Omicron dominates new US COVID circumstances; first identified loss of life reported | Coronavirus pandemic Information

Omicron circumstances account for 73.2 p.c of latest US infections over the previous week as Texas reviews first loss of life linked to the variant.

The World Well being Group (WHO) has mentioned the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading sooner than the Delta variant and is inflicting infections in folks already vaccinated or who’ve recovered from the COVID-19 illness.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued the warning as US well being officers reported that Omicron now accounts for 73.2 p.c of latest circumstances over the previous week, and because the nation’s first identified loss of life linked to the variant is reported within the state of Texas.

“There’s now constant proof that Omicron is spreading considerably sooner than the Delta variant,” Ghebreyesus informed a information briefing in Geneva on Monday.

In the meantime, Israel has added america to its “no-fly” record, citing considerations over the unfold of the brand new Omicron coronavirus variant.

New Zealand additionally introduced on Tuesday that it will delay its re-opening plans till the tip of February fearing a speedy unfold of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Listed below are the newest updates:

41 minutes in the past (04:50 GMT)

Australia PM guidelines out lockdowns regardless of Omicron surge

Australia should transfer previous “the heavy hand of presidency” and authorities should cease shutting down folks’s lives with COVID-19 lockdowns, Prime Minister Scott Morrison mentioned on Tuesday, as every day infections within the nation shot as much as a brand new pandemic excessive.

“We have now acquired to get previous the heavy hand of presidency and now we have acquired to deal with Australians like adults,” Morrison informed reporters, urging authorities to shift from “a tradition of mandates” in relation to masks and social distancing guidelines.

“We’re not going again to lockdowns. We’re going ahead to reside with this virus with widespread sense and duty.”

2 hours in the past (03:54 GMT)

First Omicron-linked loss of life reported within the US state of Texas

Texas’ Harris County has reported its first loss of life associated to the Omicron COVID-19 variant, a person who was unvaccinated, the county well being division mentioned in an announcement.

It’s believed to be the primary identified recorded Omicron loss of life in america, ABC Information reported.

The US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters information company request for touch upon the problem.

The sufferer, aged between 50-60 years outdated, was at increased threat of extreme issues from COVID-19 as he was unvaccinated, the well being division mentioned in an announcement.

BREAKING—First #Omicron US loss of life in Texas—in an unvaccinated man **reinfected** after beforehand having #COVID19. New convalescent blood🩸 research of survivors (of Alpha, Beta, or Delta variants) present little to no neutralization protection towards Omicron. Please #Vaccinate& Enhance🧵 pic.twitter.com/SjB39XxjNU

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) December 21, 2021

4 hours in the past (01:25 GMT)

New Zealand delays re-opening plans over Omicron considerations

New Zealand mentioned on Tuesday that it will delay its re-opening plans till the tip of February, fearing a speedy unfold of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

New Zealand had beforehand introduced that non-quarantine journey would reopen by mid-January for New Zealand residents and residents in Australia, and to international vacationers by April.

“There’s little question that is disappointing and can upset many vacation plans, but it surely’s essential to set these modifications out clearly right now to allow them to have time to think about these plans,” COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins mentioned in an announcement.

5 hours in the past (00:06 GMT)

Singapore finds suspected Omicron cluster in health club

Singapore’s Ministry of Well being has introduced that it has detected a cluster of three COVID-19 circumstances linked to a health club, of which two have examined preliminarily constructive for the Omicron variant. The consequence for the remaining case is pending.

All three folks have been absolutely vaccinated and have gentle signs.

The well being ministry is ring-fencing the circumstances by way of contact tracing, it added.

6 hours in the past (23:37 GMT)

Omicron now dominant Covid-19 selection in US: Well being authorities

The fast-spreading Omicron variant is now the principle coronavirus pressure in america, accounting for 73.2 p.c of latest circumstances over the previous week for which knowledge is out there, in keeping with well being authorities.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention reported the spike for the week ending on Saturday.

Over the identical time interval within the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, Omicron accounted for 96.3 p.c of latest circumstances.