Covid-19 global updates: Some countries defend mixing vaccines after WHO suggests booster strategy is ‘chaotic’

Here are some significant developments:

• Parts of South Africa’s vaccination program were temporarily halted following the country’s most violent protests in years. Only about 2.5 percent of the covid-ravaged nation’s population has been fully inoculated.
• The city of Tokyo on Wednesday reported its highest number of coronavirus cases in nearly six months, just days ahead of the Olympic Games and about a week after authorities declared a state of emergency to stem the rising tide of infections.
• The global number of new coronavirus cases rose by 10 percent over the past week, after more than two months of steady decline, the WHO said in an epidemiological update. While the number of deaths linked to covid-19 increased by 3 percent worldwide, the agency said, the Africa region recorded a 50 percent jump in new fatalities from the virus.
• London’s transport authority will reportedly continue mandating face coverings aboard services such as the city’s subway system. England will lift virtually all remaining virus curbs on Monday.
• Sydney extended its limited lockdown by at least another 14 days, after New South Wales state logged 97 new cases on Wednesday. Australia’s largest city has been under enhanced restrictions for about three weeks.