Chinanews, December 27th (Zhang Aolin and Chen Shuang) No matter how reluctant, this day has come.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, as of December 27, Beijing time, the cumulative number of confirmed cases of new crown worldwide exceeded 80 million!
It took 16 days to increase from 60 million cases to 70 million cases, while the latest increase of 10 million cases took only 14 days.
The number of confirmed cases of the new crown is increasing faster and faster, the virus has mutated, increased infectivity, and even invaded Antarctica... Although 2020 is coming to an end, the epidemic situation is still very serious.
The virus is "siege". Under the crisis, vaccines developed by many countries have come out, and vaccination has been initiated one after another. In this fierce battle against the epidemic, can mankind reverse the situation?
On December 20, local time, the British capital London and some surrounding areas began to upgrade their epidemic prevention measures to become a four-level blockade control zone. After the news was suddenly announced on the afternoon of the 19th, nearly 300,000 residents quickly "fleeed" through railways, roads, etc. London.
[The virus mutates and reappears the "critical" situation? 】
On December 19, British Prime Minister Johnson announced that the fourth level (the highest level) blockade would be implemented in London and other places.
Subsequently, dozens of countries and regions announced that they would adopt "customs closure" measures against Britain.
All this happened so suddenly because the British discovered a mutated strain of the new crown virus, which led to a rapid increase in the rate of new crown infections in London and other places.
What is the origin of the mutant virus that has strained the nerves of many countries?
On December 22, local time, in Ramsgate, UK, a truck waiting to cross the English Channel stopped on the runway of Manston Airport.
Out of concerns about the mutation of the new crown virus, France has suspended freight and passenger travel from the UK.
——After the virus mutates, the infectivity is increased by up to 70%!
On December 22, WHO pointed out that the mutant virus was first discovered in southeast England on September 20, and its infectivity can increase by up to 70%.
In other words, the mutated virus will make the new coronavirus spread faster from person to person!
While the countries are responding urgently, British Health Secretary Hancock revealed on December 23 that another mutant virus has been found in this country, which is more infectious.
In addition, South Africa, Portugal, Brazil and other places have also discovered new variants of the new coronavirus.
What is even more worrying is that the mutant virus seems to have been spreading in many countries, including the United States, which has the largest number of confirmed cases...
-"Every 33 seconds, 1 person dies of new crown infection"
A few days ago, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that mutant viruses may have appeared in the United States.
For the United States, where the epidemic is "out of control", it is tantamount to worsening the situation.
According to statistics, more than 330,000 Americans have died due to the new crown.
According to Reuters, in the week ending December 20, 18,000 Americans were killed by the new crown virus, which is equivalent to 1 death due to the new crown every 33 seconds.
Faced with the status quo, US President-elect Biden has no choice but to warn: "The darkest days have not passed."
Data map: Chile's Bernardo Oykins Riquelme base in Antarctica.
——The last piece of "pure land" on the earth is not immune
A recent news has even aroused public anxiety.
The only "pure land" on the earth before-Antarctica is also inevitable.
On December 21, Chilean officials announced that the country’s base in Antarctica had a new crown epidemic and at least 36 people had been diagnosed.
This matter is not trivial!
Some experts said that due to the extremely low temperature in Antarctica, the virus is likely to be frozen under the ice sheet.
One day a few years later, if the "switch" of the new crown epidemic is "restarted" again, the world that has long since returned to calm may fall into catastrophe again.
On December 5, 2020, local time, in Oklahoma, USA, Santa Claus interacted with tourists in balloons to prevent excessive contact during the epidemic.
——The "Foreign Spring Festival Transport" starts, and the deterioration of the epidemic may accelerate!
There are far-sighted things, but more near-term worries!
Recently, the Christmas and New Year holidays in western countries have come one after another, and the so-called "Foreign Spring Festival Transport" has kicked off.
Although all countries have expressed that they will strengthen epidemic prevention, large-scale movement of people is still unavoidable.
Recently, a slogan appeared on the streets of the UK to the effect that "I only want one gift for Christmas, and that is 2021."
Will there really be a turnaround in 2021?
[Vaccine "rescue field", opportunity for reversal? 】
If the "battle" between humans and the new crown virus is compared to a ball game,
Obviously humans are still at a disadvantage.
However, there is still a "key player" that may help humans turn the tide of the battle.
"His" name is Vaccine.
On December 8, local time, the United Kingdom began vaccinating the new crown vaccine. Medical staff vaccinated 90-year-old woman Margaret Keenan.
According to reports, Keenan is the country's first public to receive the new crown vaccine.
—— "race" against the virus, many countries speed up the deployment of vaccination
From eradicating smallpox to driving polio into desperation,
Vaccines have always been a "weapon" for mankind to overcome diseases.
In order to contain the new crown epidemic, countries are speeding up the vaccine approval and vaccination procedures.
Strive to "outperform" the virus.
At present, a number of new crown vaccines have come out worldwide, including the "Pfizer" vaccine, the "Monad" vaccine and the "Satellite-V" vaccine.
In addition, 15 vaccines in my country have entered clinical trials,
Five of these vaccines have entered the phase III clinical trials.
On December 3, the severely affected Britain urgently authorized the use of the new crown vaccine.
Since then, the United States, Germany, Israel and many other countries have launched the first round of vaccination.
As of December 23, more than a million people in the United States had received the "first shot."
-Is the vaccine effective against mutated viruses?
Although there is a vaccine, after the virus has mutated, are these "sharp weapons" still useful?
In this regard, many WHO experts believe that there is no major impact.
However, it cannot be taken lightly. Many countries are paying close attention to the trend of mutant viruses.
WHO Chief Scientist Swaminatan also emphasized that the genetic changes of the virus should be continuously monitored and efforts should be made to reduce the speed of virus transmission, because the more the virus spreads, the greater the chance of mutation.
Data Map: New Crown Vaccine
——Are there any side effects from vaccination?
In addition to effectiveness, the safety of vaccines has also attracted much attention.
Since the start of the vaccine, two British people and many Americans have suffered allergic reactions after receiving the "Pfizer" vaccine.
Although some experts believe that there are some side effects of vaccination, there is no need to worry too much, but Ryan, the head of the British Medical and Health Regulatory Authority, said before: Anyone with a history of vaccines, drugs or food allergies should not get this vaccine.
In addition, experts from many countries have pointed out that it is best not to vaccinate pregnant women.
In order to boost the confidence of the American people in vaccines, US President-elect Biden, Vice President Pence, Speaker of the House of Representatives Pelosi, infectious disease expert Fauci and others have all publicly vaccinated.
In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu also became the country's first vaccinator.
On December 21, local time, President-elect Biden of the United States publicly vaccinated the new crown vaccine at a hospital in Delaware, hoping to prove the safety of the vaccine to the public.
2020 is about to end, and the epidemic is still raging.
However, under normal circumstances, it takes 10 years to develop a successful vaccine. Thanks to the efforts of global researchers, it came out in less than a year.
This suffices to show that global cooperation is inseparable to defeat the virus; and only by working together can we win the final victory!
(Finish)