BEIJING -- A total of seven Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines have entered phase-3 clinical trials, according to an official with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

China now has 16 self-developed COVID-19 vaccines undergoing clinical trials, said Wu Yuanbin, director-general of science and technology for social development with MOST, at a recent conference on hematology.

SEOUL-- South Korea reported 355 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Saturday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 78,205.

The daily caseload fell below 400 in five days due to a lower number of tests during the weekend.

HANOI -- Vietnam recorded 14 new cases of COVID-19 infection on Sunday morning, all locally transmitted, according to its Ministry of Health.

The new cases brought the total confirmed cases in the country to 1,781 with 35 deaths as of 6 a.m. local time on Sunday.

PARIS -- The number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in France increased by 24,392, while another 242 people have died in the past 24 hours, according to figures released by health authorities on Saturday.

The daily tally of new cases, up from 22,858 on Friday, has brought the national tally to 3,177,879, the second highest number in Europe after Britain.

SAO PAULO -- Brazil reported on Saturday 1,279 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, taking its death toll to 223,945, the Health Ministry said.

Meanwhile, 58,462 new cases of COVID-19 were detected, bringing its nationwide tally to 9,176,975.

TOKYO -- Japan is set to extend the state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic and began arrangements of the extension for up to another month on Saturday as Tokyo and other areas continue to log a high number of infections, local media reported.

The final decision on whether to extend the current state of emergency in 11 of the country's 47 prefectures beyond Feb. 7 will be made next week. Enditem