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Interfor International – Weekly Security & Covid Digest – May 31, 2022

In late March, El Salvador’s Congress approved a “state of exception” to crack down on gang-related violence. The move sparked widespread arrests across the country, with 30,506 taking place over two months. International human rights groups raised concerns over reports of excessive force.
Ukrainian President Zelensky visited Kharkiv, a major city on the front line, in his first official trip outside Kyiv since the start of the Russian invasion in late February.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken called China the “most serious long-term challenge to the international order.” Blinken also highlighted the administration’s efforts to focus policy on the Indo-Pacific region.
US, Japan, and South Korea issued an official condemnation over recent North Korean missile tests. The announcement followed a US move to impose stricter sanctions on individuals associated with North Korea’s missile program.
The World Health Organization recently announced that monkey pox poses a “moderate risk” to overall public health at the global level. The move comes after cases of the disease were reported outside areas where it is usually found.

Total Deaths: 6,286,855 (1,003,189 in United States)

At least one vaccine dose administered: 67.6 % globally (United States: 78.4% of population)

As the US marks the unofficial start of summer, the seven-day average for Covid-19 cases in the U.S. is more than six times greater than a year ago. At the same time, Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. are hovering near the lowest levels since the pandemic hit.
The U.N. health agency noted a global drop in Covid-19 cases, as positive cases rose in only two regions: the Americas and the western Pacific.
Pfizer announced that preliminary findings from a trial of children younger than five showed that three doses of the coronavirus vaccine produced a strong enough immune response to meet the criteria for regulatory authorization.
The CDC is warning of a potential “Covid-19 rebound” after a five-day course of the Paxlovid treatment. CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky: “We haven’t yet seen anybody who has returned with symptoms needing to go to the hospital. So, generally, a milder course.”
Beijing loosened mobility curbs in several districts after authorities said its outbreak is under control. Meanwhile, Shanghai will take some major steps toward reopening China’s largest city after a two-month Covid-19 lockdown.
North Korea reported an increase in suspected new cases of Covid-19, a day after its government claimed to have the pandemic under control.

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