COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 18 February

COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 18 February

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: Pandemic adds $24 trillion to global debt; Mexico calls for more equitable vaccine roll-out; India to test arrivals from UK, South Africa and Brazil.





1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 109.9 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 2.43 million.

India is making COVID-19 molecular tests mandatory for people arriving - either directly or indirectly - from the UK, South Africa and Brazil in a bid to prevent the spread of more infectious variants.

US President Joe Biden has told 10 top union leaders that his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan and a separate measure to modernize US infrastructure will boost the US economy and create millions of jobs.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey will begin a gradual return to normal life - on a province-by-province basis - from March.

South Africa launched its COVID-19 vaccination drive yesterday, with a roll-out of the Johnson