Yet omicron’s “substantial growth advantage” over the delta variant means it is likely to soon overtake delta as the dominant form of the virus in countries where the new variant is spreading locally, the U.N. Major questions about omicron remain unanswered, including how effective existing COVID-19 vaccines are against it and whether the variant produces severe illness in many infected individuals, WHO noted. The World Health Organization reported Saturday that the omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries, and COVID-19 cases involving the variant are doubling every 1.5 to 3 days in places with community transmission and not just infections acquired abroad. But it is the reality that we are dealing with.” The twists and turns, the disappointments and the frustrations take a heavy toll on everyone. “We are all exhausted with COVID and the restrictions it requires. “None of this is easy,” Martin said Friday night. curfew on pubs and bars and limited attendance at indoor and outdoor events. Denmark has closed theaters, concert halls, amusement parks and museums. Paris canceled its New Year’s Eve fireworks. Alarmed ministers in France, Cyprus and Austria tightened travel restrictions. It wasn’t just the Dutch seeking to slow the spread of omicron. “The Netherlands is going into lockdown again from tomorrow,” he said, adding that the move was “unavoidable because of the fifth wave caused by the omicron variant that is bearing down on us.” Residents only will be permitted two visitors except for Christmas and New Year’s, when four will be allowed, according to Rutte. In what is surely to prove a major disappointment, the lockdown terms also rein in private holiday celebrations. Schools and universities will shut until Jan. 14 starting Sunday, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a hastily arranged press conference Saturday night. LONDON - Nations across Europe moved to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant, with the Netherlands leading the way by imposing a nationwide lockdown.Īll non-essential stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be closed until Jan. By DANICA KIRKA and MIKE CORDER | The Associated Press
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