Covid news live: South Africa in ‘fourth wave’ after Omicron arrival; Black and south Asian people in UK urged to get jabs amid higher risk



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Black and south Asian people in UK urged to get jabs to cut higher Covid death rates

Doctors in the UK have urged unvaccinated Black and south Asian people to get their Covid jabs after new data revealed hospitalisations and deaths are higher in those groups, despite infection rates being lower than in white people.

Infections were higher in many Black and Asian groups during Britain’s first two waves of Covid but recently the pattern has shifted, with infections now more common among white people, even though their death rates remain relatively low.

The new data, published on Friday in the final government report on understanding and tackling Covid-19 disparities, suggest that poor vaccine coverage is now a major reason for severe Covid in some Black and Asian groups, despite programmes to improve underwhelming vaccine uptake.

Dr Raghib Ali, the government’s independent adviser on Covid-19 and ethnicity, and the author of the report, said evidence gathered over the past year showed that higher death rates seen in ethnic minorities in the first two waves of the pandemic were primarily due to a higher risk of infection, particularly among older people.

Read the full story here.



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WHO urges Asia-Pacific to ready for Omicron surge

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Summary



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A continuing outbreak in a Chinese city on the Russian border has prompted more freight shutdowns as authorities seek to control it.

More than 150 cases have been recorded in the city of Manzhouli since 28 November, centred around the freight hub. On Tuesday it reported another 53 locally transmitted cases. On Wednesday the city, in the northern China region of Inner Mongolia, said it would halt cargo loading and unloading and customs transportation and clearance at the highway port of entry.

The city had already closed several cargo yards as a result of the cases, and flights, trains, coaches, taxis and city buses have been suspended. Schools were moved online, and hospitals have been limited to emergency care only.

Authorities had also imposed controls on city exits, temporarily closed markets and cultural, sports, leisure and entertainment establishments, and put limits on weddings, religious gatherings, and restaurants. The more than 300,000 people who live in the city were ordered to get tested.

Residents line up for a Covid-19 test following new cases, in Manzhouli. A total of 150 cases have been recorded in the city since 28 November, one of the largest outbreaks in China.


Residents line up for a Covid-19 test following new cases, in Manzhouli. A total of 150 cases have been recorded in the city since 28 November, one of the largest outbreaks in China. Photograph: Reuters



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