Here are the latest developments related to the spread of the coronavirus globally as of Friday, including the most recent figures, new measures, and notable events:
**Extension of Health Emergency in Japan**
The Japanese government extended the state of health emergency across most of the country until June 20, just 56 days before the Tokyo Olympics (July 23 - August 8), which organizers are determined to hold. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga stated, "The number of infections has decreased since mid-May but the situation remains fragile. In Tokyo and Osaka, new infection rates are still high."
**Olympics: South Asian Athletes to Receive Vaccines**
Organizers announced that members of Olympic delegations from India and five neighboring countries will receive vaccinations before the Tokyo Olympics, amid growing concerns over the potential spread of the Indian variant of the coronavirus during the event. This decision pertains to the Olympic teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Nepal.
**India: Easing Containment Restrictions in Delhi**
Indian authorities announced a slight easing of containment measures imposed for six weeks in the capital, New Delhi, as infections in the area have decreased. New Delhi recorded only 1,100 new cases in the last 24 hours, compared to around 25,000 daily when the measures were first enforced.
**Fourth Vaccine in the UK**
The British Ministry of Health announced that the United Kingdom has authorized the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, adding a fourth vaccine to its arsenal against the pandemic. This single-dose vaccine has been approved by the UK regulatory body and joins Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna products used in the country.
**Digital Health Certificate in Greece**
Greece showcased its interactive platform for the European digital COVID certificate, which will be one of the first ready platforms in the European Union. Athens was one of the first EU capitals, along with Madrid, to support the idea of a vaccination certificate to facilitate the resumption of commercial travel.
**Finland: Voting from Cars**
Finland set up a drive-through voting system ahead of the local elections on June 13 to avoid a resurgence of the pandemic. After having to postpone the elections from April to June due to the pandemic, Finnish officials sought ways to organize the vote safely with a system for vehicle-based voting two weeks ahead of the election date.
**Improvement in Mexico**
After a "black" month in January, when Mexico recorded record numbers of infections and deaths, the country is nearing a decline in all pandemic indicators for 20 consecutive weeks. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated, "The pandemic continues to decline," affirming that there is currently no fear of a resurgence.
**Democratic Republic of Congo: 32 Parliamentarians Die of COVID**
Thirty-two parliamentarians from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have died from COVID-19 since the virus appeared in the country in March 2020, according to a National Assembly official. This announcement comes as authorities in the country fear a third wave of the pandemic.
**More Than 3.5 Million Deaths Worldwide**
The coronavirus has caused over 3.5 million deaths worldwide since the end of December 2019, according to a count by AFP based on official sources as of Friday at 10:00 GMT. The United States is the most affected country in terms of deaths (593,288), followed by Brazil with 456,674 deaths, India with 318,895 deaths, Mexico with 222,657 deaths, and the United Kingdom with 127,758 deaths. This tally is based on data collected by AFP from national health authorities and information published by the World Health Organization, which estimates that reported cases may represent only a small fraction of the actual total, potentially two to three times higher.
