on Sept. 10. Preliminary tests on samples from some Putian cases showed patients had contracted the highly transmissible Delta variant.

The outbreak has since spread south to Xiamen, which reported 32 new cases of community transmission for Sept. 13 compared with just one infection a day earlier.

"The Putian government is a big client of ours," said a staff at a Xiamen building survey firm, declining to be named.

"About half of our company went to Putian last week. They are now isolated at home, while the rest have gone to do their Covid tests."

<h3>Lockdown</h3>

Like Putian, Xiamen has locked down some areas of higher virus risk, cut offline classes at kindergartens, primary schools and high schools, closed public venues such as cinemas, gyms and bars, and told residents not to leave the city for non-essential reasons.

The first patient in the Xiamen cluster was a close contact of a case in Putian, Xiamen authorities said late on Monday.

Known for its mild weather and a laid-back lifestyle, Xiamen is a popular tourist destination domestically.

The Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is also a key transportation hub linking the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta. About 60% of flights to and from Xiamen were cancelled on Tuesday, according to aviation data provider Variflight.

Both Putian and Xiamen began city-wide testing for the coronavirus on Tuesday. The cities, however, are yet to announce tough city-wide lockdowns as seen in early 2020 in China.

Three new cases of community transmission were also reported in nearby Quanzhou city, versus six infections a day earlier. Variflight data showed 70% of Quanzhou`s flights were cancelled.

"One wave after another," said a bank manager in Xiamen. "It feels like the new normal now."

New local COVID-19 infections more than doubled in China`s southeastern province of Fujian, health authorities said on Tuesday, prompting officials to quickly roll out measures including travel restrictions to halt the spread of the virus.

New local COVID-19 infections more than doubled in China`s southeastern province of Fujian, health authorities said on Tuesday, prompting officials to quickly roll out measures including travel restrictions to halt the spread of the virus. The National Health Commission said 59 new locally transmitted cases were reported for Sept. 13, up from 22 infections a day earlier. All of them were in Fujian, a province bordered by Zhejiang to the north and Guangdong to the south. In just four days, a total of 102 community infections have been reported in three Fujian cities, including Xiamen, a tourist and transport hub with a population of 5 million. The infections come ahead of the week-long National Day holiday starting on Oct. 1, a major tourist season. The last domestic outbreak in late July to August disrupted travel, hitting the tourism, hospitality and transportion sectors. China`s air passenger traffic plunged 51.5% in August from a year earlier, data released on Tuesday showed, highlighting the vulnerability of Chinese airlines to repeated outbreaks even though COVID-19 is largely under control in the country. Also read | China faces worst COVID-19 outbreak since Wuhan; surge of Delta variant in 15 cities Fujian`s outbreak began in Putian, a city of 3.2 million, with the first case reported on Sept. 10. Preliminary tests on samples from some Putian cases showed patients had contracted the highly transmissible Delta variant. The outbreak has since spread south to Xiamen, which reported 32 new cases of community transmission for Sept. 13 compared with just one infection a day earlier. "The Putian government is a big client of ours," said a staff at a Xiamen building survey firm, declining to be named. "About half of our company went to Putian last week. They are now isolated at home, while the rest have gone to do their Covid tests." Lockdown Like Putian, Xiamen has locked down some areas of higher virus risk, cut offline classes at kindergartens, primary schools and high schools, closed public venues such as cinemas, gyms and bars, and told residents not to leave the city for non-essential reasons. The first patient in the Xiamen cluster was a close contact of a case in Putian, Xiamen authorities said late on Monday. Known for its mild weather and a laid-back lifestyle, Xiamen is a popular tourist destination domestically. The Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is also a key transportation hub linking the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta. About 60% of flights to and from Xiamen were cancelled on Tuesday, according to aviation data provider Variflight. Both Putian and Xiamen began city-wide testing for the coronavirus on Tuesday. The cities, however, are yet to announce tough city-wide lockdowns as seen in early 2020 in China. Three new cases of community transmission were also reported in nearby Quanzhou city, versus six infections a day earlier. Variflight data showed 70% of Quanzhou`s flights were cancelled. "One wave after another," said a bank manager in Xiamen. "It feels like the new normal now."

COVID-19 cases in southeast China more than double as Delta spreads

Talking for the first time in seven months, United States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the investigations into the origins of COVID-19 during a 90-minute telephonic conversation, the White House said.

Thursday’s 90-minute call between the two leaders was the first since February, when both the leaders talked for two hours shortly after Biden took over from Donald Trump.

“They did discuss a range of transnational issues including COVID-19, and understanding its origins is, of course, a primary concern for this administration," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday.

&nbsp;“Yes, it was a topic raised, but I`m not going to go into further detail,” she added.

Psaki asserted that the call was "respectful and candid, not lecturing or condescending, intended at keeping channels of communication open between the countries".

Climate and human rights were among the topics&nbsp;and though economic matters were discussed they were “not a major part” of the call, she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-biden-orders-us-intelligence-to-redouble-efforts-to-collect-information-on-covid-19-origin-387626">Businesses push US President Joe Biden to develop China trade policy</a>

A senior White House official told the BBC that the call came at the request of &nbsp;Biden, who had become “exasperated” by the unwillingness of lower-level Chinese officials to hold substantive talks with his administration.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the phone call was "candid (and)&nbsp;in-depth", adding that it had covered "extensive strategic communication and... issues of mutual concern".

“Whether China and the US can properly handle their relations... is critical for the future and destiny of the world,” said Xi, according to the CCTV report.

Last month, Biden vowed to press China for answers over the origins of a pandemic&nbsp;that has now killed around 4.8 million people worldwide.&nbsp;The US intelligence agencies said they could conclusively prove whether the virus emerged from a Chinese research laboratory in Wuhan.

Beijing has repeatedly denied the US accusation that it has not cooperated with the pandemic source investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)

Talking for the first time in seven months, United States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the investigations into the origins of COVID-19 during a 90-minute telephonic conversation, the White House said.

Talking for the first time in seven months, United States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the investigations into the origins of COVID-19 during a 90-minute telephonic conversation, the White House said. Thursday’s 90-minute call between the two leaders was the first since February, when both the leaders talked for two hours shortly after Biden took over from Donald Trump. “They did discuss a range of transnational issues including COVID-19, and understanding its origins is, of course, a primary concern for this administration," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday. “Yes, it was a topic raised, but I`m not going to go into further detail,” she added. Psaki asserted that the call was "respectful and candid, not lecturing or condescending, intended at keeping channels of communication open between the countries". Climate and human rights were among the topics and though economic matters were discussed they were “not a major part” of the call, she said. Also read | Businesses push US President Joe Biden to develop China trade policy A senior White House official told the BBC that the call came at the request of Biden, who had become “exasperated” by the unwillingness of lower-level Chinese officials to hold substantive talks with his administration. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the phone call was "candid (and) in-depth", adding that it had covered "extensive strategic communication and... issues of mutual concern". “Whether China and the US can properly handle their relations... is critical for the future and destiny of the world,” said Xi, according to the CCTV report. Last month, Biden vowed to press China for answers over the origins of a pandemic that has now killed around 4.8 million people worldwide. The US intelligence agencies said they could conclusively prove whether the virus emerged from a Chinese research laboratory in Wuhan. Beijing has repeatedly denied the US accusation that it has not cooperated with the pandemic source investigation. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden, Xi hold first talks in 7 months, discuss COVID-19 origins

United States President Joe Biden’s latest aggressive push to inoculate more people, including those showing resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, has sparked a backlash from the Republicans, who have threatened to approach the court against the move.

“Have at it,” a defiant Biden told reporters on Friday when asked about legal challenges to the strict vaccination rules that would affect tens of millions of American workers.

The US is in the midst of the Delta variant outbreak with cases surging across various states. As per reports, around 80 million eligible Americans have not yet gotten the shot against a disease that has left around 650,000 people dead in the United States.

Asserting that he was fed with rising Delta cases, the 78-year-old president said, “We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-recorded-highest-new-covid-19-cases-worldwide-in-past-week-who-401286">US recorded highest new COVID-19 cases worldwide in past week: WHO</a>

Biden’s plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Companies could face fines if they do not adhere to the directive.

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz said that while he supports the vaccine, people have the right of personal choice.

Watch&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-covid-19-cases-reach-6-months-high-404086/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The federal government has no authority to force businesses in Texas and across the country to mandate their employees get vaccinated," Cruz was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.

"It is cruel and burdensome to impose this authoritarian mandate. While I support the vaccine and have received it, Americans have the right to exercise personal choice when it comes to their health,” he added.

The Republican National Committee, governors of a number of Republican-ruled states and conservative private legal groups, announced plans to mount legal challenges to the vaccination mandates.

"See you in court," said Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota. "South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom."

The Texas Department of State Health Services on Thursday reported 23,700 new confirmed cases of the virus as well as 5,907 new probable cases. The state additionally reported 408 more fatalities attributed to the Delta variant-fuelled disease.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Joe Biden’s latest aggressive push to inoculate more people, including those showing resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, has sparked a backlash from the Republicans, who have threatened to approach the court against the move.

United States President Joe Biden’s latest aggressive push to inoculate more people, including those showing resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, has sparked a backlash from the Republicans, who have threatened to approach the court against the move. “Have at it,” a defiant Biden told reporters on Friday when asked about legal challenges to the strict vaccination rules that would affect tens of millions of American workers. The US is in the midst of the Delta variant outbreak with cases surging across various states. As per reports, around 80 million eligible Americans have not yet gotten the shot against a disease that has left around 650,000 people dead in the United States. Asserting that he was fed with rising Delta cases, the 78-year-old president said, “We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing.” Also read | US recorded highest new COVID-19 cases worldwide in past week: WHO Biden’s plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Companies could face fines if they do not adhere to the directive. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz said that while he supports the vaccine, people have the right of personal choice. Watch "The federal government has no authority to force businesses in Texas and across the country to mandate their employees get vaccinated," Cruz was quoted by news agency AFP as saying. "It is cruel and burdensome to impose this authoritarian mandate. While I support the vaccine and have received it, Americans have the right to exercise personal choice when it comes to their health,” he added. The Republican National Committee, governors of a number of Republican-ruled states and conservative private legal groups, announced plans to mount legal challenges to the vaccination mandates. "See you in court," said Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota. "South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom." The Texas Department of State Health Services on Thursday reported 23,700 new confirmed cases of the virus as well as 5,907 new probable cases. The state additionally reported 408 more fatalities attributed to the Delta variant-fuelled disease. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden’s aggressive vaccine mandate sparks backlash from Republicans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a terrifying fact in July: Vaccinated people with the delta variant of the COVID virus carried roughly the same viral load in their noses and throats as unvaccinated people.

The news seemed to suggest that even the vaccinated were highly vulnerable to getting infected and passing the virus to others. Sure enough, stories about vaccinated people getting COVID — so-called breakthrough infections — were all around this summer: at a party in Provincetown, Massachusetts; among the Chicago Cubs; on Capitol Hill. Delta seemed as if it might be changing everything.

In recent weeks, however, more data has become available, and it suggests that the true picture is less alarming. Yes, delta has increased the chances of getting COVID for almost everyone. But if you’re vaccinated, a COVID infection is still uncommon, and those high viral loads are not as worrisome as they initially sounded.

How small are the chances of the average vaccinated American contracting COVID? Probably about 1 in 5,000 per day, and even lower for people who take precautions or live in a highly vaccinated community.

Or Maybe 1 in 10,000

The estimates here are based on statistics from three places that have reported detailed data on COVID infections by vaccination status: Utah; Virginia; and King County, which includes Seattle, in Washington state. All three are consistent with the idea that about 1 in 5,000 vaccinated Americans have tested positive for COVID each day in recent weeks.

The chances are surely higher in the places with the worst COVID outbreaks, like the Southeast. And in places with many fewer cases — like the Northeast, as well as the Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco areas — the chances are lower, probably less than 1 in 10,000. That’s what the Seattle data show, for example. (These numbers don’t include undiagnosed cases, which are often so mild that people do not notice them and do not pass the virus to anyone else.)

Here’s one way to think about a 1-in-10,000 daily chance: It would take more than three months for the combined risk to reach just 1%.

“There’s been a lot of miscommunication about what the risks really are to vaccinated people, and how vaccinated people should be thinking about their lives,” as Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University told my colleague Tara Parker-Pope.

For the unvaccinated, of course, the chances of infection are far higher, as Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, the top public-health official in Seattle, has noted. Those chances have also risen much more since delta began spreading.

Another way to understand the situation is to compare each state’s vaccination rate with its recent daily COVID infection rate. The infection rates in the least vaccinated states are about four times as high as in the most vaccinated states.

If the entire country had received shots at the same rate as the Northeast or California, the current delta wave would be a small fraction of its current size. Delta is a problem. Vaccine hesitancy is a bigger problem.

The Science, in Brief

These numbers help show why the talking point about viral loads was problematic. It was one of those statements that managed to be both true and misleading. Even when the size of the viral loads are similar, the virus behaves differently in the noses and throats of the vaccinated and the unvaccinated.

In an unvaccinated person, a viral load is akin to an enemy army facing little resistance. In a vaccinated person, the human immune system launches a powerful response and tends to prevail quickly — often before the host body gets sick or infects others. That the viral loads were initially similar in size can end up being irrelevant.

I will confess to one bit of hesitation about walking you through the data on breakthrough infections: It’s not clear how much we should be worrying about them. For the vaccinated, COVID resembles the flu and usually a mild one. Society does not grind to a halt over the flu.

In Britain, many people have become comfortable with the current COVID risks. The vaccines make serious illness rare in adults, and the risks to young children are so low that Britain may never recommend that most receive the vaccine. Letting the virus continue to dominate life, on the other hand, has large costs.

“There’s a feeling that finally we can breathe; we can start trying to get back what we’ve lost,” Devi Sridhar, the head of the global public health program at the University of Edinburgh, told The Times.

I know that many Americans feel differently. Our level of COVID anxiety is higher, especially in communities that lean to the left politically. And there is no “correct” response to COVID. Different people respond to risk differently.

But at least one part of the American anxiety does seem to have become disconnected from the facts in recent weeks: the effectiveness of the vaccines. In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, nearly half of adults judged their “risk of getting sick from the coronavirus” as either moderate or high — even though 75% of adults have received at least one shot.

In reality, the risks of getting any version of the virus remain small for the vaccinated, and the risks of getting badly sick remain minuscule.

In Seattle on an average recent day, about 1 out of every 1 million vaccinated residents have been admitted to a hospital with COVID symptoms. That risk is so close to zero that the human mind can’t easily process it. My best attempt is to say that the COVID risks for most vaccinated people are of the same order of magnitude as risks that people unthinkingly accept every day, like riding in a vehicle.

The Bottom Line

Delta really has changed the course of the pandemic. It is far more contagious than earlier versions of the virus and calls for precautions that were not necessary a couple of months ago, like wearing masks in some indoor situations.

But even with delta, the overall risks for the vaccinated remain extremely small. As Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious-disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, wrote on Friday, “The messaging over the last month in the U.S. has basically served to terrify the vaccinated and make unvaccinated eligible adults doubt the effectiveness of the vaccines.” Neither of those views is warranted.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a terrifying fact in July: Vaccinated people with the delta variant of the COVID virus carried roughly the same viral load in their noses and throats as unvaccinated people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a terrifying fact in July: Vaccinated people with the delta variant of the COVID virus carried roughly the same viral load in their noses and throats as unvaccinated people. The news seemed to suggest that even the vaccinated were highly vulnerable to getting infected and passing the virus to others. Sure enough, stories about vaccinated people getting COVID — so-called breakthrough infections — were all around this summer: at a party in Provincetown, Massachusetts; among the Chicago Cubs; on Capitol Hill. Delta seemed as if it might be changing everything. In recent weeks, however, more data has become available, and it suggests that the true picture is less alarming. Yes, delta has increased the chances of getting COVID for almost everyone. But if you’re vaccinated, a COVID infection is still uncommon, and those high viral loads are not as worrisome as they initially sounded. How small are the chances of the average vaccinated American contracting COVID? Probably about 1 in 5,000 per day, and even lower for people who take precautions or live in a highly vaccinated community. Or Maybe 1 in 10,000 The estimates here are based on statistics from three places that have reported detailed data on COVID infections by vaccination status: Utah; Virginia; and King County, which includes Seattle, in Washington state. All three are consistent with the idea that about 1 in 5,000 vaccinated Americans have tested positive for COVID each day in recent weeks. The chances are surely higher in the places with the worst COVID outbreaks, like the Southeast. And in places with many fewer cases — like the Northeast, as well as the Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco areas — the chances are lower, probably less than 1 in 10,000. That’s what the Seattle data show, for example. (These numbers don’t include undiagnosed cases, which are often so mild that people do not notice them and do not pass the virus to anyone else.) Here’s one way to think about a 1-in-10,000 daily chance: It would take more than three months for the combined risk to reach just 1%. “There’s been a lot of miscommunication about what the risks really are to vaccinated people, and how vaccinated people should be thinking about their lives,” as Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University told my colleague Tara Parker-Pope. For the unvaccinated, of course, the chances of infection are far higher, as Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, the top public-health official in Seattle, has noted. Those chances have also risen much more since delta began spreading. Another way to understand the situation is to compare each state’s vaccination rate with its recent daily COVID infection rate. The infection rates in the least vaccinated states are about four times as high as in the most vaccinated states. If the entire country had received shots at the same rate as the Northeast or California, the current delta wave would be a small fraction of its current size. Delta is a problem. Vaccine hesitancy is a bigger problem. The Science, in Brief These numbers help show why the talking point about viral loads was problematic. It was one of those statements that managed to be both true and misleading. Even when the size of the viral loads are similar, the virus behaves differently in the noses and throats of the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. In an unvaccinated person, a viral load is akin to an enemy army facing little resistance. In a vaccinated person, the human immune system launches a powerful response and tends to prevail quickly — often before the host body gets sick or infects others. That the viral loads were initially similar in size can end up being irrelevant. I will confess to one bit of hesitation about walking you through the data on breakthrough infections: It’s not clear how much we should be worrying about them. For the vaccinated, COVID resembles the flu and usually a mild one. Society does not grind to a halt over the flu. In Britain, many people have become comfortable with the current COVID risks. The vaccines make serious illness rare in adults, and the risks to young children are so low that Britain may never recommend that most receive the vaccine. Letting the virus continue to dominate life, on the other hand, has large costs. “There’s a feeling that finally we can breathe; we can start trying to get back what we’ve lost,” Devi Sridhar, the head of the global public health program at the University of Edinburgh, told The Times. I know that many Americans feel differently. Our level of COVID anxiety is higher, especially in communities that lean to the left politically. And there is no “correct” response to COVID. Different people respond to risk differently. But at least one part of the American anxiety does seem to have become disconnected from the facts in recent weeks: the effectiveness of the vaccines. In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, nearly half of adults judged their “risk of getting sick from the coronavirus” as either moderate or high — even though 75% of adults have received at least one shot. In reality, the risks of getting any version of the virus remain small for the vaccinated, and the risks of getting badly sick remain minuscule. In Seattle on an average recent day, about 1 out of every 1 million vaccinated residents have been admitted to a hospital with COVID symptoms. That risk is so close to zero that the human mind can’t easily process it. My best attempt is to say that the COVID risks for most vaccinated people are of the same order of magnitude as risks that people unthinkingly accept every day, like riding in a vehicle. The Bottom Line Delta really has changed the course of the pandemic. It is far more contagious than earlier versions of the virus and calls for precautions that were not necessary a couple of months ago, like wearing masks in some indoor situations. But even with delta, the overall risks for the vaccinated remain extremely small. As Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious-disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, wrote on Friday, “The messaging over the last month in the U.S. has basically served to terrify the vaccinated and make unvaccinated eligible adults doubt the effectiveness of the vaccines.” Neither of those views is warranted.

One in 5,000: The real chances of a breakthrough infection

Terming the criticism he has been receiving for travelling between Canberra and Sydney over the Father’s Day weekend despite COVID-19 lockdown&nbsp;as a “cheap shot", Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended himself, saying that the health authorities exempted him since he is an “essential worker”.

Morrison said the criticism of his travel arrangements had been misguided, pointing out there were no restrictions stopping his return home to Sydney.&nbsp;

"I can understand people's frustration. But I do think there has been a lot of misinformation," Morrison told Sky News.

"I live in Sydney. I often have to be here (in Canberra) for work. There was no exemption required for me to return home."

However, critics alleged that the Australian PM’s action reeks of “double standards”, as millions of other residents had to live under lockdown due to Delta variant outbreaks in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne., with many state borders closed.

Labor opposition Bill Shorten accused Morrison of showing “appalling judgement”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-morrisons-approval-rating-slumps-on-slow-vaccine-rollout-398956">Australian PM Morrison's approval rating slumps on slow vaccine rollout</a>

“It’s not that he doesn't deserve to see his kids, but so does every other Australian. And I think when your people are doing it tough, you've got to do it tough too,” he said

“You can't have one rule for Morrison and another rule for everyone else,” he added.

The latest row comes as Australia reported 1,485 fresh local cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, increasing the overall infection tally to 63,154, while the death toll stood at 1,044.

Of the new cases, 1,220 were from New South Wales (NSW), the epicentre of the current outbreak, where the state health department also recorded eight deaths on Tuesday morning.

“There have been 139 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since June 16, 2021," said the statement from the NSW Health. 
 
Victoria, the second-most populous state, reported a further 246 new local cases.

(With inputs from agencies)

Terming the criticism he has been receiving for travelling between Canberra and Sydney over the Father’s Day weekend despite COVID-19 lockdown as a “cheap shot", Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended himself, saying that the health authorities exempted him since he is an “essential worker”.

Terming the criticism he has been receiving for travelling between Canberra and Sydney over the Father’s Day weekend despite COVID-19 lockdown as a “cheap shot", Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended himself, saying that the health authorities exempted him since he is an “essential worker”. Morrison said the criticism of his travel arrangements had been misguided, pointing out there were no restrictions stopping his return home to Sydney. "I can understand people's frustration. But I do think there has been a lot of misinformation," Morrison told Sky News. "I live in Sydney. I often have to be here (in Canberra) for work. There was no exemption required for me to return home." However, critics alleged that the Australian PM’s action reeks of “double standards”, as millions of other residents had to live under lockdown due to Delta variant outbreaks in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne., with many state borders closed. Labor opposition Bill Shorten accused Morrison of showing “appalling judgement”. Also read | Australian PM Morrison's approval rating slumps on slow vaccine rollout “It’s not that he doesn't deserve to see his kids, but so does every other Australian. And I think when your people are doing it tough, you've got to do it tough too,” he said “You can't have one rule for Morrison and another rule for everyone else,” he added. The latest row comes as Australia reported 1,485 fresh local cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, increasing the overall infection tally to 63,154, while the death toll stood at 1,044. Of the new cases, 1,220 were from New South Wales (NSW), the epicentre of the current outbreak, where the state health department also recorded eight deaths on Tuesday morning. “There have been 139 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since June 16, 2021," said the statement from the NSW Health. Victoria, the second-most populous state, reported a further 246 new local cases. (With inputs from agencies)

Australian PM brushes aside criticism for Father’s Day trip to Sydney amid lockdown

Opening a window could reduce the amount of coronavirus in a room by half, according to a new observational study of infected college students in an isolation dormitory at the University of Oregon.

<article>
The study, which was posted online, is small and has not yet been published in a scientific journal. But it provides real-world evidence for several important principles, demonstrating that the virus spreads from infected people into the air in a room; that the more virus they are carrying, the more virus builds up indoors; and that both natural and mechanical ventilation appear to reduce this environmental viral load.

“Ventilation is one of the most important mitigation strategies that we have at our disposal,” said Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, who led the research and directs the Institute for Health in the Built Environment.

The researchers studied 35 University of Oregon students who tested positive for the coronavirus between January and May. All students subsequently moved into single rooms in a COVID isolation dormitory for a 10-day isolation period.

The scientists placed petri dishes in each room and used an active air sampler to trap aerosols floating around the air. Several times a day, they also swabbed various surfaces in the room as well as students’ noses and mouths.

Then they used PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, testing to determine whether the virus was present in each sample and, if so, at what levels.

The data confirmed that there was a clear link between the amount of virus that students were carrying and the environmental viral load. As the amount of virus in students’ noses and mouths decreased over their isolation period, so did the amount of airborne virus.

“There was a significant correlation between the nasal samples and the air samples in the room,” Van Den Wymelenberg said.

The researchers also calculated the mechanical ventilation rate for each room and asked students to report how often the windows were open. They found that viral loads were about twice as high, on average, in rooms that had the window closed more than half the time.

The study had several limitations, including the fact that it included only young adults and that symptoms and window data were self-reported.
</article>

Opening a window could reduce the amount of coronavirus in a room by half, according to a new observational study of infected college students in an isolation dormitory at the University of Oregon.

Opening a window could reduce the amount of coronavirus in a room by half, according to a new observational study of infected college students in an isolation dormitory at the University of Oregon. The study, which was posted online, is small and has not yet been published in a scientific journal. But it provides real-world evidence for several important principles, demonstrating that the virus spreads from infected people into the air in a room; that the more virus they are carrying, the more virus builds up indoors; and that both natural and mechanical ventilation appear to reduce this environmental viral load. “Ventilation is one of the most important mitigation strategies that we have at our disposal,” said Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, who led the research and directs the Institute for Health in the Built Environment. The researchers studied 35 University of Oregon students who tested positive for the coronavirus between January and May. All students subsequently moved into single rooms in a COVID isolation dormitory for a 10-day isolation period. The scientists placed petri dishes in each room and used an active air sampler to trap aerosols floating around the air. Several times a day, they also swabbed various surfaces in the room as well as students’ noses and mouths. Then they used PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, testing to determine whether the virus was present in each sample and, if so, at what levels. The data confirmed that there was a clear link between the amount of virus that students were carrying and the environmental viral load. As the amount of virus in students’ noses and mouths decreased over their isolation period, so did the amount of airborne virus. “There was a significant correlation between the nasal samples and the air samples in the room,” Van Den Wymelenberg said. The researchers also calculated the mechanical ventilation rate for each room and asked students to report how often the windows were open. They found that viral loads were about twice as high, on average, in rooms that had the window closed more than half the time. The study had several limitations, including the fact that it included only young adults and that symptoms and window data were self-reported.

Dorm rooms study shows how ventilation curbs virus levels

In pics | Spanish village holds first bull running fiesta since pandemic began

In air heavy with monsoonal pressure and discontent, the riot police in Bangkok unleashed rubber bullets and tear gas. Tanat Thanakitamnuay, the scion of a real estate family, stood on a truck, where he had been excoriating Thailand’s leaders for their bungled response to the pandemic.

Then a hard object, perhaps a tear gas canister, struck his right eye, tearing his retina. Tanat, who once supported the 2014 coup that brought Prayuth Chan-ocha, now the prime minister, to power, said the injury August&nbsp;13 cost him his vision in the eye.

“I might be blinded, but now I’m stronger than ever; I see things clearer than ever,” he said. “People knew a long time ago how incompetent this government is. COVID is just more evidence and proof.”

Thailand, which not long ago was seen as a virus-containing wonder, has become yet another example of how authoritarian hubris and a lack of government accountability have fueled the pandemic. This year, more than 12,000 people in Thailand have died of COVID-19, compared to fewer than 100 last year. The economy has been ravaged, with tourism all but nonexistent and manufacturing slowed.

Anger is spreading, and not only in the streets. Opposition lawmakers in parliament tried to pass a vote of no confidence in Prayuth, accusing his government of squandering the monthslong head start Thailand had to fight the coronavirus. That effort failed Saturday, even though some members of the prime minister’s coalition had briefly fanned speculation that they might support his ouster.

This summer’s vaccine rollout, already late, was further hampered by manufacturing delays. A company with no experience making vaccines, whose dominant shareholder is Thailand’s king, was given the contract to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine domestically. The government’s failure to secure adequate imported supplies has made matters worse. Only about 15% of the population is fully vaccinated, and social inequalities have let the young rich leapfrog ahead of older, poorer people.

Anti-government protests, which now occur daily, are growing more desperate, and security crackdowns more aggressive. In August, at least 10 demonstrations were broken up with force. At one, a 15-year-old boy was shot and is now in intensive care. The police have denied firing live ammunition.

“Earlier, people said they were not coming out to protest because of COVID, but now the thinking has changed to, ‘You stay at home, and you will die anyway because of the government’s inability to take care of people,’” said Tosaporn Sererak, a doctor who was once a spokesperson for the government unseated by the 2014 coup.

More than a dozen civil society groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, issued a letter Wednesday urging authorities to show restraint.

“We are troubled by the disproportionate response of riot police to provocations by protesters,” read the letter, addressed to Prayuth. “We are also concerned by the arbitrary detention of protest leaders who have recently faced new criminal charges and have been denied bail.”

Prayuth, who led the coup seven years ago as army chief, has concentrated power in his own hands, arguing that enhanced executive powers are needed to fight the pandemic.

He has tried to quash public dissent by instituting a state of emergency and criminalizing certain criticism. Hundreds have been arrested in recent months for sedition, for so-called computer crimes and for criticizing King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, which is against the law.

A prominent politician was charged with insulting the monarch after he asked why Siam Bioscience, the king’s company, was given the contract to churn out vaccines for Southeast Asia when it had not manufactured them before.

At least a dozen leaders of protests that began last year, calling for Prayuth’s resignation and for reforms to the monarchy, are now locked up, awaiting trial. Some have contracted COVID-19 in prison. On Tuesday, a United Nations official expressed concern that jailed protesters were not receiving adequate medical care.

Sureerat Chiwarak, the mother of Parit Chiwarak, a protest leader, said her son had become infected in an overcrowded Bangkok prison. Parit told his mother that there were far more COVID cases in prison than the official numbers indicated.

“Some people say, ‘Why don’t you surrender? They have your child in their hands. They put him in prison,’” Sureerat said. “No. The kids are fighting for equality. Why do I have to surrender?”

With some of Bangkok’s COVID lockdown measures having been lifted September&nbsp;1, the protest movement is gathering momentum, even if the crowds have not matched the tens of thousands who turned out for rallies last year.

“When the government is authoritarian, they think they can censor the media, they think they can stop the people from protesting,” said Rangsiman Rome, an opposition lawmaker. “But people are still coming out to protest every day, demanding change.”

During last year’s protests, which were peaceful, the riot police largely showed restraint, despite their long history of shooting demonstrators.

Their response this summer has been harsher, with protests often quashed before they can coalesce. The police now regularly deploy rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons laced with burning chemicals. Protesters respond with their own arsenals, including flamethrowers and slingshots.

Opposition figures say the urge to confront the police during a pandemic is a sign of widespread desperation.

“People who supported the government have also gotten infected, and this makes them rethink and question why they have to suffer like this,” Rangsiman said.

On Aug. 29, two anti-government protests coalesced in Bangkok. The first was a gathering of hundreds of cars and motorcycles. After a period of intense honking, they dispersed.

The second rally, smaller and angrier, formed in a business district. Motorcyclists used paper to cover their license plates and helmets to obscure their faces. Other protesters hid behind balaclavas. No one wanted to speak openly about why they were there.

The tear gas began flowing before dusk, and the police fired streams of purple water, presumably to mark the demonstrators. Low booms reverberated, and smoke filled the air as protesters flung projectiles. As night descended, small fires burned. On Saturday, the riot police set up shipping containers to impede one rally, while a smaller protest erupted into violence.

Tanat, the protester who was partially blinded last month, is a beneficiary of the privilege that has split Thailand into a tiny group of haves and tens of millions of have-nots, a divide that has fed political unrest for years. He said some of his rich friends had also begun attending rallies, hopping on their chauffeurs’ motorcycles to get there rather than being driven in their usual Rolls-Royces or Maybachs.

But most protesters are from the struggling class that has been further impoverished by the pandemic. Nipapon Somnoi said her son, Warit Somnoi, 15, had offered to quit school to help the family, but she would not allow it.

The boy ended up at a protest in mid-August. Video footage, which she cannot bear to watch, shows the moment when a bullet hit his neck and, as a CT scan confirmed, lodged at his spine. The police reiterated that the security forces did not use live ammunition. Nipapon said she did not know what to believe.

Her son has been in a coma for more than two weeks. She worries that because her family is neither rich nor famous, his fate will be forgotten.

“Sometimes I think, one tear gas canister could buy six to eight doses of a good-quality vaccine,” Nipapon said. “The state keeps saying that we are a democracy, but they only listen to their own voice.”

Late last month, she sat at the hospital, caressing her son’s face, asking if he could hear her.

“There were moments when I called his name and saw his eyelids move,” she said. “There were tears seeping out. But I don’t know.”

In air heavy with monsoonal pressure and discontent, the riot police in Bangkok unleashed rubber bullets and tear gas. Tanat Thanakitamnuay, the scion of a real estate family, stood on a truck, where he had been excoriating Thailand’s leaders for their bungled response to the pandemic.

In air heavy with monsoonal pressure and discontent, the riot police in Bangkok unleashed rubber bullets and tear gas. Tanat Thanakitamnuay, the scion of a real estate family, stood on a truck, where he had been excoriating Thailand’s leaders for their bungled response to the pandemic. Then a hard object, perhaps a tear gas canister, struck his right eye, tearing his retina. Tanat, who once supported the 2014 coup that brought Prayuth Chan-ocha, now the prime minister, to power, said the injury August 13 cost him his vision in the eye. “I might be blinded, but now I’m stronger than ever; I see things clearer than ever,” he said. “People knew a long time ago how incompetent this government is. COVID is just more evidence and proof.” Thailand, which not long ago was seen as a virus-containing wonder, has become yet another example of how authoritarian hubris and a lack of government accountability have fueled the pandemic. This year, more than 12,000 people in Thailand have died of COVID-19, compared to fewer than 100 last year. The economy has been ravaged, with tourism all but nonexistent and manufacturing slowed. Anger is spreading, and not only in the streets. Opposition lawmakers in parliament tried to pass a vote of no confidence in Prayuth, accusing his government of squandering the monthslong head start Thailand had to fight the coronavirus. That effort failed Saturday, even though some members of the prime minister’s coalition had briefly fanned speculation that they might support his ouster. This summer’s vaccine rollout, already late, was further hampered by manufacturing delays. A company with no experience making vaccines, whose dominant shareholder is Thailand’s king, was given the contract to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine domestically. The government’s failure to secure adequate imported supplies has made matters worse. Only about 15% of the population is fully vaccinated, and social inequalities have let the young rich leapfrog ahead of older, poorer people. Anti-government protests, which now occur daily, are growing more desperate, and security crackdowns more aggressive. In August, at least 10 demonstrations were broken up with force. At one, a 15-year-old boy was shot and is now in intensive care. The police have denied firing live ammunition. “Earlier, people said they were not coming out to protest because of COVID, but now the thinking has changed to, ‘You stay at home, and you will die anyway because of the government’s inability to take care of people,’” said Tosaporn Sererak, a doctor who was once a spokesperson for the government unseated by the 2014 coup. More than a dozen civil society groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, issued a letter Wednesday urging authorities to show restraint. “We are troubled by the disproportionate response of riot police to provocations by protesters,” read the letter, addressed to Prayuth. “We are also concerned by the arbitrary detention of protest leaders who have recently faced new criminal charges and have been denied bail.” Prayuth, who led the coup seven years ago as army chief, has concentrated power in his own hands, arguing that enhanced executive powers are needed to fight the pandemic. He has tried to quash public dissent by instituting a state of emergency and criminalizing certain criticism. Hundreds have been arrested in recent months for sedition, for so-called computer crimes and for criticizing King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, which is against the law. A prominent politician was charged with insulting the monarch after he asked why Siam Bioscience, the king’s company, was given the contract to churn out vaccines for Southeast Asia when it had not manufactured them before. At least a dozen leaders of protests that began last year, calling for Prayuth’s resignation and for reforms to the monarchy, are now locked up, awaiting trial. Some have contracted COVID-19 in prison. On Tuesday, a United Nations official expressed concern that jailed protesters were not receiving adequate medical care. Sureerat Chiwarak, the mother of Parit Chiwarak, a protest leader, said her son had become infected in an overcrowded Bangkok prison. Parit told his mother that there were far more COVID cases in prison than the official numbers indicated. “Some people say, ‘Why don’t you surrender? They have your child in their hands. They put him in prison,’” Sureerat said. “No. The kids are fighting for equality. Why do I have to surrender?” With some of Bangkok’s COVID lockdown measures having been lifted September 1, the protest movement is gathering momentum, even if the crowds have not matched the tens of thousands who turned out for rallies last year. “When the government is authoritarian, they think they can censor the media, they think they can stop the people from protesting,” said Rangsiman Rome, an opposition lawmaker. “But people are still coming out to protest every day, demanding change.” During last year’s protests, which were peaceful, the riot police largely showed restraint, despite their long history of shooting demonstrators. Their response this summer has been harsher, with protests often quashed before they can coalesce. The police now regularly deploy rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons laced with burning chemicals. Protesters respond with their own arsenals, including flamethrowers and slingshots. Opposition figures say the urge to confront the police during a pandemic is a sign of widespread desperation. “People who supported the government have also gotten infected, and this makes them rethink and question why they have to suffer like this,” Rangsiman said. On Aug. 29, two anti-government protests coalesced in Bangkok. The first was a gathering of hundreds of cars and motorcycles. After a period of intense honking, they dispersed. The second rally, smaller and angrier, formed in a business district. Motorcyclists used paper to cover their license plates and helmets to obscure their faces. Other protesters hid behind balaclavas. No one wanted to speak openly about why they were there. The tear gas began flowing before dusk, and the police fired streams of purple water, presumably to mark the demonstrators. Low booms reverberated, and smoke filled the air as protesters flung projectiles. As night descended, small fires burned. On Saturday, the riot police set up shipping containers to impede one rally, while a smaller protest erupted into violence. Tanat, the protester who was partially blinded last month, is a beneficiary of the privilege that has split Thailand into a tiny group of haves and tens of millions of have-nots, a divide that has fed political unrest for years. He said some of his rich friends had also begun attending rallies, hopping on their chauffeurs’ motorcycles to get there rather than being driven in their usual Rolls-Royces or Maybachs. But most protesters are from the struggling class that has been further impoverished by the pandemic. Nipapon Somnoi said her son, Warit Somnoi, 15, had offered to quit school to help the family, but she would not allow it. The boy ended up at a protest in mid-August. Video footage, which she cannot bear to watch, shows the moment when a bullet hit his neck and, as a CT scan confirmed, lodged at his spine. The police reiterated that the security forces did not use live ammunition. Nipapon said she did not know what to believe. Her son has been in a coma for more than two weeks. She worries that because her family is neither rich nor famous, his fate will be forgotten. “Sometimes I think, one tear gas canister could buy six to eight doses of a good-quality vaccine,” Nipapon said. “The state keeps saying that we are a democracy, but they only listen to their own voice.” Late last month, she sat at the hospital, caressing her son’s face, asking if he could hear her. “There were moments when I called his name and saw his eyelids move,” she said. “There were tears seeping out. But I don’t know.”

Thai protesters are back, and angrier, as government fumbles on COVID

Israel on Sunday said it would reopen it’s borders for foreign tourists from selective countries from September 19, in a bid to kickstart the tourism industry that has been massively hit since the COVID-19 began.

Israel government’s tourism department said groups of between five and 30 people from countries on it’s green, yellow and orange lists would be allowed to enter provided they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Under the new plan, there will be no restrictions on the number of tour groups that Israel will let in, the ministry said, but the groups from countries on Israel’s red list—which comprises Bulgaria, Brazil, Mexico and Turkey—will not be eligible, news agency Reuters reports.

Individual tourists, who have not been allowed to visit Israel since the outset of the coronavirus pandemic there in March 2020 unless they are visiting family members, will still not be allowed to enter outside of a tour group, it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-normal-israels-health-expert-says-fourth-shot-of-covid-vaccine-needed-410904">New normal: Israel's health expert says fourth shot of Covid vaccine needed</a>

The government said foreign tourists would be asked to show proof to show that they are vaccinated within the last six months or a booster shot in order to qualify for entry.

Apart from that, the tourists will also have to provide a negative PCR test, taken up to 72 hours before arrival at Tel Aviv airport.

In May, Israel had allowed small tour groups as cases started to ebb. More than 2,000 visitors arrived, mainly from the United States and Europe. But the government put the plan on hiatus in August as the Delta variant started fuelling a surge in cases despite a brisk vaccination rollout.

Israel reported nearly 5,000 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday.&nbsp;According to local media reports, 5.5 million out of 9.3 million population have received a second shot and another 2.5 million have received a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel on Sunday said it would reopen it’s borders for foreign tourists from selective countries from September 19, in a bid to kickstart the tourism industry that has been massively hit since the COVID-19 began.

Israel on Sunday said it would reopen it’s borders for foreign tourists from selective countries from September 19, in a bid to kickstart the tourism industry that has been massively hit since the COVID-19 began. Israel government’s tourism department said groups of between five and 30 people from countries on it’s green, yellow and orange lists would be allowed to enter provided they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Under the new plan, there will be no restrictions on the number of tour groups that Israel will let in, the ministry said, but the groups from countries on Israel’s red list—which comprises Bulgaria, Brazil, Mexico and Turkey—will not be eligible, news agency Reuters reports. Individual tourists, who have not been allowed to visit Israel since the outset of the coronavirus pandemic there in March 2020 unless they are visiting family members, will still not be allowed to enter outside of a tour group, it said. Also read | New normal: Israel's health expert says fourth shot of Covid vaccine needed The government said foreign tourists would be asked to show proof to show that they are vaccinated within the last six months or a booster shot in order to qualify for entry. Apart from that, the tourists will also have to provide a negative PCR test, taken up to 72 hours before arrival at Tel Aviv airport. In May, Israel had allowed small tour groups as cases started to ebb. More than 2,000 visitors arrived, mainly from the United States and Europe. But the government put the plan on hiatus in August as the Delta variant started fuelling a surge in cases despite a brisk vaccination rollout. Israel reported nearly 5,000 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday. According to local media reports, 5.5 million out of 9.3 million population have received a second shot and another 2.5 million have received a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel to reopen borders for tourists from Sept 19 for selected countries

India has pitched for an early outcome of the TRIPS waiver proposal for COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), an official release said on Saturday.

Addressing a meeting, which was attended by trade and economic ministers of BRICS countries on Friday, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also stressed on finding a permanent, adequate and equitable solution to the public stockholding programmes for food security purposes.

He also asked for adoption of emerging new technologies in a swiftly changing world while finding solutions to the challenges of data protection and cyber security; and ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

The minister "emphasized, amongst other things, on the need for a permanent, adequate and equitable solution to the Public Stock Holding programmes for food security purposes; early outcome of the TRIPS Waiver proposal for vaccines," the release said.

In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted the first proposal, suggesting a waiver for all WTO (World Trade Organisation) members on the implementation of certain provisions of the

TRIPs Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of COVID-19.

In May this year, a revised proposal was submitted by 62 co-sponsors, including India, South Africa, and Indonesia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-trips-waiver-proposal-at-wto-gets-a-boost-secures-support-of-57-nations-366238">India's TRIPS waiver proposal at WTO gets a boost, secures support of 57 nations</a>

The agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs came into effect in January 1995. It is a multilateral agreement on intellectual property (IP) rights such as copyright, industrial designs, patents and protection of undisclosed information or trade secrets.

Further the minister has said that the BRICS countries should work together for strengthening the multilateral system, stating that there is a need for a balanced and inclusive outcome in the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference.

The BRICS countries have endorsed the Framework for Cooperation in Trade in Professional Services with the objectives of enhancing domestic capacity and global competitiveness, promoting participation in intra-BRICS mobility of professionals and enhancing trade in professional services.

All BRICS members could for the first time reach a consensus for jointly working towards protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge, it added.

"In this era of exponential jump in the use of e-commerce and online electronic transactions, the convergence to draw a common Action plan amongst BRICS countries will help to promote exploring practical options for ensuring consumer protection," it said.&nbsp;

India has pitched for an early outcome of the TRIPS waiver proposal for COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), an official release said on Saturday.

India has pitched for an early outcome of the TRIPS waiver proposal for COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), an official release said on Saturday. Addressing a meeting, which was attended by trade and economic ministers of BRICS countries on Friday, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also stressed on finding a permanent, adequate and equitable solution to the public stockholding programmes for food security purposes. He also asked for adoption of emerging new technologies in a swiftly changing world while finding solutions to the challenges of data protection and cyber security; and ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. The minister "emphasized, amongst other things, on the need for a permanent, adequate and equitable solution to the Public Stock Holding programmes for food security purposes; early outcome of the TRIPS Waiver proposal for vaccines," the release said. In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted the first proposal, suggesting a waiver for all WTO (World Trade Organisation) members on the implementation of certain provisions of the TRIPs Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of COVID-19. In May this year, a revised proposal was submitted by 62 co-sponsors, including India, South Africa, and Indonesia. Also read | India's TRIPS waiver proposal at WTO gets a boost, secures support of 57 nations The agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs came into effect in January 1995. It is a multilateral agreement on intellectual property (IP) rights such as copyright, industrial designs, patents and protection of undisclosed information or trade secrets. Further the minister has said that the BRICS countries should work together for strengthening the multilateral system, stating that there is a need for a balanced and inclusive outcome in the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference. The BRICS countries have endorsed the Framework for Cooperation in Trade in Professional Services with the objectives of enhancing domestic capacity and global competitiveness, promoting participation in intra-BRICS mobility of professionals and enhancing trade in professional services. All BRICS members could for the first time reach a consensus for jointly working towards protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge, it added. "In this era of exponential jump in the use of e-commerce and online electronic transactions, the convergence to draw a common Action plan amongst BRICS countries will help to promote exploring practical options for ensuring consumer protection," it said.

India for early outcome of TRIPS waiver for COVID vax, diagnotics

With hospitals in Indonesia running at full capacity as the nation sees its worst COVID-19 outbreak&nbsp;fuelled by the Delta variant, several overworked nurses have been staging protests and threatening mass resignation if the government benefits are not paid by September 1.

According to local media reports, the Philippines’ government had set aside special risk allowances for health care workers, which included hazard pay and money for accommodation and transportation, at the start of the pandemic year

However, health care worker unions have alleged that the promised benefits and compensation have not been paid out.

“Health care workers are tired and extremely demoralized. Many have already resigned and many more want to,”&nbsp;Deutsche Welle news quoted Jao Clumia, union president of St. Luke’s Medical Center, one of the largest private hospitals in Manila.

However, the Philippines health department has been urging the healthcare worker unions to drop their plans and return to work.

“We understand their points, but we want to explain to them that there are policies that we have to follow,” Department of Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press conference.

According to Department of Health data, over 22,000 COVID-19 cases were reported in the Philippines on August 30. The seven-day moving average of new cases is currently more than 16,000. Hospital beds are also filling up around the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

With hospitals in Indonesia running at full capacity as the nation sees its worst COVID-19 outbreak fuelled by the Delta variant, several overworked nurses have been staging protests and threatening mass resignation if the government benefits are not paid by September 1.

With hospitals in Indonesia running at full capacity as the nation sees its worst COVID-19 outbreak fuelled by the Delta variant, several overworked nurses have been staging protests and threatening mass resignation if the government benefits are not paid by September 1. According to local media reports, the Philippines’ government had set aside special risk allowances for health care workers, which included hazard pay and money for accommodation and transportation, at the start of the pandemic year However, health care worker unions have alleged that the promised benefits and compensation have not been paid out. “Health care workers are tired and extremely demoralized. Many have already resigned and many more want to,” Deutsche Welle news quoted Jao Clumia, union president of St. Luke’s Medical Center, one of the largest private hospitals in Manila. However, the Philippines health department has been urging the healthcare worker unions to drop their plans and return to work. “We understand their points, but we want to explain to them that there are policies that we have to follow,” Department of Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press conference. According to Department of Health data, over 22,000 COVID-19 cases were reported in the Philippines on August 30. The seven-day moving average of new cases is currently more than 16,000. Hospital beds are also filling up around the country. (With inputs from agencies)

As COVID-19 surge, Philippines nurses threaten mass resignation over unpaid compensation

When New Zealand, for the first time in months, reported a case of community spread of the coronavirus Aug. 17, residents sprang into action. They stripped supermarket shelves of pasta and toilet paper, dug socked-away masks out of drawers and fled to vacation homes in the mountains or at the beach.

Hours later came the expected announcement: The country, after that single case of the delta variant, would plunge into a highly restrictive three-day lockdown. New Zealand, one of the last countries to still pursue “Covid zero,” would aim to eliminate the virus once again, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at a news conference that day.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-will-not-follow-uks-live-with-covid-policy-jacinda-ardern-396563">New Zealand will not follow UK's 'live with Covid' policy: Jacinda Ardern</a>

“While we know that delta is a more dangerous enemy to combat,” she said, “the same actions that overcame the virus last year can be applied to beat it.”

Two weeks later, New Zealand is still in lockdown, one that will last at least another 14 days. One case has become nearly 700, with almost three dozen requiring hospitalization. And the familiar playbook that has made New Zealand an envied model throughout the pandemic is struggling to contain a much more contagious variant of the virus.

“The challenge is eliminating delta,” said Rodney Jones, an adviser to the New Zealand government on the pandemic. “No country has eliminated delta.”

For now, New Zealand appears nearly unified behind the effort to try, with lockdown compliance high and faith in public health officials strong. But Ardern and other leaders have begun to acknowledge that New Zealand may eventually have to change course as the virus continues to spread — 75 new cases were reported Wednesday, up from around 50 each of the two previous days — and its vaccination campaign lags. That would mean tolerating some spread of the virus to keep society more open, a strategy pursued to varying degrees in almost every developed country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-shows-brazilian-viper-venom-may-become-tool-in-fight-against-covid-19-409851">Study shows Brazilian viper venom may become tool in fight against COVID-19</a>&nbsp;

While China has signaled a long-term commitment to a Covid-zero approach, the delta variant has already felled such virus elimination blueprints in Singapore, Hong Kong and several other places in the Asia-Pacific region. New Zealand’s leaders are most intently watching neighboring Australia, where, after almost two months of lockdown, the state of New South Wales is now reporting more than 1,000 cases a day.

Until July, Australia had not recorded a single COVID death in 2021, and it had snuffed out every small flare-up in infections. Now, its prime minister, Scott Morrison, has disavowed the virus elimination approach altogether.

“Any state and territory that thinks that somehow they can protect themselves from COVID with the delta strain forever, that’s just absurd,” he said last week. “New Zealand can’t do that. They were following an elimination strategy. They’re in lockdown.”

Australia is seeking to vaccinate its way to relative safety, focusing on areas hit hard by the delta variant. That option is unavailable to New Zealand, which has administered the fewest doses per capita of any developed nation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-person-rally-against-covid-lockdown-in-new-zealand-408812">One-person rally against Covid lockdown in New Zealand</a>

&nbsp;The country did not place its first vaccine order until the end of January, when it purchased 65,520 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, the only inoculation it is using. By that point, the United States had administered about 50 million vaccine doses.

New Zealand, a country of nearly 5 million people, has given first shots to about 45 per cent of the population, and fewer than 25 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated. The country has increased vaccine distribution since the new outbreak began, but Ardern warned this week that the effort might have to be slowed once again without more supplies from Pfizer.

The government has said it did not have to rush the vaccine approval and procurement process because of its success in containing the virus. With a combination of closed borders and quick lockdowns, it has kept the total caseload to fewer than 3,500 and the death toll to 26. And for most of the past 18 months, residents have lived with few restrictions.

But members of the political opposition argued that the government had left the population vulnerable as the delta variant started to circulate around the world. New Zealand had been at risk of an outbreak for some time, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delta-is-the-fastest-covid-19-variant-and-will-pick-off-the-most-vulnerable-who-393278">delta </a>making up a majority of cases in its border-hotel quarantine facilities for months. The current outbreak has been linked to a New Zealander who flew from Sydney, Australia, and was put in isolation after testing positive for the variant.

“We have been sitting ducks for delta,” said Christopher Bishop, a lawmaker for the National Party who speaks for the opposition on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> policy. “We knew it was going to turn up here and it would cause havoc when it eventually made its way into the community, and that’s exactly what’s happened.”

Still, critical voices like Bishop’s remain a minority in New Zealand. Ardern’s Labour government is among the most popular ever in New Zealand, winning a huge majority in the country’s general election last year. And New Zealand’s top health official, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, has attained rock star status and has been widely credited with keeping “the team of 5 million” safe.

Despite the high costs of the lockdown, which has closed most businesses and confined all but essential workers to their homes, it is worthwhile to push for elimination of the virus for as long as possible, said professor Michael Baker, an epidemiologist at the University of Otago in New Zealand.

“I’m very confident we will stamp out this outbreak and return to elimination status,” said Baker, who encouraged the government early on to adopt the Covid-zero approach.

Debate on the next steps can come later, he added.

“I’ve often framed it as New Zealand keeping its options open,” he said.

Not among those options, Ardern vowed, is lurching in and out of lockdown in perpetuity.

“Delta has changed the rules of the game, and that’s why we changed our game plan,” she said at a news conference last week. “No one wants to use lockdowns forever. And I can tell you now, that is not our intention.”

When New Zealand, for the first time in months, reported a case of community spread of the coronavirus Aug. 17, residents sprang into action. They stripped supermarket shelves of pasta and toilet paper, dug socked-away masks out of drawers and fled to vacation homes in the mountains or at the beach.

When New Zealand, for the first time in months, reported a case of community spread of the coronavirus Aug. 17, residents sprang into action. They stripped supermarket shelves of pasta and toilet paper, dug socked-away masks out of drawers and fled to vacation homes in the mountains or at the beach. Hours later came the expected announcement: The country, after that single case of the delta variant, would plunge into a highly restrictive three-day lockdown. New Zealand, one of the last countries to still pursue “Covid zero,” would aim to eliminate the virus once again, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at a news conference that day. Also read | New Zealand will not follow UK's 'live with Covid' policy: Jacinda Ardern “While we know that delta is a more dangerous enemy to combat,” she said, “the same actions that overcame the virus last year can be applied to beat it.” Two weeks later, New Zealand is still in lockdown, one that will last at least another 14 days. One case has become nearly 700, with almost three dozen requiring hospitalization. And the familiar playbook that has made New Zealand an envied model throughout the pandemic is struggling to contain a much more contagious variant of the virus. “The challenge is eliminating delta,” said Rodney Jones, an adviser to the New Zealand government on the pandemic. “No country has eliminated delta.” For now, New Zealand appears nearly unified behind the effort to try, with lockdown compliance high and faith in public health officials strong. But Ardern and other leaders have begun to acknowledge that New Zealand may eventually have to change course as the virus continues to spread — 75 new cases were reported Wednesday, up from around 50 each of the two previous days — and its vaccination campaign lags. That would mean tolerating some spread of the virus to keep society more open, a strategy pursued to varying degrees in almost every developed country. Also read | Study shows Brazilian viper venom may become tool in fight against COVID-19 While China has signaled a long-term commitment to a Covid-zero approach, the delta variant has already felled such virus elimination blueprints in Singapore, Hong Kong and several other places in the Asia-Pacific region. New Zealand’s leaders are most intently watching neighboring Australia, where, after almost two months of lockdown, the state of New South Wales is now reporting more than 1,000 cases a day. Until July, Australia had not recorded a single COVID death in 2021, and it had snuffed out every small flare-up in infections. Now, its prime minister, Scott Morrison, has disavowed the virus elimination approach altogether. “Any state and territory that thinks that somehow they can protect themselves from COVID with the delta strain forever, that’s just absurd,” he said last week. “New Zealand can’t do that. They were following an elimination strategy. They’re in lockdown.” Australia is seeking to vaccinate its way to relative safety, focusing on areas hit hard by the delta variant. That option is unavailable to New Zealand, which has administered the fewest doses per capita of any developed nation. Also read | One-person rally against Covid lockdown in New Zealand The country did not place its first vaccine order until the end of January, when it purchased 65,520 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, the only inoculation it is using. By that point, the United States had administered about 50 million vaccine doses. New Zealand, a country of nearly 5 million people, has given first shots to about 45 per cent of the population, and fewer than 25 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated. The country has increased vaccine distribution since the new outbreak began, but Ardern warned this week that the effort might have to be slowed once again without more supplies from Pfizer. The government has said it did not have to rush the vaccine approval and procurement process because of its success in containing the virus. With a combination of closed borders and quick lockdowns, it has kept the total caseload to fewer than 3,500 and the death toll to 26. And for most of the past 18 months, residents have lived with few restrictions. But members of the political opposition argued that the government had left the population vulnerable as the delta variant started to circulate around the world. New Zealand had been at risk of an outbreak for some time, with delta making up a majority of cases in its border-hotel quarantine facilities for months. The current outbreak has been linked to a New Zealander who flew from Sydney, Australia, and was put in isolation after testing positive for the variant. “We have been sitting ducks for delta,” said Christopher Bishop, a lawmaker for the National Party who speaks for the opposition on COVID-19 policy. “We knew it was going to turn up here and it would cause havoc when it eventually made its way into the community, and that’s exactly what’s happened.” Still, critical voices like Bishop’s remain a minority in New Zealand. Ardern’s Labour government is among the most popular ever in New Zealand, winning a huge majority in the country’s general election last year. And New Zealand’s top health official, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, has attained rock star status and has been widely credited with keeping “the team of 5 million” safe. Despite the high costs of the lockdown, which has closed most businesses and confined all but essential workers to their homes, it is worthwhile to push for elimination of the virus for as long as possible, said professor Michael Baker, an epidemiologist at the University of Otago in New Zealand. “I’m very confident we will stamp out this outbreak and return to elimination status,” said Baker, who encouraged the government early on to adopt the Covid-zero approach. Debate on the next steps can come later, he added. “I’ve often framed it as New Zealand keeping its options open,” he said. Not among those options, Ardern vowed, is lurching in and out of lockdown in perpetuity. “Delta has changed the rules of the game, and that’s why we changed our game plan,” she said at a news conference last week. “No one wants to use lockdowns forever. And I can tell you now, that is not our intention.”

An impossible task? New Zealand tries to eliminate Delta.

Retail prices in Britain have shot up owing to a national shortage of lorry drivers and disruption to the global supply chain caused by the Covid pandemic, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

According to the Guardian, the costs of Brexit-induced red tape is also fuelling inflation as household budgets start to feel the sting.

The latest figures from the BRC reveal a 0.4 per cent month-on-month rise in August, driven by a 0.6 per cent rise in non-food prices, which includes a sharp spike in the cost of electrical goods caused by shortages of micro-chips and shipping problems.

“There are some modest indications that rising costs are starting to filter through into product prices,” Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the BRC, which represents hundreds of retail businesses, told the Guardian.

“Food retailers are fighting to keep their prices down as far as possible. But mounting pressures – from rising commodity and shipping costs as well as Brexit-related red tape, mean this will not be sustainable for much longer, and food price rises are likely in the coming months,” he added.

Watch |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bid-to-fight-medical-staff-shortage-in-uk-404558">&nbsp;Bid to fight medical staff shortage in UK</a>

The BRC’s warning comes after the toy retailer The Entertainer said prices could rise by 10 per cent over 18 months because of supply chain disruption, labour shortages and higher transport costs.

The indications of rising prices surface&nbsp;in the UK as inflation across the eurozone surged to its highest level in a decade with mounting costs of energy, goods and services hitting household spending.

The statistics body Eurostat has estimated that euro area annual inflation is expected to be 3 per cent in August, up from 2.2 per cent in July.

(With inputs from agencies)

Retail prices in Britain have shot up owing to a national shortage of lorry drivers and disruption to the global supply chain caused by the Covid pandemic, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Retail prices in Britain have shot up owing to a national shortage of lorry drivers and disruption to the global supply chain caused by the Covid pandemic, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). According to the Guardian, the costs of Brexit-induced red tape is also fuelling inflation as household budgets start to feel the sting. The latest figures from the BRC reveal a 0.4 per cent month-on-month rise in August, driven by a 0.6 per cent rise in non-food prices, which includes a sharp spike in the cost of electrical goods caused by shortages of micro-chips and shipping problems. “There are some modest indications that rising costs are starting to filter through into product prices,” Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the BRC, which represents hundreds of retail businesses, told the Guardian. “Food retailers are fighting to keep their prices down as far as possible. But mounting pressures – from rising commodity and shipping costs as well as Brexit-related red tape, mean this will not be sustainable for much longer, and food price rises are likely in the coming months,” he added. Watch | Bid to fight medical staff shortage in UK The BRC’s warning comes after the toy retailer The Entertainer said prices could rise by 10 per cent over 18 months because of supply chain disruption, labour shortages and higher transport costs. The indications of rising prices surface in the UK as inflation across the eurozone surged to its highest level in a decade with mounting costs of energy, goods and services hitting household spending. The statistics body Eurostat has estimated that euro area annual inflation is expected to be 3 per cent in August, up from 2.2 per cent in July. (With inputs from agencies)

Shortage of lorry drivers, Covid-induced supply disruptions driving inflation in UK

Japan has put on hold a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a pharmacist saw what he claims to be black particles in one vial of the vaccine.

According to officials, the pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine’s use in Kanagawa Prefecture.

It comes less than a week after Japan suspended the use of about 1.63 million Moderna doses due to contamination.

More than 3,000 people had already received shots from the batch. The rest of the batch has now been put on hold.

Local media reports say there has been no evidence so far of any health hazards caused by the potentially contaminated vaccine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-pauses-use-of-moderna-vaccine-batch-over-allergic-reactions-357470">California pauses use of Moderna vaccine batch over allergic reactions</a>

Takeda Pharmaceutical, which sells and distributes the vaccine in Japan, had just last week put three batches of the vaccine on hold after "foreign materials" were found in some doses of a batch of roughly 560,000 vials.

Spanish pharmaceutical firm Rovi, which bottles the vaccine, said in a statement that a manufacturing line in Spain could be the cause of the issue.

It added that it was conducting an investigation.

Japan is battling a surge in Covid cases while it hosts the Paralympic Games.

Local media reports say that Japan’s vaccination roll-out has been relatively slow, with just over 40% of Japanese people fully vaccinated and around 50% having received one dose.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan has put on hold a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a pharmacist saw what he claims to be black particles in one vial of the vaccine. According to officials, the pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine’s use in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Japan has put on hold a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a pharmacist saw what he claims to be black particles in one vial of the vaccine. According to officials, the pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine’s use in Kanagawa Prefecture. It comes less than a week after Japan suspended the use of about 1.63 million Moderna doses due to contamination. More than 3,000 people had already received shots from the batch. The rest of the batch has now been put on hold. Local media reports say there has been no evidence so far of any health hazards caused by the potentially contaminated vaccine. Also read | California pauses use of Moderna vaccine batch over allergic reactions Takeda Pharmaceutical, which sells and distributes the vaccine in Japan, had just last week put three batches of the vaccine on hold after "foreign materials" were found in some doses of a batch of roughly 560,000 vials. Spanish pharmaceutical firm Rovi, which bottles the vaccine, said in a statement that a manufacturing line in Spain could be the cause of the issue. It added that it was conducting an investigation. Japan is battling a surge in Covid cases while it hosts the Paralympic Games. Local media reports say that Japan’s vaccination roll-out has been relatively slow, with just over 40% of Japanese people fully vaccinated and around 50% having received one dose. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan finds "black substance" in Moderna vaccine, put holds on shots

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