Paris (AFP)
New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.
- Over 60,000 deaths in Iran -
Iran, the country most affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the Near and Middle East, has officially crossed the 60,000 dead mark, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday.
"Unfortunately, 93 people have lost their lives due to Covid-19 in the last 24 hours," bringing the official toll of the disease to 60,073 in Iran, announced on state television Sima Sadat Lari, the door- word of the Ministry of Health.
- Several very affected territories in France -
France on Sunday asked Germany to avoid "strict" controls amounting to a "virtual closure" of the border after Berlin classified Moselle as a high-risk zone, one of the French departments most affected by the Covid-19 epidemic.
A national curfew from 6:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. GMT) is still in force in France, where part of the Mediterranean coast of the Côte d'Azur, around Nice (South-East), and the agglomeration of Dunkirk, on the North Sea, for their part, are confined this weekend and the next.
Images taken on Saturday of the iconic "Promenade des Anglais" in Nice, almost deserted, contrasted with the crowded Seine quays in Paris, where tens of thousands of walkers took advantage of a bright sun.
Paris is one of the territories where local confinements could be decided next week if the epidemic flares up there.
- Sailing: start of the America's Cup postponed -
The start of the America's Cup between Team New Zealand and the Italian challenge Luna Rossa in Auckland Bay has been postponed for at least four days, and could be longer, due to the orderly re-containment in the more large city in New Zealand after new cases of Covid-19 were discovered.
The first four regattas of this prestigious competition, which will be played in the best of 13 rounds, should have been held on March 6 and 7.
- Vatican ambassador to Iraq tested positive -
Vatican Ambassador to Baghdad Apostolic Nuncio Mitja Leskovar has tested positive for Covid-19, officials told AFP on Sunday, adding that the result would have "no impact" on the Pope's visit François expected Friday in Iraq.
- US green light for Johnson & Johnson vaccine -
The United States has granted emergency clearance for Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine for people aged 18 and over, the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) said.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the approval, but called for not “lowering our guard” against the pandemic that has claimed more than 500,000 lives in the country.
- "VIP vaccinations" denounced in Argentina -
"Give me back my vaccine", "Stop wasting our money": several thousand people demonstrated on Saturday in several cities of Argentina, to protest against "VIP vaccinations", a scandal that cost the Minister of Health.
- More than 2.5 million dead -
The pandemic of the new coronavirus has killed at least 2,526,075 people around the world, according to a report established by AFP from official sources on Sunday at 11:00 GMT.
The United States is the most affected country with 511,998 deaths, followed by Brazil (254,221), Mexico (185,257), India (157,051) and the United Kingdom (122,705).
These figures, based on the daily reports of the health authorities, without including the reassessments based on statistical bases, are generally underestimated.
burs-paj / cds / lch
© 2021 AFP