Vaccine rollouts gain traction, albeit unevenly

Global update:

• Global cases have surpassed 120.41 million, while the death toll has surpassed 2.66 million; recoveries are at 96.96 million.
• The US has 30.08 million cases, accounting for 26% of global cases; the death toll is 547,234. 
• Anthony Fauci has noted that the refusal of some Americans to receive a vaccine is one of the biggest risks to controlling viral spread. 
• US President Joe Biden has doubled the J&J vaccine order with the aim of building a stockpile larger than the population. 
• Infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci has commented that the US would be likely to have reached herd immunity by August.
• India has 11.38 million cases and 158,762 deaths; Brazil 11.48 million cases and 278,327 deaths.
• The European Medicines Agency indicated that it has found evidence linking clotting to the AstraZeneca vaccine. As such, the drugs agency has recommended the use of the J&J vaccine on the bloc.
• The EU regulator has approved the J&J vaccine; J&J aims to begin deliveries in late April. AstraZeneca however has indicated “no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or blood-clotting”.
• AstraZeneca has said that it may deliver less than half of the vaccines that were expected for April and June. 
• A UK trial analysis noted that the Novavax vaccine was 96.4% effective against mild, moderate and severe symptoms.
• Thailand has temporarily halted the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine until there’s more clarity around potential blood clots. Ireland too has suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
• Moderna has started testing participants in a study of booster shots for emerging variants. 
• More than 359 million doses have been administered across 122 countries at a rate of 9.25 million doses a day.

Africa update:

• Africa’s Covid-19 cases are at 4.06 million; fatalities are at 107,981.
• Morocco has 488,937 reported cases, Nigeria 160,657, Ghana 87,762, Kenya 113,236.
• The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has noted that the low death rate in Africa can be ascribed to the continent’s young population. 
• While Africa has fared better than expected with lower fatalities, the pandemic has exacerbated existing economic inequality, slowed economic growth, and stalled efforts to confront other public health emergencies.
• Africa has also trailed other continents in acquiring vaccines. The Africa CDC has warned that COVAX vaccinations will not be enough for the continent as it is faced with complex challenges, including oxygen shortages.
• Vaccination rollouts are however picking up speed. 

South Africa update:

• SA currently has the 16th highest caseload, at 1.529 million; 1,006 new cases were reported yesterday.
• Covid-19 deaths rose by 65 yesterday, to 51,326; 1.454 million people (or 95%) have recovered from the virus.
• Gauteng has the highest number of confirmed cases, at 409,173 (accounting for 26.8% of the total); 10,011 deaths have been reported. 
• The Western Cape has 280,031 (accounting for 18.3% of the total) and 11,353 deaths, while KwaZulu-Natal has 331,854 (accounting for 21.7% of the total) and 9,832 deaths.
• The Eastern Cape has 194,333 cases (accounting for 12,7% of the total) and 11,323 deaths.
• 9.450 million tests have been conducted since 5 March; 23,903 tests were conducted yesterday.
• 145,544 healthcare workers have been vaccinated to date.
• The health minister has indicated that SA could get 20 million more J&J vaccine doses; SA currently has an agreement for 11 million doses. The J&J shot is being administered to 500,000 healthcare workers in a research study to evaluate it before a larger-scale rollout is expected in Q2:21. 

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