Christmas and gift opening day pass, but a few days later, people will usher in the third year of the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic.
The mutant virus strain Omicron (Omi Keron) has spread widely. Before and after New Year's Day, governments in many places are closely monitoring whether the epidemic situation has worsened and whether it needs to be "increased" immediately after the holiday.
●Korea
There were 4,207 new confirmed cases in a single day.
Yonhap News Agency said on the 27th that the number of new cases in a single day decreased by 1,212 compared with the previous day, 1,109 fewer than a week ago, and the number fell below 5,000 after 20 days.
According to the article, due to the decrease in the number of weekend tests, the number of new cases usually decreases before Wednesday, and then increases thereafter.
But even so, the decrease in the number of new confirmed cases that day was also very obvious.
In addition, the country’s Central Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, for the first time, said on the 27th that the government has signed 604,000 oral drug purchase contracts and is negotiating with manufacturers on additional purchases.
South Korea's new crown pneumonia epidemic: The picture shows on December 27, 2021, a sticker on a bench in a subway station in Seoul calling for people to keep their distance.
(AP)
●Australia
Australia recorded the first confirmed case of death after Omicron infection. The deceased was a man in his 80s living in a nursing home in Sydney.
He has received two doses of the vaccine, and he has health problems.
●Israel
Approved the emergency use of Paxlovid, an oral drug for new coronary pneumonia produced by Pfizer in the United States.
This is the first oral anti-coronavirus drug approved by Israel for emergency use.
In addition, the country will conduct a fourth dose of vaccine trial on the 27th, with 150 medical staff, to assess whether it is necessary to provide a second booster to the public.
Part of the new crown vaccine only requires two doses to be "complete vaccination", but Israel, including Israel, is already providing boosters, even if it is commonly known as the "third dose."
New crown pneumonia: The picture shows on November 16, 2021, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals is producing and packaging the oral drug Paxlovid.
(Reuters)
●France
Omicron has spread rapidly in Europe, and the number of confirmed cases has increased in many countries.
France recorded more than 100,000 new confirmed cases in a single day for the first time on the 25th, reaching 104,611.
There are currently as many as 3,300 patients in the intensive care unit.
This is the worst scenario envisaged by government departments.
French President Emmanuel Macron will hold an emergency meeting with key officials at 11 p.m. Hong Kong time on the 27th to discuss new anti-epidemic measures.
●United States
The new crown pneumonia epidemic in the United States has become worse due to the introduction and rapid spread of Omicron.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the number of confirmed cases in the United States is increasing.
In the past 7 days, nearly 190,000 new confirmed cases were added every day.
Taking New York State as an example, the number of New York City children aged 18 and under admitted to hospital due to the infection has quadrupled from December 5 to last week.
About half of them are people under 5 years old.
People in this age group are not eligible for vaccination.
The spread of Omicron, as well as the demand for travel and family gatherings during holidays, have led to a sharp increase in the demand for test kits, but there is a shortage of supply in many places.
In addition, the White House said on the 26th that it will work hard to solve the problem of shortage of test kits.
The spread of the epidemic in the United States is not limited to land. The authorities are monitoring more than 60 cruise ships with confirmed cases, and several have been reportedly denied berthing in the Caribbean.
New crown pneumonia epidemic in the United States: The picture shows a passenger carrying luggage passing by a United Airlines counter in Denver International Airport on December 26, 2021.
(AP)
●Singapore
Singapore officially launched the new crown vaccination program for children aged 5 to 11 on the 27th. 3,300 students who will be studying in Primary 4 to Primary 6 in 2022 have received the first dose of vaccine.
There were 280 new confirmed cases in the country on the 27th, of which nearly half were imported cases, with a total of 134, setting a new record again.
●Japan
There were 35 new confirmed cases in Tokyo, Japan on the 27th. The local government has increased the number of locations that provide free virus testing services to 180, and some pharmacies also provide testing services.
The first confirmed case of Omicron occurred in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Christmas, New Coronary Pneumonia | More than 4,000 flights around the world have been cancelled and gatherings are restricted everywhere. The WHO says the Omicron storm approached several European countries and strengthened epidemic prevention only after Christmas. Multi-country new crown epidemic intensified: the first Omicron death in the United States, Canadian Foreign Minister infected with the virus