Coronavirus live news: global Covid death toll hits 5m; US, Brazil, India, Mexico and UK account for over half of deaths

Johns Hopkins University tally hits milestone less than two years into pandemic; 5 million figure is still almost certainly an undercountAustralians opens borders without quarantine for first time in 583 daysNHS exec says staff vaccine mandate is ‘risk…

Flu, cancer, HIV: after Covid success, what next for mRNA vaccines?

The technology was viewed with scepticism before the pandemic but there is now growing confidence about its use It is one of the most remarkable success stories of the pandemic: the unproven technology that delivered the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vac…

‘We are protected by prayers’: the sects hampering southern Africa’s vaccine rollout

With millions of followers, the stance of some Apostolic church leaders threatens to undermine fight against CovidHymnal melodies reverberate around the hillside in Kuwadzana, a Harare suburb. On a blisteringly hot Saturday, members of the Apostolic ch…

Coronavirus live news: Scottish Greens co-leader tests positive for Covid ahead of Cop26; Thailand issues ban on rallies

Lorna Slater receives test result hours before UN climate summit begins; authorities in Thailand issue new order as country prepares to open to touristsPeople are starting to wane’: China’s zero-Covid policy takes tollTonga reports first Covid case sin…

Coronavirus news live: African Union to buy 110m Moderna vaccines, NZ to set vaccine mandates for 40% of workforce

AU vaccine deal arranged in part by the White House; New Zealand will announce sweeping vaccine mandates for workers in cafes, bars, hairdressers and gymsEU medical body approves Moderna Covid booster vaccine for all adultsPapua New Guinea approves mas…

Coronavirus live: UK Covid response a ‘public health failure’, inquiry finds, Thailand set to welcome back tourists

Britain’s initial response to the coronavirus pandemic led to more deaths, Commons inquiry finds; Thailand to drop mandatory quarantine for UK and US visitorsWHO recommends extra jab for immunocompromised peopleUK records 40,224 new infections as well …