(Paris) New Activities, New Reports, and Highlights: Updates on the latest developments in the COVID-19 epidemic worldwide.
Omigron expands
The Omigran variant now dominates the United States (73% of new infections). However, they were “ready”, Joe Biden assured Tuesday, reiterating that there was no reason to “panic”. However, the US president warned those who have not been fully vaccinated, saying they are “a good cause for concern” and that it is their “patriotic duty” to vaccinate.
The White House described the strategy already being followed: tests, enhanced vaccination capabilities and additional mechanisms for hospitals, but no new restrictions before Christmas.
The new variant is used on the old continent: “Omigron dominates or already dominates many countries, including Denmark, Portugal and the United Kingdom, where figures double every one and a half days to three days. At an unprecedented rate of spread, ”he saidR. Hans Glck, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Europe.
France, which now has 20% of positive cases under Omigron, does not rule out going “beyond control measures” in the event of a “very strong relapse”.
Spain recorded 49,823 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours on Tuesday, of which Omicron now accounts for almost half, the health ministry said. The previous record was nearly 40,000 cases in the 24 hours to mid-January.
Israel: 4e Dose for over 60s and caregivers
Prime Minister Naphtali Bennett said on Tuesday that all Israelis and medical staff over the age of 60 are entitled to a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after consultation with a panel of experts.
New restrictions in Europe
President Olaf Scholes announced Tuesday that all sporting events in Germany will be held behind closed doors after December 28 to control the epidemic. Faced with the threat of Omicron, even among those who have been vaccinated, only a maximum of ten guests will be in contact for New Year’s Eve parties.
In view of the increasing number of contaminants, the government announced that Sweden would introduce a series of measures ranging from teleworking to the extended use of the vaccine passport.
Bars in Finland will close at 9pm on Christmas Eve, Prime Minister Channa Marin said on Tuesday. More than 23,000 new corona virus cases have been reported in the past two weeks, more than ever before in the Nordic country of 5.5 million people.
CAN and NBA maintained
The African Football Confederation (CAN) has confirmed that the African Nations Cup (CAN) will be held in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, despite repeated rumors that it will be postponed or canceled due to COVID-19.
For its part, there are no plans to interrupt the current season as the outbreak returns, and is considering reducing the time players have to sideline if they test positive. North American Basketball League president Adam Silver said Tuesday. .
Japan: McDonald’s ration its fries
In Japan, fast food chain McDonald’s said it was cutting off portions of French fries a week in Canada due to “delivery delays” associated with floods and epidemics.
More than 5.35 million people have died
The WHO office in China has killed at least 5.35 million people worldwide since the outbreak at the end of December 2019, according to an official report compiled by AFP at 11 a.m. GMT on Tuesday.
In all, the highest number of deaths since January 2020 were in the United States (809,958), Brazil (617,948), India (478,007) and Russia (299,249). Peru, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Hungary are the countries most affected by the epidemic in terms of population.
The European region is currently the region with the highest casualties, followed by the United States / Canada region.
Taking into account the high number of deaths directly and indirectly linked to COVID-19, the WHO estimates that the number of infections may be two to three times higher than officially recorded.
