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Coronavirus: Latest global developments
PARIS, April 28, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
– India deaths top 200,000 –
India passes the grim milestone of 200,000 deaths with 360,000 new cases in the past 24 hours — a global record — as oxygen and medical aid supplies are rushed there.
– ‘Stunning’ US progress –
US President Joe Biden hails America’s “stunning” progress against the virus, as its top health agency says people who have been vaccinated no longer need to wear masks outdoors.
– Bolsonaro probe begins –
Brazil’s Senate opens an inquiry into whether Jair Bolsonaro’s government were corrupt or criminally negligent in its handling of the pandemic, as the death toll in the country surges to nearly 400,000.
– Indian strain spreading –
The WHO says the B.1.617 variant first found in India and feared to be contributing to the explosion in cases there has been detected in at least 17 countries.
– Pfizer ‘works for variant’ –
BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin says he is confident the vaccine his company developed with Pfizer works against the Indian variant.
– We’re watching you –
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency starts monitoring leading figures in the anti-mask and lockdown movements over concerns they pose a threat to democracy and have ties to right-wing extremism.
– Day in court –
The European Union and AstraZeneca will begin oral arguments in a Belgian court on May 26 in the bloc’s legal action against the pharmaceutical giant over vaccine shortfalls.
– Canada jab death –
A 54-year woman has died in Canada of cerebral thrombosis after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, the first fatality linked to the drug in the country.
– Shots cut spread –
One dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines reduces the chances of someone infected with the virus from spreading it to other household members by up to 50 percent, according to Public Health England research.
– Italy relief plan –
Italy’s parliament overwhelmingly approves the government’s huge EU-funded pandemic recovery plan, just days before the deadline to submit it to Brussels.
– Gaming boom –
Sony announces its biggest-ever net profit thanks to unprecedented pandemic-driven demand as people around the world turn to gaming to liven up lockdowns.
– Athletes first –
Australia’s Olympic Committee welcomes a decision to fast-track vaccinations for athletes travelling to the Tokyo Games despite accusations of queue-jumping.
– More than three million deaths –
At least 3,137,725 people have died of Covid-19 around the world since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.
The US is the worst-affected country with 573,381 deaths, followed by Brazil with 395,022, Mexico 215,547, India 201,187 and Britain 127,451.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1715 hrs