What you need to know about the coronavirus on Wednesday, January 29

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The German watchdog is not concerned that the vaccine poses a threat to the elderly. He simply argued that the number of older people participating in clinical trials was not high enough to draw conclusions about efficacy and safety in older people.

In response to the announcement, AstraZeneca, which developed the vaccine with the University of Oxford, said the latest analyzes of clinical trial data “support efficacy in the over 65 age group. “.

Germany’s announcement raised eyebrows as the UK, whose regulator approved the AstraZeneca vaccine almost a month ago, has inoculated the vaccine into people over 65. UK Medicines Regulator Managing Director Dr June Raine said data so far shows “a strong immune response in those over 65”.

The news also came at a sensitive time. The European Union, of which Germany is an influential member, and AstraZeneca have been locked in a dispute over delays in delivering the vaccine to the block. The dispute quickly escalated, and as a result, the European Commission is expected to announce stricter regulations on vaccine exports, forcing companies wishing to export coronavirus vaccines from the bloc to notify national governments and wait for clearance. .
There is good news amid the disputes over supplies: Another new vaccine could be on the horizon. Biotech company Novavax announced yesterday that the Phase 3 trial has shown its Covid-19 vaccine to be 89.3% effective. The shot was found to be 95.6% effective against the original novel coronavirus and 85.6% against the variant first identified in the UK, known as B.1.1.7. The company also announced that a phase 2b study conducted in South Africa, where another variant was first identified, showed 60% efficacy for HIV-negative participants.

YOU ASKED. WE HAVE ANSWER.

Q: Can dogs detect the coronavirus?

A: The Miami Heat is rolling out “coronavirus detection dogs” to screen people as they arrive at the reopened AmericanAirlines Arena – although science is not yet sure whether animals can, in fact, detect Covid.

Canine experts point out that while research on coronavirus detecting dogs looks promising, it is not yet definitive. Studies exploring the reliability of dogs in detecting active coronavirus infection continue – and many questions remain to be answered. Learn more about the research here.
Send your questions here. Are you a health worker fighting Covid-19? Message us on WhatsApp about the challenges you are facing: +1 347-322-0415.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TODAY

New variants of the coronavirus continue to appear. This is what we know about them

A variant suspected of helping fuel a coronavirus outbreak in Brazil’s Amazon region is appearing in Minnesota. Another that has worried officials in South Africa is appearing at two locations in South Carolina.

Scientists aren’t surprised to see the coronavirus change and evolve – that’s what viruses do, after all. And with such an uncontrolled spread in the United States and other parts of the world, the virus has many opportunities to do so. Four of the new variants are particularly concerning, writes Maggie Fox.

About one in eight – and possibly up to a third – of the U.S. population may currently have some protection from Covid-19

Between vaccine coverage and natural immunity in those who have recovered from infection, about 12% – and perhaps up to a third – of the U.S. population may have some degree of protection against Covid-19, according to a CNN analysis.

About 6% of the US population has been inoculated and an additional 8% have been officially reported to have had the disease, meaning they likely have some protection against Covid-19. However, the CDC estimates that only a fraction of the total cases of Covid-19 in the United States have actually been reported. The latest estimates show that the total number of cases may have exceeded 83 million through December.

Violence and insults by some ultra-Orthodox Israelis in battle for coronavirus lockdowns

Clashes between ultra-Orthodox Jews and authorities over the refusal of some to observe strict lockdown rules have become an almost daily routine in Israel.

Gathering frequently in large numbers is a central part of the cultural life of communities. The consequences are deadly: The rate of Covid-related deaths among those over 65 among ultra-Orthodox has been estimated to be around 3.6% higher than the Israeli standard, according to the health ministry.

ON OUR RADAR

  • A trio of Democratic lawmakers are calling for a racial break in Covid-19 vaccinations to ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind.
  • Health workers, stuck in the snow in Oregon, administered vaccines to stranded drivers.
  • Singers from the English National Opera are helping “long Covid” patients breathe.
  • A team of World Health Organization investigators examining the origins of the coronavirus pandemic began meeting with Chinese scientists today.
  • Thailand has arrested 89 foreign tourists for breaking Covid-19 rules.
  • Mask-less crowds pack the Australian Open tennis exhibit in Adelaide without Covid.

TOP TIP

Layering your face is – but not like a fashion statement. It can just save a life. Public health officials suggest double masking as a way to increase the level of protection against the coronavirus and its multiple, more contagious variants.
A man wears a double mask during his visit to Times Square in New York City on December 10, 2020.

PODCAST OF THE DAY

“We know some things about the coronavirus, like we know how it gets into the body, how it can attack the lungs … this idea that at the time there was this invisible thing that swept through cities and killed all these people … is terrifying to think of. “– Wendy Zukerman, science journalist

Adventurous Swedish doctor tackles decades-long medical mystery: What is the 1918 flu? This week we are sharing an episode of Science Vs, a podcast from Gimlet, a Spotify studio. Listen now.

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