Third Wave Surpassed Worst-Case Scenario

This week, the COVID-19 third wave surpassed the worst-case scenario forecasted by local health authorities. According to official estimates, the most drastic moment would come in August, with 3,500 beds occupied. However, as of July 29, 3,987 people were hospitalized for COVID-19.

Internationally, vaccine distribution continues to be unequal. Here is the week in health!

WHO Calls for a Moratorium on COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

Tedros Adhamon, Director General of WHO, called “for a moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine boosters until at least the end of September” after high-income countries announced plans to provide booster shots to protect their population from emerging variants.

The United Arab Emirates, Israel, the UK, Germany, Cambodia, Thailand, France, Russia, Switzerland, Singapore and Indonesia are some of the countries that had previously announced their plans to distribute COVID-19 booster shots about six months after the first scheme is completed.

INEGI Records an Excess Death Toll Due to COVID-19

INEGI’s preliminary figures indicate that COVID-19 deaths during 2020 were 35.3 percent higher than the official number reported by Mexican authorities. The federal government reported a total of 148,629 COVID-19 deaths during 2020 but INEGI’s data points to 201,163 deaths. The new figures would put Mexico in fourth place in COVID-19 deaths.

Preventing Future Health Threats

On Tuesday, Mexico activated an integral biosafety plan to fight the threat posed by the African Swine Fever (ASF). This plan consists of reinforcing the mechanisms of prevention, detection and control to prevent the entrance of ASF into the country. Mexico’s government will implement health intelligence work, review animal health requirements and biocontainment measures and strengthen inspection at ports, airports and borders.

Prevention Strengthened Through Tech

The high prevalence of chronic diseases associated with poor nutritional habits, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or obesity, have shifted public health focus and pushed entrepreneurial projects. The CEO of one of these projects, Gustavo Rodriguez of nutriADN, talked with MBN about the platform, which offers preventive and personalized solutions tailored to individual genetic profiles. Read our full interview here.

Excellence in Supply for Successful COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacture

Vaccine manufacture involves precise, quality suppliers known for their excellence. On an interview with MBN, Erick Sabido, Commercial Manager of Sartorius Mexico, discussed the expedited solution provided by the company for manufacturing and quality control processes. Read the full article here.

Historic Findings for Science

A team of scientists from Ohio State University found 28 previously undiscovered 15,000-year-old viruses in the glaciers of Tibet, China, according to a study published in the journal Microbiome. These ancient viruses survived because they were frozen and were preserved as spores in glacial ice.