Coronavirus: Latest global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

– More than 10 million cases in Africa –

Africa has registered more than 10 million coronavirus cases, according to figures from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, covering 55 countries and a continent of 1.2 billion people.

– 14 million people tested in China’s Tianjin –

The northern Chinese port city of Tianjin advises its nearly 14 million residents to stay at home while authorities conduct mass Covid testing after a spate of recent cases, including two caused by the Omicron variant.

– Record case numbers in Mexico… –

Mexico reports more than 30,000 new coronavirus cases, setting a new 24-hour record and prompting some states to close schools, as experts warn the total case numbers are far higher than official statistics given the low testing rates.

– …and in Peru –

Peru, which has the world’s highest Covid-19 death rate, also registers all-time high case numbers, with more than 16,000 new infections recorded in 24 hours.

– 5,000 protest Covid rules in Belgium –

Some 5,000 protesters march in Brussels to oppose anti-Covid regulations, brandishing banners denouncing what they call a “vaccine dictatorship”.

– France to strengthen testing capacity –

France announces plans to bolster its testing capacity as long queues form outside testing centres amid a fresh wave of the virus fuelled by the Omicron variant.

– Italian islanders exempt from transport Covid passport –

Italy will exempt its island residents from showing Covid passports on public transport, a measure that will come into force on Monday, to avoid placing them in a “forced exile”.

– Australia says Djokovic ‘unvaccinated’ –

Australia’s government says world tennis number one Novak Djokovic is not vaccinated against Covid-19 and that his legal battle to stay in the country for the Australian Open should be dismissed.

– More than 5.4 million dead –

The coronavirus has killed at least 5,484,468 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources at 1930 GMT on Sunday.

The United States has recorded the most Covid deaths with 837,384, followed by Brazil with 619,937, India with 483,790, Russia with 316,163 and Mexico with 300,303.

Taking into account excess mortality linked to Covid-19, the World Health Organization estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher.