COVID-19 Daily - October 20: the number of new COVID-19 cases increases in Europe; WHO recommends buying antiviral pills for 120 million patients!

• The World Health Organization wants buy antiviral pills against COVID-19 for $ 10 per treatment. The Merck Molnupiravir trial pill is probably one of the drugs, although others are under development. The plans, seen by Reuters, aim to buy enough drugs for 120 million patients by 2020.

• The Czech Republic detected 2 new cases on Monday, the highest number recorded in 24 hours since April 2021. However, the Prague government will not impose any further restrictions, saying instead that it will remain focused on vaccinations. 

The infection rate in Poland increased by 85% in just one week. "I have no good news" 3931 new people were infected", said Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska. 64 people died in the same week. 

• Coronavirus spreads aggressively in among children in the UK. Some scientists have criticized the slow vaccination program for children. A study published last week indicated that 8% of English schoolchildren were infected.

• The Frankfurt Book Fair opens again after an almost completely digital 2020, and director Juergen Boos said the industry is doing well because "Young people not only want to play video games all day, but also to read." Germany is the largest book market in the EU, and revenues increased 20% ($ 2,5 billion) last year. 

• New Zealand has the highest number of daily cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with 94 new infections reported within 24 hours. The recent leap followed the arrival of the Delta strain, which also prompted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to abandon the "Covid Zero" target and move to an intensive vaccination program. 

• "Do you want to play in the Grand Slam of the Australian Open? Get vaccinated! ” This is the message of the Prime Minister of Victoria, Dan Andrews, who warned: "The virus doesn't care what your tennis rankings are or how many Grand Slams you've won." He said there would be no exemptions and deviations from the rules imposed on Australia's borders, despite the fact that large numbers of tennis players, including Novak Djokovic, have not yet said whether they have been vaccinated or intend to be vaccinated.