Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

– EU and AstraZeneca settle dispute –

The European Union and UK-based drugs giant AstraZeneca announce that they have reached a settlement in a dispute over a shortfall in vaccine deliveries.

– UK to send jabs to Australia –

Britain will send four million vaccine doses to Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces, as his country races to halt a deadly virus outbreak.

– New variant predominant in Colombia –

A new virus variant known as “Mu,” identified first in Colombia in January, is now the country’s predominant strain and behind its deadliest pandemic wave yet, a health official says.

– EU returns jabs made in Africa –

The European Union agrees to send millions of Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses made in South Africa back to the continent, an African Union envoy says.

– Vacation-and-vax tours halted –

The US Pacific territory of Guam suspends a programme allowing international visitors to receive a vaccination while enjoying a tropical holiday due to a surge in virus cases.

– Ghana traders protest –

Traders on Ghana’s border with Ivory Coast protest to demand President Nana Akufo-Addo lift land border closures as the measure aimed at curbing infections batters local economies.

– NBA protocols –

Unvaccinated NBA players will be kept apart from vaccinated teammates and will be required to undergo more stringent testing as part of virus protocols proposed for the upcoming season, ESPN reports.

– England football disruption –

England’s Under-21 match against Romania in Bucharest is postponed after two positive cases among the team’s players and support staff.

– Australia golf changes –

Australia’s two biggest golf tournaments are pushed back from their allotted dates amid concerns over public safety and quarantine requirements for players during the pandemic.

– More than 4.5 million dead –

The coronavirus has killed at least 4,539,397 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP compilation of official data. 

The US is the worst-affected country with 643,669 deaths, followed by Brazil with 581,914, India with 439,895, Mexico 261,496 and Peru 198,364.

Based on latest reports, the countries with the most new deaths were the US with 1,549, followed by Mexico with 993 and Russia with 799.