The global Covid snapshot

All over the world, more than 128-million people have been infected with Covid-19, while deaths now exceed 2.8-million people. South Africa recorded just more than 1.5-million infections since March 2020, and the fatality rate is still gradually climbing, totalling 52710 at the beginning of the week. The rising numbers reiterate the urgency of obtaining vaccines for everyone. Johnson & Johnson committed to giving the African Union 400-million vaccines. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced 30-million doses will be allocated to South Africa and will be locally manufactured at Aspen in the Eastern Cape. In Canada, where enough doses have been ordered to vaccinate every citizen four times over, people are being urged to get vaccinated, as several vacant vaccination appointments are not yet filled, and positive Covid-19 cases continue to climb. Iraq hopes to start its vaccine roll-out plan soon, after receiving its first 336 000 Astrazeneca doses this week.