COVID-19 News and Reference Thread

lightsaber · Fri Feb 12, 2021 6:59 pm

No deaths among fully vaccinated in Israel:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/0- ... r-BB1dDcI7

Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine was 93% effective at protecting against COVID-19, a leading Israeli healthcare provider

Caviats: Fully vacinated means: 1 week after 2nd shot. Data from 520,000 people vaccinated.

STT757 · Fri Feb 12, 2021 10:28 pm

Interesting analysis here, J.P. Morgan group predicting effective end of the pandemic by April.

https://www.barrons.com/articles/the-pandemic-could-be-effectively-over-by-april-j-p-morgan-says-heres-why-51613163599?siteid=yhoof2

I've been following the new infection rates and they're definitely steadily dropping, that either goes with the J.P. Morgan analysts conclusions or it's just resetting to a lower level before we see another spike. If the J.P. Morgan folks are right we shouldn't let our guard down, we got the vaccines coming down the pipeline. Keep pushing the vaccination effort full speed until the end of the Summer and early fall. We might be fooled by very low cases in the late Spring and Summer only to have it spike again with the cold weather in the late fall. Best way to prevent that is to go full speed into that time period with the vaccinations.

lightsaber · Sun Feb 14, 2021 3:48 pm

Israel hospitalization rate now lower for over 60 (vaccinated) than younger for first time:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/medica ... r-BB1dCsai

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, Israelis aged over 60 are being hospitalised with Covid-19 in fewer numbers than their younger counterparts, scientists have announced, in the latest signal that the jabs are highly effective.

Good to hear the jabs are working.

Lightsaber

lightsaber · Sun Feb 14, 2021 5:58 pm

More Israeli vaccine news. Vaccine refusers will be limited in what businesses they can frequent:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/governmen ... rs-report/

“Whoever doesn’t vaccinate will only go out to supermarkets or pharmacies, while the vaccinated will go to stadiums and gyms,” Edelstein was quoted as saying.

I will try to get vaccinated ASAP (I'm tens of millions down in the priority list though), but at least my older parents finally have appointments!
(I'm not happy interest groups moved ahead in the line. s/b medical, elderly, those with conditions, then by decreasing age IMHO) (Moderna, on Wednesday for 1st dose, 4 weeks later for 2nd dose). To protect them, I would want to only frequent business that required vaccination or are outdoors with reasonable precautions.

Lightsaber

lightsaber · Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:23 pm

Phizer production has gone from 1 line, 1 shift in Kalamazoo Michigan to 4 lines, 3 shifts per day:
https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus- ... 571ab347c2

Right now, we can potentially deliver approximately 2 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2021. We are confident in this commitment, but of course are constantly looking for ways to make and distribute more doses faster.

I wish the link had noted current production rate (doses per day/week/month).

Lightsaber

Toenga · Mon Feb 15, 2021 2:20 am

A simple explanation of the methods used to differentiate between active infection , and historic infection, of PCR Covid test results, and the reason for the further delay in this determination.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health ... it-matters

lightsaber · Mon Feb 15, 2021 3:44 am

NovaVax 86% effective in UK, 60% effective against South African Variant.
https://www.itv.com/news/2021-01-29/fou ... jor-hurdle

This will be the 4th Vaccine approved in the UK.

Another source says 49.4% effective against South African Variant:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compani ... r-BB1dFJeP

"Enough doses for 55 million by June" is s nice boost.

Lightsaber

lightsaber · Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:51 pm

India's vaccine production has been impressive:
https://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/world/in ... 1dEmpH?r=1

Beyond India’s immediate neighbourhood, vaccines have been sent as grants to countries in the Indian Ocean region, West Asia and the Caribbean.

These countries include Bangladesh (two million doses), Myanmar (1.7 million doses), Nepal (one million doses), Bhutan (150,000 doses), the Maldives (100,000 doses), Mauritius (100,000 doses), Seychelles (50,000 doses), Sri Lanka (500,000 doses), Bahrain (100,000 doses), Oman (100,000 doses), Afghanistan (500,000 doses), Barbados (100,000 doses) and Dominica (70,000 doses).

The countries that received commercial supplies are Brazil (two million doses), Morocco (six million doses), Bangladesh (five million doses), Myanmar (two million doses), Egypt (50,000 doses), Algeria (50,000 doses), South Africa (one million doses), Kuwait (200,000 doses) and the United Arab Emirates (200,000 doses).

I didn't realize how much has been shipped. My math has a total export of 22.97 million doses of vaccine. A nice contribution.

Lightsaber

ro1960 · Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:16 am

Paris Orly Terminal 4 closed until further notice due to the closure of French borders to countries outside the EU and to overseas territories.

https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2021/02/15/fortement-affecte-par-la-crise-sanitaire-l-aeroport-d-orly-ferme-son-terminal-4_6070059_3234.html

ro1960 · Tue Feb 16, 2021 6:45 am

EU Extends Slot Waiver until Autumn

“The new slot waiver requires airlines to use at least 50% of their take-off and landing slots in order to be able to maintain them for the following year.”

https://airwaysmag.com/industry/eu-extends-slot-waiver-until-autumn/?fbclid=IwAR2cnL1scb3Tuavgp2nTHWwDwK6Ylkj2o3epDpFRSgOYTZmJ0KjBVqB10-0

lightsaber · Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:49 pm

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine to have public hearing February 26th for US, Data submitted to EU (expected mid-March approval).

https://www.sfgate.com/news/amp/The-Lat ... 953074.php

Also, Moderna missing February delivery targets, expected to catch back up in March.

I wonder why the J&J is taking so long... I know it is a process...

Lightsaber

ro1960 · Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:10 pm

LGW will conduct flight operations from only its North Terminal at least through mid-2021.

https://airwaysmag.com/airports/gatwick-operations-north-terminal/?fbclid=IwAR3Rc-N9yOzXYPUthneXmKm5_FPgimPJJYE3iz5rCu4zkLLUE0sr4dTlQj4

readytotaxi · Wed Feb 17, 2021 5:08 pm

Ryanair loses fight to block rivals' state aid.
The airline has filed 16 lawsuits against the European Commission over bailout packages and government help that benefited rivals including Dutch carrier KLM and Germany's Lufthansa.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56084501

STT757 · Sat Feb 20, 2021 3:18 pm

https://www.wsj.com/articles/well-have- ... 1613669731

More support for the theory that the COVID -19 pandemic will be effectively over by April.

lightsaber · Sat Feb 20, 2021 9:04 pm

China Southern Traffic down 46.9% YoY in January:
https://centreforaviation.com/news/chin ... 21-1053641

I assume the cargo down about 10% was due to fewer flights.

PITingres · Sat Feb 20, 2021 11:19 pm

STT757 wrote:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/well-have-herd-immunity-by-april-11613669731

More support for the theory that the COVID -19 pandemic will be effectively over by April.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/202 ... covid.html

Or not.

STT757 · Sun Feb 21, 2021 3:09 pm

More good news, Pfizer-Bio Tech Covid vaccine proves to be 85% effective 15 days after first dose. It also can be kept in less strenuous refrigeration.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/single-dose-of-pfizer-vaccine-is-85-effective-israeli-study-shows-11613723218

readytotaxi · Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:07 am

Heathrow Airport has reported a £2bn annual loss after passenger numbers during the coronavirus pandemic dropped to levels last seen in the 1970s.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56176403

However, its boss said the airport had enough money to cope until 2023.

readytotaxi · Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:59 am

IAG posted an operating loss of €7.4bn (£6.5bn) for last year after the pandemic grounded many of its flights.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56207252

IAG has called for digital health passes "to reopen our skies safely"

ro1960 · Fri Feb 26, 2021 4:48 pm

"National carrier Czech Airlines - which has been hit hard by the current coronavirus crisis and has been denied a € 42m bailout requested by airline owner Smartwings earlier this month - is planning to lay off its 430 remaining employees, the daily Hospodářské noviny reported on Wednesday (February 24).

Czech Airlines to lay off all its employees (article in French).

TheSpaceCadet · Fri Feb 26, 2021 11:42 pm

Lock Downs: Many Americans Are At Their Breaking Points

"As mandates and restrictions continue to be enforced and in some cases expanded, more Americans appear to be reaching breaking points; according to a survey, 100% of respondents report being on the verge of losing it, suggesting that their breaking point won’t extend much further. ... 75% believe that AIR TRAVEL may never return to what it once was..."

https://www.worldhealth.net/news/lock-d ... ng-points/

dfwking · Wed Mar 03, 2021 3:56 am

Biden Says U.S. Will Have Vaccine Supply For All Adults By May, Prioritizes Teachers

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/02/973030394/biden-says-u-s-will-have-vaccine-supply-for-all-adults-by-may-prioritizes-teache

readytotaxi · Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:49 am

Qantas is launching "mystery flights" in a effort to boost domestic tourism across Australia and spark nostalgia.Flights will be on one of three Qantas Boeing 737 planes from Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney with economy fares beginning at A$737 (£413, US$577).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56261670

jrfspa320 · Thu Mar 04, 2021 4:39 am

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-04/ ... s/13216006

Super spreading event on board a QR flight to BNE

AirAfreak · Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:24 am

Korean Air News March 2021 - > April 2021 Service Changes and other highlights:

+ Seoul/Gimpo > Jeju flight reductions from x30/daily > x22/daily nonstop flights
+ Los Angeles > Seoul/Incheon increases from x10/weekly > x11/weekly nonstops
+ Seoul/Incheon > Yangon (suspended)
+ Seoul/Incheon > First Class maintained to Kennedy and Los Angeles.
+ KAL Lounges at Honolulu, Japan, and Los Angeles Airports continue temporary closure status; normal operations continue at New York/JFK.
+ Atlanta and New York continues daily nonstop flight operations.
+ Skypass mileage expiry extended.
+ Skypass revamp postponed.

Source: Korean Air

mxaxai · Mon Mar 08, 2021 12:27 pm

Condor (DE) is once again seeking financial assistance from either the government or private investors.
Business last winter was worse than expected and Condor is seeing too few forward bookings for the upcoming easter holidays as well as the summer travel season in general.
There is still some money left from the € 550M government aid last year but Condor is worried that it might not be enough to survive until traffic returns in sufficient numbers.
For comparison, DE lost approx. € 40M per month in October and November 2020.

https://www.aerotelegraph.com/condor-br ... nmal-hilfe [German]

AngMoh · Mon Mar 08, 2021 1:15 pm

SIA to test the IATA Travel Pass for COVID-19 test results and vaccination status of passengers. Initial trial its on London to Singapore route.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/si ... n-14361244

factsonly · Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:40 am

The Netherlands lifts total ban on NL-UK pax. flights as per 00.01hrs Tuesday March 9, 2021:

"The ban on flights and ferries from the United Kingdom will be lifted at 00.01 CET on Tuesday 9 March. The existing negative test requirement for travellers from the United Kingdom and the urgent advice to self-quarantine on arrival will continue to apply."

After a complete halt of all flight operations for six weeks, KLM intends to resume NL-UK flights on March 18, 2021 at the latest.

https://www.government.nl/topics/corona ... t-possible

AngMoh · Wed Mar 10, 2021 5:05 am

Cathay Pacific posts record US$2.8 billion annual loss.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/bu ... h-14374000

readytotaxi · Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:00 pm

Heathrow says airport border queues at 'unacceptable level'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56344287

Nick Jariwalla, director of Border Force at Heathrow, said:Unfortunately, a large number of passengers are continuing to arrive without having purchased their mandatory testing packages for the second and eighth days of quarantine in the UK.

Why the heck are airlines allowing them to fly then?

readytotaxi · Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:07 am

Rolls-Royce plunged into the red last year with the company making a loss of almost £4bn, after a £583m profit the year before.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56357312.
Rolls makes most of its money servicing engines, and the Covid-driven fall in airline travel has slashed revenues.

readytotaxi · Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:25 pm

British Airways plans app-based travel pass.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56392570

Thin on content.

KarlB737 · Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:13 pm

Courtesy: Aviation Pros

Southwest Airlines CEO Foresees Recovery

https://www.aviationpros.com/airlines/article/21213892/southwest-airlines-ceo-foresees-recovery

readytotaxi · Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:32 am

Portugal will be removed from banned UK travel list 19 March, however Ethiopia, Oman, Somalia and Qatar will be added.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56408556

Turkey to open up to British holidaymakers without need for vaccine certificates.

https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/news/tou ... rtificates

fcogafa · Tue Mar 16, 2021 9:08 pm

Etihad ditching its A380s

Etihad Airways is unlikely to welcome the Airbus A380 back to its fleet in the wake of the Covid-19 shutdown, chief executive Tony Douglas has confirmed

https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news ... rbus-a380/

smokeybandit · Fri Mar 19, 2021 5:15 pm

This could ramp up flights to the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean will begin cruises from the Bahamas in June.

https://twitter.com/RoyalCaribbean/stat ... 88292?s=20

Revelation · Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:20 pm

Germany warns vaccinations alone will not contain COVID-19 third wave:

(Health Minister Jens Spahn) warned that vaccinations alone would not be able to contain the third wave as there are not enough doses, and said restrictions that were lifted may have to be reimposed to contain the spread of the virus.

“The rising case numbers may mean that we cannot take further opening steps in the weeks to come. On the contrary, we may even have to take steps backwards,” Spahn said.

Ref: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-heal ... 00011b031f

gunnerman · Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:57 pm

IATA's Travel Pass has been successfully trialled with passengers using the app on a Singapore Airlines flight to Heathrow.
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2021-03-17-04/

readytotaxi · Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:00 am

BA looking to sell its HQ at Heathrow and continue "work from home".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56451641

Scotron12 · Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:17 am

Tokyo Olympics will not allow any overseas spectators at the games taking place this July. All due to Covid.

Of the 7.8M tickets, 10-20% go to overseas buyers. They hope Japanese will take up the slack.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/56461152

CanukinUSA · Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:48 pm

Places you can't fly to anymore
Interesting article in today's Wall Street Journal 03/20/2021 (behind paywall) on the change in routes served by airlines over the past year.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-places ... _lead_pos8

adambrau · Thu Mar 25, 2021 3:03 am

Switzerland ends quarantine for UK and American travelers!

https://www.thelocal.ch/20210324/breaki ... tine-list/

9Patch · Fri Apr 02, 2021 7:03 pm

Fully vaccinated people can safely travel within U.S. again, CDC says in new guidelines
https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2021/0 ... uidelines/

readytotaxi · Tue Apr 06, 2021 10:45 am

EasyJet say that the UK government plan of traffic light testing will prove far to expensive for their customers at around £200, that is more than the average fare.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56647119

KarlB737 · Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:24 pm

Courtesy: Traverse Ticker

Cherry Capital Airport To Offer COVID-19 Testing For Incoming Passengers

https://www.traverseticker.com/news/cherry-capital-airport-to-offer-covid-19-testing-for-incoming-passengers/

MrBren · Tue Apr 13, 2021 2:24 pm

France suspends all Brazil flights due to virus variants.

https://apnews.com/article/europe-coron ... bda80fdc64

piedmontf284000 · Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:46 pm

US Airline executives are already giving up on Europe this summer, which should come as no surprise to most of us...

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/15/summer- ... bound.html

"Brian Znotins, American Airlines’ vice president of network planning, told CNBC that demand for European summer vacations will be tough to generate even if borders open up in the coming season"

"Delta’s CEO said he doesn’t expect the majority of continental Europe to be open for much of the summer but that the company is hoping for U.S.-U.K. travel restrictions to lift."

seat55a · Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:39 am

"Travel bubble" quarantine free flights from Australia to New Zealand have begun. Fifteen flights will land from Australia in Auckland on Monday. (Australian states already allowed quarantine free entry from NZ.)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/30028047 ... n-auckland

KFTG · Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:00 am

France to re-open to vaccinated American tourists in May, per Emmanuel Macron
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pol ... 276867002/

asuflyer · Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:45 pm

Hong Kong bans Indian flights as 47 pax test positive on Vistara flight from DEL.
https://simpleflying.com/vistara-covid-positive-flight/
New variants in India are leading to surges in Covid positive pax.

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