Weekly COVID news at a glance

(Worldwide) Surge of Cases in the UK

Britain has recorded nearly eighty thousand (80,000) new COVID-19 infections in one day amid warnings this will continue as Omicron spreads through the UK.

Infections were highest in London, where only two-thirds of the city are vaccinated. The number of patients hospitalised was up 10 per cent compared with the week before. There are over Seven Thousand (7673) people in hospital with the virus.

England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said Omicron is spreading fast with infection rates doubling every two days. Whitty said that lots of people would get ill simultaneously and put pressure on the health system.

(Worldwide) Netherlands to go into Christmas lockdown

The Netherlands will go into a strict lockdown over the Christmas and New Year period to try to contain the highly- contagious Omicron coronavirus variant, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Saturday.

All non-essential shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, museums and theatres must shut from Sunday until 14 January, while schools must close until at least 9 January, Mr Rutte said.

People are now only allowed two guests at home, except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, 26 December and the New Year period when four guests are permitted.

(Worldwide) WHO has approved the Novavax

The World Health Organization has given emergency approval to a coronavirus vaccine made by US-based Novavax and the Serum Institute of India, paving the way for its inclusion in the program to get such vaccines to poorer countries around the world.

The vaccine, known as CovavaxTM, is the ninth to be granted an emergency use authorisation from the United Nations health agency, marking a vote of confidence for Novavax that could also mean the shots will be accepted by some countries that only admit travellers vaccinated with WHO-backed jabs. The Serum Institute is producing the Novavax-developed vaccine and a big question is how much supply it can ship and when. 

(AUS) Lockdowns unlikely despite Omicron surge

The Morrison Government does not expect states and territories to reimpose COVID-19 lockdowns despite a worrying surge in infections. More than 3800 new daily cases have been recorded across NSW and Victoria combined, fuelled by open borders and Christmas travel.

It comes as Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Sonya Bennett warns Omicron transmission has a doubling time of around two days. She urged people to don masks while indoors, stick to outdoor Christmas gatherings and limit numbers. The minister urged people to get their booster shot as soon as they were eligible, five months after a second jab.

(AUS) Hardship Support Program will cease

The Victorian Extreme Hardship Support Program (EHSP) will close on 31 December 2021. The program has provided support and financial assistance to the most vulnerable Victorians experiencing significant hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

If clients have not received a payment recently and are still experiencing financial hardship, they are encouraged to reapply to be assessed for assistance before 31 December 2021. If clients are unsure about when or how to apply for a final payment, please call the hotline on 1800 855 240 from Monday to Friday. The hotline will remain open through January 2022. For more information, please visit: redcross DOT org DOT au   and look for emergency relief migrant in transition. 

(AUS) Pre-Christmas Booster Blitz  

The Victorian Government is ramping up capacity at state-run clinics so people can get their booster shots before Christmas. The Royal Exhibition Building and Wyndham drive-through clinic will remain open. 

 The Royal Exhibition Building clinic will offer walk-up appointments and will be open from 8.30am to 3.30pm this weekend, and 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday. Bookings won’t be required at the Wyndham drive-through clinic, which will be open 8.30am to 4.30pm each day.