No Omicron-Related Deaths Reported Yet
The World Health Organization has not been informed at this stage of a death linked to the new variant Omicron, according to a spokesperson for the organization in Geneva.
Classified as worrying by the WHO, this variant was first detected in southern Africa.
Since South African health officials alerted the WHO on November 24, Omicron infections have been seen in at least 38 countries around the world.
The first cases of local transmission of the Omicron variant have been reported in the United States and Australia.
Omicron, possible threat to global growth
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to revise its global growth forecasts downwards because of the new Omicron variant which is spreading around the world, the institution's managing director said on Friday.
Covid-19: developments in the world AFP
The IMF already revised its growth forecasts for the global gross domestic product down to 5.9% in 2021 against 6% in July in October, due to logistical problems and due to uneven vaccination.
For 2022, he then expected global growth to remain unchanged at 4.9%.
Party in Oslo, Omicron home?
More than half of the 120 or so participants at a party in Oslo last week, all vaccinated, have tested positive for Covid-19.
The Omicron variant had been confirmed on Friday evening in thirteen cases and was considered probable in others.
One of the participants had recently returned from South Africa.
Belgium: early Christmas holidays for schoolchildren
Kindergartens and primary schools in Belgium will close their doors for the Christmas holidays one week in advance, announced Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
"We must take measures to reduce as quickly as possible the pressure on hospitals" which is "not tenable", he said, announcing a tightening of the restrictions on Saturday.
Ireland: new restrictions before Christmas
The Irish government announced on Friday the implementation of new restrictions from December 7 to January 9, including the closure of nightclubs and physical distancing in certain places, in an attempt to limit Covid-19 contamination and prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant.
France: "blame" on Professor Raoult
Professor Didier Raoult was sanctioned in Bordeaux with a "reprimand" by his peers for having violated the code of medical ethics by promoting hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19, despite the lack of proven effect.
Vaccination booster
Greek health authorities have announced that the vaccine booster against Covid-19 will now be administered to adults as early as three months after the second injection to combat the resurgence of the virus.
In Canada, health authorities on Friday recommended the administration of a booster dose of vaccine to people over 18 years of age if they are at risk.
They "strongly" suggested a booster dose to over 50s.
France: vaccination of children at risk
In France, vaccination will be open "mid-end of December" to children aged 5 to 11 at risk of developing serious forms, and probably to other children in January in a "progressive and optional" manner, announced the Minister of Health. Olivier Véran.
A vaccination center in Lyon, November 27, 2021 JEFF PACHOUD AFP / Archives
In addition, the health authorities have identified twelve cases of infection by Omicron in France.
Switzerland: no more quarantine but stricter tests
Switzerland abolishes the quarantine requirement for vaccinated people on Saturday but tightens the testing requirements.
In addition to a negative PCR test before their entry, they will have to carry out a second test --PCR or antigen - between the fourth and the seventh day after their arrival.
A school in Switzerland closed after the discovery of two cases of infection with the Omicron variant, on December 3, 2021 in Founex Fabrice COFFRINI AFP
Belgium: two hippos tested positive
Two hippos from the Antwerp zoo (northern Belgium) have tested positive for Covid-19, announced the animal park, which sees it as a world first for this species.
More than 5.2 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5,233,111 people around the world since the end of 2019, according to a report established on Friday midday by AFP from official sources.
The United States is the most bereaved country with 787,681 dead, ahead of Brazil (615,400), India (470,115), Mexico (294,715) and Russia (278,857).
Covid-19: AFP global report
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.
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