The United Kingdom yesterday raised its COVID-19 alert to its second highest level, due to a rapid rise in Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant cases that appears likely to put more pressure on an already strained health system.
COVID-19 patterns in the United Kingdom are often a bellwether for how events might unfold in other countries, including the United States. Elsewhere, Denmark and Norway are reporting rapidly growing rises, with South Africa continuing to report brisk activity.
UK notes first death, expects 'tidal wave' of cases
In an address to the nation yesterday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said evidence suggests Omicron cases are doubling every 2 to 3 days and that the country knows from experience how exponential curves develop.
"No one should be in any doubt: there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming," he said, adding that the country is ramping up booster shot efforts and offering shots to eligible people age 18 and older.
Britain's National Health Service (NHS) said on Twitter that the COVID-19 vaccine booking system is facing extremely high demand.
UK officials reported the first known death from Omicron, which involves a person diagnosed in the hospital, the UK's Health Security Agency (HSA) said on Twitter.
So far, 10 people have been hospitalized with Omicron infections, all of them diagnosed before admission, the HSA said today. Patient ages range from 18 to 85 years, and most had received two vaccine doses.
In a statement on the alert level increasing from 3 to 4, UK health officials said the NHS is already under pressure due to non COVID-related causes, and hospitalizations from Omicron are likely to increase rapidly, putting further pressure on an already stretched health system.
Amid reports of scarce rapid tests, the HSA said there is no shortage, but online ordering was temporarily halted so that officials can fill current orders. It added that people can still pick up tests at pharmacies, as well as at some community sites and schools.
The UK today reported 1,576 new Omicron variant cases, raising its total to 4,713.
Rapidly growing surges in Denmark, Norway
Elsewhere in Europe, Denmark's Statens Serum Institute said today in its latest risk assessment that the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly, with cases doubling every other day. It expects the virus to become dominant in the middle of next week and average about 10,000 cases a day.
Officials warned that massive spread will lead to an increase in hospitalizations.
Given the rapid spread of Omicron, Danish officials announced that they would shorten the recommended interval between the second shot and the booster shot to 4½ months, rather than the standard 6 months.
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are at record levels, partly due to Omicron, in Norway, where the variant is expected to become dominant in the days ahead, according to Reuters. The country's prime minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, today announced new restrictions, the fourth such announcement over the past 2 weeks. They include a ban on alcohol in bars and restaurants, shuttering gyms and swimming pools for most users, and stricter rules for schools.
Also, the government announced plans to speed booster vaccination with assistance from armed forces and pharmacies.
Norway has reported 958 Omicron cases over the past 2 weeks, according to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
South Africa's test positivity remains high
In South Africa, the country's Omicron-led surge continues, with nearly 14,000 cases reported in the last 24 hours, and the test positivity rate at 31%, up from 28.9% the day before, according to the country's National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
In a related development, the country's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced yesterday that he is being treated for a mild COVID-19 infection, though it's not known if the Omicron variant is involved.
Ramaphosa is fully vaccinated and had visited four West African nations last week.
More global headlines
- So far, 70 countries have reported 6,430 Omicron cases, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said in its daily update today. Aside from that group, two more countries reported their first cases, including China, which confirmed a detection in an international traveler who arrived in Tianjin. Also, Pakistan reported its first case, which was found in Karachi state.
- The World Health Organization recently posted a new technical brief on the Omicron variant, which also included recommended priority actions for member states. It said Omicron seems to have a growth advantage over Delta (B1617.2), both in South Africa, where Delta circulation was low and in other countries, such as the UK, where Delta incidence his high.
- The global COVID-19 total today is at 270,604,255 cases, with 5,310,477 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.
