Coronavirus Updates
About two-thirds of people eligible to receive a vaccination against the coronavirus have received their two doses in Dubai, according to its health ministry. Dubai, which has the highest population of the seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates, is a hub for tourism and business. The UAE has given shots of vaccines including Sinopharm, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sputnik V. The Dubai health ministry said on Saturday night that 83% of people over age 16 had received at least one vaccine dose, accounting for some 2.3 million people, and that 64% had received two doses.
People who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus will be denied entrance to shopping malls in Saudi Arabia. The decision made by the trade industry will take effect on Aug. 1, Reuters reported, citing Saudi state television. Some 23% of the Saudi population has so far been vaccinated, according to the news service.
Lebanon administered over 40,000 vaccine doses in a weekend vaccination drive. Nearly 50 inoculation centers gave shots to anyone over age 55 who had not yet received his or her first dose. The Lebanese citizens were able to receive a dose of the Pfizer vaccination on a walk-in basis. The country is holding a series of vaccination drives with some 927,000 people in Lebanon receiving at least one vaccine dose since they were first offered in February,
The Group of Seven countries will donate 1 billion doses of vaccines against the coronavirus, and work with other countries, the G20 and the private sector to increase this contribution, Reuters reported Sunday, citing a draft communique. The draft was largely finalized on Saturday night, according to the report. The G7 is currently meeting in Cornwall in southwest Britain.
The mayor of Moscow signed an order requiring all nonessential workers in the city to remain home June 15-19 to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The workers are not required to work from home and will receive their full salaries. A public holiday on June 14 and the weekends means that workers will remain at home for more than a week. The city has a population of 12 million people. Moscow is planning to open field hospitals to accommodate the large number of people requiring hospitalization due to the coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia will restrict the annual hajj pilgrimage to its own residents for the second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic, state media announced over the weekend. In addition, the number of participants in the hajj will be limited to 60,000. A statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency said that the hajj is open to Saudi citizens or residents of the country ages 18 to 65 who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus and who are free of chronic diseases will be able to participate. The Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are the only ones approved for the hajj.
The United States will purchase and donate 500 million doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine and donate it to about 100 countries over the next two years, according to reports. The donations will be coordinated through the COVAX program, an initiative of the World Health Organization, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other organizations that distributes vaccines to poorer countries.
Pfizer will test its vaccine against the coronavirus on children under age 12, using a lower dose of the vaccine. Up to 4,500 children ages 5-11 will participate in the study, with data expected to be ready in September. Some 144 children already took part in a phase I study of the vaccine. Based on those results, the company said it would test a dose of 10 micrograms on the children; adults receive 30 micrograms in a shot.
Washington state is offering free cannabis to adults who receive a shot of coronavirus vaccine. Adults over the age of 21 who receive a first or second coronavirus vaccine shot at an in-store clinic at a state-licensed marijuana retailer can receive a a pre-rolled joint under the so-called “Joints for Jabs” promotion. The promotion, which runs through July 12, applies only to joints, not other products such as edibles.
Taiwan will receive 750,000 doses of a vaccine against the coronavirus from the United States, among the frst countries to benefit from a US decision so share its vaccines. Taiwan has complained that China was preventing it from accessing vaccine doses. The announcement came on Sunday by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., upon her arrival in Taiwan. She did not announce when the vaccine doses would reach Taiwan or which vaccine it would be. Beijing has denied claims that it is preventing Taiwan from receiving vaccines; China reportedly wants to sell Taiwan its locally produced vaccines, but Taiwanese law bans their import.