The new variant classified as "worrying" by the WHO and named "Omicron"

The new B.1.1.529 variant of the virus that gives Covid 19, detected for the first time in southern Africa, was classified Friday as "worrying" by the World Health Organization (WHO), and named "Omicron".

The WHO estimates that it will take "a few weeks" to understand the level of transmissibility and virulence of the new variant, and for now advises countries against taking measures to restrict travel.

The European regulator said it was "premature" to plan for an adaptation of the vaccines to the new variant of Covid-19.

A case in Belgium, the first in Europe

A case of the Omicron variant, absent from Europe so far, has been identified in Belgium, the health ministry said on Friday.

Deputy Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke in Brussels on November 26, 2021 DIRK WAEM BELGA / AFP

A case was also detected in Hong Kong and Israel in a person who returned from Malawi.

Isolated southern Africa

European Union officials, meeting urgently, recommended suspending travel from seven countries in the southern African region: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Several European countries including France, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia and Switzerland have banned flights from South Africa and neighboring countries.

The United States has closed its borders to travelers from eight countries in southern Africa.

Canada has also banned travelers from seven African countries, while Japan will tighten its entry restrictions, including a ten-day quarantine in a place chosen by the government for people coming from this area. .

Fall of world stock markets

From stocks to oil, global markets plunged on Friday, maddened by the discovery of the new variant.

The Nikkei drops on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on November 26, 2021 Philip FONG AFP

European indices suffered their worst sessions in over a year and the New York Stock Exchange closed sharply, the Dow Jones' steepest fall this year.

The decline also affected Asian stock markets and oil prices, which are highly dependent on expectations of economic activity.

Tightening of restrictions in the Netherlands

The Dutch Prime Minister announced a strengthening of health restrictions, from Sunday, including the closure at 5:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. GMT) of bars, restaurants and non-essential shops.

The effective Merck anti-Covid pill (FDA)

The anti-Covid tablet developed by Merck is effective in the treatment of the virus, estimated the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) in a preliminary report, however, recommending that it be excluded from use in pregnant women.

French West Indies: postponement of the vaccination obligation for caregivers

The French government has announced the postponement to December 31 of the vaccination obligation for caregivers in the French West Indies, at the origin of an unprecedented social crisis and punctuated by violence for several days.

More than 5.18 million dead

The pandemic has killed at least 5,180,276 people around the world since the end of 2019, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources, Friday in the middle of the day.

Covid-19: developments in the world AFP

The United States is the most bereaved country, with 775,797 deaths, ahead of Brazil (613,642), India (467,468), Mexico (293,449) and Russia (270,292).

The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic in the world could be two to three times higher than that calculated from official figures.

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© 2021 AFP