World News Update; the COVID-19 Struggle

by Lily

On Sunday, a devastating loss for the country of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, and the South African region as Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini dies from COVID-19. Just four weeks after a positive test, the loss of 52 year old Dlamini had devastated the small, land-locked country during spiking numbers of COVID-related deaths in Africa. The continent is expecting another wave to hit as over 15,000 people per day are dying of the notorious disease, South Africa contributing to 60% of the cases according to a report from BBC News. Just yesterday alone, 175 people died due to Coronavirus in South Africa. Now, adding to the struggle, Eswatini has unexpectedly lost a leader in one of the toughest years yet.

As Canada orders a surplus of vaccines, struggling communities in Africa may not be aided with a vaccine for much longer. African CDC (Center for Disease Control) director John Nkengasong worries that it will not be until nearly mid 2021 before Africa can provide and distribute a vaccine around the continent.

On a positive note, Moderna and Pfizer are both making record-breaking strides in delivering hope in the form of vaccines to first the frontline workers. Hopefully within days, the Moderna vaccine will be ready for distribution in the U.S.