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Coronavirus: Latest global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

– Johnson fights for survival –

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson fights for his political future as his Conservatives descend into open internal warfare after he belatedly apologised for attending a party during the coronavirus lockdown.

– Djokovic deportation decision looms –

Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke ponders whether to revoke the visa of Novak Djokovic for a second time and throw him out of the country, as the unjabbed world number one seeks his dream of a record 21st Grand Slam.

– France eases Britain ban –

Vaccinated people from Britain will be able to visit France from Friday providing they have a negative test, after the French authorities say they will ease curbs introduced last month due to the Omicron Covid variant.

– Billion Covid tests for US –

US President Joe Biden says the government will double its purchase of Covid-19 tests to one billion, as the United States struggles against the Omicron variant.

– Finland halves quarantine –

Finland’s health authorities cut the recommended quarantine period for Covid-19 patients by up to half, as infections hit record levels.

– French teachers strike –

French teachers go on strike, with the biggest teachers’ union saying half of primary schools were closed as staff demand clarity from the government on coronavirus measures.

– Fourth jab in Hungary –

Hungary says it will offer a fourth coronavirus vaccine dose to citizens, after a consultation with a doctor.

– Spain caps self-test kit costs –

Spain agrees to cap the cost of Covid self-testing antigen kits at just under three euros after the government comes under increasing pressure from critics over high prices.

It also says it will make a fourth vaccine dose available to vulnerable citizens, including cancer patients.

– Greek penalty –

Greece’s government announces a 100-euro ($114) monthly fine on persons aged over 60 who refuse the anti-Covid vaccine.

– 100 million doses shunned –

Poor countries refused to take around 100 million donated Covid-19 vaccine doses in December alone, chiefly due to their short shelf life, the United Nations says.

– Norway bars no longer dry –

Norway is to allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol again from Friday, but only as part of table service and until 11 pm, as the authorities loosen a total ban on such sales imposed as part of Covid restrictions in December.

– Booster jabs in Senegal –

Senegal authorises booster jabs for adults who have already received to doses, as virus cases proliferate in the country.

More than 1.3 million people, out of a population of about 16 million, have been vaccinated, according to the health ministry.

– 5.5 million dead –

The coronavirus has killed at least 5,511,146 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on Thursday.

The United States has recorded the most Covid deaths with 843,624, followed by Brazil with 620,371, India on 485,035 and Russia 319,172.

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