The world’s number of confirmed coronavirus cases has passed 2.5 million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. In Australia, only 24 cases have been reported since April 21.
The UK Health Ministry has also announced plans to start human trials of a coronavirus vaccine on April 24. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on the COVID-19 vaccine was being developed by scientists at Oxford University and a separate team at Imperial College in London.
“Both of these promising projects are making rapid progress, and I’ve told the scientists leading them that we’ll do everything in our power to support,” Mr Hancock said during Downing Street’s daily press conference.
The Health Minister said he had freed up an extra 20 million pounds ($39 million) of funding to both projects, and the Oxford group, led by Professor Sarah Gilbert, would begin testing the vaccine in humans this week, with production potentially starting before the trial was complete.
New Zealand will also begin to relax its lockdown restrictions, with travel between Australia a possibility. Speaking to the ABC, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said while borders would stay closed “until we see a worldwide vaccine that is working,” an open border with Australia was possible.
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