Britain breaks morbidity records in Corona, Biden removes restrictions from South African countries

In the shadow of the spread of the omicron strain, UK authorities are reporting a shortage of workers in various industries due to the proliferation of isolations.

In Austria, the Vaccine Council has recommended a fourth dose for healthcare workers.

In the US: The Biden administration removes restrictions imposed on arrivals from South African countries

News agencies

24/12/2021

Friday, 24 December 2021, 22:30 Updated: 22:33

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Corona virus spread (Reuters)

The corona virus continues to strike in the last day in European countries, led by Britain, which recorded a dismal record of verified today (Friday).

Experts in the country have presented new assessments indicating the spread of the omicron strain among the country’s citizens, with an emphasis on London.

According to UK health sources, it is the rapid spread of the omicron strain that has led to an increase in the number of cases of infection in the last seven days, especially in the capital.

Close to 1 in 20 Londoners have been infected with the virus, and according to new estimates from the UK National Statistics Center, the ratio could rise to 1 in 10 this coming Sunday.

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Nearly 1 in 20 Londoners infected by corona in London (Photo: Reuters)

An increase in the number verified in the country has dire consequences for the British economy. Many industries and transportation networks are struggling with manpower shortages due to the many isolations. Hospitals have warned that the proliferation of hospitalizations could have implications for patients' health.

Despite this, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had previously promised that "the Christmas of 2021 will be much better", rejected during the week the imposition of new restrictions before the holiday and argued that there is uncertainty regarding the spread of the micron and the rise in hospitalizations. Government data showed 122,186 new cases of infection in Corona, up from 119,789 on Thursday and Tuesday marking of more than 100,000 cases.

While recent studies around the world point to a lower hospitalization rate compared to morbidity waves caused by other strains, senior British healthcare officials are wary of predictions.

"There's a glimmer of hope for Christmas ... but it's definitely not at a point where we can take down that serious threat," Jenny Harris, head of the UK Health Agency, told the BBC.

"What we have now is a really good balance between something that seems like a lower risk, hospitalization. This is great news but at the same time it is known that there is a high risk of spreading and that it may slip out of the immune system."

Queue for the booster vaccine in the UK (Photo: Reuters)

At the same time, the Vaccine Council in Austria has recommended the provision of a fourth booster vaccine to Corona for health care workers and recent vital industries.

In its recommendation, the council noted the risks related to Omicron and in the same breath - also the lack of data on the spread of the strain in a way that allows a fourth dose to be given to the entire population.

In view of the wave of Omicron approaching, we can offer vaccination Wednesday sectors at high risk and critical areas in terms of systemic six months after vaccination III ", said in a statement the council.

Austria announced Wednesday it would worsen over the restrictions as of December 27, to slow the spread of Omicron. In November, the government announced On a fourth national closure and said it would make vaccines mandatory for all citizens - making it the first country to do so.

Protests in Austria following announcement of corona restrictions (Photo: Reuters)

Africa is liberated

The Biden administration removes travel restrictions on eight South African countries imposed with the discovery of the Omicron strain. According to government officials, the restrictions will be lifted at the end of the month. Biden imposed these restrictions in late November on the advice of his health experts, ordered restrictions and stopped most flights from South Africa, Botswana Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Aswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. The measures restricted the entry of foreign nationals who were physically present up to 14 days before their arrival in the United States, while its citizens and permanent residents were exempt.

Biden and his corona treatment team then stressed that the measures were temporary, and that they were intended to slow the spread of the omicron, and to give experts time to study it better. However, critics have questioned its effectiveness as the strain has already spread to other countries other than South Africa. "At the time the restrictions were imposed it was clear that there was widespread spread in South Africa and neighboring countries with little follow-up," a government official said at the time.

Travel restrictions on countries in South Africa will be lifted (Photo: Reuters)

During the week Biden said he is considering removing those restrictions.

A senior administration official said the Centers for Disease Control in the United States had recommended it.

They justified this "with the accumulated information about the omicron, according to which vaccines in the United States are effective against strain symptoms, especially the booster vaccines."

Another reason we mentioned - the spread of the omicron is not unique to South African countries and therefore there is no need to impose restrictions.

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