Data from the UK and South Africa suggest Omicron carries a reduced risk of hospitalisation and severe disease; Xi’an, China, is under strict lockdown following 52 new infections
- Covid booster drives likely to prolong pandemic, WHO boss says
- Data appears to support claims Omicron is less severe in South Africa
- WHO’s Europe chief says ‘another storm coming’ as Omicron takes hold
- AstraZeneca aims to produce Omicron-targeted vaccine with Oxford
- Risk of hospital stay 40% lower with Omicron than Delta – UK data
- Follow all our coronavirus coverage
Over in Canada, Quebec’s premier has just announced that beginning the day after Christmas, gatherings inside homes will be limited to six people or two family bubbles.
Restaurants are already operating at half capacity and need to close their doors at 10pm. Now they will also have to limit groups at tables to six people or two families from 26 December.
