Portugal, Hungary, French Polynesia and Reunion on England’s quarantine list; fifth day in a row UK records over 2,000 infections; France reports 8,500 new cases
- Central Europe faces worse second wave after avoiding worst of first
- UK looks to Belgium for Covid inspiration despite infections rise
- Trump admits playing down virus as total deaths exceed 900,000
- AstraZeneca chief claims vaccine still possible this year
Six months on since declaring a pandemic, the World Health Organisation’s director general has said what worries him most is the lack of solidarity and leadership among world powers.
Though the UN health agency declared a public health emergency of international concern – its highest level of alarm – on 30 January, Tedros first described the outbreak as a pandemic on 11 March.
What worries me most is… a lack of solidarity.
Because when solidarity lacks, and when we’re divided, that’s a very good opportunity for the virus – and that’s why it’s still spreading.
Mexico has signed an agreement to buy 32m doses of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, with the intention of beginning distribution in November, according to reports.
The vaccine, the first to be approved anywhere in the world, has been in use in Russia since August. It was greeted with scepticism by some observers, who pointed out that it was approved despite not having completed phase 3 safety trials.
We have agreed to deliver the large batch of Sputnik V vaccine to Mexico, which will help 25% of the Mexican population to receive access to the safe and effective vaccine.
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