Covid News Live: New York has curtailed New Year’s Eve celebrations; research finds that AstraZeneca boosters can prevent Omicron World News

Ecuador It has been announced that after a significant increase in infections and the emergence of new variants of the disease, Covid vaccination will be mandatory.

The government said on Thursday that only Ecuadorians whose health conditions may be complicated by vaccination will be exempted. These people must provide documents.

Officials said the order was issued because of the increase in coronavirus infections and the spread of new variants such as omicron.

Ecuador says it has enough vaccines to immunize the entire population.

As of Tuesday, approximately 77% of Ecuador’s 17.3 million population had been vaccinated. Approximately 33,600 people have died of COVID-19 in Ecuador.

Earlier this week, the agency responsible for overseeing health policies in the fight against the pandemic ordered that vaccination certificates must be presented when entering restaurants, movie theaters and other public places.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new restrictions on the city’s planned New Year’s Eve events in Times Square.

The viewing area, which can usually accommodate about 58,000 people, will be limited to about 15,000 people to maintain a greater distance, and everyone present must present a vaccination certificate and wear a mask.

De Blasio said: “There are many things to celebrate. These additional safety measures will keep the fully vaccinated population safe and healthy during the New Year.”

On Wednesday, the city set another record with 22,808 new Covid cases, but due to differences in available tests, it is difficult to make real comparisons.

Hi everyone, my name is Samantha Lock and I will be back with you on my blog this Christmas Eve.

I will bring you all the latest Covid developments from all over the world.

Let’s start with the news of the New Year’s Eve plan New York Due to fears of a surge in Covid cases, the scale will be reduced. Although the number of participants has decreased, the annual celebration will continue as planned.Multiple countries including Greece, Italy and Malta The planned New Year’s Eve event was also cancelled.

Oxford University Laboratory Research AstraZenecaVaxzevria’s vaccine showed that after three doses of the vaccine, it neutralized the Omi Kron After two doses, it was roughly similar to those for the Delta variant.

“With our in-depth understanding of Omicron, we believe that we will find that T cell response can provide long-lasting protection against serious diseases and hospitalizations,” said Mene Pangalos, head of AstraZeneca Biopharmaceuticals R&D, referring to the immune system. A key component, it’s against infection.

Here is a summary of all the Covid news you might have missed:

Europe

• exist UK Approximately 1.2 million people were infected with Covid last week, accounting for one-45th of the population-a record of a pandemic. London estimates that 1 in 30 people was infected last week.
• British Health Minister Sajid Javid (Sajid Javid) said that before Christmas, the United Kingdom will not issue any more announcements about Covid restrictions.
• German The Minister of Health said that he expects the new coronavirus cases will surge around the New Year, and people may need a fourth vaccination.
• Germany Also Confirmed the country’s first death due to the Omicron variant.
• Greece Public Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations are prohibited, and masks are mandatory in open spaces. These measures will take effect on Friday morning.
• Italy Plans are underway to tighten restrictions, including mandatory requirements to wear masks outdoors. The country also prohibits the public from celebrating New Year’s Eve.
• Malta From December 27th, except for weddings and funerals, all activities in which participants stand or sit will be prohibited.
• nightclub Scotland It will be closed for three weeks starting on December 27.
• Denmark Foreigners entering the country from December 27 will be required to provide a negative Covid-19 test, regardless of the vaccination status.
• Montenegroof President Milo Djukanovic tested positive for Covid-19 after contact with an infected person.
• This Spanish There will be a curfew in Catalonia on Thursday.

America

• Emergency situations Covid test site It is being established in hardest-hit areas across the United States.
• The U.S. Supreme Court will Hold a special meeting on Biden’s mission to conduct vaccines or test Covid across the country Separate vaccine requirements for large enterprises and medical staff.
• This we The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer’s similar treatment a day ago and approved Merck’s antiviral drug molnupiravir for Covid-19.

Asia

• China 13 million people locked Xi’an After 127 Covid cases were detected. Except for buying necessities every other day or emergency situations, all residents are forbidden to leave the house.
• Sponsor Beijing Winter Olympics Stating that they expect a “certain number” of Covid-19 cases China Because foreigners come to participate in the Olympics.
• South Korea A new record for Covid deaths was set on Thursday.
• Australia As the number of daily infections hit a new record, Covid restrictions were reintroduced on Thursday, such as mandatory indoor masks, capacity restrictions and QR code registration to cover most of the population.
• Australia It will also shorten the interval between people receiving booster injections from five months to four months from January 4th.

South America:

• Ecuador Vaccination against coronavirus is being compulsory.

middle East

• Covid infections are rising again in six Gulf Arab States After several months of low or falling numbers.