Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
The number of fresh cases in India has fallen to a four-month low. Elsewhere, a new study shows over 1 million children have lost a caregiver due to COVID. DW has the latest.The US State Department has lowered its COVID-related travel advisory for India and Pakistan to “Level 3 — Reconsider Travel” from “Level 4 — Do Not Travel.” The advisories had previously asked US residents not to travel to either country. Restrictions imposed in May, which bar the entry of nearly all non-US citizens who have been in India within the last 14, remain in place. Though India’s COVID cases have been slowing, some local hotspots remain quite active, driving up the total number of cases. The health ministry confirmed 42,015 new infections on Wednesday, and 3,998 deaths, the highest since June 12. Some provinces in Pakistan have seen a sharp rise in cases lately, but the country has brought the situation under control more generally. Nearly all travelers to the US must show a negative coronavirus test or proof of recovery from the disease. Here’s an overview of other major coronavirus developments around the world.
Americas Guatemala received three million doses of Moderna coronavirus vaccines donated by the US. The country’s health minister said it was the biggest shipment yet, and would allow the country to vaccinate everyone over 40. Mexico’s Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 13,853 new confirmed infections and 341 deaths, bringing the country’s total number of cases to 2,678,297 and the death toll to 236,810. Brazil registered 27,592 new cases of coronavirus and 1,424 new deaths on Tuesday.
The infection rate has been accelerating ever since officials relaxed social distancing rules in early May. Asia-Pacific The Tokyo Olympics should go ahead to demonstrate to the world what can be achieved with the right COVID measures in place, World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday. The world needed the Olympics “as a celebration of hope,” and the number of cases should not be used to judge the event, Tedros said. Instead, he urged people to think of the way the cases are handled.
But the head of Tokyo 2020 organizing committee said the Games could still be axed at the last minute. Toshiro Muto said officials are worried about rising infection numbers, More than 70 people associated with the Games have tested positive ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony. “We will continue discussions if there is a spike in cases,” said Mr Muto when asked at a press conference if the Games might be cancelled even at this late stage. “At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises.” South Korea reported a new daily high for COVID-19 infections, with 1,784 confirmed cases.
The figures marked the biggest single-day jump since the pandemic began. Australia’s Victoria state logged the biggest daily rise in locally acquired coronavirus cases in more than a week. Health authorities reported 22 new cases on Wednesday, up from nine a day earlier. The state has extended its stay-at-home orders until July 27. Mainland China reported 22 new COVID cases, compared to 65 a day earlier, the country’s health authority said on Wednesday. Of the new cases, 20 originated overseas.
The rest were local cases, all in the southwestern border province of Yunnan. China’s total number of coronavirus cases stands at 92,364. The death toll remains unchanged at 4,636. Europe Authorities in Mallorca are rethinking COVID rules as cases continue to rise on the Spanish holiday island. The number of new infections per 100,000 people rose to 335 from 310 on Tuesday.
Last Friday, the figure was 270. The number of cases in Germany rose by 2,203 and the death toll increased by 19. The total number of cases now stands at 3,748,613 and deaths at 91,416. Greek Orthodox Church authorities published a circular busting conspiracy theories about the coronavirus.
It includes advice that vaccines “do not contain microchips.” Spiritual leaders have urged churches to read the guidelines out to the faithful. Greece reported more than 3,000 new infections on Tuesday for its approximately 11 million inhabitants. Global Around 1.5 million children worldwide lost at least one parent, grandparent or other caregiver as a result of the pandemic between March 2020 and April this year, a new study led by a researcher at the Imperial College London reveals. rm/rt (Reuters, AP)
