Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
Johnson Pressed To Resign
Pressure mounts on Boris Johnson to resign as United Kingdom (UK) prime minister after he apologises after admitting to taking part in a party in Downing Street that broke the rules during the first lockdown in 2020.
Omicron Variant 'Dangerous'
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is dangerous, and especially so for those who have not been vaccinated against the disease, the World Health Organization says.
Djokovic Admits 'Errors'
World tennis number one Novak Djokovic admits errors in travel papers to enter Australia and to meeting a journalist after a claimed coronavirus infection, as he battles to stay in Australia and fight for a record 21st Grand Slam title.
France To Ease UK Restrictions
Paris will announce an easing of restrictions for travel from Britain to France in the coming days, the government says, after sharply tightening rules in December over the rapid spread of Omicron.
Clock Ticks In Russia
Russia - which has the world's fourth-highest death toll - has two weeks to prepare for a fresh wave of cases, President Vladimir Putin warns.
Swiss Slash Quarantine
The Swiss government slashes quarantine times and prolongs restrictions to control the COVID-19 Omicron variant, which it says could be the beginning of the end of the pandemic.
Fourth Jab For Vulnerable Danes
The Danish government says it will offer a fourth COVID vaccine dose to its "most vulnerable citizens", and re-open cultural institutions closed since last month.
New Tunisia Curfew
Tunisia announces a new night-time stay-at-home order for the next two weeks in order to tamp down surging coronavirus cases.
Airline Sales Plummet
Airline ticket sales have fallen by 60.9 percent since the end of 2021, the International Air Transport Association says, blaming governments for having "over-reacted" to the Omicron variant by closing borders.
Finnair Cuts Flights
Finnish national airline Finnair says it will cancel 20 percent of flights in February after a spike in COVID-related staff absences.
5.5 Million Dead
The coronavirus has killed at least 5,503,347 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on Wednesday.
The United States has recorded the most COVID deaths with 842,322, followed by Brazil with 620,238, India with 484,655 and Russia with 318,432.
Taking into account excess mortality linked to COVID-19, the WHO estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher.