U.S. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) revealed June 22, 2021 how Delta variant is advancing. It described the wider world struggles, as COVID-19 surges in many countries with reduced ability to cope. Indeed, CIDRAP went as far as calling this a ‘two track’ pandemic’ as World Health Organization reaches a similar conclusion.
High Income Countries Still Driving Down Cases with Vaccine
Money counts, even with something as mindlessly demanding as the SARS-CoV-2 virus infecting more and more people. As a result, North America and Europe are almost virtual ‘seas of tranquillity’ as they gain traction with their vaccination programs. However, we should remember the Delta variant emerged after we developed those treatments, and this could still reduce their effectiveness.
Accelerating Surges in the Wider World as COVID-19 Spreads
But the countries on the ‘second track’ are not making comparable progress with combating the virus. CIDRAP lists the main reasons as ‘scarce vaccine, more transmissible variants, and social mixing’. Consequently, the global decline due to ‘first track’ success is slowing overall, according to World Health Organization:
1… Africa’s cases have been rising continuously for the past forty days. The week ending June 20, 2021 furthermore showed a 31% increase over the previous period.
2… The African flash points include Eritrea, Rwanda, Namibia, Uganda, and Zambia. However, South Africa reported 58% of the case load.
3… There has also been a slight uptick in Israel, although the rate is still low. The head of the Health Ministry there reported 70% of cases involve the Delta variant, and that half of them are children.
4… Russia is restricting social activities amidst a slow vaccine take-up too. It is warning people ‘without vaccines or immunity from natural infection will face limited employment options’ according to CIDRAP.
But China is still largely infection free, as the wider world struggles while COVID-19 surges. However, even there border restrictions are extended for another year.
North America must do everything it can to avoid a Delta surge. The keys to that continue to be universal vaccination, social distancing, and preventing the Delta virus spreading among us.
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Preview Image: Daily Confirmed Cases Per Million People
U.S. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Report
