Omicron
Omicron reported in 57 countries, hospitalisations set to rise, WHO says
By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) -The Omicron variant has been reported in 57 nations and the number of patients needing hospitalisation is likely to rise as it spreads, the World…
Early indications suggest Omicron more transmissible than Delta, UK PM tells ministers
LONDON (Reuters) - Early indications suggest that the Omicron coronavirus variant is more transmissible than the earlier Delta variant, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told his top team of cabinet…
Vaccine mandates ‘absolute last resort’, WHO Europe head says
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Mandatory vaccinations against the coronavirus are an "absolute last resort", the World Health Organization's top Europe official said on Tuesday. More and more countries in Europe, including Germany,…
England has community transmission of Omicron variant, health minister says
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's health minister said on Monday there is now community transmission of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus across regions of England but it is too early…
‘Extreme’ vaccine discrimination risks leaving Africa behind – report
By Tommy Wilkes LONDON (Reuters) - Africa has little chance of overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic unless 70% of its population is vaccinated by end-2022, yet "extreme vaccine discrimination" is leaving…
Brazil’s Rio cancels New Year celebration as pandemic continues
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -The mayor of Rio de Janeiro canceled New Year's Eve celebrations after Brazil confirmed the first known cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Latin America’s biggest…
Hoping Omicron won’t wreck Christmas, Bethlehem lights up tree
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (Reuters) - Residents lit up a giant Christmas tree outside Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity on Saturday, hoping that a new coronavirus variant doesn't ruin another holiday…
Airline Swiss suspends flights to Hong Kong given quarantine rules
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss International Air Lines has temporarily suspended flights to Hong Kong until Dec. 11 as a result of tightened quarantine restrictions for crew members, the Swiss unit…
India detects third Omicron case, reports 415 COVID-19 deaths
By Sumit Khanna AHMEDABAD (Reuters) - India reported its third case of the Omicron coronavirus variant on Saturday, government officials said, while many European and Asian countries have shown a…
S.Korea reports record-high COVID-19 cases, deaths
By Sangmi Cha SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea reported a record daily 5,352 new COVID-19 infections and 70 deaths, while a nationwide total of nine cases of the Omicron variant…
Japan PM Kishida likely to cancel U.S. visit due to Omicron – NHK
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is likely to cancel a planned trip to the United States for talks with President Joe Biden this month due to the…
In Europe, Omicron ruins Christmas party plans
By Richard Lough and Iain Withers PARIS (Reuters) - Paris riverboat cruise company Seine-En-Bateau was braced for a bumper Christmas party season reminiscent of the world before COVID-19. But that…
