UK, End of pingdemic
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
Rules on self-isolation have changed
England and Northern Ireland
People who are fully vaccinated, or are under 18
No longer have to self-isolate, if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive
Will be advised to take a PCR test
Will not have to self-isolate while they wait for result
People who test positive, legally required to self-isolate for 10 days
Professor Stephen Reicher, Government’s Independent Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours
Government is taking a big risk
Concerned as infections and hospitalisations both high
Vital people take a PCR test if they have come into contact with a positive Covid case
The problem is that if you now make it a choice to people as to whether to take a test…people aren’t going to take that test if they can’t afford to be positive
Should remain “very cautious” and limit interactions, particularly with vulnerable people
Gov. Cuomo of New York
All health care workers, staff at all hospitals, nursing homes, adult care, other congregate care settings
Must have one dose of vaccine by September 27
Prevent a danger to the health of the people (Delta variant)
Exceptions for religious or medical reasons
Fully vaccinated so far
Hospital workers, 75 % of 450,000
Adult care facility workers, 74 % 30,000
Nursing home workers, 68 % of 145,500
Unlike state workers, no test out option
(More than 1,700 people are hospitalized in New York State)
California and Washington State already required
Also
NYC soon museum staff and visitors, 33 venues
Mayor Bill de Blasio Monday
Defeating the Delta variant is the best way to support cultural institutions, because it brings us all back
to include bars, gyms, theaters, and other indoor venues
Take effect Tuesday, enforced from September 13
Texas Supreme Court
Permitted the mask mandate ban by Gov. Greg Abbott to stand
Hospitalizations in Texas, x 4 in the past month
About 14,000 new cases daily
Australia
Hundreds of soldiers patrolled the streets of Sydney
Victoria, curfew of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m
Darwin, 72-hour lockdown after a single asymptomatic infection
Sydney into rural New South Wales
First nation groups
Government priority group for vaccination
Over 16s, 15% vaccinated (versus 26%)
Risk factors and lack of health care facilities in the bush
Western New South Wales, 98 cases, mostly among Indigenous people
Dharriwaa Elders Group
Many of our elders and others in Walgett experience health and social issues that make them vulnerable to contracting Covid-19
The impact on our community could be devastating
Paralympics in Tokyo
24 August, no spectators like the Olympics
Source