COVID-19 Daily - September 29, 2021: Pfizer began clinical trial of an anti-covid pill; Russia reported a record number of deaths; Joe Biden received the third dose

Large pharmaceutical companies continue research in order to produce new anti-COVID vaccines, but also to be able to launch more effective pills and treatments against the new coronavirus. All the while, there are countries reporting a record number of deaths and infected people. Below you have some of the most important information about COVID-19:

• Pfizer has started a clinical study of a pill that aims to stop the progression of COVID-19 infections. Pfizer is one of the companies in the pharma sector that works on oral "antivirals" whose role is to stop infections with the new coronavirus, similar to existing flu drugs.

• Russia reported the highest daily number of deaths COVID-19 - 852 deaths - recorded in the last 24 hours. The new figures bring the total death toll in Russia to 205.531, the largest number in Europe.

• MEPs in Northern Ireland have agreed to end social distance requirements in shops and theaters, but not in accommodation units,  starting Thursday. Belfast ministers have said that wearing a mask will remain a mandatory requirement in stores, which is a violation of the laws of other British nations.

• French pharmaceutical company Sanofi says it will abandon plans for a mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have proven to be effective and safe.

• US President Joe Biden receives third dose of anti-covid, Pfizer-BioNTech. He agreed to get vaccinated in front of the cameras to encourage Americans to get vaccinated with the third dose.