COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City The Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and his deputy Edgar Peña Parra both test positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in American Samoa A seventh passenger from a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu, Hawaii, tests positive for COVID-19. The plane landed in American Samoa on January 6, 2022. (Samoa News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria Bulgaria reports a record for the second consecutive day of 11,181 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 841,785. (Bulgarian Press Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record 112,323 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Deutsche Welle)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico reports a record for the second consecutive day of 60,552 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4,495,310. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports its first confirmed deaths related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two unvaccinated people in their 60s who had underlying health conditions. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam reports its first three locally transmitted cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Ho Chi Minh City. (Hanoi Times)
The Philippines reports its first confirmed deaths related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two unvaccinated people in their 60s who had underlying health conditions. (ABS-CBN News)
2022 Bogoso explosion A truck carrying explosives to a gold mine explodes after crashing into a motorcycle in Apiate, Western Region, Ghana; the explosion destroyed nearby buildings and vehicles, killing 17 people and injuring 59 others. (Reuters)
A truck carrying explosives to a gold mine explodes after crashing into a motorcycle in Apiate, Western Region, Ghana; the explosion destroyed nearby buildings and vehicles, killing 17 people and injuring 59 others. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record for the third consecutive day of 46,199 new COVID-19 cases and surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (Nippon.com) COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Thailand decides to resume its quarantine-free travel for all vaccinated travellers beginning on February 1 due to low hospitalization and death rates despite the surging COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant. (Nikkei Asia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record for the second consecutive day of 133,536 new COVID-19 cases. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record for the third consecutive day of 46,199 new COVID-19 cases and surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (Nippon.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Romania reports a record 19,105 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,964,021. (Agerpres)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Thailand decides to resume its quarantine-free travel for all vaccinated travellers beginning on February 1 due to low hospitalization and death rates despite the surging COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant. (Nikkei Asia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Australia reports a record 88 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, including a record 46 deaths in New South Wales, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,976. (SBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh closes schools, universities, and other educational institutions until February 6 and bans social, political, religious, and state events of more than 100 people amid the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Daily Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 49,854 new COVID-19 cases. (Jiji Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan reports a record 7,678 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.35 million. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reports a record 36,665 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4,443,217. (Polskie Radio)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Romania reports a record 19,649 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 49,513 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 10,987,774. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore The Singaporean Ministry of Health announces the extension of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 beginning on March 14. (CNA)
COVID-19 vaccine The World Health Organization recommends the usage of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. (Reuters)
The Singaporean Ministry of Health announces the extension of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 beginning on March 14. (CNA)
The World Health Organization recommends the usage of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reports a record for the second consecutive day of 40,876 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4,484,095. (Polskie Radio) COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Romania surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (Digi24) COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 57,212 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11.04 million. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports its first confirmed deaths related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in an unvaccinated 64-year-old man and a vaccinated 54-year-old woman who both had underlying health conditions. (CNN Indonesia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record for the fifth consecutive day of 54,576 new COVID-19 cases, including a record 11,227 new cases in Tokyo and a record 7,675 new cases in Osaka Prefecture. (Kyodo News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kiribati Kiribati goes into lockdown for the first time during the pandemic after dozens of passengers onboard a January 14th charter flight from Fiji test positive for COVID-19. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reports a record for the second consecutive day of 40,876 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4,484,095. (Polskie Radio)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Romania surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (Digi24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 57,212 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11.04 million. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore Singapore reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in an unvaccinated 92-year-old woman. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Solomon Islands The number of new COVID-19 cases rises to 48, despite ongoing lockdowns in Ontong Java Atoll, Honiara, and Guadalcanal Province. The current outbreak began last week when 23 crew members onboard an illegal fishing vessel from Papua New Guinea tested positive after entering Ontong Java Atoll. (RNZ)
Indonesia reports its first confirmed deaths related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in an unvaccinated 64-year-old man and a vaccinated 54-year-old woman who both had underlying health conditions. (CNN Indonesia)
Kiribati goes into lockdown for the first time during the pandemic after dozens of passengers onboard a January 14th charter flight from Fiji test positive for COVID-19. (CNN)
The number of new COVID-19 cases rises to 48, despite ongoing lockdowns in Ontong Java Atoll, Honiara, and Guadalcanal Province. The current outbreak began last week when 23 crew members onboard an illegal fishing vessel from Papua New Guinea tested positive after entering Ontong Java Atoll. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 63,205 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11.1 million. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 63,205 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11.1 million. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 vaccination in Australia The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation gives the final approval for use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for people over the age of 18 years. The rollout of the vaccine will begin on February 21. (ABC News Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt, COVID-19 drug development Egypt's drug regulator issues an emergency use authorization for Merck's Molnupiravir anti-COVID-19 drug. (Ahram Online)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China lifts its lockdown for 13 million people in Xi'an as the number of COVID-19 infections decreases in the city. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 65,109 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11,173,300. (The Moscow Times)
Tropical Storm Ana kills 23 people in Madagascar. (Bloomberg)
Tropical Storm Ana Tropical Storm Ana kills 23 people in Madagascar. (Bloomberg)
Yaoundé stadium disaster Eight people are killed in a crowd crush at Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina surpasses 8 million cases of COVID-19. (Perfil)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria Bulgaria reports a record 12,399 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 903,676. (Bulgarian News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports a record 501,635 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (The Connexion)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reduces the mandatory isolation period for close-contact COVID-19 patients to seven days amid an unprecedented increase in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant cases with the country reporting a record for the fifth consecutive day of 67,509 new COVID-19 cases. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 8,571 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 749,979. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic reports a record 30,350 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israeli Health ministry approves the second round of booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people aged above 18 years who have underlying medical conditions. (The Times of Israel) COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record for the second consecutive day of 13,102 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 762,983. (The Korea Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 224,567 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 24.5 million. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record 164,000 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Al-Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary reports a record 20,174 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,471,276. (Daily News Hungary)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israeli Health ministry approves the second round of booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people aged above 18 years who have underlying medical conditions. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reports a record 53,420 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4,637,776. (Polskie Radio)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the sixth consecutive day of 74,692 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11.3 million. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record for the second consecutive day of 13,102 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 762,983. (The Korea Herald)
Israeli Health ministry approves the second round of booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people aged above 18 years who have underlying medical conditions. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Finland Finland reports its first ten cases of the Omicron sub-lineage named BA.2 sublineage in Southwest Finland. (Yle News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record for the second consecutive day of 203,136 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 9.2 million. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the seventh consecutive day of 88,816 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11,404,617. (Azeri Press Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record for the third consecutive day of 14,518 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 777,497. (Asian News International)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain reports its first two cases of the Omicron sub-lineage named BA.2 sublineage in Catalonia. (The Olive Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 82,180 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
European Union response to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 drug development The European Medicines Agency conditionally approves the use of the Pfizer anti-COVID-19 oral drug Paxlovid for high-risk adult patients. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales New South Wales reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.2 sublineage. (The Guardian) Australia reports a record 98 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, including a record 35 deaths in New South Wales. (SBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile reports a record 26,727 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.075 million. (Xinhua News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales New South Wales reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.2 sublineage. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record for the eighth consecutive day of 98,040 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11.5 million. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record for the third consecutive day of 16,096 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 793,582. (Yonhap News Agency)
2021–22 European windstorm season Storm Malik impacts the British Isles, killing two people, and causing widespread damage in Scotland and Northern England. (The Independent)
