Coronavirus news – live: Russia Covid vaccine branded ‘foolish’ as young people who vape found to be seven times more at risk

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Bill Gates says US coronavirus testing is 'most worthless in the world'

The NHS faces a “potentially catastrophic winter” if coronavirus cases creep back up at the traditional time of maximum pressure on the service, the NHS Confederation has warned. Its director, Dr Layla McCay, said staff were already “exhausted and overstretched”.

Elsewhere, Russia claims to have approved for use the first Covid-19 vaccine. Vladimir Putin said the jab, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, had received the green light from the country’s health ministry even as human trials were still going on. It will be called Sputnik V.

And globally, infections have passed 20 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. Deaths are approaching the 750,000 mark, while 12.3 million people have recovered.

Key Points

• NHS leaders warn of 'catastrophic winter'
• Young people who vape 'seven times more likely to contract virus'
• Experts sceptical of Russia vaccine
• First community cases for 102 days emerge in NZ
• Russia announces new vaccine
• Minister defends test and trace after staff cuts and redeployments
• California sees highest daily rise in cases
• Greece imposes curfew

[11 August 2020 23:48 · Vincent Wood]

Exclusive: Deaths of hundreds of Covid-infected frontline NHS and care workers to be investigated

The deaths of hundreds of NHS and social care workers infected with coronavirus are under investigation by medical examiners, The Independent has learnt.

Ministers have asked medical examiners in England and Wales to review all deaths of frontline health and social care staff infected with the virus to determine whether the infection was caught as a result of their work.

The review, which started last month, is likely to cover more than 620 deaths including nurses, doctors and care home staff across England and Wales, since the beginning of March.

More below:

[11 August 2020 23:51 · Vincent Wood]

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