Coronavirus: update on the pandemic in the world

2021-12-17T19:05:23.934Z

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

Indian vaccine approval

The World Health Organization approved the Indian anti-Covid vaccine Covovax on Friday, the organization said in a statement.

Contamination peak in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom recorded Friday for the third day in a row a new record of Covid-19 contamination, with 93,045 cases recorded in 24 hours, according to figures from the health authorities.

People wear protective masks at a bus stop in front of a campaign poster for the 3rd dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, December 17, 2021 in London Tolga Akmen AFP

Germany under Omicron threat

Germany, already affected by a significant rebound in coronavirus contaminations, must prepare for a new "massive wave" linked to the meteoric spread of the Omicron variant, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Friday.

A drive-in Covid-19 vaccination center, December 17, 2021 in Stuttgart, Germany THOMAS KIENZLE AFP

- Switzerland: toughened anti-Covid measures -

Switzerland will toughen its anti-Covid measures on Monday, the federal government announced.

Only those vaccinated or cured will now have access to the interior of restaurants, cultural establishments and sports and leisure facilities as well as to indoor events.

Denmark closes its cultural life

Denmark will order cinemas, theaters and concert halls to close in an attempt to curb the record spike in Covid-19 cases accelerated by the new Omicron variant.

Danish Minister of Health at a press conference on the health situation on December 17, 2021 in Copenhagen Olafur Steinar Gestsson Ritzau Scanpix / AFP

Rugby: postponement of matches between French and British

The matches between French and British clubs scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in the two European Rugby Cups are postponed "to a later date", due to travel restrictions between the two countries.

Vaccines: 335 million doses delivered by Washington

Washington has so far delivered more than 335 million doses of anti-Covid vaccines to 110 countries, as many doses as there are people in the United States, a senior White House official told Friday. AFP.

South Africa: Omicron cases explode, but severe cases do not

The Omicron variant has exploded cases of Covid-19 infection in South Africa, but for now hospitalizations and deaths remain fewer than in previous waves, health officials said on Friday.

Covid-19: developments in the world AFP

France: new step towards vaccination of children

The French ethics committee (CCNE) spoke out on Friday in favor of opening the anti-Covid vaccination every 5-11 years, but insisted on leaving the choice to parents.

A child receives a dose of Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19, December 17, 2021 in Paris GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT AFP

More than 5.33 million dead

The pandemic has killed more than 5.33 million people worldwide since the end of 2019, according to an assessment established from official figures by AFP on Friday at midday.

The United States is the most bereaved country with 803,652 deaths, ahead of Brazil (617,395), India (476,869) and Mexico (297,356).

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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