Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is still possible this year, says AstraZeneca chief

The Guardian says AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine could still be available by the end of the year, or early next year, despite clinical trials being paused, according to the company’s chief. 

AstraZeneca and Oxford University are jointly developing the vaccine and testing it on 50,000 to 60,000 people around the world. The trials were paused on Wednesday to investigate the “potentially unexpected illness” of one participant. 

Read the full story on The Guardian

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MPs want furlough extended to minimise job losses

BBC News says MPs are calling for the government to extend its furlough scheme. The Treasury Select Committee has warned the coronavirus pandemic risks mass long-term unemployment and viable firms could go under without support. 

However, a blanket retention of the scheme would not be good value for money, it added. 

The Treasury said it would “continue to innovate in supporting incomes and employment.”

Read the full story on BBC News

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North Korea issues shoot-to-kill orders to prevent virus: US

France24 says North Korean authorities have issued shoot-to-kill orders to prevent the coronavirus entering the country from China, according to the commander of US forces in the South. 

The impoverished North – who’s health system would struggle to cope with a major outbreak – has not confirmed a single case of Covid-19, despite the virus sweeping the world since it first emerged in China, the North’s key ally.

Read the full story on France24

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India orders states to expand coronavirus testing

Aljazeera says India’s health ministry asked states to allow coronavirus testing on-demand without a doctor’s prescription as the country logged another record jump in daily cases.

It also said some negative rapid antigen tests should be redone through the more reliable RT-PCR method.

Read the ful story on Aljazeera

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Tokyo to ease voluntary measures on travel and dining, as cases slow

Japan Times says Tokyo lowered its coronavirus alert status Thursday and Gov. Yuriko Koike also announced that voluntary measures that discourage dining out, public events and travel outside the capital would be loosened.

The announcements represent the capital’s latest efforts to reopen the city amid the ongoing pandemic by relaxing coronavirus measures that promote safety but stifle revenue, including travel guidelines that are choking the domestic tourism industry.

Read the full story on Japan Times

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Mexico reports nearly 5,000 new Covid-19 cases

CNN says Mexico’s Health Ministry reported 4,857 new Covid-19 cases and 554 new virus-related deaths on Thursday.

That brings the total number of cases confirmed in the country to 652,364, including at least 69,649 fatalities.

The latest figures come as Mexico’s government responded to the pausing of the AstraZeneca vaccine trial.

Read the full story on CNN

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