While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Dec 21
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Omicron appears to be better at evading antibodies generated by some Covid-19 vaccines.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Omicron Covid-19 variant spreading and infecting the vaccinated: WHO
The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading faster than the Delta variant and is causing infections in people already vaccinated or who have recovered from the Covid-19 disease, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.
"There is now consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading significantly faster than the Delta variant," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing for Geneva-based journalists, held at its new headquarters building.
"And it is more likely people vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 could be infected or re-infected," Tedros said.
WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said that the variant was successfully evading some immune responses, meaning that the booster programmes being rolled out in many countries ought to be targeted towards people with weaker immune systems.
British PM Johnson rules out Covid-19 curbs over Christmas despite pressure
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defied pressure Monday to tighten coronavirus rules over Christmas to curb surging Omicron cases, but vowed to keep the situation “under constant review”.
The embattled leader, who is reeling from weeks of crises over various scandals and is facing mounting disquiet within his ruling Conservative party, said “the possibility of taking further action” remained.
However, after a Cabinet meeting, Johnson said ministers had decided not to limit social interactions over the imminent festive period – despite the government’s scientific advisers urging such action.
EU Commission authorises Novavax Covid-19 vaccine
The European Commission authorised on Monday the use of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine in the European Union.
“With five approved vaccines, the EU has a varied portfolio, based both on novel technologies, such as mRNA, and classic ones, like Novavax, which is protein-based,” the head of the bloc’s executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Twitter.
The decision came shortly after the EU drugs regulator had recommended its approval.
Trump sues New York Attorney-General to block probe of his businesses
Former US president Donald Trump on Monday sued New York Attorney-General Letitia James, seeking to stop her civil fraud investigation into his company.
He filed the lawsuit in federal court in Syracuse, New York, after it was reported that Ms James' office would seek to question Mr Trump as it probes whether his company, the Trump Organisation, manipulated the valuations of its real estate properties.
Mr Trump and the company, which is also a plaintiff in the case, claim that Ms James has violated their rights under the US Constitution by pursuing a politically motivated investigation.
Football: Premier League to play on during Covid-19 chaos, say reports
Premier League clubs have decided against a temporary halt to the season, according to reports on Monday, despite a surge in coronavirus cases that has forced mass postponements.
Just four of the weekend's scheduled 10 games went ahead as Britain battles record numbers of positive Covid cases due to the new Omicron strain.
The Premier League board has been considering applications for postponements on a case-by-case basis but there has been criticism over the decision-making process, with fears it jeopardises the sporting integrity of the competition.
