Data as of June 6 shows that global case and death incidences continued to decrease, a 15% and an 8% decrease respectively, compared to the previous week. Marked declines in the number of new cases were observed in the European and South-East Asia Regions, whereas the African Region experienced an increase. The number of new deaths reported increased in the Western Pacific Region.
There is a general consensus that vaccination is the long-term solution to the COVID-19 crisis, therefore increasing the speed of the production of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a global priority. However, swift action has not followed to aid equal access across all countries and regions. “Inequitable vaccination is a threat to all nations, not just those with the fewest vaccines”, warned Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
More than 2.3 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been distributed globally, enough to fully vaccinate 15.4% of the global population —but the distribution has been lopsided. WHO is calling for a global push to reach the objective of at least 30% of the world’s population be vaccinated by December. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, acknowledged that vaccines should be considered “global public goods” because there is no other way of defeating a virus that spreads across developing countries “like wildfire” and risks mutating. Shots need to be “available and affordable to all”, he added.
During the last days and previous to the G7 Summit (June 11-13), the world’s predominant global financing, health and trade agencies had urged government leaders to accelerate the equitable distribution of health tools to help end the COVID-19 pandemic. The leaders of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group, World Health Organization (WHO) and World Trade Organization (WTO) said in a statement that governments must act without further delay or risk continued waves and explosive outbreaks of COVID-19 undermining the global recovery.
At the G7 summit, leaders promised to supply one billion COVID vaccine doses for low-income countries either directly or through the World Health Organization's Covax global vaccine sharing program.
There is a general consensus that vaccination is the long-term solution to the COVID-19 crisis, therefore increasing the speed of the production of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a global priority. However, swift action has not followed to aid equal access across all countries and regions. “Inequitable vaccination is a threat to all nations, not just those with the fewest vaccines”, warned Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
More than 2.3 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been distributed globally, enough to fully vaccinate 15.4% of the global population —but the distribution has been lopsided. WHO is calling for a global push to reach the objective of at least 30% of the world’s population be vaccinated by December. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, acknowledged that vaccines should be considered “global public goods” because there is no other way of defeating a virus that spreads across developing countries “like wildfire” and risks mutating. Shots need to be “available and affordable to all”, he added.
During the last days and previous to the G7 Summit (June 11-13), the world’s predominant global financing, health and trade agencies had urged government leaders to accelerate the equitable distribution of health tools to help end the COVID-19 pandemic. The leaders of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group, World Health Organization (WHO) and World Trade Organization (WTO) said in a statement that governments must act without further delay or risk continued waves and explosive outbreaks of COVID-19 undermining the global recovery.
At the G7 summit, leaders promised to supply one billion COVID vaccine doses for low-income countries either directly or through the World Health Organization's Covax global vaccine sharing program.
UN
On June 9, United Nations (UN) experts called for G7 leaders to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for people in low-income countries. They stressed that it is time for “international solidarity and cooperation” to assist all governments in vaccinating people and saving lives. UN experts also urged pharmaceutical companies to join WHO’s COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) for sharing know-how, data and intellectual property.
According to a new UN report on child labor issued on June 8, “for the first time in two decades, the number of children being put to work has risen –to 160 million worldwide, representing an increase of 8.4 million over four years– while millions of other are at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic”. The report also warns that nine million additional children are at risk of being pushed into child labor by the end of 2022 as a result of the pandemic.
According to a new UN report on child labor issued on June 8, “for the first time in two decades, the number of children being put to work has risen –to 160 million worldwide, representing an increase of 8.4 million over four years– while millions of other are at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic”. The report also warns that nine million additional children are at risk of being pushed into child labor by the end of 2022 as a result of the pandemic.
UNICEF
On June 8, UNICEF Ambassadors and supporters signed an open letter addressed to the G7 leaders highlighting the urgency of supplying vaccine donations. “Covax is 190 million doses short of where it needs to be, which leaves vulnerable people dangerously unprotected”, the letter states.
WHO
The Sinovac-CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use was validated by the WHO on June 1. The agency recommends the vaccine for use in adults 18 years and older, in a two-dose schedule with a spacing of two to four weeks. Results showed that the vaccine prevented symptomatic disease in 51% and prevented severe COVID-19 and hospitalization in 100% of the studied population. WHO has already listed Pfizer/BioNTech, Astrazeneca-SK Bio, Serum Institute of India, Astra Zeneca EU, Janssen, Moderna and Sinopharm vaccines for emergency use.
WTO
On June 7, the WTO received a petition signed by over 2.7 million people from around the world calling for universal access to affordable COVID-19 vaccines. The petition brings together the work of more than 40 organizations worldwide.
Australia
Melbourne's strict lockdown was lifted on June 10 after two weeks of strict lockdown that forced people to remain home except for essential business.
Australian’s borders are closed and the only people who can travel to Australia are: Australian citizens, permanent residents, immediate family members, and travelers who have been in New Zealand for at least 14 days before the date of departure. All people traveling to Australia must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result at the time of check-in (tested 72 hours or less prior to the departure). In addition, travelers may need to go into government approved mandatory quarantine for 14 days from arrival. Exceptions include travelers who are either traveling from a green zone (New Zealand) or in an exemption category (some industry workers such as airline, medevac and air ambulance crew).
Brazil
Brazil has surpassed the 17 million confirmed cases, however, the trend is downward. Similarly, deaths recorded are steadily decreasing since the March peak. Nearly 65.9 million vaccine doses had been administered by June 4.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Brazil’s economy has recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The economy grew 1.2% from the fourth quarter, boosted by agricultural exports. In addition, Brazil’s government spent the equivalent of 8.3% of its annual economic output last year on stimulus, being one of the world’s biggest stimulus packages.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Brazil’s economy has recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The economy grew 1.2% from the fourth quarter, boosted by agricultural exports. In addition, Brazil’s government spent the equivalent of 8.3% of its annual economic output last year on stimulus, being one of the world’s biggest stimulus packages.
Chile
On June 3, Chilean health authorities decided to stop the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine of people under 45 years old, as a preventive measure, due to a case of thrombosis detected.
Chile announced a lockdown in the capital Santiago from June 12 due to a COVID surge, despite nearly 60% of the country being fully vaccinated.
Chile announced a lockdown in the capital Santiago from June 12 due to a COVID surge, despite nearly 60% of the country being fully vaccinated.
EU
On June 4, the EU submitted a proposal seeking a strong multilateral trade response to the COVID-19 pandemic to expand the production of vaccines and treatments, and ensure universal and fair access. The proposal is intended to ensure that vaccines and treatments can cross borders freely, to encourage producers to expand their production and to facilitate the use of compulsory licensing within the WTO's existing Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
Until the EU Digital COVID Certificate enters into application (July 1), Member States are applying different policies as regards traveling restrictions. Although they agreed on recommendations to allow fully vaccinated tourists from abroad back into the EU, the situation may vary from country to country.
The Regulation on the EU Digital COVID Certificate, signed on June 14, is expected to facilitate safe and free movement inside the EU during the pandemic. It will apply for 12 months as of 1 July 2021. The Certificate, accessible for everyone, will cover COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery; it will be free of charge; available in digital and paper-based format; and it will include a digitally signed QR code.
Until the EU Digital COVID Certificate enters into application (July 1), Member States are applying different policies as regards traveling restrictions. Although they agreed on recommendations to allow fully vaccinated tourists from abroad back into the EU, the situation may vary from country to country.
The Regulation on the EU Digital COVID Certificate, signed on June 14, is expected to facilitate safe and free movement inside the EU during the pandemic. It will apply for 12 months as of 1 July 2021. The Certificate, accessible for everyone, will cover COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery; it will be free of charge; available in digital and paper-based format; and it will include a digitally signed QR code.
The leaders of the EU and the US held a summit on June 15. One of the main pillars of the discussion was the ending of the COVID-19 pandemic and driving forward a sustainable global economic recovery. They committed to continuing to support the Covax Facility and encourage more donors to make 2 billion vaccine doses available worldwide by late 2021 –the goal is to vaccinate at least two-thirds of the world’s population by the end of 2022. In addition, it was established a Joint EU–US COVID Manufacturing and Supply Chain Taskforce in order to deepen cooperation and identify and resolve issues around expanding vaccine and therapeutics production capacity. To ensure global mobility, they agreed to establish a joint EU-US Experts’ Working Group to exchange information and expertise to reinitiate travel between the EU and the United States.
India
India is under the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the country has recorded over 29.4 million confirmed cases and more than 370,300 deaths. The country will receive a share of 80 million COVID-19 vaccines from the USA through the Covax global vaccine sharing program. Nearly 238.8 million vaccine doses had been administered by June 8.
The Indian Government published a guideline regarding food and lifestyle habits that can be helpful in boosting the immunity of COVID patients. The general measures suggest including foods like fruits, vegetables, dark cholate (at least 70% cocoa), turmeric milk, whole grains, good sources of proteins (chicken, fish, eggs, soy, nuts, seeds) and healthy fats (walnuts, almonds, olive oil, and mustard oil), as well as regular physical activity and breathing exercise.
The Indian Government published a guideline regarding food and lifestyle habits that can be helpful in boosting the immunity of COVID patients. The general measures suggest including foods like fruits, vegetables, dark cholate (at least 70% cocoa), turmeric milk, whole grains, good sources of proteins (chicken, fish, eggs, soy, nuts, seeds) and healthy fats (walnuts, almonds, olive oil, and mustard oil), as well as regular physical activity and breathing exercise.
Japan
On June 8, the Japanese Prime Minister said that vaccinations for all residents will be completed by November.
In the meantime, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are still on and organizers insist the event can be held safely thanks to the protocols in place.
In the meantime, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are still on and organizers insist the event can be held safely thanks to the protocols in place.
Turkey
On June 1, Turkey eased coronavirus measures, including a partial lifting of weekend curfews and the reopening of food venues to a limited number of customers (from 7 am to 9 pm). A curfew is imposed from 10 pm to 5 am on weekdays and Saturdays, but a full lockdown is still in force on Sundays.
On June 13, Turkey reported 5,012 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, totaling 5.33 million confirmed cases. Vaccination efforts are being intensified (33.3 million doses administered) and the vaccine eligibility age has been lowered to 40.
On June 13, Turkey reported 5,012 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, totaling 5.33 million confirmed cases. Vaccination efforts are being intensified (33.3 million doses administered) and the vaccine eligibility age has been lowered to 40.
United Kingdom
Public Health England (PHE) released the latest weekly COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report on June 10. It is estimated that 42,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths have been prevented thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine.
The latest national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report (June 10) shows that, according to surveillance indicators, COVID-19 activity increased and case rates increased in most age groups, but most notably in younger age groups.
UK infections continued to rise because of the Delta variant. PHE data indicates that over 90% of new COVID-19 cases are now the Delta variant, which continues to show a significantly higher rate of growth compared to the Alpha variant.
The latest national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report (June 10) shows that, according to surveillance indicators, COVID-19 activity increased and case rates increased in most age groups, but most notably in younger age groups.
UK infections continued to rise because of the Delta variant. PHE data indicates that over 90% of new COVID-19 cases are now the Delta variant, which continues to show a significantly higher rate of growth compared to the Alpha variant.
United States
The United States intends to buy 500 million doses of Pfizer Inc.’s coronavirus vaccine to share internationally. It will distribute about 200 million doses through Covax, and about 300 million doses in the first half of next year.
A recent paper published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Has Global Agricultural Trade been Resilient under COVID-19? Findings from an Econometric Assessment, estimates the effects of COVID-19 incidence rates, policy restrictions, and the reduction in human mobility/lockdown effect on global agriculture trade. The study did not find any significant impact in neither tree nut nor peanut trade.
A recent paper published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Has Global Agricultural Trade been Resilient under COVID-19? Findings from an Econometric Assessment, estimates the effects of COVID-19 incidence rates, policy restrictions, and the reduction in human mobility/lockdown effect on global agriculture trade. The study did not find any significant impact in neither tree nut nor peanut trade.
The entry into the United States is suspended for noncitizens who have been physically present within the following countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the US: China, Iran, European Schengen area, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, South Africa and India. However, citizens and lawful permanent residents of the US, certain family members, and other individuals who meet specified exceptions, who have been in one of the countries listed above in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter.
All air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country are required to get tested no more than three days before departure with a negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 before boarding the flight.
The information above is a review of actions the INC has compiled from government sources, international organizations and press media. This news article is not intended to be exhaustive and it does not reflect the opinions of the INC. While the publishers believe that all information contained in this publication was correct at the time of publishing, they can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may appear or loss suffered directly or indirectly by any reader as a result of any advertisement, editorial, photographs or other materials published in this news article.