Since Omicron BA.2 is producing an unprecedented number of COVID infections around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there are certain "misinformations" circulating about the virus that are causing widespread misunderstanding.

The warning comes after global new infections increased by 8% last week compared to the prior week.&nbsp;

WHO's COVID-19 Technical Lead Maria Van Kerkhove pointed out earlier this week that there is a lot of misinformation out there.

"We have huge amounts of misinformation that's out there. The misinformation that Omicron is mild. Misinformation that the pandemic is over. Misinformation that this is the last variant that we will have to deal with. This is really causing a lot of confusion," Kerkhove said. 
 
Meanwhile, noting that the virus has not ‘settled down’ into a purely seasonal or predictable pattern yet, WHO's Mike Ryan, "it’s moving around easily and in the context of waning immunity and vaccines not acting perfectly against infection, the virus will likely continue to echo around the world."

"This is how viruses work. They establish themselves in a community, and they will move quickly to the next community that’s unprotected."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
COVID-19 vaccines remain incredibly effective at preventing severe disease and death, including against Omicron <a href="https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mvankerkhove</a> <a href="https://t.co/tXs8LU5Esz">pic.twitter.com/tXs8LU5Esz</a>
— Cleavon MD 💉 💉 💉 (@Cleavon_MD) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cleavon_MD/status/1504967148178972678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

COVID infection increased by 8%

According to WHO's weekly report on the pandemic, there were more over 11 million new COVID-19 infections and 43,000 new deaths last week, an increase of roughly 8%.

For the previous three weeks, the number of COVID-19 deaths has been decreasing globally.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Since Omicron BA.2 is producing an unprecedented number of COVID infections around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there are certain "misinformations" circulating about the virus that are causing widespread misunderstanding.

Since Omicron BA.2 is producing an unprecedented number of COVID infections around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there are certain "misinformations" circulating about the virus that are causing widespread misunderstanding. The warning comes after global new infections increased by 8% last week compared to the prior week. WHO's COVID-19 Technical Lead Maria Van Kerkhove pointed out earlier this week that there is a lot of misinformation out there. "We have huge amounts of misinformation that's out there. The misinformation that Omicron is mild. Misinformation that the pandemic is over. Misinformation that this is the last variant that we will have to deal with. This is really causing a lot of confusion," Kerkhove said. Meanwhile, noting that the virus has not ‘settled down’ into a purely seasonal or predictable pattern yet, WHO's Mike Ryan, "it’s moving around easily and in the context of waning immunity and vaccines not acting perfectly against infection, the virus will likely continue to echo around the world." "This is how viruses work. They establish themselves in a community, and they will move quickly to the next community that’s unprotected." COVID-19 vaccines remain incredibly effective at preventing severe disease and death, including against Omicron @mvankerkhove pic.twitter.com/tXs8LU5Esz — Cleavon MD 💉 💉 💉 (@Cleavon_MD) March 18, 2022 × COVID infection increased by 8% According to WHO's weekly report on the pandemic, there were more over 11 million new COVID-19 infections and 43,000 new deaths last week, an increase of roughly 8%. For the previous three weeks, the number of COVID-19 deaths has been decreasing globally. (With inputs from agencies)

Wrong information: WHO lists 3 misleading facts leading to Omicron surge

Omicron continues to play a spoilsport in the holiday plans for millions, as more than 6,000 flights have been cancelled across the globe over the Christmas weekend, because of staffing issues linked to the virus spread.

According to a flight-tracking website, FlightAware, nearly 2,800 flights were scrapped around the globe on Christmas day (December 25), including more than 970 originating from or headed to US airports, with over 8,000 delays as of 0130 GMT.

On Friday, 2,400 flights were cancelled and 11,000 delays, while Sunday cancellations have already topped 1,100.

Combining Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 6,300 flights have been scrapped so far, according to FlightAware.

Pilots, flight attendants and other employees have been calling in sick or having to quarantine after exposure to Covid, forcing Lufthansa, Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and many other short-staffed carriers to cancel flights during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-omicron-spreads-rapidly-france-records-over-100000-cases-in-24-hours-439995">As Omicron spreads rapidly, France records over 100,000 cases in 24 hours</a>

According to FlightAware, the three airlines—Delta, United and JetBlue—cancelled more than 10 per cent of their scheduled flights on Saturday.

American Airlines also cancelled more than 90 flights Saturday, about 3 per cent of its schedule, according to FlightAware.

Watch |&nbsp;Nearly 6,000 flights cancelled globally, as Omicron hits Christmas weekend travel

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nearly-6000-flights-cancelled-globally-as-omicron-hits-christmas-weekend-travel-439994/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Delta, United and JetBlue had all said on Friday that the omicron variant was causing staffing problems leading to flight cancellations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-prays-for-covid-19-pandemics-end-healthcare-for-all-on-christmas-439945">Pope Francis prays for COVID-19 pandemic’s end, healthcare for all on Christmas</a>

United spokesperson Maddie King said staffing shortages were still causing cancellations and it was unclear when normal operations would return.

European and Australian airlines have also cancelled holiday-season flights because of staffing problems related to COVID-19.

Chinese airlines made up many of the cancelled flights, with China Eastern scrapping more than 1,000 flights, over 20 per cent of its flight plan, on Friday and Saturday and Air China also grounding about 20 per cent of its scheduled departures over the period.

(With inputs from agencies)

Omicron continues to play a spoilsport in the holiday plans for millions, as more than 6,000 flights have been cancelled across the globe over the Christmas weekend, because of staffing issues linked to the virus spread.

Omicron continues to play a spoilsport in the holiday plans for millions, as more than 6,000 flights have been cancelled across the globe over the Christmas weekend, because of staffing issues linked to the virus spread. According to a flight-tracking website, FlightAware, nearly 2,800 flights were scrapped around the globe on Christmas day (December 25), including more than 970 originating from or headed to US airports, with over 8,000 delays as of 0130 GMT. On Friday, 2,400 flights were cancelled and 11,000 delays, while Sunday cancellations have already topped 1,100. Combining Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 6,300 flights have been scrapped so far, according to FlightAware. Pilots, flight attendants and other employees have been calling in sick or having to quarantine after exposure to Covid, forcing Lufthansa, Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and many other short-staffed carriers to cancel flights during one of the year’s busiest travel periods. Also read | As Omicron spreads rapidly, France records over 100,000 cases in 24 hours According to FlightAware, the three airlines—Delta, United and JetBlue—cancelled more than 10 per cent of their scheduled flights on Saturday. American Airlines also cancelled more than 90 flights Saturday, about 3 per cent of its schedule, according to FlightAware. Watch | Nearly 6,000 flights cancelled globally, as Omicron hits Christmas weekend travel Delta, United and JetBlue had all said on Friday that the omicron variant was causing staffing problems leading to flight cancellations. Also read | Pope Francis prays for COVID-19 pandemic’s end, healthcare for all on Christmas United spokesperson Maddie King said staffing shortages were still causing cancellations and it was unclear when normal operations would return. European and Australian airlines have also cancelled holiday-season flights because of staffing problems related to COVID-19. Chinese airlines made up many of the cancelled flights, with China Eastern scrapping more than 1,000 flights, over 20 per cent of its flight plan, on Friday and Saturday and Air China also grounding about 20 per cent of its scheduled departures over the period. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 6,000 flights grounded globally over Christmas weekend amid Omicron surge

Several countries in Europe have started the inoculation drive against coronavirus for children with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Inoculating children and young people, who can unwittingly transmit COVID-19 to others, is considered a critical step towards taming the pandemic.<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-eases-covid-isolation-rules-ahead-of-christmas-amid-omicron-surge-globally-439072/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Authorities in Belgium and France have announced that children aged 5-11 are now eligible for voluntary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> vaccination in both the countries.

“This vaccination will be carried out with a paediatric version of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which is administered in two doses injected 21 days apart. This vaccine has been approved by the European Medicines Agency,” said Belgium’s Interministerial Conference on Public Health (CIM).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-fears-of-new-variant-looms-europe-surpasses-75-million-covid-cases-433994">Also read |&nbsp;As fears of new variant looms, Europe surpasses 75 million Covid cases</a>

Over 76 per cent people living in Belgium are fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, 72 per cent of the youngest age group, between 12 and 15 years old has been inoculated.&nbsp;

“We have observed that 80 per cent of children with severe forms had no comorbidities,” said the French National Authority for Health (HAS).

Vaccinating children “could diminish the virus’s circulation in schools and reduce the risk of classroom closures,” it added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-warns-of-massive-fifth-wave-as-omicron-cases-surge-in-europe-437731">Also read |&nbsp;Germany warns of 'massive fifth wave' as Omicron cases surge in Europe</a>

France is reporting about 70,000 coronavirus infections a day as it battles a fifth wave of the epidemic.

Germany, Spain, Greece and Hungary have also started the vaccination drive for children as young as five in a bid to keep schools open.

Finland also revealed plans to expand its vaccination programme to children aged between five and 12, a day after announcing bars must close at 9:00 pm on Christmas Eve to fight record Covid infection levels.

Since it emerged in late November, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/omicron">Omicron</a>&nbsp;has been detected in at least 38 of the 53 countries in the WHO's European region and is already dominant in many of them including Denmark, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

The latest data suggests Omicron does not cause more severe illness than previous variants, including Delta, but scientists warn it could cause more deaths if soaring infection numbers overwhelm health systems.

According to the World Health Organization's regional director of Europe, Hans Kluge, "We can see another storm coming."

"Within weeks, Omicron will dominate in more countries of the region, pushing already stretched health systems further to the brink."

Germany, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands are among countries that have reimposed partial or full lockdowns or other social distancing measures.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Several countries in Europe have started the inoculation drive against coronavirus for children with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Inoculating children and young people, who can unwittingly transmit COVID-19 to others, is considered a critical step towards taming the pandemic.

Several countries in Europe have started the inoculation drive against coronavirus for children with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Inoculating children and young people, who can unwittingly transmit COVID-19 to others, is considered a critical step towards taming the pandemic. Authorities in Belgium and France have announced that children aged 5-11 are now eligible for voluntary COVID-19 vaccination in both the countries. “This vaccination will be carried out with a paediatric version of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which is administered in two doses injected 21 days apart. This vaccine has been approved by the European Medicines Agency,” said Belgium’s Interministerial Conference on Public Health (CIM). Also read | As fears of new variant looms, Europe surpasses 75 million Covid cases Over 76 per cent people living in Belgium are fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, 72 per cent of the youngest age group, between 12 and 15 years old has been inoculated. “We have observed that 80 per cent of children with severe forms had no comorbidities,” said the French National Authority for Health (HAS). Vaccinating children “could diminish the virus’s circulation in schools and reduce the risk of classroom closures,” it added. Also read | Germany warns of 'massive fifth wave' as Omicron cases surge in Europe France is reporting about 70,000 coronavirus infections a day as it battles a fifth wave of the epidemic. Germany, Spain, Greece and Hungary have also started the vaccination drive for children as young as five in a bid to keep schools open. Finland also revealed plans to expand its vaccination programme to children aged between five and 12, a day after announcing bars must close at 9:00 pm on Christmas Eve to fight record Covid infection levels. Since it emerged in late November, Omicron has been detected in at least 38 of the 53 countries in the WHO's European region and is already dominant in many of them including Denmark, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. The latest data suggests Omicron does not cause more severe illness than previous variants, including Delta, but scientists warn it could cause more deaths if soaring infection numbers overwhelm health systems. According to the World Health Organization's regional director of Europe, Hans Kluge, "We can see another storm coming." "Within weeks, Omicron will dominate in more countries of the region, pushing already stretched health systems further to the brink." Germany, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands are among countries that have reimposed partial or full lockdowns or other social distancing measures. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron update: Europe begins COVID-19 vaccination drive for children