Coronavirus live news: US approves Johnson & Johnson vaccine; Auckland starts second lockdown in a month

Australian state of Victoria reports zero new cases; Auckland seven-day lockdown begins; UK records lowest cases in five months

• FDA approves Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose coronavirus vaccine
• Concerns grow as UK Covid testing labs scaled back before even opening
• House approves $1.9tn Covid aid bill despite minimum wage setback
• New Zealand: Auckland to go into seven-day Covid lockdown
• See all our coronavirus coverage

1.15am GMT

More than 20 million people in the UK have received at least a first dose of coronavirus vaccine, with under 4% of those given as second doses.

Government data shows that of the 20.5m jabs given in the UK up to 26 February, 19.6m were first doses.

Related: Nearly 20m receive first dose of Covid vaccine in the UK

1.05am GMT

President Joe Biden cheered an announcement on Saturday that the US Food and Drug Administration has authorised Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose Covid vaccine, but cautioned Americans to not let their guard down as new variants spread.

“Though we celebrate today’s news, I urge all Americans: keep washing your hands, stay socially distanced, and keep wearing masks,” Biden said in a statement.

“As I have said many times, things are still likely to get worse again as new variants spread, and the current improvement could reverse.”

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/3sxB2d1