A U.K. balancing act

Here's the latest news from the global pandemic. China's economy soars by record after pandemic slump ECB seen slowing bond-buying by July as vaccinations pick up CDC adviser sees potential for longer pause on J&J vaccine A U.K. balancing act as lockdown lifts England's population enthusiastically met the re-opening of pubs, restaurants and non-essential retailers this week as hairdressers extended hours to meet the demand and consumers flocked to London's Oxford Street. The partial return to normality is the the first step of a balancing act that many hope heralds the end of lockdown stops and restarts for the U.K., which has the highest virus death toll in Europe but has now vaccinated almost half of its population with at least one dose. Scientists are still cautious. Many say the country is far from reaching the herd immunity it needs to open fully with confidence. University College London researchers who estimated three-quarters of the population now have immunity have faced heavy criticism from peers for their modeling. Shoppers queue outside a Louis Vuitton store in London on Monday, April 12, 2021.  Photographer: Bloomberg/Bloomberg Unlike nations like Taiwan and New Zealand that have reopened after bringing new case numbers to about zero, the U.K.'s step comes as thousands of people per day are still testing positive for the virus and the government weighs allowing its population to travel overseas this summer. That means the vaccines will have to work. Viruses mutate faster the more they circulate, so reopening could produce variants which may be more resistant to vaccines. The U.K. bet early and heavily on AstraZeneca Plc's shot, which the company's research says is 100% effective against severe disease and hospitalization after two doses. Concern over clots doesn't appear to have dented confidence in the country's vaccine drive, according to one poll, as it has in mainland Europe. Boris Johnson's government plans to lift all restrictions by June 21. With nightclubs open, just 35% of the population will be fully vaccinated by then, according to projections from London-based research firm Airfinity. New vaccines will likely be needed: AstraZeneca is one of several developers preparing a version to fight new variants in time for the fall.—Todd Gillespie Track the vaccines More than 848 Million Shots Have Been Given Enough doses have now been administered to fully vaccinate about 5% of the global population—but the distribution has been lopsided. Countries with the highest incomes are getting vaccinated 25 times faster than those with the lowest. We've updated our vaccine tracker to allow you to explore vaccine rates vs Covid-19 cases in a number of countries. See the latest here.   What you should read U.S. Shots Pile Up Unused as Some Areas Resist In states where campaigns have been successful, vaccine gaps still remain. Covid Is Deadlier in Brazil Than India. But Why? Some say India's exposure to an array of diseases may have a role to play. Japan's Latest Wave Casts Cloud Over Olympics Olympics could be canceled if it's determined they couldn't be held safely. Taiwan Locals Sip Bubble Tea, Wait for Tourists Pandemic forces foodie havens across the island to adapt their businesses. Young Adults With Covid-19 Risk Repeat Bouts Study highlights the importance of vaccinating those who've tested positive. Know someone else who would like this newsletter? Have them sign up here. Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story. Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Follow Us Get the newsletter You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Coronavirus Daily newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022