Coronavirus: Latest Global Developments

This photo shows visitors undergoing nucleic acid tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus at the World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference in Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu province. (AFP Photo)

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

First UK Death From Omicron

Omicron has killed at least one person in Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson reveals as he launches a large booster programme against the variant.

Norway Tightens Measures

Norway announces new COVID curbs less than a week after tightening restrictions in the face of the spread of the Omicron variant and soaring case numbers and hospital admissions.

Latvia Protests

One police officer is injured and four demonstrators arrested as several thousand people in the Latvian capital Riga protest anti-COVID restrictions introduced by the government.

Peru Battles Rising Cases

Peru, hit by the world's highest coronavirus death rate, says it is battling a "resurgence" of the pandemic, with infections and deaths rising, but no case of the Omicron variant detected so far.

First China Omicron Case

China has recorded its first case of the Omicron variant, state media report authorities in the north-eastern city of Tianjin as saying.

DRC Sees 'Exponential' COVID Rise

The Democratic Republic of Congo warns of an "exponential increase" in cases as the country battles a fourth wave of the pandemic and the arrival of the Omicron variant.

Earlier Boosters In Denmark

Danish health authorities say a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be offered sooner to everyone over 40 to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.

Raducanu Tests Positive

US Open champion Emma Raducanu tests positive for COVID-19, and pulls out of this week's Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

English Premier League Hit

The English Premier League reports 42 new COVID-19 cases, a record number since testing figures started being released in May 2020.

Manchester United Seeks Postponement

Manchester United hold talks with the Premier League over the potential postponement of Tuesday's match at Brentford after becoming the latest top-flight team to be hit by a coronavirus outbreak.

Swiss Anti-COVID Drug Plan

Switzerland launches a financial support programme for the development of four anti-COVID drugs with national bio-pharmaceutical companies.

Over 5.3 Million Dead

The coronavirus has killed at least 5,306,629 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP Monday at 2100 GMT. 

The United States has suffered the most COVID-related deaths with 797,710, followed by Brazil with 616,830, India with 475,636, Mexico with 296,672 and Russia with 290,604.

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.