The world is again hit by the coronavirus

Nice return to the obligation of wearing the mask when using public transport. The precautionary measure against Covid-19 must be reclaimed by all residents and tourists in the French Cote-d'Azur representative city. This is according to a municipal ordinance that, according to Christian Estrosi, could spread to the whole country. Although the Government of Emmanuel Macon recommends its use, the rapid escalation in coronavirus infections in France (with 206,000 new cases in a single day) seems to indicate that advice will not stop the spread of this virus.

It is the seventh wave in France. The eighth wave is visible in Spain. It is also known as the fifth in other countries. However, a significant majority of countries are experiencing an increase in infections. According to the Pan American Health Organization, South America has seen an epidemic that has increased by 25%. It is particularly affecting Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. They are the third and fourth most infected countries in the world, with 32.5 million infections, respectively, after the United States (90 millions) and India (44) Spain was ranked 11th in the list of territories most affected by the virus as of July 1st, with an estimated 12.7 million cases.

Francois Braun, the new French Minister for Health, is a specialist in emergency medicine and urged that everyone be vaccinated once more. He also asked citizens to wear the mask even when they are not near people. On Tuesday, the Executive had already launched a health emergency bill. The Parliament will approve it. If approved, the neighboring country would impose new regulations on health that are less restrictive than the ones previously in place but allow for the possibility of reintroducing a passport to entry the country. It would be the first State in the European Union to lift restrictions on intra-community travel.

This is a huge blow for an EU that seeks to preserve economic recovery and normalcy despite the fact that the pandemic is still present. The World Health Organization (WHO), at the end June, ordered that all European governments closely monitor the progress of the epidemic, mainly due to the increase in infections caused by the BA.5 subvariant omicron. Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus, who was recently elected as the WHO's head, stated at a press conference, that the number of cases has increased by 20% and that there have been an increase in deaths in three of six regions. He also recommended that vaccinations be strengthened until 70% of the population is immunized. The agency has distributed over 12 billion doses in the last year and a quarter.

Before a demonstration of health workers, an employee disinfects a street in La Paz, Bolivia.

This x-ray is supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). There is concern in Latin America that 11 countries have vaccination rates below 40%, while others show acceptable margins. This means that approximately 224 million people are still waiting for their first dose. This gap and the ease with which the subvariants can be transmitted has led to the current situation typical of the most stressful times of the epidemic. According to the latest bulletin from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Tuesday saw 74,591 positives within 24 hours. This is the worst number since March 17th, when Brazil recorded 485 deaths. Brazil has the highest number of deaths due to covid (672.429), surpassing the United States (where it exceeds one-million deaths).

Carissa Etienne, director of PAHO, explains that there has been an increase in Covid-19 cases in South America. "This week saw almost half a billion new cases, which is a 24.6% increase compared to the prior week." Doctors believe that the true number of infected is likely to be higher because of the widespread availability of self-diagnostic testing in pharmacies.

Experts point out that the upward trend in South America has increased with the arrival in the south winter, which brings more respiratory diseases into circulation. The European case shows that the escalation is more closely linked to mobility and summer levels, which are interrelated with the increased contagiousness and decrease in protective measures like the safety distance and the mask. Recommendations from governments like those in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina.

The WHO believes that this escalation could be a precursor to a severe coronavirus episode, which will occur between next fall/winter. Karl Lauterbach (German Minister of Health) has warned that the "announced summer wave" is already a fact and will offer "little relief" for Germans over the next few weeks. There are 818,000 cases in the country. In one day, there were 92,344 cases of positive and 112 deaths. According to the ministry, the viral peak will occur in mid-July. The BA.5 subvariant is expected to cause 50% of all infections while the BA.4 will infect another 16%.

A coronavirus test is performed on the streets of Hong Kong by a resident / afp

France, Spain, Italy, Spain, and France are the top eleven countries with the highest number of infections. This list also includes Russia, which demonstrates Europe's vulnerability for the coronavirus. Omicron was first detected outside of South Africa last December in Oslo (Norway), where dozens of people became infected at a company dinner. The situation in this environment is alarming, but China is where the real crisis lies. Since July 1, more than 100 million people have been subject to restrictions or are in confinement. They are increasing in Shanghai where many bars, restaurants, and karaoke spots have closed down and a population screening program has been initiated.

The authorities decided to conduct tests in half the districts of the huge city with 26 million residents, despite only releasing 24 patients this Wednesday. This is compared to 300 nationwide. Five weeks ago, the population was released from a tight two-month lockdown. Now, it is afraid of returning to a similar situation. This is especially true in Anhui province where 1.7 million people are being held in their homes. The Government launched the "covid zero" program to limit movement and close the doors to around 114 million Chinese. This is in order to prevent a pandemic in the nation with the largest, oldest, and most populous population in the world.