Omicron has put China’s Covid-zero strategy under pressure
, though no local transmissions of the variant have yet been reported. While China is less exposed to the spread of omicron because of its closed borders for now, increased risks are on the horizon.
Beijing will host the Winter Olympics in less than 50 days, when tens of thousands of foreigners will be allowed to enter the country. Reports recently show that Chinese shots given to the vast majority of its highly vaccinated population don’t provide sufficient antibodies against omicron. China must maintain strict control measures at ports and borders ahead of the Olympic events, Liang Wannian, an epidemiologist who leads China’s special task force on the pandemic response, said at a press conference on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a local outbreak of non-omicron coronavirus continues to grow. China reported 44 locally transmitted cases on Sunday in Zhejiang, Shaanxi and Guangdong. Four other asymptomatic infections were reported, including one in the financial hub of Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SA's Covid-19 hospitalisations fall for first time in weeks | Fin24The November 25 announcement of the discovery of a new coronavirus variant, now named omicron, had sparked concerns of a flood of hospitalisations and severe infections.
Read more »
Rampant Covid-19 variant on the rampage in 89 countries, says WHOThe Omicron variant of Covid-19, revealed by SA scientists just 23 days ago, has been reported in 89 countries, the World Health Organisation said on Saturday.
Read more »
Rampant Covid-19 variant on the rampage in 89 countries, says WHOThe Omicron variant of Covid-19, revealed by SA scientists just 23 days ago, has been reported in 89 countries, the World Health Organisation said on Saturday.
Read more »
Oil prices head for weekly loss on Omicron uncertaintyOil prices dipped on Friday, putting the market on track for a weekly loss, as surging cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant raised fears new curbs may hit fuel demand.
Read more »
Coronavirus: Latest global developmentsInfection rates may be soaring in South Africa because of the Omicron variant but fewer people are dying or requiring hospital treatment compared to previous waves, say health officials.
Read more »