Covid-19 around the world: New Zealand extends lockdown in Auckland

The Covid-19 pandemic has killed at least 4.6 million people worldwide since the end of December 2019, according to a report prepared by the agency France-Presse (AFP) at noon on Sunday, 12 September from official sources . The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the toll of the pandemic could be two or three times higher than the figures estimate, taking into account the high mortality rates directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19.

• New Zealand: Long imprisonment in Auckland

New Zealand’s largest city will be confined for at least an additional week to prevent the spread of the delta variant which is ” Emerging “announced Monday, September 13, the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.

Auckland’s two million residents must stay at home due to the emergence of multiple “Mysterious Case” Which has not yet been linked to the groups, M. explained^Me Ardern. “These mysterious cases keep coming up and what worries us is their detection through surveillance and population screening rather than contact tracing.”couple m^Me Ardern.

As the first case of the highly contagious Delta variant was reported, New Zealand imposed a national lockdown on 17 August. But the containment order was lifted last week across the country except in Auckland, as all new cases were reported in the city. The prime minister ruled out lifting Auckland’s strict controls before 21 September, but speculated that the city, currently on Alert 4, or maximum level, should go down a step.

• Australia: Control of the capital Canberra has been extended for a month

Canberra’s 400,000 residents have been forced to stay at home for a month after the city reported its first case of COVID-19. And the imprisonment of the Australian capital will last at least another month, as officials announced, extending until mid-October on Tuesday, September 14.

The epidemic focus associated with the delta variant, which is much more contagious, remains limited, with 252 active cases and 276 cured people so far. Andrew Barr, the head of government for the Australian Capital Territory, said officials continue to limit transmission of the virus and vaccinate as many people as possible.

“This is the safest way to go. This will make Christmas, summer vacation and the year 2022 possible without any risk”he said in a press conference.

In contrast, residents of Sydney met on Monday for a picnic together, the first day of the remission of a lengthy confinement. Family and friends have gathered at the parks and beaches of Australia’s largest city, following the appearance of the Delta version paralyzed for eleven weeks.

This is only the beginning of a return to normal life, however, as rules remain strict, with outdoor gatherings limited to five fully vaccinated people for a maximum of one hour. Some sensitive areas are subject to even stricter rules. There is a ban on travel within a radius of 5 km in the city.

• England: Vaccine given to 12-15 year olds

Following advice from the chief doctors of four countries in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the government announced on Monday evening that England would offer immunizations to 12-15-year-olds early next week.

The vaccination schedule will be carried out by the schools, as is already the case with other vaccines, with the consent of the parents or the authorities. The local governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be required to communicate their decision.

The recommendation differs from the findings of the committee overseeing the vaccination campaign, which raises concerns about reluctance on the part of families to implement it despite fears related to the recent start of the school year.

Three million adolescents in this age group are eligible to receive the first and single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the UK. Four British chief medical officers have also asked the committee to decide on the administration of a second dose to adolescents in this age group once more data become available worldwide.

Children over the age of 12 who have health problems that have made them vulnerable to COVID-19 are already eligible for the vaccination, which is already open to all 16-17 year olds.

• Portugal: End of mandatory wearing of masks outside

Wearing a mask outside became mandatory on Monday in Portugal, the country with the world’s highest vaccination rate and low number of new coronavirus cases. The measure was taken because Parliament did not detail the law that made masks mandatory on the streets from the end of October 2020.

Wearing a mask is still recommended in the event of a gathering or when it is impossible to respect social distancing, explained the General Directorate of Health in a directive published on Monday. Therefore masks are mandatory in public places such as shops, public transport, schools or theatres.

• Pope calls for “fraternity” beyond borders

Pope Francis advocated Monday “a fraternity” Crossing borders in a Europe hard-hit by the Covid-19 during a visit to Slovakia must revive its economy weakened by the pandemic. “It is this fraternity that we need to foster a more urgent integration”The sovereign pontiff recommended, speaking before the political and civil authorities of this country of 5.4 million inhabitants.

“It is urgent now, when after the difficult months of the pandemic, a long-awaited economic recovery is taking shape with many difficulties, in favor of recovery plans from the EU”François, arrived in Bratislava on Sunday after a stop in Budapest, where he held talks behind closed doors with the sovereignty leader Viktor Orban.

“This country must reaffirm its message of unification and peace, and Europe distinguishes itself by a solidarity that can cross borders and bring it back to the center of history”, she pleaded