Reuters Health News Summary
Following is a summary of current health news briefs.
COVID-19's epicentre again: Europe faces fresh reckoning
Europe has become the epicentre of the pandemic again, prompting some governments to consider re-imposing unpopular lockdowns in the run-up to Christmas and stirring debate over whether vaccines alone are enough to tame COVID-19. Europe accounts for more than half of the average 7-day infections globally and about half of latest deaths, according to a Reuters tally, the highest levels since April last year when the virus first swept into Italy.
Dutch face three-week, partial lockdown as COVID-19 cases soar
Bars and restaurants will close early and sporting events will be held without audiences under a three-week, partial lockdown that is expected to be announced in the Netherlands on Friday evening. Dutch broadcaster NOS said the first such measures in Western Europe since the summer will go into effect on Saturday evening in a bid to stop a surge in COVID-19 cases, which hit a record on Thursday.
GSK-Vir COVID-19 antibody muscle injection as effective as intravenous shot
Britain's GSK and partner Vir said on Friday their antibody-based COVID-19 therapy met the primary goal of a late-state study assessing intramuscular administration of the drug as a treatment for the illness in its early stages. The study showed the treatment, sotrovimab, when injected into the muscle was as good as when given intravenously for early treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk, non-hospitalised adults and adolescents.
Philippines to require vaccination for employees working on-site
People coming to work in offices in the Philippines will have to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get tested frequently, the president's office said on Friday, as the country battles one of Asia's worst outbreaks. A little over a quarter of the Philippines' 110 million population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The government says there are enough stocks available and has been urging people to take the shots.
Northeastern Chinese port city battles growing COVID-19 cluster
A growing COVID-19 cluster in China's Dalian has spurred the northeastern port city to limit outbound travel, cut offline school classes and close a few cultural venues after being told by national authorities to contain the outbreak more quickly. Dalian reported 52 locally transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms on Thursday, a daily count higher than any other Chinese city affected in an ongoing nationwide outbreak since mid-October, and more than doubling from 21 cases a day earlier, official data showed on Friday.
Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson to split into two companies
Johnson & Johnson plans to split into two companies, separating its consumer health division that sells Band-Aids and Baby Powder from its pharmaceuticals and medical devices business in the biggest shake-up in its 135-year history. The move by the world's largest health-products company comes hot on the heels of similar announcements this week by industrial conglomerates Toshiba https://www.reuters.com/technology/toshiba-set-announce-split-into-three-firms-shareholder-reaction-focus-2021-11-12 and General Electric https://www.reuters.com/business/ge-form-three-public-companies-2021-11-09 and underscores how big, diversified corporations are under pressure to simplify.
Biogen says Aduhelm lowers levels of second protein associated with Alzheimer's
Biogen Inc's Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm, approved by U.S. regulators last year for its ability to reduce amyloid brain plaques, also lowers levels of a second protein that accumulates in the brains of people with the disease, according to new data released by the company on Thursday. Biogen said its Phase III studies found that Aduhelm significantly lowered blood levels of an abnormal form of the protein tau - another target of experimental Alzheimer's drugs - that forms toxic tangles of nerve fibers associated with the mind-wasting disease.
What you need to know about the coronavirus right now
Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: COVID-19's epicentre again: Europe faces fresh reckoning
Denmark proposes corona pass mandate for workers
Denmark on Friday proposed to fast-track legislation allowing workplaces to mandate a digital "corona pass" for employees in its latest measure to curb a third wave of infections. Earlier in the week, the government ordered Danes to present a pass when they visit indoor bars, restaurants and other public places. Usually shown by a phone app, the pass verifies that the holder is vaccinated, has tested negative or has recently recovered from infection.
Germany brings back free COVID-19 tests as leaders warn of bleak situation
Germany will reintroduce free COVID-19 tests from Saturday, the country's acting health minister Jens Spahn said on Friday, as part of measures to hit the brakes on a wave of COVID-19 cases. The free tests, which were first offered from March as a way to offset a slow vaccine rollout, are being reinstated one month after they were allowed to run out, as the infection rate hit a record for a fifth day running on Friday.
