The Evening Report - July 9
COVID risk travel changes in Denmark and across other European countries
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It is Friday and that means Danish Foreign Affairs is making changes to its COVID risk assessments of other countries.
More regions of Spain are going from near-normal ‘green’ to low-risk ‘yellow.’ They are Asturias, the Basque Country, Navarre, Aragon, Madrid, Castilla y León, Extremadura, the Balearic Islands (including Mallorca and Ibiza), and Murcia.
However, the Spanish region of Melilla has been downgraded to ‘green.’
The other change sees Slovakia go from near-normal ‘green’ to medium-risk orange.
In all cases, the changes become official as of 4pm Saturday afternoon (July 10).
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The Danish National Health Board says beginning next week the first vaccination invitations will begin to be sent out to adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. The health board says the invitations will go to each child’s parents, with the hope parents will work with their children to make a vaccination decision.
Deputy Director Helene Probst says they are now stepping up an effort to ensure families are as well informed as they can be.
“We are aware that there can be many questions when you as a parent have to deal with vaccination of your child. That is why we are now launching an increased information effort, where we will try to equip the parents to make an informed choice.”
Probst says since May, when the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in Europe on adolescents as young as 12, the agency has made its own professional assessment.
“We recommend that children aged 12-15 be vaccinated against COVID. We now have a more contagious virus variant and we therefore need the extra immunity in the population, not least when we go into the autumn in a few months. By also vaccinating the children, we can maintain control of the epidemic and protect those who are at particular risk.”
Sundhedsstyrelsen have put answers to commonly asked questions in a booklet available to parents. It has also created an information resource on its website, including short films on vaccinating children and how vaccine’s work.
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As extra Pfizer doses flood in and Region Syddanmark cranks up overall vaccinations, it is making changes to how its residual vaccine list operates. As of Saturday, June 10, residual vaccine lists will no longer be offered at its smaller vaccination sites on Fyn and Langeland. For the rest of the region, the residual vaccine lists will operate as normal.
Executive Vice President Kurt Espersen:
“The region's hospitals are responsible for organizing the residual vaccine lists in their local areas. The region has decided that the individual hospital units must decide for themselves whether they will continue with the residual vaccine lists. This puts extra pressure on employees on top of the many extra doses that will be administered over the coming weeks. Odense University Hospital has wanted to close down the possibility of residual vaccines at the smaller vaccination sites on Fyn and Langeland.”
As of tomorrow people in Fyn or on Langeland can still sign up for a chance at residual doses at the vaccination centers on Athenevænget in Odense, Ryttervej in Svendborg, and on Ærø in Rise Minihal.
The region says as of Saturday even people who have booked a vaccination appointment can still sign up for a shot at any leftover vaccine doses at days end.
In the last week, the health region has sent out 120,000 vaccination invitations, covering all adults 16 years old and older across Southern Denmark.
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Denmark is reporting 551 COVID infections and, for a 3rd day in a row, no new coronavirus deaths.
Yesterday, there were 263,859 total corona tests done, 100,730 PCR and 163,129 rapid, for a (PCR only) positivity percentage of 0.74%.
COVID hospitalizations (35) continue to drop (-3) while the number of people in an ICU (9) inched up (+1) and of those the number on a ventilator (7) is unchanged.
On the vaccination front to date, 3,585,357 1st-dose vaccinations (61.3% of the population) have been administered while 2,272,761 people (38.8%) are now fully vaccinated.
Yesterday, there were 83,943 total vaccinations done. That is the 3rd consecutive day with daily vaccination numbers exceeding 80,000.
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The Danish health ministry says rapid tests conducted by both Falck and Copenhagen Medical can now be seen in the coronapas app, including the international EU COVID digital certificate. Previously, quick tests from both providers didn’t translate to the digital vaccine passport, providing headaches for some travelers. That said, the ministry emphasizes it is best to take a PCR corona test before traveling, as a lot of countries do not recognize rapid test results.
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As of today, Denmark’s coronapas app will be updated to reflect that people who have had and recovered from COVID are considered to have immunity for 12 months. The timeline was thought to be five months, but was recently extended to eight and as of today now to 12.
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Sweden has added 232 infections and one more corona death since yesterday’s update. The Swedish Public Health Agency is STILL warning of a reporting lag.
To date, 5,523,876 1st-dose (67.4% of the population) and 3,562,731 2nd vaccine doses (43.5%) have been administered.
The Swedish Intensive Care Registry says there are 27 people in an ICU in Sweden a decline (-2) from yesterday.
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SVT is reporting that COVID infections have increased in Region Stockholm. The news agency says from week 25 to week 26 infections increased by 18%. This is leading to concern about a possible Delta variant-fueled fourth infection wave.
Chief Physician Elda Sparrelid:
“We assume that the Delta variant will soon be the dominant variant. How many become infected, however, depends on how well people follow the recommendations. Then it is important that we have time to vaccinate as many as possible with both one and two doses to avoid that the person who becomes infected becoming seriously ill.”
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Region Stockholm has now opened up vaccinations to everyone 18 years old and older. As of today, all adults in Sweden’s capital region can book a vaccination appointment.
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Norway has added 311 infections and has again had no new coronavirus deaths.
COVID hospitalizations (27) are up (+2) ICU numbers (9) are unchanged and ventilator numbers (6) are up (+2).
To date, 56.15% of Norwegians have had one vaccine dose and 29.50% have had both.
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Despite the growing presence of the Delta variant, the COVID situation in Norway is “stable” according to the latest weekly assessment from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. There were 1,301 new infections in week 26 and the agency says that is a 2% increase from the previous week. Over the last four weeks, the positivity percentage has stayed in the 0.9% to 1% range.
The NIPH says the regions of Rogaland and Agder had the most infections per 100,000 residents and there was also a pretty major outbreak in Viken, causing cases the increase by 80%. Everywhere else in the country, infections are either treading water or have declined. It adds “most outbreaks in recent weeks have quickly been brought under control.”
The national health agency says new hospital admissions, including those admitted to an ICU, is “still low and declining.” There were fewer than five new hospitalizations across all Norwegian counties. In week 26, there have been no new ICU admissions. The NIPH attributes low hospitalization numbers to high rates of vaccine uptake.
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Finland has registered 302 new infections since yesterday’s update. Hospitalizations and fatalities are updated on Wednesdays.
To date, 3,440,351 1st-dose (61.6% of the population) and 1,275,328 2nd vaccine doses (22.9%) have been administered.
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Yesterday, Southern Finland, Helsinki and Uusimaa upgraded there infection alert status in the country is three-phase COVID risk system as infections rose. Today, Southwest Finland, Päijät-Häme, and Kymenlaakso joined them in upgrading to the pandemic acceleration phase.
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A Finnish company has received some major funding to further develop a nasal spray COVID vaccine. YLE is reporting that Ferring Ventures SA, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, and the Finnish Cultural Foundation have pledged €3.5 million to Rokote Laboratories Finland. Business Finland has also chipped in a €5.5 million loan for development and clinical trials.
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The European Medicines Agency has determined that rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis (inflammation of two parts of the heart) are linked to Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccinations. The EMA is recommending that myocarditis and pericarditis now be added to each vaccine’s product information as a possible side effect.
The EMA reviewed 164 cases of myocarditis and 147 instances of pericarditis in reaching its conclusion. Five cases resulted in death. There have been around 192 million total inoculations of the two mRNA vaccines across Europe to date.
The agency says cases of the rare side effects primarily occurred within 14 days after vaccination. It happened more often after the second dose and mostly among young adult men. Symptoms can vary but include breathlessness, a forceful heartbeat that may be irregular, and chest pain. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after an mRNA vaccination should seek medical help immediately.
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Europe’s Medicines Agency is also advising anyone who have had capillary leak syndrome to NOT be vaccinated using the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine. It is also recommending adding capillary leak syndrome to the vaccine’s product information as a side effect. The EMA committee reviewed three cases of the side effect, all occurring within 48 hours after being vaccinated with J&J. One of the three had previously had a history of capillary leak syndrome and two of them died.
According to the EMA “capillary leak syndrome is a very rare, serious condition that causes fluid leakage from small blood vessels (capillaries), resulting in swelling mainly in the arms and legs, low blood pressure, thickening of the blood and low blood levels of albumin (an important blood protein).”
The agency warns that if people being vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine experience rapid swelling of their arms and legs, sudden weight gain, and/or feel faint, they should seek medical help immediately.
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The European Union Commission said today that Switzerland has officially joined the EU COVID digital certificate gateway. That means anyone having an EU COVID certificate can use it to travel into Switzerland and the Swiss digital vaccine passport system can now be used by anyone living there to travel throughout Europe.
Below is the current status of countries across Europe that recognize the EU COVID digital certificate.
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Germany has designated Spain a COVID-high-risk area due to climbing Delta infections. As of July 11 travelers arriving in Germany from Spain must have either a negative test, proof of vaccination, or previous infection.
As of Sunday, Cyprus will also be classified as a COVID-high-incidence area by Germany. Travelers from Cyprus will have to quarantine from between five to ten days when flying into Germany.
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France is warning its citizens to avoid travel to Spain or Portugal as the Delta variant sends infection numbers upward. Europe Minister Clement Beaune didn’t mince words in speaking to France 2 TV yesterday.
"For those who have not yet booked their holidays, avoid Spain and Portugal as a destination. It's better to remain in France or go to other countries."
France allows travel across the EU for fully vaccinated citizens. For all others, they must present a negative COVID test when they return.
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Reuters is reporting that, as of Wednesday this coming week, Malta is closing the door to all but fully vaccinated travelers.
Malta Health Minister Chris Fearne:
"We will be the first EU country to do this, but we need to protect our society.”
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The Delta variant continues to push infections up in the UK as it reported 35,707 new infections and another 29 deaths today.
In its latest weekly variant overview, Public Health England says the Delta variant now makes up 99% of all sequenced positive test results. The total number of Delta infections has increased by 54,268 cases in just one week, a 32% increase. The health agency says that secondary attack rates for the Delta variant are falling but remain higher than the Alpha strain.
The good news so far is that the data is not yet showing that the Delta variant comes with an increased risk of hospitalization or death. The case fatality rate in this latest snapshot declined a little. That said, this is not a lock and could still change as more information is known.
Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency Dr Jenny Harries:
“The data continues to show that the sharp increase in cases that we are seeing is not being followed by a similar increase in hospitalisation and death. This is because 2 doses of the available vaccines offer a high level of protection against the Delta variant. Getting both jabs is the best way to ensure you and the people you love remain safe.”
The health agency is also noting an increase of infections among national healthcare workers, including a “small but increasing number of possible reinfections.” This group is largely vaccinated and also included a good number of people who have had COVID. PHE Epidemiologist Meagan Kall noted “This could represent waning immunity (healthcare workers were among first vaccinated in Jan/Feb) or vaccine/immune escapee of Delta. Most likely a combination of both.”
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A new study today from Public Health England has made some reassuring findings about vaccine efficacy among at-risk groups.
People considered to be at a higher risk of COVID include those with diabetes, severe asthma, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, neurological disease, and diseases or therapies that weaken the immune system, such as blood cancer, HIV, or chemotherapy
The study, which included more than one-million people considered at-risk, found vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID infections was approximately 60% after one dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer. After two doses, among those in the risk groups 65 years old and older, efficacy increased to 80% for AstraZeneca and 89% for Pfizer.
Two doses was also also found to offer high-level protection (74%) for people who are immunosuppressed. That is a major increase from 4% after one dose.
PHE Head of Immunization Dr Mary Ramsay:
“This real-world data shows for the first time that most people who are clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 still receive high levels of protection after two doses of vaccine. It is vital that anyone with an underlying condition gets both doses, especially people with weakened immune systems as they gain so much more benefit from the second dose.”
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Bad news for fully vaccinated British citizens and permanent residents who have been living, and who got both their COVID vaccine doses abroad. The UK government has decided that it will only recognize someone as being fully vaccinated if they received both shots within the NHS vaccination program. So British citizens who live in, say Europe and who have been vaccinated in the EU country they live in do not count as fully vaccinated and cannot skip quarantine when returning to Great Britain.
WHO
The World Health Organization has recommended using interleukin-6 receptor blockers, a type of monoclonal antibody, to treat patients battling severe cases of COVID. The WHO says the treatment, along with corticosteroids, is recommended for severe or critical coronavirus cases. The global health agency says it did a comprehensive analysis of 27 randomized trials with some 11,000 patients. The study found that when hospitalized COVID patients were treated with IL-6 receptor blockers, it reduced the chances of having to use a ventilator and along with it the risk of death.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus:
“The trial demonstrated that for the critically ill, the use of IL-6 receptor blockers led to approximately 28 fewer deaths for every 1,000 patients. The medicines also meant the chance of severe and critically ill patients being put on a ventilator was reduced by 28%, compared with standard care"
He adds that the breakthrough will only have an impact if manufacturing can be scaled up dramatically and distribution can be done equitably.
“At present, IL-6 receptor blockers remain inaccessible and unaffordable for the majority of the world but it’s within the power of governments and manufacturers to change that.”
On the pandemic overall Dr. Tedros says the world is at a perilous point as global COVID deaths surge past four-million lives lost, “which likely underestimates the overall toll.”
"However, compounded by fast moving variants and shocking inequity in vaccination, far too many countries in every region of the world are seeing sharp spikes in cases and hospitalization. This is leading to an acute shortage of oxygen, treatments, and driving a wave of death in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Vaccine nationalism, where a handful of nations have taken the lion’s share, is morally indefensible and an ineffective public health strategy against a respiratory virus that is mutating quickly and becoming increasingly effective at moving from human-to-human"
He says variants are winning the race against vaccines because of global distribution and manufacturing inequity.
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Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s COVID technical lead, is speaking bluntly, saying the pandemic is not over and, in fact, the world is not in a good place.
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Canada reported 569 infections yesterday while suffering the loss of another 18 lives.
The Canadian vaccination campaign has so far administered 26,128,596 1st vaccine doses (68.63% of the total population) while 15,578,839 people (40.93%) are now fully vaccinated.
In Ontario today there were 183 infections and nine more deaths. Ontario also reported its first confirmed case of the Lambda variant. The province will enter phase three reopening next Friday, five days earlier than planned.
Quebec reported 77 infections and one more death today as the province rolled out its vaccine passport system.
In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador had two infections. Nova Scotia has one. New Brunswick has no new infections.
Manitoba saw 86 infections and another three deaths.
There were 113 infections in Saskatchewan yesterday and no new deaths.
Alberta recorded 23 infections and no loss of life yesterday.
B.C. logged 59 infections and one more death yesterday.
