Health and Healthcare Systems

COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 28 June

Passengers wear face masks in compliance with public health orders while riding a mostly empty train at morning commute hour in the city centre during a lockdown to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Sydney, Australia, June 28, 2021.  REUTERS/Loren Elliott - RC2A9O95JME7

Public transport in Sydney is much quieter than usual as a result of a new lockdown. Image: REUTERS/Loren Elliott

Joe Myers
Writer, Forum Agenda
  • This daily round-up brings you a selection of the latest news and updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as well as tips and tools to help you stay informed and protected.
  • Top stories: New restrictions across Australia; WHO warning on transmissions and variables; Malaysia extends national lockdown.
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1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have passed 181 million globally, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 3.92 million. More than 2.92 billion vaccination doses have been administered globally, according to Our World in Data.

A South Korean consortium has announced plans to begin production of the single-shot Sputnik Light COVID-19 vaccine from as early as September.

Authorities on the Spanish island of Mallorca are investigating a COVID-19 outbreak involving more than 600 students celebrating the end of term.

India has reported 46,148 new COVID-19 infections, according to health ministry data.

Saudi Arabia will start inoculating young people aged 12-18 with the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

There's no chance of zero COVID-19 cases among athletes arriving for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games, so strict border controls will be necessary, said Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita at a news conference on Monday.

New Zealand has extended an increased COVID-19 alert level in its capital Wellington for another two days.

Malaysia is also extending a national lockdown beyond Monday, in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Germany hopes to soon have enough COVID-19 vaccine doses to offer shots to passers-by in city centres, as it works to vaccinate at least 80% of its population.

Spain has relaxed rules requiring masks to be worn in all outdoor settings. People will still need to wear them indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible.

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2. New restrictions across Australia

Sydney, Australia, began a two-week lockdown over the weekend as new COVID-19 cases continue to cause concern. Restrictions have also been imposed across other parts of the country, with some 80% of the population now under some form of lockdown or COVID-19 restrictions.

"I think we are entering a new phase of this pandemic, with the more contagious Delta strain," federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told the Australian Broadcasting Corp on Monday, adding Australia was facing a "critical time" in its fight against COVID-19.

In Darwin, a two-day lockdown has been extended to Friday. Queensland and South Australia have reintroduced mandatory mask-wearing and restricted home gatherings, with similar restrictions introduced in Perth, state capital of Western Australia.

Restrictions are also in place in Victoria state capital Melbourne and national capital Canberra.

Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases in selected countries.
Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases in selected countries. Image: Our World in Data

3. WHO warning on transmission and variants

The World Health Organization's Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned about the risks of increased transmission of COVID-19.

"As some countries ease public health and social measures, we are starting to see increases in transmission around the world," he told a media briefing on Friday.

"More cases means more hospitalizations, further stretching health workers and health systems, which increases the risk of death."

It also increases the risk of new variants emerging, he explained. "It’s quite simple: more transmission, more variants. Less transmission, less variants".

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