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Worst-impacted countries as world edges to 100 million COVID-19 cases

Almost 100 million cases of coronavirus have swept around the globe since the pandemic began last March, leaving many mourning loved ones, countries divided, cities locked down and the world as we knew it decimated into a distant memory.

The United States is home to almost one quarter of total cases worldwide, reaching 24,631,890 cases of the deadly virus – a figure 856 times Australia's, according to figures by Johns Hopkins University.

The global COVID-19 death toll has reached over two million and the US continues to take out the top spot, with 410,349 coronavirus-related deaths. It is followed by Brazil, with India, Mexico and the UK rounding out the Top 5.

US Coronavirus

But the pandemic has reached every corner of the globe, and only a few tiny, isolated nations have reported no deaths.

Figures collated by Oxford University show the UK has the highest death rate per capita, recording an average of 935 daily COVID-19 related deaths across last week – equivalent to one in every 16 million people dying from the virus.

It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed a more positive outlook for Australians, today confirming Australia has "prevented" a third wave of coronavirus infections.

"It is now clear that through the actions of every Australian, we have successfully prevented a third wave of infections, a rare achievement given the significant increase in global cases," Mr Morrison said.

There have been 28,754 confirmed cases in Australia since the start of the pandemic last year and, sadly, 909 people have died.

There are currently 34 people in hospital and more than 12.6 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.

Let's have a look at how other countries are enduring the coronavirus pandemic, based on the latest data by Johns Hopkins University.

India

India has recorded the second highest number of coronavirus cases in the world behind the US, reaching 10,625,428.

The country has reached a devastating 153,032 deaths — ranking third behind the US and Brazil.

In a bid to tackle the growing figures, India has begun what is likely the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination campaign, joining the ranks of wealthier nations where efforts are already well underway.

READ MORE: Fire hits building at world's largest vaccine maker in India

While a fire this week ravaged a building at the world's largest vaccine maker, located in India, authorities say it won't impact the production of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Indian authorities have already vaccinated more than 380,000 people in the first three days of rollout.

Brazil

Brazil's coronavirus death toll has reached an astonishing 214,147 deaths.

While it is the second highest in the world, Brazil has recorded just over half the deaths compared to the top-ranking US.

Cases in the country have reached 8,697,368.

Brazil's government is eagerly awaiting today's arrival of 2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine from India.

However, experts fear the delivery will only scratch the surface in distribution to priority groups.

Portugal

Portugal has the highest seven-day average rate in the world of new cases per 100,000 population and the second-highest rate of new deaths after the United Kingdom.

The country of 10.3 million has been in lockdown since last week but cases continue to climb sharply, setting almost daily records and threatening to overwhelm hospitals.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Portugal has recorded 595,149 cases and 9686 deaths.

https://twitter.com/antoniocostapm/status/1352388925025878016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

On Thursday, the country ordered the closure of schools for two weeks, amid a surge in COVID-19 infections that the prime minister blamed on the rise of the more contagious UK variant.

The proportion of COVID-19 cases in Portugal attributed to the variant has jumped from 8 per cent last week to 20 per cent this week and may reach 60 per cent in coming weeks, Prime Minister António Costa told local media.

As a result, the Portuguese government has suspended all flights into and out of the UK.

Russia

Russia's death toll ranks at number eight in the world, with 67,376 deaths.

However, experts are concerned inadequate testing numbers may mean there are hundreds of thousands more that have gone unrecorded.

"There are extreme cases such as Ecuador, Peru or Russia where total deaths are 300-500 per cent higher than reported deaths… but where we have data, the average relationship is 20 per cent higher," Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, told CNN.

Russia has the fourth highest number of coronavirus cases at 3,637,862.

France

All of France is subject to a curfew from 6pm to 6am in a bid to curb COVID-19.

It comes as the romanticised country has reached over three million cases and 72,139 deaths.

The current curfew is expected to remain in force until at least the end of January. It follows a slightly later 8pm curfew, which was previously in place as of December 1.

The measure "has proven to be effective," French Prime Minister Jean Castex said last week.

Spain

Spain coronavirus figures are surging, putting the country's public health system against the ropes.

The country's overall tally is heading to 2.5 million cases with just over 55,000 confirmed virus deaths, although excess mortality statistics add over 30,000 deaths on top of that.

Italy

Italy is currently in a state of emergency, extended from January 31 to April 30, as coronavirus numbers continue to spiral.

The country has recorded 2,428,221 cases and 84,202 deaths.

Italy was one of the first to reopen to visitors in June, although entry is largely limited to European Union residents.

Indonesia

A favourite travel destination for Aussies, Indonesia is now a country with locals struggling to survive.

With over 951,651 coronavirus cases to date and 27,453 deaths, the nation is relying on the vaccine roll-out to tame the rapid spread of infections.

It comes as on Wednesday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo received the country's first CoronaVac shot, after the government authorised it for emergency use.

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Pres. Biden Orders Int. Air Travelers to Quarantine on Arrival in US

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Thursday that would require international air travelers to quarantine upon U.S. arrival, and directed U.S. agencies to implement a federal mask mandate in interstate transportation.

Biden’s order says “to the extent feasible” air travelers must comply with applicable U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines concerning international travel “including recommended periods of self-quarantine.” It does not explain how it will be enforced.

The order also directs U.S. agencies to hold talks with Canada and Mexico “regarding public health protocols for land ports of entry” including implementing CDC guidelines. Nearly all non-essential travel at U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico is suspended through Feb. 21.

The CDC recommends a seven-day quarantine for people arriving in the Unites States from nearly all countries.

The order calls on agencies to “immediately take action” to require masks on or in airports, commercial aircraft, trains, public maritime vessels, including ferries, intercity bus services and all public transportation, but grants them the ability to issue exemptions.

Biden is directing agencies to reconsider international contact tracing requirements for U.S.-bound passengers, which was abandoned by the Trump White House, as well as the possibility of follow-up COVID-19 testing for travelers after they arrive in the United States.

The Biden administration is implementing new coronavirus testing requirements for nearly all international air passengers beginning on Tuesday, following a CDC order last week. Under the new rules, all U.S.-bound passengers age 2 and over must get negative COVID-19 test results within three calendar days of travel.

The Biden administration announced it would reimpose entry bans on most non-U.S. citizens who have recently been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and most of continental Europe after President Donald Trump issued an order on Monday lifting them effective the same day the new testing rules take effect.

Biden also wants new public health measures at U.S. sea ports. In October, the CDC let a no-sail order expire for cruise ships. A U.S. House committee said the White House had blocked the CDC from extending the pandemic-related no-sail order through mid-February.

Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and Bill Berkrot

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Jamaica’s COVAX Facility Will Begin Corona Vaccinations April 21

Jamaica’s health and wellness minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton announced that Jamaicans will begin getting vaccines from the COVAX Facility on April 21.

Dr Tufton made the announcement on Tuesday in parliament where he also tabled what he called the COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment and Vaccination Interim Plan. This plan details the national strategy for the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in Jamaica.

According to Tufton, healthcare workers, members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, members of the Jamaica Defense Force, correctional officers, custom immigration officers, parliamentarians, persons in infirmaries and the elderly are at the top of the list to receive the jabs first.

The vaccine is to be administered in two doses, which will be given weeks apart.

Vaccination sites will be set up at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Bustamante Hospital for Children, National Chest Hospital, Spanish Town Hospital, Mandeville Regional Hospital, Cornwall Regional Hospital and St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital for frontline staff.

Some health centers are also being contemplated to be used as vaccination sites.

Dr. Tufton also detailed the phased rollout plan for vaccination. Phase one is expected to be completed this year. Other members of the population are expected to vaccinated in 2022 and beyond. The minister noted that the COVID-19 vaccine could become part of the island’s routine immunization efforts.

While the government hopes that the deployment of the vaccination will go smoothly, Tufton noted that convincing Jamaicans to get the shot will not be an easy task.

He announced that the ministry of health plans to embark on an education campaign to quell the vaccine fears of Jamaicans. Tufton noted that “vaccine acceptance” is an important part of the rollout program.

Tufton told parliament that the government will get nearly 300,000 of the vaccines from the first batch which is enough for five percent of the population.

Jamaica is scheduled to receive additional doses of vaccines on July 21 and December 21.

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Peru: Medics on Hunger Strike Over COVID Funding as Cases Soar

(CNN) Some Peruvian medics are going on hunger strike to demand more funding as cases of Covid-19 spiral in the country, according to a statement from Peru’s Social Security National Medical Union (SINAMMSOP) published Wednesday.

The health workers began their hunger strike Tuesday in front of Peru’s Ministry of Labor in capital city Lima. About a dozen medics from the national social security union have been taking part in protests there as the health system struggles to cope with a second wave of Covid-19.
“We have begun a hunger strike,” said Teodoro Quinones, a doctor taking part in the protest, according to Reuters.
Quinones said the strike would last until Peru’s Labor Minister removes the head of the country’s Health Social Security, Fiorella Molinelli, who oversees government efforts to set up temporary health and isolation centers for Covid-19 patients.
As of Thursday, Molinelli, has not commented on the union’s demands.
The protesters have been sharply critical of the government’s approach to the pandemic, and are asking for increased investment in the health sector.
“Our ICUs are collapsing and we are not receiving any response and we are seeing the indifference of a government that assigns us the budget,” Peruvian nurse Ketty Solier told Reuters Tuesday.
“We urgently need to acquire this equipment to prevent more Peruvians from dying. The Peruvian state has a constitutional obligation to guarantee the accessibility of health services and right now they are denying access to hospitals because we no longer have the capacity to provide patients with what they need so much,” she added.

Police stand guard outside the Ministry of Health as health workers protest in Peru on January 13.

Police stand guard outside the Ministry of Health as health workers protest in Peru on January 13.
“People are infected, there are no ICU beds, soon there will be no more hospitalization. Again we are going to see people dying in the streets. About the vaccine, we have no hope for the vaccine, we do not know when it will arrive,” Ronald Castañeda, a relative of a Covid-19 patient, told Reuters.
ICU occupancy rates are at 90% in some parts of Peru, according to Pan American Health Organization Director Carissa Etienne, who described struggling health systems throughout Latin America at a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
The hunger strike is just one of many protests by Peru’s medics and health workers in recent days, as a second wave of Covid-19 engulfs the population. The country has recorded more than one million total cases and more than 39,000 Covid-19 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University (JHU.)

Peru's interim president resigns after just five days

Peru’s interim president resigns after just five days
“We are starting on a second wave [of Covid-19 cases]. This wave is rising. I can tell you that we’ve made some calculations and we are more or less right were we were in mid-April, and the figures keep ascending,” Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti told local media Monday.
On Tuesday, Peru’s interim President Francisco Sagasti approved a decree to finance the set-up of more than 16 temporary isolation centers across the country and to hire additional staff to expand health services, according to a Tuesday press note from the Ministry of Health.
Sagasti became president in November 2020, becoming the third president to be sworn in in just over a week as the country struggled with political turmoil amid the pandemic.

CNN’s Tatiana Arias reported from Atlanta, Zamira Rahim wrote from London

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PAHO Director Urges Strict Govt. Pandemic Health Controls

 

The director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dr Carissa F Etienne has urged the Region of the Americas, including the Caribbean, to immediately intensify public health interventions on social distancing, limiting gatherings, wearing masks and hand washing to limit exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our region, and our world, is failing to control coronavirus,” the Dominican-born director said.

“In far too many places public policies are not congruent with the severity of the situation. And many of us have relaxed the control measures that we know work, which have helped us stay healthy and keep hospitals functional up to now.”

Dr Etienne said she was “particularly concerned for the next few weeks,” stating that, throughout the region, especially in North and South America, many hospitals are operating at or very close to capacity.

She cited high occupancy rates of intensive care units, oxygen shortages in some areas and lack of capacity to cope with the speed of new infections due to the “sustained boom in cases.”

“In the last week we saw more than 2.5 million new cases of COVID-19 in the region of the Americas – more than half of all global infections,” Dr Etienne said. “In the same period, 42,000 people from the Americas have lost their lives to the pandemic.

“We must intensify public health interventions to limit exposure to this virus. Social distancing, limiting gatherings and the consistent use of masks in public settings and frequent hand washing are our absolute best hope for reducing the number of COVID-19 infections right now,” she stressed.

Etienne said vaccines for COVID-19 will help save lives and “eventually halt the pandemic,” but, she added: “We are also aware that there aren’t yet enough doses to achieve a visible impact on transmission at this point in the short term.

Dr Etienne said PAHO is working to help countries prepare to vaccinate their populations and is supporting the COVAX mechanism to make vaccines available in all countries in the Americas.

The PAHO Revolving Fund “will play a key role in this process,” helping the countries acquire vaccines, syringes, cold chain equipment and other supplies for vaccine delivery, Dr Etienne said.

She said national vaccine deployment plans have been prepared by 18 countries, and 23 countries have completed a Vaccine Readiness Assessment.

“For PAHO, a successful vaccine introduction must not simply be measured by its timeline but through the lens of fairness . We must not let vaccination campaigns fracture along the lines of inequity that have marked the health of our region.

She added: “Vaccine rollouts should prioritise those at risk – like the health workers at the frontlines of our response, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. They should also prioritise disenfranchised populations that often struggle to access the care they need.”

 

 

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US Inauguration: The Mass Protests that Never Happened

Forbes– Preparing for the worst after this month’s deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol, states across the country which had been warned of potential violence outside their capitol buildings on Inauguration Day saw little—if any—protest activity on Wednesday.

In the end, the 25,000 troops moved into Washington DC to confront possible trouble, had little to do except direct traffic and check press passes.

KEY FACTS

At least 10 states activated National Guard troops to protect their Capitol buildings after the FBI warned of plans for “armed protests” at all 50 state capitols and in Washington, D.C.

However, large groups of protesters and militias were nowhere to be seen in D.C., where the downtown area was mostly locked down and swarmed with thousands of National Guardsmen, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in.

Meanwhile, the states that had activated the National Guard—including California, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Washington and Kentucky—witnessed just handfuls of pro-Trump protesters.

Local reporters at Capitol buildings in at least five other states similarly struggled to find more than a couple of protesters.

“I’m outside the Texas Capitol building in downtown Austin,” wrote Austin American-Statesman reporter Kelsey Bradshaw on Twitter, “I’m counting more journalists than Trump or Biden supporters out here.”

CRUCIAL QUOTE

“We have one lone demonstrator at the Montana State Capitol so far,” Thom Bridge, the multimedia editor for the Helena Independent Record, wrote on Twitter around midday. “He’s the only one who has showed up all day,” Bridge later told Forbes.

KEY BACKGROUND

Statehouses across the country saw a similar lack of activity over the weekend, though there appeared to be a greater show of armed protesters than there has been so far on Inauguration Day. Online, supporters of President Trump who subscribe to the bizarre QAnon conspiracy theory appeared defeated and desperate as their belief that Trump would finally bring down the “deep state” and its cannibalistic child sex trafficking ring never came to fruition.

 

 

 

 

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Heavy storms and floods set to swamp WA

Travellers and locals alike have been urged to batten down the hatches and be cautious as a heavy storm rolls across Western Australia.

"We couldn't see 20-30 metres ahead of us, so we turned back," traveller Riley Even said.

"Probably a good decision, it's only getting worse."

The tropical low is moving in a southerly direction about 250km southwest of Broome, towards Eighty Mile Beach and Sandfire Roadhouse.

However, it's no longer expected to turn into a cyclone.

"It is, though, still a very powerful system and is producing gusts in excess of 100km/hr," Neil Bennett of the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The storms began early this morning and even without the cyclone there's more to come, with authorities thinking parts of the main road between Port Hedland and Broome will flood.

In the past 24 hours, 119mm of rain has fallen in Mandora, with 80mm at Anna Plains Station, and 67.6mm at Pardoo.

The BoM has predicted up to 300mm could fall in isolated areas during the next 24 hours, posing a flood threat to parts of the Pilbara and the Kimberley.

No major roads so far have been closed, but could be at any moment.

READ MORE: Four-day heatwave will be 'shock to the system'

The low is generating scorching temperatures on the other side of the country, pushing a mass of hot air toward the southeastern states.

A four-day heatwave is set to hit NSW, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia over the long weekend, with temperatures forecast to surge today.

Daytime temperatures are expected to be well above average today, with daily maximums set to reach between 35C and 45C through Sunday and Monday.

"It is really going to build and come to head on Sunday and Monday. For South Australia, it will peak on Sunday. Up to 41C in Adelaide. On Monday it will be Victoria's turn, 41C in Melbourne and then Tuesday is really going to get hot in NSW," The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) Jonathan How told Today.

"It is getting up into the high 30s and low 40s across Western Sydney and even the 30s along the coast as well. For many people, it will be the hottest day since last January and February, with very uncomfortable nights ahead as well."

The BOM's Gabrielle Woodhouse said the hot weather would be a departure from recent cool temperatures, particularly in NSW.

"We haven't really been experiencing this kind of heat, compared to say last summer when we were having this heat fairly regularly," she said.

"It's going to be a bit of a shock to the system for many people, so it is quite significant because we haven't been seeing these temperatures recently."

People in NSW hoping to escape the heat at the beach today are being warned of dangerous surf conditions with large waves and dangerous currents between Sydney and Byron Bay.

Mr How said the heat will stick around for at least four to five days.

"There is a cool change coming through on Monday and Tuesday. For South Australia, the change will come through just after lunchtime on Monday. For Melbourne, it will be on Monday, late afternoon,early evening. Unfortunately for NSW, it won't come through till later on Tuesday night," he said.

Here's your state-by-state weather forecast for Friday January 22, 2021:

New South Wales and ACT

Mostly sunny, cool-to-mild in the northeast. Fog then sunny, very warm in the southeast. Windy on the Alps. Mostly sunny, hot in the southwest. Showers/storms, very warm in northwest.

There is a strong wind warning for the Batemans Coast and Eden Coast as well as a dangerous surf warning for the Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast and Sydney Coast.

Sydney will be sunny morning minimum of 18C and maximum of 31C in the city. Medium chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening.

Canberra will be sunny with a low of 15C however temperatures are forecast to climb to top of 34C at around 3pm – roughly 5C above average for this time of year.

Victoria

Mostly cloudy, cool-to-mild in the south. Mostly sunny, warm-to-hot in the north.

Central Gippsland Coast and East Gippsland Coast

Melbourne for will be mostly sunny minimum of 17C and a maximum of 26C.

Queensland

Becoming mostly sunny, mild-to-warm in the southeast.

Showers easing, very warm in the northeast. Late showers/storms, very warm in the northwest. Mostly sunny, very warm in the southwest.

Brisbane will be partly cloudy with a low of 20C and a top of 29C.

Temperatures in Brisbane will be less severe over the long weekend with tops of 30C until Monday however conditions are expected to persist for the remainder of next week.

South Australia

Mostly cloudy, warm in the southeast. Mostly sunny, very warm in central. Sunny, very warm-to-hot in the west and north.

Adelaide will be sunny with a low of 16C and top of 32C before temperatures surge past 40C this weekend.

https://twitter.com/BOM_SA/status/1352073262818320392

Western Australia

Wind easing, sunny, hot in the southwest. Mostly sunny, very warm in the south. Showers/storms, warm-to-very warm in the north. Wind and rain increasing in East Pilbara and West Kimberley.

Very hot and sunny with a low of 21C and a top of 26C. Winds gusting up to 60 km/h at times about the Darling Scarp.

Weather conditions are generating a severe fire danger for Gascoyne, Inland Central West, Exmouth Gulf Coast and Eucla.

https://twitter.com/BOM_WA/status/1352239939069464585

A tropical low on the WA coast is triggering gale-froce winds between Bidyadanga and De Grey today and may extend to other parts of the warning area during Friday afternoon.

Destructive winds with gusts to 130 kilometres per hour may develop today or early Saturday as the system nears the coast.

Heavy rainfall combined with strong winds may develop along the west Kimberley coast and east Pilbara coast, east of Port Hedland, early today, and extending inland east of Port Hedland during Friday afternoon and evening.

A flood watch is also current for parts of the Kimberley and Pilbara.

Tasmania

Windy with showers, mild in the southwest. Windy on the highlands. Mostly cloudy, warm in the southeast. Increasing sunshine, mild-to-warm in the northwest. Mostly cloudy, warm in the northeast.

Hobart will be cloudy with a medium chance of showers in the afternoon and early evening.

Overnight temperatures falling to between 9C and 13C with daytime temperatures reaching between 17C and 23C.

– Reported with Weatherzone.

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Cricket: Bangladesh Bowls Out West Indies for 148

Alzarri Joseph (L) takes a run as Mehidy Hasan throws the ball during the second one-day international cricket match between Bangladesh and West Indies on Friday

 

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan claimed a career best four wickets for 25 as Bangladesh bowled out the West Indies for 148 in their second one-day international on Friday.

The hosts, who won Wednesday’s opening match by six wickets, took early wickets before Rovman Powell hit 41 off 65 balls to boost the West Indies innings.

Debutant opener Kjorn Ottley (24) and Nkrumah Bonner (20) were other notable scorers for West Indies.

After West Indies skipper Jason Mohammed chose to bat, left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman claimed the first breakthrough by removing Sunil Ambris for six hitting a catch to Mehidy.

West Indies kept losing more wickets after Bangladesh introduced spin.

Mehidy removed Ottley and Joshua Da Silva (5) in the same over while Shakib Al Hasan bowled Andre McCarthy for only three.

Kyle Mayers, the highest scorer in the previous match, was run out for zero before Shakib trapped skipper Mohammed leg-before for 11 to leave the West Indies struggling at 67-6.

Powell and Alzarri Joseph put on 32 for the ninth wicket to help West Indies past 100 runs.

Mustafizur, who gave away just two runs in his opening four overs, returned to end West Indies’ resistance by removing Joseph for 17.

Mehidy stumped Powell to wrap-up the innings in 43.4 overs.

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5 Dead in Fire at World’s Biggest Vaccine Plant

New Delhi, India (CNN) A fire that broke out at a facility of the world’s biggest vaccine maker that killed five people would not affect vaccine production, the head of the company said Thursday.

The blaze at the Serum Institute of India (SII) in the western city of Pune was brought under control on Thursday though the cause is still under investigation, according to Murlidhar Mohol, the city’s mayor.

Four people were rescued from the six-floor building but five others died, Mohol said. They are believed to have been construction workers as the building was still under construction at the time of the fire.

Videos and images showed black smoke billowing out of the building at the company’s complex. Fifteen units of the municipal corporation and fire department worked to douse the fire, Mohol said.

Preliminary investigations suggest that “during the building’s construction, some welding work could have led to the fire,” he added.

Pune’s fire brigade chief Prashant Ranpise said Friday that the fire started on the second floor. As firefighters worked to put out the flames, the blaze reigned in another spot. The second fire was extinguished at 4:15 p.m. local time by 50 firefighters and personnel. Ranpise said they are still investigating the cause of the fire.

“We have learnt that there has unfortunately been some loss of life at the incident. We are deeply saddened and offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the departed,” SII CEO Adar Poonawalla tweeted Thursday.

SII, the world’s biggest vaccine maker, is in partnership with Oxford University and AstraZeneca to produce the Covishield vaccine. In December, the company said it was producing 50 to 60 million doses of Covishield per month, with production to be scaled up to 100 million doses in January or February.

A family business started by Poonawalla’s father 50 years ago to bring cheaper vaccines to the masses, the Serum Institute of India is aiming to produce hundreds of millions of coronavirus vaccines for not only India, but also other developing countries.

In a tweet, Poonawalla said that despite a “few floors being destroyed,” production of the Covishield vaccine would not be affected.

“I would like to reassure all governments and the public that there would be no loss of COVISHIELD production due to multiple production buildings that I had kept in reserve to deal with such contingencies,” he said.

Cyrus S. Poonawalla, SII’s chairman and managing director, said in a statement that the fire broke out at a facility that was under constriction in the Special Economic Zone at Manjri. He said it was an “extremely sorrowful day” and the company would offer INR 2.5 million ($34,000) to each of the victims’ families.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences Thursday: “Anguished by the loss of lives due to an unfortunate fire … In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest.”

 

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