There are two new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today. The numbers come as PM Jacinda Ardern thanked Aucklanders, who come out of lockdown tonight - but also urged them to "keep going" and do their part to keep the virus contained.
A Covid-19 vaccine candidate has been approved for emergency use in China as part of a programme to vaccinate high-risk groups, such as medical workers.
China National Biotec Group, a unit of state-owned pharmaceutical giant China National Pharmaceutical Group, confirmed on social media platform WeChat it had been given emergency approval for a coronavirus vaccine candidate, Reuters reported.
But it didn't specify which of its two vaccine candidates currently in phase 3 clinical trials had been given the green light.
China began giving experimental coronavirus vaccines to high-risk groups in July, and a health official told state media authorities could consider modestly expanding the emergency-use programme to try to prevent possible outbreaks during the autumn and winter.
But the country has given few official details on which candidates were being given to high-risk groups, and how many people had received them.
State media reported in June state firm workers travelling overseas were allowed to take one of two vaccines developed by China National Biotec Group, while China's military had approved the use of another vaccine candidate by CanSino Biologics.
There are seven Covid-19 vaccines in final trial stages around the world, including four in China, but none have reached final checks of safety and effectiveness.
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A scientist working on one of the most promising candidates, by the University of Oxford and UK firm AstraZeneca, told the BBC this week trial data could be sent to regulators by the end of the year, but warned it couldn't be rushed out for emergency use without "evidence that it actually works".
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government had signed a letter of intent with AstraZeneca to produce 25 million doses of the Oxford drug for Australia if it found to be safe and effective.
Meanwhile researchers at Queensland's University of the Sunshine Coast have started the first human trials of vaccine candidate by US firm Novavax, and volunteers are being asked to participate in human trials of a vaccine project at the University of Queensland.
In the United States, the country's top infectious diseases expert says it could be known by Christmas whether a Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective to use.
Anthony Fauci, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, told The Times that three vaccines would be tested under the White House's plan, and the high infection rates across the US meant data on a safe vaccine should be available by December.
"I would not be satisfied until a vaccine was proven to be safe and effective, before it was actually approved for general use," Fauci said.
Trials are under way for two vaccines in the US, with 15,000 Americans enrolled for each trial.
A global race for a Covid-19 vaccine has been underway since the outbreak, with a vaccine being widely acknowledged being the key to ending the pandemic — as well as providing major financial benefits to whichever country gets there first.
