New Delhi: Covid-19 infections continue to rise across the world as Delta variant spreads. Currently, the total number of cases across the globe stands at 18,53,93,558 with more than 40 lakh deaths due to the virus.
Relaxations continue in the United Kingdom despite a rise in cases, South Africa’s rugby tour faces an uncertain future, and Israel sees a drop in efficiency of the Pfizer vaccine.
ThePrint brings you some important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic.
UK eases restrictions despite rise in Covid cases
Despite a rise in cases, 90 per cent of which can be attributed to the Delta strain, the United Kingdom is easing Covid-19 restrictions. Prime Minister Boris Johsnon is moving ahead on relaxing restrictions by lifting social distancing rules and making mask use voluntary in England, Fortune reported.
Speaking Monday afternoon, Johnson said the relaxation in restrictions would come into effect 19 July onwards. “We always did say there would be a third wave…We must sadly reconcile ourselves to more deaths.”
The UK reported more than 24,000 Covid cases Sunday, while Scotland tops Europe’s hotspot chart. Jason Leitch, Scottish government’s national clinical director of healthcare quality and strategy, said people who gathered to watch the three Euro football championship matches played in Scotland had been a contributing factor in the rise in Covid cases.
The UK has reported 49,58,868 Covid cases and over 1.28 lakh deaths.
Rugby tour faces uncertain future as South Africa battles third wave
Two international rugby tours in South Africa face an uncertain future due to the rise in Covid cases in the country, France24 reported.
A match in Pretoria Saturday was postponed after four unidentified players and one official tested positive for Covid-19. There are doubts whether Friday’s match scheduled between South Africa and Georgia in Johannesburg will go ahead with people in both teams testing positive.
South Africa Rugby Chief Executive Jurie Rox said: “These positive results are a setback and have underlined the danger of transmissibility of the Delta variant..The Springboks’ second Test against Georgia is now in serious doubt, but we will wait for the MAG (medical advisory group) to consider the data and we will make the final decision tomorrow (Wednesday).”
Johannesburg and Pretoria are the epicentre of the third wave of Covid in the country.
South Africa has reported 20,90,909 cases and 62,628 deaths so far.
Also read: Can pandemic recovery put world on path to SDGs? Next 18 months key, says UN report
Israel sees drop in Pfizer vaccine protection against infections
Israel has reported a decrease in effectiveness in the Pfizer Covid vaccine in preventing infections and symptomatic illnesses. However, the vaccine continues to remain highly effective in preventing serious illness, Reuters reported.
The decline in the effectiveness of Pfizer vaccine coincides with a rise in cases of Delta variant and the end of social distancing restrictions in Israel.
According to Israel’s health ministry, vaccine effectiveness in preventing infections and symptomatic cases reduced to 64 per cent since 6 June. However the vaccine was 93 per cent effective in preventing hospitalisations and serious illnesses due to Covid.
Israel has reported over 8.43 lakh Covid cases and more than 6,400 deaths.
Australia urged to offer more aid to Indonesia as Covid cases spike
The Australian government has been urged to rapidly step up assistance to Indonesia as a sharp rise in Covid cases is fuelling an “escalating crisis right on our doorstep”, reported The Guardian.
Aid groups have been fearing that the Indonesian health system is on the verge of collapse and have urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to help Indonesia.
Indonesia President Joko Widodo announced emergency restrictions across Jakarta, Java and Bali as the Delta variant is now driving the country’s worsening outbreak.
Australian Senator and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Penny Wong said the situation was “deeply concerning” and Australia “must act now with a comprehensive response to Indonesia’s needs, including the emergency provision of oxygen”.
Indonesia has reported over 23.4 lakh Covid cases and more than 61,000 cases.
Also read: Brazil-Bharat Biotech’s $324 million contract suspended: What went wrong in the Covaxin deal
What else are we reading
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Protects Against Delta Variant, Company Reports: The New York Times
In Unusual Step, Israel Deported Ukrainians to Belarus During the Coronavirus Crisis: Haaretz