(Bloomberg) — Authorities in Shenzhen, the Chinese technology hub that’s home to more than 17 million people, said nobody can leave without a negative test after new cases emerged. More than two dozen Hong Kong officials have been ordered to quarantine due to possible Covid exposure, as a scandal over a large birthday party they attended despite the government’s own pandemic warnings widened.
India reported more than 100,000 new cases, the highest daily total since June last year. Australia’s most-populous state suspended non-urgent surgeries and introduced curbs on socializing to ease pressure on its health system from skyrocketing infections. Germany is poised to tighten restrictions on access to restaurants and cafes in an effort to curb the rapidly spreading omicron strain.
The U.S. government is working on a plan to deliver 500 million test kits to households, the Washington Post reported. With the pandemic in its third year, global cases of coronavirus have now passed 300 million.
Key Developments:
- Virus Tracker: Cases exceed 300 million; deaths pass 5.47 million
- Vaccine Tracker: More than 9.36 billion shots administered
- Big Take: Covid’s Lost Girls see decades of progress come undone
- Hong Kong officials are under fire for partying
- Vaccines can delay women’s periods, study finds
- China cases span country, even after Xi’an’s drop
HK Officials Quarantined as Scandal Widens (3:53 p.m. HK)
More than two dozen Hong Kong officials have been ordered to quarantine due to possible Covid exposure, as a scandal over a large birthday party they attended despite the government’s own pandemic warnings widened.
All of the some 100 guests at a celebration thrown for a representative for a mainland Chinese agency were being sent to the quarantine camp in Penny’s Bay, local media including South China Morning Post reported Friday. Some of Hong Kong’s most senior politicians along with more than 20% of its new “patriots-only” legislature will be confined to 200-square-foot (20-square-meter) rooms with no wifi access, just as the government fights an outbreak of the infectious omicron variant.
Taipei City to Ban Hospital Visits (3:41 p.m. HK)
Taipei will ban people from visiting patients at the hospitals and nursery homes from Jan. 8, according to a statement from Taipei City Government.
Germany to Restrict Restaurant Access (3:07 p.m. HK)
Germany is poised to tighten restrictions on access to restaurants and cafes in an effort to keep the rapidly spreading omicron strain of the coronavirus in check.
In a video call later on Friday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and regional leaders are expected to agree that people who are vaccinated or recovered will still have to provide a negative test. They’re seeking to tackle the latest surge in infections without resorting to sweeping lockdown measures like shuttering businesses and schools.
Swiss Plan for Infections of Nuclear Workers (2:54 p.m. HK)
Switzerland’s nuclear power plants are preparing emergency plans to have employees housed on site if staff shortages caused by omicron become too dire, the Swiss daily Tages Anzeiger reported.
The risk is low, but the plan would avoid operational downtime at the plants, which are among the most important sources of electricity for the country.
Thailand Junks Quarantine-Free Visas (2:53 p.m. HK)
Thailand indefinitely suspended a quarantine-free visa program for vaccinated visitors and ordered a ban on alcohol sales at restaurants in areas deemed at high risk of Covid infections to curb the spread of omicron.
The nation’s main virus task force spared Bangkok, Phuket and six other tourist destinations from harsh containment measures, but banned alcohol consumption at restaurants and other commercial establishments after 9 p.m.
India Infections Highest Since June (1:54 p.m. HK)
India reported 117,100 new infections Friday, crossing the 100,000-mark for the first time since June 7. Reported deaths rose by 302 to 483,178. The nation’s total confirmed cases stands at 35.2 million.
While the country’s latest wave of infections worsens and states and city administrations impose movement restrictions, the financial hub of Mumbai has no plans to impose a further lockdown, according to the city’s municipal commissioner, Iqbal Singh Chahal. Most patients who needed medical help were not vaccinated, he said.
Separately, India’s cumulative coronavirus deaths probably reached between 3.1 million and 3.4 million by July 2021, six or seven times higher than official tallies, according to a new study published in Science. The researchers — including Prabhat Jha from the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health — analyzed an independent nationally representative survey of 140,000 Indians to compare Covid-19 mortality during the country’s 2020 and 2021 waves to expected all-cause mortality.
Global Cases Pass 300 Million (12 p.m. HK)
More than 300 million cases of Covid-19 have been recorded globally as of 12 p.m. Hong Kong time Friday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University compiled by Bloomberg.
U.S. to Reportedly Ship 500 Million Tests to Homes (10:31 a.m. HK)
The White House and U.S. Postal Service are making final plans to deliver 500 million coronavirus test kits to households, the Washington Post reported, citing four unidentified people familiar with the plans.
The Biden administration will launch a website to let individuals request rapid tests, and officials aim to begin shipments by mid-January, the newspaper said.
New South Wales Reimposes Restrictions (10:14 a.m. HK)
New South Wales authorities suspended non-urgent elective surgery, and banned singing and dancing in hospitality venues as omicron cases surge.
The changes follow 70,000 infections in two days in the state and a jump in hospitalizations. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet urged people to minimize mingling.
Shenzhen to Require Negative Test for Departures (9:38 a.m. HK)
Shenzhen authorities said anyone leaving the city will require a negative Covid test after two infections were detected.
The change in the major technology and trade hub takes effect on Saturday, according to a government statement. China is one of the only countries left practicing a zero-tolerance Covid strategy that relies on strict border controls, extensive testing and lockdowns.
Australia Says Djokovic Not Held ‘Captive’ (8:16 a.m. HK)
The Australian government insists world tennis No. 1 Novak Djokovic isn’t being held against his will as the vaccine-mandate critic remains confined in a hotel used to detain refugees and asylum seekers.
Djokovic “is free to leave at any time that he chooses,” Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said Friday.
Djokovic’s lawyers have mounted a legal challenge against a federal decision overruling a Victoria state vaccine exemption for the tennis champion.
Vaccinated 23-Year-Old Dies in Sydney (7:56 a.m. HK)
A double-vaccinated 23-year-old with no significant underlying health conditions died of Covid-19 in Sydney this week, the New South Wales government said, as cases in the state surge.
The man was James Kondilios, a scientist and athlete who won bronze at the 2015 classic powerlifting world championships in Finland in 2015, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. NSW reported 38,625 daily cases Friday, with 1,738 in hospital, including 134 people in intensive care.
Chicago School Cancel Classes for Third Day (7:38 a.m. HK)
Chicago Public Schools canceled classes on Friday for the third straight day as district officials negotiate with the teachers’ union over returning to in-person instruction amid surging Covid cases.
A “small number” of schools may be able to offer in-person activities if enough staff are reporting to work, the district said in a post on Twitter.
Argentina Hits Record (5:05 p.m. NY)
Argentina posted a record number of cases for a third consecutive day as the omicron variant surges across Latin America.
Argentina’s health ministry reported 109,608 cases on Thursday, more than double the number of infections seen on Dec. 31. Yet the death toll as well as hospital occupancy remained relatively low: 40 people died of the virus and only 38% of intensive-care units were taken — about half the peak level seen last year for ICUs.
In Quebec, No Shot, No Pot (1:16 p.m. NY)
Quebec has tried everything from restaurant closures to a curfew to slow down hospitalizations as the omicron variant rages on. It’s now adding a more draconian measure to its arsenal: Requiring vaccination proof to enter government-owned alcohol and pot stores.
From Jan. 18, residents will need a vaccine passport to enter Societe des alcools du Quebec (SAQ) and Societe quebecoise du cannabis stores, Health Minister Christian Dube said Thursday. Other restrictions targeting unvaccinated people will follow, he said.
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