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 Melbourne readies to exit world's longest COVID-19 lockdown
Millions in Melbourne are readying to come out of the world's
longest COVID-19 lockdown later on Thursday even as cases hover near
record levels, with pubs, restaurants and cafes rushing to restock
supplies before opening their doors.
Officials had promised to lift lockdowns once double-dose
vaccinations for people aged above 16 exceeded 70% in Victoria
state, of which Melbourne is the capital. Prime Minister Scott
Morrison on Thursday confirmed the state had reached that target,
with more restrictions set to ease as inoculations hit 80% and 90%.
India administers 1 bln vaccine doses, says health minister
India on Thursday crossed the milestone of 1 billion COVID-19
vaccine doses administered, the health minister said.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will launch a song and an
audio-visual film at the Mughal-era Red Fort in New Delhi around
noon to "celebrate the landmark milestone", his ministry said.
U.S. FDA clears boosters, backs use of different vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized
booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna Inc and Johnson
& Johnson, and said Americans can choose a different shot from their
original inoculation as a booster. That means all three vaccines
authorized in the United States can also be given as boosters to
some groups.
The decision paves the way for millions in the United States to get
the additional protection as the highly contagious Delta variant of
the virus causes breakthrough infections among some who are fully
vaccinated.
Experimental oral COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in monkeys
A COVID-19 booster vaccine that can be given by mouth to people who
already have antibodies from vaccination or prior infection has
yielded promising results in monkeys and is likely to be tested soon
in humans, according to the company developing it. A report of the
study posted on Monday on bioRxiv ahead of peer review says Vyriad
is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to plan human
trials.
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The oral booster uses traditional vaccine technology in which a
harmless carrier virus delivers coronavirus proteins into cells on
the surface of the tongue, or lining of the cheeks and throat,
stimulating production of antibodies that can block the virus before
it gets a foothold in the body, said Dr. Stephen Russell, chief
executive of Vyriad in Rochester, Minnesota, who led the study. In
monkeys at one week after vaccinations, antibody levels increased by
nearly 100-fold, with no side effects, Russell said.
Hospitals in Saskatchewan face prolonged crisis
Modelling data in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan showed that
severe cases of COVID-19 will continue to overwhelm intensive care
units until March before beginning to decline, without a reduction
in public mixing, such as smaller gatherings, and greater access to
vaccine booster shots.
Reduced mixing should ideally last at least 28 days, Saskatchewan's
Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said. The pandemic's
spread has forced Saskatchewan to fly some COVID-19 patients to
Ontario for care and to cancel thousands of surgeries.
Thailand prepares airports for quarantine-free travellers
Thai government officials on Wednesday inspected the readiness of
the country's airports to welcome quarantine-free travellers, due to
return next month after almost two years of strict COVID-19 rules
that halted vital tourism.
From Nov. 1, the country will allow vaccinated arrivals from
low-risk countries to return to its popular destinations like
Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
(Compiled by Karishma Singh)
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