Daily COVID Tracker: Pfizer asks FDA to authorise second booster shot for older Americans

The United Kingdom says it will scrap its remaining international travel restrictions. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Wednesday.

Pfizer asks FDA to authorise a second booster shot for older Americans

Pfizer says it sought emergency authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a second booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine for adults 65 and older.

In its justification, Pfizer cited two recent studies from Israel one of which reviewed the health records of 1.1 million people and concluded that they were less likely to become infected with the virus or to develop severe illness after a fourth dose of Pfizer’s vaccine.

US senate cast vote to end public transit mask mandate

The US senate voted on Tuesday to end a federal mask mandate in place for travellers on public transportation.

The resolution, which passed 57 to 40, would repeal a mandate that requires masks to be worn on planes, buses and trains, just days after the transportation security administration announced plans to extend it through mid-April.

“Today, the senate said enough is enough, and sent a message to unelected government bureaucrats to stop the anti-science, nanny state requirement of travel mask mandates,” Rand Paul, senator from Kentucky, said.

UK to scrap remaining international travel measures

The UK says it will scrap its remaining international travel restrictions.

Starting on 4am on Friday, travellers will no longer be required to fill out a passenger locator form with details about their trip and their vaccination status.

Those who are not fully vaccinated will no longer be required to get tested to enter the country.

“These changes are possible due to our vaccine rollout and mean greater freedom in time for Easter,” Grant Shapps, British transport secretary, said on Twitter.

Half of Hong Kong residents may already have had the coronavirus, researchers say

Nearly half of Hong Kong’s residents have probably been infected by COVID, according to new research.

The researchers at the University of Hong Kong based their study on disease modelling and their analysis of data since the current wave of cases began.

Hong Kong is currently grappling with a major surge that has overwhelmed its health care system.

The researchers estimated that at least 5,100 more people in the territory are likely to die of COVID-19 by May 1.

Doug Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris, tests positive for COVID

Doug Emhoff, husband of US Vice-President Kamala Harris, tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday.

He said on Twitter that he had mild symptoms and that he had received a booster shot.

He also encouraged people to get vaccinated and boosted.

Sabrina Singh, Harris’ spokeswoman, said in a statement the vice-president tested negative the same day.

New Zealand to open borders earlier than planned date

New Zealand says it will welcome back foreign tourists months ahead of its schedule in a bid to boost the country’s economic recovery.

Jacinda Ardern, the country’s prime minister, announced this on Wednesday.

The government had intended to allow tourists back starting in July, with a full reopening planned for October.

Vaccinated Australians will be allowed to enter from just before midnight on April 12 while other vaccinated travellers with valid visas and those from visa-waiver countries such as Canada and the United States can enter from May 1.

Travellers will not be required to isolate on arrival, but must take a supervised rapid COVID test before entering and two additional tests in the first week of their stay.