New Zealanders celebrated Christmas on Saturday in the heat of the southern midsummer with few restrictions, in one of the few countries in the world largely untouched by the Omicron coronavirus formula.
Meanwhile, commercial airlines around the world canceled more than 4,300 flights over the Christmas weekend as the growing wave of COVID-19 infections led by the Omicron variant created greater uncertainty and greater misery for vacation travelers.
Here are the latest updates for Saturday:
Corona virus-stricken Chinese city of Xi’an reports increase in infections
The Chinese city of Xian is reporting an increase in daily COVID-19 infections and local businesses have reduced activity as the country’s latest COVID-19 hotspot enters its third day of lockdown.
Official data showed, today, Saturday that the northwestern Chinese city of Xi’an, with a population of 13 million, discovered 75 locally transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms on December 24, which is his highest daily count for the year and turned the tide. decline the day before.
Residents are prohibited from leaving the city without permission from their employers or local authorities, and families can only send one person to buy basic necessities every two days.
India: COVID-19 death toll increases by 387
India’s health ministry reported on Saturday that deaths from the emerging coronavirus (Covid-19) were increasing daily in the country by 387 cases, bringing the total number of deaths since the start of the epidemic to at least 479,520 cases.
The number of COVID-19 cases also increased by 7,189 to at least 34.8 million.
In New Zealand without Omicron, Christmas without restrictions
New Zealanders celebrated Christmas on Saturday in the heat of the southern midsummer with few restrictions, in one of the few countries in the world largely untouched by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Ninety-five percent of adults in New Zealand have received at least one dose of the vaccine, making it one of the most common vaccination groups in the world. The only cases of Omicron found in New Zealand have been safely contained at the border.
With the spread of COVID-19 around the world over the past two years, New Zealand has used its isolation to its advantage. Border controls have kept the worst of the virus at bay, and by Christmas this year New Zealand had recorded just 50 deaths out of a population of 5.5 million.
Daily cases of COVID in Australia’s top 6,000 for New South Wales
Australia’s most populous state recorded more than 6,000 new cases of COVID-19 for the first time on Saturday, adding a somber note to the Christmas festivities.
Victoria, Australia’s second most populous state, recorded 2,108 new cases and six deaths on Saturday.
Health expert stresses importance of wearing a mask to fight Corona virus
I just went to a large retail store – hardly anyone wore masks, and even then – only flimsy masks under their nose. I asked two mask wearers why they weren’t wearing KN95 – their answer… ➡️ “I don’t know what it is” and “I can’t afford this fancy thing”. We have failed terribly somewhere pic.twitter.com/vUh8jaQejt
– Eric Weigl Ding (@DrEricDing) December 24, 2021
US Navy warship sidelined by COVID-19 outbreak
A US Navy warship has halted its deployment to South America due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Navy said on Friday.
The USS Milwaukee, a coastal combat ship, remains in port at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where it made a scheduled visit to the port. It began its deployment to Mayport, Fla. On December 14 and was destined for US Southern Command.
The Navy said in a statement the ship’s crew are “100% immune” and anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 has been isolated on the ship, away from other crew members. The number of crew members who tested positive was not disclosed. The ship’s crew consisted of just over 100 crew members.
The Navy said “some” of those infected were showing mild symptoms and the specific form was not yet known. COVID-19 cases have skyrocketed across the country due to the highly contagious variant of the coronavirus, Omicron.
Antetokounmpo clears NBA COVID protocols
On Friday, the Milwaukee Bucks received an early Christmas giveaway in the form of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to demonstrate the National Basketball Association’s health and safety protocols.
However, Antetokounmpo’s status is still pending for Milwaukee’s Christmas Day encounter against the visiting Boston Celtics on Saturday afternoon.
For their part, the Celtics officially put five other players on COVID protocols on Friday, bringing the team’s total to 12.
Blinken thanks South Africa in phone call with counterpart Naledi Pandor
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke by phone with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor about an earlier announcement that the United States is considering lifting travel restrictions in several South African countries imposed last month due to fears of Omicron’s release.
“The secretary once again thanked the scientists and the South African government for their transparency and expertise,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement describing the call.
“He underscored the importance of the long-standing partnership between the United States and South Africa in combating the effects of COVID-19. “
More than 4,000 flights canceled worldwide for Christmas
Airlines around the world canceled more than 4,000 flights over the Christmas weekend, due to an increase in cases of COVID-19 from the Omicron variant.
The FlightAware website showed that 2,314 flights were canceled around the world on Christmas Eve, a generally strong day for passenger transit. About a quarter of these suspended trails were in the United States.
The site said 1,404 other flights scheduled for Christmas Day were canceled around the world, as well as 340 other flights that were scheduled for Sunday, Boxing Day.
–
