2 mn Sinovac shots arrive in Egypt
Two mn doses of Sinovac arrived at Cairo Airport yesterday from China, according to a statement by the Health Ministry. By our math, the shipment should bring the total number of imported shots to some 74 mn.
The Health Ministry reported 951 new covid-19 infections yesterday, up from 933 the day before. Egypt has now disclosed a total of 331,968 confirmed cases of covid-19. The ministry also reported 60 new deaths, bringing the country’s total death toll to 18,711.
IN GLOBAL COVID NEWS-
Covid has now taken over 5 mn lives since it first broke out at the beginning of 2020: The US, EU, Britain and Brazil accounted for almost half of those deaths, the Associated Press writes, explaining that the 5 mn figure is most likely an undercount due to limited covid testing and people dying without medical attention.
A vaccine developed by US pharma company Novavax got its first authorization yesterday: Indonesia has authorized the covid-19 vaccine developed by Novavax, which called the decision a “historical milestone” for the company. In a disclosure yesterday, Novavax said it had also applied for regulatory approval for its protein-based shot in the EU, UK, Australia and Canada.
Australia opened its borders on Monday for the first time in almost 600 days, as the country loosens some of the world’s most restrictive pandemic measures.