KINGSTON, Jamaica — More than 117.9 million coronavirus infections have been confirmed worldwide, with over 2.6 million people across 196 countries and territories having died and over 70 million having recovered from the virus.

Many countries have re-imposed restrictions on movement and social gatherings. Meanwhile, some countries are moving to inoculate citizens with recently developed vaccines.

— Jamaica yesterday recorded a daily high in COVID-19 deaths with 12 new victims of the virus within a 24-hour period. The country also recorded 695 new cases of the virus, pushing the virus toll to 28,968 and the death toll to 475.

— Danish health authorities today suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution after some patients developed blood clots after receiving the jab.

— The UK government today defended the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after Denmark suspended the jab’s use, and insisted it would continue with its own rollout.

— Europe’s medicines regulator today said there appeared to be no higher risk of blood clots in those vaccinated against COVID-19, after Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspended use of the AstraZeneca jab.

— Olympic Chief Thomas Bach today announced that competitors at this year’s Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Games will be offered coronavirus vaccines bought from China.

— Real-world evidence published today by the pharmaceutical companies revealed that the Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine offers more protection than earlier thought with effectiveness in preventing symptomatic disease reaching 97 per cent.

— The world today marked one year since the coronavirus threat was declared a pandemic, with vaccinations offering hope but much of humanity still enduring highly restricted lives and no clear path back to normality.

— The United States has so far recorded 529,263 deaths, making it the hardest-hit country. Meanwhile, Brazil has recorded 270,656 deaths, Mexico 192,488, India 158,189, and the United Kingdom 124,987.

Read the full stories here:

Record 12 deaths in one day as Jamaica reports 695 new COVID cases

UK says AstraZeneca vaccine is ‘safe and effective’

Blood-clot risk ‘no higher’ in vaccinated people — EMA

IOC to buy vaccines from China for Tokyo, Beijing Olympic competitors

Pfizer jab 97% effective against symptomatic COVID — study

Vaccine hope, but battle drags on one year after pandemic declared

ARE WE FLATTENING THE CURVE?here for interactive chart* with details on Jamaica’s numbers.here for a look at the numbers globally.

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*Data mined from various sources around the world.