Country,	Total	New	Total
Other	Cases	Cases	Deaths
World	213,280,784	514,589	4,453,113
USA	38,814,596	111,134	646,667
India	32,460,328	11,359	435,050
Brazil	20,583,994	13,103	574,944
Russia	6,766,541	19,454	176,820
France	6,624,777	5,166	113,419
UK	6,524,581	31,914	131,680
Turkey	6,234,520	18,857	54,765
Argentina	5,139,966	6,135	110,609
Colombia	4,892,235	2,698	124,315
Spain	4,794,352	7,967	83,337
Iran	4,715,771	38,657	102,648
Italy	4,488,779	4,168	128,795
Indonesia	3,989,060	9,604	127,214
Germany	3,881,579	5,555	92,497
Mexico	3,225,073	7,658	253,155
Poland	2,886,805	107	75,316
South Africa	2,698,605	7,632	79,584
Ukraine	2,275,171	610	53,474
Peru	2,142,153		197,879
Netherlands	1,921,159	2,390	17,956
Philippines	1,857,646	18,332	31,961
Iraq	1,832,240	7,151	20,262
Czechia	1,677,619	107	30,385
Chile	1,634,394	578	36,688
Malaysia	1,572,765	17,672	14,342
Canada	1,473,624	4,811	26,814
Bangladesh	1,467,715	5,717	25,399
Japan	1,300,353	22,285	15,631
Belgium	1,166,985	1,647	25,334
Pakistan	1,127,584	3,772	25,003
Sweden	1,116,584		14,629
Romania	1,091,340	415	34,425
Thailand	1,066,786	17,491	9,562
Portugal	1,020,546	1,126	17,645
Israel	999,110	5,899	6,856
Morocco	813,945	2,996	11,889
Hungary	811,121	340	30,052
Jordan	790,450	976	10,308
Switzerland	758,984	6,218	10,944
Nepal	748,981	1,548	10,533
Serbia	744,150	1,837	7,218
Kazakhstan	743,220	6,314	8,415
UAE	710,438	1,060	2,024
Austria	677,603	1,077	10,763
Tunisia	642,788	1,891	22,609
Lebanon	592,780	624	8,014
Cuba	592,619	9,320	4,618
Greece	561,812	2,626	13,385
Saudi Arabia	542,354	360	8,490
Georgia	517,098	2,354	6,831
Ecuador	498,728	114	32,092
Bolivia	486,643	249	18,302
Belarus	470,635	918	3,691
Paraguay	457,838	113	15,593
Panama	452,986	388	7,015
Costa Rica	445,442	1,480	5,361
Bulgaria	443,186	1,891	18,532
Guatemala	440,007	754	11,516
Kuwait	408,434	189	2,407
Azerbaijan	394,451	2,945	5,340
Sri Lanka	394,355	4,355	7,560
Slovakia	394,093	11	12,547
Uruguay	384,181	87	6,016
Myanmar	375,871	2,186	14,499
Croatia	369,838	73	8,303
Vietnam	358,456	10,280	8,666
Dominican Republic	348,026	191	3,994
Ireland	338,707	1,590	5,074
Denmark	338,240	774	2,567
Honduras	328,550	725	8,643
Palestine	327,634	1324	3,642
Venezuela	326,522	806	3,909
Oman	301,450	151	4,038
Libya	296,879	1,625	4,076
Ethiopia	296,731	927	4,571
Lithuania	294,086	314	4,494
Egypt	286,541	189	16,676
Bahrain	271,715	84	1,387
Moldova	264,746	314	6,369
Slovenia	263,664	116	4,441
Armenia	237,885	251	4,762
S. Korea	237,782	1,416	2,222
Qatar	231,126	289	601
Kenya	229,628	619	4,528
Bosnia and Herzegovina	209,909	127	9,740
Zambia	204,651	102	3,578
Mongolia	195,250	1566	902
Algeria	192,089	506	5,034
Nigeria	187,588	565	2,276
Kyrgyzstan	174,148	228	2,489
North Macedonia	169,202	330	5,695
Afghanistan	152,660	77	7,083
Botswana	150,842	4,381	2,171
Uzbekistan	149,876	818	1,028
Norway	149,732	906	811
Mozambique	143,127	343	1,808
Latvia	141,118	73	2,569
Albania	139,721	397	2,478
Estonia	139,126	319	1,285
Namibia	123,861	280	3,345
Australia	44,920	892	984
Suriname	27,574	71	700

 

Retrieved from：https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

 

 

 

Six U.S. states do not join $26 bln opioid settlements with distributors, J&J

By Nate Raymond and Tom Hals

 

The Johnson & Johnson logo is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., May 29, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

At least six U.S. states, including Georgia, did not fully sign on to a proposed $26 billion settlement with three drug distributors and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N), which have been accused of fueling the nation's opioid epidemic, according to the states' attorneys general.

States had until Saturday to decide whether to support the $21 billion proposed settlement with McKesson Corp (MCK.N), AmerisourceBergen Corp (ABC.N)and Cardinal Health Inc (CAH.N) and a separate $5 billion agreement with J&J.

But in a sign that talks were continuing despite the passing of the deadline, Georgia - the most populous hold-out state - on Monday indicated it could wind up backing the agreement.

"We have not rejected the deal, but we have not joined because at the present time joining the national settlements does not guarantee the best outcome for Georgia and its counties, cities and citizens," said an emailed statement from the office of the attorney general, Christopher Carr. "We remain active in representing Georgia throughout negotiations, and we’re going to continue to get input from Georgia stakeholders."

The state will litigate its claims if needed, the statement said.

New Mexico, Oklahoma, Washington and West Virginia also declined to join the deals, their state attorneys general said. New Hampshire agreed to the settlement with distributors but not the J&J agreement.

The complex settlement formula envisions at least 44 states participating, but ultimately the companies get to decide whether a "critical mass" has joined and whether to finalize the deal.

The size of the settlement is based on the number of participating states. Those that decline to join will instead seek a larger recovery by continuing to fight the defendants in the courts. The companies have already paid hundreds of millions in verdicts and other settlements.

The deal, which was unveiled by 14 state attorneys general on July 21, aims to resolve more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing the distributors of ignoring red flags that pain pills were being diverted into communities for illicit uses and that J&J played down the risks of opioid addiction.

The money would go toward funding treatment and other services.

The companies deny wrongdoing, saying the drugs were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that responsibility for ballooning painkiller sales lies with others, including doctors and regulators.

McKesson said the companies have until Sept. 4 to determine if there is sufficient support for the agreements and said that process is ongoing. Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen declined to comment and J&J did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The support of two other states, Nevada and Alabama, also appeared to be in doubt, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Nevada's attorney general declined to comment and the Alabama attorney general did not respond to a request for comment.

The participation of states is tied closely to that of their local governments, which brought the majority of the lawsuits. Cities and counties within participating states would have through Jan. 2 to sign on. Ultimately, $10.7 billion of the settlement money is tied to the extent to which localities participate.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a lead negotiator, last month said he expected "well north" of 40 states to join.

 

Retrieved from：https://www.reuters.com/world/us/six-us-states-will-not-join-26-bln-opioid-settlements-with-distributors-jj-2021-08-23/

 

 

 

Pandemic threatens Asia-Pacific's progress on global development goals, says ADB

 

A daily wage labourer stands in a queue for free food at a construction site where activity has been halted due to 21-day nationwide lockdown to slow the spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in New Delhi, India, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

 

The coronavirus pandemic may have pushed as many as 80 million people in developing Asia into extreme poverty last year, threatening to derail progress on global goals to tackle poverty and hunger by 2030, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Tuesday.

Developing Asia's extreme poverty rate - or the proportion of its people living on less than $1.90 a day - would have fallen to 2.6% in 2020 from 5.2% in 2017 without COVID-19, but the crisis likely pushed last year's projected rate higher by about 2 percentage points, ADB simulations showed.

The figure could even be higher considering the inequalities in areas like health, education and work disruptions that have deepened as the COVID-19 crisis disrupted mobility and stalled economic activity, the ADB said in a flagship report on the region.

"As the socioeconomic impacts of responses to the virus continue to unfold, people already struggling to make ends meet are at risk of tipping over into a life of poverty," the Manila-based lender said.

Among reporting economies in Asia and the Pacific, which refers to the 46 developing and three developed ADB member economies, only about one in four posted economic growth last year, it said.

As unemployment rates increased the region also lost about 8% of work hours, affecting poorer households and workers in the informal sector.

The economic damage brought about by the pandemic had further intensified the challenge of meeting global development goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015.

U.N. members unanimously passed 17 Sustainable Development Goals, known as SDGs, in 2015, creating a blueprint of ambitious tasks from ending hunger and gender inequality to expanding access to education and health care.

The goals had a deadline of 2030.

"Asia and the Pacific has made impressive strides, but COVID-19 has revealed social and economic fault lines that may weaken the region's sustainable and inclusive development," ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada said in a separate statement.

 

Retrieved from：https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pandemic-threatens-asia-pacifics-progress-global-development-goals-says-adb-2021-08-24/

 

 

 

New Zealand has highest jump in COVID-19 cases since April 2020

By Praveen Menon

 

People jog past a social distancing sign on the first day of New Zealand's new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) safety measure that mandates wearing of a mask on public transport, in Auckland, New Zealand, August 31, 2020. REUTERS/Fiona Goodall/File Photo

 

New Zealand on Tuesday recorded its highest increase in COVID-19 cases since April 2020, but authorities said the numbers were not rising exponentially and the majority of the cases were still in centred in Auckland where the recent outbreak started.

The South Pacific nation's virus-free run since February ended last week after an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus erupted in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, and quickly spread to the capital Wellington.

Authorities reported 41 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, taking the total number of infections in the country to 148, the Director General of Health Chief Ashley Bloomfield said at a news conference. That is the most new cases since April 2020, according to a graphic on the Ministry of Health website.

Of the new cases, 38 are in Auckland and three are in Wellington.

"It is reassuring that we are not seeing an exponential increase," Bloomfield said, adding that with most cases being reported in Auckland, it indicated infections were not widespread.

However, the health ministry said in a statement later on Tuesday that it would not be unexpected to see a rise in daily case numbers at this stage of the outbreak and at its peak last year New Zealand had a daily total of 89 new cases.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has garnered global praise for stamping out COVID-19 in the country.

But, her reliance on strict border controls and snap lockdowns that have impacted the economy has been called into question amid the latest outbreak, which has occurred while few people have been vaccinated. read more

On Monday, Ardern extended the strict level 4 national lockdown by three days until midnight on Aug. 27 while Auckland will have restrictions in place at least until Aug. 31.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the government has enough funds to tackle the latest outbreak and the economy has been "incredibly resilient".

"A strong public health response is still the best economic response," he said in the news conference.

 

Retrieved from：https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-has-highest-jump-covid-19-cases-since-april-2020-2021-08-24/

 

 

 

Almost 5,000 Covid cases linked to Cornish music and surf festival

By Steven Morris

 

Organisers of Boardmasters say event had measures in place ‘above and beyond national guidelines’

Cornwall council said it had thought about cancelling Boardmasters, which took place from 11-15 August and was attended by about 50,000 people. Photograph: Boardmasters/PA

 

Almost 5,000 Covid-19 cases have been linked to the music and surfing festival Boardmasters, which took place in Cornwall this month.

Health officials said 4,700 people who have tested positive for coronavirus confirmed they had attended the festival in Newquay or had connections to it. About three-quarters of them are aged 16-21 and about 800 live in the county.

The number of Covid infections across the south-west of England has increased but is rising sharply in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with 717 cases per 100,000 of the population being infected in the seven days up to and including 19 August.

Cornwall council said it had thought about cancelling Boardmasters, which took place from 11-15 August and was attended by about 50,000 people, but had decided the festival could go ahead. It insisted its staff had worked closely with the organisers to make the event as safe as possible.

The festival, which featured Foals and Gorillaz, asked all ticket-holders aged 11 and over to demonstrate their Covid-19 status through the NHS Covid app before entering. Face masks were not compulsory but were encouraged.

People who camped at the festival had to take a second NHS lateral flow test during the event and log their results in the app.

Cornwall council’s public health team is urging all residents and visitors to make testing a priority.

Rachel Wigglesworth, the director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Covid cases have been rising steadily across Cornwall over recent weeks – particularly in our tourist hotspots.

“Big events and mass gatherings like Boardmasters are now permitted and our public health team worked closely with the organisers over many weeks to ensure the event was as Covid-safe as possible.

“Our advice to residents, visitors and anyone who attended Boardmasters also remains the same – if you have Covid symptoms then isolate immediately and book a PCR test. If you have no symptoms, please continue to test twice a week with rapid lateral flow tests, which are available for free from pharmacies or can be delivered to your home.”

A spokesperson for the festival said it had put in “risk management measures above and beyond national guidelines”.

They said: “These included use of the NHS Covid pass as a condition of entry. The system detected over 450 people who would otherwise have been at risk of passing on the virus and as a result did not attend our Watergate Bay site or left the festival early. No event is able to eliminate risk entirely.”

 

Retrieved from：https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/aug/23/almost-5000-covid-cases-linked-to-cornish-music-and-surf-festival-boardmasters

 

 

 

UK Covid deaths average 100 a day with fears of rise when schools return

By Niamh McIntyre, Nicola Davis and Peter Walker

 

Seven-day average now highest since March as children in Scotland return to the classroom

A Covid-19 recovery ward at Craigavon area hospital in Co Armagh, Northern Ireland. UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test have reached an average of 100 a day. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

 

Deaths from Covid-19 are now averaging 100 a day across the UK, according to official data, and scientists have warned that case rates will jump again when millions of pupils return to schools next week.

The seven-day average for deaths within 28 days of a positive test now stands at 100, figures released by Public Health England on Monday show, a number that was last exceeded on 18 March.

Although the vaccination programme means deaths are far below the peaks of last winter – the highest daily total was 1,248, reported on 23 January – it is a notable rise from late May and early June, when they were consistently in single figures.

Confirmed infection numbers have also started to rise once more following a dramatic fall in mid-July, with 31,914 cases reported on Monday, the seven-day average figure having increased 13% from a week before. Hospitalisations have risen from 672 on 31 July to 948 on 17 August.

Adding to the concern is the expectation of increased infection rates when students return to schools and colleges across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, which mainly happens next week. Cases in Scotland, where most pupils went back last week, have risen dramatically, going up from 799 on 2 August to 3,190 on Sunday. While the return of schools may have played a role in the rise, it is unlikely to be the only factor as they reopened so recently.

Some scientists have warned that a likely increase in Covid cases in autumn and winter, coupled with other viruses, could require the return of mitigation measures such as face masks.

Prof Ravi Gupta of the University of Cambridge, a coopted member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said it was likely there would be a long, protracted period of high hospital admissions and continuing disruption as schools return.

“There is nothing to stop it happening because … there are still a lot of people who have not been infected with Delta and who will get infected, and some of them will become more ill than others,” he said. “So I think there is still a way to go with this. And yes, it is going to coincide with schools reopening and of course you have waning immunity as well.”

Gupta said the possible reimposition of rules on mask wearing was “a no-brainer … because it presents the caution associated with limiting transmission without necessarily having a big impact on your freedoms”.

Prof Rowland Kao of the University of Edinburgh, a member of the government’s Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, or Spi-M, said that while more time was needed to see if the recent rise in hospitalisation is sustained, the trend did appear to be in that direction.

He said: “As we know, the total number in hospital in England last winter peaked at over 34,000; the current number is less than 6,000, so thankfully we are well away from this. However, observed rises in cases in Scotland in the last week have been substantially more dramatic than in England and test positivity has also increased. It is reasonable to think that this may be associated with the return to schools and the other activities that increase with it.

“Should this be the case, and a similar phenomenon occur when schools return in England, cases, and therefore ultimately hospitalisations, will also likely increase.”

Mary Bousted, joint head of the National Education Union, said teachers needed more support from government, arguing that plans to fit schools in England with air-quality monitors would “only diagnose an issue”.

She said: “Leaders will also want to consider continuing with face coverings in secondary schools, social distancing where possible, and special arrangements for vulnerable staff.”

Separately, unions have said that start-of-term Covid testing for secondary pupils and college students will almost certainly cause some disruption to their return. Department for Education guidance says secondary school pupils in England should be tested twice on site on their return for the autumn term, between three and five days apart.

Geoff Barton, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, said this would “inevitably mean some disruption during the first week of the new term”.

The local authority reporting the highest weekly UK case rate is Fermanagh and Omagh in Northern Ireland, with close to 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents as of 18 August. The tourism-heavy south-west of England is also reporting high case rates, with five of the 10 areas with the highest rolling case rates in the region.

 

Retrieved from：https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/aug/23/uk-covid-deaths-hit-100-a-day-with-fears-of-rise-when-schools-return

 

 

 

Germany’s 16 states bring in uniform ‘Covid health pass’ system

 

A sign for a restaurant in Leverkusen saying proof of vaccination, test or recovery is required. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Oliver Berg

 

In a bid to encourage vaccinations, and stave off the fourth wave, German states were tasked with bringing in an expanded 'Covid health pass' system. Here's what it looks like. 

What is it and why do I need to know?

It may sound like we’re talking about technology, but Germany’s 3G system has nothing to do with the Internet. The 3G rule means that anyone entering most indoor spaces now has to be geimpft – vaccinated, genesen – recovered, and getestet – tested against Covid-19. It came into place across the 16 states on Monday August 23rd, although a few regions implemented it slightly earlier.

The federal and state governments agreed on the measure at the beginning of August.The aim of the nationwide 3G rule is to try and avoid future tough restrictions like lockdowns, and encourage more people to get vaccinated. 

Those who are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid within the last six months need to show proof before unlocking most indoor activities, such as eating inside, going to the gym or to an event. 

People who are eligible to get vaccinated but choose not to will need a negative test result. The federal government will cover the cost of the rapid tests for the time being but from October 11th, unvaccinated people will have to pay up to €20 (or more) per rapid test.

A patchwork version of this system was in place before this point, but it varied from state to state. It has now been formalised and widened out. 

You can read our explainer for more detail. 

Does it depend on the level of Covid infections?

The federal government and states agreed that the 3G rule would come into place when states reach 35 Covid cases per 100,000 people within seven days. 

But in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, the rule applies regardless of incidence.

In Brandenburg, the health pass system comes into place at 20 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, and in the rest of the country from an incidence of 35 new infections per 100,000 people.

Will I face a fine if I don’t have any proof with me?

You probably won’t get in. On the whole, businesses are responsible for implementing the obligation to provide evidence and testing.

Restaurateurs, hairdressers and the operators of fitness studios, hospitals or nursing homes must check proof. If they fail to do so, they face a fine.

The amount is determined by the federal states. Baden-Württemberg, for example, charges restaurateurs up to €10,000 for “failing to comply with an obligation to check proof of testing, vaccination or recovery when operating a facility.” The “standard rate” is €650.

But guests can also be asked to pay. The municipalities and law enforcement officers can issue expulsions and warnings, but in the worst case scenario, charges can be brought. Anyone who violates infection protection laws and Covid regulations can expect fines of between €50 and €25,000. 

Where do I need to show proof?

The proof and test requirement applies when visiting someone in hospital, a nursing home or similar facility regardless of the incidence rate.

People also need it to go to the gym, hairdresser, beauty salon, museum, amusement park, zoo and inside bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes. The 3G rule is also implemented at events.

People won’t need to show proof to get takeaway coffee or food. But if you want to sit in and drink coffee, you’ll need it.

There may be slight differences from state to state so check local rules.

For instance, a court in Berlin ruled on Friday that the indoor area and dance ban in clubs should be overturned – but only for people who are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid – effectively making it 2G instead of 3G. 

We could see more facilities or private providers moving to exclude unvaccinated people in future. 

Where do I not need proof?

At private meetings, family gatherings, at work, when shopping and in libraries no proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test is needed.

It also won’t apply to public or long-distance transport.

Are there exceptions?

Young children under the age of six and schoolchildren who are regularly tested are generally exempt from the 3G rule – but once again, familiarise yourself with the local rules in your area. 

If there’s a reason you can’t get the vaccine – or are not eligible for it – then you won’t be charged for tests after October 11th. You can get a letter from your doctor to that effect. 

What does it mean for tourists?

Tourists will also have to stick to the rules. Germany accepts vaccination certificates from other countries. But the vaccine must have been approved by the EU – currently Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson/Janssen. 

You are counted as being fully vaccinated in Germany on the 15th day after your last dose. If you’ve had one jab after recovery that is also accepted as being fully vaccinated. Mix-match-vaccines – or Kreuzimpfung – is also accepted in Germany as long as the vaccines are approved by the EMA. 

 

Retrieved from：https://www.thelocal.de/20210823/germanys-16-states-bring-in-uniform-covid-health-pass-system/