The essential
More than 51,600 contaminations in the last 24 hours and 2,037 patients in intensive care.
Ten million French people have received their booster dose.
Covid and hospital at the heart of the presidential election.
The health pass required in French ski resorts.
Tracking down the Omicron variant in a lab.
A new epidemic wave carried by children.
Follow the events of the day live:
7:40 am. No New Year's Eve parties in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The city of Rio de Janeiro will not be celebrating the New Year with the usual festivities due to the arrival in Brazil of the new Omicron variant. This decision by the municipal authorities raises fears of a possible cancellation of the famous carnival, which should take place from February 25 to March 1, already canceled last year. In Rio, these New Year's celebrations usually bring together around three million people on Copacabana beach. About 20 other provincial capitals (out of 27 in all) have made the same decision.
7:25 a.m. First case of the Omicron variant in Chile.
Chile has announced the first case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in its territory, in a traveler who arrived from Ghana on November 25. "This foreigner, residing in Chile, entered the country with a negative PCR test", but the mandatory additional test on arrival at the airport gave a positive result, the regional health ministry said in a statement. from the Chilean city of Valparaiso, 120 km west of the capital Santiago. This passenger, who had received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, "is in good health and has been placed in isolation", initially at his home before having to go to a sanitary residence, the authorities said.
7:15 am. Morocco bans festivals and major cultural events.
The Moroccan government has decided to ban all festivals and major cultural and artistic events due to the spread of the new Omicron variant. This decision was taken "on the basis of legal provisions relating to the management of the state of health emergency and strengthening of the necessary preventive measures aimed at limiting the spread of the new coronavirus", indicates a government press release.
7:10.
A booster dose for those over 65 in Mexico.
A booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will be administered in the coming days to people over the age of 65 in Mexico, in anticipation of the onset of winter and after the detection of the first case of Omicron on his territory, announced Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador, the head of state.
7:05 am.
16 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant identified in France.
According to a latest report from the Ministry of Health, Saturday at 8 p.m., 16 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have been detected.
"These cases are closely monitored by the health authorities to ensure contact-tracing actions and indicate prevention messages with the aim of preserving the health of the population," the ministry specifies.
7 hours.
Welcome to this live.
It will allow you to follow the events and the evolution of the pandemic throughout the day.