Health

Belgium delays easing of major COVID-19 restrictions due to rising infections and variant spread

Belgium will delay major easing of COVID-19 restrictions for another week as infection rates and hospital admissions rise, driven by the B.1.1.7 variant and other emerging strains.

Spain to give single vaccine dose to under-55s post-COVID infection

The Spanish Health Ministry announced that people under 55 who have had COVID-19 will receive only one vaccine dose, six months after infection. The measure applies regardless of prior vaccination status.

Hungary extends lockdown to 15 March over rising cases and new variants

Hungary extends nationwide lockdown until 15 March due to increased COVID-19 cases and the spread of faster-transmitting SARS-CoV-2 variants.

California surpasses 50,000 deaths of COVID-19, becoming the first U.S. state to do so

California surpasses 50,000 deaths of COVID-19, becoming the first U.S. state to do so.

Denmark eases national lockdown with partial school and shop reopenings from 1 March

Denmark will partially lift national coronavirus restrictions from 1 March, allowing some schools and shops to reopen under capacity and testing rules.

J&J vaccine meets FDA emergency use standards

Johnson & Johnson's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine candidate met emergency use authorization standards per FDA committee analysis, with 66% efficacy and refrigerated storage. Authorization was pending as of 26 February 2021.

DC mayor's sister dies from COVID-19 as city surpasses 1,000 deaths

Three cases of South African Covid-19 variant confirmed in Northern Ireland

Three cases of the 501.V2 variant, first detected in South Africa, have been confirmed in Northern Ireland. The Department of Health reported low risk of onward transmission.