Daily roundupFriday's key coronavirus developments from Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg

• The latest figures from Luxembourg show that 107 new cases of coronavirus were discovered over the last 24 hours.

• Experts say another wave is to be expected soon, but hospitalisations are unlikely to go up.

• According to Statec, Luxembourg’s economy is back on track after the pandemic struggles.

• Human rights commission president Gilbert Pregno has warned against a vaccine mandate, in an RTL interview.

And abroad

• Just two percent of the population, or less, have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus in half of the countries in Africa, the World Health Organization said on Thursday.

• More large US companies are moving ahead with vaccine requirements, despite loud criticism from some employee groups and politicians.

• Covid-19 vaccine pioneers, media watchdogs, climate activists and Belarus opposition leaders are just some of those tipped for Nobel glory when the latest prize recipients are announced from Monday against the background of the pandemic.

• US pharmaceutical company Merck said Friday it will seek authorization of its oral drug molnupiravir for Covid-19 after it was shown to reduce the chance newly infected patients were hospitalized by 50 percent.

• A fire in a Romanian hospital killed seven coronavirus patients on Friday, officials said, with the third deadly hospital blaze within a year sparking anger over the country’s dilapidated infrastructure.

• Thousands of people toured Dubai’s Expo 2020 on the opening day on Friday, braving hot temperatures as the Covid-delayed world fair finally opened its doors one year late.

• Players based in England will be able to represent their national teams in countries on the UK’s travel red-list this month after a bespoke quarantine exemption was granted on Friday.