KINGSTON, Jamaica — More than 121 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 recorded 638 new cases of COVID-19 and four additional deaths yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 33,366 and the death toll to 511.

— Martinique’s Government has suspended the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, following the lead of France and several other countries that have taken the step after some people who got the jab developed blood clots.

— Britain insisted today that its plan to ease coronavirus lockdowns in the coming months remained on track, despite a vaccine supply shortfall from India which will hit the inoculation drive in April.

— The head of a World Health Organization team working with Chinese colleagues to finish a long-awaited report into the origins of the coronavirus acknowledged its authors could face “pressures” but insisted the final product will have a unanimous green light from all of the team’s science-minded members.

— COVID-19 appears likely to develop into a seasonal disease, the United Nations said, cautioning though against relaxing pandemic-related measures simply based on meteorological factors.

— The United States has so far recorded 538,093 deaths, making it the hardest-hit country. Meanwhile, Brazil has recorded 284,775 deaths, Mexico 195,908, India 159,216, and the United Kingdom 125,831.Read the full stories here

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Martinique government suspends use of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine