New Delhi: The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe, the latest count being more than 18 crore cases and 40 lakh deaths so far.
While Los Angeles has reimposed mask mandate, Africa is dealing with a surge in Covid deaths.
ThePrint highlights some important news stories from around the globe.
Los Angeles imposes mask mandate again as Covid cases rise
One month after California lifted Civid restrictions, Los Angeles County has decided to reimpose its mask mandate as cases are on a rise due to the Delta variant, reports Reuters.
Los Angeles, home to 10 million people and the US’ second-biggest city, is among the several jurisdictions in the country to reimpose mask mandates.
The announcement follows six consecutive days of more than 1,000 coronavirus cases being reported from LA, with nearly 400 people currently hospitalised — up from 275 a week before.
More than 1,500 new cases were reported Thursday and the county has become a place of ‘substantial transmission’.
The United States has reported more than 3 crore coronavirus cases and 6 lakh deaths so far.
Covid deaths in Africa rise 43 per cent in a week: WHO
Coronavirus-linked deaths in Africa rose by 43 per cent in a week due to a lack of intensive care and oxygen beds, reports Al Jazeera.
“Deaths have climbed steeply for the past five weeks. This is a clear warning sign that hospitals in the most impacted countries are reaching a breaking point,” Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa told a virtual news conference.
WHO says the rise runs parallel to a shortage of vaccines, especially when the Delta variant is on the prowl in 21 African countries.
Scientists have expressed fears that the fast spread of the Delta variant coupled with lack of vaccines will lead to the coronavirus mutating into something more dangerous than the Delta variant.
Africa has reported 6,168,147 coronavirus cases and 1,55,886 deaths so far.
Also read: Many countries have failed the solidarity test in Covid fight, study finds
Over 1,000 people infected at Dutch outdoor festival
More than 1,000 people in the Netherlands tested positive after attending a festival in Utrecht city in the first week of July, reports Politico Europe.
The festival was attended by more than 20,000 people, which only vaccinated, negative or recently Covid-recovered people were allowed to attend.
Dutch caretaker Prime Minister apologised for the government’s quick relaxation of sanitary measures against the pandemic.
The number of coronavirus cases have jumped five-fold over the past week in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has reported 1,766,102 coronavirus cases and 17,773 deaths so far.
Nepal records rise in maternal deaths
As fears of coronavirus keep women in labor at home, maternal deaths are rising in Nepal, reports The Guardian.
According to the department of health, 258 women died as a result of pregnancy or childbirth between March 2020 and June 2021. In the year before March 2020, the country recorded 51 maternal deaths, The Guardian reported.
Neonatal deaths have also increased — from 13 deaths per 1,000 live births before lockdown to 40 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Nepal has reported 6,62,570 coronavirus cases and 9,463 deaths so far.
Also read: Pfizer wants to push third booster dose of Covid vaccine, but US says ‘no need’ yet
What else we’re reading:
Why are coronavirus vaccines – a success story in human innovation – viewed so negatively? : South China Morning Post
Indonesia braces for worst-case coronavirus scenario: The Jakarta Post