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About 195.9 million people have tested positive for the virus worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 4.1 million infected people have died. About 3.9 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
In Valencia, a young woman receives a dose of the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine against Sars-CoV-2. The Spanish region is now vaccinating 20 to 29-year-olds.
The latest developments
Green Passport in Israel
Due to rising Corona infection numbers, the so-called Green Passport has been in effect again in Israel since Thursday (7/29). At gatherings of more than 100 people, participants older than 12 years old must show a certificate for vaccinated or recovered people, or a negative Corona test result. This applies to sporting and cultural events, as well as gyms, restaurants, conferences and houses of worship, among others. The green passport, which brought relief for the vaccinated and convalescent, had been introduced in Israel in February. However, most of the restrictions had been lifted after a significant drop in the number of infections.
Corona situation in Africa
Although only 1.6 percent of the population in Africa has been fully vaccinated against Corona, the number of cases is beginning to decline slightly. Week-on-week, new infections fell 15 percent to a total of 239,000 cases, according to John Nkengasong of the African Union Health Organization (Africa CDC). However, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director Matshidiso Moeti warned Thursday (7/29), “The continent is still in the grip of the third wave of infection, we are definitely not out of the woods yet.” A total of just over 6.5 million infections have been documented in Africa to date, according to the CDC, of which more than 167,000 have been fatal. However, experts believe the number of unreported cases on the continent is likely higher. Nevertheless, Africa officially accounts for only 3.4 percent of global infection cases.
State of Emergency in Tokyo
Japan is extending the state of emergency in Tokyo and Okinawa until August 31. In addition, it will be declared in four other prefectures. This was announced by the Japanese television station NHK on Thursday (29. 7.). On the same day, the number of registered new infections in Tokyo rose for the third day in a row to a high of 3865 cases. The previous day, there had been 3177 cases within 24 hours. Nationwide, Japan also recorded a new high of more than 10,000 cases for the first time. The government’s chief coronavirus advisor, medical doctor Shigeru Omi, warned that the health care system would be overburdened. “If crisis awareness is not shared, sooner or later the pressure on the health system will become more serious,” Omi warned Thursday at a committee meeting in parliament. “Except for vaccination, there are not many other factors to lower infections,” Omi said. He said many citizens have now become accustomed to the Corona situation, which is contributing to the rise in infections.
Effectiveness of the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine
The effectiveness of the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine drops to 84 percent after six months. Pfizer’s CEO made the announcement Thursday (7/29). Data from Israel showed that waning immunity also reduces protection against serious illness. However, it is possible to protect against the delta variant with a third vaccination, he further explained. This information is said to be based on the results of a study funded by the company. Experts currently disagree on whether and when a third dose of the vaccine is necessary. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has so far spoken out against a third vaccination in the near future. In Israel, however, it is planned to offer a third vaccination to people over 60 who received their last dose more than five months ago.
- source: nzz.ch/picture: pixabay.com
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