June 25, 2021

Lantronix annonce les lauréats des SmartEdge Partner Program Awards

Les lauréats du programme de partenariat SmartEdge sont Tech Data, SHI, Presidio, Atlantik, Arki, Data Equipment, Acromax, Rahi System India et Enthu Technology Sdn. Bhd.

IRVINE, Californie, 24 juin 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ : LTRX), un fournisseur mondial de solutions clés en main sécurisées pour l’Internet des Objets (IdO) et la gestion des environnements distants (REM), proposant des logiciels en tant que services (SaaS), des services de connectivité, des services d’ingénierie et des solutions matérielles intelligentes, a dévoilé aujourd’hui les noms des lauréats de son programme de partenariat SmartEdge™. Les prix ont été décernés lors du Sommet 2021 des Partenaires SmartEdge de Lantronix, qui s’est tenu virtuellement le 23 juin 2021.

Les prix du programme de partenariat SmartEdge de Lantronix ont été décernés aux lauréats dans trois catégories : partenaire Distribution, partenaire StrategicEdge et partenaire Edge, couvrant trois régions : Amérique du Nord, Europe/Moyen-Orient/Afrique et Asie-Pacifique.

Les lauréats sont :
Amérique du Nord
Partenaire Distribution de l’année pour l’Amérique du Nord : Tech Data
Partenaire StrategicEdge de l’année pour l’Amérique du Nord :SHI
Partenaire Edge de l’année pour l’Amérique du Nord :Presidio

Europe/Moyen-Orient/Afrique (EMEA)
Partenaire Distribution de l’année pour l’EMEA : Atlantik Elektronik
Partenaire StrategicEdge de l’année pour l’EMEA : Arki Technology
Partenaire Edge de l’année pour l’EMEA :Data Equipment

Asie-Pacifique (APAC)
Partenaire Distribution de l’année pour l’APAC : Acromax
Partenaire StrategicEdge de l’année pour l’APAC : Rahi Systems, Inde
Partenaire Edge de l’année pour l’APAC : Enthu Technology Sdn. Bhd.

« Nous sommes heureux de mettre à l’honneur les lauréats du programme de partenariat SmartEdge, qui ont tous stimulé les ventes et établi des relations à long terme avec nos clients mutuels en dépassant les exigences et les attentes de notre programme », a déclaré Roger Holliday, vice-président des ventes mondiales chez Lantronix.

Premier anniversaire du programme de partenariat SmartEdge

Lantronix a célébré le premier anniversaire de son nouveau programme de partenariat SmartEdge en avril 2021. « Le programme Lantronix de partenariat SmartEdge a attiré les principaux partenaires de distribution du secteur », a déclaré Jonathan Shipman, vice-président de la stratégie chez Lantronix. « Grâce à notre programme SmartEdge, nos partenaires de distribution proposent l’offre intégrée de solutions logicielles, matérielles et de services de Lantronix, fournissant ainsi à leurs clients tout ce dont ils ont besoin pour construire des solutions robustes et sécurisées basées sur la connectivité. »

Lantronix entre dans le Guide CRN des programmes de partenariat

Le programme de partenariat SmartEdge de Lantronix a été retenu dans le guide des programmes de partenariat le plus en vue du secteur, le Guide CRN des programmes de partenariat. Publié par CRN^®, une marque de The Channel Company, ce guide annuel fournit une liste concluante des programmes de partenariat les plus prestigieux provenant de sociétés technologiques de premier plan qui fournissent des produits et des services via le canal informatique. Le Guide des programmes de partenariat 2021 est disponible en ligne à l’adresse www.CRN.com/PPG.

À propos du programme de partenariat SmartEdge

Le programme de partenariat SmartEdge™ de Lantronix a été conçu pour aider les revendeurs à valeur ajoutée (VAR) et les intégrateurs de systèmes (SI) à générer des revenus en différenciant leurs offres grâce à l’Internet des Objets (IdO) industriel innovant, la gestion des environnements distants (REM), la gestion hors bande (OOBM) et les solutions de mobilité/connectivité de Lantronix.

Pour tout complément d’information sur le programme de partenariat SmartEdge de Lantronix, veuillez consulter la page www.lantronix.com/partners.

À propos de Lantronix

Lantronix Inc. est un fournisseur mondial de solutions clés en main sécurisées pour l’Internet des Objets (IdO) et la gestion des environnements distants (REM), proposant des logiciels en tant que services (SaaS), des services de connectivité, des services d’ingénierie et des solutions matérielles intelligentes. Lantronix permet à ses clients de fournir des solutions fiables et sécurisées, tout en raccourcissant leurs délais de mise sur le marché. Les produits et services de Lantronix simplifient considérablement les opérations via la création, la mise au point, le déploiement et la gestion des projets des clients à l’échelle, tout en garantissant la qualité, la fiabilité et la sécurité.

Fort de trois décennies d’expérience éprouvée dans la création de solutions robustes pour les technologies IdO et l’OOBM, Lantronix est un innovateur qui permet à ses clients de construire de nouveaux modèles commerciaux, de tirer parti d’une plus grande efficacité et de réaliser les possibilités offertes par l’Internet des Objets. Les solutions de Lantronix sont déployées à l’intérieur de millions de machines équipant des datacenters, bureaux et sites distants pour le compte d’une large gamme de secteurs, parmi lesquels l’énergie, l’agriculture, la médecine, la sécurité, la fabrication, la distribution, le transport, le commerce de détail, la finance, l’environnement et les services publics.

Lantronix a son siège à Irvine, en Californie. Pour tout complément d’information, veuillez consulter le site www.lantronix.com. Vous en apprendrez davantage sur le blog de Lantronix, www.lantronix.com/blog, où vous trouverez les discussions et les actualités du secteur. Pour suivre Lantronix sur Twitter, veuillez vous rendre sur la page www.twitter.com/Lantronix. Visionnez notre vidéothèque sur YouTube à l’adresse www.youtube.com/user/LantronixInc ou connectez-vous avec nous sur LinkedIn à l’adresse www.linkedin.com/company/lantronix.

Déclaration « Safe Harbor » en vertu de la loi Private Securities Litigation Reform Act de 1995 : toutes les déclarations contenues dans le présent communiqué de presse qui ne sont pas de nature entièrement historique et factuelle, y compris, à titre non limitatif, les déclarations relatives à nos solutions, technologies et produits sont des énoncés prospectifs. Ces énoncés prospectifs sont fondés sur nos attentes actuelles et sont assujettis à des risques et incertitudes importants qui pourraient faire que nos résultats, nos activités, notre situation financière ou nos performances réels diffèrent sensiblement de nos résultats historiques ou de ceux exprimés ou sous-entendus dans tout énoncé prospectif contenu dans le présent communiqué de presse. Les risques et incertitudes potentiels incluent, entre autres, des facteurs tels que les effets négatifs ou l’aggravation de la situation économique régionale et mondiale ou l’instabilité du marché sur nos activités, y compris les effets sur les décisions d’achat de nos clients ; l’impact de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur nos employés, les chaînes d’approvisionnement et de distribution, et l’économie mondiale ; les risques en matière de cybersécurité ; les modifications des lois, réglementations et tarifications gouvernementales américaines et étrangères en vigueur ; notre capacité à mettre en œuvre avec succès notre stratégie d’acquisition ou à intégrer les entreprises acquises ; les difficultés et coûts liés à la protection des droits de brevet et autres droits de propriété ; notre niveau d’endettement, notre capacité à rembourser notre dette et les restrictions imposées à nos accords de dette ; ainsi que tout autre facteur inclus dans notre rapport annuel sur Formulaire 10-K pour l’exercice clos le 30 juin 2020, déposé auprès de la Securities and Exchange Commission (« SEC ») le 11 septembre 2020, y compris dans la section concernant les « Facteurs de risque » sous l’alinéa 1A de la première partie de ce rapport, ainsi que dans nos autres documents publics déposés auprès de la SEC. Des facteurs de risque supplémentaires sont susceptibles d’être identifiés occasionnellement dans nos futurs dépôts. Les énoncés prospectifs inclus dans le présent communiqué de presse ne sont valables qu’à la date indiquée dans celui-ci, et nous déclinons toute obligation de mettre à jour ces énoncés prospectifs dans l’intention de refléter des événements ou circonstances survenant ultérieurement.

© 2021 Lantronix, Inc. Tous droits réservés. Lantronix est une marque déposée, et EMG et ConsoleFlow sont des marques commerciales de Lantronix Inc. Les autres marques et appellations commerciales appartiennent à leurs propriétaires respectifs.

Contact Lantronix pour les médias :
Gail Kathryn Miller
Responsable du marketing et des
communications d’entreprise
media@lantronix.com
949-453-7158

Contact Lantronix pour les analystes et les investisseurs :
Jeremy Whitaker
Directeur financier
investors@lantronix.com
949-450-7241

Ventes Lantronix :
sales@lantronix.com
Amériques : +1 (800) 422-7055 (États-Unis et Canada) ou +1 949-453-3990
Europe, Moyen-Orient et Afrique : +31 (0)76 52 36 744
Asie/Pacifique : + 852 3428-2338
Chine : + 86 21-6237-8868
Japon : +81 (0) 50-1354-6201
Inde : +91 994-551-2488

June 25, 2021

Lantronix Anuncia Nomes dos Vencedores do Prêmio SmartEdge Partner Program

Os vencedores do SmartEdge Partner Program são Tech Data, SHI, Presidio, Atlantik, Arki, Data Equipment, Acromax, Rahi System India e Enthu Technology Sdn. Bhd.

IRVINE, Califórnia, June 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), provedora global de soluções turnkey seguras para Internet das Coisas (IoT) e Remote Environment Management (REM), oferecendo Software as a Service (SaaS), serviços de conectividade, serviços de engenharia e hardware inteligente, anunciou hoje os nomes dos vencedores dos seus SmartEdge™ Partner Program Awards. Os prêmios foram concedidos no 2021 SmartEdge Partner Summit da Lantronix, realizada virtualmente em 23 de junho de 2021.

Os Prêmios do SmartEdge Partner Program da Lantronix foram concedidos aos vencedores em três categorias: Parceiro de Distribuição, Parceiro StrategicEdge e Parceiro Edge de três regiões: América do Norte, Europa/Oriente Médio/África e Ásia-Pacífico.

Os vencedores são:
América do Norte
Parceiro Distribuidor do Ano da América do Norte: Tech Data
Parceiro StrategicEdge do Ano da América do Norte: SHI
Parceiro Edge do Ano da América do Norte: Presidio

Europa/Médio Oriente/África (EMEA)
Parceiro Distribuidor do Ano da EMEA: Atlantik Elektronik
Parceiro StrategicEdge do Ano da EMEA: Arki Technology
Parceiro Edge do Ano da EMEA: Data Equipment

Ásia-Pacífico (APAC)
Parceiro Distribuidor do Ano da APAC: Acromax
Parceiro StrategicEdge do Ano da APAC: Rahi Systems, Índia
Parceiro Edge do Ano da APAC: Enthu Technology Sdn. Bhd.

“’E com prazer que homenageamos os vencedores do Programa de Parceiros SmartEdge, que excederam os requisitos e expectativas do nosso programa ao impulsionar as vendas e criar relacionamentos de longo prazo com nossos clientes mútuos”, disse Roger Holliday, VP de Vendas WW da Lantronix.

Aniversário de Um Ano do SmartEdge Partner Program

A Lantronix celebrou o aniversário de um ano do seu novo SmartEdge Partner Program em abril de 2021. “O Lantronix SmartEdge Partner Program atraiu os principais parceiros de canal da indústria”, disse Jonathan Shipman, VP de Estratégia da Lantronix. “Com o nosso SmartEdge Program, nossos parceiros de canal podem oferecer o conjunto integrado da Lantronix de soluções de software, hardware e serviço, que proporciona aos seus clientes tudo o necessário para a criação de soluções robustas e seguras baseadas em conectividade.”

Lantronix Incluída no CRN Partner Program Guide

O SmartEdge Partner Program da Lantronix foi incluído no guia do programa de parceiros líder do setor, o CRN Partner Program Guide. Publicado pela CRN^®, uma marca da The Channel Company, este guia anual fornece uma lista definitiva dos programas de parceiros mais distintos de empresas líderes em tecnologia que fornecem produtos e serviços através do IT Channel. O 2021 Partner Program Guide pode ser acessado online em www.CRN.com/PPG.

Sobre o SmartEdge Partner Program

O Programa de Parcerias SmartEdge™ da Lantronix foi projetado para ajudar Revendedores de Valor Agregado (VARs) e Integradores de Sistemas (SIs) a gerar receitas, diferenciando suas ofertas com as inovadoras soluções Internet das Coisas (IoT) Industrial, Remote Environment Management (REM), Out-of-Band Management (OOBM) e Mobility/Connectivity da Lantronix.
Para mais informação sobre o Lantronix SmartEdge Partner Program, visite www.lantronix.com/partners.

Sobre a Lantronix

A Lantronix Inc. é provedora global de soluções turnkey seguras para Internet das Coisas (IoT) e Remote Environment Management (REM), oferecendo Software as a Service (SaaS), serviços de conectividade, serviços de engenharia e hardware inteligente. A Lantronix permite que seus clientes forneçam soluções confiáveis e seguras, acelerando seu tempo de colocação no mercado. Os produtos e serviços da Lantronix simplificam drasticamente as operações através da criação, desenvolvimento, implantação e gerenciamento de projetos de clientes em escala, proporcionando qualidade, confiabilidade e segurança.

Com três décadas de experiência comprovada na criação de tecnologias IoT e soluções OOBM robustas, a Lantronix é uma inovadora ao capacitar seus clientes a construir novos modelos de negócios, utilizar maiores eficiências e entender as possibilidades da Internet das Coisas. As soluções da Lantronix são implantadas dentro de milhões de máquinas em data centers, escritórios e locais remotos que atendem a uma ampla gama de indústrias, incluindo energia, agricultura, medicina, segurança, fabricação, distribuição, transporte, varejo, financeiro, ambiental e governamental.

A sede da Lantronix está localizada em Irvine, Califórnia. Para mais informação, visite www.lantronix.com. Obtenha mais informações no blog da Lantronix, www.lantronix.com/blog, com discussões e atualizações da indústria. Para seguir a Lantronix no Twitter, visite www.twitter.com/Lantronix. Consulte a nossa biblioteca de vídeos no YouTube em www.youtube.com/user/LantronixInc ou conecte-se conosco no LinkedIn em www.linkedin.com/company/lantronix.

“Declaração Safe Harbor sob a Lei Private Securities Litigation Reform Act de 1995: Quaisquer declarações estabelecidas neste comunicado de imprensa que não sejam de natureza inteiramente histórica e baseadas em fatos, incluindo, sem limitação, declarações relacionadas a nossas soluções, tecnologias e produtos são consideradas declarações prospectivas. Essas declarações prospectivas são baseadas nas nossas expectativas atuais e estão sujeitas a riscos e incertezas substanciais que podem fazer com que nossos resultados reais, negócios futuros, condição financeira ou desempenho, sejam substancialmente diferentes dos nossos resultados históricos, expressos ou implícitos, em qualquer declaração prospectiva contida neste comunicado de imprensa. Os riscos e incertezas potenciais incluem, mas não estão limitados a, fatores tais como os efeitos das condições econômicas regionais e mundiais negativas ou piores, ou instabilidade do mercado nos nossos negócios, incluindo efeitos sobre as decisões de compra por nossos clientes; o impacto do surto de COVID-19 nos nossos funcionários, cadeias de fornecimento e distribuição, e na economia global; riscos de segurança cibernética; mudanças nas leis, regulamentos e tarifas aplicáveis do governo dos EUA e de outros países; nossa capacidade de implementar com sucesso nossa estratégia de aquisições ou integrar as empresas adquiridas; dificuldades e custos com a proteção de patentes e outros direitos de propriedade; o nível da nossa dívida, nossa capacidade de lidar com a nossa dívida, e as restrições dos nossos contratos de dívida; e quaisquer fatores adicionais incluídos no nosso Relatório Anual no Formulário 10-K do exercício fiscal encerrado em 30 de junho de 2020, arquivado na Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (a “SEC”) em 11 de setembro de 2020, incluindo na seção intitulada “Fatores de Risco” no Item 1A da Parte I de tal relatório, bem como nos nossos outros registros públicos com a SEC. Fatores de risco adicionais podem ser identificados ocasionalmente nos nossos futuros documentos. As declarações prospectivas incluídas neste comunicado são válidas apenas a partir da presente data, e não assumimos nenhuma obrigação de atualizar essas declarações prospectivas para indicar eventos ou circunstâncias subsequentes.

© 2021 Lantronix, Inc. Todos os direitos reservados. Lantronix é uma marca comercial registrada, e EMG e ConsoleFlow são marcas comerciais da Lantronix Inc. Outras marcas comerciais e nomes comerciais pertencem aos seus respectivos proprietários.

Contato de Mídia da Lantronix:
Gail Kathryn Miller
Gerente de Marketing e
Comunicações Corporativas
media@lantronix.com
949-453-7158

Contato para Analista e Investidor da Lantronix:
Jeremy Whitaker
Diretor Financeiro
investors@lantronix.com
949-450-7241

Vendas da Lantronix:
sales@lantronix.com
Américas +1 (800) 422-7055 (EUA e Canadá) ou +1 949-453-3990
Europa, Oriente Médio e África +31 (0)76 52 36 744
Ásia-Pacífico + 852 3428-2338
China + 86 21- 6237-8868
Japão +81 (0) 50- 1354-6201
Índia +91 994- 551-2488

June 25, 2021

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. Announces Proposed $100 Million Public Offering of Common Stock

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., June 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. (SNCR) (the “Company” or “Synchronoss”), a global leader and innovator in cloud, messaging and digital products and platforms, today announced that the Company intends to offer and sell, subject to market and other conditions, $100 million of shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. Synchronoss also expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $10 million of shares of common stock sold in the offering, at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.

All of the shares in the offering are to be sold by Synchronoss, with net proceeds of the offering, and from the offering of Senior Notes and sale of Series B Preferred Stock (each as described below), expected to be used to fully redeem all outstanding shares of Synchronoss’ Series A Convertible Participating Perpetual Preferred Stock and repay amounts outstanding under Synchronoss’ revolving credit facility.

B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”) is acting as the lead underwriter and sole book-running manager for the offering. Northland Capital Markets is acting as co-manager for the offering.

Concurrently with the offering, the Company is offering, by means of a separate prospectus supplement, $120 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2026 (the “Senior Notes”). In addition, B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC (“BRPI”), an affiliate of BRS, has entered into an agreement pursuant to which BRPI has agreed to purchase $75.0 million of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock in a private transaction to be completed concurrently with the closing of the offering.

The shares of common stock described above are being offered by Synchronoss pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and declared effective by the SEC on August 28, 2020. A preliminary prospectus supplement relating to and describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. The final terms of the proposed offering will be disclosed in a final prospectus supplement to be filed with the SEC. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement relating to these securities may also be obtained by sending a request to: B. Riley Securities, Inc., at 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1300, Arlington, VA 22209 or by calling (703) 312‐9580 or by emailing prospectuses@brileyfin.com.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About Synchronoss

Synchronoss Technologies (NASDAQ: SNCR) builds software that empowers companies around the world to connect with their subscribers in trusted and meaningful ways. The company’s collection of products helps streamline networks, simplify onboarding, and engage subscribers to unleash new revenue streams, reduce costs and increase speed to market.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to statements regarding the public offering and the anticipated use of the proceeds thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, including the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed public offering and the risk factors set forth from time to time in Synchronoss’ SEC filings, including but not limited to the risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections (as applicable) of Synchronoss’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021, which are on file with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition to the risks described above and in Synchronoss’ other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Synchronoss’ results. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Synchronoss undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media

Diane Rose
CCgroup
diane@ccgrouppr.com

Investors

Todd Kehrli/Joo-Hun Kim
MKR Investor Relations, Inc.
investor@synchronoss.com

June 25, 2021

1800 Half Street Project Receives I-924 Exemplar Approval

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today EB5 Capital announced its receipt of an I-924 exemplar approval for its 1800 Half Street project, located in the Southwest waterfront area of Washington, DC. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved the project in approximately eight months. At a recent Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing, the USCIS Director Ur Mendoza Jaddou declared that improving long processing times at the USCIS is a top priority in her new role.

“Raising capital overseas during the COVID-19 outbreak last year was challenging,” said Natalia Pronina, EB5 Capital’s Vice President of Investor Relations. “This swift project approval is encouraging to our investors who put their capital at risk during such an uncertain period for the global economy.”

EB5 Capital contributed $9 million from 10 foreign investors for an equity investment in MRP Realty’s development of an 11-story, 300,000 square foot multifamily development with 344 apartment units. The construction for 1800 Half Street began in Q3 2020 and the property is scheduled to open in late 2022.

“We are pleased to share this positive news about 1800 Half Street,” said Mariana Gomez, EB5 Capital’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Operations. “We closely monitor the status of our investors’ immigration petitions, and we expect to see individual I-526 approvals in the near future, given that the project documents have already been reviewed and approved by the USCIS.”

About EB5 Capital

EB5 Capital provides qualified investors from around the world with opportunities to invest in job-creating commercial real estate projects to obtain U.S. permanent residency, as well as private equity investments and secondary passports. For more information, visit http://www.eb5capital.com.

Contact:
Juline Kaleyias
(202) 652-2437
media@eb5capital.com

June 25, 2021

WHO Says Africa Experiencing Third Wave of COVID-19 Infections

“Africa is facing a fast-surging third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, with cases spreading more rapidly and projected to soon overtake the peak of the second wave the continent witnessed at the start of 2021,” according to the World Health Organization’s regional office in Africa.

WHO said in a statement the pandemic is resurging in 12 African countries. Meanwhile, the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, first identified in India, has been detected in 14 African countries.

“The third wave is picking up speed, spreading faster, hitting harder. With rapidly rising case numbers and increasing reports of serious illness, the latest surge threatens to be Africa’s worst yet,” Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa said.

The third wave comes as Africa is experiencing a vaccine shortage. WHO says just slightly more than 1% of Africans have been fully vaccinated. While approximately 2.7 billion COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered globally, WHO says just under 1.5% of those shots have been administered on the African continent.

The Associated Press reports that its analysis of recent COVID-19 deaths reveals that nearly all the deaths occurred in people who were unvaccinated. The news agency said the results of its assessment are “a staggering demonstration of how effective the shots have been.” In addition, AP said the deaths per day “could be practically zero if everyone eligible got the vaccine.”

Workers and residents in several neighborhoods in Sydney, Australia, have been told to stay home as officials attempt to bring a COVID-19 outbreak under control. Authorities say they believe they outbreak started with a limousine driver who transported an international flight crew to a quarantine hotel in Sydney.

The directors of the WHO, the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Trade Organization say they met earlier this month to determine how they can collectively “tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and the pressing global challenges at the intersection of public health, intellectual property and trade.”

The three organizations said in a statement that their initiatives will include:

• a series of “capacity-building workshops to enhance the flow of updated information on current developments in the pandemic and responses to achieve equitable access to COVID-19 health technologies.”

• the creation of a “joint platform for tripartite technical assistance to countries relating to their needs for COVID-19 medical technologies, providing a one-stop shop that will make available the full range of expertise on access, IP and trade matters provided by our organizations, and other partners, in a coordinated and systematic manner.”

The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported early Friday that global count of COVID-19 infections has reached more than 180 million. The three countries with the most cases are the U.S. with 33.6 million cases, India with more than 30 million infections and Brazil with 18.2 million.

Source: Voice of America

June 25, 2021

Vaccine Rollout?in Ivory Coast?Picks?Up?Steam After?Rough Start

The first doses of the?AstraZeneca?vaccine?arrived?in Ivory Coast in late February.??By March?1, the country started vaccinating people, making it the first in the world to do so through the COVAX initiative, a program?co-led?by?the World Health Organization;?Gavi,?the Vaccine Alliance;?the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations; and UNICEF.

“The program plays a crucial role,” said Kouacou?Epa, an immunization specialist with UNICEF in Ivory Coast.?“We know that the vaccines are being used more in the developed countries,?but we know the coronavirus is also here in Ivory Coast and the other developing nations.”

Epa continued, “What COVAX is doing is to make sure the vaccines are available in quantity and quality to help countries attain herd immunity, stop the disease and,?if?possible,?go back to the normal lives we knew before.”

So far, Epa told VOA, the?country has used the?more than 500,000 doses delivered through COVAX.?Additionally,?it?was able to secure more vaccines from other nations,?including India and France,?bringing the total doses to nearly 730,000.?

Slow rollout

The vaccination rollout has not gone without challenges, however. The?country’s head of?public?hygiene, Bi?Vroh?Joseph Benie,?says?the average Ivorian went through three stages in their thinking about the vaccine.

“In the beginning,?most people didn’t want to take the vaccine because there was some fake news in social media that the vaccine was going to go through an experimental phase on Africans first. For those reasons, people were very reluctant,” Benie told VOA.

“After that,?we went through a second phase,?where people were a bit hesitant … and the third phase,?where people were engaged and want to take the shot when they saw that people who got vaccinated were not showing any major side effects,” he added.

Another hurdle came when many?countries suspended?use?of the AstraZeneca vaccine over concerns about possible blood clots.

Both Benie and Epa said that to ensure people would step out of their comfort zone, the country modified its communication strategy to tackle vaccine hesitancy. Campaigners concentrated not only on the urban center of Abidjan but also developed what has been called the “politics of proximity” — meaning they got closer to communities across the West African nation to spread the word.

As of June?9, the?Ivory Coast?reported over 47,500?COVID-19?cases,?with?more than?600 deaths,?and has vaccinated nearly 607,000 people,?according to the?country’s?Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene.?

“We went from one vaccination center at the Palais des Sports?arena?in the beginning to now more than over 400 centers across the country,” Benie said. “Additionally,?we have a dozen mobile units to get closer to the population.”

Mobile vaccination units

At the?city?hall of?Abobo, a northern suburb of Abidjan and one of its 10 communes, people?wait in line to get vaccinated. Yao Serge Djezou, the deputy director of communication at the health ministry, is on hand at the ministry-organized event.

“In areas where there aren’t many hospitals, these mobile vaccination units are there to fill the void. It also helps to get closer to the communities,” Djezou said.

While many Ivorians still said they would not get the shot, some, like Abidjan resident Elhaj Gbane Mour, said they would. “I will get vaccinated 100% because it’s a disease that could kill you,” he said. “We saw it on TV, and we saw that it killed a lot people, so everyone should get the shot.”

That’s not the case for Sephora Beugré,?a student in Abidjan. “No,?no,?I will not take the vaccine,?because I am afraid that it might be dangerous for?(my)?health.?So?I will not do it,” she said.?

Kouadio Jonas N’guessan, also of Abidjan, said, “I?don’t know anyone close to me who died from the virus.?So?I don’t think the coronavirus exists in Cote D’Ivoire.”?

Incentives to get vaccinated

Meanwhile,?like?many countries, Ivory Coast is offering incentives?for?people to get the shot?— such as free tickets to the recent?soccer match between the?Ivorian National team?and?Burkina Faso.?

“We just asked all the fans to get vaccinated.?And with their vaccination card, they get to see the match for free. It’s a concept we just started,?and people have been responsive,” Djezou told VOA.

Ivorian health officials say that in addition to?providing?vaccines, they’ll?keep testing?for the virus,?a task that?is?also?key to controlling the pandemic.

They are also ready to receive more shots, including ones that require colder storage temperatures, because they have a cold-chain system ready to handle whatever vaccines come their way.

Source: Voice of America