New Delhi: The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe, with the latest count being more than 21 crore cases and over 44 lakh deaths worldwide.
We bring you some important headlines from across the globe to keep you updated about the pandemic.
New Zealand is struggling with a fresh outbreak of Covid cases, while authorities in the US are requesting Americans not to take medicines meant for livestock as Covid remedy.
US FDA asks people to stop taking drug meant for livestock as Covid remedy
The US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has pleaded with Americans to stop taking drugs meant for livestock as remedies for Covid, reports CTV News.
“You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously y’all. Stop it,” the US FDA tweeted.
You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it. https://t.co/TWb75xYEY4
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) August 21, 2021
The drug in question is Ivermectin which has also found its way into many Covid prescriptions in India as well. Americans have been reportedly using Ivermectin meant to deworm cows and horses as a Covid remedy.
On its Frequently Asked Questions page, the FDA says, “Ivermectin is often used in the U.S. to treat or prevent parasites in animals.”
On Friday, the Mississippi State department issued a warning on its Facebook page against Ivermectin products meant for animals.
The US has reported 3,85,45,144 coronavirus cases and 6,45,058 deaths so far.
Protests against Covid health pass in France
Thousands protest across France for sixth consecutive weekend Satuday against Covid health pass that is now mandatory to access various public places such as restaurants, cafes, cultural venues, sports arenas and long-distance travel, reports Al Jazeera.
The Covid health pass in France shows if a person is fully vaccinated, has had a recent negative test or proof that the person has recently recovered from Covid.
More than 200 protests have taken place in various French cities and towns including Paris, where an estimated 2 lakh people participated.
People say the French government is restricting the rights of people by implicitly making vaccines mandatory.
France has reported 66,19,611 coronavirus cases and 1,13,311 deaths so far.
Also read: Equal access to vaccines isn’t just about health. It’s also about economic recovery
Lockdown in New Zealand extended
Cases in New Zealand continue to climb as the country is battling a Covid outbreak. The nationwide lockdown is expected to be extended till the end of week, reports The Guardian.
Auckland — where the bulk of reported cases are — will remain in lockdown till the end of this month.
New Zealand reported 35 new cases of Covid Monday bringing the total number of infections in the current outbreak to 107.
The country oved into level four (the strictest level) of lockdown last Tuesday after one case of Delta variant was reported.
New Zealand has reported 3,054 coronavirus cases and 26 deaths so far.
UK plans nationwide surveillance programme to measure antibodies in recovered patients
The United Kingdom is all set to roll out a national surveillance program to measure antibodies in recovered Covid patients to better understand the body’s response to the virus, reports Euro News.
The National Health Survey will send antibody tests to any recovered person who volunteers in the programme.
Two finger-prick tests will be sent — one to be taken immediately to gauge whether a person has Covid antibodies immediately after an infection and another 28 days after an infection to see how the body has reacted to the infection over time.
The United Kingdom has reported 64,92,906 coronavirus infections and 1,31,640 deaths so far.
What else we’re reading:
Hong Kong’s tough stand on India’s vaccine records sends residents on emotional roller-coaster ride trying to reunite families: South China Morning Post
How the U.S. vaccination drive came to rely on an army of consultants: The Washington Post