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Health Check: Choirs and Covid

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People singing in a Choir.

2020/08/05 GMT

Choirs and Covid

BBC World Service - Health Check, Choirs and Covid

Do choirs spread coronavirus; global round up of pandemic; Covid in children in Indonesia

Choirs have been at the centre of several outbreaks of coronavirus, in Berlin and Washington for example. After the Amsterdam Mixed Choir in the Netherlands performed Bach's St John Passion in March, 102 out of the 130 choristers became ill, several needed intensive care and one died. We tend to assume it's the singing itself that's the problem, but do we know that for sure?  Margaret McCartney explores that question with Professor Jackie Cassell, a specialist in sexually transmitted infections and public health, and keen singer. 

Deaths from Covid among children are extremely rare, but the numbers in Indonesia have been higher than in other countries. More than a hundred children have died. Callistasia Wijaya from the BBC Indonesia Service tells Claudia why some children seem to be a risk. 

BBC Medical Correspondent James Gallagher joins Claudia to discuss the global picture of the pandemic this week, including the number of cases in Iran, Mexico and US. James also talks about the Russian vaccine, faster testing for the virus and looking for it in sewage. 

Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Editor:  Deborah Cohen

Main Image:  People singing in a Choir.  Credit:  Getty Images

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