Booster shots the way forward

Vaccine update:

• The Pfizer booster shot is on track for approval in the US following discussions on efficacy and timing.
• Moderna is also likely to receive approval for its booster vaccine.
• The Group of 20 health ministers have agreed to work towards more equity in the distribution of vaccines.
• The UK is considering vaccine passports for entry to big venues by the end of this month.
• Italy is expected to have made a decision by month-end on whether vaccines will become mandatory.
• Australia is looking to speed up vaccination rates in a bid to remove lockdown restrictions and re-open domestic and international borders by year-end.
• Globally, over 5.48 billion vaccines have been administered across 182 countries at a rate of 38.7 million doses a day.
• The WHO has urged world leaders to hold off on administering booster shots in order for poorer countries to vaccinate more of their populations with initial doses.
• The European Union is expected to provide financial assistance for the manufacture of vaccines on the African continent.
• Locally, 13.454 million vaccines have been administered to date; 18,483 vaccines were administered yesterday (vaccinations tend to be lower over weekends).

Global cases update:

• Cases have surpassed 221.55 million, while the death toll has surpassed 4.58 million; recoveries are at 198.06 million.
• The US has 40.80 million cases, accounting for 18% of global cases; the US death toll is 666,219. 
• India has 33.02 million cases and 440,785 deaths; Brazil has 20.89 million cases and 583,628 deaths.

Africa cases update:

• Africa’s Covid-19 cases are at 7.98 million; fatalities are at 199,688.
• Morocco has 884,085 reported cases, Nigeria 195,511, Ghana 120,452, Kenya 240,172.

South Africa cases update:

• SA currently has the 17th highest caseload, at 2.819 million; 5,931 new cases were reported yesterday.
• SA active cases are at 141,669; KwaZulu-Natal leads the way with 65,900 active cases, followed by the Western Cape with 19,523.
• SA Covid-19 deaths rose by 76 yesterday, to 83,419; 2.594 million people (or 92%) have recovered from the virus.
• 16.749 million tests have been conducted since 5 March 2020; 41,027 tests were conducted yesterday.
• The SA positivity rate is 14.5%.

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