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More than 210.8 million people have tested positive for the virus worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 4.4 million infected people have died. About 4.8 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
The latest developments
The approaching Hurricane Henri caused the cancellation of a major concert in New York’s Central Park on Saturday (Aug. 21). It was supposed to be a big celebration for the city to honor its fight against the Corona pandemic. But halfway through the five-hour program, thunderstorms and heavy rain put a crimp in the New Yorkers’ plans. By then, after about two and a half of five scheduled hours, Carlos Santana, Andrea Bocelli and LL Cool J, among others, had already performed. Other artists such as Reggeaton star Maluma, Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen had not yet played. At the event, with 60,000 people announced to attend, the city wanted to celebrate the fighting spirit of its citizens during the Corona pandemic and the end of many restrictions.
Police officers in Australia broke up a demonstration against the extremely strict lockdown in Sydney at noon on Saturday (Aug. 21) and arrested several people. Police clearly outnumbered the demonstrators. The protest lost momentum after one of the main organizers, Anthony Khallouf, was detained yesterday for breaching health regulations. Police said the man had entered the country from neighboring Queensland state without valid reason, in violation of COVID-19 orders. Khallouf was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for three months, after pleading guilty to four counts of failing to comply with an order and one count each of inciting an offence and making false statements leading to a police investigation. The 29-year-old encouraged his supporters to participate in today’s demonstration on social media and via encrypted messaging apps. In Melbourne, however, the protest march against the lockdown turned violent after demonstrators set off flares and clashed with officers who used batons and pepper spray.
Cuba has approved a second and third homegrown vaccine against coronavirus (Aug. 20). The combination of two doses of the vaccine Soberana 02 and one dose of Soberana Plus had prevented symptomatic disease with 91.2 percent effectiveness in Phase III testing, according to government data. Soberana 02 had been jointly developed by facilities in Cuba and Iran. In Iran, the drug has already received emergency approval under the name Pasteurcovac. On July 9, the Cuban vaccine Abdala had become the first vaccine against coronavirus developed in Latin America to be approved. Abdala, as well as the Soberana agents, are so-called subunit vaccines made from processed proteins of the pathogen. Cuba has a lot of experience in vaccine development. However, the study results on the Cuban corona vaccines have not been independently reviewed to date.
In Belgium, far-reaching relaxations of Corona measures are imminent. From September 1, hygiene rules for restaurants and in the private sector are to be largely lifted. Municipalities, however, can continue to adhere to stricter rules, as the Belga news agency reported Friday evening (Aug. 20). Although a mask obligation remains, for example, on trips, at church services and funerals, but restrictions on guest numbers at tables or opening hours in the catering industry are to fall. In the Brussels region, however, relaxations are not to be implemented for the time being, according to the report, in view of a low vaccination rate.
Mandatory mask use on planes, trains and other public transportation, imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., will be extended until Jan. 18. This was announced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Friday (Aug. 20). Exemptions from the requirement will apply to travelers under two years of age and those with certain restrictions, according to the statement. In the spring, the TSA had extended the mask requirement until September 18.
At the final round of the European Football Championship, more than 3,400 people are said to have been infected with the coronavirus. This writes the British health authority Public Health England on Friday (20. 8.) in a media release. On the semifinals and finals of July 7 and 11, about 2300 people were in and around Wembley Stadium, who were probably infectious. The British authorities are calling on participants in major events to be vaccinated and to observe hygiene measures.
More than 20 superstars plan to celebrate the fighting spirit of New Yorkers during the Corona pandemic at a major open-air concert in Central Park on Saturday (Aug. 21). Among those scheduled to perform at the five-hour concert, which will be broadcast worldwide on CNN, are Bruce Springsteen, Andrea Bocelli, The Killers and Wycleaf Jean. Organizers expect 60,000 spectators, all of whom must prove they have at least an initial vaccination against the virus. About 80 percent of tickets were free. In New York, most restrictions due to the pandemic have now been lifted, though a vaccination proof requirement has been in effect since early this week for most indoor venues of restaurants, bars, theaters, movie theaters and other recreational facilities.
An antibody drug from pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca provides good protection against corona disease, according to clinical tests. The drug, AZD7442 – a combination of two long-acting antibodies – is specifically designed for people for whom vaccination is not particularly suitable for certain reasons. The drug reduced the risk of symptomatic Covid-19 by 77 percent in tests from a Phase III clinical trial, AstraZeneca said Friday (Aug. 20) in London. None of the subjects given the drug became severely ill or died. In the comparison group, which received a placebo, there were three severe covid cases and two deaths. The antibody drug is injected in a single dose into the muscle and is thus said to be easy to administer.
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