Southeast Asia is an emerging hotspot for COVID-19

What is it about?

This article discusses how Southeast Asia is facing a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of highly transmissible and immunoevasive variants, limited vaccine rollout, and illegal workers' movements between countries. The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) that evolved from the outbreak in India has set back the success of COVID-19 control measures in several developed countries. The article also mentions the competition between Alpha and Delta variants in the region and the collapse of the healthcare system in some countries. The article emphasizes the need for an urgent increase in vaccine supplies to local hotspots in Southeast Asia to control the pandemic.

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Photo by Michał Turkiewicz on Unsplash

Photo by Michał Turkiewicz on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This article highlights the importance of understanding the current situation of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia, which has been under-reported in the media and global medical community. It highlights the emergence of highly transmissible and immunoevasive variants, limited vaccine rollout, and illegal movements of workers between countries, which have put the whole region at risk from COVID-19. The article emphasizes the urgent need for an increase in vaccine supplies to control the pandemic in the region. Overall, this study is important because it brings attention to a region that has been struggling to control the pandemic and highlights the need for global cooperation to tackle this global crisis.

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