In a recent study published in the bioRxiv preprint server, researchers analyzed the characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariants BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.12.1.
(Bloomberg) South Africa’s Afrigen Biologics & Vaccines Ltd. said it has made a vaccine that matches the one by Moderna Inc. after that company rebuffed it in its request for a partnership. Hong Kong will propose tightened social distancing rules on Tuesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a briefing, without giving details of the measures. Spain’s government will suspend the obligation to wear face masks outdoors as soon as next week, Cadena Ser reported. Germany declared a third consecutive day of record cases. Key Developments: Virus Tracker: Cases top 388 million; deaths pass 5.7 million Vaccine Tracker: More than 10.1 billion shots administered Covid-zero keeps Beijing Winter Olympics opening a muted affair Covid’s endemic shift means slowdown for virus-product makers What we know about omicron and its subvariant BA.2: QuickTake Sign up for the free Coronavirus Daily newsletter here Biden Administration Says Covid Funds Low (6:21 a.m. NY) The Biden administration may ha
(Bloomberg) New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country is managing to slow the spread of omicron, winning time to administer booster shots. South Korea will extend limits on social gatherings and dining out for two weeks after record new infections, Yonhap News reported.
(Bloomberg) Spain’s government will suspend the obligation to wear face masks outdoors as soon as next week, Cadena Ser reported. Germany declared a third consecutive day of record cases. South Korea will extend limits on gatherings and dining out for two weeks after unprecedented case numbers. Japan will unveil relaxed border controls as soon as next week, broadcaster TBS said, after some of the toughest curbs in the developed world failed to contain the omicron variant. In South Africa, omicron sub-variant BA.2 has become more prominent, accounting for almost a quarter of new infections in January, while a local company has made a vaccine similar to Moderna Inc.’s. Key Developments: Virus Tracker: Cases top 388 million; deaths pass 5.7 million Vaccine Tracker: More than 10.1 billion shots administered Covid’s endemic shift means slowdown for virus-product makers New virus research will speed NIH’s next outbreak response What we know about omicron and its subvariant BA.2: Qu
(Bloomberg) Covid-19 vaccinations among U.S. children ages 5-11 have fallen to the lowest levels since the shots were first approved, a sign that parental enthusiasm for the shots may be running low even as authorities consider expanding the shots to even younger children. American Express Co. is encouraging staffers in New York and the U.K. to start returning to the office early next month as Covid-19 cases recede globally. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau downplayed the idea of deploying Canada’s military to help clear out a trucker protest that’s paralyzed the capital, raising the prospect of an extended occupation of Ottawa’s downtown core. Sweden will lift restrictions starting next week, citing a high vaccination rate and a manageable situation in its hospitals, while France’s health minister said the country is past the worst of the latest wave. Key Developments: Virus Tracker: Cases top 387 million; deaths pass 5.70 million Vaccine Tracker: More than 10.1 billion shots a