Coronavirus: update on the pandemic in the world

New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.

Omicron variant: the first cases multiply in Europe

The first positive cases for the new variant of the coronavirus Omicron multiplied on Saturday in Europe, where concern is pushing travel restrictions as the world continues to isolate southern Africa.

After Belgium, Great Britain, Germany and Italy, the Czech Republic has announced a first case on a Covid-19 patient hospitalized with mild symptoms in Liberec (north).

In Amsterdam, about sixty passengers, disembarked Friday from Johannesburg and Cape Town, were still in quarantine near the airport.

"The Omicron variant was probably found among those tested," said the National Institute of Public Health (RIVM), pending final results expected on Sunday.

Omicron variant: Washington hails South Africa's "transparency"

The United States praised South Africa on Saturday for its "transparency" with the rest of the world upon discovery of the Omicron variant, as Pretoria says it feels "punished" and unfairly treated, with its citizens treated in persona non grata .

In a telephone conversation between US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken and his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor, "Secretary of State Blinken praised South African scientists for the rapid identification of the Omicron variant," said the Minister. State Department in a statement.

Covid-19 screening center at Oliver Reginald Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, November 27, 2021 Phill Magakoe AFP

France: isolation for contact cases, even vaccinated

Anyone "in contact" with another who tests positive for the new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, will need to be isolated even if they are vaccinated, the health ministry said on Saturday.

Currently, in France, where no confirmed case of this variant has yet been announced, if a person is in contact with a person infected with the coronavirus, they should only isolate themselves for seven days if they are not vaccinated or that her vaccination schedule is incomplete and / or that she is immunocompromised, according to Health Insurance.

PCR test and isolation to enter the UK

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday to tighten entry measures in his country in order to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, two cases of which have already been detected in the United Kingdom.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a press conference in Downing Street, London, November 27, 2021 Hollie Adams POOL / AFP

"We will ask anyone entering the UK to take a PCR test 'two days after arrival' and self-isolate until they have the result," he said.

France: rush on vaccination appointments

Three million Covid-19 vaccination appointments have been made since the announcement Thursday of the extension of the recall campaign to the entire adult population, the government said on Saturday.

In the country, the booster dose is open to all adults in the country as of this Saturday.

Nearly 20,000 anti-health pass protesters in France

A total of 19,700 people demonstrated on Saturday in France against the health pass, for the 20th consecutive weekend of mobilization, according to the results of the Ministry of the Interior, including more than 3,500 in Paris.

Preparation of a dose of vaccine against Covid-19, in a vaccination center in Lyon, November 27, 2021 JEFF PACHOUD AFP

The ministry recorded 155 actions across the country, against 158 actions and 23,000 demonstrators last Saturday.

Portugal: ubiquitous and shortened match between Benfica and Belenenses, decimated by the Covid-19

With fourteen players absent due to Covid-19, Portuguese club Belenenses were forced to field a team made up of only nine footballers to face the Benfica eleven on Saturday in the league, a match of "shame" finally interrupted just after half-time.

"It was a shame to play here tonight," said Rui Pedro Soares, president of Belenenses, after paying tribute to the dignity of "players who were forced to play" on Saturday night at a conference Press.

Over five million dead

The pandemic has killed at least five million people worldwide since the end of 2019, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources on Friday.

The United States is the most bereaved country, with 776,517 deaths, ahead of Brazil (613,957), 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.

burs-frd-npk / ber / ial / adc / ybl