Getting an ambulance quickly in case of emergency may not be easy as COVID-19 cases skyrocket, a Tennessee official has warned.

On Thursday Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said that emergency services were overwhelmed and that long wait times should be expected.

She added that they were answering about 100 more calls a day than last year. August could possibly be their busiest month yet, according to local media.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/businesses-in-portland-oregon-close-early-amid-scorching-heat-405201">Also read |&nbsp;Businesses in Portland, Oregon, close early amid scorching heat</a>

Low vaccination rates and the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus have driven a surge of COVID-19 cases across the United States, overwhelming some state medical systems.

The number of daily COVID-19 cases across the country has doubled in the last two weeks, according to a Reuters tally, reaching a six-month peak, while the average number of daily deaths has increased 85% in the last 14 days.

Getting an ambulance quickly in case of emergency may not be easy as COVID-19 cases skyrocket, a Tennessee official has warned. On Thursday Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said that emergency services were overwhelmed and that long wait times should be expected.

Getting an ambulance quickly in case of emergency may not be easy as COVID-19 cases skyrocket, a Tennessee official has warned. On Thursday Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said that emergency services were overwhelmed and that long wait times should be expected. She added that they were answering about 100 more calls a day than last year. August could possibly be their busiest month yet, according to local media. Also read | Businesses in Portland, Oregon, close early amid scorching heat Low vaccination rates and the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus have driven a surge of COVID-19 cases across the United States, overwhelming some state medical systems. The number of daily COVID-19 cases across the country has doubled in the last two weeks, according to a Reuters tally, reaching a six-month peak, while the average number of daily deaths has increased 85% in the last 14 days.

Ambulances in short supply as COVID-19 patients overwhelm Memphis hospitals

The French police are now investigating a series of COVID-19 vaccine certificate scams after several doctors reported having their health service accounts hacked.

The French police are now investigating a series of COVID-19 vaccine certificate scams after several doctors reported having their health service accounts hacked. In one instance, one of several forgery rackets under investigation, fraudsters gained access to the online account of a GP near Bordeaux and obtained 55 false documents. Another doctor in Marseilles reported being similarly hacked, and others have told the authorities that there had been attempts to access their accounts. Also read | Plymouth shooting: Jake Davison was licensed gun holder Also, the health authority has reported a growing number of forged certificates, with 46 incidents under police investigation since May. The forgers are also producing fake negative COVID-19 tests. Local deputy prefect, Martin Guespereau, told journalists, "Health pass fraud is very serious and is severely punished. Nobody should be cheating with the vaccine". Various hackers have been put under investigation in recent weeks in Paris, Grenoble and Bordeaux. During the end of July, a vaccine centre contract worker was jailed after he was found to have generated 200 false QR codes.

French police investigate soaring number of fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates

After a work became infected with the deadly coronavirus, China had to shut the world’s third-busiest container port.

As per a statement from the port, all the inbound and outbound container services at Meishan terminal in Ningbo-Zhoushan port were halted Wednesday until further notice due to a “system disruption".

The closed terminal accounts for about 25 per cent of container cargo through the port, calculates security consultant GardaWorld, which said, &nbsp;“the suspension could severely impact cargo handling and shipping.” Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd AG said there will be a delay in sailings.

This comes after the closure of Yantian port in Shenzhen in late May for about a month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-forms-new-expert-group-to-continue-research-into-origins-of-covid-in-wuhan-405076">Also read |&nbsp;WHO forms new expert group to continue research into origins of Covid in Wuhan</a>

The shutting down of the port will now hamper international shipping and supplies of goods, which is already hurt by the pandemic’s squeeze on manufacturers.&nbsp;

An extended shuttering at Ningbo could be especially damaging for the world economy as seaborne trade usually rises toward the end of the year as companies ship Christmas and holiday products.

Josh Brazil, vice president of marketing at project44, a supply-chain intelligence firm, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "There may be far-reaching downstream consequences going into Black Friday and holiday shopping seasons” and the next 24 hours will determine whether there is a large outbreak or not.&nbsp;

He further added, "One of the few givens in 2021 is endemic delays, and the fact that conditions can change almost overnight.”

After a work became infected with the deadly coronavirus, China had to shut the world’s third-busiest container port. As per a statement from the port, all the inbound and outbound container services at Meishan terminal in Ningbo-Zhoushan port were halted Wednesday until further notice due to a “system disruption".

After a work became infected with the deadly coronavirus, China had to shut the world’s third-busiest container port. As per a statement from the port, all the inbound and outbound container services at Meishan terminal in Ningbo-Zhoushan port were halted Wednesday until further notice due to a “system disruption". The closed terminal accounts for about 25 per cent of container cargo through the port, calculates security consultant GardaWorld, which said, “the suspension could severely impact cargo handling and shipping.” Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd AG said there will be a delay in sailings. This comes after the closure of Yantian port in Shenzhen in late May for about a month. Also read | WHO forms new expert group to continue research into origins of Covid in Wuhan The shutting down of the port will now hamper international shipping and supplies of goods, which is already hurt by the pandemic’s squeeze on manufacturers. An extended shuttering at Ningbo could be especially damaging for the world economy as seaborne trade usually rises toward the end of the year as companies ship Christmas and holiday products. Josh Brazil, vice president of marketing at project44, a supply-chain intelligence firm, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "There may be far-reaching downstream consequences going into Black Friday and holiday shopping seasons” and the next 24 hours will determine whether there is a large outbreak or not. He further added, "One of the few givens in 2021 is endemic delays, and the fact that conditions can change almost overnight.”

COVID-19: World's third-busiest port partly shut down by China as worker tests positive

Organ donation has less uptake in India, when compared to western nations. Covid-19 pandemic raging over the last 18 months, has further dwindled down the number of organ donations, say health experts. 
 
August 13 is observed as World Organ Donation Day every year to motivate people to pledge organ donation after death and to spread awareness and eliminate myths and fears regarding organ donation. 
 
During Covid pandemic lockdowns, fear of infection, and lack of awareness compounded the reduction in organ donation chances, the experts said. 
 
"The number of organ donations in our country has been very low in comparison to the western countries. Furthermore, there is a significant drop since the start of the pandemic, the reason being Covid recovered patients cannot donate immediately after recovering. Too much focus on Covid and the lack of awareness on organ donation are also the reason why this number has dropped significantly," Vishwanath S, HOD and Consultant - Nephrology, Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, told IANS. 
 
There are two ways to donate organs: a living donor -- a healthy person who donates one of a pair of organs such as the kidney or part of an organ such as the liver; and/or through Cadaveric donation -- when you harvest organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas) from brain dead people, as well as tissue donation, meaning taking tissues (skin, corneas, tendons, bone) from brain dead as well as those whose heart has stopped, but in that case it has to be done with limited time period. 
 
A single cadaveric donor can give life to about six-nine recipients (two kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, intestine, eyes and tissues). 
 
"Due to Covid-induced lockdowns and reduced traffic on the roads, accidents with consequent head injury and brain death related organ donors have reduced. On the other hand, even the recipients are unable to travel to transplant centres due to intra and interstate travel restrictions," Mukul Rastogi, Additional Director-Hepatology, Fortis Noida, told IANS. 
 
"There is also an apprehension regarding Covid status and potential transmission from deceased donors to recipients and healthcare providers. Similarly, there is a risk of recipients, live donors and the healthcare team inadvertently transmitting Covid to each other," he added. 
 
However, the doctors suggest that it is safe to donate after two-three months of Covid recovery. A complete vaccination before the process can make it safer, protecting both the donor and the recipient from the future infection of Covid. Even if they develop Covid, it will be very mild. 
 
"After the Covid pandemic, doctors have been extra cautious in the procedures of organ donation. It is safe to donate once you recover from Covid. Post-Covid, we assess whether there is any Covid-related involvement of the organs. If any person wants to donate organs post-recovery, we evaluate them completely. In cases when lungs are needed to be donated, we ensure there are no residual problems before donation," Vishwanath said. 
 
Moreover, with the availability of accurate tests (RT -PCR and antibody) for Covid with a rapid turnaround time (4-6 hours), it is possible to determine whether transplant can be safely performed, the doctors said. 
 
In India, every year almost 3.5 lakh people need some form of organ transplant but less than 11,000 transplants are carried out. The overall organ donation rate in India is quite low at around 0.52 per million population, compared with 36.07 donors per million in the US. 
 
The Cardiology Society of India reveals that over 50,000 patients need heart transplantation in a year but less than 250 actually get one. 
 
As per the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation, of the 21,395 kidneys transplanted in India between 1971 and 2015, only 783 were from cadaveric donors. Out of more than 50,000 people who need liver transplant, only 2,000 procedures are being done, according to Indian Society of Gastroenterology. 
 
"Organ donation in India needs to pick up the pace to match the humongous gap that is existing between patients who need organs and organ availability. As critical illnesses are on the rise, harvesting organs from deceased bodies and making it accessible to the one who needs should be the priority," D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals, in Hyderabad, told IANS.

Organ donation has less uptake in India, when compared to western nations. Covid-19 pandemic raging over the last 18 months, has further dwindled down the number of organ donations, say health experts.

Organ donation has less uptake in India, when compared to western nations. Covid-19 pandemic raging over the last 18 months, has further dwindled down the number of organ donations, say health experts. August 13 is observed as World Organ Donation Day every year to motivate people to pledge organ donation after death and to spread awareness and eliminate myths and fears regarding organ donation. During Covid pandemic lockdowns, fear of infection, and lack of awareness compounded the reduction in organ donation chances, the experts said. "The number of organ donations in our country has been very low in comparison to the western countries. Furthermore, there is a significant drop since the start of the pandemic, the reason being Covid recovered patients cannot donate immediately after recovering. Too much focus on Covid and the lack of awareness on organ donation are also the reason why this number has dropped significantly," Vishwanath S, HOD and Consultant - Nephrology, Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, told IANS. There are two ways to donate organs: a living donor -- a healthy person who donates one of a pair of organs such as the kidney or part of an organ such as the liver; and/or through Cadaveric donation -- when you harvest organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas) from brain dead people, as well as tissue donation, meaning taking tissues (skin, corneas, tendons, bone) from brain dead as well as those whose heart has stopped, but in that case it has to be done with limited time period. A single cadaveric donor can give life to about six-nine recipients (two kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, intestine, eyes and tissues). "Due to Covid-induced lockdowns and reduced traffic on the roads, accidents with consequent head injury and brain death related organ donors have reduced. On the other hand, even the recipients are unable to travel to transplant centres due to intra and interstate travel restrictions," Mukul Rastogi, Additional Director-Hepatology, Fortis Noida, told IANS. "There is also an apprehension regarding Covid status and potential transmission from deceased donors to recipients and healthcare providers. Similarly, there is a risk of recipients, live donors and the healthcare team inadvertently transmitting Covid to each other," he added. However, the doctors suggest that it is safe to donate after two-three months of Covid recovery. A complete vaccination before the process can make it safer, protecting both the donor and the recipient from the future infection of Covid. Even if they develop Covid, it will be very mild. "After the Covid pandemic, doctors have been extra cautious in the procedures of organ donation. It is safe to donate once you recover from Covid. Post-Covid, we assess whether there is any Covid-related involvement of the organs. If any person wants to donate organs post-recovery, we evaluate them completely. In cases when lungs are needed to be donated, we ensure there are no residual problems before donation," Vishwanath said. Moreover, with the availability of accurate tests (RT -PCR and antibody) for Covid with a rapid turnaround time (4-6 hours), it is possible to determine whether transplant can be safely performed, the doctors said. In India, every year almost 3.5 lakh people need some form of organ transplant but less than 11,000 transplants are carried out. The overall organ donation rate in India is quite low at around 0.52 per million population, compared with 36.07 donors per million in the US. The Cardiology Society of India reveals that over 50,000 patients need heart transplantation in a year but less than 250 actually get one. As per the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation, of the 21,395 kidneys transplanted in India between 1971 and 2015, only 783 were from cadaveric donors. Out of more than 50,000 people who need liver transplant, only 2,000 procedures are being done, according to Indian Society of Gastroenterology. "Organ donation in India needs to pick up the pace to match the humongous gap that is existing between patients who need organs and organ availability. As critical illnesses are on the rise, harvesting organs from deceased bodies and making it accessible to the one who needs should be the priority," D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals, in Hyderabad, told IANS.

Organ donation dropped significantly due to COVID-19: Experts

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide&nbsp;Suga&nbsp;on Friday urged people to refrain from&nbsp;travelling as&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;cases&nbsp;spiked to new records in Tokyo and nationwide, heaping pressure on the medical system.

His comments follow health expert recommendations to strengthen states of emergency now in place in the capital and other hot spots.

Days after the end of the Tokyo Olympics, Paralympic organisers decided to hold the event mostly without spectators to limit infection risks, local media reported.

Suga&nbsp;said the government will strive to restrain the flow of people in commercial areas, and he urged residents to avoid&nbsp;travelling during&nbsp;Japan's traditional Obon holidays.

"I would like to ask citizens to avoid going back to their home towns or&nbsp;travelling, and to refrain from going out unnecessarily,"&nbsp;Suga&nbsp;told reporters.

Japan&nbsp;is experiencing a fifth wave of&nbsp;COVID-19, driven by the highly infectious delta variant. A woman related to the Olympics was identified as&nbsp;Japan's first case of the lambda variant of the virus, first identified in Peru, Kyodo reported on Friday, citing government sources.

Planners of the Paralympic Games, due to start on Aug. 24, agreed on Thursday to limit spectators, following in the footsteps of their Olympics counterparts, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, citing Games sources. The organiser's office told Reuters that no decision on spectators has been made.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-9000-anti-asian-incidents-reported-in-us-since-start-of-covid-19-pandemic-405162">Also read |&nbsp;Over 9,000 anti-Asian incidents reported in US since start of COVID-19 pandemic</a>

The Tokyo government reported a record 5,773 new coronavirus infections on Friday, as well as an all-time high 227 patients with serious symptoms. New daily&nbsp;cases&nbsp;nationwide exceeded 20,000 for the first time, public broadcaster NHK said.

Tokyo is already under a state of emergency, the fourth so far in the pandemic, though some experts have said it should be expanded to cover the whole country.

Paralympic venues in Shizuoka, central&nbsp;Japan, will limit spectators to under 5,000 people, the Yomiuri said. Organisers are still considering inviting school children to events, it said. Officials previously said they planned to make a decision after the Olympics, which ended on August 8.

The Paralympic competitions include swimming, table tennis, wheelchair fencing and basketball, with over 4,000 athletes with various impairments such as paraplegia.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday urged people to refrain from travelling as COVID-19 cases spiked to new records in Tokyo and nationwide, heaping pressure on the medical system.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday urged people to refrain from travelling as COVID-19 cases spiked to new records in Tokyo and nationwide, heaping pressure on the medical system. His comments follow health expert recommendations to strengthen states of emergency now in place in the capital and other hot spots. Days after the end of the Tokyo Olympics, Paralympic organisers decided to hold the event mostly without spectators to limit infection risks, local media reported. Suga said the government will strive to restrain the flow of people in commercial areas, and he urged residents to avoid travelling during Japan's traditional Obon holidays. "I would like to ask citizens to avoid going back to their home towns or travelling, and to refrain from going out unnecessarily," Suga told reporters. Japan is experiencing a fifth wave of COVID-19, driven by the highly infectious delta variant. A woman related to the Olympics was identified as Japan's first case of the lambda variant of the virus, first identified in Peru, Kyodo reported on Friday, citing government sources. Planners of the Paralympic Games, due to start on Aug. 24, agreed on Thursday to limit spectators, following in the footsteps of their Olympics counterparts, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, citing Games sources. The organiser's office told Reuters that no decision on spectators has been made. Also read | Over 9,000 anti-Asian incidents reported in US since start of COVID-19 pandemic The Tokyo government reported a record 5,773 new coronavirus infections on Friday, as well as an all-time high 227 patients with serious symptoms. New daily cases nationwide exceeded 20,000 for the first time, public broadcaster NHK said. Tokyo is already under a state of emergency, the fourth so far in the pandemic, though some experts have said it should be expanded to cover the whole country. Paralympic venues in Shizuoka, central Japan, will limit spectators to under 5,000 people, the Yomiuri said. Organisers are still considering inviting school children to events, it said. Officials previously said they planned to make a decision after the Olympics, which ended on August 8. The Paralympic competitions include swimming, table tennis, wheelchair fencing and basketball, with over 4,000 athletes with various impairments such as paraplegia.

Japan PM Suga urges travel curbs as COVID-19 cases surge before Paralympics

Almost twenty years ago, Panta Petrovic made social distancing a lifestyle choice when he moved into a tiny&nbsp;Serbian&nbsp;mountain&nbsp;cave&nbsp;to avoid society.

Last year, on one of his visits to town, the dreadlocked man with a long beard found out there was a pandemic raging. After vaccines against&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;became available, he got jabbed and&nbsp;urges&nbsp;everyone to do the same.

"It (the virus) does not pick. It will come here, to my&nbsp;cave, too", the 70-year-old told AFP in his&nbsp;cave&nbsp;on the forested Stara Planina mountain in southern Serbia.

The&nbsp;cave&nbsp;Petrovic calls home is accessible only by a steep climb that is not for the fainthearted.

It is equipped with an old rusty bathtub which he uses as a toilet, some benches and a stack of hay that serves as a bed.

Petrovic hails from the nearby town of Pirot where he worked as a labourer on the black market, as he did abroad for some time. He remarried on multiple occasions, a life he called "hectic".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-9000-anti-asian-incidents-reported-in-us-since-start-of-covid-19-pandemic-405162">Also read | Over 9,000 anti-Asian incidents reported in US since start of COVID-19 pandemic</a>

Always a nature lover, he gradually found out that isolating from society brings him freedom he never tasted before.

"I was not free in the city. There is always someone in your way – you either argue with your wife, neighbours, or the police", Petrovic told AFP while peeling vegetables for lunch.

"Here, nobody is hassling me", the man added with a smile, revealing his decaying teeth.

'Money is cursed'

Petrovic mostly feeds on mushrooms and fish from the local creek, but also hikes downtown in search of leftover food in the bins.

And his visits to the town have become more regular recently.

After wolves slaughtered some of the animals he kept near the&nbsp;cave, Petrovic decided to move them to a shack he assembled in the outskirts of the town where he thought they would be safe.

The gang includes several goats, a flock of chickens, some thirty dogs and cats and his favourite -- an adult wild boar named Mara.

Petrovic found her eight years ago as a helpless piglet entangled in the bushes, and bottle-fed her until she recovered.

Now, the intimidating 200-kilogram&nbsp;(440 pound) animal playfully rolls in the creek and eats apples from Petrovic's hand.

"She means everything to me, I love her and she listens to me. There is no money that can buy such a thing. A true pet", Petrovic said.

Among the animals, there are three kittens whose mother was killed by a wolf, which he now feeds through a syringe.

Petrovic receives welfare, but also relies on donations for food and supplies for the animals.

After the vaccines became available, he rolled up his sleeve and got jabbed.

Petrovic said he "doesn't understand the fuss" some vaccine sceptics make, and underlined that he believes in a process that aims to eradicate diseases.

"I want to get all three doses, including the extra one. I urge every citizen to get vaccinated, every single one of them."

Before isolating, Petrovic donated all the money he had made abroad to the community by funding the construction of three small bridges in the town.

"Money is cursed, it spoils people. I think nothing can corrupt a human like money", Petrovic told AFP.

On top of one of the bridges, Petrovic built a pigeon loft which he, despite his advancing age, effortlessly climbs in order to stock them with pieces of bread he found while searching the bins.

Almost twenty years ago, Panta Petrovic made social distancing a lifestyle choice when he moved into a tiny Serbian mountain cave to avoid society. Last year, on one of his visits to town, the dreadlocked man with a long beard found out there was a pandemic raging.

Almost twenty years ago, Panta Petrovic made social distancing a lifestyle choice when he moved into a tiny Serbian mountain cave to avoid society. Last year, on one of his visits to town, the dreadlocked man with a long beard found out there was a pandemic raging. After vaccines against COVID-19 became available, he got jabbed and urges everyone to do the same. "It (the virus) does not pick. It will come here, to my cave, too", the 70-year-old told AFP in his cave on the forested Stara Planina mountain in southern Serbia. The cave Petrovic calls home is accessible only by a steep climb that is not for the fainthearted. It is equipped with an old rusty bathtub which he uses as a toilet, some benches and a stack of hay that serves as a bed. Petrovic hails from the nearby town of Pirot where he worked as a labourer on the black market, as he did abroad for some time. He remarried on multiple occasions, a life he called "hectic". Also read | Over 9,000 anti-Asian incidents reported in US since start of COVID-19 pandemic Always a nature lover, he gradually found out that isolating from society brings him freedom he never tasted before. "I was not free in the city. There is always someone in your way – you either argue with your wife, neighbours, or the police", Petrovic told AFP while peeling vegetables for lunch. "Here, nobody is hassling me", the man added with a smile, revealing his decaying teeth. 'Money is cursed' Petrovic mostly feeds on mushrooms and fish from the local creek, but also hikes downtown in search of leftover food in the bins. And his visits to the town have become more regular recently. After wolves slaughtered some of the animals he kept near the cave, Petrovic decided to move them to a shack he assembled in the outskirts of the town where he thought they would be safe. The gang includes several goats, a flock of chickens, some thirty dogs and cats and his favourite -- an adult wild boar named Mara. Petrovic found her eight years ago as a helpless piglet entangled in the bushes, and bottle-fed her until she recovered. Now, the intimidating 200-kilogram (440 pound) animal playfully rolls in the creek and eats apples from Petrovic's hand. "She means everything to me, I love her and she listens to me. There is no money that can buy such a thing. A true pet", Petrovic said. Among the animals, there are three kittens whose mother was killed by a wolf, which he now feeds through a syringe. Petrovic receives welfare, but also relies on donations for food and supplies for the animals. After the vaccines became available, he rolled up his sleeve and got jabbed. Petrovic said he "doesn't understand the fuss" some vaccine sceptics make, and underlined that he believes in a process that aims to eradicate diseases. "I want to get all three doses, including the extra one. I urge every citizen to get vaccinated, every single one of them." Before isolating, Petrovic donated all the money he had made abroad to the community by funding the construction of three small bridges in the town. "Money is cursed, it spoils people. I think nothing can corrupt a human like money", Petrovic told AFP. On top of one of the bridges, Petrovic built a pigeon loft which he, despite his advancing age, effortlessly climbs in order to stock them with pieces of bread he found while searching the bins.

Serbian cave hermit gets COVID-19 jab, urges others to follow

Despite months of political and social action, the number of anti-Asian incidents documented in the United States so far this year is poised to surpass last year, according to a new report released Thursday.&nbsp;

Between March 19, 2020, and June this year, Stop AAPI Hate, a nationwide coalition that became the authority on gathering statistics on racially motivated assaults connected to the epidemic, received 9,081 incident reports.&nbsp;

Last year, there were 4,548 of them, and this year there are 4,533.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-violence-against-asian-americans-in-us-373843">Also read | Thousands protest violence against Asian Americans in US</a> 
 
People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestry have been viewed as scapegoats purely because of their race since the coronavirus was first detected in China.&nbsp;

Physical attacks against Asian Americans in the United States increased from 10.8% of all incidences in 2020 to 16.6% in 2021.

The bulk of the instances described in the study occurred in public, on public streets and in businesses.

In comparison to 2020, when seniors reported 6.5 per cent of all events, an increasing number of people aged 60 and over reported hate incidents in 2021, accounting for 7.2 per cent of all incidents.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Despite months of political and social action, the number of anti-Asian incidents documented in the United States so far this year is poised to surpass last year, according to a new report released Thursday.

Despite months of political and social action, the number of anti-Asian incidents documented in the United States so far this year is poised to surpass last year, according to a new report released Thursday. Between March 19, 2020, and June this year, Stop AAPI Hate, a nationwide coalition that became the authority on gathering statistics on racially motivated assaults connected to the epidemic, received 9,081 incident reports. Last year, there were 4,548 of them, and this year there are 4,533. Also read | Thousands protest violence against Asian Americans in US People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestry have been viewed as scapegoats purely because of their race since the coronavirus was first detected in China. Physical attacks against Asian Americans in the United States increased from 10.8% of all incidences in 2020 to 16.6% in 2021. The bulk of the instances described in the study occurred in public, on public streets and in businesses. In comparison to 2020, when seniors reported 6.5 per cent of all events, an increasing number of people aged 60 and over reported hate incidents in 2021, accounting for 7.2 per cent of all incidents. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 9,000 anti-Asian incidents reported in US since start of COVID-19 pandemic

In the next few years, COVID-19 may act similarly to other common-cold diseases, affecting mostly young children who have not yet been immunised or exposed to the virus, according to new research.

The following infection by SARS-CoV-2, there has been a clear sign of increasingly severe outcomes and fatality with age,&nbsp;Ottar Bjornstad, of the Department of Biology at the Pennsylvania State University, said.

"Yet, our modelling results suggest that the risk of infection will likely shift to younger children as the adult community becomes immune either through vaccination or exposure to the virus," he said.

As additional coronaviruses and influenza viruses have arisen and later become endemic, comparable changes have been documented, according to Bjornstad.

The age-incidence patterns during virgin outbreaks might be significantly different from endemic circulation, according to historical records of respiratory illnesses.

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"For example, ongoing genomic work suggests that the 1889-1890 pandemic, sometimes known as the Asiatic or Russian flu—which killed one million people, primarily adults over age 70—may have been caused by the emergence of HCoV-OC43 virus, which is now an endemic, mild, repeat-infecting cold virus affecting mostly children ages 7-12 months old," Bjornstad noted.

Such alterations have been found in other coronaviruses and influenza viruses when they arise and subsequently become endemic, according to the study, which was published in the journal Science Advances.&nbsp;

The researchers created a "realistic age-structured (RAS) mathematical model" for the study, which was published in the journal Science Advances.&nbsp;

They looked at disease burden in the short, medium, and long term—1, 10, and 20 years, respectively—as well as for 11 different countries with vastly different demographics, including China, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the United States, Brazil, and South Africa.

The model predicts different outcomes for different nations due to differences in demography.&nbsp;

"Given the marked increase of the infection-fatality ratio with age, countries with older population structures would be expected to have a larger fraction of deaths than those with relatively younger population structures," said Nils Chr. Stenseth, Professor of ecology and evolution, University of Oslo.

"Consistent with this, for example, South Africa—likely due, in part, to its younger population structure—has a lower number of deaths compared to older populations such as Italy. We found that such 'death disparities' are heavily influenced by demographics. However, regardless of demographics, we predict a consistent shift of the risk to the young," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the next few years, COVID-19 may act similarly to other common-cold diseases, affecting mostly young children who have not yet been immunised or exposed to the virus, according to new research.

In the next few years, COVID-19 may act similarly to other common-cold diseases, affecting mostly young children who have not yet been immunised or exposed to the virus, according to new research. The following infection by SARS-CoV-2, there has been a clear sign of increasingly severe outcomes and fatality with age, Ottar Bjornstad, of the Department of Biology at the Pennsylvania State University, said. "Yet, our modelling results suggest that the risk of infection will likely shift to younger children as the adult community becomes immune either through vaccination or exposure to the virus," he said. As additional coronaviruses and influenza viruses have arisen and later become endemic, comparable changes have been documented, according to Bjornstad. The age-incidence patterns during virgin outbreaks might be significantly different from endemic circulation, according to historical records of respiratory illnesses. "For example, ongoing genomic work suggests that the 1889-1890 pandemic, sometimes known as the Asiatic or Russian flu—which killed one million people, primarily adults over age 70—may have been caused by the emergence of HCoV-OC43 virus, which is now an endemic, mild, repeat-infecting cold virus affecting mostly children ages 7-12 months old," Bjornstad noted. Such alterations have been found in other coronaviruses and influenza viruses when they arise and subsequently become endemic, according to the study, which was published in the journal Science Advances. The researchers created a "realistic age-structured (RAS) mathematical model" for the study, which was published in the journal Science Advances. They looked at disease burden in the short, medium, and long term—1, 10, and 20 years, respectively—as well as for 11 different countries with vastly different demographics, including China, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the United States, Brazil, and South Africa. The model predicts different outcomes for different nations due to differences in demography. "Given the marked increase of the infection-fatality ratio with age, countries with older population structures would be expected to have a larger fraction of deaths than those with relatively younger population structures," said Nils Chr. Stenseth, Professor of ecology and evolution, University of Oslo. "Consistent with this, for example, South Africa—likely due, in part, to its younger population structure—has a lower number of deaths compared to older populations such as Italy. We found that such 'death disparities' are heavily influenced by demographics. However, regardless of demographics, we predict a consistent shift of the risk to the young," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19 may become mostly a childhood disease in a few years: Study

In Germany's Friesland, a police inquiry discovered that a Red Cross nurse may have injected about 8,600 individuals with saline solution instead of COVID-19 vaccination.&nbsp;

"I am totally shocked by this episode," Sven Ambrosy, a local councillor, said on Facebook as local authorities asked the residents, who may have been affected, to get another shot of COVID-19 vaccine.

In early spring, a nurse at a vaccination centre in Friesland - a rural area along the North Sea coast – is accused of injecting salt solution into people's arms instead of real doses.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-jab-no-job-new-south-wales-allows-people-to-return-to-construction-sites-only-if-vaccinated-404695">Also read | No jab, no job: New South Wales allows people to return to construction sites, only if vaccinated</a> 
 
While saline solution is safe, the majority of persons who were vaccinated in Germany during the alleged changeover in March and April are older and at high risk of contracting Covid.

According to witness accounts, there is "reasonable suspicion of danger," according to police investigator Peter Beer, who spoke earlier at a press conference broadcast by German media.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-averaging-100000-new-covid-infections-a-day-404586">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-averaging-100000-new-covid-infections-a-day-404586/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The nurse's motivation was unclear, although she had expressed scepticism about vaccinations in social media posts, according to authorities.

It was unclear whether the suspect had been detained or charged in the case, which was reportedly handed over to a special team that investigates politically motivated crimes, according to NDR.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In Germany's Friesland, a police inquiry discovered that a Red Cross nurse may have injected about 8,600 individuals with saline solution instead of COVID-19 vaccination.

In Germany's Friesland, a police inquiry discovered that a Red Cross nurse may have injected about 8,600 individuals with saline solution instead of COVID-19 vaccination. "I am totally shocked by this episode," Sven Ambrosy, a local councillor, said on Facebook as local authorities asked the residents, who may have been affected, to get another shot of COVID-19 vaccine. In early spring, a nurse at a vaccination centre in Friesland - a rural area along the North Sea coast – is accused of injecting salt solution into people's arms instead of real doses. Also read | No jab, no job: New South Wales allows people to return to construction sites, only if vaccinated While saline solution is safe, the majority of persons who were vaccinated in Germany during the alleged changeover in March and April are older and at high risk of contracting Covid. According to witness accounts, there is "reasonable suspicion of danger," according to police investigator Peter Beer, who spoke earlier at a press conference broadcast by German media. WATCH | The nurse's motivation was unclear, although she had expressed scepticism about vaccinations in social media posts, according to authorities. It was unclear whether the suspect had been detained or charged in the case, which was reportedly handed over to a special team that investigates politically motivated crimes, according to NDR. (With inputs from agencies)

Nurse in Germany suspected of injecting 8,600 with salt solution instead of COVID-19 vaccine 

Fans attending Premier League games are set to face random spot checks of their COVID-19 status at some stadiums in the opening weeks of the new season.

Ticket holders should be prepared to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative lateral flow test result within 48 hours before the game via the NHS COVID Pass, the English Premier League said in a statement.

It added it was working to introduce checks in "a staged way so there is the least disruption and maximum safety possible".

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-we-lost-the-best-player-of-all-time-gerard-pique-on-lionel-messis-exit-from-fc-barcelona-404182" hreflang="en">Football: 'We lost&nbsp;the best player of all time,' Gerard Pique on Lionel Messi's exit from FC Barcelona</a>

Supporters must also adhere to a new code of conduct, the league said, which includes wearing masks indoors, avoiding close contact with people they do not know and following one-way signage around stadiums.

"Even though the nation is reopening, the government has made it clear that this pandemic is still far from over. It is possible the safety measures for matches could be subject to change at short notice," the statement added.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson lifted COVID-19 restrictions in England on July 19. Britain's COVID-19 cases increased by 5% over the past week, with the country reporting 25,161 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday.

The 2021-22 season kicks off on Friday with newly-promoted Brentford hosting Arsenal.

Fans attending Premier League games are set to face random spot checks of their COVID-19 status at some stadiums in the opening weeks of the new season. Ticket holders should be prepared to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative lateral flow test result within 48 hours before the game via the NHS COVID Pass, the English Premier League said in a statement.

Fans attending Premier League games are set to face random spot checks of their COVID-19 status at some stadiums in the opening weeks of the new season. Ticket holders should be prepared to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative lateral flow test result within 48 hours before the game via the NHS COVID Pass, the English Premier League said in a statement. It added it was working to introduce checks in "a staged way so there is the least disruption and maximum safety possible". ALSO READ: Football: 'We lost the best player of all time,' Gerard Pique on Lionel Messi's exit from FC Barcelona Supporters must also adhere to a new code of conduct, the league said, which includes wearing masks indoors, avoiding close contact with people they do not know and following one-way signage around stadiums. "Even though the nation is reopening, the government has made it clear that this pandemic is still far from over. It is possible the safety measures for matches could be subject to change at short notice," the statement added. Prime Minister Boris Johnson lifted COVID-19 restrictions in England on July 19. Britain's COVID-19 cases increased by 5% over the past week, with the country reporting 25,161 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. The 2021-22 season kicks off on Friday with newly-promoted Brentford hosting Arsenal.

Football: Premier League to introduce random COVID-19 status checks for ticket holders

Australia's coveted status of being almost pandemic-free has now been taken away as the contagious delta variant outbreak forces nation's major states to go under lockdown. The country's most populous states. New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland reported 282 covid-19 new locally acquired infections on Sunday.

Australia: Authorities struggle to contain COVID-19

The last 20 months of this pandemic have been emotionally & financially crippling for millions around the world. But for tech titans, they've brought a dramatic reversal in fortunes.

COVID-19: Big tech gets bigger during pandemic

The latest COVID-19 outbreak continues to make alarming inroads across the United States. According to reports, new COVID-19 cases in the US have rebounded to more than 100,000 a day on average.

US COVID-19 cases reach 6-months high

France on Monday began enforcing a COVID-19 pass&nbsp;championed by President Emmanuel Macron in cafes, restaurants and trains, a tightening of rules the government hopes will boost vaccinations but which has prompted weeks of angry protests.

The&nbsp;pass, already needed for the last three weeks to go to a cinema, attend a concert or visit a museum, will be needed to partake in usually routine aspects of life in France such as sipping a coffee in a cafe or travelling on an inter-city train.

Almost a quarter of a million rallied nationwide on Saturday against the extension of the&nbsp;pass, the biggest in four consecutive weekends of protests, but Macron has shown little patience with the demonstrators' concerns over vaccination or alleged erosion of civil liberties.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;health&nbsp;pass&nbsp;is generated in a QR code either by a full course of vaccinations, a recent negative virus test or a recovery from Covid-19. The government expects a one-week grace period for consumers and businesses to get used to the new rules.

As cafes opened for business on Monday morning, there were early signs of frustration in establishments that have had to survive long months of closure during pandemic lockdowns.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-exports-rise-past-pre-pandemic-levels-in-june-404221">Also read |&nbsp;German exports rise past pre-pandemic levels in June</a>

"They don't have the&nbsp;health&nbsp;pass&nbsp;and there is nothing I can do," said Mirela Mihalca, waiting on a table at a cafe in central Paris, pointing to two customers who sat down but who she had refused to serve.

"Some understand it quickly, others not. It is going to be difficult, we are not the police!" she added.

'Utter mess'

At a cafe in the centre of the southwestern city of Bordeaux, manager David Fourton described the new rules as a "pain" that would require the hiring of an extra person to carry out the checks.

"And if we turn clients away what is there reaction going to be? It will slow things down for sure and risks being an utter mess at busy times."

State railway company SNCF was also gradually implementing controls, with passengers at Montparnasse&nbsp;station in Paris given paper bracelets after showing their&nbsp;health&nbsp;pass&nbsp;to platform agents.

Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said checks were being carried out on around a quarter of inter-city trains on Monday.&nbsp;

Macron hopes the plan will further accelerate the vaccination drive in France where over 55 percent are now double-jabbed. Aides have noted that almost seven million new bookings were made for first jabs since the plans were outlined.

About 237,000 people protested across France on Saturday, including 17,000 in Paris, the interior ministry said, exceeding the 204,000 recorded last weekend -- numbers that are extremely unusual for protests at the height of the summer break.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter that a woman had been arrested after the image of a slogan police said was "manifestly anti-Semitic" brandished at a protest in the eastern city of Metz on Saturday went viral on social media.

'Lost their senses'

In remarks to the Paris Match weekly, Macron made no secret of his frustration with the protesters, who he described as "a few tens of thousands of citizens who have lost their senses to such an extent that they say they live in a dictatorship."

The Le Monde daily noted Macron's defiance, saying: "Just a few months before the presidential elections the president is not hesitating to be divisive", while appearing to keep the support of his core electorate.

The numbers in hospital with Covid-19 in France are still way off previous highs but the government admits the country is battling a fourth wave of the virus. Cases have been rising fastest in Corsica and the Mediterranean coast, which are seeing a summer influx of holidaymakers.&nbsp;

But the biggest concern is over France's overseas territories in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean, notably Martinique and Guadeloupe, where new lockdowns have been ordered amid a slow vaccine uptake.

Recent polls though have shown that a clear majority of French back the&nbsp;pass, even including the extension to cafes and restaurants.

The&nbsp;pass&nbsp;has already been required since July 21 to visit cultural venues&nbsp;such as cinemas, theatres and museums. Its extension was approved by France's Constitutional Council on Thursday.

France on Monday began enforcing a COVID-19 pass championed by President Emmanuel Macron in cafes, restaurants and trains, a tightening of rules the government hopes will boost vaccinations but which has prompted weeks of angry protests.

France on Monday began enforcing a COVID-19 pass championed by President Emmanuel Macron in cafes, restaurants and trains, a tightening of rules the government hopes will boost vaccinations but which has prompted weeks of angry protests. The pass, already needed for the last three weeks to go to a cinema, attend a concert or visit a museum, will be needed to partake in usually routine aspects of life in France such as sipping a coffee in a cafe or travelling on an inter-city train. Almost a quarter of a million rallied nationwide on Saturday against the extension of the pass, the biggest in four consecutive weekends of protests, but Macron has shown little patience with the demonstrators' concerns over vaccination or alleged erosion of civil liberties. The health pass is generated in a QR code either by a full course of vaccinations, a recent negative virus test or a recovery from Covid-19. The government expects a one-week grace period for consumers and businesses to get used to the new rules. As cafes opened for business on Monday morning, there were early signs of frustration in establishments that have had to survive long months of closure during pandemic lockdowns. Also read | German exports rise past pre-pandemic levels in June "They don't have the health pass and there is nothing I can do," said Mirela Mihalca, waiting on a table at a cafe in central Paris, pointing to two customers who sat down but who she had refused to serve. "Some understand it quickly, others not. It is going to be difficult, we are not the police!" she added. 'Utter mess' At a cafe in the centre of the southwestern city of Bordeaux, manager David Fourton described the new rules as a "pain" that would require the hiring of an extra person to carry out the checks. "And if we turn clients away what is there reaction going to be? It will slow things down for sure and risks being an utter mess at busy times." State railway company SNCF was also gradually implementing controls, with passengers at Montparnasse station in Paris given paper bracelets after showing their health pass to platform agents. Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said checks were being carried out on around a quarter of inter-city trains on Monday. Macron hopes the plan will further accelerate the vaccination drive in France where over 55 percent are now double-jabbed. Aides have noted that almost seven million new bookings were made for first jabs since the plans were outlined. About 237,000 people protested across France on Saturday, including 17,000 in Paris, the interior ministry said, exceeding the 204,000 recorded last weekend -- numbers that are extremely unusual for protests at the height of the summer break. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter that a woman had been arrested after the image of a slogan police said was "manifestly anti-Semitic" brandished at a protest in the eastern city of Metz on Saturday went viral on social media. 'Lost their senses' In remarks to the Paris Match weekly, Macron made no secret of his frustration with the protesters, who he described as "a few tens of thousands of citizens who have lost their senses to such an extent that they say they live in a dictatorship." The Le Monde daily noted Macron's defiance, saying: "Just a few months before the presidential elections the president is not hesitating to be divisive", while appearing to keep the support of his core electorate. The numbers in hospital with Covid-19 in France are still way off previous highs but the government admits the country is battling a fourth wave of the virus. Cases have been rising fastest in Corsica and the Mediterranean coast, which are seeing a summer influx of holidaymakers. But the biggest concern is over France's overseas territories in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean, notably Martinique and Guadeloupe, where new lockdowns have been ordered amid a slow vaccine uptake. Recent polls though have shown that a clear majority of French back the pass, even including the extension to cafes and restaurants. The pass has already been required since July 21 to visit cultural venues such as cinemas, theatres and museums. Its extension was approved by France's Constitutional Council on Thursday.

France extends Macron's COVID-19 pass despite protests

The British Government has retained Pakistan on the 'red list' of its travel advisory due to the 'deteriorating Covid situation' in the country.

UK senior health official JO Churchill, in a letter dated August 6 explained the reasons for keeping Pakistan on the red list of countries, reported The Express Tribune.

She said that UK's Joint Biosecurity Centre continues to assess risk based on factors including incidence, trends in deaths/hospitalisations, exported cases as well as testing and test positivity rates.

Her response comes after Pakistan was retained in the red list of countries at the latest coronavirus travel update while India was removed from it, reported The Express Tribune.

The British government placed Pakistan and India on the red list on April 2 and 19, respectively. However, in an updated list, the government announced that India, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE would be moved to the amber list from August 8.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-govt-unveils-common-minimum-programme-404101">Also read |&nbsp;Nepal govt unveils ‘common minimum programme’</a>

"In Pakistan, the combination of a deteriorating epidemiological situation, combined with low testing rates and limited genomic surveillance, presents a high risk that an outbreak of a new variant, or existing VoC [variant of concern], will not be identified before it is imported to the UK," she said in a letter.

The UK health official said the current trajectory of the pandemic in Pakistan is also of particular concern.

"In the past seven days, the incidence of cases in Pakistan has increased by 87 per cent on the previous week (19 - 25 July). The incidence of deaths has increased by 75 per cent in that same period. Test positivity is high and rising, growing from 5.6 per cent on July 26 to 7.9 per cent on August 3," read the letter.

Major cities like Karachi have reported positivity rates of up to 20 per cent, she added.

The red list of the countries means only the UK nationals and those with residency rights will be allowed to travel to the country if they stayed in Pakistan for the ten days before they arrive. The amber travel list means that returnees can quarantine at home, rather than in a hotel.

The British Government has retained Pakistan on the 'red list' of its travel advisory due to the 'deteriorating Covid situation' in the country. UK senior health official JO Churchill, in a letter dated August 6 explained the reasons for keeping Pakistan on the red list of countries, reported The Express Tribune.

The British Government has retained Pakistan on the 'red list' of its travel advisory due to the 'deteriorating Covid situation' in the country. UK senior health official JO Churchill, in a letter dated August 6 explained the reasons for keeping Pakistan on the red list of countries, reported The Express Tribune. She said that UK's Joint Biosecurity Centre continues to assess risk based on factors including incidence, trends in deaths/hospitalisations, exported cases as well as testing and test positivity rates. Her response comes after Pakistan was retained in the red list of countries at the latest coronavirus travel update while India was removed from it, reported The Express Tribune. The British government placed Pakistan and India on the red list on April 2 and 19, respectively. However, in an updated list, the government announced that India, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE would be moved to the amber list from August 8. Also read | Nepal govt unveils ‘common minimum programme’ "In Pakistan, the combination of a deteriorating epidemiological situation, combined with low testing rates and limited genomic surveillance, presents a high risk that an outbreak of a new variant, or existing VoC [variant of concern], will not be identified before it is imported to the UK," she said in a letter. The UK health official said the current trajectory of the pandemic in Pakistan is also of particular concern. "In the past seven days, the incidence of cases in Pakistan has increased by 87 per cent on the previous week (19 - 25 July). The incidence of deaths has increased by 75 per cent in that same period. Test positivity is high and rising, growing from 5.6 per cent on July 26 to 7.9 per cent on August 3," read the letter. Major cities like Karachi have reported positivity rates of up to 20 per cent, she added. The red list of the countries means only the UK nationals and those with residency rights will be allowed to travel to the country if they stayed in Pakistan for the ten days before they arrive. The amber travel list means that returnees can quarantine at home, rather than in a hotel.

International travel update: UK retains Pakistan in red list amid 'deteriorating COVID-19 situation'

India’s cumulative COVID19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 506.8 million,&nbsp;said Union Health Ministry&nbsp;on Sunday&nbsp;in a statement.&nbsp;

A total of 55,91,657 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours, as per the 7 am provisional report&nbsp;on Sunday.&nbsp;

In a tweet on Saturday,&nbsp;Union Health Minister Mansukh&nbsp;Mandaviya&nbsp;said,&nbsp;Indian government has given Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine approval for emergency use in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The vaccine joined&nbsp;the likes of&nbsp;Covishield,&nbsp;Covaxin, Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines, which have got the emergency use approval in the country till now.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

On the microblogging site,&nbsp;Mandaviya&nbsp;said, “India expands its vaccine basket. Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is given approval for emergency use in India. Now, India has 5 EUA vaccines. This will further boost our nation's collective fight against COVID-19.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

A Johnson &amp; Johnson India spokesperson said, “We are pleased to announce that on August 7, the Government of India issued Emergency Use&nbsp;Authorisation&nbsp;(EUA) for the Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 single-dose vaccine in India, to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older."&nbsp;

Earlier, Global healthcare major Johnson &amp; Johnson had said it applied for Emergency Use&nbsp;Authorisation&nbsp;(EUA) of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;&nbsp;

India’s cumulative COVID19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 506.8 million, said Union Health Ministry on Sunday in a statement. A total of 55,91,657 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours, as per the 7 am provisional report on Sunday.

India’s cumulative COVID19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 506.8 million, said Union Health Ministry on Sunday in a statement. A total of 55,91,657 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours, as per the 7 am provisional report on Sunday. In a tweet on Saturday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, Indian government has given Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine approval for emergency use in the country. The vaccine joined the likes of Covishield, Covaxin, Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines, which have got the emergency use approval in the country till now. On the microblogging site, Mandaviya said, “India expands its vaccine basket. Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is given approval for emergency use in India. Now, India has 5 EUA vaccines. This will further boost our nation's collective fight against COVID-19.” A Johnson & Johnson India spokesperson said, “We are pleased to announce that on August 7, the Government of India issued Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 single-dose vaccine in India, to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older." Earlier, Global healthcare major Johnson & Johnson had said it applied for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India. (With inputs from agencies)

India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 506.8 million 

Saudi Arabia has begun compensating the families of health workers who died because of the coronavirus as the government announced last year that each will receive $133,000.

Saudi Arabia has begun compensating the families of health workers who died because of the coronavirus as the government announced last year that each will receive $133,000. The kingdom said in October it would distribute "500,000 Saudi riyals to the families of those who died as a result of COVID-19 working in the health sectors, be it government or private, civilian or military, Saudi or non-Saudi". The official Saudi Press Agency announced the start of the distribution of funds to the families of those who have died as a result of the pandemic. They "gave their lives in the fight against the pandemic to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents in the kingdom", SPA said. Also, the government has accelerated a nationwide vaccination drive in order to tourism and other pandemic-hit sectors. Also read | Saudi Arabia to reopen to vaccinated tourists after 17-month COVID-19 closure As of now, more than 29 million does of vaccine have been administered in the country of 35 million people, the health ministry announced on Saturday. Saudi Arabia has registered nearly 533,000 coronavirus cases and more than 8,300 deaths. Also, the country has decided to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists after a 17-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. "The Ministry of Tourism announced that the Kingdom will open its doors to foreign tourists, and lift... the suspension of entry for tourist visa holders, starting from August 1," the Saudi Press Agency reported. It said travellers fully vaccinated with Saudi-approved jabs -- Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson -- will be able to enter the kingdom "without the need for an institutional quarantine period", provided they also have proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within the last 72 hours and register their details with health authorities.

Saudi compensates families of COVID-19 health worker victims

The Victorian government has decided to provide the AstraZeneca vaccine to under-40s at its state-run vaccine clinics. Also, the government has launched the nation’s first drive-through vaccination operation at a former Bunnings site.

The Victorian government has decided to provide the AstraZeneca vaccine to under-40s at its state-run vaccine clinics. Also, the government has launched the nation’s first drive-through vaccination operation at a former Bunnings site. Just seven days into the lockdown, Victoria recorded 11 new locally transmitted cases. All of these were linked to the Hobsons Bay cluster. Also read | Australia's Victoria state put under lockdown amid virus surge Victoria state ordered a snap lockdown in a bid to combat the virus with a series of restrictions. The restrictions included stay-at-home orders with people allowed to leave their houses only for caregiving, essential work and medical reasons. It is the third lockdown for the state this year and the fifth since the pandemic took hold in the country last year.

Victoria to make AstraZeneca available to people under 40s

Iran reported over 500 daily COVID-19 deaths for the first time on Sunday, its health ministry announced, as new infections also hit a record high.

Iran registered 39,619 new infections in the 24 hours to Sunday, taking the total since the pandemic started to 4,158,729, the ministry said.

During that same period it recorded 542 deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 94,015, it added.

Iranian health officials have acknowledged that the Islamic republic's COVID-19 figures underestimate the real toll.

But Iran remains the Middle East country worst hit by the pandemic.

COVID-19 infections have been surging since late June, in what officials have warned is a "fifth wave" caused by the highly infectious Delta variant.

Daily infections have hit several records over the past few weeks.

The previous recorded high for fatalities was 496, registered on April 26, at the height of the Islamic republic's previous wave.

Iran's state television said hospitals across the country were facing a "crisis" and described the health situation as bleak.

<a href="wionews.com/india-news/indias-cumulative-covid-19-vaccination-coverage-exceeds-5068-million-403885">Also read |&nbsp;India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 506.8 million&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

"Although the vaccination pace has been accelerating, the observation of health protocols has dropped significantly," it said.

Iran has pinned its hopes on vaccinations to help with the health crisis.

But the innoculation campaign launched in February has progressed more slowly than authorities had planned.

Choked by US sanctions that have made it difficult to transfer money abroad, Iran says it is struggling to import vaccines for its 83 million population.

More than 12.5 million people have been given a first vaccine does, but only 3.7 million have received the necessary two jabs, the health ministry said on Sunday.

Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi said Saturday that a "plan to transform the way to confront the coronavirus" was to be reviewed next week. He did not give any details.

Chairing a Covid task force meeting, he also vowed to "support domestic vaccine production" while "not hesitating" to import jabs from abroad.

The authorities have approved the emergency use of two locally produced vaccines, with the only mass-produced one, COVIran Barekat, still in short supply.

Last week, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the government to take &nbsp;"necessary measures" to contain the spread of the pandemic.

Iran has avoided imposing a full lockdown on the population, and instead resorted to piecemeal measures such as temporary travel bans and business closures.

Outgoing health minister Saeed Namaki has suggested a two-week shutdown to help contain the spread of the virus.

Iran reported over 500 daily COVID-19 deaths for the first time on Sunday, its health ministry announced, as new infections also hit a record high. Iran registered 39,619 new infections in the 24 hours to Sunday, taking the total since the pandemic started to 4,158,729, the ministry said.

Iran reported over 500 daily COVID-19 deaths for the first time on Sunday, its health ministry announced, as new infections also hit a record high. Iran registered 39,619 new infections in the 24 hours to Sunday, taking the total since the pandemic started to 4,158,729, the ministry said. During that same period it recorded 542 deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 94,015, it added. Iranian health officials have acknowledged that the Islamic republic's COVID-19 figures underestimate the real toll. But Iran remains the Middle East country worst hit by the pandemic. COVID-19 infections have been surging since late June, in what officials have warned is a "fifth wave" caused by the highly infectious Delta variant. Daily infections have hit several records over the past few weeks. The previous recorded high for fatalities was 496, registered on April 26, at the height of the Islamic republic's previous wave. Iran's state television said hospitals across the country were facing a "crisis" and described the health situation as bleak. Also read | India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 506.8 million "Although the vaccination pace has been accelerating, the observation of health protocols has dropped significantly," it said. Iran has pinned its hopes on vaccinations to help with the health crisis. But the innoculation campaign launched in February has progressed more slowly than authorities had planned. Choked by US sanctions that have made it difficult to transfer money abroad, Iran says it is struggling to import vaccines for its 83 million population. More than 12.5 million people have been given a first vaccine does, but only 3.7 million have received the necessary two jabs, the health ministry said on Sunday. Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi said Saturday that a "plan to transform the way to confront the coronavirus" was to be reviewed next week. He did not give any details. Chairing a Covid task force meeting, he also vowed to "support domestic vaccine production" while "not hesitating" to import jabs from abroad. The authorities have approved the emergency use of two locally produced vaccines, with the only mass-produced one, COVIran Barekat, still in short supply. Last week, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the government to take "necessary measures" to contain the spread of the pandemic. Iran has avoided imposing a full lockdown on the population, and instead resorted to piecemeal measures such as temporary travel bans and business closures. Outgoing health minister Saeed Namaki has suggested a two-week shutdown to help contain the spread of the virus.

Iran records over 500 COVID-19 deaths, hits new high

In an effort to battle the deadly coronavirus, Cambodia began offering a third-dose booster shot against COVID-19 on Sunday.

Switching between the AstraZeneca and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, 500,000 to one million frontline workers and their family members in seven provinces bordering Thailand will be among the first to receive the vaccine.

Earlier Cambodia had started rolling out COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers in its capital Phnom Penh and three provinces.

"The vaccination for children today is a key step to herd immunity in communities," said the Cambodian leader. 
He added, "Children are like bamboo shoots. If the health of children is damaged now, we won't have good bamboos."

Hun Sen also said that the kingdom is mulling inoculating children aged ten and eleven. Several countries in Europe, including

Denmark, France and Lithuania, have begun vaccinating children in a bid to achieve herd immunity.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cambodia-begins-covid-19-vaccinations-for-teenagers-402179">Also read |&nbsp;Cambodia begins COVID-19 vaccinations for teenagers</a>

Cambodia's mass inoculation campaign has so far seen more than seven million people out of the ten million eligible receive the

UK-produced AstraZeneca, the US-donated Johnson &amp; Johnson, or the Chinese-made Sinovac and Sinopharm jabs.&nbsp;

Hun Sen said Sunday authorities will also soon begin administering booster shots to adults who are fully vaccinated and will take a page out of neighbouring Thailand's book by mixing vaccines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that the Delta variant has been detected amongst migrants returning from Thailand through land borders and is now in the local community.

Cambodia managed to largely contain the virus for most of last year, but an outbreak first detected in late February has driven up total cases to 81,335, with 1,537 deaths.

In an effort to battle the deadly coronavirus, Cambodia began offering a third-dose booster shot against COVID-19 on Sunday. Switching between the AstraZeneca and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, 500,000 to one million frontline workers and their family members in seven provinces bordering Thailand will be among the first to receive the vaccine.

In an effort to battle the deadly coronavirus, Cambodia began offering a third-dose booster shot against COVID-19 on Sunday. Switching between the AstraZeneca and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, 500,000 to one million frontline workers and their family members in seven provinces bordering Thailand will be among the first to receive the vaccine. Earlier Cambodia had started rolling out COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers in its capital Phnom Penh and three provinces. "The vaccination for children today is a key step to herd immunity in communities," said the Cambodian leader. He added, "Children are like bamboo shoots. If the health of children is damaged now, we won't have good bamboos." Hun Sen also said that the kingdom is mulling inoculating children aged ten and eleven. Several countries in Europe, including Denmark, France and Lithuania, have begun vaccinating children in a bid to achieve herd immunity. Also read | Cambodia begins COVID-19 vaccinations for teenagers Cambodia's mass inoculation campaign has so far seen more than seven million people out of the ten million eligible receive the UK-produced AstraZeneca, the US-donated Johnson & Johnson, or the Chinese-made Sinovac and Sinopharm jabs. Hun Sen said Sunday authorities will also soon begin administering booster shots to adults who are fully vaccinated and will take a page out of neighbouring Thailand's book by mixing vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that the Delta variant has been detected amongst migrants returning from Thailand through land borders and is now in the local community. Cambodia managed to largely contain the virus for most of last year, but an outbreak first detected in late February has driven up total cases to 81,335, with 1,537 deaths.

Cambodia begins booster shots to fight COVID-19

Congolese authorities said Sunday the coronavirus&nbsp;epidemic&nbsp;had eased in many&nbsp;parts&nbsp;of the country but remained worrying in the economic capital of Lubumbashi where not wearing a mask will now be punishable by up to seven days in jail.

Health Minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani said there had been "a marked drop in&nbsp;COVID-19 cases across the country," according to a statement released by the prime minister's office.

In Kinshasa, the situation was particularly hopeful.

"The third wave is steadily decreasing and we can say that it is behind us," Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, in charge of the fight against the pandemic, told the press.

"But we must be vigilant, continue to wear the mask properly and get vaccinated when the country has received the vaccines we are expecting."

Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19 variant 'no joke,' young Mexicans warn from hospital

Lubumbashi, however, was experiencing a "resurgence of the pandemic," its mayor Ghislain Robert Lubaba Buluma said Saturday in a decree announcing new prevention measures.

People would have to wear a mask to access the city centre, and "checkpoints" would be put in place from Monday to make sure the measure was followed.

Anyone not wearing a mask ""will be sentenced to seven days' imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 Congolese francs," or about 6 euros, the decree states.

Coronavirus has infected 51,254 people in the DRC, with 1,045&nbsp;fatalities, according to an AFP tally of official sources.

Congolese authorities said Sunday the coronavirus epidemic had eased in many parts of the country but remained worrying in the economic capital of Lubumbashi where not wearing a mask will now be punishable by up to seven days in jail.

Congolese authorities said Sunday the coronavirus epidemic had eased in many parts of the country but remained worrying in the economic capital of Lubumbashi where not wearing a mask will now be punishable by up to seven days in jail. Health Minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani said there had been "a marked drop in COVID-19 cases across the country," according to a statement released by the prime minister's office. In Kinshasa, the situation was particularly hopeful. "The third wave is steadily decreasing and we can say that it is behind us," Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, in charge of the fight against the pandemic, told the press. "But we must be vigilant, continue to wear the mask properly and get vaccinated when the country has received the vaccines we are expecting." Also read | COVID-19 variant 'no joke,' young Mexicans warn from hospital Lubumbashi, however, was experiencing a "resurgence of the pandemic," its mayor Ghislain Robert Lubaba Buluma said Saturday in a decree announcing new prevention measures. People would have to wear a mask to access the city centre, and "checkpoints" would be put in place from Monday to make sure the measure was followed. Anyone not wearing a mask ""will be sentenced to seven days' imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 Congolese francs," or about 6 euros, the decree states. Coronavirus has infected 51,254 people in the DRC, with 1,045 fatalities, according to an AFP tally of official sources.

COVID-19 epidemic eases in parts of DR Congo

When Diego started going out again to meet friends he never expected to be among a growing number of&nbsp;young&nbsp;Mexicans&nbsp;hospitalised by a highly contagious&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;variant&nbsp;driving another wave of infections.

"I let my guard down thinking that I wasn't going to catch it, but in the end I did," the 20-year-old student told AFP at a private clinic in a suburb north of Mexico City.

"This is&nbsp;no&nbsp;joke. It's a pretty cruel disease," said Diego, who did not want to give his full name.

He is one of 16 coronavirus patients being treated in the same&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;in Coacalco.

Unlike during the first two waves of the pandemic, most of the sick are in their 20s and 30s.

Mexico's official&nbsp;Covid-19 death toll of more than 244,000 is the fourth highest in the world, and the actual figure is believed to be significantly higher.

The government says that is partly a reflection of the country's large population, but is also due to the prevalence of underlying health problems, including obesity, hypertension and diabetes.

The country has registered nearly three million confirmed cases since the pandemic began, of which around 138,000 are active.

No&nbsp;lockdown

Experts say the latest wave of infections is due to the arrival of the Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;of the virus, as well as reduced social distancing, particularly among younger&nbsp;Mexicans.

The Mexico City authorities on Friday ruled out imposing any new lockdown measures, despite the health ministry raising the capital's alert status to the highest level.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-says-thousands-fled-fighting-in-syrias-daraa-403264">Also read |&nbsp;UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa</a>

"Right now it seems that neither the government nor anyone is interested in making people stay at home again," said Jesus Victoria, the head of nursing at the&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;in Coacalco.

Although people aged between 18 and 29 began to be vaccinated in late July, it was too late for some of the patients at the clinic, he said.

"We've been able to discharge most of them, but we have also had many deaths of&nbsp;young&nbsp;people," Victoria said.

"I don't know if as a society we are failing, if the government is failing. Shopping centres are open, cinemas, sports centres. It complicates things," he added.

Thanks to vaccinations, hospitalisations remain far below a peak seen in January when occupancy rose above 90 percent.

Now around half of general beds and 58 percent of those equipped with ventilators are available, according to the government.

Almost 50 million people in the country of 126 million have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and 27 million of them are fully vaccinated, the health ministry says.

&nbsp;Bars, parties

Hector Lopez, a 26-year-old computer programmer who is also hospitalised for&nbsp;Covid-19, said that in hindsight his family was not careful enough.

"Usually I don't go out. The problem is that my relatives do," he said.

"I had been taking care of myself. I hadn't gone out unless it was necessary," he added, as machines monitored his vital signs.

Lopez, who is expected to be discharged soon, said he had seen on social media that friends were going out more, despite the risks.

"It was very easy to see that they were in a bar or at a party as if nothing was happening," he said.

Mayra Jimenez, another patient, believes the Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;is so infectious that anyone who has avoided catching it without taking extra care is very lucky.

"We didn't go to parties or gatherings," said the 39-year-old, who is using a medical device to help her lungs recover.

"Fortunately I came through it okay, but there are people who are in a really bad way," she said.

When Diego started going out again to meet friends he never expected to be among a growing number of young Mexicans hospitalised by a highly contagious Covid-19 variant driving another wave of infections.

When Diego started going out again to meet friends he never expected to be among a growing number of young Mexicans hospitalised by a highly contagious Covid-19 variant driving another wave of infections. "I let my guard down thinking that I wasn't going to catch it, but in the end I did," the 20-year-old student told AFP at a private clinic in a suburb north of Mexico City. "This is no joke. It's a pretty cruel disease," said Diego, who did not want to give his full name. He is one of 16 coronavirus patients being treated in the same hospital in Coacalco. Unlike during the first two waves of the pandemic, most of the sick are in their 20s and 30s. Mexico's official Covid-19 death toll of more than 244,000 is the fourth highest in the world, and the actual figure is believed to be significantly higher. The government says that is partly a reflection of the country's large population, but is also due to the prevalence of underlying health problems, including obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The country has registered nearly three million confirmed cases since the pandemic began, of which around 138,000 are active. No lockdown Experts say the latest wave of infections is due to the arrival of the Delta variant of the virus, as well as reduced social distancing, particularly among younger Mexicans. The Mexico City authorities on Friday ruled out imposing any new lockdown measures, despite the health ministry raising the capital's alert status to the highest level. Also read | UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa "Right now it seems that neither the government nor anyone is interested in making people stay at home again," said Jesus Victoria, the head of nursing at the hospital in Coacalco. Although people aged between 18 and 29 began to be vaccinated in late July, it was too late for some of the patients at the clinic, he said. "We've been able to discharge most of them, but we have also had many deaths of young people," Victoria said. "I don't know if as a society we are failing, if the government is failing. Shopping centres are open, cinemas, sports centres. It complicates things," he added. Thanks to vaccinations, hospitalisations remain far below a peak seen in January when occupancy rose above 90 percent. Now around half of general beds and 58 percent of those equipped with ventilators are available, according to the government. Almost 50 million people in the country of 126 million have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and 27 million of them are fully vaccinated, the health ministry says. Bars, parties Hector Lopez, a 26-year-old computer programmer who is also hospitalised for Covid-19, said that in hindsight his family was not careful enough. "Usually I don't go out. The problem is that my relatives do," he said. "I had been taking care of myself. I hadn't gone out unless it was necessary," he added, as machines monitored his vital signs. Lopez, who is expected to be discharged soon, said he had seen on social media that friends were going out more, despite the risks. "It was very easy to see that they were in a bar or at a party as if nothing was happening," he said. Mayra Jimenez, another patient, believes the Delta variant is so infectious that anyone who has avoided catching it without taking extra care is very lucky. "We didn't go to parties or gatherings," said the 39-year-old, who is using a medical device to help her lungs recover. "Fortunately I came through it okay, but there are people who are in a really bad way," she said.

COVID-19 variant 'no joke,' young Mexicans warn from hospital

America's hopes of returning to some semblance of normal life this summer have been hindered by the delta variant. The latest wave of Covid-19 in the US has particularly swept up greater numbers of American children.

COVID-19: Schools begin reopening in the US

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks.&nbsp;

Much of the surge is concentrated in the southeastern state of&nbsp;Florida, where some school districts are defying an order by the Republican governor forbidding mask mandates, in the latest political twist in the health crisis.

"Parents are put into an impossible situation of having to choose between the health and life of their child and returning (to) school," said a lawsuit against the governor's order filed by parents of children with disabilities on Friday.

The majority of children who catch the coronavirus will have a mild or asymptomatic disease, and until recently they had not been a major focal point of the pandemic.

That's now changing with Delta, a variant that is as contagious as chickenpox and largely drove 72,000 pediatric cases in the week leading up to July 29, according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics,&nbsp;a&nbsp;figure five times higher than in late June.

Nearly 20,000 of those cases were in&nbsp;Florida, according to state data.

The Sunshine State is also experiencing the highest number of hospitalisations for minors in the country, currently 143, which is ahead of Texas.

"We definitely have seen an increase in cases here, in our emergency department and also within the rest of the hospital, in the last two or three weeks," Dr. Marcos Mestre, medical director of Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, told AFP.

Most contagious, likely more severe

Only around one percent of children diagnosed with Covid-19 will be hospitalised, said Mestre, but complications are more likely for those with diabetes or who are overweight.

While studies have confirmed Delta is the most transmissible strain to date, there is uncertainty about whether it causes more severe disease.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky said this week that while preliminary studies indicate it may be more serious in adults as well as children, further confirmatory research is needed.

What's so far clear is that northeastern parts of the United States that have driven down community transmission through high levels of adult vaccination are also seeing the lowest rates of pediatric infection. Children are least safe in areas of low adult vaccination.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-search-of-covid-19-origin-us-intel-agencies-scour-massive-genetic-data-from-wuhan-lab-403569\">Also read |&nbsp;In search of COVID-19 origin, US intel agencies scour massive genetic data from Wuhan lab</a>

With new cases surging to levels seen last summer, the CDC now recommends students, staff and all employees remain masked regardless of vaccination status to stem the spread of the airborne virus.

But&nbsp;Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis -- who previously signed legislation banning businesses from using vaccine passports -- is now threatening to cut funding for schools that follow scientific guidance and reimpose mask mandates.

&nbsp;Vaccines the way out

Several school districts have announced plans to defy the governor anyway, including Broward County, the second-largest in the state.

The political fight has made its way to the White House, with President Joe Biden this week telling recalcitrant state leaders, "If you're not going to help, get out of the way."

"If you're coming after the rights of parents in&nbsp;Florida, I'm standing in your way," clapped back DeSantis.

Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist who practices in Jacksonville and backs mask use at school, said it was wrong to downplay the risks to children.

Children "do get sick, they do get hospitalised, they do get into intensive care units and they do die of Covid," he told AFP.

Like adults, children will have to be vaccinated in the long run, he added.

The United States made vaccines available to over-12s in May, but the shots are still being tested for younger children and aren't likely to be authorised until at least the end of the year.

At a vaccination event held at the FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat,&nbsp;33-year-old Sara Medina told AFP the last year of online schooling had been "a little crazy," and she was glad the shot paved the way for her 12-year-old son Jayden to get back to the classroom.

Pediatricians strongly advocate for a safe return to in-person learning because of the social, mental health and educational benefits.&nbsp;

"Last year we had to stay home all the time, it was kind of getting boring at home," said Jayden.

"It's important to have (the mask) just in case, for all of us to be safe," he added.

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks.

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks. Much of the surge is concentrated in the southeastern state of Florida, where some school districts are defying an order by the Republican governor forbidding mask mandates, in the latest political twist in the health crisis. "Parents are put into an impossible situation of having to choose between the health and life of their child and returning (to) school," said a lawsuit against the governor's order filed by parents of children with disabilities on Friday. The majority of children who catch the coronavirus will have a mild or asymptomatic disease, and until recently they had not been a major focal point of the pandemic. That's now changing with Delta, a variant that is as contagious as chickenpox and largely drove 72,000 pediatric cases in the week leading up to July 29, according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a figure five times higher than in late June. Nearly 20,000 of those cases were in Florida, according to state data. The Sunshine State is also experiencing the highest number of hospitalisations for minors in the country, currently 143, which is ahead of Texas. "We definitely have seen an increase in cases here, in our emergency department and also within the rest of the hospital, in the last two or three weeks," Dr. Marcos Mestre, medical director of Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, told AFP. Most contagious, likely more severe Only around one percent of children diagnosed with Covid-19 will be hospitalised, said Mestre, but complications are more likely for those with diabetes or who are overweight. While studies have confirmed Delta is the most transmissible strain to date, there is uncertainty about whether it causes more severe disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky said this week that while preliminary studies indicate it may be more serious in adults as well as children, further confirmatory research is needed. What's so far clear is that northeastern parts of the United States that have driven down community transmission through high levels of adult vaccination are also seeing the lowest rates of pediatric infection. Children are least safe in areas of low adult vaccination. Also read | In search of COVID-19 origin, US intel agencies scour massive genetic data from Wuhan lab With new cases surging to levels seen last summer, the CDC now recommends students, staff and all employees remain masked regardless of vaccination status to stem the spread of the airborne virus. But Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis -- who previously signed legislation banning businesses from using vaccine passports -- is now threatening to cut funding for schools that follow scientific guidance and reimpose mask mandates. Vaccines the way out Several school districts have announced plans to defy the governor anyway, including Broward County, the second-largest in the state. The political fight has made its way to the White House, with President Joe Biden this week telling recalcitrant state leaders, "If you're not going to help, get out of the way." "If you're coming after the rights of parents in Florida, I'm standing in your way," clapped back DeSantis. Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist who practices in Jacksonville and backs mask use at school, said it was wrong to downplay the risks to children. Children "do get sick, they do get hospitalised, they do get into intensive care units and they do die of Covid," he told AFP. Like adults, children will have to be vaccinated in the long run, he added. The United States made vaccines available to over-12s in May, but the shots are still being tested for younger children and aren't likely to be authorised until at least the end of the year. At a vaccination event held at the FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat, 33-year-old Sara Medina told AFP the last year of online schooling had been "a little crazy," and she was glad the shot paved the way for her 12-year-old son Jayden to get back to the classroom. Pediatricians strongly advocate for a safe return to in-person learning because of the social, mental health and educational benefits. "Last year we had to stay home all the time, it was kind of getting boring at home," said Jayden. "It's important to have (the mask) just in case, for all of us to be safe," he added.

Delta variant fuels concerns for children's health in Florida

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson does not need to self isolate even though a member of his staff on a recent trip to Scotland tested positive for the coronavirus, his Downing Street office said.

Johnson visited a police college in Fife on Wednesday and a wind farm off Aberdeenshire on Thursday.

As per the local media, a member of Johnson’s staff who accompanied him to the police college and travelled with him on a plane tested positive for coronavirus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-reverses-plan-to-skip-quarantine-after-covid-19-exposure-398957">Also read |&nbsp;UK PM Johnson reverses plan to skip quarantine after COVID-19 exposure</a>

“The Prime Minister regularly visits communities across the UK and all aspects of visits are carried out in line with COVID guidance," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

He added, “The Prime Minister has not come into close contact with anyone who has tested positive.”

This comes a month after Johnson and finance minister Rishi Sunak self-isolated in line with national guidance, abandoning heavily criticised plans to take part in a pilot scheme that would have allowed them to continue working.

The U-turn came a day after health minister Sajid Javid said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and at a time when the government's coronavirus response is under intense scrutiny. 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson does not need to self isolate even though a member of his staff on a recent trip to Scotland tested positive for the coronavirus, his Downing Street office said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson does not need to self isolate even though a member of his staff on a recent trip to Scotland tested positive for the coronavirus, his Downing Street office said. Johnson visited a police college in Fife on Wednesday and a wind farm off Aberdeenshire on Thursday. As per the local media, a member of Johnson’s staff who accompanied him to the police college and travelled with him on a plane tested positive for coronavirus. Also read | UK PM Johnson reverses plan to skip quarantine after COVID-19 exposure “The Prime Minister regularly visits communities across the UK and all aspects of visits are carried out in line with COVID guidance," a Downing Street spokesperson said. He added, “The Prime Minister has not come into close contact with anyone who has tested positive.” This comes a month after Johnson and finance minister Rishi Sunak self-isolated in line with national guidance, abandoning heavily criticised plans to take part in a pilot scheme that would have allowed them to continue working. The U-turn came a day after health minister Sajid Javid said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and at a time when the government's coronavirus response is under intense scrutiny.

UK PM Johnson will not isolate after staff member tests COVID positive

Unvaccinated&nbsp;people&nbsp;are&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;twice&nbsp;as&nbsp;likely&nbsp;to be&nbsp;reinfected&nbsp;with&nbsp;Covid-19 as the fully vaccinated, a&nbsp;study&nbsp;by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

The agency said the finding supports its recommendation "that all eligible persons be offered&nbsp;Covid-19 vaccination, regardless of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection status."

Some US politicians, including Senator Rand Paul, have in the past said they do not plan to take a&nbsp;Covid-19 vaccine because of their natural immunity derived from prior infection.

The new&nbsp;study&nbsp;was based on 246 Kentucky adults who were&nbsp;reinfected&nbsp;in May and June this year after previously being infected in 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-announces-five-additions-to-global-terrorist-list-403595">Also read |&nbsp;US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list</a>

They were compared with 492 "controls" who were matched by sex, age, and time of initial positive test.

The analysis found that&nbsp;unvaccinated&nbsp;people&nbsp;were 2.34 times as&nbsp;likely&nbsp;to be&nbsp;reinfected&nbsp;compared to&nbsp;people&nbsp;fully vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines.

The duration of infection-acquired immunity remains poorly understood and may be affected by the emergency of newer variants, the paper said.

For example, laboratory studies have shown that blood samples from&nbsp;people&nbsp;previously infected with the original Wuhan strain had poor antibody responses to the Beta variant first identified in South Africa.

One of the limitations of the&nbsp;study&nbsp;is it was conducted before Delta became the dominant strain in the United States.

Unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to be reinfected with Covid-19 as the fully vaccinated, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

Unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to be reinfected with Covid-19 as the fully vaccinated, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The agency said the finding supports its recommendation "that all eligible persons be offered Covid-19 vaccination, regardless of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection status." Some US politicians, including Senator Rand Paul, have in the past said they do not plan to take a Covid-19 vaccine because of their natural immunity derived from prior infection. The new study was based on 246 Kentucky adults who were reinfected in May and June this year after previously being infected in 2020. Also read | US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list They were compared with 492 "controls" who were matched by sex, age, and time of initial positive test. The analysis found that unvaccinated people were 2.34 times as likely to be reinfected compared to people fully vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The duration of infection-acquired immunity remains poorly understood and may be affected by the emergency of newer variants, the paper said. For example, laboratory studies have shown that blood samples from people previously infected with the original Wuhan strain had poor antibody responses to the Beta variant first identified in South Africa. One of the limitations of the study is it was conducted before Delta became the dominant strain in the United States.

Unvaccinated people twice as likely to be reinfected with COVID-19: Study

In a recent development, it has been revealed that the Delta variant of Sars-CoV-2 indicate that the people vaccinated against coronavirus disease may transmit the highly contagious strain as easily as the unvaccinated, Public Health England said.

The findings come after concerns raised by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over people’s infectiousness amid Delta variant spread.

In a statement, PHE said, "Some initial findings ... indicate that levels of virus in those who become infected with Delta having already been vaccinated may be similar to levels found in unvaccinated people".

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-announces-five-additions-to-global-terrorist-list-403595">Also read |&nbsp;US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list</a>

Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases.

The Delta variant has been running rampant in Southeast Asia, with Thailand recording 20,000 new daily cases for the first time on Wednesday, and again on Thursday.

The country also announced 160 deaths in 24 hours, as exhausted morgue workers struggle to cope with the mounting bodies.

"I've seen our personnel faint quite a few times lately so fatigue is definitely starting to set in and we're almost at our limits," forensic scientist Thanitchet Khetkham told AFP.

Indonesia's total Covid death toll passed 100,000 on Wednesday after it recorded 1,739 of the 10,245 fatalities registered worldwide, the global toll rising past 4.25 million.

Japan's capital Tokyo had a new record number of daily cases with 5,042, just three days before the end of the Olympics.

Africa also posted a new record with the 6,400 deaths in the week to August 1 representing the continent's most since the start of the pandemic, the World Health Organization said.&nbsp;

In a recent development, it has been revealed that the Delta variant of Sars-CoV-2 indicate that the people vaccinated against coronavirus disease may transmit the highly contagious strain as easily as the unvaccinated, Public Health England said.

In a recent development, it has been revealed that the Delta variant of Sars-CoV-2 indicate that the people vaccinated against coronavirus disease may transmit the highly contagious strain as easily as the unvaccinated, Public Health England said. The findings come after concerns raised by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over people’s infectiousness amid Delta variant spread. In a statement, PHE said, "Some initial findings ... indicate that levels of virus in those who become infected with Delta having already been vaccinated may be similar to levels found in unvaccinated people". Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again. Also read | US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases. The Delta variant has been running rampant in Southeast Asia, with Thailand recording 20,000 new daily cases for the first time on Wednesday, and again on Thursday. The country also announced 160 deaths in 24 hours, as exhausted morgue workers struggle to cope with the mounting bodies. "I've seen our personnel faint quite a few times lately so fatigue is definitely starting to set in and we're almost at our limits," forensic scientist Thanitchet Khetkham told AFP. Indonesia's total Covid death toll passed 100,000 on Wednesday after it recorded 1,739 of the 10,245 fatalities registered worldwide, the global toll rising past 4.25 million. Japan's capital Tokyo had a new record number of daily cases with 5,042, just three days before the end of the Olympics. Africa also posted a new record with the 6,400 deaths in the week to August 1 representing the continent's most since the start of the pandemic, the World Health Organization said.

COVID-19 vaccines may not stop Delta transmission

New South Wales recorded its worst-ever daily increase in COVID-19 infections as 319 new cases were reported. Also, the state recorded five deaths. Three out of which were linked to an outbreak at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney’s west.

New South Wales recorded its worst-ever daily increase in COVID-19 infections as 319 new cases were reported. Also, the state recorded five deaths. Three out of which were linked to an outbreak at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney’s west. NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said none of the people that died was vaccinated, with deaths linked to the latest outbreak now standing at 27. He was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "None of these five deaths, people who died, were vaccinated, and we extend our sincere sympathies to their loved ones". Also read | US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list Meanwhile, Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases. Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said there was "no alternatives to lockdown". "This thing moves so fast. There is no debate or discussion about this - the Delta variant moves at lightning speed and by the time you get the people they have already infected, all the people they live with," Victoria premier Dan Andrews said. Officials said people in New South Wales will receive additional 180,000 Pfizer-BioNTech doses next week as the government considers relaxing restrictions on August 29 for the vaccination campaign.

NSW records worst ever day of COVID-19 pandemic

Indian government&nbsp;has given&nbsp;Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine&nbsp;approval for emergency use in the country, said&nbsp;Union Health Minister Mansukh&nbsp;Mandaviya&nbsp;in a tweet on Saturday.&nbsp;

The vaccine joins the likes of&nbsp;Covishield,&nbsp;Covaxin, Moderna and&nbsp;Sputnik V&nbsp;vaccines, which have got the emergency use approval&nbsp;in the country&nbsp;till now.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

On the microblogging site,&nbsp;Mandaviya&nbsp;said,&nbsp;“India expands its vaccine basket.&nbsp;Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is given approval for emergency use in India.&nbsp;Now,&nbsp;India has 5 EUA vaccines.&nbsp;This will further boost our nation's collective fight against COVID-19.”&nbsp;

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India expands its vaccine basket! 
 
Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is given approval for Emergency Use in India. 
 
Now India has 5 EUA vaccines. 
 
This will further boost our nation's collective fight against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a>
— Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) <a href="https://twitter.com/mansukhmandviya/status/1423915409791610886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A Johnson &amp; Johnson India spokesperson said, “We are pleased to announce that on August 7, the Government of India issued Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for the Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 single-dose vaccine in India, to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older."

Earlier, Global healthcare major Johnson &amp; Johnson had said it applied for Emergency Use&nbsp;Authorisation&nbsp;(EUA) of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India.&nbsp;

The company had said that it remained committed to bringing its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to India and looks forward to ongoing discussions with the Indian government.&nbsp;

"On August 5, 2021 Johnson &amp; Johnson Pvt Ltd applied for EUA of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to the government of India," a Johnson &amp; Johnson India spokesperson said in a statement.&nbsp;

This is an important milestone that paves the way for bringing the company's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to the people of India, and the rest of the world, through a collaboration with Biological E Limited, the statement added.&nbsp;

"Biological E will be an important part of our global supply chain network, helping to supply our Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccine through the extensive collaborations and partnerships we have with governments, health authorities and&nbsp;organisations&nbsp;such as Gavi and the COVAX Facility," the statement said.&nbsp;

The EUA submission is based on topline efficacy and safety data from the Phase 3 clinical trial, which demonstrated that the company's single-shot vaccine was 85 per cent effective in preventing severe disease across all regions studied, and showed protection against COVID-19 related&nbsp;hospitalisation&nbsp;and death, beginning 28 days after vaccination, it added.&nbsp;

"We look forward to concluding our discussions with the government of India to accelerate the availability of our COVID-19 vaccine to help end the pandemic," the statement said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Indian government has given Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine approval for emergency use in the country, said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a tweet on Saturday.

Indian government has given Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine approval for emergency use in the country, said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a tweet on Saturday. The vaccine joins the likes of Covishield, Covaxin, Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines, which have got the emergency use approval in the country till now. On the microblogging site, Mandaviya said, “India expands its vaccine basket. Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is given approval for emergency use in India. Now, India has 5 EUA vaccines. This will further boost our nation's collective fight against COVID-19.” India expands its vaccine basket! Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is given approval for Emergency Use in India. Now India has 5 EUA vaccines. This will further boost our nation's collective fight against #COVID19 — Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) August 7, 2021 × A Johnson & Johnson India spokesperson said, “We are pleased to announce that on August 7, the Government of India issued Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 single-dose vaccine in India, to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older." Earlier, Global healthcare major Johnson & Johnson had said it applied for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India. The company had said that it remained committed to bringing its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to India and looks forward to ongoing discussions with the Indian government. "On August 5, 2021 Johnson & Johnson Pvt Ltd applied for EUA of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to the government of India," a Johnson & Johnson India spokesperson said in a statement. This is an important milestone that paves the way for bringing the company's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to the people of India, and the rest of the world, through a collaboration with Biological E Limited, the statement added. "Biological E will be an important part of our global supply chain network, helping to supply our Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine through the extensive collaborations and partnerships we have with governments, health authorities and organisations such as Gavi and the COVAX Facility," the statement said. The EUA submission is based on topline efficacy and safety data from the Phase 3 clinical trial, which demonstrated that the company's single-shot vaccine was 85 per cent effective in preventing severe disease across all regions studied, and showed protection against COVID-19 related hospitalisation and death, beginning 28 days after vaccination, it added. "We look forward to concluding our discussions with the government of India to accelerate the availability of our COVID-19 vaccine to help end the pandemic," the statement said. (With inputs from agencies)

J&J single-dose COVID-19 vaccine gets emergency use approval in India 

As per the projections by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the world will see 5.3 million reported deaths and 12 million excess fatalities by December as the delta variant drives a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The institute expects deaths to peak at the beginning of September then slowly decline afterwards, it said in a report published Friday.&nbsp;

The IHME’s forecasts distinguish between officially reported COVID-19 deaths and excess deaths attributed to the illness. This also includes unreported fatalities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-announces-five-additions-to-global-terrorist-list-403595">Also read |&nbsp;US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list</a>

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again.

The Delta variant has been running rampant in Southeast Asia, with Thailand recording 20,000 new daily cases for the first time on Wednesday, and again on Thursday.

The country also announced 160 deaths in 24 hours, as exhausted morgue workers struggle to cope with the mounting bodies.

"I've seen our personnel faint quite a few times lately so fatigue is definitely starting to set in and we're almost at our limits," forensic scientist Thanitchet Khetkham told AFP.

As per the projections by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the world will see 5.3 million reported deaths and 12 million excess fatalities by December as the delta variant drives a surge in COVID-19 cases.

As per the projections by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the world will see 5.3 million reported deaths and 12 million excess fatalities by December as the delta variant drives a surge in COVID-19 cases. The institute expects deaths to peak at the beginning of September then slowly decline afterwards, it said in a report published Friday. The IHME’s forecasts distinguish between officially reported COVID-19 deaths and excess deaths attributed to the illness. This also includes unreported fatalities. Also read | US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again. The Delta variant has been running rampant in Southeast Asia, with Thailand recording 20,000 new daily cases for the first time on Wednesday, and again on Thursday. The country also announced 160 deaths in 24 hours, as exhausted morgue workers struggle to cope with the mounting bodies. "I've seen our personnel faint quite a few times lately so fatigue is definitely starting to set in and we're almost at our limits," forensic scientist Thanitchet Khetkham told AFP.

Global COVID-19 deaths estimated to reach 5.3 million by December

Half&nbsp;of&nbsp;the US population is now&nbsp;fully&nbsp;vaccinated&nbsp;against&nbsp;Covid-19, the&nbsp;White&nbsp;House&nbsp;said Friday, as inoculations rise in response to the surging Delta variant&nbsp;of&nbsp;the coronavirus.

"50%&nbsp;of&nbsp;Americans are now&nbsp;fully&nbsp;vaccinated. Keep going!" Cyrus Shahpar, the&nbsp;White&nbsp;House's&nbsp;Covid-19 data director, tweeted.

That means more than 165 million people have received either the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or the one-and-done Johnson &amp; Johnson shot.&nbsp;

The threshold&nbsp;of&nbsp;half&nbsp;of&nbsp;all adult&nbsp;Americans&nbsp;fully&nbsp;vaccinated&nbsp;was reached in late May.

President Joe Biden has been pressing hard for&nbsp;Americans&nbsp;to get&nbsp;vaccinated&nbsp;ever since he took office in January but has faced stubborn resistance, especially in conservative parts&nbsp;of&nbsp;the country, with inoculations dropping off sharply in April.

The aggressive vaccination program had raised hopes&nbsp;of&nbsp;a return to some semblance&nbsp;of&nbsp;normal life this summer, but the plan was hindered by the Delta variant.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-announces-five-additions-to-global-terrorist-list-403595">Also read |&nbsp;US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list</a>

In an increasingly assertive approach, the Biden administration has asked all federal employees to get&nbsp;vaccinated&nbsp;or face&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;testing twice a week.&nbsp;

Biden hinted Friday there would be further measures, saying, "There will be more to come in the days ahead."

White&nbsp;House&nbsp;spokeswoman Jen Psaki said there were "early conversations, early discussions about a range&nbsp;of&nbsp;options."

One possibility mentioned in press reports is pressuring nursing homes -- a hotbed&nbsp;of&nbsp;deaths early in the pandemic -- to force vaccinations among staff or risk losing public funding.

Cities including New York and Los Angeles are imposing new restrictions, such as demanding proof&nbsp;of&nbsp;vaccination for entering indoor venues including restaurants and gyms.

The seven-day average&nbsp;of&nbsp;newly&nbsp;vaccinated&nbsp;people is up 11 percent from last week, and up 44 percent over the past two weeks, Shahpar said.

Daily new cases, deaths and hospitalizations have risen sharply in recent weeks. Last week, there was an average&nbsp;of&nbsp;90,000 new coronavirus cases per day, with Florida and Texas accounting for a third&nbsp;of&nbsp;them, the&nbsp;White&nbsp;House&nbsp;said.

The United States is back up to around 380&nbsp;Covid-19 deaths a day, with hospitalisations averaging 7,300 a day over a week.

The level&nbsp;of&nbsp;community transmission&nbsp;of&nbsp;the virus is "high" or "substantial" in 85 percent&nbsp;of&nbsp;the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;says.

The United States is the nation hardest-hit by the pandemic, with 615,000 deaths.

Half of the US population is now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the White House said Friday, as inoculations rise in response to the surging Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Half of the US population is now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the White House said Friday, as inoculations rise in response to the surging Delta variant of the coronavirus. "50% of Americans are now fully vaccinated. Keep going!" Cyrus Shahpar, the White House's Covid-19 data director, tweeted. That means more than 165 million people have received either the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or the one-and-done Johnson & Johnson shot. The threshold of half of all adult Americans fully vaccinated was reached in late May. President Joe Biden has been pressing hard for Americans to get vaccinated ever since he took office in January but has faced stubborn resistance, especially in conservative parts of the country, with inoculations dropping off sharply in April. The aggressive vaccination program had raised hopes of a return to some semblance of normal life this summer, but the plan was hindered by the Delta variant. Also read | US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list In an increasingly assertive approach, the Biden administration has asked all federal employees to get vaccinated or face Covid testing twice a week. Biden hinted Friday there would be further measures, saying, "There will be more to come in the days ahead." White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said there were "early conversations, early discussions about a range of options." One possibility mentioned in press reports is pressuring nursing homes -- a hotbed of deaths early in the pandemic -- to force vaccinations among staff or risk losing public funding. Cities including New York and Los Angeles are imposing new restrictions, such as demanding proof of vaccination for entering indoor venues including restaurants and gyms. The seven-day average of newly vaccinated people is up 11 percent from last week, and up 44 percent over the past two weeks, Shahpar said. Daily new cases, deaths and hospitalizations have risen sharply in recent weeks. Last week, there was an average of 90,000 new coronavirus cases per day, with Florida and Texas accounting for a third of them, the White House said. The United States is back up to around 380 Covid-19 deaths a day, with hospitalisations averaging 7,300 a day over a week. The level of community transmission of the virus is "high" or "substantial" in 85 percent of the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The United States is the nation hardest-hit by the pandemic, with 615,000 deaths.

White House says 50% of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19

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