Health & Science

Monday, March 22nd 2021 - 13:44 UTC
Covid-19: Health situation in Uruguay worsens amid successful vaccination campaign

Although a few weeks ago we talked about Uruguay as a milestone in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, with very few daily cases and a lower mortality rate than any other country in the region, the country of 3.5 million inhabitants surpassed this Sunday the 13 thousand active cases after several record days of daily positives. Scientific and medical societies are demanding measures to stop the spread of the virus despite the fact that 1 out of 10 Uruguayans have already received the first dose of the vaccine – Pfizer or Coronavac – against the disease.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
Venezuelans agree to purchase US$ 30 million in Covax vaccines; Guaidó will ask US for funds to be unfrozen

As part of a rare deal between Venezuela’s government and the opposition, some US$ 30.3 million of the country’s offshore funds that were frozen under U.S. sanctions will be used to pay for coronavirus vaccines.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
Rio beaches closed for the weekend and no tourists allowed into the city

Rio de Janeiro closed its famed beaches on Friday in a bid to contain a surge of COVID-19, a move criticized by anti-lockdown President Jair Bolsonaro, who said sun-deprived citizens risked a lack of vitamin D.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:07 UTC
WHO urges countries to continue using the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) exhorted the world to keep administering AstraZeneca's COVID-19 shots on Friday, adding its endorsement to that of European and British regulators after concerns over blood clotting.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:07 UTC
VW closing down production in four plants in Brazil because of the pandemic

Germany's Volkswagen said on Friday that it will suspend production at its four plants in Brazil owing to a surge in coronavirus infections in the country. The Wolfsburg-based firm said it will stop factories from March 24 for a 12-day period “to protect the health of its employees and their families.”
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 08:44 UTC
Boris Johnson received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, “I did not feel a thing”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received his first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Friday and urged the public to do the same, saying “he did not feel a thing.”
Friday, March 19th 2021 - 09:46 UTC
Falklands ready to receive third batch of Covid-19 vaccines

The Falkland Islands Government has received confirmation that it will receive a third batch of Covid-19 vaccines and, while the exact timing is yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that these will arrive in the week beginning 22 March.
Thursday, March 18th 2021 - 08:50 UTC
Second dose of Covid vaccinations set to begin in the Falklands

The next phase of Covid vaccinations in the Falklands is set to begin on 23 March, the Falkland Islands Government confirmed on Tuesday. The upcoming vaccination round will see people who received their first dose between 8-12 February receive their second dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.
Thursday, March 18th 2021 - 08:35 UTC
Brazil with record contagions and deaths, and a deal to purchase 100 million Pfizer doses

Brazil has reported a single-day record of 90,303 new cases of COVID-19, as the country continues to grapple with mounting coronavirus infections and deaths.
Wednesday, March 17th 2021 - 09:50 UTC
EU regulatory body convinced that AstraZeneca vaccines benefits outweigh possible risks

The EU regulatory body is “fully convinced” that the vaccine's benefits outweigh possible risks. Global health experts have been under growing pressure to answer questions over the safety of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 shot. “There is ”no indication'' that AstraZeneca vaccines are the cause of blood clots reported in some shot recipients, the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) chief said on Tuesday.