The latest coronavirus news from Canada and around the world on Wednesday. This file will be updated throughout the day. Web links to longer stories if available.
6:22 am: Much of Asia has largely managed to keep omicron at bay even as the variant breaks out in other parts of the world, but the region that is home to most of the world’s population is bracing for what may be a surge. inevitable.
Strict quarantine rules for arrivals and the widespread use of masks have helped slow the spread of the highly contagious variant in Asia. Countries like Japan, South Korea and Thailand quickly reinstated entry and quarantine restrictions in recent weeks after relaxing them in the fall.
But cases are on the rise, and experts say the next few months will be critical. Those fears have been amplified by doubts about the efficacy of Chinese-made vaccines used in China and much of the developing world.
“Once the pace picks up, its rise will be extremely rapid,” said Dr. Shigeru Omi, one of the top medical advisers to the Japanese government.
6:21 am: Coronavirus cases spiked in Australia on Wednesday when an outbreak of the omicron variant exploded, prompting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to schedule an emergency meeting of the national cabinet.
The increase has already overwhelmed testing stations, prompted new vaccine mandates and prompted at least one state to cut back on elective surgeries.
New infections in Sydney and surrounding parts of the state of New South Wales soared to more than 11,000, up from 6,000 the day before. The state of Victoria also reported a record 3,700 cases, more than 1,000 from the previous record set Tuesday.
Morrison said the nation’s leaders would meet earlier than scheduled Thursday.
“As omicron continues to move forward, we will see more pressure, but states and territories are working very closely on their plans to meet those challenges,” Morrison told reporters.
6:21 am: The World Health Organization says the number of registered COVID-19 cases worldwide increased 11% last week compared to the previous week, with the largest increase in the Americas. The gain followed a gradual increase from October.
The UN health agency said in its weekly epidemiological report released Tuesday night that there were nearly 4.99 million new cases reported worldwide between December 20 and December 26.
Europe accounted for more than half of the total, at 2.84 million, although that represented just a 3% increase from the previous week. It also had the highest infection rate of all regions, with 304.6 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
The WHO said that new cases in the Americas increased 39% to almost 1.48 million, and the region had the second highest infection rate with 144.4 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In the US alone, more than 1.18 million cases were reported, an increase of 34%.
New cases reported in Africa increased 7% to almost 275,000.
The agency said that “the overall risk related to the new variant … omicron remains very high.” He cited “consistent evidence” that it has a growth advantage over the delta variant, which remains dominant in some parts of the world.
He noted that a decrease in the incidence of cases has been observed in South Africa, and that early data from that country, the United Kingdom and Denmark suggest a reduced risk of hospitalization with omicron. But he said more data is needed “to understand clinical markers of severity, including oxygen use, mechanical ventilation and death, and how severity may be affected by vaccination and / or … previous infection.”
The WHO said the number of recently reported deaths worldwide last week dropped 4% to 44,680.
6:20 am: The government of France is moving forward with efforts to increase pressure on unvaccinated people to contract the coronavirus, as the omicron variant fuels a record rise in infections.
At a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday afternoon, the Health Minister will defend a government plan to allow only the fully vaccinated to enjoy continuous access to places such as restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums and sports stadiums.
The accelerated introduction of the so-called “vaccine pass” is part of a government strategy to use vaccines, rather than new blockages, to try to soften the impact of the rapidly spreading omicron variant in already overloaded hospitals.
France reported nearly 180,000 new cases of COVID-19 infection on Tuesday, a record, and is preparing for that number to continue to rise, with forecasts warning of more than 250,000 daily infections likely by January.
France has vaccinated more than 75% of its population and is launching booster injections, again to combat omicron. But more than 4 million adults remain unvaccinated.
The government wants the vaccine pass to be ready by mid-January. If approved by parliament, its introduction will mean that unvaccinated people will no longer be able to use negative test results to access places where the vaccine is required to pass.
6:20 am: Even as some provinces have reported record daily counts of COVID-19 cases, health experts warn that the actual rate of infection is likely much higher, noting that the data has been clouded by delays in holidays and with hospitals and test centers reaching their limits.
After taking the holiday weekend, several provincial and territorial governments are ready to resume their COVID updates today.
Yesterday, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube announced that some health workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to remain at work. He said the move is necessary to keep the health care system operational and that the decision would be made on a case-by-case basis under certain conditions.
Quebec reported 12,833 new cases and 702 hospitalizations, with 15 more deaths related to the virus.
Manitoba and Ontario have said they are considering similar measures to avoid overwhelming their own healthcare systems. Manitoba reported 825 new cases and five deaths yesterday, while Ontario reported 8,825 new infections.
Ontario also announced that starting Thursday, long-term care homes will not accept general visitors or allow residents to leave for social reasons to avoid exposure to the virus.
Alberta’s director of medical health said the province recorded 8,250 cases between Dec. 23 and Dec. 28. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said hospitalizations remain “relatively stable,” but noted that it is still too early to know if Omicron will affect the healthcare system.
In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported a record count of 194 new infections in a single day. Nova Scotia confirmed 561 new cases, while New Brunswick reported 306 new cases.
British Columbia health officials announced 1,785 new cases, though they cautioned that the data is preliminary.
Reference-www.thestar.com