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Weekly Global COVID-19 Wrap: 29 April 2022

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In this week’s Global COVID-19 Wrap, SABC News captures highlights from all corners of the globe as the number of confirmed coronavirus infections continues to rise.

The world has currently recorded over 512 000 000 million cases, with over 466 000 000 million recoveries and over 6 250 000 million deaths.

Meanwhile, South Africa has confirmed 3 785 398 cases, with 3 646 241 recoveries and 100 360 deaths. While the African continent has over 11 400 000, with over 10 700 000 recoveries and over 252 000 deaths.

South Africa may be entering 5th wave earlier than expected: Phaahla

Concerns are mounting that South Africa could soon be in the midst of the fifth wave of COVID-19 infections, possibly driven by new sub variants of Omicron.

Daily COVID-19 infections recorded have registered at over 4 000 in the past three days, with most new cases picked up in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.

Meanwhile, a panel of experts warns that South Africa is not yet out of the woods, despite the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions.

They have reiterated that the vaccine is still the best form of protection against the virus.

Deputy General for the Department of Health Dr Nicholas Crisp says there is also a noticeable increase in the number of people being hospitalised with COVID-19, majority of which are unvaccinated.

Less than 45% of the South African population has been vaccinated, a far cry from the government’s 75% target.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Health Ministry briefs media on COVID-19 in South Africa

INTERNATIONAL COVID-19 NEWS
In the United States, President Joe Biden’s administration is aiming to expand access to COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments like Pfizer Inc’s Paxlovid by doubling the number of locations at which they are available.

Pharmacies participating in the federal pharmacy program for distributing antiviral treatments will now be able to order the free treatments directly from the US government starting this week.

Currently, pharmacies depend on states to obtain the pills.

ASIA

In Asia, The COVID-hit city of Shanghai is making more resources available to improve vaccination rates among the elderly.

This as daily case numbers decline and as the city looks for a way out of four weeks of stringent lockdown restrictions.

Battling China’s biggest ever coronavirus outbreak, Shanghai saw new asymptomatic cases fall to 9 330 on April 27, down 22% from a day earlier and its lowest rate in 24 days.

Meanwhile, Taiwan on Thursday reported that the daily number of confirmed domestic COVID-19 cases had topped 10 000 for the first time.

With a well-vaccinated population, more than 99% of those infected in the current wave are either asymptomatic or have not fallen seriously ill…and only seven people have died since the 1st of January.

EUROPE

In Europe face masks in Italy will remain compulsory on public transport and in some indoor venues until June 15.

Health Minister Roberto Speranza on Thursday said masks will still be required to access cinemas, theatres, indoor events and to enter hospitals, adding that the government intends to be cautious in lifting the remaining measures.

Italy was the first Western nation hit by the disease and it has so far registered 163 244 deaths, the eighth highest tally in the world.

Meanwhile, a European Report said that between 60% and 80% of the EU population was estimated to have been infected with COVID-19.

The EU public health agency said reported cases had covered about 30% of the European population so far, but if unreported infections were added, cases could be as high as 350 million, about 77% of the European population.

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