New Delhi: The Covid-19 pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being 23,95,07,126 cases and 48,82,161 deaths.
In the US, the virus has claimed the lives of several enforcement officers and in Australia’s Victoria state, officials have introduced a mandate for tennis players to get the shot if they wish to play in the Australian Open. Russia continues to hit daily records of Covid-19 deaths, and its hospitals are overburdened.
Many US cops refuse to take vaccine, more than 400 dead
More than 460 American law enforcement officers have died due to Covid-19 infections, reports The New York Times. The report cites the Officer Down Memorial Page, a “non-profit organization dedicated to honoring America’s fallen law enforcement officers”, as it notes that the most common cause of duty-related deaths in 2020 and 2021 was Covid-19.
“More than four times as many officers have died from Covid-19 as from gunfire in that period,” the report further states.
Despite the virus’s impact on the police in the US, several officers refuse to take the vaccine. The report mentions the case of Lieutenant DeMarcus Dunn, a 36-year-old shift supervisor, who died from Covid-19 in August. Dunn had been among those who had resisted taking the vaccine.
The US has reported 4,54,31,167 cases and 7,37,589 deaths.
Also read: Covid-19: Sydney exits lockdown after 4 months, while Romania struggles with 4th wave
Vaccination must for playing Australian Open, minister tells players
Tennis players who are planning to compete in the Australian Open are now required to get vaccinated for Covid-19, reports Reuters. The rule was introduced in Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the capital.
The report, however, states that authorities have yet to clarify whether athletes from overseas must also be vaccinated.
“Both the women’s WTA and men’s ATP tours have urged players to get vaccinated but some have expressed reservations, including Australian Open men’s champion Novak Djokovic, who is opposed to vaccine mandates,” the report further notes.
Australia has reported 1,33,444 cases and 1,478 deaths.
Russia hits new record for daily COVID-19 deaths
Russia Tuesday hit a new record of daily Covid-19 deaths as the country witnessed 973 coronavirus deaths, reports Al Jazeera.
According to the report, Russia has repeatedly hit record daily death tolls this month, with the number of cases “hovering near all-time highs with 28,190 new cases”.
As a result, the country’s healthcare system is facing a tide of patients.
“Speaking at a meeting with newly-elected Russian lawmakers, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised Tuesday the importance of broad vaccination and urged lawmakers to help encourage the population to get the shots,” the report further states.
Russia has reported 78,32,964 cases and 2,18,345 deaths.
What else we are reading:
Return of office workers reaches pandemic high as employees trickle in The Wall Street Journal
How Japan became a surprise Covid success story The Guardian
Also read: Covid-19: Delta variant causes surge in isolated Alaska, and Israel’s new vaccine pass rules