New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid 19 pandemic worldwide.

– Anti-Covid pill: very positive results (Pfizer) –

Pfizer confirmed Tuesday that its anti-Covid pill, according to clinical studies, reduced hospital stays and deaths in those at risk by nearly 90% when taken in the first few days after symptoms appeared.

These results are based on all study participants, more than 2,200 people, and confirm the preliminary results announced in early November. The American laboratory has also announced that its treatment against the Omicron variant should remain effective.

– The Pfizer vaccine would protect 70% of serious cases of Omicron –

The vaccine from the American laboratory Pfizer is generally less effective against Omicron, but protects 70% against severe cases, as a study presented on Tuesday and carried out in South Africa shows, which discovered the new variant in November.

According to this study, double the dose of the Pfizer vaccine shows 70% effectiveness in reducing hospital stays. The vaccine was previously 93% effective against severe cases.

– China: Risks for global supply –

An outbreak of Covid-19 in eastern Zhejiang Province, one of the engines of the Chinese economy, has resulted in plant closings that pose a risk of disrupting global supply chains.

The coastal province with 64.6 million inhabitants is located immediately south of Shanghai. It is highly industrialized and export-oriented and the fourth largest economy in the country with more than 6% of the Chinese GDP.

“Plant closings in Zhejiang will affect supply chains in several sectors, including fibers and textiles,” said ANZ Research economist Zhaopeng Xing.

– California: Return to wearing a mask indoors –

California authorities will restore mask requirements in all closed public places to slow a resurgence of the state-registered Covid-19 cases for a few weeks.

This obligation, which comes into force on Wednesday, applies to everyone, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not.

– Australia opens wider –

Australia will further ease restrictions ahead of Christmas despite a further surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country’s most populous state.

The state of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, has recorded more than 800 new cases since October 2, also due to rallies organized as part of the holiday season.

– Certificate from Sputnik V for punishment –

Russia admitted on Tuesday that it had misunderstood the demands of the World Health Organization (WHO) and struggled to provide documentation certifying its vaccines against Covid, a year after the introduction of Sputnik V with a lot of noise.

The Sputnik V, used by dozens of countries, has not yet been approved by the WHO or the European Union medical authorities due to the inability of Russia to provide the necessary documents to demonstrate its safety and effectiveness.

– Compulsory vaccination suspended in Kenya –

A Kenyan court on Tuesday suspended a government ruling banning people who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from entering certain public buildings as well as popular locations such as national parks, bars and restaurants.

A judge has temporarily suspended the ruling pending investigation of the appeal of a businessman who describes the policy as “tyrannical” and a blatant violation of the Constitution.

– More than 5.3 million dead –

The pandemic made at least 5,311. 914 million deaths worldwide since late 2019, according to a report compiled from official sources by AFP, dated Tuesday at 12:00 PM GMT.

The United States is the country with the most survivors, with 798,713 deaths, ahead of Brazil (616,878), India (475,888), Mexico (296,721) and Russia (291,749).

Taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, the WHO estimates that the toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher worldwide.

burs-kd / cds / mba