August 6, 2021

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine capital, Manila, returned to coronavirus lockdown Friday as authorities sought to slow the spread of the hyper-contagious delta variant and ease pressure on hospitals while trying to avoid crushing economic activity. Police checkpoints across the National Capital Region, where more than 13 million people live, caused long lines as officers in camouflage uniforms inspected vehicles to ensure only essential workers were on the road. Experts warned that an explosion in delta cases could overwhelm the health system if restrictions were not tightened in the crowded capital, which accounts for about a third of the country’s

  Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 has had positive results in South Africa, the co-head of a trial, Glenda Gray, told reporters Friday. A research study conducted from mid-February to May with upwards of 470,000 health workers showed positive results in those inoculated, and the country’s health regulator approved the single-shot J&J vaccine in Apri. It is being used in addition to Pfizer’s. The study showed 91% to 96.2% protection against death, Gray said, and 67% efficacy against infection when the beta coronavirus dominated and 71% when the delta variant did. As of Thursday, more than 8.3 million people had been