Covid-19 has infected more than 275M people and killed over 5.3M worldwide. Here are some of the latest coronavirus-related developments for December 21:
India reports 200 Omicron cases across 12 states
India has recorded 200 cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant across 12 states, mostly in the western state of Maharashtra and the nation’s capital New Delhi, the Health Ministry said.
The country’s tally of Omicron cases has nearly doubled within a week, but there have been no deaths reported so far.
In less than 40 percent of cases, patients either fully recovered or were discharged, the data showed.
India has been accelerating its vaccination campaign amid fears of potential surges in infections, with at least one dose given to 87 percent of the eligible 944 million adults.
Iran’s Yemen envoy dies of Covid after evacuation from Sanaa
Iran’s envoy to Yemen has died of Covid despite his evacuation from the rebel-held capital Sanaa in a rare exemption from a Saudi-led air blockade, the Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh blamed the “slow cooperation of certain countries” in facilitating the Saturday evacuation for the death of envoy Hassan Eyrlou.
The diplomat served as ambassador to the Houthi-installed administration in Sanaa, which is recognised only by Tehran.
Former Malaysian PM Mahathir to be discharged from hospital within days
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 96, has completed all necessary investigations for a medical check-up and will be ready to be discharged from hospital within the next few days, the National Heart Institute said.
Mahathir, who has a history of heart troubles, was admitted to the hospital last Thursday for a full medical checkup and observation. The hospital and spokespeople for Mahathir did not say why he had been admitted.
“The team of doctors treating Dr Mahathir is satisfied with results of the investigations done over the last few days,” the institute said in a statement.
Thailand reinstates mandatory Covid-19 quarantine over Omicron concerns
Thailand will reinstate its mandatory Covid-19 quarantine for foreign visitors and is scrapping a quarantine waiver due to concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The decision to halt Thailand’s “Test and Go” waiver means visitors will have to undergo hotel quarantine, which ranges between 7 to 10 days.
Meanwhile, a so-called “sandbox” programme, which requires visitors to remain in a specific location but allows them free movement outside of their accommodation, will also be suspended in all places except for the tourist resort island of Phuket.
New Zealand delays border re-opening over Omicron concerns
New Zealand has postponed its phased border re-opening plans until the end of February over concerns of the rapid global spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The South Pacific nation had just started easing some of the world’s toughest pandemic measures and its international border restrictions were to progressively loosen from January, with all foreign tourists allowed into the country from April.
Non-quarantine travel, which was to have opened for New Zealanders in Australia from January 16, would be pushed back until the end of February, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said at a press conference in Wellington.
Moderna says could be ready to develop Omicron booster in weeks
Covid-19 vaccine maker Moderna does not expect any problems in developing a booster shot to protect against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and could begin work in a few weeks, Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said in an interview.
Moderna hopes to start clinical trials early next year on a vaccine to protect against the fast-spreading Omicron variant but for now is focussing on a booster dose of its current mRNA-1273 vaccine.
“It only needs minor adjustments for Omicron. I don’t expect any problems,” Bancel said in an interview with the Swiss newspaper TagesAnzeiger published.
Hungary rejoins EU’s vaccine procurement system due to Omicron variant
Hungary has decided to rejoin the European Union’s Covid-19 vaccine procurement process to shield its population from the Omicron variant, ordering 9.5 million doses of the jab developed by BioNTech SE and Pfizer.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban also told a news conference that he expected the European Commission would publish a clear stance before the end of the year including nuclear energy in its “sustainable finance taxonomy”, a rulebook that will restrict which activities can be labelled as climate friendly investments.
UK reports new 91,743 Covid-19 cases
Britain has reported 91,743 new Covid-19 cases, the second-highest figure since the start of the pandemic, as the Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly.
The number of deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test was 44.
Daily case rates have repeatedly broken records over the last week as the country –– one of Europe’s worst-hit by the virus, with more than 147,000 deaths during the pandemic –– struggles to contain Omicron.
US President Biden tests negative
US President Joe Biden has tested negative for Covid-19 after he was notified that a mid-level White House staff member who spent about 30 minutes near him on Air Force One on Friday tested positive, the White House said.
A PCR test Biden received on Monday after being notified of the case came back negative, as did an antigen test he received on Sunday as part of his regular testing, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.
The staff member is fully vaccinated and boosted, had tested negative before boarding Air Force One, and did not begin to experience symptoms until Sunday, she said.
Morocco bans new year’s parties
Morocco has announced a ban on New Year’s Eve celebrations as part of stepped-up measures against rising coronavirus cases.
The government ordered a ban on all forms of celebration on the evening of New Year’s eve, including parties in hotels and tourist sites.
It ordered restaurants and cafes to close at 11.30 pm and said a curfew would be in place from midnight until 6:00 AM on January 1.
Morocco on December 15 detected its first case of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.
London cancels New Year event
A major New year celebration in London will be cancelled, the British capital’s mayor has said, as worries mount over a surge in virus cases sparked by the Omicron variant.
Sadiq Khan said infections were at record levels in the city and he needed to do everything possible to slow the spread of the new variant.
The city authorities said there would be a “live broadcast spectacular” on the BBC instead that would celebrate the city.
Paris has already announced that its annual fireworks show and other events will be cancelled and Germany is expected to follow suit, with plans on the table to close nightclubs and limit the size of private parties.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa back to work
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has returned to work after finishing a week of self-isolation due to testing positive for Covid-19, his office said in a statement.
It said he would chair the final cabinet meeting of the year on Wednesday.
New Zealand delays its re-opening
New Zealand has said it would delay its re-opening plans until the end of February fearing a rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
New Zealand had previously announced that non-quarantine travel would reopen by mid-January for New Zealand citizens and residents in Australia, and to foreign tourists by April.
“There’s no doubt this is disappointing and will upset many holiday plans, but it’s important to set these changes out clearly today so they can have time to consider those plans,” Covid- 19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement.
Source: TRTWorld and agencies