Covid-19 Overview: The World Continues to Reel from the Pandemic

In many places, the Covid-19 vaccine is seen as the key to achieving herd immunity, and vaccination campaigns are racing against time to curb the unprecedentedly high number of positive cases and deaths.

Globally, as of August 15th, 207,547,335 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded, including 186,044,403 recoveries, 17,135,501 active cases, and 4,367,431 deaths. The World Health Organization reports that, as of August 12th, 4,428,168,759 doses of vaccine have been administered to people in various countries, in an effort to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible and minimize losses and casualties from the threat posed by dangerous variants.

US: Number of pediatric cases reaches record high.

Covid-19 testing for elementary school students in California, USA, on August 12. Photo: Reuters

Reuters reported that the number of children hospitalized with Covid-19 in the US reached a record high, exceeding 1,900 cases on August 14 (local time). Worryingly, hospitals in the southern states are struggling to cope with outbreaks caused by the Delta variant.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Delta variant is currently spreading rapidly among unvaccinated populations, leading to a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations in recent weeks. With 1,902 cases, children now account for approximately 2.4% of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. Because children under 12 are not vaccinated, they are currently at high risk of contracting this new variant with its rapid and potent transmission rate.

Sally Goza, former president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said: “This is not the same Covid pandemic as last year. This pandemic is far more devastating, and our children are the most vulnerable.”

In addition, data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also shows that the number of new hospitalizations due to Covid-19 in the 18-29, 30-39, and 40-49 age groups reached record highs last week. This fact has sparked debate about whether mask-wearing should be mandated for children when they return to school this August.

According to Reuters statistics, the US is currently recording an average of about 129,000 new cases per day, with hospitalizations at their highest level in six months, and an average of 600 deaths daily, double the number recorded at the end of July.

Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oregon have seen the highest number of Covid-19 hospitalizations this month, pushing healthcare systems to the brink of collapse. In Florida, hospitals are scrambling to increase staff and beds, even using meeting rooms and cafeterias as treatment spaces. In Oregon, Governor Kate Brown has deployed an additional 500 National Guard members to support overwhelmed hospitals. In Mississippi, federal medical personnel are reinforcing understaffed local teams, setting up a 20-bed triage center in the multi-story parking garage of the University of Mississippi Hospital to accommodate the surge in Covid-19 patients.

As of August 14th, the US had distributed 415,915,655 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and administered 355,768,825 doses to its citizens. 197,685,048 people in the country had received at least one dose, and 168,090,925 had received the full course of the vaccine.

Russia: Highest death toll ever recorded.

Patients with Covid-19 are admitted to a hospital on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia. Photo: Reuters

The daily death toll from Covid-19 in Russia reached an all-time high with 819 cases recorded on August 14. The day before, Moscow's health authorities announced the highest monthly death toll in the city since the outbreak began.

The daily death toll from the coronavirus is on the rise after infections peaked in July. Authorities attribute this to the Delta variant and the low vaccination rate. On August 13, Moscow reported that its death rate in July was 70% higher than before the 2019 pandemic and 60% higher than the same period last year. In total, Moscow recorded 17,237 deaths in July, the highest monthly figure since the pandemic began.

Russian authorities said the country's total death toll from Covid-19 is now 170,499. On August 15, the country recorded 21,624 new positive cases, a significant decrease from the peak in July, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 6,600,836.

Australia: Increased penalties for lockdown violations during the "worst" phase of the pandemic.

Police patrol during the Covid-19 lockdown in Sydney, Australia, on August 12. Photo: Reuters

Australian police have increased fines for those violating lockdown rules in Sydney and New South Wales. In addition, people across the state are required to stay home as new Covid-19 cases reach record highs.

Specifically, state police will impose a maximum fine of AUD 5,000, equivalent to USD 3,700, for violations of stay-at-home orders or for providing false information to contact tracing teams. Previously, the fine was AUD 1,000.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian acknowledged that the state, and Australia as a whole, is experiencing the worst period since the outbreak began. The number of community infections in New South Wales surged by a record 466 cases in the past 24 hours, with four new deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities in this outbreak to 42.

Sydney is unlikely to end its nine-week lockdown on August 28 as planned, with officials saying they may ease some restrictions if vaccination rates are high and infection numbers decline. Governor Berejiklian stated: “We’re going to get through this, but September and October will be very difficult. This is truly a battle, and we’ve never experienced a battle of this magnitude.”

Compared to other developed countries, Australia currently has a significantly lower number of Covid-19 infections, with a cumulative total of 38,600 cases and 952 deaths.

Canada: Public sector workers are required to be vaccinated.

People receive COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario, Canada. Photo: Reuters

Last week, Canada announced it would soon require all public sector employees and many other workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The country is striving to increase its vaccination rate, which is already among the highest in the world, amid concerns that the Delta variant is causing a surge in new infections.

Canadian officials said the regulation will also apply to workers and passengers traveling by air, rail, and sea. Vaccination requirements for public sector workers will begin in late October. This is seen as the best way to end the pandemic and allow the Canadian economy to continue operating safely. For those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, testing and other measures will be applied.

Canada currently has 300,000 public sector workers and hundreds of thousands more working in government-owned or government-managed corporations. The country has vaccinated over 82% of eligible citizens with the first dose, and 71% of the adult population has received all doses. However, the number of positive cases has doubled in the past two weeks during the fourth wave of the Delta variant outbreak.

China: Community transmission cases decline for the fourth consecutive day.

People wear face masks at a subway station in Shanghai on August 5. Photo: Reuters

On August 14, China reported 30 new community infections, marking a fourth consecutive day of decline, suggesting that the month-long outbreak may be easing.

The country recorded 66 new Covid-19 cases, down from 99 the previous day, including 36 imported cases. The number of community cases decreased from 47 the previous day to its lowest level since July 30, with no new deaths reported.

The Delta variant spreading in China prompted authorities to activate containment measures, including mass testing, isolating high-risk areas, and restricting travel in affected cities.

Thailand: Number of infections could double early next month.

People queue for Covid-19 testing in Bangkok, Thailand on July 15. Photo: Reuters

Thailand's Covid-19 task force says the country could see a doubling of new coronavirus cases, reaching 45,000 per day by early September, even with current lockdown measures in place. Authorities are urging people to stay home to minimize the risk of infection.

Thailand is experiencing its worst outbreak ever, with an average of 20,000 new infections and 180 deaths per day, compared to fewer than 70 new infections and single-digit daily deaths five months ago.

Taweesin Wisanuyothin, spokesperson for Thailand's Covid-19 task force, said: "The lockdown is 20% effective, but infections continue to rise, expected to reach around 45,000 cases per day by early or mid-September."

Citing the Ministry of Health's forecast, he said that if the lockdown could be 5% more effective and target groups were vaccinated faster, then in two months, 20,000 cases could be recorded per day.

Thailand successfully contained Covid-19 for much of 2020, but the most recent outbreak, caused by Alpha and Delta variants, has severely impacted the country, at a time when vaccination rates remain low.

The pandemic has put pressure on healthcare facilities in Bangkok, and since July, approximately 129,000 patients have been transferred to other provinces to alleviate the burden on hospital beds in Bangkok. Early next week, the Thai Prime Minister will meet with the task force and may adjust the pandemic prevention and control measures.

Indonesia: Number of pregnant women dying from Covid-19 is increasing.

Pregnant women are at high risk of contracting Covid-19 in Indonesia. (Illustrative photo: AP)

Indonesia is trying to contain its second wave of Covid-19 outbreaks, but experts are concerned about the rising number of pregnant women dying from Covid-19. This poses significant health risks and anxieties for those raising young children.

According to the Indonesian Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, since the outbreak began, at least 536 maternal deaths have been recorded, accounting for 18% of all maternal deaths in the country.

Kusuma Januarto, head of the association, said: “The number of maternal deaths is increasing significantly, and we know that the Delta variant spreading in Indonesia is very dangerous. We also understand that pregnant women are at high risk.”

Accordingly, from January to May, the association tested approximately 15,000 pregnant women in Jakarta, recording 1,600 positive cases. He added that for every nine pregnant women infected with Covid-19, one case had severe symptoms.

As of August 14th, Indonesia had recorded over 115,000 deaths and more than 3.8 million cases of Covid-19.

Hoang Bach