The world has topped 3 million reported deaths from COVID-19, with infections rising across parts of Asia, Latin America and Europe. On Friday, the head of the World Health Organization warned the pandemic could soon be entering its worst phase yet.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “Globally, the number of new cases per week has nearly doubled over the past two months. This is approaching the highest rate of infection that we have seen so far during the pandemic.”
In Brazil, hospitals remain stretched to their limit as deaths average 3,000 per day. A new study estimated over 2,000 children under 9 have died of COVID-19 in Brazil — over half of those babies — since the pandemic started.
India recorded yet another new record of over 273,000 cases Monday. This is a surgeon at a Delhi hospital.
Dr. Arvind Kumar: “There are no beds in the ICU. There are no ventilators. There are no — medicines are in short supply. Even oxygen is in short supply in more and more states. And those who have died are waiting for hours together for a decent cremation. What can be more dangerous and more frightening than this scenario?”
While many countries have yet to inoculate even their most vulnerable, some wealthier nations are moving toward a return to normal life after successful vaccination campaigns. Israel has lifted its outdoor mask mandate and fully reopened schools. But Israel’s medical apartheid has left the majority of Palestinians out of the region’s recovery.
Here in the U.S., half the adult population has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and a quarter are fully vaccinated. The U.S. continues to average more than 67,000 new infections a day.