Omicron controls new US COVID cases; The first known death was reported | Coronavirus Plague News
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The World Health Organization (WHO) said Omicron species of coronavirus is spreading faster than Delta species and it causes infections in people who are already vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued the warning as U.S. health officials said Omicron now accounted for 73.2 percent of new cases last week, and the country’s first known death toll related to the virus was reported in Texas.
“There is now incontrovertible evidence that Omicron is spreading faster than the Delta species,” Ghebreyesus told a news conference in Geneva on Monday.
Meanwhile, Israel has added the United States to its “fly-free” list, citing concerns about the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus.
New Zealand announced Tuesday that it would also delay its reopening plans until the end of February for fear of the rapid spread of the Omicron species of coronavirus.
Here are some recent updates:
Australia PM prohibits closure even though Omicron underwent surgery
Australia needs to get over the “heavy hand of government” and officials need to stop shutting down people’s lives with the COVID-19 blockade, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday, as the country’s daily illness escalates into a new epidemic.
“We have to get over the heavy hand of the government and we have to treat the people of Australia as adults,” Morrison told reporters, urging officials to step down from the “rule of thumb” when it comes to masks and ethics laws.
“We are not going back to the closure. We look forward to living with the virus wisely and intelligently.”
The first Omicron-linked death was reported in the US in Texas
Texas’ Harris County has reported on his first death in connection with the Omicron COVID-19, an unidentified man, the health department said in a statement.
It is believed to be Omicron’s first known death in the United States, ABC News reported.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment.
The victim, aged between 50-60, was at high risk for COVID-19 complications as he was not vaccinated, the health department said.
USE — First #Omicron US death in Texas – by uncircumcised man ** re-drinking ** after rebirth #MATENDA A COVID19. New blood 🩸 studies of survivors (Alpha, Beta, or Delta) models show very little protection against Omicron. Please #Katemera& Boost🧵 pic.twitter.com/SjB39XxjNU
– Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) December 21, 2021
New Zealand delays reopening plans due to Omicron concerns
New Zealand said Tuesday it was too late to reopen its plans until the end of February, fearing a rapid spread of the Omicron species of coronavirus.
New Zealand has already announced that non-special tours will be reopened between January for New Zealanders and Australians, as well as for foreign tourists by April.
“Undoubtedly this is frustrating and will disrupt many vacation plans, but it is important to put these changes in perspective today so that they have time to reflect on those plans,” COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement.
Singapore finds an Omicron team that is thought to be in the gym
The Singapore Ministry of Health has announced that it has found a group of three cases of COVID-19 linked to a gym, while two have been diagnosed with Omicron. The outcome of the remaining case is pending.
All three people were vaccinated and had few symptoms.
The Ministry of Health is suspending the cases on a case-by-case basis, it added.
Omicron is now the largest Covid-19 brand in the US: Health officials
Omicron’s rapidly growing diversity is now the biggest coronavirus problem in the United States, accounting for 73.2 percent of new cases last week of available data, according to health officials.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported a rise last week.
At the same time in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, Omicron accounted for 96.3 percent of new cases.
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