Fox News: Christmas party in Norway may have sparked biggest Omicron variant outbreak outside of South Africa

A recent Norwegian omicron outbreak at a Christmas party provides early anecdotal evidence of how the variants spread between people vaccinated and the severity of its symptoms, according to a recent report. A renewable energy company in Norway ensured that all necessary safety precautions were in place before hosting its annual party, including inviting only vaccinated employees and requiring rapid testing the day before the party, according to Stian Tvede Karlsen, a spokesperson for the company. (Sudhakar, 12/5)

AP: UK tightens travel test rules amid Omicron concerns

The UK government tightened travel restrictions on Saturday amid concerns over the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, saying all travelers arriving in England will need to take a COVID-19 test before boarding their flight. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the new rules would apply from 4 a.m. London time on Tuesday. “In light of the most recent data, we are taking further steps to slow the incursion of the omicron variant,” he said in a tweet. (12/4)

The New York Times: Britain and Denmark report increase in known cases of Omicron

Britain and Denmark each reported an increase in confirmed coronavirus cases of the new Omicron variant on Sunday as countries with robust testing discover more well-known instances of the variant in their backyards. There have been 86 new cases of the Omicron variant, the UK health security agency said on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 246, nearly double the total number of cases reported on Friday. In Denmark, local health authorities confirmed there were 183 known cases of the variant, more than triple the total number of suspected cases reported on Friday, and called them “worrying”. (Kwai and Erdbrink, 12/5)

Bloomberg: Australia confirms community transmission of Omicron variant

Five people in Sydney, Australia’s largest city, have locally contracted the omicron variant of the coronavirus, New South Wales health authorities have confirmed. The cases are linked to two schools and a climbing gym in the western suburbs of Sydney, which could also be the source of a confirmed omicron infection in the Australian Capital Territory, Kerry said on Sunday. Chant, NSW Health Officer. Urgent genomic testing is underway for a number of other cases linked to the sites and should be available in the coming days, she said in a video update. (Burgess, 12/5)

Reuters: Omicron spreads in India, full vaccination in the spotlight

Cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant rose to 21 in India over the weekend and people are due to be vaccinated, officials said on Monday. The western state of Rajasthan reported the highest number of Omicron cases with nine, followed by eight in Maharashtra, two in Karnataka and one each in Gujarat and the capital New Delhi. (Das, 12/6)

In the news more global covid –

The Washington Post: Antwerp zoo hippopotamus test positive for Covid-19 in first known cases

Two hippos in Belgium that vets noticed “expelling glanders” have been quarantined after testing positive for coronavirus, Antwerp zoo said, in what appears to be the first known case of covid-19 among the species. It is not yet clear how hippos Imani, 14, and Hermien, 41, contracted the virus, but the couple appear to be doing well and have no symptoms other than their runny, sticky noses. (Hassan, 12/5)

NPR: Philippines vaccinated 7.6 million people in 3 days – with more to come

The Philippine government, beset with accusations of incompetence and corruption in its handling of the pandemic, has staged a vaccination campaign that any of its Southeast Asian neighbors could envy. In just three days this week, the country vaccinated 7.6 million people aged 12 and over. 34.53% of the country is now fully vaccinated. Conky Quizon, field epidemiologist and member of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group, called it a “big, big deal” and explained the unprecedented numbers to easy access to vaccines – there were 8,000 centers set up in the Philippines. – and several different vaccines offered, including Pfizer, Moderna and the Chinese Sinovax. (McCarthy, 12/3)

Bloomberg: Scholz appoints Harvard medical expert to oversee pandemic policy

New German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has appointed a top health expert who has taught at the Harvard School of Public Health to fight a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections. Karl Lauterbach of the Social Democrats, a trained epidemiologist who became a public figure during the pandemic, will be Minister of Health. Scholz on Monday appointed the seven SPD ministers who will be part of the new government, including Christine Lambrecht as the third consecutive female German defense minister and one of four women in the cabinet. Hubertus Heil will retain his post as Minister of Labor. (Donahue, 12/6)

In Africa News –

Reuters: COVID gunfire is finally coming, but Africa cannot bring them all to arms

When a group recently arrived at the Sekenani health clinic in rural Kenya for their COVID-19 vaccines, staff told them there were no more doses and they should come back soon. For some it meant a long trek and a day away from their herds of cattle. Yet Narok County, where the clinic is located, had no shortage of vaccines; nearly 14,000 doses were stored in a refrigerator in the nearest town, 115 km away. Confusion with county officials meant Sekenani didn’t have enough, two health workers said. (Fick and Mcallister, 12/6)

Reuters: Risks of ‘extreme’ vaccine discrimination leave Africa behind – Report

Africa is unlikely to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic unless 70% of its population is vaccinated by the end of 2022, yet “extreme vaccine discrimination” leaves the continent behind, according to a report released on Monday. The discovery of the Omicron variant in southern Africa has reinforced claims that low inoculation rates can encourage viral mutations, which can then spread to countries with much higher rates. (Wilkes, 12/5)

And file this one under “What were they thinking?” –

AP: Italian dentist presents fake arm for vaccine to get pass

A dentist in Italy faces possible criminal charges after attempting to receive a coronavirus vaccine in a fake silicone arm. A nurse in the northern town of Biella, Filippa Bua, said she could tell right away that something was wrong when a man presented the false limb for an injection on Thursday. “When I uncovered the arm, I felt a cold, gummy skin, and the color was too light,” Bua told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. She said she initially believed the 57-year-old was an amputee and mistakenly offered the wrong arm. She lifted her shirt and saw a silicone arm. (12/4)