(Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) Experts say that the southern United States may surge in summer infections in many European countries to relax new crown epidemic prevention restrictions

　　China News Service, Beijing, May 2. Comprehensive news: According to the latest statistics from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, as of 8:21 on May 2, Beijing time, the cumulative number of confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in the world has reached 513,815,538. There were 6,236,347 deaths.

Americas: Experts say southern states may see a surge in infections in summer

　　According to a CNN report on May 1, Deborah Birx, the former White House coronavirus coordinator, said in an interview with the media that confirmed cases of the new crown in the southern states of the United States may be During the summer surge, the government should prepare for it.

Data map: On January 4, local time, a new coronavirus testing station on 14th Street in Manhattan, New York, USA tests residents.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liao Pan

　　Birx said public health officials need to show the public that natural immunity weakens over time, and that susceptible and low-resistance people should take precautions.

Home testing kits and booster shots are key tools to help Americans cope with the surge.

　　The Associated Press reported on May 1 that the Broadway League of America said in a statement that starting that day, owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theaters will extend the requirement to wear masks until at least the end of May, but many theaters will. No more checking customers' proof of vaccinations.

Viewers are advised to check each theatre's website for more information.

　　Several Broadway shows have been canceled in recent months after actors tested positive for the virus.

Europe: Many European countries ease new crown epidemic prevention restrictions

　　Greece and Italy eased some coronavirus restrictions ahead of the peak summer travel season in Europe, the Associated Press reported on May 1.

　　The Greek Civil Aviation Authority announced on the same day that the new crown epidemic prevention restrictions on international and domestic flights were lifted, and only the provisions of wearing masks on flights and in airports were retained.

Previously, air travelers were required to show proof of vaccination, proof of negative nucleic acid test or proof of recovery.

　　Italy, on the other hand, has eliminated health passes required to enter restaurants, cinemas, gyms and other venues.

Masks will no longer be required to enter supermarkets, workplaces and shops, but will still be required on public transport, cinemas and in all healthcare facilities and nursing homes.

　　According to a report by the Times of Malta on May 1, Malta Health Minister Chris Fearne said on the same day that May 1 marked the end of the new crown epidemic.

　　According to the report, starting from May 2, Malta will relax a series of public health restrictions on the new crown epidemic, and it will no longer be mandatory to wear masks in public places, hospitals and nursing homes, and passengers will no longer need to fill in a passenger locator form when arriving in Malta.

Asia: South Korea's daily increase in cases fell below 30,000 after 87 days

　　According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea’s Central Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters reported on the 2nd that as of 0:00 that day, South Korea had added 20,084 new confirmed cases of new crowns compared to 0:00 the previous day.

The number of new cases in a single day decreased by 17,687 from the previous day. This is the first time that the number of new cases in a single day has dropped below 30,000 in 87 days since February 4 this year, and it is also the lowest value since February 1.

　　In addition, with the relaxation of South Korea's epidemic prevention measures and the increase of inbound and outbound passengers, from May 1, airports in many places in South Korea, including Incheon International Airport, have gradually restarted international routes, increasing the total number of international flights per week to 520. shifts.

Among them, South Korean large airlines mainly expand their return to Europe and the United States and other medium and long-haul routes, while low-cost airlines focus on short- and medium-haul flights in Asia.

　　Since May 1, local time, Thailand has cancelled the nucleic acid test requirements for new coronaviruses for immigrants, and replaced them with rapid virus testing. The number of people entering Thailand through the Thailand-Malaysia border Sandao port on the same day increased to more than 1,300, which is the first time since the outbreak of the new crown virus. The day with the largest number of people passing through the port.

　　On the same day, Songkhla Province in southern Thailand also became a new tourist open area, and the end time of allowed drinking in restaurants was extended from 23:00 to 24:00.

Africa: South Africa enters new wave of outbreaks

　　Recently, the epidemic in South Africa has rebounded.

Since the end of April, the number of confirmed cases of the new crown in the country has increased significantly.

In this regard, South African Health Minister Joe Fahra made it clear at a regular press conference held a few days ago that South Africa is entering a new wave, that is, the fifth wave of the epidemic peak is basically a foregone conclusion.

Under such circumstances, the South African people must remain vigilant enough to prevent the epidemic from having a huge impact on South African society again.

　　Fahra pointed out that the newly confirmed cases in South Africa are mainly caused by the mutant strains BA.4 and BA.5 of Omicron.

　　Fakhra said that the most effective way to prevent the new crown epidemic is still vaccination, and he once again urged the South African people to complete the vaccination as soon as possible to jointly fight against the new crown epidemic.

　　According to the "Lianhe Zaobao" report on May 2, a laboratory study in South Africa found that two new subtypes of the Omicron mutant strain can evade people's previous infection with other strains and vaccines. of antibodies.

　　Test results of blood samples showed that in the face of BA.4 and BA.5 mutant strains, the neutralizing antibodies produced by people who had been infected with the original strain of Omicron were only one-eighth of the normal level; those who had been vaccinated against the new crown virus Neutralizing antibody production was reduced by about two-thirds.

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