New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 9.7 crore cases and more than 20 lakh deaths.
Amid a second wave of Covid-19 gripping South Africa, a network of woman’s organisations are helping thousands of people sustain themselves in the face of the pandemic. The Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, intends to launch a drive-through service for people to get vaccinated. And, with no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic, Olympic athletes are wondering whether they will or should be vaccinated in time for the upcoming Tokyo Games.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Olympic athletes and officials ponder over vaccine dilemma
With no end in sight for the coronavirus pandemic, Olympic athletes are wondering whether they will or should be vaccinated in time for the upcoming Tokyo Games, reports The Guardian.
The Games are scheduled to start on 23 July. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japanese government have said that the games will be held, despite an increase in Covid-19 cases in Tokyo.
Athletes for the Olympics are typically young, fit and healthy and, therefore, not part of the group that suffers from high-risk of Covid-19. “High-profile IOC member Dick Pound recently called for athletes to jump the vaccine queue, but the IOC has not publicly sought priority from governments,” said the report.
Drive through vaccination centres introduced in UAE
The Department of Health Abu Dhabi is set to launch a drive-through service for people to be vaccinated for Covid-19, reports Khaleej Times.
This move is an attempt to vaccinate at least half of UAE’s eligible population by the end of March.
“These will be operated by Abu Dhabi Healthcare Services (SEHA) and will increase the number of locations where Covid-19 vaccines are available nationally to 218,” said the report.
UAE has recorded 2,63,729 cases of Covid-19 and 762 deaths.
Also read: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine could foil the UK Covid strain, new study shows
South Africa’s Soup for the Sick network helping sustain fight against Covid
Amid a second wave of Covid-19 in South Africa, a network of woman’s organisations are helping thousands of people sustain themselves in the face of the pandemic, reports Mail and Guardian.
The members of the Soup for Sick network are cooking and delivering soups and other warm meals across the country for people who are unable to cook for themselves and their families.
“Teams of volunteers cook the soup in their homes and others coordinate and delivery the meals ordered the day before,” said the report. This initiative is not just limited to homemade soups, but also to the donation of oxygen, masks, herbal supplements, food parcels, etc.
South Africa has recorded 13,69,426 cases of Covid-19 and 38,854 deaths.
15 million Chinese receive jabs as country prepares for Spring Festival
More than 15 million people in China have been inoculated against the coronavirus as the country prepares for the Lunar New Year, reports South China Morning Post.
Authorities from the National Health Commission predicted a 40 per cent drop in holiday traffic as compared to 2019.
“China launched its mass vaccination campaign this month as the country grapples with fresh coronavirus outbreaks,” said the report.
China has recorded 88,701 cases of Covid-19 and 4,635 deaths.
Germany tightens shutdown amid growing fear of new variant
Germany, on Tuesday, tightened the coronavirus partial lockdown and extended it to 14 February. Chancellor Angela Merkel warned of possible border checks to contain the ‘danger’ of new variant of the coronavirus, reports Asia Times.
Merkel said that these restrictions were important as a “precaution for our country, the health of our citizens and also for the economy.”
Following the same, medical masks have been made mandatory on public transport and shops. Only surgical masks will be allowed in public places.
Germany has recorded 20,90,161 cases of Covid-19 and 50,296 deaths.
What else we are reading:
Record 3,43,000 people in UK receive Covid vaccine in one day: The Guardian
How Covid-19 can ruin your sex life: South China Morning Post
Also read: Some hospitals ‘like war zone’ — UK suffers deadliest Covid day with over 1,800 deaths