COVID-19 Outbreak: Weekly Global Report for Friday, October 1, 2021
AdvaMed recognizes that its members, particularly those with global government affairs responsibilities, are tracking COVID-19 related developments around the world to assess the public health and economic impacts on their businesses. Knowing that companies are consuming information from a variety of sources, AdvaMed's global team would like to provide members with a weekly snapshot of the key statistics, policy developments and advocacy initiatives underway in our priority markets. If you have any suggestions, we welcome your feedback.
Global (No updates this week)
China (No updates this week)
India
- Weekly COVID-19 statistics: 33,716,451 total cases, 277,020 active cases/448,062 deaths/ discharged 33,014,898 (John Hopkins & MoHFW) as compared to 33,531,498 total cases, 301,640 active cases/446,050 deaths/ discharged 32,815,731 (John Hopkins & MoHFW). 883,470,578 people have been vaccinated.
- Even as the number of COVID-19 cases is declining continuously, the nationwide vaccination drive against the disease is going on at a rapid pace in India. India reported 26,041 COVID cases on Monday, September 27 which was the third consecutive day when the country reported less than 30,000 cases. India reported 2 lakh COVID cases in the last 7 days which is the lowest in two quarters. For the fifth time, India on Monday administered one crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, informed Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
- A national network of scientists and people’s science movements has expressed concern over the World Health Organization not granting emergency use listing for ICMR-Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. It warned that India looked set to repeat the blunders it committed in the Covaxin approval process in the way it was approving Zydus Cadilla’s ZyCov-D three-dose vaccine for those 12 years and older.
- Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech on Tuesday, September 28 said that it is "diligently working with" the World Health Organization to obtain the emergency use listing (EUL) at the earliest for its Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin. The company didn't indicate how long the process could take, saying that it was not appropriate to speculate. "As a responsible manufacturer with past approvals for our other vaccines, we do not find it appropriate to speculate or comment on the regulatory approval process and its timelines," it said. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO's chief scientist, told ET on Tuesday that the "process is ongoing".
- The central government on Tuesday, September 28, extended the nationwide Covid-19 containment measures till October 31 in view of localised spreads of the virus in a few states and the disease continuing to be a public health challenge in the country. In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and union territories, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla also cautioned against the possibility of Covid-appropriate behaviour not being adhered to strictly during the upcoming festival which may lead to a surge in cases again.
- The government and Zydus Cadila are expected to decide on the price of ZyCoV-D, the world's first DNA vaccine against Covid-19, this week, people aware of the development said. "The final meeting to decide on the price of the vaccine is likely to happen this week," one of them told ET. "The company was asked to submit the details regarding the cost. The negotiations are on and a decision will be taken soon."
- India's drug regulator on Tuesday, September 28 allowed vaccine maker Serum Institute to enrol kids aged 7-11 years for its COVID-19 vaccine trial as the country prepares to protect children from the coronavirus. It has already administered more than 870 million doses to adults among its population of nearly 1.4 billion. "After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended for allowing enrolment of subjects of 7 to 11 years of age group as per the protocol," a subject expert panel of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization said.
- Covid-19 vaccine ZyCov-D will be sent for clinical trial to find out the efficacy of its two-dose regime. The vaccine’s three dose schedule was already approved in August but is yet to get rolled out. Now, the efficacy of the two dose regime will be studied in India on 3,000 volunteers, including 300 at Kolkata’s Peerless Hospital. “Our hospital ethics committee has already given the green light.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has evaluated a new and simplified RT-PCR testing method to detect SARS-Cov-2, which can potentially reduce testing time and cost. The new diagnostic method omits extraction of the virus’s genetic RNA before RT-PCR testing, simplifying sample purification and reducing test time, ICMR researchers said. Dr Samiran Panda, senior scientist and head of the ICMR’s epidemiology and communicable diseases division, told TOI that RNA extraction before RT-PCR testing was currently a major bottleneck, as it was time consuming, expensive and required trained human resources.
- The numbers of non-Covid patients and surgeries have crawled back to the pre-pandemic level across most private hospitals in Kolkata. Since August, they have seen a sharp surge in both while the number of Covid admissions remained low and stable — below 50 on an average. The reason is a rush to get deferred surgeries and treatment done ahead of the possible third wave.
- Dr NK Arora, the chairman of the Covid-19 working group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), on Saturday, September 21 ruled out any changes in the gap between two doses of Covishield citing scientific studies suggesting the vaccine’s higher efficacy when the interval between the shots was longer. “Any further changes would be based only on scientific evidence and not on random demands,” Arora told TOI stressing that the current interval had been working well.
- India will export eight million coronavirus vaccine jabs by the end of October after ending its ban on sending doses abroad, a top foreign ministry official said Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to resume exports at a meeting of leaders from the so-called Quad in Washington as India, Japan, Australia, and the US try to counter growing Chinese influence across the Asia-Pacific region.
- A recent editorial published in ‘Environmental Science and Pollution Research’ journal by Drs Vivek Malik, Meenu Singh and Ravindra Khaiwal from the ICMR Advanced Center For Evidence-Based Child Health, department of paediatrics and department of community medicine and school for public has highlighted that due to high demand of oxygen during the second Covid surge, there were chances of impurities in oxygen during refill. Increase in demand for medical oxygen resulted in impurity and contamination, leading to deaths.
- Staff Contact: Abby Pratt (apratt@advamed.org).
Japan
- Weekly COVID-19 statistics – 1,701,897 reported cases and 17,666 reported deaths compared to 1,688,630 reported cases and 17,400 reported deaths last week.
- Japan’s new case numbers are declining fairly rapidly. Serious cases have fallen by half over the last month, and hospitalizations have plummeted from a high of just over 230,000 in late August to around 31,000.
- The Japanese government lifted the COVID-19 state of emergency covering 19 prefectures including Tokyo at the end of September. The emergency mainly involved requests for restaurants and bars to reduce their hours and not serve alcohol. With the lifting, Japan will be free of emergency requirements for the first time in more than six months.
- After a comparatively slow start, Japan's vaccination program has picked up speed, with 59.4% of the population now fully vaccinated.
- Japan plans to start administering third doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the elderly early next year.
- Japan is easing its quarantine restrictions for travelers entering the country who been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna, or Astra Zeneca vaccines. They will no longer be required to self-isolate in designated facilities for 3 days before completing a 14-day quarantine. Instead, they will need to self-quarantine at home for 10 days and then pass a PCR test.
- Japan has agreed to buy 150 million doses of Novavax's coronavirus vaccine, with Japanese firm Takeda expecting to manufacture the formula for distribution early next year.
- Japan provided final approval to the Moderna vaccine and the Astra Zeneca vaccine on May 21. The Pfizer vaccine was approved in February. J&J submitted its application for approval of its vaccine on May 24. It is expected to be approved and available for use around the beginning of 2022.
- The central government asked companies to reduce the number of workers going to the office by 70% and facilitate telecommuting and staggered commuting hours.
- Prefectural governments are urging hospitals to open up more Covid-19- dedicated beds, which is putting further pressure on patients to avoid elective surgeries.
- The Japanese government continues to maintain its controls on foreign nationals entering the country. Reciprocal business travel arrangements that were forged with China, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam remain suspended. Tokyo’s restrictions on foreign entries except for returning nationals remain in place.
- Staff Contact: Phil Agress (PAgress@AdvaMed.org).
Korea
- South Korea has 2,564 new COVID cases, which is an increase from last week’s numbers. The country has not seen dramatic spikes recently, but the persistence of cases in the current ranges is a concern. The numbers remain overall low.
- Korea now has 311,2898 total cases, 34,603 active with 2,481 deaths. Total cases per million population have remained low compared to most of the world but Korea is now above the 6K threshold with 6,065 cases per million. (S. Korea ranks still as one of the lowest among the more highly populated countries). Deaths per million remain comparatively low as well at just 48.
- South Korea officials credit strict social distancing measures as the reason they are not seeing greater or more dramatic spikes.
- Some restrictions have been eased to give leeway to vaccinated people and allow more students to take in-person classes to mitigate the prolonged pandemic's impact on the local economy.
- Korea continues to improve its vaccination numbers. A total of 62,733,685 doses have been administered. 49.1% of the population is now fully vaccinated, and another 27% have received their first dose.
- Authorities have extended the current virus curbs ― Level 4 in the greater Seoul area, which is the highest in the four-tier system, and Level 3 in other regions ― through Oct. 3, limiting the size of private gatherings and restaurant business hours.
- As infections continue to soar among those unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, the South Korean government is reviewing a “vaccine pass” that benefits only vaccinated people in accessing multiuse facilities.
- Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol hinted Tuesday at the possibility of introducing a vaccine pass system in Korea. “We are considering ways to ease distancing rules for private gatherings and multiuse facilities centering on those who have been vaccinated,” Kwon said. A vaccine pass would allow those who have been fully vaccinated to visit multiuse facilities, entertainment facilities or movie theaters when they present their certification. In Germany, a vaccine pass is necessary to attend indoor events and visit hospitals. In France, the pass allows entry to theaters and stadiums.
- South Korea is halving the minimum amount of time until a second dose of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine to four weeks from eight weeks, in the hopes of accelerating the drive for full vaccination coverage.
- Foreigners arriving at South Korean airports face a mandatory 14-day quarantine procedure and must present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of their departure to the nation. However, some people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in countries other than Korea will be exempt from the 14-day self-quarantine requirement, meaning they can move around freely as soon as they enter the country. A similar exemption has been in place since May for those who were vaccinated in Korea.
- The new exemption applies only to people who were fully vaccinated at least two weeks before traveling to Korea. It also applies only to those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization. The list includes those from Pfizer, Janssen, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and Covishield. All international arrivals still have to show a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departing for Korea. Without one, you can still be refused entry.
- The exemption also only applies to those visiting Korea for business or academic purposes, for the public interest or to visit immediate family members. Otherwise, you still have to self-quarantine for two weeks upon entry. Immediate family members are defined as spouses, lineal ascendants or descendants, and lineal ascendants or descendants of spouses. You will have to fill out forms and prove your intent to visit them. The necessary forms are available online from Korean embassies and consulates abroad or other government agencies.
- Those coming from countries experiencing the spread of certain COVID-19 variants are also ineligible for this exemption.
- Resources: http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/.
- Staff Contact: Joseph Gatewood (jgatewood@advamed.org).
ASEAN
Cases
- ASEAN now has 12,078,952 reported cases compared to 11,697,460 reported cases last week. It has a total of 262,239 reported deaths compared to 256,502 reported deaths last week.
- The overall number of new COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia has declined for each of the past three weeks. The region added 381,000 new cases over the past week, down sharply from the high of 664,000 cases added the week ending July 28.
- Indonesia: Indonesia’s metrics continue to move in a positive direction. This past week, it reported its lowest number of new deaths since May. Indonesia is now reporting 4,213,414 total cases and 141,826 total deaths compared to 4,201,559 total cases and 141,114 total deaths the previous week. Indonesia accounts for 54% of total deaths in ASEAN since the start of the pandemic.
- Malaysia: The number of new cases is dropping in Malaysia. Companies with 40-59% fully vaccinated workers may now operate at 60% capacity, while companies with 60-79% fully vaccinated workers may operate at 80% capacity, and companies with 80-100% fully vaccinated workers may now operate at full capacity. Fully vaccinated individuals may now quarantine at home following overseas travel, visit long-distance spouses, travel within the country to meet children under 18 years old, and visit houses of worship. Reported cases have grown from 2,142,924 to 2,232,960 over the past week. Total deaths have grown from 24,565 to 26,143 over that time.
- Thailand: The number of new cases is trending downward. Reported cases grew from 1,524,613 to 1,603,475 over the past week and reported deaths have increased from 15,884 to 16,727 over that time.
- Philippines: Cases in the Philippines are moderating slightly. The Philippines is now reporting 2,549,966 total cases, up from 2,434,753 total cases the previous week. Total reported deaths have increased from 37,405 to 38,294 over that time.
- Vietnam: Vietnam recorded 4,589 new COVID-19 cases on September 29, the lowest number of daily infections since July 19. The death toll fell 12% compared to the previous week, and 16 localities have gone through 14 days without any new infections. Authorities have permitted Ho Chi Minh City to carefully begin relaxing social distancing measures and to gradually reopen starting October 1. The city will also license businesses and production facilities to resume operations provided that they meet safety requirements. Cases of COVID-19 infection grew from 728,435 to 779,398 over the past week. The total number of deaths grew from 18,017 to 19,098 over that period.
- Singapore: Singapore reported its highest daily COVID-19 case total ever (2,236 new cases) on September 28. Officials once again tightened social restrictions, with the government reducing the size of permissible social gatherings and making work from home the default. Fortunately, Singapore’s high vaccination rates mean the vast majority of cases are mild and much of the country is well-protected. Reported cases increased from 81,356 to 94,043 over the past week. The total number of deaths increased rose from 68 to 93 over that period.
- Cambodia: Total reported cases increased from 106,619 to 112,651 over the past week. Reported deaths grew from 2,176 to 2,319 over that period.
- Laos: Laos logged 467 new COVID-19 cases last Saturday, including 383 local transmissions, the highest daily tally since the pandemic broke out in the country. Laos reported a growth in total cases from 19,952 to 23,488 over the past week. It reported 17 total deaths from COVID since the outset of the pandemic, with one new death reported last week.
Vaccinations
- Indonesia is now vaccinating 1.5 million people daily. The country authorized the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use on July 15. It will be given to Indonesians aged 12 years and up. It has been administering the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines. Only 18.6% of the population is fully vaccinated.
- Malaysia has increased its vaccination rate sharply in recent weeks. It announced that it will stop using China’s Sinovac vaccine in favor of the Pfizer shot. Mass vaccinations on February 24 using the Pfizer vaccine and the government aims to vaccinate 80% of its 32 million population by next February. So far, it has fully vaccinated 62.9% of its population. One million doses of the Pfizer vaccine donated by the U.S. arrived in Malaysia on July 5.
- The Philippines began its immunization program after receiving its first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine (600,00 doses of Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac, donated by China). It is due to receive another 25 million doses of CoronaVac this year.
- However, there is little public support for the inoculation drive. Polls show that fewer than one third of Filipinos are willing to be vaccinated due to fears of the potential side effects. Currently, only 22.2% of the population is fully vaccinated.
- Singapore has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. Currently, 82% of the population is fully vaccinated.
- Thailand began a mass vaccination program using the AstraZeneca vaccine on June 7. Currently, 22.8% of its citizens have been fully vaccinated. Thailand has granted emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac vaccines, although only the latter two are actually available.
- Thailand's Food and Drug Administration has approved Siam Bioscience as a manufacturing facility for the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine. Thailand plans to export the vaccines to eight Southeast Asian countries.
- Vietnam’s health ministry said the country will have nearly 125 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines this year. The total includes 5 million doses from Moderna, 20 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, and 31 million doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer. Vietnam will also acquire 30 million AstraZeneca doses and 38.9 million doses through the Covax initiative. The U.S. shipped 2 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Vietnam in July. The country has fully vaccinated only 9.3% of its population to date. Meanwhile, a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company has begun second phase trials on a coronavirus vaccine.
- Cambodia: According to the Cambodian authorities, the government has vaccinated over 98% of the target adult population of 10 million and 88% of the 12-17 age group of nearly two million, which is 72% of the country’s population. It just kicked off a campaign to vaccinate 6-11 year-olds. According to third party sources, 66.6% of the population has been fully vaccinated, making it the second-highest country with total inoculation in Southeast Asia, after Singapore.
Travel
- Singapore debuted its vaccinated travel lane, opening up quarantine-free visits to travelers from Germany and Brunei (travelers from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong were already eligible for quarantine-free travel).
- Singapore and Hong Kong agreed to drop their travel bubble that had been scheduled to start May 26 due to an outbreak of cases in Singapore.
- Indonesia: The Indonesian government announced that it plans to gradually reopen its borders to foreigners once 70% of the target population of 208 million have received at least one vaccine dose.
- Thailand announced it will waive its mandatory quarantine requirement in Bangkok and nine regions beginning this November to vaccinated arrivals. Authorities will also reduce the quarantine time nationwide for visitors arriving in October.
- Vietnam has temporarily restricted the entry of foreigners and overseas Vietnamese to focus on COVID-19 preventative measures. It has also increased the quarantine period for incoming travelers and close contacts of confirmed cases to 21 days.
- Staff Contact: Phil Agress (PAgress@AdvaMed.org)
Europe
- Europe is trending overall positive in its larger countries, although the UK and Germany have persistently high numbers for new cases. France and Italy seem to be improving. The UK has by far the highest number of new daily cases in Europe. Russia continues to report high numbers.
- New Daily Case numbers appear in the chart below, and in this section are also compared to prior week. France 5,835 (6,794); Spain 2,761 (2,840); Russia 22,430 (19,706); UK 36,722 (34,460); Italy 3,212 (3,970); Germany 12,209 (11,165); and Belgium 1,874 (1,797).
- In terms of total cases in Europe, see chart below for the specific numbers. The UK is first, Russia second, followed by France, Spain, Italy and Germany. Poland, Ukraine, Netherlands and Czech Republic round out the top ten.
- In terms of cases per million in Europe, Czech Republic is the 5th highest in Europe with 157,519. Netherlands is 10th with 116,479; the UK is 11th with 113,733; Sweden is 12th with 113,277. France, Belgium and Spain are 14 – 16. (see numbers in chart below). Italy continues to be a winner in this group with just 77,352 cases per million (29th).
- Russia's reported numbers on COVID remain problematic, continuing at almost 7.5 million total cases, the second most in Europe (the UK is worst in this category)
- Russia is the fifth worst in the world in terms of total cases, behind USA, India, Brazil and UK.
- In terms of deaths per day, Russia remains very high compared to the rest of Europe, at 857. Ukraine is second in this category to Russa, and reports only 217 deaths per day. Romania is third with 207 deaths per day, the UK is 4th with 150 deaths per day.
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