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More than 186 million people have tested positive for the virus worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 4 million infected people have died. About 3.4 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
Olympic city Tokyo again in state of emergency
Accompanied by complaints about vaccine shortages, the Corona emergency has once again come into effect in Tokyo for the duration of the Olympic Games. Since Monday (July 12), restaurants are no longer allowed to serve alcohol and must close at 8 p.m., as do large department stores. Sports and cultural events are allowed a maximum of 5000 spectators, provided that half of the seating capacity is not exceeded. Citizens are called upon to stay at home if possible. On the eve of what is now Tokyo’s fourth state of emergency, which is in effect for now until Aug. 22, Japan’s governors complained of chaos in the country’s vaccination process amid a shortage of vaccine doses. Many Japanese fear the Games could become a super-spreader event. However, officials and the International Olympic Committee keep claiming everything is “safe.”
U.S. recorded 33,933 new cases Saturday
The U.S. recorded 33,933 new cases Saturday (10/7), the highest rate since mid-May, according to data from Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg. The Delta variant is spreading in areas with unvaccinated Americans. Nearly 134,000 were reported for the week ending Saturday, compared with about 92,400 for the previous week. Another 319 deaths were reported Saturday. Separately, vaccinations in the U.S. have plummeted despite the spread of the delta variant. According to the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker, 599,000 vaccinations were given in the U.S. on Saturday, the lowest level since early January. Daily vaccinations peaked in mid-April at nearly 4 million. President Joe Biden missed his goal of giving at least one vaccine dose to 70% of U.S. adults by July 4. That number now stands at 67.5%, according to the CDC.
Corono measures in Cuba
Thousands of Cubans took to the streets on Sunday (7/11). From Havana to Santiago, they showed their frustration with the months-long crisis, with the Corona measures and with government inaction. Late in the afternoon, President and Communist Party chief Miguel Diaz-Canel addressed the nation, saying the United States was responsible for the unrest.
High infection rates in South Africa
Due to continuously high infection rates, South Africa is extending its strict Corona restrictions for another two weeks. Infection rates remained extremely high driven by the new Delta variant, President Cyril Ramaphosa justified the decision in a televised speech Sunday night (July 11). Particularly affected are the urban center around the capital Pretoria and the business metropolis Johannesburg, where the health infrastructure is at its capacity limit. Travel there is now only permitted for business purposes. But the delta variant is also spreading rapidly in other regions, Ramaphosa said. The restrictions include nighttime curfews after 9 p.m., as well as a ban on alcohol and extensive bans on outdoor gatherings. Public schools currently on vacation are to remain closed for an additional week, until July 26. Restaurants will be allowed to reopen under strict guidelines.
High infections in the USA
In the past three weeks, contagions have steadily increased in the United States. As of Saturday (7/10), the U.S. reported 33,933 new cases – the most since mid-May. The increase is also tied to the delta variant in the United States, which rushes through the unvaccinated population. Another 319 deaths were reported Saturday. The weekly death toll is also up slightly from the previous week, but is still half of what it was in early May. At the same time, the number of daily vaccinations has dropped sharply. According to Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker, 599,000 vaccinations were given in America on Saturday, the lowest level since early January. Vaccinations had peaked in mid-April at nearly 4 million in one day.
Lifting of Corona rules in the UK
Despite rising infection figures, the British government has signaled that it intends to stick with the lifting of the remaining Corona rules in England. It is “confident” that it will be possible to proceed with the next stage of relaxation, Nadhim Zahawi, the secretary of state in charge of the British vaccination campaign, told Sky News on Sunday (July 11). The British government will decide on Monday whether to lift the remaining Corona rules in the largest part of the country, England, on July 19.
- source: nzz.ch/picture. : pixabay.com
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