Original title: Fudge: Christmas travel will accelerate the spread of Omicron, and severe and fatal cases may set a record
On December 19 local time, Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser of the White House, said in an interview that the mutation degree of the new crown mutant strain Omicron was "unprecedented". At the same time, he warned that travel during the Christmas season would accelerate the spread of Omicron.
According to the BBC report on December 20, when asked whether the number of newly diagnosed cases, hospitalized cases and deaths in the United States will set a record, Fudge said, "Unfortunately, I think this may happen. We will see what COVID-19 is causing enormous pressure on the hospital system in some parts of the United States, especially in areas with low vaccination rates. That is why we emphasize that those who have not vaccinated will be vaccinated as soon as possible." As the Christmas holiday approached, Fudge warned that people should carefully arrange their travel plans and abide by epidemic prevention measures such as "wearing masks on the plane, gathering as little as possible and vaccinating as soon as possible".
In order to cope with the rapid spread of Omicron, some countries have tightened epidemic prevention measures. Taking Europe as an example, France and Germany announced separately that Britain and Germany would strengthen restrictions on visitors from the United Kingdom because of the sharp increase in the number of cases of infection in Britain and the spread of COVID-19. The French government announced on the 16th that it would restrict travel between Britain and France to curb the risk of Omicron's proliferation in France as much as possible. The German government announced on the 18th that it will strengthen restrictions on passengers from the UK. From December 20, passengers from the UK will be required to be quarantined and show a new crown test negative certificate when entering the country.