GLOBALLY COVID-19 CASES CROSS 21 MILLION AND DEATH TOLL HITS 756,000

Politics Telangana

From Our Bureau                                                            

15TH AUGUST 2020               

The Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world soaring to 2,10,26,758 and the death toll rising to  7,55,786 in the 216 affected countries and territories, according to the latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Globally, American region continued to be the worst-hit with 1,12,71,215 confirmed cases and 4,10,483 deaths. Europe came next with 37,33,965 confirmed cases and 2,13,674 deaths. South-East Asia region’s tally stood at 29,71,104 confirmed cases and 58,844 deaths.

Eastern Mediterranean region reported 17,10,272 confirmed cases and 45,361 deaths. African region registered 9,36,062 confirmed cases and 18,286 deaths. Western Pacific region recorded 4,03,399 confirmed cases and 9,125 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.

The International Narcotics Control Board, World Health Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have released a statement calling on governments to ensure that the procurement and supply of controlled medicines in countries meet the needs of patients, both those who have COVID-19 and those who require internationally controlled medicines for other medical conditions.

While several countries in the Americas have implemented innovative strategies to boost immunization programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about risk of exposure, as well as challenges accessing services during lockdown, have led to a reduction in vaccination coverage. This was shown in a series of surveys carried out by the WHO Regional Office for the Americas.

Africa is marking six months since the first cases of COVID-19 were detected on the continent. Cases have been gradually increasing, with South Africa bearing the brunt of the crisis, with over half a million cases and 11,000 deaths. (eom)

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