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United Kingdom

UK daily COVID-19 infections pass 100,000 for the first time

The UK registered a record-breaking 106,122 new COVID-19 infections in 24 hours ahead of the holidays.

Health news

Here’s how scientists and engineers fought COVID in 2021

Vaccines weren’t the silver bullet ending the pandemic we all hoped they would be. The search continued in 2021 for new technological ways to combat COVID.

World News

COVID booster dose campaigns will not end pandemic, WHO says

The World Health Organization gave a briefing on COVID-19 as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads ahead of the festive holidays.

World News

Get vaccinated even if you've had COVID before, urges WHO Europe

It comes with Europe in the midst of another wave of COVID, driven in some countries by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

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Israel

Israel says it's world's first country to rollout a fourth COVID jab

"The world will follow in our footsteps," said Israeli PM Naftali Bennett

France

France approves vaccines for young children amid 'critical' situation

With Omicron taking hold in France, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Wednesday "the situation is critical."

Israel

Israel to begin administering fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Israel will begin administering a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers and people over the age of 60 as the more transmissible omicron variant spreads.

Germany

Germany clamps down on New Year's parties to tame Omicron

Germany announced new restrictions that will begin after Christmas to slow the spread of the new omicron variant.

USA

President Biden to outline measures to tackle Omicron surge

Omicron has already become the dominant strain in the US, accounting for nearly three-quarters of new infections last week.

World News

COVID booster jab 'most important defence' against Omicron, WHO says

Dr Kluge stressed warned last week that as Europe goes into the holiday season, it will be dealing "with two highly transmissible variants."

United Kingdom

New Year's Eve parties in London and Scotland scrapped as COVID surges

The UK has reported record cases in recent days, with 91,743 in the last 24 hours reported on Monday.

Health news

COVID can damage sperm and make it harder to get pregnant

Researchers in Belgium found some patients who recovered from COVID suffered a drop in sperm count and mobility.

France

France mulls extending COVID health pass to workplaces

One union said the proposal was a covert attempt to impose mandatory vaccination.

Travel News

48 passengers test positive for omicron variant on cruise ship

The cruise operator said it had 6,091 guests and crew members on board the ship.

Romania

Protest in Romania over bid to extend COVID health pass to workplaces

Romania has the EU's second-lowest vaccination rate with just 39.6% of its population fully vaccinated, compared to more than 67% for the rest of the bloc.

World News

Better to cancel Christmas events than grieve later, warns WHO chief

"An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday, highlighting data suggesting Omicron spreads "significantly faster" than the Delta variant.

United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth II to skip Christmas trip amid Omicron surge

Queen Elizabeth II has decided not to spend Christmas at the royal Sandringham estate in eastern England.

France

French police have detected 182,000 fake COVID passes in six months

France first rolled out its COVID pass in late July. It is necessary to visit restaurants, bars, cultural venues, large events and long-distance public transport.

Health news

COVID vaccines are not enough for Omicron variant, warns BioNTech CEO

"We must be aware that even triple-vaccinated are likely to transmit the disease’” Ughur Sahin said, the CEO of the German company behind the mRNA vaccine produced with Pfizer.

Netherlands

Novavax's COVID vaccine becomes fifth jab to be approved for use in EU

Results from clinical trials released in June showed 90.4% efficacy against the disease, and 100% efficacy against severe to moderate cases.