Pandemic Rebound
As much of North America begins to settle into a post-pandemic existence, Europe is once again the epicentre of the global health crisis. The continent is reporting near-record levels of infections, and if things continue on this track, half a million COVID deaths could be reported in the next three months. Last week, Europe accounted for 59% of global cases, prompting the WHO to warn that the continent is at a "critical point" in the pandemic. Experts say countries that lifted preventative measures are experiencing the most substantial surge. Another contributing factor is low vaccination rates, including in Germany, which just reported a record 34,000 daily COVID cases. There are still 16 million German citizens who have not been vaccinated.
Miracle Drug
It's not all depressing news across the pond, though: The U.K. just became the first country to approve Merck's antiviral drug to treat COVID. The pill is shown to successfully treat mild and moderate illness, and is now licensed for adults 18 and over who have tested positive for the virus. The antiviral medication should reduce symptoms and hasten recovery, which could do wonders to ease the strain on healthcare systems.
Looming Deadline
The prospect of a potential COVID cure is delightful, but vaccines are still proving to be an essential tool in the fight against the pandemic. That's why yesterday, the Biden administration confirmed that large companies will need to ensure their workers are fully vaxxed by Jan. 4. Workers who choose not to get inoculated will be required to do weekly testing. The Biden administration is also adding new regulations for healthcare workers, mandating that the 17 million staff who receive Medicare or Medicaid funding must be vaccinated by the same Jan. 4 deadline.
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