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More than 253 million people have tested positive for the virus worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 5.1 million infected people have died. More than 7.4 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
The latest developments
In the UK, booster vaccinations against the coronavirus will be offered to everyone over the age of 40 in the future. That was announced by Health Minister Sajid Javid in London on Monday (Nov. 15) following a recommendation to that effect by the National Immunization Commission. The experts also advised that 16- and 17-year-olds be given a second vaccination. All four parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland planned to follow the recommendations, he said. More than 12.6 million people in the UK have already received so-called booster vaccinations. Until now, however, they have been reserved for people over 50 and groups at higher risk. In the U.K., the number of new corona virus infections has been at relatively high levels since the summer.
Biontech/Pfizer’s Corona vaccine can now be given to children aged five to eleven in Israel. This was decided by the Ministry of Health on Sunday (Nov. 14), after a panel of experts had previously spoken out in favor. The additional doses needed are to be delivered to Israel in the coming days, allowing an immediate start of the vaccination campaign for younger children, the newspaper Haaretz reported. According to the report, only 2 of the 75 experts consulted by the Health Ministry voted against releasing the drug for children five years and older. At the end of October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had already granted emergency approval for Biontech/Pfizer’s Corona vaccine for children between the ages of five and eleven. The agency recommended a dose of ten micrograms for this age group, and the same amount is now to be injected in Israel. For children twelve years and older and adults, 30 micrograms are planned.
Following the lockdown for the unvaccinated, the Austrian government is also considering nighttime curfew restrictions for all citizens. This proposal is on the table and a decision on it will be made next Wednesday, Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein told ORF on Sunday evening (Nov. 14). The restrictions would apply from 10 p.m. and would also mean a renewed closure of night catering. Already from this Monday, a lockdown for the unvaccinated applies, which was decided on Sunday (14. 11.) by Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg and the heads of government of the states. The far-reaching exit restrictions are initially limited to ten days. About two million people are affected. In future, anyone without a vaccination will only be allowed to leave their house or apartment for urgent reasons – such as shopping for daily needs, going to work or visiting the doctor. Compliance with the regulation is to be monitored by random checks. Schools are not affected by the new measures. The seven-day incidence in Austria has now risen to around 815.
In light of the fourth wave in several EU countries, Israel is considering a travel ban to certain countries. “We could again classify some of the countries as red. Then you are not allowed to go there,” Israeli Health Ministry Director General Nachman Asch told the news site ynet on Sunday (Nov. 14). He said there are already states with warning level orange, meaning a travel warning. These include Germany’s neighbors Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark and the Netherlands. On Friday, Germany – so far still classified as a low-risk country – is also to be added to this list of risk countries (orange). Asch emphasized that there are currently no plans to ban the entry of tourists to Israel, which has been permitted again since the beginning of the month. However, it is necessary to prevent the introduction of new cases of the disease and new variants into Israel.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning countries with soaring corona infection rates not to intervene too late with stricter protective measures. “The earlier measures are implemented, the fewer are likely to have to be imposed,” WHO Covid 19 specialist Maria van Kerkhove said Friday (Nov. 12). She recalled that the delta variant of the virus currently circulating is significantly more contagious than earlier variants.
The Netherlands is implementing a partial lockdown because of the high number of cases. The new measures will apply immediately and for three weeks, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Friday (Nov. 12). For example, there are to be access restrictions for the unvaccinated in public spaces. Supermarkets are to close at 8 p.m., as are bars and restaurants. Stores for non-daily needs will close as early as 6 p.m. The 1.5 meter distance rule will be reintroduced, citizens will be required to work at home again and receive a maximum of four visitors at home. Sports competitions must be held without an audience, including football matches. The regulations come into force on Saturday. In The Hague, street battles broke out between demonstrators and police even during Rutte’s press conference on Friday evening. According to media reports, the former threw bricks and fireworks, while the police used water cannons.
- source: nzz.ch/picture:pixabay.com
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