Red Cross calls for all adults around world to be vaccinated
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies yesterday urged world governments to make Covid-19 vaccines available to all adults as soon as possible, as India battles oxygen and medical staff shortages.
India reported a record 360,960 new cases yesterday, taking the total to nearly 18 million. It was also the deadliest day so far, with 3,293 deaths raising the toll to 201,187.
The head of the IFRC’s South Asia Delegation said the situation was “beyond the saddest of tragedies”.
Udaya Regmi said the world must redouble efforts to ensure vaccines were available to all countries as variants posed greater and greater risks.
“This is both an ethical and public health imperative,” he said. “As variants keep spreading, this pandemic is far from over until the whole world is safe.”
India opened registration for vaccines to all people over 18 yesterday, but citizens reported difficulties signing up, saying the website crashed.
The country is one of the world’s biggest producers of vaccines but does not yet have the stocks needed for the estimated 600 million people becoming newly eligible, on top of the ongoing effort to inoculate the elderly and people with other medical conditions.
Jordan, meanwhile, yesterday announced the easing of Covid restrictions, including the end of a comprehensive movement ban. The kingdom had been facing a surge in cases and put in place restrictions on movement, as well as a curfew, at the start of Ramadan.
The prime minister’s office also announced a lifting of restrictions on gathering for prayers starting tomorrow and for the last 10 days of the holy month.
But Health Minister Feras Hawari said the government was still preparing for a third wave.
The UAE reported 1,710 new Covid-19 cases yesterday after another day of mass testing.
Health officials said 195,166 tests were conducted in the Emirates in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of tests since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic last year to 43,657,129.
Figures showed that 1,551 patients recovered from the disease in the past day.
Two people died from Covid-19, taking the country’s toll to 1,580.
Since the coronavirus reached the UAE in January 2020, health workers have detected 516,301 cases, with 497,140 patient recoveries.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention said 71,558 doses of coronavirus vaccines were given in the past 24 hours.
To date, more than 10.4 million doses of vaccines have been administered across the country, with a distribution rate of 105.23 doses for every 100 people.
On Tuesday, authorities praised the public for its continued support for the country’s vaccination drive.
Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the health sector, said UAE residents who plan on travelling abroad should get vaccinated before they leave.
In an interview with The National, Dr Al Hosani cautioned people against mixing inoculations from different manufacturers and said more vaccines would be available in Abu Dhabi.
During the UAE’s weekly Covid-19 briefing, it was revealed that tahajjud prayers would be permitted at mosques for the final 10 days of Ramadan.
The easing of restrictions is part of efforts to gradually return society to normality.
It was also announced that the President’s Cup football final will be held on May 16.
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain will host the match, where attendance will be limited to 30 per cent of capacity.
All fans attending the match must have been inoculated or have taken part in clinical trials for the vaccine.
Spectators must also present a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 48 hours before.