Daily roundupFriday's key coronavirus developments in Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg

• The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 281 new cases of coronavirus were discovered yesterday from 11,799 tests. There were 9 new deaths, the highest daily death toll this year.

• The National Health Laboratory (LNS) is continuously sequencing coronavirus samples in order to monitor the presence of the different mutations. The UK variant of the coronavirus accounted for 62% of all cases, while the South African variant could be detected in 18.5% of the samples.

• Claude Meisch has told RTL that given current circumstances, distance learning is not considered necessary before the Easter holidays.

• The restrictions are taking toll on children and adolescents living in foster homes, the director of the Solina Foundation has said.

• Covid-19 has done little to alter the ranking of the world’s happiest countries, with Finland at the top for a fourth year running, an annual UN-sponsored report said on Friday. Luxembourg ranked eighth.

• The government distributed 730,000 coupons to Luxembourg residents and cross-border workers at the start of the pandemic, motivating them to cash in their €50 voucher at local hotels, youth hostels and campsites and help relaunch the economy with a “holiday at home”. But one month before their expiry, only 15% have been used.

• On Thursday, MPs voted to extend and improve aids for businesses.

• In case you want to get your mind off corona, here’s our weekend guide for events in and around Luxembourg.

And from abroad

• France’s health authority on Friday recommended that only people aged 55 and over should be given the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine due to reports of blood clots, while giving the green light to resume its use after a brief suspension. Parisians, meanwhile, packed inter-city trains leaving the capital on Friday hours ahead of a new lockdown in the French capital imposed to combat a surge in coronavirus infections.

• On Thursday, 10,352 new deaths and 542,248 new cases were recorded worldwide. A global overview here.

• Coronavirus infection numbers in Germany are rising at a “very clearly exponential rate” as highly contagious variants drive up case numbers in the EU’s biggest country, health authorities said Friday.

• With Lithuania’s cinemas still shut due to the pandemic, local movie-lovers will be able to enjoy a cherished film festival in a novel way -- from the comfort of a hotel room.

• Danish health authorities say they will hold off for now on resuming use of the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19, despite an all-clear from the European medical regulator EMA. Finland is doing the same.

• Rat infestation in London and other cities is growing acute as emboldened rodents take advantage of empty offices and seek out new food sources, with many eateries closed. Business is booming for rat catchers.