More than 181 million people have tested positive for the virus worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 3.9 million infected people have died. More than 2.8 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
The latest developments
Shortly before the official launch of the EU vaccination certificate, all EU countries are connected to the common technology needed for it. This also applies to Norway and Iceland. At which points the certificates facilitate vacations, shopping trips, visits to events and restaurants or weekend trips is determined by each country. The EU Covid certificate formally launches July 1, but many countries have been issuing them for weeks.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is optimistic despite the surge in new Covid 19 cases. He says it looks as though the so-called “Freedom Day” could take place on July 19. On that day, most remaining Corona restrictions are scheduled to be lifted. Previously, however, the day had been pushed back because of the deterioration of the situation. Originally, it was to have been held on June 21.
Due to the massive spread of the Delta variant, flights from the UK will not be allowed to land in Hong Kong from Thursday. The UK is classified as an “extreme high-risk country,” the Hong Kong government announced Monday (June 28). As a result, aircraft will no longer be allowed to fly to the airport of the former British crown colony in China’s south. Transit travel is also to be curbed.
The effectiveness of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine is increased by a longer break between injections, according to a study by Oxford University. A ten-month break between the first and second doses increased the number of antibodies formed, the researchers involved said Monday (June 28). They were also able to demonstrate for the first time that a third, so-called booster dose six months after the second vaccination is strongly effective against viral variants. In addition, the study showed that the combination of a first vaccination with AstraZeneca and a second with Pfizer was more effective after four weeks than a second vaccination with AstraZeneca -and than the reverse order. This may help countries that want to offer alternatives after an initial AstraZeneca vaccination because of rare side effects.
In Greece, young people will in future receive a payment card worth 150 euros if they are vaccinated against the coronavirus. This was announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on Monday (June 28). The offer is aimed at 940,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 25. A total of up to 141 million euros has been earmarked for it. The goal is for nearly 60 percent of the population in the country of 11 million to be fully vaccinated by the end of July.
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has tested positive for the coronavirus after the EU summit in Brussels. This was announced by the Luxembourg government on Sunday evening (27. 6.). The 48-year-old has mild symptoms such as fever and headache, but will continue his work from home. Ten days of quarantine are planned. At the summit, Bettel was in contact with many other European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel. According to his own statements, he has been vaccinated once so far. He should have received his second vaccination this week.
- source: nzz.ch/picture: pixabay.com
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