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Corona infections in the Czech Republic continue to decline
8:05 am: In the Czech Republic, the curve for new infections is flattening even further. The Health Ministry reported 7,874 infections detected within 24 hours on Friday. That’s 5358 less than a week ago. The total number of coronavirus infections increased to 446,675. The country with its almost eleven million inhabitants has the highest per capita infection rate in Europe. The number of deaths, including late registrations, increased from 185 to 5,755.
Number of new corona infections in Germany at a new record
5.30 am: The number of new coronavirus infections in Germany has reached a new record. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 23,542 new cases of infection were registered in one day. The previous high had been 23,399 new infections and was recorded by the RKI last Saturday.
According to the latest figures from the institute, a total of 751,095 cases of infection have been registered in Germany since the start of the pandemic. The number of deaths associated with the new coronavirus increased nationwide to 12,200, this was 218 more than the day before. The number of people recovered was about 481,700.
Transportation companies: money from the federal government will last until April
5.15 am: According to the VDV industry association, billions in federal government aid to local trucking companies will last through April 2021 and therefore longer than expected. The downside this year is not as strong as feared at the beginning of the corona pandemic, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) reported to the “Handelsblatt”.
For next year, the association expects that the state will have to help companies with around two billion euros. VDV CEO Oliver Wolff said it was a “moderate increase” because companies maintained public mobility.
“Everyone who has to go to work continues to take the first bus in the morning and the last train at night,” Wolff said. “We will not return to normal until 2022 at the earliest.” For this year, he expects municipal transport companies to lose just under 3.6 billion euros in revenue from ticket sales compared to 2019, because buses and trains are used less frequently in the pandemic.
The industry had expected losses of around five billion euros. The federal and state governments agreed to equal this amount in half. The federal government increased the regionalization funds, with which it contributes to the financing of local public transport, by 2,500 million euros. Countries should contribute the same amount. The funds must be distributed among the individual federal states as needed.
Pfizer negotiates vaccine delivery with Brazil in early 2021
3:50 am: According to Pfizer, Brazil is negotiating delivery of the vaccine developed with Biontech in the first quarter of 2021. The drug will be sold at three different prices, said Carlos Murillo, head of Pfizer in Brazil. A distinction is made between solvent countries, middle-income countries like Brazil, and countries with limited economic means.
Until now, Brazil has a contract with AstraZeneca for its vaccine. The South American country is one of the most affected by the coronavirus crisis worldwide. Most recently, it reported 33,207 new infections and another 908 deaths related to the virus.
With these 25 tips you will overcome the winter of Corona
3.30 am: Restaurants and clubs are closed, gyms are closed, and friends are too rare to meet – these tips are for everyone who has just hit the wall. Read more here.
Israel obtains vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech
03:05 am: Israel obtains eight million doses of the vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech. This means that almost half of Israelis can get vaccinated, says Health Minister Yuli Edelstein. Delivery should start in January. Pfizer and Biontech confirmed the agreement. The companies declined to comment on the financial details. The corresponding preliminary contract should be signed on Friday, Pfizer said.
How do you keep 1.3 billion cans at minus 70 degrees?
02.55am.: The Biontech BNT162b2 vaccine should be spread around the world, but the cold chain should not be interrupted. German transport experts should help solve the problem. Read more here.
