Omicron now represents the most widespread variant of Covid in America, covering about three quarters of new cases of contagion. This was stated by the CDC, the highest US health authority, explaining how 73% of new infections are linked to Omicron. In many parts of the US, the new variant accounts for as much as 90% of cases, the CDC said. Last week alone, Omicron’s impact on contacts was just over 12%. Now, according to experts, the percentage could rise again to reach all infections. Among the states most affected by Omicron are Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In the South, Florida, Alabama and Georgia have touched over 95% of cases of the new variant.
Positive a collaborator close to Biden
US President Joe Biden tested negative on the Covid test after being in close contact with a White House staff member who subsequently tested positive. This was announced by White House spokesman Jen Psaki. The person who tested positive, whose identity has not been revealed but does not belong to the closest circle of collaborators, spent about half an hour with Biden aboard Air Force One last Friday, on the journey from South Carolina to Philadelphia. This is a fully vaccinated person who has received the booster. Before the mission she had tested negative.
The United States must not prohibit foreign travelers from entering, because the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid is already high in the United States. This was stated by the epidemiologist and expert on Covid for the White House Anthony Fauci, speaking today of the pandemic.
Fauci: “It is useless to ban foreigners from entering the US”
“I think – he commented – that when you get to a point where there is enough virus in your country, it makes no sense to try to keep someone out”. “Given how the variant is spreading – he added – you may find yourself having tourists who are less infected than us”. Fauci said the restrictions imposed on eight African countries, in response to the Omicron emergency, had “bought time” and given the United States the opportunity to “try to figure out how to act”. The epidemiologist said the ban on South African countries will soon be lifted.
“We will do it very soon – he added – because we already have enough infections in our country, and we are bringing in people who come from areas that have the same or even higher percentage of infections”.
Spain ready for new measures
Spain prepares for new measures to deal with the wave of cases of the new Omicron variant. The Commission for Public Health will meet today, on the eve of the Conference of Presidents convened for Wednesday by the head of government Pedro Sanchez. In the last two weeks, the incidence of infections in the country has risen to 609 cai per 100 thousand inhabitants, with 16 territories at maximum risk of transmission.
Among the proposals on the Government table the mandatory use of the mask. Meanwhile, Catalonia has already announced that it will put in place tougher restrictions for the Christmas period, such as limiting party gatherings to a maximum of 10 people.
Japan, suspected Omicron outbreak in US base
At least 180 infections have been registered among US soldiers stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa, southeast of the archipelago. The story worries the local authorities who fear an expansion of infections in the local community. A Japanese employee at the US military base at Camp Hansen tested positive for the Omicron variant last Friday, and the chief of staff, Hirokazu Matsuno, said he was unable to determine the extent of the infections pending further cooperation. of the US military command.
The island is home to about 70% of the approximately 50,000 American soldiers stationed in the Land of the Rising Sun, and on more than one occasion it has seen the emergence of outbreaks. Already last January, the governor had declared a state of emergency after worrying levels of contagiousness from Covid emerged between the staff of the base and the American military. Since the start of the pandemic, Japan has reported 1,733,000 Covid positivity, with nearly 14,000 confirmed deaths.
Hong Kong, quarantine for arrivals from GB
Hong Kong has announced that it will introduce quarantine for all arrivals from Great Britain, in addition to 12 African nations and the US.
The former British colony already has a 21-day hotel isolation system in place, but for the countries on the black list it will instead be necessary to stay in a government camp for the first 4 days on arrival before then accessing the hotel quarantine. .