In a bid to curb the growing COVID-19 cases, the Australian government has expanded its ban on Australian citizens leaving the country to include people who are ordinarily residents in another country.

This means that even people who live overseas may not be allowed to leave Australia.

An expert in citizenship law from the University of Canberra, Prof Kim Rubenstein said that the change would unfairly affect Australians from multicultural backgrounds. Also, it could be constitutionally invalid.

This comes as 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.

Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in &nbsp;coronavirus cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-cases-top-200-million-worldwide-as-delta-variant-poses-threat-403243">Also read | COVID-19 cases top 200 million worldwide as Delta variant poses threat</a>

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.

"We can't allow that to happen otherwise we are locked down until Christmas," the Victorian premier informed. 
At least half of Australia will be under lockdown when Victoria enters into a lockdown later on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases as New South Wales recorded 262 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday which was the highest since the pandemic began along with five deaths.&nbsp;

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.

New South Wales has reported 4,300 cases in the last seven weeks with Sydney's southwest area becoming the epicentre of the virus as officials extended stay-at-home restrictions to neighbouring areas.

The authorities urged people to be vaccinated as Newcastle and Hunter region announced a week-long lockdown.

Australia has vaccinated just 20 per cent of its population even as it closed its border since the pandemic began and put mandatory travel quarantine. 
&nbsp;

In a bid to curb the growing COVID-19 cases, the Australian government has expanded its ban on Australian citizens leaving the country to include people who are ordinarily residents in another country.

In a bid to curb the growing COVID-19 cases, the Australian government has expanded its ban on Australian citizens leaving the country to include people who are ordinarily residents in another country. This means that even people who live overseas may not be allowed to leave Australia. An expert in citizenship law from the University of Canberra, Prof Kim Rubenstein said that the change would unfairly affect Australians from multicultural backgrounds. Also, it could be constitutionally invalid. This comes as 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. Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases. Also read | COVID-19 cases top 200 million worldwide as Delta variant poses threat 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. "We can't allow that to happen otherwise we are locked down until Christmas," the Victorian premier informed. At least half of Australia will be under lockdown when Victoria enters into a lockdown later on Thursday. Meanwhile, Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases as New South Wales recorded 262 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday which was the highest since the pandemic began along with five deaths. 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. New South Wales has reported 4,300 cases in the last seven weeks with Sydney's southwest area becoming the epicentre of the virus as officials extended stay-at-home restrictions to neighbouring areas. The authorities urged people to be vaccinated as Newcastle and Hunter region announced a week-long lockdown. Australia has vaccinated just 20 per cent of its population even as it closed its border since the pandemic began and put mandatory travel quarantine.

Australians living abroad could be banned from leaving if they return

Sydney reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases and five virus deaths Thursday, as authorities expanded the lockdown in Australia's largest city to neighbouring regions.&nbsp;

Six weeks after Sydney's five million residents were told to stay home, the number of new infections in New South Wales state grew to 262, the largest daily tally since the pandemic began.

Health officials said almost all the new cases were in Sydney, but a handful of infections in other districts prompted state premier Gladys Berejiklian to widen stay-at-home restrictions.

Five positive tests in Newcastle,&nbsp;a coastal city of 320,000 people north of Sydney&nbsp;prompted authorities to shutter schools and tell residents to stay home for at least a week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-american-sydney-mclaughlin-shatters-world-record-to-win-womens-400-hurdles-402723">Also read |&nbsp;Tokyo Olympics: American Sydney McLaughlin shatters world record to win women's 400 hurdles</a>

Five people aged in their 60s-80s have died in Sydney in the past 24 hours, none of whom were fully vaccinated.&nbsp;

"I cannot stress enough how&nbsp;it's so important for everybody of&nbsp;all ages to come forward and get the&nbsp;vaccine," Berejiklian said.

Barely 20 percent of Australians have been fully vaccinated, thanks to acute supply problems and pockets of vaccine hesitancy.

Until now, Australia has dodged the worst ravages of the pandemic.&nbsp;

But the country is struggling to contain an outbreak of the quick-spreading Delta variant.

Since a Sydney driver was infected by an international flight crew in mid-June, New South Wales has recorded 4,319 locally acquired cases and half the country's 25 million people have been in some form of lockdown.

Sydney reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases and five virus deaths Thursday, as authorities expanded the lockdown in Australia's largest city to neighbouring regions.

Sydney reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases and five virus deaths Thursday, as authorities expanded the lockdown in Australia's largest city to neighbouring regions. Six weeks after Sydney's five million residents were told to stay home, the number of new infections in New South Wales state grew to 262, the largest daily tally since the pandemic began. Health officials said almost all the new cases were in Sydney, but a handful of infections in other districts prompted state premier Gladys Berejiklian to widen stay-at-home restrictions. Five positive tests in Newcastle, a coastal city of 320,000 people north of Sydney prompted authorities to shutter schools and tell residents to stay home for at least a week. Also read | Tokyo Olympics: American Sydney McLaughlin shatters world record to win women's 400 hurdles Five people aged in their 60s-80s have died in Sydney in the past 24 hours, none of whom were fully vaccinated. "I cannot stress enough how it's so important for everybody of all ages to come forward and get the vaccine," Berejiklian said. Barely 20 percent of Australians have been fully vaccinated, thanks to acute supply problems and pockets of vaccine hesitancy. Until now, Australia has dodged the worst ravages of the pandemic. But the country is struggling to contain an outbreak of the quick-spreading Delta variant. Since a Sydney driver was infected by an international flight crew in mid-June, New South Wales has recorded 4,319 locally acquired cases and half the country's 25 million people have been in some form of lockdown.

Sydney posts record COVID-19 cases as lockdown is widened

Moderna stated in an earnings call on Thursday that its two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is still effective for six months, but that consumers would likely require booster doses before winter to battle the delta version.&nbsp;

The vaccine showed 93 per cent effectiveness six months after the second dosage, according to the firm, which is a positive indication as COVID cases grow across the country, primarily due to the highly infectious delta form.&nbsp;

"We are pleased that our COVID-19 vaccine is showing durable efficacy of 93% through six months, but recognize that the Delta variant is a significant new threat so we must remain vigilant," Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said.

Candidates who received a booster injection during a phase 2 study had "strong antibody responses" against the Delta and Gamma versions, according to the firm.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization requested that countries delay providing booster injections until at least September to ensure that poorer countries had access to dosages.&nbsp;

Moderna said that based on the "intersection" of factors including the delta variant, mask fatigue and people moving indoors due to colder weather, "we believe dose 3 booster will likely be necessary before the winter season."

(With inputs from agencies)

Moderna stated in an earnings call on Thursday that its two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is still effective for six months, but that consumers would likely require booster doses before winter to battle the delta version.

Moderna stated in an earnings call on Thursday that its two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is still effective for six months, but that consumers would likely require booster doses before winter to battle the delta version. The vaccine showed 93 per cent effectiveness six months after the second dosage, according to the firm, which is a positive indication as COVID cases grow across the country, primarily due to the highly infectious delta form. "We are pleased that our COVID-19 vaccine is showing durable efficacy of 93% through six months, but recognize that the Delta variant is a significant new threat so we must remain vigilant," Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said. Candidates who received a booster injection during a phase 2 study had "strong antibody responses" against the Delta and Gamma versions, according to the firm. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization requested that countries delay providing booster injections until at least September to ensure that poorer countries had access to dosages. Moderna said that based on the "intersection" of factors including the delta variant, mask fatigue and people moving indoors due to colder weather, "we believe dose 3 booster will likely be necessary before the winter season." (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19 vaccine 'remains durable' with 93% efficacy through 6 months: Moderna

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 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. Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus 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. "We can't allow that to happen otherwise we are locked down until Christmas," the Victorian premier informed. At least half of Australia will be under lockdown when Victoria enters into a lockdown later on Thursday. Meanwhile, Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases as New South Wales recorded 262 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday which was the highest since the pandemic began along with five deaths. 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. New South Wales has reported 4,300 cases in the last seven weeks with Sydney's southwest area becoming the epicentre of the virus as officials extended stay-at-home restrictions to neighbouring areas. The authorities urged people to be vaccinated as Newcastle and Hunter region announced a week-long lockdown. Australia has vaccinated just 20 per cent of its population even as it closed its border since the pandemic began and put mandatory travel quarantine. Also read | Australia: Melbourne enters another lockdown, Sydney reports record COVID-19 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 cases top 200 million worldwide as Delta variant poses threat

Fully vaccinated passengers from France returning to Scotland, Northern Ireland and England will not need to quarantine.

As per UK's widespread changes to the traffic light system for travel, France is being moved from amber-plus to amber.

France was added to the list last month when concerns about the COVID-19 Beta variant started growing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-hope-you-crawl-back-under-the-rock-uk-pm-johnson-condemns-racial-abuse-of-england-football-stars-397699">Also read |&nbsp;I hope you crawl back under the rock, UK PM Johnson condemns racial abuse of England football stars</a>

Also, even after prior speculation, Spain will remain on the amber list. This will enable travellers who are fully vaccinated to continue to enjoy a quarantine-free return.

India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will also be moved from the red list to the amber list as part of the changes, which come into effect from 04:00 BST on 8 August.

Germany, Austria and Norway are among seven nations being added to the green list.

Fully vaccinated passengers from France returning to Scotland, Northern Ireland and England will not need to quarantine. As per UK's widespread changes to the traffic light system for travel, France is being moved from amber-plus to amber.

Fully vaccinated passengers from France returning to Scotland, Northern Ireland and England will not need to quarantine. As per UK's widespread changes to the traffic light system for travel, France is being moved from amber-plus to amber. France was added to the list last month when concerns about the COVID-19 Beta variant started growing. Also read | I hope you crawl back under the rock, UK PM Johnson condemns racial abuse of England football stars Also, even after prior speculation, Spain will remain on the amber list. This will enable travellers who are fully vaccinated to continue to enjoy a quarantine-free return. India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will also be moved from the red list to the amber list as part of the changes, which come into effect from 04:00 BST on 8 August. Germany, Austria and Norway are among seven nations being added to the green list.

International travel update: Fully vaccinated passengers from France will not need to quarantine in UK

Tokyo on Thursday reported another massive jump in COVID-19 cases as the government expanded restrictions to eight more regions just days before the Olympics ends.

Tokyo is already under a virus state of emergency. However, it is seeing exponential growth in cases, driven by the more contagious Delta variant.

On Thursday, the city reported a record 5,042 cases, up from 3,865 a week earlier, and 1,979 the week before that.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in a meeting said, "Infections are spreading with a speed we have never experienced before".

He added, "With the rapid increase of cases, the number of patients in serious condition, which had been contained, is growing".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-set-to-expand-coroanvirus-emergency-restrictions-amid-surge-in-hospitalisations-403056">Also read |&nbsp;Japan set to expand coroanvirus emergency restrictions amid surge in hospitalisations</a>

Six parts of Japan are under a virus emergency.

Other parts of Japan are under quasi-emergency measures, with the government expanding those restrictions to another eight areas on Thursday.

"At this point in time we really need to introduce some other kind of measures in order to tackle this situation," warned health expert Koji Wada, a professor at Japan's International University of Health and Welfare.

The spike comes with the Olympic Games in full swing in Tokyo, taking place largely without spectators. The organisers have reported 353 cases among Games staff, officials, teams and media since July 1.

Tokyo on Thursday reported another massive jump in COVID-19 cases as the government expanded restrictions to eight more regions just days before the Olympics ends.

Tokyo on Thursday reported another massive jump in COVID-19 cases as the government expanded restrictions to eight more regions just days before the Olympics ends. Tokyo is already under a virus state of emergency. However, it is seeing exponential growth in cases, driven by the more contagious Delta variant. On Thursday, the city reported a record 5,042 cases, up from 3,865 a week earlier, and 1,979 the week before that. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in a meeting said, "Infections are spreading with a speed we have never experienced before". He added, "With the rapid increase of cases, the number of patients in serious condition, which had been contained, is growing". Also read | Japan set to expand coroanvirus emergency restrictions amid surge in hospitalisations Six parts of Japan are under a virus emergency. Other parts of Japan are under quasi-emergency measures, with the government expanding those restrictions to another eight areas on Thursday. "At this point in time we really need to introduce some other kind of measures in order to tackle this situation," warned health expert Koji Wada, a professor at Japan's International University of Health and Welfare. The spike comes with the Olympic Games in full swing in Tokyo, taking place largely without spectators. The organisers have reported 353 cases among Games staff, officials, teams and media since July 1.

Covid cases in Tokyo at record high as government expands restrictions

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming.

"If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios.

His comments underscore the importance of acting quickly to vaccinate the tens of millions of Americans who have not been inoculated against the virus.

The current surge in coronavirus cases nationwide is being driven by the Delta variant, which is already more contagious than the original strain of the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-covid-comforter-to-sex-assault-accused-new-york-governor-cuomos-fall-from-grace-403032">Also read |&nbsp;From Covid comforter to sex assault accused: New York Governor Cuomo's fall from grace</a>

Recent data shows that vaccinated people who still get infected with the delta variant also have high viral loads and can spread it to others, even when they aren't showing symptoms or are experiencing mild disease. "We're now dealing with, really, a different virus," said Fauci.

As the virus continues to spread due to insufficient vaccination rates, it is being given "ample" time to mutate into a more dangerous new variant in the fall and winter, Fauci said.

"Quite frankly, we're very lucky that the vaccines that we have now do very well against the variants, particularly against severe illness," Fauci said, emphasising that this might not be the case with a new variant.

"If another one comes along that has an equally high capability of transmitting but also is much more severe, then we could really be in trouble," he said.

"People who are not getting vaccinated mistakenly think it's only about them. But it isn't. It's about everybody else, also."

Moreover, other variants are already cropping up. South Korea has reported two cases of highly transmissible delta plus variant of the coronavirus.

It is the first time that the country has reported the Delta Plus variant, considered a sublineage of the Delta variant, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing the country's Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Some experts believe the Delta Plus variant could be more contagious than the Delta variant.

The Lambda variant, which originated from Peru last year, has already been detected in the US, reported Axios.

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming. "If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios.

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming. "If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios. His comments underscore the importance of acting quickly to vaccinate the tens of millions of Americans who have not been inoculated against the virus. The current surge in coronavirus cases nationwide is being driven by the Delta variant, which is already more contagious than the original strain of the virus. Also read | From Covid comforter to sex assault accused: New York Governor Cuomo's fall from grace Recent data shows that vaccinated people who still get infected with the delta variant also have high viral loads and can spread it to others, even when they aren't showing symptoms or are experiencing mild disease. "We're now dealing with, really, a different virus," said Fauci. As the virus continues to spread due to insufficient vaccination rates, it is being given "ample" time to mutate into a more dangerous new variant in the fall and winter, Fauci said. "Quite frankly, we're very lucky that the vaccines that we have now do very well against the variants, particularly against severe illness," Fauci said, emphasising that this might not be the case with a new variant. "If another one comes along that has an equally high capability of transmitting but also is much more severe, then we could really be in trouble," he said. "People who are not getting vaccinated mistakenly think it's only about them. But it isn't. It's about everybody else, also." Moreover, other variants are already cropping up. South Korea has reported two cases of highly transmissible delta plus variant of the coronavirus. It is the first time that the country has reported the Delta Plus variant, considered a sublineage of the Delta variant, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing the country's Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Some experts believe the Delta Plus variant could be more contagious than the Delta variant. The Lambda variant, which originated from Peru last year, has already been detected in the US, reported Axios.

COVID-19 cases may double in US as variant worse than Delta could be coming, says Fauci

Experts from Nutrition International, a Canadian not-for-profit&nbsp;organisation,&nbsp;emphasised&nbsp;that a mother’s breastmilk is like a vaccination that nourishes the baby lifelong. They say, it builds immunity and cognition, reduces the risk of stunting and protects the baby from diseases. It is naturally fortified with nutrients and antibodies,&nbsp;making it even more important in COVID-19 times to protect both babies and mothers, says the&nbsp;organisation. They also highlight the need to debunk the myths surrounding breast-feeding amid the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

On the sidelines of World Breastfeeding week (that is observed during the first week of August), they said that COVID-19 has disrupted services&nbsp;being&nbsp;provided&nbsp;by&nbsp;Anganwadis, heath sub-centers, besides a reduction in institutional deliveries. As a result, there is a decline in&nbsp;important pre-birth and post-birth services, counselling of pregnant, lactating women and weighing of children.&nbsp;

It is pointed out that the fear of COVID-19 infection transmission (via breastmilk) and rumors in this regard are discouraging the practice. Inadequate maternity leave legislation, unregulated and inappropriate marketing activities within the breastmilk substitute industry,&nbsp;etc&nbsp;are also stated as reasons that have caused a decline.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Mini Varghese, Country Director, India, Nutrition International, ensuring the implementation of breast-feeding within one hour of birth during all institutional deliveries will be an important step towards achieving the target.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On the myths and its detrimental effects of&nbsp;breast-feeding, Anganwadi Worker, Nidhi Shrivastav from Madhya Pradesh says, COVID-19 positive mothers, who give birth, refuse to breastfeed as they fear passing on COVID-19 infection to their babies. “However, we work on counselling these new mothers and their families on the lifesaving benefits of breast-feeding. We also encourage them to take precautions such as washing their hands, wearing masks and&nbsp;sanitising&nbsp;surfaces for safe breastfeeding practices,” she adds.&nbsp;

Nutrition International says that, despite breast-feeding being cost-effective, baby food companies continue to attack and replace&nbsp;it&nbsp;with their products. It also makes a mention of World Health Assembly (WHA) endorsing the "International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes”, that&nbsp;recognises&nbsp;commercial marketing of baby foods as harmful to the health of infants. In India, the Infant Milk Substitutes Feeding Bottles, and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 1992, and Amendment Act 2003 (IMS Act) bans all forms of promotion of foods marketed to children up to two years of age, says the&nbsp;organisation.&nbsp;

“While India has a law to protect breast-feeding, it needs action for enforcement,”&nbsp;says Mini Varghese. She adds that the concerned stakeholders including professional associations need to come forward to support the government to ensure that the IMS Act is implemented in its true spirit.&nbsp;

Experts from Nutrition International, a Canadian not-for-profit organisation, emphasised that a mother’s breastmilk is like a vaccination that nourishes the baby lifelong.

Experts from Nutrition International, a Canadian not-for-profit organisation, emphasised that a mother’s breastmilk is like a vaccination that nourishes the baby lifelong. They say, it builds immunity and cognition, reduces the risk of stunting and protects the baby from diseases. It is naturally fortified with nutrients and antibodies, making it even more important in COVID-19 times to protect both babies and mothers, says the organisation. They also highlight the need to debunk the myths surrounding breast-feeding amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On the sidelines of World Breastfeeding week (that is observed during the first week of August), they said that COVID-19 has disrupted services being provided by Anganwadis, heath sub-centers, besides a reduction in institutional deliveries. As a result, there is a decline in important pre-birth and post-birth services, counselling of pregnant, lactating women and weighing of children. It is pointed out that the fear of COVID-19 infection transmission (via breastmilk) and rumors in this regard are discouraging the practice. Inadequate maternity leave legislation, unregulated and inappropriate marketing activities within the breastmilk substitute industry, etc are also stated as reasons that have caused a decline. According to Mini Varghese, Country Director, India, Nutrition International, ensuring the implementation of breast-feeding within one hour of birth during all institutional deliveries will be an important step towards achieving the target. On the myths and its detrimental effects of breast-feeding, Anganwadi Worker, Nidhi Shrivastav from Madhya Pradesh says, COVID-19 positive mothers, who give birth, refuse to breastfeed as they fear passing on COVID-19 infection to their babies. “However, we work on counselling these new mothers and their families on the lifesaving benefits of breast-feeding. We also encourage them to take precautions such as washing their hands, wearing masks and sanitising surfaces for safe breastfeeding practices,” she adds. Nutrition International says that, despite breast-feeding being cost-effective, baby food companies continue to attack and replace it with their products. It also makes a mention of World Health Assembly (WHA) endorsing the "International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes”, that recognises commercial marketing of baby foods as harmful to the health of infants. In India, the Infant Milk Substitutes Feeding Bottles, and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 1992, and Amendment Act 2003 (IMS Act) bans all forms of promotion of foods marketed to children up to two years of age, says the organisation. “While India has a law to protect breast-feeding, it needs action for enforcement,” says Mini Varghese. She adds that the concerned stakeholders including professional associations need to come forward to support the government to ensure that the IMS Act is implemented in its true spirit.

‘Must debunk fake news, myths on breast-feeding causing COVID-19' 

Indonesia passed the sad milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, according to data from the country's health ministry, with the Southeast Asian nation responsible for one in every five deaths globally.&nbsp;

For the last month, Indonesia has been fighting a wave of coronavirus illnesses and deaths caused by the extremely infectious Delta strain, as it has swiftly become Asia's coronavirus hotspot.&nbsp;

Indonesia has surpassed Brazil and India as the country with the newest COVID-19 cases and deaths, establishing itself as the pandemic's new epicentre.

Indonesia is the second country in Asia after India to reach this grim milestone.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Gravitas: Indonesia: Scientist leading Sinovac trial dies of suspected COVID-19

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indonesia-scientist-leading-sinovac-trial-dies-of-suspected-covid-19-397083/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The tidal wave is part of a larger third wave that is sweeping Southeast Asia.&nbsp;

While Indonesia is adding fewer cases per day than the United States, the country's poor vaccination coverage and under-equipped healthcare system have resulted in greater virus-related death rates.

According to Bloomberg's vaccination tracker, just 8% of Indonesia's 270 million people are completely vaccinated, compared to more than half in the United States.

Indonesia has been struggling to treat critically ill patients due to a significant lack of oxygen.

Because hospitals throughout the country are running out of beds, many of these people are dying at home or while waiting for urgent care. &nbsp;

Hospitals, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), require additional isolation rooms, oxygen supply, medical and personal equipment, as well as body bags and mobile field hospitals.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia passed the sad milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, according to data from the country's health ministry, with the Southeast Asian nation responsible for one in every five deaths globally.

Indonesia passed the sad milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, according to data from the country's health ministry, with the Southeast Asian nation responsible for one in every five deaths globally. For the last month, Indonesia has been fighting a wave of coronavirus illnesses and deaths caused by the extremely infectious Delta strain, as it has swiftly become Asia's coronavirus hotspot. Indonesia has surpassed Brazil and India as the country with the newest COVID-19 cases and deaths, establishing itself as the pandemic's new epicentre. Indonesia is the second country in Asia after India to reach this grim milestone. Watch | Gravitas: Indonesia: Scientist leading Sinovac trial dies of suspected COVID-19 The tidal wave is part of a larger third wave that is sweeping Southeast Asia. While Indonesia is adding fewer cases per day than the United States, the country's poor vaccination coverage and under-equipped healthcare system have resulted in greater virus-related death rates. According to Bloomberg's vaccination tracker, just 8% of Indonesia's 270 million people are completely vaccinated, compared to more than half in the United States. Indonesia has been struggling to treat critically ill patients due to a significant lack of oxygen. Because hospitals throughout the country are running out of beds, many of these people are dying at home or while waiting for urgent care. Hospitals, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), require additional isolation rooms, oxygen supply, medical and personal equipment, as well as body bags and mobile field hospitals. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia becomes epicentre of Asia's COVID-19 outbreak, second in region to top 100000 deaths

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of official US state data, less than 1% of fully vaccinated people experienced a breakthrough infection lately, a CNN report said.&nbsp;

The US federal government has been reporting data about breakthrough infections, which result in hospitalisation or death.&nbsp;

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest data says, less than 0.004% people, who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus experienced a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalisation, while less than 0.001% died. Out of more than 163 million fully vaccinated people in the US, it is about 6,600 severe cases. The analysis shows breakthrough infections are extremely rare.&nbsp;

Around half of US states reported data on the breakthrough cases. In each state, less than 1% of fully vaccinated people got a breakthrough infection. It ranged from 0.01% in Connecticut to 0.9% in Oklahoma.&nbsp;

The analysis also said over 90% of cases and more than 95% of hospitalisations and deaths have been reported among unvaccinated people.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said the seven-day average of daily coronavirus cases in the country surpassed the peak set last summer. "COVID-19 is clearly not done with us and so, our battle must last a little longer,” Walensky said.&nbsp;

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of official US state data, less than 1% of fully vaccinated people experienced a breakthrough infection lately, a CNN report said.

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of official US state data, less than 1% of fully vaccinated people experienced a breakthrough infection lately, a CNN report said. The US federal government has been reporting data about breakthrough infections, which result in hospitalisation or death. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest data says, less than 0.004% people, who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus experienced a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalisation, while less than 0.001% died. Out of more than 163 million fully vaccinated people in the US, it is about 6,600 severe cases. The analysis shows breakthrough infections are extremely rare. Around half of US states reported data on the breakthrough cases. In each state, less than 1% of fully vaccinated people got a breakthrough infection. It ranged from 0.01% in Connecticut to 0.9% in Oklahoma. The analysis also said over 90% of cases and more than 95% of hospitalisations and deaths have been reported among unvaccinated people. Meanwhile, CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said the seven-day average of daily coronavirus cases in the country surpassed the peak set last summer. "COVID-19 is clearly not done with us and so, our battle must last a little longer,” Walensky said.

Less than 1% fully vaccinated may get a ‘breakthrough’ Covid infection: Report

Tokyo Olympics organisers reported on Tuesday 18 new Games-related COVID-19 cases, bringing the total since July 1 to 294. 
 
Meanwhile, a&nbsp;Tokyo hospital director warns that Tokyo is on the edge of facing a medical collapse if more beds to treat&nbsp;COVID-19 patients are not secured immediately.

Japan has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Tokyo, which had a record high of 4,058 new infections on Saturday (July 31), had another 3,709 new cases on Tuesday (August 3).

"At our hospital, the number of seriously ill patients is increasing and among those who are less seriously ill, there are those who cannot be hospitalised... In the midst of all the excitement over the Olympics, the situation for these medical personnel is very severe," Hironori Sagara, director of Showa University Hospital, told Reuters on Monday (August 2).

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Sagara said the number of beds that could accept&nbsp;COVID-19 patients at his hospital is now close to zero, adding that if infections keep rising, the hospital will have to limit surgery and other non-COVID-19 treatments.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced on Monday that Japan will hospitalize only&nbsp;COVID-19 patients who are seriously ill and those at risk of becoming so, while others isolate at home.

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Japan on Monday expanded its state of emergency to include three prefectures near Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka. An existing emergency in Tokyo - its fourth since the pandemic began - and Okinawa is now set to last through August 31.

The Olympics will be held until August 8.

Tokyo Olympics organisers reported on Tuesday 18 new Games-related COVID-19 cases, bringing the total since July 1 to 294. Meanwhile, a Tokyo hospital director warns that Tokyo is on the edge of facing a medical collapse if more beds to treat COVID-19 patients are not secured immediately.

Tokyo Olympics organisers reported on Tuesday 18 new Games-related COVID-19 cases, bringing the total since July 1 to 294. Meanwhile, a Tokyo hospital director warns that Tokyo is on the edge of facing a medical collapse if more beds to treat COVID-19 patients are not secured immediately. Japan has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Tokyo, which had a record high of 4,058 new infections on Saturday (July 31), had another 3,709 new cases on Tuesday (August 3). "At our hospital, the number of seriously ill patients is increasing and among those who are less seriously ill, there are those who cannot be hospitalised... In the midst of all the excitement over the Olympics, the situation for these medical personnel is very severe," Hironori Sagara, director of Showa University Hospital, told Reuters on Monday (August 2). ALSO READ | Tokyo Olympics: When and where to watch India vs Argentina women's hockey semifinal match Sagara said the number of beds that could accept COVID-19 patients at his hospital is now close to zero, adding that if infections keep rising, the hospital will have to limit surgery and other non-COVID-19 treatments. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced on Monday that Japan will hospitalize only COVID-19 patients who are seriously ill and those at risk of becoming so, while others isolate at home. ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE: Winning for my country was important, says Indian badminton star PV Sindhu on her Olympics bronze Japan on Monday expanded its state of emergency to include three prefectures near Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka. An existing emergency in Tokyo - its fourth since the pandemic began - and Okinawa is now set to last through August 31. The Olympics will be held until August 8.

Tokyo Olympics: Organisers report 18 new Games-related COVID-19 cases

Nepal is currently witnessing a resurgence of the Coronavirus infections in the region, fueled by the highly contagious delta variant. The latest outbreak has pushed the country's fragile health care system to the brink of collapse.

Nepal: Hundreds to rush get shots amid vaccine shortage

Australian officials on Monday extended a snap three-day lockdown in the city of Brisbane and some neighbouring regions while hundreds of army personnel began patrolling Sydney to help enforce COVID-19 lockdown rules. 
 
Sydney, Australia's largest city, is into its sixth week of a lockdown as it struggles with a spike in infections that added nearly 3,500 cases since the first one was detected in a limousine driver who transported overseas airline crew. 
 
Officials in New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, have implored residents to stay home to prevent more surges and brought in the military to help police enforce compliance after some defied lockdown rules. 
 
Some 300 army personnel, who will be unarmed and under police command, will go door to door to ensure people who have tested positive are isolating at their homes. 
 
After a steady rise in new cases, the lockdown rules in southeast Queensland, which includes Brisbane, will run until Sunday as officials fear there could be more undetected cases in the community and urged residents to get tested. Restrictions were due to end Tuesday evening. 
 
Thirteen locally acquired cases were detected in Queensland state, up from nine a day earlier. 
 
Australia is going through a cycle of stop-and-start lockdowns in several cities after the emergence of the fast-moving Delta strain and such restrictions are likely to persist until the country hits a higher vaccination coverage. 
 
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised lockdowns would be "less likely" once the country inoculates 70% of its population above 16 years, which now stands at 19%. Morrison expects to hit that mark by the end of the year. 
 
Although Australia's vaccination drive has lagged many other developed economies, it has so far fared much better in keeping its coronavirus numbers relatively low, with just under 34,400 cases and 924 deaths.

Australian officials on Monday extended a snap three-day lockdown in the city of Brisbane and some neighbouring regions while hundreds of army personnel began patrolling Sydney to help enforce COVID-19 lockdown rules.

Australian officials on Monday extended a snap three-day lockdown in the city of Brisbane and some neighbouring regions while hundreds of army personnel began patrolling Sydney to help enforce COVID-19 lockdown rules. Sydney, Australia's largest city, is into its sixth week of a lockdown as it struggles with a spike in infections that added nearly 3,500 cases since the first one was detected in a limousine driver who transported overseas airline crew. Officials in New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, have implored residents to stay home to prevent more surges and brought in the military to help police enforce compliance after some defied lockdown rules. Some 300 army personnel, who will be unarmed and under police command, will go door to door to ensure people who have tested positive are isolating at their homes. After a steady rise in new cases, the lockdown rules in southeast Queensland, which includes Brisbane, will run until Sunday as officials fear there could be more undetected cases in the community and urged residents to get tested. Restrictions were due to end Tuesday evening. Thirteen locally acquired cases were detected in Queensland state, up from nine a day earlier. Australia is going through a cycle of stop-and-start lockdowns in several cities after the emergence of the fast-moving Delta strain and such restrictions are likely to persist until the country hits a higher vaccination coverage. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised lockdowns would be "less likely" once the country inoculates 70% of its population above 16 years, which now stands at 19%. Morrison expects to hit that mark by the end of the year. Although Australia's vaccination drive has lagged many other developed economies, it has so far fared much better in keeping its coronavirus numbers relatively low, with just under 34,400 cases and 924 deaths.

Army patrols Sydney streets as Brisbane extends COVID-19 lockdown

As COVID-19 cases&nbsp;increase in Pakistan, India is considering putting health restrictions on travellers coming from the country. 
 
As of August 2, there were 73213 active COVID-19 cases in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Sources say, "In view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan, relevant Indian authorities are considering imposing health-related restrictions, including institutional quarantine, on all travellers originating from Pakistan".

According to Pakistan's National Command &amp; Operation Centre, the last 24 hours saw 40 deaths, with most deaths occurring in Sindh province followed by Punjab.&nbsp; 
 
On August 1, 4858 people in Pakistan tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has announced several new restrictions domestically to control the situation. Federal planning minister Asad Umar announced the resumption of the 50% work-from-home policy and public transport to operate at 50% occupancy.

The restrictions apply to major cities like Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Karachi, Hyderabad and the National Capital Islamabad. 
 
After cases of the Epsilon strain of Covid-19 were found in Pakistan's Lahore, an alert was issued.

The strain is vaccine-resistant and very contagious, according to reports.&nbsp;

As COVID-19 cases increase in Pakistan, India is considering putting health restrictions on travellers coming from the country. As of August 2, there were 73213 active COVID-19 cases in Pakistan.

As COVID-19 cases increase in Pakistan, India is considering putting health restrictions on travellers coming from the country. As of August 2, there were 73213 active COVID-19 cases in Pakistan. Sources say, "In view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan, relevant Indian authorities are considering imposing health-related restrictions, including institutional quarantine, on all travellers originating from Pakistan". According to Pakistan's National Command & Operation Centre, the last 24 hours saw 40 deaths, with most deaths occurring in Sindh province followed by Punjab. On August 1, 4858 people in Pakistan tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Pakistan has announced several new restrictions domestically to control the situation. Federal planning minister Asad Umar announced the resumption of the 50% work-from-home policy and public transport to operate at 50% occupancy. The restrictions apply to major cities like Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Karachi, Hyderabad and the National Capital Islamabad. After cases of the Epsilon strain of Covid-19 were found in Pakistan's Lahore, an alert was issued. The strain is vaccine-resistant and very contagious, according to reports.

COVID-19 crisis: India considering health restrictions on travellers from Pakistan

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said he suspects he has long COVID, after suffering dizziness and fatigue in the aftermath of a hard-fought Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.

"Everything got a bit blurry on the podium," said the 36-year-old, who had to be looked over by his Mercedes team doctor after a flat-out charge from last to third around the twisting Hungaroring.

"I've been fighting all year, really, with staying healthy after what happened at the end of last year.

"It’s still a battle."&nbsp;

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Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to miss last year's penultimate Sakhir Grand Prix in December.

The Briton was back in action at the final race in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 13, where he finished third after testing negative but reported feeling the after-effects of the disease. On Sunday, he said those effects had lingered.

"I haven’t spoken to anyone particularly about it but I think it is lingering," said Hamilton, who turned an eight-point deficit to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen into a six-point lead with his drive on Sunday.

"I remember when I had it, training’s been different since then, the levels of fatigue that you get, it’s different.

"Who knows what it is today, maybe its hydration, I don’t know. But I’ve definitely not had that experience.

"I had something similar in Silverstone but it's just way worse," added the Briton who took his fourth win of the season at the British track two weeks ago.&nbsp;

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The 4.3-kilometre Hungaroring with its constant twists and turns is a physically demanding track. The race is also often hot.

Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas compared his Mercedes cockpit to a Finnish sauna on Friday.

Hamilton said he "gave it everything" in his bid to chase down surprise winner Esteban Ocon, who took his maiden victory, and second-placed four-time champion Sebastian Vettel. &nbsp;

"It was a really hard race in general," said Ocon, sitting alongside Hamilton in the post-race news conference.

"This track with the heat, the humidity, the corners, you don’t have a breather here. I feel flat, I feel completely dead as well. I tell you I will have a good sleep tonight."&nbsp;

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said he suspects he has long COVID, after suffering dizziness and fatigue in the aftermath of a hard-fought Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said he suspects he has long COVID, after suffering dizziness and fatigue in the aftermath of a hard-fought Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday. "Everything got a bit blurry on the podium," said the 36-year-old, who had to be looked over by his Mercedes team doctor after a flat-out charge from last to third around the twisting Hungaroring. "I've been fighting all year, really, with staying healthy after what happened at the end of last year. "It’s still a battle." ALSO READ | 'We have to be careful with our words': Lewis Hamilton on being booed by Verstappen fans Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to miss last year's penultimate Sakhir Grand Prix in December. The Briton was back in action at the final race in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 13, where he finished third after testing negative but reported feeling the after-effects of the disease. On Sunday, he said those effects had lingered. "I haven’t spoken to anyone particularly about it but I think it is lingering," said Hamilton, who turned an eight-point deficit to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen into a six-point lead with his drive on Sunday. "I remember when I had it, training’s been different since then, the levels of fatigue that you get, it’s different. "Who knows what it is today, maybe its hydration, I don’t know. But I’ve definitely not had that experience. "I had something similar in Silverstone but it's just way worse," added the Briton who took his fourth win of the season at the British track two weeks ago. ALSO READ | Sebastian Vettel and three others reprimanded for not removing LGBTQ+ rights t-shirts before anthem The 4.3-kilometre Hungaroring with its constant twists and turns is a physically demanding track. The race is also often hot. Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas compared his Mercedes cockpit to a Finnish sauna on Friday. Hamilton said he "gave it everything" in his bid to chase down surprise winner Esteban Ocon, who took his maiden victory, and second-placed four-time champion Sebastian Vettel. "It was a really hard race in general," said Ocon, sitting alongside Hamilton in the post-race news conference. "This track with the heat, the humidity, the corners, you don’t have a breather here. I feel flat, I feel completely dead as well. I tell you I will have a good sleep tonight."

Formula One: Lewis Hamilton suspects long COVID-19 after suffering fatigue, dizziness

Shane Warne, the head coach of the London Spirit franchise in The Hundred rivalry, tested positive for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom on Sunday. Because of his COVID positive outcome, the Australian spinner has gone into self-isolation. Warne is the third member in the competition to test positive.&nbsp;

Shane Warne, 51, is the head coach of the London Spirit franchise based at Lord's where they were facing Southern Brave.

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"London Spirit men's head coach&nbsp;Shane&nbsp;Warne&nbsp;will be absent from today's match against Southern Brave at Lord's," said a statement.

"After feeling unwell this morning,&nbsp;Shane&nbsp;returned a positive lateral flow test and will isolate from the squad and support staff whilst he awaits PCR results.

"A second member of the team management is self-isolating after also returning a positive test. No players have been impacted."

Leg-spin legend Shane&nbsp;Warne&nbsp;claimed 708 wickets in a storied Test career that ended in 2007.

According to the conventions, Shane Warne might be permitted to come out from isolation after he tests negative for the COVID-19. The other COVID positive individual from the staff will likewise remain in isolation.&nbsp;

The Hundred is occurring in front of huge crowds. According to the Lord's Cricket Ground, the London Spirit women's fixture against Southern Brave women, which occurred yesterday, was seen by 15,189 individuals.

Shane Warne, the head coach of the London Spirit franchise in The Hundred rivalry, tested positive for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom on Sunday. Because of his COVID positive outcome, the Australian spinner has gone into self-isolation.

Shane Warne, the head coach of the London Spirit franchise in The Hundred rivalry, tested positive for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom on Sunday. Because of his COVID positive outcome, the Australian spinner has gone into self-isolation. Warne is the third member in the competition to test positive. Shane Warne, 51, is the head coach of the London Spirit franchise based at Lord's where they were facing Southern Brave. ALSO READ: Cricket: Rain washes out West Indies vs Pakistan third T20 match "London Spirit men's head coach Shane Warne will be absent from today's match against Southern Brave at Lord's," said a statement. "After feeling unwell this morning, Shane returned a positive lateral flow test and will isolate from the squad and support staff whilst he awaits PCR results. "A second member of the team management is self-isolating after also returning a positive test. No players have been impacted." Leg-spin legend Shane Warne claimed 708 wickets in a storied Test career that ended in 2007. According to the conventions, Shane Warne might be permitted to come out from isolation after he tests negative for the COVID-19. The other COVID positive individual from the staff will likewise remain in isolation. The Hundred is occurring in front of huge crowds. According to the Lord's Cricket Ground, the London Spirit women's fixture against Southern Brave women, which occurred yesterday, was seen by 15,189 individuals.

Cricket: Shane Warne tests positive for COVID-19 and undergoes self-isolation

Thousands of people, despite the fourth wave of COVID infections, protested against the government’s latest measures to push people to get vaccinated.

Anti-Health Pass Protest: France battles fourth wave of COVID-19

Millions of Americans could find themselves homeless starting Sunday when a nationwide ban on evictions expires, even as billions in government funds meant to help them go untapped.

Historic eviction crisis looms over US

In Pics | Tens of thousands march against French COVID-19 ‘health pass’

Cambodia has started rolling out COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers in its capital Phnom Penh and three provinces Sunday.

Premier Hun Sen's grandchildren were among the first to get the jab.

While Cambodia appeared to have escaped the brunt of the virus last year, an outbreak first detected in February has steadily driven up the caseload to nearly 78,000.

"The vaccination for children today is a key step to herd immunity in communities," said the Cambodian leader.

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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. &nbsp;Several countries in Europe, including Denmark, France and Lithuania, have begun vaccinating children in a bid to achieve herd immunity.

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 vaccine

Cambodia has started rolling out COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers in its capital Phnom Penh and three provinces Sunday. Premier Hun Sen's grandchildren were among the first to get the jab.

Cambodia has started rolling out COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers in its capital Phnom Penh and three provinces Sunday. Premier Hun Sen's grandchildren were among the first to get the jab. While Cambodia appeared to have escaped the brunt of the virus last year, an outbreak first detected in February has steadily driven up the caseload to nearly 78,000. "The vaccination for children today is a key step to herd immunity in communities," said the Cambodian leader. Also read | Various killed in Cambodian village due to a bad batch of rice wine 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. 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 vaccine

Cambodia begins COVID-19 vaccinations for teenagers

As per the federal health data, Florida has reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, making it the state's highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic.

The state has now become the new national epicentre for the virus as it accounts for around a fifth of all new cases in the US.

The state reported 409 deaths this week, bringing the total to more than 39,000 since its first in March 2020.&nbsp;

The state's peak happened in mid-August 2020, when 1,266 people died over seven days.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has blamed the surge on a seasonal increase more Floridians are indoors because of the hot weather with air conditioning circulating the virus.

About 60 per cent of Floridians 12 and older are vaccinated, ranking it about midway among the states.

As per the Florida Hospital Association, the statewide COVID-19 hospitalisations are nearing last year's peak.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delta-covid-19-variant-can-be-passed-on-even-by-those-vaccinated-us-top-health-body-402016">Also read |&nbsp;Delta COVID-19 variant can be passed on even by those vaccinated: US top health body</a>

Also, one of the state's largest health care systems, AdventHealth's Central Florida Division, this week advised that it would no longer be conducting nonemergency surgeries to free up resources for COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, the US Centers for Sickness Control and Prevention (CDC) warned in an internal paper that the Delta COVID-19 variant can be passed on even by vaccinated people and may cause more serious disease than previous coronavirus strains.

The variant requires a different way to educate the public about the hazard, according to the document "Improving communications around vaccination breakthroughs and vaccine effectiveness."&nbsp;

The document, titled 'Improving communications around vaccine breakthrough and vaccine effectiveness,' stated that the Delta variant necessitated a new approach to help the public understand the threat, including making it clear that unvaccinated people were more than 10 times more likely to become seriously ill or die than those who were vaccinated.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

As per the federal health data, Florida has reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, making it the state's highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic. The state has now become the new national epicentre for the virus as it accounts for around a fifth of all new cases in the US.

As per the federal health data, Florida has reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, making it the state's highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic. The state has now become the new national epicentre for the virus as it accounts for around a fifth of all new cases in the US. The state reported 409 deaths this week, bringing the total to more than 39,000 since its first in March 2020. The state's peak happened in mid-August 2020, when 1,266 people died over seven days. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has blamed the surge on a seasonal increase more Floridians are indoors because of the hot weather with air conditioning circulating the virus. About 60 per cent of Floridians 12 and older are vaccinated, ranking it about midway among the states. As per the Florida Hospital Association, the statewide COVID-19 hospitalisations are nearing last year's peak. Also read | Delta COVID-19 variant can be passed on even by those vaccinated: US top health body Also, one of the state's largest health care systems, AdventHealth's Central Florida Division, this week advised that it would no longer be conducting nonemergency surgeries to free up resources for COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, the US Centers for Sickness Control and Prevention (CDC) warned in an internal paper that the Delta COVID-19 variant can be passed on even by vaccinated people and may cause more serious disease than previous coronavirus strains. The variant requires a different way to educate the public about the hazard, according to the document "Improving communications around vaccination breakthroughs and vaccine effectiveness." The document, titled 'Improving communications around vaccine breakthrough and vaccine effectiveness,' stated that the Delta variant necessitated a new approach to help the public understand the threat, including making it clear that unvaccinated people were more than 10 times more likely to become seriously ill or die than those who were vaccinated.

Florida breaks record with more than 21,000 new COVID-19 cases

The Delta variant of&nbsp;COVID-19 is a warning to the world to&nbsp;suppress&nbsp;the virus quickly&nbsp;before&nbsp;it mutates again into something even worse, the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;said Friday.

The highly-transmissible variant, first detected in India, has now surfaced in 132 countries and territories, the World Health Organization said.

"Delta is a warning: it's a warning that the virus is evolving but it is also a call to&nbsp;action&nbsp;that we need to move now&nbsp;before&nbsp;more dangerous&nbsp;variants&nbsp;emerge," the&nbsp;WHO's emergencies director Michael Ryan told a press conference.

WHO&nbsp;chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added: "So far, four&nbsp;variants&nbsp;of concern have emerged -- and there will be more as long as the virus continues to spread."

Tedros said that on average, infections increased by 80 percent over the past four weeks in five of the six&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;regions.

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Though Delta has shaken many countries, Ryan said proven measures to bring transmission under control still worked -- notably physical distancing, wearing masks, hand hygiene and avoiding long periods indoors in poorly ventilated, busy places.

"They are stopping the Delta strain, especially when you add in vaccination," he said.

"The virus has got fitter, the virus has got faster. The game plan still works, but we need to implement and execute our game plan much more efficiently and much more effectively then we've ever done&nbsp;before."

Price of vaccine inequity

The UN health agency has consistently called for vaccines to be distributed evenly around the world and has branded the drastic imbalance a "moral outrage".

More than four billion doses of&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines have now been administered globally, according to an AFP count.

In countries categorised as high income by the World Bank, 98 doses per 100 people have been injected.

That figure drops to 1.6 per 100 in the 29 lowest-income countries.

If the four billion doses had been administered equally to people aged over 60, "we basically could have gotten two doses into everybody at highest risk of severe consequences when we got to a strain like Delta", said Bruce Aylward, the&nbsp;WHO's frontman on the Covax scheme which aims to get donor-funded jabs to poorer countries.

Instead, those nations, "in the face of the Delta variant -- they're going to pay a very, very different price as a result".

'No magical solutions'

The&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;wants every country to have vaccinated at least 10 percent of its population by the end of September; at least 40 percent by the end of this year, and 70 percent by the middle of 2022.&nbsp;

"We are a long way off achieving those targets," Tedros lamented.&nbsp;

He said that just over half of the 194&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;member states have fully vaccinated 10 percent of their population; less than a quarter have vaccinated 40 percent; and only three countries have vaccinated 70 percent.

Meanwhile the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;says Burundi, Eritrea and North Korea are the only remaining member states yet to start&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;vaccination campaigns.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 4.2 million people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, while nearly 196.6 million cases have been registered, according to tallies from official sources compiled by AFP.&nbsp;

Tedros said that on current rates of infection, the 200 million known infections mark will be surpassed within the next two weeks, although the true figure will be much higher.

"There are no magical solutions," said Ryan. "The only magic dust we have is vaccination. The problem is we're not sprinkling that evenly around the world and we are working against ourselves."

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is a warning to the world to suppress the virus quickly before it mutates again into something even worse, the WHO said Friday. The highly-transmissible variant, first detected in India, has now surfaced in 132 countries and territories, the World Health Organization said.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is a warning to the world to suppress the virus quickly before it mutates again into something even worse, the WHO said Friday. The highly-transmissible variant, first detected in India, has now surfaced in 132 countries and territories, the World Health Organization said. "Delta is a warning: it's a warning that the virus is evolving but it is also a call to action that we need to move now before more dangerous variants emerge," the WHO's emergencies director Michael Ryan told a press conference. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added: "So far, four variants of concern have emerged -- and there will be more as long as the virus continues to spread." Tedros said that on average, infections increased by 80 percent over the past four weeks in five of the six WHO regions. Also read | Tunisian presidency sacks head of national TV channel Though Delta has shaken many countries, Ryan said proven measures to bring transmission under control still worked -- notably physical distancing, wearing masks, hand hygiene and avoiding long periods indoors in poorly ventilated, busy places. "They are stopping the Delta strain, especially when you add in vaccination," he said. "The virus has got fitter, the virus has got faster. The game plan still works, but we need to implement and execute our game plan much more efficiently and much more effectively then we've ever done before." Price of vaccine inequity The UN health agency has consistently called for vaccines to be distributed evenly around the world and has branded the drastic imbalance a "moral outrage". More than four billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered globally, according to an AFP count. In countries categorised as high income by the World Bank, 98 doses per 100 people have been injected. That figure drops to 1.6 per 100 in the 29 lowest-income countries. If the four billion doses had been administered equally to people aged over 60, "we basically could have gotten two doses into everybody at highest risk of severe consequences when we got to a strain like Delta", said Bruce Aylward, the WHO's frontman on the Covax scheme which aims to get donor-funded jabs to poorer countries. Instead, those nations, "in the face of the Delta variant -- they're going to pay a very, very different price as a result". 'No magical solutions' The WHO wants every country to have vaccinated at least 10 percent of its population by the end of September; at least 40 percent by the end of this year, and 70 percent by the middle of 2022. "We are a long way off achieving those targets," Tedros lamented. He said that just over half of the 194 WHO member states have fully vaccinated 10 percent of their population; less than a quarter have vaccinated 40 percent; and only three countries have vaccinated 70 percent. Meanwhile the WHO says Burundi, Eritrea and North Korea are the only remaining member states yet to start COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. The novel coronavirus has killed at least 4.2 million people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, while nearly 196.6 million cases have been registered, according to tallies from official sources compiled by AFP. Tedros said that on current rates of infection, the 200 million known infections mark will be surpassed within the next two weeks, although the true figure will be much higher. "There are no magical solutions," said Ryan. "The only magic dust we have is vaccination. The problem is we're not sprinkling that evenly around the world and we are working against ourselves."

WHO urges action to suppress COVID-19 before deadlier variants emerge

Newly-reported COVID-19 cases in Olympic host city Tokyo surged to a record high of 4,058 on Saturday, the metropolitan government said, exceeding 4,000 for the first time and overshadowing the Games.

Nationwide cases totalled 12,341 as of 6:30 p.m. local time, public broadcaster NHK said, the highest ever for Japan and up 15% on the day, underscoring a rapid rise in infections across the country.

The new records come a day after Japan decided to extend states of emergency to three prefectures near Olympic host Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka its state of emergency for Tokyo to the end of August and expand it to three prefectures near Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka in light of the recent spike in infections.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics-im-a-little-afraid-soviet-champion-says-of-modern-gymnastics-after-biles-exit-402049">Olympics: 'I'm a little afraid' - Soviet champion says of modern gymnastics after Biles exit</a>

Amid intensifying concerns,&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;organisers said on Saturday they had revoked accreditation of a Games-related person or people for leaving the athletes' village for sightseeing, a violation of measures imposed to hold the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;safely amid the pandemic.

The organisers did not disclose how many people had their accreditation revoked or if the person or people involved were athletes, but Kyodo news agency reported it was two male judokas from Georgia who had their accreditation revoked.

Kyodo cited a spokesperson for Georgia's Olympic committee as saying that silver medalists Vazha Margvelashvili and Lasha Shavdatuashvili had their accreditation stripped after leaving the village to go sightseeing.

Officials of Georgia's Olympic committee were not immediately available for comment.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-athletics-thompson-herah-leads-jamaican-sweep-of-womens-100m-402025">Tokyo Olympics athletics: Thompson-Herah leads Jamaican sweep of women's 100m</a>

There was a media report in Japan that the two had been witnessed near Tokyo Tower, a popular tourist destination, on Tuesday night. Margvelashvili won his silver on Sunday, and Shavdatuashvili on Monday.

"We took away accreditation as we believe going out of the athletes' village for sightseeing is something that should not happen," Tokyo 2020 spokesperson Masa Takaya told a daily briefing.

This is the first time accreditation has been revoked since the start of the Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;on July 23. Without it, a person cannot enter any Olympic facilities.

Residents of the athletes' village are not allowed to go out for non-Games related purposes, such as sightseeing.

Newly-reported COVID-19 cases in Olympic host city Tokyo surged to a record high of 4,058 on Saturday, the metropolitan government said, exceeding 4,000 for the first time and overshadowing the Games.

Newly-reported COVID-19 cases in Olympic host city Tokyo surged to a record high of 4,058 on Saturday, the metropolitan government said, exceeding 4,000 for the first time and overshadowing the Games. Nationwide cases totalled 12,341 as of 6:30 p.m. local time, public broadcaster NHK said, the highest ever for Japan and up 15% on the day, underscoring a rapid rise in infections across the country. The new records come a day after Japan decided to extend states of emergency to three prefectures near Olympic host Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka its state of emergency for Tokyo to the end of August and expand it to three prefectures near Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka in light of the recent spike in infections. ALSO READ | Olympics: 'I'm a little afraid' - Soviet champion says of modern gymnastics after Biles exit Amid intensifying concerns, Olympics organisers said on Saturday they had revoked accreditation of a Games-related person or people for leaving the athletes' village for sightseeing, a violation of measures imposed to hold the Olympics safely amid the pandemic. The organisers did not disclose how many people had their accreditation revoked or if the person or people involved were athletes, but Kyodo news agency reported it was two male judokas from Georgia who had their accreditation revoked. Kyodo cited a spokesperson for Georgia's Olympic committee as saying that silver medalists Vazha Margvelashvili and Lasha Shavdatuashvili had their accreditation stripped after leaving the village to go sightseeing. Officials of Georgia's Olympic committee were not immediately available for comment. ALSO READ | Tokyo Olympics athletics: Thompson-Herah leads Jamaican sweep of women's 100m There was a media report in Japan that the two had been witnessed near Tokyo Tower, a popular tourist destination, on Tuesday night. Margvelashvili won his silver on Sunday, and Shavdatuashvili on Monday. "We took away accreditation as we believe going out of the athletes' village for sightseeing is something that should not happen," Tokyo 2020 spokesperson Masa Takaya told a daily briefing. This is the first time accreditation has been revoked since the start of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23. Without it, a person cannot enter any Olympic facilities. Residents of the athletes' village are not allowed to go out for non-Games related purposes, such as sightseeing.

Olympics: Tokyo daily COVID-19 infections hit record high

US President Joe Biden said on Friday "in all probability" new guidelines or restrictions would be imposed in the United States in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

Asked if Americans should expect new recommendations from health authorities or new restrictive measures, the president responded, "in all probability," before leaving the White House by helicopter for the weekend.

He did not specify what steps could be taken.&nbsp;

US federal authorities, local officials and businesses have boosted health protocols in recent days in the face of surging cases spurred by the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.&nbsp;

Biden added, however, that the country had had "a good day" on Thursday in terms of vaccinations.&nbsp;

<a href="wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-top-cuban-police-for-suppressing-protests-401871">Also read |US sanctions top Cuban police for suppressing protests</a>

"Almost a million people got vaccinated," he said, as his administration works to revive a sluggish inoculation campaign.&nbsp;

"I am hopeful people are beginning to realize how essential it is."

US health authorities this week recommended that even vaccinated Americans again wear masks indoors in areas with high infection rates.

The federal government has also tightened health regulations for its millions of employees, who must now either be vaccinated or wear masks and be tested regularly, even in areas with low case numbers.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden said on Friday "in all probability" new guidelines or restrictions would be imposed in the United States in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

US President Joe Biden said on Friday "in all probability" new guidelines or restrictions would be imposed in the United States in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Asked if Americans should expect new recommendations from health authorities or new restrictive measures, the president responded, "in all probability," before leaving the White House by helicopter for the weekend. He did not specify what steps could be taken. US federal authorities, local officials and businesses have boosted health protocols in recent days in the face of surging cases spurred by the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Biden added, however, that the country had had "a good day" on Thursday in terms of vaccinations. Also read |US sanctions top Cuban police for suppressing protests "Almost a million people got vaccinated," he said, as his administration works to revive a sluggish inoculation campaign. "I am hopeful people are beginning to realize how essential it is." US health authorities this week recommended that even vaccinated Americans again wear masks indoors in areas with high infection rates. The federal government has also tightened health regulations for its millions of employees, who must now either be vaccinated or wear masks and be tested regularly, even in areas with low case numbers.

Biden says US to see new COVID-19 restrictions 'in all probability'

Millions of Americans could find themselves homeless starting Sunday when a nationwide ban on evictions expires, even as billions in government funds meant to help them go untapped. The wave of evictions would come as the fast-spreading Delta variant has taken hold in the country and rental housing is in high demand in the hot real estate market. US President Joe Biden on Thursday urged Congress to extend the 11-month-old eviction moratorium after a recent Supreme Court ruling meant the White House could not extend the measure through September as intended. Democratic leaders in Congress were pushing for an extension, but it was unclear if they had the votes, even among moderates in their own party, to prevent the ban from expiring. Efforts stalled on Friday in the House after a move to pass the extension was unsuccessful, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying in a statement, that "not a single Republican would support this measure." The day before, she had said called the extension "a moral imperative." She also called on governors and local officials "to take whatever steps are necessary to distribute the rental assistance that Congress already allocated." Unlike other pandemic-related aid that was distributed from Washington, such as stimulus checks, it was states, counties and cities that were responsible for building programs from the ground up to dole out assistance earmarked for renters. The Treasury Department said that as of June, only $3 billion in aid had reached households out of the $25 billion sent to states and localities in early February, less than three weeks after Biden took office. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ordered the eviction moratorium in September 2020, as the world's largest economy lost over 20 million jobs amid the pandemic shutdowns. The CDC feared increasing homelessness would boost coronavirus infections. Although more than half of those lost jobs were recovered as businesses were able to reopen, many families still have not caught up on missed rent payments. The Census Bureau's latest Household Pulse survey through the first week of July showed that of 51 million renters surveyed, 7.4 million were behind on their rent and nearly half of those said they were at risk of being evicted in the next two months. Where is the help? Through the end of June, only about 450,000 households had received aid through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and some states and localities have yet to pay out any funds, according to Treasury data. The Treasury launched a campaign this week to spread the word about the program and help authorities get their systems up and running, modelling those in Virginia and Houston, which have been successful in helping struggling families. Also read | Unvaccinated travellers to undergo COVID-19 tests, declares Germany amid rise coronavirus cases Immediately after taking over, the Biden administration had eased paperwork and eligibility requirements for the program, but the Treasury says management remains in the hands of state and local officials. The White House also shifted responsibility to states. Biden said, "there can be no excuse for any state or locality not accelerating funds to landlords and tenants that have been hurt during this pandemic." "Every state and local government must get these funds out to ensure we prevent every eviction we can," he said in a statement Friday. And while the White House cannot act, there is nothing preventing state and local authorities from instituting their own protections, Biden added. 'Pulling out all the stops' Pelosi called the delays an unjust "bureaucratic situation." California Democrat Maxine Waters, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, introduced the bill to extend the prohibition of evictions. "I'm pulling out all the stops right now," she tweeted Friday. But some Democrats oppose the move, and a congressional source confirmed to AFP that several were planning to leave town rather than participate in a vote, making it hard for the party to use their slim majority to push through a bill. A handful of states and Washington, DC have imposed their own temporary eviction protections, and the White House also asked government departments involved in housing to extend eviction bans for federally insured properties they control. Another $21.5 billion is available in the second round of funding, but it will not go out until the first tranche is spent.

Millions of Americans at risk of losing homes as virus cases spike

Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane and other parts of Queensland state will enter a snap Covid-19 lockdown from Saturday as authorities race to contain an emerging outbreak of the Delta strain.

Millions of residents in the city and several other areas will be placed under stay-at-home orders from Saturday afternoon for three days, state Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.

"The only way to beat the Delta strain is to move quickly, to be fast and to be strong," Miles said.

Six new cases were reported Saturday in a cluster of the Delta variant initially linked to a school student, resulting in pupils and teachers at two schools being placed into isolation.

Genome sequencing had connected the cluster to returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine but the exact source of transmission remained unclear, Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said.

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In the "strictest lockdown" the city has enforced, residents will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons, including buying groceries and exercising.

Brisbane's snap lockdown comes as Australia's largest city of Sydney and its surroundings completed a fifth week of lockdown, with authorities struggling to stop the spread of a Delta variant outbreak there.

"We cannot afford to be complacent just because we have done so well so far. We all we have to comply with these restrictions," Miles said.

Sydney recorded 210 new local cases on Saturday, slightly down from the record number reached earlier in the week.

Police were out in force around the city, attempting to prevent anti-lockdown protesters from gathering after thousands poured through the streets and sparked violent clashes with officers last week.

With close to just 14 percent of the population fully vaccinated, authorities around the country continue to rely on lockdowns to reduce people's movements and slow the spread of the virus.

On Friday, the country's Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined a long road out of restrictions, setting a target of 80 percent of the population to be fully vaccinated before the government would reopen borders and end lockdowns.

Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane and other parts of Queensland state will enter a snap Covid-19 lockdown from Saturday as authorities race to contain an emerging outbreak of the Delta strain.

Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane and other parts of Queensland state will enter a snap Covid-19 lockdown from Saturday as authorities race to contain an emerging outbreak of the Delta strain. Millions of residents in the city and several other areas will be placed under stay-at-home orders from Saturday afternoon for three days, state Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. "The only way to beat the Delta strain is to move quickly, to be fast and to be strong," Miles said. Six new cases were reported Saturday in a cluster of the Delta variant initially linked to a school student, resulting in pupils and teachers at two schools being placed into isolation. Genome sequencing had connected the cluster to returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine but the exact source of transmission remained unclear, Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said. Also read | Condom helps an Australian athlete win gold at the Tokyo Olympics - WATCH In the "strictest lockdown" the city has enforced, residents will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons, including buying groceries and exercising. Brisbane's snap lockdown comes as Australia's largest city of Sydney and its surroundings completed a fifth week of lockdown, with authorities struggling to stop the spread of a Delta variant outbreak there. "We cannot afford to be complacent just because we have done so well so far. We all we have to comply with these restrictions," Miles said. Sydney recorded 210 new local cases on Saturday, slightly down from the record number reached earlier in the week. Police were out in force around the city, attempting to prevent anti-lockdown protesters from gathering after thousands poured through the streets and sparked violent clashes with officers last week. With close to just 14 percent of the population fully vaccinated, authorities around the country continue to rely on lockdowns to reduce people's movements and slow the spread of the virus. On Friday, the country's Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined a long road out of restrictions, setting a target of 80 percent of the population to be fully vaccinated before the government would reopen borders and end lockdowns.

Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane to enter COVID-19 lockdown

As per new data published by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, about three-fourths of people infected in a Massachusetts COVID-19 outbreak were fully vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus with four of them ending up in the hospital.

The new data reveals that fully vaccinated people who get infected carry as much of the virus in their noses as unvaccinated people. Also, they could spread it to other individuals.

CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said in a statement said, "This finding is concerning and was a pivotal discovery leading to CDC’s updated mask recommendation".&nbsp;

She further added, "The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit virus to others, including their unvaccinated or immunocompromised loved ones.”

As per new data published by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, about three-fourths of people infected in a Massachusetts COVID-19 outbreak were fully vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus with four of them ending up in the hospital.

As per new data published by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, about three-fourths of people infected in a Massachusetts COVID-19 outbreak were fully vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus with four of them ending up in the hospital. The new data reveals that fully vaccinated people who get infected carry as much of the virus in their noses as unvaccinated people. Also, they could spread it to other individuals. CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said in a statement said, "This finding is concerning and was a pivotal discovery leading to CDC’s updated mask recommendation". She further added, "The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit virus to others, including their unvaccinated or immunocompromised loved ones.”

CDC shows three-fourths of people infected in a Massachusetts COVID-19 outbreak were fully vaccinated

Australia's&nbsp;military&nbsp;will&nbsp;help&nbsp;enforce&nbsp;a&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;in&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;after the city of 6 million posted a record daily&nbsp;rise&nbsp;in&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;cases&nbsp;on Thursday and state authorities said the outbreak was likely to get worse.

The&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;of Australia's biggest city has increased pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is now trailing in opinion polls, and heightened concern that Australia's A$2 trillion ($1.5 trillion) economy could slide into recession.

Despite an extended&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;in&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;since an outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant, 239 new locally acquired coronavirus&nbsp;cases&nbsp;were recorded in the city over a 24-hour period, the biggest daily&nbsp;rise&nbsp;since the pandemic began.

"We can only assume that things are likely to get worse before they get better given the quantity of people infectious in the community," said Gladys Berejiklian, the premier of New South Wales state, of which&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;is the capital.

Berejiklian said one new death took the toll from the latest outbreak to 13 and the national total was now 921.

With little sign that of restrictions reducing infections, Berejiklian said new curbs would be imposed on the southwestern and western areas of&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;where the majority of&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;cases&nbsp;are being found.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydney-lockdown-extended-by-four-weeks-as-virus-outbreak-grows-401042">Also read |&nbsp;Sydney lockdown extended by four weeks as virus outbreak grows</a>

Residents there will be forced to wear masks outdoors and to stay within five km (three miles) of their homes.

With even tighter restrictions set to begin on Friday, New South Wales Police said it had asked for 300&nbsp;military&nbsp;personnel to&nbsp;help&nbsp;enforce&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;orders.

The personnel will deploy on Friday, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said, and will begin assisting police with ensuring compliance with restrictions next week.

Lockdown Extended

Berejiklian extended the&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;by another month on Wednesday.

New South Wales accounts for over a third of Australia's economy. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he expected the national economy to shrink in the September quarter but the ability to avoid a technical recession would depend on whether New South Wales can avoid a longer&nbsp;lockdown.

"With respect to the December quarter, that does depend to a large extent how successful New South Wales, our largest state economy, is in getting on top of this virus," Frydenberg told the&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;Broadcasting Corp.

Berejiklian has said restrictions need to remain as too few people in&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;are vaccinated amid tight supplies of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with which Australia had hoped to inoculate everyone under 60 years old.

All adults in&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;have been urged to seek an AstraZeneca vaccine. Some, citing rare blood clots, are reluctant and would prefer to wait several months when Australia is expected to receive additional Pfizer supplies.

Australia's military will help enforce a lockdown in Sydney after the city of 6 million posted a record daily rise in COVID-19 cases on Thursday and state authorities said the outbreak was likely to get worse.

Australia's military will help enforce a lockdown in Sydney after the city of 6 million posted a record daily rise in COVID-19 cases on Thursday and state authorities said the outbreak was likely to get worse. The lockdown of Australia's biggest city has increased pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is now trailing in opinion polls, and heightened concern that Australia's A$2 trillion ($1.5 trillion) economy could slide into recession. Despite an extended lockdown in Sydney since an outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant, 239 new locally acquired coronavirus cases were recorded in the city over a 24-hour period, the biggest daily rise since the pandemic began. "We can only assume that things are likely to get worse before they get better given the quantity of people infectious in the community," said Gladys Berejiklian, the premier of New South Wales state, of which Sydney is the capital. Berejiklian said one new death took the toll from the latest outbreak to 13 and the national total was now 921. With little sign that of restrictions reducing infections, Berejiklian said new curbs would be imposed on the southwestern and western areas of Sydney where the majority of COVID-19 cases are being found. Also read | Sydney lockdown extended by four weeks as virus outbreak grows Residents there will be forced to wear masks outdoors and to stay within five km (three miles) of their homes. With even tighter restrictions set to begin on Friday, New South Wales Police said it had asked for 300 military personnel to help enforce lockdown orders. The personnel will deploy on Friday, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said, and will begin assisting police with ensuring compliance with restrictions next week. Lockdown Extended Berejiklian extended the Sydney lockdown by another month on Wednesday. New South Wales accounts for over a third of Australia's economy. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he expected the national economy to shrink in the September quarter but the ability to avoid a technical recession would depend on whether New South Wales can avoid a longer lockdown. "With respect to the December quarter, that does depend to a large extent how successful New South Wales, our largest state economy, is in getting on top of this virus," Frydenberg told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Berejiklian has said restrictions need to remain as too few people in Sydney are vaccinated amid tight supplies of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with which Australia had hoped to inoculate everyone under 60 years old. All adults in Sydney have been urged to seek an AstraZeneca vaccine. Some, citing rare blood clots, are reluctant and would prefer to wait several months when Australia is expected to receive additional Pfizer supplies.

Australian military to help enforce Sydney COVID-19 lockdown as cases rise

Israel&nbsp;will start offering a third dose of COVID-19 vaccinations to people aged over 60, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Thursday, one of first countries to provide a booster shot.

The jabs will begin on Sunday as part of a "complementary vaccination campaign" for people aged over 60 who were fully vaccinated more than five months ago, he said, as concern mounts over the fast-spreading Delta variant.

"I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose," Bennett said. "Protect yourselves."

About 55 per cent of&nbsp;Israel's nine million population has been double vaccinated, most with the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, thanks to a massive campaign launched in late December after an agreement with its producers.

"Israel&nbsp;has already vaccinated 2,000 immunosuppressed people with a third dose, with no severe adverse events," Bennett said. "And now we're rolling out a national third dose campaign."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog will receive the booster on Friday morning.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-knesset-to-vote-on-new-government-end-netanyahus-record-reign-391097">Also read |&nbsp;Israel's Knesset to vote on new government, end Netanyahu's record reign</a>

"The decision was based on considerable research and analysis, as well as the rise in risk of the Delta variant wave," Bennett said.

Israel&nbsp;has recorded more than 1,400 COVID-19&nbsp;cases in the past 24 hours.

More than 15,000 active cases are currently identified, including 151 people hospitalised in a serious condition, according to the health ministry.

"This third dose can save lives," Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said.

Israel's digitised medical databases allowed for rapid large-scale studies, and its initial vaccine rollout of the jab was among the world's fastest.

Case numbers dropped dramatically, and in early June&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;eased many restrictions.

But infections soon rose again, prompting the health ministry to reimpose the wearing of masks in enclosed public places.

Last month, health officials announced they would open up vaccination to children as young as 12, while earlier this week, they said those aged five to 11 at risk of serious health complications could be vaccinated from August 1.

Israel will start offering a third dose of COVID-19 vaccinations to people aged over 60, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Thursday, one of first countries to provide a booster shot.

Israel will start offering a third dose of COVID-19 vaccinations to people aged over 60, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Thursday, one of first countries to provide a booster shot. The jabs will begin on Sunday as part of a "complementary vaccination campaign" for people aged over 60 who were fully vaccinated more than five months ago, he said, as concern mounts over the fast-spreading Delta variant. "I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose," Bennett said. "Protect yourselves." About 55 per cent of Israel's nine million population has been double vaccinated, most with the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, thanks to a massive campaign launched in late December after an agreement with its producers. "Israel has already vaccinated 2,000 immunosuppressed people with a third dose, with no severe adverse events," Bennett said. "And now we're rolling out a national third dose campaign." Israeli President Isaac Herzog will receive the booster on Friday morning. Also read | Israel's Knesset to vote on new government, end Netanyahu's record reign "The decision was based on considerable research and analysis, as well as the rise in risk of the Delta variant wave," Bennett said. Israel has recorded more than 1,400 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. More than 15,000 active cases are currently identified, including 151 people hospitalised in a serious condition, according to the health ministry. "This third dose can save lives," Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said. Israel's digitised medical databases allowed for rapid large-scale studies, and its initial vaccine rollout of the jab was among the world's fastest. Case numbers dropped dramatically, and in early June Israel eased many restrictions. But infections soon rose again, prompting the health ministry to reimpose the wearing of masks in enclosed public places. Last month, health officials announced they would open up vaccination to children as young as 12, while earlier this week, they said those aged five to 11 at risk of serious health complications could be vaccinated from August 1.

Israel to offer 3rd COVID-19 jab for over 60s: PM

Scientific&nbsp;studies with poor methodology and inaccurate findings are exacerbating a&nbsp;COVID-19 misinformation&nbsp;crisis that is discouraging vaccination and putting lives at risk.

The intense public interest in the pandemic and divisive debate in the United States over how to address it facilitates the spread of faulty research&nbsp;papers&nbsp;online, including by vaccine opponents. And even if a study is retracted, it is too late.

"Once the paper is published, the damage is irrevocable," said Emerson Brooking, resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, which focuses on identifying and exposing disinformation.

Flawed&nbsp;papers&nbsp;"have been fuel to the fire for&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;skeptics and conspiracy theorists. They are frequently the subject of viral online activity. Their findings are further filtered through salacious and misleading articles from fringe websites," Brooking told AFP.

Inaccurate information about vaccines is especially dangerous at a time when uptake of the shots has slowed in the United States, where health officials say almost all recent&nbsp;COVID-19 deaths occurred among those who were not immunised.

&nbsp;'Shock your socks off'

Medical journal Vaccines published a peer-reviewed paper in late June titled "The Safety of&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;vaccinations -- we should rethink the policy." It concluded that&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;shots were causing two people to die for every three they saved -- findings that quickly spread on social media.

A tweet from scientist and&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;vaccine critic Robert Malone summarising the paper garnered thousands of retweets. A video in which conservative pundit Liz Wheeler discussed the study -- which she said "will shock your socks off" -- has been viewed more than 250,000 times on Facebook.

But Vaccines then retracted the paper, saying it contained "several errors that fundamentally affect the interpretation of the findings."

At least four Vaccines board members resigned as a result of the study's publication, including Katie Ewer, an associate professor and senior immunologist at the University of Oxford's Jenner Institute.&nbsp;

"It should have been recognised that this paper would have a big impact," said Ewer, who was not involved in its publication. "That no one at the journal picked up on that... is very worrying, especially for a journal dedicated to vaccines."&nbsp;

Malone's tweet about the paper is no longer available, but Wheeler's video still appeared on Facebook weeks later.

The Gateway Pundit, a website that frequently publishes inaccurate claims, reported earlier in the year that a Stanford University study found mask wearing, which US health authorities recommended to help slow the spread of&nbsp;Covid-19, to be "ineffective" and harmful.&nbsp;

'Do a better job'

The study -- "Face masks in the COVID-19&nbsp;era: A health hypothesis" -- was subsequently retracted by the journal Medical Hypotheses, which said it selectively cited published&nbsp;papers&nbsp;and included "unverified" data.

The Gateway Pundit's article -- which has been shared tens of thousands of times as a link or screenshot on social media -- was updated to say the study's author was unaffiliated with Stanford, but it failed to mention the retraction.

Some of the biggest&nbsp;scientific&nbsp;journals, including The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine, have retracted&nbsp;papers&nbsp;related to the coronavirus crisis, and even a limited number of faulty studies can cause extensive damage online.

Scientific&nbsp;papers&nbsp;have been drawn into the public eye in "an unprecedented way," so experts must "do a better job" of explaining their work to a lay audience that may lack the skills to assess them, said Maimuna Majumder, a computational epidemiologist at the Harvard Medical School.

"Not all of the studies that have been produced and widely shared during the pandemic have been scientifically robust," Majumder said.

"This is particularly troubling because poorly-executed studies have proven to be capable of influencing individual-level decision-making during the pandemic, including those pertaining to vaccination."

Scientific studies with poor methodology and inaccurate findings are exacerbating a COVID-19 misinformation crisis that is discouraging vaccination and putting lives at risk.

Scientific studies with poor methodology and inaccurate findings are exacerbating a COVID-19 misinformation crisis that is discouraging vaccination and putting lives at risk. The intense public interest in the pandemic and divisive debate in the United States over how to address it facilitates the spread of faulty research papers online, including by vaccine opponents. And even if a study is retracted, it is too late. "Once the paper is published, the damage is irrevocable," said Emerson Brooking, resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, which focuses on identifying and exposing disinformation. Flawed papers "have been fuel to the fire for COVID-19 skeptics and conspiracy theorists. They are frequently the subject of viral online activity. Their findings are further filtered through salacious and misleading articles from fringe websites," Brooking told AFP. Inaccurate information about vaccines is especially dangerous at a time when uptake of the shots has slowed in the United States, where health officials say almost all recent COVID-19 deaths occurred among those who were not immunised. 'Shock your socks off' Medical journal Vaccines published a peer-reviewed paper in late June titled "The Safety of COVID-19 vaccinations -- we should rethink the policy." It concluded that Covid-19 shots were causing two people to die for every three they saved -- findings that quickly spread on social media. A tweet from scientist and Covid-19 vaccine critic Robert Malone summarising the paper garnered thousands of retweets. A video in which conservative pundit Liz Wheeler discussed the study -- which she said "will shock your socks off" -- has been viewed more than 250,000 times on Facebook. But Vaccines then retracted the paper, saying it contained "several errors that fundamentally affect the interpretation of the findings." At least four Vaccines board members resigned as a result of the study's publication, including Katie Ewer, an associate professor and senior immunologist at the University of Oxford's Jenner Institute. "It should have been recognised that this paper would have a big impact," said Ewer, who was not involved in its publication. "That no one at the journal picked up on that... is very worrying, especially for a journal dedicated to vaccines." Malone's tweet about the paper is no longer available, but Wheeler's video still appeared on Facebook weeks later. The Gateway Pundit, a website that frequently publishes inaccurate claims, reported earlier in the year that a Stanford University study found mask wearing, which US health authorities recommended to help slow the spread of Covid-19, to be "ineffective" and harmful. 'Do a better job' The study -- "Face masks in the COVID-19 era: A health hypothesis" -- was subsequently retracted by the journal Medical Hypotheses, which said it selectively cited published papers and included "unverified" data. The Gateway Pundit's article -- which has been shared tens of thousands of times as a link or screenshot on social media -- was updated to say the study's author was unaffiliated with Stanford, but it failed to mention the retraction. Some of the biggest scientific journals, including The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine, have retracted papers related to the coronavirus crisis, and even a limited number of faulty studies can cause extensive damage online. Scientific papers have been drawn into the public eye in "an unprecedented way," so experts must "do a better job" of explaining their work to a lay audience that may lack the skills to assess them, said Maimuna Majumder, a computational epidemiologist at the Harvard Medical School. "Not all of the studies that have been produced and widely shared during the pandemic have been scientifically robust," Majumder said. "This is particularly troubling because poorly-executed studies have proven to be capable of influencing individual-level decision-making during the pandemic, including those pertaining to vaccination."

Flawed scientific papers fueling COVID-19 misinformation

Governments around the&nbsp;world&nbsp;on Thursday raced to head off a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant, with US President Joe Biden offering new incentives to vaccine holdouts and Israel authorizing booster shots.

The&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health Organization warned the highly transmissible strain of the virus, first detected in India, could unleash a "fourth wave" of cases in its Eastern Mediterranean zone -- an area stretching from Morocco to Pakistan.

Those countries are especially at risk because vaccination rates are low -- only 5.5 percent of the region's population has been fully vaccinated. So in nations where vaccines are more available, public officials are sounding the alarm.

"People are dying -- and will die -- who don't have to die," Biden said in a speech on his administration's new initiatives aimed at curbing the spread. "If you're out there and unvaccinated, you don't have to die."

He said all federal government workers would be asked to reveal their vaccination status -- and those without the jab would have to mask in the workplace and submit to COVID-19 tests.

The Democratic president also said he would ask the Pentagon to consider making the coronavirus vaccine mandatory for active duty military personnel, and asked state and local governments to offer $100 to holdouts who get the shot.

"If incentives help us beat this virus, I believe we should use them. We all benefit if we can get more people vaccinated," Biden said.

In Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that those over the age of 60 would be offered a third dose of vaccine -- a booster shot available from Sunday.

"I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose," Bennett said. "Protect yourselves."

"The decision was based on considerable research and analysis, as well as the rise in risk of the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;wave," Bennett said.

Israel quickly rolled out its vaccination campaign and had dropped many restrictions on public gatherings in June, but infections soared, and masks are once again mandatory in enclosed public places.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also urged people living in Covid hotspots -- even the vaccinated -- to mask&nbsp;up&nbsp;indoors.

The surge in cases across America has left the early vaccine adopters angry at those who have so far opted against the jab.

"It's almost like they don't care about the rest of the&nbsp;world. They're being selfish and self-centered," Alethea Reed, a 58-year-old health care administrator in Washington, told AFP.

Mixed bag of measures

The global coronavirus situation is a mixed one: while some places like the French territory of La Reunion and Spain's Catalonia region are instituting new curbs, others are easing&nbsp;up&nbsp;on restrictions.

Portugal said it would lift its&nbsp;anti-virus&nbsp;measures in several phases from Sunday, with shops and restaurants allowed to open for longer hours and working from home no longer compulsory.

But at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, already delayed by a year due to the pandemic, the virus continued to wreak havoc, with nearly 200 infections among the athletes, media and employees taking part in the Games.

Among them were US pole vault hopeful Sam Kendricks, a two-time&nbsp;world&nbsp;champion, and two high-profile golfers:&nbsp;world&nbsp;number one Jon Rahm and 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.

Japan hit a new record for the number of daily cases -- more than 10,000 -- on Thursday, and a state of emergency already in place in Tokyo was to be extended to four more regions.

"The current situation is the worst ever," a top government advisor on the virus, Shigeru Omi, warned, according to national broadcaster NHK.

In Mexico, the national statistics institute said more than 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus were recorded in 2020 -- 35 percent more than originally reported by the government

And in China, where the novel coronavirus first emerged in the city of Wuhan, small outbreaks driven by the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;were reported in three provinces.&nbsp;

China is racing to vaccinate at least 65 percent of its 1.4-billion population by the end of the year.

So far, the virus has killed more than 4.1 million people around the&nbsp;world, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources. The United States has the highest death toll, at more than 612,000.

Governments around the world on Thursday raced to head off a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the Delta variant, with US President Joe Biden offering new incentives to vaccine holdouts and Israel authorizing booster shots.

Governments around the world on Thursday raced to head off a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the Delta variant, with US President Joe Biden offering new incentives to vaccine holdouts and Israel authorizing booster shots. The World Health Organization warned the highly transmissible strain of the virus, first detected in India, could unleash a "fourth wave" of cases in its Eastern Mediterranean zone -- an area stretching from Morocco to Pakistan. Those countries are especially at risk because vaccination rates are low -- only 5.5 percent of the region's population has been fully vaccinated. So in nations where vaccines are more available, public officials are sounding the alarm. "People are dying -- and will die -- who don't have to die," Biden said in a speech on his administration's new initiatives aimed at curbing the spread. "If you're out there and unvaccinated, you don't have to die." He said all federal government workers would be asked to reveal their vaccination status -- and those without the jab would have to mask in the workplace and submit to COVID-19 tests. The Democratic president also said he would ask the Pentagon to consider making the coronavirus vaccine mandatory for active duty military personnel, and asked state and local governments to offer $100 to holdouts who get the shot. "If incentives help us beat this virus, I believe we should use them. We all benefit if we can get more people vaccinated," Biden said. In Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that those over the age of 60 would be offered a third dose of vaccine -- a booster shot available from Sunday. "I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose," Bennett said. "Protect yourselves." "The decision was based on considerable research and analysis, as well as the rise in risk of the Delta variant wave," Bennett said. Israel quickly rolled out its vaccination campaign and had dropped many restrictions on public gatherings in June, but infections soared, and masks are once again mandatory in enclosed public places. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also urged people living in Covid hotspots -- even the vaccinated -- to mask up indoors. The surge in cases across America has left the early vaccine adopters angry at those who have so far opted against the jab. "It's almost like they don't care about the rest of the world. They're being selfish and self-centered," Alethea Reed, a 58-year-old health care administrator in Washington, told AFP. Mixed bag of measures The global coronavirus situation is a mixed one: while some places like the French territory of La Reunion and Spain's Catalonia region are instituting new curbs, others are easing up on restrictions. Portugal said it would lift its anti-virus measures in several phases from Sunday, with shops and restaurants allowed to open for longer hours and working from home no longer compulsory. But at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, already delayed by a year due to the pandemic, the virus continued to wreak havoc, with nearly 200 infections among the athletes, media and employees taking part in the Games. Among them were US pole vault hopeful Sam Kendricks, a two-time world champion, and two high-profile golfers: world number one Jon Rahm and 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. Japan hit a new record for the number of daily cases -- more than 10,000 -- on Thursday, and a state of emergency already in place in Tokyo was to be extended to four more regions. "The current situation is the worst ever," a top government advisor on the virus, Shigeru Omi, warned, according to national broadcaster NHK. In Mexico, the national statistics institute said more than 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus were recorded in 2020 -- 35 percent more than originally reported by the government And in China, where the novel coronavirus first emerged in the city of Wuhan, small outbreaks driven by the Delta variant were reported in three provinces. China is racing to vaccinate at least 65 percent of its 1.4-billion population by the end of the year. So far, the virus has killed more than 4.1 million people around the world, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources. The United States has the highest death toll, at more than 612,000.

World races to contain Delta variant, US steps up anti-virus plan

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