ANOTHER GRIM MILESTONE: GLOBAL COVID-19 CASES EXCEED 200 MILLION: The global caseload of COVID-19 infections has crossed 200 million, with more than 4 million new cases reported in a week even as the Delta variant threatens areas with low vaccination rates. More than 130 countries have now reported cases of the easier-to-spread Delta variant, first identified in India in December 2020. The US, UK and Israel are among the most fully vaccinated countries in the world, yet all have seen surges in cases and hospitalisations linked to the Delta strain. Israel has called on employers to switch to work-at-home and warned that it may have to impose new lockdowns and Britain is offering shots to all 16- and 17-year-olds. As experts suggest, vaccines targeting the Delta variant may now be needed. Also, the World Health Organisation must at least ensure frontline workers in poor countries are vaccinated. It’s disturbing to know that only 2% of people in Africa, where COVID-19 rates are escalating, have been vaccinated. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]
AFP