Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
'Unprecedented' US Case Surge
The United States is experiencing "almost a vertical increase" in the number of new COVID cases but hospital admissions are not following suit, the White House's top pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci said.
"We are definitely in the middle of a very severe surge and uptick in cases," said Fauci, who called the situation "unprecedented" as the US reported more than 440,000 new infections on Friday.
Messi Tests Positive
Argentine football star Lionel Messi was one of four Paris Saint-Germain players to test positive for coronavirus, the club announced shortly before a French Cup match.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner returned the positive test result in his Argentine hometown of Rosario, where he was spending time with his family.
Infections Fall In Locked-Down Xi'an
New COVID cases have reached their lowest level in a week in the Chinese city of Xi'an, which has been under strict stay-at-home orders for 11 days, health officials said.
The historic northern city - home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors - reported 122 new cases on Sunday, the lowest figure since 25 December and down on the 174 cases registered on Saturday.
France Eases Isolation Rules For Vaccinated
Fully vaccinated people in France who test positive for coronavirus will only have to isolate for seven days instead of 10 from Monday, regardless of the variant.
The isolation period can be cut to five days with a negative test and close contacts who are fully inoculated will not have to quarantine at all.
France's health ministry said the change would allow a "benefit-risk balance aimed at ensuring the virus is controlled while maintaining socio-economic life".
Amsterdam Xmas Lockdown Protest
Thousands of people gathered in the Dutch capital Amsterdam to protest against a stringent Christmas lockdown introduced in response to a wave of COVID cases driven by the Omicron variant.
More Than 5.4 Million Dead
The coronavirus has killed at least 5,438,312 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on Sunday.
Overall, the United States has recorded the most COVID deaths with 825,819, followed by Brazil with 619,105, India with 481,770 and Russia with 310,518.
Taking into account excess mortality linked to COVID-19, the World Health Organization estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher.