In other developments, African health officials said though vaccine supply is increasing, the region is struggling to meet its end-of-September vaccination coverage goal of 10%.

Vietnam, Australia eye more balanced approach

In Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City—the country's main hot spot— is considering easing restrictions on Sep 15, as it continues to build its vaccine coverage, according to Reuters. The city has been on lockdown since the end of July. Over the past weeks, it deployed troops to help enforce the measures.

In a draft plan, the city said the plan is designed to balance economic recovery with "living with COVID-19." Ho Chi Minh City and the region around it, which has also been hit hard by COVID-19, is one of the main industrial hubs of the country and is home to factories that make products for international companies.

Australia is also weighing eased restrictions once a greater percentage of the population is vaccinated. In New South Wales state, the Sydney area has been on lockdown for about 2 months, but cases continue to rise.

New South Wales today reported another record daily high with 1,431 new cases, mostly from Sydney, along with 12 more deaths, according to SBS, Australia's public television network. The state's Premier Gladys Berejiklian at a briefing today warned that the situation is likely to worsen in the coming days.

Currently, about 70% of eligible people have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and state officials have said restrictions will be eased once 70% are fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Australia's neighbor New Zealand is seeing a steep decline in cases, with 28 new cases reported today, according to Reuters. The city of Auckland, the main epicenter, remains on strict lockdown, though officials have eased measures in other areas.