Covid-19: Top stories around the world this week
Africa records surge in new Covid-19 infections – but deaths remain low, while WHO states that Omicron has mild symptoms but is still dangerous.
New cases by WHO
As of December 16, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recorded 271 376 643 total Covid-19 cases and 5 324 969 deaths. In the past week, there were 4 272 651 confirmed cases, which is a 1.34% increase from the week before. A total of 8 337 664 456 vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
Commenting on the new variant Omicron, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the Covid-19 technical lead for WHO, had this to say: “It is still early days, so we don’t have all the answers yet. But what we do see is that Omicron is growing fast in countries where it’s detected.”
Dr @mvankerkhove provides an update on Omicron transmission and severity ⬇️#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/TGCkXcEuof
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) December 16, 2021
“A lot of the initial reports are that people with Omicron tend to have milder disease, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not dangerous,” she said.
Africa’s Covid cases surge
Meanwhile, WHO Africa provided an update on the surge in Covid-19 cases experienced this week.
“An 83% surge in new Covid-19 cases during the past week in Africa, driven by the Delta and the Omicron variants, is causing fewer deaths than previous surges – but more waves could be building as updated forecasts warn that the continent may not reach 70% vaccine coverage until August 2024,” a WHO pandemic assessment found.
✅ FACT CHECK: Are #COVID19 vaccines effective against the #Omicron variant?
Vaccines reduce severe disease & death with circulating variants of COVID-19. Be sure to get vaccinated when it’s your turn! 💉#ViralFactsAfrica pic.twitter.com/ramIaVr06x
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) December 16, 2021
“We are cautiously optimistic that deaths and severe illness will remain low in the current wave, but slow vaccine roll-out in Africa means both will be much higher than they should be,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa.
“We’ve known for quite some time now that new variants like Beta, Delta or Omicron could regularly emerge to spark new outbreaks globally, but vaccine-deprived regions like Africa will be especially vulnerable.”
To increase vaccination coverage, WHO is encouraging countries to move vaccination sites beyond health facilities and main cities and implement community-centred approaches. In an analysis of data collected from 40 countries, six countries confirmed having districts with no vaccination sites.
UK records highest infection rates
The United Kingdom recorded its highest rate of Covid-19 infections since the start of the pandemic on Wednesday (December 15), with 78 610 new cases being recorded.
England’s chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, fears that infection rates will continue to rise over the next few weeks.
“I’m afraid we have to be realistic that records will be broken a lot over the next few weeks as the rates continue to go up,” he added.
However, he does expect a fast peak of new cases, which will come down just as fast.
“I think what we will see with this, and I think we are seeing it in South Africa, is that the upswing will be incredibly fast, even if people are taking more cautious actions – as they are – that will help slow it down, but it is still going to be very fast,” he said.
This is the same country that first imposed a travel ban on South Africa, where scientists discovered this new variant.
On Wednesday of this week, the UK removed all 11 countries from its red list, including South Africa. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid explains this decision: “Now that there is community transmission of Omicron in the UK and Omicron has spread so widely across the world, the travel red list is less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad,” he told Parliament.
Omicron and South Africa
Deputy President David Mabuza met with the National Coronavirus Command (NCCC) Council on Tuesday (December 14) to discuss whether South Africa would need to impose stricter lockdown regulations over the festive season.
Mabuza took over all responsibilities from President Cyril Ramaphosa for the week, after Ramaphosa tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday.
On Thursday, the NCCC announced that South Africa will remain on level 1 lockdown for the moment, despite the fourth wave of Covid-19 infections currently spreading across various provinces.
South Africa Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla on Friday gave an update on the current surge of new infections.
Phaahla called for responsible behaviour and stronger compliance with Covid-19 prevention and treatment protocols during the festive season.
“Jab before you jol and jab before you jive,” was the key message to all South Africans, highlighting the fact that vaccination is the only way to avoid further lockdowns.
However, he did note that the NCCC will likely meet again next week to relook at the Covid-19 cases and possible further restrictions.
