New Delhi:There’s no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic which has infected 18 crore people around the world and claimed more than 39 lakh lives so far.
The Delta variant has led to a recent spike in cases around the world even as vaccine drives are underway in many countries. Portugal had reimposed a night curfew, South Korea has reported the highest number of cases since January and Australia has halved its weekly overseas traveller intake.
ThePrint brings you some important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic.
Portugal reimposes curfew as cases spike
Portugal has decided to reimpose a nightly curfew in 45 municipalities including Lisbon, reports Euro News. It reported 2,000 new Covid infections Wednesday, the highest since mid-February.
This has come when the WHO has warned of another wave in Europe by August due to the Delta variant. Portugal has reported 882,006 cases and 17,101 deaths so far.
Slow pace of vaccination in Pakistan
Although at least 10 per cent of Pakistan’s eligible population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, the pace of vaccination in the country still remains slow, reports Dawn.
Data shows that while 35 per cent of Islamabad’s eligible population has been vaccinated, only 3 per cent people have opted for vaccination in Balochistan. In Sindh and Punjab, 10 per cent of the population has received the jab.
Experts believe lack of education, misconceptions, vaccine hesitancy, and propaganda are the reasons behind the slow pace of vaccination.
Pakistan has reported 9,59,685 coronavirus cases and 22,345 deaths so far.
Australia to halve arrivals from overseas
Australia has decided to halve its arrivals from overseas as the country fights the highly contagious Delta variant, reports Khaleej Times.
Most cases of current outbreak have been traced to leaks in hotel quarantine.
To contain infections, Prime Minister Scott Morrisson said Australia will accept only 3,000 travellers from overseas per week from 14 July.
Australia has reported 30,684 coronavirus cases and 910 deaths so far.
Covid cases spike in South Korea as Delta variant spreads
Fresh cases in South Korea have topped 800 due to new cluster infections and spread of the Delta variant, reports Reuters.
This is the sharpest spike in the country in nearly six months.
Almost 81 per cent of the 765 locally transmitted cases came from Seoul, and its surrounding regions, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency data showed.
The South Korean government has encouraged people to wear masks even when indoors and avoid unnecessary outings.
South Korea has reported 158,549 coronavirus cases and 2,024 deaths so far.
What else we’re reading:
Anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin is hot property in Indonesia, Malaysia, India as Delta variant spreads: South China Morning Post
WHO warns new COVID wave inevitable in Europe as cases rise: Al Jazeera