Coronavirus digest: UK discovers 30 cases of blood clots after AstraZeneca jab | News | DW



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British regulators have identified 30 cases involving rare blood clot events after using the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. The new number is 25 more than reported in the past.

Some countries have restricted the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as authorities investigate reports of rare, and in some severe cases, blood clots in patients who have received the vaccine.

However, officials believe the vaccine’s benefits far outweigh any possible risk of blood clots.

Last month, the British drug regulator recorded five cases of rare cerebral blood clots among the 11 million doses administered. The number rose to 22 reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, an extremely rare brain clotting disease, as well as eight cases of blood clotting associated with low blood platelets.

Regulators said they had not received any such reports after using the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine.

Here’s a look at the latest coronavirus news from around the world.

Europe

the European Union has reached an agreement to distribute nearly 3 million doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine to members who “need it most” – Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia.

While Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic insisted on receiving their full vaccine quota as part of the bloc’s general distribution system, the largest group of 19 states – including Germany, France, Italy and Spain – decided to share 6.66 million vaccines.

Ireland added 26 countries and territories to its mandatory hotel quarantine list to control the spread of the virus. The advisory requires travelers to “book accommodation for mandatory hotel quarantine at least 48 hours prior to travel.”

The 26 countries, including Israel, Albania and Monaco, join the “Category 2” list, which now has 58 countries and territories. Maurice has been removed from this list.

“Any passenger who has stayed in one of these Category 2 countries during the previous 14 days, even if only transiting through one of these countries and even if he remains airside, is legally required to self-quarantine at a designated facility, “the travel advisory reads.

France imposed a ban on alcoholic beverages in French parks and other outdoor public spaces as part of the country’s limited national lockdown.

Prime Minister Jean Castex also told the National Assembly that under the new restrictions, authorities would disperse groups of more than six people on the riverbanks or in the squares, as many could be seen drinking and drinking. enjoy the spring sun in cities like Paris and Lyon.

The police dispersed some 2,000 people gathered for a fake concert nicknamed “La Boum” (the party) in the park of the “Bois de La Cambre” in Brussels in defiance of Belgium containment linked to the coronavirus.

Organizers promised a lineup from singer and producer Calvin Harris and a one-off reunion with French band Daft Punk, before announcing on social media that it was an April Fool’s joke.

Hundreds of police, many in riot gear and some on horseback, used water cannon trucks and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Africa

After months of resistance, Madagascar has joined the COVAX vaccine exchange program, the country’s health minister announced.

Madagascar’s vaccination campaign has yet to take off after President Andry Rajoelina relentlessly pushed a local herbal infusion as a “cure” for the coronavirus. Facing heavy criticism, he was forced to turn around and get the shot last week.

Americas

the United States may not need the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine even if it gets regulatory approval, according to Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious disease specialist.

“It’s still pending. My general feeling is that given the contractual relationships we have with a number of companies, we have enough vaccines to meet all of our needs without invoking AstraZeneca,” he said. he told Reuters.

Panama approved the use of the Russian vaccine against the Sputnik V coronavirus, according to the Russian sovereign wealth fund RDIF. It is the 59th country to do so.

Brazil has recorded 91,097 new confirmed cases and 3,769 deaths from the virus, as many parts of the country struggle to keep up with the surge in numbers.

Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, has stepped up efforts to clear old graves to make room for people who have succumbed to the virus.

The country has recorded nearly 13 million cases and 325,284 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

see / sri (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)



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