Coronavirus live news: UK to send 20 million doses of vaccine to developing countries; China Reports Six-Week Record Case | World news | Local News

Theories that the coronavirus was created as a biological weapon are based on “scientifically invalid claims” and disseminated by supporters “suspected of spreading disinformation,” according to a study by US intelligence agencies.

While most of the 17 agencies also agreed that it was not genetically modified, they were divided between whether the virus had spread through animal-to-human transmission or as a result of a laboratory accident.

“We remain skeptical of claims that SARS-CoV-2 was a biological weapon as they are supported by scientifically invalid claims, their supporters do not have direct access to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) , or their supporters are suspected of spreading disinformation. Said the study by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

Julian Borger has the story here:

Welcome to today’s global coronavirus live blog.

Local daily cases in China peaked in six weeks on Friday, with most of the new cases concentrated in its northern provinces.

There were 59 new infections transmitted locally on Friday, according to the National Health Commission, via Reuters, an increase from 48 the day before and the highest number since September 16. There have been no further deaths, which means the official death toll remains at 4,636.

The infections were mainly reported in northern China, including Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Beijing and Ningxia. Including imported infections, there were 78 new cases for Friday, up from 64 the day before.

I will be managing the blog for the next few hours. If you want to join me, I’m on Twitter @cleaskopeliti, or you can email me. Thank you.

The UK will send 20 million doses of the Covid vaccine to developing countries by the end of the year, Boris Johnson will announce to world leaders as they meet in Rome.

Leaders of the G20 countries are meeting in Rome ahead of the UN Cop26 summit, in the hope that progress can be made in securing commitments ahead of the summit.

Earlier this year, the UK pledged to deliver at least 100 million doses as part of a G7 target of offering 1 billion doses – a target criticized as too low. Johnson will call on leaders to vaccinate the world by the end of 2022.

“Like a waking giant, the global economy is coming to life. But the pace of the recovery will depend on how quickly we can defeat Covid, ”Johnson is expected to tell G20 leaders. “Our first priority as the G20 must be to move forward with the rapid, equitable and global distribution of vaccines.”

It comes after 100 former leaders and ministers from around the world urged Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who is hosting the G20 meeting, to ensure a more equitable distribution of vaccines. The US, EU, UK and Canada would stockpile 240 million unused vaccines by the end of the month, the group said.