More than 1,000 dead in Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe had not experienced such a deadly epidemic since the end of a 19th century, when cholera hit the archipelago between November 1835 and March 1866. More than 1,000 people have died in Guadeloupe since the start of the epidemic.
Germany to abolish the wearing of masks indoors
Although the number of new contaminations reached a record Thursday in the country, Germany will lift most of the health restrictions, including the abolition of the wearing of compulsory masks indoors.
China: partial lifting of restrictions in Shenzhen
The technological metropolis of Shenzhen (southern China) ordered the partial lifting of epidemic restrictions on Friday, in particular in its vital port for the national economy.
The decision of the town hall of the city of 17.5 million inhabitants, confined since Sunday, comes as President Xi Jinping called on Thursday to “minimize” the impact of anti-Covid measures on the Chinese economy.
Samoa confined after first case of local transmission
The Pacific island nation of Samoa closed its borders on Friday and is preparing for a nationwide lockdown after the first case of local coronavirus transmission was detected.
“All schools will remain closed, (…) as will churches and other services, with the exception of essential services,” Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said in an address to the nation on Thursday evening, adding that public gatherings will also be prohibited.
Moderna asks the United States to authorize a second booster dose
Moderna announced yesterday that they have asked the US Medicines Agency (FDA) to authorize an additional booster dose of their Covid-19 vaccine for all adults.
The petition filed concerns “adults 18 years of age or older who have received a first booster dose,” the company said in a statement.