Delta drives global spike in Covid cases
WASHINGTON/BEIJING: Covid-19 infections globally increased the most in two months as the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, a surge across the US, and low levels of vaccination in most Southeast Asian nations have contributed to a higher number of cases.
More than 3.73 million people were infected around the world in the week ended July 25, led primarily by six countries - the US, Brazil, Indonesia, the UK, India and Spain - according to data compiled by Bloomberg and the Johns Hopkins University. The number of cases in the US surged by 62% over the previous week.
However, fatalities have stayed relatively low in the US, the UK and Spain due to high Covid vaccine coverage, while deaths are soaring in India, Brazil and Indonesia.
China sees highest daily spike in cases since Jan China reported 76 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the highest daily rise since January, including 40 domestic transmissions prompting authorities to test millions in eastern Jiangsu province. Beijing has a zero-risk approach to the coronavirus, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. It locks down cities and performs mass testing whenever small clusters appear.
“Of the 40 domestic cases, 39 were from Jiangsu province and one from Liaoning,” the national health commission said in a statement on Monday, adding there had been no new deaths.
Tens of thousands of people are under lockdown in Jiangsu’s provincial capital Nanjing as authorities test the city’s 9.2 million residents for a second time after an outbreak linked to its airport last week.
“Health officials have found 57 positive cases after testing all residents in Nanjing during the first round,” the local government said in a statement.
Contact tracing also found five people who travelled through Nanjing airport and tested positive after arriving in neighbouring Anhui and three other provinces, sparking fears that the cluster could lead to a fresh nationwide outbreak.
France turns Covid pass mandate into law
France’s parliament approved a law early on Monday requiring Covid-19 passes for all restaurants and domestic travel and mandating vaccinations for all health workers. Both measures have prompted protests and political tensions. President Emmanuel Macron says they are needed to protect vulnerable populations and hospitals as infections rebound and to avoid new lockdowns.
The law requires all workers in the health care sector to start getting vaccinated by September 15, or risk suspension. It also requires a “health pass” to enter all restaurants, trains, planes and some other public venues. It initially applies to all adults, but will apply to everyone 12 and older starting September 30.
To get the pass, people must have proof they are fully vaccinated, recently tested negative or recently recovered from the disease. Paper or digital documents will be accepted. The law says a government decree will outline how to handle vaccination documents from other countries.
The bill was unveiled six days ago. Lawmakers worked through the night and the weekend to reach a compromise version approved by the Senate on Sunday night and by the National Assembly after midnight. The rules can be applied through November 15.