Covid-19 Pandemic: Updates and live news for February 25, 2021

Photographer: Nathalia Angarita / Bloomberg

Image by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE was effectively overwhelming against the virus in a study, confirming previous reports and leading experts to say that immunizations can end the pandemic.

Hungary has reported the largest increase in cases in the last two months, making it one of the outliers, as infections slow down in many parts of the globe. Finland, seeing a resurgence, is preparing to tighten its containment measures. Meanwhile, in Asia, vaccination programs are taking place this week from Hong Kong to South Korea.

A new variant of coronavirus, which contains a mutation that could help pass the immune system, is spreading in New York, according to a reports in the New York Times, citing two studies that have not yet been evaluated by colleagues or published in a scientific journal.

Key developments:

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Hungary keeps blocking as cases skip (16:50 HK)

Hungary has the highest daily number of new cases in more than two months, prompting Prime Minister Viktor Orban to say there is no room for improving viral borders.

Authorities reported 4,385 new cases on Thursday, the highest daily total since Dec. 18, in what officials described as the rising tide. The country is stepping up vaccinations with the use of the Sinopharm vaccine starting this week, but the growing number of cases means the government will not yet be able to ease the curbs, such as a takeover, Orban said in a video on Facebook on Wednesday.

Finland plans to block (16:27 HK)

The Finnish government is preparing to invoke emergency powers, including the March 8-28 blockade, as infection rates rise, it said on Thursday. Planned measures include closing restaurants and bars, except for dining cases, and moving students to high school and up to distance learning. The government is also considering whether municipal elections can take place in April, as planned.

Italy Eyes Astra Doses, San Marino implements Sputnik (15:15 HK)

Italy will receive 25 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine by the end of June, Lorenzo Wittum, head of the country’s company, said in an interview with Corriere della Sera. He also confirmed the delivery of 180 million doses to Europe in the second quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, the Republic of San Marino, an independent microstat closed by Italy, will begin a vaccination campaign with 7,500 doses of vaccine on Thursday. Sputnik V.

Bulgaria intends to reduce restrictions despite increasing cases (14:35 HK)

Coronavirus deaths in Bulgaria have exceeded 10,000, as the EU’s least vaccinated country prepares to ease restrictions. The government has said it will allow bars and restaurants to reopen on March 1, despite a growing number of new virus cases.

Jump Houses in Germany (14:31 HK)

Germany registered 10,774 new cases in 24 hours through Thursday morning, the largest one-day addition since Feb. 6, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that Europe’s largest economy is in the midst of a third wave of infections and should carefully reopen schools and businesses, discussing talks to weaken deadlines.

The incidence rate of the seven days in Germany increased to 61.7, while the pace of vaccinations remains slow. Merkel has set a minimum rate of 50 to lift certain restrictions, and additional curbs can be eased when the level falls below 35.

Infections in India (2:03 pm HK)

India reported 16,738 new cases on Thursday – the biggest one-day addition this month – pushing the total to over 11 million and raising fears of another wave in the Asian nation. Deaths have also risen, bringing the total death toll to more than 156,700, according to the Indian government. The country, with the second largest outbreak in the world, is experiencing an outbreak of infections in states, including Maharashtra, home to India’s financial center Mumbai.

Pakistan to open cinemas (1:20 pm HK)

The South Asian nation has relaxed restrictions by opening cinemas and allowing weddings and meals in restaurants starting March 15. It has also increased capacity to 50% for ongoing cricket matches and maximum capacity for the last few playoff matches. The nation’s virus cases have gradually declined after a peak in December.

Covax Shots for Malaysia (12:55 pm HK)

Malaysia said it expects to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine from Covax facility in stages starting with March, after the approval of the National Agency for Pharmaceutical Regulation. Malaysia provided enough fire to inoculate 10% of the population, with another 10% insured directly with the producer. The country began its vaccination program on Wednesday, two days ahead of schedule, with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin the first to receive the shot.

Private vaccinations in Indonesia (12:01 pm HK)

Approximately 7.5 million doses of vaccines will be needed to support Indonesia’s private vaccination program, which has so far attracted 6,644 companies, according to the government. More generally, the country hopes to vaccinate 70 million people by August, while trying to reach the herd’s immunity against Covid-19. Indonesia’s ultimate goal is to inoculate more than 180 million people in the world’s largest archipelago.

106 million doses for Mexico (10:32 AM HK)

Mexico expects to receive 106 million doses by the end of May, according to the Ministry of Health. More than 41 million of them come from AstraZeneca and 24 million are from Sputnik V. Separately, Mexico recorded a daily increase of 1,006 Covid-19 deaths, bringing the total to 182,815, the ministry said.

Japan maps vaccinations (9:22 am HK)

Japan has said it will start vaccinating people aged 65 and over with the Pfizer / BioNTech shot from April 12, after the nation began inoculation last week. He aims to vaccinate and observe about 40,000 health workers before expanding coverage. About 17,900 people had received the first dose of the vaccine since Thursday.

New Strain in New York (8:40 am HK)

A new variant of the virus, which contains a mutation that could help pass the immune system, is spreading in New York, according to a report in the New York Times. Variant B.1.526 was first found in samples collected in November, according to the report, which cites researchers at Caltech and Columbia University.

No studies have been verified by peer review or published in a scientific journal.

Digital Vaccination Certificates (7:55 am HK)

Everyone in Singapore, which has been inoculated, will receive a physical vaccination card, mentioning personal data, vaccine brand and vaccination date, the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.

Separated, Malaysia Airlines Bhd. He said he will introduce a Digital Travel Health Pass that will be integrated with the airline’s mobile app. Passengers will be able to make appointments with medical partners for a Covid-19 RT-PCR test or may include vaccination certificates on their phones.

Philippines Crunch Supply Vaccine (7:48 am HK)

Philippines offers to pay more to receive older deliveries of the coronavirus vaccine, hoping to avoid a supply crisis this quarter, as most of its orders this year will only come in the second half.

Only 5.1 million of the 161 million doses expected for this year will reach the country this quarter, vaccine tsar Carlito Galvez said at a televised meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte. The first deliveries will be Sinovac Biotech Ltd. vaccines donated by China, as well as those from the Covax Facility, which supplies poor countries. These will be followed by 24.1 million photos in the second quarter.

Pfizer-BioNTech Shot ‘offers us The hope‘(17:10 NY)

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE’s Covid-19 vaccine were overwhelmingly effective against the virus in a study that followed nearly 1.2 million people in Israel, with results that public health experts said immunizations could end the pandemic.

Two doses of the vaccine prevented 94% of Covid-19 cases in 596,618 people vaccinated between December 20 and February 1, about a quarter of whom were over 60, according to a study.