Trying to Lift Quarantine Measures but Alarmed by 'Delta Variant'... COVID-19 Cases Surge Worldwide

London Waterloo Station, UK. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The world is once again suffering from COVID-19. Despite the start of vaccination, new confirmed cases are rapidly increasing due to the spread of the Delta variant, leading to calls for reimposing lockdown measures.

According to major foreign media on the 18th, the UK is seeing 50,000 new confirmed cases daily, and even the Health Secretary recently tested positive. Sajid Javid, the UK Health Secretary, tested positive and is currently awaiting the results of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

The UK is experiencing a sharp rise in new cases due to the spread of the Delta variant. As of this date, 54,674 new cases were confirmed, marking the highest number since January. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, the UK ranks among the highest globally alongside Brazil and Indonesia. There were 41 deaths reported.

Initially, the UK planned to significantly ease indoor mask-wearing and social distancing regulations, but as the situation worsened, calls for a "fall re-lockdown" emerged. Jeremy Hunt, Chair of the UK House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee, appeared on BBC Radio and stated, "If cases continue to rise after schools reopen in September, it may be necessary to reintroduce restrictions."

Nevertheless, the indoor mask mandate is expected to be lifted on the 19th. The government has promoted a 'freedom' policy of not wearing masks but recently issued repeated warnings that 'caution' is still needed.

France also records over 10,000 new cases for two consecutive days... 'Delta variant' is the culprit

In France, COVID-19 cases have increased due to the Delta variant. The daily new cases surpassed 10,000 for two consecutive days. According to the international statistics site Worldometer, France's cumulative confirmed cases stand at 5,855,198. Deaths have been recorded at 111,467.

However, resistance to vaccination and quarantine guidelines continues. According to the Associated Press, a large-scale protest against COVID-19 vaccination took place in France on the weekend of the 17th (local time). The French Ministry of the Interior estimated that 114,000 people participated in the protests.

The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the government's policy mandating COVID-19 vaccination for workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and facilities for the disabled. Policies requiring proof of vaccination in restaurants and shopping malls were also criticized.

Israel, which had lifted all quarantine measures due to rapid vaccination, has also seen a resurgence of cases due to the spread of the Delta variant. Local media reported that Israel's daily new cases exceeded 1,000 on this day. According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, 1,118 new cases were confirmed as of the 16th. This is a sharp increase from single digits in early last month.

In Israel, 5.22 million people (56%) out of the total population of 9.3 million have completed the second dose of vaccination. Thanks to the majority of adults being vaccinated, the number of severe cases and deaths has only slightly increased.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed concern, saying, "People believe that vaccines will completely solve the problem, but that is not the case. While vaccines are effective in preventing COVID-19, in the context of the rapid global spread of the Delta variant, vaccines alone are not sufficient."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.