Epidemics Tracker

Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized Pfizer’s oral antiviral tablets for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19, the first pill approved for COVID-19 treatment in the country. The pill, called Paxlovid, is authorized for use in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age …

But deaths remain low ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT | An 83% surge in new COVID-19 cases in early December in Africa, driven by the Delta and the Omicron variants, is causing fewer deaths than previous surges—but more waves could be building as updated forecasts warn that the continent may not …

Abuja, Nigeria | Xinhua | Nigerian government on Wednesday destroyed over 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine withdrawn from across the country after being identified for having a short shelf life. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), which coordinates vaccination in the country, and the National Agency for Food …

Brussels, Belgium | Xinhua | The European Union (EU) digital COVID-19 certificate will only be valid for travel for nine months, the European Commission said on Tuesday. The Commission said it had adopted a binding acceptance period of nine months (270 days) for vaccination certificates for the purposes of travel within …

Kabarole, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kabarole district and Fort Portal city authorities have resolved to establish COVID-19 vaccination centers at every police checkpoint on major roads leading to and out of the city and the district. The decision is aimed at ensuring that unvaccinated people get the COVID-19 jab as …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Fifty Members of Parliament and staff have tested positive for coronavirus, the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Chris Obore has confirmed. “About 50 Members of Parliament and staff who participated in the EAC Legislative Assembly sports in Arusha have tested positive for Covid-19. They …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Bank of Uganda on Monday said the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is casting uncertainty over the country’s economic outlook. Bank of Uganda, in a monthly monetary policy statement issued, said the Omicron variant could further disrupt the global supply chain, which may have spillover …

Johannesburg, South Africa | Xinhua | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday came out of self-isolation after contracting COVID-19 and resumed work, the Presidency said. Ramaphosa thanked South Africans and “leaders and friends internationally” who sent messages of good wishes. “The President wishes all persons infected with COVID-19 a safe …

Brussels, Belgium | Xinhua | The European Commission on Monday granted conditional marketing authorization for Nuvaxovid, the fifth COVID-19 vaccine authorized in the European Union (EU). The authorization of the vaccine, developed by Novavax, followed a scientific recommendation based on an assessment of the safety, effectiveness and quality of the vaccine …

Jerusalem, Israel | Xinhua | Israeli researchers have found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, harms the human immune system, Ben-Gurion University (BGU) in southern Israel said on Monday. In a genetic study published in the journal iScience, BGU researchers tried to find out what causes the “stormy” nature of …