New Delhi (AFP)
India, overwhelmed by an outbreak of the pandemic which is suffocating its health system, on Tuesday crossed the mark of 20 million officially recorded cases, while Europe is easing its restrictions, in particular Germany where a return to normal looming for vaccinated people.
In India, more than 350,000 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Tuesday, a slight drop from the peak on April 30, with 402,000 infections.
"There is a very early signal of movement in the right direction," Lav Aggarwal, a senior health ministry official, said on Monday, while being cautious.
The Asian giant has reached more than 222,000 deaths and nearly 20.3 million infections since the start of the pandemic.
An outbreak attributed in particular to religious and political gatherings authorized in recent months, as well as to the inaction of the government of Narendra Modi.
Hospitals are overwhelmed and short of supplies of oxygen, medicines, beds, despite international aid that is pouring in.
"It's not as spacious as an ambulance, but it can surely save lives," he told AFP.
The prestigious Indian Premier League of cricket, the king sport in India, for its part has given up to be held in May, announced Tuesday the organizers.
- Relief for vaccinated people in Germany -
In Europe, where the time has come to ease restrictions, the German government on Tuesday adopted an order relaxing for people who have received two doses of the vaccine the many bans in place for several months.
Parliament is due to vote Thursday and Friday on this text, which could come into force this weekend.
Those affected - only 8% of the German population at this stage - will "no longer need a negative test if they want to go shopping, go to the hairdresser or visit a botanical garden, for example", detailed the Minister of Justice, Christine Lambrecht.
The recently introduced nighttime curfew from 10 p.m. will also no longer apply to these people, who will also be able to meet in private without restrictions.
Denmark has also announced new stages of its reopening, thanks to an epidemiological situation under control and with the support of its health passport, of which it is one of the pioneers in Europe.
In addition to cinemas and theaters, fitness centers can reopen from Thursday, on presentation of a "coronapas", health passport certifying a negative test of less than 72 hours, vaccination or recent recovery. of Covid-19.
Bars and restaurants, which already welcome customers on presentation of the health passport, will no longer be subject to compulsory reservations.
The ambassadors of the 27 member states of the European Union are due to examine on Wednesday a Commission proposal in favor of entry into the Union for travelers from third countries who have received the necessary doses of vaccines.
- Chinese Sinovac vaccine review in the EU -
In the EU, more than a quarter of the population has received at least one dose of the anti-Covid vaccine, the European Commission greeted on Tuesday, and more than 9% of its inhabitants are now fully vaccinated according to a tally of the AFP.
"Vaccination is accelerating in Europe: we have just passed 150 million vaccinations (...) We will have enough doses to vaccinate 70% of adults in the EU by July," tweeted Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European executive.
The European Medicines Agency announced on Tuesday the launch of a "continuous review" procedure for the Chinese laboratory Sinovac's vaccine, which paves the way for a possible application for future authorization in the European Union.
In the United States, "the light at the end of the tunnel is getting stronger," said President Joe Biden, who is aiming for at least one injection for 70% of adults by the July 4th national holiday.
The country, officially the most bereaved by the pandemic (577,500 words), is also ready to launch "immediately" a vaccination campaign for adolescents in the event of authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for them.
In Brazil, the second most bereaved country in the world, vaccine delivery has been delayed.
In seven major Brazilian cities, including Porto Alegre, injections of the second dose of the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine have been suspended for lack of doses.
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© 2021 AFP