Paris (AFP)

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

- Poland sells vaccines to Australia -

Poland has sold one million doses of the anti-Covid Pfizer vaccine to Australia, as part of a "responsible policy of solidarity", the Polish Ministry of Health announced.

According to the Minister, Adam Nedzieslki, the purchases of vaccines from Poland "allow us to meet the needs of our citizens but also to come to the aid of those who need it".

Poland has already provided full vaccination to 55% of its population, but the vaccination rate has slowed significantly in recent months, with several vaccination centers closing due to low demand.

Poland has sold one million doses of the anti-Covid Pfizer vaccine to Australia Zaid AL-OBEIDI AFP / Archives

- Congolese president urges vaccination -

Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso called on his fellow citizens to massively adhere to vaccination against Covid-19 to achieve collective immunity, "the only way to salvation" in the fight against this pandemic.

In Congo, only 1.8 to 2% of the population eligible for vaccination received their doses, because of resistance and mistrust of vaccines.

- Demonstration in Bangkok -

Several thousand demonstrators marched by car in Bangkok on Sunday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha, increasingly criticized for his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Demonstrators march through Bangkok to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha on August 15, 2021 in Thailand Lillian SUWANRUMPHA AFP

In question, the outbreak of Covid-19, with more than 20,000 new cases daily, the slowness of the vaccination campaign and the economic impact of the restrictions.

- Almost 9,000 faithful in Lourdes -

The Assumption Mass brought together nearly 9,000 faithful on Sunday in Lourdes, the largest French Catholic pilgrimage center, despite a context of epidemic recovery and limited travel abroad.

However, fewer than usual, they accompany some 300 patients in search of a miraculous cure.

Pilgrims attend the Assumption Mass at the Basilica of Saint Pius X, August 15, 2021 in Lourdes Fred SCHEIBER AFP

The cave where, according to Catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, is closed to the public to avoid contamination.

- More than 4.3 million dead -

The pandemic has killed at least 4,353,003 people around the world since the end of December 2019, out of more than 206.7 million infections, according to a report established by AFP from official sources on Sunday at 10:00 GMT.

The United States is the country with the most deaths (621,253), ahead of Brazil (568,788), India (431,225), Mexico (248,167) and Peru (197,340).

Covid-19: AFP global report

The World Health Organization estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher than that calculated from official figures.

burs-paj / mw / lpt

© 2021 AFP