coronavirus | Common News Update

Apr102021 by adminNo Comments

Coronavirus: UK reports largest number of second jabs in one day

Health

Reuters The UK has reported the largest number of second coronavirus vaccine doses given in a single day, according to the latest government data.A total of 450,136 second doses were received on Friday - with 106,878 first doses also administered.The previous record was set on Thursday when 449,269 second doses were reported - in addition to 96,242 first doses.There were 2,589 new infections in the past 24 hours, and another 40 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.The latest figures show that of the 39,001,554 vaccinations administered in the UK so far, 32,010,244 were first doses - a rise of 106,878 on Friday.Meanwhile, 6,991,310 were second doses, a rise of 450,136.After the latest figures, the UK's death toll stands at 127,080 and the total number of infections is 4,368,045.It comes...

Mar132021 by adminNo Comments

Nearly 50,000 businesses sign up to offer rapid coronavirus testing for their employees

Business

Nearly 50,000 businesses have signed up for the government's free workplace COVID tests, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced.The government claims this is a vital step towards restoring normal life after the pandemic. Tests can give a result within 30 minutes - and NHS Test and Trace analysis suggests they have a specificity of at least 99.9%. Mr Hancock said: "We have built a huge asymptomatic testing system from scratch, which is an essential part of our plan to reopen cautiously. "Rapid testing has been rolled out at a vast scale across a range of sectors, and it is fantastic that now over 48,000 businesses have signed up to offer rapid testing to employees."This is a huge step forward in getting businesses back on their feet and helping to keep people safe. ...

Mar62021 by adminNo Comments

The Latest: Dalai Lama receives coronavirus vaccine

Health

DHARMSALA, India — The Dalai Lama, the 85-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, has received the first shot of the coronavirus vaccine at a hospital in the north Indian hill town of Dharmsala.After receiving the injection, he urged people to come forward, be brave and get vaccinated.Dr. G.D. Gupta of Zonal Hospital, where the shot was administered, told reporters that the Dalai Lama was observed for 30 minutes afterward.Ten other people who live in the Dalai Lama’s residence were also vaccinated, Gupta said. All eleven received the Covishield vaccine, which was developed by Oxford University and U.K.-based drugmaker AstraZeneca, and manufactured by India’s Serum Institute.———THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:— Senate Democrats strike jobless aid deal, relief bill approval in sight— Speedy variants ...

Feb282021 by adminNo Comments

Watch: Contestants compete for coronavirus vaccine on ‘SNL’ game show

Entertainment

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- This weekend's edition of Saturday Night Live opened with a faux game show called So You Think You Can Get the Vaccine. The sketch mocked how difficult it has been to get vaccinated for the coronavirus in recent weeks. Advertisement Kate McKinnon played infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, the show's host, while the panel of judges consisted of California's Governor Gavin Newsom (Alex Moffat), New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo (Pete Davidson) and Michigan's Governor Gretchen Whitmer (Cecily Strong). "Getting the vaccination shouldn't be a competition, but Americans will only want to get it if it means someone else can't," McKinnon as Fauci said. Contestants included a woman with herpes (Heidi Gardner), a young woman pretending to be elderly (Ego Nwodim), a man who ...

Feb272021 by adminNo Comments

Coronavirus: Biden’s $1.9tn Covid relief bill passes House vote

World

Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden's $ 1.9tn (£1.4tn) relief plan to help Americans during the Covid pandemic has been approved in the House of Representatives.The vote was along partisan lines. Two Democrats joined Republicans - who see it as too expensive - in opposing it.The bill must now go to the evenly-divided Senate, which has already blocked a key element - doubling the US minimum wage to $ 15 an hour.The package seeks to boost vaccinations and testing, and stabilise the economy.Biden's Covid stimulus plan: It costs $ 1.9tn but what's in it?Can Biden succeed in economic rescue mission?How the pandemic has changed the world economyThe cash would be extended as emergency financial aid to households, small businesses and state governments. Unemployment is close to 10%, with some 10 milli...