Several countries tighten restrictions in an effort to contain the spread of the "epidemic"
"Covid-19" injuries around the world exceed 25 million ... and a record high in India
Students of Huazhong University of Science and Technology queue up with their bags upon their return to campus in Wuhan, China. EPA
The number of "Covid-19" injuries in the world exceeded 25 million yesterday, amid a record outbreak in India, while several countries tightened restrictions in an effort to contain the spread of the epidemic.
A million additional injuries have been recorded in the world almost every four days since mid-July, according to the AFP tally, while India recorded, yesterday, a record daily increase in the number of injuries, which reached 78,761 cases.
The spike in infections in India, which has a population of 1.3 billion, came as the government eased further restrictions over the weekend in hopes of easing pressure on the economy.
Even countries such as New Zealand and North Korea that had previously controlled the outbreak of the epidemic with them, now found themselves in front of new groups of infections.
On the other side of the world, Latin America, which is the region most affected by the virus, is still trying to control the first wave of infections, as the number of deaths from "Covid-19" in Brazil exceeded 120 thousand, which is the largest number after that recorded in the United States.
The researcher at the Institute of Public Health in Brazil, "Fucruz", Christofam Barcellulose, said that the curve in the country "has stabilized at the moment, but is still at a very dangerous level: about 1000 deaths and 40 thousand injuries per day." "Brazil has not yet crossed the peak," he added.
The epidemic has killed about 843,000 people around the world so far, and while no vaccine or treatment has been discovered yet. It forced governments to resort to imposing some form of social distancing and lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The masks will become mandatory starting today, Monday, on public transport and flights in New Zealand, which have remained for more than 100 days without local infections recorded before the current group of infections appeared.
The restrictions aimed at containing the virus were tightened starting yesterday, in South Korea, which is also working hard to contain new groups of infections, including in the greater Seoul region, which is home to half of the country's population.
Despite the high numbers of injuries, the world is still witnessing protests against the measures of closures and social distancing, often due to their economic costs.
Opposition to these measures brings together hard-line right-wing and left-wing currents alike, along with proponents of conspiracy theories and opponents of vaccination campaigns.
Demonstrations took place in London and Zurich, where some carried banners in support of the "Q-Anon" movement, which promoted strange theories about secret associations of Satanists and "deep state" plans without reliable evidence.
The Federation of British Universities and Colleges called for the necessity for these educational institutions to cancel their plans to reopen their doors next month so that students traveling do not spread the Coronavirus in the country, calling for teaching curricula online.
The British government has been criticized for its moves to resume studies, especially after the disagreement over exam results for school students and a failed attempt to return all students to their classes this year. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on the British to return to a semblance of normal life after a general lockdown to prevent the Corona virus, asking workers to return to offices to help the economy recover from a 20% contraction in the three months from April to June.
But the Federation of Universities and Colleges said that it was too early to return students to universities, warning that they might be held responsible if the "Covid-19" cases increased.
Many universities say they are ready to reopen next month after weeks of preparation, and some students say they have already spent money on things like housing in preparation for the new semester.
The epidemic has turned economies and societies around the world upside down and stopped most large gatherings, be they sporting, musical, religious or political.
The most prominent sporting, cultural and musical events also face the challenge of hosting crowds without risking infection.
But the situation looked somewhat bright on Saturday in New York, which was in the past among the biggest hotspots of "Covid-19" in the world.
Visitors waved, clapped and lined up to buy tickets at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which reopened its doors to the public in a festive atmosphere after a six-month closure.
Tracy-Ann Samuel, who came with her two daughters, aged four and nine, said she could not wait again "to be surrounded by the wonderful works of art." "This means that there is what can be considered a normal situation," she said.
"Metropolitan has been a part of New York's history for more than 150 years ... so it's a big first step," she added.
Despite the high number of casualties, the world continues to witness protests against the measures of lockdown and social distancing.