Covid News Live: The number of infections across Europe hits a record high; South Africa resumes contact tracing and quarantine | World News

Hello, and welcome back to our live Covid blog. I’m Samantha Lock and I will bring you all the latest coronavirus developments as they happen.

Two days later, on December 31, two years have passed since the Wuhan health authorities reported an unknown pneumonia outbreak to their colleagues in the World Health Organization (WHO) in Beijing.

It has only been more than a month since Omicro announced its first case. South Africa.

Countries Europe As the authorities scrambled to contain the surge, the number of reported infections hit a record high.Tuesday, the UK The number of new Covid cases reached a record 129,471, which is higher than the 98,515 reported yesterday. France 179,807 new cases have been reported, which is the highest number since the pandemic began. Greece 21,657 new Covid cases per day were also reported, more than double the number of the previous day. Denmark and Similar to Iceland Breaking the pandemic record, Denmark recorded the highest infection rate in the world, with 1,612 cases per 100,000 people.

at the same time South AfricaThe government announced on Tuesday that the country that has officially become the most affected country in Africa has recalled regulations that no longer require people without Covid-19 symptoms to be isolated or tested when they have been exposed to positive cases.

If you have any stories, tips or feedback, please contact us via email samantha.lock@theguardian.com or Twitter @Samantha__Lock. I would love to hear your opinion.

Here is a quick snapshot of how Covid is unfolding around the world:

Europe:

• Omi Kron “Doesn’t seem so serious Many people spend relatively short time in the hospital,” said Sir John Bell, a professor of medicine at the University of Oxford and a leading immunologist.
• UK British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he No further Covid restrictions will be introduced In the UK before 2022 Approval of mass activities And let the nightclub open on New Year’s Eve. Scientists say this is “the biggest divergence between scientific advice and legislation” since the pandemic began.
• This UK On Tuesday, 129,471 new Covid cases were recorded, which is the highest record in history and higher than the 98,515 reported yesterday.
• More than 500 children admitted to hospital due to Covid UK In the week before Boxing Day.
• France have Reduced the waiting time for the third booster From four months to three months. From Monday, All indoor gatherings will be limited to 2,000 people, And outdoor activities for 5,000 people. Drinking beverages and food will be prohibited during long-distance transportation, and where possible, you must work at home for at least three days a week.
• France 179,807 new confirmed cases were reported on Tuesday, the highest number since the pandemic began.
• Denmark and Iceland A record daily Covid case was reported on Monday. Denmark now has the highest infection rate in the world, with 1,612 cases per 100,000 people.
• Greece Further restrictions will be implemented from January 3, including closing bars and restaurants at midnight, no regular customers in entertainment venues, and a maximum of 6 people per table.
• Greece 21,657 new daily Covid cases were reported on Tuesday, more than double the number of the previous day.
• Germany Strengthen Covid restrictions The scale of indoor and outdoor gatherings is restricted, and leisure facilities are closed in several states.

Asia:

• Daily case Australia Over 10,000 For the second day in a row, there were 11,264 new Covid cases across the country, the highest number since the pandemic began.
• exist Yan’an, China, Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to stay at home and join millions Xi’an is strictly closed. Coronavirus cases in China Rising for the fourth consecutive day on Monday.
• Delhi, India, Announcing new Covid restrictions. Schools, colleges and educational institutions, as well as stadiums, cinemas, conference halls, stadiums and swimming pools will be closed. The office will operate at 50% capacity, as will the restaurant with a curfew at 10pm.
• Japanese Officials found a cluster of five Omicron cases in New York City Osaka.
• Hongkong The quarantine regulations for air crew members will be tightened.
• Malaysia The waiting time for the booster vaccine will be shortened to three months, and mass celebrations on New Year’s Eve will be banned, and a negative Covid test will be required for private parties.
• India Merck’s Covid-19 pill and two other emergency vaccines have been approved.

America: