Omicron is 'killing people' and should not be called 'mild', WHO warns

The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Thursday against describing the Omicron variant as "mild" amid a "tsunami of cases" overwhelming health systems across the world.

"Last week, the highest number of COVID-19 cases were reported so far in the pandemic," Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters during a regular press briefing.

Read more at: Omicron is 'killing people' and should not be called 'mild', WHO warns | Euronews

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

The Omicron variant could cause tens of thousands of deaths in England by the end of April if additional virus restrictions are not imposed, new modelling suggests.

Researchers said the new variant, which is expected to be more transmissible, could cause 24,000 deaths by 30 April 2022 in the most optimistic scenario and nearly 75,000 deaths in the most pessimistic scenario.

Read more at: Omicron could cause tens of thousands of deaths in England, study says | Euronews

EU: The Netherlands and Australia find the omicron variant as curbs spread

The Netherlands confirmed 13 cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus on Sunday and Australia found two as the countries half a world apart became the latest to detect it in travelers arriving from southern Africa.

A raft of curbs being imposed by nations around the world as they scramble to slow the variant's spread also grew, with Israel deciding Sunday to bar entry to foreign nationals in the toughest move so far.

Confirmed or suspected cases of the new variant have already emerged in several European countries, in Israel and in Hong Kong, just days after it was identified by researchers in South Africa. The "act first, ask questions later" approach reflected growing alarm about the emergence of a potentially more contagious variant nearly two years into a pandemic that has killed more than 5 million people, upended lives and disrupted economies across the globe.

Read more at: The Netherlands and Australia find the omicron variant as curbs spread : NPR

The Netherlands: Dutch say 14 air passengers from S. Africa with Omicron were vaccinated - by Toby Sterling

Dutch health authorities on Thursday said most of the 62 people who tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving on two flights from South Africa last week had been vaccinated, lending weight to a call for pre-flight testing regardless of vaccination status.

In addition, all 14 passengers who were later found to have been infected with the Omicron variant were vaccinated, health officials said on Thursday.

Read more at: Dutch say 14 air passengers from S. Africa with Omicron were vaccinated | Reuters

Covid-19: First data points to Omicron re-infection risk - James Gallagher

The first real world data showing the coronavirus variant Omicron may evade some of our immunity has been reported by scientists in South Africa.

Scientists have detected a surge in the number of people catching Covid multiple times.

It is a rapid analysis and not definitive, but fits with concern about the mutations the variant possesses.

Read more at: Covid: First data points to Omicron re-infection risk - BBC News

Travel Restrictions: Where can I travel in Europe right now? A complete list of travel restrictions

The latest big changes include: UK arrivals into Poland will have to do quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Only fully-vaccinated UK travellers will be allowed into Spain from 1st December. Switzerland has changed its entry requirements for arrivals from some European countries, including the UK. The UK now requires all arrivals to do a PCR test before the end of day 2, and self-isolate until they have received a negative result. Due to the new variant, Omicron, many European countries are banning non-essential arrivals from Southern African countries. Full lockdown has been reinforced in Austria, meaning a complete ban on entry for tourists. There has been a spike in cases in Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium leading to increased restrictions. Portugal's testing requirements change as of 1st December.

Read more at: Where can I travel in Europe right now? A complete list of travel restrictions | Euronews

Germany: COVID: Germany confirms first two cases of omicron variant

Two cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus have been detected in the southern state of Bavaria, the state health ministry said on Saturday.

Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) said the two infected individuals entered Germany at Munich airport on November 24.

The pair are now isolating, the ministry said.

Read more COVID: Germany confirms first two cases of omicron variant | News | DW | 27.11.2021