New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.
New restrictions in Europe
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Wednesday December 9 for new restrictions until mid-January across Germany, where existing measures are proving insufficient to contain the number of cases.
Angela Merkel mentioned in particular the closure of non-food stores and schools.
Read also: Covid-19: Germany cannot stop the epidemic
Luxembourg, the European country where the coronavirus circulates most intensely, for its part decided on Wednesday to extend by one month, until at least January 15, its restrictions on gatherings and social interactions.
Ukraine will close its schools, universities, non-essential businesses, restaurants, cinemas and sports halls from January 8 to 24 under new restrictions aimed at stemming the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 1.55 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 1,557,814 people around the world since the end of December 2019, according to a report established by AFP from official sources on Wednesday at 11 a.m. GMT.
Some 68.2 million cases of infection have been officially diagnosed since the start of the epidemic.
The United States is the most affected country in terms of both deaths and cases, with 289,188 deaths for 15.37 million recorded cases.
They are followed by Brazil (178,995 deaths), India (141,360), Mexico (110,874) and the United Kingdom (62,033).
EU: Medicines Agency victim of cyberattack
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is currently deliberating on the issuance of authorizations for several vaccines against Covid-19, said on Wednesday it was the victim of a cyberattack.
Documents related to Pfizer and BioNTech have been hacked, while the race to vaccinate populations is now on the planet.
The Amsterdam-based MEA said the incident was under investigation, without specifying when the attack took place.
Read also: Covid-19: the United Kingdom has started to deploy the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine
Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine: Canada gives the green light ...
Canada has announced that it has approved the vaccine from the Pfizer / BioNTech alliance, becoming the third country after the United Kingdom and Bahrain to give the green light, paving the way for the vaccination of the first Canadians as early as next week.
The United Arab Emirates have approved the vaccine of Chinese Sinopharm, saying it was 86% effective based on the findings of phase III analyzes.
... but London advises against it in case of allergies
British health authorities have advised against administering the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech to people who have had "
significant allergic reactions
"
in the past
, two people who reacted badly to the first injections.
“
Both are recovering well,
” said Stephen Powis, National Health Service (NHS) medical director for England.
These two people are prone to allergies to the point of always carrying adrenaline with them.
Read also: Covid-19: the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech not recommended in the United Kingdom in the event of serious allergies
The United Kingdom was the first country to authorize the vaccine and began a massive vaccination campaign on Tuesday, aimed so far at caregivers and the elderly.
Petition for universal access to the vaccine
The World Trade Organization said on Wednesday it had received a petition signed by 900,000 people demanding universal access to affordable vaccines against Covid-19, released from patents.
"
We ask you to ensure that everyone in the world has access to vaccines, treatments and vital equipment against Covid-19
", according to the text of the petition.
Read also: Covid-19: the PCF launches a European campaign for a vaccine "accessible to all"
In Israel, vaccines on December 27 ...
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that his country would start administering Covid-19 vaccines on December 27, after receiving a first batch from US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
Israel has not indicated whether it plans to provide vaccines to the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, two Palestinian territories which have also seen a recent surge in the number of cases.
... and from this weekend in New York
New York State could receive its first coronavirus vaccines as early as Sunday, Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
The US drug control agency, the FDA, is expected to give the green light soon after the publication of the opinion of its advisory committee, expected Thursday.
Read also: Arrival in Rome of the first “Covid-free” flight between the United States and Europe
"Second wave" in South Africa
South Africa, the most affected country on the African continent, is now facing a "
second wave
", its Minister of Health announced Wednesday evening.
