DIRECT. Covid-19: no consensus on the lifting of patents on vaccines, says WTO

The essential

• The tests are no longer free in France, except under special conditions.

• 1,180 classes are currently closed due to Covid-19.

• From November 8, it is the end of the entry restrictions to the USA for vaccinated travelers.

• New Caledonia is confined again this weekend.

• Reunion falls the mask on the public highway.

• The Moderna vaccine has been temporarily banned from booster doses.

Follow the events of the day live:

7:30 am.

Antigen tests for travelers to England.

Travelers vaccinated against Covid-19 arriving in England will be able from October 24 to perform an antigen test on the second day after their arrival, which is less expensive and faster than a PCR test, announced the British government.

7:15 am.

Denmark will offer a booster dose to all vaccinated.

In Denmark, where the restrictions to fight the pandemic were lifted in early September, the health authorities will offer everyone a third dose of anti-Covid vaccine, said the Minister of Health.

7:10. No consensus on the lifting of patents on vaccines, according to the WTO.

No consensus could be found on the thorny issue of the temporary lifting of patents protecting anti-Covid vaccines, just seven weeks from a WTO ministerial meeting, the organization said. The TRIPS Council (Aspect of Intellectual Property Rights Affecting Trade) met Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the issue, deemed crucial to increase production and combat vaccine inequality by some, and a risk for the model economics of the pharmaceutical industry for others. As the World Trade Organization works by consensus, there can be no agreement until all 164 member states agree. Further consultations are scheduled for October 26.

7:05 am.

The pandemic has killed at least 4,878,719 worldwide since the end of December 2019.

The United States is the most bereaved country with 721,567 dead, followed by Brazil (602,099), India (451,814), Mexico (283,574) and Russia (221313).

The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the results of the pandemic could be two to three times higher.

7 hours.

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It will allow you to follow the news related to the pandemic throughout the day.