The World Health Organization’s chief said a mission to study the origins of the coronavirus in China didn’t adequately analyze the possibility of a lab leak before it concluded that the pathogen probably spread from bats to humans via another animal.

Germany plans to recommend that AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine only be used for people older than 60, after new data emerged on potential side effects. More than half of England’s population was estimated to have antibodies earlier this month. Meanwhile, Spain has made masks compulsory even on beaches, and Italy will impose new quarantine rules for travelers.

BioNTech SE and Pfizer Inc. raised their 2021 vaccine production target. Hong Kong’s leader said vaccination may eventually become a requirement for quarantine-free travel, and the Philippines will allow private companies to import vaccines.

Key Developments:

• Global Tracker: Cases pass 127.8 million; deaths near 2.8 million
• Vaccine Tracker: More than 559 million shots given worldwide
• Covid origin study points to bats, animal hosts as pathway
• Britain’s ethnic vaccine gap risks a wider racial, wealth divide
• In Antigua and Barbuda, tourism sends Covid skyrocketing
• Vaccines become a race against time as CDC warns of Covid surge

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WHO Chief Faults Covid Report (11:15 a.m. NY)

The World Health Organization’s chief said a mission to study the origins of the coronavirus in China didn’t adequately analyze the possibility of a lab leak before it concluded that the pathogen probably spread from bats to humans via another animal.

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said even though the international team of scientists determined that a leak is the least likely hypothesis for the origin of the pandemic, it requires further investigation. He said he’s ready to deploy additional missions involving specialist experts as he doesn’t believe the assessment was extensive enough. He made the comments in a briefing to WHO member countries Tuesday.

Greece Cases Surge as Reopening Looms (11:10 a.m. NY)

Greece reported 4,340 new Covid-19 cases Tuesday, the highest daily increase since the start of the pandemic. The last record was 3,586 new cases on March 23. Despite the rise, the government is coming under increasing pressure to begin a faster easing of lockdown measures to help the retail and restaurant sectors. Medical advisers to the government will meet Wednesday to formulate recommendations, with non-essential shops seen reopening in some form from April 5 and citizens allowed to move again outside the municipality where they live from April 3. A ban on movement between regions will likely continue.

Google Gives $1 Million for NYC Vaccinations (10:45 a.m. NY

Google will donate $1 million to help New York City reach its goal of 5 million vaccinations by the end of June, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. The donation includes advertising grants to run ads on where, when and how to get a vaccine, as well as a grant from the tech giant’s philanthropic arm to set up an inoculation center at the Fulton Houses public-housing complex in Chelsea, near Google’s main New York office. De Blasio said Tuesday that the city is approaching 4 million vaccine doses.

Bulgaria Eases Some Limits Ahead of Election (10:40 a.m. NY)

Bulgaria will reopen restaurants and pubs with open-air space, as well as gyms, theaters and museums with limited capacity from April 1, the health ministry said in a statement. Kindergartens will reopen April 5. The Balkan country reported Tuesday 203 new coronavirus death cases, the highest since Jan. 5, amid a new wave of infections caused by the U.K. strain, as it is preparing to hold a general election on Sunday.

Iceland Tightens Border Surveillance (10:15 a.m. NY)

Iceland said travelers from so-called danger zones, which is most of Europe, will need to stay in a special hotel for their obligatory five-day quarantine upon arrival. The reason is that infections have been spread by visitors who have broken quarantine to view a new volcanic eruption.

Germany to Recommend Astra Just for Over 60s (9:30 a.m. NY)

Germany is planning to recommend the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine only for people older than 60, after new data emerged on potential side effects from the shots.

The country’s vaccination commission has drafted a decision paper that leaves open the possible use for younger people at a doctor’s discretion, according to a person familiar with the draft document. A final decision still needs to be made and could be announced as early as Thursday.

Spain Makes Masks Compulsory Everywhere (7:49 a.m. NY)

A new law in Spain mandates that all citizens older than 6 years old wear masks inside and outside, even when social distancing rules are followed. The measure includes forcing beach-goers to wear a mask while they sunbathe, a measure that could impact the country’s struggling tourism industry. People with breathing difficulties or those who practice individual sports outside will be exempt.

Scotland to Ease Restrictions (7:23 a.m. NY)

Scotland will go ahead with a tentative easing of restrictions during the next few days as the vaccine program succeeds in reducing the number of new cases, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

More than 2.4 million of the country’s population of 5.5 million have received a first dose, she told reporters in Edinburgh. That means the semi-autonomous government is now confident enough in the progress to relax the “stay at home” rule on April 2, while further changes will go ahead on April 5.

A more significant relaxation, including a lifting of the travel ban within Scotland, is still expected to go ahead from April 26, Sturgeon said. That’s just over a week before Scotland holds a parliamentary election.

Austria in Talks About Sputnik Doses: APA (6:42 a.m. NY)

Austria is in talks about purchasing as many as 1 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, with first deliveries as early as next month, the APA newswire reported.

BioNTech Raises Target to 2.5 Billion Doses (6:30 a.m. NY)

BioNTech and Pfizer raised this year’s production target for their vaccine to as many as 2.5 billion doses, with the German biotech’s chief executive officer predicting a version of the shot that can be stored in refrigerators will be ready within months.

The new target represents an increase of about one quarter from an earlier estimate. BioNTech said it expects 9.8 billion euros ($11.5 billion) in revenue from the supply contracts signed already, which amount to 1.4 billion doses. Revenue expectations include milestone payments from BioNTech’s partners and will rise as more orders are signed, the company said.

Indian State Orders Oxygen Supply Reserves (6:15 a.m. NY)

The government of Maharashtra, the Indian state that houses Mumbai, on Tuesday ordered oxygen suppliers to reserve 80% for medical use. The new rule will stay in force through June 30. India has seen a recent resurgence in infections that threatens the nation’s economic recovery.

Israel Plans to Buy Millions of Doses for Future (6:02 a.m. NY)

Israel plans to buy millions of additional doses of coronavirus vaccine that may be used once its initial inoculation drive is complete, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

While the country has enough to finish vaccinating residents over the age of 16 under its current plan, it is seeking to buy enough to inoculate children ages 12 to 16 pending successful completion of clinical trials and approval from the Food and Drug Administration, the ministry said.

France Finds New Variant at Creteil Hospital (6 a.m. NY)

France discovered a new variant at a hospital in Creteil last month that may be more transmissible and more resistant to vaccines, France Inter reported. The variant, temporarily named after the Henri Mondor hospital where it was identified, carries 18 mutations, including seven on the spike protein, according to the report. The variant accounted for about 2% of French cases at the beginning of March.

Kenyans Hoard Oxygen Cylinders (5:56 p.m. HK)

Kenyan hospitals are running out of oxygen as the number of Covid-19 patients surges, and individuals and companies are holding onto cylinders that would normally be available to health facilities.

Iran Has Fifth Straight Daily Case Increase (5:44 p.m. HK)

Iran recorded 10,250 new cases, its biggest jump in daily infections since Dec. 10 and the fifth straight day of rising daily cases. The death toll rose by 91 overnight, reaching a total of 62,569.

U.S. to Host Covax Fundraising Round (5:35 p.m. HK)

The U.S. will host a live-streamed event on April 15 to raise funds for the Covax program, which aims to distribute vaccines, diagnostics and treatments for Covid-19 to lower and middle-income countries. The event will take place in cooperation with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and be open to the public. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, USAID Acting Administrator Gloria Steele and Gavi Chairman Jose Manuel Barroso will speak.

Italy Tourist Quarantine; Draghi Shot (5 p.m. HK)

Italy will ask all travelers returning from elsewhere in the EU to get tested before departure, self-isolate for five days on arrival in the country and then take another test. Italy’s health minister will sign off the new rules on Tuesday, according to a ministry official. Those traveling for work, health or other emergency reasons are exempt.

Separately, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Tuesday received the first dose of the AstraZeneca Plc vaccine in Rome. The former central banker had blocked its use for a few days earlier this month pending a review from the European drug agency.

Half of England Estimated to Have Antibodies (4:59 p.m. HK)

More than half of the population of England was estimated to have Covid-19 antibodies in the week ended March 14, illustrating the impact of the U.K.’s vaccination program.

Some 54.7% of people would have tested positive for antibodies against the coronavirus during the week, suggesting they have been exposed to the virus causing the disease in the past or have been vaccinated, the Office for National Statistics said.

Where the Antibodies Are

Antibody positivity varies across the regions of England

Source: Office for National Statistics

Cause of Astra Clots May Be Like Heparin Reaction (4 p.m. HK)

The blood-clot reports that prompted some EU countries to temporarily halt AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine may be caused by an immune-system reaction similar to what sometimes happens with patients taking the blood-thinner heparin, researchers found.

The scientists examined the cases of nine patients who developed blood clots after vaccination and concluded they had developed a disorder similar to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, in which the immune system produces antibodies that activate blood-clotting platelets. Four of the patients’ blood samples were studied and found to contain the same types of platelet-activating antibodies.

Leaders Call for Treaty on Pandemics (3:50 p.m. HK)

The international community should work on a treaty for pandemic preparedness after Covid-19 exposed weaknesses in the system, according to an article signed by world leaders.

The main goal of the accord would be to ensure what the World Health Organization, one of the signatories, has called for throughout the pandemic: a collective approach across governments and societies that would make the world more resilient in future outbreaks.

Swedish Health Agency Wants Easing Postponed (3:18 p.m. HK)

Sweden’s health agency said the easing of restrictions should be pushed back to May 3 given infection rates are rising across most of the country. Amendments to the restrictions were meant to take effect on April 11.

Singapore-H.K. Bubble May Hinge on Shots (12:32 p.m. HK)

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said passengers from the city may need to get vaccinated to take part in so-called travel bubbles if partner countries such as Singapore make it mandatory.

“Of course, vaccinations will facilitate the resumption of travel,“ Lam told a weekly briefing on Tuesday, adding that she had asked officials to resume discussions on arrangements “we could put in place to facilitate bilateral traveling, particularly with Singapore.”

Hong Kong proposed that passengers taking the Singapore-Hong Kong quarantine-free bubble flights be vaccinated, Singapore’s Straits Times reported earlier.

Australians Working From Home Keep Rising (8:45 a.m. HK)

Australians with working-from-home arrangements appear to be on a permanent foothold, with the popularity of the arrangement rising even as workplaces reopen, global jobs website Indeed Inc. said.

The trend dovetails with Australians opting to rebase to regional areas during the pandemic as remote working arrangements allowed them to tap more affordable housing or enjoy a better lifestyle.

Philippines Allow Companies to Import Vaccines (7:33 a.m.)

Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte said he will allow private companies to import vaccines “at will” to boost inoculations amid a global supply crunch and to help speed up the reopening of the economy. Businesses can choose where to source and import vaccines.

The Philippines’ vaccination campaign is lagging behind its Southeast Asian neighbors and the country faces a new surge in infections.

Singapore Develops Tests for Variants (6:54 a.m. HK)

Scientists from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University have developed a Covid-19 rapid test that detects variants in the virus, the Straits Times reported.

The results are produced within 30 minutes and are about 10 times more accurate than rapid antigen tests currently in use, according to the report.

Apple Offers Paid Time Off for Vaccines (6:45 a.m. HK)

Apple is encouraging employees to get Covid-19 vaccines by offering paid time off for appointments and paid sick leave for those experiencing side effects.

In California, where Apple has its main offices and more than 50 stores, people over the age of 16 will be eligible for vaccination on April 15, the state said last week. Many other states are also expanding vaccine eligibility.

— With assistance by Joe Schneider, Mark Gurman, Henry Goldman, Keshia Clukey, Karen Leigh, Iain Marlow, Alessandro Speciale, Thomas Mulier, Marthe Fourcade, Dhwani Pandya, Ragnhildur Sigurdardottir, Slav Okov, Shelly Banjo, and Paul Tugwell