Variants Driving Covid Surge Around The World

The New York Times: Pandemic Surges Again In Many Parts Of The World, Fueled By Variants
The nightmare is returning. In Indonesia, grave diggers are working into the night, as oxygen and vaccines are in short supply. In Europe, countries are slamming their doors shut once again, with quarantines and travel bans. In Bangladesh, urban garment workers fleeing an impending lockdown are almost assuredly seeding another coronavirus surge in their impoverished home villages. (Beech and Albeck-Ripka, 6/30)

Reuters: Mexico's COVID-19 Death Toll Could Be 60% Higher Than Official Count 
COVID-19-related deaths in Mexico likely exceed the confirmed toll by about 60%, Health Ministry data released on Wednesday showed. Authorities have said previously that fatalities likely far exceed the official count, and the latest figure is in line with data published in March. (6/30)

In global vaccine news —

The New York Times: Layers Of Red Tape Burden U.S. Vaccine Donations 
When a commercial plane carrying 2.5 million doses of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine took off on Wednesday from Dallas for Islamabad, Pakistan, U.S. officials had just finished a dizzying bureaucratic back-and-forth to get them there. The United States had arranged a donation agreement with Moderna and Covax, the year-old vaccine-sharing initiative. Covax had previously worked out indemnity agreements with Moderna, which shield the company from liability for potential harm from the vaccine. U.S. Embassy officials in Islamabad had worked with regulators there to evaluate the Food and Drug Administration’s review of the vaccine. And Pakistani regulators had to pore over reams of materials on the vaccine lots and the factory where they were made before authorizing the shots for use. (Weiland, 7/1)

Bloomberg: Anti-Vaxxer Propaganda Spreads In Asia, Endangering Millions
Though Gerry Casida is on the priority list for a free Covid-19 vaccine in the Philippines because of his asthma, he’s isn’t planning to get the shot any time soon. A video he found on social media of a woman claiming vaccines are being used for genocide helps explain why. “I’ve read a lot of posts on Facebook about how many died in other countries because of vaccines, and how that’s being concealed,” said the construction worker, 43, from Manila. “My mom also consulted a folk healer, who said the vaccines could affect my heart.” (Calonzo and Wei Kevin Tan, 6/30)

CNBC: Australia's Mixed Messages On Covid Vaccines Sow Confusion
Australia’s vaccine rollout has been slow and chaotic, with government leaders and health advisors sending out mixed messages. The country’s top professional body for doctors says it’s recommending that people follow guidance from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, when deciding which Covid vaccine to take. ATAGI advises the health minister on vaccine issues in Australia. (Choudhury, 7/1)

The Washington Post: Putin Call-In Show: Russians Press The President On New Coronavirus Vaccine Rules
Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing a devastating coronavirus outbreak in the country coupled with widespread vaccine hesitancy, took to national television Wednesday to field concerns from citizens feeling pressured to get their shots. In an attempt to persuade them, he even revealed new details about his own secretive vaccination and spoke of how people from his "immediate inner circle" had been sick with the virus. (Khurshudyan, 6/30)

Reuters: India's Zydus Cadila Seeks Approval For Its 3-Dose COVID Vaccine 
Indian drugmaker Zydus Cadila said on Thursday it has applied for emergency use approval of its three-dose COVID-19 vaccine that showed efficacy of 66.6% in an interim study and could become the second home-grown shot if regulators consent. Although coronavirus infections have dropped from a devastating peak in April and May that strained healthcare facilities, experts have warned of a third wave, saying widespread vaccination is one of the best pandemic defences. (Mitra, 7/1)

In other global developments —

The New York Times: Why Can't U.S. Residents Travel To Canada?
Americans can now vacation in France, where the one-dose vaccination rate is 49 percent, according to the nonprofit Our World in Data; they can also go to Spain, where the rate is 51 percent, and Greece, 45 percent. But, with very limited exceptions, they still cannot travel to Canada, which, according to one source — the University of Oxford — is leading all countries globally in single-dose vaccination rates. In mid-June, to the frustration of many on both sides of the border, Canada announced it was extending restrictions on nonessential travel until at least July 21. The ban includes travel via land, air and sea. It will ease entry requirements for fully vaccinated Canadians, permanent residents and some eligible foreign nationals on July 5. (Glusac, 6/29)

Reuters: Japan PM Says No Spectators Possible As Samoa Withdraws Weightlifters 
Japan's prime minister said on Thursday it was possible the Olympics would be held without spectators as Samoa withdrew its weightlifting team from the Games, in the latest setback for Tokyo's fraught efforts to stage the world's biggest sporting event during a pandemic. Eleven Samoan athletes have qualified for the Games, but of them only three, its weightlifters, are based in Samoa and have been barred from attending the event set to start later this month, the Pacific island nation's Olympic committee president Patrick Fepuleai told Reuters. (Ranson and Barrett, 7/1)

CNN: Malaria Officially Eliminated In China, WHO Declares 
The World Health Organization declared China officially malaria-free on Wednesday -- making it the first country in the Western Pacific region to eliminate the life-threatening disease in more than 30 years. Malaria, a parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito, kills 400,000 people a year worldwide, the majority children younger than 5, according to WHO. There is no licensed malaria vaccine on the market -- though a number of vaccine candidates are under development, and one has shown unprecedented efficacy levels in trials this year. (Yeung, 7/1)