Overview -- COCID-19 International developments

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus The African Union's disease control body said it was in discussions with Johnson & Johnson for the supply of more vaccine doses, while it also said it was not "walking away" from AstraZeneca's vaccine, after trial data showed it had greatly reduced efficacy against the variant... Reuters Staff U.S.

(Reuters) - The African Union’s disease control body said it was in discussions with Johnson & Johnson for the supply of more vaccine doses, while it also said it was not “walking away” from AstraZeneca’s vaccine, after trial data showed it had greatly reduced efficacy against the variant dominant in South Africa.

* U.S. President Joe Biden said he wants to know all the facts when asked about “punishing” China for possibly not fully disclosing information on the coronavirus.

* The variant first found in the British region of Kent is a concern because it could undermine the protection given by vaccines against developing COVID-19, the head of the UK’s genetic surveillance programme said.

* Ireland expects to retain strict COVID-19 health measures at least until Easter, Minister Micheal Martin said.

* The Czech Republic announced a stricter lockdown in three districts from east to west where infections have soared and hospitals are struggling to cope.

* Germany will extend restrictions until March 7, though schools and hair salons may open sooner, Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of the 16 federal states agreed.

* The Philippines is set to receive 600,000 doses this month of Sinovac Biotech’s vaccine donated by China, a portion of which will be used to inoculate military personnel, a senior government official said.

* Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has assured his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, that India would do its best to supply Canada with vaccines.

* Mexico has authorized emergency use of the Chinese Sinovac and CanSino vaccines.

* Argentina surpassed two million COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, health officials said, as the country scrambles to ramp up a vaccination programme ahead of the fast-approaching southern hemisphere autumn.

* Kenya is going ahead with its plan to inoculate its citizens against COVID-19 using AstraZeneca’s vaccine, a senior health ministry official said.

* Zimbabwe has bought 600,000 shots from China’s Sinopharm, in addition to 200,000 China has donated, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.