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Interfor International – Covid-19 Update – December 15

Interfor’s Covid-19 Updates – December 15^th

Latest numbers (as of 9am est):

Total Reported Cases: 72,957, 238 (16,520,408 in United States)

Total Deaths: 1,623,864 (300,494 in United States)

United States

All 50 states, as well as Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, have received their first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, according to state departments of health, governor’s offices, and local hospitals.
The next Covid-19 vaccine under consideration for emergency use authorization is Moderna’s candidate. If authorized, the United States plans to initially ship about 6 million doses across the country, according to chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed.
New York state administered its first vaccine to a healthcare worker Monday morning. The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was administered to Sandra Lindsay, a critical care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens.
Nevada’s governor has reinstated an order to prevent those who can’t afford their rent from being evicted. The eviction moratorium will last until March 31, and only applies when a resident cannot afford to pay due to financial hardship caused by Covid-19.
Boston’s mayor announced that starting tomorrow the city is moving back to a modified Phase 2 in its reopening plan to slow a surge in COVID-19 cases. As a result, non-essential businesses will be forced to close for at least three weeks.

International

A personal support care worker in Toronto was among Canada’s first recipient of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine on Monday, as the country began distributing 30,000 doses across the country.
Japan now has the highest number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care since the pandemic began. A record 588 are in critical condition and have been admitted to the ICU. In response to the surge in cases and hospitalizations, local governments have strengthened their Covid-19 restrictions.
Singapore is set to launch a new travel program in mid-January for business travelers on short-term stays. Those participating will have to stay at an appointed facility, undergo regular testing, and follow safety measures.
Germany will go into a national lockdown starting next week and continuing through the Christmas period, to stem a wave of coronavirus cases. All non-essential shops, services and schools will close until January 10, and Christmas Day gatherings will be reduced from ten people to five.
Peru’s clinical trials of China’s Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine was suspended after a participant reported a decrease in muscle strength in his legs. The reason for the symptoms cannot yet be determined and an investigation is ongoing.
The Prime Minister of the Southern African country of Eswatini died just weeks after he contracted Covid-19. He appears to be the first confirmed head of government to have died following a Covid-19 diagnosis.

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS

Based on recommendations from ranking epidemiologists, all non-essential travel should be reconsidered.
Wear a mask. There is no downside and projected deaths in the United States are considerably lower if the populace wears masks, according to several studies.
You can download Interfor’s return to work guidelines here.

WARNING: Be sure to vet ALL information and rumors.