UPDATE ON THE SITUATION – New measures, new reports and highlights: Le Figaro provides an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic in France and around the world.
The number of people hospitalized with a diagnosis of Covid-19 increased slightly this Sunday, while contamination continues to decline. Portugal eases restrictions for EU travellers… Le Figaro provides an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.
More than 33,000 hospitalized patients
33,027 patients are currently in hospital with a Covid diagnosis (including 902 admissions in the past 24 hours) compared to 32,867 on Saturday and 31,536 a week ago, according to Public Health France. Critical care services had 3,577 patients (including 106 admissions) against 3,606 on Saturday and 3,641 a week ago.
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Nearly 60,000 fewer new cases in 24 hours
The number of new cases stood at 155,439 against 214,542 the day before. On average over seven days, 242,899 daily cases have been recorded, a sharp drop from the 338,052 recorded a week ago, seeming to confirm that the peak of contamination has passed. The number of deaths since the start of the epidemic, almost two years ago, stands at 132,506.
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In addition, 54,089,022 people have received at least one injection (80.2% of the total population) and 52,904,436 are fully vaccinated (78.5% of the population). Since the start of the booster campaign, 36,575,686 people have received a booster dose.
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Declining attendance at cinemas and theaters
Attendance at cinemas and live shows in France fell by around 25% at the start of the year compared to the same period before the health crisis, according to the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot. However, the minister said on Sunday that she expected a “beautiful festival season“and assured that she was going to continue”to help all who need it“.
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In total, nearly 14 billion euros have been mobilized for the world of culture in France since the start of the health crisis, according to figures from the ministry.
Australia will reopen its borders to tourists on February 21
Australia will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated tourists on February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday, after imposing some of the toughest entry restrictions in the world.
“It’s been almost two years since we decided to close Australia’s borders“, explained Scott Morrison at the end of a cabinet meeting on national security, specifying that the country “will reopen its borders to all visa holders on February 21“. “If you are double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia“.
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The huge island-continent closed its borders in March 2020, trying to take advantage of its insularity to protect itself from the pandemic.
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Portugal: eased restrictions for EU travelers
Portugal will ease restrictions for travelers holding a European health certificate from Monday, in particular ceasing to require them to provide a negative test for Covid-19 before entering the territory, according to a decree published on Sunday. . Travelers inpossession of an EU digital Covid certificate“or any other”Recognized proof of vaccinationwill be exempted from presenting a negative test upon their arrival in the national territory, according to this government decision.
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Like other European countries, Portugal has required since early December that passengers over the age of 12, even vaccinated against Covid-19, present negative tests to enter the country.
China: 3.5 million people confined
The city of Baise, which has 3.5 million inhabitants in southern China, was placed under quarantine after the appearance of Covid cases, when the country organizes the Winter Olympics. Since Sunday evening, residents can no longer leave the locality and those who live in so-called risk areas (where cases have been discovered) are prohibited from leaving their homes.
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Morocco reopens its borders to tourists
Morocco plans this Monday the reopening of its borders, closed since November 29. This concerns air links, but also maritime ones. The country, where the state of health emergency is in force until the end of the month, maintains a health protocol which will govern arrivals and stays, with in particular the prerequisite of a vaccination pass.
Read alsoMorocco reopens its borders to tourists, “a gradual but lasting return of travelers”
Continued protests in Canada
Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec: opponents of health measures in Canada, some of whom have occupied the city center of the federal capital for a week, gathered on Saturday to demand the lifting of restrictions.
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This protest, part of a movement of truckers in the west of the country, has turned into an occupation of Ottawa: for eight days, the streets in front of Parliament and under the offices of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have been occupied by dozens trucks and demonstrators. Some have started setting up makeshift shelters and have vowed not to move until restrictions are lifted.
More than 5.7 million dead
The pandemic has officially killed more than 5.731 million people worldwide since the end of December 2019, according to a report established by AFP this Sunday at 11 a.m. GMT. In absolute terms, the United States is the country with the most deaths (902,266), ahead of Brazil (631,802), India (501,979) and Russia (335,414).
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The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher than that officially established.