(Bloomberg) —
German Chancellor Angela Merkel used her weekly podcast to urge more people to get vaccinated ahead of the winter months.
The vast majority of people currently being treated for coronavirus n Germany’s hospitals are unvaccinated, she said, adding that it’s never been easier to access a jab. Around 62% of the nation are fully vaccinated, according to Bloomberg’s vaccine tracker.
The U.K. has shelved plans to introduce vaccination passports to venues, and signaled it may drop mandatory testing for returning travelers.
“I’ve never liked the idea of saying to people, ‘You must show your papers’ or something to do what is just an everyday activity,” Health Minister Sajid Javid said in an interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday.
Key Developments:
- Global Virus Tracker: Cases pass 224.2 million; deaths exceed 4.6 million
- Vaccine Tracker: More than 5.66 billion doses administered
- Retired seniors in U.S. aren’t covered by Biden’s vaccine plan
- Alaska’s top health official battens down for a difficult winter
- The U.K. government has ditched plans to bring in vaccination passport
- Reluctant firms now face mandate to require workers to be jabbed
South Africa Approves Pfizer Vaccine For Children (7:14 a.m. NY)
South Africa approved the Pfizer vaccine for use in children 12-years-old and over, the country’s health regulator said Sunday.
Around 12% of the nation has been fully vaccinated, with the country of about 60 million people now bracing for a fourth wave of infections to hit in early December.
Indonesia Records Fewest Cases Since Mid-May (6:25 a.m. NY)
Indonesia recorded 3,779 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the fewest Since May 16, according to data from government’s Covid-19 task force. The disease has infected a total of 4.17 million people in the world’s fourth most-populous nation.
As many as 188 people died from the virus in the past 24 hours in Indonesia, the fewest since June 15, bringing total death to 138,889.
U.K. Shelves Vaccine Passport Plan: Javid (6:08 a.m. NY)
The U.K. is set to ditch to call for proof of vaccination to get into music venues and crowded spaces.
“We’ve looked at it properly, and whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option, I’m pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports,” Health Minister Sajid Javid said in an interview on the BBC on Sunday.
Javid spoke ahead of steps expected to be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday to manage Covid over the autumn and winter.
Scotland Must Tame Virus Before Referendum (5:54 p.m HK)
Scotland won’t call a new referendum on independence until the pandemic is under control, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.
“This is not just about safety of polling stations,” Sturgeon said in an interview with Sky News Sunday morning.
Israel Prepping for Fourth Covid Vaccine Dose (5:18 p.m HK)
Israel is making preparations to ensure it has sufficient vaccine supply in case a fourth round of Covid-19 shots is needed, the country’s top health official said on Sunday.
“We don’t know when it will happen; I hope very much that it won’t be within six months, like this time, and that the third dose will last for longer,” Health Ministry Director General Nachman Ash said in an interview with Radio 103FM.
Over Half of Japanese Fully Jabbed (4:35 p.m. HK)
Japan’s Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Sunday that more than 50% of people have been fully vaccinated on NHK broadcaster’s weekly TV program. He expects to surpass 60% by the end of this month, on a par with levels seen in Europe. Tokyo on Sunday reported 1,067 new daily cases of coronavirus infections, below the seven-day average of 1,384.
Merkel Urges Vaccinations Ahead of Winter (4:20 p.m. HK)
Chancellor Angela Merkel urges Germans to get vaccinated ahead of the winter months. Four million people in Germany have contracted the virus and more than 90,000 people have died from it, she said on Sunday in her regular podcast.
This week volunteer workers will offer vaccinations on soccer fields, in the streets and at mosques, she said.
The vast majority of patients treated in hospitals or intensive care units are unvaccinated, she said. To get through the fall and winter in good shape, “we therefore have to convince more people to get vaccinated.”
Cambodia to Discuss Covid During China Minister Visit (3:45 p.m. HK)
Cambodia will discuss the fight against Covid-19, and trade and investment with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to the Southeast Asian nation. Wang — also a State Councilor — is visiting the nation Sunday and Monday
Mauritius Plans Booster Shots in October (2:54 p.m. HK)
The tourism-dependent nation of Mauritius plans to roll out a booster-dose vaccination campaign starting next month after taking into account recent studies and situation prevailing in other countries, Le Dimanche/L’Hebdo reported.
An additional dose is imperative for better efficiency and protection, the report said, citing Catherine Gaud, a senior adviser at the health ministry. Vaccines used in the Indian Ocean island so far are AstraZeneca’s Covishield, Sinopharm, Covaxin, Sputnik and Johnson & Johnson.
Spread of the Coronavirus Slows in Germany (2:01 p.m. HK)
The spread of the coronavirus slowed in Germany on Sunday. The number of people newly infected rose by 7,345 — some 3,108 cases less than a week ago. The death toll fell to eight on Sunday, compared with 21 a week ago. The country recorded in total 4,077,640 Covid-19 infections.
Bangladesh Reopens Schools (12:15 p.m. HK)
Students in Bangladesh returned to in-person classes on Sunday after a shutdown of more than a year.
Those in higher grades will have classes five days a week, while others will return once a week, according to Education Minister Dipu Moni.
“The government will shut the schools again if the coronavirus cases surge,” she said. “But there are little chances of Covid infections going up again.”
Bangladesh on Saturday recorded 1,327 new virus cases, the fewest daily count since May, taking the tally of infections to more than 1.52 million. The death toll climbed by 48, the lowest since June, to 26,880.
H.K. Plans New Vaccination Campaign for Elderly (11:31 a.m. HK)
Hong Kong plans to launch a door-to-door vaccination drive in a bid to increase inoculation rates among the territory’s elderly, according to the South China Morning Post.
Patrick Nip Tak-Kuen, Secretary for the Civil Service who oversees the vaccination drive, said on a radio program that government workers will go door-to-door to visit seniors and promote appointment-free vaccination days, according to the SCMP. He said that Hong Kong’s elderly are the group with the lowest vaccination rates.
Fewer than 30% of residents over 70 have gotten their first dose, while about 64% of Hong Kong’s eligible population have received them, according to the report. The vaccination program targets to inoculate at least 70% of the eligible population.
New Zealand, Australia Get Vaccines (9:40 a.m. HK)
New Zealand has secured half a million doses of the Pfizer vaccine from Denmark, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Sunday. It’s the country’s second deal to boost local supplies, after buying 275,000 Pfizer shots from Spain last week.
So far enough doses have been administered to cover 42.3% of the population, according to Bloomberg’s vaccine tracker. News of the agreement came as New Zealand recorded another 20 local cases of Covid in the past 24 hours.
Separately, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the nation has secured 1 million doses of the Moderna vaccine from European Union countries. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation now recommends Moderna for everyone aged 12 years or older, according to a government press release. The vaccine was approved for use in the country last month, where Pfizer and AstraZeneca shots are also available. So far, enough doses have been administered to cover 44% of the population.
Australia’s NSW to Ease Restrictions for Vaccinated (9:18 a.m. HK)
Australia’s New South Wales recorded 1,262 new Covid cases over the past 24 hours, lowering the seven-day moving average for the first time in a week, according to Bloomberg calculations based on government data. From Monday, lockdown restrictions will ease somewhat for fully vaccinated people in most parts of the country’s largest state.
Victoria recorded 392 new local cases. Authorities are concerned about the spread of the virus in regional parts of the state, after some restrictions were eased on Friday. No new cases were recorded in Queensland.
China Reports More Cases in Fujian Province (9:05 a.m. HK)
China reported 20 cases in Fujian province, including 19 in Putian city, authorities said Sunday. The National Health Commission has sent a special team to Putian city, according to broadcaster CGTN on Saturday.
Several local areas have been categorized as medium- or high-risk areas, CGTN said. The new outbreak comes less than a month after China quelled its most widespread resurgence since the initial one in Wuhan. Provincial and intercity shuttle buses operating from Putian have been suspended, while public facilities such as libraries and sport stadiums have also been closed, according to the report.
U.K. May Scrap Vaccine Passports for Winter (7:05 a.m. HK)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce his plans Tuesday to keep Covid-19 under control over the winter and drop the need for vaccine passports that would be required for entry to nightclubs, cinemas and sports grounds, The Times reported.
Companies that now require vaccination certification will be able to continue with that, but the new “toolbox” of measures will include elements such as masks if rates soar, according to the report.
Australian Airports Raise Concerns of Reopening Plans (7 a.m. HK)
Australia’s airports have raised concerns about the government’s travel reopening plans, the Sun-Herald and Sunday Age newspapers reported, warning that insufficient lead time and clarity could lead some international airlines to pull out of the country. The Australian Airport Association has said that some carriers are “already drawing down capacity,” according to the newspapers.
The government plans to ease restrictions on international travel once 80% of the population is vaccinated, allowing travel bubbles with nations including the U.S., U.K. and Singapore. Australia’s current border curbs are among the world’s toughest, with limits on departures as well as arrivals.
N.Y. Hospital to Stop Delivering Babies (6:10 a.m. HK)
A hospital in upstate New York says it can’t deliver babies safely and offer other maternity services after Sept. 24, partly because staff members have quit rather than take a mandated Covid-19 vaccine.
Six staff members in the maternity department at the Lewis County Health System have resigned and and another seven might, the Watertown Daily Times reported. “It is my hope that the (state) Department of Health will work with us in pausing the service rather than closing the maternity department,” Chief Executive Officer Gerald Cayer said at a new conference Friday afternoon, the newspaper reported.
“We would like everyone to get vaccinated but we also understand we live in a country where you get to choose certain things and if you choose not to be vaccinated then now, you can’t work in health care,” Cayer was quoted as saying. “We thank for service, and we each move forward.”
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