


UK Sets New Record for COVID Cases As Omicron Sweeps London
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Britain reported another day of record COVID-19 cases on Friday, with new estimates showing swathes of London's population are carrying the virus, underlining the relentless advance of the Omicron variant.

Biden Expresses Some Regret for COVID-19 Test Shortage
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – US President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the current shortage of coronavirus tests is not a failure of his administration but expressed regret that he did not ramp up supplies sooner ahead of the rapid spread of the omicron variant.

France Says Omicron to Be Dominant COVID-19 Variant Soon, Resists New Restrictions
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – France could soon see 100,000 new COVID-19 cases a day due to the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant but the government does not plan to introduce new restrictions for the time being, Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Wednesday.

US Life Expectancy Declined in 2020 Mainly Due to COVID, Report Finds
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Life expectancy in the United States decreased by nearly two years in 2020, mainly because of the pandemic, a new federal report suggests.

A Quarter of Unvaccinated South Africans Insist COVID-19 Shots Unsafe
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A quarter of South Africans who haven't been vaccinated against COVID-19 say they refuse to get a shot because they believe it will harm or kill them, according to a study by the University of Cape Town.

Japan Suspects First Case of Community Spread of Omicron
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Japan has found its first suspected instance of community spread infection from the Omicron variant of coronavirus, the governor of Osaka prefecture said on Wednesday.

UK Government Borrowing Surges Again As COVID Cases Soar
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The UK government borrowed £17.4bn in November, outstripping economists’ predictions and suggesting debt could far overshoot officials’ forecasts if the Omicron coronavirus variant slows the economy as expected.

Omicron's Global Spread Prompts Renewed Lockdowns, Delayed Reopenings
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – New Zealand delayed the planned reopening of its international border because of the sweeping spread of Omicron around the world on Tuesday, as several other countries reimposed social distancing measures.

South Korea's Moon Urges More Beds for Coronavirus Patients in A Serious State
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – South Korea's hospitals must dedicate more beds and resources for the treatment of coronavirus patients, President Moon Jae-in said on Monday, as serious infections hovered near record highs.

US Senators Warren, Booker Test Positive for COVID-19
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker said on Sunday they both tested positive for COVID-19 and were experiencing mild symptoms amid a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases.

Police Suffer Minor Injuries in London Scuffles with Anti-Vax Protesters
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – UK Police officers suffered minor injuries during “scuffles” at an anti-vaccine protest in Parliament Square in Westminster.

Omicron Cases Doubling in 1.5 to 3 Days in Areas with Local Spread: WHO
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1½ to three days in areas with community transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday.

Omicron: UK Ministers Fear Lockdown as Sage Modelling ‘Points to 1,000 Daily Deaths’
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Omicron wave could lead to up to 1,000 daily deaths in the UK, according to government modelling, heightening concern among ministers that a lockdown will be needed in the coming weeks.

Up to 10 Percent of New French COVID-19 Cases Suspected to Be Omicron Variant: Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The omicron coronavirus variant is now suspected to be responsible for up to 10 percent of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in France and is the main reason behind plans for stricter health requirements for entering some venues, the health minister said on Saturday.

'Tidal Wave': Omicron Could Put US COVID-19 Surge into Overdrive
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Two years into the coronavirus pandemic, the United States is confronting another dark winter, with the red-hot Omicron variant threatening to worsen an already dangerous surge of cases.

Australia's New COVID-19 Cases Hit Record High
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Australia reported record high new COVID-19 cases on Saturday for a third day, with outbreaks growing in the two most populous states, however Prime Minister Scott Morrison continued to downplay the risks as the country eases pandemic curbs.

England’s Chief Medic Urges Caution As Omicron Cases Surge
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty on Thursday urged people to “prioritize” social and work interactions before and during Christmas, as the government grapples with surging omicron coronavirus cases.

France to Ban Non-Essential UK Travel over Omicron Surge
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – France will ban non-essential travel to and from Britain from the weekend to slow the spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant that is causing record numbers of cases on the other side of the Channel, the government said Thursday.
