Rich states’ Covid deals ‘may deprive poor of vaccine for years’

Wealthy countries already have agreements for 3.73bn doses, with another 5bn under negotiation, study finds. Governments in predominantly wealthy countries are negotiating to buy nearly 8.8bn doses of prospective Covid-19 vaccines in a “frenzy of deals” that could...

Coronavirus: WHO head calls herd immunity approach ‘immoral’

The head of the World Health Organization has ruled out a herd immunity response to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community becomes immune to disease through vaccinations or the mass spread of disease. Some have argued that coronavirus...

Coronavirus: South Africa’s COVID lockdown may have created ‘herd immunity’

 Strict controls to contain the virus may have actually accelerated its spread through heavily populated areas. Leading scientists in South Africa believe the country has established a form of collective or herd immunity to COVID-19 after the number of...

Coronavirus: Obesity ‘increases risks from Covid-19’

Being obese doubles the risk of hospital treatment from Covid-19 and increases the risk of dying by nearly 50%, a global analysis suggests. Obesity makes other diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure more likely, the US researchers say. Along with a weakened...

Two cases of COVID-19 reinfection reported in Europe

Two cases of coronavirus infection in patients that had previously had the virus have been reported in Europe. The news follows the first confirmation of a case of COVID-19 reinfection in a man in Hong Kong, who tested positive twice for the disease. According to the...

Macron: ‘Reasonable prospect’ of having coronavirus vaccine ready in ‘coming months’

 Macron: ‘Reasonable prospect’ of having coronavirus vaccine ready in ‘coming months’ French President Emmanuel Macron said a vaccine against coronavirus could soon be ready, as he spoke at a joint press conference with German...