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 U.S. reaches 500,000 deaths
The United States on Monday crossed the milestone of 500,000
COVID-19 deaths just over a year since the pandemic claimed its
first known victim in Santa Clara County, California.
In a proclamation honouring the dead, President Joe Biden ordered
the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff on public buildings and
grounds until sunset on Friday.
"On this solemn occasion, we reflect on their loss and on their
loved ones left behind," Biden said in the proclamation. "We, as a
Nation, must remember them so we can begin to heal, to unite, and
find purpose as one Nation to defeat this pandemic."
One-way to freedom
Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a map out of lockdown for
England on Monday that would keep some businesses shuttered until
the summer, saying caution was necessary to ensure there were no
reversals on a "one-way road to freedom".
After imposing one of the strictest lockdowns in the western world
in January to counter a highly contagious variant of the novel
coronavirus, Johnson said Britain was in a position to enjoy the
results of one of the world's fastest vaccine programmes.
Starting in two weeks with the reopening of schools, the phased plan
will go through four stages, with at least five weeks in between
each stage.
Afghanistan begins vaccination drive
Afghanistan began its first COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday,
administering doses initially to security force members, health
workers and journalists, in a campaign that may face challenges from
a sharp rise in violence.
The war-damaged country received 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca's
vaccine from the Serum Institute of India, which is producing the
vaccine for mid- and low-income countries, earlier this month.
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 Taliban insurgents fighting the
foreign-backed Afghan government have announced
their backing for the vaccination campaign.
Compensation for serious vaccine side effects
The World Health Organization has agreed a no-fault compensation
plan for claims of serious side effects in people in 92 poorer
countries due to get vaccines via the COVAX sharing scheme,
resolving a big concern among recipient governments.
The programme, which the WHO said was the first and only vaccine
injury compensation mechanism operating on an international scale,
will offer eligible people "a fast, fair, robust and transparent
process," the WHO said in a statement. "By providing
a no-fault lump-sum compensation in full and final settlement of any
claims, the COVAX programme aims to significantly reduce the need
for recourse to the law courts, a potentially lengthy and costly
process," the statement said.
Nurses in exchange for vaccines
The Philippines will let thousands of its healthcare workers, mostly
nurses, take up jobs in Britain and Germany if the two countries
agree to donate much-needed coronavirus vaccines, a senior official
said on Tuesday.
 The Philippines, which has among Asia's highest number of
coronavirus cases, has relaxed a ban on deploying its healthcare
workers overseas, but still limits the number of medical
professionals leaving the country to 5,000 a year.
(Compiled by Linda Noakes; editing by Barbara Lewis)
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