US New COVID Cases Increase by 40% in Two Weeks

90,000 Confirmed Cases in UK, Another Record High
France Imposes Entry Restrictions on Travelers from UK Starting This Week

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The world is groaning under the fierce spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. In the United States, confirmed cases have increased by 40% in two weeks. The UK, which broke its record for the highest number of cases for two consecutive days, reported nearly 90,000 new infections.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 16th (local time), citing its own compiled data, that the U.S. one-week average of new confirmed cases surged by 40% compared to two weeks ago, reaching about 120,000. Compared to early last month, this is an increase of as much as 70%. CNN, citing data from Johns Hopkins University, reported that the daily average number of deaths was 1,326, a 12% increase from a month ago. Hospitalized patients numbered 67,306, a 40% increase over the same period. The NYT predicted, "Omicron is expected to further raise the COVID-19 infection curve."

The UK broke its record for the highest number of cases since the pandemic for the second consecutive day. The UK's new confirmed cases on that day were 88,376, nearly 10,000 more than the previous day (78,610). This warning came true just one day after Chris Whitty, the UK's Chief Medical Officer (CMO), said, "Many COVID-19 records will be broken in the coming weeks."

There were 1,691 additional Omicron infections, pushing the cumulative total over 10,000. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser of the UK Health Security Agency (HSA), explained to the House of Commons Health Committee that one Omicron-infected person can transmit the virus to 3 to 5 others. UK health authorities believe that due to Omicron's rapid transmission, a significant number of severe cases are inevitable. Queen Elizabeth II decided to cancel the family Christmas lunch this year in response.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

As the situation in the UK worsened, France is tightening entry restrictions on arrivals from the UK starting this weekend. Non-EU nationals or non-France-resident UK arrivals must have essential reasons other than tourism or business trips to enter France. Under the strengthened policy, entrants must submit a negative COVID-19 test certificate within 24 hours before entry. After arrival, they must self-isolate for at least 48 hours until the test results come out again.

Amid concerns that Omicron will soon become the dominant strain in Europe beyond the UK, some EU member states such as Italy and Greece are strengthening entry regulations even for intra-EU travelers. Finland is also set to discuss whether to require negative test certificates from people coming from EU member states. However, confusion is arising as each member state takes different measures. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, raised his voice at the EU summit held in Brussels, Belgium, saying, "Closing borders is not a solution in any case."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.