Likely to appear new COVID-19 variant in Africa, Indonesia moves to endemic disease stage

The country most affected by the epidemic COVID-19 still America with nearly 85 million cases and more than 1,028 million deaths. In the past day, the US recorded more than 14,000 people SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is likely to make a decision on licensing vaccine against COVID-19 of Moderna for children under 5 years old in the next few weeks. Speaking on an ABC program, Dr. Ashish Jha, coordinator of the White House’s COVID-19 response program said: “Moderna has completed an application for a license. FDA experts are currently reviewing it. company’s reported data”. He added that the analysis could be completed in a matter of weeks, and a final decision would be made after a meeting of FDA expert advisors scheduled for June.

In a recent statement, the CEO of the American pharmaceutical company Moderna, Mr. Stephane Bancel, said that if approved by US regulators, Moderna is ready to provide a COVID-19 vaccine for children from 6 years old. months to 5 years old from June this year.

Research shows that Moderna’s vaccine doses for children are one-quarter of the adult dose, safely stimulating immune responses in children 6 months to 5 years of age. . However, the effectiveness of the vaccine is currently quite modest for this age group compared to adults. Moderna is currently testing a modified booster dose aimed at the simultaneous prevention of both the Omicron variant and the original virus.

At the world’s second largest COVID-19 epidemic center Indiaon May 22, the country recorded a total of over 43.13 million people with COVID-19, including more than 524,400 deaths from COVID-19.

Brazil Currently, it is the world’s 3rd largest epidemic hotspot with more than 665,600 COVID-19 patients out of a total of over 30.78 million infected people in this country.

Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Africa (Africa CDC), Ahmed Ogwell warns, a new variation of COVID-19 may soon appear in Africa. Speaking at the agency’s weekly press conference, Mr Ogwell said that “the increase in the number of cases is a clear indication that there is a very strong possibility that a new variant is more contagious. will appear”.

The continent has seen an average increase of 36% in new COVID-19 cases over the past four weeks, with Central and East Africa regions reporting increases in cases, according to Africa CDC data. new is 113% and 54%, respectively. Five African countries reported the highest number of new confirmed COVID-19 infections in the past week: South Africa 50,404 cases, Tanzania 1,482, Namibia 1,054, Zimbabwe 910 and Burundi with 817.

From May 23, the wearing of masks is no longer mandatory on public transport in Belgium such as tram, subway, bus, train, taxi. The Belgian National Consultative Committee on COVID-19 (CODECO) has decided that people are only required to wear masks in clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and health care facilities. At private clinics such as dentistry, therapy, psychology, if it is not possible to ensure a distance of 1.5 m, people are still recommended to wear masks.

Besides, CODECO also decided to abolish all travel restrictions, according to which the remaining measures related to isolation, vaccination, testing are also lifted, except for those returning from a country. – where disturbing variation still rages. CODECO also announced that it will stop implementing the barometer, a tool that provides the effect of new measures in case the number of infections exceeds a certain level.

These are the last restrictive measures that the Belgian Government has lifted. This shows that a completely normal life has returned to this European country as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Standing Committee on Immunization of Virtue (STIKO) recommends that children aged 5-11 who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 have a higher risk of infection, especially children with underlying medical conditions. Therefore, vaccination will effectively reduce the incidence of the disease. Children and adolescents who contract COVID-19 often have only mild symptoms or no symptoms, STIKO said. However, in rare cases, some serious complications can still occur, especially for children with underlying medical conditions.

Germany recommends vaccination for children aged 5-11 years. (Photo: AP)

In addition, even children with no symptoms at first may develop secondary syndromes later on, such as fatigue, rapid exhaustion with exertion, memory and concentration disturbances; even cardiovascular problems, sleep disturbances and depression. The extent and proportion of children and adolescents who are long-term affected by COVID-19 remains unclear and requires further study. However, the higher the number of children infected with COVID-19, the more likely it is to lead to severe complications.

Coordinating Minister for Human and Cultural Development Indonesia Muhadjir Effendy affirmed that the country is “very optimistic” about moving from the COVID-19 pandemic phase to the endemic disease phase. The official Antara news agency quoted Minister Muhadjir as repeating that Indonesian President Joko Widodo recently allowed people to not wear masks, especially in outdoor locations. Over the past three weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has decreased overall, although it has increased in some cities such as Jakarta. However, this increase is not “exponential”.

In addition to abolishing the requirement to wear masks in outdoor activities, the Indonesian Government has also canceled the requirement to submit PCR or antigen test results for fully vaccinated domestic and international visitors.

According to the data of the COVID-19 Task Force, as of May 22, Indonesia has recorded a total of over 6.05 million cases of COVID-19, including 156,522 deaths.

Central News Agency North Korea (KCNA) said that the COVID-19 epidemic situation in this country has stabilized and is under control. According to data from North Korea’s National Center for Emergency Disease Control, from 6pm on May 20 to 6pm on May 21, the country recorded more than 186,000 cases of fever. This is considered a positive signal when the number of symptomatic cases fell below 200,000 cases per day for the first time.

North Korean health authorities are working to control the spread of the virus, ensure the treatment of patients, and step up the preparation of materials and techniques to deal with potential risks and challenges. . Health checks for all people are being promoted nationwide.

In early May, North Korea confirmed its first case of COVID-19 since the pandemic broke out around the world more than two years ago. On May 22, North Korea recorded about 186,000 fever cases, bringing the total number of cases since the end of April to more than 2.64 million people. The North Korean Central News Agency also said that in the past 24 hours, the country recorded one more death, bringing the total number of deaths to 67.

Korea will extend the mandatory 7-day isolation for COVID-19 patients by 4 weeks, until June 20. The situation of the COVID-19 epidemic is still under the control of the Korean Government. However, there are still concerns about the disease such as new variants, reduced immunity from vaccination. Therefore, the Korean Government decided to extend the 7-day isolation rule for COVID-19 patients by 4 weeks to continue assessing the situation.

Previously, the Korean Government planned to lift the mandatory isolation regulation for COVID-19 patients on May 23 after lowering the danger level of the COVID-19 epidemic from level 1 to level 1. 2 in a 4-level scale from the end of April.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA) said that on May 22, South Korea recorded 19,298 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases since the outbreak began to over 17.95 million cases.

The situation of the COVID-19 epidemic is still under the control of the Korean Government. (Photo: AP)

Goverment Japan decided to relax border controls from this summer, classifying foreign countries and territories into three groups based on positive COVID-19 test results at airports.

Under the classification system, Japan will waive COVID-19 testing for people entering from countries and territories with the lowest COVID-19 positive rates, regardless of vaccination status. For travelers from the second group of countries with the second lowest positive rate, Japan will not require testing and isolation if three doses of government-approved COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. Those arriving from areas with the highest positive rates will be required to undergo current procedures, including testing and post-arrival isolation.

Currently all entry, including Japanese nationals, must present a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 or other test certificates taken within 72 hours prior to departure and undergo the test. Quick experience at the airport upon arrival in Japan.

Although continuing to maintain epidemic prevention measures in some areas, Shanghai, China is in the process of reopening. Many transportation and commercial activities in Shanghai have been reopened, thereby bringing life gradually back to normal from June 1 and keeping the goal of fully reopening by mid-June.

After resumption of some important subway lines, on May 22, the Shanghai government allowed 270 bus lines to operate again. Passengers traveling on public transport must have a negative test result within 48 hours, a blue health scan code. Metro stations and bus stations have established isolation areas. Those with a negative test result between 24 and 48 hours, with a green QR code, are allowed to go home after being detained in Shanghai. Thousands of free testing sites are always active.

Many shopping centers have opened their doors under control. Every day, Shanghai delivers more than 4.6 million parcels, 20% of normal times.

After 5 days without shifts COVID-19 out of the community, Shanghai has detected a new cluster of cases outside the community in one district. These are the first newly detected infections after 5 days without any new cases in this city, raising concerns that authorities will impose strict measures in the area where the cases are located. Management measures are tightened. However, city officials said that the plan to reopen from June 1 has not changed.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Beijing city recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, an increase of 55 cases compared to the previous day. China’s capital has struggled to contain the outbreak since the end of April, imposing travel restrictions, asking people to work from home and closing many shops and entertainment centers.

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