A COVID-19 center in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The world recorded more than 433,000 new cases and more than 5,300 deaths in the past 24 hours. The US remained the hardest-hit country with 74,000 new infections while Russia had the most deaths — 1,241.

Some European countries are accelerating vaccination programs against COVID-19. Germany has considered the option of imposing compulsory vaccination regulations.