New Delhi: The Covid-19 pandemic continues across the world. Currently, the total number of cases stand at over 19.7 crore and more than 42.1 lakh deaths. The virus has made its way through over 200 countries and territories.
Israel is set to start the world’s first vaccination campaign for a third jab, Covid-19 treatments prove to be a challenge for Australia’s local industry, and the number of empty shops in the UK continues to rise amid the pandemic.
ThePrint brings you some important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic.
In a world first, Israel PM announces vaccination drive for third dose
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has announced that starting Sunday, the country will begin a vaccination drive to inoculate people over 60 years with a third Covid-19 vaccine dose, reports Haaretz.
Israelis over 60 who received their second vaccine dose at least five months ago will be offered the booster shot, which Bennett said “gives your body very strong protection.”
“Call your parents and grandparents now and make sure they get the third shot,” he urged in a televised press briefing.
Israel has led one of the world’s most successful vaccination campaigns with over 57 per cent of the country’s population having received two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Also, over 80 per cent of the population over 40 years is vaccinated.
Israel has registered 8,69,063 cases and 6,466 deaths.
Half of Myanmar’s population could be infected with Covid in next 2 weeks: UK tells UN
The United Kingdom has warned the United Nations Security Council that half of the population in Myanmar, currently under a military coup, could become infected with Covid-19 within the next two weeks, reports Al Jazeera.
“The coup has resulted in a near-total collapse of the healthcare system, and healthcare workers are being attacked and arrested,” Britain’s UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward told an informal Security Council discussion on Myanmar.
She added: “The virus is spreading through the population, very fast indeed. By some estimates, in the next two weeks, half of the population of Myanmar could be infected with Covid.”
The UK urged the Security Council to ensure resolution 2565, which demands ceasefires in conflict zones to allow the safe delivery of coronavirus vaccines, is respected in Myanmar.
On Wednesday, Myanmar state media reported that the military is looking for international assistance to contain the virus spread.
Myanmar has registered 2,89,333 cases and 8,552 deaths.
Also read: US CDC tells vaccinated people to mask up again as Delta cases surge
Covid-19 treatments a challenge for Australia’s local industry
Major healthcare investors in Australia have observed that diagnostics companies have had an edge over drug developers in the fight against Covid-19 in the country, reports The Age.
While rapid testing companies in Australia have become world leaders in tracking the virus, there has been limited progress made so far on virus treatments from the domestic market.
Across the S&P/ASX200 index — a stock market index listed on the Australian Securities Exchange — several healthcare firms have poured resources into research for virus treatments but many projects have been shelved or remain in clinical trials. One such example is CSL, an Australian multinational specialty biotechnology company.
Australia has reported 33,909 cases and 923 deaths so far.
Number of empty shops in UK continue to rise amid Covid pandemic
The British Retail Consortium has said the number of empty shops in Britain has continued to rise as retailers struggle with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, reports BBC. Nearly one in five units in shopping malls are empty, the industry group said.
The northeast of England had the highest vacancy rate, followed by Wales and the northwest, said the Consortium.
Retail sales in June were near pre-lockdown levels, as the reopening of shops released pent-up demand. However, fashion retailers continue to be hard-hit, especially during a shift towards online shopping amid the pandemic.
The UK has registered 58,01,561 cases and 1,29,515 deaths.
Also read: ‘Virus is going to do what it wants’: Covid-weary world is facing a distressing reality check
What else are we reading:
How Covid Became A Red State Crisis: The New York Times
Japan’s output, job availability jump but COVID curbs to slow growth: Reuters