COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia The number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Indonesia surpasses one million. (detikHealth)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan receives their first shipment of 400,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Belgium. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexican authorities lower the pandemic alert level in Mexico City and the State of Mexico to orange status due to a decrease in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire, Lineage B.1.1.7 New Hampshire reports their first case of the B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Hillsborough County who had close contact with someone who travelled internationally. (Patch.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York New York governor Andrew Cuomo announces to extend the operating hours of indoor dining in restaurants in New York City to 11:00 p.m. EST beginning from Valentine's Day as it expands their curfew on restaurants and bars statewide. (WCBS-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan approves the emergency use of China's CanSinoBio vaccine, becoming the fourth vaccine to be approved in the country. (DAWN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Russia gives a preliminary approval for its Sputnik V vaccine to be manufactured in Serbia. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom surpasses four million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fifth country to do so after the United States, India, Brazil, and Russia. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York New York governor Andrew Cuomo announces to extend the operating hours of indoor dining in restaurants in New York City to 11:00 p.m. EST beginning from Valentine's Day as it expands their curfew on restaurants and bars statewide. (WCBS-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire, Lineage B.1.1.7 New Hampshire reports their first case of the B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Hillsborough County who had close contact with someone who travelled internationally. (Patch.com)
Mexican authorities lower the pandemic alert level in Mexico City and the State of Mexico to orange status due to a decrease in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations. (MedicalXpress)
The number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Indonesia surpasses one million. (detikHealth)
COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon Lebanon receives its first shipment of 28,500 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Belgium. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus extends its full-scale curfew until February 22 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Two 11-week-old white tiger cubs that died in Lahore Zoo on January 30 are believed to have died of COVID-19. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates surpasses 1,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Khaleej Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela receives its first shipment of 100,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. (Reuters)
Guinea's health ministry reports the country's first deaths from the Ebola virus disease since the 2013–2016 epidemic. (AFP via Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The French Direction générale de la Santé asks regional health agencies and hospitals to go into "crisis mode" beginning on February 18 in order to prepare for a possible increase in COVID-19 cases as a result of highly contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra The Indian state of Maharashtra records 4,097 fresh infections after 39 days of no infections (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra The Indian state of Maharashtra records 4,097 fresh infections after 39 days of no infections (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico receives a shipment of 870,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from India. (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand New Zealand reports their first community cases of COVID-19 since January 24. The patients are a family from Auckland. (Sydney Morning Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan The number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Pakistan surpasses 500,000. (Gulf News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia surpasses 80,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia extends precautionary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which restricts social gatherings to 20 people and suspends all events and parties, for another 20 days. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, 501.V2 variant Thailand reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person who travelled from Tanzania and undergoes mandatory quarantine. (Bangkok Post)
The French Direction générale de la Santé asks regional health agencies and hospitals to go into "crisis mode" beginning on February 18 in order to prepare for a possible increase in COVID-19 cases as a result of highly contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2. (The Independent)
2021 Congo River disaster A passenger barge crashes and capsizes on the Congo River in Mai-Ndombe Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 60 people, while 240 others are reported missing. At least 300 people have been rescued from the river. (Reuters)
A passenger barge crashes and capsizes on the Congo River in Mai-Ndombe Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 60 people, while 240 others are reported missing. At least 300 people have been rescued from the river. (Reuters)
Connecticut reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from Fairfield County with no known international travel history, which was notified by health officials in New York. (WVIT-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe receives their first shipment of 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. (South China Morning Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Australia suspends its quarantine-free travel bubble arrangement with New Zealand after the discovery of three new community cases in Auckland. (BBC News) Australia receives 142,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia, Lineage B.1.1.7 Cambodia reports their first three cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom in 28-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman from India and a 23-year-old woman who travelled from China. (Khmer Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia receives their first shipment of 50,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut, 501.V2 variant Connecticut reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from Fairfield County with no known international travel history, which was notified by health officials in New York. (WVIT-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq, Lineage B.1.1.7 Iraq announces that they will re-impose a partial lockdown from February 18 until March 8 after reporting their first cases of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan surpasses 7,000 deaths from COVID-19. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico begins the second phase of its vaccination programme for people over the age of 60 against COVID-19 in more than 300 municipalities. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi, Lineage B.1.1.7 Mississippi reports their first case of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. (Daily Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia receives their first shipment of 50,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency scales back Q1 vaccination targets to 750,000 people due to delayed shipments from COVAX and the decision not to use the AstraZeneca vaccine on people aged 65 or older until more efficacy data becomes available. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut, 501.V2 variant Connecticut reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from Fairfield County with no known international travel history, which was notified by health officials in New York. (WVIT-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi, Lineage B.1.1.7 Mississippi reports their first case of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. (Daily Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnamese authorities order two million people in Hải Dương province to stay at home for 15 days beginning tomorrow due to a growing COVID-19 outbreak in the province. Gatherings with more than two people are banned, and when leaving their homes, residents must stay 2 metres (6.6 ft) from others. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe receives their first shipment of 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. (South China Morning Post)
COVID-19 vaccine The World Health Organization announces the approval of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Forbes)
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency scales back Q1 vaccination targets to 750,000 people due to delayed shipments from COVAX and the decision not to use the AstraZeneca vaccine on people aged 65 or older until more efficacy data becomes available. (Reuters)
The World Health Organization announces the approval of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Forbes)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Australia suspends its quarantine-free travel bubble arrangement with New Zealand after the discovery of three new community cases in Auckland. (BBC News)
Vietnamese authorities order two million people in Hải Dương province to stay at home for 15 days beginning tomorrow due to a growing COVID-19 outbreak in the province. Gatherings with more than two people are banned, and when leaving their homes, residents must stay 2 metres (6.6 ft) from others. (CNA)
Aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar The Myanmar Police Force files new charges against ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi for violating COVID-19 regulations, which may allow her to be held indefinitely without trial. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco receives its second shipment of 500,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Asharq Al-Awsat) COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa The first batch consisting 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, which is unapproved for general use in South Africa and worldwide. (SABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia The Therapeutic Goods Administration approves the emergency use of the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca for people over 18 years of age in Australia. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary COVID-19 vaccination in Hungary Hungary receives 550,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in India, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 India reports their first four cases of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa and one case of the Lineage P.1 variant from Brazil in people who traveled internationally. (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy's first case of B.1525 variant found in Naples in a person who had recently travelled from a country in Africa. (The Local Italy)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia extends their movement control order in Selangor, Johor and Penang as well as the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur until March 4 but eases restrictions in other parts of the country. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta, 501.V2 variant Malta reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Times of Malta)
COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts, 501.V2 variant Massachusetts reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in a woman in her 20s from Middlesex County. (Masslive)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco receives its second shipment of 500,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa The first batch consisting 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, which is unapproved for general use in South Africa and worldwide. (SABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea South Korea signs an agreement with Novavax and Pfizer to secure additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 23 million people in the second quarter of this year. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts, 501.V2 variant Massachusetts reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in a woman in her 20s from Middlesex County. (Masslive)
The World Health Organization asks six African countries (Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Liberia) to be on the alert for possible Ebola outbreaks after Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo reported new cases that signaled a resurgence of the outbreak. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark, 501.V2 variant Denmark reports their first community transmission of the 501.V2 variant. (The Local Denmark)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 vaccine COVID-19 vaccination in Israel The Israeli Maccabi Healthcare Services confirm that, in a trial of 602,000 people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the vaccine's effectiveness was 95%. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, Lineage P.1 Maryland reports their first case of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil in a deceased adult aged older than 65 living in Washington metropolitan area, who had international travel. (The Baltimore Sun)
COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota, Lineage B.1.1.7 North Dakota reports their first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Grand Forks Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain 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 the State of Palestine The first shipment of the Sputnik V vaccine donated by Russia arrives in Gaza after Israel allows the shipment of 1,000 vaccines, which was previously blocked. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The British clinical trials ethics body approves the world's first COVID-19 human challenge study, which will begin in the next few weeks. Volunteers aged 18 to 30 will be exposed to the virus in the trial. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, Lineage P.1 Maryland reports their first case of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil in a deceased adult aged older than 65 living in Washington metropolitan area, who had international travel. (The Baltimore Sun) COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota, Lineage B.1.1.7 North Dakota reports their first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Grand Forks Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan approves and certifies the use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine for mass vaccination. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 vaccination in Israel The Israeli Maccabi Healthcare Services confirm that, in a trial of 602,000 people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the vaccine's effectiveness was 95%. (The Times of Israel)
The Israeli Maccabi Healthcare Services confirm that, in a trial of 602,000 people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the vaccine's effectiveness was 95%. (The Times of Israel)
