Archives of “COVID-19” category

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Italy reportedly set to return to lockdown until after Easter

  
Analysis, COVID-19

Local media reports on the matter

The lockdown restrictions will also cover Milan and Rome, with non-essential shops to be ordered to close or operate with tight restrictions. Meanwhile, schools are to be closed during the period – which will be until 6 April (after Easter).

With the vaccine rollout progressing rather slowly and virus variants starting to become more rampant, this is a key risk to watch in case other European countries suffer from similar circumstances in the weeks/months ahead.
Italy

Denmark suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine due to serious cases of blood clots

  
Analysis, COVID-19

As announced by the Danish health authority

The rollout and use of the AstraZeneca vaccine is halted temporarily in the country amid concerns that it is leading to increased risks of blood clots.

 

This relates to the case review posted by the EMA yesterday, in which an Austrian national was diagnosed with multiple thrombosis after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Keep an eye on this in case more countries start to join in the fray, as we are already seeing Austria, Estonia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, and Latvia temporarily suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for the time being.
So far, this looks more to threaten the vaccine rollout progress in Europe as there doesn’t seem to be much concern about this in the UK. But keep this in view.

Germany reportedly set to extend lockdown until the end of March

  
Analysis, COVID-19

Business Insider reports on the matter

Adding that German authorities are also mulling loosening lockdown measures a little more but general restrictions should still apply through to the end of the month.
For some context, the current restrictions are set to run through to 7 March but the government and state leaders are to meet later this week (on 3 March) to reach a decision on how to proceed next.
Just take note though that some regions are trying to push forward with easing of restrictions as the lockdown since November is growing more weary by the day. As of this week, hair salons, hardware stores and flower shops are able to open in certain states.

Italy reports the most new covid cases since January 9

  
Analysis, COVID-19

Uptick in cases?

I wrote earlier about the potential for another wave in cases. Today Italy reported 19,866 new cases, which is up from 16,424 a day ago and is the most since January 9.
Uptick in cases?

The US and a few other countries can seemingly plow through high cases and deaths but much of the developed world will shut down again (or stay shut down) if/when cases rise. The vaccine timeline is also longer.

AstraZeneca tells EU it expects to deliver less than half the COVID-19 vaccines it was contracted to supply in Q2

  
Analysis, COVID-19

Via Reuters info, citing an unnamed source, and EU official

  • AstraZeneca to deliver under 90 mln doses in Q2
  • Company had committed to supplying EU with 180 mln doses
  • AstraZeneca says it is working to increase productivity
  • Says it could make up the shortfall in Q3
Adds Reuters:
  • The expected shortfall, which has not previously been reported, follows a big reduction in supplies in the first quarter and could hit the EU’s ability to meet its target of vaccinating 70% of adults by summer. 
If this is correct it’ll be a negative for the EUR as recovery on the continent lags other areas of the globe.

German health minister says that data shows virus variants are spreading quickly in Germany

  
Analysis, COVID-19

Comments by German health minister, Jens Spahn

Germany
  • New UK variant now makes up for more than 20%
  • But infections are still decreasing despite higher proportion of new variants
  • 10 million vaccine doses will be delivered next week
  • More deliveries mean that pace of vaccinations can speed up significantly
Although the virus situation in Germany is taking a turn for the better, lawmakers remain guarded on the spread of virus variants and medical capacity.
For now, the lockdown is extended to March but we’ll see in the coming weeks how the situation develops and if the government feels that enough progress is made to relax restrictions a little ahead of Easter.

Germany reportedly to extend lockdown until 14 March

  
Analysis, COVID-19

Reuters reports on the matter

The report cites a draft resolution for the meeting between the government and state premiers, and that fits into the timeline as cited by the report from Bild here.

 

For some context, the latest lockdown measures are set to run through to 14 February so the extension is essentially for another month.
Merkel will be meeting with state premiers later today to decide on that.
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