The end of the global pandemic is now in sight, Poland’s Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said on Wednesday, expressing hope that the country will soon begin to return to normal life. Speaking at a press conference, the minister said that in February he expects a significant decrease in infections, which, in turn, will lower the risk of the healthcare system becoming overwhelmed. If this is the... 

As Denmark became the first EU country to remove all restrictions despite a spike in Omicron cases, its Nordic peers are eyeing a similar approach despite the explosive spread. But whereas Denmark decided to go all in and remove all restrictions in what has been described as “back to normalcy”, its neighbours decided to proceed with more caution. For instance, Norway has announced a substantial... 

Authorities in Hong Kong have ordered new COVID-19 restrictions over the first suspected case of the new Omicron variant in the Chinese territory. Government Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced a two-week ban on flights from eight countries, including the UK, on Wednesday. She also ordered bars and gyms closed and restaurants to stop serving after 6pm. That was after a 42-year-old male resident tested... 

Two new studies from South Africa found that the country has a lower hospitalization rate for Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infections caused by the post-vaccine omicron variant. High levels of natural immunity among South Africans stemming from prior COVID-19 infections is likely a contributing factor to this. Since the appearance of the post-vaccine omicron variant, mainstream media outlets have... 

The “acute phase” of the Covid-19 pandemic will end in 2022, billionaire Microsoft founder and vaccine enthusiast Bill Gates has predicted on his blog, also deeming the rise of the Omicron variant “concerning.” “It might be foolish to make another prediction, but I think the acute phase of the pandemic will come to a close sometime in 2022,” the billionaire suggested in a post to his GatesNotes... 

The South African doctor who first discovered the Omicron variant says she was pressured by European governments not to reveal that it was mild. Dr Angelique Coetzee let the bombshell revelation slip during an interview with Germany’s Welt. She said: “I was told not to state publicly that it was a mild illness. I have been asked to refrain from making such statements and to say that it is a serious... 

“If you’re vaccinated and have your booster shot, you’re protected from severe illness and death,” Biden said on Thursday, in brief remarks to the press as he met with his Covid-19 coordination team at the White House. “Due to the steps we’ve taken, Omicron has not spread as fast as it could have otherwise done,” Biden added, “but it’s here now and it’s spreading and it’s gonna... 

Dr. Anthony Fauci said that “everybody” entering the U.S. will be subject to new COVID testing procedures in the wake of the Omicron variant — except for illegal aliens, of course. In a White House press briefing Wednesday announcing the first case of Omicron detected in California, Fauci was asked by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy about new testing guidelines for people entering America. “You... 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country is being penalized for detecting the latest Covid-19 “variant of concern,” dubbed Omicron, urging other nations to lift travel bans imposed amid alarm over the new strain. “Excellent science should be applauded and not punished,” the president said during a state visit to Nigeria on Wednesday, noting that a growing number of countries... 

Covid booster jabs are to be offered to all over-18s in the UK to help stop a potential wave of infections driven by the new variant Omicron. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation made a series of recommendations to expand the booster rollout. It said the minimum gap between the second vaccine dose and booster should be reduced from six to three months. The experts also said children... 

The new Omicron variant of the coronavirus results in mild disease, without prominent symptoms, Angelique Coetzee, the chairwoman of the South African Medical Association, told Sputnik on Saturday. “It presents mild disease with symptoms being sore muscles and tiredness for a day or two not feeling well. So far, we have detected that those infected do not suffer loss of taste or smell. They... 

A number of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms have announced strategies to address the newly identified Covid-19 variant, dubbed Omicron, including plans to alter existing vaccines and develop new boosters. With the World Health Organization (WHO) designating Omicron the latest “variant of concern” following an emergency meeting on Friday, warning that the highly mutated strain could...