Covid-19: The world races to contain Delta variant, US steps up anti-virus plan
New Delhi: The World Health Organization warned that “The highly transmissible strain of the deadliest coronavirus, Delta variant – first detected in India could unleash the fourth wave of coronavirus in its Eastern Mediterranean zone, which covers an area from Moscow to Pakistan.” Governments around the world on Thursday raced to head off a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the Delta variant, with US President Joe Biden offering new incentives to vaccine holdouts and Israel authorizing booster shots.
Medical experts and researchers believe that “Those countries are especially at risk where vaccination rates are low. Around Percent of the region’s population has been fully vaccinated. So in nations where vaccines are more available, public officials are sounding the alarm.
President of the United States Joe Biden in his speech said that “People are dying — and will die — who don’t have to die.” all federal government workers would be asked to reveal their vaccination status — and those without the jab would have to mask in the workplace and submit to Covid-19 tests.”
The Democratic president also said he would ask the Pentagon to consider making the coronavirus vaccine mandatory for active-duty military personnel, and asked state and local governments to offer $100 to holdouts who get the shot.
“If incentives help us beat this virus, I believe we should use them. We all benefit if we can get more people vaccinated,” Biden added.
In Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that those over the age of 60 would be offered a third dose of vaccine — a booster shot available from Sunday.
“I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose,” Bennett said. “Protect yourselves. The decision was based on considerable research and analysis, as well as the rise in the risk of the Delta variant wave,” Bennett added.
Israel quickly rolled out its vaccination campaign and had dropped many restrictions on public gatherings in June, but infections soared, and masks are once again mandatory in enclosed public places.
