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HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD
Coronavirus: Latest global developments
PARIS, March 8, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – These are the latest developments in the
coronavirus crisis:
– ‘Worst tourist year ever’ –
Last year was “the worst year in tourism history” and nearly a third of the
world’s tourist destinations are still completely closed to international
travellers, the United Nations tourism body says.
International tourist arrivals fell by one billion, or 74 percent, the
UNWTO adds.
– ‘Russian roulette’ with jabs –
A top EU medicines regulator warns countries not to give emergency
authorisation to Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine without more data, saying they
would be playing “Russian roulette”.
“We could have Sputnik V on the market in future when we’ve examined the
necessary data,” says Christa Wirthumer-Hoche.
However, Hungary has already started using it while the Czech Republic and
Slovakia have also ordered doses and Austria may follow suit.
– England back to school –
English children go back to school for the first time since January.
Restrictions are easing as 23 million people in Britain have received at
least a first jab, bringing down case numbers and easing pressure on
hospitals.
– Israel jabs Palestinians –
Israel launches a campaign to vaccinate some 100,000 Palestinians in the
West Bank who hold permits to work in Jewish settlements in the occupied
territory and inside the Jewish state.
– Home isn’t what it was –
Home sides are winning less in South America since football matches have
been played inside empty stadiums, according to AFP analysis.
In Brazil, a country that lives and breathes football, clubs won 202 times
at home in 2018 but only 171 times this season without their fans.
– Close to 2.6 million dead –
At least 2,593,872 people have died of coronavirus since the outbreak began
in December 2019, an AFP tally from official sources at 1100 GMT showed.
The United States is the worst-affected country with 525,035 deaths
followed by Brazil (265,411), Mexico (190,604), India (157,853) and Britain
(124,419).
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1925 hrs