Covid-19 Pandemic: The World Continues to Be Shaken by the Pandemic

In many places, a Covid-19 vaccine is seen as the key to achieving herd immunity, so vaccination campaigns are racing against time to contain the number of positive cases and deaths at unprecedented levels.

Worldwide, as of August 15, 207,547,335 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded, of which 186,044,403 have recovered, 17,135,501 are currently positive and 4,367,431 have died. The World Health Organization said that as of August 12, 4,428,168,759 doses of vaccine have been administered to people in countries, in an effort to achieve community immunity as soon as possible, minimizing losses and casualties from the risks posed by dangerous variants.

US: Number of pediatric cases hits record high

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

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

According to data from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Delta variant is currently spreading rapidly among the unvaccinated population, causing a surge in Covid-19 hospitalizations in recent weeks. With 1,902 cases, children now account for about 2.4% of Covid-19 hospitalizations in the US. Because children under 12 are not vaccinated, they are currently the group at high risk of infection with this new, fast-spreading variant.

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

In addition, data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also showed that the number of new Covid-19 patients hospitalized in the 18-29, 30-39, and 40-49 age groups also reached a record last week. This fact has sparked debate about whether to require children to wear masks 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, the number of hospitalizations is at a 6-month high, and an average of 600 deaths per day, 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, straining their health care systems. In Florida, hospitals are scrambling to increase staffing and beds, even using conference rooms and cafeterias for treatment. In Oregon, Governor Kate Brown has deployed 500 National Guard members to help overwhelmed hospitals. In Mississippi, federal health workers are bolstering understaffed local teams, setting up a 20-bed triage center in the multistory parking lot of the University of Mississippi Hospital to handle the overflow of Covid-19 patients.

As of August 14, the US has distributed 415,915,655 doses, injecting 355,768,825 doses of Covid-19 vaccine into the people. 197,685,048 people in this country have received at least 1 dose, and 168,090,925 people have received enough doses of vaccine.

Russia: Highest death toll ever

Receiving Covid-19 patients at a hospital on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia. Photo: Reuters

Russia's daily Covid-19 death toll hit an all-time high of 819 on August 14. The day before, Moscow's health ministry announced the city's highest monthly death toll since the outbreak began.

The daily death toll from the coronavirus is rising after peaking in July, with officials blaming the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. Moscow said on August 13 that the city’s death rate in July was 70% higher than before the pandemic in 2019 and 60% higher than the same month last year. Moscow’s total of 17,237 deaths in July was 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 of the epidemic in July, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 6,600,836.

Australia: Increased fines for violating lockdown during “worst” phase of pandemic

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

Australian police have increased fines for those who break lockdown rules in Sydney and New South Wales, with people across the state being asked to stay home as the number of new Covid-19 cases in the state hit a record high.

Specifically, the state police will issue a maximum fine of 5,000 AUD, equivalent to 3,700 USD for violating the stay-at-home order or making false statements to the contact tracing team. Previously, the old fine was 1,000 AUD.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian admitted that the state in particular, and Australia in general, are going through the most terrible period since the outbreak. The number of community infections in New South Wales increased by a record 466 cases in the past 24 hours, with 4 new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in this outbreak to 42 people.

Sydney is unlikely to end its nine-week lockdown on August 28 as planned, with officials saying some restrictions could be eased if vaccination rates are high and cases fall. “We will get through this, but September and October are going to be tough,” Berejiklian said. “This is a real fight, and we’ve never been through a fight of this magnitude.”

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

Canada: Public sector workers required to get vaccinated

Covid-19 vaccination in Ontario, Canada. Photo: Reuters

Canada said last week it would soon require all public sector employees and many other workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19, as the country tries to boost its vaccination rate, already the world's top, as the Delta variant causes new infections.

Officials say the rule 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 Canada’s economy to operate safely. For those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, testing and other measures will be used.

Canada has 300,000 public sector workers and hundreds of thousands of employees at government-owned or government-controlled corporations. The country has vaccinated more than 82% of eligible residents with a first dose, and 71% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated. But the number of positive cases has doubled in the past two weeks amid a fourth wave of the Delta variant.

China: Number of local infections drops for fourth consecutive day

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

China reported 30 new local infections on August 14, a decline for the fourth consecutive day, suggesting the month-long outbreak may be easing.

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

The Delta variant spreading in China has prompted authorities to activate measures to contain the epidemic, including mass testing, zoning risk areas and restricting travel in affected cities.

Thailand: Number of infections could double early next month

People line up to get tested for Covid-19 in Bangkok, Thailand on July 15. Photo: Reuters

Thailand’s Covid-19 task force said the country could see new coronavirus cases double to 45,000 a day by early September, even if current lockdown measures are maintained. Authorities have urged people to stay home to reduce the risk of infection.

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

“The lockdown is 20% effective but cases continue to rise, expected to reach about 45,000 cases per day by early or mid-September,” said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, spokesman for Thailand’s Covid-19 task force.

Citing the Ministry of Health's forecast, he said that if the lockdown could be 5% more effective and the target groups could be vaccinated faster, then in 2 months there could be 20,000 cases per day.

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

The pandemic has put pressure on medical facilities in the capital Bangkok, with about 129,000 patients transferred to the provinces since July to reduce the burden on hospital beds in Bangkok. Early next week, the Thai Prime Minister will meet with the task force and may adjust measures to prevent and control the pandemic.

Indonesia: Number of pregnant women dying from Covid-19 increases

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

Indonesia is trying to contain its second wave of Covid-19, but experts are concerned about the rising number of pregnant women dying from Covid-19 in the country, leading to health risks and worries for those with young children.

According to the Indonesian Obstetrics and Gynecology Association, since the outbreak, there have been at least 536 maternal deaths, accounting for 18% of the total number of maternal deaths in the country today.

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

Accordingly, from January to May, the association tested about 15,000 pregnant women in Jakarta, recording 1,600 positive cases. He added that for every 9 pregnant women with Covid-19, 1 case had severe symptoms.

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