The Spanish Health Ministry introduces a ten-day quarantine for all travelers arriving from Brazil and South Africa. (Euro Weekly News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 10 million cases of COVID-19, being the second country to do so after the United States. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong grants emergency use authorization to the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine, making it the second vaccine to be approved in the city. (Quartz)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 25 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby surpassing 1,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Nepal approves the emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccine, which is the second vaccine to be approved in the country. (Deccan Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada, 501.V2 variant Nevada reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person who travelled from South Africa to Reno and who later began showing symptoms of COVID-19. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Restrictions are eased in New Zealand, with Auckland downgraded to alert level 2 and the rest of the country to alert level 1. Most Auckland schools are reopened and masks are made mandatory on public transportation. (New Zealand Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria Nigeria approves the emergency use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia's Food and Drug Authority approves the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Gulf News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 10 million cases of COVID-19, being the second country to do so after the United States. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela launches a vaccination program against COVID-19 using Sputnik V vaccine starting with frontline health workers. (VOA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada, 501.V2 variant Nevada reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person who travelled from South Africa to Reno and who later began showing symptoms of COVID-19. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela launches a vaccination program against COVID-19 using Sputnik V vaccine starting with frontline health workers. (VOA)
COVID-19 vaccine, 501.V2 variant Lab studies suggest that the Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are significantly less effective in providing antibody protection against the 501.V2 variant of the disease, which is most prevalent in South Africa. (The Guardian)
Lab studies suggest that the Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are significantly less effective in providing antibody protection against the 501.V2 variant of the disease, which is most prevalent in South Africa. (The Guardian)
Venezuela launches a vaccination program against COVID-19 using Sputnik V vaccine starting with frontline health workers. (VOA)
2020–21 H5N8 outbreak Hong Kong suspends the import of poultry meat and products from bird flu-affected areas in South Korea, Germany and Poland due to spread of highly pathogenic H5N8 in those areas. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia Zambia surpasses 1,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Xinhua) Africa surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, Lineage P.1 Florida reports their first case of the Brazil variant of SARS-CoV-2, making it the fourth state to do so after Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Maryland. (WFTS-TV) Florida surpasses 30,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Miami Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong receives one million doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine, a day after it was approved for emergency use in the city. (South China Morning Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Idaho, 501.V2 variant Idaho reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from Southwestern Idaho who previously travelled internationally. (Idaho Statesman)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, 501.V2 variant Poland reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (TVN24)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports 157 deaths in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total in five months, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 11,829. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, Lineage P.1 Ireland reports its first three cases of the Lineage P.1 variant in people who travelled from Brazil. (RTÉ)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, Lineage P.1 Florida reports their first case of the Brazil variant of SARS-CoV-2, making it the fourth state to do so after Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Maryland. (WFTS-TV) Florida surpasses 30,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Miami Herald) COVID-19 pandemic in Idaho, 501.V2 variant Idaho reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from Southwestern Idaho who previously travelled internationally. (Idaho Statesman)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia Zambia surpasses 1,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Xinhua)
2020–21 H5N8 outbreak Russia reports their first case of human transmission of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu in seven workers at a poultry farm in the southern part of the country. (The Daily Telegraph)
COVID-19 pandemic in England The British Health Secretary announces a small step to ease the nation's lockdown, allowing care home visitors in England to be regularly visited by a single friend or family member. This change will take effect on March 8. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary surpasses 400,000 cases of COVID-19. (Hungary Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Data from the Health Ministry show that COVID-19 vaccines are 99.2% effective against serious illness, reduce mortality by 95.8% and decrease the chance of hospitalization by 98.9%. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Kuwait bans entry to all non-Kuwaiti citizens until "further notice", while its citizens returning from abroad must quarantine at a hotel for a week, and then spend a further week in quarantine at home. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan grants emergency use authorization for the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports 239 deaths in the past 24 hours, the second-highest number of daily reported deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 12,068. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, Lineage P.1 Irish health officials say that the three cases of the Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2 have been contained. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England The British Health Secretary announces a small step to ease the nation's lockdown, allowing care home visitors in England to be regularly visited by a single friend or family member. This change will take effect on March 8. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States surpasses 28 million cases of COVID-19. (UPI)
Data from the Health Ministry show that COVID-19 vaccines are 99.2% effective against serious illness, reduce mortality by 95.8% and decrease the chance of hospitalization by 98.9%. (The Times of Israel)
Irish health officials say that the three cases of the Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2 have been contained. (Reuters)
Looting, barricades, and riots are reported during the fifth consecutive night of protests mainly in Barcelona, Spain, over the imprisonment of rapper Pablo Hasél. Several protesters break windows at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palau de la Música Catalana and also attempt to storm the Stock Exchange of Barcelona. (ABC.es)
Protests against the imprisonment of Pablo Hasél Looting, barricades, and riots are reported during the fifth consecutive night of protests mainly in Barcelona, Spain, over the imprisonment of rapper Pablo Hasél. Several protesters break windows at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palau de la Música Catalana and also attempt to storm the Stock Exchange of Barcelona. (ABC.es)
The British Health Secretary announces a small step to ease the nation's lockdown, allowing care home visitors in England to be regularly visited by a single friend or family member. This change will take effect on March 8. (BBC News)
The Philippines reports 239 deaths in the past 24 hours, the second-highest number of daily reported deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 12,068. (CNA)
A Mexican Air Force Learjet 45 jet crashes in Emiliano Zapata Municipality, Veracruz, killing six crew members. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina approves the emergency use of Sinopharm's vaccine. (La Tercera)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York, 501.V2 variant New York reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa in a person from Nassau County. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports Rwanda will allow individual and non-contact outdoor sports activities to resume on February 23 due to a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. (New Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Serbia receives their first shipment of 150,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, making it the first country in the Western Balkan region to receive vaccines. (N1)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Lineage B.1.1.7 The Philippines confirms 18 new cases of the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 first detected in the United Kingdom. (CNN Philippines)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York, 501.V2 variant New York reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa in a person from Nassau County. (CNBC)
Israeli authorities close off access to its Mediterranean beaches following an offshore oil spill that has devastated more than 100 miles (160 km) of the country's coastline. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority calls the spill "one of the most serious ecological disasters" in the country’s history. The cause of the spill is currently under investigation. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in France French authorities announce that 90% of residents in the southeastern region of Alpes-Maritimes, which includes Nice, will be placed under a weekend lockdown for the next two weeks following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education Elementary students and pre-school children in more than half of Germany's 16 states return to schools and kindergartens in the first major easing of restrictions since December. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico COVID-19 vaccination in Mexico Mexico receives the first shipment of 200,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine. (VOA)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C. The White House orders United States flags to fly at half-staff for the next five days in order to honor those who have died from COVID-19. (The Independent) The United States surpasses 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, just five weeks after the country passed 400,000 deaths. (CBS News) (NPR) COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico COVID-19 vaccination in Mexico Mexico receives the first shipment of 200,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine. (VOA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education Students in P1 to P3 return to school in Scotland for the first time since the Christmas holiday as part of a phased school reopening. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Somalia Somalia closes all schools and universities for the next two weeks due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (Ada Derana)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand COVID-19 vaccination in Thailand Thailand's Food and Drug Administration grants emergency use authorization for the Sinovac Biotech CoronaVac vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines approves the emergency use of the Sinovac Biotech CoronaVac vaccine for non-healthcare workers. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C. The White House orders United States flags to fly at half-staff for the next five days in order to honor those who have died from COVID-19. (The Independent) The United States surpasses 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, just five weeks after the country passed 400,000 deaths. (CBS News) (NPR)
COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines approves the emergency use of the Sinovac Biotech CoronaVac vaccine for non-healthcare workers. (Bloomberg)
The Philippines approves the emergency use of the Sinovac Biotech CoronaVac vaccine for non-healthcare workers. (Bloomberg)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The Vatican Press Office announces that all journalists to accompany Pope Francis on his March trip to Iraq must receive a Covid vaccination. Certificates of vaccination are required for reporters seeking press credentials for the trip. (Catholic Culture)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh receives their second shipment of two million doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India. (All India Radio)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan, 501.V2 variant Saskatchewan reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. The patients are two people from the Regina zone who tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of January. (CKCK-DT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt Egypt receives 300,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Asharq Al-awsat)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy raises the age limit for Oxford–AstraZeneca's vaccine to 65 years old from previously 55. (The Local Italy)
COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland, 501.V2 variant Northern Ireland reports their first three cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (The Irish Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in San Marino San Marino receives their first shipment of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan, 501.V2 variant Saskatchewan reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. The patients are two people from the Regina zone who tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of January. (CKCK-DT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine receives their first shipment of 500 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. (RFE/RL)
COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state), 501.V2 variant Washington reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in King County. (The Seattle Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt Egypt grants emergency use authorization for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (PR Newswire) COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana Ghana becomes the first country in the world to receive vaccines distributed through the COVAX initiative, with 600,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska Alaska governor Mike Dunleavy tests positive for COVID-19 following a brief period of isolation after suspected exposure. (The Hill) Alaska reports their first case of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil in a person from Anchorage with no known travel history. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California surpasses 50,000 deaths of COVID-19, becoming the first U.S. state to do so. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt Egypt grants emergency use authorization for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (PR Newswire)
