Covid-19: Update on the situation

During the week July 5, 2021, 4 millions of deaths due to Covid-19 have been reported. The situation is getting worse in several countries due to the limited access to the vaccine and/or the spread of new variants of the virus.

In Asia, Japan reinstated the state of health emergency in Tokyo until 22 August 2021. This period will cover the Olympic Games which will take place from July 23 to August 8. The three Asian countries with the highest number of Covid-19 infections this week are India with 298 171 cases, Indonesia (214 680) and Iran (108 666).

In Europe, the Delta variant is a game changer. A surge in the number of contaminations has been recorded in several countries, particularly in Spain and Portugal. Another finding is that people aged 20-39 are increasingly being tested positive. Russia has recorded a record number of deaths in 24 hours, 737 in one day.

In France, the Indian variant is gaining ground as a polemic on mandatory vaccination of health care workers emerges. An exceptional health defense council scheduled for Monday, 12 July 2021 shalll discuss the issue.

Since the beginning of July, the United Kingdom is facing a third wave of the epidemic. The weekly number of infections has increased by 36% to reach 195 284 cases. However, severe forms of the disease are rarely reported. For the record, DNA sequencing shows that in June, the Delta variant represented 95% of the cases reported in the country.

Despite the rapid spread of the Delta variant, on Monday 5 July 2021 Germany has lifted entry restrictions for travelers from five countries including the United Kingdom, Portugal and India.

In Africa, the weekly number of Covid-19 infections reached 276 420 cases. South Africa recorded 139 690 new infections in one week. Tunisia follows with 46 350 positive tests and Zambia with 12 624 new cases.

Globally, Brazil is recording the highest number of infections (340 482) and deaths (10 155) in one week.