These are the global coronavirus stories you need to know about this week.
In France, a new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected in the Bacalan neighbourhood of the city of Bordeaux with at least 46 new cases reported. Additional vaccine doses are being sent to the region to help contain the cluster. Quarantine for travellers from the UK is being put in place because of the spread of the B.1.617.2 UK variant. On May 25, 199 people died from COVID-19, and there have been 108,908 deaths since the start of the epidemic. The decline in hospital pressures continues with 19,430 people hospitalised and 447 patients in intensive care.
More than 23.7 million French people have received at least one vaccine dose, and nearly 9.9 million have received two doses. France has been the target of an attempted smear campaign against the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. A Russian communications company using a British agency offered 2000 euros to health influencers to tarnish the image of the vaccine.
In Germany, the nationwide 7-day incidence rate has continued to fall significantly in recent days. It is now below the politically important incidence of 50 per 100,000 for the first time since last October. To date, more than 40% of the population in Germany has been vaccinated with one dose and 15% are fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, federal and state health ministers are planning to offer vaccination to all children and adolescents over 12 by the end of August. European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children aged 12 and over is expected soon.
The average number of people dying because of coronavirus is continuing to decline in Belgium, according to the latest figures from the Sciensano Public Health Institute. Last week, an average of 19 people died per day from the virus, bringing the total to 24,873 deaths since the start of the pandemic. So far, 38% of the population is partially vaccinated, and 14% fully vaccinated.
In Portugal, data from the General Directorate of Health (DGS) indicate that the transmissibility index, or R number, continues to rise and stood at 1.06 on Monday. The incidence of infection cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days increased to 55.6. There are virus hotspots in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley areas and new restrictions are being introduced there.
On Saturday, the country passed five million doses of vaccine administered and 70% of the population is expected to have received at least one dose by 8 August. There’s a meeting on Friday to discuss ending the country’s state of emergency.
In Spain, the number of new infections and deaths due to COVID-19 continues to drop, with an incidence at 14 days below 110 cases in 100.000 inhabitants. The percentage of people fully vaccinated in Spain is almost 17.5%, and just over 35% have received at least one dose. Preparations are being made for the EU digital travel certificate that will be implemented in July.
In the UK, the vaccination programme in England moved on to 30 to 31-year-olds for the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, and Northern Ireland opened bookings for all over-18s. As of Monday, 38 million first doses have been delivered across the UK, and 23 million second doses. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s former adviser, Dominic Cummings, gave evidence about the Government’s pandemic response to parliamentary committees. He apologised for mistakes made and said ministers, officials, and advisers “fell disastrously short of the standards the public has a right to expect”.
COVID infections continue to decline in the US, as 50% of the population has now had at least one dose of a vaccine. So is the pandemic over in America? People are certainly acting as if it is, even as models predict another wave of cases. Infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci said the country can avoid a potential surge if at least 70% of the population is vaccinated by the summer.
In Mexico, 50 deaths from COVID-19 were reported on Sunday, the lowest number since April. The first local batch of vaccine from AstraZeneca is expected to be ready this week. Parents have been volunteering to clean classrooms ahead of a return to school in Mexico City on June 7. Back-to-school plans have been suspended in Campeche and Nayarit after an increase in COVID-19 cases.
In Chile, more than 50% of its population has been vaccinated. The government has announced that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to travel freely within the country but borders will remain closed until mid-June.
Colombia announced the closure of its borders to all travellers from India, and Panama announced the temporary closure of its border with Colombia. Argentina will impose stricter containment measures to try to stop the spread of COVID-19, such as closing schools and non-essential businesses and banning events.
The government of Bolivia is trying to combat a fake news campaign against COVID-19 vaccines.
Brazil reached 450,026 deaths from COVID-19 on Monday (24) and 16,121,136 cases of SARS-CoV-2. So far, 20.09% of the Brazilian population has received a first dose of vaccine (42,539,769 people) and 9.89% of inhabitants have received both doses (20,935,857 people). Doctors and public health specialists are monitoring for signs of a third wave in the country and fear that it could be even more intense. In São Paulo, ICU bed occupancy returned to above 80% after a month. Some hospitals in the capital already report they are at full capacity. The average number of deaths has not risen, but the daily number of new cases is increasing.
India’s overall COVID-19 death toll has passed another milestone of 300,000 deaths. However, the second wave of COVID-19 infections in the country seems to be easing. On May 25, India reported fewer than 200,000 daily COVID-19 infections for the first time in 6 weeks. According to the Indian Medical Association, 513 doctors across the country have died from COVID-19 so far during the second wave.
People in South Korea who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be mandated to wear masks outdoors. From June, partially vaccinated people will also be allowed to meet in large gatherings.
Fears of a potential COVID-19 outbreak emerged in Melbourne, Australia after a COVID-19-positive spectator attended a football match with more than 23,000 others. Several individuals who sat near the infected spectator were asked to isolate and get tested.
As COVID-19 infections continue to rise in Taiwan, it has further tightened restrictions, including a ban on in-restaurant dining. The Level 3 alert in the country which was originally due to expire on May 28 has been extended to June 14.
See more global coronavirus updates in Medscape’s Coronavirus Resource Centre.
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