According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) weekly epidemiological update (11th of January) the number of new weekly COVID-19 cases globally has increased strikingly by 55%, while new weekly deaths continued to be similar to those reported during the previous week. This equates to over 15 million new cases and over 43,000 new deaths. As of the 9th of January, there are over 304 million confirmed cases and over 5.4 million deaths reported globally. The South-East Asia region reported the largest increase in new cases (418%), followed by the Western Pacific Region (122%), the Eastern Mediterranean Region (86%), the Region of the Americas (78%) and the European Region (31%). Read more
COVID-19 numbers in Africa have been steadily increasing in the past four weeks as the region’s fourth wave continues to spread. There are 27 countries (Angola, Burundi, Cape Verde, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia) that have reported a 20% increase in COVID-19 cases in comparison to last week. There was also a significant increase in deaths compared to the past week, as a result of an increase in deaths reported from South Africa and Zimbabwe. The slow vaccination roll-out will continue to pose a challenge to the COVID-19 response efforts in Africa. Read more
In related news:
NEJM: Early Remdesivir to Prevent Progression to Severe Covid-19 in Outpatients
ABC News: Melbourne researchers trial use of common blood-thinning drug heparin to combat COVID-19
New Scientist: 2022 news preview: What will the coronavirus do next?
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.