As the world witnesses the worst of the pandemic, The overall number of global Covid cases now nears 134 million. The death toll from the virus is also fast nearing the grim milestone of 3 million.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count reached 133,991,203 while the death toll from the virus mounted to 2,903,728 on Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization has recorded more than 667,000 global coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours.
The US has so far recorded 31,002,572 cases and 560,116 deaths, as per the university data.
In the US, nearly half of new coronavirus infections are in just five states -- a situation that is putting pressure on the federal government to consider changing how it distributes vaccines by sending more doses to hotspots, reports AP.
New York, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey together reported 44% of the nation’s new Covid-19 infections, in the latest available seven-day period, according to the state health agency data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Brazil on Tuesday registered a record 4,195 deaths from Covid in a single day, taking the accumulated pandemic toll to 336,947, the Ministry of Health said.
In Brazil, 13,279,857 people have tested positive so far, with 345,025 fatalities.
Neighbouring India has recorded 13,060,542 cases with the highest single-day rise. 167,642 people died as of Friday afternoon, according to the data.
The coronavirus pandemic started in 2021 amid its deadliest phase yet. As the effects of unheeded holiday travel warnings set in and more contagious variants of the virus took hold, parts of North and South America, Europe, and the Mideast saw record confirmed cases and deaths in January, UNB reports citing AP.
Halfway through the first month of the year, the worldwide death toll reached 2 million. Virus-related deaths in the US surpassed 400,000 four days later and hit 500,000 a little more than a month after that. National lockdowns and extended bans on international travel were reimposed as infections climbed again, replaying scenes from the early months of the crisis.
More than 47% of the 190 countries providing ongoing epidemiological data reported increases in the 7-day rolling average for new cases between the end of February and the beginning of March. More than one-third showed Covid-19 deaths on the upswing.
The pandemic, which had been tamed in some places over the summer before roaring back in the final months of last year, still could be more lion than lamb as spring approaches.
Vaccination campaign
Nationalism also complicated the largest vaccination campaign in world history.
The AstraZeneca vaccine developed in Britain struggled to win full-throated endorsements elsewhere in Europe.
Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine and vaccines made in China became instruments of geopolitics and tools in international diplomacy. Eager to secure shots for their citizens and to display industrial prowess, Turkey and India signed agreements to produce Sputnik V. The Balkan nation of Serbia jumped ahead in vaccinating its residents by securing both the Russian and Chinese vaccines.
As he prepared to take over the White House, Joe Biden committed to administering 100 million shots during the first 100 days of his presidency. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized three vaccines for use in the US, all developed or co-developed by American companies --Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
India lacks jabs
More than 700 million people across India are facing vaccine shortages, local media report, as infection numbers hit yet another daily record, with more than 131,968 new cases.
10 million French doses
France has given the first jab of a Covid-19 vaccine to 10 million people, Prime Minister Jean Castex says, amid an acceleration in the rollout after a sluggish start.
Germany on Sputnik V
Germany says it might go it alone within the European Union and buy doses of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine if it means it can speed up its inoculation campaign.
The vaccine makers in Moscow say talks are underway with Berlin's representatives.
Africa warning
The World Health Organization warns that Africa is on the "sidelines" of the worldwide vaccination drive, accounting for only 2% of inoculations.
Indonesia shot delays
Jakarta warns of delays in getting over 100 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine because of export restrictions in India and company supply holds-ups.