More than 3 million new Covid cases have been recorded on average worldwide in the past week, a figure more than fivefold since the discovery of the Omicron variant in late November, according to an AFP tally. The region that currently records the greatest increase in the number of infections is Asia, followed by the Middle East and Latin America
France: mandatory outdoor masks from February
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced Thursday evening the entry into force of the vaccine pass on Monday, “subject to the decision of the Constitutional Council”, and a gradual lifting of the restrictions against Covid. February 2 will be the end of the obligation to wear masks outdoors and mandatory teleworking (it will still be recommended). Night clubs will be able to reopen on 16 February. In addition, from Monday the booster dose of the Covid vaccine will be authorized for children between the ages of 12 and 17, without obligation.
United Kingdom, Johnson cancels anti Covid restrictions: no more indoor masks, “vaccination passport” abolished
by our correspondent Antonello Guerrera
Antarctica, nine members of a military station evacuated
Nine members of an Argentine science and military base in Antarctica were evacuated this weekend after an outbreak that saw 24 of the base’s 43 occupants infected with Covid-19. The nine positive cases, not vaccinated because they have been stationed at the Esperanza Base since 2020, were evacuated by helicopter in a delicate operation during a weather window of a few hours, and flown to Buenos Aires.
The Austrian Parliament approves the vaccination obligation, the first country in the EU
On Thursday, the Austrian parliament approved a law on compulsory vaccination against Covid-19 for all adults, becoming the first country in the European Union to adopt such a measure to fight the pandemic. The provision will come into force on February 4th.
Covid, United Kingdom: after the masks, Johnson will also remove quarantine and self-isolation: “We will treat it as a flu”
by our correspondent Antonello Guerrera
Mexico, Omicron is rampant among children
The large North American country hit by the wave of the Covid variant records over 3,000 infections among minors in the first two weeks of 2022. At the end of December there were 600. As of January 16 there were already 826 victims among the children and 86,586 infected. Children are more vulnerable because they have not yet been vaccinated and more sensitive to the different variants of the same Omicron that are affirming themselves in Mexico. Hospitals stormed by parents who do not know if their children’s coughs and colds are linked to Covid or a simple flu. Controversy over the decision to reopen schools (12 states keep them closed) which would have fueled infections even if the government minimizes the run of the virus and argues that returning to class has nothing to do with it and everything is due to the much more contagion Omicron.
Infections are falling in Africa, but only 10% of the population is vaccinated
The weekly number of Covid-19 cases has “significantly decreased” in Africa and that of deaths has also dropped, for the first time since the peak of the 4th wave induced by the Omicron variant, WHO announced Thursday. However, “as long as the virus continues to circulate, future waves are inevitable,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO director for Africa, at the press conference. The vaccination rate remains low in Africa with, according to the WHO, only 10% of the population fully vaccinated.
India tests the vaccine on Lions and leopards
Indian health authorities will test coronavirus vaccines on lions and leopards. He writes it on Times of India explaining that the trial was decided after two lions from the Chennai Zoo died from complications after contracting Covid-19. The aim is to evaluate the use of a vaccine to be used on big cats and will be administered on 15 animals and 28 days between the first and second dose in the Sakkarbaug Zoo. Meanwhile, with the overall decline in infections, the New Delhi authorities have decided to lift the night curfew in effect at weekends and allow private companies to bring employees back in attendance. In the Indian capital, about 80 percent of the beds in the Covid wards of hospitals are not occupied and after the peak on January 13, infections are decreasing.