While cases of the Omicron variant continue to multiply around the world, the scientific community continues to investigate this little-known variant and countries are seeking compromises to take prudent measures without stopping all their exchanges.
In France: Omicron arrives, possible new restrictions
The presence of the Omicron variant is now official in metropolitan France, where the first three cases in travelers returning from Africa were detected on Thursday.
Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that a new Health Defense Council would be held on Monday in order to "
see if there is a need to take additional measures
".
Read alsoIs France poorly monitoring the appearance of the Omicron variant?
Omicron makes progress in the United States
New York State announced Thursday evening that it had detected five Omicron variant infections, while another case was reported in Minnesota, and one in Hawaii, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 9 so far in United States.
In Hawaii as in Minnesota, the infected person had not traveled, showing that the variant began to be transmitted between people in the United States.
Read also Omicron variant: the United States establishes new constraints for international travelers
President Joe Biden on Thursday presented a new plan that is supposed to prevent an outbreak of the epidemic with the onset of winter and the progression of the variant.
From "
the beginning of next week
", international travelers must, in addition to being vaccinated, present a negative test carried out in the day before departure.
Inside the borders, the obligation to wear the mask in public transport will be extended until March 18.
Omicron: first case of local transmission in Australia
Australia announced Friday that it had detected a first case of the Omicron variant in a student who had not traveled abroad, indicating that the variant has also started to be transmitted between people in Australia.
Omicron: increased risk of re-infection
The risk of catching Covid-19 again is increased with the Omicron variant, according to a study by South African scientists, providing a first indication that this variant is more capable of bypassing the immunity acquired by an infection than the variants previous ones.
Read alsoWill Covid-19 variants make re-infections more frequent?
COP 15: the section on biodiversity postponed
The next part of the COP15, the UN convention on biodiversity, which should have taken place from January 12 to 28 in Geneva, was postponed because of "
uncertainties
" related to the Omicron variant of Covid-19, announced Thursday the organizers.
Switzerland: 2,000 people in quarantine
Some 2,000 people including 1,600 children have been placed in quarantine after the discovery of two cases of the Omicron variant on one of the campuses of the highly regarded International School of Geneva, Swiss health authorities said Thursday.
"
These two cases are in close intrafamilial connection with a positive person returning from trip from South Africa
", specified the health services.
Increase in oil production despite Omicron
The producers of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and their allies decided Thursday to increase their production in January, by adjusting "
upwards the overall monthly production of 400,000 barrels per day
" despite fears related to the variant Omicron, a decision hailed by the White House.
Niger: more than three million doses of vaccines received
Niger received at the end of November nearly one million doses of vaccines against Covid-19, bringing to more than three million the number of doses offered since March to this country by the international community, Unicef announced Thursday in Niamey. .
Liner in Argentina: lifting of isolation
An isolation measure for the nearly 300 passengers of a liner off Argentina was lifted on Thursday, after a test did not confirm a case of Covid on board, but the ship did not could not stop at Puerto Madryn (south), according to the authorities.
Read alsoArgentina: a liner refused in a port, passengers isolated after a case of Covid
More than 5.2 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5.2 million people worldwide since the end of 2019. The United States is the most bereaved country with 785,531 dead, ahead of Brazil (615,179), India (469,724), Mexico ( 294,428) and Russia (277,640).
