Daily roundupFriday's key coronavirus developments from Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg

• The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 155 new cases of coronavirus were discovered over the past 24 hours from 8,718 tests, There were 2 new deaths.

• In a press briefing, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Minister of Health Paulette Lenert underlined that Luxembourg’s Covid situation is fairly stable, and restrictions could be eased as of next week. There will be more emphasis on rapid tests, and the country is expecting a big batch of vaccines in the next two months. Meanwhile, a waiting list has opened for evening slots to avoid any vaccines being wasted, although that number is minuscule already.

• In its latest weekly report, the Ministry of Education has revealed that 284 cases of coronavirus were detected in Luxembourg’s schools. At Lycée Vauban, a cluster emerged following a private party.

• 17 positive Covid-19 cases were registered at the Wanteraktioun homeless shelter.

• For some people, blood donations are vital. The coronavirus pandemic has further increased this need, but according to the Luxembourg Red Cross, not enough people are donating.

• The Communist Party of Luxembourg believes that the government should do more to support small businesses, demanding pay rises for the ‘heroes of the pandemic’.

Around the world

• India recorded another 385,000 cases in the past 24 hours -- a new global record -- and almost 3,500 deaths, according to official data that many experts suspect falls short of the true toll.

• 10 lawsuits filed by plaintiffs from Austria and Germany seek compensation, alleging that Austrian authorities failed to respond quickly enough to coronavirus outbreaks in Ischgl and other resorts.

• AstraZeneca reported on Friday 227 million euros in sales from its Covid vaccine in the first three months of the year.

• Pfizer/BioNTech said Friday they have asked European regulators to authorise their Covid-19 vaccine for 12 to 15-year-old, following a similar move in the United States earlier this month.

• French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that vaccinations against Covid-19 will be open to all adults from June 15, regardless of any medical conditions.

• Sri Lanka announced Friday that its economy shrank 3.6 percent last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, making it the worst downturn since independence from Britain in 1948.

• The English city of Liverpool will hold Britain’s first dance event in over a year without coronavirus restrictions on Friday and Saturday, as part of a mass gatherings trial.

• This summer’s virus-postponed Olympics could be held behind closed doors, Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto told AFP on Friday, pledging to ensure the Games will be safe.

• Belgium‘s cafe terraces will not re-open to thirsty beer drinkers for another week but the country’s renowned brewers are already all hands to the pump.