|
 DEATHS AND INFECTIONS * Eikon users, see COVID-19: MacroVitals
https://apac1.apps.cp.
thomsonreuters.com/cms/?navid=1592404098 for a case tracker and
summary of news.
EUROPE
* The variant first found in the British region of Kent is a concern
because it could undermine the protection given by vaccines against
developing COVID-19, the head of the UK's genetic surveillance
programme said.
* Ireland expects to retain strict COVID-19 health measures at least
until Easter, Minister Micheal Martin said.
* The Czech Republic announced a stricter lockdown in three
districts from east to west where infections have soared and
hospitals are struggling to cope.
* Germany will extend restrictions until March 7, though schools and
hair salons may open sooner, Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of
the 16 federal states agreed.
ASIA-PACIFIC
* The Philippines is set to receive 600,000 doses this month of
Sinovac Biotech's vaccine donated by China, a portion of which will
be used to inoculate military personnel, a senior government
official said.
* Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has assured his
Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, that India would do its best
to supply Canada with vaccines.
AMERICAS
* Mexico has authorized emergency use of the Chinese Sinovac and
CanSino vaccines.
* Argentina surpassed two million COVID-19 infections on Wednesday,
health officials said, as the country scrambles to ramp up a
vaccination programme ahead of the fast-approaching southern
hemisphere autumn.
* U.S. President Joe Biden said he wants to know all the facts when
asked about "punishing" China for possibly not fully disclosing
information on the coronavirus.
[to top of second column] |
 MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
* Kenya is going ahead with its plan to
inoculate its citizens against COVID-19 using
AstraZeneca's vaccine, a senior health ministry
official said. * Zimbabwe has
bought 600,000 shots from China's Sinopharm, in addition to 200,000
China has donated, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.
* Pfizer said it could deliver its vaccine, which requires
ultra-cold temperatures for storage and distribution, directly to
points of vaccination in South Africa.
MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS
* German specialty chemicals maker Evonik said it is investing in
the expansion of production of lipids to be used in BioNTech and
Pfizer's vaccine. * Merck & Co said it was in talks
with governments and companies to potentially help with
manufacturing of vaccines that have been already authorized.
* Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is in talks with vaccine makers to
co-produce some shots, Chief Executive Officer Kare Schultz told
Reuters.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
* Global oil supply still outstrips demand due to persistent
lockdowns and the spread of variants, the International Energy
Agency said, but vaccines should help demand recover.
* The European Union is facing a surge in bankruptcies and bad loans
once the post-pandemic economic recovery starts to take hold and
governments begin withdrawing state schemes that are keeping many
firms on life support, an EU document indicates.
 * Asian shares rested at record highs as investors digested recent
gains, while bulls were sustained by the promise of endless free
money after a benign reading on U.S. inflation and a dovish Federal
Reserve outlook. [MKTS/GLOB]
(Compiled by Veronica Snoj and Aditya Soni; Edited by Anil D'Silva
and Shounak Dasgupta)
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