(Reuters) – Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:
Global COVID-19 death toll exceeds 4 million
Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide passed 4 million on Thursday, according to a Reuters tally, as many countries struggle to procure enough vaccines to inoculate their populations.
It took over a year for the COVID-19 death toll to hit 2 million, while the next 2 million were recorded in just 166 days, according to a Reuters analysis.
Cases hit an all-time daily high in Moscow
Daily cases of COVID-19 hit an all-time high in Moscow on Friday, official data showed, with the number of new cases in the Russian capital tripling in two weeks to reach 9,056 amid talk of a third wave.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said he was extending restrictions imposed earlier such as bans on public events with more than 1,000 people, shutting cafes and restaurants at night, and closing soccer fan zones set up for the European Championship.
Russia reported 17,262 new cases nationwide on Friday, pushing the national infection tally to 5,281,309 since the pandemic began.
Health experts warn of Olympic COVID-19 threat
Japan’s top medical experts warned on Friday that holding the Olympic Games during the pandemic could increase infections, and said banning all spectators was the least risky option, setting up a possible collision with organisers.
The report, led by top health adviser Shigeru Omi, was released after Tokyo 2020’s organising committee chief told the Sankei newspaper she wanted to allow up to 10,000 spectators at stadiums for the Games, which kick off on July 23.
Japan is pushing ahead with hosting the delayed Games despite worries about another surge in infections and strong public opposition. Organisers have banned spectators from overseas.
India should brace for third wave, say health experts
A third wave of infections is likely to hit India by October, and although it will be better controlled than the latest outbreak the pandemic will remain a public health threat for at least another year, according to a Reuters poll of medical experts.
The June 3-17 snap survey of 40 healthcare specialists, doctors, scientists, virologists, epidemiologists and professors from around the world showed a significant pickup in vaccinations will likely provide some cover to a fresh outbreak.
Of those who ventured a prediction, over 85% of respondents, said the next wave will hit by October, including three who forecast it as early as August and 12 in September. The remaining three said between November and February.
Britain reports steep rise in Delta variant cases
Britain has reported another steep rise in weekly reported cases of the Delta coronavirus variant, Public Health England data showed on Friday. Concerns about the variant prompted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to decide this week to delay the final lifting of lockdown restrictions.
PHE said there had been 33,630 new cases of the Delta variant in the week to June 16, taking the number of confirmed cases to 75,953, a 79% increase on the previous total.
Notting Hill Carnival, billed as Europe’s biggest street party, has been cancelled for a second year in a row, organisers said on Friday.
(Compiled by Linda Noakes; Editing by Frances Kerry)
