Coronavirus latest news: Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine shows ‘limited efficacy’ against South African variant
AstraZeneca says its vaccine developed with the University of Oxford appeared to offer only limited protection against gentle illness brought on by the South African variant of Covid-19, primarily based on early knowledge from a trial.
The research from South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand and Oxford University confirmed the vaccine had considerably diminished efficacy against the South African variant, in accordance with a Financial Times report.
Among coronavirus variants presently most regarding for scientists and public well being specialists are the Kent, South African and Brazilian variants, which seem to unfold extra swiftly than others.
“In this small phase I/II trial, early data has shown limited efficacy against mild disease primarily due to the B.1.351 South African variant,” an AstraZeneca spokesman mentioned.
Follow the latest updates beneath.
05:08 AM
Chinese whistleblower physician remembered
The message was tucked right into a bouquet of chrysanthemums left by a mourner behind Wuhan Central Hospital to honour a Chinese whistleblower doctor who died from coronavirus one year ago as we speak.
It was merely the variety of a Bible verse, Matthew 5:10, which says: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Dr Li Wenliang died from the virus first detected in Wuhan. A small stream of individuals marked the anniversary with visits to the hospital, some leaving flowers.
The 34-year-old ophthalmologist was one in every of eight whistleblowers who native authorities punished early on for “spreading rumours” a few SARS-like virus in a social media group. His scenario, ultimately made public in media reviews, made him a potent image for the perils of going against official messaging in China.
The Chinese public embraced Dr Li, whose presence on-line painted an image of an unusual individual. His wife was pregnant and he was soon to be a father. He despatched the “rumour” as a result of he wished to warn others.
The public additionally watched as he fell sick with the illness he was warning them about, ultimately worsened, and died.
Wuhan one year on: The city that appears safe from Covid – but at what cost?
04:08 AM
Players prepared for first Grand Slam after quarantine drama
Australia reported no new native coronavirus circumstances for a 3rd day on Sunday, as tennis gamers equipped for the primary Grand Slam of the yr in Melbourne tomorrow.
The Australian Open can have a diminished attendance of 30,000 followers a day – about 50pc decrease than standard due to Covid protocols.
Those public well being protocols, which have been credited with making Australia probably the most profitable nations in battling the virus, pressured gamers right into a two-week lodge quarantine after touchdown in Melbourne in January.
More than 500 employees and gamers examined damaging on Friday in re-testing required after a employee at their quarantine lodge caught the virus.
Follow the latest Australian Open information here.
03:54 AM
Tennis champ questions LTA’s Covid protocols
Former world primary Andy Murray has raised doubts concerning the Lawn Tennis Association’s well being protocols at its high-performance coaching facility after he examined constructive for Covid-19 and needed to miss the Australian Open.
The three-time Grand Slam winner was pressured to drag out of the primary main of 2021 in Melbourne after he was unable to seek out what he referred to as a “workable quarantine” following a constructive check on January 14.
“I stuck to all of the protocols. I couldn’t pick it up anywhere else because I hadn’t left my house or National Tennis Centre for 10 weeks, and then there were some positive cases there,” the 33-year-old mentioned.
READ MORE: Andy Murray ‘p—– off’ at LTA over slip in bio-secure standards he claims left him with Covid-19
03:48 AM
Exclusive: Teachers leaping queue for vaccines
Teachers have been accused of leaping the queue for vaccines after a metropolis council invited each faculty to place ahead employees to obtain the jab, a Telegraph investigation has discovered.
The Government has set a goal for the primary 4 precedence teams, together with everybody over the age of 70 and the clinically extraordinarily weak, to be vaccinated by the center of February.
Former schooling minister Tim Loughton mentioned anybody not offering “intimate care” for “clinically vulnerable” youngsters was leaping the queue.
Read the total story here.
03:45 AM
Hotel quarantine regime wants a ‘sundown clause’
Hotel quarantine wants a “sunset clause” in any other case overseas journey might be destroyed for years, accommodations and MPs have warned the Government.
They need ministers to spell out a transparent exit technique for the quarantine which can see an estimated 1,425 passengers a day from 33 “red list” international locations required to self-isolate in Government-approved accommodations at their very own expense for 10 days from February 15.
They worry the regime will decimate journey if it continues by means of the summer season by deterring Britons from going overseas for worry their vacation spot might be added to the “red list” of countries with new Covid variants, forcing them into quarantine accommodations on their return.
Read the total story here.
