Coronavirus: Latest global developments

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

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Uganda records 576 new cases

Results of COVID-19 tests done on 30 November, 2020 confirmed 576 new cases, the health ministry announced. The cumulative confirmed cases are now 21,035, with the cumulative deaths to-date standing at 205.

Pfizer seeks EU approval

Germany's BioNTech and US partner Pfizer apply for EU regulatory approval for their vaccine, with the bloc saying its health agency will meet by December 29 to consider the application.

France sets out vaccination plan

France aims to launch a major Covid-19 vaccination campaign between April and June next year with only the most fragile and exposed groups targeted at the beginning of 2021, President Emmanuel Macron says.

Recovery in 2021?

The OECD says thanks to vaccines now potentially only weeks away from distribution, the global economy may get back to pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year.

F1 racer positive

Racer Lewis Hamilton, who this season broke the record for the most Formula 1 wins, tests positive and will isolate, saying he is "devastated" at missing this weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix.

Ireland leaves lockdown

Dublin throngs with face-masked Christmas shoppers after Ireland ends a second partial coronavirus lockdown, allowing non-essential retail to resume after six weeks of tough restrictions.

MP revolt

As British MPs prepare to vote on replacing an England-wide lockdown set to expire at midnight, conservatives complain that under the planned new rules isolated hotspots could lead to entire counties coming under the strictest measures, even if their infection rates remain below the national average.

Canada's economy roars

Canada's economy rebounded at a record annualized pace of 40.1 percent in the third quarter after the country emerged from a lockdown, the government statistical agency says. However the upturn falls short of analysts' expectations.

Cases top 63 million

The virus has killed at least 1,468,873 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Tuesday 1100 GMT (2pm Ugandan time).

More than 63,227,478 cases of coronavirus have been registered.

The US is the worst-affected country with 268,103 deaths, followed by Brazil with 173,120 deaths, India with 137,621 deaths and Mexico with 105,940 deaths.

Gaza's Hamas leader positive

The leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, becomes the latest Palestinian official to contract the coronavirus, as it spreads rapidly across the enclave.

Madrid's 'pandemic' hospital

The Spanish capital inaugurates a huge, new hospital - The Isabel Zendal complex - built in just three months and capable of treating more than 1,000 patients during a health emergency. It cost nearly 100 million euros ($120 million).

Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas off

Queen Elizabeth II, 94, who has spent much of the coronavirus outbreak in self-isolation because of her age, will forego her traditional family Christmas, the royal household says.