New measures, new reports and highlights: the update of this Wednesday, December 29, 2021 on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic in the world.
The situation in France
The Omicron variant is now the majority among Covid-19 infections in France, where the virus has experienced “significant progression” in recent days, Public Health France noted. “62.4% of the tests screened showed a profile compatible with the Omicron variant” at the beginning of the last week of the year, against 15% the previous one, the public agency found in its last weekly survey.
Also read: The public hospital will “rock” in January, the alert of Martin Hirsch
Tension in hospitals. Tension continues to rise in hospitals as the number of beds occupied Wednesday by Covid patients in France rose to 17,856 (against 17,405 the day before), with 1,949 new hospitalizations. Just over 650,000 people also received an injection of the Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday: 48,535 first injections and 575,532 booster doses. In total, 51,711,014 people have had a complete vaccination schedule (76.7% of the total population) since the start of the vaccination campaign in France. And 23,635,447 received a booster dose.
To read : From Friday in Paris, return of the mandatory mask outside
The situation in the world
The pandemic has made at least 5,421,160 dead in the world since December 2019, according to a report established by AFP from official sources, Thursday in the middle of the day. United States are the most bereaved country with 824,277 dead, followed by Brasil (618,984), india (480 860) and Russia (307 948). The World Health Organization 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 recorded.
Over a million daily cases
With the explosion in the number of contaminations in the world, the symbolic milestone of one million new daily cases was crossed for the first time during the week of December 23 to 29, according to an AFP count. More than 7.3 million new cases have been detected in the past seven days, an average of 1,045,000 per day.
No peak in deaths in South Africa
South Africa, where the new variant of Covid-19 was detected last month, announced Thursday that it had passed the peak of the Omicron wave without a significant increase in the number of deaths. The country has also announced an easing of restrictions related to Covid, including the lifting of the night curfew.
Also read: In South Africa, the Omicron wave passed without a peak in deaths
The Pope cancels his visit to the nativity scene in Place St-Pierre
Pope Francis has canceled his traditional New Year’s visit to the nursery in St. Peter’s Square, due to the risk of contamination by Covid-19 induced by this type of gathering.
In Russia, 87,000 dead in November
Russia recorded 87,527 deaths linked to Covid-19 in November, the national statistics agency announced Thursday, a monthly record that brings its total death toll to more than 600,000. Figures much higher than those of the government (307,948 deaths), based on a very restrictive definition of deaths due to the coronavirus.
Portugal reduces the length of the quarantine
The Portuguese health authority has decided to reduce from ten to seven days the period of isolation imposed on people infected with the coronavirus without showing symptoms, as well as on their cases of contact.
US health officials recommend avoiding cruises
US health officials have recommended avoiding cruises, including for those vaccinated, due to the increased number of cases aboard ships since Omicron’s arrival.
Israel receives first delivery of pills from Pfizer
A pioneer in Covid vaccination, Israel has received its first delivery of anticoronavirus pills from the American laboratory Pfizer, which will allow the Jewish state to step up its fight against the spread of the Omicron variant. In addition, the director of the Ministry of Health, Nachman Ash, on Thursday authorized the administration of a fourth dose of vaccine for certain immunocompromised people.
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