Some 13 million residents of the city of Xi’an have been ordered to remain at home in China. It is happening after officials reported more than 200 coronavirus infections the most China has reported since March of 2020.
- The strict lockdown comes just weeks before Beijing is set to host the Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, at the Vatican, Pope Francis used his Christmas address to advocate for universal healthcare and access to vaccines. Pope Francis said,
“Grant health to the infirm, and inspire all men and women of goodwill to seek the best ways possible to overcome the current health crisis and its effects. Open hearts to ensure that necessary medical care and vaccines, in particular, are provided to those people who need them most.”
- In the United States, coronavirus cases are skyrocketing and in many parts of the world, with the fast-spreading Omicron variant combined with lax public health measures. The holiday gatherings are going to drive daily infections to pandemic-level highs.
- In France, it has narrowed the delay for a third booster shot to three months from four in response to the rapid spread ofOmicron, but there will be no curfew for New Year’s Eve.
- In France, it has narrowed the delay for a third booster shot to three months from four in response to the rapid spread ofOmicron, but there will be no curfew for New Year’s Eve.
In addition, Oxfam America has accused Moderna of misleading its investors about an ongoing dispute over whether it needs to share vaccine patent rights with the US government. Oxfam has filed a shareholders complaint against Moderna.