Biden warns of “winter of death, death” for non-vaccinated US Coronavirus pandemic News

U.S. President Joe Biden is urging Americans to vaccinate or promote the rise in cases related to the Omicron coronavirus variant, warning that it is a “winter of serious illness and death” for those not vaccinated for COVID-19.

Biden’s appeal on Thursday was hailed by the Group of Seven as the biggest threat to public health from Omicron, and the head of the United Nations called for an end to global vaccine inequality.

Scientists do not know how dangerous the highly mutated Omicron variant is, but early data suggest that it may be more resistant to vaccines and more transmissible than the Delta variant.

In the U.S. in recent weeks, the average number of daily cases has risen by 30 percent. As of December 1, the daily count was 86,000. but on December 14, it reached 117,000.

“It’s here now, it’s expanding, and it’s going to grow,” Biden said, referring to the Omicron variant. “For those without vaccines, we are facing a winter of serious illness and death. For them, their families and the hospitals that will soon be flooded. ”

He added: “The only real protection is to make your shot.”

In the midst of rising infections, Broadway shows are being shut down because there are more and more positive tests among drama companies, and major U.S. universities are trying to stop the spread of the virus while returning to classes and tests online.

The National Football League has also imposed stricter health checks after giving 100 positive players since the start of the week. The NBA has also been hit with game delays.

The U.S. is the worst-hit country in the world, with an average of 1,150 COVID-19 deaths a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It passed 800,000 coronaviruses died Tuesday, according to a follow-up from Johns Hopkins University. This is higher than the population of some states, such as Alaska or North Dakota.

More than half of those deaths, about 450,000, have occurred this year, although effective and free vaccines are available in March. Most of the dead this year were unvaccinated.

“The biggest public health threat in the world”

The emergence of the new variant has spread around the world, and more European nations are implementing travel restrictions.

On Thursday, the G7 said the variant was “the biggest current threat to public health in the world”, saying that its creation meant that it was “more important than ever” for countries to work closely and share data.

At a meeting organized by the group’s UK president, the country’s health ministers stressed that “the importance of promotional campaigns and regular testing is growing”, according to a note.

Harsh words came when the UK saw more than 88,000 COVID-19 infections, a second record in a row every day, and France pushed for new “drastic” restrictions on travel to neighboring countries.

Now there is a fear that the holiday season may overflow with hospital variations, and many Britons are making efforts to change plans.

Queen Elizabeth II canceled a traditional pre-Christmas family meal next week as a precautionary measure, although Prime Minister Boris Johnson said such meetings could still go ahead.

The Premier League postponed another six football matches on Thursday, although it said it intended to “follow the current calendar where possible”.

In New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a “concrete” rise in the world in the days leading up to the end of the year to vaccinate 40% of the world’s population against COVID-19.

“Vaccine inequalities are giving the varieties a free pass to escape,” Guterres said, working from home due to exposure to the coronavirus, in a video conference with reporters.

“Vaccine collection strategies, vaccine nationalism strategies, or vaccine diplomacy strategies have failed. This new variant has proven to be a failure, ”said Guterres, who contacted someone who tested positive for the virus last week.

Since then, the UN chief has said no.

With less than two weeks to go before the end of the year, 98 countries have yet to meet the WHO’s 40 percent vaccine target, Guterres said.

Forty countries have not even vaccinated 10 percent.

“All countries, especially those with potential responsibilities, need to take specific action to make greater progress in the coming days,” Guterres said.

He added that they need to be “much more ambitious” to move to the next WHO benchmark: inoculating 70 per cent of the world by the middle of next year.