(Paris) New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.
Anti-COVID-19 pill: very positive results (Pfizer)
Pfizer confirmed on Tuesday that its anti-COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths among at-risk people by nearly 90% when taken in the first days after symptoms appeared, according to clinical trials.
These results are based on all of the participants in the trials, i.e. more than 2,200 people, and confirm what was announced in early November from preliminary results. The American laboratory has also announced that its treatment should remain effective against the Omicron variant.
Pfizer vaccine would protect 70% of severe cases of Omicron
The vaccine from the American laboratory Pfizer is generally less effective against Omicron, but protects up to 70% against severe cases, according to a study presented Tuesday and carried out in South Africa, which detected the new variant in November.
According to this study, the double dose of the Pfizer vaccine shows a 70% effectiveness in reducing hospitalizations. The vaccine was previously 93% effective against severe cases.
China: risks to global supply
An outbreak of COVID-19 in eastern Zhejiang province, one of the engines of China’s economy, has resulted in plant closures that risk disrupting global supply chains.
The coastal province of 64.6 million people is located immediately south of Shanghai. Highly industrialized, export-oriented, it is the country’s fourth-largest economy, with more than 6% of Chinese GDP alone.
“Plant closures in Zhejiang will affect supply chains in several sectors, including fibers and textiles,” according to ANZ Research economist Zhaopeng Xing.
California: the return of wearing masks indoors
California authorities will restore the obligation to wear a mask in all enclosed public places in order to curb a resurgence of COVID-19 cases recorded in the state for a few weeks.
This obligation, which will come into force on Wednesday, applies to all individuals, whether or not they are vaccinated.
Australia continues to reopen
Australia will continue to ease restrictions before Christmas despite a further rise 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, due in part to the rallies organized as part of the holiday season.
Certification of Sputnik V to the penalty
Russia admitted on Tuesday that it misunderstood the demands of the World Health Organization (WHO) and struggled to provide documentation to certify its COVID-19 vaccines, a year after the launch with great fanfare of Sputnik V.
Used by dozens of countries, the Sputnik V has so far been approved neither by the WHO nor by the medical authorities of the European Union, in the face of Russia’s inability to provide the necessary documents for establish that it is safe and effective.
Vaccination obligation suspended in Kenya
A Kenyan court on Tuesday suspended a government decision banning people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from accessing certain public buildings as well as popular places such as national parks, bars and restaurants.
A judge temporarily suspended the decision pending consideration of an appeal filed by a businessman calling the directive “tyrannical” and a flagrant violation of the constitution.
More than 5.3 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5,311,914 million people worldwide since the end of 2019, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources, Tuesday at 7 a.m.
The United States is the most bereaved country with 798,713 dead, ahead of Brazil (616,878), India (475,888), Mexico (296,721) and Russia (291,749).
The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to COVID-19, that the toll of the pandemic in the world could be two to three times higher.