Health
Coronavirus digest: BioNTech-Pfizer to seek approval for 3rd shot – DW (English)
BioNTech and Pfizer said an extra dose of their jab could boost immunity against the coronavirus delta variant. South Korea raised pandemic restrictions as cases hit the “maximum crisis level.” Follow DW for the latest.
Pfizer and BioNTech said Thursday they would soon seek authorization from regulators for a third dose of their COVID-19 jab to be administered in the United States and the European Union.
The move comes amid fears that the delta variant is behind the latest outbreaks in Asia and Africa and rising cases in Europe and the US.
The drugmakers said a third shot of their COVID-19 vaccine could boost immunity against more contagious variants.
The companies said they were also working on developing a jab specifically against the delta variant.
Shortly after the announcement, the US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said: “Americans who have been fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time. We are prepared for booster doses if and when the science demonstrates that they are needed.”
Here’s a rundown of the latest coronavirus news from around the world:
Europe
The number of COVID-19 cases in Germany increased by 949 to 3,734,468, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases reported on Friday. An additional 49 deaths were reported Friday, bringing the overall total to 91,190.
A spokesman for German athletes said the decision to ban spectators in the Tokyo Games amid fears of the spread of COVID-19 was the right move.
“I have trained for five years. I am happy that I can compete,” Max Hartung told broadcasters ARD, adding that German athletes competing at the Olympics shared the sentiment.
Asia-Pacific
Vietnam’s government said on Friday that it aims to vaccinate 50% of all adults against coronavirus by the end of this year. The Health Ministry said the target was 70% of over 18’s by the end of March 2022.
Vietnam has been struggling to contain a recent surge in infections. The country’s economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City, began a two-week lockdown on Friday, a day after a lockdown was placed on the capital Hanoi.
Indonesia will extend restrictions — already in place in Java and Bali islands — to 15 cities to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Hit by a major outbreak, Indonesia is also trying to speed up its vaccination drive. Medical workers will receive booster shots of the COVID jab, officials said Friday.
In Jakarta, authorities sent teams of health workers to drive around the capital in vans and vaccinate communities in crowded districts.
South Korea will raise COVID-19 restrictions to their highest level in the Seoul metropolitan area starting next week, officials said on Friday. Although the country had been previously hailed for its handling of the pandemic with its social distancing rules, it has recently seen a spike in new infections after a slow start of its vaccine rollout.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum warned on Friday that the surge in cases had reached the “maximum crisis level.” His remarks came just a day after the country recorded its highest daily rise since the pandemic began, with 1,316 new cases.
The new measures include a ban on gatherings of more than two people after 6 p.m. and a shutdown of schools and entertainment establishments, such as bars and clubs. Cafes and restaurants are allowed to serve diners until 10 p.m. with limited seating.
Australia’s largest city, Sydney, is in lockdown for a third week as 44 new cases were recorded in 24 hours. Authorities fear an outbreak of the delta variant is spinning out of control.
“Do not leave your home unless you absolutely have to,” New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian told the city’s 5 million residents.
Australia has fully vaccinated just over 11% of its 25 million residents.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison approved of a Melbourne pub offering a complimentary drink to COVID-19 vaccinated clients.
Although health regulators had disapproved of the plan over the use of alcohol as an incentive to receive medicines, Morrison said it was a “good-hearted” initiative.
“This is a national interest vaccine program,” Morrison said. “We’ll be making some changes to ensure that these good-hearted, good-natured sort of initiatives that people may take on of their own volition.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand has canceled flights to bring its own citizens back from Australia’s New South Wales. Planes had expected to start ferrying stranded New Zealanders back home on Saturday.
fb, jf/sms (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
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Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed a case of measles in Edmonton, and is advising the public that the individual was out in public while infectious.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease that is spread easily through the air, and can only be prevented through immunization.
AHS says individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times, may have been exposed to measles.
- April 16
- Edmonton International Airport, international arrivals and baggage claim area — between 3:20 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- April 20
- Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department — between 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- April 22
- 66th Medical Clinic (13635 66 St NW Edmonton) — between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Pharmacy 66 (13637 66 St NW Edmonton) — between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- April 23
- Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department — between 4:40 a.m. to 9:33 a.m.
AHS says anyone who attended those locations during those times is at risk of developing measles if they’ve not had two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine.
Those who have not had two doses, who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of getting measles and should contact Health Link at 1-877-720-0707.
Symptoms
Symptoms of measles include a fever of 38.3° C or higher, cough, runny nose, and/or red eyes, a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.
If you have any of these symptoms stay home and call Health Link.
In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose at 18 months of age.
Health
U.S. tightens rules for dairy cows a day after bird flu virus fragments found in pasteurized milk samples – Toronto Star
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Infected cows were already prohibited from being transported out of state, but that was based on the physical characteristics of the milk, which looks curdled when a cow is infected, or a cow has decreased lactation or low appetite, both symptoms of infection.
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