Chinanews, August 17th. According to the latest statistics from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, as of 7:27 on August 17, Beijing time, the total number of confirmed cases of new crown worldwide exceeded 21.59 million, and the cumulative number of deaths exceeded 773,000. example. The number of deaths from the new crown in the United States exceeds 170,000, and the number of child infections continues to rise. However, the US media said that “people have almost no signs of collective mourning”; at the same time, the new crown virus continues to spread and the cluster activities in many countries have led to a surge in cases; Due to the epidemic situation, the Prime Minister of New Zealand decided to postpone the general election to October.

Data map: On August 9, local time, pedestrians in Times Square, New York, USA.

U.S. children with new crown cases continue to increase

The government still tried its best to call on schools to resume classes

　　According to data from Johns Hopkins University, as of the 16th local time, in the United States in the past 20 days, there were more than 1,000 new deaths from the new crown in 16 days. As of now, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the United States has exceeded 5.4 million, and the death toll has exceeded 170,000. According to US media, although this is a new tragedy facing the United States following the "9.11" incident, there are few signs of collective mourning.

　　What's more worrying is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the number of children with new coronary infections in the United States continues to increase. According to the CDC, the latest evidence shows that compared with adults, children may have the same or higher viral load, and children can effectively spread the virus in their homes and camps. In addition, the hospitalization rate of children is increasing.

　　In stark contrast, the Trump administration is trying its best to call for schools to resume classes. U.S. President Trump’s son-in-law and White House adviser Kushner said in an interview on the 16th that he is not worried about sending his children back to school during the new crown epidemic. He said: "Because children are six times more likely to die from the flu than from the new coronavirus...I don't think that is a risk."

On August 15, local time, the tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, reopened. Tourists wore masks to visit.

98.7% of Brazilian cities have new crown cases

President's youngest son diagnosed with infection

　　As of 18:00 local time on August 16th, the Brazilian Ministry of Health stated that the cumulative number of confirmed new crown cases in Brazil exceeded 3.34 million, and the cumulative death toll exceeded 107,000. On the same day, statistics from the state health departments showed that the new crown epidemic has spread to 98.7% of the country's cities, and 67 cities have not reported confirmed cases.

　　On the same day, Brazilian President Bolsonaro’s wife Michele announced on her personal social network that she had recovered from the new crown pneumonia. On the 15th, the ex-wife of the Brazilian President announced that his son with Bolsonaro, 22-year-old Jair Bolsonaro, was diagnosed with the new coronavirus.

　　According to reports, in April 2020, Jair Bolsonaro denied the existence and severity of the new crown epidemic in a video shared on social networks. He said that this is a story fabricated by the media and that the new crown pneumonia is just a small cold.

Data map: New Zealand under the epidemic.

The epidemic hinders the election process

New Zealand postpones elections for four weeks

　　After 102 consecutive days of no new cases of new crowns, New Zealand has recurred indigenous cases, with 49 related cases as of the 16th. On the 17th local time, New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern decided to postpone the general election originally scheduled for September 19 for four weeks to October 17.

　　Ardern pointed out that when making the decision to postpone the general election, she consulted the leaders of all political parties in the parliament. She also emphasized that no matter what happens to the outbreak in New Zealand, she will not consider postponing the election again.

Data map: On June 23, 2020, the "goalkeeper" in front of Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, South Korea, wore a mask "on duty". Photo by China News Agency reporter Zeng Nai

South Korea’s religious gatherings become the "culprit"

British bars may "detonate" the epidemic

　　Recently, cluster activities have caused a surge in new crown cases in many countries.

　　The new crown epidemic in South Korea has rebounded suddenly in recent days. At 0:00 on August 16th, there were 279 new cases at 0:00 the previous day, the largest single-day increase in more than 5 months. South Korean President Moon Jae-in criticized that individual churches successively violated the epidemic prevention regulations and held large gatherings, resulting in a surge in confirmed diagnoses. Some believers also refused to accept virus testing and epidemiological investigations, which seriously hindered epidemic prevention work.

　　In Durham County, England, 4 confirmed cases of new crowns appeared in a bar, putting more than 100 people at risk of contracting the new crown virus. Local health officials said that the four cases are linked to each other, and that "more than 100 people have been to the Stanley Empire Club in the past three days", which may "detonate" the epidemic.

On July 22, local time, in Johannesburg, South Africa, an employee of a car wash shop wore masks to wash cars for customers. Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Xi

Cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Africa exceed 1.1 million

Air traffic almost came to a standstill

　　As of 22:00 on August 16th, Eastern Africa Time, data from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that a total of 11,100,53 confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in Africa, 25,356 deaths, and 825,394 people recovered.

　　Affected by the epidemic, Mohamed Bakri, vice president of the Africa and Middle East region of the International Air Transport Association, said that the epidemic has brought air traffic across the continent to a halt. The economic consequences of this halt are severe, and the jobs and livelihoods of millions of people are at risk. For Africa’s economic recovery and future prosperity, it is essential to accelerate the safe restart of the aviation industry.