COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 5 March

COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 5 March

This daily round-up brings you a selection of the latest news and updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as well as tips and tools to help you stay informed and protected.

Top stories: Fake COVID-19 vaccines seized; Germany approves AstraZeneca shot for over-65s; Viet Nam to launch vaccination programme.





1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 115.6 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 2.56 million.

Israel, Austria and Denmark have said they will set up a joint research and development fund, and possibly production facilities for COVID-19 vaccines, to ensure they have long-term supplies for booster shots or to tackle mutation.

More than 60% of all new COVID-19 infections in France are linked to the variant first detected in the UK, Prime Minister Jean Castex said yesterday.

Moderna and IBM have announced they'll work together on technologies to track COVID-19 vaccine administration.

Egypt has expanded its vaccine rollout to include the elderly and people with chronic diseases, having been focused on medical staff up until now.

California will set aside 40% of its COVID-19 vaccines for the hardest-hit communities,