Global Covid19 cases hit a record high as the Omicron variant continued to spread at an unprecedented pace. Worldwide, countries reported nearly a million-and-a-half positive coronavirus tests in just 24 hours, with the rate of new infections rising rapidly in southern Africa, Europe, North America, and elsewhere.
Nearly 130,000 covid cases in the UK
England and Wales on Tuesday reported nearly 130,000 new coronavirus infections. It is a record daily tally as Omicron variant cases surge and the responses of the UK’s four nations continue to diverge. Authorities in London and Cardiff announced 129,471 new cases. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he will not introduce new COVID-19 restrictions in England before the new year, despite a record 114,000 new cases reported on Christmas Day.
Biden warns governors of looming shortages of hospital beds
In the United States, the average number of daily coronavirus infections is continued to surpass last winter’s record high, with nearly a quarter-million new cases being reported each day. Warning the situation US President Joe Biden said, “But it’s not enough. It’s clearly not enough. If I had — we had known, we would have gone harder, quicker, if we could have.”
WHO warns Omicron could overwhelm health systems
The World Health Organization has warned that the Omicron coronavirus variant could lead to overwhelmed healthcare systems. It is even though early studies suggest it sparks milder disease, as daily case records fell across Europe and the US while China, South Africa, and Germany brought back tough restrictions.
Major Australian musicals cancel shows as performers contract Covid
Even Covid is sweeping through the casts of musical theatre shows in Sydney and Melbourne, with major live productions forced to cancel performances. At least 90 performers have tested positive for the highly infectious virus and whole companies have been forced into isolation so the show has been canceled due to a Covid outbreak among the cast.
France ordered new public health measures
In France, it has ordered new public health measures, including a requirement that people show proof of vaccination to enter restaurants and other public places. But French officials stopped short of a new lockdown and abandoned a push for a workplace vaccine mandate.
