Merkel defends vaccine rollout +++ Portugal's hospitals on the brink | Coronavirus update

In Germany, all is not well as the country's vaccination program continues to be dogged by problems. After a crisis meeting with regional leaders and representatives of the pharma industry, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to be patient. She said most would be offered a jab by the start of autumn. Only around two million people have so far received a Covid vaccine in Germany. The rollout has got off to a slow start.

On Monday, political leaders spent the afternoon discussing with the bosses of medical firms how it can be speeded up. But despite delays, Chancellor Merkel repeated her clear promise to vaccinate the country by the end of the summer.

One reason the Chancellor is confident she can achieve her targets is that the producers predict they will make ever more vaccine. Official projections suggest the government expects a total of 322 million doses will be available this year. But production cannot be ramped up immediately. The current shortages are likely to last for at least 2 more months into the second quarter.

Looking back, the EU approvals process was slower than in some other places - in part because it insisted on full approvals rather than provisional ones. The Chancellor defended that cautious approach.

But explanations are likely to be of little comfort to people - especially the elderly - who have been told to expect to get the vaccine, but are so far struggling even to get an appointment.

Frustration is growing as the lockdown drags on. The government has set out a pathway back to normality, with promises of vaccine. Now they will face even more pressure to deliver.

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The coronavirus pandemic is pushing hospitals in Portugal to the brink of collapse. The country has the highest number of new cases in the world- mainly because the new British variant of the virus is spreading out of control. The situation is so critical that other European countries are now coming to the country's aid. Spain and Austria have offered help. Germany is sending a team of doctors and equipment.

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Investigators with the World Health Organization are searching for the origins of the coronavirus at an animal clinic in Wuhan, China. This could provide insight into how the virus might have crossed from animals to humans.

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The US is ordering millions of rapid home tests for COVID-19. They can detect the virus in 15 minutes, with ninety-five percent accuracy.

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Schools and stores in Austria are set to reopen next week. Officials say students will be tested regularly for face-to-face lessons. Wearing masks and social distancing will still be required at retail stores.

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