WHO: Omicron detected in 89 countries, cases doubling fast

The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries and COVID19 cases involving the variant are doubling every 15 to 3 days in places with community transmission and not just infections acquired abroad the World Health Organization said SaturdayOmicronrsquos ldquosubstantial growth advantagerdquo over the delta variant means it is likely to soon overtake delta as the dominant form of the virus in countries where the new variant is spreading locally the UN health agency saidWHO noted that omicron is spreading rapidly even in countries with high vaccination rates or where a significant proportion of the population has recovered from COVID19It remains unclear if the rapid growth of omicron cases is because the variant evades existing immunity is inherently more transmissible than previous variants or a combination of both WHO saidOther major questions about omicron remain unanswered including how effective each of the existing COVID19 vaccines are against it Conclusive data also does not exist yet on how ill omicron makes COVID19 patients the health agency saidWHO first labelled omicron a variant of concern on Nov 26Experts warn of lsquoviral blizzardrsquo in USHealth experts have warned of ldquoviral blizzardrdquo in the US as Omicron is spreading rapidly and has been detected in at least 41 states COVID19 cases deaths and hospitalisations have all surged with many parts experiencing high levels of community transmission says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC The sevenday daily average is 122000 cases a 15 per cent hike from previous weekDaily Omicron cases in the UK tripleMore than 10000 new Omicron cases have been reported in the UK in the highest daily surge so far as the number of overall COVID19 infections stood above 90000 cases The UK Health Security Agency UKHSA has confirmed additional 10059 cases of omicron on Saturday more than three times reported on Friday 3201 taking total cases to 24968Booster 80 per cent effective against severe Omicron ReportA team of UK researchers has analysed the likely impact that a COVID booster shot will have on Omicron and says it could provide around 85 per cent protection against severe illness According to the BBC the protection is bit less than vaccines given against earlier versions of COVID But it means the topup dose should still keep many people out of hospitalNetherlands in lockdown againNations across Europe moved to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant including a new nationwide lockdown by the Dutch government Schools universities and all nonessential stores bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be closed until January 14 starting Sunday caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Saturday night Residents will be permitted two visitors except for Christmas and New Yearrsquos when four will be allowed ldquoThe Netherlands is going into lockdown again from tomorrowrdquo Rutte said adding it was ldquounavoidable because of the fifth wave caused by the omicron variant that is bearing down on usrdquo France Cyprus and Austria have already tightened travel restrictions Paris cancelled its New Yearrsquos Eve fireworksThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever