According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and experts including the World Health Organization (WHO), Monday's coronavirus pandemic reached a sad milestone of 5 million deaths worldwide.
This is due to inconsistencies in the way data are collected and distributed in different countries and because some have consistently and obviously underreported their numbers.
China, where the virus was discovered late in 2019, reports fewer than 110,000 cases and fewer deaths than it did last year. This puts it behind smaller countries like Ireland, which has seen 445,544 confirmed cases and 5,436 deaths. China has more than 1.4 billion people, while Ireland only has 4.9 million. China's death toll has not increased in recent weeks, despite having experienced new outbreaks and closing down at least three other cities.
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After Friday's emergency authorization by the Food and Drug Administration for the use Pfizer-BioNTech PFE (-0.33% BNTX) and -2.80% for children aged 5-11, parents are advised to pay attention to this week's meetings.
On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions vaccines advisory panel will meet to discuss a recommendation for this age group. Dr. Rochelle Wilensky, the CDC head will make the final decision.
Dr. Janet Woodcock (FDA acting director) stated that there had been 1.9 million cases of COVID in the 5- to 11-year old group, and 8,300 hospitalizations. According to the Associated Press, only a third of the adult dose was approved by the FDA for kid-sized doses. Nearly 100 children died from COVID.
This vaccine will allow children to return to school in a way that is better than being isolated at home and not being able see their friends. Dr. Kawsar Tallaat from Johns Hopkins University said. They will be protected as well as our communities by the vaccine.
Moderna MRNA (-3.59%) said Monday that it would delay filing a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to authorize emergency-use of its COVID-19 vaccine at a 50-milligram dose for children aged 6-11 to allow the regulator to review an earlier submission for use by adolescents 12-17 years old.
In a Sunday press release, the company said that the FDA had advised it that it required more time to assess the request for the 100 mg dose level in 12- and 17-year olds. Moderna was informed late Friday by the FDA that it needed more time to examine the data regarding the risk of myocarditis following vaccination. This rare condition is not considered to pose an increased risk to adolescents, according to the agency.
Also see: Novavax stocks jump after submission of data regarding COVID-19 vaccine candidate to Health Canada.
According to the AP, Mayor Bill de Blasio reported that more than 91% of New York City's municipal workers were fully vaccinated before Monday's deadline. Blasio tweeted Saturday night, stating that 91% had been vaccinated. This is a significant increase from the 83% figure as of Friday night.
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A city mandate has required that all persons who have not received at least one vaccine dose will be placed on unpaid leave beginning Monday. This could lead to shortages in police, fire, and EMS personnel. New York is home to more than 300,000.
Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, has been diagnosed with COVID. She is currently experiencing mild symptoms. Psaki claimed she last spoke with President Joe Biden Tuesday when she met him at the White House. Psaki claimed they were six feet apart and wore masks. Biden is currently visiting Scotland to attend a U.N. Climate Summit.
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According to a New York Times tracker report, the U.S. still has more than 1,300 COVID deaths per day. However, hospitalizations and cases are declining in many parts of the country. The tracker shows that Alaska is still a hot spot, while Colorado continues to have the highest growth rate for new patients.
Unvaccinated individuals are at greatest risk of dying. The CDC's vaccine tracker shows that 192 million Americans are fully vaccinated. This is 58% of the total population, and well below the 70% threshold experts believe is necessary to stop the spread.
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The Moscow Times reported that Russia had also recorded another 1,155 COVID death Monday, even though it was closed down until Nov. 7, to stem the surge. Russian authorities stated Monday that doctors are under extreme strain from the soaring coronavirus cases in Europe's worst-hit country. About a third of the country's population has been inoculated.
Reuters reported that there were many emotional scenes at Australian airports when the country opened its borders to foreigners for the first time since the outbreak. Millions of Australians can now travel freely after more than 18 months under some of the most restrictive coronavirus border policies in the world.
A government minister stated that Singapore could experience as many as 2,000 COVID-19-related deaths per year, mostly among the elderly. This is in response to the Guardian reporting that Singapore has been fighting its largest surge in new cases.
According to state media, tens of thousands of people and staff were tested at Shanghai Disneyland Sunday after a visitor who recently visited the park was positive for Covid. Photo: Chinatopix/Associated Press
Latest tallies
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the global death toll from coronavirus-borne disease climbed to 246.8 millions on Monday.
With a total of 45.9 Million cases and 745 837 deaths, the U.S. is still leading the world.
India ranks second in cases, after the U.S., with 34.3 million victims. It has also suffered 458,437 death. Brazil is the country with the highest death rate at 607 824, and has documented 21.8 million cases.
Russia is the country with the highest number of fatalities in Europe at 235,318, followed closely by the U.K at 141,055.
According to official statistics, China had 109,672 confirmed deaths and 4,809 cases.
