BFF-32 Coronavirus: Latest global developments

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HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD,FACTS

Coronavirus: Latest global developments

PARIS, Dec 22, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

– Germany extends UK ban –

Germany extends a ban on arrivals from the UK and South Africa until January 6 following the appearance of a new more infectious virus strain in those countries.

– Tests for truckers –

Britain says it is considering tests for truckers as part of talks with France to allow the resumption of freight traffic suspended due to the new strain.

– Mutation-beating vaccine –

The co-founder of BioNTech says it is “highly likely” that its vaccine works against the new strain, but it could also adapt the vaccine if necessary in six weeks.

– Vatican cases –

Two cardinals close to Pope Francis have contracted the virus, Vatican sources say — Konrad Krajewski, 57, who is in charge of the pope’s charities and Giuseppe Bertello, 78, the president of the governorate of the Vatican City.

– WHO to meet on new strain –

The World Health Organization in Europe is to convene its members to discuss how to handle a new UK strain.

Regional director Hans Kluge said “limiting travel to contain spread is prudent”, but says “supply chains for essential goods should remain possible”.

– Curfew in Mumbai –

The Indian state of Maharashtra imposes a night curfew on cities including financial hub Mumbai because of fears about the new strain.

Mumbai airport says all air passengers from anywhere in Europe or the Middle East will have to go into quarantine upon arrival.

– Thai market cluster –

An outbreak linked to a seafood market in Thailand passes 1,000 cases — a major flare-up in a country which previously had only 4,300 infections.

– Taiwan case –

Taiwan reports its first local transmission, ending 253 days of being virus-free and dealing a major blow to the island that has been lauded for its pandemic response.

Health authorities say a woman in her thirties tested positive after coming into contact with a “foreign pilot” working for a Taiwanese airline.

– Expensive Olympics –

The coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Olympics will cost at least 1.64 trillion yen ($15.9 billion), organisers say, unveiling a final budget swollen by the postponement and a raft of pandemic measures.

– Ireland’s hard Christmas –

Dublin, which had one of Europe’s lowest infection rates, imposes a hard lockdown until January 12 as a new virus variant appears in neighbouring Britain.

– Fast-track citizenship –

Hundreds of foreigners in France whose jobs expose them to high Covid-19 risks will be naturalised quickly to reward their work during the crisis, the interior ministry says.

“Health professionals, cleaning ladies, childcare workers, checkout staff — they all proved their commitment to the nation,” it says.

– 1.7 million dead –

At least 1,703,500 people have died since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.

The US is the worst-hit country with 319,466 deaths, followed by Brazil with 187,291 fatalities, India with 146,154, Mexico with 118,598 and Italy with 69,214.

BSS/AFP/IJ/1953 hrs