The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that reopening without viral control could lead to catastrophe due to the fact that epidemic is still easily spread. In Hong Kong, a large-scale COVID-19 screening program begins September 1.

Graphics: NGOC THANH

Global: 25.6 million cases and 17.9 million recoveries

Globally, a total of more than 25.6 million COVID-19 cases were recorded, of which more than 854,000 deaths and 17.9 million cases were recovered, according to the Worldometers update on September 1.

The US, Brazil and India are still the top three countries in the world in terms of cases, with more than 6.2 million, 3.9 million and 3.6 million cases, respectively. These three countries also lead the world in recovery cases, with the US having 3.4 million, Brazil with 3 million and India having 2.8 million recovery cases.

Volunteers distribute food to troubled residents after week-long restrictions were applied to curb COVID-19 epidemic in Kathmandu, Nepal Aug. 31 - Photo: AFP

Vietnam is currently out of the 150 countries / regions with the highest number of infections in the world.

WHO: Opening up + out of control can = disaster

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on August 31 that countries that still witnessed the significant spread of COVID-19 had to stop the organization of potentially infectious events because of the opening without control. virus will be a "recipe for disaster".

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus admits many people are getting tired of the restrictive measures and want to return to normal after the first cases were recorded about eight months ago.

Mr. Tedros said that WHO fully supports efforts to reopen the economy and society. "We want to see the kids go back to school and people go back to work, but we want that done safely," he added.

"No country can pretend that the pandemic is over. The fact that this virus spreads easily. Opening up without control is a recipe for disaster" - Mr. Tedros said.

Hong Kong has begun extensive testing

The AFP news agency reported that Hong Kong will begin large-scale testing of COVID-19 today (September 1). Since the application opened last weekend, 510,000 people - about 7% of Hong Kong's 7.5 million residents - have signed up to participate.

These volunteer tests are part of an effort to quell a third wave of COVID-19 outbreaks that hit Hong Kong in June, forcing the densely populated city to take influence measures. heavy for economy.

However, the involvement of mainland Chinese testing companies and doctors in the test plan has caused some Hong Kong residents to fear, for example, Beijing might collect data. biometrics to monitor them.

Graphics: NGOC THANH

United Nations: COVID-19 increases gender inequality

On August 31, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the COVID-19 pandemic increased inequality between men and women, while reversing "decades of limited and fragile progress." on gender equality and women's rights ".

The head of the United Nations warned young women from CSOs at an online meeting that "without a response of interest, we risk losing our lives. go a whole generation of achievements ".

During the pandemic, Antonio Guterres said, "women have been on the front lines, responding like health workers, teachers, essential workers and caregivers in their homes and communities. ".

The Secretary-General of the United Nations says that the majority of health workers are women, but less than a third are in decision-making roles. He also noted that reports in some places show an increase in the number of teen pregnancies and gender-related violence.

Russian officials say the West is following an example in vaccine approval

Mr. Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), on August 31, said that the comments of the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States and the UK move show the West has admitted that Russia was right to approve the vaccine early in early August, according to Reuters.

In early August, Russia became the first country in the world to license a COVID-19 vaccine called Sputnik V after less than two months of human testing, prompting some safety concerns from some Western experts. effectiveness of this vaccine.

However, the FDA's leadership later said he was willing to bypass the usual approval process to license the COVID-19 vaccine, as long as officials believed the benefits outweigh the risks.

The UK government also outlined last week a plan to allow the country's health regulator to temporarily license any COVID-18 vaccine before it receives a full license if the vaccine is met. safety and quality standards.

Mr. Kirill Dmitriev said that the US and the UK are now "exactly imitating Russia". He added: "The West is shocked by Russia's success in producing a potential vaccine and has to go through four stages to accept one thing of course: rejection, anger, sadness, and ultimately accept".

Russia has begun phase 3 of the Sputnik V vaccine testing to test its effectiveness with a larger group of volunteers. The country is also preparing to approve a second COVID-19 vaccine in late September or early October. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said that large-scale vaccination for a group at high risk of COVID-19 would starting in November-December.

Source: //tuoitre.vn/covid-19-sang-1-9-cong-thuc-tham-hoa-ma-who-canh-bao-la-gi-20200901042326935.htm