France registers record of 100,000 COVID cases, Europe struggles with omicron

France, much like the rest of Europe, has experienced a severe spike in COVID infections over the last month due to the omicron variant of the virus. The country reported more than 100,000 cases for the first time, breaking its own record since the onset of the pandemic.

The capital city of Paris has experienced one of the worst outbreaks, with more than 1 in 100 people testing positive for COVID over the last week. Hospitalisation rates have also doubled through December.

Also Read: France gives a nod to COVID vaccination for children aged 5-11

The majority of the new infections being reported in France are connected to the new omicron variant– first detected in South Africa. Authorities have determined omicron may assert itself as the dominant variant in France in the coming days, according to reports from Hindustan Times.

Vaccinations are mandatory for all French health workers and a “health pass” is required to enter many venues. The measures have met the stiffest opposition in Guadeloupe and Martinique, reflecting long-running frustrations over inequality between the islands and the French mainland.

The United Kingdom, like United States, has already declared omicron as the dominant strain in the country and has been registering a record number of cases day by day. On Friday, the country’s tally was 122,186.

Also Read: Australia records first omicron related death as COVID infections soar

Spanish health authorities have reported three days in a row of record-breaking caseloads and have reinstituted mandatory mask-wearing in open spaces with few exceptions, according to reports from Associated Press.

According to the national disease control center, Germany had 3,198 COVID-19 cases attributed to omicron as of Wednesday, a 25% increase from the previous day. The disease control center said Thursday that of those cases, 48 people were hospitalized and one person had died. Delta variant remains dominant in Germany.