Omicron update: Soaring COVID-19 infections around the world – DW News

The Omicron variant is causing skyrocketing rates of COVID-19 infections in countries around the world. The Director-General of the World Health Organization says he is extremely worried about the massive spike in cases driven by the simultaneous spread of Delta and Omicron.

Omicron drives record cases in Europe, France reports 180,000 cases – WION

As covid-19 cases are now wreaking havoc across the European continent in particular France, Britain, Greece and Portugal have all reported record daily case numbers. France for one has reported a record high of almost 180,000 confirmed covert cases in the last 24-hour period.

China: Highest number of daily COVID cases since Wuhan outbreak – DW News

China has recorded its fourth rise in new coronavirus cases in a row. That’s despite some 13 million people already under lockdown in the country’s Shaanxi province. The spike in cases there has produced China’s highest infection rates since the pandemic’s very first outbreak in Wuhan.

W.H.O. warns Omicron ‘storm’ is coming to Europe – CityNews

More restrictions are coming to more countries as Omicron tightens its grip on Europe. Melissa Duggan on preparations for a second pandemic Christmas.

China orders 13 million Xi’an residents to stay home over COVID-19 outbreak

The northern Chinese city of Xi’an ordered all 13 million residents to stay home in a strict lockdown on Wednesday (Dec 22), while dramatically tightening travel controls to fight a growing COVID-19 outbreak. With Beijing preparing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, China is on high alert as it fights local outbreaks in several cities.

Netherlands set to announce ‘strict’ lockdown – reports

Government considering closing schools and all non-essential shops, say local media The Dutch government is expected to announce on Saturday a “strict” Christmas lockdown that would see everything but essential stores close amid fears over the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, Dutch media reported. The government is meeting on Saturday with its health experts

COVID-19: France to restrict travel from UK over Omicron worries – Global News

As Omicron cases rapidly rise in Europe, multiple countries are taking measures to limit the spread of the highly-contagious variant. In France, starting Saturday, only French citizens and residents can freely travel to the country from the United Kingdom. This is especially as Britain faces a rapid surge of the virus – reporting over 88,300

Covid: Inside an ICU as UK cases hit new record high – Channel 4

The surge in Omicron has already pushed Covid infections to their highest on record and that is just the cases we know about.

UK confirms 78,610 daily COVID-19 cases, highest figure since start of pandemic – WION

On Wednesday, the United Kingdom (UK) recorded the highest number of daily COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with 78,610 new cases largely due to the Omicron variant spread.

Omicron Triggers ‘Unprecedented’ COVID Surge Hitting Under Children Under Age 5 in South Africa

Until now, the coronavirus pandemic has largely spared the youngest children. That’s all starting to change in variant-swamped South Africa. The “highly transmissible” Omicron variant of coronavirus ripping through South Africa is putting disproportionately large numbers of children under 5 years old in hospitals, a top South African government medical adviser said Friday. The alarming development raises