UK resists national lockdown despite study suggesting it could save lives

The British government on Wednesday resisted a short lockdown for all of England, despite calls from the opposition to shut the country down for two weeks as a "circuit breaker", a step which a new scientific study said could save thousands of lives.

Nicotine vapes more effective than gum and patches for quitters, review finds

Vapes containing nicotine are more effective in helping people quit smoking than patches or gum, and safer than cigarettes, although more evidence is needed on their potential long-term impacts, a new review of evidence found on Wednesday.

Northern Ireland to shut restaurants and suspend school in strictest UK lockdown

Northern Ireland is to impose the strictest COVID-19 restrictions seen in the United Kingdom since early summer, closing schools for two weeks and shuttering restaurants for four, First Minister Arlene Foster said on Wednesday.

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now

Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:

Croatia, Slovenia report record figures of daily COVID-19 infections

Croatia's health authorities reported 748 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, a daily record, with the capital Zagreb also registering a record of 211 new cases.

Panicked Europe battens down against COVID second wave

European countries have begun to close schools and cancel surgeries, going well beyond curbs on social life, as overwhelmed authorities face their nightmare scenario of a COVID-19 resurgence right before the onset of winter.

Swiss report 2,823 new coronavirus cases

The number of new coronavirus infections rose by 2,823 within a day, double the increase reported five days ago, data https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/situation-schweiz-und-international.html from Switzerland's public health agency showed on Wednesday.

Malaysia reports 660 new coronavirus cases, four deaths

Malaysian health authorities reported 660 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday as the capital imposed tighter restrictions on movement for two weeks.

Poland reports record daily spike in coronavirus cases and deaths

Poland reported a record 6,526 new coronavirus infections and 116 deaths on Wednesday and doctors warned the healthcare system was becoming overloaded.

Austria reports 1,346 daily coronavirus cases

Austria has recorded 1,346 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, APA news agency reported on Wednesday.

South Africa's Biovac in talks to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines

A South African company part-owned by the government is in talks with the global COVID-19 vaccine distribution scheme and pharmaceutical companies to produce some of the vaccines the country needs to protect itself against the disease.

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