Coronavirus: Latest Global Developments
Image Credits: BBC, Getty Images
Paris, Feb 14 (AFP/APP): These are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
UK clocks 15 million jabs
Prime Minister Boris Johnson hails a “significant milestone” as 15 million people in Britain have now received their first shot.
Auckland lockdown
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ordered the biggest city Auckland into a snap lockdown for the first time in nearly six months. Three members of an Auckland family tested positive, with authorities concerned as there is no obvious source of transmission.
Empty slopes in Italy
Italian officials block winter resorts from opening just a day before skiing was due to be allowed for the first time this season, as new data highlights the spread of new variants.
EU on fast-track
The European Union agrees to fast-track approval of vaccines that have been updated to target more contagious variants of the virus, health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said.
Serbia ravers caught out
Hundreds of partygoers were caught flouting anti-virus restrictions at a Belgrade nightclub, the interior ministry says. Three suspected organisers were held for 48 hours and reportedly could face a fine and up to three years in prison.
170 million given shots
More than 172.3 million vaccine doses have been given in 91 countries or territories around the world, according to an AFP tally from official sources on Sunday at 1800 GMT.
Israel-Cyprus corridor
Israel and Cyprus agree in principle to allow vaccinated citizens to travel between the two countries without limitations when passenger flights resume, Israel’s president says.
German borders
Germany partially closes its borders with the Czech Republic and Austria’s Tyrol region owing to a surge in coronavirus mutations, earning a swift rebuke from the European Union.
Lebanon roll out
Lebanon kicked off its vaccination programme with shots for healthcare workers and older people at three Beirut hospitals. The country has been under lockdown since mid-January, after an unprecedented spike forced overwhelmed hospitals to turn away patients.
Japan jab decision
Japan approves its first shot and expects to vaccinate 10,000 to 20,000 medical workers from as early as Wednesday, as the nation prepares to host the postponed 2020 Olympics.
Nearly 2.4 million deaths
The virus has caused at least 2,395,044 deaths since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Sunday. The United States is the worst-affected country with 484,250 deaths followed by Brazil with 238,532, Mexico with 173,771, India with 155,642 and Britain with 116,908.
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