Coronavirus Breaking News

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Oct 29, 2020 • 6:13 am CDT

Japan Orders 50 Million Coronavirus Vaccine Doses

Massachusetts based Moderna, Inc. announced that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. have agreed to purchase and distribute 50 million doses of mRNA-1273, Moderna’s vaccine candidate against COVID-19, to support Japan’s aim of providing vaccines to the Japanese public as soon as possible.

Takeda, with the support of the MHLW, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, and Moderna, is responsible for all import, local regulatory, development, and distribution activities in Japan to ensure timely access starting during the first half of 2021.

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Oct 29, 2020 • 5:41 am CDT

Does Taiwan Hold COVID-19 Prevention Secrets?

Taiwan has achieved a new record during the COBID-19 pandemic, 200 consecutive days without a locally transmitted case of the SARS-CoV-2, reported Bloomberg on October 29, 2020. And there have been only (7) COVID-19 related fatalities reported during 2020.

This means Taiwan's population of about 28 million has far avoided the 2nd wave of coronavirus cases.

Furthermore, unlike most countries, the U.S. CDC has not issued a COVID-19 related Travel Alert for Taiwan.

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Oct 28, 2020 • 4:47 pm CDT

France Locks-Down a 2nd Time

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a 2nd nationwide lockdown to reduce the surge in COVID-19 patients in French hospitals. The French president said on October 28, 2020, this nationwide lockdown would be enforced initially until December 1, 2020, though schools will remain open.

French cafes, restaurants, and shops will close unless they are deemed to be selling essential goods, such as supermarkets and pharmacies.

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Oct 28, 2020 • 4:23 pm CDT

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Deadline Delayed

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent a letter to governors delays the deadline for states to be ready to receive and distribute coronavirus vaccines until after the presidential election, reported McClatchy. This CDC letter, obtained by McClatchy, sets a new date of November 15th.

Previously, CDC Director Robert Redfield informed US states to be ready to distribute COVID-19 vaccines 2-days before Election Day, which is November 3, 2020.

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Oct 28, 2020 • 2:38 pm CDT

El Paso's Coronavirus Hot-Spot Identified

The city of El Paso Texas's COVID-19 dashboard highlights (4) Zip Codes in the southeast section where the vast majority of the new SARS-CoV-2 cases and related fatalities are being reported: 79907, 79915, 79927, and 79936. The age demographic of this COVID-19 outbreak is focused on those between the ages of 20 and 29, as of October 28, 2020.

Previously, Texas Governor Abbott requested authorization the use of the William Beaumont Army Medical Center on Fort Bliss to house non-COVID patients to free up beds in El Paso-area hospitals for COVID patients. The Governor also detailed the additional steps the State of Texas is taking to contain the spread and expand hospital capacity in the region.

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Oct 28, 2020 • 10:41 am CDT

Cognitive Functions Impacted by Severe COVID-19 Infections

Several COVID-19 case studies have revealed neurological problems in severely affected COVID-19 patients. To better understand this issue, researchers from the Imperial College of London analyzed cognitive test data from 84,285 Great British Intelligence Test participants.

Published on October 21, 2020, this non-peer-reviewed study found people who had recovered, including those no longer reporting symptoms, exhibited significant cognitive deficits, which were of substantial effect size for people who had been hospitalized, but also for mild but biologically confirmed cases who reported no breathing difficulty.

This scale of the 'long COVID-19' observed deficits was substantial; the 0.57 global composite score reduction for the hospitalized with ventilator sub-group was equivalent to the average 10-year decline in global performance between the ages of 20 to 70 within this dataset.

These researchers concluded by saying 'further work is required to interrelate the deficits to underlying neurological changes and to disambiguate the associated pathological processes and cross-compare to other respiratory viruses.'

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Oct 28, 2020 • 10:23 am CDT

Novartis Announces COVID-19 Therapeutic Candidates

Novartis and Molecular Partners AG announced a collaboration to develop, manufacture, and commercialize Molecular Partners’ anti-COVID-19 DARPin® program, consisting of two therapeutic candidates, MP0420 and MP0423.

MP0420 and MP0423 are potential medicines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, with the possibility of being manufactured at scale and the potential to bypass cold storage.

“Novartis remains unwavering in its support for tackling COVID-19 and it is clear that this pandemic calls for not just scientific solutions, but also for collaboration between companies to provide treatments in an area of high unmet need. This Swiss led partnership, which could deliver both prophylactic and treatment options at scale for COVID-19 patients across the globe, is another demonstration of our sustained commitment to addressing one of the greatest health challenges of our time,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, in a press release issued on October 28, 2020.

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Oct 28, 2020 • 7:25 am CDT

US Pays $375 Million for Coronavirus Neutralizing Antibody Treatment

Indiana-based Eli Lilly and Co. announced an initial agreement with the U.S. government to supply 300,000 vials of bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) 700 mg, an investigational neutralizing antibody, for $375 million. The initial agreement is for delivery over the 2-months following authorization and also provides the option to purchase up to an additional 650,000 vials through June 30, 2021.

Lilly stated in a press release on October 28, 2020, that it anticipates manufacturing up to 1 million doses of bamlanivimab 700 mg by the end of 2020, for use around the world.

David A. Ricks, Lilly's chairman, and CEO added: "We are partnering with governments and philanthropic organizations around the world to ensure a fair and transparent allocation of the limited supply of our antibody therapies to those who need it most, based on a global methodology using data from trusted research centers."

Bamlanivimab is a potent, neutralizing IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. It is designed to block viral attachment and entry into human cells, thus neutralizing the virus, potentially preventing and treating COVID-19.

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Oct 28, 2020 • 5:37 am CDT

Western States Launch Independent COVID-19 Vaccine Review Pact

The US states of Washington, Oregon, and Nevada announced they have joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which will independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the U.S. FDA for distribution. The Governors of these states said they will identify public health experts to join California’s workgroup to guide the review of any vaccine that receives federal approval and verify its safety before California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada will make COVID-19 vaccines available to the public.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee stated: “The Western States Pact will continue working together to ensure the best health outcomes for everyone in our states.”

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Oct 27, 2020 • 3:13 pm CDT

UK Begins COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate's Rolling-Review

Moderna, Inc. announced that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom (UK) has started the rolling review process of mRNA-1273, the Company’s vaccine candidate against COVID-19.

This rolling review process allows the MHRA to begin its independent assessment on mRNA-1273 using the information submitted by Moderna and accept new evidence as it becomes available until the application is deemed complete.

Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, stated in a press release issued on October 27, 2020: “This is a great example of what’s being done to support efforts to deliver a safe and effective vaccine to UK citizens as safely and efficiently as possible.”

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Oct 27, 2020 • 2:45 pm CDT

Africa's New Rapid Antigen Tests Change the Coronavirus Challenge

The new World Health Organization (WHO) approved antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests for the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in Africa will significantly boost testing capacity and marks a game-changer in the continent’s fight against COVID-19. For example, Senegal has significantly boosted its testing capacity.

Currently, the tests which WHO has approved for emergency use are the “standard Q COVID-19 Antigen Test by SD Biosensor Inc” and the “Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device” manufactured by Abbott. They test for proteins produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Bodily fluids are taken from a nasal swab and applied with liquid to a paper strip, where a dye gives the result.

“The widespread use of high-quality rapid testing in Africa can revolutionize the continent’s response to COVID-19,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, in a press statement issued on October 22, 2020. “The new, antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests will help meet the huge testing needs in Africa.”

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Oct 27, 2020 • 10:42 am CDT

Robot's Ultraviolet C Light Neutralizes COVID-19

The Bremerton, Washington-based military treatment facility recently acquired an ultraviolet light-emitting robot, specifically designed to eradicate infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and is finalizing the last stages of staff training before implementation. The robot is essentially a germ killer. It's designed for use in all areas of the hospital including operating rooms and procedure areas, stated a US Department of Defense press statement issued on October 26, 2020.

The robot is outfitted with a patented xenon light that artificially produces the ultraviolet C light which can neutralize any pathogens such as COVID-19 in approximately 2-minutes on any surface.

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Oct 27, 2020 • 10:32 am CDT

US Military Continues Defeating COVID-19

The US Department of Defense (DoD) reported there have been (8) active duty personnel fatalities related to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020. Additionally, there have been 54,681 SARS-CoV-2 infections reported as of October 26, 2020.

And, DoD travel restrictions have been lifted at 148 of 231 installations (64%). Of the 148 installations with lifted travel restrictions, 4 reinstated travel restrictions, while 10 lifted restrictions during the week of October 19, 2020.

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Oct 27, 2020 • 9:55 am CDT

Russia Submits COVID-19 Vaccine to WHO For Prequalification

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) announced it has submitted applications to the World Health Organization (WHO) for an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) and prequalification of the Sputnik V vaccine on October 27, 2020.

In a pandemic, accelerated registration of the vaccine under the EUL will make the Russian vaccine available to the whole world in a shorter time compared to conventional procedures and support global efforts to prevent coronavirus infection.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the RDIF said in a press statement: “The Russian Federation was the first in the world to register the Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus, which was created on a safe, effective and well-studied platform of human adenoviral vectors."

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