Worldwide Covid-19 headlines this week

Global deaths reach grim four million mark

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that four million people have succumbed to Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.

“The world is at a perilous point in this pandemic,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as the new Delta variant has been detected in over 100 countries.

“Variants are currently winning the race against vaccines because of inequitable vaccine production and distribution, which also threatens global economic recovery,” he said.

Meanwhile, South Africa has just passed the four-million vaccination mark. Read more by clicking here.

Tokyo Olympics to go ahead – but without spectators

The already-postponed Olympic Games will go ahead this year, starting on July 23, but the Japanese government has decided that spectators will not be allowed.

This comes as the country is battling surging infection rates of the Delta Covid-19 variant and, as such, has declared a new state of emergency.

“We wanted a full stadium so community people could get involved in welcoming the athletes and we could have a full presentation of the power of sports,” Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto said at a news conference on July 8.

“However, now faced with Covid-19, we have no other choice but to hold the games in a limited way.”

Read more on the story by clicking here.

Turkmenistan makes vaccination mandatory – without reporting any cases

Turkmenistan announced that Covid-19 vaccination will be mandatory for all citizens aged 18 and over, even though the country has not officially recorded any Covid-19 cases.

Despite the government stating that the country has no Covid-19 cases, WHO has said it is aware and is concerned about reports of increased cases of acute respiratory disease or pneumonia of unknown cause.

The country has little press freedom and the Turkmenistan government is notoriously known for not sharing health updates.

England plans to lift restrictions

In the United Kingdom, most Covid-19 restrictions are set to be lifted from July 19.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that ‘if we can’t open in the next few weeks… then when can we?’

England has one of the world’s highest vaccination rates, but is currently facing a new wave of infections, with over 20 000 new infections a day for the past week.

A final decision is set to be made on July 12. Read more by clicking here.

Africa’s worst week, with more to come – WHO Africa

Africa marked its worst pandemic week ever, surpassing the second wave peak during the seven days ending on July 4. During that week, more than 251 000 new Covid-19 cases were recorded on the continent, amounting to a 20% increase over the previous week and a 12% jump from the January peak.

“Africa has just marked the continent’s most dire pandemic week ever. But the worst is yet to come as the fast-moving third wave continues to gain speed and new ground,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

However, vaccinations are on track on the continent, with 50 million doses administered. Sixteen million, or less than 2%, of Africans are now fully vaccinated. Read more by clicking here.

*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,

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