LONDON — Britain’s health minister says he has examined positive for the coronavirus and is experiencing delicate signs.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he has examined positive with a fast take a look at and is self-isolating as he awaits the outcomes of a extra correct PCR take a look at.

Javid mentioned Saturday, “I’m grateful that I’ve had two jabs of the vaccine and so far my symptoms are very mild.”

Cases of the virus are surging within the U.Ok., pushed by the extremely infectious delta variant, regardless of a excessive degree of vaccination.

Javid took over final month from Matt Hancock, who resigned after breaching social distancing guidelines. Hancock was ailing with COVID-19 early within the pandemic final 12 months. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent a number of days in intensive care with the virus in April 2020.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

— Thailand tightens measures as every day instances cross 10,000

— European nations impose incentives, penalties to spice up pictures

— Desperate for vaccines amid surge, Iranians flock to Armenia

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— Find extra AP protection at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

PARIS — France will enable worldwide vacationers who’ve had AstraZeneca’s Indian-manufactured vaccine into the nation beginning Sunday.

At the identical time, France is tightening border checks to regulate the unfold of the delta variant and defend hospitals, in accordance with a press release from the prime minister Saturday.

The transfer to just accept guests vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s vaccine made by India’s Serum Institute got here after international outcry over the truth that the European Union’s COVID-19 certificates solely acknowledges AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Europe. Several different EU international locations already settle for the Indian model. France nonetheless doesn’t acknowledge vaccinations by Chinese or Russian vaccines, solely these licensed by the EU medicines regulator.

Tunisia, Indonesia, Cuba and Mozambique have now been added to France’s “red list” of nations with excessive virus danger, in accordance with Saturday’s assertion.

Story continues

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LONDON — Tourists and the journey business are venting frustration and anger after Britain reversed a plan to ease journey restrictions on France simply two days after the change was as a result of begin, citing considerations a few variant of the coronavirus.

The U.Ok. authorities says folks arriving from France should self-isolate for 10 days on coming into Britain, even when they’re totally vaccinated.

The announcement got here simply days after the federal government mentioned totally vaccinated U.Ok. residents will not face quarantine beginning Monday when arriving from European Union nations and dozens of different international locations.

British health authorities say France is being singled out due to instances of the beta variant, which is believed to be extra immune to vaccines than different strains.

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ATHENS, Greece — European nations are scrambling to ramp up vaccination drives.

They are utilizing a carrot-and-stick strategy to steer those that are reluctant to get their pictures because the extra transmissible delta variant drives a surge in infections.

Greece turned the most recent to enact new restrictions on Friday. The nation is requiring proof of vaccination or latest restoration from COVID-19 for entry to indoor eating places, cafes, bars and film theaters. Children can enter with damaging tests.

Some European international locations like France and Greece have additionally launched necessary vaccinations for sure professions.

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YEREVAN, Armenia — A surge of latest coronavirus infections in Iran fueled by the fast-spreading delta variant has threatened to overwhelm hospitals.

Thousands of Iranians are taking issues into their very own fingers and flocking to neighboring Armenia because the urgency of vaccination grows.

Vaccine uptake has remained sluggish within the ex-Soviet Caucasus nation amid widespread vaccine hesitancy. Authorities have been doling out free doses to international guests.

That has been a boon for Iranians afraid for their lives and sick of ready. Iran has the best COVID-19 loss of life toll within the Middle East, lower than 2% of the nation’s 84 million folks have obtained each doses. But the journey has turn out to be so fashionable for Iranians that the value of the journey is hovering.

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BANGKOK — Thailand has tightened coronavirus restrictions and warned of additional measures as every day instances surpassed 10,000 and the loss of life toll hit a document 141 regardless of an in a single day curfew in Bangkok and several other different provinces.

The surge since April has overwhelmed hospitals, strained the economic system and thrown tourism restoration plans unsure.

The vaccine rollout, hindered by provide issues, is slugging with some 5% of the inhabitants totally vaccinated and 15% solely partially.

Cases have been climbing significantly in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

The authorities imposed further measures in a single day together with a ban on any gatherings and actions that may unfold the virus, together with anti-government rallies which have criticized Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s dealing with of the pandemic.



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