Global COVID-19 cases surge past 250 million

More than 250 million worldwide have been infected with the coronavirus, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

The milestone comes as countries in eastern Europe are seeing record outbreaks, while many countries ease trade and travel restrictions.

So far, more than 5 million people have died due to COVID-19.

Europe is the most affected region in the world, registering more than 76 million COVID-19 infections.

This is followed by Asia, with over 56 million cases, followed by the US and Canada with more than 48 million cases, and lastly, Latin America and the Caribbean with more than 46 million cases.

Over the past seven days, nearly 449,000 new daily infections have been registered on average.

Here's the latest coronavirus-related news from across the world:

Europe

Germany, for the second day in a row, reported record coronavirus incidence rates on Tuesday.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported the incidence rate — the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the previous seven days — at 213.7.

This is higher than Monday's figure of 201.1, which was the first time the rate passed 200 since the pandemic began.

Germany reported 21,832 new cases and 169 new deaths, according to data from RKI.

Leading virologist Christian Drosten, who many credit with Germany's early successful management of the coronavirus pandemic, said Germany was in an "emergency situation" and that new contact restrictions were conceivable. 

"We have to do something right now," Drosten said.

Meanwhile, German national football player Niklas Süle has tested positive for coronavirus. Germany have confirmed that four other players are in quarantine ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein in Wolfsburg. 

Denmark will re-introduce a health pass amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said.

The prime minister acknowledged that the return of the pass would make life difficult for those who have not been vaccinated but added: "That's how I think it should be."

All frontline workers in the National Health Service (NHS) in England will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from April 1 or lose their jobs, Health Minister Sajid Javid said on Tuesday.

French health authorities advised against use of the Moderna vaccine against COVID-19 for people under 30.

This came after a nationwide study confirmed a slight risk of cardiac inflammation associated with mRNA vaccines.

France also announced booster shots for the COVID vaccine will be extended to those aged 50 and over from early December.

Greece saw a record of 8,613 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, the National Organisation of Public Health said.

It is the country's highest caseload since the pandemic began last year.

Russia reported a record daily COVID-19 death toll of 1,211, on Tuesday, a day after a nationwide workplace shutdown aimed at curbing a surge in cases was lifted across most regions.

Americas

In the US, a Texas judge has ruled in favor of a United Airlines decision to put employees who refuse to be vaccinated on religious and medical grounds on unpaid leave. 

The decision came after a federal appeals court on Saturday suspended a vaccine mandate by President Joe Biden's administration. 

German firm BioNTech and US pharma giant Pfizer have asked the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow their jointly produced vaccine to be administered as a booster shot to Americans aged 18 and older. A spokesperson for the FDA said the agency would review the request "as expeditiously as possible."

Asia and Africa

Iran has registered more than 6 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, according to health ministry data. 

The central Asian country recorded more than 8,000 new cases in the past 24 hours. COVID vaccine rates remain low at around 50% of the population.

Bangladesh drugmaker Beximco will soon begin selling the world's first generic version of Merck's COVID-19 pill, molnupiravir. The drug has been touted as a potential game-changer in the fight against the pandemic.

Morocco will end a night curfew aimed at combating COVID-19 that it introduced in March 2020 starting from Wednesday, it said on Tuesday, after a fall in cases from the peak during the summer.

Asia Pacific

Australia's medical regulatory body granted AstraZeneca's antibody cocktail against COVID-19 a provisional determination — the first step in the process for registration in the country.

EVUSHELD is the first protective shot other than vaccines against COVID-19.

Thousands of demonstrators marched in New Zealand's capital Wellington toward the parliament to protest COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday.

Authorities responded with major police deployment at the Wellington building known as the Beehive.

Some carried "Trump 2020" flags, while others targeted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with slogans such as "Pro-Choice, Anti Jacinda", with "Media Lies" and "Media Treason" also prominent.

Singapore has announced plans to make unvaccinated coroanvirus patients pay their own medical bills from next month.The city state is trying to pressure people who are still holding off on getting their jabs.

The COVID-hit Chinese city of Heihe is offering 100,000 yuan ($15,500; €13,400) for anyone giving clues in tracing the source of its latest outbreak. This is part of the country's "people's war" to stamp out one of the country's largest resurgences in months.

adi/rt (AFP, Reuters, AP)