Paris (AFP)

New reports, new measures and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.

- EU: first vaccinations in early 2021?

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The European Commission on Wednesday approved a contract to buy up to 300 million doses of a vaccine developed by the American Pfizer and the German BioNTtech.

The two laboratories announced that their vaccine was "90% effective" against Covid-19 infections, raising immense hope in the face of the pandemic.

The first vaccinations in the European Union could take place "in the first quarter of 2021", in an "optimistic" scenario, said Wednesday the director of the European agency in charge of epidemics.

Americans who have pre-ordered 100 million doses say vaccinations could start before the end of the year.

- Russia touts its vaccine -

The Russian vaccine against Covid-19 is "92%" effective, its creators assured Wednesday.

"The statistical analysis of 20 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, cases divided between vaccinated people and those who received the placebo, indicates an efficacy rate of 92% for the Sputnik-V vaccine after a second dose," according to a press release from Russian Sovereign Fund (RDIF) and the Gamaleïace Research Institute.

- Partial confinement in Hungary -

Hungary has imposed since Wednesday a partial confinement supposed to last at least 30 days: gatherings are now prohibited, restaurants closed, cultural and leisure events canceled and the curfew extended from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

- First case in Vanuatu

Vanuatu recorded its first case of coronavirus, health authorities said on Wednesday.

A 23-year-old man, recently returning from the United States, tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday while he was in quarantine in this Pacific archipelago.

- More than 1.2 million dead -

The pandemic has killed at least 1,275,113 worldwide, according to an AFP report from official sources on Wednesday at 11:00 GMT.

The United States is the most affected country in terms of both deaths and cases, with 239,695 deaths for 10,258,090 cases, according to the count from Johns Hopkins University.

The world's leading economic power also recorded a new record of 201,961 cases in 24 hours on Tuesday.

After the United States, the countries most affected are Brazil (162,829 dead), India (127,571 dead), Mexico (95,842 dead) and the United Kingdom (49,770 dead).

- Christmas at home for English students -

At the end of confinement in early December, university students in England will be allowed for a few days (from 3 to 9), to return home in order to be able to celebrate Christmas with their family.

To reduce the risk of transmission linked to these trips, screening tests will be offered to "as many students as possible," said the British government.

- Havana reopens its sky -

Havana International Airport, the last of Cuba's six international airports still closed due to the pandemic, will resume commercial flights on Sunday, Cuban authorities say.

The health protocol provides that each traveler, whose temperature will be checked at the airport, will have to carry out a PCR test on arrival in Cuba and then limit their trips until the test results, generally 24 hours later.

Five days later, he will have to take another PCR test.

- Air corridor between Hong Kong and Singapore -

Hong Kong and Singapore announced on Wednesday the launch on November 22 of a corridor that will allow their residents to travel between the two cities without having to undergo a quarantine.

Each day, a quota of 200 nationals from each of these two territories will be authorized to make this trip and only people who have stayed in Hong Kong or Singapore for at least two weeks and who test negative for Covid-19 will be able to board.

burs-kd / cds / ia

© 2020 AFP