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| - Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: Top US health authorities recommend a "pause" in the use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine as they investigate any links between it and blood clots. Following the announcement, Johnson & Johnson says it will delay the rollout of the vaccine in Europe, and South Africa also suspends use of the jab. India's richest state Maharashtra imposes tougher lockdown measures, involving the closure of non-essential shops, including in regional capital Mumbai. France suspends all flights to and from Brazil to curb the spread of a new Covid-19 variant found there. The World Health Organization calls for a halt to the sale of live wild mammals in food markets to prevent the emergence of new diseases. Surging cases in many parts of the world overshadow the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with festivities curtailed by contagion fears. The German government agrees on controversial changes to a national infections control law, handing Berlin more power to impose tougher measures such as night-time curfews to halt the raging pandemic. Britain says it has met its target to offer by April 15 a first vaccine dose to all over-50s, the clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers. Norway will again allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol as part of a gradual easing of coronavirus restrictions. At least 2,947,319 people have died of Covid-19 around the world since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP. The United States is the worst-affected country with 562,533 deaths, followed by Brazil with 354,617, Mexico with 209,702, India with 171,058 and Britain with 127,100. burs-eab-jmy/kjl
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