Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
WHO Vaccine Hub Expands Scope
The World Health Organization (WHO) says its hub in South Africa, set up to help countries in Africa make mRNA vaccines, will also provide support to Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Serbia and Vietnam.
New Sanofi-GSK Vaccine
French pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi and Britain's GSK say they will "seek regulatory authorisation" for their COVID vaccine in the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) after phase 3 trials delivered positive results.
Vaccine Call For North Korea
The world should provide millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines to North Korea, where "draconian" anti-pandemic measures are worsening an already-severe food crisis, Tomas Ojea Quintana, United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on human rights, says.
Hong Kong Parents Decry Child Separations
Hong Kong parents say they are being separated from children and babies who test positive for the coronavirus, compounding public anger over the financial hub's lack of readiness for the outbreak now sweeping the city.
New EU Travel Recommendation
European Union member countries agree to open up more from 1 March to tourists from outside the bloc who are jabbed against COVID with World Health Organization (WHO)-approved vaccines or who are recovered.
Heathrow Posts Big Loss
London's Heathrow airport announces it narrowed annual losses only slightly in 2021 to £1.8 billion (US$2.4 billion) despite the reopening of global air travel, blaming what it says were stricter passenger curbs in Britain compared to the neighbouring EU.
Milan Fashion Week
Milan Fashion Week's womenswear shows take again to the catwalk, which organisers hope will boost an industry stifled by two years of coronavirus.
Italy To End State Of Emergency
Italy will end its COVID-19 state of emergency at the end of March and slowly lift rules imposed during the pandemic, says Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Iceland Lifts All Curbs
Iceland will this week join the list of countries to have lifted all their restrictions against COVID-19, despite still recording high numbers of cases, the government announces.
Easing In Slovakia
Slovakia will allow all restaurants, shops, hotels and spas to serve unvaccinated people from Saturday, the government says, citing a lower COVID-19 case rate.
More Than 5.9 Million Dead
Coronavirus has killed at least 5,904,193 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on Wednesday.
The US has recorded the most COVID deaths with 939,201 followed by Brazil with 645,420 and India 512,622.
Taking into account excess mortality linked to COVID-19, the WHO estimates the true death toll could be two to three times higher.