Covid-19 has infected more than 260M people and killed over 5.1M. Here are the latest developments related to the global Covid-19 crisis for November 26, 2021:
Friday, November 26, 2021
Australia investigates new variant found in South Africa
Australia is investigating the newly identified Covid-19 variant spreading in South Africa and warned it may close its borders to travellers from the African nation if risks from the new strain rise.
South African scientists are concerned the new variant could evade the body's immune response and make it more transmissible as it has a "very unusual constellation" of mutations.
Australia Health Minister Greg Hunt said he would swiftly respond if the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies it as a major new variant.
Australia has reported about 205,000 cases and 1,985 deaths so far, lower than many other countries in the developed world.
UK suspends flights from 6 African nations due to new Covid variant
Flights from South Africa and five other countries will be suspended beginning midday Friday because of a new coronavirus variant.
“UKHSA [UK Health Security Agency] is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we're taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine,” British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said late Thursday in a tweet.
Arrivals from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days and pay for the stay.
The new variant, B.1.1.529, was first identified November 11 in Botswana.
“The early indication we have of this variant is it may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it," Javid was quoted in the media.
World Health Organization officials will meet on Friday with South African officials to assess the situation.
Stocks fall as new Covid variant spooks investors
Stocks have seen their largest weekly drop in nearly two months, while safe haven assets such as bonds and the yen rallied as a new virus variant added to swirling concerns about future growth and higher US interest rates.
The variant, detected by scientists in South Africa, may be able to evade immune responses and has prompted Britain to hurriedly introduce travel restrictions on South Africa.
South Africa's rand fell 1 percent in early trade on Friday, as did US crude futures.
S&P 500 futures fell 0.4 percent, while the risk-sensitive Australian and New Zealand dollars dropped to three-month lows.
"The trigger was news of this Covid variant...and the uncertainty as to what this means," said Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank in Sydney.
"You shoot first and ask questions later when this sort of news erupts."
Japan's Nikkei was down 1.7 percent in early trade and Australian shares fell 0.6%.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.2% for a weekly fall of 1 percent and world stocks, while still near record highs, headed for a weekly fall of 0.7 percent, the largest since early October.
Little is known about the new variant. However, scientists told reporters it has a "very unusual constellation" of mutations, concerning because they could help it evade the body's immune response and make it more transmissible.
Brazil, Mexico record hundreds of new coronavirus deaths
Mexico has recorded 263 coronavirus deaths, according to Health Ministry data, bringing the overall coronavirus death toll to 293,449.
Brazil registered 303 deaths and 12,126 additional cases, according to data released by the nation's Health Ministry.
The South American country has now registered a total of 613,642 coronavirus deaths and 22,055,238 total confirmed cases.
France's Martinique territory imposes curfew after looting
Authorities on the Caribbean island of Martinique have ordered a curfew after protesters looted shops and set up burning barricades as demonstrations against Covid protocols spread across France's overseas' territories.
Martinique and neighbouring Guadeloupe have been hit by violent unrest over the last week after the government imposed tougher measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Compulsory vaccination for health workers, a measure already introduced in the rest of France, has added to a sentiment among the majority Black population of being excluded and marginalized from the mainland.
Protesters are also now calling for salary hikes and lower energy prices.
Some have called the mandate a throwback to the slavery era, insisting they should be allowed to make their own choices about health treatment.
Morocco to suspend flights with France
Morocco has decided to push back its decision to suspend flight with France into Sunday instead of Friday as originally announced, the state news agency reported.
The agency quoted the Inter-ministerial Committee in charge of coordinating international travel during the pandemic as saying that the decision is aimed at facilitating the return of citizens and residents.
Morocco has imposed a vaccine pass for access to public places after it vaccinated over 50 percent of its population.
Morocco had previously canceled flights with Russia, the UK, and the Netherlands over Covid-19 concerns.
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(With input from news agency language)
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