Approved vaccinations expected to kick off in the UK and US this week

Global update:

• Global cases have surpassed 67,40 million, while the death toll has surpassed 1,54 million; recoveries are at 46,58 million.
• The US now has 15,15 million cases, accounting for 22% of global cases; the death toll is 288,906.
• Vaccinations could begin as early as Friday in the US, with hopes to reach around 20 million people there by year-end.
• All US citizens wanting a vaccine should have access to it by Q2:21.
• India has 9,67 million cases and 140,590 deaths; Brazil 6,60 million cases and 176,962 deaths; Russia 2,46 million cases and 43,141 deaths.
• In the UK, vaccinations will begin on Tuesday; top priority is to be given to the over-80s, frontline healthcare workers and care home staff and residents.
• In Russia, more than 2 million doses of its Sputnik V vaccine will be ready for use soon.

Africa update:

• Africa’s COVID-19 cases are at 2,27 million; fatalities are at 53,961.
• Morocco has 379,657 reported cases, Nigeria 69,255, Ghana 52,274, Kenya 88,380.
• As the rest of the world races to acquire vaccines, Africa faces challenges in acquiring and deploying the vaccinations across the continent. Africa aims to have 60% of its population vaccinated in the next 2-3 years, according to the African Union’s disease control group. While some European countries expect to begin vaccinations this year, vaccinations in Africa are unlikely to begin until midway through 2021.

South Africa update:

• SA currently has the 17th highest caseload, with 814,565, an increase of 4,116 new cases.
• Covid-19 deaths rose by 139 yesterday, to 22,206; 744,780 people have recovered from the virus.
• Gauteng has the highest number of confirmed cases, at 237,719 (accounting for 29.2% of the total); 5,040 deaths have been reported. 
• The Western Cape has 140,257 (accounting for 17.2% of the total) and 4,794 deaths, while KwaZulu-Natal has 131,350 (accounting for 16.1% of the total) and 3,388 deaths.
• The Eastern Cape has 136,772 cases (accounting for 16.8% of the total) and 4,978 deaths.
• 5.59 million tests have been conducted since 5 March;26,735 tests were conducted yesterday.
• President Ramaphosa has extended the State of Disaster to 15 January 2021 and announced stricter lockdown measures for hotspot region Nelson Mandela Bay. This region’s curfew has been amended to 22h00 to 04h00. There are also renewed restrictions on alcohol sales and consumption in the region. The president has urged the nation to adhere to social distancing protocols to avoid the spread of the virus.

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