While some nations have breathed a sigh of relief after two years of heavy masking, vaccine jabs, and social distancing, European nations continue to be in COVID-19’s chokehold. 

After witnessing a spike in coronavirus cases, countries have buckled up with booster shots and stringent restrictions as omicron rises from the dead with BA.2, a highly contagious strain of the virus. 

Here are 5 coronavirus updates from across the world.

1. France

French health authorities have reported that the number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization has dropped down to 20,616 over the last 24 hours, according to a report by Reuters. However, the number continues to soar high on a weekly basis. On Tuesday, France observed a massive spike in new coronavirus cases since February with 180,000 new infections in a day. In the week of March 7-14, a surge of 164,884 cases was recorded. 

2. Italy 

On Friday, neighboring Italy recorded 75,616 coronavirus cases, with 81,811 cases reported a day before. According to Reuters, the number of mortalities caused by the virus dropped from 182 to 146 during the two days.

Also read: COVID had a major impact on mental health, amplified by social media: Study

3. Germany

In Germany, the health minister called for people over 60 to get a second booster jab to prevent severe COVID-19, especially if they suffer from underlying risk factors including high blood pressure and poor cardiovascular health. 

Between March 7 and 14, the country observed a weekly rise of 188,304 cases. Germany recorded over 300,000 cases for the first time on Thursday, according to DW news website. 

Also read: India reports 1,685 new COVID-19 cases, 83 deaths in last 24 hours

4. Australia

Australia is set to offer its citizens a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines for its highly vulnerable segment of the population from next month, in order to contain new outbreaks. 

Also read: How 10 largest US metros changed in COVID’s 1st full year

5. China

The country recorded 1,366 cases of the coronavirus on March 24, according to a statement by the country’s national health authority on Friday.

The Chinese city of Shanghai saw a 40% spike in COVID-19 cases in a single day, setting a new record on Friday, according to a report by Bloomberg. 

The highly populated metropolis is a testing ground for the country’s ‘zero COVID strategy’, currently in jeopardy as contagion hits.