Numerous nations registered all-time highs during the previous 24 hours, including Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, the United States, France and Italy, as the all-conquering Omicron variant spread like wildfire.
COVID19 will stifle New Year’s celebrations around the world for the second year in a row on Friday, as governments in many countries hastily cut the celebrations in a bid to contain the rampant contagion. Global coronavirus infections hit an all-time high in the past seven days, with nearly one million cases detected on average each day globally between December 23 and December 29, about 100,000 more than their previous one Wednesday’s peak, according to Reuters data.
Many countries have set historic records in the past 24 hours, including Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, the United States, France and Italy, as the conquering variant of Omicron has spread like wildfire. Although studies have suggested that it is less deadly than some previous variants, many health authorities have taken no chances, telling people that the best way to see in 2022 is at home with very few guests, preferably all vaccinated.
In Europe, where nearly a million people have died from the coronavirus in the past 12 months, among most major cities, including London, Paris, Zurich, Brussels, Warsaw and Rome, concerts and fireworks have been canceled. the streets. On Thursday, Indian authorities began imposing strict rules to prevent mass gatherings, nighttime curfews imposed in all major cities and tidy restaurants to limit clientele. “We have seen unlimited social gatherings with people breaking all social distancing rules,” said Rajesh Tope, health minister for the western state of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital.
MASS CANCELLATIONS: Earlier this week, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged people to rethink their party plans.“It’s better to cancel now and celebrate later than celebrate now and suffer later,” he said. However, despite peak cases, some places still continue with events, including Sydney, the first major city to usher in the New Year, which hosts its spectacular annual fireworks display above the Opera House and the Bridge. port. Last year, the state banned crowds from viewing the fireworks, when the number of cases was around 100, compared with more than 12,000 new infections reported on Thursday. Likewise, New York has said it will host its party in Times Square, albeit in a scaled-down version, with far fewer people allowed to watch the iconic giant ball fall from a pole to celebrate the arrival of 2022.
The responsible for infectious diseases, Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday said family reunions where everyone has been vaccinated should be fine, but they warned large-scale parties were still too dangerous. hugs and kisses and wish each other a happy new year, I highly recommend that we don’t do that this year, ”he said. Many people have taken the warnings to heart, leaving restaurants and hotels to count the cost of massive cancellations. Canceled bookings in the Spanish capital would cost the hotel industry around 350 million euros, or 3% of annual turnover, said Jose Antonio Aparicio, president of Hostelleria Madrid, an industry association. In Italy, restaurant and club owners have asked for urgent government help, according to which 25-30% of New Year’s Eve dinner reservations have been withdrawn.”December … which alone represents 10% of the restaurant’s turnover, is largely compromised,” said the group of companies.
