Covid-19 and recent developments across the globe

As covid-19 continues to wreak havoc across the globe, here are some key development from around the world:

Maldives bans travel from South Asia as virus cases soar

Indians can no longer escape the country’s raging pandemic by holidaying in the Maldives after the island paradise said on Wednesday it would ban travel from South Asia as it battles a surge in Covid-19 infections.

EU predicts big economic turnaround as vaccinations ramp-up

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday sharply revised its growth forecasts for this year and next, saying an accelerated vaccination drive and the bloc’s landmark recovery plan would lift Europe out of recession.

India’s coronavirus death toll passes 250,000, variant spreads

India’s coronavirus death toll passed 250,000 on Wednesday as the World Health Organization said the variant fuelling the surge had been found in dozens of countries across the globe.

Nauru vaccinates all its adults in a ‘world record’ effort

The tiny Pacific nation of Nauru has congratulated itself for a “world record” Covid-19 vaccination drive which resulted in all its adult population receiving their first jab.

Japan to vaccinate Olympic athletes before Games: reports

Japan plans to vaccinate its Olympic athletes before the Tokyo Games, domestic media reported Wednesday. The move would place them ahead of the general population as the government faces pressure over a slow vaccine rollout.

Canada’s Ontario province pauses AstraZeneca first-dose jabs

Canada’s most populous province of Ontario on Tuesday suspended the use of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine as a first dose, citing new data showing increased risks of blood clotting.

Brazil to start vaccinating Olympic athletes

Brazil will begin vaccinating Olympic athletes and other members of its Tokyo-bound delegation against Covid-19 this week.