A European expert confirmed the relationship of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine against the Coronavirus with the cases of blood clots that were recorded in several countries, and while Tunisia ruled out a complete closure for the second time due to the outbreak of the epidemic, Iran recorded a record number of infections with the virus.

In an interview published today, Tuesday, by the Italian newspaper "Il Messaggero", Marco Cavalieri, head of vaccine strategy at the European Medicines Agency, said that there is a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the blood clots that were recorded in countries including Britain, France and Denmark, and that caused the death of people who received the vaccine.

Speaking of blood clots, Cavalieri added, "There is a link with the vaccine, but we do not yet know what causes this reaction, and it remains to be understood how it occurs."

For its part, the European Medicines Agency said in a statement that the French Press Agency obtained a copy of that its safety committee, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, had not yet reached a conclusion in this regard, and added that the review is currently underway, indicating that it is expected to issue its decision tomorrow, Wednesday or The day after tomorrow, Thursday.

So far, the European Medicines Agency says that "a causal link with the vaccine has not been proven," although the link is "possible", stressing that the benefits of vaccination against the Corona virus still outweigh its risks.

With the frequent reports of the AstraZeneca vaccine causing dangerous blood clots that caused death in many cases, European countries, including France, Germany and Italy, recently announced a temporary suspension of the use of the vaccine, but they have resumed vaccination with this vaccine, which is recommended to be given to those over 60 years old.

In the context, the European Union stopped the export of 1.3 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Australia.

The following are some of the developments regarding the Corona epidemic in the world:

Health sector workers receive an anti-Corona vaccine in the Tunisian capital (Anadolu Agency)

Tunisia excludes closure

In Tunisia, Tunisian Prime Minister Hicham El Mechichi ruled out today imposing a comprehensive closure despite warnings that the country is about to witness a third wave of the spread of the Coronavirus, which is more dangerous than the current wave.

Al-Meshishi said in a press statement that the hypothesis of a comprehensive health ban is not on the table for economic, social and scientific reasons, stressing in the meantime the need to respect health measures and social distancing.

He added that the scientific committee will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, to announce new measures related to the development of the epidemiological situation, and that the formula for preserving the citizen's health on one hand, and his economic and social situation on the other hand, will be respected.

Arab countries

Today, Jordan counted the death of 100 people as a result of the Corona virus, and more than 6 thousand new cases of the virus.

In the Palestinian Territories, 21 deaths were recorded, and about 2,600 new cases of the virus.

In Iraq, 33 deaths were announced, and more than 7,000 new cases of the virus were reported.

In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi authorities announced today the banning of i'tikaaf, iftar, and collective dawn in mosques during the upcoming month of Ramadan.

Biden will announce progress in his administration's plan to combat the Corona epidemic (European News Agency)

Vaccinate all adults in America

The White House said that President Joe Biden will announce today that all adults will be able to receive the Coronavirus vaccine by April 19.

He added that Biden had brought the deadline from May 1 to April 19 in view of the acceleration in vaccine distribution in all states.

And American media said that Biden will announce today that his administration has achieved the goal of vaccinating 150 million Americans during its first 75 days in power.

Passers-by in Tehran Bazaar (Reuters)

Record toll in Iran

Iran, the country most affected by the Coronavirus, today recorded more than 17,000 new cases of Coronavirus, in an unprecedented toll, in addition to 174 additional deaths.

The registration of this large number of HIV infections comes on the heels of the Persian New Year holiday.

The capital, Tehran, and many other Iranian cities have returned to the "red" level, which is the highest in Iran's classification system regarding the epidemic risk.

Injuries are accelerating in India

In turn, India today recorded more than 96,000 new cases of coronavirus and 446 deaths, which brings the total to 12.7 million infections, and more than 165,000 deaths.

And the authorities of the capital, New Delhi, imposed a night curfew on 25 million residents, starting this evening, after India recorded a record number of HIV infections.

The daily infection rate in India has reached 73,000.

A difficult situation in France

France is experiencing a third wave of the epidemic, and about 30,000 people with Corona entered its hospitals yesterday evening, compared to about 25,000 a month ago.

What worries officials is the pressure in the resuscitation departments that take care of the most serious cases, as the number of injured people in these departments increased within a month from 3,600 to more than 5,400.

After the restrictions were eased at the end of the Easter week, strict restrictions were imposed across the country, including curfews and restrictions on movement, that would last for up to 4 weeks.

Relaxation of restrictions

Restrictions are being eased in some parts of Europe, as the German border state of Saarland with France decided to partially lift the measures, and reopen cafes and restaurants, similar to what Portugal and Greece decided on Monday.

In Denmark, the hairdressing and decoration halls will resume their activities, provided that this is limited to holders of "certificates" vaccinated against Corona.

The British government is considering issuing similar vaccine certificates to attend mass gatherings such as football matches and indoor events, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday that non-essential stores will reopen from April 12.

Close in Colombia

A weekend lockdown in Bogota, Colombia, of 8 million people, will be imposed to curb the spread of the virus.

Aggravated situation

The epidemic situation in Georgia, which today recorded 3 times the rate of daily infections in recent months, is worsening, and the Georgian Prime Minister has contracted the virus.