In its COVID-19 update last week, the WHO said that the global incidence of new cases had fallen slightly, but the upward trend in deaths since mid-June has continued. In the Western Pacific region, cases and deaths both rose – up 20 percent and 44 percent respectively, and the greatest proportional increases were observed in the Federated States of Micronesia (up 4,503 percent) and the Cook Islands (up 491 percent). Read more. While new cases and deaths declined over the reporting period in Europe, the German government has plans in place for the cooler seasons as it works to avoid further strain on the health system. From Oct 1 to April 7 next year, the wearing of masks will be mandated on long-distance public transport and during air travel, with additional testing and masking requirements for access to institutions with vulnerable people i.e. hospitals and care homes. State authorities have the option to introduce their own restrictions. Read more.
In other news:
- The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is conducting rolling reviews of the HIPRA bivalent recombinant protein vaccine (to be used as a booster in people aged 16 years and above) and an updated Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which targets the original SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron subvariants BA.4/5. Deliveries could begin in October, pending the results of clinical trials. Read more
- From Oct 1, Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) will downgrade COVID-19 into the category ‘communicable diseases under surveillance’ which requires the same degree of monitoring as dengue fever and influenza. Read more in the Bangkok Post.
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.