Coronavirus updates from around the globe
Our coronavirus updates this week features updates on Covid-19 travel requirements in Australia and England, as well as information on vaccination in Nigeria and around the world.
Australia Re-opens Border After 2 Years to International Travellers
After shutting its borders for nearly two years, Australia has now re-opened to families who have not seen their loved one’s living in Australia for a while. And fully vaccinated international travelers. Early March 2020, the country closed its borders because of the covid-19 pandemic. Imposing one of the strictest travel bans in the world.
In addition, travelers who meet Australia’s vaccination requirements can now travel to all states except Western Australia, which remains closed until March 3rd, 2021, if they have a negative test result. Click here to get the full news.
World Health Organization approved Nigeria and Five other African countries to produce the Covid-19 Vaccine.
The World Health Organization has selected the first six African countries to receive the technology necessary to produce mRNA vaccines.
These countries include Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, announced this at the European Union and African Union summit. The six countries were all chosen after applying to produce mRNA vaccines. Get the detailed news here.
Coronavirus updates: COVID-19 quarantine removed in England for those with positive tests
In the coming weeks, COVID-19 patients in England will no longer have to self-isolate under a government initiative called Living with COVID. This may lead to fewer tests for the coronavirus.
As part of the plan, Boris Johnson said the legal restrictions in place to stop the spread of the virus will be lifted. Allowing people to “protect themselves without compromising their freedoms”. He will lay out to Parliament details of the plan on Monday, February 28th, 2022.
Read more of the UK news here.
United States Government collaborates with Imo State to expand COVID-19 vaccination.
In a statement by the United States Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to support Nigeria and other countries dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As a part of the Global Action Plan, she outlined areas the world has identified as the biggest obstacles to eradicating COVID-19.
The ambassador spoke at the Flag-Off of the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Campaign in Imo State, hosted by Governor Hope Uzodinma. The campaign, she says, will increase access to and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in Imo State. Use this link to read more.
Exercising after a vaccine may safely boost antibodies
According to a new study by the Iowa State University. Researchers suggest that one 90-minute exercise session can boost immune response in people who have just taken the flu or COVID-19 vaccine.
Marian Kohut, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University’s Navovaccine Institute, led a team of researchers to explore this effect. She and her co-authors published their findings in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
In an exclusive interview with Medical News Today, Dr. Kohut and postdoctoral researcher Tyanez Jones, Ph.D., shared: “As far as we know, our findings are the first of their kind for evaluating exercise response on the COVID-19 vaccine. [They are] the first to show that light [to moderate] intensity, long-duration exercise enhances antibody response for the COVID-19 vaccine.” Read more
