New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.
The situation in France
The number of hospitalizations due to Covid continued to increase on Wednesday, to more than 30,000 patients, but that of patients in critical care units fell slightly, as did the number of positive cases, according to figures from health authorities.
Public Health France recorded 428,008 cases of contamination in 24 hours, significantly fewer than the day before, but to smooth out the statistical jolts, we must consider the daily average over seven days, which fell very slightly, with a little more of 365,000 cases (against 366,000 the day before).
The number of new hospital admissions fell to 3,297 in 24 hours, from 3,842 on Tuesday.
A total of 30,624 Covid patients are currently hospitalized (including 3,297 admissions in 24 hours), compared to 30,189 the day before (and 3,842 admissions). A week ago, hospitals had 27,230 patients.
To read :Covid-19: WHO sees possible end to acute phase of pandemic
On the other hand, the figures for critical care, which receive patients with the most serious forms of the disease, confirm a decline. These services are currently treating 3,712 people (including 341 admissions), compared to 3,741 on Tuesday and 3,852 seven days earlier.
If it is much more contagious than its predecessors, the Omicron variant also gives fewer severe forms, which is reflected in particular by shorter passages in hospital and less frequent admissions to intensive care.
Hospitals have recorded 258 deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours, bringing the total death toll in France to 129,747 since the start of the epidemic two years ago.
While the vaccination pass came into effect on Monday, 53,887,709 people received at least one injection (i.e. 79.9% of the total population) and 52,573,176 people have a complete vaccination schedule (i.e. 78% of the total population). ). In addition, 34,522,301 people received a booster dose.
The situation in the world
The Covid-19 pandemic has killed at least 5,614,118 people worldwide since the end of December 2019, according to a report established by AFP from official sources on Wednesday at 11:00 GMT.
In absolute terms, the countries that have recorded the most deaths are United States with 872,126 deaths, Brasil (623 843), india (491 127) and Russia (328 105).
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.
Denmark ready to lift restrictions
Despite record cases, Denmark announced on Wednesday that it wanted to lift all its internal anti-Covid restrictions on February 1, judging its high vaccination coverage sufficient in the face of the lesser severity of the Omicron variant.
If the government’s project receives the approval of a consulted parliamentary committee, the Nordic country would become the first in the European Union to take the plunge.
Austria loosens the noose on the non-vaccinated
Austria announced on Wednesday the upcoming lifting of the confinement of the unvaccinated, even if they will soon become outlaws with the entry into force of the compulsory vaccination against Covid-19.
Since mid-November, those who have not received an injection can only leave their homes to work, do their food shopping, play sports or for medical care. From Monday, they will regain their freedom but will remain excluded from restaurants, hotels, cultural and sports venues which require a vaccination pass.
The slow economy
Slowdown in China and the United States, sharp slowdown in global growth. Omicron, inflation and interest rate hikes are all clouds that darken the economic horizon at the start of 2022, the International Monetary Fund warned on Tuesday.
Omicron “has led to new mobility restrictions in many countries and an increase in labor shortages”, underlined during a press conference Gita Gopinath, new number 2 of the institution.
In Armenia, the head of government tested positive
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has isolated himself after testing positive for the new coronavirus, the government of this former Soviet republic said on Wednesday.
He and his family had already been infected with the coronavirus in June 2020.
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