Evening roundupTuesday's key coronavirus developments in Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg:

• [block type="summary”]The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that 349 new cases of coronavirus were discovered yesterday, while eight more deaths were reported.

  • Minister of Health Paulette Lenert revealed that Luxembourg ordered 115 doses of Remdesivir worth €40,000 from US biopharmaceutical company Gilead.
  • Last week, close to 600 staff members in Luxembourg’s hospitals were missing as non-essential surgery was postponed throughout the country.
  • The head physical at CHLsaid it was nearing its capacity limits as, despite the partial lockdown, new infections have not significantly decreased.

  • [block type="summary”]Minister of Education Claude Meisch told RTL there are no plans for early Christmas holidays in Luxembourg.

    • In Rodange, a house party on Sunday was broken up by police after drawing more than 100 guests.
      
    • As the festive season looms, the Catholic Church has requested that its services are broadcast via TV.
    • In case we spend a little too much time in front of the telly, RTL Today’s very own Josh Oudendijk has prepared this handy guide to staying fit with workouts at home.

    And around the world:

    • The European Medicines Agency moved forward a meeting to decide on authorisation for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by more than a week to 21 December. If the vaccine is approved, this could pave the way for an earlier-than-expected rollout across Europe.
      

    • The news came as the US and EU push forward plans to approve vaccines as fears of Christmas infections grow. The US kicked off its mass vaccination drive on Monday, while new data released by the US regulator confirmed Moderna’s vaccine effort was safe and effective.

    • Elsewhere, doubts were raised by Brazil’s national health regulator over China’s Covid-19 vaccine CoronaVac, currently in the final phase of trials in the hard-hit country.
      
    • Germany saw the third highest Covid daily death toll in the world Tuesday, according to figures compiled by AFP.
    • Despite efforts to keep businesses open, the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Russia has pummelled its economy.
    • Japan pressed ahead with plans to host the Olympics in 2021, unveiling its plan for a socially distanced torch relay. Tokyo’s governor doubled down, claiming there were ‘no circumstances’ under which the Olympics would be cancelled.
    • The world-famous Machu Picchu in Peru has closed its doors again - although this time not because of Covid restrictions.
    • Singapore - in contrast - has declared that from next month it will again be open for business, at least for business travellers and visiting officials.
    • Last but not least, we take a look at the year that changed the world: how will history look back on 2020? and can we at last feel optimistic for 2021?