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Coronavirus: Latest global developments
PARIS, Dec 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
– US deaths top 300,000 –
More than 300,000 people in the United States have died from Covid-19 as the country starts its desperately awaited vaccination campaign.
The novel coronavirus has killed at least 1,621,397 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Tuesday.
The US is the worst-affected country with 300,479 deaths, followed by Brazil with 181,835, India with 143,709, Mexico with 114,298 and Italy, which went into fifth place at the weekend, with 65,011.
– Maintain measures –
In a rare joint editorial, leading British medical journals urge the government to scrap plans to ease restrictions over Christmas, warning it could lead to the state-run National Health Service being overwhelmed.
– Germans push for OK –
Germany is pressuring EU authorities to approve the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine “before Christmas”, as it battles a surge in infections.
– Osbourne positive –
Chat show host Sharon Osbourne, 68, tests positive a week after her co-host Carrie Ann Inaba contracted the virus, and will self-isolate away from her husband, veteran rocker Ozzy Osbourne, who tested negative.
– Jordan, Saudi Arabia jabs –
Jordan approves emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as Saudi Arabia announces a three-phase vaccination programme.
– Teachers first –
The head of UN children’s agency UNICEF calls for teachers to be among those given priority access to vaccines.
– Business bubble –
Singapore will allow business travellers and officials to enter if they undergo virus tests before leaving home, upon arrival and regularly during their stay, and hold meetings in specially designed rooms with air-tight glass panels.
– Games on –
Tokyo’s governor sees “no circumstances” under which the virus-postponed 2020 Olympics will be cancelled, despite polling that shows a majority of Japanese people oppose holding the Tokyo 2020 Olympics next year.
– Brazil jab battle –
Sao Paulo state governor Joao Doria plans to request definitive authorisation of the CoronaVac vaccine co-developed with Chinese lab Sinovac after health regulator Anvisa accused China of using opaque criteria to win emergency approval.
– Canada aid –
Canada announces a Can$458 million ($380 million) aid package to help developing countries fight the pandemic.
– Staying home –
Google parent company Alphabet says it is delaying the return of workers to offices until at least September 2021 and is testing “flexible work weeks” for the longer term. Facebook has already said the shift to remote working may become more permanent.
– NYC football positive –
Three New York City FC players have tested positive, forcing the club to alter travel plans for Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final against Mexico’s Tigres UANL.
BSS/AFP/IJ/2044 hrs