Health News Roundup: UK PM Johnson dismissed COVID-19 lockdown as only elderly would die, ex-aide says; 60% of people being admitted to UK hospitals are unvaccinated - adviser and more

Thailand's push for 10 million monthly doses comes as it considers imposing vaccine export curbs on Thai-manufactured vaccines to shore up domestic supplies, a move that could create problems for its neighbours, some of which are battling similar or more severe coronavirus crises. Myanmar targets higher vaccinations as COVID-19 cases soar Myanmar's military-controlled health ministry expects half of the population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this year, state media reported on Tuesday, a day after authorities announced a record tally of coronavirus deaths.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

UK PM Johnson dismissed COVID-19 lockdown as only elderly would die, ex-aide says

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was not prepared to impose lockdown restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 to save the elderly and denied the National Health Service would be overwhelmed, his former top adviser said in an interview aired on Monday. In his first TV interview since leaving his job last year, excerpts of which were released on Monday, Dominic Cummings said Johnson did not want to impose a second lockdown in the autumn last year because "the people who are dying are essentially all over 80".

60% of people being admitted to UK hospitals are unvaccinated - adviser

Britain's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance said that 60% of people being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, correcting an earlier statement he made on Monday.

Vallance earlier said at a news conference with Prime Minister Boris Johnson that 60% of people being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 have had two doses of vaccine.

Olympic Village COVID-19 infection bubble already 'broken' - health expert

The so-called bubble to control COVID-19 infections at the Olympic Athlete's Village in Tokyo is already "broken" and poses a risk of spreading infections to the general populace, a prominent public health expert said on Tuesday. Games officials on Sunday reported the first COVID-19 case among competitors in the athletes' village in Tokyo where 11,000 athletes are expected to stay. Since July 2, Tokyo 2020 organizers have reported 58 positive cases among athletes, officials, and journalists.

Leaked letters show AstraZeneca vaccine commitment not as Thailand claimed

AstraZeneca Plc has told Thailand it should be able to supply around 6 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine per month, leaked correspondence showed, contradicting assertions by Thai officials that the government is owed 10 million. Thailand's push for 10 million monthly doses comes as it considers imposing vaccine export curbs on Thai-manufactured vaccines to shore up domestic supplies, a move that could create problems for its neighbors, some of which are battling similar or more severe coronavirus crises.

Myanmar targets higher vaccinations as COVID-19 cases soar

Myanmar's military-controlled health ministry expects half of the population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this year, state media reported on Tuesday, a day after authorities announced a record tally of coronavirus deaths. The inoculation target comes as the Southeast Asian nation's effort to contain an exponential rise in infections has been thrown into chaos by the turmoil since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February.

U.S. states to unveil $26 billion opioid settlement with drug distributors, J&J - sources

U.S. state attorneys general are expected this week to unveil a $26 billion settlement resolving claims that three major drug distributors and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson helped fuel a nationwide opioid epidemic, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. Distributors McKesson Corp, Cardinal Health Inc, and AmerisourceBergen Corp would pay a combined $21 billion, while Johnson & Johnson would pay $5 billion. New York on Tuesday is expected to announce the distributors have agreed to a $1 billion-plus settlement with the state, a source said.

Rising coronavirus cases fuel resurgence fears as Biden ramps up vaccination push

Swiftly rising coronavirus cases across the United States and abroad fueled fears of a pandemic resurgence on Monday and sent shockwaves through stock markets as the highly contagious Delta variant appeared to be taking hold. Many of the new outbreaks were in parts of the country where COVID-19 vaccinations have lagged, prompting political leaders to ramp up pressure on reluctant Americans to get the inoculations.

U.S. issues 'Do Not Travel' advisory for UK over COVID-19

The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both issued on Monday their highest warnings against travel to the United Kingdom because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases in that country. Each raised the UK to "Level Four," telling Americans they should avoid travel there.

Indonesians celebrate Eid al-Adha festival under COVID-19 curbs

Millions of Muslims in Indonesia on Tuesday celebrated Eid al-Adha, one of the most important Islamic festivals, as President Joko Widodo pledged that tighter coronavirus restrictions would remain in place until infections dropped. COVID-19 cases in Indonesia are currently among the highest in the world due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant, despite the imposition since early this month of the strictest mobility restrictions so far during the pandemic.

Australia's COVID-19 lockdowns expand as Delta variant spreads

A third Australian state announced lockdown rules on Tuesday to combat the COVID-19 Delta variant spread, with South Australia entering week-long restrictions, joining an extended lockdown in Victoria and a five-week shutdown in Sydney. Australia's most populous state New South Wales (NSW), of which Sydney is the capital, is battling the worst COVID-19 outbreak of this year, with total cases exceeding 1,400 since the first case was reported more than a month ago in a limousine driver who transported overseas airline crew.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)