Mon 04 January 2021:
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 1.83 million lives in 191 countries and regions since it originated in China in December 2019.
Over 84.76 million cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 47.70 million recoveries, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University. The US, India, and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries in terms of cases.
Japan may declare state of emergency for Tokyo area
Japan is considering declaring a state of emergency for capital Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures as early as this week, Fuji TV reported on Monday, as coronavirus cases climb.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is due to hold a news conference to mark the start of 2021 at 11 am (0200 GMT).
S.Africa aims to secure covid-19 vaccines as early as february, Health Minister
South Africa’s Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said government aimed to obtain COVID-19 vaccines by February, but was still in talks with pharmaceutical companies and no deals had yet been signed EWN reported.
On Sunday evening Mkhize and a panel of experts briefed the nation on how South Africa would roll out the vaccine to the public.
“We are trying to get as many vaccines to be available as possible with a target of February, although all of that is very much going to depend on the success of the current bilateral negotiations that we are having with various companies,” said the minister.
It’s recorded more than 1.1 million infections, the most on the African continent, and more than 29,000 deaths.
Hernandez tests positive for Covid-19, out of UFC card
Anthony Hernandez announced over social media that he has tested positive for Covid-19 and will bow out of his scheduled middleweight bout against Rodolfo Vieira.
That bout was part of the UFC Fight Night 184 on January 16 in Abu Dhabi. Per Hernandez’s post on Instagram, the bout is being rescheduled to February 13.
“Happy New Year! Good news is that #teamFluffy is safe and gear goes out next week,” Hernandez wrote. “bad news is the fights delayed – 2020 left me with the covid. I’m good tho – and rescheduled for 2/13.”
Hernandez’s lone fight in 2020 was a loss to Kevin Holland.
Mexico reports 362 new deaths
Mexico’s health ministry reported 362 new coronavirus deaths on Sunday, bringing the country’s total confirmed death toll to 127,213.
AstraZeneca vaccine rolled out in Britain on Monday
Britain will become the first country to roll out the low-cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University Covid vaccine on Monday. Six hospitals in England will administer the first of about 530,000 doses Britain has ready.
The programme will be expanded to hundreds of other British sites in coming days and the government hopes it will deliver tens of millions of doses within months.
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is cheaper and can be stored at fridge temperature, which makes it easier to transport and use. India approved the vaccine on Sunday for emergency use.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that tougher coronavirus restrictions were likely to be introduced, even with millions of citizens already living under the strictest tier of rules.
New Zealand tightens border again amid fears over new Covid strain
New Zealand has further tightened border controls amid mounting anxiety about the new strain of coronavirus driving up infections overseas.
Six cases of the new variant of the virus – five in arrivals from the UK and one from South Africa – were recorded in managed isolation facilities in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.
Travellers to New Zealand from the US and UK will now be required to show a negative test for Covid-19 before departure, as well as taking a test on their arrival in quarantine in addition to those on days three and 12. The border remains mostly closed to non-citizens.
The Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday that these were “extra precautionary steps [to] provide another layer of protection” against the new strain of coronavirus, recorded in more than 30 countries:
Thai PM urges people to ‘Just stay home’ as virus cases hit record
Scotland to enter another effective national lockdown
Scotland will enter another effective national lockdown on Monday, likely to last until spring, The Times newspaper reported.
Scottish government leader Nicola Sturgeon said earlier her cabinet would meet on Monday to discuss possible further steps to limit the spread of the virus, and ordered Scotland’s parliament to be recalled.
It is expected the reopening of schools will be pushed back beyond January 18, the newspaper reported.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday tougher lockdown restrictions were probably on the way as Covid-19 cases keep rising.
Johnson sets policy for England, with rules in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales set by their devolved authorities.
Covid-19 cases in Britain are at record levels and the increase in numbers is fuelled by a new and more transmissible variant of the virus.
Britain recorded 54,990 new cases of the virus on Sunday and has registered more than 75,000 deaths from the pandemic.
