Daily roundupTuesday's key coronavirus developments from Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg

• The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 179 new cases of coronavirus were discovered yesterday.

• The fourth EMA-approved Covid-19 vaccine by Johnson & Johnson has arrived in Luxembourg. A few hours later, however, Johnson & Johnson said it would delay its roll-out in Europe due to health concerns.

• What happens to people who already should have been vaccinated, but did not receive an invitation?

• The patient representatives association issued a joint press release with the Luxembourgish Union for Consumers (ULC) to lament the lack of transparency regarding vaccination procedures.

• The annual “Mäertchen” fair in the capital was supposed to start on 24 April and last until 9 May, but has been cancelled due to the pandemic for a second year running.

• Non-permanent employees will now be vaccinated and visitors to care homes will be tested with rapid tests, said Minister Corinne Cahen.

• The delivery of Sputnik V vaccines has already been discussed “several times” between senior Russian and Luxembourg officials, according to the Russian ambassador, who spoke to RTL on Tuesday.

And around the world

• Europe passed the grim milestone of one million coronavirus deaths on Monday, as the World Health Organization warned that infections are rising exponentially despite widespread efforts aimed at stopping them.

• The German government is expected to agree Tuesday on controversial changes to a national infections control law which would hand Berlin more centralised power to impose sweeping measures to curb the raging coronavirus pandemic.

• US health authorities on Tuesday recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over blood clot fears, as surging coronavirus cases in many parts of the world overshadowed the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

• Johnson& Johnson said Tuesday it will delay rollout of its Covid-19 vaccine in Europe after US authorities moved to suspend use of the shot due to health concerns.

• India has authorised the emergency use of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine and will fast-track approval for other shots already passed by other major countries, authorities said Tuesday, as infection rates soared to a new record high.

• Austria’s health minister announced Tuesday he would resign as he was overworked and exhausted managing the coronavirus crisis.

• Thousands of supporters of a Pakistan Islamist party who blocked major roads to protest the arrest of their leader also disrupted critical oxygen supplies for Covid-19 patients, health officials said Tuesday.