Germany Has Record Cases; China Reopening Efforts: Virus Update

(Bloomberg) -- An adviser to China’s government said he hopes the country will gradually loosen its strict approach to battling Covid-19 after Beijing hosts the 2022 Winter Olympics. China’s new infections fell to single digits in its latest outbreak.

Germany and the Czech Republic reported record cases. Hong Kong Disneyland Park will be closed Wednesday to ensure staff members can complete Covid-19 tests sooner. 

FedEx is shutting down its Hong Kong pilot base because of the city’s strict coronavirus policies, South China Morning Post reported, citing an internal memo.

Key Developments:

German Cases Surge (3:05 p.m. HK)

Germany reported another record increase in cases, and the seven-day incidence rate climbed to a new high. There were 52,826 new cases in the 24 hours through early Wednesday, the incidence rate rose to 319.5, and a further 294 people died from Covid-19, the most in more than six months.

With the country’s fourth wave spreading, and the inoculation campaign in stasis, the head of Germany’s vaccination committee, Thomas Mertens, signaled that it might update its advice on who should get Covid booster shots. The recommendation could be extended to people aged 18 or older, instead of the current one which focuses on elderly people or those most at risk, he said late Tuesday.

China Jet Fuel Demand to Drop (2:55 p.m. HK)

Recent waves of Covid-19 in China may have curbed domestic jet fuel demand by more than 30% in some months, Fenglei Shi, an associate director of oil markets at IHS Markit, says in an email interview. Overall, the impact could account for more than 10% of domestic consumption on quarterly average basis vs a non-resurgence scenario.

Record Numbers in Czech Republic (2:50p.m. HK)

The Czech Republic had a record number of new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday. The country of 10.7 million people reported 22,479 new cases, almost a double from a week ago. The outgoing government of Prime Minister Andrej Babis is meeting Thursday to debate how to stem the spread of the pandemic. 

Daiichi Sankyo Trial (2:12 p.m. HK)

Daiichi Sankyo has started a phase two trial in Japan of DS-5670, an mRNA vaccine for the coronavirus. As many as 80 unvaccinated adults are participating and if successful, phase three will start within fiscal 2021.

Philippines Clears Novavax Shot (1:46 p.m. HK)

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration has allowed the emergency use of Novavax’s Covid-19 shot, the regulator’s head Eric Domingo said. The vaccine that’s under the brand name Covovax will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. The Southeast Asian nation has also allowed colleges and universities in the capital and other areas under the three lowest alert levels to hold in-person classes. Only fully-vaccinated teachers and students can attend, and classrooms will only be at half capacity.

Air travel in the Philippines is seeing signs of recovery as local restrictions on movement are relaxed, even as the country remain shut off to foreign tourists.

Japan Pfizer Shots (1:30 p.m. HK)

Japan plans to start administering Pfizer’s Covid vaccine to those under 12 years of age in February if experts approve, broadcaster NHK reported without saying where it got the information. The ministry has told local governments to be prepared for the rollout.

Disneyland Closed Wednesday (12:51 p.m. HK)

The Disneyland Park will be closed on Wednesday to ensure staff can complete Covid tests sooner, Disneyland said on its website after it was put on the government’s mandatory test list published Tuesday. Visitors, staff members who were at the park between 11 am and 6 pm on Nov. 14 are required to undergo testing by Thursday as the park was previously visited by preliminary positive imported cases, according to the government.

Accor Sees Travel Revival (11:41 a.m. HK)

Travel should spring back to pre-Covid levels by around early 2023, according to Accor SA, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups with a portfolio of 40 hotel brands spanning 110 countries. 

“Business is back, much stronger than expected, people are eager to travel,” Accor Chief Executive Officer Sebastien Bazin said in a television interview on Wednesday at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore.

China Infections Fall (11:38 a.m. HK)

China reported eight Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, all in one province, as the country’s new cases dropped to single digits for the first time in its latest delta outbreak. All of the locally transmitted cases were found in northeastern Liaoning province, according to the National Health Commission. The number of new infections has fallen for three consecutive days, after peaking at more than 100 daily during the broadest outbreak it’s experienced since Covid first emerged two years ago.

China Reopening Efforts (11:06 a.m. HK)

Henry Wang Huiyao, an adviser to China’s State Council and founder of an influential Chinese think-tank, said a closer collaboration between Washington, Beijing and the World Health Organization could help open up the country. China has largely isolated itself as it follows a “Covid Zero” approach to suppressing the virus.

“There’s a lack of leadership on the global fighting of the pandemic,” Wang, president of the Center for China & Globalization, said in an interview from the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore. “There’s a need for having that so we can facilitate travel, the movement of people, and even for Chinese government officials to visit other countries.”

Read more here. 

China Sends Covid Czar to Ruili (10:49 a.m. HK)

China sent its Covid-19 response czar Liang Wannian to the southwestern border town Ruili to oversee containment efforts. Ruili, which has suffered repeated lockdowns, came into spotlight last month after a former vice mayor of the city made a plea online for more support from the central government. While reiterating the goal of Covid Zero, Liang vowed to balance local Covid response with economic and social development and build out a new model for Covid containment for China’s land ports.

Read More: China Pet Killings Spark Fear Among Quarantined Covid Patients

FedEx Shuts Down Hong Kong Base: SCMP (10:24 a.m.)

The decision to close the Hong Kong base is designed to provide a measure of stability to team members as “there is no clear timeline when life may return to normal in Hong Kong,” the South China Morning Post report cited Robin Sebasco as saying in the memo. The Hong Kong route will primarily be staffed by Oakland-based pilots. FedEx relocated 180 pilots and their families from Hong Kong to California at the start of the year in response to the city’s aircrew quarantine measures, according to the report.

Ho Chi Minh City Eases Restrictions (9:46 a.m.)

Ho Chi Minh City relaxed restrictions on recreational establishments and public transportation on Tuesday and said people who join activities must be partially vaccinated at least for 14 days or have recovered from Covid-19 infection. Spas, bars, cinemas, discotheques, museums, tourist sites, taxis and ride-hailing cabs are allowed to fully operate or operate on a limited basis depending on virus control levels.

N.Z. to Open Auckland Border (9:23 a.m. HK)

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a temporary border around Auckland will open on Dec. 15, allowing vaccinated people or those who show a negative Covid-19 test result to leave the city for the first time in almost four months. Auckland, home to a third of New Zealand’s 5 million people, is close to achieving 90% of its eligible population being fully vaccinated.

Vaccine passes were made available for the more than 3.4 million New Zealanders who are fully vaccinated, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said.

The pass can be downloaded to a phone or printed out. It can be used to attend hospitality settings, retail establishments, community and sporting events, religious gatherings and other functions. Vaccination status isn’t required at supermarkets, pharmacies, health services and other essential establishments.

South Korea Reports 21 Deaths (8:49 a.m. HK)

South Korea reported 522 severe cases of coronavirus and 21 deaths as of midnight. The country will shorten dosage interval for booster shots on senior citizens over 60 years of age and nursing hospital patients to four months from six months; people in their 50s can get extra jabs five months after their primary vaccination.

Mexico to Vaccinate Some Minors (8:21 a.m. HK)

Mexico’s government will finally vaccinate some teenagers, and one state will even begin sending minors to the U.S. to get shots. The nation’s virus czar Hugo Lopez-Gatell announced that vaccinations will now be available to kids from the ages of 15 to 17 without underlying health conditions.

Mexico registered 37 new Covid-19 deaths Tuesday, bringing the total to 291,241, according to data released by the Health Ministry. General hospital bed occupancy unchanged at 17%; ventilator bed occupancy unchanged at 14%.

Cathay Mulls Asking Hong Kong Pilots to Live Abroad: FT (8:14 a.m. HK)

Cathay Pacific is considering asking pilots to live outside Hong Kong for several months as the airline is forced to examine more radical measures to operate under Hong Kong’s strict policies, the Financial Times reported. Cathay’s cabin crew and pilots have already been observing a series of rostering and health measures to minimise their exposure to the virus abroad. The carrier said on Tuesday it might need to go further and have Hong Kong-based employees live outside the city for two to four months.

FDA Set to Approve Pfizer Booster for Adults (6:23 a.m. HK)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to authorize booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for all adults as early as Thursday, the New York Times reported, citing unidentified sources.

CDC Panel to Meet on Pfizer Booster Eligibility (4:02 p.m. NY)

An advisory panel of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scheduled a meeting for Nov. 19 to discuss expanding booster eligibility for the vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE. The third shots currently are authorized for people 65 and older, as well as those 18 and up at high risk of getting a severe case.  

New York Governor Warns of More Restrictions (3:32 p.m. NY)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged people who live in areas with high transmission rates to get the booster, as cases rise across the state.

“We are heading into a vulnerable time,” she said. “We are seeing the spikes go up.” 

Ireland Imposes New Restrictions (2:07 p.m. NY)

Bars and restaurants must close by midnight, cinemas and theaters must require proof of vaccination and people should work from home where possible, under measures announced by Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin to contend with surging infections and rising hospitalizations.

“If the number of Covid infections and hospitalizations continues to grow at the rate we are currently seeing, no health system anywhere in the world would be able to cope,” Martin said in a national address.

NYC Opens Times Square for New Year’s Eve (11:20 a.m. NY)

New York City will open Times Square on New Year’s Eve to fully vaccinated revelers, after limiting the celebration last year to front-line workers. 

This year, those too young to be get a shot must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult, said Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance. Visitors who aren’t able to get vaccinated because of a disability will need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test and wear a mask if able.

“New York City is back,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “We want to show the world we’re back.”

Ireland Allows Boosters for People Over 50 (10:57 a.m. NY)

Ireland will offer boosters to people over 50, the Health Ministry said. Individuals age 16 and older with underlying conditions, as well as residents of long-term health facilities also will be eligible. Recipients must have their vaccine shot at least five months ago.

Pfizer Allows Generic Versions of Pill (6:45 a.m. NY)

Pfizer Inc. reached a licensing agreement that will allow generic-drug manufacturers to produce inexpensive versions of its Covid-19 pill for 95 low- and middle-income countries, following a similar move by Merck & Co.

Pfizer said it had signed an agreement with the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool to license the experimental pill, once it is authorized by regulators, to generic companies that can supply it to countries that account for roughly 53% of the world population. 

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