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Covid-19 cases climb above 40.1m

China expands use of experimental vaccines


October 19, 2020 00:00:00


The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 worldwide climbed above 40.1 million while the global death toll hit 1,116,722 on Sunday night, according to the worldometer tally.

Globally, 27,148,927 patients infected from the virus have recovered by the time.

The US continues to be the worst-affected country with 8,102,142 cases and 219,157 fatalities, which are the highest number of single-country deaths in the world, report agencies.

Besides, India's total caseload reached 7,432,680 while the South Asian country has recorded 112,998 deaths as of Sunday morning. India has been the second worst-hit country by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, China is rapidly increasing the number of people receiving its experimental coronavirus vaccines, with a city offering one to the general public and a biotech company providing another free to students going abroad.

The city of Jiaxing, south of Shanghai, is offering a vaccine under development by Sinovac, it said in an announcement on Thursday.

It said high-risk groups, including people who are "responsible for the basic operations of the city" will receive priority, but that residents who have emergency needs can also sign up.

The vaccine is in the final stage of clinical testing, but has not yet been approved. The city government said it is being provided under an emergency authorization.


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