World Status Report
June 23, 2021
This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international risks, and other issues as reported by the linked official sources from the U.S. and other countries.
Please note the publication date of this report, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information. The information in this report may change without prior notice.
Security
Myanmar security forces backed by armored vehicles on Tuesday clashed with a newly formed militia group in Mandalay, the country’s second-biggest city, according to social media posts from the group and media reports (CNN). Argentina and Mexico recalled their ambassadors amid a crackdown against Nicaragua’s political opposition, citing the country’s “worrying” actions in a joint statement (Buenos Aires Times).
Natural Disasters
Severe weather has impacted various countries resulting in casualties, displacement, and damage. Floods in India. Heavy rain and thunderstorms in Pakistan. A tornado in New Zealand. Heavy rain and floods in France (ERCC).
Health
On 25 May 2021, one case of monkeypox was reported by the United Kingdom to the WHO. On 10 June 2021, regional public health authorities of Spain in Castile-León reported a second laboratory-confirmed case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in 2021. Since the last update on 21 May 2021, new cholera cases have been reported worldwide. Countries reporting the majority of new cases since the previous update are Bangladesh and Yemen (ECDC).
COVID-19
International preventative measures against COVID-19, including entry restrictions and in-country mobility remain very fluid, and can be imposed without prior notice. Details for each country can be found in the travel advisories issued by the governments of the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. The UNWTO and IATA Destination Tracker offers relevant information on a destination status. The Timeline of EU Member States Reopening Their Borders offers a list of opened EU countries for travelers, and dates of warned opening.
As notable cases: Mandatory mask rules extended in Sydney, Australia as COVID-19 cluster grows (Reuters). Rwanda has tightened Covid-19 restrictions to curb rising infections and mitigate the risk of a severe third wave that is already being experienced in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda (Nation). Venues in Japan at the Tokyo Olympics will be allowed to fill to 50 percent capacity, up to a maximum of ten thousand spectators, organizers announced (Kyodo).
Globally, as of 22 June, Johns Hopkins University counts 178,856,835 COVID-19 cases and 3,874,800 deaths, and the WHO COVID-19 dashboard reports 178,360,849 cases and 3,869,384 deaths.
As notable cases: In Colombia, more than 25,000 cases are reported each day, with daily average deaths at 590 in the last week. Hospital networks across the country have collapsed, with ICU occupancy in the three largest cities – Bogotá, Medellín and Cali – hovering above 97% (Guardian). South America has become the world’s COVID-19 epicenter, accounting for one-quarter of the reported global death toll despite being home to only 5 percent of the world’s population. Brazil surpassed five hundred thousand casualties this weekend (WSJ).
Vaccination campaigns around the world continue. As of 21 June, Our World in Data reports 2.7 billion administered vaccine doses globally. The WHO COVID-19 dashboard reports over 2.41 billion administered vaccine doses.
As notable cases: Philippines‘ Duterte threatens those who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine with jail (Reuters). The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) today said talks are in the works to establish a COVID-19 vaccine production hub in South Africa, a step designed to boost vaccine supplies in the region in current and future outbreaks (CIDRAP). Zimbabwe runs out of Covid-19 vaccines as the country records a spike in new infections amid fears of a third wave (Nation).
Please note the publication date of this report and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information. The information in this report may change without prior notice.
