Paris (AFP)

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

- Germany: tribute to the dead, call for unity -

The German head of state took advantage Sunday of a national tribute to the 80,000 dead of the Covid to urge the country to unity in the face of the growing divisions caused by the restrictions imposed by Angela Merkel to counter the pandemic.

Several thousand "anti-masks" still demonstrated in several cities this weekend and the police proceeded to arrests.

- Gaza: worst record in 24 hours -

The Gaza Strip, a Palestinian enclave under the control of Islamists Hamas and under Israeli blockade, recorded its worst death toll since the start of the pandemic on Sunday with 23 deaths, according to local authorities, bringing the death toll in this territory to 761. .

- Reappearance of the Pope in St. Peter's Square -

Pope Francis reappeared on Sunday at the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square to deliver his traditional weekly prayer in public, which since March 21 had been broadcast from his library because of anti-Covid restrictions.

- France: quarantine for travelers from 4 countries -

France will introduce a mandatory ten-day quarantine for travelers from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and South Africa, in the face of concerns over Covid-19 variants.

Travelers from these four countries will now have to undergo a 10-day isolation, accompanied by restriction of exit times, with increased fines.

- USA: decision in sight on Johnson & Johnson -

Johnson & Johnson's anti-Covid vaccine, whose use is suspended in the United States, is expected to be used again, possibly accompanied by "restrictions", and a decision is expected to be made public by Friday, said White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci.

- Canada: 2nd case of clots -

Canada said on Saturday it had identified a second case in a week of rare blood clots with low platelet counts after vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine, while continuing to recommend its use.

- EU: AstraZeneca in the hot seat -

European Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton explained on Sunday that the European Covid-19 vaccine contract with the pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca may not be renewed due to delivery delays accumulated since the start of the year.

- Argentina: arrival of 864,000 doses -

Argentina received a delivery of 864,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Netherlands on Sunday as part of the Covax system and the agreement with the WHO.

- More than 3 million dead -

The pandemic has killed more than 3 million people worldwide (at least 3,011,975 deaths), according to a report established by AFP from official sources on Sunday at 10 a.m. GMT.

The United States is the country with the highest death toll with 566,904 deaths, followed by Brazil (371,678), Mexico (212,228), India (177,150) and the United Kingdom (127,260).

These figures are globally underestimated.

They are based on daily reports from national health authorities, without including reassessments based on statistical bases.

burs-kd-ang / ber / ial /

© 2021 AFP