Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus Sweden, Portugal, Latvia and Slovenia joined a number of the European Union states in suspending AstraZeneca COVID-19 shots over concerns of possible serious side-effects, while the World Health Organization said there was no proven link and people should not panic. Reuters Staff U.S.

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* Coronavirus infections are rising exponentially in Germany, an expert at the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases said.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/15/world/covid-19-coronavirus#germany-france-and-italy-become-latest-to-suspend-use-of-astrazenecas-vaccine

Germany, France and Italy temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine on Monday, joining a growing list of nations that paused use of the vaccine in recent days over concerns that it might be tied to blood clots.

Leading public health agencies, including the World Health Organization, say that millions of people have received the vaccine without experiencing blood clotting issues, and they caution that experts have not found a causative link between the vaccine and the conditions. The company has also defended the vaccine as safe, amid the flurry of suspensions.

US prison guards refusing vaccine despite COVID-19 outbreaks A Florida correctional officer polled his colleagues earlier this year in a private Facebook group: “Will you take the COVID-19 vaccine if offered?” The answer from more than half: “Hell... AP NEWS

Florida correctional officer polled his colleagues earlier this year in a private Facebook group: “Will you take the COVID-19 vaccine if offered?”

Facebook to label all Covid-19 vaccination posts, launch sign-up website Facebook said on Monday it has started adding labels to posts that discuss the safety of the shots and will soon label all posts about the vaccines. NBC News

Facebook, which has been criticized by lawmakers and researchers for allowing vaccine misinformation to spread on its platforms, said on Monday it has started adding labels to posts that discuss the safety of the shots and will soon label all posts about the vaccines.

Puerto Rico enacted strict Covid measures. It paid off, and it's a lesson for the mainland. Puerto Rico used curfews and rigorous sanitary measures, "and the pandemic was never politicized," a health expert said. It saved lives — and its health care system. NBC News

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