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 South Asia crosses 30 million COVID-19 cases
Coronavirus infections in South Asia surpassed 30 million on Friday,
according to a Reuters tally of official data, led by India which is
struggling with a second wave and a vaccine shortage across the
region.
India, the second most-populous country in the world, this month
recorded its highest COVID-19 death toll since the pandemic began
last year, accounting for just over a third of the overall total.
The South Asia region - India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal,
Maldives and Sri Lanka - accounts for 18% of global COVID-19 cases
and almost 10% of deaths. But there is growing suspicion that
official tallies of infections and deaths are not reflecting the
true extent of the problem.
Japan set to extend states of emergency
Japan was set on Friday to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo and
other areas by about three weeks to June 20 as the pandemic shows no
signs of easing - less than two months before the Summer Olympics
open.
The state of emergency in the capital and eight other prefectures
had been scheduled to end on May 31, but strains on the medical
system remain severe.
Japan has seen a record number of COVID-19 patients in critical
condition in recent days, even as the number of new infections has
slowed.
Australia's Victoria sees fewer new cases
Australia's Victoria state reported fewer new local cases on Friday,
the first day of a one-week hard lockdown imposed to contain a
highly-infectious outbreak which authorities said could become
uncontrollable.
Four new locally acquired cases were reported in the last 24 hours,
down from 12 a day earlier, taking the total infections in the
latest cluster to 30 but officials urged people to remain cautious
and follow lockdown rules.
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 "We are very, very early in
this..Community transmission is still expected
to occur," Victoria state Chief Health Officer
Brett Sutton told reporters in the state capital
Melbourne. Thailand approves
Sinopharm vaccine
A royal academy chaired by Princess Chulabhorn, the youngest sibling
of Thailand's king, said on Friday it would import 1 million doses
of Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine next month, after the Food and Drug
Administration authorised its use.
"We want to help plug in the gaps for business, schools, so they can
move forward," Nithi Mahanonda, secretary-general of the Chulabhorn
Royal Academy, told a news briefing.
Earlier this week, the academy announced it would import
"alternative vaccines" to supplement the government campaign.
Get vaccinated, win cash
California will offer $116.5 million in cash and gift cards to
residents who get COVID-19 vaccinations before June 15, the latest -
and most lucrative - incentive by U.S. states desperate to persuade
laggards and vaccine-skeptics to get the injection.
The move by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is part of an effort to
boost vaccinations as the state prepares to fully reopen its economy
on June 15. Ten Californians who become inoculated before that date
stand to win lottery-style prizes of $1.5 million apiece, while
another 30 people will each win $50,000.
Beginning Thursday, the first two million Californians to become
vaccinated will each win $50 gift cards for cash or groceries.
(Compiled by Linda Noakes; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
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