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| Covid: Omicron and Delta driving tsunami of cases - WHO | Covid: Omicron and Delta driving tsunami of cases - WHO |
| (33 minutes later) | |
| A testing facility in Bangkok, Thailand | A testing facility in Bangkok, Thailand |
| The combination of Delta and Omicron variants is driving a dangerous tsunami of Covid-19 cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief has said. | The combination of Delta and Omicron variants is driving a dangerous tsunami of Covid-19 cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief has said. |
| Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus' words came as the US and countries across Europe reported record new cases. | Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus' words came as the US and countries across Europe reported record new cases. |
| France reported Europe's highest ever daily figure for the second day in a row, at 208,000 cases. | France reported Europe's highest ever daily figure for the second day in a row, at 208,000 cases. |
| And the US has reported a record average of 265,427 cases a day over the last week, according to Johns Hopkins. | And the US has reported a record average of 265,427 cases a day over the last week, according to Johns Hopkins. |
| Denmark, Portugal, the UK and Australia have all also reported record-breaking figures. | Denmark, Portugal, the UK and Australia have all also reported record-breaking figures. |
| Poland reported 794 Covid-related deaths on Wednesday, the highest number in its fourth wave of the pandemic. More than three-quarters of the victims were unvaccinated. | Poland reported 794 Covid-related deaths on Wednesday, the highest number in its fourth wave of the pandemic. More than three-quarters of the victims were unvaccinated. |
| EXPLAINER: Omicron up to 70% less likely to need hospital care | EXPLAINER: Omicron up to 70% less likely to need hospital care |
| IN CHARTS: Tracking the pandemic | |
| Studies suggest that Omicron - which has quickly become dominant in numerous countries - is milder than the Delta variant, but more contagious. | Studies suggest that Omicron - which has quickly become dominant in numerous countries - is milder than the Delta variant, but more contagious. |
| However, Dr Tedros warned the "twin threat" of the two variants was "leading to a tsunami of cases". At the moment, some 900,000 new cases are being reported around the world every day, Reuters news agency reports. | However, Dr Tedros warned the "twin threat" of the two variants was "leading to a tsunami of cases". At the moment, some 900,000 new cases are being reported around the world every day, Reuters news agency reports. |
| "This is and will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse," Dr Tedro added. | "This is and will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse," Dr Tedro added. |
| Rising cases in Europe and the US have prompted a push on booster doses of vaccines. In the UK, 57% of people over 12 have received all three jabs. | Rising cases in Europe and the US have prompted a push on booster doses of vaccines. In the UK, 57% of people over 12 have received all three jabs. |
| This video can not be played | This video can not be played |
| To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. | To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. |
| Watch Boris Johnson call for people to "enjoy New Year in a cautious way... but above all get a booster" | Watch Boris Johnson call for people to "enjoy New Year in a cautious way... but above all get a booster" |
| However, Dr Tedros told reporters richer countries' large-scale booster campaigns were "likely to prolong the pandemic", as they diverted supplies away from poorer, less vaccinated countries, thereby "giving the virus more opportunity to spread and mutate". | |
| He went on to ask "everyone to make a New Year's resolution to get behind the campaign to vaccinate 70%" of the world by mid-2022. Almost 100 countries are yet to meet the original target of vaccinating 40% of their populations, the WHO says. | |
| According to a report published by the body on Tuesday, the number of new Covid infections of all variants grew by 57% in Europe in the week before 26 December, and by 30% in the Americas. | |
| Those numbers still seem to be climbing, with yet more records set on Wednesday: | |
| France reported 208,000 cases, with another 53 people in intensive care and 184 deaths | France reported 208,000 cases, with another 53 people in intensive care and 184 deaths |
| The UK reported 183,037 new cases and 57 deaths | The UK reported 183,037 new cases and 57 deaths |
| Italy's new daily case count rose from 78,313 on Tuesday, to 98,020 new cases on Wednesday | Italy's new daily case count rose from 78,313 on Tuesday, to 98,020 new cases on Wednesday |
| Denmark reported a record 23,228 new cases. Of those, some 1,205 had previously had Covid | Denmark reported a record 23,228 new cases. Of those, some 1,205 had previously had Covid |
| Portugal reported 26,867 cases - up from 17,172 the day before | Portugal reported 26,867 cases - up from 17,172 the day before |
| Australia reported 18,241 - far higher than Tuesday's record-breaking 11,300 | Australia reported 18,241 - far higher than Tuesday's record-breaking 11,300 |
| Greece also reported a new 24-hour record of 28,828 cases | Greece also reported a new 24-hour record of 28,828 cases |
| Officials have warned that some of the high figures may be due to delays in reporting because of Christmas. | Officials have warned that some of the high figures may be due to delays in reporting because of Christmas. |