Coronavirus digest: Global cases pass 150 million

Worldwide COVID-19 cases have exceeded 150 million, with the US, India and Brazil reporting the highest number of infections, according to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins University. 

The United States on Friday reported a total of 32,288,689 cases with 575,193 deaths, India logged 18,376,524 cases with 204,832 deaths, and Brazil reported 14,590,678 infections with 401,186 deaths. 

India's jump in coronavirus cases has prompted the army to open up its hospitals due to a nationwide shortage of beds, medicines and oxygen.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that hospitalizations and deaths in Brazil have started declining, but still described the situation as severe. In response to climbing COVID numbers, Brazil's Senate has approved a bill to suspend patent protection for vaccines, tests and medications during the pandemic. 

It remains unclear if lower house lawmakers will pass the bill, with implications for AstraZeneca and China's Sinovac Biotech, which have organized local production of their COVID-19 vaccines.

Here is the latest coronavirus-related news from around the world.

Europe

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's infectious disease agency, has said the COVID-19 variant believed to be contributing to India's massive surge in infections has also been detected in Germany. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that the B.1.617 variant, first found in India, had been detected in "at least 17 countries."

Meanwhile, production of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine started at a new site in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein. The site will produce one of the major components of the jab, with officials hoping it will boost the number of doses and make Germany less dependent on other countries for vaccine production.

Germany's confirmed number of coronavirus cases has increased by 24,329 to 3,381,597, data from the RKI showed. The reported death toll rose by 306 to 82,850.

In the UK, thousands of partygoers became the first people in over a year to legally dance and drink at a nightclub on Friday. The afternoon party at a warehouse in Liverpool is part of a British government test to see whether coronavirus restrictions can be eased without sparking major outbreaks.

Participants were tested before and after the event, but were not required to wear masks or socially distance.

France will open up vaccines to all adults in the country starting on June 15, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday. Until now, the jabs have been designated for the elderly and people with high-risk conditions. The move comes as Macron eyes lifting restrictions in May and June.

The country also detected its first cases of the so-called Indian variant of the coronavirus, France's Health Ministry said in a statement. The first case was found in a  woman on Thursday who traveled to India and is living in southwestern France. Two other people who traveled to India were also infected with the variant in southeastern France. 

Turkey granted emergency approval for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine on Friday. The announcement comes days after the government signed a deal to secure 50 million doses of the Russia-developed jab. It also comes as the country is under its strictest COVID lockdown to date.

Asia

Singapore has shut down four wards of a hospital after a growing outbreak was uncovered. The Asian financial hub logged its highest number of domestically transmitted cases in around seven months, with nine new cases on Friday. While the figures are low compared to its neighbors, the rare outbreak could lead to stricter measures in the country.

Thai health authorities have said that while it has passed its coronavirus peak, it would implement new restrictions from May 1. People arriving from abroad must now spend 14 days in quarantine regardless of where they are coming from or whether they have been vaccinated for COVID-19. 

Japan received its first delivery of Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccines on Friday, the local NHK broadcaster reported. Japan has so far only approved Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine and is expected to approve Moderna's in May.

NHK also said that Japan's venue for surfing in the Tokyo Olympics has refused to set up COVID-19 testing facilities for athletes.

Ichinomiya, about 96 km (59.7 miles) east of Tokyo, was requested to set up a testing facility by the Brazilian national team, but refused, citing a lack of medical facilities. Organizers have said athletes must be tested daily and restrict their use of public transportation.

Malaysia has put teachers on its vaccination priority list. The Southeast Asian country will inoculate teachers as part of its second phase of COVID shots, which started last week for the elderly and those deemed "high risk" due to other medical conditions.

Americas

The US will start limiting travel from India starting on Tuesday, the White House announced. The move comes amid a surge in new infections in the South Asian country.

While the US seeks to limit new infections, the country's vaccination campaign crossed a major milestone on Friday — with over 100 million people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The state of California, which boasts the country's lowest rate of COVID infections, reopened the Disneyland theme park Friday after more than half of the state's population eligible for coronavirus vaccination has received at least one dose of the shots. The reopening follows a 13-month closure. 

Brazil has called on countries to share spare vaccine doses as the country seeks to curb its infections. Brazil has administered 41 million doses so far, but needs more supplies to reach its target of giving out 2.4 million doses a day.

Countries with extra supplies should share doses soon "so we can broaden our vaccination campaign and contain the pandemic at this critical time and avoid the proliferation of new variants," Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said.

Costa Rica will close non-essential businesses across the center of the country due to a surge in new COVID infections and hospitalizations.

From May 3-9, restaurants, bars, department stores, beauty salons, gyms and churches must close in 45 municipalities in central Costa Rica where over two-thirds of new cases have been reported. Travel restrictions will also be imposed during the week. 

Catch up on DW content

As Turkey begins a strict three-week lockdown, many people are particularly angry about a nationwide ban on alcohol sales. Dissidents say the measure has nothing to do with the pandemic and fear a long-term prohibition. Read the full story here.

European countries are in various stages of reopening, depending on their national health situations. DW takes a look at how governments in Europe are taking steps back toward normality.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked the military to assist the civilian administration in tackling the pandemic. Pakistan is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths as a "third wave" grips the country. Read the full story here.

rs, mvb/rt (AFP, AP, Reuters)