Italy set another record in daily COVID-19 cases, as the number of people who tested positive jumped by 78,313 during the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry’s data showed on Tuesday. Within the same timeframe, the country’s health authorities have detected 202 fatalities attributed to the virus, the data revealed. Italy’s COVID death toll, which is the second-highest in Europe, climbed to 136,955 after the latest updates.
UK: COVID-19 infections at daily high of 129,471
Health authorities of England and Wales reported 129,471 additional coronavirus infections on Tuesday, the largest single-day increase in cases in the entire United Kingdom since the pandemic began, even though figures from Scotland and Northern Ireland were not included in the final tally. Over 12.33 million cases were registered so far in the UK. On the other hand, the total number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test hit 148,021, after rising by 18. More than 51.67 million people in the country received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, representing an 89.9% share of the population aged 12 and older, while 56.9% received either a booster or three doses.
US adds 512,553 COVID cases amid backlog
The COVID-19 case total in the United States grew on Tuesday by 512,553 as some states were late in reporting their daily figures over the holiday weekend. The US has seen 52,280,854 infections since the start of the pandemic, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The death toll increased by 1,762 on Tuesday. There have been 816,436 fatalities attributed to COVID-19 so far.
Finland bans unvaccinated travelers
Finland announced on Tuesday an entry ban for people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or can present proof of recovery within the past six months. Travelers will also have to submit a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken less than 48 hours prior to arrival. The measure comes into force immediately and will remain in place until January 16. Finnish citizens, foreigners residing permanently in Finland, or persons who have an essential reason for entry will be exempt from the ban.