The Omikron variant is spreading more and more in Europe.
On Christmas Eve, Great Britain and France reported new highs in the number of new corona infections registered daily. In Great Britain, according to the government, 122,186 new infections were recorded within 24 hours – more than 2000 more than the previous day. France reported 94,124 new infections within one day.
In Great Britain, the number of infections has been increasing massively for days. On the other hand, the increase in deaths and serious illnesses is less dramatic.
The British health authority UKHSA said on Thursday that the risk of having to be hospitalized after an infection was 50 to 70 percent lower with the Omikron variant than with the Delta variant, which previously dominated the UK, according to recent surveys. At the same time, however, the authority warned against jumping to conclusions in view of the sparse data situation.
“Glimmer of Hope for Christmas”
UKHSA boss Jenny Harries told the BBC on Friday that the preliminary data was a “glimmer of hope for Christmas”. But it is too early to give the all-clear about the “serious threat”.
Two studies had already been published in Great Britain on Wednesday which indicate that corona infections in the Omikron variant lead to hospitalization less often than in the Delta variant. The preliminary study results confirmed earlier findings from South Africa, where the Omikron variant was first discovered. However, because of the high infection rate at Omikron, experts warn against being overly optimistic.
Record in Italy too
50,599 coronavirus infections have been reported in Italy in the last 24 hours. This is a record since the pandemic broke out, the Italian health authorities reported on Friday. On Thursday, 44,595 infections were registered in 24 hours. 141 coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Friday, up from 168 the day before.
929,775 smears were taken in the last 24 hours, which is the record since the pandemic began. 5.4 percent of those tested were positive. 1038 corona patients are in the intensive care units of the Italian hospitals.
In view of the increasing number of corona infections, the Italian government decided on Thursday to shorten the validity of the vaccination certificate from nine to six months from February 1, 2022. In addition, the minimum period for administering the third dose of vaccine will be shortened from five to four months after the second vaccination.
The government introduces mandatory outdoor masks. In addition, wearing an FFP2 mask in cinemas, theaters, museums and at sporting events and stadiums as well as in public transport, including local transport, is to be made mandatory.
(WHAT/AFP)
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