The million new daily cases were reached last week, forcing some regions, such as Quebec in Canada, to take new measures.
Le Figaro
takes stock of the latest information related to Covid-19.
Over a million daily cases
With the explosion in the number of contaminations in the world, the symbolic milestone of one million new daily cases was crossed for the first time during the week of December 23 to 29, according to an AFP count.
More than 7.3 million new cases have been detected in the past seven days, an average of 1,045,000 per day.
Read also Covid-19: is the record for new infections explained by the boom in screening tests?
Curfew in Quebec
Quebec announced Thursday the return of the curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the entire French-speaking province on New Year's Eve, when record contaminations due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant are identified in Canada. .
South Africa: no peak in deaths
South Africa, where the new variant of Covid-19 was detected last month, announced Thursday that it had passed the peak of the Omicron wave without a significant increase in the number of deaths.
The country has also announced an easing of restrictions linked to Covid, including the lifting of the night curfew.
Read alsoCovid-19: in South Africa, cases soar with the Omicron variant
Johnson & Johnson 85% effective in South Africa
The one-dose vaccine and its booster from the American laboratory Johnson & Johnson (J&J) remains 85% effective against severe cases of infection in South Africa, where the Omicron variant is ultra-dominant, according to a study carried out by the Council South African medical research.
Israel receives first delivery of pills from Pfizer
A pioneer in Covid vaccination, Israel has received its first delivery of anticoronavirus pills from the American laboratory Pfizer, which will allow the Jewish state to step up its fight against the spread of the Omicron variant.
In addition, the director of the Ministry of Health, Nachman Ash, on Thursday authorized the administration of a fourth dose of vaccine for certain immunocompromised people.
Read also Anti-Covid pills: the battle is brewing between the American MSD and Pfizer labs
US health officials recommend avoiding cruises
US health officials have recommended avoiding cruises, including for those vaccinated, due to the increased number of cases on board ships since Omicron's arrival.
France lifts restrictions on the British
After two days of confusion, Paris temporarily lifted restrictions that prevented the British in transit to other European countries from crossing France by road, instructions that took regulars and even the British government by surprise.
Read alsoAfter two days of confusion, the British again authorized to use the Channel Tunnel
Portugal reduces the length of the quarantine
The Portuguese health authority has decided to reduce from ten to seven days the period of isolation imposed on people infected with the coronavirus without showing symptoms, as well as on their contact cases.
Russia: 87,000 dead in November
Russia recorded 87,527 deaths linked to Covid-19 in November, the national statistics agency announced Thursday, a monthly record that brings its total death toll to more than 600,000.
Figures much higher than those of the government (307,948 deaths), based on a very restrictive definition of deaths due to the coronavirus.
The Pope cancels his visit to the nativity scene in Place St-Pierre
Pope Francis has canceled his traditional New Year's visit to the nursery in St. Peter's Square, due to the risk of contamination by Covid-19 induced by this type of gathering.
More than 5.4 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5,421,160 people worldwide since December 2019, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources, Thursday in the middle of the day.
The United States is the most bereaved country with 824,277 dead, followed by Brazil (618,984), India (480,860) and Russia (307,948).
The World Health Organization estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher than that officially recorded.