What we know today, December 24 – virus latest at a glance
Omicron has advanced across the world, with health experts warning the battle against the Covid-19 variant was far from over despite two drugmakers saying their vaccines protected against it and signs it carries a lower risk of hospitalisation.
EUROPE
France had its worst-ever day in terms of new cases, with more than 91,000 being recorded while the number of deaths also climbed.
Britain recorded a record number of new cases as the Omicron variant swept across the country.
Italy has tightened restrictions to curb surging infections, including banning all public New Year’s Eve celebrations, as daily infections hit a record high.
President Vladimir Putin said he hoped Russia could vaccinate enough people to reach collective immunity next year, urging more Russians to get inoculated as the death toll crossed 600,000.
AMERICAS
US President Joe Biden’s steps to backstop hospitals and distribute coronavirus test kits, however welcome, are too little too late to stem a surge of Omicron-related cases over Christmas and New Year’s, health experts said.
The rapid spread of Omicron infections has hospitals in the US Midwest “preparing for the worst,” with their intensive care units and medical personnel already severely strained from a wave of the potent Delta variant.
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Seven US Department of Defence staff who travelled last week to multiple American bases, including Indo-Pacific Command on Hawaii, have tested positive.
The US authorised Merck & Co’s antiviral pill for for certain high-risk adult patients, a day after giving a broader go-ahead to a similar but more effective treatment from Pfizer Inc.
US stock indexes and yields on US Treasuries both climbed as investors and traders were optimistic about positive economic data and the impact of the Omicron variant on the economy, even as case counts soar.
Global deaths: 5,399,185
