Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
A single-day record of nearly 260,000 new global COVID-19 infections was reported.
S. Africa enters top five as outbreak intensifies
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa on Saturday became one of the top five worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic, as breathtaking new infection numbers around the world were a reminder that a return to normal life is still far from sight.
The World Health Organization again reported a single-day record of new infections with 259,848.
South Africa’s 350,879 cases make up roughly half of all confirmed infections on the African continent, and its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with fewer health care resources. South Africa now trails the U.S., Brazil, India and Russia — all far more populous countries — in the number of infections after health authorities announced 13,285 new cases. With the new total, it surpassed Peru.
“The simple fact is that many South Africans are sitting ducks because they cannot comply with World Health Organization protocols on improved hygiene and social distancing,” the foundation of former South African archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah, warned in a statement.
South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said, “This is an urgent and important plea to all South Africans. The fight against COVID-19 is in our hands. We must act now.”
He expressed concern that “fatigue seems to have set in” and people are letting down their guard, with little social distancing and widespread disregard for the use of face masks. In developments elsewhere:
■ In India, a surge of 34,884 new cases was reported as local governments continue to reimpose focused lockdowns in several parts of the country.
■ In Iran, the president made the startling announcement that as many as 25 million Iranians could have been infected, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Hassan Rouhani cited a new Health Ministry study that has not been made public. Iran has the Middle East’s worst outbreak, with more than 270,000 confirmed cases.
■ In Bangladesh, the number of confirmed cases surpassed 200,000, but experts say the number is much higher because the country lacks adequate labs for testing.
■ Police in Barcelona, Spain, are limiting access to some of the city’s beaches because sunbathers are ignoring regulations amid a resurgence of the novel coronavirus.
Catalan health authorities reported over 1,200 new cases Saturday from the preceding 24 hours. The new outbreaks have forced regional officials to announce the prohibition of gatherings of over 10 people. It went into effect Saturday.
■ Australia’s Victoria state had a marked drop in new COVID-19 infections, from Friday’s record high of 428 to 217, a total that Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said was “a relief after yesterday’s numbers.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the latest numbers were encouraging but warned that it was just one day.