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United Kingdom

UK: MPs vote for new COVID measures, amid rebellion against PM Johnson

One Labour MP said the Conservative rebellion against the UK government "is a reflection of the shattered authority of Boris Johnson".

Health news

Omicron in Europe: Where has the new COVID variant been detected?

Follow updates as we map the spread of the Omicron variant across Europe amid a spike in new COVID cases and tightening restrictions.

Health news

Omicron COVID variant appears to spread faster than Delta, WHO says

The World Health Organization said that the new Omicron COVID-19 variant appears to spread faster than current variants and that vaccines could be less effective against it.

United Kingdom

Omicron could cause tens of thousands of deaths in England, study says

The Omicron variant could cause nearly 75,000 additional deaths in England by the end of April if additional virus measures are not taken, researchers said.

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World News

Booster dose raises protection against Omicron, UK study shows

Nearly 2,200 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have now been detected in about 60 countries worldwide.

World News

Pfizer says COVID booster offers protection against Omicron

"What we should really be reading into this is that any vaccine that boosts immunity will do the job," clinical expert Bharat Pankhania told Euronews.

World News

WHO 'confident' current COVID-19 vaccines will work against Omicron

"We have very effective vaccines that have proven to be effective against all variants so far, in terms of severity of disease and hospitalisation, and there is no reason to think that this would not be the case with Omicron," said WHO emergency manager.

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'Really worried': South Koreans react to new daily-Covid-case high

People queue outside a COVID-19 testing station Wednesday near Seoul Station as South Korea's number of daily new coronavirus infections hit another record, surpassing 7000 cases, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Health news

How dangerous is Omicron? We put your questions to an expert

We asked you what you wanted to know about Omicron and put your questions to an expert from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

USA

New York makes COVID vaccinations mandatory for private sector

"We in New York City have decided to use a pre-emptive strike to really do something bold to stop the further growth of COVID and the dangers it's causing to all of us."

World News

'Don't panic', WHO says, as fears of Omicron COVID-19 variant rise

The World Health Organization's chief scientist says the new variant is 'highly transmissible' but that the world is better prepared than in 2020.

European Union

Europe's week: Omicron spreads and ECJ opinion on Hungary-Poland bid

These were the key stories occupying minds in Brussels this week.

Travel News

UK travel: Common COVID-19 insurance questions answered

Want travel insurance that covers COVID-19 costs? Here’s what you can get.

South Africa

Omicron variant linked to increased risk of reinfection, claims study

The risk of reinfection appeared to increase in South Africa amid a surge in Omicron variant cases, a new study said. It is too early to determine whether the new variant causes more severe illness.

Norway

Company Christmas party causes Omicron outbreak in Norway

A corporate Christmas party in Norway caused the biggest Omicron outbreak outside South Africa, authorities said on Friday.

Spain

Spain steps up vaccine drive amid new COVID-19 variant fears

Since mid-November, nearly 200,000 Spaniards who were reluctant to get the vaccine at first have now finally taken the step.

South Africa

'Travel apartheid': UN chief slams curbs on southern Africa

Restrictions have been placed on flights from southern African nations after the detection of the COVID variant Omicron.

Tech News

Euroviews. World AIDS Day: We need global responses to tackle all pandemics

To end the global Covid pandemic, richer nations need to focus their vaccines, health technologies and finance on poorer countries too.

World News

Brazil and Japan report first cases of the omicron variant

Brazil and Japan joined the rapidly widening circle of countries to report cases of the omicron variant. It was already present in Europe nearly two weeks ago, the Netherlands found.

Greece

COVID in Europe: Portuguese hospital worker tests positive for Omicron

A hospital worker in Portugal tested positive for the new COVID-19 variant, forcing the paediatric services unit to close. New restrictions have also entered into force in Portugal and other European countries.