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| - Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: Fuelled by widespread Covid-19 vaccinations in advanced nations, the global economy is now expected to grow 5.6 percent this year, the fastest post-recession bounceback in 80 years, the World Bank says. However, the bank warns that many countries, especially poor nations, are being left behind and will take years to return to pre-pandemic levels. The European Union's drug watchdog says it hopes to rule as soon as July on whether Moderna's coronavirus vaccine can be used for 12- to 17-year-olds. China has approved the Sinovac vaccine for children as young as three, the drugmaker tells AFP, but has yet to decide when to roll them out for schoolkids. Russian health authorities say that coronavirus cases in Saint Petersburg are on the rise with days to go before the city co-hosts the postponed Euro 2020 football championship. And two members of Sweden's national team, Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg, test positive for Covid-19 ahead of the tournament. Authorities in 92 countries shut down 113,000 websites and online marketplaces selling counterfeit or illicit medicines and medical products last month, including vast quantities of fake Covid-19 tests and face masks, Interpol says. The Mastercard Foundation announces a $1.3 billion initiative to galvanise Africa's coronavirus vaccine campaign through a partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The US state of Washington -- where recreational marijuana sales were legalised in 2012 -- is offering "joints for jabs," in the latest innovative bid to get more Americans vaccinated against Covid-19 as inoculation rates continue to slow. The pandemic has killed at least 3,739,777 people worldwide since the virus first emerged in December 2019, according to an AFP compilation of official data. The US is the worst-affected country with 597,952 deaths, followed by Brazil with 474,414, India 351,309, Mexico 228,838, Peru 186,757 and Britain with 127,841. The figures are based on reports by health authorities in each country, but do not take into account upward revisions carried out later by statistical bodies. The WHO says up to three times more people have died directly or indirectly due to the pandemic than official figures suggest. burs-eab-jmy/bp
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