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| - These are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: The World Health Organization insists there is no reason to stop using the AstraZeneca vaccine after several countries postpone or limit its rollout amid blood clot fears. Thailand joins a lengthening list of countries including Denmark, Italy, Romania and Bulgaria in ordering a halt, preventing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha from getting his first jab. Rome is expected to announce the closure of schools, restaurants and shops across most of the country as a new wave of infections puts hospitals under strain. US President Joe Biden offers his Covid-weary nation a tantalising glimpse of an almost normal Fourth of July national holiday, outlining in a speech how the country can defeat the virus if people get vaccinated and stay safe. French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi announces the launch of human trials of its second vaccine, with its first still in the testing phase after having fallen behind the competition. Germany's health ministry says the country will have to wait until "mid-to-late April" for the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine, adding that the EU is pressing the company over the delays. Spain's cabinet approves an 11 billion euro aid programme to help struggling small and medium-sized firms cope with the fallout of the pandemic. At least 2,630,768 people have died of coronavirus around the world since the outbreak began in December 2019, an AFP tally from official sources showed on Friday. The US is the worst-affected country with 530,821 deaths followed by Brazil (272,889), Mexico (193,142), India (158,306) and Britain (125,168). burs-eab/fg/ach
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