Roundup: International Deverlopoments on spread of the coronavirus -_Reuters

Factbox; Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus AstraZeneca and Oxford University's potential COVID-19 vaccine produced a strong immune response in older adults, data published on Thursday showed, with researchers expecting to release late-stage trial results by Christmas. Reuters Staff U.S.

(Reuters) - AstraZeneca and Oxford University’s potential COVID-19 vaccine produced a strong immune response in older adults, data published on Thursday showed, with researchers expecting to release late-stage trial results by Christmas.

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* The number of new infections in Germany is still much too high and is causing a serious pandemic situation, the head of the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases said, adding it is unclear how long German measures will have to remain in place.

* A new, mutated strain of the coronavirus stemming from mink farms in Denmark is “most likely” extinct, the Ministry of Health said, citing an assessment from the State Serum Institute, which deals with infectious diseases.

* Russia on Thursday surpassed 2 million cases after reporting an additional 23,610 infections and 463 deaths related to COVID-19, both record daily rises. Russia has resumed the vaccination of new volunteers in its trial for its flagship COVID-19 Sputnik V vaccine after a short pause, as Moscow moves to accelerate plans to inoculate the population.

Poland reported a new daily high of coronavirus-related deaths for the second day in a row.

* Ukraine registered a record of 13,357 new cases in the past 24 hours, while the number of deaths also hit a new high.

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* Tokyo raised its coronavirus alert to the highest level as the city’s daily tally of new infections rose to a record 534, while daily cases in Japan also hit a new record of 2,259.

* The South Asia sub-region surpassed 10 million COVID-19 cases, according to a Reuters tally, led by India where officials have been concerned Diwali celebrations could derail a recent fall in infections.

* One of Australia’s strictest lockdowns kicked off in the country’s south on Thursday with outdoor gatherings, weddings, funerals and takeaway food all coming to a standstill.

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* Turkey will sign a contract within days to buy at least 20 million doses of a COVID-19 candidate vaccine from China’s Sinovac Biotech.

* Total coronavirus cases in Africa surpassed 2 million despite the slow growth of reported infections compared to other regions around the world. ...