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The Latest Breaking News from Omicron

Czech Republic scraps mandatory jabs as daily cases hit new high; record cases in Bulgaria – as it happened

Czech government scraps decree to avoid ‘deepening fissures’ in country; Bulgaria reports highest daily tally of pandemic with 11,181 infections

The Guardian - UK

New Zealand closes borders to new arrivals over ‘unprecedented’ Omicron risk

Citizens without existing booking blocked from returning home after minister says quarantine facilities are under ‘extreme pressure’

The Guardian - AU

Australia calls on backpackers to help ease Omicron-fuelled labour shortage

Australia threw out an invitation to backpackers on Wednesday, seeking reinforcements for a workforce crippled by an Omicron COVID-19 outbreak as the country's health system creaks under the pandemic's strain with more deaths predicted in weeks ahead.

Reuters

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Cabinet expected to approve relaxation of plan B Covid restrictions in England

Measures introduced to fight spread of Omicron could be lifted next week with millions told to return to workplaces

The Guardian - UK

Latest research shows Omicron infectious up to 10 days: Tam

OTTAWA — The latest evidence does not show the Omicron variant is contagious for less time than previous versions of the virus that causes COVID-19, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Tuesday.

The Canadian Press

Omicron out-muscles Delta as cases surge

Bangkok alone has now surpassed 10,000 new cases since the beginning of the latest wave of Covid-19 infections on Jan 1, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) posted on its website on Tuesday, as one of the country's leading virologists revealed that the Omicron variant is now accounting for…

Bangkok Post

ASX and US stocks fall as bond yields rise amid expected interest rate hikes

The Australian share market and US stocks have been sold off sharply as traders prepare for the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates to combat inflation.

ABC News

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Covid case surge continues as 67 deaths recorded nationally – as it happened

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The Guardian - AU

Four doses not enough to stop omicron

Omicron's vaccine-resistant properties have prompted Pfizer to start work on an omicron-specific vaccine

Salon

COVID rule changes are a sign of the times

The pressure of the Omicron outbreak has meant things have rapidly changed as we reflect on almost two years of COVID in Australia.

Newcastle Herald

Edinburgh confirms new Covid hotspots as Scotland eases Omicron restrictions

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "cautiously optimistic" about Scotland's coronavirus situation, as she eases the current Omicron restrictions in Edinburgh and beyond.

Edinburgh Live

Saskatchewan bracing for more COVID hospitalizations; Omicron peak weeks away: doctor

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Health Authority says health-care services may be interrupted in the weeks ahead when a tide of COVID-19 hospitalizations and absenteeism among workers is expected to hit.

The Canadian Press

There's no Victorian COVID-19 lockdown, but Melburnians are choosing to stay home anyway

As a wave of Omicron infections wreaks havoc across workplaces and the healthcare system, the data suggests many Victorians are voting with their feet and staying close to home.

ABC News

Covid NI: Stormont Executive urged to set out 'roadmap' for easing restrictions

It comes as the Scottish and Welsh governments begin to remove rules introduced at the start of the Omicron wave

Belfast Live

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Daily Record

Pubs in Lanarkshire call for 'better confidence' in hospitality sector after Omicron decimates trading

Lisini Pub Co have spoken out over the treatment of hospitality venues

ABC News

Tasmania's Omicron wave might not have peaked yet, but the state's showing promising signs

Tasmanians might be wondering whether they're on the cusp of seeing the Omicron wave begin to wane. Unfortunately it might not be that simple, experts say.

The Canberra Times

'Most challenging time': Canberra businesses suffering with third year of COVID

Now into its third year, the COVID pandemic's Omicron surge is the biggest hurdle for businesses yet.

The Canadian Press

Nunavut has first death in Omicron wave; Ottawa to send nurses and contact tracers

IQALUIT, Nunavut — Nunavut's premier says the territory has recorded its first COVID-19 death during the Omicron wave.

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The Canadian Press

Homeless shelters face added strain amid Omicron, high rates of people on streets

OTTAWA — Staff at shelters and homeless agencies are struggling to support people living on the streets as the highly transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant sweeps through communities.

The Independent UK

Worst of Omicron wave could be ‘done with’ in some countries – WHO

But the global health body said that ‘no country is out of the woods yet’.

Irish Mirror

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar pinpoints day he wants 'nearly all' Covid restrictions lifted in Ireland as Omicron 'less severe'

The Tanaiste told his party that nearly all Covid restrictions could be lifted on what could be seen as a 'freedom day'

Tribune News Service

What to stream: With few new movies on horizon, consider these TV shows

January is a notoriously slow time for new movie releases, a break after the crushing release of awards contenders in November and December, while the ballots are tallied and statuettes are prepared to be handed out. Omicron is not helping the situation either, as new releases are scattering from the…

The Canadian Press

Re-wearing disposable masks? Experts weigh in on extending life of pricey respirators

Many Canadians are upping their face mask game as the more transmissible Omicron variant fuels of a fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daily Mirror

Top two Omicron symptoms that are telltale warning signs you've got Covid

The mandatory Covid self-isolation period has already been cut and Plan B measures are facing their expiration date. It's not known if this will affect case numbers, but it remains important for people to tell know if they have Covid-19

The Guardian - UK

Nicola Sturgeon announces lifting of Omicron restrictions in Scotland

Nightclubs can reopen and three-household limit on indoor gatherings to end from next Monday

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