As the pandemic accelerated past 10 million cases and 500,000 deaths this week, the WHO’s director of Health Emergencies Programme said the Americas ‘make up about half of the global cases and nearly half of the deaths’. The PAHO director, quoted in a CIDRAP post, noted ‘that situations are diverse between countries and even within countries’. The infections are expected to peak at different times around the region, with estimates for mid-August in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, but later in Costa Rica. Daily incidence of new cases is rising in both the US and Brazil, according to the Johns Hopkins newsletter update of June 29, which also notes the rates increasing (almost doubling in recent weeks) in India and South Africa. More in the June 30 WHO sitrep.
The EU is opening up for non-essential travellers from 15 countries (including Australia and New Zealand) on July 1; a fortnightly review of the list will include their epidemiological criteria and containment measures. Read more
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.