New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 11.2 crore cases and more than 2.4 lakh deaths.
Russia’s Covid-19 drive lags behind several countries, Italy allegedly misled the World Health Organization on pandemic preparedness and Australia plans to ramp up its vaccination drive after more supplies arrive.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Russia’s COVID-19 vaccination drive slow but picking up speed
It was one of the first countries to approve a coronavirus vaccine, but Russia is lagging behind at least dozen other countries in inoculating its populations, reports The Associated Press.
“Russian authorities don’t regularly release data on vaccination rates, but the number who have gotten at least the first shot appears to be somewhere between 2 million and 3.2 million,” the report states.
This is just about 2 per cent of the total population. The report also highlights media reports that said about 20 countries have ordered a total of 200 million doses of its Sputnik V vaccine.
AP quotes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as remarking: “I must say we still wonder why Russia is offering theoretically millions and millions of doses while not sufficiently progressing in vaccinating their own people.”
The drive has picked up speed, recently, but is still rather slow, said Alexander Dragan, an independent data analyst who monitors regional vaccination rates.
Russia has reported 41,77,330 cases and 83,630 deaths.
Italy ‘misled WHO on pandemic readiness’ before outbreak
Italy allegedly misled the World Health Organization on its pandemic readiness before the outbreak, reports The Guardian.
The report highlights the self-assessment report that countries have to submit to WHO.
In Italy’s report, the author had marked it in ‘level 5’ indicating the highest status of preparedness. “However, it emerged last year that Italy had not updated its national pandemic plan since 2006, a factor that may have contributed to at least 10,000 Covid-19 deaths during the first wave…,” the report states.
The self-assessment report has been given to prosecutors in Bergamo, Lombardy province, which was severely affected in the early stages, as evidence towards a civil lawsuit filed by families of Covid-19 victims.
Italy has recorded 28,18,863 cases and 95,992 deaths.
Also read: Herd immunity ‘very difficult’ to achieve, says AIIMS director
Australia to ramp up vaccination drive as more doses arrive
Australia is set to ramp up it Covid-19 vaccination programme from next week when it will roll out more shots, reports The Straits Times.
The development was announced by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt after the country received a second shipment of 1,66,000 vaccines by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNtech.
The report quotes Hunt as saying, “The consistency of supply has been strong and heartening… and that just gives Australians confidence in terms of the effectiveness of the vaccines and confidence in terms of the reliability of the supply.”
Australia has reported 28,937 cases and 909 deaths.
More restrictions eased in Mexico City
Restrictions in Mexico City have been eased in light of the decline in hospital occupancy, reports Mexico News Daily.
Occupancy as of Sunday night was at 56 per cent, a decrease in comparison to last month’s peak of 90 per cent. “For the first time in more than two months, restaurants may now seat diners in indoor spaces, albeit only at 20 percent of normal capacity,” the report states.
Last week, outdoor theatrical productions, gyms, public swimming pools and places of worship were also allowed.
Mexico has reported 20,43,632 cases and 1,80,536 deaths.
Gaza starts inoculation drive amid vaccine shortage
The Covid-19 inoculation drive has kicked off in the besieged Gaza Strip following supplies from Russia and the United Arab Emirates, reports Al Jazeera.
On the first day of the drive Monday, 22,000 officials received shots of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine.
The report highlights the remarks of Riyad Zanoun, a former Gaza health minister, who said, “I am proud the health sector was able to overcome this difficult time, with limited resources but great dedication.”
Gaza has reported 54,400 cases and 543 deaths.
What else we are reading:
‘Like we’re being cursed’: first Covid and now waterlogged homes: The New York Times
South Korea coronavirus: PM aims for ‘herd immunity by autumn’: BBC
Also read: What is ‘long Covid’ and are you at risk?