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 Idaho, Lineage B.1.1.7 Idaho reports their first case of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Ada County. (Idaho Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina North Carolina governor Roy Cooper announces that some stay-at-home and curfew restrictions will be lifted on February 26, such as allowing bars to reopen indoors, increasing the number of people in gatherings, and extending the alcohol sale cutoff to 11:00 p.m. (The News & Observer)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, variants of SARS-CoV-2 The Polish Health Ministry bans the use of scarves, bandanas, and face shields and requires people to only wear surgical masks as of February 27 due to the spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2. (Poland In)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand receives their first shipment of 200,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccines. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam receives their first shipment of 117,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from South Korea. (CNA)
The Polish Health Ministry bans the use of scarves, bandanas, and face shields and requires people to only wear surgical masks as of February 27 due to the spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2. (Poland In)
2021 Fukushima earthquake A man in his 50s is confirmed to be the first fatality of the February 13 earthquake that struck near Fukushima, Japan, after his body is found buried in his destroyed home. (Kyodo News)
A man in his 50s is confirmed to be the first fatality of the February 13 earthquake that struck near Fukushima, Japan, after his body is found buried in his destroyed home. (Kyodo News)
2020–21 H5N8 outbreak Afghanistan reports an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu on a poultry farm in Herat Province. (Hindustan Times)
Afghanistan reports an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu on a poultry farm in Herat Province. (Hindustan Times)
Algeria reports their first two cases of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a healthcare worker from Algiers and a person who traveled to France. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria, Lineage B.1.1.7 Algeria reports their first two cases of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a healthcare worker from Algiers and a person who traveled to France. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina receives the first shipment of 904,000 doses of Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (Buenos Aires Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bahrain Bahrain becomes the first country to approve the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use. It is also the fifth vaccine to be approved in the country. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belize, Lineage B.1.1.7 Belize reports their first case of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a member of the British Army Training Support Unit Belize who has been infected with this variant. (Breaking Belize News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus Cyprus announces that it will allow high schools, gyms, and indoor sports facilities such as swimming pools to reopen on March 1 as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to decrease. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary extends their nationwide lockdown restrictions until March 15 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and the spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2. (Hungary Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China The National Medical Products Administration grants conditional approval for a single-dose vaccine made by CanSino Biologics and a vaccine made by Sinopharm. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka receives 500,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from India. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic, 501.V2 variant The Czech Republic reports their first cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in a group of people who travelled to Zanzibar. (Radio Prague International)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reports its first case of the B.1.525 variant first detected in Nigeria. (Independent.ie)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium Belgium announces that easing of major COVID-19-related restrictions will be put on hold for another week due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and the spread of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brasília enters a 24-hour lockdown for all non-essential services due to an increase in COVID-19 cases that has pushed the city's intensive care units to near full capacity with more than 80% of beds already occupied. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Health Canada authorizes the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine and a related vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Finland Authorities in Greater Helsinki order the closure of public and private facilities, such as gyms, indoor sports venues, saunas, playgrounds, and swimming pools for two weeks beginning March 1 as part of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Yle)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ivory Coast Ivory Coast becomes the second country to receive vaccines via the COVAX initiative, with 500,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India arriving in the country. (Africanews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Lineage B.1.1.7 Nebraska reports their first case of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Douglas County. (Lincoln Journal Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Lineage B.1.1.7 Nebraska reports their first case of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Douglas County. (Lincoln Journal Star) COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Health Canada authorizes the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine and a related vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea reports a record 89 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,228. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia, 501.V2 variant Slovenia reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in a person from Maribor who recently travelled to Africa. (STA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain The Spanish health ministry announces that people under 55 who have already been infected with COVID-19 will be given just a single dose of the vaccine, six months after their infection. (The Local Spain)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Lineage B.1.1.7 Nebraska reports their first case of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Douglas County. (Lincoln Journal Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam approves the emergency use of the American Moderna and Russian Sputnik V vaccines. (dpa International)
Health Canada authorizes the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine and a related vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India. (CTV News)
The Spanish health ministry announces that people under 55 who have already been infected with COVID-19 will be given just a single dose of the vaccine, six months after their infection. (The Local Spain)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19-related restrictions in Victoria are eased in line with the rest of Australia after a recent outbreak was contained. Private gatherings of up to 30 people and public gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed, masks will only be mandated in shopping centres and on public transport, and offices are allowed to return up to 75% of their workforce. (7 News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong receives a shipment of 585,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (South China Morning Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia receives its first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Nebraska reports their first case of California's B.1.429 variant in a man in his 60s in Lancaster County. (The Lincoln Journal Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania, COVID-19 pandemic in Moldova Romania donates 21,600 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to Moldova for use in their vaccination program which will begin next week with frontline health workers. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa receives its second shipment of more than 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (News24)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Nebraska reports their first case of California's B.1.429 variant in a man in his 60s in Lancaster County. (The Lincoln Journal Star) The Food and Drug Administration approves the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use in the United States. (The Guardian)
COVID-19-related restrictions in Victoria are eased in line with the rest of Australia after a recent outbreak was contained. Private gatherings of up to 30 people and public gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed, masks will only be mandated in shopping centres and on public transport, and offices are allowed to return up to 75% of their workforce. (7 News)
Romania donates 21,600 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to Moldova for use in their vaccination program which will begin next week with frontline health workers. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 vaccination in Australia Australia receives their first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran surpasses 60,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest death toll of a Middle Eastern country. (Al-Arabiya English) Iran receives their first shipment of 250,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (Tasnim News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan officially lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency in Aichi, Gifu, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka prefectures due to a decrease in the number of cases, while Tokyo and surrounding areas will remain in a state of emergency until at least March 7. (NHK World)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Auckland enters alert level 3 lockdown for seven days, with the rest of the country entering alert level 2. This comes after a new COVID-19 case of unknown origin was detected. (NZ Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 vaccination in Australia Australia receives their first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ABC Australia) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Auckland enters alert level 3 lockdown for seven days, with the rest of the country entering alert level 2. This comes after a new COVID-19 case of unknown origin was detected. (NZ Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines receives its first shipment of 600,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac donated by China. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The number of people who have received their first dose of the vaccine in the United Kingdom reaches 20 million, making it the fastest vaccination program in Europe. (The Independent) Lineage P.1 The United Kingdom reports their first cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Manaus, Brazil in three people from England and three people from Scotland. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine for people over the age of 18, a day after the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of the vaccine. (CBS News)
The Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine for people over the age of 18, a day after the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of the vaccine. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, 501.V2 variant Florida reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Clickorlando.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France raises age limit for those who receive Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to those aged below 75. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan approves the emergency use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Roya News English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia receives the first shipment consisting 200,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine as it signed an agreement to secure two million doses. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela approves the emergency use of Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (El Comercio)
COVID-19 pandemic in Angola Angola receives 624,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing Initiative. (VOA Portuguese)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 1,641 new deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 257,361. (DW in Brazilian Portuguese)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba, 501.V2 variant Manitoba reports its first two cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in Winnipeg. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece reports 2,353 new cases in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total this year, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 194,582. (Greek City Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, Lineage B.1.1.7 Indonesia reports its first two cases of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. (Liputan6.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya Kenya receives 1.02 million doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing Initiative. (UNICEF)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia grants conditional approval for the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sinovac CoronaVac vaccines. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba, 501.V2 variant Manitoba reports its first two cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in Winnipeg. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signs an executive order that lifts the statewide mask requirement except for K-12 schools and indoor arenas. Indoor arenas are required to limit their capacity to 50% and club areas and suits to 75%. Indoor and outdoor arenas are required to limit capacity to 25% and 50% respectively for K-12 extracurricular activities. (Sun Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia surpasses 3,000 cases of COVID-19. (Montsame)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria Nigeria receives 3.94 million doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India through the COVAX Initiative, which is the largest delivery so far by the initiative. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon, Lineage P.1 Oregon reports its first cases of the Lineage P.1 variant in two people from Douglas County who previously travelled to Brazil. (OregonLive)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 1,641 new deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 257,361. (DW in Brazilian Portuguese) COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela receives 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine donated by China. (EFE)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, 501.V2 variant The Philippines reports its first six cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (GMA News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia, Lineage B.1.1.7 Tunisia reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. (Reuters)
