Rolling updates on the latest developments and headlines from around the world on the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Gina Lee and Peter Nurse
(10:23 PM ET) U.K. researchers to know effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine by July
The U.K. could roll out 30 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by September, once its effectiveness is proven.
The vaccine is begin developed by Oxford University and distributed by AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN), and researchers hope to see whether human trials, which started on April 24, can prevent infection by July.
(10:20 PM ET) U.S. hiring rate could have hit bottom in Mid-April
The job hiring rate in the U.S. could have hit bottom in mid-April, after a steady decline from early March due to the virus. But data from LinkedIn suggests that the rate has plateaued since them.
(10:15 PM ET) Several states to ease lockdown measures
53 of California’s 58 counties possibly meet criteria to move along to phase 2 of the state’s reopening, which would ease limits on some retail, dining and manufacturing. Sports could possibly reopen in June without fans.
Meanwhile, New Jersey will also outdoor recreational areas and business such as batting cages and Gold ranges to reopen from May 22 as virus numbers continue to improve.
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said that the city could possibly reopen by the first half of June. It has currently met three of seven health indications set by New York state and will commence the first phase of reopening after all seven indications are met.
(10:11 PM ET) New cases in Italy drop to early March levels but cases in Brazil skyrocket
Italy reported the lowest number of new cases since March 2 after a nationwide lockdown on Monday. The country reported 451 cases, compared with 675 cases just the day before.
Meanwhile, Brazil is now a fast-growing virus hotspot, accounting for 13% of global new cases in the past week. The country now has the third highest number of cases in the world, trailing the United and Russia according to Johns Hopkins University data.
