China News Service, July 24. According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, as of 8:35 on the 24th Beijing time, the total number of confirmed cases of new crown worldwide exceeded 15.43 million and the cumulative deaths exceeded 630,000. According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of the world's cases come from three countries; the United States has over 4 million confirmed cases; some governments have issued "relentless measures" to increase prevention and control; many Western countries have spent huge sums of money to pre-purchase the new crown vaccine.

The data picture shows Tan Desai, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

WHO: Nearly half of the world's cases come from 3 countries

　　More than 10,000 medical staff in Africa diagnosed

　　On July 23, local time, WHO Director-General Tan Desai said at a regular press conference that although all countries are affected by the new crown epidemic, the spread of the epidemic is particularly serious in several countries. Of all the confirmed cases reported so far, nearly half are from three countries.

　　Tedros said that the new crown pandemic has changed our way of life. We will not return to the "old normal". Part of adapting to the "new normal" is finding ways to live safely.

　　Tan Desai reiterated that political leadership and community participation are the two important pillars of responding to the new crown epidemic. The best way to curb transmission and save lives is to let individuals and communities manage risks to protect themselves and the health of those around them.

　　On the same day, the African Regional Office of the World Health Organization announced that the new crown epidemic posed a threat to health workers in many African countries. So far, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Africa has exceeded 750,000, of which more than 10,000 are health workers. It is worth noting that the African country Uganda announced on the same day that the country had its first death from new coronary pneumonia.

On July 15, local time, in Florida, USA, locals drove in a long queue waiting to be tested for the new crown virus. Image source: Visual China

The cumulative number of cases in the U.S. exceeds 4 million

　　Trump cancels the Republican National Convention

　　At present, the cumulative number of new crown cases in the United States exceeds 4.03 million, and the number of deaths exceeds 144,000. In the past 15 days, the number of new crown cases in the United States has increased by about 1 million.

　　The Florida Health Department reported on the 23rd that the state had a total of 389,000 confirmed cases and 173 new deaths in a single day. On the same day, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in California reached 425,000, with 157 new deaths. New deaths in a single day in the above two states both set a record.

　　According to reports, the "sunbelt" including Florida and California has become the hardest hit area in the United States. The U.S. Health Care Administration said that the intensive care unit of more than 50 hospitals in Florida has reached its limit, and only 15% of ICU beds are available.

　　The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that by August 15th, more than 164,000 people in the United States may die from new coronary pneumonia.

　　Affected by the epidemic, on July 23 local time, US President Trump announced that he would cancel the Republican National Congress originally planned to be held in Florida Week. Trump said: "The timing of this event is wrong. Now is not the right time to hold a large meeting."

On June 21, 2020, local time, Baghdad, Iraq, the Baghdad International Exhibition Center built a 525-bed "square cabin hospital" to respond to the new crown pneumonia epidemic.

Signs of the outbreak in multiple countries

　　The government issued a "relentless move" to increase prevention and control

　　As countries promoted "unblocking", the epidemic situation in some regions showed signs of resurgence.

　　With more than 100,000 confirmed cases in Iraq, the situation of epidemic prevention and control is not optimistic. Israel added 1977 confirmed cases on the 22nd, again approaching the "red line" of 2,000 cases in a single day. Israel’s Health Minister Edelstein said that Israel may face another “total closure”.

　　Since May 9th, about 550 cluster infections have occurred in France. The French health department believes that during the summer vacation, the spread of the French new crown epidemic is increasing. Health Minister Wieland assured that stricter border inspection measures will be introduced.

　　In recent weeks, the number of confirmed cases and hospitalizations in Belgium has also increased. Belgian Prime Minister Vermes announced on the 23rd that the people of the country will be forced to wear masks in Brussels' outdoor markets, busy shopping areas and the passages of public buildings, and only meet up to 15 people a week.

　　In order to prevent the second wave of the epidemic, the Malaysian government has decided to force people to wear masks in public places and when taking public transportation from August 1. Violators can be fined 1,000 ringgits (about 1,645 yuan) or face up to six Monthly imprisonment or both.

　　On July 23, local time, South African President Ramaphosa stated on live television that he would take strict measures to control the epidemic. All public schools in South Africa will be closed on July 27 and will reopen on August 24 (except for Grade 12 and Grade 7).

Data map: On February 1, researchers were demonstrating the experimental process of developing a new coronavirus mRNA vaccine. Photo by Tang Yanjun

New crown vaccine research and development continue to advance

　　Western countries spend huge sums of money on pre-orders

　　Currently, countries are still stepping up the development of new crown vaccines. Michael Ryan, the head of WHO's health emergency project, once said that the vaccine is expected to be officially launched on the market in the first half of 2021. Ruian emphasized that the WHO is working hard to ensure a fair distribution of vaccines.

　　However, many Western countries have begun to spend a lot of money to buy vaccines. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. and the German Biotech Company confirmed on the 22nd that if clinical trials prove that the new crown vaccine jointly developed by the two pharmaceutical companies is safe and effective, the US government will pay 1.95 billion US dollars to purchase 100 million doses of vaccine for 50 million people to vaccinate.

　　In addition to booking 100 million doses of vaccines from Oxford University and AstraZeneca, the UK has also ordered up to 90 million doses of vaccines from many European and American pharmaceutical companies. The Canadian government even purchased 37 million syringes last month to prepare for mass vaccination. In contrast, it is undoubtedly difficult to ensure that poor countries can also be vaccinated in time.