Japan finds nearly 100 cases of new coronavirus strain

TOKYO/GENEVA: Japan confirmed a new variant of Covid-19, and an infection cluster emerged at a Tokyo immigration facility, presenting new challenges as the country tries to overcome a third wave of the pandemic.

The new variant has been found in 91 cases in the Kanto area of eastern Japan and in two cases at airports, chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters on Friday. The government is raising surveillance against mutant varieties as they may be more resistant to vaccines, which Japan started to distribute this week.

The new strain appears to have originated overseas but is different from other types that have been found sporadically in Japan, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Did badgers and rabbits spread virus to humans?

World Health Organization (WHO) experts investigating the virus’s origins suggest that badgers and rabbits, which were sold at a market in Wuhan, China, may have played a role in spreading the coronavirus to humans, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

The investigators reportedly noted that there’s need for probe into suppliers of such animals as well ass other types. They have yet to ascertain a full list of live and dead animals sold legally or illegally at the Wuhan market.

Study: Pfizer jab 85% effective after 1st shot

The first dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is 85% effective, a study of health care workers at an Israeli hospital has found. The Sheba Medical Center’s findings compare with overall efficacy of around 95% in a two-dose regimen 21 days apart for the shot developed with Biontech. The study, to be published in The Lancet medical journal, comes a day after Canadian researchers said the second Pfizer dose be delayed given the high level of protection from the first shot.

Rich nations stockpiling 1bn extra shots: Report

Rich countries are on course to have over a billion more doses of vaccines than they need, leaving poorer nations scrambling for leftover supplies, a report by anti-poverty campaigners found on Friday. In an analysis of supply deals, ONE Campaign said wealthy countries, such as the US and Britain, should share the excess doses to “supercharge” a global response to the crisis.