S.America, Brazil Especially Concerning : COVID-19

On Wednesday,Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said-South America is now the most worrying region for COVID-19 infections, as cases mount in nearly every country. Brazil has seen the most merciless surge. Scientists forecast it will soon surpass the worst of a record January wave in the United States, with daily fatalities climbing above 4,000. "The situation in Brazil is concerning countrywide," said COVID-19 incident director Sylvain Aldighieri. "Our concern at the moment is also for the Brazilian citizens themselves in this context of health services that are overwhelmed."

Brazil needs access to more COVID-19 vaccines now and should be able to receive them through global partnerships, Aldighieri said. PAHO can expand its help to Brazilian states if requested, he said, adding it is already aiding with virus genetic sequencing, procuring oxygen and coronavirus testing. Intensive care units are nearing capacity in Peru and Ecuador, and in parts of Bolivia and Colombia cases have doubled in the last week, Etienne said, adding that the southern cone is also experiencing an acceleration in cases. The United States, Brazil and Argentina are among the 10 countries seeing the highest number of new infections globally, she added.

More than 1.3 million new coronavirus cases and over 37,000 deaths last week, Etienne said, more than half of all deaths reported globally. "We cannot ease public health and social interventions without good data and justification," Etienne said, adding slowing and stopping transmission "requires decisive action by local and national governments."

Chile is shifting its COVID-19 vaccination strategy toward issuing second doses, while slowing administration of new shots, due to concerns over supply shortages and data showing scant protection from one dose of the Sinovac Biotech (SVA.O) vaccine that formed the backbone of its campaign.

The Andean nation, which has had one of the world's leading COVID-19 vaccination programs, has put more than 13 million shots into arms, and by Monday had about 2 million doses left in its warehouses, according to official figures.

At present, clinics are doling out an average of 153,000 vaccinations per day - well below March levels - as Chile aims to reach 15 million people, about 80% of its target population, and generate some level of herd immunity by mid-year.