COVID-19 pandemic Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Responses == <!-- **************************************************************************************** **** Please get a consensus at the talk before adding a section for any new country here. **** **************************************************************************************** --> {{Main|COVID-19 lockdowns|COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory|National responses to the COVID-19 pandemic}} <!-- This map has been commented out because of concerns raised about its inaccuracy (see "Map of world lockdowns is inaccurate" at talk). Please do not bring it back until they have been addressed. [[File:COVID-19 Outbreak lockdowns.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|Map of national and subnational lockdowns as of 27 May 2020 ([[Template:COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns|table]]; [[National responses to the COVID-19 pandemic#In other countries|more details]]){{Dubious|date=June 2020}} {{Block indent|{{legend|#003380|National lockdown}}{{legend|#80b3ff|Subnational lockdown}}{{legend|silver|No lockdown}}|left=2}}]] --> National reactions ranged from strict lockdowns to public education campaigns.<ref name="IVdfl" /> WHO recommended that curfews and lockdowns should be short-term measures to reorganise, regroup, rebalance resources, and protect the health care system.<ref name="58tIM">{{#invoke:cite news || url =https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-12/world-health-organization-coronavirus-lockdown-advice/12753688 | title =WHO doctor says lockdowns should not be main coronavirus defence | vauthors = Doyle M | date =11 October 2020 | newspaper =ABC News | access-date =25 October 2020}}</ref> As of 26 March 2020, 1.7 billion people worldwide were under some form of lockdown.<ref name="theguardian500000">{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Jones S, Kassam A |title=Spain defends response to coronavirus as global cases exceed 500,000 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/26/spanish-coronavirus-deaths-slow-as-world-nears-500000-cases |access-date=29 March 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=26 March 2020}}</ref> This increased to 3.9 billion people by the first week of April—more than half the [[World population|world's population]].<ref name="20200403euronews">{{#invoke:cite news ||title=Coronavirus: Half of humanity now on lockdown as 90 countries call for confinement |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/04/02/coronavirus-in-europe-spain-s-death-toll-hits-10-000-after-record-950-new-deaths-in-24-hou |work=[[Euronews]] |date=3 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="20200328businessinsider">{{#invoke:cite news ||title=A third of the global population is on coronavirus lockdown – here's our constantly updated list of countries and restrictions |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-on-lockdown-coronavirus-italy-2020-3 |work=Business Insider |date=28 March 2020}}</ref> In several countries, [[Protests against responses to the COVID-19 pandemic|protests rose against restrictions]] such as lockdowns. A February 2021 study found that protests against restrictions were likely to directly increase the spread of the virus.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||date=9 February 2021 |title=German anti-lockdown protests led to more coronavirus cases, study finds |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/anti-corona-restrictions-protests-responsible-for-coronavirus-outbreak-study-shows/ |access-date=17 February 2021 |website=Politico}}</ref> === Asia === {{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in Asia}} As of the end of 2021, Asia's peak had come at the same time and at the same level as the world as a whole, in May 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=COVID-19 Data Explorer|url=https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-04-11..latest&facet=none&pickerSort=asc&pickerMetric=location&Metric=Confirmed+cases&Interval=7-day+rolling+average&Relative+to+Population=true&Align+outbreaks=false&country=USA~South+America~Asia~Europe~Africa~OWID_WRL|url-status=live|access-date=9 December 2021|website=Our World in Data|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209081315/https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-04-11..latest&facet=none&pickerSort=asc&pickerMetric=location&Metric=Confirmed+cases&Interval=7-day+rolling+average&Relative+to+Population=true&Align+outbreaks=false&country=USA~South+America~Asia~Europe~Africa~OWID_WRL |archive-date=9 December 2021 }}</ref> However, cumulatively they had experienced only half of the global average in cases.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=COVID-19 Data Explorer|url=https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-04-11..latest&facet=none&pickerSort=asc&pickerMetric=location&Metric=Confirmed+cases&Interval=Cumulative&Relative+to+Population=true&Align+outbreaks=false&country=USA~South+America~Asia~Europe~Africa~OWID_WRL|url-status=live|access-date=9 December 2021|website=Our World in Data|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209081315/https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-04-11..latest&facet=none&pickerSort=asc&pickerMetric=location&Metric=Confirmed+cases&Interval=Cumulative&Relative+to+Population=true&Align+outbreaks=false&country=USA~South+America~Asia~Europe~Africa~OWID_WRL |archive-date=9 December 2021 }}</ref> [[File:塔子湖体育中心改造的方舱医院 07.jpg|thumb|A [[Fangcang Hospital|temporary hospital]] constructed in [[Wuhan]] in February 2020]] China opted for containment, instituting strict lockdowns to eliminate viral spread.<ref name=":02">{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Burki T | title = China's successful control of COVID-19 | journal = The Lancet. Infectious Diseases | volume = 20 | issue = 11 | pages = 1240–1241 | date = November 2020 | pmid = 33038941 | pmc = 7544475 | doi = 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30800-8 }}</ref><ref>Multiple sources: * {{#invoke:Cite magazine|| vauthors = Hessler P |title=How China Controlled the Coronavirus|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/08/17/how-china-controlled-the-coronavirus|access-date=4 January 2021|magazine=The New Yorker}} * {{#invoke:cite web || title=China's response shows how bold decision-making can contain coronavirus|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/chinas-response-shows-how-bold-decision-making-can-contain-coronavirus/|access-date=4 January 2021|website=World Economic Forum|date=11 March 2020 }} * {{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Kupferschmidt K, Cohen J |date=2 March 2020|title=China's aggressive measures have slowed the coronavirus. They may not work in other countries|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/china-s-aggressive-measures-have-slowed-coronavirus-they-may-not-work-other-countries|journal=Science|doi=10.1126/science.abb5426|s2cid=216508232}}</ref> The vaccines distributed in China included the [[Sinopharm BIBP COVID-19 vaccine|BIBP]], [[Sinopharm WIBP COVID-19 vaccine|WIBP]], and [[CoronaVac]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||vauthors=Pike LL |title=In China, nearly 1 million people have reportedly already gotten a coronavirus vaccine |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/11/25/21612338/does-china-have-a-covid-19-vaccine-1-million-sinopharm-sinovac |website=Vox |access-date=26 November 2020 |date=25 November 2020}}</ref> It was reported on 11 December 2021, that China had vaccinated 1.162 billion of its citizens, or 82.5% of the total population of the country against COVID-19.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=China vaccinates over 80% of its people against COVID-19 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/china-vaccinates-over-80-its-people-against-covid-19-2021-12-11/ |website=Reuters |access-date=11 December 2021 |date=11 December 2021}}</ref> China's large-scale adoption of [[zero-COVID]] had largely contained the first waves of infections of the disease.<ref name=":02"/><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=China's response shows how bold decision-making can contain coronavirus|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/chinas-response-shows-how-bold-decision-making-can-contain-coronavirus/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104204702/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/chinas-response-shows-how-bold-decision-making-can-contain-coronavirus/|archive-date=4 January 2021|access-date=4 January 2021|website=World Economic Forum|date=11 March 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Kupferschmidt|first1=Kai|last2=Cohen|first2=Jon|date=2 March 2020|title=China's aggressive measures have slowed the coronavirus. They may not work in other countries|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/china-s-aggressive-measures-have-slowed-coronavirus-they-may-not-work-other-countries|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215013608/https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/china-s-aggressive-measures-have-slowed-coronavirus-they-may-not-work-other-countries|archive-date=15 February 2021|access-date=4 January 2021|website=Science {{!}} AAAS}}</ref> When the waves of infections due to the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant|Omicron variant]] followed, China was almost alone in pursuing the strategy of zero-Covid to combat the spread of the virus in 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/59882774 |title=China: How is its zero-Covid strategy changing? |first1= Kai |last1=Wang |first2= Wanyuan |last2=Song|date=4 April 2022 |work=BBC }}</ref> Lockdown continued to be employed in November to combat a new wave of cases;<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||last1=Mcdonald |first1=Joe |title=China Returns to Lockdowns as Cases of COVID-19 Surge |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/china-returns-to-lockdowns-as-cases-of-covid-19-surge/3953615/ |website=NBC New York |date=12 November 2022 |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=World stocks on back foot as China COVID cases rise |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/world-stocks-on-back-foot-as-china-covid-cases-rise/ar-AA14mFDG |website=MSN |access-date=21 November 2022}}</ref> however, [[2022 COVID-19 protests in China|protests erupted in cities across China]] over the country's stringent measures,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||last1=Magramo |first1=Kathleen |title=China's Covid cases hit record as dissent grows over tough restrictions |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/24/asia/china-covid-highest-daily-case-number-intl-hnk/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=25 November 2022 |date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||first1=Nectar|last1=Gan|first2=Philip|last2=Wang|title=China's security apparatus swings into action to smother Covid protests |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/29/china/china-protest-crackdown-intl-hnk/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=29 November 2022 |date=29 November 2022}}</ref> and in December that year, the country relaxed its zero-COVID policy.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-63855508 |title=China abandons key parts of zero-Covid strategy after protests|date=7 December 2022|work=BBC}}</ref> On 20 December 2022, the Chinese State Council narrowed its definition of what would be counted as a COVID-19 death to include solely respiratory failure, which led to skepticism by health experts of the government's total death count<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Bradsher |first1=Keith |last2=Chien |first2=Amy Chang |last3=Dong |first3=Joy |date=23 December 2022 |title=As Cases Explode, China's Low Covid Death Toll Convinces No One |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/23/world/asia/china-covid-death-toll.html |access-date=23 December 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||date=20 December 2022 |title=China's low covid death count is being criticized as implausible |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/20/china-covid-coronavirus-low-numbers/ |access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> at a time when hospitals reported being overwhelmed with cases following the abrupt discontinuation of zero-COVID.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=Some hospitals in China overwhelmed in national COVID-19 wave |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/china-covid-19-icus-emergency-wards-1.6697978 |website=CBC |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> The first case in India was reported on 30 January 2020. India ordered a nationwide lockdown starting 24 March 2020,<ref name="mrGsK">{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Gettleman J, Schultz K |date=24 March 2020|title=Modi Orders 3-Week Total Lockdown for All 1.3 Billion Indians|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/world/asia/india-coronavirus-lockdown.html|access-date=2 August 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> with a phased unlock beginning 1 June 2020. Six cities accounted for around half of reported cases—[[COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra|Mumbai]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi|Delhi]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in Gujarat|Ahmedabad]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in Tamil Nadu|Chennai]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra|Pune]] and [[COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal|Kolkata]].<ref name="sHMHJ">{{#invoke:cite web || title=Infections over 1 lakh, five cities with half the cases: India's coronavirus story so far|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/05/19/infections-coronavirus-1-lakh-five-cities-with-half-the-cases.html|access-date=20 May 2020|website=The Week}}</ref> Post-lockdown, the Government of India introduced a contact tracking app called [[Aarogya Setu]] to help authorities manage contact tracing and vaccine distribution.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=India's Aarogya Setu becomes world's most downloaded contact-tracing app |url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-aarogya-setu-becomes-worlds-most-downloaded-contact-tracing-app-313748 |access-date=25 March 2022 |website=WION }}</ref> India's vaccination program was considered to be the world's largest and most successful with over 90% of citizens getting the first dose and another 65% getting the second dose.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=India's Covid vaccination programme one of world's most successful: Govt |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/indias-covid-vaccination-programme-one-of-worlds-most-successful-govt/articleshow/88648882.cms |access-date=25 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=India rolls out the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination drive |url=https://www.who.int/india/news/feature-stories/detail/india-rolls-out-the-world-s-largest-covid-19-vaccination-drive |access-date=25 March 2022 |website=www.who.int }}</ref> A second wave hit India in April 2021, straining healthcare services.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Yeung J, Sud V |title=India's second Covid wave hits like a 'tsunami' as hospitals buckle under weight|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/21/india/india-covid-hospital-shortage-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=26 April 2021|publisher=CNN}}</ref> On 21 October 2021, it was reported that the country had surpassed 1 billion vaccinations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=India Has Hit The 100-crore Vaccination Mark |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/india-has-hit-the-100-crore-vaccination-mark-7607041.html |website=Moneycontrol |date=21 October 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021 }}</ref> [[File:Disinfection of Tehran subway wagons against coronavirus 2020-02-26 09.jpg|thumb|Disinfection of Tehran Metro trains to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Similar measures have also been taken in other countries.<ref name="2kQpo">{{#invoke:cite web || url=https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Coronavirus-en-Panama-Metro-limpieza_0_5531446820.html |title=Realizan jornada de limpieza en vagones del Metro de Panamá |date=12 March 2020 |publisher=Tvn-2.com |access-date=23 April 2020}}</ref>]] Iran reported its first confirmed cases on 19 February 2020, in [[Qom]].<ref name="wHBRB" /><ref name="4yrqM" /> Early measures included the cancellation/closure of concerts and other cultural events,<ref name="Xm5nq" /> Friday prayers,<ref name="Urdn6" /> and school and university campuses.<ref name="2YX6a" /> Iran became a centre of the pandemic in February 2020.<ref name="HHOnl" /><ref name="New Yorker" /> More than ten countries had traced their outbreaks to Iran by 28 February, indicating a more severe outbreak than the 388 reported cases.<ref name="New Yorker" /><ref name="D2Xpc" /> The [[Islamic Consultative Assembly|Iranian Parliament]] closed, after 23 of its 290 members tested positive on 3{{nbsp}}March 2020.<ref name="fXv2K" /> At least twelve sitting or former Iranian politicians and government officials had died by 17 March 2020.<ref name="oxtUC" /> By August 2021, the pandemic's fifth wave peaked, with more than 400 deaths in 1 day.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||date=5 August 2021|title=Iranian Hospitals Overflow As Number Of Reported COVID-19 Cases Passes 4 Million|newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-covid-4-million/31393785.html|access-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805130006/https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-covid-4-million/31393785.html|archive-date=5 August 2021}}</ref> COVID-19 was confirmed in South Korea on 20 January 2020. Military bases were quarantined after tests showed three infected soldiers.<ref name="b82186" /> South Korea introduced what was then considered the world's largest and best-organised screening programme, isolating infected people, and tracing and quarantining contacts.<ref name="science20200317" /> Screening methods included mandatory self-reporting by new international arrivals through mobile application,<ref name="nbcnews1167376">{{#invoke:cite web || url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/how-south-korea-flattened-its-coronavirus-curve-n1167376 |title=This is how South Korea flattened its coronavirus curve | vauthors = Moon G |date=24 March 2020 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=31 March 2020}}</ref> combined with [[drive-through]] testing,<ref name="CvyZS" /> and increasing testing capability to 20,000 people/day.<ref name="fdhQW" /> Despite some early criticisms,<ref name="imx38" /> South Korea's programme was considered a success in controlling the outbreak without quarantining entire cities.<ref name="science20200317" /><ref name="Wypis" /><ref name="joins23778577">{{#invoke:cite web || script-title=ko:'K방역 극찬' 빌 게이츠, KT 손잡고 제2 코로나 막을 연구에 60억 투자 |url=https://news.joins.com/article/23778577 |date=17 May 2020 |script-website=ko:중앙일보 |language=ko |access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref> === Europe === {{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in Europe}} [[File:Persons died due to coronavirus COVID-19 per capita in Europe.svg|upright=1.35|thumb|Deaths per 100,000 residents]] The COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Europe with its first confirmed case in [[Bordeaux]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in France|France]], on 24 January 2020, and subsequently spread widely across the continent. By 17 March 2020, every country in Europe had confirmed a case,<ref>{{#invoke:cite tweet ||author=Government of Montenegro |author-link=Government of Montenegro |user=MeGovernment |number=1239992049350447104 |date=17 March 2020 |title=PM @DuskoMarkovicCG: #Montenegro confirmes first two #COVID19 cases #CoronaInfoCG https://t.co/Jxkrm4AMwK |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512133308/https://twitter.com/MeGovernment/status/1239992049350447104 |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> and all had reported at least one death, with the exception of [[COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City|Vatican City]]. Italy was the first European nation to experience a major outbreak in early 2020, becoming the first country worldwide to introduce a national [[COVID-19 lockdowns in Italy|lockdown]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Saglietto A, D'Ascenzo F, Zoccai GB, De Ferrari GM | title = COVID-19 in Europe: the Italian lesson | journal = Lancet | volume = 395 | issue = 10230 | pages = 1110–1111 | date = April 2020 | pmid = 32220279 | pmc = 7118630 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30690-5 }}</ref> By 13 March 2020, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) declared Europe the epicentre of the pandemic<ref>{{#invoke:cite web|| vauthors = Nebehay S |date=13 March 2020|title=Europe is epicenter of coronavirus pandemic: WHO|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who/europe-is-epicenter-of-coronavirus-pandemic-who-idUSKBN2102Q0|work=Reuters|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=13 March 2020|title=Coronavirus: Europe now epicentre of the pandemic, says WHO|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51876784|publisher=BBC|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> and it remained so until the WHO announced it had been overtaken by [[COVID-19 pandemic in South America|South America]] on 22 May.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Feuer W |date=22 May 2020|title=South America is a 'new epicenter' of the coronavirus pandemic, WHO says|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/22/south-america-is-a-new-epicenter-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic-who-says.html}}</ref> By 18 March 2020, more than 250 million people were in [[Stay-at-home order|lockdown]] in Europe.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Henley J |date=18 March 2020|title=More than 250m in lockdown in EU as Belgium and Germany adopt measures|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/coronavirus-lockdown-eu-belgium-germany-adopt-measures|url-status=live|access-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401085742/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/coronavirus-lockdown-eu-belgium-germany-adopt-measures|archive-date=1 April 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Despite [[deployment of COVID-19 vaccines]], Europe became the pandemic's epicentre once again in late 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=COVID-19's epicentre again: Europe faces fresh reckoning|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/12/covid-19s-epicentre-again-europe-faces-fresh-reckoning|access-date=19 November 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=With Covid cases rising, Europe is back at the epicenter of the pandemic |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/who-says-europe-back-epicenter-covid-pandemic-despite-vaccines-n1283263 |website=NBC News |date=4 November 2021 |access-date=15 January 2022 }}</ref> The [[COVID-19 pandemic in Italy|Italian outbreak]] began on 31 January 2020, when two Chinese tourists tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Rome.<ref name="Corriere_20Jan">{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Severgnini |first1=Chiara |title=Coronavirus, primi due casi in Italia: sono due turisti cinesi |url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/20_gennaio_30/coronavirus-italia-corona-9d6dc436-4343-11ea-bdc8-faf1f56f19b7.shtml |access-date=29 May 2023 |work=Corriere della Sera |date=30 January 2020 |language=it}}</ref> Cases began to rise sharply, which prompted the government to suspend flights to and from China and declare a state of emergency.<ref name="thelocal-flight" /> On 22 February 2020, the Council of Ministers announced a new decree-law to contain the outbreak, which quarantined more than 50,000 people in northern Italy.<ref name="AutoDW-201" /> On 4 March, the Italian government ordered schools and universities closed as Italy reached a hundred deaths. Sport was suspended completely for at least one month.<ref name="Kv4Ld" /><!-- We should summarise restrictions generally for Europe as a continent, not for various individual countries. At a high level, restrictions can be categorised into broadly similar groups. --> On 11 March, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte closed down nearly all commercial activity except supermarkets and pharmacies.<ref name="To26Y" /><ref name="ClzT6" /> On 19 April, the first wave ebbed, as 7-day deaths declined to 433.<ref name="thehill493586">{{#invoke:cite web || vauthors = Coleman J |title=Italy sees fewest coronavirus deaths in a week |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/493586-italy-sees-fewest-coronavirus-deaths-in-a-week |website=The Hill |access-date=20 April 2020 |date=19 April 2020 }}</ref> On 13 October, the Italian government again issued restrictive rules to contain the second wave.<ref name="KhaW7">{{#invoke:cite news ||title=Conte firma il dpcm: stop a movida e gite, niente didattica a distanza |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2020/10/12/coronavirus-conte-dpcm-nuove-misure-anti-covid-stretta_f39a3a5d-1412-48eb-9e73-c2c0009fd90b.html |access-date=13 October 2020 |agency=ansa.it |date=13 October 2020}}</ref> On 10 November, Italy surpassed 1 million confirmed infections.<ref name="8XEwk">{{#invoke:cite web || title=Italy passes 1 million Covid-19 cases, France overtakes Russia |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3109462/coronavirus-italy-passes-1-million-cases-joining-10-worst-hit |website=South China Morning Post |access-date=13 November 2020 |date=12 November 2020}}</ref> On 23 November, it was reported that the second wave of the virus had led some hospitals to stop accepting patients.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web || title=Coronavirus: Clinics in Naples, Italy, on the brink of collapse | date=23 November 2020 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-clinics-in-naples-italy-on-the-brink-of-collapse/a-55703503 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> [[File:2020 12 27 mas vacunados en la residencia mixta 1 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Vaccinations at a [[retirement home]] in [[Gijón]], Spain, in December 2020|alt=Elderly woman rolls up sleeve as two nurses administer a vaccine.]] The virus was first confirmed to have spread to Spain on 31 January 2020, when a German tourist tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on [[La Gomera]] in the Canary Islands.<ref name="SanidadConfirmaEnLaGomera">{{#invoke:cite news||title=Sanidad confirma en La Gomera el primer caso de coronavirus en España|url=https://elpais.com/sociedad/2020/01/31/actualidad/1580509404_469734.html|website=[[El Pais]]|access-date=31 January 2020|date=31 January 2020|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131225909/https://elpais.com/sociedad/2020/01/31/actualidad/1580509404_469734.html|archive-date=31 January 2020|url-status=live | vauthors = Linde P }}</ref> Post-hoc genetic analysis has shown that at least 15 strains of the virus had been imported, and [[community transmission]] began by mid-February.<ref name="genetic analysis">{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Ansede M |title=El análisis genético sugiere que el coronavirus ya circulaba por España a mediados de febrero |url=https://elpais.com/ciencia/2020-04-22/el-analisis-genetico-sugiere-que-el-coronavirus-ya-circulaba-por-espana-a-mediados-de-febrero.html |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=El País |date=22 April 2020 |language=es}}</ref> On 29 March, it was announced that, beginning the following day, all non-essential workers were ordered to remain at home for the next 14 days.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/world/spain-poised-to-tighten-coronavirus-lockdown-after-record-daily-toll/ar-BB11S9Gj|title=Spain poised to tighten coronavirus lockdown after record daily toll|publisher=MSN|access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref> The number of cases increased again in July in a number of cities including [[Barcelona]], [[Zaragoza]] and [[Madrid]], which led to reimposition of some restrictions but no national lockdown.<ref name=bbc25july>{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53539015 |title=Coronavirus: Spain drives fears of European 'second wave' |date=25 July 2020 |publisher=BBC }}</ref><ref name="elpais6aug">{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://english.elpais.com/spanish_news/2020-08-06/spains-basque-region-admits-to-second-wave-of-covid-19.html |title=Spain's Basque region admits to second wave of Covid-19 |work=El País |date=6 August 2020 }}</ref><ref name="telegraph aug16">{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/14/spain-shuts-nightlife-amid-fears-major-second-wave-coronavirus/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/14/spain-shuts-nightlife-amid-fears-major-second-wave-coronavirus/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Spain shuts down nightlife amid fears of major second wave of coronavirus| vauthors = Badcock J |date=14 August 2020 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/coronavirus/news/spain-wont-declare-another-national-state-of-alarm-allows-regions-to-lockdown-if-necessary/ |title=Spain won't declare another national state of alarm, allows regions to lockdown if necessary |date=26 August 2020 |work=Euroactiv }}</ref> By September 2021, Spain was one of the countries with the highest percentage of its population vaccinated (76% fully vaccinated and 79% with the first dose).<ref name="auto2">{{#invoke:cite journal|| vauthors = Ritchie H, Mathieu E, Rodés-Guirao L, Appel C, Giattino C, Ortiz-Ospina E, Hasell J, Macdonald B, Beltekian D, Roser M |date=5 March 2020|title=Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)|url=https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations|journal=Our World in Data}}</ref> Italy is ranked second at 75%.<ref name="auto2"/><!-- We should summarise vaccination status for Europe as a continent, not for dozens of individual countries. --> Sweden differed from most other European countries in that it mostly remained open.<ref name="NYT20200515">{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Leatherby L |title=Sweden Stayed Open. A Deadly Month Shows the Risks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/05/15/world/europe/sweden-coronavirus-deaths.html |access-date=18 May 2020 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=15 May 2020}}</ref> Per the [[Swedish constitution]], the [[Public Health Agency of Sweden]] has autonomy that prevents political interference and the agency favoured remaining open. The Swedish strategy focused on longer-term measures, based on the assumption that after lockdown the virus would resume spreading, with the same result.<ref name="7ys2k">{{#invoke:cite web || vauthors = Milne R |date=8 May 2020|title=Architect of Sweden's no-lockdown strategy insists it will pay off|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a2b4c18c-a5e8-4edc-8047-ade4a82a548d|access-date=16 August 2020|website=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref><ref name="I06mN">{{#invoke:cite web || title=Sverige diskuterar inte exitstrategier: "Vår strategi är hållbar, vi kan ligga kvar med den en väldigt lång tid"|url=https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2020/04/22/sverige-diskuterar-inte-exitstrategier-var-strategi-ar-hallbar-vi-kan-ligga-kvar|access-date=16 August 2020|website=svenska.yle.fi|language=sv-FI}}</ref> By the end of June, Sweden no longer had [[excess mortality]].<ref name="HEUrz">{{#invoke:cite web || title=Inte längre någon överdödlighet i Sverige|url=https://www.dagensmedicin.se/artiklar/2020/06/25/inte-langre-nagon-overdodlighet-i-sverige/|access-date=16 August 2020|website=Dagens Medicin|language=sv}}</ref> [[Devolution in the United Kingdom]] meant that each of its four [[Countries of the United Kingdom|countries]] developed its own response. England's restrictions were shorter-lived than the others.<ref name="8VnMf">{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2020/06/06/devolution-has-become-less-dysfunctional-during-the-pandemic |title=Ignore the squabbling Devolution has become less dysfunctional during the pandemic |newspaper=The Economist |date=6 June 2020 |access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref> The [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK government]] started enforcing social distancing and quarantine measures on 18 March 2020.<ref name="PkWGD" /><ref name="Pkx25" /> On 16 March, Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] advised against non-essential travel and social contact, praising [[Remote work|work from home]] and avoiding venues such as pubs, restaurants, and theatres.<ref name="5Q93q" /><ref name="hYdUy" /> On 20 March, the government ordered all leisure establishments to close,<ref name="dmBNt" /> and promised to prevent unemployment.<ref name="mV2p3" /> On 23 March, Johnson banned gatherings and restricted non-essential travel and outdoor activity. Unlike previous measures, these restrictions were enforceable by police through fines and dispersal of gatherings. Most non-essential businesses were ordered to close.<ref name="bbc-pm-2403" /> On 24 April 2020, it was reported that a promising vaccine trial had begun in England; the government pledged more than £50 million towards research.<ref name="vKeXC">{{#invoke:cite web || title=Large-scale human trial of potential COVID-19 vaccine kicks off at Oxford |date=24 April 2020 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-vaccine-covid-19-human-clinical-trial-oxford-england/ |publisher=CBS News |access-date=24 April 2020}}</ref> On 16 April 2020, it was reported that the UK would have first access to the Oxford vaccine, due to a prior contract; should the trial be successful, some 30 million doses would be available.<ref name="Lbt4o">{{#invoke:cite web || title=Coronavirus updates: Texas reports single highest daily rate increase of infections |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/coronavirus-updates-texas-reports-single-highest-daily-rate-increase-of-infections/ar-BB14cpOY?ocid=spartan-dhp-feeds |publisher=MSN |access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref> On 2 December 2020, the UK became the first developed country to approve the Pfizer vaccine; 800,000 doses were immediately available for use.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Mueller B |title=U.K. Approves Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine, a First in the West |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/world/europe/pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-approved-uk.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2 December 2020 |date=2 December 2020}}</ref> In August 2022 it was reported that viral infection cases had declined in the UK.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: 19 August 2022|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/19august2022 |publisher=UK Office for National Statistics |access-date=6 July 2023 |date=19 August 2022}}</ref> === North America === {{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in North America}} The virus arrived in the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|United States]] on 13 January 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=Second Travel-related Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Detected in United States |url=https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0124-second-travel-coronavirus.html |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |date=18 February 2020}}</ref> Cases were reported in all North American countries after [[COVID-19 pandemic in Saint Kitts and Nevis|Saint Kitts and Nevis]] confirmed a case on 25 March, and in all North American territories after [[COVID-19 pandemic in Bonaire|Bonaire]] confirmed a case on 16 April.<ref name="FirstBonaire_local">{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.infobonaire.com/update-on-coronavirus-covid-19-by-bonaires-lt-governor/| title=Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) by Bonaire's Lt. Governor InfoBonaire | website=The Bonaire Information Site| date=16 April 2020 |access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref> [[File:USNS Comfort New York City 2020.jpg|thumb|The hospital ship [[USNS Comfort|USNS ''Comfort'']] arrives in [[Manhattan]] on 30 March 2020.]] Per ''Our World in Data'', {{COVID-19 data/Text|US|cases}} confirmed cases have been reported in the United States with {{COVID-19 data/Text|US|deaths}} deaths, the most of any country, and [[COVID-19 pandemic death rates by country|the nineteenth-highest]] per capita worldwide.<ref name="JH Mortality">{{#invoke:cite web||url= https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality|title=Mortality Analyses|publisher=[[Johns Hopkins University]]|access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref> COVID-19 is the [[List of disasters in the United States by death toll|deadliest pandemic in US history]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=21 September 2021|title=COVID-19 surpasses 1918 flu as deadliest pandemic in U.S. history|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/covid-19-is-now-the-deadliest-pandemic-in-us-history|access-date=2 October 2021|website=National Geographic}}</ref> it was the third-leading cause of death in the US in 2020, behind heart disease and cancer.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://apnews.com/article/us-coronavirus-deaths-top-3-million-e2bc856b6ec45563b84ee2e87ae8d5e7|title=US deaths in 2020 top 3 million, by far most ever counted| vauthors = Stobbe M |date=21 December 2020|access-date=22 December 2020|work=Associated Press }}</ref> From 2019 to 2020, US life expectancy dropped by 3{{nbsp}}years for Hispanic Americans, 2.9{{nbsp}}years for African Americans, and 1.2{{nbsp}}years for white Americans.<ref name=Bosman>{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/21/us/american-life-expectancy-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/21/us/american-life-expectancy-report.html |archive-date=28 December 2021 |url-access=limited|title=U.S. Life Expectancy Plunged in 2020, Especially for Black and Hispanic Americans| vauthors = Bosman J, Kasakove S, Victor D |date=21 July 2021|access-date=21 July 2021|work=[[The New York Times]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> These effects have persisted as US deaths due to COVID-19 in 2021 exceeded those in 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web|| vauthors = Shapiro E, Pereira I, Deliso M |date=6 October 2021|title=COVID-19 live updates: More Americans died of COVID this year than all of 2020|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/live-updates/covid-delta-surge/?id=80391228|access-date=6 October 2021|website=ABC News }}</ref> In the United States, COVID-19 vaccines became available under emergency use in December 2020, beginning the [[COVID-19 vaccination in the United States|national vaccination program]]. The first COVID-19 vaccine was officially approved by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] on 23 August 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:cite press release || title=FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine | website=U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) | date=23 August 2021 | url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-covid-19-vaccine | access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> By 18 November 2022, while cases in the U.S. had declined, COVID variants BQ.1/BQ.1.1 had become dominant in the country.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=COVID variants BQ.1/BQ.1.1 make up nearly half of U.S. cases – CDC |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/covid-variants-bq1bq11-make-up-nearly-half-us-cases-cdc-2022-11-18/ |website=Reuters |access-date=19 November 2022 |date=18 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||date=14 October 2022 |first=Lisa |last=Schnirring |title=US COVID levels decline as new subvariants rise steadily |url=https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/10/us-covid-levels-decline-new-subvariants-rise-steadily |website=CIDRAP |access-date=19 November 2022 }}</ref> In March 2020, as cases of community transmission were confirmed across [[COVID-19 pandemic in Canada|Canada]], all of its provinces and territories declared states of emergency. Provinces and territories, to varying degrees, implemented school and daycare closures, prohibitions on gatherings, closures of non-essential businesses and restrictions on entry. Canada severely restricted its border access, barring travellers from all countries with some exceptions.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web|| vauthors = McQuigge M |date=25 March 2020|title=The Quarantine Act explained, as isolation becomes mandatory for some|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/the-quarantine-act-explained-as-isolation-becomes-mandatory-for-some-1.4868457|access-date=4 April 2021|publisher=CTV News}}</ref> Cases surged across Canada, notably in the provinces of [[COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia|British Columbia]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta|Alberta]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec|Quebec]] and [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario|Ontario]], with the formation of the [[Atlantic Bubble]], a [[Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic|travel-restricted]] area of the country (formed of the four [[Atlantic Canada|Atlantic provinces]]).<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://vocm.com/2020/12/23/covid-cases-in-atlantic-bubble-remain-low-as-cases-grow-across-canada/|title=COVID Cases in Atlantic Bubble Remain Low as Cases Grow Across Canada| vauthors = Grimes J }}</ref> Vaccine passports were adopted in all provinces and two of the territories.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/covid-nl-sept-7-2021-1.6166699 |title=Vaccine passports coming, Furey says, as N.L. reports 5 new cases |publisher=CBC News |date=7 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/03/world/canada/vaccine-passports-protests.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903220325/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/03/world/canada/vaccine-passports-protests.html |archive-date=3 September 2021 |url-access=limited|title=Vaccine Passports Roll Out, and So Do Unruly Anti-Vaccine Protests| vauthors = Austen I |date=3 September 2021|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Per a report on 11 November 2022, Canadian health authorities saw a surge in influenza, while COVID-19 was expected to rise during winter.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=Canada is seeing an early rise in flu cases. Is a 'tidal wave' of infection coming? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/early-flu-cases-canada-1.6647860 |website=cbc |access-date=19 November 2022}}</ref> === South America === {{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in South America}} [[File:(2020.04.17) Higienização entrada estação da CPTM (49784811813).jpg|thumb|Disinfection of public area in [[Itapevi]], Brazil, in April 2020]] The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached South America on 26 February 2020, when Brazil confirmed a case in [[São Paulo]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.as-coa.org/articles/where-coronavirus-latin-america |title=Where Is the Coronavirus in Latin America? | vauthors = orwitz L, Nagovitch P, Sonneland HK, Zissis C |website=AS/COA|access-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322095058/https://www.as-coa.org/articles/where-coronavirus-latin-america|archive-date=22 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> By 3 April, all countries and territories in South America had recorded at least one case.<ref name="Stuff/Fairfax">{{#invoke:cite web ||url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120818001/uncollected-bodies-lie-for-days-in-the-streets-of-ecuador-the-emerging-epicenter-of-the-coronavirus-in-latin-america |title=Uncollected bodies lie for days in the streets of Ecuador the emerging epicentre of the coronavirus in Latin America |publisher= Stuff/Fairfax |date=4 April 2020}}</ref> On 13 May 2020, it was reported that Latin America and the [[Caribbean]] had reported over 400,000 cases of COVID-19 infection with 23,091 deaths. On 22 May 2020, citing the rapid increase of [[COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil|infections in Brazil]], the [[World Health Organization]] WHO declared South America the epicentre of the pandemic.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=WHO declares that South America is the new coronavirus epicenter |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/22/coronavirus-update-us/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web || vauthors = Ward A |title=How South America became a coronavirus epicenter |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/5/26/21270376/south-america-covid-19-coronavirus-brazil-peru-chile |website=Vox |date=26 May 2020 |access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref> As of 16 July 2021, South America had recorded 34,359,631 confirmed cases and 1,047,229 deaths from COVID-19. Due to a shortage of testing and medical facilities, it is believed that the outbreak is far larger than the official numbers show.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Ankel |first1=Sophia |title=How Brazil went from carnival floats to mass graves. Photos show what it's like in the world's latest coronavirus hotspot. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-show-brazil-emerging-as-new-global-coronavirus-hotspot-2020-5#in-early-april-brazilian-health-officials-confirmed-that-covid- |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=Business Insider}}</ref> The virus was confirmed to have spread to Brazil on 25 February 2020,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.saude.gov.br/noticias/agencia-saude/46435-brasil-confirma-primeiro-caso-de-novo-coronavirus|title=Brasil confirma primeiro caso da doença|date=26 February 2020|publisher=[[Ministry of Health (Brazil)]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306155723/https://www.saude.gov.br/noticias/agencia-saude/46435-brasil-confirma-primeiro-caso-de-novo-coronavirus|archive-date=6 March 2020|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> when a man from [[São Paulo]] who had traveled to Italy tested positive for the virus.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Oliveira |first1=Elida |last2=Ortiz |first2=Brenda |title=Ministério da Saúde confirma primeiro caso de coronavírus no Brasil |url=https://g1.globo.com/ciencia-e-saude/noticia/2020/02/26/ministerio-da-saude-fala-sobre-caso-possivel-paciente-com-coronavirus.ghtml |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=G1 |date=26 February 2020 |language=pt-br}}</ref> The disease had spread to every [[Federative units of Brazil|federative unit of Brazil]] by 21 March. On 19 June 2020, the country reported its one millionth case and nearly 49,000 reported deaths.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Charner F |date=19 June 2020|title=Brazil tops 1 million Covid-19 cases. It may pass the US next, becoming the worst-hit country on the planet|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/19/americas/brazil-one-million-coronavirus-jair-bolsonaro-cases-intl/index.html|access-date=19 June 2020|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Painel Coronavírus|url=https://covid.saude.gov.br/|access-date=12 June 2020|website=}}</ref> One estimate of [[Under-reporting#Disease|under-reporting]] was 22.62% of total reported COVID-19 mortality in 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Kupek E | title = How many more? Under-reporting of the COVID-19 deaths in Brazil in 2020 | journal = Tropical Medicine & International Health | volume = 26 | issue = 9 | pages = 1019–1028 | date = September 2021 | pmid = 34008266 | pmc = 8242696 | doi = 10.1111/tmi.13628 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Ibrahim NK | title = Epidemiologic surveillance for controlling Covid-19 pandemic: types, challenges and implications | journal = Journal of Infection and Public Health | volume = 13 | issue = 11 | pages = 1630–1638 | date = November 2020 | pmid = 32855090 | pmc = 7441991 | doi = 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.07.019 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Santos AM, Souza BF, Carvalho CA, Campos MA, Oliveira BL, Diniz EM, Branco MD, Queiroz RC, Carvalho VA, Araújo WR, Silva AA | title = Excess deaths from all causes and by COVID-19 in Brazil in 2020 | journal = Revista de Saúde Pública | volume = 55 | page = 71 | date = 2021 | pmid = 34730751 | pmc = 8522736 | doi = 10.11606/s1518-8787.2021055004137 }}</ref> As of {{COVID-19 data/Date|format=d F Y}}, Brazil, with {{COVID-19 data/Text|BR|cases}} confirmed cases and {{COVID-19 data/Text|BR|deaths}} deaths, has the third-highest number of confirmed cases and second-highest death toll from COVID-19 in the world, behind only [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|those of the United States]] and [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|India]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=Brazil "falls" to third place among covid-19 affected countries behind the U.S. and now India |url=https://en.mercopress.com/2021/04/12/brazil-falls-to-third-place-among-covid-19-affected-countries-behind-the-u.s.-and-now-india |website=MercoPress |access-date=5 September 2022 }}</ref> === Africa === {{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in Africa}} [[File:Air Forces Africa delivers medical supplies to Ghana (49829156488).jpg|thumb|[[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] personnel unload a [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|C-17]] aircraft carrying medical supplies in [[Niamey]], Niger, in April 2020.]] The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Africa on 14 February 2020, with the first confirmed case announced in [[COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt|Egypt]].<ref name="bbc_51509248">{{#invoke:cite news ||title=Beijing orders 14-day quarantine for all returnees |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51509248 |access-date=24 March 2020 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214210032/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51509248 |archive-date=14 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=Egypt announces first Coronavirus infection |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/81641/Egypt-announces-first-Coronavirus-infection |access-date=24 March 2020 |work=EgyptToday |date=14 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215092410/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/81641/Egypt-announces-first-Coronavirus-infection |archive-date=15 February 2020}}</ref> The first confirmed case in [[sub-Saharan Africa]] was announced in [[COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria|Nigeria]] at the end of February 2020.<ref name="bbc_51671834">{{#invoke:cite news ||title=Nigeria confirms first coronavirus case |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51671834 |access-date=24 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302181240/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51671834 |archive-date=2 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Within three months, the virus had spread throughout the continent; [[COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho|Lesotho]], the last African sovereign state to have remained free of the virus, reported its first case on 13 May 2020.<ref name=reuters_idUSKBN22P1R4>{{#invoke:cite news||date=13 May 2020|title=Remote Lesotho becomes last country in Africa to record COVID-19 case|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lesotho-idUSKBN22P1R4|url-status=live|access-date=13 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514053312/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lesotho-idUSKBN22P1R4|archive-date=14 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="latimes.com">{{#invoke:cite web||title=Coronavirus live updates: Lesotho becomes last African nation to report a coronavirus case|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/liveblog/coronavirus-live-updates-wednesday-may-13|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513141447/https://www.latimes.com/california/liveblog/coronavirus-live-updates-wednesday-may-13|archive-date=13 May 2020|access-date=13 May 2020|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> By 26 May, it appeared that most African countries were experiencing community transmission, although testing capacity was limited.<ref name=theguardian_20200526_africa>{{#invoke:cite web|| vauthors = Akinwotu E |date=26 May 2020|title=Experts sound alarm over lack of Covid-19 test kits in Africa|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/may/26/africa-concerned-over-lack-of-coronavirus-testing-kits|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529155322/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/may/26/africa-concerned-over-lack-of-coronavirus-testing-kits|archive-date=29 May 2020|access-date=29 May 2020|website=The Guardian}}</ref> Most of the identified imported cases arrived from Europe and the United States rather than from China where the virus originated.<ref name="Africa Braces">{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Maclean |first1=Ruth |title=Africa Braces for Coronavirus, but Slowly |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/world/africa/coronavirus-africa-burkina-faso.html |access-date=25 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325014602/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/world/africa/coronavirus-africa-burkina-faso.html |archive-date=25 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Many preventive measures [[National responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa|were implemented]] by different countries in Africa including travel restrictions, flight cancellations, and event cancellations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||last1=Adebayo |first1=Bukola |last2=Busari |first2=Stephanie |title=Here are the African countries with confirmed coronavirus cases |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/09/africa/nigeria-coronavirus-cases-intl/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=2 June 2023 |date=9 March 2020}}</ref> Despite fears, Africa reported lower death rates than other, more economically developed regions.<ref name="NYT Africa deaths">{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Nolen |first1=Stephanie |title=Trying to Solve a Covid Mystery: Africa's Low Death Rates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/23/health/covid-africa-deaths.html |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=23 March 2022}}</ref> In early June 2021, Africa faced a third wave of COVID infections with cases rising in 14 countries.<ref name=theguardian_20210607_third>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Burke |first1=Jason |last2=correspondent |first2=Jason Burke Africa |title=Third wave sweeps across Africa as Covid vaccine imports dry up |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/07/third-wave-sweeps-across-africa-as-covid-vaccine-imports-dry-up |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=7 June 2021}}</ref> By 4 July the continent recorded more than 251,000 new COVID cases, a 20% increase from the prior week and a 12% increase from the January peak. More than sixteen African countries, including [[COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi|Malawi]] and [[COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal|Senegal]], recorded an uptick in new cases.<ref name="Mendez">{{#invoke:cite web || vauthors = Mendez R |date=8 July 2021 |title=Africa suffers worst surge in Covid cases as delta variant spurs third wave of pandemic |url= https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/08/delta-variant-africa-suffers-worst-surge-in-covid-cases-officials-brace-for-third-wave.html |access-date=9 July 2021|website=CNBC}}</ref> The World Health Organization labelled it Africa's 'Worst Pandemic Week Ever'.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Dahir AL |date=8 July 2021|title=Africa marks its 'worst pandemic week' yet, with cases surging and vaccine scarce, the W.H.O. says.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/08/world/africa-coronavirus-cases-who.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/08/world/africa-coronavirus-cases-who.html |archive-date=28 December 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=9 July 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In October 2022, WHO reported that most countries on the African continent will miss the goal of 70 percent vaccination by the end of 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Schlein |first1=Lisa |title=Africa Lags Behind Rest of World in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/africa-lags-behind-rest-of-world-in-covid-19-vaccination-coverage/6798185.html |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=VOA |date=20 October 2022 }}</ref> === Oceania === {{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania}} [[File:Empty shelves at Coles during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brisbane, Australia.jpg|thumb|right|Empty shelves at a [[Coles Supermarkets|Coles]] grocery store in [[Brisbane]], Australia, in April 2020]] The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Oceania on 25 January 2020, with the first confirmed case reported in [[Melbourne]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|Australia]].<ref name="AustraliaCase1">{{#invoke:cite web ||url=https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/first-confirmed-case-of-novel-coronavirus-in-australia|title=First confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Australia|date=25 January 2020|website=Australian Government Department of Health |access-date=3 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215171557/https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/first-confirmed-case-of-novel-coronavirus-in-australia|archive-date=15 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Brisbane2021">{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Lynch |first1=Lydia |title=Going viral: Timeline shows how COVID-19 infected Queensland |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/going-viral-timeline-shows-how-covid-19-infected-queensland-20210112-p56tj7.html |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=Brisbane Times |date=27 January 2021 }}</ref> It has since spread elsewhere in the region.<ref name="WHO Dashboard">{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://covid19.who.int/|title=WHO COVID-19 Dashboard|date=24 April 2020|access-date=24 April 2020|archive-date=16 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416183953/https://covid19.who.int/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Brisbane2021"/> [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|Australia]] and [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|New Zealand]] were praised for their handling of the pandemic in comparison to other Western nations, with New Zealand and each state in Australia wiping out all community transmission of the virus several times even after re-introduction into the community.<ref name="reuters-oz-10days">{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Pandey S |title=Australia records 10th day of no local COVID-19 cases |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-australia/update-1-australia-set-for-10th-day-of-no-local-covid-19-cases-idUSL1N2K201P |access-date=28 June 2021 |work=Reuters |date=27 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg-oz-tassie-price">{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Scott J |title= Australia's Island State Pays High Price for Virus Victory |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-24/the-high-price-of-beating-the-virus-on-one-pristine-island |access-date=28 June 2021 |work=www.bloomberg.com |date=24 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Cave D |title=One Case, Total Lockdown: Australia's Lessons for a Pandemic World |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/world/australia/perth-lockdown.html |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331200902/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/world/australia/perth-lockdown.html |archive-date=31 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the high transmissibility of the Delta variant, however, by August 2021, the Australian states of [[New South Wales]] and [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] had conceded defeat in their eradication efforts.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Briggs C |date=1 September 2021|title=Another state has given up on COVID zero. It shows Delta is a formidable foe|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-02/victoria-and-nsw-abandon-covid-zero-analysis/100426124|access-date=29 October 2021}}</ref> In early October 2021, New Zealand also abandoned its elimination strategy.<ref name="The Guardian NZ abandons elimination">{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Corlett E |title=New Zealand Covid elimination strategy to be phased out, Ardern says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/new-zealand-covid-strategy-in-transition-ardern-says-as-auckland-awaits-lockdown-decision |access-date=4 October 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004002428/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/new-zealand-covid-strategy-in-transition-ardern-says-as-auckland-awaits-lockdown-decision |archive-date=4 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In November and December, following vaccination efforts, the remaining states of Australia, excluding Western Australia, voluntarily gave up COVID-zero to open up state and international borders.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Dayman |first1=Isabel |title=SA opened its borders to COVID-19 this week. Here's what we've learned |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-27/sa-borders-open-what-we-have-learnt-so-far/100655534 |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=ABC News |date=27 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Lewin |first1=Rhiannon |title=Everything you need to know as Queensland's border FINALLY reopens to Australia |url=https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/everything-you-need-to-know-as-queenslands-border-finally-reopens-to-australia-c-4914002 |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=7NEWS |date=12 December 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Humphries |first1=Alexandra |title=5,000 arrivals in a day: Hobart Airport predicted to have busiest day on record |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-15/tasmania-open-again-after-almost-two-years-shut-due-to-covid-19/100699854 |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=ABC News |date=14 December 2021 }}</ref> The open borders allowed the Omicron Variant of COVID-19 to enter quickly and cases subsequently exceeded 120,000 a day.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Truu |first1=Maani |title=Hitting the Omicron peak is just the beginning: This is what's in store next for Australia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-30/covid-whats-next-after-omicrons-peak/100786176 |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=ABC News |date=29 January 2022 }}</ref> By early March 2022, with cases exceeding 1,000 a day, Western Australia conceded defeat in its eradication strategy and opened its borders.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Mercer |first1=Phil |title=Western Australia Finally Opens Border After COVID-19 Closure |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/western-australia-finally-opens-border-after-covid-19-closure-/6468095.html |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=VOA |date=3 March 2022 }}</ref> Despite record cases, Australian jurisdictions slowly removed restrictions such as close contact isolation, mask wearing and density limits by April 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web || vauthors = McNeill H |date=26 April 2022 |title=WATCH LIVE: WA to ditch masks, proof of vaccination and capacity limits |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/wa-health-minister-to-make-covid-19-announcement-20220426-p5ag8v.html |access-date=26 April 2022 |website=WAtoday }}</ref> On 9 September 2022 restrictions were significantly relaxed. The aircraft mask mandate was scrapped nationwide and daily reporting transitioned to weekly reporting.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||last=Young |first=Emma |date=2 September 2022 |title=WA public health rules to change as COVID-19 case numbers drop |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/western-australia/wa-to-drop-public-transport-taxi-and-rideshare-mask-requirements-20220902-p5bevh.html |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=The Age }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=COVID-19 update 9 September 2022 |url=https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Media-releases/2022/September/COVID19-update-9-September-2022 |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=ww2.health.wa.gov.au}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=Australia to move away from reporting daily COVID-19 case numbers |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-07/covid-19-statistics-to-be-reported-weekly-health-ministers-say/101414964 |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=ABC News |date=7 September 2022 }}</ref> On 14 September, COVID-19 disaster payment for isolating persons was extended for mandatory isolation.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Brown |first1=Andrew |title=Paid pandemic leave extended while mandatory isolation continues |url=https://indaily.com.au/news/2022/09/14/paid-pandemic-leave-extended-while-mandatory-isolation-continues/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=InDaily |date=14 September 2022 }}</ref> By 22 September, all states had ended mask mandates on public transport, including in Victoria, where the mandate had lasted for approximately 800 days.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Taylor |first1=Hayley |title=Victoria becomes final state to scrap COVID mask rule |url=https://7news.com.au/news/coronavirus-vic/final-australian-state-scraps-public-transport-mask-mandate-c-8314730 |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=7NEWS |date=21 September 2022 }}</ref> On 30 September 2022, all Australian leaders declared the emergency response finished and announced the end of isolation requirements. These changes were due in part to high levels of 'hybrid immunity' and low case numbers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||last1=Jose |first1=Renju |last2=Jackson |first2=Lewis |title=As Australia calls end to COVID emergency response, doctors warn of risk to public |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-end-mandatory-home-isolation-covid-patients-2022-09-30/ |website=Reuters |date=30 September 2022}}</ref> === Antarctica === {{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in Antarctica}} Due to its remoteness and sparse population, [[Antarctica]] was the last continent to have confirmed cases of COVID-19.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Taylor A, Pitrelli S |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/24/one-continent-remains-untouched-by-coronavirus-antarctica/|title=One continent remains untouched by the coronavirus: Antarctica|date=24 March 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401225655/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/24/one-continent-remains-untouched-by-coronavirus-antarctica/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Torres E |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/life-antarctica-continent-case-coronavirus/story?id=69716325|title=What life is like on Antarctica, the only continent without a case of coronavirus|date=20 March 2020|work=ABC News|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401135314/https://abcnews.go.com/International/life-antarctica-continent-case-coronavirus/story?id=69716325|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news||agency=Agence France-Presse|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3077724/pacific-islands-antarctic-bases-coronavirus-free-living-some|title=Pacific islands, Antarctic bases: coronavirus-free living in some of Earth's most isolated places|date=31 March 2020|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-date=3 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403015046/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3077724/pacific-islands-antarctic-bases-coronavirus-free-living-some|url-status=live}}</ref> The first cases were reported in December 2020, almost a year after the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in China. At least 36 people were infected in the first outbreak in 2020,<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Miranda |first1=Natalia A. Ramos |title=Coronavirus reaches end of earth as first outbreak hits Antarctica |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/coronavirus-reaches-end-earth-first-outbreak-hits-antarctica-2020-12-22/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=Reuters |date=22 December 2020 }}</ref> with several other outbreaks taking place in 2021 and 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/08/antarcticas-biggest-covid-outbreak-yet-puts-us-station-mcmurdo-on-pause |title=Antarctica's biggest Covid outbreak yet puts US station McMurdo on pause |last=McClure |first=Tess |date=8 November 2022 |work=The Guardian |access-date=12 June 2023}}</ref> === United Nations === {{Main|United Nations response to the COVID-19 pandemic}} The [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development]] (UNSC) was criticised for its slow response, especially regarding the UN's [[global ceasefire]], which aimed to open up humanitarian access to conflict zones.<ref name=":22">{{#invoke:cite web ||date=9 April 2020 |title=Global Ceasefire Call Deserves UN Security Council's Full Support |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/global/global-ceasefire-call-deserves-un-security-councils-full-support |access-date=1 August 2020 |website=Crisis Group}}</ref><ref name="Krm4a">{{#invoke:cite web ||date=25 June 2020 |title=UN tallies action so far to fight COVID-19, and roadmap out of the pandemic |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/06/1067132 |access-date=4 August 2020 |website=UN News}}</ref> The United Nations Security Council was criticized due to the inadequate manner in which it dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, namely the poor ability to create international collaboration during this crisis.<ref>{{#invoke:cite journal ||last1=Charbonneau |first1=Bruno |title=The COVID-19 test of the United Nations Security Council |journal=International Journal: Canada's Journal of Global Policy Analysis |date=March 2021 |volume=76 |issue=1 |pages=6–16 |doi=10.1177/0020702020986897 |s2cid=233202171 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0020702020986897 |access-date=5 June 2023 |issn=0020-7020}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Gladstone |first1=Rick |title=U.N. Security Council 'Missing In Action' in Coronavirus Fight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/world/americas/coronavirus-united-nations-guterres.html |access-date=5 June 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=2 April 2020}}</ref> On 23 March 2020, United Nations Secretary-General [[António Guterres|António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres]] appealed for a global [[ceasefire]];<ref name="tFb4N">{{#invoke:cite web || date=23 March 2020|title=Transcript of the Secretary-General's virtual press encounter on the appeal for global ceasefire|url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2020-03-23/transcript-of-the-secretary-generals-virtual-press-encounter-the-appeal-for-global-ceasefire|access-date=1 August 2020|website=United Nations Secretary-General}}</ref><ref name="lzoeV">{{#invoke:cite web || date=23 March 2020|title=COVID-19: UN chief calls for global ceasefire to focus on 'the true fight of our lives'|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059972|access-date=1 August 2020|website=UN News}}</ref> 172 UN member states and observers signed a non-binding supporting statement in June,<ref name="AGhvz">{{#invoke:cite web || date=24 June 2020|title=170 signatories endorse UN ceasefire appeal during COVID crisis|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/06/1066982|access-date=1 August 2020|website=UN News}}</ref> and the [[UN Security Council]] passed a [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2532|resolution]] supporting it in July.<ref name="9rN79">{{#invoke:cite web || title=S/RES/2532(2020) – E – S/RES/2532(2020)|url=https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2532(2020)|access-date=1 August 2020|website=undocs.org}}</ref><ref name="nJTuX">{{#invoke:cite news || date=1 July 2020|title=Stalled Security Council resolution adopted, backing UN's global humanitarian ceasefire call|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/07/1067552|access-date=1 August 2020|website=UN News}}</ref> On 29 September 2020, Guterres urged the [[International Monetary Fund]] to help certain countries via debt relief and also call for countries to increase contributions to develop vaccines.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=U.N. chief urges increase in funding for IMF to help pandemic-hit countries |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-un-idUSKBN26K2VK |access-date=5 June 2023 |work=Reuters |date=29 September 2020 }}</ref> === WHO === {{Main|World Health Organization's response to the COVID-19 pandemic|l1 = World Health Organization's response to the COVID-19 pandemic}} [[File:13981214000744637189356214810969 نشست مدیران شهری با نمایندگان سازمان بهداشت جهانی.jpg|thumb|[[World Health Organization]] representatives holding joint meeting with [[Tehran]] city administrators in March 2020]] The WHO spearheaded initiatives such as the [[COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund]] to raise money for the pandemic response, the [[UN COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force]], and the [[solidarity trial]] for investigating potential treatment options for the disease. The [[COVAX]] program, co-led by the WHO, [[GAVI]], and the [[Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations]] (CEPI), aimed to accelerate the development, manufacture, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access across the world.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=COVAX |url=https://www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator/covax |access-date=9 December 2021 |website=www.who.int}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=Factbox: Vaccines delivered under COVAX sharing scheme for poorer countries |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/vaccines-delivered-under-covax-sharing-scheme-poorer-countries-2022-01-03/ |access-date=5 June 2023 |work=Reuters |date=25 November 2022 }}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. 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