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World News

Europe could be moving towards 'a kind of pandemic endgame', says WHO

Europe could be moving towards a kind of pandemic endgame, said WHO's Europe director Hans Kluge. But, he added, it is too early to call COVID an endemic.

USA

Booster shots needed against Omicron, US CDC studies show

Three studies released on Friday offered more evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are standing up to the Omicron variant, at least among people who received booster shots.

France

COVID-19: French teachers' unions call for renewed strike action

The new strike on Thursday is a prelude to a "massive" nationwide walkout on January 27.

Canada

COVID-19: Quebec introduces new restrictions for the unvaccinated

From now on, liquor and cannabis stores are only accessible to people who are vaccinated against COVID-19.

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New Zealand

New Zealand says it won't use lockdowns when Omicron spreads

“This stage of the pandemic is different to what we have dealt with before. Omicron is more transmissible," Ardern said. “That is going to make it harder to keep it out, but it will also make it more challenging to control once it arrives. But just like before, when COVID changes, we change.”

World News

Pandemic is 'nowhere near over', World Health Organization warns

The pandemic is "nowhere near over" and new variants are likely to continue emerging after Omicron, the World Health Organization warned.

Denmark

Denmark lifts COVID restrictions despite Omicron spread

Cinemas, zoos, museums, and theatres are among the places that could welcome visitors again.

World News

Omicron exposed European health care systems' flaws, experts claim

Two years into the pandemic, Omicron's effect on medical facilities has many reevaluating the resilience of public health systems that are considered essential to providing equal care.

Health news

How a UK lab is COVID hunting and bolstering a global variant network

Labs in the UK have a new mission: sharing what they’ve learned with other scientists because COVID has no regard for national borders.

World News

France's 'tidal wave' of COVID infections as records broken in Italy

France reported more than 360,000 new infections on Tuesday.

World News

Omicron is 'killing people' and should not be called 'mild', WHO warns

A record 9.5 million COVID-19 infections were reported across the world over the previous week — a 71% increase on the previous seven-day period.

Health news

A new COVID variant has been found in France. Should we be worried?

Experts have been downplaying a media storm surrounding a COVID variant that was found in France in November. Is it a concern?

USA

US FDA expands Pfizer boosters for more teens amid Omicron surge

Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday decided they're also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose.

Health news

What is Flurona? The first case of COVID and flu double infection

The first case of a mix of the two diseases COVID-19 and influenza, dubbed "Flurona", has been recorded in Israel.

Health news

How will the COVID pandemic end in the wake of Omicron?

“We’re never going to be able to eradicate or eliminate COVID, so we have to identify our goals," said Dr.Albert Ko, an infectious disease specialist at the Yale School of Public Health.

World News

Europe cracks down on New Year celebrations amid COVID-19 records

Across Europe, New Year celebrations are scaled down and restrictions imposed as countries experience a massive surge in coronavirus infections.

World News

Demand for COVID-19 self-test kits skyrocket in Europe

In France, the leader in rapid diagnostic tests, Biosynex, has hired 200 temporary staff to meet soaring demand, amid record case numbers and end-of-year holidays.

Culture news

Greek government bans music on New Year's Eve

The spread of the omicron measurement has prompted the measure, the latest in a raft of restrictions introduced across Europe this winter.

France

COVID-19: Staff shortages stoke fears at hospital near Paris

"There are currently 20% of intensive care beds in the Ile-de-France region that are closed due to lack of personnel," revealed Paris hospital's deputy director, Yohann Mourier.

Italy

Italian police suspend online profiles selling fake COVID passes

The prices of the health certificates ranged from €100 to €500, with discounts offered for those purchasing multiple certificates, such as the "family package".