Over new variants of the new coronavirus, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong have tightened travel restrictions from some African countries, including South Africa. South Africa’s Health Minister Fara said in an online press conference that the move was “totally contrary to norms and standards” recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Temporary ban on flights from South Africa, UK-with new corona mutant (2)
The first confirmed mutant strain “B.1.1.529” in South Africa and Botswana has been designated as a “Variant of Concern (VOC)” by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Meanwhile, in the United States, which has recently relaxed travel restrictions from many countries and regions around the world, US President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Fauci, has traveled to southern Africa. He acknowledged that further research is needed to determine whether to limit.
Fauci needs data for new mutants-before deciding on travel restrictions
Scientists are rushing to confirm the infectivity and vaccine resistance of this mutant. Biontech said it expects to get the first test data within two weeks on how the vaccine from the company and Pfizer will work.
Vaccine effect on new mutant strain, Biontech to acquire data within 2 weeks
The stock market fell globally on the 26th due to a sense of caution about new mutant stocks. Under these circumstances, the stock price of Pfizer in the US temporarily rose by 8%, hitting a new high since its listing. The company confirmed that it could produce a vaccine for the new mutant strain within 100 days.
Pfizer Can Produce New Mutant Vaccine Within 100 Days-City
Meanwhile, Merck has released the latest clinical trial results for the oral drug molnupiravir, revealing a 30% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death for adults with mild to moderate symptoms. The rate of decline was revised downwards from the results of the interim analysis, well below competing Pfizer oral medications.
Merck’s Oral Corona Drug, Downward Revised Effectiveness to Prevent Hospitalization and Death-Latest Analysis Results
In the money markets, the view that central banks are rushing to raise rates has been rewound. Being wary of slowing economic growth due to new mutants outweighs inflation concerns. In the exchange rate, funds flow into the yen and the Swiss franc, which are regarded as safe assets. The dollar temporarily fell 1.5% against the yen to 113.66 yen.
The central bank’s interest rate hike outlook recedes in the market, concerns about corona mutants-the yen soars to the 113 yen level
Infection cases of new mutant strains are also in Belgiumconfirmed. The country’s health minister, Van den Brucke, said at a press conference in Brussels.
European Union President Michelle has postponed visits to Japan and South Korea, his spokesman said on Twitter.
According to aggregated data from Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg, the number of people infected with the new coronavirus in the world has exceeded 260 million and the death toll has exceeded 5.18 million. According to Bloomberg’s Vaccine Tracker, there have been more than 7.84 billion vaccinations worldwide.
In the UK, government statistics revealed that the number of newly infected people on the 26th was 59,91. It has been over 50,000 since October 21st.
In Singapore, the number of infected people continues to decrease, reaching 1090 on the 26th. There were 1275 people the day before.
Original title:South Africa Slams Travel Ban; U.K. Cases Rising: Virus Update（原題）
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