WHO says omicron won’t be last Covid variant as global cases surge by 20% in a week

Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior WHO official, warned high levels of transmission give the virus more opportunity to replicate and mutate, raising the risk that another variant will emerge. New infections have increased by 20% globally over the past week with nearly 19 million total reported cases. “This pandemic is nowhere near over,” WHO Director-General

Omicron could infect 50% of Europeans in next two months, says WHO

Europe director Hans Kluge demands immediate action to avoid Covid ‘tidal wave’ swamping health services A west-to-east “tidal wave” of Omicron infections risks submerging health systems across Europe, the World Health Organization has said, warning that more than half the region’s population will be infected with the variant in the next two months. Hans Kluge, the WHO’s Europe director,

Gravitas: Omicron Surge: Troops deployed to London hospitals – WION

The British Armed Forces have sent 200 personnel into NHS hospitals across London to plug staff shortages. Last week, 9.5 million people worldwide tested positive for the Wuhan virus. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Omicron: Why India is preparing for a big surge – WION

India has reported its biggest surge since June 2021. The Omicron fuelled surge added 10 million new cases worldwide last week. The UK is restricting testing. Lockdown in China’s Xi’an has led to chaos. Palki Sharma brings you the 10 big developments.

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.

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.

Omicron infections appear no less severe than Delta; COVID-19 lowers sperm count, motility

The following is a summary of some recent studies on COVID-19. They include research that warrants further study to corroborate the findings and that has yet to be certified by peer review. Omicron infections no less severe based on early UK data Infections caused by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus do not appear to

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.

WHO: Omicron detected in 89 countries, cases doubling fast

The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries, and COVID-19 cases involving the variant are doubling every 1.5 to 3 days in places with community transmission and not just infections acquired abroad, the World Health Organization said Saturday. Omicron’s “substantial growth advantage” over the delta variant means it is likely to

Refugees lack COVID shots because drugmakers fear lawsuits, documents show

Tens of millions of migrants may be denied COVID-19 vaccines from a global programme because some major manufacturers are worried about legal risks from harmful side effects, according to officials and internal documents from Gavi, the charity operating the programme, reviewed by Reuters. Nearly two years into a pandemic that has already killed more than