The pandemic of the new coronavirus has killed at least 5,286,793 people worldwide since the WHO office in China reported the outbreak of the disease in late December 2019, according to a report by AFP on Friday.

On Thursday, 7,585 new deaths and 664,412 new cases were reported worldwide.

The countries with the newest deaths in their latest tallies were the United States with 1,310 new deaths, Russia (1,176) and India (624, a daily tally that includes an upward revision of official data).   Swiss Government The Swiss government on Friday proposed a series of restrictions for non-vaccinated people in the face of increasing cases. The Federal Council (government) has set up two options. The first option is the introduction of the so-called "2G" rule or access only to vaccinated or cured persons) for indoor areas, with the obligation to wear a mask and to consume while seated.
Access to cultural, sports and leisure facilities as well as to events would be restricted to those who have been vaccinated or cured. In addition, a negative test would be required (2G+ rule) when it is not possible to wear a mask or to consume while seated, such as in discotheques, bars and for certain leisure activities.

The second variant provides for the closure of places where it is not possible to wear a mask.  In both cases, the basic measures are reinforced with compulsory homework, limitation of private meetings for example, and the reintroduction of distance learning in universities. 
 COMPULSORY VACCINATION FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN GERMANY

German MPs passed a law on Friday requiring medical staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19, the first step towards a wider vaccination requirement for the entire population expected early next year.

The bill, aimed at protecting particularly vulnerable groups, was approved by a large majority in the Bundestag, where Social Democrats, ecologists and liberals are in the majority, with 571 votes for and 80 against.

From now on, all those who work in hospitals, old people's homes and nursing homes must be vaccinated or cured of Covid. Staff in institutions for the disabled, day clinics, doctors' surgeries, emergency services or socio-educational centers are also affected. ACCELERATION OF THE PANDEMIC IN AFRICA

This week, new infections have doubled (+113%) in Africa, an increase mainly driven by South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The epidemic also accelerated sharply in the United States/Canada (+24%) and slightly in Oceania (+3%), while it declined in Europe (-4%), the Middle East (-5%) and Latin America/Caribbean (-7%). The situation remained stable in Asia.  OMICRON VARIANT spreads at breakneck speed

The number of Covid-19 cases has jumped by 93% in one week on the African continent. However, WHO-Africa said hospitalizations remain low in South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first detected.

More than 107,000 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the week ending December 5 (up from 55,000 the previous week), with Omicron's share of the increase yet to be determined. Southern Africa recorded the largest increase, averaging 140%.