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The UK reported its highest day for new coronavirus infections on Monday, with 41,385 new COVID-19 cases. The surge, driven by a new, more contagious variant of the virus, is forcing hospitals to cancel non-urgent procedures and scramble to find a space.
357 new deaths were reported.
“This very high level of infection is a growing concern at a time when our hospitals are most vulnerable,” said Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director of Public Health England.
The new variant is believed to be up to 70% more contagious, although people don’t seem to get any sicker.
Large swaths of the country have been subjected to restrictions that have closed nonessential stores and banned indoor socializing and dining at restaurants. However, hospital admissions for COVID-19 in the south-east of England are approaching or exceeding the levels of the first peak of the outbreak.
Dr. Nick Scriven, former president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the growing number of hospitalizations was “extremely concerning.”
“With the numbers approaching the April peaks, the systems will again stretch to the limit,” he said.
Africa
South Africa has reimposed the ban on the sale of alcohol and made the wearing of masks in public mandatory. President Cyril Ramaphosa said there had been a “rapid rise” in infections, largely driven by a new strain that was feared to be more contagious, and that heavy alcohol use was increasing the burden on hospitals.
The curfew will start at 9 p.m. instead of 11 p.m. and non-essential establishments, such as shops, bars and restaurants, will close from 8 p.m. There is a two-week ban on all large gatherings, inside or outside , with the exception of 50 people for funerals. All public beaches and swimming pools in hotspots including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban have been closed.
The country has reported 1 million cases of coronavirus since the first case was detected in March this year, according to data from the Ministry of Health. This grim milestone prompted Ramaphosa to convene an emergency meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council.
The country is struggling with a new variant of the coronavirus, 501.V2, which is more contagious.
Europe
Russia has revealed that its coronavirus death toll is three times higher than previously reported, making it the country with the third highest number of COVID deaths. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long boasted of the low death rate, even though experts say the numbers are being downplayed.
The Rosstat statistics agency said that the total deaths from all causes between January and November increased by 229,700 compared to the previous year.
“More than 81 percent of this increase in mortality during this period is due to COVID,” said Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova, meaning that more than 186,000 Russians have died from COVID-19.
Various German Cities experienced delays in receiving and administering coronavirus vaccines after various temperature trackers showed that some BioNTech-Pfizer injections may not have been cold enough due to inconsistencies in the cold chain.
BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine uses mRNA technology and must be stored at nearly -70 degrees Celsius (-112 ° F) before shipping in cold boxes filled with dry ice. Once out of ultra-low temperatures, the vaccine must be kept between 2 ° C and 8 ° C to remain effective for up to five days.
The temperature in a cooler had risen to 15 ° C during transportation, a Lichtenfels spokesman said. About 1,000 shots were hit. He added that they had not received any communication from BioNtech on how to proceed.
Lichtenfels, as well as the Coburg, Kronach, Kulmbach, Hof, Bayreuth and Wunsiedel districts of Bavaria were waiting to find out if the shots could still be used.
In a statement, BioNTech said the company was responsible for shipping the vaccines to the 25 German distribution centers, after which the federal states and local authorities would handle the shipment to the vaccination centers as well as mobile teams from vaccination.
The highly infectious new variant of the virus discovered in Britain has been present in Germany since November, according to medical specialists at the Hanover School of Medicine (MHH), The world reported. The B1.1.7 virus variant was found in samples from a patient who died at that time.
Meanwhile, BioNTech and Pfizer postponed the delivery of new lots of their vaccine to eight european nations including Spain.
The delay is due to a “problem in the loading and shipping process” at its Belgium plant, the Spanish Health Ministry said in a statement on Monday, citing Pfizer’s Spanish branch.
DW has an overview of the countries that have started vaccination campaigns and what comes next.
Sweden The government will have broader powers to impose lockdown measures under a new law proposed Monday. Until now, Sweden has relied primarily on voluntary social distancing measures.
“In very serious situations, the government may decide on more comprehensive measures to avoid overcrowding,” Health Minister Lena Hallengren told reporters. “That includes the closure of shops, public transportation, shopping centers or other types of businesses that fall under the new law.”
Sweden has seen more than 8,000 deaths from COVID-19, a much higher per capita rate than its Nordic neighbors.
Finland It has become the latest European country to report a case of the most contagious variant of coronavirus first identified in Britain.
Health officials said on Monday that a Finnish national who had recently arrived from Britain for a Christmas holiday was diagnosed with the new variant of COVID-19 in the southeastern Kymenlaakso region over the weekend.
The person’s recent connections were traced and family members isolated. Finnish health officials said they believed the variant had not spread further.
Slovakia Parliament has approved a constitutional amendment that allows the extension of the state of emergency for 40 days in a row. Previously, it had a 90-day limit and was due to expire on Tuesday.
Middle East
Saudi Arabia has announced an extension of its ban on entry to the kingdom for another week amid fears about the new variant of the coronavirus. Entry by air, land or sea has not been allowed. However, the Home Office is allowing non-citizens to leave the kingdom while the government assesses the current level of threat. Entry is only allowed in exceptional cases.
Israel It has entered its third coronavirus lockdown, preventing residents from moving more than 1,000 meters from their homes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu expressed hope that the mass vaccination campaign already underway in parts of North America and Europe will return the world to a semblance of normalcy in the coming weeks.
Notable exceptions to the 1,000-meter rule are grocery shopping, medical care, legal proceedings, or exercise.
Pacific Asia
South Korea has reported its first cases of the most contagious variant of COVID-19, which was first identified in the UK. The new variant has been detected in a family of three, who arrived in South Korea a day before the country stopped air travel from Great Britain.
All three, who reside in the UK, are in quarantine.
Authorities have banned New Year’s Eve congregations in Sydney Harbor over pandemic concerns. Under normal circumstances, nearly 1 million people gather to watch fireworks each year.
New South Wales State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that those who live in the city center of From Australia the largest city could invite up to 10 people to its homes, but guests would have to obtain permits to enter the area.
Thailand announced its first coronavirus death in nearly two months and tightened restrictions on entertainment companies in its capital on Monday.
Authorities confirmed 144 new infections as new groups emerged stemming from their largest outbreak yet.
He pushed for a ban in Bangkok on gambling businesses and the closure of its bars, clubs and music venues until January 4.
Indonesia has banned international visitors from entering the country for a period of two weeks to try to avoid a potentially more contagious new variant of the coronavirus.
The new regulation, effective from January 1, comes days after Indonesia banned travelers from Britain and tightened rules for those arriving from Europe and Australia to limit the spread of the new variant.
aw, see / nm (AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa)
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