Outstanding history
Children under the age of five carried large amounts of coronavirus in their upper respiratory tract, a study published Thursday showed. Early research found no strong evidence that children were the main contributors to the spread of COVID-19.
But now, a study in the journal JAMA Pediatrics suggests that young children had a viral load 10 to 100 times higher than adults in their upper airways. This could mean that children are the main drivers of transmission within their communities.
Here is a summary of the other important stories about the coronavirus around the world:
Africa
As the continent approaches 1 million confirmed infections, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Africa has said that Africa still has “a very good chance of countering this virus” with a comprehensive strategy that includes assertive proofs.
Meanwhile, the country with almost half of Africa’s virus cases, South Africa, has eased its curfew at 9pm for an hour.
And the UN food agency warned that nearly 60% of Zimbabwe’s population could become “food insecure” in December without an additional aid package of $ 250 million (€ 210 million).
Read more: Africa’s Muslims mourn reduced hajj
Asia
Several countries report an increase in the number of cases as the continent struggles to control the spread of the virus.
Indian authorities say “immunity without vaccination is not a strategic option or option,” even when India registers more than 50,000 new confirmed infections.
Read more: Why does India deny community broadcasting of COVID-19?
Countries that were praised for their initial handling of the pandemic, such as Australia and Vietnam, now face a resurgence in case numbers. After a record daily increase, the Australian state of Victoria has made facial masks mandatory.
Americas
President Donald Trump questioned on Twitter whether the United States should delay the November elections until people can vote “safely.”
The United States reported a 32.9% contraction in its economy between April and June, the worst decline since the Great Depression.
A new study conducted in Cuba found that an antibody drug that is already used against coronavirus can decrease the risk of intensive care and death among nursing home residents with COVID-19.
Infections in Brazil have exceeded 2.6 million, a day after the country reported nearly 70,000 new cases. Brazil is the second most affected country in the world, behind the United States, with more than 90,000 deaths.
Europe
The pandemic has caused a record drop in Germany’s GDP. The 10.1% contraction was the largest since the country began collecting quarterly data in 1970. Austria and Belgium reported similar contractions in their economies on Thursday.
Meanwhile, companies across the continent have reported serious losses for the second quarter of 2020. VW, Renault and Airbus reported staggeringly low financial results as the coronavirus crisis brought the global economy to a halt.
Read more: Opinion: Germany’s economy cannot count on rapid recovery
The UK has reported the highest excess death rate (65,000) in Europe during the pandemic, shows a comparison of 21 countries. Scientists say excess mortality is the best way to measure deaths from an outbreak because it is internationally comparable.
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dr, see / rt (AFP, Reuters, AP)
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