The kurna virus continued to spread in large parts of the world, amid fears raised by the new strain of it that appeared in Britain, with hopes of relief raised by the vaccines that began to be distributed in many countries of the world.

What follows are the latest developments related to the spread of the new Corona virus in the world, in light of the latest numbers, new measures and notable events:

More than 1.74 million deaths

The new Corona virus has killed one million and 743,187 people in the world since late December 2019, while more than 79 million and 313,380 people have been infected with it, including more than 25 million in Europe, the regions most affected by the epidemic in the world.

The United States is the country most affected by the epidemic, with 329 thousand and 106 deaths, followed by Brazil (about 190 thousand deaths), then India (about 147 thousand), Mexico (about 121 thousand), and Italy (about 71 thousand).

Birth amidst restrictions

Many countries are experiencing an unprecedented Christmas this year, amid limited celebrations due to restrictions on containing the Covid-19 epidemic.

Pope Francesco, head of the Catholic Church, which includes 1.3 billion people in the world, revived the Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, with fewer than 200 people attending all wearing masks.

This came as thousands of European truck drivers spent the night of Eid in miserable conditions, stranded near the port of Dover in the United Kingdom, which is gradually emerging from isolation imposed by the emergence of a new mutation of the Corona virus on its soil.

So that the sacrifices are not lost

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned - in a Christmas message - that the sacrifices made in 2020 to address the Covid-19 epidemic should not be lost during the holidays.

"During this terrible year, we have seen the sacrifices that many people made to protect and preserve their lives. We must not waste these sacrifices," Ghebreyesus said.

"Vaccines offer a solution to finally getting out of this tragedy, but it will take time to vaccinate the whole world," he added in a video message.

Compulsory checks for those coming to the United States

The United States required travelers arriving from the United Kingdom, effective Monday, to take a Covid-19 test 72 hours before their arrival, so that they can enter the country.

Since Sunday, several countries have suspended or restricted their trips with the United Kingdom, following the discovery of a new mutation of the emerging corona virus on the territory of the Kingdom.

Compulsory checks for those coming to Turkey

Turkish Health Minister Fakhruddin Kujah said that his country will require travelers coming to it to present a negative test result proving that they are not infected with the Coronavirus, issued in the last 72 hours.

Koca explained - in a statement on social media - that the start of this procedure will be from December 28 for arrivals via airlines, and from December 30 for arrivals through land gates and sea ports.

He added that every traveler who does not show a negative test for Corona at the border doors will be subject to quarantine at the address where he will reside.

Quarantine extension in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has extended the quarantine imposed on arrivals from abroad by 7 days, to a total period of 3 weeks, indicating the danger that will result from the emergence of new mutations of the virus.

Boom from South Africa

The South African government considered that there is no evidence that the new mutation of the emerging corona virus that was discovered on its soil is more dangerous than the mutation that appeared in Britain.

And London announced, on Wednesday, travel restrictions between the two countries, saying that the South African boom is "very worrying", because it is "more capable of infection."

An unprecedented number in South Korea

On Friday, South Korea announced the registration of 1,241 new cases of Covid-19, an unprecedented number in the country that was considered a model in the effective fight against the epidemic.

And 70% of the new infections were recorded in the capital region, where half of the country's population resides.

A vaccine in Europe

After the United States, the United Kingdom, and recently Switzerland and Gulf countries, France and the European Union countries will start their vaccination campaign against the emerging corona virus on Sunday.

The French government said the campaign "will start in a small number of care facilities for the elderly, and will gradually expand throughout France in January."

The vaccination campaign begins in the European Union, while Italy, Austria and Ireland imposed a new isolation on the occasion of the end of the year holidays, and Denmark closed non-essential stores on Friday.

The death of the opposition leader in Mali

The leader of the opposition in Mali, Somaila Cisse, who was held hostage for six months by jihadists, died before his release in October.

And it was announced that Cisse had died in France, after being infected with the Corona virus, at the age of 71.

Lebanon ... the first case of the new strain of Corona

Lebanon said - on Friday - that it had detected the first infection with the new strain of Corona virus that is spreading rapidly in Britain, on a flight that arrived from London.

The health system in Lebanon is facing pressure with the increase in infections with the Coronavirus, which compounds the suffering of a country facing a severe financial crisis, and in the wake of a huge explosion that destroyed the Beirut port and damaged hospitals in the Lebanese capital.

The death of the President of the National Election Commission in Egypt

Today, Friday, Egypt announced the death of Counselor Lashin Ibrahim, head of the National Elections Authority, of his infection with the Coronavirus.

According to the official news agency in Egypt, Counselor Lashin Ibrahim, head of the National Elections Authority (official), and Vice President of the Court of Cassation (the highest appeals court) passed away today at the age of 60.

Several weeks ago, Ibrahim was infected with the Corona virus, until he passed away on Friday in a Cairo hospital.

30 deaths in Jordan

On Friday, the Jordanian Ministry of Health reported that 30 deaths and 1616 cases of corona were recorded, in addition to the recovery of 1816 patients.

In a statement, the ministry stated that the total number of injuries increased to 285,306, including 3,711 deaths, and 256,312 recoveries.

16 deaths in Libya

The National Center for Disease Control in Libya reported 16 deaths and 461 cases of corona, in addition to the recovery of 628 patients.

The (government) center stated - in a statement - that the total number of injuries reached 97,653 cases, including 1,415 deaths, and 68,289 cases of recovery.

Quarantine in Russia for those coming from Britain

The Russian Interfax news agency reported, quoting the Russian Consumer Health Authority, on Friday, that those coming to Russia from Britain will have to undergo a compulsory two-week quarantine.

Russia this week stated that it would suspend flights to and from Britain for a week, starting from Tuesday, after discovering a new strain of Corona virus there.

Claims in Russia to give priority to vaccines for the interior

Some Russians resorted to social media - on Friday - to express their disappointment, after announcing that Argentina had received 300,000 doses of the Russian "Sputnik-V" vaccine, which protect against the Coronavirus, saying that more doses should be provided. For the inside.

Despite the availability of the vaccine in Moscow, many other regions have received only limited numbers of it, as part of a comprehensive vaccination program.

Several regions said they had received 2,000 doses or fewer so far.