Dutch officers found two omicron situations earlier than South Africa alarm became raised: latest COVID-19 updates

whereas South Africa first alerted world fitness authorities to the omicron variant last week, Dutch health officials said Tuesday that they have discovered two omicron circumstances from earlier than the alarm became raised, indicating the brand new variant turned into already spreading in elements of Europe.

Samples dated from Nov. 19 and Nov. 23 in the Netherlands were omicron editions, the nation's health officers talked about. South Africa suggested the variant to the world fitness organization on Nov. 24.

France and Japan additionally stated their first circumstances of the variant Tuesday. the united states has no longer yet mentioned a case, however presidential adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci has stated, ''inevitably it can be here.''

The facilities for sickness control and Prevention on Monday counseled that all adults get a COVID-19 booster shot following the emergence of the omicron variant.

during the past, the CDC suggested that people over 50 or dwelling in a long-term care facility "should still" get a booster, while all other adults "may" get boosters as a minimum six months after their outdated photographs. Now all adults should still get a booster, the CDC stated.

President Joe Biden talked about he would unencumber a plan Thursday on how his administration planned to fight COVID-19 this wintry weather with vaccines, boosters, masks and trying out rather than lockdowns.

It remains doubtful precisely how transmissible or extreme an omicron an infection is, but the WHO noted preliminary proof raises the probability the variant has mutations that might help it both dodge an immune-gadget response and make it more transmissible. lots of the suggested infections, although, have been in college-aged individuals who tended to have milder circumstances, WHO talked about.

also in the news:

► A food and Drug Administration panel will meet Tuesday to focus on no matter if it's going to recommend use of Merck's antiviral COVID-19 tablet. An FDA evaluation released ultimate week discovered the tablet turned into valuable in opposition t the virus but identified a number of competencies risks, including viable toxicity and start defects.

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► China plans to donate 600 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to Africa, chinese language President Xi Jinping observed. another four hundred million doses will even be offered via different skill, including from chinese agencies operating in Africa

►The omicron variant will "bring some challenges in terms of prevention and manage" for the upcoming winter Olympics in Beijing, talked about chinese foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Tuesday. but he noted he become confident the games will be held.

► Greece introduced Tuesday that it would mandate vaccination for all individuals 60 and older. Unvaccinated americans will face a month-to-month a hundred euro great.

► A decide blocked the federal govt on Monday from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for some fitness care laborers in ten states.

► Pfizer and BioNTech are anticipated to ask the meals and Drug Administration to authorize its booster shot for sixteen- and 17-12 months-olds within the following few days, The Washington post pronounced.

📈present day numbers: The U.S. has recorded greater than forty eight.four million tested COVID-19 cases and more than 778,000 deaths, in response to Johns Hopkins tuition facts. international totals: greater than 262.four million situations and 5.2 million deaths. virtually 196 million american citizens – roughly fifty nine.three% of the inhabitants – are utterly vaccinated, based on the CDC.

📘What we're studying: How severe is omicron? Is it greater transmissible than delta? it will take weeks to have in mind COVID-19 variant.

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Survey: Most employers would require worker's to get COVID-19 shots

the majority of U.S. employers have already got or will require their employees to get vaccinated in opposition t COVID-19, a countrywide survey conducted in mid-November found.

The survey from Willis Towers Watson, a global advisory, brokering and options company, also found that just three% of employers noted their vaccination mandates have resulted in a spike in resignations. just about half of the employers surveyed accept as true with the mandates could aid recruit and hold employees.

President Joe Biden in November issued vaccination-or-trying out requirements for organizations with at the least one hundred personnel, however organizations and a couple of Republican governors and attorneys generic have sued the administration over the rules.

– Craig Harris, usa today

Unvaccinated federal worker's might not be fired all the way through break season regardless of lacking time limit

Most federal workers who didn't meet the Nov. 22 closing date to get vaccinated towards the coronavirus will not chance being suspended or dropping their jobs unless subsequent yr, the Biden administration observed in enforcement counsel Monday.

instead, managers will proceed "with potent education and counseling efforts via this break season as the first step in an enforcement process," according to the tips.

Ninety-two p.c of federal people acquired as a minimum one dose of the vaccine by means of the time limit, the administration introduced remaining week. The leisure have either no longer complied with the president's mandate or requested to be exempted for religious or scientific explanations.

whereas some organizations could need to accelerate enforcement if there are place of work defense considerations or efficiency issues, corporations were encouraged no longer to take moves past schooling, counseling or, at most, a letter of reprimand except January.

The next step after a letter is suspension for a duration of 14 days or less. employees who stay unvaccinated who have not bought an exemption can sooner or later be dismissed.

– Maureen Groppe, country nowadays

defense secretary says Oklahoma national defend have to get vaccinated

contributors of the Oklahoma country wide shelter must get vaccinated towards COVID-19 regardless of their responsibility reputation or very own beliefs, defense Secretary Lloyd Austin instructed Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday.

The Oklahoma governor sent a letter to the protection secretary prior this month inquiring for that participants of the Oklahoma country wide look after be exempted from the protection department's vaccination mandate, which covers lively-duty personnel, guard, Reserves and civilian laborers.

Austin rejected the governor's suggestion and advised him in a letter that shield contributors who don't get vaccinated could be barred from participating in drills and practising, and their repute in the defend may be jeopardized.

"To retain a match and equipped military drive in a position to preserving the American people, the immediate vaccination in opposition t COVID-19 is a vital military readiness requirement for all accessories and devices of the armed forces, together with the Oklahoma national shelter," Austin observed in a letter to Stitt dated Monday.

– Chris Casteel, The Oklahoman

Contributing: The linked Press

this article in the beginning looked on country today: Omicron prompts CDC suggestion for COVID booster for all adults