The numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the U.S. are back at levels last winter. This could support President Joe Biden’s case for broad new vaccination requirements.
The U.S. has more than 1,800 COVID-19-related deaths per day and 170,000 new cases every day. This is still below the January peak of 3,400 deaths and 250,000 cases per hour. It’s disappointing for health care professionals, who have seen it nine months after the nation’s vaccination drive began. Hospitals are crowded with unvaccinated people.
These cases are mainly concentrated in the South, due to resistance among some Americans and the delta variant.
Although hot spots like Florida and Louisiana are improving their health, the infection rates in Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee are on the rise. This is due to children returning to school, looser mask requirements, and low vaccination rates.
Dr. Ryan Stanton is a Lexington emergency physician. He says that “now in Kentucky, one third of new cases are under 18.” It was brought home by children from summer camp, he said, and then spread to their family members. “There are so many exposures, between day care, schools, school activities and friends getting together, there is just so much.”
JOHANNESBURG — The courts ruled that the vote should proceed despite uncertainty over whether South Africa would be affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
South Africa’s courts ruled that the Independent Electoral Commission should hold the November 1 polls despite concerns over political rallies spreading the disease.
In the past 24 hours, South Africa has seen 2,640 new infections and 125 deaths. With 2.8 million confirmed cases, and 85,002 deaths, South Africa accounts for more that 35% of Africa’s coronavirus infections.
There may be a decline in support for the African National Congress (the ruling party), which failed to register candidates across 90 municipalities before the deadline. The electoral commission saved the ANC by reopening registrations for candidates to become councilors in cities throughout the country.
According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 7 million South Africans have been fully vaccinated using either the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine (or the two-dose Pfizer vaccine). Officials aim to offer vaccines to at least 40 million of the 60million population.
South Africa has yet to achieve its goal of 300,000.
LAGOS (Nigeria) — Nigerians may eventually get vaccinated in their churches and worship centres on Sundays.
According to the top West African health official, the government introduced Sunday vaccination in the second phase. This is to make sure that all members get the shot.
Faisal Shuaib did not say when or if the measure was implemented in mosques. The latest measure Nigeria has taken to increase vaccination rates to at least 1 percent of its more than 200 million population is his meeting with Christian leaders in Nigeria on Tuesday.
According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Africa’s largest country has only vaccinated approximately 5.7 million people. Only 1.7 million people have had their second shot. In the past two weeks, the average daily case has fallen to about 550.
According to government statistics, more people are visiting vaccination centers across the country. According to authorities, Nigeria is expected to have at least 52 million vaccines in the second quarter 2022.
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HONOLULU — Hawaii’s governor has stated that due to the high COVID-19 vaccine rate, there won’t be another shutdown.
Gov. David Ige informs the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, “That doesn’t mean there won’t be more restrictions if hospitalizations increase or more people are transferred to intensive care units.”
Ige said there are signs that the recent spike in cases is slowing down and that the rate of COVID-19-related hospitalizations is steady.
The state’s average seven-day number of new cases is 567. This represents a 37% decrease from two weeks ago. As well, the number of ICU patients and hospitalized has decreased slightly.
Nearly 77% are fully vaccinated in Hawaii, and 86% have received at least one shot.
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GENEVA — Partners and the World Health Organization say that they expect to supply Africa with 30% of the COVID-19 vaccinations it needs by February. This is half the goal African leaders set for at the end of 2011.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, called the huge disparity in vaccination rates among rich and poor countries “a solution problem.”
He urged pharmaceutical companies to prioritise the U.N.-backed COVAX initiative to share vaccines worldwide. Today, less than 4% of Africans have been fully immunized. The majority of the 5.7 million doses given have been distributed to approximately 10 countries.
Moderna and Pfizer have sold most of the vaccines they made. Many wealthy countries are now considering using booster shots. Gavi’s CEO, Dr. Seth Berkley says that the COVAX program will have approximately 1.4 billion doses available for delivery by the end this year. This is about a quarter of its original goal.
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MOSCOW — After coronavirus infected people within his circle, the Kremlin claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin is now in self-isolation.
Tuesday’s statement by the Kremlin stated that Putin had tested negative for coronavirus. Putin, who has been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, attended several indoor events Monday.
Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said that Putin is “absolutely health” but had come in contact with the coronavirus. Peskov did not say when Putin started self-isolating or when he tested positive. He also didn’t mention who among Putin’s contacts was infected.
Putin met Bashar Assad in Syria on Monday. He shook his hand. Assad was tested positive for coronavirus in March. He later recovered. It’s unclear if he has been vaccinated. Putin also met with Russian Paralympians, pinched medals onto them, and participated in military exercises along with other officials.
Russia’s daily coronavirus infections have dropped from around 20,000 to 17,000. Russia has no restrictions on virus spread at the moment.
Only 32% of the population had had at least one shot against coronavirus and 27% were fully vaccinated on Friday.
Russia’s state coronavirus taskforce reported totals of 7.1 million cases and 194,249 deaths. Experts in health have questioned Russia’s method of counting deaths and cases.
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BERLIN — Berlin officials announced that they had changed the coronavirus rules to favor those who are vaccinated and restricted access for those who have not received the COVID-19 shot.
Berlin’s top health official has announced that authorities will allow bars, restaurants, bars and other venues to accept only those who have received a vaccination or recovery certificate. This is known in Germany as the “2G” rule. Alternately they can still apply the 3G rule, which allows people to enter if they have negative test results.
The 2G rule doesn’t require venues to wear masks and to maintain minimum distance. Nightclubs were required to allow only coronavirus-vaccinated people into their premises.
Many of Germany’s 16 countries do not allow sick pay for people who have been quarantined but are unvaccinated.
A little over 62% of the country has had shots in order to be eligible for a vaccination certificate. To prevent an epidemic of infections, the government is aiming for a minimum of 75% vaccination rate in fall.
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COPENHAGEN (Danish) — After a successful pop-up in a supermarket, Danish health officials have announced that they will offer vaccinations at cultural events.
Niels Sandoe, National Board of Health, stated that “there are still a lot of young people between 20 and 34 who have not been vaccinated.”
He described it as “incredibly positive” that 386 people were vaccinated at supermarkets on Saturday. He also said it “shows there are still citizens who want vaccinated when they get a local offer.”
The next pop up vaccination will be held at the SPOT festival for Danish and Nordic music on September 17.
More than 80% have been fully vaccinated since they were above 12 years old. Sandoe stated that Denmark can reach its goal of 90% vaccinations by October 1.
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LONDON — A panel of experts recommended that the U.K. offer a third dose COVID-19 vaccine for everyone over 50 to protect against coronavirus.
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson was about to announce his new plan for fighting the pandemic, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization made its recommendation.
The World Health Organization asked rich countries to hold off on giving booster shots until at least 40% of their population has been vaccinated.
According to the JCVI, booster shots are needed to protect vulnerable individuals against COVID-19. Studies have shown that vaccine immunity slowly erodes over time.
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THE HAGUE (Netherlands) — A Dutch medical advisory body has ruled that people with compromised immune systems should receive coronavirus vaccine booster shots “with high priority”.
According to the Health Council of the Netherlands, booster shots are not necessary for the Dutch population. It does however recommend that preparations be made to administer a booster shot to anyone who becomes aware of the decline in vaccine effectiveness in serious illnesses prevention.
According to the council, while some COVID-19 vaccinations have been less effective in fighting infection over time, they still protect against serious illnesses.
Sixty-two percent of the Dutch population, which is 17.5 million people, has been fully immunized. This is 77% of the adult population.
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ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Planning Minister warns that those who have not been vaccinated will be barred from working in offices after the month.
Asad Umar, a television broadcaster, stated Tuesday that unvaccinated persons can’t go to shopping malls or use public transport after Sept. 30.
Umar also requested that people keep their social distance. He made these comments hours after Pakistan reported a decline in coronavirus cases.
Umar claims that 52% of Pakistan’s adult population, Islamabad, was vaccinated. To avoid COVID-19-related restrictions and lockdowns, Umar suggests that other cities vaccinate at most 40% of their eligible residents.
Pakistan has reported nearly 27,000 deaths and 1.2 million cases.
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BEIJING — Coronavirus cases have risen in a second city in southeast China, following a Delta variant outbreak that began late last week.
According to the National Health Commission, 59 cases were identified within the last 24 hours. This is more than double the number of cases that had been reported previously, which brings the total to 102. All of them are located in Fujian, China’s east coast.
In the last two days, 33 cases have been confirmed by Xiamen, a port city. Another 59 cases were confirmed in Putian, which is located about 150 km (90 miles) north of the coast where the outbreak was first discovered.
Xiamen closed down the affected areas, shut down entertainment and fitness venues, and cancelled group activities for the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. The suspension of long-distance bus services to other parts in the province is effective immediately.
China has made a significant impact on the spread of coronavirus. However, there have been occasional outbreaks. In July and August, a delta variant virus outbreak spread to many provinces, prompting concern about contagious variants.
