Global deaths hit 2.5mn; J&J shot awaits US nod
PARIS/WASHINGTON: Covid-19 has killed more than 2.5 million people worldwide since the pandemic began in December 2019, according to an AFP count based on official figures on Thursday.
In total, 2,500,172 deaths and 112,618,488 cases have been reported.
With 842,894 deaths, Europe is the hardest-hit region, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (667,972 deaths) and the US and Canada (528,039).
Almost half of the fatalities have occurred in just five countries: the US (506,232), Brazil (249,957), Mexico (182,815), India (156,705) and Britain (122,070).
The world passed one million reported coronavirus deaths on September 28, a little over nine months after the first death was recorded in China in January 2020.
It took just four more months, until January 15, to reach two million deaths.
The pace of deaths has slowed since late January this year, with 66,800 last week or an average of 9,500 per day well below the deadliest week of January 20 to 26, when 101,400 deaths or 14,500 per day were registered.
In the US, President Joe Biden marked the administration of the 50 millionth dose of Covid-19 vaccine since his swearing-in.
The moment came days after the nation reached the milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths.
“The more people get vaccinated, the faster we’re going to beat this pandemic,” Biden said at the White House ceremony, noting that his administration is on course to exceed his promise to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days in office.
“We’re halfway there: 50 million shots in 37 days,” Biden said.
US expert panel debating 3rd shot’s authorisation
A US panel of independent experts was meeting on Friday to discuss whether to grant Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 shot emergency approval, likely paving the way for a third vaccine to start shipping in the world’s hardest-hit country.
The committee’s 22 members, who were convened by the FDA, will hold a daylong, live-streamed virtual meeting to decide if the known benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risks for use.